this is our happily ever after

Chicken Spaghetti

ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD!!!!

This is how I would categorize this recipe.  It's not particularly healthy, but it will warm the deepest parts of you from the inside out.  I'd like to imagine dining on this after a crisp Fall day that we spent picking apples and pumpkins while wearing courduroys, a striped shirt, and a jean jacket.  Wait...I live in Houston...we don't have apple orchards or pumpkin farms, but I know parts of the country do (I'm actually visiting those parts right now).  Hello Midwest! 

Regardless of your weather I urge you to add this to your menu plan.  It's so good and makes even better leftovers!

Here's the printable recipe: Download Chicken Spaghetti

Ingredients:

2-4 Chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (if you like lots of meat use 4, if you don’t want as much use 2)

1 pound of thin spaghetti (I use Barilla Plus in the yellow box)

1 (4 oz) jar diced pimento, drained

Olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

1 green bell pepper, finely diced

2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I use the 25% less sodium variety)

2 cups chicken stock

2 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese (take the time to grate your own..it’s well worth the effort)

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

A few shakes of cayenne pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Break pasta into thirds and cook according to package directions minus a minute or two (it will continue to cook in oven). 

While pasta is cooking sauté onion and bell pepper in olive oil until tender.  Set aside. 

Drain pasta and mix with onions and peppers, pimento, mushroom soup, and chicken stock.  Mix until well combined.  Then add 2 cups of cheese and pepper.   Combine well.  Place in a 9x13 casserole dish and sprinkle last ½ cup of cheese on top.  Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, until bubbly.    

Notes:  If you’re cooking just for 2, divide the casserole into two pans and freeze one of the pans.  You’ll be so happy you did one evening when you need a quick dinner!

"The Grass Withers" canvas

When my friend Christine called and asked me to create a large canvas for her living room I was hesitant, really hesitant...but I was also up for the challenge. 

I started with a 30"x40" high quality canvas and got to work.  She told me what Scripture she wanted and gave me a general idea of colors to use and how she wanted it to look.  I spent about a week working on it, creating one layer at a time and then adding small details.  My goal was to have it finished and delivered before I left for IL and I did. 

We were both really pleased with how it turned out. 

pieces of life

I haven't blogged much this week because I've been working on this, 30"x40" canvas for a friend.  I'm almost finished with it and was thrilled to discover how much I liked working on a larger scale!  Once it's finished I'll post it in my etsy shop as a sample if anyone is interested in having one made. 

Here it is with the first layer, pages of Isaiah torn from an old Bible. 

I had my first (and second) Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks already.  It's my second favorite next to Gingerbread which I LOVE!

Lest you ever think my life (and child) are perfect this is a photo of our living room, with screaming child, earlier this week.  The house, child, and I were all a wreck and worn out by the end of the day. 

The main entrance into our beautiful subdivision

I began a new Bible Study with my Gateway girls yesterday.  James by Beth Moore...very excited for this one....I saw her teach two sessions of this study live.  Oh, and I did my Bible study on our patio this morning...wearing a sweatshirt...drinking Pumpkin Spice coffee...it was heavenly and left me in a happy mood all day!

LIGHT was my photo challenge today...this is the photo I took...pretty cool!

I bought a fairytale pumpkin and set it by the fireplace.  It stayed there as long as Karsten just sat on it, but then he began standing on it and I was worried that he would fall and hit the limestone surrounding the fireplace, so it's been moved.

and these straw pumpkins replaced them.  I've gotten all of these pumpkins in the last few years at Home Goods/Marshalls

So, as you see...my house is decorated for Fall....my MOST favorite time of year and MOST favorite decorations. 

Last week, before I started on the canvas, this is what my dining table looked like for Bunco. 

Yes, I slightly adore pumpkins...even soup tureens in the shape of pumpkins.

I love the photo of K in the wagon at the pumpkin patch last year!  We are going to a real pumpkin farm with a college friend of mine we'll see in Nashville, TN in a couple of weeks!  Hoping to get some great photos!

