My Idea Book

For some time now I have been aspiring to become more of a DIYer and crafter!!!! Although I haven't been up to this long I started a book to chronicle different projects that I want to tackle, yummy recipes, centerpieces, "how-to's," pictures that inspire etc. I call it "MY IDEA BOOK" I keep it in a three ring binder and typically every couple of weeks when I have time to go through my stack of magazines I sit down with a diet coke, scissors and start clipping!!!!! Once I pull the articles I start organizing into different categories such as: decor, recipes, how-to's,. Once I have them organized i file them into plastic liners and separate into the appropriate category.Since I have started this I have really gotten into it. It has also helped when I stumble upon the felling of "what next????" I thought I would include some basic pictures of mine and the magazines that contain a wealth of info!!! ENJOY!!!!!

My IDEA BOOK!!!!!!!

These are some of the magazines that I get alot of the articles I use from!!!!!

These were some of the articles I pulled today a great fall pic, a black and white themed halloween, white wine sampler, and yummy Fall recipes!

All filed away until next time!!!!

Rain Rain Rain

The past couple of days in Davenport have been filled with clouds, drizzling, and rain. It is interesting to me how rain can make people feel differently some people feel sad, other people like to have lazy days in bed watching bad television. My dream day of rainy weather be sitting on a porch swing with a book and a diet coke! It has become very apparent to me that summer is over and that fall is approaching fast. Although I cherish hot summer days and I am actually looking forward to fall. Already the weekends are filling up with different activities like football games, going to the apple orchard, fall parades, raking leaves, and planting bulbs for next spring. Another reason I love fall is because it closer to CHRISTMAS which is one of my favorite holidays because of FAMILY!!!! I will save the Christmas talk for another blog though! I wanted to attach some pictures that have been inspiring the Fall spirit within me!!! I would love to hear what other people are looking forward to or have planned for this fall season!!!

Summer Wrap-Up and Some Fav's

Well. . . I cant actually believe that I am writing a summer re-cap! It has been one busy summer for me and the time has flown by! I thought I would list some of my highlights from the summer.

-My family vacation to Lake Mukwangeo. It was one adventure with 17 of us all in one house. Although the we had a "little" walk to our dock the boating, relaxing and family time was splendid!

-Running the BIX. This was my first BIX and I must say that I had to have my arm turned to do. I will also admit that I only did the Quick BIX but it was a great experience and I love the memories that I have with Joey and his family from it!

-My mom moving to Naperville. Although this was hard for me to swallow at first I love the home she has created and the city life when I am there.

-Road Trips!!!!!! I think if you asked any of Joey and I's friends they would say " you're always on the road" and this summer we have been. Our rides are usually filled with me reading and at the end of every chapter updating him on what is happening, stops at Casey's for large diet cokes and many visits with family and friends!

-Gardening, although I think I may have over planted this year it was great and I always enjoy seeing the progress and harvesting the result!

Now if you are new to this blog I thought I would list some of my favorite's: (for those of you who know me. . . sorry you wont be surprised!)

This quenches my thirst, I am serious sometimes it is the only thing and although I am trying to learn to cut back it will always have a special place in my heart! DIET COKE

One of my new favorites are DIY projects i just made a list and plan to pick up a few items and then will start posting my projects and results!!!!!!

Reading, I love to read and I have read a large selection this summer but decided to just feature one and that is The Girls of Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow. It is a true look at women's friendships and the journey that they take!

The next is a store called Trader Joe's I only get to shop there when visiting my mom in Naperville but I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will someday come to the Quad Cities or wherever I land! It has great breads, floral arrangements, $2 buck chuck(wine) and other speciality items!

I could go on, and on but I thought these cover the bases for now!! I hope everyone had a great summer!!!!!!

