31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 7: Movie Night!

Yep! A Movie Night with the kids is Something I've Been Wanting to Do....

Our movie tonight? Robin Hood. No, not the new one, the Disney classic from 1973. And yes, it was complete with popcorn!
Here's a few of our favorite lines.... (the ones I'll be hearing daily for the next few weeks)...
"Yeah! Mind your matters!"
"I'm scared of Prince John, he's cranky!"
"You gotta trick 'ol bushel britches!"

What you don't see from the pictures above... dirty dishes in the sink, clothes in the washer and dryer, clothes on the stairs begging to be put away and newly left pop-corn kernels in between the couch cushions. And, yes, if you know me, you'll think I typed that last sentence wrong. So again... there are dirty dishes in the sink, clothes to be washed and dried and put away! And to think I sat for 2 hours watching a movie!
I have been convicted lately about my 'quality' time with my kids. So, tonight, I left the things that 'needed' to be done, and did the one thing that I NEEDED to do. And I loved every minute! Wasn't it just a few days ago that these were my babies?.....

Reese

Graham

Time flies when you're having fun!

31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 6: New Crock Pot Dinner

I had never had Osso Buco so I thought it seemed easy enough to try (from a recipe that was in my e-mail). After I made it, and we liked it, I searched on-line for other Osso Buco recipes. Turns out, the recipe I made is not much like a real Osso Buco recipe at all. (Sad face) I guess that's why the original recipe title was in " ". But, on the other hand, I do have a great recipe to share! (Happy face). I'll just rename it. :)

Easy Italian Chicken

What You'll Need:
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1 lb.)
1/4 cup flour
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 can Italian stewed tomatoes, with juice
2 Tb. sun dried tomato vinaigrette dressing
Cooked, hot rice

Here's How:
1. Toss the chicken with the flour in a crock-pot.

2. Add all remaining ingredients except the rice. Stir.

3. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours.  I was going to be out of the house for a few hours so I adapted the time to fit my schedule and cooked it on high for 2 hours and then on low for 4 hours.

4. Stir chicken mixture until sauce is thickened and serve over rice.

I felt bad only including 3 pictures! But, hey, that's just how easy it was! I love dinners that are very minimal clean-up. In this case, just a crock pot!

Adapted from Chicken "Osso Buco"

31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 5: Computer Cabinet

"Clean Out and Spruce Up" was my theme for this small project. Something I've Been Wanting to Do... that was free (other than the small green organizers previously bought, but not using anywhere else) and it didn't take long to finish.

We bought a computer cabinet shortly after our move to Indiana. We had just bought our first house.....

and needed furniture! I'm thinking we got it at Wal-Mart? And definitely didn't pay more than $100. Joel spent an afternoon putting it together, and over 6 years, 1 move and 2 kids later, we are still using it!

It's a common place I visit. It holds our desk top computer, printer, file cabinet, the kids baby books, my scrapbooks and my day planner. With all the traffic, it tends to be a place that can get cluttered easily. I'm tempted to buy our next computer cabinet without doors so I don't have an excuse to hide the inside. :)

Not too cluttered but there was definitely a pile or two to be sorted, put away or thown out, and all together spruced up!

I already had a green CD box and a green basket to use to help organize. I also got inspiration from my bathroom lamp.....

and from my entry lamp (both I purchased at Pier 1).

I used hot glue to apply an old green flower pin onto my desk lamp.

and wa-la! Spruced and organized.

31 Days of Things I've been Wanting to Do, Day 4: Update Entry

We inherited a sofa table several years ago. Complacent with the stained oak finish, I left it untouched. Free and in great condition, I 'liked' it. I was getting that itch to 'love' it (or get rid of it) so I decided it was time for a minor (free, I might add) update.

Used as a sofa table in 2007.....

Moved to our entry in 2008.....

And that's where it stayed until it's recent trip to the garage.....

I used the 'Lindsey' technique:

1. Sanded until my arm was tired.

2. Wiped it clean.

3. Put it on top of old towels, although, somehow, I still managed to get paint on the floor.

4. Using a free sample of paint I received in the mail (Glidden, Pebble Gray) , I applied paint with my favorite paint brush (Angled Wooster, 1 1/2") and then wiped some off with paper towels before it dried.

I love how the original wood finish comes though and the paint is prominent in the creases and designs in the wood.

Not a 'professional' way of distressing, but I managed to accomplish the look I was going for.....

Back in it's place....

31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 3: Raspberry Scones with Lemon Glaze

Believe it or not, this was my very first time making homemade scones. Something I've Been Wanting to Do.... but was, to be honest, a little intimidated to try! I'm not sure what else you can make, other than scones, to get that 'I am a true home-maker' feeling! We loved the fresh taste of the berries and the lemon glaze. And no need for intimidation!

What you'll need:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tb. baking powder

2 Tb. sugar

5 Tb. butter, cold, cut in chunks

1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing

1 cup fresh raspberries

1/4- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Zest from one lemon

1 Tb. butter

How to make it:

1. Sift together the dry ingredients (flour, powder and sugar). Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter. The mixture should look like tiny crumbles.

2. Make a well in the center and pour in 1 cup heavy cream. Fold it together until just mixed. Then fold in the raspberries, being careful not to mash them.

3. Press the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. (Approximately 12 x 3).

4. Cut the rectangle in 1/2, then cut those halves in 1/2. You should have 4 squares that you then cut in 1/2 on a diagonal giving you a triangle shape.

(This is where I have read, the less imperfect, the more beautiful. In that case, mine are gorgeous!)

5. Place the scones on a cookie sheet and brush the tops with heavy cream.

6. Bake @ 400* for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

7. Glaze: Let the scones cool for a few minutes before topping with the glaze. In a microwave safe bowl, mix confectioners' sugar and lemon juice (The amount of juice depends on how thick or thin you like your glaze. I like don't like my glaze disappearing off the scones so I use less lemon juice). Add zest and butter. Microwave for 30 seconds. Whisk the glaze until it's smooth, then drizzle over the tops of the scones.

31 Days of Things I've Been Wanting to Do, Day 2: 'Captioning' Pictures

So simple, right??? Well, as Something I've Been Wanting to Do.....
I haven't taken the time to figure out how to add captions on my favorite pictures, until now.

                                                                                                           

My 31 days of October.....

A sweet friend from high school is participating in a '31 days of ____' for the month of October . Her particular 31 days are entitled '31 days of Fall from the Kitchen'. Sounds yummy, right?

I decided to try it out, with some hesitation, I might add. I'm not a daily blogger, nor did I intend to be when I started. But I liked the thought of this challenge and I have a huge list of things "I've Been Wanting to Do...." Some cooking, lots of organizing, some 'brand-new-to-me' things to try, crafts, decorations and more!

Over the next 31 days, join me as I challenge myself to tackle things I've Been Wanting to Do and remember to blog about it!