Off on a MINI Vaction - Galena, IL

Well, I am heading out on a mini-vacation with the husband - yeah! We are driving out to Galena, IL which is an old town with fun antique shops, great food and lovely scenery. We rented a cabin for a few days - just a short getaway. Hope you all have a fantastic Easter weekend and I will see you back here on Monday with Monday Munchies!

TEMPTATION TUESDAY: Decorative Personalized Stationery

Just gave this lovely NEW set of personalized stationery to my wonderful sister-in-law Jennifer. This NEW line features typography along with a selection of 12 different unique illustrations. Just listed on Etsy is a boxed set of personalized Decorative Stationery in size A2 (4.5 x 5.5) and includes 25 flat notes & 25 coordinating unprinted envelopes.

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Classic Potato Salad

I love potato salad and I mean - I love it! I would have that as my preferred side with pretty much anything. I have been on the hunt for a potato salad recipe that is not only yummy but simple and this one is both. Enjoy!

Classic Potato Salad

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, halved
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
2 hard-cooked large eggs, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Cook potatoes in boiling water 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain and cool completely.

2. Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Combine potatoes, onion, celery, relish, and eggs in a large bowl.

3. Combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Pour over the potato mixture, tossing gently to coat.

4. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

More recipes at myrecipes.com

WEDNEDAY WANTS: Hand Stamped Bracelet

It is getting about that time that I start thinking about Mother's Day gifts and what I want to give this year. I have seen a ton of shops with hand stamped jewelry on Etsy but I fell in love with this piece because it wasn't just another hand stamped item on a chain. This is a lovely mixed color beaded bracelet with a hand stamped accent - now that is cool.

K. VOSS DESIGNS

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Strawberry-Orange Trifle

Again with the sweet tooth this week! Actually, I am really having a craving for fruit so I thought this was a great mix of fruit and cream and crunch - yummy! Kind of like making your own parfait which are always fantastic.

Strawberry-Orange Trifle

1 qt. strawberries, halved
4 oranges, sectioned and halved
2 tablespoons orange liqueur or orange juice
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 (11.3-oz.) jar lemon curd
1 1/2 sleeves shortbread cookies, crushed
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

1. Toss together first 4 ingredients, and let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, beat whipping cream and lemon curd at low speed with an electric mixer until blended. Gradually increase mixer speed, beating until medium peaks form.

3. Layer one-third each of fruit mixture and curd mixture in a large bowl. Top with half of crushed cookies. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining one-third fruit mixture and curd mixture. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. Garnish, if desired.

More recipes at myrecipes.com

FRIDAY FEATURE: Naturally Bohemian

Ok, the second I set my eyes on this shop - I knew I was in love. Vintage or Lace could quite easily be my middle name . Naturally Bohemian is the epitome of femininity. I just love every piece and I promise that you will too!

Not only is her work fantastic but it is all handmade and created from recycled materials - you know how much I love that. Lovely dresses and fun accessories with a feminine vintage flair. Aren’t the photos even dreamy? You must check out this fantastic shop!


Yeah for Naturally Bohemian!

WEDNEDAY WANTS: Spring Tote Bag

So I am in the market for a new totebag - well I have been in the market for a while but can't seem to decide on one. In fact I had been watching two that I really liked and they sold too quickly for me to make up my mind. Found this one on Etsy from Saffron Bags and it has great fabric and looks very well made. She has several other designs and styles in her shop - you much check it out. Could this be the one for me?

SAFFRON BAGS

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Peppery Chicken Pasta Salad

It's finally spring! Time to dig out those fresh spring salad recipes - you know the ones that can be a meal or a side and can be made in the blink of an eye. Yummy! This one is not only quick and yummy but every serving is under 300 Calories! Enjoy!

Peppery Chicken Pasta Salad

Salad
3 cups uncooked farfalle (about 8 ounces uncooked bow tie pasta)
2 cups (1-inch) cut green beans (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast meat
2/3 cup (1/8-inch-thick) diagonally cut celery
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

Dressing
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons light mayonnaise
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons commercial pesto
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Cook pasta in boiling water 11 minutes or until al dente. Add green beans during final 5 minutes of cooking.

2. Drain and rinse pasta mixture under cold water. Place pasta mixture, chicken, celery, bell pepper, and onion in a large bowl; toss gently to combine.

3. To prepare dressing, combine 2 tablespoons water and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture, tossing gently to coat.

