Till Then Smile Often

Spinach and Egg Muffins

I love to make my food for the week on one day to make eating healthy as quick and painless as possible. So when I saw this recipe I knew it would be a great way to quickly get some veggies and protein.

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You will need: 12 eggs, approx. 1/4 cup spinach, seasonings (I used salt, pepper, onion powder, and Adobo seasoning)

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Instructions: Spray a muffin pan with olive oil cooking spray, crack an egg into each cup, add a little bit of spinach to each cup, then add the seasonings. I used a fork to lightly scramble the eggs, but you can also leave the egg whole. I have also seen similar versions of this with a slice of Canadian bacon on the bottom, and the egg mix on top.

Cook at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy! I had a fresh one right out of the oven and froze the rest in plastic bags, each night I set one in the fridge to thaw then heat in the morning, or take to work as a snack option. Great way to get in a quick and easy healthy meal.

Saw It. Pinned It. Did It. – Anchored Monogram

 Thursday has become my favorite day of the week!! Why you ask? Why, the Saw It. Pinned It. Did It. Link up of course! Any excuse for me to get my craft on and finally do some projects around the house is a plus in my book. Besides I love browsing what everyone else is doing to keep me motivated. So what are you waiting for link up already!

My inspiration for this week:

I have just been in love with Anchors lately. I love the ocean and living in the North East all my life being within 20-30 minutes of the ocean might have something to do with it. However I also love the symbolism of the anchor to, holding your ground, unshakable, staying strong. But enough about me…..

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Supplies Needed:

Two Contrasting Colors – I used left over paint from my 1/2 bath (Olympic Premium Interior Satin in Butterfly Bush) and my guest bedroom (Valspar Ultra Premium Interior Satin in Nimbus Cloud) both from Lowe’s. 

Monogram Letter (Wood or Finished is fine – From A.C. Moore) ~ Small Wood Anchor or other design (A.C. Moore) ~ Paint Brushes or Foam Brush ~ Painters tape ~ Glue Gun

1. Measure your letter’s length to determine how wide you want your stripes to be. I chose 2.5″ for each color section.

2. Tape off one section of color. If you look closely I marked in pencil G for Gray and Y for yellow so I could remember the color to paint.

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3. Paint your first color in the open sections. I chose to paint the sides as well, but I’ll leave that up to you. I let the paint dry for about 30 minutes then did a second coat. Let that dry for about an hour and then pull the tape off.

4. Make sure the above sections are completely dry before taping off for the second color. Don’t want to pull off the tape to have it rip off with the tape.

5. Paint the second color waiting 30 minutes in between coats and pull the tape off after about an hour.

6. Paint your anchor with the base color of your choice. I did this in between drying coats to save time. Let dry about 30 minutes and using a Q-tip make the dots in random order. Then let dry.

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7. Once all sections are dry, use your glue gun to secure the anchor to the letter.

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PIN IT

8. Hang on the wall and enjoy!! My letter had a hole for a screw so no additional hardware was needed. You may need this if you use the plain wood letters.

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(yes that is my baby picture, no I don’t know what my Mom was thinking with that outfit)

 

 

I am so in love with this project. My two favorite colors and the anchor what more could I want. Since it is in my hallway outside by bedroom I see it everyday, which makes me smile!

Don’t forget to check out the two co-hosts of this linking party, Steph and Katie. Join the linkup with your Pinterest projects and take a look at all the other projects completed!

Oh How Pinteresting!

Is it really Wednesday?! Thank goodness. Half way there. Feel like I have been swimming upstream lately, looking forward to the weekend.

Head on over to The Vintage Apple and linkup! Feel free to add me on Pinterest to share in all the fun!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Is this not super cute for an Easter Decoration?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: bikinibodymommy.com via Kerry on Pinterest

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Something most all girls want to work on getting rid of!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
That looks so yummy!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

May need to make these for my co-workers. Looks so good.

 Looking forward to see what everyone else is pinning don’t be surprised

if I add a few of you as Pinterest friends. Must feed the creative juices with new pins! 🙂

Weekend Update

This weekend went by way too quickly. I even had a three day weekend too. Friday was my Dad’s birthday, so we spent the day together with family. Saturday I went shopping to like a million stores. To those who know me, I really don’t like shopping. I like to get in and get out as quickly as possible. Going to a store and not finding what I was loooking for is a total bummer and waste of time. Luckily I live in a town that has a lot of stores within a few block radius. Let’s just say wine was enjoyed by the end of the day! Sunday was a day of cleaning, crafts, cooking for the week and catching up on my emails. A perfect relaxing ending to the weekend.

