Spring please!?

I am so ready for spring!  I'm itching to start seeds and get my chickens going again!  

What are you most looking forward to this spring?

Fun Sale Weekend!

This past weekend I participated in a local sale; it was my first one in a while.  I totally enjoyed myself and it was great to see what other people are making and what people are interested in.

I was selling beaded jewelry, coaster sets, tile trivets, magnetic pen/pencil holders and my new thing... mini bird paintings.

In the past I have done several shows/sales of beaded jewelry that I make and have been making for as long as I can remember!

I also have sold things like coaster sets and trivets in the past.

Lately, I have decided that I need to get more into selling my artwork and I have found that I REALLY enjoy painting small paintings of many different kinds of birds!

I was even able to paint a couple birds while at the sale; one of them even sold less than an hour after I finished painting it!

I was pleasantly surprised that my bird painting sales accounted for half of my profits that day; note to self: Continue doing what you enjoy!

I also couldn't resist buying some of the awesome creations other vendors were selling!  

What did I find you may ask?!...

I found two beautiful handmade scarves...

And of course I found something for my future twin nieces!  I thought they were so cute!

I also found this super cute headband; it buttons in the back!  I love it and it was only $5!

Take time to check out your local art/craft shows; your bound to find something wonderfully handmade and it also gives you the opportunity to support the people in your community!

Pineapple Orange Salsa

This is another awesome all-season salsa recipe!  I even think this one is more easy than my Apple Salsa recipe.  

I've been making this one for years and its one of my husband's favorites!

This recipe is very versatile and I have listed the multiple options below.  Use what you have; sometimes I use more or less pineapple or oranges depending on what I have.  And some times I add just a pinch of salt depending on how I feel; it helps enhance the flavors.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

-1 large can (about 29 oz.) unsweetened pineapple, crushed or tidbits

-1 medium can (about 11 oz.) mandarin oranges

-about 1/4 cup red, sweet yellow or green onion, finely chopped

-1 tbsp fresh cilantro or flat leaf parsley, minced

Process:

1. Thoroughly drain pineapple and oranges.  {You can roughly chop the oranges and/or tidbits if you like the pieces smaller.}

2. Place pineapple and oranges in a medium bowl.

3. Add onion to pineapple and orange mixture.

4. Add parsley or cilantro.  {I've used both and they are both fantastic; use what you have or like most!}

5. Mix everything together, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  {You can use this immediately or make up to 1 day in advance.}

6. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips; its really great with "Hint of Lime" chips.  Enjoy!

Apple Salsa

This recipe is one of my new favorites!  I love it especially because good apples are available all year round, so this is a great fresh salsa you can make anytime!

I think this would also be great over grilled chicken, grilled fish or even grilled pork or beef steak!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

-1/2 small onion, finely chopped (red or sweet yellow)

-1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat leaf parsley

-2 apples {tart/firm apples work best; I like granny smith, honey crisp, gala or pink ladies}

-3 tbsp lemon or lime juice

-1/4 tsp salt

-1/4 tsp sugar

Process:

1. Finely chop apples and place in bowl.

2. Add chopped onion, cilantro/parsley, salt, sugar and lemon/lime juice.

 I had some little fingers snatching apple pieces while I was chopping everything else...

3. Stir to combine well.

4. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until serving.  {This stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days... if it lasts that long!}

5. Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips, pita chips or over grilled meat!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

This is my begonia that my husband
got for me last Valentine's Day!
It has just recently started flowering
again for me and has more than
doubled in size!  I just love it!

Today, I plan on making Heart Shaped Homemade Pizzas for my family tonight.

I'll use my Awesome Homemade Pizza Crust recipe, probably some Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks.  And for dessert I'll be making Molten Lava Crock-pot Cake!  

Just might have to make some Apple Salsa and Pineapple Orange Salsa too! 
{salsa recipes to come!}

What do you plan on doing for your loved ones today to celebrate them?

Best Beef Stew

This is the best beef stew I have ever tasted!  It takes a little time but it is well worth it!

I found this recipe from America's Test Kitchen and its definitely a keeper that I'll be making again!

Ingredients:

-2 garlic cloves (about 2 tsp), minced

-4 anchovy fillets (about 2 tsp), finely minced {I used anchovy paste in a tube}

-1 tbsp tomato paste

-about 4 lbs beef chuck-eye roast, trimmed of excess fat, cut in 1 1/2 inch cubes

-2 tbsp vegetable or canola oil

-1 large onion, coarsely diced {I used two smaller onions}

-4 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1 inch pieces {I used 5, because mine were smaller}

-1/4 cup flour

-2 cups red wine {cotes du rhone or pinot noir}

-2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

-2 bay leaves

-2 springs fresh thyme or 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme

-4 ounces salt pork, rinsed of excess salt

-1 lb Yukon gold potatoes (about 3), scrubbed and cubed in 1 inch pieces

-1 1/2 cups frozen pearl onions

-1 pkt (2 tsp) unflavored powdered gelatin

-1/2 cup water

-1 cup frozen peas

-salt and pepper to taste

Anchovy Paste and Tomato Paste

Salt Pork

Process:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Combine garlic and anchovies in a small bowl.

3. Add tomato paste to garlic and anchovies.

4. Stir well and set aside.

5. Pat cubed meat dry with paper towels (do not season).

6. Heat 1 tbsp oil in Dutch oven or large heavy bottomed pot over high heat.

7. Add half {I did mine in thirds, so I didn't over crowd the meat and prevent browning} of the beef and cook until well browned on all sides, about 8 minutes total {reduced heat to medium-high if needed}.

8. Transfer beef to a large plate or bowl.

9. Repeat with remaining, adding oil when needed.

10. Leave the last batch of meat in the pan after browning.

11. Reduce heat to medium and return all meat to the pan.

12. Add onions and carrots to meat.

13. Stir to combine.

14. Stir and cook, scraping bottom of the pan to loosen bits, until onion is softened, about 1 to 2 minutes.

15. Add garlic mixture to pot.

16. Stir constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

17. Add flour and cook stirring constantly, until no dry flour remains, about 30 seconds.

18. Slowly add wine, scrapping bottom of pan to loosen any browned bits.

19. Increase heat to high and allow wine to simmer until thickened and slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
20. Stir in broth.

21. Add bay leaves, thyme and salt pork to pot.

22. Stir well and bring to a simmer, cover and transfer to oven, cook for 1 1/2 hours.

23. Remove pot from oven; remove and discard bay leaves and salt pork {and thyme stems if using fresh thyme}.

24. Stir in potatoes, cover and return to oven, and cook until potatoes are almost tender, about 45 minutes.

25. Using a large spoon, skim off any excess fat from the surface.

26. Stir in pearl onions; cook over medium heat util potatoes and onions are cooked through and meat offer little resistance when poked with a fork (meat should not be falling apart), about 15 minutes.

27. Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl and allow to soften for 5 minutes.

28. Increase heat to high, stir in softened gelatin mixture and peas {I totally forgot the peas and was thinking it would be great if the stew had something green in it!  Oh well, next time!}; simmer until gelatin is fully dissolved and stew is thickened, about 3 minutes.

29. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
30. Enjoy!

* I served this with my fresh Crusty French Bread, so delicious!