I Can Make That: Pottery Barn Rustic Bunnies

I received my lovely spring PB catalogue in the mail and I'm in love with its simply beautiful green & white, tulips & bunnies goodness.
I went thrifting with a friend the other day and snagged this cute terra cotta bunny for $1 so I can give it a "weathered white glaze" and make it look just like these $39 - $49 "Rustic White Bunnies."
Not bad, eh? What inspires you?

Pinned and tried: Meatloaf

I am starting a new category for things I've done from my pins on Pinterest. (You can follow me on Pinterest here:http://m.pinterest.com/rebeccasroundup/)
This one was dividing your meatloaf into small muffin tin size portions with the claim that it will only take 15 minutes. So I decided to try it. I made my tried and true family favorite meatloaf recipe (see below) and used my ice cream scoop to put them in the correct portions.
The bad news is that it did not take 15 minutes, the good news is that it took 25 minutes which is still a third of the time it would normally take for the loaf. Woot-woot!
Meatloaf Recipe:
1 lb hamburger or ground turkey (I used gr turkey this time)
Ketchup as desired (I eyeball about 1/3 cup)
1 egg
1/4 cup chopped onion or 1-2 TB dried onions)
1/8 ts pepper
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1/4 ts garlic salt
Mix well (I use a plastic disposable glove). And cook at 400'
Can easily be doubled.
Serve with ketchup. Yum!

Guess what?!?! Exciting news!!!

We are buying a home and we get the keys this Saturday. Eeeek! Stay tuned for a new and exciting category of new home posts. The possibilities are endless!

Happy 9th Anniversary!

This morning I was sweetly suprised by this little "love note" from my honey. He changed my "spring" blocks into this:

Paper Pinwheel Wreath

My S-I-L loves Spring and is here today sharing this super adorable Pinwheel Wreath.

Hi! Thanks for letting me share today. I love 2 sided scrapbook paper and almost had to pinch myself when I saw the idea for this wreath. So let’s get started!

1. Cut (12) 5" x 5" squares of your favorite 2 sided scrapbook paper.

2. Measure in 2 1/2" from each corner toward the middle.

3. Cut the lines on the squares. This will leave the middle of the square uncut.

4. Take the left corner of each square and glue it to the middle of the square. Repeat with all the corners.

5. Place your wreath on the counter. Mine is 12” and is cut from foam core board.

6. Arrange your pinwheels and make sure they look great.

7. Glue your pinwheels on going around the wreath and kind of tucking them under each other as you go.

8. Glue a button to the center of each pinwheel.

9. Add a ribbon or a cloth to hang and enjoy.

Happy Spring it’s only 3 days away – but who’s counting?

Happy St. Patricks's Day 2012!

More St Patricks day blocks: Leprechaun Hat

This one's easy! Just cut your wood into a square and thin rectangle. Follow the same steps you used for the blocks (see previous post) and use coordinating scrapbook paper if desired. Cut a "buckle" out of black vinyl and attach.

Spring Blocks {part two of Reversible Lucky Blocks Tutorial}

To see the tutorial for these blocks, just check out my previous post! If you've already done the other sides, then just finish by adding your paper, mod podge, and Spring vinyl to the reverse side and your done!
I absolutely love how these turned out! I cant wait to display them with some nice green topiaries and a jar of lemons or a sweet little bird and coordinating eggs.
You could also do the word "Easter." We chose "spring" because it works all season long. And since the papers coordinate on both sides, it wont be difficult to switch them within our decor for March and April.
Check back soon for one more St. Patty's day wood project, because I just can't get enough of these cute blocks!

Rebecca's Easy Croc Pot Minestrone

This is one of my husband's favorite soups. I feel like I'm cheating because it's SO EASY! And healthy. And delicious! Here is a picture of the original recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

And here is my version:
5 cups water, 5 tablespoons or cubes beef boullion, 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed, 1 can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed, 1 can undrained stewed tomatoes, 1 can or 1 1/2 cups vegetable juice ( I buy it in the largest store brand can and freeze the rest), (I omit the tomato paste- unnecessary), 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon dried italian seasoning, 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed veg preferrably italian blend but any will do or any canned mixed or leftover vegetables you have in your fridge, 2 cups small pasta preferrably shells, 2 cups fresh spinach cut into strips, (I buy a big bag and cut and measure then freeze the rest), 1 sliced zucchini (can use half and freeze the rest), shredded parmesan cheese for serving.

Put all ingredients into croc pot and cook at least 4 hours on high. Cook pasta right before serving and add to pot. Serve with parmesan and enjoy!

Lucky Blocks {DIY St Pattys Day Decor}

I saw some "lucky" St Patricks Day blocks a long time ago and kept it in mind for a future project. Thanks to my SIL, this project became possible! And I love how they turned out!
For this project you will need: wood blocks, scrapbook paper, paper corner rounder punch, paint, mod podge, brushes, vinyl lettering.
First cut your wood to the desired sizes. We did 6 blocks so that we could make them reversible (other side revealed in near future post!) but you could also do 5 blocks with one wood shamrock cut out.
Then find whatever green scrapbook paper you'd like to use. Thicker is better when working with modge podge. Tip: look for reversible papers which make it easier to color coordinate. Cut to size to match blocks, deciding which order you'd like them in. Punch corners with rounder if desired.
Paint the sides and edges of blocks, the rest will be covered with paper. If you dont do reversible blocks and the backs are blank, I would paint the backs also. I chose to paint them an off-white because I wanted a very light, Springy look. My SIL painted them brown which looked great too. Let dry 15 - 20 minutes.
Apply a very thin coat of mod podge to block faces and let dry 15 - 20 minutes.
Apply another thin coat of mod podge this time to both the blocks and the back sides of the paper, making sure you coat the edges well, working quickly. Apply paper to blocks and rub down, making sure it is smooth, even, and there are no bubbles. I used a popsicle stick for this then went over it again with my fingers, especially for the edges of the paper. Let dry for 15 - 20 minutes.
Apply a thin-ish coat of mod podge to top of blocks, over paper and let dry 15 - 20 minutes.
When completely dry, apply vinyl letters and shamrock. Stand back and admire your finished project!

I Just Read: Michael Vey The Prisoner of Cell 25

I joined a book club a few months ago. So far we've read Divergent by Veronica Roth, Little Men by Louisa May Alcott, and this one by Richard Paul Evans.
I recommend this book because it is current but completely decent and clean with minimal violence and no dumb love scenes. It reminds me a bit of Xmen First Class. I love the humor and wit of the characters and finding yourself easily relating to them. So I recommend this book!
Have you read anything good lately?