I've Been Busy... You'll Soon See!

Are you ready for Turkey Day?  I'm hosting my family this year and that's all the motivation I need to get some projects checked off the list!  I'm excited to show you everything I've been working on!  Remember the making of the Kitchen Banquette?  

Have you been thinking, "When is she going to show us the final results?"  Well, friends, I FINALLY painted it last weekend and we LOVE it!  We hope to make the cushions for it this weekend.  I also decided on a farmhouse table and bench that we actually put together last night!  It's just what this space needed to complete the look!
Here's a website sneak peak...

I've been on Pinterest again (when I am not?!) and stumbled across an awesome tutorial for sweater pillows!  Megan at Brassy Apple made these beautiful pillows from thrift store sweaters!

I scoured hubby's closet and found TWO sweaters that I knew he hadn't worn in years and whipped up some of my own!  I'm putting the finishing touches on them, can't wait to show you!  And just look what she does with the arms of the sweater?
I am SO doing this!      

Oh, and one more thing...  I know I'm probably the last one to jump on this bandwagon (and they just might be making their way out), but I needed a cheap and easy fix for my living room windows and found a solution with canvas drop cloth!  Wait 'til you see what I came up with... so thrilled!  This is what I used... 

So, now that I've teased you with all that I've been up to, I hope you return to see the results!  In the mean time, check out my local friend, Lisa @ A Vintage Vine.  

She featured my chalk paint dresser and two other awesome projects from Cassie and Jenny!  I'll be back soon to show you the fruits of my labor!  :)

P.S.  I created gallery walls too...  two of them!  

I've Been Featured on Krylon's "Projects in a Can"

Hope your Memorial Day weekend was both relaxing and productive.  We spent most of our time outside doing some much needed yard work and entertaining the kids.  It took hubby most of the day to mulch the front yard... 43 bags and we still didn't buy enough!  
I'm SO excited to share with you that about a week after I posted the Flower Mirror
tutorial, I received an email from a Krylon rep asking me if I'd like to submit my project on their "Projects in a Can" site.  I checked with a few local bloggers to make sure it wasn't spam.  Being a new blogger, this was the first time I had received an opportunity like this, so I had to be sure!  I got the "all clear" and submitted my tutorial the next day!  As soon as it's reviewed by the department, it will hopefully be available to view on their facebook and twitter... so cool!  I checked today and found it on their web site.  You can view it here in their Creative Corner.

As I've been browsing through their site; I've noticed other projects I've seen on blogs I follow.  It's probably nothing new for so many of you, but being new at this, I was so giddy at the chance to have my project featured!  Many thanks to Kathleen @ Krylon for contacting me!  :)

Beef Jerky Marinade

This is a HUGE favorite around our house... even our kids ask for it!  My hubby has been searching for a dehydrator for quite some time now (he likes to do plenty of research before purchasing) and surprised us with an Excalibur Dehydrator. Even before we got it, he was out there on the "world wide web" searching for a jerky marinade and knew that Food Network's, Alton Brown, host of "Good Eats" would not disappoint!

So, without further ado, here's the "oh so yummy" recipe:

1 1/2 to 2 pounds flank steak (we have also used a thin cut sirloin tip or milanesa)
1 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons of honey
2 tsp. onion powder                                          
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
2 tsp. liquid smoke

Here's a few packaging labels of the meats we've used...

Place an opened gallon sized zip-loc bag into a quart size plastic container and fold the tops of the bag over to hold bag in place.  Combine all but the steak into bag and stir with a whisk.  Set aside.

Trim the flank steak (or in our case thin cut milanesa) of any excess fat and cut steak into strips, about half an inch or more thick.  Place all trimmed and sliced meat into your zip-loc bag, seal and make sure all meat is covered.

Place your marinated bag of meat in a pyrex dish, refrigerate and marinade for up to 24 hours.  Least amount of time can be 6-8 hours, but we like ours nice and flavorful!
Note:  Be sure to turn your meat every so often so all meat is well marinated.

After it's marinated for the desired time, line cookie sheets with paper towel and take marinated steak out of bag.  Blot excess juices off the meat and place on your dehydrator trays, spaced evenly so strips aren't touching.  Once you have all your meat on trays, sprinkle some freshly ground pepper over top (optional) and place in the dehydrator, turned to the beef jerky setting.

In about 4-6 hours (depending on the thickness of your meat) you'll have yourself some delicious homemade jerky!  Enjoy!

You'll find me at these parties:

A Bowl Full of Lemons

I'm linking up to Rhoda's Home May'd Recipes Link Party!