you're my favorite

Last Saturday night, Nathania and I hosted a "Favorite Things Exchange"

We got the idea from Joy over at joyshope.com you should go check her out...she's a pretty cool lady!

We began the evening with some good finger-lip-smacking food! Nathania and I didn't want to have the more traditional foods....veggie tray, fruit salad....not that there is anything wrong with those, but we wanted variety.

We came up with some good ideas...

SO yummy!

This is a shortbread, ricotta, chocolate, raspberry parfait....needed a little more sweetener, but super tasty. I got the recipe from watching me some Dr. Oz. It's apparently not super un-healthy...well minus the shortbread:)

These were a favorite. Nathania made them so I'm not sure what goes into them. They got a little crispy but were very yummy!

We also had Goat Cheese Grape Truffles, Watermelon/Mango/Lime fruit salad, stuffed mushrooms, sangria and a tasty punch. We liked all of our recipes....so maybe we'll share them if interested!

Now onto the actual party. Everyone brought 5 of the same thing under $8. We went around and explained why the item we brought was our favorite. Then we drew 5 names from a bowl and those lucky ladies got to take the item home!

Fun right?

After everyone had been given their stuff, they had a number and we went around and were able to "steal" an item we didn't get but really wanted! There were also numbers given out so that each lady could pick out a goody tote.

I made these simple totes from fabric from my stash. The only thing I went and bought was the strap...the ladies got to pick a bag to take their swag back home in!

This is a picture of most of the stuff. I had to steal my pictures from Krista...I don't know where my camera was!

Nyree brought shea butter and a body polisher...I love the lotion! So great for dry hands!

This is a dutch treat that was part of my favorite thing. You put it on toast and it is DE-licious! I also gave a painting edger...so useful when painting, you don't really need to tape!

This was Krista's favorite thing. It's Maple, Cinnamon Almond butter....so yummy! You can check out her post on it here.

 

Nathania also brought a dutch treat. She brought packets of Nasi Goreng...it's an Indonesian rice dish. We had to get our mom to send us a box with our treats in it...cause you can't get them her in AK...THANKS MOM!!!!

Nathania also made lavender beeswax lotion.

Beth brought some homemade lemon bars and some fun nail polish! Andy ate half my lemon bars...so not cool!

Lisa brought a little goody bag with laundry soap, white chocolate, sticky notes and some lip balm.

There were two other ladies there, Alecia and Mallory...and I don't have a picture of their stuff! But Mallory brought some good lotion...we have some dry hands in these here parts! I don't remember what it was called...but will find out!

Alecia brought some coasters and modpodge so that you can decoupage the coasters with family pictures...thus having a coaster and picture all in one!

Overall the party was a huge success! We're planning another "themed" party....and it's gonna be a good one! What are some of your favorite things?

Sarah

pinterest challenge!!!

I love Pinterest and decided it was a time for a pinterest challenge, as in actually making one of my pins! I picked one from my recipe board - Make-ahead Oatmeal smoothies. They looked super yummy and great for something quick in the morning!  There are 6 recipes to choose from and so far I have made 3 of them. The Strawberry-banana, blueberry pomegranate and the Apricot one. I love that all of the ingredients except the chia seeds are things that I typically have in the house.  So far my favorite is the blueberry pomegranate and the strawberry banana is a close second. I tried substituting mango for the bananas but it was not as tasty, I will not be doing that again!  The apricot smoothie is tasty but not as smooth b/c I didn't get the apricots pureed enough so the texture to me is a little off putting so I'm drinking in small doses :).  I just can't throw it away, too much dutch in me!! 

I also like that these smoothies can be frozen for later!  You have to let them sit in the fridge for 4hrs prior to putting them in the freezer to let the chia seeds and oatmeal soften. I now have several stocked in my freezer and fridge!

Each recipe makes 2 cups and keeps for about 3 days.

Here's a shot of my strawberry banana, blueberry pomegranate and apricot smoothies!

Enjoy and tell me what you've recently completed off your pinterest boards

Nathania

Yard surgery

Spring has arrived and that means yard work!! This year we have finally decided to tackle a major project, our yard! We have a lovely backyard, good size, room for a garden but it also resembles a rollercoaster!!! If you are familiar with frost heaves it looks like we have been growing them. I tried to get a picture of it but they didn't turn out. We finally decided to work on the problem a few weeks ago. Storman cut the grass with a pick ax in several of the worst offenders and I got to pull it back...and so did Storman cuz I was slow but in my defense I did quite well with twiggy arms! :) We used dirt from an old garden bed to fill in the holes and then flipped the grass back on top.  It worked really well and even better no grass was harmed in the process!  Next go around I will pack the dirt down a little better as some sections were a little boggy.  Not sure when the project will be completed but I'm just happy it has begun!! In the meantime I have been working on my vegetable and flower garden!! 

nathania

Breaking Bread

Who doesn't have a slew of recipes they have cut out of magazines or newspapers with the intention of making them all?  I'm a serial cutter outer myself and have recipes all over the house! Last week I decided to make soda bread from I recipe that I have been staring at for many many years. Since making bread always intimidates me I was surprisingly pleased with how easy it was!  I made the green onion and cheese version and it was tasty and pretty to look at!

