Monday, January 27, 2014

{DIY} Old Window turned Work of Art



Hey Everyone! Here's my latest project....and this was a quick one! Prince Charming replaced someone's old windows and I asked him to keep their windows instead of taking them to the dump. I'm so glad I did because I was able to create this lovely piece of art. I've been wanting to do something like this for awhile but wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to execute it. I've seen a ton of cute pallet ideas as well. But if you know me, you know I like easy projects sometimes...especially when it's 3 degrees outside. Another roadblock was "what" to put for the quote/verse. There really are so many great ones out there, especially bible verses that really speak to me. The problem with a lot of them is that they are too wordy. Not too wordy in general, but too wordy for something like this, on the wall...in my dining room. When I saw this verse, I knew it was the right one. I mean, it sort of sums up the whole of Christianity and believing in Jesus as the Son of God. If we love each other as He loved us can you imagine the world we'd live in? I swear, last week the news reported at least 10 dead bodies found in different parts of the city. It seemed like every morning if not twice in a day, my 6abc app alerted me to another one. If we loved each other, I mean truly loved each other, then there would be no need for any other commands. Thou shalt not lie? Of course we wouldn't! Thou shalt not steal? Definitely not. So, in my home, where my children will see this every day maybe it will remind them...and me...to be patient, to be a little more loving, a little more selfless. We are human, and will fail, but we can strive to be better...and if I'm putting words on my wall, they should be profound. 

Anyway, that was a long-winded way to lead into this lovely project...:) First, I printed out the words as large as I could get them. My handwriting stinks, so I'd rather have something a little prettier. Then I cut them out.



Next, I turned the window over and lightly taped the words in place.



Turn the window over to check alignment.



Using black acrylic paint and a tiny brush, begin to paint on the window, tracing the letters.




Remove the words off the back and Voila! A lovely, meaningful addition to my dining room!








Thursday, January 23, 2014

{New Year's Day Good Luck Dinner} Southern Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens



Happy New Year! I know, I know, I'm a little late. So, I don't know how many of you know this, but it's a Southern tradition to eat black-eyed peas and collard greens and pork on New Year's Day for a year of good fortune.  I know this may sound sacrilegious but I was never a fan of collard greens. Sorry, all of y'all  Southerners! They've just always been bitter no matter who cooked them for me. Plus, "collards" sounds as appetizing as "innards...especially when pronounced with a southern twang" lol..I know, I'm weird. So anyway, my parents came up for the holidays this year and my momma was all excited to make us our good-luck dinner. I was not excited. (Sorry mom :) ) So, in honor of my mom's hard work, I was going to be polite and eat her dinner, but much to my surprise...it was AMAZING! Honestly! I had two helpings and even had it for lunch a few times that week. My sister came to visit and I didn't even want to share it with her..lol. My mom was right! These were delicious and the collards had a little kick to em and weren't even bitter! I'm thinkin that I may have to make these withOUT it being New Year's day! I hope y'all try it, because you won't be disappointed! (For a little history on the tradition click here...but not until after you've checkout out the recipe :))

Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Ingredients: 
1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
1 large onion, diced
1 large ham hock
2-4 slices of cooked bacon
2 large carrots diced
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
dash of red pepper flakes

You have two options with the beans. Option #1: Place beans in a large bowl. Cover with 3 inches of water above the beans. Soak overnight. Drain. 
If you do this, it'll eliminate the hour prep in the morning of power soaking them. Just depends on what you want to do. 



OR Option #2 Power Soak: Place beans in a pot and cover with 3 inches water.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for one hour. Drain. (Since we could not find dried black-eyed peas at three different stores, Mom got a bag of frozen black-eyed peas and green beans and picked out the green beans. Then we did the power soak option)

Don't ya love my momma's sexy heart robe..lol :) Prepping the chopped onions.

While beans are cooking, place ham hock, sliced bacon, diced onion, diced carrots, pepper, garlic and salt in a slow cooker or crock pot. Pour in 3 cups water. Cover and cook on High until peas are tender, and ready to go in, OR if you soaked the peas overnight then add the beans right away with the other ingredients and cook on high 1 hour.






When peas are ready, transfer to the slow cooker. We used a strainer spoon to transfer them to the slow cooker. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 7-9 hours. 


Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with collards and my hot cornbread!


Say hi to my momma...isn't she cute?! :)

Now, onto the collards....

Collards with Kick

Ingredients:
1 T. olive oil
3 slices bacon, diced
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt
2 T. sugar
1 tsp. black pepper
3 c. chicken stock
1 pinch of red pepper flakes
1 lb. fresh collard greens



First, heat oil in a large pot over medium to medium-low heat. tear leaves off of the long thick stem down the middle. That part is a little more bitter.


Next, tear the leaves into small pieces, removing any really thick parts of the stems remaining.


Add bacon and cook until crisp.


Turn heat to medium high and add onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

.

Next, add collard greens and saute until they start to wilt. It may look like a lot, but trust me, they will cook down.


Pour in chicken stock and season with salt, pepper, sugar and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until collards are tender. 

Serve with black-eyed peas and my homemade cornbread.



Click Here for Printable Recipes


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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Best of 2013

Image Map


Hey Y'all!

Have ya missed me?? I know, I know....You thought I fell of the face of the earth. I did not..I assure you! I've just been insanely busy! I was in charge of our church Christmas play, which went amazingly well. (I sure am glad it's over though!) That took up a TON of my time...plus you know...all the extra stuff at the holidays. I took my first teacher certification test and passed! Yay! I have 4 classes to go till my student teaching in the fall...So I can FINALLY see the light at the end of the tunnel. I will be SO very glad when school is over. You have NO idea! Maybe I can become a normal human being, perhaps spend more time with my family, actually do a load of laundry and help my Prince Charming out (not that I actually miss doing laundry). So, even though I've been MIA I still wanted to share some of my favorite posts from the year. Mostly recipes and a few DIYs. I'm still in LOVE with my dining room table and record player. I'm itching to paint my bedroom furniture but again...I need the time! So, if you've been one of my faithful readers, or if you're here for the first time...click the pics, they should take you to some of my favorites. Thanks, everyone!

Happy New Year!


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