Work on it Wednesday

Today a long talked about project is coming to fruition, slipcovers. Last night I pinned and draped my fabric over my sturdy but shabby looking love seat. I've removed it carefully and now I'm ready to do the initial stitching. Then I'll refit it, making adjustments before doing the final stitching and attaching the piping. I'm excited and hopeful that they will turn out well. It's not hard really just takes time and patience. I think I had been hesitant to dive into the project in the past because of the cost involved. The upholstery fabric can be kind of pricey. I luckily scored some great fabric for $3/yd so it didn't seem like too much of an investment if I screwed it up. I'm planning to do my sofa too so I hope I can find a similar bargain.
I'm using this book that's been in my personal library for ages. It has lots of photos and clear instructions. There's also lots of online information if you decide to jump right in without a book.
I think custom slipcovers are great for a family with kids. I pride myself in purchasing quality furniture, but even the best quality can barely stand up to a household with four active kids.

Monday's Meal

You know me and my love of red label meat, well I scored some super cheap pork lions the other day and thought I'd take a break from cooking them in the crock pot to add a little variety to mix. This dish smells heavenly when cooking you'll have a difficult time waiting to cut into it to get a taste of all it's deliciousness. Enjoy!

Rosemary Pork Lion
1 pork lion (2-3 lbs)
2 whole cloves of garlic, cut into small pieces
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, cut up into small pieces
2 tsp of salt
1 tsp of pepper
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 cup of chicken broth


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Take your pork lion and cut 8-10 slits in the surface, deep enough to insert some rosemary and garlic into each opening. Place a bit of rosemary and garlic into each opening. Place into a roasting pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, pour the chicken broth into the pan. Cover with foil and bake covered for approximately 45 mins or until the juices run clear.

Trying new things

I've mentioned before that I'm not really a quilter, but I would like to learn. So this year I have endeavored to expand my horizons by joining not only my local quilting guild, but also a quilting bee. It's interesting. I had a lot of preconceived ideas about the guild and while some of them are true (the members are generally older and retired), I've been tremendously surprised by the warm reception I've received. I hope to learn a lot from these ladies. Keep your eye out for my future projects.

Work on it Wednesday

Full plate today. I have a list burgeoning with household tasks that I need to accomplish. You know that stuff that brings excitement to every woman's day. Laundry, dishes, errands. Life on the wild side. I've finally settled on a paint color for my bedroom so I'm going to go and pickup the paint. I'm in the process of redoing my bedroom. I know I've been saying that for awhile, but now I'm serious, lol. I'll start with the paint and purging. Once I have the paint on the wall I can really start to think about the window and bed covering. That will go a long way to giving the room a fresh look. I'll keep you posted.

Monday's Meal

In case you haven't realized it, I really love Southern food. There's really nothing better than the stick to your rib perfection of good fried chicken. Growing up in Texas it was easy to find chicken fried chicken on many menus. Here's a quick delicious version for you to try at home. Eat up!


Chicken fried chicken
30 saltine crackers
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons dry potato flakes
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 whole chicken, cut up


Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Place crackers in a large resealable plastic bag; crush the crackers until they are coarse crumbs. Add flour, potato flakes, seasoned salt, and pepper to bag and mix well. Beat eggs in a bowl; heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Dredge chicken pieces in eggs one at a time, then place in bag with crumb mixture, shake to coat well. Place chicken in skillet, assuring that pieces don't touch, cook for 20-30 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and juices run clear.

Work on it Wednesday

Tackling a big one today...my master bedroom closet. It's a miss. It's so bad I don't even want to post a before picture. I don't know how it got to be so bad. . Ok, actually I do know. I also know I just can't live with it like that anymore. So, I'm rolling up my sleeves and digging in literally and figuratively. Wish me luck, if you don't hear from me for a day or two, send someone after me...I'm probably buried under a mound of shoes.

Resolutions, goals...a fresh start

Well, 2009 is behind us. I'm optimistically looking forward to what 2010 has in store for me. 2009 wasn't the best year I've ever had. So many challenges that I never thought I'd have to face. Ah well, that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? I've been thinking about how I want to approach the new year, what I want to accomplish and how I want to live it. I want to continue to try each day to be the best person, wife and mother I can be. I want to have serenity be a part of my life everyday. I want to have an open heart where joy and happiness can dwell. I know that sounds sort of new agey, lol. I guess I've been doing a lot of yoga lately.
These aren't resolutions per say, but goals...things I'd like to accomplish on a personal level now and for the rest of my life. I think it's good to have an idea and jot some things down though so you know where you'd like to go.

1. Purge. It's an ongoing project. I have a habit of holding on to things much longer than I should. Sometimes it weighs me down and keeps from experiencing new things. So, I'm going to make a real effort to let go and move on.
2. Sew. I'd like to do it more and better. I'd like to continue to challenge myself to learn and try new techniques, use some of the speciality feet I have for my various machines. Work on my tailoring and pattern drafting skills. I'd really like to sew up a wardrober for myself by the summer. I also want to put that customized dress form to good use.
3. Step outside the box and try new things. That's fairly self explanatory though.
4. Run farther, faster. I've run my first 5k. I'd like to run a 10k by the end of the year. I'd like to also improve my mile time.
5. Laugh more. Again, self explanatory.

Monday's Meal

I am a carb lover and to me the best form of carbs is some delicious bread. Here's an easy recipe to make dinner rolls. They go with any meal and make it seem extra special. No one will ever guess how easy they are. To make it even easier for myself I make my dough in the bread machine.


Yeast Rolls

1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

Add the following one at a time to the bread machine: water, oil and eggs. Then add the flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Use machine's dough cycle to prepare your dough. Remove the dough, place in bowl and cover with damp cloth. It should rise, doubling in size. Next remove the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each section out into a circle on a floured board or wax paper. Cut into pizza slice shapes, and roll slices large end to small end. Place on greased cookie sheet, and allow to rise again for at least an hour. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Be sure not to overcook. Top with butter and serve warm.

Monday's Meal

I'm a huge coffee drinker...I mean huge and I love a speciality drink most of all. My all time favorite has to be a mocha. I mean what could be better than a fusion of coffee and chocolate? Here's a little recipe.

Hot White Mocha

1 1/4 cups skim milk (or whatever milk you like)
2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger brewed espresso or dark coffee
1 tablespoon whipped cream

Heat your milk in a saucepan, microwave or a steaming pitcher to 145 degrees F to 165 degrees F. Place your the white chocolate chips in your mug and pour the brewed espresso over them, stir constantly until melted. Pour the milk into the mug. Top with whipped cream and serve.

I did it!

Run, Sabrina, run!!! I kicked off the new year with a my first 5K. I did the New Year's Resolution Run at my local YMCA. I can't say enough what a sense of accomplishment it was to finish it. I absolutely am not a runner and my pace is along the lines of a geriatric patient with a walker. But, I put one foot in front of the other and finished it. WooHoo! I'm already planning another race in April, it's a 4 miler. I'd like to be able to finish in 50 mins. I'll begin my training in a few weeks and will focus on increasing my mile time. I don't know that I'll ever really enjoy running, but it is good to have a fitness goal to work towards.