Pallet Shelve I Stole from Pinterest and a Handy Boyfriend

So recently I have discovered pinterest.com and developed a strong love for the site, maybe even an obsession.  For those of you who haven't visited the site yet, it's like facebook, but only in the sense that it is a collection of blog links from your friends by pictures.  I can't tell you how many ideas I have found on the site for everything from recipes to DIY projects.  And it's free! 

Anyhow, I found this pin from this site and thought this would be a perfect project for Michael and I, mostly Michael since he has all the "man tools."  You use old wooden pallets to make shelves, tables, bed frames, etc.  Since my dining room basically bare, I wanted to make a decorative shelving unit and a wine rack to give the space a little more character.  And the price was right since I already had most of the supplies which included pallets, sandpaper and stain.

First we pulled a few old pallets my former roommate had left from the garage.  They weren't in the greatest of shape so Michael had to piece them together a little bit in order to get them to be the right design for the shelves.  It took a little configuring, but not too long.  The hardest part was that some of the planks split when he removed them.

Next we sanded the heck out of them.  I wanted them still to look distressed, so we didn't overdo it, but this still was the most time consuming part.  Not to mention it was freezing outside.  We used an electric sander (mouse) and did a couple of rounds with the coarse and then down graded to the medium, just enough to get the splinters out.

Then we stained them a dark walnut to go with other projects we had done.  Eventually I would like for everything in my house to match, but I have a feeling it is going to be awhile before that day arrives. 

Now came the hard part, hanging.  Living in an old house makes hanging just about anything a challenge, but this sucker was heavy.  After a couple of talks with his dad, Michael picked up some brackets with some super powered supports.  We measured, leveled and then went at it, not too complicated, but not easy either.  Thank goodness for a drill!  

Finally we decorated.  I had so many random odds and ends that I didn't have a place for.  Now they have a home.  We also put some random bottles just to give it a little more character.  I am super pleased with the final project, but it is still a work in progress.  

We also made a wine rack but that is going on a wall that has brick directly behind the drywall, which of course means more fancy tools.  The only downfall to the wine rack is that the bottles stand straight up, but they don't last too long in my house so we should be okay ; )

Turkey Time!

I found this super cute (and free!) turkey crochet pattern on Lion Brand Yarn's website.  You need to create an account to be able to look at their free patterns, but it absolutely free and all they send you is an optional weekly email about new yarns and patterns.  There is also an occasional coupon. 

This pattern was pretty straightforward and took me a little over an hour.  I used cotton ease yarn, which is one of my favorites.  The only slightly difficult part were the gobbler, beak and feet, which was only because they are so small.

Happy 1st Birthday Bailey!

My dear friend Kristin's sweet little baby girl is already one year old!  To celebrate, Mom and Dad had a "cupcake" party, but since they live in GA and I'm all the way in WV,  I missed out on the party.  No cupcakes for me (probably a good thing), but I thought I might go ahead and try to crochet a cupcake to go along with her present.  I also made a matching headband with my first ever attempt at a flower   So Bailey and I are full of "firsts" this month! 
 
Gracie helped me out with this project but being a headband model.  Hopefully Bailey likes it more than she did.  (The colors aren't really neon, that is just how my iPhone perceived them).  Happy Birthday Bailey!  Eat a cupcake for me!

5x7 Folded Card

Stylish Snowflakes Black Christmas Card

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Pasta Peas Weather

I love to eat soup all year round, but when Fall hits I crave it more than usual.  Last week, on a particularly nasty October day, I had a hankering for Denise's pasta peas.  Although this is an Italian recipe, I had never had it until Denise made it for me back in high school.  Still one of my favorites and it is super easy

Here's what you do:

First you saute a whole diced onion and about 6 cloves of garlic in some olive oil.  Then you add two large cans of tomato sauce and about 3 cans of water and a bag of frozen peas.  While that is simmering boil a couple of cups of the pasta of your choice, I use ditalini, but you can use whatever you have in your cabinet.  When the soup has simmered about 30 minutes add pasta.  Serve topped with Parmesan or Romano cheese and with a couple of slices of Italian bread.  Yum!

Trick or Treat

Michael was on call and for some reason or another I decided not to go to Charleston.  I had this pattern for a "Trick or Treat" bag that I wanted to make for my niece, Mia,  for Halloween.  Hard to believe this wasn't as hard as it looked, just a little tedious switching the yarn back and fourth, but when I was done it just wasn't big enough to for a "Trick or Treat" bag.

So I improvised.  Instead of freaking out for the time and effort I put into this guy, I made up my own pattern for closing up the top, stuffed it and added a green stem.  Sorry Mia!  Maybe next year you will get your bag!  This is what happens when I spend a Friday night alone! 

Eggplant Parmesan

My all time favorite thing my Grandma made was Eggplant Parmesan, and actually it's not as complicated as you would think to make.  A bit messy and time consuming, but anyone can do it.  Thankfully I had a great teacher ; )

First, make your basic sauce however you like it.  I make mine with garlic, onion, Hunt's Tomato Sauce, fresh or dried basil and parsley, salt and pepper.  While that is simmering, fry your eggplant.  You can slice them either in strips or circles.  I like the way circles look better so that is what I use, but the strips take less time.  Dip the eggplant first in flour, then your egg mixture (with a little Parmesan cheese, milk, salt and pepper) and last your seasoned bread crumbs.  Then place into a skillet with hot extra virgin olive oil, flip when golden on the bottom.  Once done on both side place on small stack of paper towels to drain some of the grease.

Now comes the fun part, you layer it.  First a couple ladle full of your sauce, then your fried eggplant, and finally mozzarella cheese (fresh or shredded).  My grandma also did a layer of the egg mixture over the cheese to hold it together, but it's not absolutely necessary.  Be sure to sprinkle some Parmesan cheese in the layers.  Bake for about 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Let stand at least 30 mins and enjoy!