Wednesday, October 19, 2011

$4 Homemade Wall Art

   


     So when you first walk into my house there is a wall straight ahead that has an electrical panel on it. Why they couldn't move it a few feet into the closet...I will never understand. Anyway, I wanted some kind of art to hang there to cover it...without spending a lot of money. The problem was that in order to cover the panel and have the art centered on the space, it would need to be at least 24x36 and fit into our style and color theme!

     I saw a really cute Holiday idea for a mantle that used wooden blocks and thought it would be great if I could alter the idea to make wall art instead of tabletop decor. So I went to the dollar store for inspiration and thats when I found everything I needed.

Paper plates (I used black square plates) - $1
Red decorative filling - $1
Ribbon - $1
Bows (they were actually christmas ornaments) - $1

Total cost = $4



     It turned out really cute and fits the space and our decor perfectly. The best part was the overall price of only $4 and how easy it was to make. The kids loved watching me make it that they wanted to make one of their own. So I went today to pick up different colored plates plates, colored beads and different colored ribbon ofr my daughter and son to make one of their own for each of their bedrooms. I'll update later to let you know how that goes!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Stop and Smell the Roses

     Everyday on our walks we pass this same spot...Anjali always has to stop to pick a flower...this was the first day I stopped and realized that the leaves look like hearts...I think it was Gods way of telling me to slow down and enjoy ♥



Thursday, October 13, 2011

Apple picking

As I’ve said many times before fall is my favorite time of year. This is our first fall in North Carolina, and boy are things different down here! First of all the weather is nothing like NJ fall weather. Its been upper 70’s without fail everyday. They have many different pumpkin places and farms with fun family activities but one major thing is missing…Apple picking. I searches all over and found 1 orchard for self picking apples off the tree…it was an hour drive but worth it.





We drove to Millstone Creek Orchard in Ramseur, NC. Of course we got a late start into the season so many of the trees no longer had apples on them but they had a few left for us to pick…and many that had fallen off the tree but were in perfect condition. The kids had fun finding apples and playing on the farm. They had great tire swings set up and sand boxes made out of tractor wheels. My favorite part was the apple cider slushies, and they had great wine cake also. Overall we had a good time and came home with 6lbs of apples.




Then we had to decide what to do with all of those apples! So I created mini apple pies…kind of like the ones at McDonalds…maybe not as pretty…but good!



Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Pulled pork hotpockets

Pulled Pork Hot pockets

Ingredients:

1 can (16.3 oz) Flaky canned biscuits (1 can makes 8 pockets)
Pulled or roasted pork, chopped
1 Egg white
1 tsp Water
Your favorite BBQ seasoning/rub

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350º.
2. Wisk the egg white and water together in a small bowl and set aside.
3. On a floured work surface, roll each biscuit into a six-inch round.
4. Place a few tablespoons of the pork on one half of each round.
5. Fold the exposed half of each round over the filling and pinch and roll to seal the edge
6. Arrange the pockets on a sheet pan leaving about an inch between each
7. Cut a one-inch slash in the top of each pocket
8. Brush the top and seams of each pocket with the egg wash and sprinkle with a little seasoning/rub. (we use salt for the kids)
9. Bake until golden brown (about 20 minutes)