So there are some pieces of our life this past week or so.  I hope to pick up blogging a little more in the next few weeks...but it will depend on whether I decide to take my laptop with me to Illinois.  Either way I will certainly be capturing pieces of our life with my camera!

nothing makes this boy happier

Nothing makes this boy happier than playing in the dirt first thing on a cool Fall morning...

photo taken this morning...it was gorgeous outside!!!

except maybe...playing in the dirt with his Daddy.

and then seeing Mommy taking a picture.

Nothing makes this boy happier than when Daddy decides it's time for some jet pilot

Nothing makes this boy happier than having Daddy blow bubbles for him

after being outside on a hot day!

Karsten is growing and learning and exploring more and more each and everyday.  We've had a few very challenging days around here this week, but nothing makes me happier than being his Momma!  He has such a sweet, loving spirit and although quite determined to do as he wishes I wouldn't trade being his Momma for the world!

3 Hearts Design Credit Giveaway Winner + an update on the business

A very busy week made for a very forgetful me, but alas...I remembered to draw for the winner of the $20 credit to 3 Hearts Design. 

The winner is.....MARCI SMITH!!!!  Marci let's talk about how you would like to use the credit.  It can be used on what's in the etsy store or on somthing custom. 

Tomorrow I'm beginning a HUGE (30"x40") canvas for a friend who commisioned me to create this for her.  I an humbled and a bit overwhelmed that she trusts me enough to create such a large piece of art for her home, but I'm up for the challenge.  My goal is to have it complete before I leave for IL in a week and a half....wish me luck, especially since I'm going to be in San Antonio with Kelly next weekend. 

When I get back from my trip I will be full speed ahead on creating canvases, banners, and letters for a Christmas Brunch and Market I'm going to have a booth at...and to get my store well stocked...and to work on custom Christmas gifts for people.  If you know of any Christmas Markets at churches or clubs in the Houston area please let me know.  The one I'm signed up for is hosted by Gateway Community Church!

My store is running a little low right now thanks to two super friends who each bought two canvases at Bunco that I hosted the other evening.  Thanks Rachael and Lou Ann!!! 

 

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

I really like Red Beans and Rice and this is my favorite recipe.  It's from Southern Living and I barely altered it.  It's healthy and very economical...beans and rice...about as cheap as it gets.  I made a batch a couple of weeks ago and we had it for dinner, lunch the next day, and then I froze a small container for Brian to have when I'm gone in a few weeks.  You may or may not want to add more salt to it, but I find if I add spice I don't need salt.  This Black and Red Seasoning from Penzey's is my favorite for spice! 

Printable Recipe Download Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

1 lb dried red beans, rinsed

¾ lb smoked sausage, thinly sliced

3 stalks of celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium sweet onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning

Cayenne pepper (for extra heat)

Finely chopped green onion for garnish

Cooked long grain white rice (I prefer Jasmati rice)

Combine first 7 ingredients in slow cooker with 7 cups of water.  Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until beans are tender.    

Serve bean mixture over cooked rice and sprinkle with cayenne pepper if desired.  Garnish with green onions. 

Labor Day...at the pool

It's really so sad that our neighborhood pool closes on Labor Day.  I feel like the weather is finally turning cool enough to not be completely miserable while outside and yet the pool is closed.  Oh well...we enjoyed our summer there and am thankful we had access to it while we did.

I just want to share a few photos I shared on our first adventure to the pool earlier in the summer.  Brian and I both remarked at how this has been the summer when Karsten transitioned from baby to toddler...from baby boy to little boy!  Sniff-sniff!  It's remarkable how much he has grown up since learning to walk just a couple of months ago. 

These were taken in early June

He was so scared of the pool that he clung to Brian

and this float worked for awhile this summer...until he just didn't like being confined! 

and here is was at the splash pad...crawling..

These photos were taken on Labor Day.  The splash pad was closed so we spent some time in the baby pool before heading to the big pool.  He walked all over this baby pool with no problem. 

watching other kids, I'm sure...he's definitely an observer

playing with the fountain

getting some love from Daddy

and snuggles from Mama

Motor Boat---you can see Brian making motor boat noises

Granola Muffins

I made these a few weeks ago and they were super easy and super yummy.  I buy granola at Costco, specifically this brand. 

