{Thanksgiving} What's Cooking

For Thanksgiving, we are bringing Pomegranate Fruit Salad, and Peanut Butter Fudge.

Here's the recipes! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Enid's Peanut Butter Fudge
In a large bowl combine:
28 ounces (or 1 3/4lbs) chocolate
7 ounces marshmallow cream
1 Tbs vanilla
1 cup peanut butter
In a large skillet, heavy boil (about 5 minutes):
1 cube butter
4 cups sugar
2 cups sour cream
Add to bowl and beat. Pour into buttered 9x13 pan and chill.

Enid is my grandmother's sister, and was reluctant for many years to share her much coveted recipes. So please enjoy!

Pomegranate Fruit Salad

(All of these are approximates, you make to your own taste)

3 pomegranates, cleaned and rinsed

6 apples chopped in one inch cubes

raisins (we now use craisins)

walnuts (we use cashews-so for left overs, they soften up so beware)

Whipping cream

Simply combine pomegranates, apples, raisins and nuts into already whipped and sugared cream. And enjoy!

New Blog Address!

I changed the address of my crafting blog! It is now ChicLadyCrafting.blogspot.com

So please check it out and tell your friends!

Busy Bee

I have had many projects that I have been slowly working on. I can't believe summer has flown past! I've taken on more hours and responsibilities at work, so I am still learning to balance my life from that, so my hobbies have fallen to the wayside! I plan to make a slew a flowers this weekend to get ready for holiday shopping. So I will share those. I've also had fun making over a new chair for my living room. So I will share that soon too! In the meantime, I sent a post from last fall to my friend's blog, and she featured it! So check it out, and her blog too!

Find

You know that feeling when you find something you love, and can't get it out of your head? Well this is one of mine. It's more green than it shows in the picture, not sage-y but a beautiful vivid green.

Projects

Well, I have lots of fun little projects I'm working on!

 I got a few progress pictures but I made the horribly stupid mistake  however there was an accident and I dropped my camera! While open, lens side down on to cement! We have a nice SLR film camera, but again, that's film, so time and money to develop the photos! So it may be a month before I get more pictures! Anywho..... Here is a snap shot of what I'm working on!

 I'm LOVING this bright yellow that you can see everywhere! So time to give a few things a spring makeover! I've had these candle sticks for years and have loved them. But they were starting to feel dated and needed a new color. I have since finished these, sanded them down and they look amazing!

Next up the old little watering can needs some yellow love!!!!

{Gardening} It's finally warm enough!

I've spent some time "in the garden" today!

I bought some violas, thyme and rosemary today. I bought seeds for Basil, cilantro and nasturtiums (because those are easy to grow) and had a  Gerber daisy plant to pot that my husband bought about a month ago, and bachelor button seeds from the kids from Mother's Day. There are a few things growing in the vast collection of pots that I don't know what they are, but they look nice! The previous chives came back over a month ago, I've been using them like crazy. 

I still have a lot of work to do digging these pots out, and cleaning out all the leaves from the fall and blossoms that are flying every where now, and figuring out what to do with the pots where the bottom has broken right off! But It's starting to look nice! I can't wait!

{Decorating}: My Home

 Of course when It comes to decorating, I am no expert, and learned the way most people do, Trial and Error. We first moved in a couple of months ago, and recently re-arranged the entire family room. And I love it so much more now. The first picture is from the perspective of the front door.  We have vaulted ceilings, so lots of wall space that begs for art. However, I knew that if we did that, it would make the room much too busy, unless I had a sitting room for only art and could use minimalist designs to compliment the art. However, this is a family living space. So We went with big and simple. As you can see we have a very large painting above the TV. And I love it, it commands your attention and adds style, color and drama.

 This is the view by the front door. The family computer is in the family space, my husband spends lots of time on it in the evenings for his art, so It's nice to have it in a place were we can still 'spend time' together.

