I Love Containers!

Don't ya just love pretty containers?  There's just something about taking an item out of it's store bought packaging, and putting it in something prettier.

Here are a few I picked up recently and quite cheap, I might add.

I got this one at Pier One on Clearance for $6.48, but I had a gift card so FREE for me!

This one was from TJ Maxx (isn't she cute)?

It was only $3.99.

It says utensils; it's kind of hard to read.  It was from TJ Maxx for $3.99 as well.

They all have kind of a vintagy look, which I've been drawn to lately.

This paper towel holder I picked up at Ross for $5.99.

I love having everything I need to make a quick cup of coffee in the morning within arms reach.

Plus I get to look at my cute new containers!

Menu Plan Monday

I had to make a few adjustments in my menu this week because my husband won't be joining us for dinner a couple of nights mid week.  When he's not around, I go much more simple with my meal plans; the kids are happier, it's easier on me, it's a win win!

Monday-Sloppy Joes, on a whole grain baguette, green salad, and Corn on the Cobb

Tuesday-Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Grapes, Tater Tots

Wednesday-Olive Garden's Pasta E Fagioli Soup over rice (I made this last week and froze some)

Thursday- Crock-pot creamy chicken and broccoli over brown rice, green salad

Friday- Buitoni Spicy Sausage and Beef Stuffed Ravioli and Buitoni stuffed Chicken and Cheese Ravioli both with Marinara sauce, roasted zucchini and squash

I really like this brand

Saturday- Sea Scallops sauteed in Olive oil with Garlic and Herbs, Near East Brown Rice with Garlic and Pecans (I love these), green salad

Sunday-Leftovers with a Caesar Salad

I also plan to make some lemon blueberry muffins this week.  I try to make a homemade breakfast once or twice / week.

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday...errr Thursday

For those who don't know me well, let me tell you I LOVE menu planning.  I love it so much, that sometimes I'll write meal plans up for three or four weeks in advance.  I also really enjoy cooking, so needless to say I have a fair amount of people that ask me what I'm making for dinner.  Which is why I have decided to post weekly meal plans on my blog.   Now... I probably won't do this every week, but I'll do it when I can (no pressure)!

I hope I can give you a few ideas, and maybe a little inspiration.

This is what I have made, and will be making this week:

Monday-we were traveling so we ate out


Tuesday-Homemade chicken pot pie, green salad  


Wednesday-baked basa(this is a white fish)with grilled    
onions with a balsamic and honey glaze, roasted cauliflower, 
green salad with tomatoes, olives and avocados


Thursday-olive garden's pasta e fagioli soup and garlic  
bread


Friday- OUT!  It's my birthday


Saturday-homemade pesto, tomato pizza (I make dough in my bread-maker)with grilled onions and mushroom,      
homemade humous w/pita chips


Sunday-pasta carbonara, salad


You'll notice as you start looking at my meal plans that we have at least a couple vegetarian nights per week.  Also when meal planning I keep a few things in mind, not necessarily in this order.
Nutrition, ease of preparation, will my kids eat it or some version of it?,  cost, and last but not least taste.

SEMI HOMEMADE CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP

Here's another recipe for a semi homemade soup that was as delicious as it was easy.

Take one can chicken soup.  There are several good ones; some of the healthier choices would be Amy's brand or Wolfgang Puck's, but use whatever you like.  I used a Campbell's Select chicken and wild rice, because that's what I had on hand.

Next heat and add fresh cracked pepper, some chopped fresh cilantro, and the juice from a couple of lemon and lime wedges.

This was such a quick and easy lunch, enjoy!

Cute Valentine Craft and Gift

Look at these cute little Valentine's day goodies I made!

I got the idea from Brunch at Saks.  It is such an easy and inexpensive idea.

Here are some of the candy bars I made for friends and family

This one I made for one of my sons

To make it you simply pull the wrapper off a candy bar and rewrap it with whatever paper you choose.  You could use scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, construction paper, tissue paper, etc.

& then decorate however you choose.

I wrote a message on them with a gold pen.

