Embellish Your Gloves With Beads

I gave this pair to my daughter for her birthday.  I had bought some gloves at the sales about this time of year and matched them with some beads from my crafting that I do (bracelets, rings, silverware, etc.)

These are the gloves prior to accessorizing -

(I think I bought these at Penneys on sale either in February or March of last year.  This lets you buy some 'nicer' gloves at a better price -- so be on the lookout.  I buy these with ME in mind - because you never know if I might be the only one that gets these!!!  But, I honestly am wanting to make more of these and have a little stash to either give as gifts or maybe one day to sell.)

I picked out some beads I had that I thought would coordinate and used matching thread.  It takes a little bit of time to sew these because the material at the top had little holes in the design and the thread kept going thru.  Also, if the gloves you are using stretch a lot -- put them on your hand and mark where you want the beads to go because they might look different before you put the glove on and not how you want them to look after it's on (did I explain that OK?).  Note - you don't have to just embellish them on the cuff of the glove -- you can add beading to the body of the glove (between the cuff and the fingers).

I need to check my little stash because I think I have another pair that I bought at Penney's and I did get about 3 pairs from JoAnn's (although the ones at JoAnn's were in their $1 dollar bin they are not made as well and should only be worn 'here and there' as opposed to every day -- or your finger might poke thru.  But, I do think these are nice because they came in colors (pink & navy) that I didn't see much and, of course, the price was right!!!!  Since this is the time to find them on sale -- I might want to be looking in some department stores or TJ Maxx to see what I can find at a good price!!!

Check out these pictures of Lucy playing with her mouse at Christmas.    She put one of her toy mice (see it in the first pic in her mouth) under the Christmas tree skirt and then proceeded to play with it!!

(In case you were wondering - that pile on the couch hidden by the pink/black blanket are gifts for the grandsons that weren't coming for several days and we didn't want Lucy to have 'fun' with their presents!!)

I am linking to Funky Junk Interior's Sat. Nite Special.  Please click here to see great crafting, decorating & thrifting ideas.

Mini Cheesecakes

I'm sure you've probably seen these many times -- but they just happen to be favorites of my grandsons and Mr. Cardigan!!!!  And, you can decorate them with cupcake toppers like I plan to do in a couple days for the Super Bowl!!!

Mini Cheesecakes
12 vanilla wafers
2 - 8oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
(use foil cupcake liners)

Line muffin tin with the foil wrappers.

Place 1 vanilla wafer in each liner.  Using a hand mixer -- mix cream cheese, vanilla & sugar in a bowl on medium speed until well blended.  Add eggs and mix well.  Pour over wafers - filling about 3/4 full.  (I generally just use a tablespoon and spoon it in.)  Bake for approx. 25 minutes at 325 degrees.

Remove from pan when cool.  Chill.  I like to top some of these with a little canned strawberry filling -- but the grandsons prefer theirs plain.  You could top with other fruits or chocolate, too.  And, don't forget to put some toppers to celebrate the occasion!!!!

Here are the vanilla wafers added to the liners -

Here is the cream cheese mixture --

Before serving it is a nice touch to decorate them if there is any kind of an occasion.  I made a little banner for younger grandsons recent birthday.  (He doesn't like his picture taken so I told him he could be serious!!)

And, if you recall this past summer I made old childhood photo toppers for my daughter's birthday --

I have already printed out some toppers - some Giants and some Patriots.  Apparently, we are going to have a divided house on Sunday!!!!

Update -- the new Keurig was used for my coffee this morning!!!  I love it!!!!

So, Lucy wants to say a little something.  "Hey!  What's going on?"

I am linking to Sweet As Sugar Cookies - Sweets for a Saturday Linky Party.  Just click here to see all the great recipes!!!

Hearty Ham Chowder

You have got to try this very soon!!!!  I am still thinking about it!!!

Hearty Ham Chowder


4 C. potatoes, cut in 1" cubes (can use russet or red - I chose reds)
3 C. cooked ham, cut into 1" cubes (I bought pkg. ham already chopped)
1 can (15.25 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (14.75 oz.) cream-style corn
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
1/4 C. chopped green onion
1/2 tsp. each of pepper, dry mustard & garlic powder
2 bay leaves, dried
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Place all ingredients, except bay leaves and shredded cheese in a crockpot.  Stir gently with a wooden spoon.  Place bay leaves on top of ingredients.  Put lid on crockpot and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours).  After time is completed - remove bay leaves.  Gently stir in shredded cheese.

Ready to serve.  You can garnish with additional cheese, if desired.

I absolutely love this!!!!!  Mr. Cardigan and I fought over the leftovers (kind of!!!).  I told him I was going to be making this again - very soon!!!!  I am a big cracker person and did not use one cracker with this.  We made this our entire meal -- but you can add some sides depending on what you and your family like.


