Snowman Wreath - Dollar Store Craft

This week is all about INSPIRATION!!  

Check out our FUN give-a-way this week HERE.

I'm sure many of you are like me and Pinterest is a BIG pool of inspirational ideas for you?!  I could honestly get lost for hours looking at all the great recipes, crafts, decor, ect out there.  This craft is something I was inspired by on Pinterest.  The 'PIN' didn't link back to a blog/instructions but you can check out the original pin HERE.

Since I'm Dollar Tree crazy I went in hoping to find a fun craft for Christmas to share with all of you!  I spotted these wreaths and knew exactly what I could do.

Materials Needed:

3 Grapevine Wreaths $1 each Dollar Tree

1 Santa Hat $1 each Dollar Tree

1 Garland for scarf $1 each

Ornaments - had extra on hand

Spray paint if you want something other than natural - had on hand

Hot glue gun & hot glue - had on hand

All in all this could cost you about $5 for a really cute Christmas Wreath!! 

(Dollar Tree also has over-the-door wreath hangers for $1)

Since I wanted this for my front porch and it's Christmas theme is Pink-Black-Silver (white Tree) I chose to paint one side of the wreaths white with spray paint.

Then I used some curling ribbon left over from a gift to tie the wreaths together (I wove the ribbon between one of the vines and tied them off instead of wrapping the entire wreath).  I tied the 'scarf' around the neck and used some extra curling ribbon to tie the ornaments to the scarf.

The pink and white hat is actually a Disney  Princess Hat from Dollar Tree that I put on backwards and hot glued slightly crooked so I could hook it easily.

 What do you think?  I'm pretty impressed with my Dollar Tree Decor!!  Don't forget to share with us this week something that INSPIRES YOU!!  Check it out here.

What INSPIRES you?!

We are constantly inspired by others, everyday people never cease to amaze me (in a GREAT way)!!  From family, friends, co-workers, blogger, writers, pinterest, the list is endless...  We at Sister See Sister Do want to know 'WHAT INSPIRES YOU?'

Over the next 5 days (you must enter by 5PM on Friday Nov 16th) send us a pic or a story of something that has recently inspired YOU!  We've got a great give-a-way in the works!!  

PLUS we are SO excited to introduce you to a personal friend 

- Jan Miesse, Author, Speaker, Mentor -  

This woman is AMAZING and filled with TONS of INSPIRATION!!  Jan is the Author of the book 'Bloom Girl Bloom' and a VERY inspiring blog - http://janrmiesse.com/.  Plus if you're on Facebook you can follow her daily inspirations there too!!! 

What GREAT give-a-way do we have planned?  Over the next 5 days email us a picture of something you've done after being inspired by ANYONE or ANYTHING.  Or email us a story about someone or something that has inspired you.  We'll pick our top 2 and the winners will BOTH receive one of these super cute handmade winter headband/ear warmers (handmade by our Mom).  

PLUS the #1 winner will also receive a copy of Jan's book 'Bloom Girl Bloom'!!!  

Our email is sisterseesisterdo@gmail.com - looking forward to hearing about what INSPIRES you!!

Stay tuned for the WINNERS - we'll try to post as many submissions as possible 

(if you wish your submission to remain private please let us know).

Here is something as a Mom & Wife that recently inspired me from Jan's Blog - check it out: http://janrmiesse.com/2012/03/18/listen-and-learn-choose-carefully/.

SOUP WEEK: BLOG SWAP SURPRISE!!! Tortilla Soup from Healthin' Ourselves!

Hey there!!! We're Ashley & Holly from "Healthin' Ourselves"!

We're two friends on a weight-loss journey together, who wanted to share our stories with the world. We feel so honored to be able to write a guest post on one of our absolute favorite blogs (seriously, these ladies are ingenious, aren't they?!?)! So without further ado...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Once in a while a meal will come along that the family just l-o-v-e-s! The kind of meal that satisfies all the picky eaters at the table, and leaves them asking for more. The kind of meal that is healthy, and you don't mind them asking for more of! The kind of meal that they are just as anxious to eat the next day. In our family(both of our families, actually), that meal is Tortilla Soup and we are SoOoO excited to share it with you!

