Recipe of the Week #176- Pepperoni Muffin Bites

Pepperoni Muffin Bites
Muffin Crust:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup veggie oil

Topping:
1/3 cup marinara sauce
13 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped pepperoni

Heat oven to 400 and line mini muffin cups with paper liners.
Mix the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, blend the egg, oil, and milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Stir until smooth.

In a small bowl, mix the marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups filling them three-quarters full. Spoon 1/2 tsp of sauce mixture on top of each one, pushing it in slightly, then sprinkle with chopped pepperoni.

Bake for about 15 minutes. Cool in pan, then serve warm.

These not only taste great, but look so good, too. They'd be fun to serve at a party or get-together.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

Psalm 128:4

This post is linked to It's Overflowing, What's On The List?, and Skip to My Lou.

Patriotic Centerpieces with a Pop!

Ok. Are you ready for this?

I'm about to hit you with a whole bunch of patriotic cuteness.

What do you think about this centerpiece. . .made with empty soda cans?!?

Here's a second one with a different ribbon and different flowers.

I started by using a can opener to remove the lid from an empty can.

Then I washed each can with soap and water.

I used a long ribbon to tie three cans together.

After that all it took was adding three silk flowers and one flag to each can.

Here's the first arrangement with some red flowers added.

Simple. Cheap. Cu-ute!!!

I think the price is right on these.

I bought the sodas for a new BBQ recipe I'm trying.

The flowers and the flags came from the dollar store.

And I had the ribbon on hand.

Try whipping up a couple of these to set out at your Fourth of July festivities.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

Beloved, if God so loved us, 

we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11

This post is linked to Plucky's Second Thought, Tip Junkie, Funky Junk, Tatertots and Jello,
and The Dedicated House.

Colorful Bracelet DIY

 Have you ever tried to make a bracelet?
It's not too hard.
Here's how I made this one.

I just love all the colors.

I started with these two items from Hobby Lobby.

I also used some silver beads and elastic jewelry cord.

 On the back of the elastic cord package are directions on how to tie knots for jewelry.

It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but I started by tying the elastic to one edge of the jewelry plate.

(I use thin elastic, so I usually use two strands to make the bracelet stronger.)

Then I alternated colorful beads with silver beads.

I think the silver beads seem to dress it up.

I kept adding beads until the bracelet was long enough to go around my wrist.

Then I tied the elastic cord off on the other side of the jewelry plate.

This is my new favorite piece.

With all those colors, it goes with nearly everything!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

And this is His commandment: 

that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ

 and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

1 John 3:23

This post is linked to Life with Lorelai, I Heart Naptime, Natasha In Oz, and The Crafted Sparrow.

Thrifty Thursday #172

It's been a few weeks since I've popped into my local thrift stores.

I squeezed a visit in earlier this week.

There are three thrift stores all in one area.

I told myself that I'd only stop at two, but then I decided to go to the third one.

I am soooooo glad I did.

I spotted these beakers from across the store.

How stinkin' awesome are they?

Two are 2000ml and were $3 each.

The third is 1000 ml and cost $2.

I don't think they're vintage, but I love them nevertheless. 

At first I thought I'd just get this smaller one, but then decided to splurge on all three.

I also got this old math book for fifty cents.

Between this and the beakers, I think I have the start to a darling vintage-y school themed centerpiece.

It's copyright date is 1950. Check out the pages.

Beautiful.

Any other ideas about what I can do with the beakers?

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

He who does not love does not know God,

 for God is love.

1 John 4:8

This post is linked to My Repurposed Life, A Morning Cup of Joe,
and Too Much Time on My Hands.

Layout of the Week #112

The Fourth of July is right around the corner.

Do you have some old photos from a Fourth celebration that you haven't yet scrapbooked?

Try this layout. . . 

You can go here to see a full tutorial.

On my layout, I incorporated a small flag and several paint chips.

If you'd rather, you can replace those items with different patriotic pattern papers.

Every two weeks, I have a beginning to end layout tutorial.

Stop back by to make a quick and easy layout!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Let us not love in word or in tongue, 

but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18

This post is linked to The Dedicated House, Embracing Change, and Tip Junkie.

