Marvelous Monday

I really hate Monday's. I mean, I am pretty sure my bed is never as comfortable as it is any other time than Monday morning,. Yesterday I was out of bed at like five just chipper as a squirrel. This morning I hit my snooze about 17 times and barely made it to work on time. Luckily, I have premade coffee in my fridge, and I also whipped up some tasty breakfast sandwiches for my freezer the other day. I didn't take any pictures while I did it, mostly because I suck at taking pictures, but also because I am a terrible blogger and wasn't even thinking about it while I was slaving away in front of the stove. I didn't use this recipe (who needs a recipe for making a breakfast sandwich, oh wait I'm about to post one here) , but I used the same egg baking method. I think if you were going to eat the eggs right then it would be tasty, but I'm not really a fan of the yolks of hard boiled eggs especially after they are frozen and reheated. Next time I shall try another method. I digress... It was fast, and it was edible, and I fed the dogs the yolks... and everyone was happy. I actually think next time I will try making frozen b-fast burritos... mmm...

So I do have an actual real recipe to post here on the blog today. Shocking I know. I got it from Better Home and Gardens Canning edition. It was almost 10 bucks, but I think it was worth it. Here goes:

So Sweet Squash Pickles:
3 Small yellow summer squash cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (I used that fancy wavy cutter, worked like a charm)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 large red pepper cut into thin strips
1 Tbs pickling salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 tsp mustard seeds
3/4 tsp celery seeds
1/4 tsp dry mustard

I doubled this recipe and I also added turmeric...  This was an accident because I was making these at the same time I was making bread and butter pickles and I looked at the wrong recipe for a second... however, I like the addition and these things are freaking awesome. It made the onions all tasty and yellow too.

So back to the details. These are so so easy. They are just refrigerator "pickles" so need for any fancy canning equipment. Just remember that any recipe for "refrigerator" pickles of any kind means they have to stay in the fridge, and they only stay good a few months.

1. In a large nonmetal bowl combine the veggies and sprinkle with the salt, cover and chill one hour. Drain well.
2. Combine sugar, vinegar, and spices. Bring to a boil. Add veggies. Return to boiling, then remove from heat.
3. Ladle mixture into sterilized jars.
4. Chill at least 24 hours before serving.

Ta da! Someone will think you have mad skills if you make them these. I do beleive Chance must have said "These are SO good" at least 10 times during dinner.

These are bbq chicken tacos, but these sweet pickles would be good on just about anything. I also put them in potato salad the other day and it was awesome.

Chance approves this message.

See that pile of wedding stuff in the back of the picture? I moved that to the craft room tonight. It was a good accomplishment. Jessi moved out earlier this summer and I have just been delaying re organizing my craft stuff. My "dining room" feels giant again.

I have so many unfinished projects! The biggest one being the craft room. What's your biggest unfinished project?

Laters.
Ashley <3

Pinterest Made Me Do It

Cake batter cookies just sound so wrong... mmm but they were tasty, and easy. I used this recipe although I'm sure there are several out there. I even found some cute little brown, yellow, and orange sprinkles to use. I only baked a few, and decided that they would be very good as slice and bake cookies.

I wrapped them up in some heavy duty foil and ta da! These cookies are good, but best right out of the oven, or shamefully, as the frozen cookie dough.

I have been doing several crafts and recipes from the beloved pinterest lately. I have a lot backed up that  I need to share. My bestie gave me a slap on the wrist for being a blog slacker. At least I have loyal followers! I can't be mad at that!

I am so grateful for the cool weather yesterday and today. I'm currently sitting by my open window with puppy and kitty on my lap snuggling for warmth! Lol. I also made some very tasty homemade maple coffeemate type creamer. It is perfect in pumpkin pie spice flavored coffee.