 

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1. On the way to Disney on Ice with my nieces, they were so excited. oddly this was my Dad’s birthday celebration.

2. Beauty and the Beast.

3. Isn’t she the cutest?!! Those big green eyes and those cheeks! So in love with her.

4. This was on the way home. Too much excitement wore them out!!

5. Saturday consisted of about 5 hours of shopping. This was my haul!!

6. Seamus got a bone shaped basket for all his toys, just part of the shopping extravaganza!

7. It started to snow again, even Seamus got a little on him.

8. A little wine, hummus, and celery to weather the storm! He-he an inch of snow counts as a storm, right?

9. Sunday was all about crafting! Starting, finishing, and planning. So relaxing. Come back on Thursday for my craft tutorial.

What did you do this weekend? Would love to hear from you.

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

Healthy Option Pizza

I can not believe how quick this weekend has been going. I spent a good chunk of yesterday shopping!! Can it get any better?! I am using some of my tax refund for some home projects. Whoever told me owning a home was a good idea was seriously mistaken!! Kidding I love my home but decorating and upgrading is expensive. Boy howdy! So while I try and getting some projects done today I leave you with a quick and easy healthy alternative to pizza. I will be having this post-workout but it really can be for any meal.

 

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Ingredients: Tortilla ( I used a low carb tortilla made of flax, oat bran, and whole wheat flour) ~ 2-3 TBSP pasta sauce ~ 1/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese ~ 3-4 ounces of pre-cooked chicken ~ any additional toppings can be added

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Place tortilla on greased pizza tray or cookie sheet

Place pasta sauce in center of tortilla and use a spoon moving in a circle to spread to within 1/4 inch of edge of tortilla. (feel free to add any extra spices to the sauce before spreading out)

Sprinkle chicken the pasta sauce.

Sprinkle on shredded cheese and any additional toppings.

Place in oven and bake for 8-12 minutes or until cheese is melted.

 

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Serve and enjoy the fact that you saved some serious calories and kept the taste.

Saw It. Pinned It. Did It. – Canvas Print

Thank you to everyone for being patient while I fixed some bugs with my design. The new WordPress Update really wrecked havoc with all the themes. I bit the bullet and purchased a theme and will still be tinkering a few minor details but it is pretty much done. Can I get an AMEN!!

Now on to the best part of the day…. the SPD Linkup!! This was by far the easiest project I have done so far.

Inspiration:

printable

Supplies Needed: Canvas Frame (I used 8×10) ~ Mod Podge ~ Printable words or saying ~ Cardstock or scrapbook paper

Find the printable you want to add to the frame and print on heavy cardstock or scrapbook paper. This is very important because with regular printer paper you will get bubbles. (Don’t ask how I figured that out) Add a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the canvas frame. Press your cardstock printable to the canvas frame and hang up on the wall. You are done! Seriously can it get any easier!!

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The printable I used was a $5.00 download and came in 5 colors. Direct download here.

Here are a few other free printables for just about every occasion:

Source: ontobaby.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: bedifferentactnormal.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Don’t forget to check out the two co-hosts of this linking party, Steph and Katie. Join the linkup with your Pinterest projects and take a look at all the other projects completed!

Oh How Pinteresting!

Happy Hump day!!! This week is feeling so short with being off work on Monday for President’s Day I’m off Friday for my Dad’s birthday.


Head on over to The Vintage Apple and linkup! Feel free to add me on Pinterest to share our addiction to pinning all things amazing.

This outfit makes me so excited for Spring!

How I feel after I workout!

This looks so yummy!

Source: skreened.com via Kerry on Pinterest

True story!

Source: houzz.com via Kerry on Pinterest

How pretty is this bush? Hopefully I can plant some in my yard this Spring.

Source: someecards.com via Kerry on Pinterest

Remember you’re special! 😉

Hope everyone has a great week. Hope it’s over before you know it! Come back tomorrow for Saw It. Pinned It. Did It.

 

Weekend Update

Such a crazy weekend. It was not at all what I had planned but fun either way.

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1. Packed my bags to spend the night at my friend Heather’s house in order to run a 5k race.

2. We went to the mall to the “Bouncy House” best invention for wearing out kids. It has multiple areas of bouncing obstacle courses. My friend Heather’s daughter met her first boyfriend. This little boy was so cute. He followed her around opening the mesh doors for her, moving obstacles out of the way for her. Such a gentleman.

3. We woke up to snow which ending up cancelling our 5k race but it did not stop the dance party. She was rocking it out 80’s style. She is so cute and has so much energy. Oh to be young again.

4. We did a lot of shopping since we couldn’t run (makes sense to me!) so I had to catch up on the missed workouts so Les Mills Combat 45 was one of many I did today.

