Valentine's Day ideas...

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day???

I love decorating for every holiday and I am searching the internet for some new ideas. I plan to post all my links here of neat finds I come across.

Decorations:

Woven Hearts


Valentine Tree


Valentine Banner



Heart Doily

Valentine Wreath (easy to do)

Love Banner (featured on Dollar Store Crafts)

9 Home Decor Ideas

Burlap Button Heart


Made by you gift ideas:

DIY scratch tickets



Check Yes or No

Framed Heart


Licorice covered in chocolate and decorated with hearts.

What a great little gift to make a young one in your life.

Rice Packs to Keep you warm

Southwest Brown Rice and Black Bean Burgers

2 cups brown rice, cooked
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1-3 tablespoons minced jalapeno or green chilies, (canned is fine)
1/4 cup salsa
1 egg white
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup flour (I used whole wheat)
2 tablespoons olive oil
cheese, if desired

Mix rice, beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic, onion, cilantro, chilies, salsa, and egg white in large bowl.
Mixture will be very moist.
Add flour, using only enough so that you can shape the mixture into patties.
Dust the outside of the patties lightly with flour. Heat a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add olive oil and warm.
Add patties and cook until nicely browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Sprinkle with cheese, reduce heat to low and cover with lid to melt cheese.
Serve with guacamole, if desired.

Lentil Tacos

1 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup salsa
12 whole wheat tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons fat free sour cream



1. In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender. Add the lentils, chili powder, cumin and oregano; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Uncover; cook for 10-12 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Mash lentils slightly.
2. Stir in salsa. Spoon about 1/4 cup lentil mixture into each taco shell. Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream.

No-Bake Mac and Cheese

8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles, (2 cups)
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli
1 3/4 cups low-fat milk, divided
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
3/4 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 4 minutes. Add frozen broccoli and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and broccoli are just tender, 4 to 5 minutes more.

2. Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 cups milk in another large pot over medium-high heat until just simmering. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup milk, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture to the simmering milk; return to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in Cheddar, Parmesan and mustard until the cheese is melted.

3. Drain the pasta and broccoli and add to the cheese sauce. Return to the heat and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat, until heated through, about 1 minute.

Valentine Gift Package Giveaway!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I came across this wonderful blog today and she is giving away a terrific gift package for Valentines Day! I highly recommend you checking it out and entering of course if you live in Canada. ♥

My organized Chaos is the blog!

Grocery Challenge ... Accountability

Lean hamburger (enough for 7 meals)
Roast Beef (total splurge) (2 meals)
Dog Bones
Eggs
Assorted buns/bagels
cashmere toilet paper = FREE (SCOP)
Dog Treats no pictured here

Total spent $30.43 with taxes included

$1 - for a cute bag/purse - handmade

I attended a sewing circle at our church on Saturday morning.

We all purchased some fabric 1 1/2 yards to make the bag above or was it almost 2 yards.
Anyway it was not in my budget to go to Fabricland or Baskins (local store) for fabric. Our income is very limited so I have to be very wise with my spending. So off I went to BFM (Bibles for Missions) to see if they had any fabric I could use. I know they have fabric but I was looking to strike it rich with choices. Well low and behold I found this brown cord fabrics for $1 and purchased a complementary fabric for the liner for $1. I know what you are thinking the purse/bag then cost me $2 right well nope... I have enough fabric leftover to do another purse/bag which I plan to make. So then the purse cost me $1. It was so easy to make. Once you make one you can make many more. I am really thinking about making the bottom part (bag part) larger in the next one I make so I have more room to put stuff.

Thought I would share my sewing circle project with you all.