Favorites Friday- My Favorite Felines :-)

My Favorite Kitties are having a relaxing day.  Happy Friday!  ;-)

Wordless Wednesday- Look what came in the mail!

So, look what came in the mail today!!!  (Please excuse my hair-it's a messy bun day- and how tired I look, lol)

Made it Monday...1 Day Late- LC Pepperoni Chicken

Welcome to Made It Monday (on Tuesday)!  I knew I was going to make this dish for dinner tonight so I post-poned Made it Monday for Made it Tuesday.  Meet- Pepperoni Crusted Chicken Strips!

I pinned this recipe a few weeks ago and knew instantly that I wanted to try it.  Before our "low carb" days I used to make this cheez-it crusted chicken that my husband LOVED and I have found myself craving it lately.  This sounded right up my low-carb alley and I wasn't disappointed!  It was delicious.  I served them up with my ZERO carb mozzarella sticks with a little marinara :-)

Here you go- let me know if you try it!

                                                                                                        INGREDIENTS

- 1 lb. chicken breast strips, tenderloins or chicken breasts cut into "nuggets"
- Approx. 30 slices of pepperoni
- 3 Tbsp. Almond Flour
- 2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan
- 2 Tbsp. minced dried onion
- Garlic Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste (sorry forgot it for the pic)
- 1 Egg


DIRECTIONS:

1.) Preheat your oven to 400.  Place your pepperoni slices on a cookie sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes (depending on your oven) until crispy. 
2.) While you're waiting, whisk your egg in a bowl.
3.) When the pepperoni is done, "Dab" it to remove excess grease :-).  Add to a re-sealable bag and let out the stress of the day by using a mallet to smash it to bits.
3.) Add remaining ingredients (except for chicken)

4.) Set up a "coating station" and dip each breast strip in the egg then coat it in the breading mixture.
5.) Bake on a "greased" cookie sheet for 25-30 minutes or until no longer pink.
(HINTS: I turned my oven to broil for the last 5 minutes to make the breading extra crispy.  I also had about 1.5 lbs of chicken so I "upped" everything for the breading, but I STILL didn't feel like I had enough.  I will do a full package of pepperoni in the future.)

Favorites Fridays- Snack Attack!

So, with all the craziness going on (I was recently attacked-yes, attacked- by a cyber bully hacker and my computer contracted a HUGE, vicious virus which wiped out every .jpeg on my computer.  For a person who relies on photographs for my business, this has seriously set me back!)...anywho... I set this post (scheduled in advance) for last Friday and much to my surprise- it didn't post!

So....Here you go!  LOL.  For someone like me who lives a low-carb lifestyle and LOVES to bake and has a HUGE sweet-tooth, sometimes life just stinks.  Lol- In times like this back in "the day" I would've baked up a storm to combat my stress and blues, but nowadays...I can't afford to bake up a storm with low carb ingredients! 

I discovered these little gems at my local grocery store a few weeks ago and let me tell you.... I AM IN LOVE.  These little frozen strawberry halves and like a sweet treat from heaven.  They are covered in dark chocolate, so you feel like you're eating a treat yet they are healthy!  They are refreshing, affordable and my new favorite "go to" when I get a craving...The bonus?!  6 (Yes, SIX) carbs per packet!!! Yummmmm!!!! (Please excuse my paint covered fingernails...Yes, that means NEW block set designs for you, lol!)

Wordless Wednesday- When there are no words

Yesterday was a really rough day for me (one of the many reasons why this is one day late) Well, this week has been really rough.  3/16 marks the day we "knew" that we were losing our 2nd baby last year.  In 1 moment it seems like there's no way it could be a year and other moments, it feels like I can feel the weight of every second since it happened on my shoulders.  This is for anyone out there suffering from loss or grief today- don't lose heart!

Made It Monday- My Name Is...

Ok, so admittedly, I usually use this blog as a platform for my boutique- but I also feel like it's important to share things that I come across that make a difference in my life.  So...the other day I had a "lightbulb" moment and an idea hit me for a new quote hanger.  While I was designing it, it really got me to thinking....