Recipe of the Week #175- Maid Rites

Maid Rites
1 lb hamburger
1 small chopped onion
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp chili powder

Brown beef and onion. Drain grease. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well. Serve on hamburger buns.

This is actually an old family recipe. I often plan this on a night when I need a quick dinner. It's one fast and delicious dinner! Maid Rites always go over well.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

I will praise You with my whole heart

Psalm 138:1

This post is linked to What's On the List?, Ivy and Elephants, and My Girlish Whims.

Mini Album Monday #56- "Best Dad" Album

In honor of Father's Day, I have a fun "Dad" album to share with you today.

Sometime ago, I made this book for my dad and filled it full of photos and memories.

The cover is a piece of  5"x8" Tim Holtz Grungeboard.

I distressed it and added a sticker for the title.
I punched holes in a small paint stirring stick and added it to the binding rings.
I also used quite a few nuts, bolts, and screws on the cover and throughout the album.

The first page is a 6"x 9" manilla envelope folded in half.
I embellished it with a few pieces of masking tape (upper left corner)
and a piece of leather with a metal washer (lower right corner).

On the back of the first page, I added some wood grain paper. The journaling prompt says,
 "My favorite memory of you."
The second page is a brown paint chip embellished with duct tape, electrical tape, masking tape, and a couple of brads shaped like screws.

I covered the back of the paint chip with a page from a vintage home repair book.
The small envelope is covered with a piece of duct tape. The journaling prompt on it says,
"My funniest memory."
The tag pulls out with a journaling prompt that says, "Most meaningful moment." On the top of the tag, I attached a small zip tie.

The next page is another page out of the home repair book.

The journaling on the left says, "Things I learned from you."
On the right, the journaling says, "My favorite picture of you and me."
The page on the right is the other half of the 6"x 9" envelope. I tucked an additional photo
 inside the opening.

The page on the left says, "The best advice you gave me."
The back cover is a piece of cardboard.
On it, I placed a distressed CD envelope with a piece of cardstock inside it that says,
 "More favorite memories."

I had a great time incorporating as many manly things as I could into this album.
I'm glad to have these memories documented and my dad was tickled pink to get it.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! 

For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

This post is linked to Skip to My Lou, It's Overflowing, Tatertots and Jello,
and Between Naps on the Porch.

Vintage Fruit Crates For Storage

A door couch is cute, but you know what makes it even cuter?

Putting vintage fruit crates underneath it!

I bought some vintage fruit crates when I went to the flea market last month.

I knew what I wanted to do with them.

We recently got a different tv stand (wait til you see it!),

 so we needed a new home for our DVDs.

Guess what fits perfectly into vintage fruit crates?

My hubby put some small casters on the bottoms of the crates 

to make them slide easier from underneath the couch.

Truly, aren't they just too cute?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:9

This post is linked to Knick of Time, My Repurposed Life, Miss Mustard Seed, 
Natasha In Oz, Funky Junk, and Tatertots and Jello.

Thrifty Thursday #171

The other day my mom called to see if I was home.

She said that my dad had found something in the trash that I might like.

I was anxious to see what they were bringing.

Imagine my surprise and delight when my dad pulled this out of the back of his truck!

Who on earth would just throw this old school desk away?

It's in great shape.

I just had to wipe it down with some soapy water, then find a perfect place for it in my living room.

Another day while out riding my bike, I happened across another roadside find.

This old suitcase.

Cute, huh?

It probably looked like I was running away from home
as I rode with it laying across my handlebars:)

The inside needs a little work, but I can't complain about the price!

I love Thrifty Thursdays--- I especially love them when I get the stuff for free!

I hope you happen across a roadside gem this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Casting all your care upon Him, 

for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

This post is linked to My Salvaged Treasures, Life with Lorelai, and Embracing Change.

Lovelies That I Love

Today I decided to go with a travel theme as it's summer. . . and summer is the time to travel.

My hubby and I met when we both lived in Germany,
 so we got to do a lot of traveling around Europe.
I count it as a double blessing that I saw Europe
 and that I got to see it with my honey!

Nowadays, most of our traveling involves camping with our boys.

Nevertheless, I always enjoy a good trip:)

I just love this travel wallet!

