Cherish Yesterday...Dream Tomorrow...Live Today

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Feeling Better and Crafting Like Crazy

Hi everyone and happy Sunday afternoon.  I am glad to be back crafting and blogging again.  This Spring has been just one illness after another.  I had the flu and that really wiped me out.  Of course, I followed it up with a delightful sinus infection for good measure!  I hope I can make it until the end of the school year as a healthy person.  Summer is usually my healthiest time of the year, so I would like to go several months without a trip to the doctor or an antibiotic. 

Well enough of my wish list and onto my finished projects. 

I think I mentioned before that I found a cute and easy game to make to work with my Pre-k students.  I made it and it was really quick to complete.  I found the instructions from Connie over at Family Home and Life .  I purchased some vinyl with the flannel backing like you would make a table cloth for your picnic table from.  I made her version of a cute little lunch bag to carry the game in.  I downloaded her label and loosely went from her patterns to cut out the components.  I didn't have tan felt for the bread so my sandwiches are going to have to be made with good old white bread.  I also used a clothespin to close my bag in place of sticky back Velcro.  I had my super husband cut out a 1 1/2 inch wood block for me and I cut out and glued on the felt pieces to make the dice.  I think my students will love it.  It cost me very little and was fun to make. 

  I also made another felt glasses case from the Woman's Day instructions I used before.  These are so easy and fun.  These sunglasses are always thrown in my school bag loose and now they have a cute little cozy to protect them.  Believe it or not, I still have glasses and sunglasses running around naked or, worse yet, in those ugly cases you get when you buy them.  I am correcting that situation one case at a time!

I know I have said before that I am involved in quite a few crafts and I didn't want to take up another one. (I don't now if I told you guys that, but I have said it.)  Anyhoo, my love for unique jewelry has lead me to attempt beading.  I have dabbled little-very little- in it, but I have gone and joined a beading club to dive in and learn all about it.  The picture above is what I received in the mail for my second kit.  I fell in love with several pairs of these earrings.  So, without further delay, here is my first pair:


I know, they look fairly simple.  Apparently I don't know my own strength because I snapped an earring wire while trying to attach the hammered part.  I am cutting myself some slack because I am new to this.  I did enjoy making them and I love the finished product.  It will be cool to actually be able to purchase and use some of the beads I have drooled over and torn myself away from in Michael's and JoAnn's. 

My goal this week is to attend all five days of school. We are having a poker party with everyone bringing food for my Mother In Law's 80th birthday coming up and I am trolling the blogs in search of what I will bring.  I hope everyone has a great week ahead.  Take care.  Nancy

Sunday, March 3, 2013

A New Scarf and Yummy Pork Chili

Hi and happy Sunday!  It is slightly chilly here but it looks like Spring is around the corner.  One of my favorite things about blogging is trying out all the fabulous recipes and projects I see in my cyber travels.  Last night, my husband and I were in the mood for cookies so we tried the cherry white chocolate pudding cookies from Joan at Chocolate chocolate and more. 

They are amazing!  The cherry flavor is more subtle than I thought it would be which makes them more delicate and the white chocolate chips are delish- definitely a keeper recipe. 

I also wanted to share how I came to make a beautiful new accessory.


I had purchased the fabric for a scarf from the discount red tag table at my local JoAnn Fabrics some time ago.  I just hadn't decided what way I wanted to make the scarf.  You know how I love YouTube right?  Well I came upon The Crafty Gemini and her video tutorials.  She is an awesome teacher.  She has a video tutorial for an infinity scarf that I followed and it made the scarf easy.  I chose to make it really long so I could double it and it would be very full.   I have several sweaters and shirts this goes with.  I admit the silky fabric was a little slippery to work with-pins were sliding out all over!  But with some patience, I finished it.  Check out her tutorials, they're very helpful. 

I have another cold weather recipe for you that is comfort food at its best.  I made this roast pork chili in the crock pot and it was delicious.  I don't care for hamburger so I frequently make chicken chili.  This was a nice change. 

 Combine in a crock pot:

2 14.5 oz cans chicken broth
2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can of kidney beans, rinsed
1 large chopped onion
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
and a 2-2 1/2 lb. pork shoulder roast.

Cook on low 10-12 hours.  Remove pork, shred and return to pot.  Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.  Enjoy!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead.  I found a great homemade game idea on a blog that I want to make to work with my Pre-k students.  Take care.  Nancy