Shell Mirror

What do you think?  I used mostly shells from my trip to the Bonita Springs, FL area and the narrow ones that come to a point -- they are from Ohio right along Lake Erie!!!!  I used a little beach glass purchased from Michael's craft store, too.

Here is what I had to begin --

I had found this mirror (that has a stand in the back like a photo frame) from a craft-type store called Flower Factory near Cleveland.  I think there are still a few locations open, but the one that I was at has since closed.  I know I found that at least a year ago.  Last summer I painted it in the garage --

I also sprayed the shells in the garage (for ventilation) with a gloss sealer so they would have a nice shine --

Everything sat in the house as I procrastinated until this weekend when I decided I needed to do a craft post!!!!  Thank you blog for giving me motivation!!

I just began using my hot glue gun until I got it how I wanted it.  I did want some of the aqua background to show so I didn't fill it in entirely --

Began the endless task of removing all those glue strands --

The mirror can be removed as it is just like a picture frame in the back and a large photo could be put in place.  I just love shells.  I have also used my Florida shells to make a couple shell trees -

You can click on my blog post here to see how those were made.

I am starting to decorate for Easter.  Here is a little glimpse --

Lucy likes to take advantage of the changing of the decorations.  Suddenly areas that are filled are now empty and can be explored --

I am linking to Skip To My Lou's Made By You Monday.  You can see all the great posts by clicking here.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

These are soooo  good and a super easy meal to make, especially if serving them at a party!

First of all, I originally saw the recipe at this blog site Sisters Stuff Blog.  The first time I made it I thought it was a bit dry and we needed to add some sauce (Famous Dave's Original is our fav!) to the top of the pork before adding the bun.  But, I have come to find that it depends on how big the pork loin is if you would need to double or triple the sauce ingredients.  More on this later.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches


2 1/2 - 3 1/2 lbs. pork loin roast
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 T. dried minced onion

Put the pork in a crockpot.  Mix all the other ingredients together and pour on top of the pork.  Cook approx. 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.  About 1 hour before finished - take out the pork and shred (using 2 forks) and place back in the crockpot.  Stir the pork into the sauce and cook that remaining hour.


When I made this the other day I had a pork loin that was 2 1/2 lbs.  I just used the sauce per the recipe.  I thought it was OK and Mr. Cardigan thought it needed a bit of BBQ sauce added to the sandwich.

For my Cookie Exchange I used a 3 3/4 lb. pork loin and I doubled the sauce recipe and thought it came out perfect.


Pork loin in the crockpot --

The dry ingredients of the sauce -

Then, adding the worcestershire sauce to it --

Poured over the pork -

Pork being shredded -

Shredded pork added to the sauce in the crockpot -

When I made these for my Cookie Exchange I used dinner rolls and we had them as Sliders.  I actually prefer them this way (see them in the lower left) -

Lucy looks like she has had one too many of these pulled pork sandwiches?  I don't see how she can be comfortable like this!!!!

I am linking to Savvy Southern Style's WOW US WEDNESDAYS.  Come and see all the great posts by clicking here.

St. Pat's Food - French Toast with Bangers & Reubens!!!!

Besides dressing in green on St. Patrick's Day I also planned our meals around the holiday.  I bought a package of Bangers at Trader Joe's (have never made them before!!).  So, I fixed them for breakfast to go with French Toast.  I make my French Toast with vanilla - and this is how I do mine --

For this batch I made about 6 pieces and I used this amount and whisk:

3 eggs
about 1 T. milk
a good tsp. of vanilla
sprinkling of cinnamon

Here is the egg/milk/vanilla mixture whisked --

Whisk some cinnamon into this --

Dip bread into this and flip and do other side --

Fry in skillet that has some melted butter --

Flip and do other side --

Now, for the bangers.  I put some margarine in a pan and fried them until done --

The French Toast is delicious -- but I think I would prefer our regular breakfast sausage instead of the Bangers --

For our evening meal I made Reuben sandwiches.  If you don't make these -- try them because it is such a nice meal to put together quickly --

You will need -
pkg. beef (or corned beef, but Mr. Cardigan doesn't like it)
sauerkraut
swiss cheese
rye bread
butter

You make these just like doing a grilled cheese sandwich.  Butter the rye bread --

Place the bread butter-side down in a warmed-up skillet.  Put as much beef or corned beef as you like on top (I use 1 small package of the Buddig brand beef per sandwich and I use the larger rye bread.) --

Using a fork put as much sauerkraut as you like on top of the beef --

Swiss cheese slices on top --

The other slice of rye bread butter-side up --

Make these just like grilled cheese - keep checking when each side is finished.  I have a nice spatula that is great for turning over larger sandwiches like these --

Love these with Thousand Island Dressing to dip the sandwich in --

Doesn't it look like Lucy is having a time-out????

I am linking to Craft-O-Maniac's Monday Linky Party.  Click here to see all the crafts and recipes!!!