Here's the PDF  Download Granola Muffins

2 cups granola

1 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup flaked coconut

 

Heat oven to 380.  In a large bowl, stir together almonds, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.  In another bowl, blend together the milk, butter, egg, and vanilla.  Make a well in the center in dry ingredients.  Add milk mixture and stir just to combine.  Stir in almonds and coconut.  Fill greased muffin tins (or use muffin liners).  Bake 14-18 minutes, or until tester comes out clean.  Remove from muffin tins and cool on cooling rack.  Makes one dozen muffins. 

2012 Project Life (week 34 and 35)

After about an hour of working my PL album yesterday afternoon I'm completley caught up!!!  Yay!!!

Before I go any further I'd like to announce my giveaway winner---Mendi!!!!  Congrats Mendi, I'll be in contact with you via email to get your mailing address.

I know some of you just visit my blog to see my weekly PL album...welcome and thanks for stopping by!  I wanted you to know that I also just opened an etsy store called 3 Hearts Design.  Did you click over to see what it's all about?  If so, thanks so much!  If you liked what you saw and thought man, I'd love to have one of those for my house then click on this blog post to see how you could win a $20 credit to my shop!  Thanks so much!!!!

Onto week 34 and 35---both weeks just consist of Design A photo pocket pages, cards, and a few embellishments.

Left Page

Right Page

Week 35--

Left Page

Right Page

*****************************************************************************************************************************

I'm not sure if I've mentioned before, but I filled up my first, 2012 PL album at the end of June, so I purchased another Cobalt album and began using it for the second half of 2012, July-December. 

I finally took the time to complete the first/title/introduction page.  I decided not to use photos and kept it pretty simple with cards from the Core Kits and a few little extras.  It's simple and cute...just what I wanted!

I found this quote on a 7 Gypsies sticker and rewrote it on this card. 

3 Hearts Design + a Giveaway

Last week I mentioned I was going to open an etsy shop....well....

is officially open!!!  I have an etsy shop!!!!  After months (if not an entire year) of prayer about opening this shop, I finally recieved the "go ahead" from God.  I've spent the last few weekends creating canvases for the shop...and managed to sell a few canvases along the way!  Thanks friends!!! 

My shop opened on Saturday and it's currently stocked with 13 different canvases ranging in sizes.  I have 4 more in progress on my dining room table.  (I have a very sweet hubby who doesn't seem to mind the organized chaos!)  He's my biggest champion and encourages me everyday with this endeavor.  With every canvas I make I learn something new and/or something not to try again.  I've had to paint over a few things in the progress in an effort to start over...just keepin it real! 

My goal is to have an assortment of canvases to buy as well as samples of "make to order" custom design canvases to offer.  I also plan on adding pennant banners similar to this for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, Birthdays etc. 

In addition to canvases and banners I hope to add letters to use for initials or to spell out a name...like this. 

I'm limiting myself to one thing at a time right now...canvases are first! 

Giveaway Details:

The giveaway for the grand opening of 3 Hearts Design is a $20 credit to my shop.  This can be applied to custom orders, but custom orders do cost a bit more.  In order to be entered for the giveaway you will need to do the following...

Like 3 Hearts Design on Facebook (if you're already done this leave me a comment)

Add 3 Hearts Design to your Etsy favorites (once you've done this leave me a comment)

Blog about the opening of 3 Hearts Design (if you have a blog) and add the link to the etsy shop on your blog(leave me a comment and link to your blog post) You're more than welcome to right click on this "business card", save, and add it to your blog post.  I should have these business cards later this week...do you see the 3 hearts in the design! 

You can earn an entry once for each of the above, for a total of 3 entries.  I'm going to leave this giveaway open until Wed, September 12 at 9 pm.  US entries only...I am not able to ship to another country at this time....CB, you're an exception ;)

Of course, I've added a link to my blog to the lower right of this post.  Here you will see what most recently has been added to my shop. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your encouragment and kind words regarding my artwork.  I do have some big "Sun Stands Still" dreams for this, but God's going to have to make it all happen.   I trust Him to grow this business as large as He wants it to be.  Until then I will continue creating as time allows without it getting in the way of serving my family and church.

Be Blessed--Angela