Needlepoint Work

I love to needlepoint because it's extremely therapeutic and fun! I buy most of my canvases pre-painted. I have painted my own, but it's tough to get it even. It's best to start out with a smaller project and work your way up to a bigger one. If you are new at this and try to needlepoint a huge Christmas stocking, you will get extremely frustrated! I have them sent off to get a pillow or little stocking made - eventually I want to learn to do that myself. Here's some of my latest work.

French Bread Pizza

I haven't thought about this one in a while. When I was in high school, I used to love those frozen french bread pizzas and would bring on for lunch all the time. I have never made a homemade pizza like this. I can say - now that I have, I won't go back to regular pizzas again! It was so delicious, made on fresh french bread - shout out to Albertson's! Anyway - this is a winner. INGREDIENTS 1 loaf of french bread, cut length-wise marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, can artichokes, sliced mushrooms, any other additional pizza toppings you prefer DIRECTIONS To make pizza, place marinara sauce, cheese and toppings. Bake at 450 for 5-8 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

Zesty Ranch & Pimento Cheese Ball

I made this for Christmas Eve dinner with my family and they LOVED it! I really kind of threw in a bunch of stuff and it turned out amazing. INGREDIENTS 1 8 OZ PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE 1 CUP CHEDDAR CHEESE 1/2 CUP PEPPERJACK CHEESE 1 TABLESPOON OF DRY RANCH MIX 2 TABLESPOONS PIMENTOS 1 CUP PECANS, FINELY CHOPPED Mix all ingredients using a blender. Form into a ball and wrap with saran wrap. Place in fridge for 2 hours. Roll the cheese ball in pecans and cover evenly. Serve with crackers.

Cucumber & Tomato Salad with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

This is the perfect side dish for dinner - or to pack in your lunch for work. Light and healthy , it is also especially delicious during the summer when both of these are in season and fresh from your own garden! INGREDIENTS 10 CHERRY TOMATOES CUT IN HALF 1 CUCUMBER, SLICED VINAIGRETTE 1/2 CUP BALSAMIC VINEGAR 1/2 TABLESPOON OF HONEY 1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL SPRINKLE OF SALT AND PEPPER MIX ALL TOGETHER AND LET MARINATE FOR 1 HOUR BEFORE SERVING.

Now On Pinterest!!!

Hello all!!! I have had one of the biggest surprises ever! I was browsing Pinterest yesterday, looking for a different version of my Artichoke Baked Chicken - AND when I typed in - artichoke baked chicken, MY BLOG POPPED UP!!! I'm truly shocked and honored. I didn't even think anyone read my blog. I just kind of do this to share some of my recipes with my friends. I haven't updated in a while..but I couldn't believe it. Some had actually re-pinned it too!! Truly amazing and I feel kind of famous! So whoever you are who put my blog on Pinterest - a massive THANK YOU! So - now that I know people actually read my blog...I will have to start updating on a regular basis. More recipes to come soon!!!

Southwest Dip

This is perfect for a game day dip. WARNING: Very addicting!!! INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup fat free sour cream 1 8oz pkg reduced fat cream cheese 2 packets dried Ranch dressing mix 1 8.5 oz can corn, drained 4 TBL chopped jalapenos (buy sliced in a jar and chop them) 4 TBL black olives, chopped DIRECTIONS Mix all together. Chill before serving.

Easy Sticky Buns

Hey everyone! I'm finally updating my blog. Been very busy - but I have some great new recipes! I saw this idea on Pinterest. They are AMAZING. Give these a try for a special breakfast treat. INGREDIENTS 1 tube of reduced fat Pillsbury Grands biscuits 4 TBL melted butter 1 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup brown sugar sprinkle of cinnamon DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Mix together melted butter and syrup. Place half of syrup mixture on bottom of the greased bundt pan. Arrange biscuits in a ring, make them slightly over-lap each other. Sprinkle brown sugar on top and rest of the syrup mixture. Bake at 350 for 29-25 minutes or until golden brown.

ORIGINAL RECIPE FROM PINTEREST http://stamps4fun.blogspot.com/2011/10/traditions.html