Help me reach my goal for the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure!
Jessica Percifull
5.27.2010
5.26.2010
Things I'd like to Make/Do
Sewing Machine Cover
Mixer Cover
More Bibs!
Travel high-chair
Purse
Craft bag for bubba
Knitting needle holder
The list is MUCH longer but my brain is sucked dry so I will add as I remember :) Feel free to leave me more ideas and their links!
Jessica Percifull
5.17.2010
Square Foot Gardening
This is my FIRST attempt at Square Foot Gardening! I have tried growing a vegetable garden back in Tennessee but the clay was so dense even worked with peat, soil and compost many vegetables did not grow. So I am hoping that this will be a much more productive way to produce vegetables!
We started off making a box 4' x 6' . I taped off 1' x 1' squares. I started my vegetables in those little Jiffy planters (I didn't get a pic of them). Once they sprouted I trimmed them back and left the strongest sprouts standing. I then placed them in the squares and labeled them. I have one square left, I'm not sure what I'm going to put in there yet. so far I have Tomatoes (one of the few things that produced in TN), zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, jalapeno, leeks, spinach, salad mixed greens, basil, tarragon, dill, cilantro, chives and oregano. I did mostly herbs because i know they do well, I use them often and I'm nervous about the other veggies. I was going to attempt Asparagus but i heard it grows 12 feet and it's not good for beginner gardeners to attempt, so maybe next year. I also hope to get a few more blueberry bushes next year, we really enjoyed the ones we had in TN.
Once I got the veggies in the ground I surrounded it with posts and the fabric chicken wire fence. I'm hoping it will keep the squirrels and these little guys away (I think they're living under our shed!
I'm also going to plant some more herbs or flowers when I make these planters. I think I may put mint in them because it spreads like a weed and I don't want it to take over my ENTIRE garden :).
Link up your Square Foot Garden and let me know what's growing in your Garden!
Jessica Percifull
We started off making a box 4' x 6' . I taped off 1' x 1' squares. I started my vegetables in those little Jiffy planters (I didn't get a pic of them). Once they sprouted I trimmed them back and left the strongest sprouts standing. I then placed them in the squares and labeled them. I have one square left, I'm not sure what I'm going to put in there yet. so far I have Tomatoes (one of the few things that produced in TN), zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, jalapeno, leeks, spinach, salad mixed greens, basil, tarragon, dill, cilantro, chives and oregano. I did mostly herbs because i know they do well, I use them often and I'm nervous about the other veggies. I was going to attempt Asparagus but i heard it grows 12 feet and it's not good for beginner gardeners to attempt, so maybe next year. I also hope to get a few more blueberry bushes next year, we really enjoyed the ones we had in TN.Once I got the veggies in the ground I surrounded it with posts and the fabric chicken wire fence. I'm hoping it will keep the squirrels and these little guys away (I think they're living under our shed!
I'm also going to plant some more herbs or flowers when I make these planters. I think I may put mint in them because it spreads like a weed and I don't want it to take over my ENTIRE garden :).Link up your Square Foot Garden and let me know what's growing in your Garden!
Jessica Percifull
5.13.2010
New Couch Pillow Covers!
I had 4 un-matching pillows on my couch and I have been wanting to get a nice bright fabric and make some NEW pillows. I remembered that I had a bunch of fabric left over from when I recovered my chairs a few years ago that has just been sitting in my closet. When I picked the fabric I made sure it matched the couches because our eat in kitchen was also attached to our living room. So I knew the fabric would match.
So I decided while my husband was gone for training the last few weeks that I'd get back on my sewing machine and get some projects done! I have gotten 3 of 4 pillows done and I think they look great. I didn't have to buy new pillows I just stuffed them in side the covers. So the project literally cost me NOTHING!!! :) Can't get any better than that!!