 (My two little monkeys love climbing on the sofa)

The next space that is finished, yet always a work in progress, is our wall of art. I love how it has turned out. We have a few small prints, originals and various works by my husband hanging in the space. It goes to our upstairs loft, where the art studio is, but can be seen from the family and dining room. Honestly, I didn't map this out as I should have, but I knew what I wanted where. There are also places I can still add some pieces to (i still have about 5 more prints and one original that needs framing, so there are blanks to allow room for that). Again, I couldn't be prouder of how it turned out, and all the beautiful works we have to enjoy, including my son's first painting on canvas (the white canvas in the center).

{IsaJay Spring Auction}

Tomorrow, Chic Lady and other vendors will be doing a 

Spring/Mother's Day Auction

  over on the Isa Jay Facebook page!

Check it out HERE.

{Vintage Revivals Blog Giveaway} My entry

Mandi, over at Vintage Revivals (if you haven't seen her blog before, you are in for a treat, she does AMAZING things!) Is Doing a huge giveaway! So I'm posting the room I need help with for a Makeover!!

Drum roll...........................

 The Dining Room! 

Sorry about the coats and the non closed closet. :-)

 20 Year old wall paper, blue with gold dots. Got to Love it!

 An Even older chandelier......

The Table is on a list of wanting to sand and paint black, but haven't gotten around to that one! I also want to redo the Armoir. It's handles are falling off and looks like 1990 and not in a good way.  But I don't know what to do with it. I don't want it black because it would be too matchy matchy with the chairs and table, What to do MANDI I LOVE YOUR GUTS AND NEED YOUR HELP!!!

{Chic Lady Flowers} So Many Colors!

Did you know there are now 20 colors available???? Go check out my facebook page for more info or leave a comment with your email address.  I will post more soon on Etsy once I get some better photos!

 Colors include: 

Camel, Light Yellow, Bright Yellow, Bright Pink, Light Pink, Honeysuckle/Coral, Lavender, Dark purple, Light Blue, Midnight Blue*, Turquoise, Red*, Lime, White, Dark Silver, Light Silver*, Black & White Check, Black & White Animal Print, Brown Animal Print*, Brown

(*=not shown in picture)

 Lavender with a crystal center

Bright Yellow with a Black center

{Chic Lady on Etsy} : New items!

I've been hard at work with my Satin Roses! I have many new colors, and now a new bracelet!  New colors include Honeysuckle, Lime, Buttercream Yellow, Pink, and Light Blue.

The items will be premiering at the Spring Fling Boutique tomorrow! 

Then items will be available on Friday in my Etsy Shop!

Here's a sampling sneak peak of what I've been working on!

 This is the new bracelet! It is three strand stretchy bracelet of little crystal like beads to match the multicolored crystal center. All new colors will be available with this bracelet!

These colors have new necklaces to go with as well, or just the brooch!

{Recipe} : Shrimp Etouffee

Another dish we had for our Mardi Gras Dinner Party, was also Emeril Lagasse's recipe from his book, "Louisiana Real and Rustic" and can also be found on his website here.





Shrimp Etouffee

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) butter
• 4 cups chopped onions
• 2 cups chopped bell peppers
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups water
• 6 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, and celery and sautÈ until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the shrimp, salt, and cayenne and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink.
 

Dissolve the flour in the water and add to the shrimp mixture. Stir until the mixture thickens slightly. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the parsley and green onions. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes more.

Serve over rice, serve right away.
 

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Dry Erase Menu Board

So I first saw this idea on the Little Birdie Secrets Blog back in September. It was another one of those things where the second I saw it, I knew I had to do it! You can read her post here.

To start, I wanted to do it, but didn't have vinyl cutting machine. Then shortly after, my mom bought a Cricut! Hooray, problem solved! I bought my fabric (which was 2.49 after coupon for a yard). Then I found a nice big solid wood frame at the thrift store (DI) for 75 cents. Can't beat that! Then it sat. I was moving, and it was in the back of my mind. My mom then got the Cricut Design studio, and the perfect Cricut Cartridge! A calendar one so it had the days of the week all ready for me! A couple weeks ago I finally went out and bought vinyl. It wasn't as cheap as I had hoped, but that's what coupons are for!
So after using the Cricut to get my words, I was ready for assembly!

