Super Easy Shredded Chicken Tacos

So, I really don't like meals that take me forever to put together, I usually realize I have no ingredients for most of what I want to make.  My favorite thing, is my crockpot.  This meal was totally made for me!  We've been in a funk lately.  Today, I decided to give chicken tacos a shot.  SO EASY!!  

This is what you need.
1 package Taco Seasoning (do not mix with water)
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, (I used frozen)1 16oz jar Salsa (any kind you want)

1 can black beans

Dump all ingredients into a crockpot.  Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. When done, the chicken will shred easily with a fork.

Serve over tortillas (we used flour), with lettuce, cheese, avocado, whatever you love with your tacos!!

{photos coming soon}

Painting Washer/Dryer Pedestals

If anyone has looked at these pedestals, then you know they are crazy expensive!!  $250 each is an insane amount for drawers to raise your washer/dryer.  But anyone who hasn't bought them, knows that the height of the washer/dryer without them is super low.  I'd been sitting on the floor changing and folding my laundry.  We have the Samsung Merlot combo, which are hard to come by.  One day we went to Home Depot and they had the "Blue Silver" pedestal on clearance for $40 each.  $40!!!!  We scooped up two of them, because you cannot beat $80, compared to $500.  I asked around Home Depot, but no one seemed to know if I could paint them.  I searched the internet high and low trying to find out the same, there was nothing!   We decided to look at some paint chips, but later decided on spray paint.  We found a color that matched our "Merlot" almost exactly, it's called "Royal Garnet Satin"

We debated on whether or not to use a primer on the pedestals before spraying.  But since my Husband painted them while I was out of town, the primer didn't happen.  He used 1 can per pedestal.   We've thought of using a gloss over the top, since the spray was satin, but we decided against it.  Sure they aren't the same gloss as the combo, but to us, it doesn't matter.  The only place you can see that they look different is when you look into the laundry room from the family room.

For a little under $100, we love our new pedestals

Puppy Chow

INGREDIENTS
1 - 14oz box Chex (corn or rice)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar, divided in half

Special Equipment 
2 gallon-sized Ziploc bags
Very large (at least 4 quart) mixing bowl

PREPARATION
Pour cereal into very large mixing bowl, and set aside.

Place chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in a large microwavable bowl, microwave for 1 minute on high, then stir the mixture with a heatproof spoon or spatula until entirely melted and combined. (Alternatively, In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate, peanut butter, and butter. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly with a heatproof spoon or spatula).

Pour melted chocolate mixture over cereal in the large mixing bowl, and mix with a heatproof spoon or rubber spatula until all the cereal is coated with the chocolate mixture. Divide the cereal into two gallon-sized ziploc bags, and add half the powdered sugar to each (add more as desired). Seal the bags, and shake the mixtures until the powdered sugar evenly coats the cereal.

Open the bags and let the puppy chow cool completely.  It will keep for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature.  But, we like to Freeze ours and it doesn't last a week, because my husband LOVES it and eats it all.  

{pictures to come soon}

Bathroom Overhaul

New look to the Kids bathroom! 
I picked my color, Sweet Mustard (from Lowes). Its crazy bright, but I LOVE it! You cannot be depressed in this bathroom!! The reason I had to paint, was I took down the towel bar, after patching the holes, I had huge white spots. I'd wanted hooks for the kids, so CK can hang towels!! I moved the towel ring as well, down and over, it used to be over the plug. Then I got the wild hair and painted the cabinets. That bathroom is so small that I knew I didn't want to go darker. I'm so loving it!!

I still want to frame out the mirror and change the light fixture, but those are things I cannot do by myself.

Cabinets before.

Paint color before with new paint color

HJÄLMAREN Towel rack with 5 hooks from IKEA

As far as painting the cabinets.  It was SUUUPER easy!  I went into my local Lowes and talked to the best lady in the paint department.  She suggested Valspar Bonding Primer, for glossy surfaces.  OMG  so awesome!  No sanding needed!!  I did 2 coats of primer.  I used a large brush to paint it on.  I let it dry completely between coats.  