The pillows were very easy I just measured the pillows they were all about 17" x 17" so I cut my fabric to allow for 1/2" around for the front and 17.5 x an extra 3.5-4.5" for the back (to make the flap, see below). I cut the back piece in half, folded down the "middle seam" and sewed then i matched the outside corners and pinned. Sewed all the way around reinforcing the flap (going forward and back a few times) trimmed the edges and round the corners. Flipped them inside out. Ironed the wrinkles out and popped the pillows in! DONE!
Jessica Percifull
So I decided while my husband was gone for training the last few weeks that I'd get back on my sewing machine and get some projects done! I have gotten 3 of 4 pillows done and I think they look great. I didn't have to buy new pillows I just stuffed them in side the covers. So the project literally cost me NOTHING!!! :) Can't get any better than that!!
The pillows were very easy I just measured the pillows they were all about 17" x 17" so I cut my fabric to allow for 1/2" around for the front and 17.5 x an extra 3.5-4.5" for the back (to make the flap, see below). I cut the back piece in half, folded down the "middle seam" and sewed then i matched the outside corners and pinned. Sewed all the way around reinforcing the flap (going forward and back a few times) trimmed the edges and round the corners. Flipped them inside out. Ironed the wrinkles out and popped the pillows in! DONE!
Jessica Percifull
Teacher Appreciation Week!
For Teacher appreciation week I made these:
I thought they'd be great for Austen's teachers because he is in Pre-K and most of the children are learning their letters in the beginning of the year. I also added a few Tastefully Simple goodies!
I got the idea from here. They weren't too difficult to make. I cut the crayons with a knife on a silicone cutting board. Then I used the hot glue gun to secure them to card stock that I printed Austen's teachers names on and then cut down to size. The frames are small shadow boxes (about 5 x 7) that I got on sale (40% off) and then used a 25% off coupon at Michaels. The teachers LOVED them!!
Jessica Percifull
I thought they'd be great for Austen's teachers because he is in Pre-K and most of the children are learning their letters in the beginning of the year. I also added a few Tastefully Simple goodies!I got the idea from here. They weren't too difficult to make. I cut the crayons with a knife on a silicone cutting board. Then I used the hot glue gun to secure them to card stock that I printed Austen's teachers names on and then cut down to size. The frames are small shadow boxes (about 5 x 7) that I got on sale (40% off) and then used a 25% off coupon at Michaels. The teachers LOVED them!!
Jessica Percifull
5.12.2010
5.01.2010
Cowboy Caviar
When I went to Pennsylvania to Visit Neil's Aunt and Uncle, his Aunt Eileen made Cowboy Caviar. I had heard of it before but never tried it. Let me tell you!! It's awesome!! It's super easy to make and healthy!! It's also an easy way to use up canned beans, diced tomatoes and corn. I tweaked the recipe just a bit and your welcome to do the same. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!
1 can beans drained and rinsed (I like black beans or kidney, pinto would be good as well)
1 can petite diced tomatoes drained
1 can of corn drained (I use frozen about 1-2 cups)
1/2 med onion chopped (Vidalia, yellow, red)
1 Handful of chopped cilantro
1/2 cup Italian dressing
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp onion powder
Mix all ingredients together
Serve with tortilla chips (we like the lime ones)
*put on a southwestern style salad or in a chicken wrap
- For the Salad dressing I mixed Ranch Dressing with some Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party Dip Mix It gave it a little kick and was so YUMMY!! You can also put it in the wrap. See my website to order the Fiesta Party Dip Mix!
Jessica Percifull
Homemade Healthy Granola Bars!!
Cranberry-Almond Granola Bars
By Jessica Percifull
Ingredients
• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• ¼ cup milled/ground flax
• 1 tsp teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Craisins
• ½ cup thinly slice almonds
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (I just turn a couple grinds of my sea salt grinder)
• ½ cup honey or agave nectar
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¾ cup applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional zest of one orange (REALLY GOOD!!)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, Flax, cinnamon, flour, Craisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, applesauce, oil and vanilla (zest or orange if desired). Mix well, fold in almonds. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm.
