Thursday, April 29, 2010

Marrakech Grilled Steak and Sweet Potatoes

.I got this recipe from
 the Eating Well magazine
the only thing I didn't do is the onion
 because I didn't have one on hand



1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 ounces strip steak, trimmed and cut into 2 portions
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and very thinly sliced
1 small red onion, halved and very thinly sliced
2 teaspoons canola oil
Slice sweet potato thinly


Preheat grill to high.


Combine allspice, cumin, ginger, salt, cinnamon, coriander
 and cayenne in a medium bowl. 
Sprinkle steaks with 2 1/4 teaspoons of the spice mixture. 
Add sweet potato and onion to the bowl along with oil; toss to coat.
Generously coat the top piece with cooking spray. 
Spread the sweet potato mixture in the center of the foil in a thin layer. 


Bring the short ends of foil together,
 fold over and pinch to seal.
Pinch the seams together along the sides to seal the packet.


Place the packet on the hottest part of the grill and cook,
 turning once, about 5 minutes per side. 
Cook the steaks, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Transfer to plates and let rest while the packets finish cooking.
Open the packets (be careful of steam) and serve alongside the steaks.




Flower Frames



I got these mini frames at Dollar Tree
6 of them for $1 
in with the wedding items
they could be used as place cards, photos frames -even favors
they aren't very big
could even be great for a Mom or Grandma


I wish I could tell you where I got
these plastic petals
but I haven't a clues
I know I've had them over 5yrs


Place glue on the pedals


Place on the frame
then add a little dab int he center


drop a small bead in the center


And you are done 
easy peasey





























Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Economical Mother's Day Ideas


I saw this idea at Christmas time 
but never got a chance to make any
so I decided to revisit it for Mother's Day
what you need:


apply mod podge


roll in Epsom salts





Let dry


Wrap and you are done!



I think they'd be cute 
tucked into a basket with bath salts
body scrub etc
A very economical gift
especially if you get 
the candles at Dollar Tree

While cleaning out
my craft room drawers
I came across these
Aleene's Shrink-it
hearts that 
I shrunk over 5 yrs ago


I added some pearls that I had
 from a necklace I got at a yard sale



I got 4 handmade paper note cards
at Dollar Tree
and added some embellishments



pre-cut out daffodils (from Dollar Tree)



some skeletal aspen leaves
and plastic pedals



a pre-made butterfly (3 to a pkg at Dollar Tree)




I got 4 cards for $1
and had the embellishments
from other projects





















Roller Rock Update

Last August I told you about a product

After we did it:



We updated our front steps with it

I wish I could come back
and say how wonderful it is

But heres a look
for yourself

upper stairs

lower stairs



It did not fare very well
threw the winter
and at $300 to do
the steps
and a year later
for them to look like this
is very disturbing




I believe we would've been better
off to have bought cement paint
and added some sand to it
At least if it chipped
after the winter 
we wouldn't have been 
out $300
So ......
later this summer 
when we
have less rain
once again we will tackle the steps.....