Meatballs with Pasta

I asked hubby what he would like for me to make for dinner.  He requested Spaghetti & Meatballs.  So I turned to my always trusty Pioneer Woman cookbook and sure enough, this is what I found.  So yes, this is a copy cat off of the Pioneer Woman.

Here is her recipe:  Pioneer Woman's Spaghetti and Meatballs

Yes, you do see Pasta Bowties.  We didn't have Spaghetti so I had to improvise.  Results were just as delicious!!

Hubby likes to pop the meatballs into his mouth before they make it to this point so it's a total miracle there are any left to serve.  Can't blame him though, they are soooo yummy!!

They're quick and easy and if you have any leftover over, they would be great in a hoagie!  Bon appetit!

Until next time,

Repurposed Picture Frame Painting

 

 With today being the last day of Summer of 2014, what better way to celebrate than to paint a beach scene on a 47 1/2" x 47 1/2" frame.  I like to do things big and out with a bang!

When we moved into our bungalow three months ago the former owners left this large painting. The one with the flowers in a vase.  I did not like it from the get go and knew I was going to make a change to it.  This is the best photo I could find of the painting before I painted over it.

Soon after we moved in to our home, I took the frame outside and spray painted it with white primer.  I had assumed one can would be enough but it wasn't hence the splotchy look.  I left it hanging like that until today.  Visitors to our home never questioned it but did give it an odd look.

I picked a beach scene and beach colors because we live in a small resort town and many of the houses in the area have a nautical theme.  I copied this beach scene from Alyssa at Clever Nest.  Check out her simple tutorial by clicking here .  It really is simple and I'm convinced almost anyone can do it.

I placed frog paint tape on the wall around the frame just so I wouldn't splatter any paint on the wall.  I started painting at the bottom with tan colors and worked my way up with the rest of my colors

It took me less than an hour to complete this.  Hey, all I did was paint a whole bunch of  X's.

Once done, I placed it along with some beach pictures of my grand-kids

The painting fits the house decor as well as the nautical theme in our town.  Goodbye Summer, until next year.  If you try this project, let me know how it turns out for you.

Until next time,

Dining Set Makeover

When we moved into our North Shore Bungalow, several pieces of furniture came with the house.  The kitchen table and chairs were one of them.

I am not a fan of light colored wood.  As soon as we moved the table and chairs to the dining room I immediately knew that not even a pretty table cloth will work.  I knew I was going to have to paint it.

This picture was taken today (9/17/14) of the chairs out on the deck preparing for their transformation.

I used Americana Decor chalk paint in Carbon.  The 16 oz. container was enough for three chairs so I will need to head back to Home Depot to get another jar to paint the fourth  and last chair.

Here is the table after I sanded and stained the top with the wood color I love.  I then used Americana Decor Everlasting chalk paint for the legs and skirts.  I used Annie Sloan's clear and dark wax for the finishing touch on the whole table.

It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.  I started last Friday and finished the following Tuesday.  It helped that we had a beautiful Autumn day, in the 60's cool and dry.

 

I'm thrilled with the end results, I can now move on to my next project. :)

Until next time,

Partied with:

Funky Junk Salvaged Junk Treasures

Autumn Welcome

Yes sir! Autumn is welcome here at my home.  Can say that for our neighborhood, city and this part of Michigan.  The weather is so cool, literally and I'm loving it.  Trees have started to turn color :)

As I sat in my porch, I pulled out this tray trying to figure out how I can repurpose it with an Autumn theme.  Over the weekend, I gray washed it then cleared and dark waxed.

I found some faux Autumn leaves and a pumpkin chalkboard in my Autumn stash kinda knowing what I wanted to do.

I didn't want to permanently glue the leaves to the tray because I'd like to repurpose it for Christmas as well.  That's where the jute yarn comes in handy.  I tied everything together and then I tied it to the tray.

Voila!!  I hung it all together next to the front entrance to our house.

Welcome to our North Shore Bungalow :)

I love leaving the front door open.  The cool breeze goes through the house.  Rarely has there been a mosquito, sometimes a fly but nothing too annoying.

I bought these sunflowers and pumpkins at our local farmer's market over the weekend.  So much cheaper and fresher than at the grocery store across the street.

 I also bought this Silver Moon pumpkin at the local farmer's market.  This is the first one I have ever owned and was told I could make pumpkin puree out of it but it's so beautiful, I'd hate to cut into it!

 My neph-dog sits next to me as I craft away on my porch.  What a life, huh?

Have fun decorating for Autumn :)

Until next time,

Partying with:

The Scoop Linky Party

Gameday Soup and a Bun

There's nothing I like better on a crisp, cool Autumn Saturday than to cook one of my favorite meals, Pasta e'Fagioli with some homemade bread.  It's so wonderful to have a game on the TV in the background as I fill the house up with wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen.

The Pasta e' Fagioli soup is a copycat recipe from Olive Garden that I found a few years ago on the internet somewhere and I've been making it since.  You can get the recipe for the soup here:  Pasta e' Fagioli

The bread recipe was VERY simple to make.  One of my top favorite bloggers, "La Table de Nana" made it first and I just had to copy her :)  Check her version here but please don't compare and don't laugh at mine after you see hers, lol!:  http://latabledenana.blogspot.com/2014/09/philoher-snapsand-petits-pains-d.html

This is how I made mine:

Here's the dough after I let it rise for an hour.  I then sectioned it in 6 pieces (couldn't get the 8 like the recipe asks for).

I rolled out each piece and cut like picture above

I then started to roll it from one corner and kept going.

and then rolled it up and tucked the edges under.  Carefully picked it up

and placed it on a baking sheet covered with a silicone baking mat (parchment paper works just as good).  I covered them with the Olive Oil after I rolled them up.  Tried putting the Olive Oil on before I cut and rolled them up but it was too difficult to roll.  I then let them set for about a 1/2 hour.

Sprinkled this one with Sesame Seeds (this was the only one I sprinkled because I like my bread plain).

Baked in a 375F preheated oven for 17 minutes or until golden brown.

 and enjoyed it with my favorite Gameday soup.

Give it a try I promise you, you won't regret it!
You can find the recipe to the bread here:  http://www.soulkitchenrecipes.com/bakery/breads/twisted-snail-buns/
 
Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

Partying with:

The Scoop Linky Party

Inspire Me Monday @24