Wednesday, July 31, 2013

A simple craft for my mother in law's gift

Have you seen those darling necklaces on pinterest that say "Thank you for raising the man of my dreams"? Well I originally wanted to get that for my soon to be mother in law as my gift to her but there is an issue. My soon to be mother in law doesn't really wear jewelry. So why would I get her something that has such a heart felt quote on it just for it to be tossed aside and never seen again.... That is not my style, if I give a gift I put a lot of thought into it hoping that the person will truly love this gift.

So the one thing this women has a lot of and loves are pictures! Why not take that cute saying and transfer it onto a darling picture frame. Then I saw pictures of those stacked frames, where there is a small 4x6 picture frame on a wooden plaque and thought to myself "Eureka! That is perfect!!!"

Well I tried finding DIYs on the stacked frames came up empty handed. So here is my version on how to do this!

What you'll need
  • A large wooden plaque, below is one that is similar to the one I used
  • Spray paint, make sure you can use it on wood, in any color
  • A simple picture frame, I used a 3.5x5, which ever size will fit the plaque along with the wording.
  • Letter stickers, found in the scrap booking section, for this project I only needed two packs (I wanted a little variety and got two different type of letters) 
  • A clear coat top spray, I am using a satin acrylic finish
  • Velcro adhesive


To begin take your plaque outside to a well ventilated area, I used my garage, and place the plaque down on either an old box or a tarp. Then spray paint the wood with which ever beautiful color you picked out, I used cranberry. Make sure you get all the edges really well, I ended up doing a full 3 coats and then had to do a touch up because Mr. Stimpy wanted to add his paw print.



Once the paint has dried cut out the letters you will need for the message, this way you can play with the set up before you stick them. Arrange the placing of the letter to be sure it fits, I had to pull the "Love, Olivia" out due to lack of room.



After you have placed everything in the position you want take a pencil and mark the edges of your frame lightly. Then take your frame back outside with your sealing spray, I used a sating finish acrylic spray. I ended up doing about 4 coats with this spray just be 100% sure the stickers were going to stay on. That satin finish gave everything a very nice matted glimmer, not to shiny but not to dull. You will then take you Velcro and and place two strips on the back of your picture frame.


Now take the opposite Velcro and place along you lines, bring the Velcro in just a tad bit to ensure you won't see it sticking out. I originally used for strips of Velcro but had to take two off. It was very difficult to take the picture frame on and off with four.

Now choose a picture for your frame and stick in on. (I want to put one in here from the wedding so it will be blank until then)


This project was very surprising to me because it was super easy and came out beautiful. The best part was the price, I think it came out to around $13 vs $50-$70 on etsy. You could also use stencils for the wording instead of stickers but I like the 3D texture they give the plaque.

Hope you all enjoy this and come up with some great ideas.

Until next time,
Olivia

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Ribs Ribs Ribs

Yesterday I tried to make ribs for the very first time. I had one of my soon to be sister in-law, her son, my mother, and my fiancé as my taste testers. Well my little nephew in-law ate at least a half slab without leaving a trace behind on the bone but had BBQ sauce all over his face and fingers..... I think they turned out pretty good. I love when I have family over for dinner and my new recipe becomes a hit, unlike my pot roast earlier this year.... oops

Well now lets cut to the chase. I posted a grocery list yesterday but here are you ingredients again;

Ribs
  • 1 Package Back Ribs (side ribs will work but will take longer to cook)
  • 2 Large Onions
  • 4 cloves Garlic, sliced
  • Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper (see note below) OR BBQ Sauce Below (or both!)

  • Rib Rub
  • 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

  • Instructions


    First take all of your seasonings for you rib run and combine them into one bowl.


    Next take one large onion or two small and cut them up like so



    Not take you ribs out and don't forget to pull that white membrane off of them. Than place onto a foil lined baking sheet and give them a nice massage with  the rib rub. When you place the ribs done make sure the bony side is on the bottom side. Next take your onion and garlic and spread them around onto your ribs.


