Simple Meals ~ Hamburgers

Hamburgers were meant to be Simple.

Simple shape

Simple taste

Simple to make

They are even simple to make ahead, and freeze

{cook or uncooked}

And they are great for a nice backyard dinner picnic.

For My Family peEps, I use

2~ 3 pounds of Ground Beef 

{Ground Buffalo is quite excellent as a burger:

But cooking time differs for it is drier than Ground Beef}

For My Flavorings, I use

Salt

Pepper

approx: 3 tbs. either Soy Sauce {low sodium}

or Worcestershire sauce

For My Fixins, I use

variety of chEEse slices 

red onion

pickle slices {Essential for The Kiddos}

and of course any condiments you prefer.

HAMBURGER BUNS

{really, what's the point if you don't use buns, Hun}

I prefer the Seasame seed kind.

Broil the shaped Hamburger.

Drain grease off  when flipping over.

It takes a total of 20 mins or less to

Shape

Cook

Dress

a Simple Hamburger.

yum.

Ground Beef and Colby Jack
Ground Buffalo and Gouda
Ground Turkey and Bacon Apple Cheddar

{And since You control what kind of Meat, Bread, Toppings,
and PROPORTION

its much healthier and cheaper to do it at Home.}

Plum colored CuBBie Cabinet

I've been wanting to put a new cabinet in my front room for awhile now. 
Until I can actually make it back to Turkey to refurnish my house with pieces from the Bazaar, 
I decided to try my hand at making one. 
 

Somehow in the process of reorganizing my studio, and cleaning up the kids rooms, I came up with this project. 

I had already been using a pine cubbie , that The Man and I had purchased from an unfinished furniture store for the Little Thems. The old one was only 2 cubbies so I went bigger with 3.

Two or Three years ago, I had purchased some wOOden fence post knobs to play around with carving. 
Thaat never haPPened.....

boOmboOmboOm! IDEA!


peanut butter jelly time.
Turn the cubbies sideways {like the other one} and use the post knobs for legs.
It could haPPen.

Supplies
********
Wooden cube cabinet
4 wooden fence post knobs
Drill & Drill Bits
Ruler
Hacksaw or Dremel with cutting wheels
maybe wood putty for filling, I used glue to the gap in and let dry
Paint {I used 3 cans}

Gathering various, yet simple and readily available, supplies, I went to work.  

MeaSure! ~ Can't say it enough. Take the time to mark Your areas. I stood the post up on its screw, and then using a ruler flush with the cabinet, center the drill hole so that the two sides of the post knob would be flush with the edge of the cabinet.





Using a drill bit smaller than the screw on the post knob {I'd start with one 1/2 the size of the screw}, carefully drill your hole, all the way through. The drill bit needs to be smaller so that when Your attaching the legs, the screw will have something to grab hold of. The post knob screws did not have pointed tips, they were flat. Hence the reason to drill and drill through.
This part was pain in the arse, I tell ya. Ok, maybe its Me, grace is not my best feature, but the post knob legs were wobbly, and you have to apply steady slow pressure with patience, not one of my best features, either.  But persistance; now we're talking.  The main thing you have to watch for is straightness ~ if the screw gets crooked it will mess up the drilled hole and tear it up so that there isn't anything to hold on to. Turn until leg is very firmly snug against the bottom of the cabinet.












The screws on the post knob legs were longer than the wood was thick. Grabbing my dremel and some cutting circles, I trimmed the extra length off. Admittedly, this probably wasn't the best tool to use. It tore the wood up a smidgen. I would have preferred a hack saw, cause, then The Man could do it, but I am without one.


Use wood putty to fill in any gashes or gaps, etc.


Cleaning ~ it really would behOOve you, to do the prep work.  I gave it a vacuum, wiped with a damp cloth and took off the felt footies. A light sanding if possible. 

Paint ~ I went through a myriad of colors, before I settled for this one. Originally I wanted to use Minwax water~based stain with a Cherry color, but I had concerns about the differences in the leg and cabinet woods.  I found this color at Walmart, and thought "Yep"
Now, in the store it looked a bit more, indigo {magenta with more blue}, but it turned out to be more grape. Its still LoVeLy.  I have been commissioned by LittLe Me to turn the smaller one into a cabinet for her.
















In order for the stereo to fit, The Man ended up taking the backing off. I really liked it better because of the extra light it let through.


I have been inspired to learn how to build the cabinets myself, in a better, stronger wood, and possibly learn to carve/lathe the footies. 
After setting up in its saved spot of glory, many oohs and aahs from the LittLe Them's and The Man. 
Priscilla says ~ You go, Girl.

Sssspecial.

Blue

I know that PeoPLe are just completely exhausted of Wynter. 

and Rain.

and more Wynter....

and Rain.

I find the softness of  BaBy Blue to brighten up both. 

