3
Dec

Garlic Shrimp Scampi

I LOVE shrimp – I mean love, love, love shrimp.  It is my most favorite food in the world.  If there is a shrimp item on a dinner menu, 9 times out of 10 that is what I will order when we are out.  However, ordering shrimp in a restaurant can be a bit pricey at times so when I find shrimp on sale at my grocery store, I always try to snatch it up.
About a week ago I made this delicious shrimp scampi for my husband and I for dinner.  Now I know it was good because my husband said it about 3 times and coming from him that means my recipe was a hit!!  The shrimp were on sale – only $5.00 per pound (down from $15.00 per pound), the angel hair pasta was maybe .99 and all the other ingredients are always in my pantry.  So I made a huge amount of shrimp scampi for two for maybe around $6.00-$7.00 (which would have cost around $16.00 or more per serving in a restaurant).
So here’s my recipe for Garlic Shrimp Scampi.  The key to this recipe is perfectly cooked shrimp.  Do not overcook them – I repeat, do not overcook.  Take them off the heat once they turn pink and just start to curl.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!!
Garlic Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:
1 lb. raw shrimp (deveined and shells removed)
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 tablespoons butter
1 lb. angel hair pasta

Directions:
Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, heat large sauce-pan over medium heat.  Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter.  Add garlic and red pepper flakes and saute 3 minutes, until garlic is cooked, but not brown.  Add shrimp and cook until pink.  Add remaining butter.


Serve buttery garlic shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta.  Enjoy!!

Cottage Mama’s Note:  If you don’t have angel hair, use linguine, spaghetti, or fettuccine.  Even serving this delicious dish with a nice loaf of bread (that you can dip in the buttery sauce) instead of pasta is good too. Also parsley, thinly sliced lemon, and lemon zest make a wonderful garnish for this dish.

3
Dec

Sew Mama Sew Giveaways

I love the Sew Mama Sew blog!  Right now they are doing their big annual giveaway days.  There are tons of crafters and craft suppliers that are giving away items.  You can enter to win either supplies or handcrafted items or both.  All you have to do is click on the crafter’s link and leave a comment on their blog – it’s that easy!!  Head over to Sew Mama Sew and check it out – you’ll also be amazed how many talented artists are out there!

I actually just won a giveaway myself on Sandi Henderson’s Portabellopixie blog.  I am so excited – I never win anything!!  I won this darling handmade snowman ornament and pin from Pinks and Needles.  Check out Pinks and Needles for more wonderful handmade items!

Hope you win!!
29
Nov

Holiday Chex Mix Recipe


Today my family decorated our lovely Christmas tree that we cut down yesterday.  We turned on our holiday music, got out the family ornaments, and I made up a homemade batch of chex mix!  I love chex mix.  If you’ve never had it and you are thinking that it is just liked the stuff you get in the bag, you are sorely mistaken.  It is SO much better!  I look forward to chex mix every holiday season.  I know I could probably make it other times of the year, but it has become a tradition that I make our chex mix while we decorate our tree.  Please, please, please give this a try – you will love it!!  


Here’s the recipe for homemade chex mix (it’s usually right on the side of the box, but in case you threw out your box :-):

Holiday Chex Mix

3 cups Corn Chex® cereal

3 cups Rice Chex® cereal

3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal

1 cup mixed nuts

1 cup bite-size pretzels

1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder


Directions:  Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. 


Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. 



Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. 



Store in airtight container. Enjoy!!



Cottage Mama’s Note:  I prefer to use cheez-its instead of bagel chips and I also like to use cashews instead of mixed nuts.  I also triple the recipe because like I said, I LOVE chex mix!

28
Nov

Knifty Knitter

I have been crocheting for about 9 years now, but I have never learned how to knit.  I REALLY want to, but I just haven’t ever had the opportunity for someone to teach me.  I don’t really do well with instructional books – I just can’t visualize what they want you to do.  So I am hoping someday to pick up knitting, but in the meantime I have my knifty knitter.

Have you ever used the knifty knitter?  I think it is one of the best creations!  You don’t need to know how to crochet or knit and you don’t need to really be into crafting at all.  It’s VERY basic.  It’s a series of different sized looms (you choose your size based on what project your are working on) and you pretty much just loop the yard around each peg and pull the bottom loop over the top.  It is so simple.  Even I (who has difficulty with written instructions) thought it was so easy to use and understand.  I have created many hats for my daughter, Savannah using this great tool and a hat can be completed in just a couple hours!!

Now I know this is not REAL knitting, but it does the trick for me (or at least until I learn how to really knit).  If you are shopping for a pre-teen, this would be a wonderful gift to give them this holiday season and help get them into handmade crafting.  Or perhaps you are interested in making some cute hats for you or your little ones, if so, I would definitely pick up the knifty knitter!!