5. Weekend is never complete without a snuggle session with Seamus. Seriously he is just so adorable I can’t help myself from snapping many pics of him.

What did you do this weekend? Would love to hear from you.

Linking up with Sami at Sami’s Shenanigans and Leann at Join the Gossip .

I am a DORK!!

 

                                       Source: sturdyforcommonthings.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

 

 

Yes I really am. To those who don’t know me, I am really SHY.  To those who know me, you may be laughing your faces off. It takes me awhile to warm up but when I do I become outspoken, silly, dramatic and some may wish that I was a little more quiet. Hope not but I am realistic! 😉

Do you ever have those moments that haunt you, that you overanalyze a million times as to what you could have done differently. See I spent my vacation day running around like a crazy person trying to catch up on all the errands I am behind in doing. While at Lowe’s I passed an aisle and caught the eye of this guy. No big deal, right? Wrong. Because I AM A DORK. I bolted into the next aisle which wasn’t completely wrong since I was looking for a flashlight and it was the electric section, however I am sitting there looking at SOLAR landscape lights. Why is this weird? People we still have a FOOT of snow on the ground from last weeks blizzard. Why would I be looking for SOLAR lights? Funny thing is he turned the corner and started looking at the lights too! Would I see this as a sign to strike up a conversation? NO!! Because I am a DORK! I slowly started to keep walking down the aisle until my palms stopped sweating.  Seriously what am I seven?

So I got the rest of my items and I am checking out and the guy appears and is next in line. Do I take the chance to strike up a conversation, stop to give him a chance to check out then talk to him. No I run, not walk out of that store.  This is why I am single, because I am a DORK!

This is why I am single. I do not read the signs until hours later. SMH. Hopefully next time I will read the signs a little earlier and maybe hit up Lowe’s for a little more embarrasement next weekend! Please tell me I am not the only DORK out there?!!

 

Saw It. Pinned It. Did It. – Heart Shaped Pie

What better Pinterest inspired Saw It. Pinned It. Did It then a heart shaped pie!! On Valentine’s Day no less!?!

I almost went to Le Cordon Blue to become a baker (still a bucket list goal) so I tend to like to bake from scratch whenever possible.  However I know that some people want things to be quicker and easier so I will try to provide alternate versions.

 

Source: mashable.com via Kerry on Pinterest

 

 

The inspiration :

Source: foodgawker.com via Kerry on Pinterest

*This recipe for the pie crust is from an old magazine with pull out recipe cards so not sure which one it was in. Here is the recipe card.

recipeIngredients:

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3 cups flour * 1/2 cup powdered sugar * 1 Tsp baking powder * 1/4 Tsp salt * 1 cup (2 sticks) butter cut into small pieces * 6-8 Tbsp ice water

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

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Cut in butter with blender, pastry blender or two knives until coarse crumbles form.

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Add water 1 TBSP at a time toss with fork until mixture holds together.

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Divide dough in half ; cover and chill for 30 minutes or until firm.

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EXPRESS VERSION : Go to the frozen food section, and buy frozen pie crust.

For the pie filling I used the recipe found here.

2 pounds sour cherries, pitted * 1 1/8 cups white sugar * 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch * 1 tablespoon butter * 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Pit and de-stem the cherries.

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In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar and cornstarch.

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Let sit for about 10 minutes. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the juices thicken and become translucent. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and almond extract.

EXPRESS VERSION: Pull out pie filling from cabinet.

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Pull out your pie crust from the fridge. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness.

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Cut with your heart shaped cookie cutter.

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 Re-roll and cut out more heart shapes. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Beat one egg and 1 Tbsp water in a cup. Moisten edge of dough with egg mixture. pie-10

 Place about 1/2 Tbsp of cherry pie filling in the center of each heart.

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 Place another crust on top. Press edges together with a fork to seal in filling. (A little might smoosh out, that’s okay)

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Brush the top with more egg mixture. Cut a few slashes in top to vent.

pie-13 Bake 20-23 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

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OPTIONAL: Using a pastry brush wet the top of the pastry with water and add sprinkles.

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So for those of you who didn’t want to do the from scratch version let me recap the express version – Let pie crust come to room temp, roll out, cut with cookie cutter, egg wash, fill with canned pie filling of your choice, fork to close, egg wash, cut slits, bake. Done! 😉

What do you think, worth a shot? Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.  If you are single, remember Valentine’s if for showing ALL the people you love how you care. Spread the love!

Don’t forget to check out the two co-hosts of this linking party, Steph and Katie. Join the linkup with your Pinterest projects and take a look at all the other projects completed!