Olive Oil Pasta with Pecans, Lentils and Red Peppers

1 serving (3oz) spaghetti (I used whole wheat)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, dry toasted ( I used Pecans)
1/2 cup + 1-2 tbsp medium heat salsa
1.5-2 tbsp good quality extra virgin olive oil
2-2.5 tbsp nutritional yeast (gives it a creaminess)
1-1.5 tbsp ketchup
1/2 tsp garlic powder, or to taste
1/2 tsp dried basil (I used fresh)
1/4 tsp black pepper (I didn't have any)
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste (I used Sea Salt)
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/4-1/2 cup chopped red pepper (optional)
1/2 cup spinach
1/3 cup cooked lentils
Directions:

1.Cook 1 serving of pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, grab a small pot and turn heat to medium. Add chopped walnuts to dry pot and lightly toast for a few minutes, being careful not to burn.

2. After toasting the walnuts, add in the rest of the ingredients (except for the spinach), to taste. Be careful as the walnuts will sizzle and may splatter when you add in the salsa. Stir well and heat on medium-low for another 7-8 minutes.

3. Place spinach in a colander and rinse. When pasta is cooked, remove from heat and pour onto the colander (with the spinach in it) and rinse lightly. Drain and then add the spinach and pasta into the pot. Now pour the sauce into the pasta and spinach and stir well. Season to taste and adjust flavours if necessary. Makes 1 large serving or 2 small servings.

Thanks Oh She Glows!

Crocheted Soap Pouch

Quick and easy crocheted soap pouch. Made out of 100% cotton.

By putting a bar of soap inside, it can be used to exfoliate the skin or you could just keep a bar of soap in it and hang it in the shower.

Home Made Bath Soap.

Last year, my son and daughter in law, took me to several Apple Farms, in Southern California. Each farm had their own gift shop. While roaming around one of them, I noticed a bar of soap, I picked it up and ran my fingers over the edge. I was amazed at how soft and soothing it felt. It had a wonderful aroma too, it was lavender. It contained goat milk and Shea butter. I knew, if I did my homework, I could make this. So began my journey.....
I have been searching and reading, for the past year, how to make soap. I was so intimidated with the ingredient "Lye". I gathered as much information as possible and talked to a few people that have made their own soap. Okay, I can do this.

In the meantime, before I decided to make my own, I ordered several bars of Shea Butter soap, from an online distributor. I was amazed, after several showers using the soap, how soft my skin had become. I didn't need lotion. Before, I would shower and then lather my arms, legs and face with lotion. So, I have discovered, for myself, the Shea Butter leaves my skin feeling so soft, not dry at all.

The most important information I can give you,if you want to make your own soap, and remember, this was my first attempt, I am not an expert, is, do your homework, especially if your using Lye. You can burn and ruin your whole batch. There are plenty of websites that will help you with the recipes, instructions etc.

Homemade Laundry Detergent.

There is nothing more gratifying than making something homemade, not to mention the money one saves. I was able to make 14.5 lbs. of laundry detergent for $11.65. The great part about it all is, it's all natural, no added chemicals or fillers and I will only have to use 1-2 tbs. per load. Think how long this is going to last. I shouldn't have to buy detergent for a good 6 months.
Oh the aroma too...you should smell how fresh and clean my kitchen smells, since that is where I mixed this together.
I can't wait to do laundry...now there is a plus right there. Who likes to do chores like that?

1 4lb box of Borax
1 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
1 Box of Arm & Hammer Super Wash
3 bars of Fels-Naptha...found it at Wal Mart

Grate Fels with kitchen grater, I used my food processer. Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket and enjoy. Use 1-2 tbs per load.

Quinoa Salad

Pronounced keen-wa, quinoa is considered by some as one of the world's most perfect food. It is often referred to as "mother grain." High in nutrients and high in protein, it is gluten free, easily digested, and an excellent first food for infants. Quick and easy to prepare. Just be sure to wash quinoa well prior to cooking in order to remove the bitter coating on the grain.

1 1/2 cup quinoa
2 1/2 cup water
Add to cooled quinoa
1/2 cup diced green onion
2 oz sliced olives
1 1/2 cup diced tomato
1 1/2 cup English Cucumber diced
1 1/2 cup red, green and yellow
bell pepper

Dressing:
2-3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 garlic powder
1 tsp salt to taste

Rinse quinoa if manufacturer did not.
Bring water to boil. Add quinoa
Cover and simmer 15 min until water is absorbed.
Remove from heat and cool. Add remaining ingredients
to cooled quinoa. Chill
Mix together dressing ingredients thoroughly.
Toss over salad.
Allow salad to marinate for 30 minutes in refrigerator before serving.

TIP: Serve with whole grain bread and hummus for a great meal!


Be sure to leave your comments and let me know what you think!!!!

A Very Merry Christmas

This Christmas Season has come upon us so fast. It took a while for me to get into the spirit of it all. It's been a little difficult this year, since I won't get to share it with all four of our children and grandchildren, but, I managed to keep pushing myself and do a little everyday. After a week or two, it hit me. I even decorated my curtain rod, in my kitchen.

