Archives for 2009

Bridal Shower Links and Resources

June 10, 2009 2 Comments

Today I have a great list of resources to help you plan the perfect shower or wedding. A lot of planning goes in to even the smallest and simplest party, but these sites should give you all the ideas, information, and supplies you’ll need, or at least give you a good start.

Simply Wedding Stuff – Great check list for organizing and planning your wedding shower, along with a lot of great items and info.
BridalShower.com – Shower games, party favors, supplies, and themes.
Celebrations.com – Lots of decor ideas for weddings and other occasions
4Showers.com – Decorations, favors, and paper goods
SimplyWeddingStuff.com – shower decorations, favors, and supplies
Bridal Shower Ideas for You – A list of ideas on everything from decorations and centerpieces to a the party favors, the cake, and a checklist.
Bridal Shower Themes from Frame Your Day – A list of shower themes and ideas for each theme.
Party Supplies World – More supplies for your wedding shower.
Abee Bridal Showers- Free Games – This site has a lot of info on wedding stuff. This particular link has 4 lists of free bridal shower games and descriptions of the games.
Wedding Favors to Go – Favors for all themes and seasons.
To Love and To Cherish – Blog about weddings and showers. They also sell invitations for all occasions.

Bachelorette Superstore – Party favors, supplies, and everything else you need for a shower or bachelorette party.

-Jerri

Filed Under: organizing, party ideas, planning

You Are Invited to a Bridal Shower Event

June 9, 2009 2 Comments

Hello Everyone! Starting June 10, I’ll be hosting a Bridal Shower Event here at Simply Sweet Home. This will be a series of posts pertaining to bridal showers and weddings. It will include a whole host of ideas to help you plan showers, weddings, and other parties.

I’ll be featuring some lovely party foods, invitations, tables, decor, and cakes from around the internet, as well as providing you with lots of information, inspiration, and resources.

Hope you’ll stop by for the event, as we will have a lot of ideas and features that could help you to plan and organize other types of parties as well.

Unfortunately I planned all of this at the last moment, so I didn’t set up any giveaways to host during this event; however, I will be looking around the internet for some giveaways to share with you that may pertain to this event.

By the way, if you’ve recently hosted a shower and posted about it, I’d love to share your photos and ideas with everyone during this event. Just send me an email. (You’ll find the link on the right hand side of my blog.)

Thanks for reading. Hope to “see” you at the shower!

-Jerri

Filed Under: announcements

Chicken Pockets

June 8, 2009 18 Comments

A couple of weeks ago I got to experiments and made some chicken pockets. These are very easy and quick to make, and they are very versatile and inexpensive. They makes a great snack or lunch time food for kids. And it would also be a great appetizer to serve at parties, or even a wedding or shower!

Along with the recipe, below you’ll find some photos I took of the process, and below that you’ll find my usual tips and suggestions for the recipe. I have a lot of great ideas for variations on this one. I’d love to hear your ideas for this as well!

Recipe for Chicken Pockets:
1 can crescent rolls
1 can chicken breast, drained
2-3 spoon fulls mayo (depends on how much mayo you like)

Directions: Pull crescents apart. There should be 8 triangles. Put two of the rolls together so that it makes a rectangle shape. Use your fingers to press the two rolls together. Repeat with the rest of the rolls. Mix up your mayo and chicken. Spoon out some of the chicken mixture onto the roll. (see pic below) Then roll the dough up into a pocket. Press the dough again with your fingers to make sure the pocket is sealed. Bake according to the instructions on the crescent roll package.

Notes: After placing the chicken mixture on the dough, I had a little bit of chicken mixture left. You may want to use all the chicken in your pockets, but if not then the chicken mixture is great by itself or on a salad or regular sandwich bread.

The rolls look kind of funny because I used off brand crescent rolls which taste great, but they don’t always break away perfectly!

At least they looked better after baking!

Tips and Suggestions:
-To make these a little more flavorful or “grown up” if you will, you could try adding any of the following, a spoonful of poppy seeds, celery seed, or dill seed.
-Shredded cheese would add a lot to this as well. (Wish I had thought about it at the time, in fact!)
-You could also add a spoonful of pickle relish. (I love dill!) Or add a piece of chopped celery (yum!), or add a little chopped onion. And I think bacon bit would be delicious in this as well.
-And some people like to put chopped pecans in their chicken salad mixtures, as well as grapes or craisons. Personally it’s not my cook of tea, but I know a lot of people would like this.
-Also, if you don’t like mayonnaise, you use miracle whip, cream cheese, or a salad dressing of your choice. (I think ranch would be yummy!) And you could always use barbecue sauce or even buffalo sauce!
–Serving note/idea – The great thing about these is that if you have any leftover, they’re great to reheat later. I personally ate 2 of these, and it was enough to fill me up for lunch. If you have small children, instead of doing the pockets with two crescents, I’d recommend doing single crescents, and roll them up like usual with the chicken mixture inside, to make a total of 8 roll-ups. This may also be a better option if you want to make these as a party food.