Cottage Mama’s Note:  Both the hats in these pictures were made using the small knifty knitter loom.

28
Nov

Life Lessons

My favorite magazine subscription that I receive is “Real Simple” magazine.  I love this magazine for many reasons; it has beautiful pictures, the page layouts are really user friendly, I am generally interested in about 90% of the topics they cover, and I even love the paper they use.

Lately, I have been relating to their “Life Lessons” section in the magazine and this month in particular, I thought they had some really great advice.  I would like to quote a few sections from the “10 Truths I Wish I’d Known Sooner” article by Amy Bloom.

1.  Events reveal people’s characters, they don’t determine them.  Not everyone with divorced parents has terrible relationships.  If two people are hit by a bus and crippled for life, one will become a bitter shut-in; the other, the kind of warm, outgoing person (cheerful despite everything) whom everyone loves to be with.  It’s not about the bus, and a dreadful childhood is not excuse.  You have the chance to be the person you wish to be, until you die.
Cottage Mama:  There are so many people in this world that use their past as an excuse for their behavior.  They had a terrible childhood; therefore, that is why they have dysfunctional relationships as an adult.  They didn’t receive enough attention growing up; therefore, that is why they crave attention and seek it in negative ways (such as cheating on their spouse).  At some point you have to step up and take full responsibility for your actions, not blame it on the past, and realize “you have the change to be the person you wish to be, until you die.”

2.  Fashion fades; style is eternal.  Not only do you not have to wear torn jeans, a barely-there tank top, and a fedora, but you probably shouldn’t.  The point of fashion is to indulge briefly in something fun.  The point of style is to have one – whether that’s a sheath and spike heals or slouchy jeans and your husbands t-shirt – and it should last you a lifetime.  All you have to do is think you deserve to look and feel your best and spend some time figuring out how to do it.  Don’t know?  Find a woman whose style you admire and ask for a little advice.
Cottage Mama: I LOVE this quote.  I feel like I am still defining my own personal style, but as the years pass, I am finding that it is defining itself more and more.  I really do admire women that seem to have their personal style mapped out!

3.  Mean doesn’t go away.  Some people get better looking with age; some don’t.  Some people soften; some toughen up.  Mean streaks tend not to disappear.  A person who demeans and belittles you and speaks of you with contempt to others is probably going to be that way for years.  The first time it happens, take note.  The second time, take your coat and go.
Cottage Mama: This quote speaks to me.  So often have I had friendships where I have forgiven the person time and time again.  But as I have gotten older, I have realized that someone who is mean, no matter how much you hope and pray they will change or mature, is just that……..mean.  And the best advice is to take your coat and go because you do not need that type of negative energy in your life.

4.  Ask for help.  It’s possible you’ll get turned down.  It’s even more likely that you’ll feel vulnerable and exposed.  Do it anyway, especially if you are the helpful sort yourself.  Those of us who like to offer assistance and hate to take any are depriving other people of the opportunity to be generous and kind; we are also blinding ourselves to the reality of mutual dependence.  You wouldn’t wear pink hot pants and pretend they were flattering.  Don’t pretend you don’t need help.
Cottage Mama:  Since I have had children, I have gotten better about asking for help, though this is an area I am constantly working on.  Asking for help and being turned down is a terrible feeling.  I am trying to learn not to take it personally, but it is very hard when we get up enough courage to ask, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, just to have someone say no………but that is life, we are not going to have someone say “yes” to everything we ask for.  But by not asking for help, we are lying to ourselves and “blinding ourselves to the reality of mutual dependence.”

Cottage Mama’s Note:  If you are not familiar with “Real Simple” magazine, I highly suggest you check it out – click here to check it out online.  The magazine has a little bit of everything; decorating, organizing, cooking, inspiration, beauty, ect.  It is a pretty pricey magazine on new-stands, but you can get a subscription for quite a reasonable price.  This would also make a REALLY great Christmas gift for any woman in your life!!

27
Nov

Fun with Fleece – Hat & Mittens!

Tomorrow, Saturday, my family and I plan to cut down our Christmas tree at our favorite Christmas tree farm! Bringing home a fresh tree into our home, just smells like Christmas to me. As convenient as fake trees might be, it just wouldn’t be the same (or nearly as fun).

Cutting down our Christmas tree is becoming one of our family traditions and I love it!  My husband and I have cut down our tree together since our first year of marriage and now we get to experience this wonderful outing with our two daughters.  We get all bundled up, ride the tractor out to all the trees, and search for the perfect one.  After we find our perfect tree, we head back to the warming house for some hot cocoa and just enjoy the warmth and scenery of the tree farm.