 My supplies: 

-large frame with glass

-Paint, brush, water

-Fabric, fabric scissors

-cut vinyl images, transfer paper

-tape

-Windex, cloth

-Brayer or popsicle stick

-ruler

 I painted my frame, two layers of black was all it took.

 I measured the quick way. Also because I didn't have a need (or future project in mind where I needed the scrap fabric). And cut around the size of the frame giving a few inches to allow to wrap around the backing.

 Wrap the fabric tightly around the back. I did a clean tight triangular fold on the corners. (Sorry it's hard to see). And I use tape, and here's why. I used cardboard as the backing, staples would go through it. And, I want to occasionally change it up, such as for holidays, or seasons.

 After reinserting the glass, I put in the backing, and cleaning the glass and let dry fully before apply vinyl. For the first go, I used the fat popsicle stick/tongue depressor to transfer my image. The instructions that came w/ the transfer paper and vinyl were very simple and easy to understand. (this was my first time using vinyl).

 Abra-cadabra! First step was easy and done.

 For the rest, I then mapped out my plan. I placed my words w/ backing still on and a ruler to get the desired spacing. This was the tricking part, b/c it was all eyeballing really. For the rest of the words, I wanted to try my brayer (which I usually just use for stamping projects). It worked wonderfully and I preferred it much more than the stick!

 My finished product!

Up and ready to use in my kitchen! Hooray! I loved this idea, b/c I've done this before. I use a similar sized dry erase board, and wrote the days of the week and my planned menu. It saves me time and money knowing ahead of time what the plan is.  (I can't plan the whole month like others, only one or two weeks at a time!) But now I have one that is chic and decorative! 
Now to start cooking!

Spring Boutique

Chic Lady Necklaces and Roses will be at this Spring Boutique! Go check it out to preview new Spring and Summer styles!

Spring Branches

Now is a great time to bring in Spring, especially here in Utah, were the weather refuses to cooperate! (We got more snow yesterday and today it's still snowing!)

I clipped a few forsythia branches from my mother in law's yard. These pictures was taken a week ago, today, they're still in full bloom and pretty green leaves are sprouting! Don't have a bush or tree to clip from? Costco even has floral branches for purchase as would your local florist! What a fresh way to bring in spring!

Easter Basket

I saw this Easter Basket on the Blog, A Soft Place to Land, and I knew I had to do it! I loved it! So here is my mossy Easter Basket!

 I started with my spring colored paints, and various papier mache eggs.

 The eggs needed two coats. After I was finished, I used the old trick of watered down brown paint, and 'flicking' the toothbrush.

 I started on the sides first. Long enough to go to the end, but not on the bottom.

 Then, I did the handles. Followed by the rim.

My Finished product!

I used nearly the whole package of cloth moss (4$ after the coupon at Hobby Lobby), and a 75 cent basket from DI, and the eggs from Roberts (6 large for 3.99-used a coupon of course, and 1.00$ for the 12 little eggs from Hobby Lobby).

*This was a SUPER MESSY project. The moss gets every where when you're cutting it. It stuck to my shirt, I had to vacuum my clothes!

Andouille and Chicken Jambalaya

 Here is our favorite recipe for Andouille and Chicken Jambalaya from the Mardi Gras Dinner Party post.

What is Jambalaya you ask?
         From Wikipedia:

There are many myths about the origin of the name "jambalaya." One commonly repeated folklore is that the word derives from the combination of the French "jambon" meaning ham, the French article "à la" a contraction of "à la manière de" meaning "in the style of", and "ya", thought to be of West African origin meaning rice.

This recipe is from Emeril Lagasse's book "Louisiana Real and Rustic." This and variations can be found on his website.

