Aug 30, 2010

Broccoli Wild Rice Hotdish

I know, I know, you don't need to rub your eyes here, yes I did TWO posts in ONE day. It's true. Not sure what came over me, but it happened. I think I am starting my Fall routine early or something. Maybe it's because of the weather, ya, that's it. It must be the 95 and humid weather that we are enjoying right now. Hmmm, must be.

This is one of my favorite dishes, or, hotdishes as we call them there thangs here in the nort. This recipe originated from my Dad, and as the title says, there is broccoli in it. See it? no? Oh ya, because I didn't have any. I substituted carrots instead, which turned out fine, but I still prefer the broccoli. It is a super yummy, Fall/Winter comfort food around here!

Broccoli Wild Rice Hotdish

1 lb. ground beef
1 stalk celery
1 large onion
1 cup of wild rice (cooked. And if you are like me who never makes wild rice, it takes a LONG time to cook!)
1 can of mushroom soup (or make your own white sauce, as I do)
2 cans mushrooms
1 C yogurt or sour cream
1 # broccoli (par boiled)
1/3 C soy sauce

Brown together the hamburger, celery and onions. Wash wild rice and drain well (this is AFTER it has cooked). Add the ground beef to the mixture and add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 for 2 hours in a covered dish.

Linking up to :
Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
What's On The Menu Wednesday
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Barnwood Shelf

Soooooo, have I mentioned how much I love barnwood? Have I? Cause I don't remember much talking about it before, hmmmmm.....



Oh my stars, I have had more fun using up all the old wood from Brad's parents farm lately! Remember the Barnwood Wall in our family room? If you haven't seen it, it's a must:) My next venture with the wood, was this amazing shelf that Gail from My {Re}Purposed Life created using old fence wood that someone had given her. My wheels started turning, and before I got too dizzy, I commissioned my WONDERFUL hubby into making one for me! After about 2 hours, he finished his creation...



Isn't it just amazing??!! We put it on our patio, and boy did I have fun finding things to put on it!

My Mom had given us this sign, but it originally said "deck", so of course I had to grab some scrapbook paper and redo that. The old frame is from My Grandfather who made it out of an old hayrack from when he was a kid.


The wreath I bought at Crafts Direct for $2.99, and the lantern was one given to me by my father-in-law. The glass in it was all cracked, so I broke the rest out of it.



On the second shelf I wrote one of my favorite quotes on a chalkboard that had no home, and also placed an old Land O Lakes cheese box also given to me by my father-in-law.


On the bottom shelf I put an old bowl that was my Grandmother's, and some berry twigs. I look forward to finding more things to add to this shelf.


This is by far my favorite piece of furniture, I love the history it holds, and the love by the person who built it. Awww, anyone need a kleenex? Just kidding, but in all seriousness, Brad did an amazing job, and I am so proud of this piece! Hope you enjoyed it!


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Aug 11, 2010

My Biggest Crafting Accomplishment!

Out of all the projects I have done over the years, I am thinking that this one just my be my most favorite, special of them all! If you can't tell by the picture in the title of my blog, I looooooove all things old. The rattier, and smellier the better! There is just nothing like walking into an antiques store and seeing what one might find. I'm not sure where it comes from, but it's in my blood.

So, Brad's Dad was once again tearing down a barn building, this time it was the old chicken coop. His sweet Dad made sure that I knew it was coming down, so I could come look for treasures. I ended up coming home with 6 different shaped windows, a screen door and some old doorknobs. As soon as I got those puppies home, I laid them out and gave them a good scrubbing. I mostly enjoyed seeing Brad's head shake in disgust with that what-the-heck-are-you-going-to-do-with-that look:) Ohhhh if he only knew all the ticking happening in that thick head of mine.

So, I knew that *somewhere* in my house I wanted a full wall to put picture frames on. I wanted all sizes, shapes and colors. I decided to go with a wall in our family room downstairs. And this is how it turned out...

Are not just giddy with joy and jumping up and down???!!! No?? Huh, maybe you have to be here....

Anyway, I LOVE how this turned out. LOVE.

So, let's break it down. (Ok, that made me want to start dancing like MC Hammer...)

This frame is probably my favorite. I had bought these mini picture frames at Crafts Direct for $2/piece. I added pics of the girls, and some black and white ribbon to hang them. The vinyl was given to me by my Dad (he has his own sign and lettering business), and let me just say I have OODLES of vinyl to use!

Here is the screen door, the black picture frame I had gotten from my Grandma's house when she moved into the nursing home. It actually had a pretty sweet (not) picture of me from Beauty School. Eye-yi-yi-yi-yi. I was happy to take the picture out:)

Inside the frame I took a small wooden tile that was clearanced again at Crafts Direct for $1 and covered it with burlap, added our initial and hung it with brown ribbon.


This frame I found for $1 at an antiques store a few years back, I added a picture that I took of my Grandfather this past summer at the lake. I think this is one of my favorite pictures, it really captures who he is:)

This frame has glass only in the top and bottom panes, so I added some black and white pics of the girls on top, and some pics of my best girlfriends on the bottom. In the middle I happened to have a pic of the girls and I on hand, not sure if this will stay this way, but it's perfect for now!

In one of the other window frames I hung this picture inside, it matches perfectly!

And one final look at the wall. This grouping has so many special things in it, that I love to just sit on the couch and stare at it. Hope you enjoyed it!
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P.S. This whole grouping cost me less than $25, other than the celebrate picture and the mini frames, everything else was either free, or given to me as a gift. Yay!!!
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Aug 4, 2010

Well Hello!!

My goodness! It's been like, what, a MONTH since I've posted?? Yikes, need to get better at that. However, in my defense my internet connection has been terrible lately, and therefore cannot post pics. Who wants to read a post without pics??

My summer has consisted of softball practice, swimming, softball games, swimming and packing (because we're always goin somewhere, right??!!). Shew, I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted just reading that. Isn't the "dog" days of summer supposed to be relaxing?? well, thankfully this month things will slow down, no more swimming, softball, or any other extra activities. Nope, now I get to stress about how much the fall activities will cost. Good golly miss molly...

So, my whole point to this post was to show you my absolutely favorite, most incredible wall that I am doing in the family room! See it? Isn't it fabulous??!!! Oh wait that's right, can't post pics...
So, my fine friends, you will have to wait. Buuuuut, I can you that it has a lot to do with old windows and a screen door from hubby's parents farm.......

Until next time,
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