I was all set to hit the stores and fight the crowds, today, and look for a table runner. To my delight, I received this in the mail today. Cecelia, a very special friend, miss her so much, made this for me. Perfect timing and perfect on my table.
Thank you SO much, Cecelia, for always thinking of me.

Crafty Christmas Fun

Up a little to early this morning but thought I would make use of the extra time before I head off to work.
Feeling somewhat festive this season so I decided to take a break from our remodeling and have some crafty fun. Found this pattern on Pinterest, love the pleat in the center.

Thought this would add a nice accent to dress up an outfit. I used Patons Silk Sequence. I bought two scenes, since each scene is 2 ply, I doubled the yarn. Quick and easy, my kind of craft.
Makes a nice Christmas gift too.

How to make paper look old by aging it with tea | mevsthehouse.com

How to make paper look old by aging it with tea | mevsthehouse.com

Fall Table Centerpiece

Found another clever and inexpensive centerpiece for my table. I had this hurricane vase for quite sometime. Usually just put it out during the Christmas season. Well, thanks to Pinterest, I discovered another use for it.
Just used some dried kidney beans, lentils and popcorn. How easy is that!

Pinterest Perfect

Spotted this cute idea on Pinterest. Quick and easy Fall table decor.

All I did was purchase 5 small pumpkins, borrowed some staples from my husbands staple gun, salvaged 3 hurricane lamps from around my house, I collect hurricane lamps, braced each lamp with the staples, just push them in the pumpkin. Add any scented, or unscented, votive and VoLaah!

Crossing Fingers

We have been working on our walls for a good month now. It all started back in July when I decided to apply wainscot, in my kitchen, as a backsplash. After that project was finished, the walls really needed a new coat of paint, so we did that. My hallway and kitchen area are open, so now I had to do something with the hallway.

I found this idea while searching the internet.

It looks easy enough. So, tomorrow I begin. If all turns out like I plan, I will post the final results with easy to follow instructions on how to obtain this look.
I have been filling and sanding "very" rough textured walls for about 4 weeks to get the look I hope to obtain. Not sure what I am going to do if it doesn't turn out???

Fall Fun

It seems more people are getting ready for Fall weather. I love the Fall season. Always makes me feel cozy and fresh. Although, it is still in the 90's here, 99 today. I can still get ready.

Saw this idea on the net. Myhomeideas.com Cinnamon wreath. It looks so country and I am sure the aroma will be pleasant.
I enjoy finding new and unique ideas to make. This will look adorable hanging in any window. Inside of coarse.

All you need is a 12" flat wood wreath, or any size you like, 6" length cinnamon sticks, glue gun, any kind of ribbon you like, I'm thinking of using burlap fabric.
Glue the cinnamon sticks on both sides of wreath. All done!

I can't decide which season I love the most, Fall or Spring. But, at the moment, Fall seems to be on top.

Canning Day

We so enjoy fresh garden tomatoes. I am so thankful my husband has such a green thumb when it comes to the garden.

Also, I am making homemade spaghetti sauce from these beautiful gems. I tend to like my spaghetti sauce a little on the sweet side, I add just a pinch of brown sugar. The tomatoes, this year, are so full of flavor, I really haven't needed to add any sugar. We add very little salt, just a teaspoon to each qt.

We are discovering that adding a qt. of tomatoes to several different recipes, really makes the food more savory.

"Farmhouse" Table Runner

My daughter in law had made some adorable placemats, for my Christmas present, last year, out of my favorite Waverly fabric. I have been anxious to get them out on the table but really wanted a table runner to go with it. I love the look of table runners.

Today, I decided I would try and make one. Drove to Joann's fabric, thank goodness we have one here in town. Found my material and headed home. Didn't take long to put this together.
I love anything that looks "farmhouse" style. I noticed, after searching the internet, most runners are squared off, not the typical diamond shape. I am really satisfied with the results.

I actually applied iron on interfacing. Very quick and easy.

Another facelift with Wainscot

Have been wanting some sort of backsplash for my outdated kitchen. I happen to love the look of farmhouses.
My husband found some wainscot along side of the freeway a few years ago. I had planned on putting it in our bathroom, when we remodeled. I changed my mind. Well, I have been holding on to it for a while. While looking at kitchen remodels, I spotted several with a wainscot backsplash.....the imagination started running.
We have been in the middle of replacing our bedroom window, we added a new door that steps out onto the patio.
When I told my husband what I wanted to do with the wainscot, his reply was...."don't you think we already have a big project".
Well, i had helped him replace the window, the rest of the work was out of my hands. There is just some things a women can't do...at least this woman.
I told him..."not to worry, this is my project, just show me how to use the chop saw". He rolled his eyes, like he usually does, but he agreed to show me....

It really wasn't that hard, I measured and cut, I even managed to add the trim. Quite impressed with myself. Even my husband is impressed.


As you can see, we were in great need of something behind the stove.
I plan on doing the other side wall, behind the sink.
I am going to give my whole kitchen a complete facelift, new color of paint and hopefully new wood floors.