Family Game Night

Felt Flowers

Surfing the web..........I found this cutey! Now I am sharing before I run off to get the supplies!!

What makes this flower so grand? It’s simple to make and crafted from sustainable products: eco-fi felt made of recycled plastic bottle and sweet vintage buttons. In no time at all, you’ll have a new felt posy for your wardrobe by following this simple tutorial. In fact, you’ll just have to be patient enough to allow the glue dry between steps.

Round up the supplies:3 pieces of 9” x 12” Kunin eco-fi felt (also known as EcoSpun) in colors that suit your fancy (available at http://www.feltorama.com) :: Vintage buttons :: 1.5” pin back :: Scissors :: Fine-tipped marker for transferring petal patterns to felt :: Needle and thread for sewing buttons :: Thick craft glue (Beacon’s Felt Glue or Aleene’s Tacky Glue are good choices) :: Sewing pins

First: Print the petal template below and cut out the small petal and large petal. Print at actual size unless you’d like to change the dimensions to make a smaller or larger flower. It’s handy to print on heavy cardstock if you’d like to reuse the pattern to make an entire bouquet of recycled felt flowers!

Next: Fold each piece of felt in half and pin together around the perimeter. This will allow you to save time by cutting two petals at once. With a fine-tipped marker, trace 3 small petals on the first piece of doubled and pinned felt. Trace 3 large petals on the second piece of doubled and pinned felt. Trace 3 more large petals on the third piece of doubled and pinned felt.
Cut out each traced petal and you will end up with 6 small petals and 12 large petals. When cutting the petals, take care to cut just inside of the traced area to avoid any transfer markings on your petal pieces.

Then: Form each set of 6 petals into an overlapping circle. Next, carefully glue each petal to the adjacent petals. You will end up with 3 flower layers: one created from small petals, and two created from large petals. Each layer may tend to ‘cup’ upward slightly as you glue them. This will add more dimension to your finished flower. Allow each of the flower layers to dry according to manufacturer instructions.

Next: Once the 3 flower layers have dried, stack a layer of large petals on top of the second layer of large petals. Arrange the layers slightly askew so that the back layer of petals peek out between the top layer of petals. Glue these two layers together.
Stack the layer of small petals on top of the other layers. Again, arrange this layer slightly askew. Glue this top layer to the middle layer. Allow the 3 flower layers to dry according to manufacturer instructions.

With a needle and thread, sew the vintage buttons to the center of the flower. Stack 2 or 3 vintage buttons together for extra charm!

Now: Turn the flower over. Cut a circle of felt to cover the center back of the flower. Glue the circle to the back of the flower and allow to dry according manufacturer instructions.
Cut a small square of felt to fit over the pin back. Glue this piece of felt over the pin back to the back of the flower. This will attach the pin back securely to the flower. Allow to dry according manufacturer instructions.

You’re done! Pin your new creation to a jacket, handbag or a fabric headband and show it off!

Artichoke Lemon Chicken - YUM

I just got this recipe from a neighbor and tested it out on my family tonight. I am thinking of making it next week for my daughters First Communion Party. It was a big HIT. Easy and Delicious!

For my family of 8 I used:

8 thin chicken breasts

1 egg - beaten

a combination of bread crumbs and parm. cheese all mixed together and ready for dipping

Olive Oil and Butter

1 jar of Artichokes in water (chop them up)

1 Lemon for squeezin

chicken broth

White Wine (2 glasses, one for me and one for the chicken)

In a large fry pan heat olive oil and butter (enough to fry up chicken, I continually added as I went).

Dip chicken breasts in egg and dip into bread crumb mixture. Fry it up in pan. Add more oil and/or butter as you go.

Blot off excess grease onto a paper towel.

Place chicken in a baking dish, set aside.

Add to pan with the drippings from frying the chicken - artichokes, about 1/2 cup white wine, the juice of the lemon (squeeeeeze) and chicken broth - about 1/4 of a cup. Bring that to a boil and continually stir. Let simmer for about 20 minutes....

Now pour that right over the chicken in the pan. Place in oven and bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

You can also add capers if your family likes them, the last time I put capers into a dinner my kids thought it was rabbit poop!

Results: a very tasty chicken dish! I served mine with leftover spaghetti from last night, a salad and fresh baked dinner rolls.

Jealous

Nothing more to say!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 LUNCHES

Everynight!!! I dread it but I gotta do it...........

Hello Courtney!!!

This is my daughter

Courtney - she falls in at #4!!! Trust me - she is not shy AT ALL!

Katie's First Soccer game

Katie is the baby! She had her very first soccer game this past weekend.

oh......this is BFF Sophia remember her from this?

Buy AMERICAN

I grew up and still live in the Detroit area. Unless, you are from the state of Michigan you won't truly understand how the auto industry effects our entire livelihood. I have generations in my family that have worked in the auto industry and my husband is currently an auto industry employee. Everyone living in Michigan has a connection to the auto industry, it is truly our roots, what we are made of and how we survive. We are all hurting right now, if not directly - in directly by what is happening. It is very difficult to watch our friends and family lose their jobs and their homes. I came across this video and it made me cry............it is real!!! I was thinking how could I help, what could we all do to help? My only suggestion to all of you is when you go out to purchase a new car please consider buying an American product, help the American Family survive!!!

Layla-Grayce

I just discovered cyber heaven........

Maybe some of you already know about my wonderful little Internet dream .........However, I have just discovered it and I think I will be spending a lot of time drooling over what this store has to offer.

The selection of merchandise ranges from gifts to handbags to bedding to children's items......to home accessories to furniture.....well just go see for yourself!

Absolutely Delightful!!


Here is an example of some of my favorite things...........

A beautiful room fully outfitted in Layla-Grace merchandise.

One of the cutest darn handbags I've ever seen slung over someone's shoulder - I think I am gonna get me one!!

A dreamy shabby chic bedroom!

Ah..........look at this set!

Cute Cottage Cozy!

Fun, funky flatware caddy!

I heart this afagan!!

Delicate and Divine!

Bleached Blonde

I swear I am. However, with age comes darker roots...........ugh!!!

So I decided it was time................time for me to make the ultimate sacrifice............time for me to become a bleached blonde!!!

So yesterday, I went into my bathroom armed with all the necessary equipment...............

and ..... Now I am

Gracias Mexico

Just got back from a really fun time in Mexico.......a day in the lovely little town of Playa del Carmen.

a bustling street in Playa del Carmen

Lunchtime!

Shopping for local goodies


Snacks

entertainment



and Tequila!!




Adios Me hi CO

April in Michigan

Can you believe it???.............This is April 8th and look at the ground. Okay, let's just say I am happy to be packing my suitcase right now with shorts, sunscreen and swim suits.........I am off to Mexico tomorrow with my daughter for her Senior Trip........hopefully when we return this white stuff will be gone.

Adiós

Make Ahead Meals

I am leaving on Thursday for Mexico with my oldest daughter. This is her senior trip - yipee!!! I am leaving my husband and 5 other children behind in snow covered Michigan........so sorry guys :(

Anyhow, I decided that I should leave them some meals in the freezer, just in case they get sick of carry outs.

On friday morning I spent about 4 hours cooking - and made 7 meals!! I actually enjoyed it - cooking is relaxing for me. I wonder why I don't do this more often??? I think I will.

I made: Pasta Sauce, Chili, a Mexican Casserole, a Chicken Casserole, Shephard's Pie, Chicken Parmesan and Baked Macaroni and Cheese!

Let's see what is left when I return. I will post recipes when I get back...........all of them are super easy!

Go GREEN GO WHITE. MSU WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TONIGHT!!!!