Summer Salad

So this is about the time that everyone's New Year's resolutions start flying out the window! For some reason, my resolutions were not even made by the time January 1st came around. I hadn't even thought about it. So, for the past few weeks, I've been thinking about what I really want to do this year. Looking back, the times that I've felt the healthiest, are times when I've eaten heatlhy. However, I LOVE GOOD FOOD! (I'm like my Nanny.) I've determined that the trick is to make healthy food yummy! My mom is the salad Queen! She's got me hooked! My favorite thing is to make a good salad, add some shredded chicken, and Enjoy! These are great lunches, dinners if you've had a bigger lunch, or just want to eat lighter.

                            

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of dijon mustard
• 2 Tablespoons of honey
• 3/4 cup oil (vegetable, canola, safflower, olive - whatever you prefer)
• salt and pepper
• spinach, field greens, romaine lettuce (any of the three)
• Dried Cranberries are a must!
• Toasted pecans add a nice crunch!
• One of these cheeses: goat, feta, or gorgonzola
• Any of the following fruits:
• strawberries
• blueberries
• pears
• mangos
• apples

This recipe will make 1-2 cups of dressing. This should be enough to cover a dinner salad for 2, put enough in a small tupperware for a salad to take to work the next day, and be able to bottle the extra to give to a friend or save for later. (It keeps well if it has a closed lid :)



For the dressing, combine and mix well
(I love my emursion blender from cuisinart):

• rice wine vinegar
• dijon mustard
• honey
• pinches of salt and pepper (you can add more to taste)
• Gradually add oil as you're blending the other ingredients.

For the salad: 

• Use Romaine Lettuce, field greens, or spinach(better for you) or mix the three. (Use a large handful or two for each person depending on how much you want or if this is a full meal or side salad)
• Add a few handfulls each of any combination of the following fruit: strawberries, blueberries, pears, mangos, apples.
• Sprinkle on some cheese that you like: gorgonzola, feta, or goat are best!
• Dried cranberries are a must!
• Crumbled toasted pecans add a nice crunch.
• Cook a few chicken breasts in light seasonings/salt&pepper. Shred them into bite size pieces to top the salad off and make it a meal. Leave the chicken out for a nice side salad. (For some reason, the chickent tastes better shredded :)

Think about combining these ingredients into a tupperware to take to work tomorrow (That way lunch is already made! And it's healthy!)

This is one of my favorite salad recipes out there! It's so refreshing with delicious fruit and a light yummy honey mustard dressing that makes it delectable! Please let me know if you have any comments or questions! Enjoy!

Button Bracelets

A few years ago, some friends and I started making button bracelets. I think they are so cute. I have modified them to make them wider and more of a cuff. These are directions for buttons with four holes. If you're using two hole buttons, only use one strand of twine instead of two. Follow these steps below.

1 strand:

Cut a strand of twine or ribbon of your color choosing that is six times the length you wish your bracelet to be.

Fold it in the middle.

Tie a knot in the folded end with a hole large enough to fit around one button.

Put one strand through the back of one hole in one button.

Take the other strand through the back of the next hole in the same button.

Cross the strands in the front of the button and thread them back through the other two holes.

Thread the next button the same way leaving enough space in between the buttons so they lay flat. It on as many buttons as needed to fit around your wrist.

The last button should fit through the hole at the beginning of the bracelet to secure it on your wrist.

2 strand:

Begin with two strands of twine each six times the length of the bracelet you wish to make.

Find the middle of them both and tie a knot large enough to fit around one button.

Separate the strands into two sets for each row of buttons

Place one strand through the back of a button.

Thread the other strand through the next hole on the same button.

Do the same thing with the other two strands lining the buttons up side by side.

Lay the bracelet flat and line up the four threads next to each other as they come out of the back of the buttons.

Tie the middle two strands and tie a fairly tight square knot.

Leave the outer two strands out. Thread two more buttons onto each set of twine the same as before.

Follow with another square knot.

Continue until there is room for only one one set of buttons.

Again, let the strands fall naturally from the last button.

Tie a knot on the back of each button with the outer threads. Cut threads.

With the two middle threads, thread another single button.

Cross it in the front and thread back through.

Tie a secure knot to tie it off. Cut the threads off or leave them and tie a bow as a girlie addition.

This is a very cute craft. I have one in every color and really love them! They go with everything! Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions!

College Goody Box

I recently began graduate school. I am currently married and enjoying life living near family. However, my brother and cousins live hours away and are very busy. I recall how nice it was to get goodies in the mail from them when I was a freshmen and even older. My aunt would stuff homemade cookies and snacks in a box. She would include a good book or a game to play during my breaks from studying. Maybe a Sudoku book or trivia game.
At Christmastime, I was blessed to spend a lot of time with these cousins who I miss while they are away at college. Upon their departure, I thought of how much fun it was to receive this repackages and how I haven't sent any in a while.
My cousin Emily and I put this box together for her sister so that when she needs a break from studying, she will have a cute craft to do or a funny game to play. She needs the breaks from studying and it's also really nice to be reminded that someone loves you, even if they may be far away.

We took an old box and hot glued fabric from the fabric store onto the top and bottom separately. (wrap them like a Christmas present and hot glue the fabric to the inside of the box) to create the cute pattern. We used ribbon for the stripe down the middle and made the cute flowers out of construction paper. (See the next post on how to make those.)

Inside are many fun things:

1. princess chapstick

2. gum

3. mints

4. crafts to make candle votives and candles

5. canvas apron and decorating materials

6. twine and buttons/beads to make bracelets

7. coloring book

8. valentines to send to her friends

9. paddle ball game

10. door knob hanging signs to decorate

11. beads

12. googley eyes

13. puffy paint

14. magnet for the fridge

15. directions for specific crafts

16. a card that says "we love you!!"

I would encourage you to think of those whom you love that are far away and think of some things that you know they like or enjoy that would bring a smile to their face or remind them of your love. It does not have to be this extravagant but is meaningful when it comes from the heart. <3

Where to start?

I recently graduated from Florida State University and have been married for 3 years. I am enrolled in graduate school and am substitute teaching on my days off from school. During my free time, I enjoy crafting and creating new things for my home. I've been wanting to share these ideas but wasn't sure how to go about it. So, I created a blog. I thought I'd never have the time or desire to create one but I've seen so many great blogs lately that have all kinds of great craft ideas that I appreciate so much. I want to be a part of that! So, this is to simply share craft ideas and maybe a word or two from my life every now and again. Hope you enjoy. Happy Crafting and God Bless!