Fabulous Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo



Sorry there is no picture, when I make this dish again I will try to remember!  We made this a couple weeks ago for Family Night with my brother-in-law and his wife so I completely forgot to take pictures.  Just trust me on this one, it is the best!  The hubs also found this recipe from cooks.com a few years ago, and we have kept it around ever sense!

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:

1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. olive oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1/2 c. chopped green onions with tops
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 c. whipping cream
1 pkg. McCormick Pasta Prima Alfredo Sauce
12 oz. fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
15 oz. can tomatoes, drained and diced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp. dried basil
1 lb. hot, cooked fettuccine
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, green onion, and garlic; saute until chicken is lightly browned. Stir in cream, sauce mix, mushrooms, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Stir in parsley and basil. Remove from heat. Toss pasta with sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serves 6 to 8.

Come back for more on Wednesday to check out an Inspiring Blog!!!!

{Inspiring Blog} & Sweetheart Plaque

When I first posted about the new addition called "Inspired by You" I said that it would be featured on Wednesdays.  I am sorry that this was not posted on Wednesday, it has been such a busy week for me.  So I will be giving you a double treat to start off the weekend! 

First, I will be featuring an Inspiring Blog called Black Persephone!  Aubrey has so many talents and picking one of her most recent projects to share with you was difficult!  The project is her Friend Book, which she made spending only 10 bucks! Thank you Aubrey for your inspiring creation.  I cant wait to make one for the pile of pictures I have from Christmas cards!

Check out her awesome blog and the complete post here!



Now for our Second addition...

Valentines has never been a holiday where I bring out the decorations, maybe because I had one or two knick knacks to put up!  This year has been fun for me as I have made some of my own decor.  This project is a little twist on a plaque I found at Smiths after Christmas for $6.  I wanted to be able to put it up right away how cute are those crystal hooks!  Then came the idea... 

What you will need:

• 12x12 scrapbook paper of your choice!
• Twine
• Styrofoam heart
• Spray paint
• Velcro with adhesive
• An adorable plaque with hooks

• On the front of the plaque I placed a very small amount of double sided tape to the bottom corners which holds my paper in place (this will also help during the next step).  The reason I used a small amount was so I could replace this design with another for each holiday/season!  You decide how to place you paper, it will also depend on the length of the plaque.  I used two 12x12 scrapbook papers.

• On the back of the plaque place your first pieces of Velcro to the top corners.  When you fold your scrapbook paper over the edge you will place the second pieces of Velcro to the first pieces.  The folded paper will then be placed onto the adhesive parts of the Velcro.  I hope this makes sense!

*Make sure to measure your paper so there is enough to attach it onto the Velcro. 

Now for the design...

• I used the cricut for my word, but you can use anything.  I was going to use black paper for the word, but it just didn't fit.  I found some pink paper which matched perfect!  For the styrofoam heart I wrapped the twine around and around, then spray painted it red!  Just use hot glue as you go, if not it will unwind.

I hope you have fun creating your own design for your plaque!

 I linked with: Some Day Crafts, Serenity Now, Whipper Berry, and Sassy Sites!  I know of many more great linky parties but I am all partied out for now.  My head is spinning with fun ideas!  Have a great weekend!

Asian style Meatloaf

Asian Style Meatloaf

My husband found this recipe a few years ago, I am not a meatloaf fan but this is amazing and so easy to put together!  The combination of all these ingredients go perfect together.  We have not made this in a while so this may be on the menu for this week. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1/2 pound ground pork

3 slices bread, broken up into small pieces (any bread will do)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Sauce:

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons ketchup

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, mix together the beef, pork, bread crumbs, eggs, onion, and celery.  Season with 3 tablespoons soy sauce, ginger, and 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce.  Pat mixture into a shallow 2 quart baking pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.
• Drain grease from pan.  In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup hoisin, with the 2 tablespoons of ketchup.  Spread over top of meatloaf.  Continue baking for 20 minutes or so.  Remove from oven, and let cool down for 5 minutes.

I hope you try this great dish, let me know what you think!  Enjoy!



Valentine framed Wreath

A craft and tutorial to you from me!

I had a lot of fun bringing all of these elements together to make our home pop for Valentines Day!  A cute wreath with red and pink berries, a pink glittered heart, red ribbon, and a picture frame.  The frame held one of our engagement photos taken four years ago.  I can't believe how crazy it is that we will be married  FIVE years this October!

The wreath and pink heart were from Michael's for a totel of 4 bucks!  The ribbon I just had left over from another project! 

 

Hope you find this project the perfect touch for the Loveliest day of the year!