This recipe is ridiculously quick and easy. We usually make it at least once a week, and I try to save it for  the nights that I know we'll be in a hurry, because it's that quick.

Here's what you'll need:
2 cups of cooked chicken (we've also used canned chicken, and personally, I like it better that way)
1 box chicken broth (if I've cooked a whole chicken, I use the broth from it instead)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can green chilli's
1 can black beans
1 can sweet corn
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup instant brown rice
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
salt & pepper to taste

It's pretty much as easy as opening each ingredient and pouring them into a large pot. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it stew for at least 15 minutes so that the rice can fully cook. After that, it's up to you! Eat it right away, or let it simmer for as long as you need to.

Before serving, top your bowl with some tortilla chips and cheddar cheese!

Yuuummmm! We just had this for dinner last night, and I'm seriously thinking about having it for breakfast! We hope you love it as much as we do!

Love,

Ashley & Holly

Like and Share us on Facebook!

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And Twitter!
https://twitter.com/HealthinOurselv

Don't forget Pinterest!
http://pinterest.com/healthinus/

  And feel free to e-mail us anytime!!

 healthin.ourselves@gmail.com

SOUP WEEK: Lemon Chicken & Spinach Soup

Are you ready to learn more about the soup that has tempted your taste-buds all week long? It's the soup that is featured on our SOUP WEEK banner!

Day 4:

Lemon Chicken 

& Spinach 

Soup

Holy cow...This soup is so different. But a very very GOOD different! If you like the flavors of chicken, garlic, onion, Parmesan and lemon, well you will probably enjoy this soup! It's a trip to Tuscany in your mouth, people. My whole family devoured it...and mind you, I have a six, four & a two year old. My husband enjoyed it as well and mentioned that it would be a great soup to make when you're battling a cold or sore throat. Smart guy! I have to agree with him! I have only made it once but it will most definitely be repeated!


Ingredients
2 small skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cooked & shredded 
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3/4 Cup Parmesan cheese
6 Cups chicken broth (48 oz)
1/4 Cup or less of lemon juice
2 Cups of fresh spinach, cut up
Salt and Pepper

Directions

In a large pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and garlic, cooking till translucent.
Add the broth & lemon juice.
Bring to a boil.
Add in the Parmesan cheese & reduce heat to medium.
Allow to simmer uncovered, stirring frequently for 15 minutes.
Add the spinach & chicken.
Continue to simmer until the spinach is wilted.
Season with salt & pepper.
Serves 4-6.
Optional: Top with more shredded Parmesan cheese.

Such a DELICIOUS blend of flavors!

I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed it!

Hopefully you will as well!
Love,

Julie

Stay tuned... 

for one more day of soup!
Tomorrow we have a SURPRISE for you :)

Love,

Michelle & Julie

Butter Biscuits

What is better with a warm bowl of soup than some bread to soak up all that yummyness?  I'm sharing one of my families FAVORITE breads - Butter Biscuits (sounds so healthy doesn't it?).  It's defienetly not a 'diet' food but Oh my is it GOOD!  And it's so simple - 3 ingredients and one pan!

Butter Biscuits

1 stick unsalted butter melted

2.5 c Pioneer Brand Baking Mix (it costs a little more but it is SO worth it)

1.5 c milk (I use 1%)

Mix Baking Mix & Milk in bowl (will be a bit sticky).  Pour into greased 8x8 pan, spread mix out.  Pour Butter over top of the mix.  Use a knife to cut through the dough in any pattern you choose (butter will pool don't worry it will absorb during baking).

Bake 450 for 20 minutes.

This bread is also DELISH split in half, brush on some garlic butter, sprinkle a little cheese, broil on low 10 minutes.  Enjoy this along with the left over sauce from your Oven Baked Beef Stew! 

If you're more of a Crusty Bread lover check out our previous No Knead Bread Recipe!

SOUP WEEK: Bacon Corn Chowder

Are you enjoying 'SOUP WEEK' sofar?

If you missed Day 1 or Day 2,

here are links to those days:

Oven Baked Beef Stew & White Chicken Chili

Now, on we go to...

Day 3:

Bacon 

Corn Chowder

 Chow down! This is a sweet & salty chowder that hits the spot & certainly satisfies! Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a soup commercial! But the one thing I love most about soups, it's that they're soooo warm & sooo satisfying...wait, that was two things. Oh well! You get the idea!

