Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna

Who doesn't love coming home to the wonderful smell of a home cooked meal.  I love using the crockpot and I have been on a search to try new recipes beyond the chicken and beef I usually plop in and add vegetables.  I came across this recipe on Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/262334747016420895/ and decided to give it a try. I adapted some of the ingredients and had to adapt the lasagna noodles to fit my crockpot.  We don't all have these oblong ones. I simply broke the noodles in half or in quarters and layered them to fit the pot. I also purchased a small Portobello mushroom package and used half of that simply make small sliced pieces.  The entire prep took about 15 minutes.

Here is a link to the original recipe.  http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/crockpot_lasagna.html  I changed the recipe a bit, making it a little easier. I bought frozen spinach and zucchini.  I partially cooked it in the microwave and drained the excess water.  I had on hand minced garlic in a jar.  I also could not find whole wheat lasagna noodles and replaced those with the original lasagna noodles.

The total cost of all the ingredients was $23, including a loaf of Italian Bread.  I am sure this would feed at least 5 people and will make a great left over.

We're going to the chapel and we're gonna get Married

Since my Son will be getting married soon... My creative juices have started again.. After looking at all the fun wedding items out there, I decided to come up with a few new designs for my Etsy shop www.aggieray.etsy.com.  Here are just a few.  I may be turning these into sewing patterns too!

Mara Clutch PDF Tutorial

I love creating something that looks difficult to make at first glance, however, it is very simple to make.  I have been working this pattern for a couple of months now and it is near completion.  I usually make a design and if I love it, I want to share the "love". 

The steps to write a pattern can be lengthy.  I want to make sure I have correctly listed the steps in an easy to follow manner with pictures taken for every step in the pattern.  The pattern pieces are computer drawn and I have to check and double check for accuracy.  Sometimes when a pattern is started, I make several changes along the way so that they are quick and easy for the maker.

I hope you enjoy this pattern.  These make wonderful wedding party gifts and have endless fabric combinations.  The pleated flap can have many different looks depending on the design of the fabric chosen. I have used floral, chevron and paisley prints all resulting in completely different looks.  Brooches can be added for weddings too!  Have fun with this one.  Enjoy!  HAPPY SEWING.... The pattern will be available in my shop on Etsy shortly... www.aggieray.etsy.com

Eggnog Gingerbread Trifle

We had an early celebration yesterday with my brothers and their family.  It was so nice to get together after so many years apart.  I love making desserts.  I made a beautiful eggnog trifle and cheesecake.  The trifle was a big hit.  I substituted light eggnog and light cool whip for the topping.  The gingerbread cake was a cake box purchased just adding 1 egg and water.  I also layered raspberries between the layers and topped with the raspberries on top with crumbled gingerbread topping.  The original recipe can be found here http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/12/eggnog-gingerbread-trifle.html .  I added to my Santa Claus mug collection.  I have original Santa Clause mugs that must be over 50 years old originally purchased by my grandmother.  Pottery Barn started remaking the mugs last year and each year I add to the collection.  This year I purchased the Santa Claus cookie jar which is so cute.  www.potterybarn.com  If you don't buy these at the beginning of the season, they are tough to get close to Christmas.  Don't wait for the sale on them, they will be gone. Next year I hope to add the cookie plate.  The kids love these.



 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I had so much making this wreath!  I purchased a store bought pre-made simple green wreath with a few pine cones already on it.  I added peacock feathers and Christmas Balls of silver, blue and green.  Attach the extra items with floral wire.  I would not suggest the use of HOT GLUE, since it melt when in a hot room or outside in the sun.  Simply wrap the end of the wire to the top of the decoration and then attach them in clusters together.  Then in sets of three or four balls, attach them to the wreath.  The second wreath pictured was my inspiration piece.  The second wreath can be purchased at http://thegreendoorathome.com/! Happy Holidays everyone...

Easy Summer Trifle

Easy Summer Trifle

Ingredients:

2 Pound Cakes or 2 Angel Food Cakes (can get by with 1, but two works best)

1 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

1 Package Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 1/2 cups cold water

1/2 cup of raspberry preserve

1 Pint Raspberries

1 Pint Blueberries

1 Pint Strawberries

Trifle Bowl or Large Bowl

Mix condensed milk and water well.  Fold pudding mix into condensed milk mixture and beat at low speed with hand mixer for 2 minutes.  Place 1 pint of heavy whipping cream in a small bowl.  Beat cream until whipped (light and fluffy mixture).  Fold whipped cream into pudding mixture.

Cube pound or angel food cake.  Place a layer of cake on bottom of trifle bowl or large bowl.  Spoon raspberry preserves on top.  Layer pudding mixture, raspberries and/or other summer berries and cake until bowl/trifle is full.  On top layer, arrange remaining fruit for a decorative effect.

Chair/Plant Stand Redo Tutuorial

 

Chair Re-Do... trash finds...Before & After

 Plaint stand...more trash finds... Before & After

 I found this antique chair and plant stand in the trash. I thought they would make a perfect addition to my new sewing room...which has been on my wish list for months since my son moved into his new home and I have a spare room to design.  So I have this big empty room that I have been slowly thinking about how I want to design it when I came upon these two wonderful items.  You can view many of my items on my wish list for my new sewing room at http://pinterest.com/aggieray/sewing-room/.

 

Chair Before

 

 

Plaint Stand Before

.

 

remove seat cushion, usually it is screwed thought the bottom

After lightly sanding both pieces, I applied the cover stain which now is available in a spray.  I used a $3 easy spray attachment to the can which saves your fingers and prevents your hand from getting the stained.  Hold spray can about 6 inches away from piece and spray evenly  Be sure to have a paint brush handy to catch any drips.  If you see drips, simply swipe with the brush.  After completely dry, lightly sand again and re-spray, if necessary.

 Cover stained chair and plant stand.

 

While stain was drying, I started on the seat cushion. remove stapled with an upholstery staple remover.  Worth the investment, saves time and fingers.  You may also use pliers.  This chairs padding was worth saving. It was in great shape.  I wanted to added extra softness, so I added more batting.  Cut a piece larger than the chair cushion allowing the batting to lap over the sides and to the underside, enough for stapling.

Existing chair padding

 

Batting on top of existing chair padding, lining on top of batting.  I added a piece of white lining before my top fabric to so the look of the cotton quilt fabric which I chose would be have a smooth appearance.

Flip chair cushion upside down.  Align lining and batting for stapling.  Place 4 staples in the lining, one staple on each quarter side.  Next, move around the piece gently holding lining in place and ease fabric as you staple.  Slip over the result is a nice smooth surface for your quilt fabric:

Next place the face fabric face side down, place lined cushion upside down and staple face fabric in place in the same manner as the lining.

 Ease fabric as you staple.

 I had to work with two small cut outs in my chair cushion.  After the the majority of the cushion was stapled in place, I place two small slits in the center of the cut outs and worked the fabric in the cut out and stapling along the way.

 

Thanks to http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/04/gold-leaf-desk-chair/ I decided to use the Benjamin Moore "Thunderbird" Advanced Paint in a high gloss finish.  It is a beautiful paint to work with.

Benjamin Moore:  Thunderbird gorgeous light blue

 

Apply paint with a good quality brush,makes a huge difference in the look.  Allow to dry 24 hours before using.  I attached the completed seat cushion with the existing screws.  All ready for my new sewing room... which is months away from being started :(.  Hope to detail that too!