-Jerri

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I’m posting a link to this post on the following sites:
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is hosted by Blessed With Grace.
Homemaker Mondays is hosted by 11th Heaven’s Homemade Haven.
Making A Happy Home Monday is hosted by As For Me and My House….
Make Something Monday is hosted by Go Graham Go! and Jolly Mom and Diana Rambles.
Tasty Tuesday is hosted by Balancing Beauty & Bedlam.
I Am Blissfully Domestic is hosted by Blissfully Domestic.
Ultimate Recipe is Swap is hosted by Life as Mom.
Friday Feasts is hosted by Momtrends.
Works for Me Wednesday is hosted by We Are THAT Family
Hooked on Fridays is hosted by Hooked on Houses

Filed Under: appetizers and snacks, casseroles and quick meals, party ideas

Sprucing Up The Yard

June 4, 2009 Leave a Comment

One of our current goals is to get the outside of our house fixed up. (This includes doing a little more work in the front yard and more importantly painting the shutters and fixing up the front porch.)

It’s a little on hold right now because hubby got laid off from his new job a few weeks ago, so we’re trying to save our money for “must haves,” but before that happened we did get a start on it.

In my next couple of posts I’ll be showing you some of the things we’ve been working on.

First priority was to break up this sidewalk that went down the middle of the yard. It was old and broken up in places, and it was kind of pointless because it ended about 2 feet from the road. (This must have been a trend because I neighbors have a sidewalk the ends about 2 feet from the road as well.) Anyway we got rid of the old sidewalk and have planted some grass seeds. The grass hasn’t come in fully yet, but I think it’s already looking better than it did with the old broken sidewalk! Plus, it’s going to be the yard look a lot

In the above picture you can also see where we pruned our trees. These are really coming back nicely as well!

We also had a bunch of old stepping stones going from the driveway to the porch. These were replaced with new ones. This looks so much better! (Sorry I don’t have a before picture, and please excuse all the dirt, as this photo was taken while we were building flower beds.)

Next post, I’ll be going through a step-by-step process to making a new flower bed.

-Jerri

Filed Under: Home/Garden

Adventures in Shopping: The Little Bamboo

June 2, 2009 3 Comments

For this month’s edition of Adventures in Shopping, I’m sharing my new bamboo plant. I got it at the flea market for just $4. I just love the flea market! You never know what you’re going to find.

We used to go all the time when I was a kid to shop for antiques and collectibles. And I would look forward to getting a sno-cone or some other special treat…well, actually I still look forward to getting a sno-cone or some other treat. (Something about concession stands just lure me in!)

But I love the shopping too. It’s fun seeing all the great items they have to offer, old and new! I don’t usually buy much, but this time I managed to pick up a couple of “lucky cat” figurines, which I’ll have to share at another time. (I forgot to take photos of them.)

And of course, I got the bamboo. Most flea markets I’ve been too sell these. So if you like bamboo, you should visit the local flea market. I find that the bamboo at the flea markets usually looks a lot better than those sold in regular stores. And you can usually find a great selection of all sizes, varieties, and price ranges. (Plus, you can get the seller to make a special arrangement for you if you like.)

-Jerri

Filed Under: Home/Garden, shopping

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

June 1, 2009 22 Comments

I got this week’s recipe back in March from the blog, Cynnamama’s Cafe. This is one of the blogs I found during the Ultimate Blog Party. At that time I’d never heard of the recipe, but since then it’s been on a lot of other blogs.

If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it! It’s great for a quick snack, but I think if you needed to make a last minute dessert for company coming over, a few of these cakes would be great for that purpose as well.

*This will also be my entry for my Sweet Thursday Cake Round-Up in a couple of weeks. If you have a cake you’d like for me to include in the round-up, email your link to me at simplysweethome@hotmail.com. *

Recipe for 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes. It’s okay if the cake rises above the mug. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. Serves 1-2 people.