So by now you may be wondering what the title of my post has to do with Christmas trees……well, in thinking about heading out into the cold weather to get our tree, my husband (kindly) reminded me that I hadn’t gotten our daughter, Savannah, any mittens yet.  Oh no!  She definitely needs mittens – it will be way too cold out there for her little hands.

Luckily for me, today was black friday and I happened to hit up the big sale at Joann Fabrics.  I got plenty of fleece and snuggle flannel (and a bunch of other things) – perfect for making mittens.  And what are mittens without a matching hat?  So of course I made her a hat too.

Here’s the finished product:

I used a grosgrain ribbon to attach the two mittens which I will thread through her coat so she doesn’t lose them.  I used a very basic Mcall’s pattern for the hat and just cut several sizes of flowers out of fleece to make the applique.   I’m very happy with how it turned out and it will match her winter coat perfectly!!

25
Nov

Thankful

I love Thanksgiving.  It is the holiday that gives me the most reflection over the past year.  You would think New Year’s might be that day for me, but really I use New Year’s to look at the year ahead.  So, thinking towards tomorrow (Thanksgiving), my heart just wants to explode for all the things I am thankful for – I have been truly blessed.  I know I cannot list them all, but here are just a handful:

I am thankful for……..

1)  The birth of my daughter Matilda Jane.  She is a true blessing from God.  She lights up my life and is such a sweet, happy baby.  I can’t help but feel that my Grandma Marge lives on through our little Matilda.  She was conceived near the time of my Grandmother’s passing and when I look into my sweet Matilda’s eyes, I often see my Grandma Marge’s grace and beauty staring back at me.

2)  For my daughter Savannah Rose.  She brings joy to me everyday and helps me not take life so seriously.  She has taught me to dance, laugh, read, sing and twirl everyday!  God bless you, Savannah Rose!!

3) For my husband Brett.  The most patient, kind, understanding, hardworking, creative, fun, talented, helpful husband and father any girls could ever ask for!

4) For my mother, my best girlfriend of all.  Though we may live far apart, our hearts are always near.  She knows exactly what to say (or what I need to hear) in any situation.

5) For my father, who we will spend Christmas Eve with this year.  It’s been 5 years since we’ve been together at Christmas (too long!) – can’t wait to bring back some of our holiday traditions.

6) For my in-laws, who are the best in-laws a daughter-in-law could ever ask for.  They are kind and generous, never asking for anything in return.  And they have the kind of marriage I can only hope Brett and I will have when we have been married 30 years from now.

7) For my “Mommy” friends.  For whom make being a Mommy that much more fun!  I don’t know how I would have made it through Savannah’s first year without the support of these amazing ladies.

8) And for God.  Who has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams.  Thank you, thank you, thank you…….I am eternally grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving!
23
Nov

Holiday Wreath Tutorial

I saw this wreath idea several months ago on another blog I follow, The Nesting Place, and have been dying to try it.  I decided Christmas was the perfect time and I’m happy to share this tutorial with you.

I believe the decoration you choose to hang on your front door says a lot about you.  It’s the first thing people notice before seeing you answer the door and can really set the tone for your visit.  So why not take a little time and effort and make it truly special?

I don’t know about you, but I am certainly on a budget these days so I am always looking for creative ways to spruce up my home decor and get the most bang for my buck.  The following tutorial takes basic craft store items and creates a truly personalized door hanging that your friends and family are sure to notice…….all for under $10-15 (depending on which sales you hit up).

I LOVE personalized things – anything with our name or monogram.  So that is why I love this wreath and I hope you will too!

Holiday Wreath Tutorial
Supplies:
1 Basic, plain Christmas wreath
Floral Wire
Scissors
Wide Wire Ribbon
Scissors
1 Large Letter (whatever your family’s last name starts with)
Christmas (or winter) Themed Picks (those are the decorative berries, pinecones, ect…. to stick in the wreath)
Directions:
Start with your basic wreath – I happened to have one with a few berries already in it, but the most basic, inexpensive green wreath will be perfect.
Here are your supplies – scissors, floral wire, wide wire ribbon, and a large letter (preferably the first letter of your last name).  I got this gold letter at Hobby Lobby for $5.00 (originally $10, but it was 50% off).  Use whatever type of letter you can find.  If you can’t find one already colored, buy a wooden one and spray paint it (you know how I love spray paint!).
Attach your letter to your wreath using floral wire.  Thread the wire into the wreath and twist it tightly to secure.  I used green because it blended into my wreath – you can use any color you can find.
This is what your wreath should look like with your attached letter.  If you are using a letter such as an “S” then you would only need to attach it in one spot, not like the two sides I had to do for the “W”.
Loop your long ribbon around your wreath.  You will be using this ribbon for hanging.  If you will be using a pre-made wreath hanger, you can omit this step.
Now to make your large bow.  Loop around your wire ribbon………….about three or four times, so you have three loops on each side.
Wrap your floral wire in the middle of your loops and twist to secure.
Fluff the loops up on each side and make the bow look pretty.
Now attach your bow with the floral wire to the wreath.
Take your Christmas (or winter) themed picks and slide them into the wreath.  I did not need to attach them using wire because they slid in tight enough, but you may need to use wire for this as well.  Use whatever picks speak to you – use as many or as few as you like.  Make it to suit your own personal style.
Here is the completed wreath.
This is my completed wreath hanging on our front door.  To hang your wreath use two little nails and nail the long ribbon into the top of the doorway (that way you can’t see them).  Or omit the long ribbon and just use a wreath hanger.
Cottage Mama’s Note:  
Please email me or leave a comment if you have any questions about the instructions for this tutorial.

