Miss Priss Framed!

So you know those super cute frames one sees on Pinterest?  Someone suggested buying wooden plaques at the craft store and basically decoupaging them with a picture to replicate the look.  I thought this was an excellent suggestion, and waddled to AC Moore while preggo to start this fabulous project.  That AC Moore bag sat there for a couple months.

But during a nap break, I shuffled through all the darling new pictures I have of little Miss Priss, and decided to take action.  This is a super quick project- done in three to four 20 minute (or less) increments.  And they turned out just darling!

Of course, their cuteness is significantly aided by that little sweetie in the pictures.

I didn't take pictures before and after (nap time is a precarious window), but the process was super easy.

1.  Lightly sand down the plaques (I didn't do much of this, because I was lazy and rushed).

2.  I didn't prime the plaques, but in retrospect I would, with a coat of white acrylic paint.  Let dry.

3.  Paint the plaques with the color of your choosing- brighter the better in my book.  Let dry.

4.  Paint a light layer of either acrylic gel stain, or brown acrylic paint watered down.  Then rub off with a damp paper towel or lightly wetted sponge.  Play with the level of stain until you get the look you are going for.  This will dry quickly, so you can go ahead and sand away once dry.  Pay special attention to the  edges- if you primed the plaques, I would take it down to the white on the edges for a distressed look.

5.  Center (if you are hanging a grouping of these please measure so each one is even and identical) your picture on the plaque, and pencil off where you want it to go.  Or trust your eye and be slap dash like I did-  all up to you.  Cover the back of the picture with Modge Podge and carefully place it on the plaque.  Then cover the whole she-bang with a layer of Modge Podge- take extra care to tamp down the corners of the picture.  Let dry.

6.  An optional final step that I recommend is doing a layer of acrylic varnish to seal everything and give it a glossy finish. Or you could use matte varnish, but the final layer will protect your beautiful creation!

These are destined for her nursery- I will be sure to show the finished product once I finally get everything hung in there! And her clothes up all the floor, and my empty water bottles of the side table. . .

Easy New Mama Enchilada Bake

Normally recipes like this are not my cup of tea.  Biscuits in a can are not biscuits at all, and scare me when I try to get the can to pop (I have the same dread with opening crescent rolls, but their deliciousness outweighs the fearful anticipation factor).

I don't don't if it's the sleep deprivation, a hormone imbalance, or what, but I was overpowered by a desire to try these "Bubble Up Enchiladas" from Pinterest.

Source: recipe-diaries.com via Samma on Pinterest

I followed the recipe, except didn't use reduced fat products, and added more cheese (thank goodness nursing burns so many calories.   Now, these things are not remotely enchilada like at all, and Hubs was quite baffled when I told him what we were having, then pulled these out of the oven.  His review?  "I can't decide whether I like them or not"

Hmmm.

Not the best review of a recipe, but I knew what he meant. Canned biscuits create confusion.

However, I liked them (and think the pizza version would be preferable).  If you are crunched for time, and craving comfort, this would be perfect.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 16 oz can refrigerated biscuits
2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese

Extra Ingredients
Green Onions, Sour Cream and lots of salsa!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef and drain. Mix in a can of enchilada sauce and tomato sauce and half of the cheese. Cut the refrigerated biscuits into eighths and stir them in the meat mixture. Then you just dump it all in a greased casserole (I use 8 X 11) and bake for 30 minutes until the biscuits are cooked through. Take out of oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

So Fresh and So Clean Hostess Gift

So I was just tickled to death when my friend AK popped in the other day and exclaimed how fabulous my house felt- she couldn't quite put her finger on why it was so welcoming. I immediately dragged her to my stove and showed her the above pot simmering away.   It makes your house smell fresh and delicious!

Another Pinterest idea- found here

Source: morganmoore.typepad.com via Samma on Pinterest

Super simple- fill a small pot with water, add a sliced lemon, 2-3 sprigs of rosemary, and 3 tablespoons of vanilla extract.  Bring it to a simmer, and sit and sniff like I did!

Another idea? Wrapping the ingredients up in a little pot and bringing them as a hostess gift to the next party you attend!  Add a cute little tag with instructions, and that hostess will have a lovely day cleaning and airing out her house the next day post party!