Love the creative use of an old bottle as a vase. Finding ways to use items you already have around the house can make a home much more interesting. Don’t you think?
I have a confession. I love my slow cooker! In fact, I love it so much that I actually have two of them (one small for just the two of us, one large for dinner parties). There is something so awesome about being able to put together dinner in the morning, and then go about the day knowing that it will be all ready to eat at night. In fact, with some recipes you can assemble everything the night before, store it in the fridge, and have it ready to go into the cooker without any extra effort in the morning.
With out much effort or having to stand over a hot stove and oven too! Not only is it easy to use, but it makes some tasty food! I especially love to use it in the summer when it just sounds miserable to be cooking (90-100 degree weather will do that to a person).
Recently I got a copy of the newly updated Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook: 700 Great Slow Cooker Recipes
Of course, if you love to use a slow cooker, you might already have this cookbook as your go to book. It is certainly on heavy rotation in our house. I especially love the variety of things that can be made in a slow cooker, from breakfast, to dinner, dips and deserts, it’s all there! I love that most of the recipes use few ingredients, and those that use a lot make use of easy to find items (like soups, or lots of vegetables). We have loved everything we have made in our slow cooker so far, and can’t wait to keep trying more. Here is a recipe for you to try next time you feel like doing something new with your slow cooker:
Broccoli Corn Bread
Winfred Ewy
Newton, KS
Makes 8 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours
Ideal slow-cooker size: 3- to 4-qt
1 stick margarine, melted
10-oz pkg. chopped broccoli, cooked and drained
1 onion, chopped
1 box corn bread mix
4 eggs, well beaten
8 oz. cottage cheese
1¼ tsp. salt
- Combine all ingredients. Mix well.
- Pour into greased slow cooker. Cook on Low 6 hours, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Serving suggestion: Serve like spoon bread, or invert the pot, remove bread, and cut into wedges.
The above is an excerpt from the book Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook: Revised & Updated: 700 Great Slow Cooker Recipes by Phyllis Pellman Good. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy. Reprinted from Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook. © by Good Books (www.GoodBooks.com). Used by permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2010 Phyllis Pellman Good, author of Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook: Revised & Updated: 700 Great Slow Cooker Recipes.
What about you? Do you have and use a slow cooker? What are your favorite things to make in it?
Ever since our bed frame broke (and is now being held up by books), I have been thinking of a mini-makeover for our master bedroom. Things on the wish list include a new bed frame, paint or wallpaper for the walls, and possibly a new duvet cover (in natural bamboo).
Recently I was asked to do a review for CSN stores, so of course I have been looking around their sites to find other inspiration for the upcoming mini makeover. First I found wall sconces, which would be a fun way to address bedside lighting. Right now we only have one bedside lamp, so it would be great for us both to have a light handy. Next I found some amazing duvet covers, but none of them were quiet right, although there were many that I loved. I also found furniture, mirrors, wall art, and the list just goes on and on!
While I am still not sure what I will be reviewing for them soon (so many choices), you can bet it will likely be something to help spur this little mini makeover along.
“Decorating is not about making stage sets, it’s not about making pretty pictures for the magazines; it’s really about creating a quality of life, a beauty that nourishes the soul.” – Albert Hadley
I recently got the chance to check out the new book, by Gale Steves, called Right-Sizing Your Home: How to Make Your House Fit Your Lifestyle
What I loved most was that not only is the book full of great ideas, but unlike many, there is an actual resource guide in the book! When I first started reading and saw the following images of a crafting/laundry space, the first thing I wanted to know was where the organization system on the wall came from. Luckily, all I had to do was go to the back section, and find the page number, and there it was! The systems came from Omni Track.
All throughout the book I found myself referring to the resource section, jotting down ideas. In fact, the laundry really caught my eye because that is a room of contention in our home. Check out the multiple ways the same space was used, one focused on crafting activities, the other turned to a laundry station (you can click to see the images full size).
Great use of space, right? I really love the whole concept since our laundry room is large enough to do what is seen in both photos! Oh what a dream that would be.
The book is really great, I love the way Gale approaches her writing, it’s much like talking with a friend. She has included a section on clutter clearing, handy tips and tricks for measuring rooms (make sure things fit before you move them around physically), worksheets to help you realize how you really want and need to use your spaces, and so much more. It’s been so fun to go through our spaces and see what new ideas we can implement. Since we live in a home that is spread between 4 levels, making each space somewhat small, figuring out smart ways to use our current space is a priority. Right-Sizing Your Home
Thanks Gale for writing it, and especially for letting me read it!
Now for the really fun part! One lucky reader will get their very own copy of Right-Sizing Your Home
*this giveaway is now closed, congrats to Kerri*
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