Happy Holidays!
22
Nov

Busy, Busy

So this was one of the last free weekends my family has between now and Christmas.  Not that I mind, I quite enjoy all the holiday festivities.  But you would think that knowing this is one of our last leisurely weekends, that I would take it easy and relax, but nope, not me……not this busy bee.

So here’s what I’ve been up to.  I decided on Saturday that I wanted to go ahead and put up our Christmas decorations.  We are not hosting Thanksgiving this year (we are heading to my in-laws), so I figured, why not get a jump start?  I love Christmas and the earlier I get my decorations up, the longer I have to enjoy them.  Ok, so maybe putting up Christmas decor. this early is against your religion, but I have such a warm feeling when Christmas is surrounding me that I decided there was nothing wrong with going ahead.  So my hubby, Brett, decided to jump on the bandwagon and put the lights up on the house last night as well.  I think this is the first year he has not had to put them up in the snow.  But no worries……we won’t be turning them on until after Thanksgiving.

Some of my Christmas decorations – don’t they just put you in the holiday spirit?
My little reindeer, Matilda, helped me decorate while her Daddy and big sister were playing at the park.
Today, Sunday, I met up with a girlfriend for lunch (minus our kiddos, which is a real luxury these days) and then headed to my local Goodwill.  You’ve seen my posts on the amazing things you can find at Goodwill and today I was on a creative mission.  These are the things that I found at my Goodwill for under $20 (picture below).  I have some awesome crafting ideas for all of these things – I can’t wait to get started. But you’ll have to wait until I get my craft on to see what I’ve come up with!!  Let’s just say these sweaters won’t look the same the next time you see them :-).
  My Goodwill Finds (Fabric, Mason Jars, 100% Wool Sweaters)

Ok, well I’ll be back later this evening or tomorrow with a Christmas Wreath tutorial that I think you will really enjoy.  Until then……….enjoy your Sunday!!
20
Nov

Templates!

I was browsing the internet looking for my next crafting inspiration – I have a couple of Savannah’s friends birthdays coming up and I haven’t quite nailed down what I want to make for them yet.  So I thought I would check out what Martha has going on (I haven’t caught her show much lately).  By now you know I really admire her, yes she may be a bit stuffy for some, but I don’t mind, to each his own.  Well, while on the Martha Stewart site I came across some wonderful clip-art and templates that she has available for free!!  Yes, that’s right free!  All you have to do is download them.

Martha had some awesome organization templates and great nursery clip-art as well.  I have included the links to some of the templates that I think might really help you get through the holidays.  

1) Recipe Cards: Great to have on hand when your guests ask you for the recipe for that AMAZINGLY delicious dish you served.  If you are going to a pot-luck and know that you are bringing a dish where the recipe is highly requested – go ahead and have some recipe cards with you on-hand.

2) Jam Labels:  Tis the season for giving gifts.  Maybe you are going to try to do a handmade holiday this year (I know I’m going to make that my goal this year)!  Why not whip up some large batches of jam with custom labels for all of your friends?  Handmade gifts are a great way to show your friends how much you love and care for them.  

3) Luggage Tags:  I’m sure many of you will be traveling this year.  I thought these luggage tags were super cute and stylish.  Print them up and place them in a clear luggage tag holder.  It’s also a great way to tell your black suitcase apart from all the rest.

4) Book Labels:  This holiday season you may get requests from family and friends to borrow cookbooks, crafting books, sewing books, ect……..put a label on them so they won’t get lost in the shuffle.  These labels from artist/fabric designer, Laura Gunn are really great!  Laura is also the sister-in-law of one of my favorite fabric designers, Heather Bailey.

Get some really nice card stock and run any or all of these templates through your printer.  I think some of these could turn out to be real keepers.  You’re thinking, card stock through my printer?  Yes, don’t worry, you’ll be surprised how thick of paper your printer can handle.

Have a great Weekend!