And the stripes have it!

So I know all of you are anxiously waiting with anticipation to hear my decision on what to do with my stencil mishap. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check it out HERE. Although I am not finished with it yet (and when I say me, I mean my husband. He was so sweet to totally repaint the entire room and start on the stripes for me. Aww! Thanks baby!). I thought I would give you a little peak at what I hope to reveal in the next couple days. We shall see If I can convince my husband to finish it before the weekend :)

Thank you to all the beautiful, talented ladies out there who commented on what I should go with! All of your input was so helpful! I think I may do the damask one on an accent wall in the master bedroom. You will just have to wait and see ;)

Michelle

Tamale Pie

I LOVE this recipe! I really enjoy just about any Mexican food. This actually takes some time and effort to make, but It's worth it! There are two recipes you have to make in order to make the tamale pie. First make an enchilada sauce. I have might beef browning while I'm making the sauce.

Preheat oven to 425

 Enchilada sauce:
 1 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil
 1/2 tablespoon of flour
 2 tablespoons of chili powder
 1 cup of low sodium chicken stock
 6 oz can of tomato paste
 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
 dash of salt

 In a saucepan put together the oil and flour and cook on medium heat for about a minute. Stirring constantly. add chili powder and cook another 30 seconds. add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. reduce to low heat and cook for 15 min.

 When your beef is browned and drained add your enchilada sauce.

 Now onto the cornbread topping

2 cups of corn meal
 1 cup of milk
 1 egg
 3 tablespoons of sugar
 1/4 cup of olive oil
 4 teaspoons of baking powder
 1 small can of dice green chilies

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan over medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes. stirring frequently. mixture should be thickened.

 Now spoon onto beef mixture and put in oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese on top, not much. put back in oven for 10 min.

 Enjoy! I add some salsa to the top. It's so good! That was my dinner last night and lunch today. Yum!

Michelle

  

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I need YOUR help......Please?!

So remember my stencil wall that I have been working on? This right here:

 It didn't work out for me. Like at all. It's all crooked and silly me, I don't have any touch up paint for the beige. So I am going to start over. I need YOUR help! Here is the room:

 Picture three gold, curvy mirrors behind the cabinet. Then also a balloon back chair to the right of the cabinet (hopefully I can find something to reupholster on craigslist).

 Ok so here is where I need your opinion. I am going to show you several options I am thinking of doing. Let me know what you think would look the best. This is my entry way by the way. Here we go:

Love the horizontal stripes that Budget Wise Home did

 Amazing chevron wall at Layers of Meaning 

Love this large damask ribbon stencil at Royal Design Studio

I just adore this stencil at Jones Design Co

 SOOOOOOO Whatcha thinkin??? What one would you do in my entry way. I just can't seem to make up my mind! Any other ideas would be appreciated too!


 

Michelle

Cake pops

Have you ever tried a cake pop? Or made one? They are super yummy AND easy to make.

 Photo courtesy of Starbucks

So, for my daughters birthday party this past weekend I thought it would be a great idea to have some already made, then have the girls decorate them. It was a huge hit! Kids just love getting messy and creating things at the same time. Here is what I did, I made cake balls (recipe to follow), stuck a stick in them and refrigerated them over night. The next day at the party, I melted vanilla coating and chocolate coating, then had several bowls of stuff to dip them in. Sprinkles, M&Ms, mini marshmallows, nuts, and colored sugar. They spent quite awhile decorating and eating their pops. I would definitely do this again for a birthday party!

 Ethan couldn't believe he was able to make such a mess. He was in total bliss!

 Don't mind the messy kitchen in the background :)

Ethan was so funny with the headband on his head. Silly boy!

I had them put their finished products on parchment paper to set them. Then put them in the fridge, until they went home, so they would harden. I think they really enjoyed the whole process!

To make the cake balls you will need:
A box of cake mix and a container of frosting, yep that's it!
 
 Cook cake according to box, let cool, mash up into crumbs (yep destroy the cake) and mix in frosting. Let sit in fridge for about an hour and roll into balls. Put a stick in it, let sit for a couple hours (or overnight) and they are ready to be decorated!

Michelle

  

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Happy Birthday baby girl!

Today is the day! My daughter is 11! I can't believe it. Time goes by way to fast. It seems like not too long ago she looked like this:

 Look at that sweet thing. I just want to kiss those cute little lips. Wasn't she just the prettiest baby girl?! Here are a few more blasts from the past:

 Three and a half. Her third Halloween. She loved Disney princesses. She was Sleeping Beauty for her fourth Halloween :)

 This is her third birthday picture that went out in her birthday cards.

 A little over a year old here enjoying an ice cream cone :)

 About two here.

 Her fourth Birthday. She wore a crown and a princess dress for her first six birthdays. Such a little diva!

 And here she is today. Not my baby girl anymore, but she will always be my little girl :)

 Skirt I made her for her birthday party (check out post HERE)

  She is just gorgeous. I am so blessed. Happy Birthday Alexa! Mommy loves you!!

Mexican shredded beef

I meant to post this yesterday. So here we go, a day late of course :) I made this last night for dinner and it was so good!

 Ingredients:

 3 to 4 pound roast
4 oz can of green chilis
 2 teaspoons of chili powder
  1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tsp of cayenne pepper
2 tsp of cumin
 2 tsp of black pepper

 Cut the excess fat off of the roast and cut into smaller chunks. I had mine cut in like six pieces. Rub black pepper on meat.Put in crock pot. Now add the remaining ingredients on top of roast. Just sprinkle everything evenly on top. Fill the crock pot with water until the meat is 1/3 of the way covered. Put lid on and cook on high for 6 to 8 hrs. Remove meat from crock pot and shred. Put back in crock pot for another 30 minutes on low.

 Serve with black beans, avocado, salsa, and sour cream. Or however you like it :)

 Enjoy!

 

Michelle

  

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