Spring Wreath

It looks like I'm on track to have a wreath for every season! I put together a quick and easy spring wreath just a few supplies.

You will need:
-a foam wreath
-one yard of burlap
-ribbon
-needle and thread
-straight pins

Step one is to cover the wreath with burlap. I just cut strips and secured them with straight pins. I also cut a inch wide strip of burlap and made a slip knot from it to hang the wreath.

Next you'll need to make the ribbon flowers. I'm no seamstress but after a few I got the hang of these little guys and they were pretty easy. You can see below how I threaded the string on the ribbon.

Then simply pull the thread to create your flower.

Then just stitch the ends together to hold the flower together. Again, I just used straight pins to secure the flowers to my burlap wreath.


Who I'm linking to:

Justin's Stew

I love a man in the kitchen! My boyfriend made this delicious stew for dinner and I'm already looking forward to having it for lunch tomorrow!

Justin's Stew

-1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
-1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
-2 cans stewed tomatoes, drained
-1 packet chili seasoning
-16 oz. V8
-1/2 onion, chopped
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-fresh ground pepper
-1 pound cooked ground beef or Morning Star Recipe Crumbles if your girlfriend is a vegetarian

Saute chopped onion and minced garlic until onion is translucent. Combine all into crock pot and cook one hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream on top.

I had to add in picture of the cute cook!

Linking to:

Tatertots and Jello

Decoration Inspiration!

My mother is ridiculously crafty and has great taste. So, I spent the afternoon taking pics of her super cute house. The house is country themed and filled with great antiques and some of her creations. It's a great source of decoration inspiration!

The mirror was made from ceiling tin found in an old building that was refurbished into mirror.

I have a thing for Mason jars. These are filled with old wooden spools, marbles, and match books.

My parents raise sheep and goats so you can find a few throughout the house.

Love this. Last name made out of stamps.

This buffet, crockery, and Aladdin lamp are family heirlooms but you can find them at flea markets.

This table is the base of an old sewing machine and the top is sanded and lacquered cedar wood.

This shadow box came from Lillian Vernon. My mom filled with old postcards, glasses, and thimbles from my mother's grandparents.

This cute little table was a $25 find at the local flea market!

Antique dresser with black and white baby pictures of me and my siblings.

Love this idea!

Antique sewing machine transformed into a table.

The two figurines on the entertainment center were brought back from Japan by my grandfather during WWII.

Big view of the fireplace. LOVE the fireplace.

Antique sewing table that is actually mine!



Hope you found a little inspiration!

Martha's Chicken Parmigiana

Happy Spring Break!

I got crazy one day and decided to make Martha's homemade chicken parmigiana. Warning: it took forever and I dirtied almost every dish in the kitchen but it was a big hit with my family! For all my veggie friends, you can sub in eggplant.

 

Chicken or Veal Parmigiana

•2 cups fine plain breadcrumbs

•1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

•Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

•1 cup all-purpose flour

•4 large eggs, lightly beaten

•1 pound chicken cutlets, or veal cutlets pounded to an 1/8-inch thickness

•1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more if needed

•Marinara Sauce (Recipie below)

•1 1/4 cups coarsely grated mozzarella cheese (5 ounces)

•1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce)

Directions

1.Bread and fry the cutlets: Combine breadcrumbs, pecorino Romano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and some pepper. Put flour, eggs, and breadcrumb mixture in 3 separate dishes. Dredge cutlets in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Dredge in breadcrumbs to coat. Let stand for 30 minutes.

2.Heat oil in large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat. (Oil is ready when a breadcrumb sizzles when dropped in.) Working in batches, fry cutlets until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. (If oil gets too dirty, discard, and heat an additional 1/4 cup.)

3.Assemble the dish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread 3/4 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange a single layer of cutlets on top. Top with 1 cup sauce, covering each piece. Sprinkle with mozzarella and pecorino Romano. Cover with foil. Bake until bubbling, about 10 minutes. Uncover; bake until cheese melts, about 2 minutes more.

Marinara Sauce

· 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

· 1 medium onion, chopped

· 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

· 2 cans (28 ounces each) peeled whole tomatoes, pureed in a food processor

· 1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

· Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

· 1/4 cup fresh basil, leaves torn

· 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Directions

1.Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, red-pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, and some pepper. Simmer, covered, until thick, 25 minutes. Stir in herbs.

ENJOY!