Spring Wreath

So...I had some free time over the weekend and decided to do some crafting--I love being creative, it helps me relax!

So, I had wanted to make another wreathe, since I love the one I made at Christmas, and the one I made for Sarah's precious baby girl.

Here is the finished product on our screened porch:

Here is what I started out with--I had an extra wire frame, some Styrofoam balls, yarn, felt, ribbon, etc. so I was good to go!

 I started by wrapping the white ribbon around the frame--securing it with my handy glue gun.

 The finished wrapped product.

 Here are some pics of how wrapped the yarn around the ball to create "yarn balls" (like the term I created).  There is no "right" way to do this--just wrap until you feel it is well covered and the top layer is in a "pattern" you like.

 Next, I cut circles out of the felt (I used martini glasses--they were the perfect diameter).

 Then I cut the circles into spirals--note the loopiness of the above spiral.

 You start your rosette by curling the end on itself, then securing it along the way with glue gun--be careful not to burn the bejeezus out of your finger, which I did multiple times throughout the process.

 Keep curling and shaping the rosette the way you want it to look.

 Then, you will get to the "center" of the spiral, which is a little circle--put the bottom of your rosette on the circle, and then use it to make the bottom of your rosette.

So, by the end of the first evening, I had pretty much run out of felt and was loving my wreath.  I brought it up to show Hubby and he asked me if I was going to finish it!  Then I thought, it would be so CUTE to do the ENTIRE thing--why didn't I think of that before?  So, I added Michael's to our list of errand stops the next day to pick up some more felt, yarn and glue gun sticks.

 So here is the wreath with the rest of the stuff I got/made to go on it, to make it a full and complete wreath.

 Here is a pile of rosettes for my wreath...

...and it looks like I need to make some more!

 Here is the finished product!

 I hung it on our door (don't you love the Brinks sticker).

I didn't so, I moved it to the right side of our screened in porch near the street.

Happy wreath-making! 

~Lexie

Doggie Wash

Last weekend Holly was smelling rank not so fresh and was in desperate need of a bath.







Good thing you don't have smell-a-vision on your computer, because you would be smelling rank malodorous dog right about now. The latter picture is in the parking lot of the Doggie Bathhouse, where she has realized what the purpose of the car ride was--hence the "poor me" look on her face.





CritterTown BathHouse is awesome...and also conveniently located beside a great local wine shop, Once Upon a Vine



Sorry to get distracted...back to Crittertown! They provide the shampoo, the conditioner (which with a Golden we often need to use), the bathtub complete with hand sprayer, towels, brushes, scissors, blow dryers, and pretty much anything else you might need to groom your favorite pooch.



It was a beautiful day in the RVA, and the temperatures were above freezing, so CritterTown was a tad crowded and we had to wait a few minutes. Here are some fellow patrons.




















I love this place and Holly has been coming to get her bath here for awhile--since she outgrew our bathtub (probably when she was a bit smaller than the Golden puppy above).

Here is the wall o' shampoo to choose from (stock is a little low due to the large amount of patrons that day):




Here are some shots of Holly getting her bath. (Please note the look of excitement and joy in her eyes.)











It is so sad to watch how sad her eyes get the cleaner she gets.

This being said, the bath is not even her least favorite part. She H-A-T-E-S the dryer. She hides her face, paws at her face to, she moves her head all around--it is not pretty and my already overreacting drama queen sensitive pooch kicks it up a notch.

Warning: Extremely Pathetic Pictures to Follow

Have you seen anything so sad?

This little guy is sticking his head around to make sure Holly is going to survive.
After the torture drying session, it was time for some doggie cologne.



I chose "Jungle Mist" and it smelled mucho better than rank dirty dog.
After the dryer was cut off, I had a much perkier canine companion!



She knew treats were involved. It is amazing what a treat can do to an attitude.

Here is my fluffy, lovely, sweet-smelling Holly Belle!

All tuckered out from a trip to CritterTown. It is such an emotional drain on doggie senses.

