Wine Cork Christmas Wreath

I have been saving my wine corks for over a year.  Doesn't look like many does it???  That is because I had over 9 months of no drinking. lol
For those of you that don't drink wine, you can purchase the corks at places like The Home Depot.  They are in the hardware department with the hard to find items.

I used 18 corks for this but you can use more if you have them. There are also 18 bells on here too.  You can get away with only using 17 if you don't put one where the ribbon is.

What you will need:
18 corks
18 bells
2 different gauge wire
Ribbon
Drill and small drill bit
Wire cutter and needle nose pliers

Start by drilling holes through all the corks.  Two holes in each cork.  Cut two similar lengths of wire.  One from each gauge.  The lengths depend on how many corks you plan to use.  Remember it is better to have too much wire than to cut it too short.  Thread the corks on the heavier gauge wire first and then put the thinner gauge wire through the other holes.  String a bell in between the corks (this is the one you use the thinner wire with).  I messed up the first time I made this and had to tear it all apart.  It is very important to use the heavy gauge wire.  Once I got mine all assembled it sagged and was more of an oval than a circle.  Once you have it all assembled, twist the wires and trim off any excess wire.  Place the ribbon where you have the wire twisted to cover it.  That is it.  Hang and enjoy!!!

Pepperoni Pizza Subs

I think I finally made the perfect homemade pizza subs.  I normally burn the bottoms or the tops and bottoms.  These were perfect!!!

Super simple and quick...

1 package of small Italian loaves
1 jar of pizza sauce (I used walmart brand)
Pepperoni
Mozzarella cheese (block not shredded)

I cut the loaves of bread in half and put pizza sauce on both halves.  Then I cut chunks of mozzarella cheese.  I placed the pepperoni on top of the cheese.  I don't recommend using the shredded cheese because it doesn't melt as well.  You could always shred the block of cheese if you want the cheese shredded...
Bake at 400 degree F. (in a preheated oven) for 10 minutes.  Turn it to broil and broil for an additional 3 or 4 minutes.  The broiling is just to crisp up the top so that the bottom doesn't get too dark.

Simple right???  Normally I wouldn't share something so easy but I just can't get over how perfect they were...
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Keepsake Ornaments

My daughter and I went to a ladies craft night this past weekend and it really inspired me to do some crafting.  I had planned on doing this a long time ago but sometimes you just need a little push to get you going.

This is my oldest son's graduation tassel.  I had it hanging in my jewelry box for years...

I just purchased a large clear plastic ornament and drilled a hole in the top to slide the top string of the tassel through.  When purchasing the ornament make sure that the opening is large enough to fit the year through.  At first I had a smaller ornament and went through all the steps of drilling the hole.  It didn't fit...  I was a bit bummed because I liked the smaller ornament better.  I even purchased some clear glass ornaments but the openings were way too small.  I am saving them to make some other projects.  I will be sure to share those when I get them done.

This one is for my youngest son.  I took his first (hospital) hat and the wrist bands and put them inside the ornament.  He had two little hats from the hospital.  I chose the thinnest one because the other one didn't want to fit inside the ornament.  I think I may just do this for all the kids.  It makes a great keepsake.

I purchased these ornaments at Wal-mart because it is the store that is closest to my home.  I am sure you could get them at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or even Target.  They were only .88 each (no matter what size you want).  They even have ones that look like Christmas lights and other shapes as well.

I hope this inspires you!!!

Storage Tins

I was going through my basement a while ago, doing a little organizing, and came across these old popcorn tins.  I really hate throwing anything that could be useful away so I decided to do something with them.  I am using them in my laundry room so I had to pick colors that went with the theme...

These are the finished product.  I actually made one more too.  The one not showing is all red but I don't know what to use it for so it sits with no writing on it yet.

All I used were some old popcorn tins that you tend to get a Christmas time, sandpaper, and spray paint.  To make the letters I used my Cricut and designed what I wanted it to say with that.  You can also stencil on what you would like it to say.

One little tip when spray painting...  Always follow directions on the can.  It was too cold when I was trying to paint them and the paint bubbled.  I sprayed them in the garage because I didn't want the house to smell and then brought them inside to dry.  The house still smelled a little but not as much as it would if I had sprayed them inside in the first place.