I actually made mine in a little bowl instead of the coffee mug, because apparantly I have a problem following directions. lol. If you’d like to see what the cake looks like in the mug you can see it at Cynnamama’s blog.

Tips & Suggestions:

-As you can see, I cut my cake into fourths, and then I placed two of the fourths on to a bowl with ice cream for serving. The ice cream and chocolate syrup really added a lot, and made it look very attractive.

-I didn’t use the chocolate chips, but I bet they’d be delicious. I also think it would be good with white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips. You could also try adding a teaspoon of chopped nuts and even a couple of marshmallows for a rocky road cake.

-This cake reminded me a lot of Betty Crocker Warm Delights. Next time I make these, I plan on topping it with caramel or hot fudge before baking to see if it truly measures up to the warm delights.

-Jerri

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Filed Under: desserts, Recipe of the Week

Organizing Round-Up: Surfaces & Shelves

May 30, 2009 4 Comments

Here is my entry for this month’s Organizing Round-Up. This month’s project was shelves and surfaces. I had orginally planned to organize all my bookshelves, but I just couldn’t quite get around to it. So I did a few mini-projects instead. Actually mine involved in little more de-cluttering & tidying up than organizing, but I guess it all counts. Sorry I didn’t get the before pictures of everything, but I’m sure you’ll get the idea.

I did a big clean up of our small bathroom last weekend. This is the over-the-toilet organizer we have. Originally the wash rags were stacked inside the cabinet, and the top shelf was lined with a bunch of stuff like contact solution, dental floss, make-up, and hubby’s shaving stuff. It was a mess! I removed all the items and placed them in the cabinet or in the basket on the bottom shelf. Now it looks a lot neater, and we don’t have to worry about stuff falling into the toilet.

I like placing small items in a container of some sort. It makes things look a lot neater. I bought a set of 3 little red baskets at the Dollar Tree and was able to put them to good use on my surfaces. The first basket is in our big bathroom near the sink. I have a set of drawers that I was placing my jewelry on, but it was too easy to knock it off in the floor, and after a while I tend to get a few items there, so it looks messy. So my solution was to place this basket here. It will save the jewelry from falling in the floor; plus it helps it too look as though it belongs there. And after a while, I can just pick up the whole basket and put everything away.

The second basket was placed on my dresser. Our house doesn’t have a lot of storage space, so I decided to place my perfume bottles on the dresser. (It’s also a good to have them there, because I’ll see them there and actually remember to put on the perfume.) But I hate having a bunch bottles laying around. Somehow containing them in the little red basket, helps my brain to tolerate them and it makes the space look a little neater.

The third red basket is being used at my kitchen sink. And as you can see, I’m using it to hold my sponge, scrubber, and drain-stopper. This small thing is a huge improvement not only because it contains the stuff and makes it look less cluttered, but because it helps to keep the actual counter top and sink clean, because any excess water and soap is on the bottom of the basket rather than making spots and rings on the sink and counter.

I also organized these lotions and body sprays that were on my dresser into a basket. Here’s a before picture:

And here’s an after pic:

And finally the thing that actually took a bit of time: The Clothes Dryer. I’ve been using the dryer to lay out my beads and jewelry tools and projects. I lay them out here because it’s the only place where I can guarantee my cats won’t get to them.

And I try to clean up after I get done working, but sometimes I quit abruptly or right in the middle of a project, and stuff tends to get left out, as you can see here:

I worked for quite a while to get all my stuff re-organized. My beads are in little plastic organizers that I’ve placed in a drawer, and all my finished products are stored there as well. And all my charms/findings/tools/etc. have been re-organized in this little caboodle from yester-year.

Now that’s definitely a lot neater! My goal is to keep it this way!

Stop by Org Junkie to see all the other organizing projects at the round-up.

-Jerri

Filed Under: organizing

Organizing & Cleaning Tips for Surfaces & Shelves

May 27, 2009 3 Comments

The key to keeping shelves and surfaces clean is to simplify, that is, keep only a very few important items out on your surfaces. Then clean your surfaces thoroughly and place your items in a location that is logical but also makes the space more aesthetically pleasing and inviting. And if possible keep loose items in jars, baskets, or other containers so that they are accessible but hidden. Here are a few other tips that might be helpful to you.

