A "CRAZY CUTE" "TWEET" Wreath!

Wanted to create a Crazy Cute wreath for my front door... I stumbled across this fab wreath:

http://hometowngirl.typepad.com/hometown_girl/2011/04/spring-wreath.html

made by Susan... and was SO inspired to create something like it but with my flair and touch!

So kudos to Susan for her beautiful wreath, and the inspiration I received after reading her blog... please go check it out!

SO, you can see what I came up with... my 'HOME TWEET HOME' wreath!  I wanted to spend 'little money', but come up with something adorable.  The wreath cost me $10.00 to make.  I found many of the items at a 2nd hand store, or on sale at a local craft store.  You have to hunt, but you will be amazed at the bargains you will find!

Now, onto the directions, and items you will need!

You will need:

*grapevine wreath- found mine at the mission for $2.00

*bird nest with eggs- again at the mission for $2.o0

*chalkboard- on sale for $.50

*Green wire edged ribbon on sale for $3.20

*Birds on sale for $1.99

*Green Moss

*Ribbon Scraps- to hand chalkboard

*White paint

*Matte acrylic sealer

* Hot glue gun

*Drill

Create your wreath hanger by taking a 24" piece of your ribbon you purchased and tie it around the top of the wreath.  Hot glue the loose pieces at the top of the ribbon to form the hanger.  Lay the rest of the ribbon behind the hanger to create your bow!

I make my ribbons just by tying one loop on top of another, and because it is wire rimmed it makes it easy to shape!

I cut the ribbon at an angle on the ends to give it a finished look!

Hot glue the moss onto the bottom left hand side of your wreath

Hot Glue the Bird nest onto the moss, then your birds onto your nest.

I hand sketched the words onto the slate, and then painted over top.  It took about 3 coats of paint to completely cover the slate.  Once the paint had dried, I sprayed a matte acrylic sealer on top to protect the paint!

I drilled two holes on either side of the chalkboard, and then using some scrap ribbon, I pushed the ribbon through one hole, knotted it and hot glued it to secure it.

I then ran the loose edge of the scrap ribbon, through the bottom of the ribbon 'hanger', and pushed the scrap ribbon through the other hole, knotted and hot glued to secure!

I then hung the CRAZY CUTE "TWEET" little wreath from my door... welcoming all family, friends, and new acquaintances who may enter.  This was a Fun, Fabulous, Fantastically inexpensive project for my front door. 

Hope you enjoyed the blog, and hope you will be inspired to create a crazy 'tweet' wreath to welcome sojourners who cross your doorstep!

Living, Laughing and Loving my 'Tweet' Life,

Patti

Loco comida mexicana que va a bailar en tu boca!~ Crazy Mexican food that will dance in your mouth

There is nothing better than a quick and easy, CRAZY "D"lish Mexican Meal to add a party atmosphere to your family dinner.  This is an Easton household favorite... From top to bottom, HERE WE GO!

LOCO BUEN GUACAMOLE- 

CRAZY GOOD GUACAMOLE

Ingredients needed:

* 3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled 

* 3 Tbs. lime juice

* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

* 1/2 medium onion, diced

* 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

* 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

* 1 clove garlic, minced

In a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated. Mash the avocados with a whisk... keeping some chunks makes it SO GOOD!

Add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and stir well.

Then, fold in the onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic.

 Add the reserved lime juice. 

Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve with tortilla chips.

Awesome Super Taco Platter!

This quick, crazy easy dish, is taken from the cookbook 

What Can I Bring by Yvonne Baker.  This book is great when needing to feed a larger group.  Many recipes can be converted to 'church supper' or family renunion portions.  Some Great ideas!

Ingredients needed:

* 1 lb. ground beef

* 1 cup water

* 1 packet taco seasoning (I use Taco Bell's seasoning)

* 1 pkg. 3oz. cream cheese softened

* 1/3 cup milk

* 1 can 4oz mild green chiles drained

*1 cup shredded lettuce

* 1 cup diced tomatoes

* 1/4 cup chopped onion

* 1 jar 4 oz. salsa

* 1 cup sliced ripe olives

* 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

*1- 8 oz. container sour cream (they only call for 2 tbs. 

 OY VEY- more sour cream!)

*2 Tbs. chopped cilantro for top (this is my addition)

* Tortillas

Easy step!  In a skillet, brown ground beef, drain grease, then add taco seasoning and water and stir to combine

Next, mix cream cheese and milk until smooth.  Line a large platter with mixture and place your ground beef mixture on top.

Place green chiles on top of meat and then add lettuce on top!