I also got a bill and wrapped it in tissue as a bonus gift.

I think my boys will be pretty happy...money and chocolate, it doesn't get much better than that!

Another cute idea would be to include a gift card or an IOU

careful ladies, the men in your lives don't forget about the IOU's!!  HAHA

Enjoy your Valentine's Day!

$20.00 off today at Ann Taylor!

Show THIS coupon at Ann Taylor today only 2/6 and you'll get $20 off any purchase when you try on a pair of shoes!
Thanks momsbyheart!
This is such a great deal; wish I had time to use it today!

Having a Superbowl Party?

I bet some of you out there are having a Superbowl party...or at least are watching it at home with your family.  If you are, I've got a couple of great recipes for you.

CREAMY CORN MUFFINS

• 2 pkgs. "JIFFY" Corn Muffin Mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 can (12 oz.) cream style corn
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

---

Preheat oven to 375°, grease muffin pans or use paper liners.

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into prepared muffin pans, filling about 1/2 full. Bake 22-28 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan.

I will be making these muffins to go along with a big pot of chili.  These are the best corn muffins I've ever had!

My favorite Salsa;  This recipe came from my good friend Eva who is from Mexico.

Ingredients

• 6 large tomatoes, red and ripe
• 2-4 serrano peppers, depending on how spicy you like it
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon or 2 cubes
• 1/3 cup water (preferably the cooking liquid)
• 1/4 onion, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. 
   

   1

   Place the whole tomatoes in a saucepan with the peppers; cover with water and bring to a boil.
2. 
   

   2

   Simmer gently until the tomatoes are fairly soft but not falling apart - about 5 minutes.
3. 
   

   3

   Drain, but reserve 1/3 cup of the cooking liquid.
4. 
   

   4

   Mix the bouillon into the 1/3 cup reserved cooking liquid and pour into the jar of a blender.
5. 
   

   5

   Add garlic; blend until the garlic is finely dispersed throughout the liquid.
6. 
   

   6

   Add the tomatoes and peppers to the blender jar, and blend for a few seconds. Do not over blend. It should have a rough texture.
7. 
   

   7

   Heat the olive oil in the bottom of a sauce pan.
8. 
   

   8

   Add the chopped onion and saute a couple of minutes.
9. 
   

   9

   Add the sauce from the blender.
10. 
    

    10

    Cook on high heat, stirring from time to time scraping the bottom of the pan until the sauce is reduced - about 6 - 8 minutes.
11. This salsa recipe is AMAZING my husband brags about it all the time and wants me to make it anytime we have people over.
12. Enjoy and have a fun weekend.
13. Don't eat too much!!!

Master Bedroom Facelift

I've been wanting to sort of redo my master bedroom, but with little to no expense.  I've put a lot of thought into the color scheme I wanted, and came up with light green and gray.  The two colors seemed so soothing and classic together,  so I don't think I'll tire of them for awhile.    As you can see from the pictures below I have yet to integrate my new color scheme.   I do however have a birthday coming up in a couple weeks,  so I'm hoping hubby will give me the go ahead to buy some new bedding and maybe a few other finishing touches.  Lucky for him I'm a less is more gal, so I tend to be kind of minimalist with my decor, and therefore my spending.  

I have moved things around getting ready for the finishing touches on my makeover.

Here is a view of a bay window 

I used barstools as side tables &

 

a file cabinet as a coffee table/place to set my books and coffee 

I topped it with a picture frame

here you can see under her skirt

here's a close up of the barstools I use as side tables

I moved this table in here from my family room.  I showed in a previous post how I gave it a facelift. 

This gave us some much needed storage with out having to buy new night stands.

here is what I replaced it with

another barstool covered by a glass table-topper

yet another barstool

this one on the other side of my bed

topped by another picture frame that I wasn't using

here's a better view

not the greatest pic but you get the idea

jewelry area

another view

Now can you just imagine this layout with light green and gray?

I'll post as soon as I get my new bedding and such!

Have a great Day

Love,

Vanessa