~Have a fabulous weekend!~

{Inspiring Blog} Craftaholics Anonymous

I am so excited to spotlight this amazing blog today!  Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous is someone who really inspires me.  She is one of the first craft blogs that got me started.  She always has something new up her sleave!  Her latest creation is her Daylily Zipper Flower. 

Next week she will show you how to create your own adorable Daylily Zipper Flower!  Check out her blog with all her fabulous crafts and tutorials.  Thank you Linda!

Butter and Garlic Shrimp Penne

Butter and Garlic Shrimp Penne

When I made this delicious meal I did not take any pictures, so I used this one from her site. 

from My Kitchen Cafe  

*Serves 4-6

*Note: this meal comes together quickly, especially if you marinate the shrimp as you prepare the other ingredients.

5 garlic cloves, minced (about 5 teaspoons)

4 garlic cloves, smashed

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (21 to 25 count), peeled, deveined and each shrimp cut into 3 pieces

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon salt

1 pound penne pasta

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup clam juice (you can find this by the tuna, usually)

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried

3 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with 2 teaspoons of the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let the shrimp stand in this mixture for 20 minutes at room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the rest of the oil (2 tablespoons) over medium-low heat and add the smashed garlic cloves. Stir the mixture now and then to prevent the garlic burning and cook until the garlic is light and golden, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and use a slotted spoon to take out the garlic, leaving as much oil as you can in the skillet. Throw the garlic away and set the skillet aside.

In a large pot, bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt once the water comes to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until the pasta is tender (look at the package directions as each brand of pasta can differ). Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water in a small bowl. Once drained, throw the pasta back into the pot.

While the pasta is boiling, return the skillet with the oil to medium heat and add the shrimp with the marinade to the skillet, making sure the shrimp is in a single layer. Cook the shrimp, without stirring or moving them, until the oil starts to gently bubble, about 1 to 2 minutes. Now you can start stirring the shrimp and continuing to cook until the shrimp is just cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. It will cook fast so be careful not to overcook or the shrimp will turn tough.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 3 teaspoon minced garlic and the red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the flour and stirring constantly, cook the mixture for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and cook, whisking constantly, for 1-2 minutes, until the clumps of flour incorporate and become smooth. Whisk in the clam juice and parsley and cook until the mixture begins to thicken 2-3 minutes. Take the skillet off the heat and whisk in the butter and lemon juice. Add the shrimp and sauce to the pasta, adjusting the consistency with the pasta water if it is too dry (I didn't need to add any pasta water to mine). Serve immediately.

The hub's and I loved this recipe you should definitely put this on your list to try!

New Additions for a New Design!

Starting next week I will be adding 3 new additions on Just For You!

•  Monday will be a feature called Inspiring Food.  The title is pretty self explanatory!  

•  Wednesday will be a feature called Inspired by You where you (a follower) will be chosen to Spotlight your Craft.  To be the Inspiring Follower of the week, you must email me your name, your blog address (if you have one you would like to share), and the name of your craft with a picture!  Send this information to my email by clicking on the email address under Spotlight your Craft (located on your right).  I will spotlight an Inspiring Site this day as well.  I will contact that site when the time comes and feature their latest craft project!

• Friday will be a feature called Just For You.  This feature will consist of many different subjects, such as The Book of the Month which will be posted the first or second week of each month; a craft that I have made with the tutorial;  Giveaways, or any other fun topics that come my way!  If you would like to share any recipes or other fun topics for these features please email me anytime!

A New Design by Me!

So I have been playing around with the whole blog design thing for a while now.  I am not even close to the amazing professionals out there, but I have had fun working on some designs for myself.  It all started when I stumbled upon picnik.com.  I had heard about the website before but I was not sure how to really work with the tools they give you.  Finally I had the chance to sit down and play around with the site.  And boy did I find a GEM!  It is not something I can really explain how to use in words, but I hope you take the chance to check it out for yourself!  Some of the new designs on my blog I have created and others inspired the new look!  What do you think?  Don't forget to Grab a Button on your right! 

New Year Project

Hello ladies, are you excited for the New Year?  I am so ready for all the new craft ideas and inspiration to come in 2011!  Here is a little project I started in November, and with the holidays I had to set it aside until now.  A side table for my sofa (YES just one I am waiting for yard sales)!



I bought some black gloss spray paint from Walmart for 96 cents!

 I also had some fun black and white scrapbook paper, which I cut to the size I needed, and then I mod podged the paper on (make sure to put a coat of mod podge over the paper to protect it)!

What do you think?  I thought it added a touch of ME to our home!