Uh oh, the puppy just noticed the kitty so I better go before this computer gets knocked off my lap.

lazy day

I had the day off today and had all kinds of grand schemes cooked up.  So far, its 530 and I've hardly accomplished anything! I hate it when I do that! I'm in that "I have so much to do so I'll just do nothing" mode. Lol. On the upside I did find my fourth and final bridesmaid dress today. I am so happy at how its all going to work out. they are all going to look so cute!!! I also got some stuff to start working on my veil, so that will be fun.

What I need to do first and foremost is finish my dining room table because it really sucks not having a table! I did get some stuff to work on that today too though... Guess it wasn't a total waste. Maybe when it cools off a little outside I'll get some painting done.

In the meantime, I am trying to keep this little booger from eating all of my hair ties.

Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

,Ask and ye shall receive Jamie! I am so happy someone is reading my blog!!!! Maybe I will be semi famous for my musing some day.

Three years ago I made 26 quarts of dill pickles from the cucumbers in my garden (my first garden). I had watched my mom can pickles and jellies and applesauce and pasta sauce so many times, I figured canning would just come natural to me. My mom came by one afternoon and helped me set up my kitchen. She also brought me all the tools I needed.  After some step by step directions, she left, and turned me loose! I have to say those pickles turned out almost as good as hers. Emmy in the Making's hubby loves them! I have gotten away with giving him them for Christmas every year since! Lol. I however, am kind of tired of those pickles! I still have a few quarts in the back of my pantry. I decided to try something new this year. Oh that and I don't have near the cucumber harvest as I did that first year.

This is it for this year! Some of those little ones are just a couple inches long. I had to run down to the produce stand to grab some more. I paid 4 dollars (a tad steep) for 2 pounds of pickling cucumbers.  I had some of these giant ones:

You can't really tell the difference on here, but it was bigger than all those little ones combined. First rule to making good pickles: Use small, crisp cucumbers. If they are mushy, toss them out. You will be very disappointed with your results.

Pinterest is a household word these days. I am really not sure what I did to waste time before it came along. Who invented it? It is so much better than facebook. Anyway.... I found my recipie there this morning when I wasn't even looking for it! It came from here!! I'll let you read the details if you end up making them yourself, which you totally should.

After I washed all of my cucumbers, I set to work using a handy wavy knife to make nice thick chunks.  I added 2 tbs of pickling salt to the mix and covered it all and put it in the fridge for and hour or so.

Next I mixed the vinegars, sugars, and spices and brought them to a boil. This really couldn't be easier, you drain your cucs, add an onion, then pour the mixture over the top. You let that sit out for an hour or so.  Last step you simply fill your jars and pop in the fridge. The recipe says to chill for 24 hours... I just tried one after an hour to see how they were coming and they are PERFECT.

I highly recommend you try this recipe first if you are new to canning. It is waaaayyyy easier than the hot water bath way, and you don't have to sterilize your jars and such. However, if you were giving these as a gift or serving them at a party, no one would know how easy they were. They would just think you were freaking awesome.

This made 2 quarts for me (2 pints and 1 quart jar). I used more cucumbers than it called for and it I did almost run out of the juice. So good!

In fact, this was so easy, I had time to try out another pinterest idea while I was waiting for the brine to boil.

I have seen several ways to dye a tank/shirt with an ombre type design. I found this pin a few says ago. While I was at dollar general getting my vinegar for my pickles, I scanned the clearance aisle and found some RIT dye for 1.25. STEAL! Perfect time to try it out. I also bought some wife beater tank tops while I was there to use. One of my problems with pinterest is I do not always read the directions or even go to the full link. This kind of kicked me in the butt on this craft, as it didn't really come out ombre, but more just tye dye looking... I still like it though! I may even wear it to work out in if it gets dry in the next half hour.

What do you think??? Maybe its not so bad. Definitely cute enough for a workout! I hope it doesn't bleed purple dye on me. I've had enough of sweat and color for one year! lol.

Its been a pinteresting month...

I was on such a good roll! I was posting every day! What happened??? I have just been busy working I suppose. I also started working out with a personal trainer at this awesome place down town, and that is kind of time consuming.

I have still been crafting and the like though.