Andouille and Chicken Jambayala

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne
• 1 pound andouille, chorizo, or other smoked sausage, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless white and dark chicken meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 cups medium-grain white rice
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup chopped green onions

Heat the oil in a large cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, 2 teaspoons of the salt, and 1 teaspoon of the cayenne. Stirring often, brown the vegetables for about 20 minutes, or until they are caramelized and dark brown in color. Scrape the bottom and sides of the pot to loosen any browned particles. Add the sausage and cook, stirring often for 10 to 15 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the pot to loosen any browned particles.

Season the chicken with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. Add the chicken and the bay leaves to the pot. Brown the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned particles.

Add the rice and stir for 2 to 3 minutes to coat evenly. Add the water, stir to combine, and cover. Cook over medium heat for 30 to 35 minutes, without stirring, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Remove the pot from the heat and let stand, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.

Stir in the green onions and serve.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

 *Our Variation/Notes
Sometimes we we will add 8 cups water and 4 cups rice, and more chicken for larger groups. We also usually do about 2 cups green bell peppers, and we usually do about 5 bay leaves (unless you have them fresh 3 is good).
Also, in Utah and other non-southern states, it is more difficult to find Andouille sausage. You can use regular smoked sausage as well. Harmon's grocery store makes there own Andouille (about 3.99/lb).

Entertaining: {Mardi Gras Dinner Party}

 Not being from the South, but loving the food, we had a Mardi Gras Dinner Party the Saturday following Fat Tuesday. My husband spent a couple of years in Louisiana and brought home the love of the food. We had a similar but smaller party last year.

 Dinner was potluck style, but with specific assignments, such as corn bread, a cajun mustard dressing to go with the salad, beignets and gumbo. We made the Jambalaya (a house hold favorite), Shrimp etouffee, Mint Juleps (we don't drink alcohol so they were Virgin style) and the traditional King Cake.

 For this year's party, I wanted a bayou feel. It turned out great. I did simple centerpieces. I gathered Spanish moss, and stuffed that into a mason jar, and added branches. Then tea lights to add to a low lit, glowing feeling. Black table clothes helped keep the room a dim and cozy feeling.

My favorite part was the Christmas lights. We had strung seven strands of white Christmas lights from our loft railing, to our curtain rods across the way. The lights in the home were all off with the exception of the tea candles and Christmas lights. It had an awesome look, that was difficult to capture on camera, so the picture gives you a bit of an idea.  

We also had a playlist going of jazz and zydeco music. We had Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis. Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Connick Jr, and some zydeco bands such as Jude Taylor and his Burning Flames, Rosie Lydet, Buckwheat Zydeco, Carol Fran, and even some of the songs from the Princess and the Frog Soundtrack.

The evening was a spectacular hit. We made an impression with Sights, Sounds, and Taste! I will share recipes soon!

Spring has sprung with Crate & Barrel!

Have you seen some of the fun spring items 

from Crate and Barrel?

I'm Loving:

I'm officially on the look out at yard sales, swaps and rummage sales for a bird cage to spray paint yellow! LOVE IT!

images from Crateandbarrel.com

St. Patty's Day

I never have been into the Holiday. I'm sure I have Irish somewhere way back down the family history line. I hate the taste of corned beef and cabbage. As a teenager I would do whatever I could to have to work that night so I'd miss the dinner at home. As a younger teenager, I was the one that would only wear green on my underwear, so I could sneak the color, but still be protected. I don't decorate with the emerald green color for the holiday either. I'm sure next year some will trickle in as my son starts preschool, and I'll do it for the kids. But as for now they're young enough to not know, so I simply don't care. Anyway, the only tradition I ever enjoyed growing up, was dying the food green. That was always a fun treat. Did I make pancakes this morning? Well, no. I had wanted to. But the hubby woke up late, the 4 year old threw a long and loud tantrum, and we're running being schedule for getting ready. Oh well! But for those that celebrate and go all out, good for you and Happy St. Patrick's Day!