Upcycling: Vanity Dresser (Beginning)

We got this old beat up vanity dresser from a local shop and decided to give it some TLC. It was missing one drawer and had the name "Andy" carved into the top of it. We got someone to make a matching drawer and also bought and cut some mirror to add to the vanity attachment.

Caleb took a blow torch to burn off the clear coat and make it easier to sand.

We then started to sand the whole thing and were able to get rid of the name carved into it as well. More pictures to come soon as I will be distress painting this piece soon and it will be put into my craft room!

Quesadilla de Camarones

Can you tell I love shrimp?! Quick story, when I was very young and a flower girl at a rehearsal dinner, I supposedly got some shrimp from the buffet and started dipping it in ice cream and eating it. Moving on....

This recipe came from Pioneer Woman, but I added/changed a few things- I tend to do that especially if I don't have a particular ingredient or because I want to add some more spices or something.

I added fresh cilantro to the mexican tomato sauce as well as lime juice and combined it with the simmering shrimp.

After browning the onions and peppers I placed a tortilla in a buttered pan. I used a Mexican blend of shredded cheese and put down a layer on top of the tortilla. Add the veggies and the shrimp sauce then another layer of cheese before placing another tortilla on top. Cheese on both sides against the tortilla helps it stick together and make for easier flipping :)

Finished product is a delectable plate size quesadilla- and one is enough to fill you to the brim with yummy goodness!

Most Delicious Shrimp Soup Ever!

Ok so this is one of the most flavorful and fun textured soups you will ever have! I was perusing Earth Fare a couple weeks ago... Let me just say I could spend all my money there in one day if I wanted to and all of my time looking at the walls of wine and cheeses. Anyways I came across this boxed soup base- Cashew Carrott Ginger. It sounded intriguing but I wasn't sure what I would add to it... The box had some recipe ideas on the back so I decided to give it a try. This is what I produced.

I took some frozen snap pea stir fry mix and precooked shrimp and threw all of it in a crock pot with the soup mix and let it slowly simmer and soak up all of the beautiful flavor combinations. I then decided when it was all done to add some cashews for a little extra flavor and crunchy texture. Combined with the crispiness of the snap peas and the tenderness of the shrimp it made for a great texture and flavor party in my mouth!

Busy Body

That's what me and my husband have been the past couple of months- busy bodies. We recently moved out of our rental house and bought our first home! It's exciting to finally be able to paint walls, hang whatever we want on the walls, plant a garden and flowers, etc. We've been so busy trying to get the house ready for family and friends to visit that I have forgot to post. Sorry :(

So I have some catching up to do and should be posting a lot within the next couple of days. I recently received a Pioneer Woman cook book for my birthday (Thanks Ginny!) and have been making recipes from it that I will be sharing. I also just got my new sewing machine in last night so be expecting some sewing project posts in the near future. Caleb and I have also been doing a lot of  remodeling and upcycling with the house that deserves some post attention. Stay tuned!

Pork Cabbage Rolls

For dinner tonight I decided to make cabbage rolls. I took some already slow cooked pork- added onions, carrots, an egg, bread crumbs, and sour cream. Rolled up in some boiled cabbage leaves and baked in a garlic balsamic marinade. Even my husband like them- although when he saw me cooking them he said he wouldn't like it because he hates cabbage. I told him it would taste good and not like regular cabbage when it was all done. And I was right!

In the Dog House

So my hubby, Caleb, and I recently rescued a puppy- half shepherd half lab- and named her Shakira. So our latest project has been building a dog house. Caleb designed a 3D layout on his computer using his amazing engineering skills. We went out and bought the materials- 2x4s, plywood, shingles, nails, screws, and paint. Then we got to work. Here is pictures of our progress and the finished project!

Raised base and half the walls

All four walls and arched door

With the roof on and Caleb inside

Finished product

Caleb used his new Dremel and even made Shakira a name plate

Paradise Trifle

So I wanted a fruity dessert for our house party tonight. I started searching allrecipes.com and I found this: Strawberry Trifle. However I put my own twist on it. I drizzled coconut tequila over the cubed angel food cake before starting the layering process. And instead of vanilla pudding I substituted cheesecake pudding. Yum!

1st Layer: 

I arranged the bananas around the edge so you could see them 

from the side when finished. Just to make it look prettier!

2nd Layer: 

I used strawberries for the outside layer this time. 

Finished! Just topped with whipped cream 

overflowing with yummy goodness!