Any RVA-ers, if you have a dog and need a good place to wash them, CritterTown is the place to go!

~Lexie

Recipes from Mountain Mama

So, last month I got to visit my dear friend, Sarah, and her sweet family for a long weekend in Huntington, WV.  I blogged about it here.  In case you need to jog your memory, here are some sweet faces.

 

While I was there, Sarah made the most scrumptious dishes!  She sent me the recipes to share with you, so I am going to post them here for ya!

Beef Tenderloin with Walnut Feta Stuffing

 

 Sarah swears this is super easy and always gets rave reviews (it did from me)--I think I am going to have some people for dinner and make it for them...just to see how easy it is :)

1 (2 pound) whole beef tenderloin
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 1/2 Tbs chopped walnuts
2 1/2 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
2 1/2 tsp dried oregano, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cup canned beef broth

* Preheat oven to 425
* Starting 1/2 inch from one end, cut tenderloin lengthwise to within 1/2 inch of opposite end, forming a long pocket
* Combine feta, walnuts, parsley, and 1 tsp oregano; spoon into tenderloin pocket. Press tenderloin to enclose filling and secure with kitchen string at the center and ends.
* Rub remaining 1 1/2 tsp oregano on outside of tenderloin and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in a 9x13x2-inch pan.
* Bake at 425 for 30 to 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 135 (medium-rare)
* Transfer tenderloin to a serving platter, reserving drippings in pan.
* Add broth to pan drippings and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to loosen browned particles.  Transfer juices to a serving dish.
* Slice tenderloin and arrange on a serving platter. Serve with juices.

Black Bean Chili

This was so good and really hit the spot.  Sarah made it with the meatless burger crumbles (Boca) and you would not even know it wasn't beef!  This was so yummy and healthy, too!

Makes 8 servings
Prep 10 min,  Cook 20 min

3 (15 oz) cans black beans
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 (12oz) package meatless burger crumbles
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 (14 oz) can low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes with jalapenos
Toppings: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeño peppers, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped tomatoes, corn chips

1-Rinse and drain 2 cans black beans. (do not drain third can)
2-Saute chopped onion and burger crumbles in hot oil over medium heat for 6 min. Stir in chili powder and next 3 ingredients; sauté 1 minute. Stir in drained and undrained beans, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Serve chili with desired toppings.

Meaty Black Bean Chili: Substitute 1 lb ground beef for meatless burger crumbles, sauteing ground beef with onion for 10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Omit vegetable oil.

 Photo courtesy of Southern Living which is where Sarah got the recipe, I think.

 

Warm Brie with Ginger-Citrus Glaze

I love cheese, so anything with cheese in it is going to be yumm-o for me, and this was no exception!  Such an elegant appetizer and it tasted heavenly!  The ginger and citrus combined was really great and it went great on the apple slices!  Maybe, I will need to serve this at my dinner party, too :)

Makes 6-8 servings
Prep: 10 min
Bake: 9 min

If you are serving bread with this warm cheese, place slices on the same baking sheet with the Brie. They will toast while the cheese cooks.

1 (8oz) Brie round
1/4 cup ginger preserves (1/4 cup fig preserves may be substituted)
1Tbsp honey
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp chopped fresh Rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly grounded pepper
Assorted crackers, fresh fruit

1-Preheat oven to 400. Trim and discard rind from top of Brie. Place Brie on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until cheese is just melted.
2-Meanwhile, microwave Ginger preserves and next 6 ingredients in a small microwave-safe glass bowl at HIGH 30 seconds; stir until blended and smooth. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute. Let stand while cheese bakes.
3-Transfer Brie to a serving dish; drizzle warm glaze immediately over Brie. Serve with assorted crackers and fresh fruit.

While I was there, Sarah got a back ordered Christmas present from her Mom--a Brie Baker (she didn't get it in time to try it out on this brie, but I bet she has already given it a test drive by now)!  

 I think this baby would make doing such scrumptious apps even easier!  Maybe I should invest in one to try it out...

Do any of you have Brie Bakers?  If you do, what do you think?