Here are the potatoes all cubed --

Everything else added to the crockpot (except the bay leaves and cheese) --

All ready to serve --

I am excited that I am on Day 2 of my every day in February posts.  This is major for how I have been doing!!  Just an update -- the Keurig is on the counter -- not yet ready to go but very close!!  Maybe I will have coffee from it tomorrow morning in my Valentine coffee mug?????

I have started with my Valentine decorating and here is a little preview of the dining room table --

As you can see -- Lucy is completely bored with it all --

I am linking to Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday.  Please click here to see so many amazing recipes!!!!

Fried Chicken Strips

I have been a bad blogger lately and I am going to try something to get myself in gear!!!  Starting today I am challenging myself to blog each day during the month of February.  I am hoping that getting ready for Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day and then St. Patrick's Day will keep me moving!!!!!  January is just a hard month for me with putting the Christmas decorations away.  It takes me forever and I drag my feet doing it, too!!!  I prefer the anticipation to the conclusion!!!!!

I have made these Fried Chicken Strips several times and make enough that I can enjoy them as leftovers for my lunch!!!

Fried Chicken Strips


about 80 saltine crackers, crushed (I put them in a ziploc baggy and use a rolling pin)
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 egg
1 C. milk
1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2" strips
oil for frying

In a shallow bowl - combine the first five ingredients.  In another shallow bowl - beat the egg and milk together.  Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture -- then into the cracker mixture.

Get the oil heating in whatever pan you prefer.  I used a skillet on the stove -- but you could use a deep fryer or an electric skillet.  Put the appropriate amount of oil in your skillet and heat it up. (the recipe says to 375 degrees)  Fry several pieces of the coated chicken strips at a time -- 2-3 minutes or so on each side or until golden brown.  Drain on paper towels.

Very tasty served with ranch dressing on the side for dipping!!!

 Here is the cracker crumb mixture and the egg/milk mixture --

The chicken cut into strips --

Coating the chicken --

Frying the chicken --

Draining the chicken --

I'd like to give credit to where I first saw this delicious recipe - click here to see original recipe.

I have just about all my Christmas decor put away.  All the trees are down and they and their decor are in the garage.  All the totes are filled and in the garage, too.  I just have a small tote/box worth that needs to be packed away.  My incentive for that is my new Keurig that I received as a Christmas gift is in a box that looks like it might fit everything!!!!  I don't really feel like buying a new tote right now and this is my incentive to get that Keurig up and running!!!!  I am going to do that right after this post.  I guess you will need to stay tuned to see if that really happens!!!!!  Anyway, Lucy has been enjoying the tissue paper that has been on the floor while I am packing away.  The other day she just dove right in there!!!!

I am linking to Savvy Southern Style's - Wow Us Wednesdays.  Please click here to see lots of great ideas!!!!

Easy Ham Dip

This is sooooo easy!!!  Great to take to a gathering or just to have at home to snack --

Ham Dip


2 packages cream cheese, softened
1 clump green onions, chopped
1 pkg. thinly sliced deli ham, chopped

Just mix it all together!!!!  Refrigerate and serve with crackers!!

This will last several days and makes a good amount.

How easy is this!!!!!

Enjoy!!

Lucy got many gifts from Santa for Christmas but this was her big gift.

Just like last year - Santa got her a nice soft bed that she refuses to sleep in - she much prefers the little toy mice to any big gift --

I am linking to Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Nite Special Link Party.  Please click here to see all kinds of ideas!!!

Stuffed Mushrooms

Keep these in mind for your next get together (Super Bowl maybe??) or just as a treat for yourselves!!

Stuffed Mushrooms


Fresh Mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed
1 lb. Italian Sausage (browned, crumbled & drained)
2 T. dried parsley
2 T. grated Parmesan Cheese
1 C. shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Place mushrooms in a bowl and toss with some olive oil.  In a separate bowl - combine the browned sausage, parsley and both cheeses.  Stuff this mixture into the mushrooms.  Place in a baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until done (cheese is melted and sausage is crisp).

You can get as many mushrooms as you'll need.  Sometimes I get a small package and other times a larger one.  If I have any sausage mixture leftover I then decide if I want to save it and make more in a few days.


Mushrooms after they have been cleaned - they don't have to be all nice and white - it won't be noticed once cooked --

After they have been mixed with olive oil -

Browning the Italian Sausage -

After adding the cheeses and parsley -

Mushrooms all stuffed and ready to go in the oven -

I hope that you all had a good Christmas!!!!  We do not have any young ones at home -- but we do have Lucy!!!!  About 5AM I heard her going at a present under the tree -

Can you see that hole in the bottom of the left side of the gift?  She could 'sniff out' her favorite thing - mice!!!!!  That's the white one that she pulled out of the package (there were 3 more left in the package!!).  I had to get up because I could hear her batting it around -

I am linking up to Design By Gollum's Foodie Friday.  Click here to see some amazing recipes!!