I will have more detailed posts coming up... but here are some teaser photos to keep you on the edges of your seats!!!

National Picnic Day

I heard on the news that today is National Picnic day. Here to for: grab a picnic basket, your cutest friend, and have some fun!

Huck is with me today. Hopefully he will be a good worker bee and will help me address save the dates, make some cute picture display found on pinterest, clean the kitchen, do laundry, mop the floor, make wedding crafts, and re decorate the living room. Oh he also needs to help me put away all my thrifted wedding decorations in the dinning room and refinish the table in the garage since I sold my old kitchen table in the yard sale.

He is currently napping, hopefully hes getting rested up for our big day.

I'm going to get some iced coffee. Mmm. My sis in law Josey always has the BEST iced coffee in her fridge so I followed her directions and have some amazing caffeine in my fridge. It really could not be easier. She said she uses Pioneer Woman's recipe but changed it slightly.

It couldn't be easier. It isn't possible. First you need a big container with a lid. Next, you dump a whole bag of coffee grounds (mine was 12 oz) and fill up with water, stir. Josey swears that freshly ground coffee is best, but I'm too lazy for that. I have done this twice this month so far, this first time with old coffee I found in my cabinet, and the 2nd with Folgers chocolate truffle. Obviously this second batch is better.

After it has sat on your counter for at least 8 hours (with a few stirrings in between) strain into your container with a cheese cloth. Discard your coffee grounds into your compost bin and your garden will love you.

 Don't judge me for my messy sink. That is what Huck baby is here for today, remember?

I have trouble with drippy spouts on these things but I am hoping this one is ok. It is certainly cute (as all impulse buys from Target are.)

I mix mine with raspberry syrup and some 1 % milk along with a teeny tiny splash of half and half. You can adjust the strength in accordance with your addiction to caffeine. 

The Folgers coffee I bought was $5 something at Pricecutter and if you figure that this jug lasts at least a week of morning coffee you would save a ton, especially if you spend $4 plus dollars at Starbucks each day. Whoop. Thanks Josey!

Have a good day picnicing and making iced coffee!

Maybe if I get my kitchen counter cleaned off today I will post later tonight about my kitchen remodel in progress.

xoxo,
Ash

p.s. So happy I decided to only work part time this summer. Wish me luck in being productive today so I don't regret it when my paycheck SUCKS. 

Engagment photo props

Another delightful aspect of pinterest that I LOVE is the ideas for pictures. I love looking at pictures of weddings/ engagement sessions. I generally, don't like being photographed, but I actually had a ton of fun when Chance and I met with Anna. Seriously, she made us look so good. If you need any kind of pictures taken, you should definitely call her. I can't wait to see all the awesome stuff she does for the wedding.

 I was really happy with how easy the initial embroidery hoop turned out. I just hot glued buttons, so cheap and cheesy... but it worked. There was no way I was going to sew all those buttons on there. Part of my plan for wedding decorations is making some that I can use in more than one way. This for example was obviously in our engagement photo, it will be used somewhere in the wedding, and then I think it will hang somewhere after the wedding in the bedroom with pictures of us around it. Fun!

 I used stencils from Martha Stewart for the date sign. Don't ask me where I got that piece of wood... I found it in my craft stash. Oh, and it was just a sharpie, work smarter not harder right?

Emily actually made the banner. We used hot glue, twine, doileys, 2 hankies, and regular ole acrylic craft paint that costs 50 cents. We got in a fight over that silly cursive L. It turned out awesome!

Another awesome thing about Anna, is that she gave me the rights to my pictures. I have been hoarding groupons and living social deals that have anything to do with using pictures. I spent a lot of my free time at the yard sale last weekend creating the photo book that will be our guest book, some gifts for parents, and some save the dates. It was very fun. I did find though that the groupon to Picaboo didn't end up being the best deal. I ended up paying $24 dollars in shipping for the $100 that I had to spend (it was a $35 groupon). Anyway, I got some of the stuff in the mail today and it was very high quality so I am happy about that. 

Peace yo.
Ash