I painted the cabinets in "Betsy's Linen".  I did 4 coats of paint, because the grooves were so difficult to get into. I mostly used a foam roller, except I used a foam brush for the grooves.  

Go Solar!!

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This is your chance to save for years to come. Let me know if you have any questions and visit my website for a free consultation.

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DIY: Photo Tile Coasters

Perfect for any special holiday, a set of these tile photo coasters will cost less than $5 to make. The square tiles from your local home improvement store makes this DIY a unique way to showcase your favorite photographs. All you need is some Mod Podge and a bit of felt to complete this fun project.  Stack them and wrap with a ribbon, and you've got the perfect gift for someone special. These coasters are so cute, you'll probably end up making another set for yourself.

I decided to make mine look like polaroids.  Though I screwed up on the vertical one, so don't mind it.  :)  I also didn't take photos of every step, maybe next time.

What You'll Need:

• 4-by-4-inch white tiles
• Photos sized to 3.5x5 - (4x4 if you want to cover the entire tile)
• Mod-Podge (I made mine myself, see DIY)
• foam brush
• Hot glue gun
• Cork squares  (or felt circles) 
• Clear Spray Sealant

Directions:

1.  Pick up small white tiles at your local home improvement store, they are super cheap. Select pictures to use for the project, resize to 3.5x5 inches. (Keep in mind when you're formatting your photos that they will be printed at 3.5 x 5", but you'll be trimming them smaller than that, so make sure your main subject doesn't fill up the entire photo.) Once you have your photos printed you'll need to trim them down to 3.25 x 3.75", which means you're shaving off 0.25" height-wise and 1.25" width-wise.

2.  Clean and dry your ceramic tile. Then "rough up" your tile with some sandpaper helps the Mod Podge stick better.  

3.  Using your sponge brush, paint a thin coat of Mod Podge on the back of your photo. Carefully place the photo on your ceramic tile, leaving about 1/4" border around the top and two sides, and about 1" border at the bottom.

4. Smooth down the photo with a credit card or something similar, taking care not to let the photo slide around on the tile too much. Let dry.

5. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge with your sponge brush over the entire tile, photo included. Make sure you're using even, straight brush strokes, since these will still be somewhat visible on the final product. The Mod Podge will look white when you paint it on, but it dries clear. Let dry for several hours.

6. Repeat step 5 two or three more times until you have a good strong coat on top of your photo. Let dry between each coat.

7. When the Mod Podge is completely dry, spray the tile with a coat of your Clear Acrylic spray. This should remove the "tackiness" of the Mod Podge and make the coaster even more water resistant.

8. Stick cork to bottom of tile to protect your tabletops.

9. Wait 48-72 hours before placing anything on your tile, to make sure the Mod Podge and the Acrylic spray have set.

Enjoy!

Snowman Teacher Gifts

So, I can't take credit for the idea, yes, I saw it on Pinterest.  Actually, a friend posted hers on facebook, and I thought "OMG, those are adorable, I have to make them!"  So I did!  Everyone I'd seen used candy bars, but my son asked his teacher and she said she loved peanut butter M&Ms, so I bought those instead.

What you need:
White paper (I just used printer paper)
Markers
Tape
Ribbon
Fuzzy socks
Candy bag or bar
Optional: googly eyes & Glue Gun

My bag of M&Ms, and most everything I used.

Wrap the paper around your candy.  Tape paper to the bag and then fold over the other side and tape there.  I then folded up the bottom, just like wrapping a present & taped there as well.  

All ready for eyes, a carrot nose, and buttons.

I decided to use googly eyes then draw on the buttons and the carrot.  

I put one sock inside the other, then stretched the other sock over the top of the M&M bag.  FInally, I folded over the sock and used ribbon to tie it off.  

And you're done!!  Such an easy fun gift!