Bon appetit!!

~Lexie

Television Love

I know I have mentioned to you my "bad" tv habits. I LOVE my DVR and take full advantage of the feature to DVR all sorts of television shows. Drama, reality tv, sitcoms, etc. Some of the shows are not bad and pretty respectable, some of the shows are not exactly what one would call "quality" tv.

So...I thought it might be an interesting to list the tv shows that pop up on my DVR and I would love to hear the comments you all have and if you all watch the same ones!


Here is the list of my tasteful and not so tasteful mind-sucking tv watching material.

Modern Family-- I LOVE this show and laugh out loud pretty much every time I watch it--witty writing, the actors are great, and the plots are hilarious!

Glee--oh how I love t his show!  It makes me happy whenever I watch it!  I am so ready for the new season to begin, so I can start my couch sing-a-longs again!

Desperate Housewives--yes I still watch this--it is easy to watch with crazy plot lines that keeps me tuned in.

Brother and Sisters--love this, pretty much tear up and laugh out loud at every episode.

 

Grey's Anatomy--am I the only one that still watches it?  I am so hooked! Even though Izzy is gone, I still love it.

Private Practice--I pretty much tear up with every episode, such good drama!

Parenthood--good show, which can also produce tears and laughter.  The story lines are great and relateable.

I LOVE ABC Family--there is something about "tween" shows that I can really relate to--maybe I'm just immature? 

I love Pretty Little Liars, Greek, and Make It or Break It (can't wait for this to come back on in March).  These are some pretty good shows, I love it!

Now, I am a sucker for Reality TV and I have lots that make it onto my DVR, so before reading, please don't judge!

Toddler and Tiaras--I don't know why I love watching this show, it is kind of like a train wreck, you just have to watch and tune into see what is going to happen next; as in tantrums, spray tanning 3-year-olds, grown men and women shouting "Sparkle Baby," fake eyelashes and teeth, and all the rhinestones...

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, New York New Jersey, and Orange County--Hubby actually got me hooked on all this mess, and he has now stopped watching and I am pretty much hooked.  I don't know why, I guess it is that same train wreck factor.

Flipping Out--I LOVE Jeff, Zoila, Jenny and the whole crew!  I would love to hang out and be a fly on the wall for a day!  I usually laugh out loud at every episode and really want an "I love Zoila" t-shirt or bumper sticker. (Hubby got me hooked on this one too.)  The new season is starting up soon and I can't wait to see what Jeff has in store this year!

Million Dollar Listing--love this, another one Hubby got me into.  The guys on this are so ridiculous, it is fun to watch-- the new season is starting up again soon and I am so excited!

Top Chef--I love seeing what all the chefs come up with and fall in love with some of the contestants.  I would love to go to some of the restaurants of the chefs and have even met the Voltaggio brothers at The Preakness last year!!!

There are a few reality tv shows that I don't actually DVR, but can definitely spend some time watching when I catch it--Bridezillas (again, the train wreck factor), 16 and Pregnant, which goes hand in had with Teen Mom (God help the children born and raised by some of these children, thank God most of them have pretty good and stable support system in place), Say Yes to the Dress (just fun to watch people try on wedding dresses).  Hoarders is also one to watch every now and again--if not just to motivate to do some cleaning out!

Hubby and I have also been intrigued by some other shows lately--Pawn Stars (Chumley and the Old Man are my favorites), Gold Rush: Alaska (it is amazing these guys haven't gotten killed yet) and American Pickers are pretty good, if you are looking for something new to add into your tv rotation. :)

I have My Strange Addiction on my DVR, but I am still trying to figure out if I like it; I caught an episode of Off the Map, and I liked that, so that might be added to the mix.  I was recording Intervention, but decided it was too depressing (after two or three years of faithful watching, why it took me so long to come to the conclusion that it was too depressing, I have no idea), so have since stopped watching that.

Well, I hope by revealing all of my guilty tv pleasures, I haven't lost any readers :)  Do you have any guilty tv pleasures? 

~Lexie