I hope this inspires you to reuse something old and make it like new again...

Crockpot Italian Chicken

I made this awesome meal the other day.  When I say awesome, I mean AWESOME!!!  I just couldn't believe that something so easy was so yummy...

Crockpot Italian Chicken

Ingredients:
4 Chicken breast, thawed
1 Packet of Zesty Italian dressing mix
1 8 ounce cream cheese (softened)
2 cans (10 3/4 ounce) cream of chicken soup

Directions:
Cut chicken into strips or cubes; whichever you prefer.  Combine chicken with remaining ingredients.  I added the other ingredients to the crockpot first to make sure they were mixed completely.  The cream cheese will still be in chunks but that is fine for this recipe. If you want the sauce to be a thinner add a little bit of milk.  Cover and cook for 4 hours on low.  Remember to not lift the lid because it releases heat and increases cooking time.
When ready to serve...  Boil noodles of your choice and top with Italian chicken.  I made some Cheddar Bay biscuits to accompany this meal but you can add garlic toast, dinner rolls, or nothing at all.

Homemade Pinata

We go through several pinata's every year and buying them can get really expensive (around $15 to $20 each).  I originally started making this one for our Halloween party.  Since I didn't get it done in time I decided to finish it and turn it into a balloon so we have one for the next birthday party.

This was suppose to be the head of an alien.  We were going to paint it green and put glow in the dark paint on it.  That is why the picture below has glow in the dark paint and permanent markers in it.

All you need to make your own pinata is:
1 balloon
Flour
Water
Newspaper (torn into strips)
Paint

In a small bowl combine the flour and water to create a paste.  Blow up a balloon and find a bowl or something to prop it up with.  Wet the newspaper with the paste and put it all over the balloon.  It took me several days because I let it dry between layers.  Let it completely dry to the hardness that you want it.  I put a ton of newspaper on mine because I want the pinata to last through everyone getting a chance to swing at it come party time.  When it is the way you want it, paint it.  Cut a tiny hole in the top to attach a rope and cut a hole  to put the candy in.  That's it...  Really easy...

Several years ago I made the alien head and it turned out really good.  I wish I would have taken a picture.  I think the balloon one turned out good too.

Peanut Butter Brownie Cups

This is one recipe that you should print out and hold onto forever.
I originally got this recipe off of Pinterest but the link that was connected to it disappeared so I thought I would share it on here so everyone can make it.  I still recommend printing it off so that you have a hard copy though...

Peanut Butter Brownie Cups
Ingredients:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup peanut butter chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips plus 1/3 more for garnishing
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter




Instructions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray 12 muffin tins with cooking spray or you can use muffin liners.  I have made it both ways and they turn out good either way.
2.  In a large microwave safe bowl, combine sugar, butter (I used margarine and it still turned out super yummy), and water.  Microwave on high for 1 minute or until the butter is melted.  Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted.  Stir in egg and vanilla.  Add flour and baking soda, stirring until blended.  Allow to cool to room temperature.  Then, stir in 1/2 cup each of the peanut butter chips and semi sweet chocolate chips.  Spoon batter into muffin cups.
3.  Bake for 13 - 15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly wet.  Place pan on wire rack.  Centers of brownies will fall upon cooling.  If they do not fall, tap centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole.
4.  Place peanut butter in a small microwave safe bowl.  Microwave on high for 45 seconds, then stir.  While brownies are still hot, spoon about a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie.  Top with semi sweet chips and peanut butter chips.  Cool completely in pan before attempting to remove. I place mine in the refrigerator for a little while to get them nice and cool.  They should pop right out when you use a knife to pry them up.

I have played with this recipe adding and subtracting chips etc...  It just depended on what I had in my pantry.    I do not have a tendency to carry unsalted butter in the house but margarine is readily available so I use that instead.  I have made this recipe with peanut butter chips and without.  As you can probably see from the picture, I did not add the peanut butter chips to this batch.  I have also added milk chocolate chips as well as semi sweet.  It is good no matter what way you make it...
Enjoy!!!