Beef Taquitos and Salsa

Leftover Ground Beef Taquitos with Homemade Salsa

I got the inspiration for these taquitos from Our Best Bites recipe for Chipolte Beef Taquitos . However I didn’t have most of the ingredients but I wanted to give a shot at my own version and they turned out soooo easy! The meat was left over from a recipe from Utah Deal Diva’s Stuffed Peppers that was way tasty and easy!

Beef Taquitos

½ pound of cooked ground beef seasoned with onion and cumin

Feta cheese

Shredded cheddar cheese

Small corn tortillas

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Heat oven to 425 degrees

Wrap corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 45 seconds to a minute

Put parchment paper down on a baking sheet

Place the tortilla down and place a little bit of meat and both kinds of cheese towards the end closest to you hold in tightly and roll, place seam side down

Brush tops with olive oil and sprinkle kosher salt

Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes or until desired “crispiness”

Easy Homemade Salsa

1 bunch cilantro

4 green onions

Half of a lemon (for juice)

1 can Rotel

1 can diced tomatoes

Salt and Pepper

Place all in blender and blend!

That’s it folks I told you it was easy!

Making a outdoor living space : front porch part 1

So our porch and front of our house are looking pretty rough... So I am hoping that this summer I will be able to make our porch a extended living space for our family and friends to enjoy!

Here are some of my ideas and I will post pictures soon...

- obviously paint and build new steps

- change the shutters to either a tan or black

- paint the front door black

- new screen door in either black or tan

- add outdoor curtains to one side of the porch

- paint a outdoor rug for the porch

- add lanterns and flowers

- mulch

- add foe hanging baskets


Just some of my ideas!

New love...

This blog Northwest Hospitality is in my bookmarks as a new love! Her ideas are so fresh and inviting! She captures Pottery Barn and Ballard designs in a frugal but elegant way! ... Check her out at Northwest Hospitality 


Trust me you will fall in love too!

Tray re-do

So yeah I was looking for a cool tray to set flowers on and such. Well I was at Salvation Army and saw this lovely  tray and saw the potential to paint it white... here is how is went!

Before

After

Much better.. ahh

Burlap Wreath

This wreath was made using scraps from my other various burlap projects! I added elements I already had ... the eggs and nest were from Target

Sam was finishing the hall while I was doing this... he is the best!

Spring Mantel Pictures

Back in I think February I saw these cute nature paintings in the PB catalog, I thought they were cute. So in my boredom at work one day (don't get me wrong work is not usually boring at all!) I was thinking spring and I came up with an idea to do my own in my own way.


PB pictures here...


Materials Used:


- leftover burlap


- Elmer's Craft Bond Spray Adhesive


- flat white spray paint


- freezer paper


- x-acto knife


- printed solid image 


- pencil


- hot glue


-iron


- jute rope or twine


- $1 store frames


*Note about the spray adhesive it was kinda expensive about $10 so make sure you use a coupon! 

So first find some images online that you like... (I used a bunny and flowers) enlarge and print out

Trace onto freezer paper then cut out the image

Take your UGLY cheap frame and take the glass out (I save mine you never know when you might need it for another project!)

Spray paint it whatever color you would like

With the back portion of your frame spray the front part with the spray adhesive and attach the burlap then cut around the edges (let dry a couple minutes)

 (this was another frame)

Then using your iron on the low setting lightly iron on your image to the burlap (this keeps it from moving around while spray painting) 

*MAKE SURE GLOSSY SIDE IS DOWN on stencil!

Spray paint image... I did about 2-3 coats

put back in frame then glue twine around the edges of the frame

Ta-da!

Enjoy-

Kate

Crazy Ideas!

So I have this crazy idea... I have these beautifull built in white bookcases in my living room and I am thinking of stenciling the inside of them with a damask stencil and a very very very light tan.... what do you think?

Now on to watch general conference!

Saturday Goals!

Ok so this is actually a Saturday we are at home for most of the day! So I am going to do a BIG undertaking of spring cleaning our kitchen and re-organizing our cabinets. I really like to keep this organized, however the cabinets have become so scary that you have to duck and cover everytime you open then in fear that loose tupperware might come out and hit you in the head. (No just this is a real scenario, it has happened a many times!)

Crafting- finish glitter egg

DIY- paint living room tables

Decorating - apply large wall vinyl

So I wish my self luck!