    Cover your ribs with some foil nice a tight, still allow some breathing room but make sure all corners are sealed. Then put them in the over for 2 hours at 275. Open up the corner and check to make sure they are tender. If the aren't put them back in for another 20 minutes. Mmmmm they will make your house smell so good!


    If you have a charcoal grill like I do about 40 minutes before the ribs are done get that bad boy started, you want your charcoal to be nice a grey.

    Once the ribs are done transfer them outside carefully, your baking sheet will have lots of juice in it. Toss them on the grill and slather them in your favorite sauce, I used a Kansas City BBQ sauce. After about 10 minutes flip them and sauce up the other side.


    Once you have some nice sticky sauce and some charcoal marks they are ready to eat! Make sure you have everything you need before you start eating because these are messy messy messy!!!! (Best way to have them!)




    I served these up with a yummy cucumber salsa, potato salad, and some great grilled corn! Hope you all enjoy!

    Until next time,
    Olivia

    Friday, July 26, 2013

    Grocery List


    Hey everyone,

    So this weekend I am going to be making something that I have NEVER EVER cooked before...... Ribs!!!! MMMMmmm I love eating ribs and getting BBQ sauce all over my mouth and having the saucy/sticky fingers but I have never made them before. So I did some digging and took some ideas from different recipes to hopefully come up with one really yummy, fall of the bone, recipe for you all.

    I have added a grocery list for everything I will need for my Saturday BBQ if anyone would like to follow along. I am pretty excited because Tony's sister and brother in-law will be coming to be my taste testers....... No pressure or anything......

    Meats
    Back Ribs (I am not to sure as to what these are but I am hoping my butcher will be able to inform me)

    Produce
    2 large onions
    4 cloves of garlic
    Corn of the Cob
    Some kind of fresh salad (cucumber salad, salad salad, pasta salad)

    Dry Ingredients
    Paprika
    Brown Sugar
    Garlic Powder
    Onion Powder
    Black Pepper
    Lemon Pepper
    Cajun Seasoning

    Condiments
    BBQ Sauce (or you can make your own)
    Olive Oil

    Deli
    Potato Salad (my local grocery store makes some of the best, if anyone has a great recipe please send it to me!)

    If you do not like any of these ingredients please pull them out and/or replace them. I love taking recipes and tweaking them to be my own. So please feel free to do the same with mine and if you get something great please share it with me because I also tweak my own until I have it just perfect!

    Whelp I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and I will be chatting with you guys tomorrow..... Wish me luck!

    Until next time,
    Olivia

    Thursday, July 25, 2013

    Hello!

    Hello everyone,

    Welcome to my blog! I never really thought I would become a blogger but my wonderful friend Lisa finally talked me into. I figure I have to cook regardless and I am always being asked for the recipe so I should just share it with everyone.

    Just a little background about myself:
    - I am engaged and will be heading down the aisle October 2013 to the man I was created for
    - I am also a student who is studying to become a Physical Therapy Assistant
    - I am the proud owner of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Stimpy....... Tony came up with the name
    - I am a HUGE Lions Fan, you won't be able to change my mind even if they go 0-16 again
    - I am a coach for a high school equestrian team (yes as in horses, nay nay)
    - I am truly 5 years old at heart, same with my fiance...... keeps life entertaining
    - I love being in the kitchen and cooking for Tony, my fiance, but I do NOT like cleaning up after. (I am that cook that uses every spoon, bowl, whisk, and dish you can think of)
    - And most importantly I am a Christian

    This blog will mainly be my cooking recipes, both good and bad. I will try and add in some DIY stuff, especially now with my wedding right around the corner. That won't be it, I may post about anything that is on my mind or question or Fun Facts (I love fun facts). So thanks for the follows in advance and I hope you enjoy the ride!

    Until next time,
    Olivia