ChEErs me right up!~

While stuck inside on another drizzly cold day,

I use my Rainbow~laser Million Dollar Man EyE to infuse this bright color into my gray world..

and boost my haPPiness.

Its time for the next round of Treats~for~the~Wishlist!! 

{screams like a little girlie}

Happiness bOOsted.

Etsy just makes it too easy!

Just about everyone I'm talking to or reading about all have Spring and Gardening on the brain waves. Me included! This fabric flower does double time.  Flowers in blue.....and a lot cleaner than digging in the dirt your self.

How about something for the Little PoPsicles to play with? These CooL looking wooden "ice" blocks. Mine would have 50 foot Barbie women stomping on Indy Leggos, on an adventure that They have melded together.

This blue glass makes me want to grab the last of the PaPerwhites and display them in it. 
Beautiful, Me thinks.

I know so many PeoPLe who are knitting and crocheting. I want to move beyond the basic stitch at some point. What a tease this yarn is! I can only imagine the delicates made with this.






And speaking of knitting and crocheting, these ooh~la~la gloves are Divine.

You know I LoVe my Mary Janes. I can totally dig these. Perfect for those everyday, maybe have to run an errand~shoes. With a pair of flowy pants
and a nice fitting t~shirt, ...clean and casual.


Well now, things look to be, on the Bright Side.





Cold outside, Cozy inside....entice Your swEEtie into sharing body warmth with this charming piece. 
Add a little black eyeliner and a touch of frosty pink lipstick
.......got LoVe?

 

or you could just wear these.....just these.

Priscilla says  " shhhhhh"

Blue fabric flower
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetlilyboutique


Wooden "ice" blocks
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Imaginationkids

Blue glass
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Abundancy

Ice blue Merino wool
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Abundancy

Blue Mary Janes
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGeneration


Blue lacy crochet gloves
http://www.etsy.com/shop/skywatcher1121


Blue nightie

http://www.etsy.com/shop/empressjade


Blue earrings
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluebirdss

Congratulations to the Saints!

 

I am not a football fan, not in a LONG time. I think it was when it went from being a sport to being a mega super big business with outrageous media propped hype and over~superstaring the athletes.

But Damn, I caught it tonight!

In the last ten years since my dad passed away, I will occasional put a game on in the background to connect with him. I know he was here tonight, doing that bOOkie business in the Sky.

 the Saints were fantastic. 

I love Louisiana,  and I miss Old Louisiana.

We love New Orleans, its our favorite weekend getaway...
They needed this, wanted this, deserved this. 

OH MY GAWD!!! The state is going insane.

I've heard a lot of people saying New Orleans is back!

I say it never left.

Now its only getting better!

They've got a new mayor;

They won the Super bowl;

and the Saenger, completely REFURBISHED, is scheduled to reopen early 2011.

{ok, so this part is just my humble onion}

snort, and the The NFL thinks it can own Who Dat? and the Fleur De Lis.

Sister's Portrait Charm

Its simple

Its easy

and its cute.

Supplies:

*******

Printed Paper with pEEps

Picture Frame charm

Resin

Mixing cups

Wooden sticks

Tape

Jump ring

Cord

Using the the transparent circle that comes inside the frame, trace around your chosen portrait on the paper.

Save the transparent circle. Carefully cut out your portrait;
its better to cut a little big and trim from there.

Insert all back into the frame, You want the clear circle to go in first. Its ok if its a tad snug.

 

Using the tape apply a patch to the back of frame. Turn over and rub against flat surface to make sure it is sealed weel.

Measure and mix your resin; 

I use my wooden mixing stick to drop the resin inside the picture frame.

Use a straw or heat gun ~VERY CAREFULLY and VERY GENTLY!~ to get rid of BuBBLes.

Once it has dried, overnight at the least, peel the tape off, add the jump ring and cord or chain.

Make multiples for a charm bracelet.

{all supplies bought at Hobby Lobby}
[picture frame by Charm Me]

hmmmmm, Muppettness

I need some MuPPeT fun...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdUeVAkzEas

hahahaha.......its stuck in your head now, isn't it???

Studio Re-org ~ B

It is done. I am so HaPPy.

I solved the Easel problem by adding Swivel Coaster Wheels to the bottom. 
I can dance with it now!
Especially with all that Disco roOm floorspace now available!


The workbench corner worked out verra well in the end. The cube shelves went in the playroom and opened up space for the Rolling Paint Tray, which just so conveniently  fit
into the corner.

I put those Recycled Candle Jars to good use, holding knick~knacks 

and the Tins were placed in the drawers. 

I eventually want to purchase a large plan chest or watchmakers drawer cabinet to store all jewelry bits and findings.   

  

 Now, all I need is a Disco BaLL to catch all that wonderful sunshine......