J'adore COOKING

I adore cooking!!!!!!! I am a big fan of the Food Network, cookbooks, allrecipes.com

(a great resource for recipes by every-day cooks), and testing out my new explorations on family and friends. I thought I would feature some of my favorite cooks from the Food Network and their style of cooking so if you are interested in cooking as well you will know who to follow(that is if you aren't already) Also I am featuring some recipes that are staples in my recipe box.

First of all some of my favorite people from FOOD NETWORK. . . .

Paula Deen, she is my go-to-girl with down home cooking that literally feeds the SOUL! One of my favorite things about her is that during her cooking shows she samples her food, which I completly emphasize with!

Next up, Giadia De Laurentiis (dont you just love her name!!! If I could pick any other name I think I would steal her's.) Her show features Italian cooking and entertaining. I love watching her shows to see how she features different meals and serves them to her guest! Very unique serving and she sets up great centerpieces as well!

Now on to some of my favorite recipes, if you are a cook and have some great recipes as well send them my way I love to try new recipes!!!

Frozen Fruit Salad

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups water

1 can frozen orange juice (6 oz)

1 can frozen lemonade juice (6 oz)

2-3 bananas

can of crushed pineapple

1 bag frozen strawberries

( you may also add frozen blueberries, mandarian oranges, raspberries if you like)

Bring sugar and water to a boil and then add everything else, pour into a pan and freeze

Vegetable Pizza

2 cans cresent rolls

1 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 pkg. shredded sharp cheese

Dice the following veggies:

-tomatoes

-broccoli

-cauliflower

-green pepper

-carrots

Spread the cresent rolls in a 9 x 13 pan (you may need to pinch the seams) Bake according to instructions on cresent roll packages.

Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and taco seasoning. Spread this over the cresent rolls once they are cool.

Sprinkle diced veggies and cheese on top.

Chicken in Wine Sauce

1 can mushroom soup

1 can diced mushrooms

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup white wine

Chicken Breasts

Place the chicken breasts (6) in a 9 x 13 pan

Mix together the soup, mushrooms, sour cream, and white wine and pour over chicken. Sprinkle salt and pepper.

Cook 1 1/2-2 hours at 350

I hope everyone enjoys!!!!

Are You Where You Come From?

Typically I dont plan on writing about such "deep" thoughts and topics but this has been an idea that I have wanted to write about for awhile and that has been discussed with my other half recently. A few weeks ago I went back to Rockford, IL where I was born and raised and have many great memories of friends that I grew up with that were back in town. My visits back to Rockford are always jam-packed with catching up with friends, eating great food at JMK, seeing the new sights that have emerged in recent years, and checking out the night life. Joey headed back with me to meet these special people in my life. While we were having some drinks one night in Rockford we ran into some people that I hadn't seen in some time. As you can expect a common question that I was asked was "Where are you now?" When I would answer this question I would reply with "Well, I actually live in Iowa now." or "Davenport, Iowa" The response was pretty surprising! (Response: " Oh . . . . . Really. . . Wow. . ) Not the most positive.
Not only was I suprised by this reaction but Joey had some very strong feelings about it as well. This whole interaction made me think, "Does where a person come from make them who they are?" I am proud to come from a city that is large enough where everyone doesn't know you or your business, a city that has multpile shopping locations, a city that has a diverse mix of people so you are constantly learning from one another, and ultimatley a city that when I return; warms my heart with many special and breathtaking memories. That said, I have gained so much from being a "transplant IOWAN" as well. I have learned that there is a closeness in small towns that can't be created just anywhere, hellos are given from one stranger to the next, the mom and pop resturants are DELICIOUS, I have gained a much deeper appreaction for sunrises and sunsets, and I believe that I am part of Iowa just as much as Iowa is a part of me! I now feel that I am a unique mix of both places. Yes I get teased from my Iowa friends and family about where I come from but this has created a deepened appreaction of the place that I come from. I also get a good tongue-lashing from my Illinios family and friends but this helps breakdown quick judgments about the place I now call home.

So. . . I would love to hear from anyone that comes across this post on where you came from or what places have attributed to who you are today!
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I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!