Kitchen & Bathroom Surfaces:
-Keep counters as clear as possible, keeping out only items that you use every day, such as a coffee maker or can opener.
-Do daily maintenance on counters and surfaces, removing “stray” items that don’t belong and wiping down surfaces.
-If you’re low on cabinet space, a bread box is great place to store snacks or even extra appliances that you’d like to have handy but keep hidden.
-Use baskets or containers to store items more neatly on surfaces. Jars and decorative glass bowls are also great for storing items on top of surfaces, while still maintaining a neat looking surface.
-For quick bathroom organization, mini plastic drawers are great for make-up, jewelry, and hair accessories, as well as creams and ointments. And they fit nicely on counters and on over-the-toilet organizer shelves.
-To maintain a neat bathroom, do daily maintenance, wiping down the counter and sink each morning after getting ready or before going to bed. And keep very few items out on the sink or vanity.

Kids Stuff, Crafts, & Office
-A bookshelf is a great place not only to organize books but also arts & craft supplies. Place small pieces in small plastic containers or drawers. Then place these on your shelf. The same concept can be used with a simple wall shelf. Place containers on the shelf and hang the shelf over your desk or crafting area for easy access to supplies.
-The above idea is also great for kids stuff. Legos, blocks, doll accessories, and other small pieces can easily be stored away in small containers and then placed on a shelf.
-To keep your desk or crafting area clean, do daily maintenance. Clean up after each daily session. And place all items from a current craft project you’re still working on in a container or on a tray for easy removal/clean up.
-To maintain a clean office and desk, it’s best to keep only a few important items and supplies out. Anything that you do not use on a daily basis should be stored away in a drawer or container.
-Organizers are very helpful in maintaining a clean desk. I have a pen and pencil holder that has 4 extra compartments for paper clips, rubberbands and small items. I also have a desk lamp that has compartments in its base for pens, post-it notes, and other supplies. And I have an office organizer that holds note pads/papers/envelopes/supplies.
-It’s also helpful to have paper trays or an organizer to hold file folders and other documents you’re working on. Having a place to store these is crucial to keeping a paper-clutter-free desk.

-Jerri

Filed Under: cleaning, organizing

Country Fried Steak & Gravy

May 24, 2009 10 Comments

When I was a kid, Country Fried Steak was one of my favorite thing to eat. Most of the time we eat this with mashed potatoes, peas, and biscuits. But it would be great with anything. It’s also wonderful to eat for breakfast with eggs, biscuits, and hashbrowns. Yum!

Today I’m sharing how to make the meat and the gravy. We always ate this with white gravy when I was a kid. I don’t really make the gravy much now, because my husband doesn’t eat it, (hence no pic of the gravy), but it’s really good either way. You may also like it with brown gravy, which is especially yummy on mashed potatoes.

Recipe for Country Fried Steak & Gravy
4 (4 ounce) cube steaks (you can also use hamburger)
1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt, divided
1 3/4 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup oil (enough so that you have about an 1/4 inch of oil in skillet)
1 cup milk

Directions:
Season meat with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper; set aside. In a shallow dish, mix flour with 1 teaspoon of the pepper. Dredge each steak in flour. Dip in beaten egg, then dredge in flour again.
Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Fry steaks 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the dredging flour into oil. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of skillet. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, stirring frequently, 3 to 4 minutes, or until thickened and bubbly. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons pepper; gravy should be quite peppery.

Tips & Suggestions:
This would also be a great recipe to use with chicken or pork chops.
If you like shortcuts, in the seasonings section, they have gravy mixes in the white or brown.

-Jerri

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Filed Under: casseroles and quick meals, Recipe of the Week

Menu Plan Monday for May 25

May 24, 2009 Leave a Comment

Breakfasts: cereal, waffles, french toast sticks, monkey bread
Lunches: chicken fingers, grilled chicken salad, bacon & egg sandwiches, hot dogs

Dinners:
Monday – Cookout
Tuesday -Leftovers from last week
Wednesday – Crispy Chicken Sandwiches
Thursday – Chicken Tortilla from freezer
Friday – Crock Pot Roast Chicken, carrots, potatoes
Saturday -Chicken & Rice w/ broccoli
Sunday – Leftovers

Visit Org Junkie for more menus and recipes.

-Jerri

Filed Under: menu plan Monday

Archives for 2009

Bridal Shower Links and Resources

You Are Invited to a Bridal Shower Event

Chicken Pockets

Sprucing Up The Yard

Adventures in Shopping: The Little Bamboo

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

Organizing Round-Up: Surfaces & Shelves

Organizing & Cleaning Tips for Surfaces & Shelves

Country Fried Steak & Gravy

Menu Plan Monday for May 25

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