More recipes at myrecipes.com

FRIDAY FEATURE: 31 Everything

I know, I know I normally feature an Etsy shop for feature Friday but this week we are doing something a little different - a MUST read blog! Fern, the writer/owner of 31 Everything, finds the most amazing STUFF! I just love her blog. This week she featured 10 of the most amazing and unique headboards I have ever seen! She also posts super cool tutorials on how to create some of the amazing things she features.

If you are into design, home interiors, vintage or just super cool stuff - Fern's blog should definately be on your daily blog read list!

31 EVERYTHING

TEMPTATION TUESDAY: Beautiful

Brand new 8 x 10 letterpress print - BEAUTIFUL. Inspired by the people in my life who really make life worth living! Hand drawn illustration.

PS - photos aren't the greatest but I was excited to get this out - will reshoot on a brighter day!

GET YOURS HERE!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Berry Bliss Cake

As far as I am concerned - spring is officially here. For me March 1st is always the first day of spring. When I think spring I think flowers and berries and beautiful colors. This week I found a recipe that just screamed spring so here it is - an easy Berry Bliss Cake ready in about 20 minutes - Yummy!

Berry Bliss Cake

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

3/4 cup cold milk

1-1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping, divided

1 cup each fresh raspberries and sliced strawberries

1/4 cup blackberries

1 pkg. (10.75 oz.) frozen prepared pound cake, thawed

1/4 cup orange juice

1. Beat pudding mix and milk with whisk in medium bowl 2 min. Stir in 1 cup Cool Whip. Combine berries; reserve 1/2 cup.

2. Cut cake into 3 layers.

3. Brush cake layers with juice.

4. Stack cake layers on plate, filling each layer with half each of the remaining berries and pudding mixture. Top with remaining Cool Whip and reserved berries. Refrigerate 4 hours.

More recipes at Krafts Foods

GIVEAWAY - Refuge Art Print

In case you aren't familiar with the fantastic - I Heart Handmade market - I wanted to be sure that all of my blog readers were aware that I am currently hosting a FREE giveaway there! Up for grabs is a FREE Art Print - Refuge 6 x 8 Art Print WITH 8 x 10 mat AND you get to pick the color! That's right - Refuge is available in 4 different color palettes and the winner will get to choose whichever color palette they like best!

Be sure to check out end enter the giveaway HERE! And also take time to visit the market as there are so many wonderful artists participating - including yours truly!

One Sweetalicious Blog Award

Today I got the sweetest compliment - my blog was awarded the One Sweetalicious Blog Award by the lovely Pie Bird - you must check out her yummy blog! I have really been enjoying blogging so I am excited that others are enjoying my posts as well. How sweet is that?

There are a ton of blogs that I follow and enjoy reading. I am now I am passing on the sweet award to 3 of my favorite blogs. These blogs are super fun and are definitely Sweetalicious!


If you have been given this award and you know of another blog(s) that are super sweet feel free to spread the love and pass this award on.

1. Post the award on your blog sidebar and blog about it (copy and paste).

2. Link to the other bloggers within your post.

3. Let them know you have shared this award with them by commenting on their blogs.

4. Share the Love by linking to the person from whom you received this Sweetalicious Blog Award.

5. HAVE FUN and ENJOY YOUR SWEETALICIOUS DAY!

WEDNEDAY WANTS: I Heart You Mug

Personalized pottery - does it get any better? This piece isn't but several piece in this artists shop can be personalized. All of her work reminds me of spring and is so cute. Must see!

VESSELS AND WARES - right HERE on Etsy!

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Angel Chicken

Quick and easy recipes are the name of the game for those of us who have serious creating to do! This easy chicken pasta recipe is made for the crock pot so you can just ready it and be off to do more exciting things. Enjoy!

Angel Chicken

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup Kraft® Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade
1/4 cup dry white wine
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 lb. angel hair pasta, uncooked
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1. Beat cream cheese, soup, dressing and wine with whisk until blended; pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours (or on HIGH 2 to 3 hours).

2. Cook pasta as directed on package about 15 min. before chicken is done; drain. Serve topped with chicken mixture and parsley.

Note: Chicken thighs are preferred over chicken breasts in slow-cooker recipes since they are more flavorful and less likely to overcook.

Substitute: Substitute water or chicken broth for the wine.



More recipes at Taste of Home