Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

It is a cold winter day in Michigan today- 6+ inches of snow and still going strong!  I am in the mood for some warm soup, and this is one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it too!

You will need:

•  3-4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced
• 4 C. Chicken Stock
• 2 C. Half and Half
• 1 stalk Celery, diced
• 1/2 Carrot, shredded or diced
• 1/2 Onion, diced
• 1 C. fresh Spinach, chopped (I use 1/2 a package of frozen spinach)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Thyme
• 16 oz. Potato Gnocchi (In the Italian aisle by the pasta)
• Salt and Pepper

1. Saute the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until the onion is translucent.
2. Add chicken, stock, half and half, salt and pepper, and thyme. 
3. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi.
4. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

Delicious!

Mercury-Style Glass

I LOVE mercury style glass- lamps, vases, candlesticks, you name it!  However, I do not like the price tag that comes with it.  So, after checking out the internet I found a great way to create the mercury glass look at a fraction of the price. 

Here is what you will need:

• Krylon "Looking Glass" Spray Paint (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $11.99)
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Any type of clear glass.  (I got all of mine from Target for $12.95)

1. Start by cleaning and drying your glass, removing any stickers
2. Work individually with each piece of glass- Start by misting with water from a spray bottle.
3. Spray the piece with the Looking Glass Spray Paint, getting all sides.  You may need a couple of passes to cover.  It will look drippy and uneven- don't worry, that is the effect you want!

Allow to dry, about 1 hour.

Display and enjoy!

I added mine to my mantle with my Valentine Banner- Check it out!

Valentine "Be Mine" Banner

Want to learn how to create this cute banner for Valentine's Day?  I am including instructions for both sewers and crafters- here you go!

You will need:

• Scissors (regular and pinking)
• One package of coordinating bias tape
• 1/2 yard of heavy duty fabric for the pendants (I used a twill, but burlap would be cute too)
• 7 scraps of fabric that are at least 6x6"
• Sewers- thread and light weight interfacing
• Crafters- 1/2 yard of heavy duty Heat & Bond, as well as a roll of Heat & Bond that is 5/8"

1. Print and cut out the letters that you will use for your banner.  I got mine from http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/02/16/simple-applique-monograms/
2. Cut out the pendants.  I made a pattern from a paper bag.  I started by drawing a line that was 9 1/2 inches across the bottom.  I then found the center of that line, and measured up 10 inches to create a mark.  Lastly, I joined this into a triangle by connecting each end of my first line to the 10 inch point.  I traced my pattern onto my twill fabric, and then cut it out with pinking scissors so it won't fray.

3. Cut your fabric scraps to 6x6 squares.  Then, apply either the interfacing (if you are a sewer) or the Heat & Bond (if you are a crafter).
4. Trace each letter backwards on the interfacing/heat & bond side of each of your squares.  It is important that you flip them backwards, or your letters won't be right.

5. Cut each letter out of your fabric, and pin to your pendants.  I centered mine 1" from the top of each pendant.
6. Sew around each letter, staying as close as you can to the edge.  If you are a crafter, you can now iron the letters onto your pendants.
7. Measure how long you want your banner to be, and add 6".  (Mine is 58")
8. Lay out your banner, and pin the pendants together. 

9. Baste along the top if you are a sewer- if you are a crafter skip this step.
10. Measure the bias tape to leave a 12" tail at each end of your banner. (mine was 82")
11.  Iron the bias tape flat, removing the folds that were originally done for the packaging.  (If you are a crafter, iron your 5/8" strip of Heat & Bond on one side.)  Then, fold in half and iron again. 
12.  Sewers- fold the bias tape over the edge of your banner and sew the width of your presser foot down the entire length of your bias tape.  Crafters- remove the backing of the Heat & Bond, and then fold over the top of your pendants and iron on. 

Hang and Enjoy!

Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies

My mother-in-law made these delicious Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies for my husband, and they are one of his favorites!  I made them the other night to take over to our neighbors when we played cards.  Here is the recipe, enjoy!

1st Mixture:

• 2 c. Sugar
• 2 c. Flour
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. Salt

2nd Mixture:

• 1 stick butter (I use the unsalted sweet cream)
• 1/2 c. oil (I use canola oil)
• 4 T. Cocoa Powder
• 1 c. Water

Bring 2nd Mixture to a boil, then add to the first mixture

Then Add:

• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 c. Buttermilk
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (it will have a cake-like texture).

For the Icing:

• 1 Stick Butter (again the unsalted sweet cream butter)
• 4 T. Cocoa Powder
• 6 T. Milk

Bring to a boil, stirring often.  Remove from heat and add:

• 1 box Powdered Sugar (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 T. Cinnamon

Spread on hot cake- it will set up as the cake cools.