Soda Bread
2 cups all purpose flour 500ml
1cup whole wheat flour 250ml
2 tbsp flax or sesame seeds 25ml
2 tbsp granulated sugar 25ml
1tsp each baking soda and salt 5ml
1-1/2 cups buttermilk 375ml
1/4cup vegetable oil 50 ml

Topping
1 tbsp all purpose flour 15 ml

1. in a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients
2. whisk together wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients; stir with fork until soft dough forms.
3. On lightly floured surface and with floured hands press dough into ball; knead lightly 10 times. place on a greased baking sheet; gently pat out dough into 6inch (15cm) circle
4. sprinkle with flour and then score a large x on top using a serrated knife
5. bake in center of 375F(190C) for 45 mins or until golden and tester comes out clean.

Variation
Cheese and Onion soda bread
Omit the flax seeds and topping. Add 1 cup (250ml) shredded old cheddar, 1/4 cup (50ml) chopped green onion and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients.

a good nights rest and a Link UP!

Hey you guys!!!

We've had some gorgeous weather around these parts lately. How about you?

This past weekend was a weekend of finishing or getting some projects on my list done.

A while back I went and picked up some pallets to make a platform bed. I've seen some really cool ones on the web, and decided since pallets in these parts are free and frequent the craigslist free section that I would give it a go.

I originally wanted to do two layers of pallets, but the place we got them from had already been picked over, or they were pretty trashy. Nathania and I picked out 4 of the nice ones and brought them to my garage.

Then I got sick...stupid spring cold how I loathe thee...so they sat in my parking spot in the garage for two weeks. Until this weekend when I decided to do something.

I brought the pallets in and arranged them and realized that 4 together would be too much...measuring is not a skill I have yet mastered....so I figured out that I would only need 2 and then to cut the 3rd one in half. By hand...did I mention we need a electrical saw...?

Once everything was cut...I put them in the place I wanted  and place the box spring and mattress on top.

Now the box spring was pretty ugly. Still functional, but UGLY...I had been looking at Value Village for a bed skirt but they wanted 14 dollars for one...too much for this dutch girl. So I looked in our linen closet and found a old sheet that had no elastic left in it and stretched it around the box spring.

 I think it covers up the box spring very nicely and I like the white on the bottom.

The linens and nightstand were all things we already had. As well as the picture and books...it just finally got put up! I think this was a very good example of Making DO!

Now it's your turn!

Link up anything you're finally crossing off your list!

Please add a button from the side bar or link to your post so others can link up too!

Linked to http://www.pollywantacrafter.com/

Frugalista Friday: Crafting Supplies

My list for today is all about crafting/sewing/making things...

you know the things you would  buy at Joann's....except I don't go there that often!

Here we go. My tips on getting some grrrrr-eat crafty stuff, nice and cheap.

1. Hit up the local thrift store: If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll know that Value Village is probably my favorite store. I really like some of the more off path thrift store as well....but to get to the point. Look for your crafting item at the thrift store first. Seriously. I've gotten buttons, hoops, yarn, fabric, Velcro, recyclable items (sweaters) for significantly less than I would have paid at Joann's. For example: 

Velcro was $.25

Buttons were $1.00 

Yarn was $.50 for wool

Now, although I may be obsessed with buttons...yes I admit I have a problem...take a look at these buttons. At a craft store they would cost upwards of 5 dollars for 4 of them. Plus with the button grab-bag you never know what you're gonna get!

So, if you wanna save some money...hit up the thrift stores when you're starting your next project.

2. Garage Sales: My favorite garage sales are the ones where a quilter or another crafty person is getting rid of the majority of their stash. If you find one of these you've hit the jackpot. They are usually willing to give you a deal, cause they are downsizing. I've gotten some fantastic fabric at sales like this that would have cost me hundreds of dollars at a fabric store for less than fifty.

3. Steal from your sisters stash...well not steal, but check out others creative stuff. Most of us have too much anyways and are usually willing to let go of something or will swap.

4. If you must go to the craft store....use coupons. And competitors coupons. If you have an IPhone...get the app. You usually can combine or use more than one coupon per transaction if they come from different sources. ie: an app coupon, a newspaper coupon, an online coupon. Granted some stores are bigger sticklers than others...but it's worth checking out! Also if you happen to work at a school, you can get a teachers discount card. Check it out, it can save a lot of money.

Does anybody else have any other tips about getting crafting supplies? I'd love to hear from you!

Sarah

salmon...cakes!

Salmon is a fantastic fish that graces the waters of Alaska. Last summer Andy and I had the opportunity to go down to the village Storman grew up in, and while we were there the Reds (sockeye) were running.  We helped can some of the fish and they gave us some to take home.

Now, whats a girl who grew up the Midwest to do with all the fish?

Well...use some of it for fantastic salmon dip....and then let it sit in her pantry.

Great use of good fish right?

not.

Well the other day I saw a recipe for salmon cakes....light bulb!

That's right, we've made salmon cakes twice in the last week and I think it is one of our favorite ways to eat canned salmon!

What did I put in them?

I put:

two jars of canned salmon

some minced onion

some minced garlic

Tbsp lemon or lime juice

Tbsp lite soy sauce

2 Tbsp grainy mustard

1 cup of Italian bread crumbs

2 eggs

Mix, and make into patties. Fry for 2-3 minutes a side.

Pair with homemade tarter sauce:

Mayo with chopped up dill pickles

Let it sit while you make your patties...it tastes better after you let it sit.

Serve with a salad...super healthy and tasty!

Enjoy!

Sarah