Layer tomatoes, then onions then salsa!

Follow with sliced olives, cheddar cheese and dollops of sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro which adds excellent color, and a great taste.  You have a dish that deserves applause!  Tastes good, and looks pretty too.  I serve this with tortillas so guests can scoop the salad up and get the crunch of the tortilla along with the crazy fabulous taste of the salad.

I also add a bowl of Mexican Refried Beans with Cheddar on top.

You now have a meal that is quick, easy, and definitely company worthy or just a crazy great meal for a family dinner!

Loco comida mexicana que va a bailar en tu boca!  ~ 

Crazy Mexican food that will dance in your mouth!

Hope this gives you a great meal idea to share with family and friends!

Living, Laughing, and Loving the DANCING in my MOUTH! lol

Patti

A 'CRAZY', "D"lish Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

  I love to collect chickens and I love to collect chicken recipes.  Looking for a 'crazy' fab chicken recipe?  Well here is a winner in our household, and will hopefully become one of your family favs also!

Take 6 chicken breasts, slice them up and boil for 20 minutes.

I

In a bowl Mix 3 packets of  crushed Ritz Crackers, 2 sticks of melted butter and 1 Tbs. Poppy Seeds.

Pour half of you cracker mixture in the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 pan.

Mix a can of cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and 16 oz. of sour cream in a bowl!  Set aside.

Place the cooked chicken on top of the crumbs, and then pour your soup/sour cream mixture over top and smooth over chicken with a spatula.

Pour the rest of the cracker crumb mixture on top.  Pop into a 350 degree oven and cook for 45 minutes.

Pull from oven and sprinkle an 8 oz. bag of sharp cheddar cheese on top, then pop back into the oven for 5 more minutes.  And then...

I like to serve this over a bed of fluffy white rice.  The texture, the combination of tastes, the richness... so good.  And ideal dish for company, or just to make your family something 'crazy' special. Does this not look SO incredible?

Whip this dish up today!  

You, and your family will just love it!

Livin', Laughin' and Lovin' my Chicken!

Patti

Our Fabulously Crazy Easter!

What a wonderful day, from start to finish!  

The day started off so wonderfully as I was blessed to be able to play my violin at a friend's church.  As I opened the church door, I was greeted by the smell of Easter Lilies, and OH the memories that rushed back from my childhood!  New clothes,  the Easter Bunnies visit, hunting for eggs.  So many wonderful memories!

I got home, and it was time for Easter baskets... YES CRAZY BUT TRUE!  I do believe that well behaved BIG KIDDOS still deserve Easter Baskets... so Easter Baskets they received!  I think I have as much fun making them as they do getting them!  

My husband and I, both being photography fanatics, NEVER end up in photos together!  Another "Crazy, but true fact", so it was essential to take the first picture in years!  I love this pic as I am a firm believer in hugs.  Hugs are precious and so important to give... not only on holidays, but on ordinary days when craziness is going on around us!  You never know what tomorrow holds, so HUG those you love like crazy.

Onto the Easter Feast!  Such a wonderful time to sit with the ones you love, to talk, to spend time reminiscing and then looking forward to what the next holiday may bring.  Dinners around the table are the tops!

We enjoyed our meal of roast beef, carrots the Easter Bunny left behind, = ) mashed tators & gravy, green bean casserole (always a  must have) and corn!  Our family enjoys comfort food, and in a crazy way, it always puts a warm smile on our faces, 

as well as a warm spot in our tummies!

and the Place Cards... 

Were a success!  It was SO much fun hearing my 21 year old son gush over his  place card.  I think he realizes just how 'crazy' his mom is about him... it is the little things that reach their 'big kiddo' hearts!

And the 'piece de resistance' ~ "Strawberry Shortcake"!  

SO Southern ~ SO 'crazy' yummy!

Again a comfort food.  And a MAJOR SUGAR RUSH

 after all of the candy! = )

And of COURSE I must include Nermal ~ my sweetie in the EASTER MIX!  He really does love his bunny!  I just caught him in this funny pose!  Our 'whole' family, cats included is ending the day with a blessed feeling in our hearts.

Blessed for the Special Easter Holiday where we celebrate our faith and belief in a Risen Savior, and the wonderful thought of spending eternity together.  Blessed, for the love we share for each other and blessed for the times that we know are 'the stuff that memories are made of'.  Memories that will never be stolen or taken.  Memories of joy, happiness, and crazy, crazy, love for each other and our future.

On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer ~Douglas Horton

Hoping your day was just as special, and just as memorable.

Living, Laughing, and Loving the moment,

Patti