Banana Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Walnuts
By Jessica Percifull
Ingredients
• 2 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• ¼ cup milled/ground flax
• 1 tsp teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup Mashed Bananas (dry measuring cup)
• 1 cup peanut or almond butter (dry measuring cup)
• ½ cup thinly chopped walnuts
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (I just turn a couple grinds of my sea salt grinder)
• ½ cup honey or agave nectar
• 1 egg, beaten
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, Flax, cinnamon, flour, walnuts and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, banana, peanut butter, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm.*These are best eaten when cooled*
I was trying to think of some new flavors to make. A few I'm going to try are: Pumpkin-Walnut, Apple Cinnamon Raisin and Carrot-Walnut. Let me know if you think of any others!!
Jessica Percifull
BBQ Chicken Pizza
My Husband and I LOVE California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ Chicken Pizza!! So I decided to attempt to make it myself! It was AMAZING!! Doesn't it look dee-lish? This a great dinner to have after grilling BBQ Chicken!
Below is the recipe for your Very Own BBQ Chicken Pizza!
Crust:
Mix together:
1 3/4 cups Whole Wheat FLour
2 cups White Flour
1 1/2 tsp salt (I think I forgot this last night but it was still good :))
In a measuring cup whisk together:
1 pk yeast1 tbsp sugar
1 1/3 cup warm water
when foamy add water mixture to dry mixture and mix while adding 3 tbsp EVOO
Kneed til smooth (5 min), of use dough attachment on mixer. Brush with Olive oil and place in a bowl in a warm draft free area (I turn on oven while mixing then turn it off put the dough in a bowl on the oven covered with a dish towel)
Let rise until doubled- about 1.5-2 hrs
Use 1/2 the dough per pizza
PIZZA
Your Fave BBQ sauceLeftover BBQ chicken, or rotisserie chicken about a cup for 1 pizza
1/4 red onion sliced thin
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
handful of cilantro (optional)
Preheat oven to 500
Roll dough into ball, then place on a floured surface or parchment paper and roll dough out to desired thickness- I like mine thin with no crust :) **
Spread BBQ sauce on dough, add chicken, then cheese and top with sliced red onions. Place dough on baking stone and cook about 15 min until cheese is bubble and starts to brown. sprinkle cilantro on top and ENJOY!!
**You can cook the dough for about 5 min before adding sauce and toppings if you would like it a little crunchier, be sure to poke all over with a fork so is doesn't bubble up! Brushing with Olive oil is also optional :)
Jessica Percifull
Below is the recipe for your Very Own BBQ Chicken Pizza!
Crust:
Mix together:
1 3/4 cups Whole Wheat FLour
2 cups White Flour
1 1/2 tsp salt (I think I forgot this last night but it was still good :))
In a measuring cup whisk together:
1 pk yeast1 tbsp sugar
1 1/3 cup warm water
when foamy add water mixture to dry mixture and mix while adding 3 tbsp EVOO
Kneed til smooth (5 min), of use dough attachment on mixer. Brush with Olive oil and place in a bowl in a warm draft free area (I turn on oven while mixing then turn it off put the dough in a bowl on the oven covered with a dish towel)
Let rise until doubled- about 1.5-2 hrs
Use 1/2 the dough per pizza
PIZZA
Your Fave BBQ sauceLeftover BBQ chicken, or rotisserie chicken about a cup for 1 pizza
1/4 red onion sliced thin
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
handful of cilantro (optional)
Preheat oven to 500
Roll dough into ball, then place on a floured surface or parchment paper and roll dough out to desired thickness- I like mine thin with no crust :) **
Spread BBQ sauce on dough, add chicken, then cheese and top with sliced red onions. Place dough on baking stone and cook about 15 min until cheese is bubble and starts to brown. sprinkle cilantro on top and ENJOY!!
**You can cook the dough for about 5 min before adding sauce and toppings if you would like it a little crunchier, be sure to poke all over with a fork so is doesn't bubble up! Brushing with Olive oil is also optional :)
Jessica Percifull
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