Here it is:

It is based on the song by Matthew West, "Hello, My Name Is".  If you haven't heard it- listen  here .  It's worth a few minutes- just click play then come back and finish the blog post while you listen, lol.   ;-) 

Here are the lyrics:

Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief

Oh, these are the voices. Oh, these are the lies
And I have believed them for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free
"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

 I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life

 What love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King

What love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His children

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I've been saved, I've been changed, I have been set free
"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

 I am a child of the one true King.

 

 

If you listen to "Christian Radio" at ALL, you've probably heard it.  But for some reason on this day, it really caused me to analyze my life- on 2 particular points. 

 

#1- I've heard it taught on before...that your "name", in a way, defines who you are...that whatever you name your child they will struggle with attaining their NAME all their life- or that they will always be CHALLENGED by it.  Honestly, I have found this to be 100% true with myself.  My name "Amber" means: precious, valued, cherished jewel.  On a completely raw level here- sharing my heart- I have struggled my ENTIRE life with SELF WORTH.  I have always struggled with confidence.  Always.  When I heard this idea taught about 10 years ago it was very REAL to me.  Thinking about this in the context of this song really put things into perspective for me.

 

#2- What NAMES have you put on yourself throughout your life?   What LABELS have you adopted every day?  What BURDENS have you picked up and carried along either because of others putting them on you or life circumstances?  I know that I have MANY.  The other day for some reason it just HIT me (like in the face...like a ton of bricks) that others may have put them there, but I am the only person that can leave them behind...Not only to leave them behind but to replace them with things that the word tells me I am INSTEAD of those things.

 

Believe me, I'm preaching to myself more than anyone, lol.  I am challenging you though, to sit and write a list of the things you struggle with adopting as your "NAME" and make another one of things that you truly ARE.  Make sure the list is "balanced", so it's like you are trading one thing for another. 

 

I started this, so of course I'm doing it too.  I will be adding this to my daily devotional, looking up scriptures, reminders and promises that back these things up... Trying to remind myself of who HE says I am. Here's mine:

 

My Name Is:                                                                  HELLO, My Name REALLY IS:

 

1. Fat                                                                                 1. Saved by Grace

2. Useless/Worthless                                                         2. Important

3. Inadequate                                                                     3. Unique

4. Ugly                                                                               4. Talented

5. Pathetic                                                                          5. Loved

6. Defective                                                                       6. Strong

7. Alone                                                                            7. DAUGHTER of the One True King

 

SHARE with me!!!  What does your "actual/given" name mean?  Do you feel like your name's meaning has affected how you feel about yourself?  What does your "Name Is/REALLY Is" list look like?  I would love to see some comments if this speaks to you.  The Lord really put it on my heart. 

 

Happy Monday :-)

 

***I made the above quote hanger for myself- I have it hanging in my MTMS Studio Craft Room to remind me everyday of who I am.  I am also making them for others in my boutique- Please send me a message or comment if you would like to purchase one for yourself ***

Favorites Friday!! Turquoise Skies and Sunshine :-)

Alright, folks- As your Friday draws to a close....it's Favorites Friday!  This week I put together a treasury on etsy.  I was inspired by this headband that I created this past week.

 It was one of those times (and other crafters can attest to this) when you create something and you instantly fall in love with it and have to talk yourself out of keeping it for yourself :-)  Anyway, I loooove this color combo and made an entire treasury based on the marriage of turquoise and yellow...And you're formally invited to the wedding to be held at https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU0NjEwOTF8MjcyNTg1OTk3Ng/turquoise-skies-and-sunshine?ref=af_you_tre

right now!  :-D 

Now...Wordless Wednesday

Ok, so let's pretend that it is a different day...that we had a time machine and now we're caught up to Wednesday again ;-)  BTW, this meme is absolutely 100% true about me.  I am currently wearing a comfy blue t-shirt and Chipmunk PJ pants (classic Chip and Dale Chipmunks, not Alvin, Simon and Theodore) 

Made It...Wednesday?!

It's not MONDAY?  Ok, ok....yeah.  It's Wednesday, not Monday.  I'm a little behind this week.  Please forgive me.  The Good News??? Since it's Wednesday, you get a two-fer!  Consider today Wonday! (Wednesday + Monday = Wonday, ok?!)