I love that it looks like an old envelope, has stamps, and
even the personalized message, "Off to see the world.""

Too cute.

Check out this travel journal notebook.

I think it would be fantastic to keep a record of your travels.

Just think, if you got this, you could take it with you on all your trips.

You could include your packing list, funny anecdotes from the trip,
and you could even tuck tickets into it.

I love these luggage tags.

You wouldn't have any problem spotting these on the luggage turnstile!

This travel locket is so pretty.

It has room for a good size photo in it.

Do you need to get organized for a trip?

How about this 10 page printable travel planner.

I love it!

If I got this, I'd have to keep it after the trip and put it into a travel journal:)

Ah, looking at this stuff just makes me want to get away!

I'm not affiliated with any of these companies, I just like their stuff.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever

Psalm 135:13

This post is linked to It's Overflowing, Too Much Time on My Hands, The Crafted Sparrow,
and Plucky's Second Thought.

Recipe of the Week #174- Cheeseburger and Fries Pie

Cheeseburger and Fries Pie
3 cups frozen chopped crinkle cut fries
1-12 oz frozen deep dish pie crust
1 lb beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400. On a large pan, spread fries on half and place pie crust on other half. Bake 8-10 minutes until pie crust is lightly browned. Remove crust, but place fries back in the oven.
Brown beef and onion. Drain grease. Add ketchup and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon meat into the crust,
and top with the remaining cheese. Place the pie crust back in the oven on the cookie sheet. After 15 minutes of baking, loosely cover pie with foil.
Bake 25-30 minutes until fries are crispy. Remove from oven. Place fries on top of pie. Serve immediately.

My boys and hubby loved this. The meat and fries taste surprisingly good with the flavor of the crust.

Thanks so much for stopping by and God bless.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

This post is linked to The Dedicated House , What's On The List?, and Between Naps on the Porch.

I Heart These Ball Caps

I don't wear hats too often, but sometimes it's nice to have one.

Unfortunately, I don't have a cute, girly one.

When I saw plain ladies hats at Walmart, I knew I could do something with them.

I added a white heart to the black hat.

We're going camping this week, so I'll be bringing this cap with me.

For some reason, when I make something, I can't seem to make just one.:)

I picked up a pink hat, too.

I added a black heart to it with some gems around the bill.

Well, they're certainly girly!

What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good

Psalm 135:3

This post is linked to Tip Junkie, Ivy and Elephants, I Heart Naptime, and My Girlish Whims.

Wood Beads with a Pop of Color

The other day, my sister came over and needed me to repair a bracelet of hers,
 so while I had my supplies out, I whipped up a few new ones.

 I thought the colorful crosses would be just the right pop of color for these wooden beads.

I alternated silver beads with the wooden beads to dress them up a bit.

I think they look cute individually

or even doubled up.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

 and He will lift you up.

James 4:10

This post is linked to Life with Lorelai, My Repurposed Life, and I Heart Naptime.

Thrifty Thursday #170

Today's treasures come from two different places: the first, from an antique store.
The rest came from a yard sale that had cheap prices on everything.

I enjoy going to antique stores, but I usually don't buy anything when I go
because I feel the prices are often on the high side.
I really prefer the thrill of the hunt--- at yard sales, estate sales, and resale shops.

Can anybody guess what this is?

It's a basket from the bottom of a hole on a golf course.

I paid $5 for it. 

I think it's so unique and I love the chippy paint.

Right now, it's sitting next to our tv holding old wooden spools.

I got this potato masher for $1.

Anytime you can get vintage kitchen utensils at a good price, you should pick them up.
This would've been at least $4 at an antique store. 

These spools were ten cents each.

They're about 6" tall.

I never pass up inexpensive spools!!!

What a bargain!

I sure love vintage reading books.

This guy was only a dime.

Check out the interior pages!

I got these two vintage books for ten cents each.
They're so cute just sitting on a shelf or for projects like this.

I've got plans to go to two different estate sales this weekend.
Hopefully I'll stumble across something good!
Good luck to all of you and your treasure hunting!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

 This post is linked to My Girlish Whims, A Morning Cup of Joe, and
 Too Much Time on My Hands.