Just a little project...

I know you probably think I’ve fallen off the face of the earth or then again maybe you haven’t even missed me at all!  Blogging has been on my mind for quite some time but Pinterest has kind of gotten in my way!  I see a project…I want to make it NOW!  I see a recipe and I have to try it NOW!  So you see…blogging has sort of taken a backseat!  I haven’t decided if Pinterest is a Blessing or a Curse!?!  Although the following blog post was not inspired by Pinterest!

Last night I ran to town to see if I could find a vase/container for a Christmas arrangement I want to make for my entry table.  Remember I live in a very small community and the closest Hobby Lobby is 40 miles away!  I checked Dollar General AND Alco with ZERO luck! But I did find 3 of these discounted all the way down to $1.25 ea.:

I made these stars several years ago for the older boys:

(they even look like they’ve been packed away for a few years)

I haven’t wanted to put them on my tree for a while because I didn’t have any for the other 3 grandkids and haven’t made time to go to my Mom’s to cut more out with her bandsaw!

After seeing the cute stockings at Alco it got me thinking…and here is what I came up with!  I love them and it took me WAY less time to make them!  Once in a while I have a good thought!

Here’s what I did:

1.)  Sanded the top of the stocking a bit just to smooth it up and get rid of some of the glitter.

2.)  Used one of my red craft paints that was a close match and repainted the stocking top with about 4 coats.

3.)  Used my handy dandy Silhouette Cameo to cut their names out of vinyl.

4.)  Stuck the names on them.

5.)  Used Mod Podge {Sparkle} over the top! {2 coats}

Note:  I may or may not have let the paint dry in between each painting!  {I’ll never tell}

It couldn’t have been any easier!  I think I’ll go back and see if they have anymore today!  I’m pretty sure I bought the last 3 they had but…maybe just maybe…they had some hiding someplace!

~Soup of the Day~

Amy’s  Beef Chowder

1 ½ - 2 lbs. lean ground beef

2 cloves of garlic

½ small onion, diced

Kosher salt & Black Pepper {heavy on the pepper}

In a large kettle brown the above ingredients.

Add:

1 tsp. dried basil

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 T. Worcestershire

2 c. beef stock

3-4 c. water

4-6 (small-med) potatoes diced to bite size

2 carrots peeled and diced

1 small head of cabbage, chopped

1 can rotel tomatoes

2 cans shoepeg corn, drained

2 cans French style green beans, drained

Cook on low until potatoes, carrots, and cabbage are done.

Turn off heat and add:

1 c. milk

1 c. whipping cream

2” hunk of velveeta

2 pkgs. of Lipton’s Chicken Noodle {dry} Soup

This makes a huge pot of soup and is even better the next day!!

*Remember if you're out of ground beef in the house then just substitute 4 large baked chicken breasts, shredded!  Equally as good!!