Bacon Corn Chowder is one of my favorite soups...hence why it's included in Soup Week!

Ingredients

4 bacon strips, cooked & diced

1 small onion, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green pepper ( I omit)
2 carrots, chopped
4 Cups Potatoes, cubed & peeled
2.5 Cups Chicken Broth
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Dried Thyme
1/4 tsp Pepper
3 Tbsp All-purpose Flour
1 Quart half-and half cream
1 Package (16 oz) Frozen Corn, thawed 
1 Can Creamed Corn

Directions
In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 teaspoon drippings.
In the drippings, saute the onion, celery and green pepper until tender. 
Add the potatoes, broth, salt, thyme and pepper. 
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; Cover and cook  for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Combine flour and cream until smooth; stir into pan. 
Add corn. 
Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. 
Stir in bacon.
Serves 8

Mmm Mmm Mmm!

Hand over the fresh homemade bread & I might just go into a coma!

Two more days to go of SOUP WEEK!! 

You don't want to miss it!

See you tomorrow?

Julie

Like us on Facebook

...if you want to.

Love, 

Michelle & Julie

SOUP WEEK: White Chicken Chili

Welcome back to SOUP WEEK!

Today I want to introduce you to a different kind of CHILI! It's got a mexican twist & is totally AWESOME! My husband tells our boys that THIS VERY SOUP is why he married their momma. NotEvenKidding.

I guess when you make something with love, it works! 

Enjoy this Election Day,

Julie

Day 2:

White Chicken Chli

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients

2 - 12.5oz Can Chicken Breast, drained 

1 Large Jar Great Northern White Beans, undrained

3/4 of a 15-18oz Jar Salsa (I like to use medium Thick & Chunky - any brand)

36 oz Chicken Broth

2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese (or cheddar is fine too)

Toppings - add to your liking

Tortilla Chips

Sour Cream

More Salsa

More Shredded Cheese

Directions:

1. Place chicken, beans, salsa, chicken broth, and cheese in a large saucepan.

2. Heat on Medium until cheese is melted

3. Serve & top with crushed chips & other toppings to your liking

I have friends who use this as a crock pot recipe...on low.

I have never done that just because it goes together so fast & heats up rather fast as well. If you do choose to put this soup in the crock-pot, wait till you're ready to serve it to add the cheese. It will melt & combine in minutes...no problem!

See ya tomorrow for 
another yummy SOUP recipe!

Love,

Michelle & Julie

SOUP WEEK: Oven-Baked Beef Stew

Welcome to 'SOUP WEEK!'

Michelle & I are looking forward to sharing a different soup recipe with you for five days this week! Nothing goes better with the beauty of fall and the cool weather better than a warm bowl of delicious soup...and homemade bread. Just sayin!

Day 1:

Oven-Baked

Beef Stew

This recipe is a combo of two different recipes with a little change of my own added in. The originals called for water, tomato juice & minute tapioca. Well, I rarely have tomato juice on hand or minute tapioca. My Gram would be shocked, I'm sure. So I decided to bust out a $1 can of Hunts Spaghetti Sauce. I use it as pizza sauce most of the time, but it has proved to be WONDERFUL in this dish as well! And the reserved sauce is the perfect amount for a pizza!! Win!!

 Ingredients
1- 1.5 lbs Beef Stew Meat
4 Medium Sized Potatoes, cut into 1 inch chunks
5 Medium Sized carrots, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 Medium Onion, chopped
2 Cups Spaghetti Sauce
2 Cups Water
1 tsp Sugar
2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 350*.
Spray a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick spray.
In baking dish, combine beef, potatoes, carrots and onion; mix well.
In a large bowl, combine the spaghetti sauce, water, sugar, salt & pepper; mix well & pour over the beef & vegetables.
Cover tightly with foil & bake for 2-2 1/2 hours or until the beef and vegetables are tender.
Serves 6-8.

So yummy!! So filling!! So comforting!!

A fantastic fall dish!!

Happy Eating,

Julie

Stay tuned... 

for more soup recipes 

throughout the week!!

Love,

Michelle & Julie