Hope everyone has a great Saturday!

A spring mantel...

SPRING!


So here are some pictures of my spring mantel, the burlap pictures I will be posting a tutorial soon! Plus new curtains! 


I bought the decor at...

-Target
-Michaels
-Salvation Army
-$1 Store

I like it thrifty with my decor... SO I CAN GET MORE! Ohh that rhymes!

Check OUT!

This is a awesome giveaway on the Not Just a Housewife blog... GIVEAWAY for a Silhouette

TIDY MOM GIVEAWAY!

Check it out!

Knobs

SO I found some knobs I liked from Hobby Lobby! The closest one is about an hour away, I wish I had one down the road like I do with Michaels,A C Moore, Jo Ann's and Home Goods. Anywho here they are... I would love opnions! They would be going on my buffet.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday everyone! Enjoy the sunshine! :)

Ballard Inspired Lamp Tutorial

These cute little curtain tiebacks gave me the inspiration for this project... Ballard Tiebacks


So this lamp I got for FREE at a church swap we did. One night when we were having Enrichment Meeting we put things we didn't want and or no longer needed into one of the classrooms and people sifted through and took what they wanted. It was a lot of fun! The lamp was cute but I wanted to make it my own.


Before.......

As you can see to paint it I used Glad Press'n Seal to wrap around parts I didn't want painted and Flat White spray paint. Who would have thought you could use Press'n Seal for so much??? LOVE THAT STUFF! Well worth every penny!!!

Here she be in my awesome indoor spray booth.

Now painted White... so pretty and bright!

Don't worry I had some fresh air so I did not get too high... lol

And a shout out to Valspar for putting a better nozel on that bad boy... no more cramped fingers when spraying!

THANK YOU!

Ok back to the project.......

I then traced the lamp shade onto freezer paper by starting at one end and tracing till I got to the start. I used some leftover burlap from a previous project. I pinned it to the freezer paper and cut out my pattern. Then I started to pin it around the top to start it off and then down one side.

I used Elmer's Craft Bond to adhere the burlap to the lampshade. This was a bit pricey about $10 or so but I used a 50% off coupon at Joann's and got it for $5. It worked great!

Here it is before I embellished it. I used hot glue to adhere the top and bottom parts.

Enter in Stampin' Up Twill Tape and A Chocolate Chip Ink Spot from the Distressing Kit. (I ended up not using the green strip ribbon)

I used the ink to give a little distressed look to the lamp portion by rubbing it on in various spots then using my finger to rub it in.

I added some buttons with hot glue. Then was finished. Now just to make a cord cover for it!

How did that cute dog get in the picture?

When I stopped by my parents I had my camera and took a picture of my Jib!

Just to make you smile!

Enjoy!

P.S. Happy St. Patty's Day!

-Kate

blah blah blah

So I need to finish painting the hallway....... so far it looks awesome! I am loving the color I just need to put the second coat up and do the trim. I just haven't felt motivated to do it.... maybe tomorrow! 


Just keeping it real y'all

Baked Potato Soup... Recipe Link

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/10/baked-potato-soup/

Here is the link to the Baked Potato Soup....

Baked Potato Soup

This soup was amazing..... easy, yummy and DELICIOUS!!!! I think that I am always a fan of anything that I can put some sort of "topping" on. It is from Our Best Bites... http://www.ourbestbites.com/


I highly recommend it you will be happy you made it, and so will your belly!

I would post the actual link to the recipe but they just changed their site and it isn't up yet. 

Enjoy!

-Kate

Dresser turned Buffet: Part 2

Ok so first off I would just like to say that tonight I learned a lesson about marshmellows...


OLD MARSHMELLOWS DO NOT MAKE WONDERFUL RICE KRISPIE TREATS!


Luckily these said "treats" were for my benefit to eat only... anyways onto the buffet!


I painted it this lovely tealish blue color... it needs a couple of touch ups but so far I love it!

-Kate

Laundry Room...

The laundry room... more commonly know as the corner of the basement where it is dark and I wash our clothes to perfection! 


Here she be now...

So my ideas are...

Paint peg board... I am thinking either a light green or the "linen white" by Benjamin Moore that we have already

Paint cement block wall

fix window... add molding and a curtain 

Clean up wires, outlets etc.