For Made-It Monday.....  Wrapped letters and monogram home décor (two different ways).  I first put this idea together a few years ago for my hallway.  Here's something you might not know about me...I LOVE MONOGRAMS.  I'm not sure why.  I just love them.  This is our "family" monogram (AHC- monograms are traditionally the first letter of the "bride's" name first, the first initial of the last name next and the first letter of the "groom's" name last). 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
* Letters of choice (I got all 3 of mine at Hobby Lobby.  I wanted a 2 and 3 d look, and I wanted the middle initial to be larger.) 
* Yarn in colors of choice (or twine, etc.)
* Staple Gun
* Paper or fabric (for middle initial)
* Spray Adhesive or Mod Podge
* Frame of choice (optional)

The first photo is of my original design- you can't see the whole hallway here, but all of the frames were painted the muted teal color and matted with the rusty red-ish color, so it pulled together very well.  The second photo is my "newer" set up in the new place.  I switched the yarn for thick twine and I peeled the fabric off of the middle "H" and used a piece of scrapbook paper instead- it was the perfect color to pull everything together!)

Tips: Letters with "holes" are definitely a challenge.  Both times I did the "C" first and it was easy peasy.  Once I started the "A", I remember why I was so ready to be done with this project the first time around, lol.  Just stick with it.  You may have to unwrap and rewrap certain parts of the letter and recover it to make sure you cover all the wood.  The second time around when I used the twine, I didn't like the way the "A" turned out and I actually completely unwrapped it and started at the bottom instead of the top.  Just remember to make it your own and express your personality!  I was lucky enough to find the oval frame at hobby lobby with a broken glass top and got it on clearance because of it!

What do you think?
                                           

 

Favorites Friday- My favorite Guy ;-)

Ok, so I am LITERALLY riding the deadline for Favorites Friday today ;-)  This is my favorite guy- Yep.  After 10 years of marriage he's still my favorite...And although you don't know it, he should be one of your favorites too.  He helps keep my boutique afloat- whether it is cutting wood, sanding, trips to the post office, setting up for craft shows, building displays or endless answers to my "what do you think?" questions, he is always there for me.  I don't think I would have the confidence or strength to continue to make items and sell them or to even wake up every morning if it wasn't for this man.  I know it isn't Man Crush Monday (or whatever the "youn'ens" are calling it these days), but he is definitely my favorite.  My biggest fan.  My #1 man. 

We have been through so much in the past decade that I couldn't put enough words here in this blog...in the entire space of the vast internet...to convey what he means to me.  So, here's to the hubby, here's to my soul mate, here's to my love... Charles :-)

He's taken, ladies.  back off. 

And since he is probably one of the ONLY people to actually check my blog and keep up with it...Love you- today, tomorrow and always, Charles.  Mwaaah.

Wordless Wednesdays

Ok, I <3 New Girl.  In honor of the fact that my husband and I just spent a few nights re-watching (yes RE) every available episode of it on Netflix...here you go!  I freakin' love Jess.  I feel like I AM her (well, a less adorable version, but still...)

Made It Monday- Craft Table DIY

So, this is an "oldie", but a "goodie."  I have had A TON of requests for instructions on how I (Ok, WE, put together my craft table).  I found a plan for this table (a similar one) on pinterest a few years ago and kind of made up my own plans!  My AMAZING husband (who is quickly turning into a craftsman since he builds all of my craft show displays as well) put it together for me once I had drawn up the plans. 

What you need to make one like mine:
 - 2 "cheap-" book cases (mine came from Wal-Mart for $32)
- 1 large piece of melamine (Home Depot- they also cut mine down to proper size for me!  Cost me $30)
- Melamine iron-edging sealer (so the edges won't be raw- also from Home Depot-$5)
- Brackets/Screws- $5
- Yardstick (optional)- I have mine attached to the front of my table so measuring fabric/ribbon/wire is SUPER easy- I love it!

There are no real "instructions".  Put the Bookcases together according to package directions.  Lay the melamine on top of the bookcases ( with the bookcases at the opposite ends of the melamine sheet).  Use brackets to secure the melamine top to the back side/top of the bookcases.  Follow the directions on the melamine edging kit (mine used an iron) to "finish" the edges.  You could levae them raw if you would like, but I wouldn't recommend it.   Attach the yardstick to the front of the melamine and BAM! 

This whole project cost me only about $70 and I LOVE my table.  It has been through countless projects with a myriad of mediums and has never scarred or stained!  It even made it through our recent move with no damage :-)  It is perfect for storing all of my crafting and boutique supplies!