Take down old shelfs and add one big "chunky" shelf ... Over at House of Smith's she has great ideas for this

Maybe some new lighting?

Take down dog cage and make storage space for the shop vacums 

Add somewhere to hang clothes

Make LESS SCARY!!!

and of course

decorative accents

...

one more thing............

MAYBE VINYL TO THE DRYER DOOR??? What do you think???

Hope to start working on this soon!

-Kate

Heavenly Homes...

"Heavenly Homes, Forever Families"

Since it is Sunday and the start of this new adventure...


We belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I love this part of a talk by President Monson


"Following the Lord’s Blueprint
Kneel down to pray. Step up to serve. Reach out to rescue. Each is a vital page of God’s blueprint to make a house a home and a home a heaven.


Balance is key to us in our sacred and solemn responsibilities in our own homes and in our Church callings. We must use wisdom, inspiration, and sound judgment as we care for our families and fulfill our Church callings, for each is vitally important. We cannot neglect our families; we must not neglect our Church callings.


Let us build with skill, take no shortcuts, and follow His blueprint. Then the Lord, even our building inspector, may say to us, as He said when He appeared to Solomon, a builder of another day, “I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually” (1 Kgs. 9:3). We will then have heavenly homes and forever families and will be able to help, to strengthen, and to bless other families as well.


I pray most humbly and sincerely that this blessing may come to each of us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."


Thomas S. Monson, "Heavenly Homes, Forever Families", Ensign, June 2006, 98–103


Enjoy your Sunday!

Pottery Barn.......

Oh Pottery Barn how I love thee... great ideas and endless inspiration! Any who yesterday the March catalog came and I started a PB inspired project last night. So stay tuned! 


-Kate

Ramblings on the hall

So I am thinking of putting a old window up with either a barn star or a berry wreath on the wall. Then using a black chair and zebra pillow. Hopefully this wont look to strange lol! Then the other wall that is by the landing I have a cute vinyl pharse that I got from Stampin up that will look oh so cute!

Sneak Peak...

Ok so here is the start of a project...

Valspar Plastic Paint

Giant Clothespin

Pictures

Paper

hmmmmmm... I hope it turns out cute!

Shopping... and the weekend progress!

So today it was rainy and yucky so I did some retail thereapy and went to Christmas Tree Shop... on the prowl for a cute berry wreath to hang on a window. No such luck all the wreaths were way to seasonal and cheap looking. I would like something that I can leave up most of the year.... Despite the fact that I did not find what I was looking for, I found plenty of goods! ...

$3.99 LARGE Barn Stars ( I have plans for these, I was going to buy a large white one at JoAnn's for $15 (and that was %50 off!!!!) )

$2.99 Area Rugs I am going to turn these into a runner

$6.99 Chicken Wire Basket... I am thinking spring thats all I have to say!

And some bath mats for $.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ekk awesome


This weekend I worked on painting the hallway... It is "Misty Surf" by Olympic I am almost done then the trim to do...  however my mom made a comment the other day how she likes to paint trim... I think I am going to take her up on that deal!

Here are the "goods" !!!

Here is the Hall!!!!! YAY!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

-Kate

Lovely Curtains

These are the curtains I am thinking of getting for our back room, we have red sheers in there now and it isn't quite the look I want. I got them when we first got married because they were cheap. They have been great but I am looking for a lighter, clean and crisp look...

These are from...

www.countrydoor.com

-Kate

Dresser turned Buffet

So here is the before of a dresser I did this summer that I turned into a buffet for storage for our dinning room. I will post the after tomorrow... gotta take some pictures!

This was a dresser that was in my room as a kid !

-Kate

A Lovely Lamp

So this lamp makes me smile... enough said

It is fun, funky and cute all in one. Or at least I think so... please don't mind the zebra fabric in the background I just got done washing it and somehow  it landed on that chair.... hmmm.  So yesterday was a balmy 60 degrees outside and sunny, today on the other hand is cold, snowy and windy and 20 degrees. With this yucky weather Sam and I ventured out to Home Goods and Lowes... for fun! I saw this in the clearence section for $18!!!!!!!!  It was originally $60. I scooped it up and bought it. The shade is a bit bent but I am sure I can fix it. I need to make a cord cover for it since it is on the back of the chair and looks yucky...

The table was a $7 salvation army find so at lowes I bought some paint to paint that this weekend. 

-Kate