Chocolate Humor

Come on, Admit it, it's funny!

If you would like the recipe click on the image below, save it to your computer and print it out.  Enjoy:)

Chicken and Dumplings Like Cracker Barrel

Chicken and Dumplings Like Cracker Barrel

Ingredients

6 Chicken Breasts cut into bite size pieces

2 quarts of chicken stalk
2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons chicken bouillon (I use the chicken flavoring packets from Ramon Noodles)
1/2 teaspoon pepper

¼ cup of chopped onions

3 teaspoons of parsley

Dumpling

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening (I use margarine)
3/4 cup buttermilk (I add 1 tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk let sit 5 minutes, then measure 3/4 cup)

Add everything except the dumpling ingredients to a pot or pressure cooker

Place chicken in a pressure cooker. Add chicken, stalk, salt, bouillon, pepper, onions, and parsley. Bring to a boil.  Cook on high until the pressure is up then reduce to low.  Pressure cook for ½ hour.  Reduce pressure and take off lid.  Bring to boil on Medium heat.

Dumplings

While the broth is cooking combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening. Add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until moistened.  Knead the dough 4 to 5 times (do not over knead).

Roll out on floured surface to ¼ inch thick.  Cut into small squares.   Drop into boiling broth.  Cook on medium for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

The dumplings float to the top at first

 If it is not as thick as you would like you can add ½ cup of cold water and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, stirred in a cup and then added to the soup.   Salt and pepper to taste.

To Print Recipe, click on image and copy to your desktop

My Favorite Broccoli Salad Recipe

Cranberry Broccoli Salad Recipe

Cut into 1/2 inch pieces

Combine all salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well.

Combine dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl.

Mix until thoroughly combined using a fork or wire whisk.

Add dressing to salad and mix well.

Refrigerate 1 hour.

Printable Recipe

Instructions on How to Make Your Own Red Soled Shoes

Red Soled Shoes DIY

I love the red soled shoes.  I decided to try making my own.  I found my favorite pair and duplicated them.  The pair that looks like this sales for $850.  I bought the shoes at target for $30.  The plastic dip paint cost under $10.  If you add in the cost of the tape I am up to a total of $40.  The best part about it, is it fits in my 5 steps or less category.  It really is an easy shoe to make, but it does take some drying time.  I am not the most patient person, so that was the hard part for me.

I bought these shoes at Target for $30.

They weren't on sale, which breaks one of my rules, 

but I wanted to get started right away.

The red plastic dip spray paint can be found at most stores that sell tools.  Lowes did not carry the color red, but Home Depot did.  I also found that it is sold at Menards along with other tool stores such as Ace Hardware etc.  I love this spray paint because it is a rubber paint so it adds grip to the bottom of the shoe.  The paint is used to add grip to a pair of pliers, but I figured, why not the bottom of my shoe?

The first step is to tape off the edge of the shoe

Next add plastic to the shoe and tape it down as well

Put shoes in a box to collect over spray.
It is strong smelling so you will want to spray outside.

Bring inside to dry.
Repeat every 4 hours until the shoe has desired amount of paint.
Thin coats are best.

Do not cut the DRYING TIME short.
This is hard for me because I become impatient.

The paint will not set well if you don't let it completely dry.
I ended up putting on about 5 coats of paint over 24 hours.

Trim the edge with an X Ac-to Knife. 

While removing the tape pull away from the shoe so it will tear evenly.

I love the Results!

I Love To Read

A Good Book Is the Answer to All That Ails You

The Battle Between Good and Evil

An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth." The boy thought about it and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?" The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed." Author Unknown

Hippo Humor

Hippo Humor

Cake Decorating

My sister Pollyanna made this Award winning cake for the Eastern Idaho State Fair

Everything is Edible

Can you believe this was not made by a professional?

My sister is an over achiever.  One day she thought it would be fun to decorate cakes.  She watched a few videos online and taught herself to decorate.  I always think that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, but this is definitely not a skill of mine.  I did help her decorate some sugar cookies once and even those were so elaborate I was amazed at how much you can do with fondant.  I am posting these pictures but they definitely break the rule of my blog, of 5 easy steps or less.  This is way more than that, which is the reason I will not be attempting such a feat.

Tayson's Getting Married

Fun Wedding Gift

Since my nephew is getting married, I thought this would be a cute wedding gift.

Diaper Baby Shower Gift

Diaper Motorcycle

This is a very fun centerpiece for a baby shower.  I made this using diapers, a bottle and burp rags.  For the handle bars I used some pipe cleaners.  It really went together easily.

Sugar Cookies!

Sugar Cookies!

There is only one thing that makes me cry like a baby and that is when the doorbell rings and a surprise visitor is at the door with this plate of cookies delivered by a very dear friend who happens to also be a caterer.  My very most favorite treat in the entire world is sugar cookies and I have never had a better one than these.  I will hopefully be able to talk Danae out of the recipe so I can post it here on my blog, but for now, happy days are here again!  If the plate looks lopsided that is because I have already feasted on one of the cookies:)

I can still remember 3 major events in my life that have to do with sugar cookies.  The first one was about 10 years ago.  I was suffering from neck pain and feeling down and out.  The doorbell rang and it was my good friend Crystal with a plate of sugar cookies.  The first awesome happening.  The second one was about 5 years later.  I was visiting my family in Idaho and my sister gave me some really fancy decorated cookies with my name spelled out all on sticks and looking like a flour arrangement, but rather than flowers, they were sugar cookies.  That was the 2nd big event regarding cookies and the third was today when my good friend Danae brought these.  Oh yes, I never forget a good sugar cookie.  I make them a lot, but for some reason they taste better when someone else makes them:)

It you would like a yummy sugar cookie recipe click on the image below, save it to your computer and print it out.  Hope you enjoy:)

Sugar Cookie Recipe

How to Tell if you Are Married to a Real Man

He's Quite Perfect Quote

Valentine Idea

DIY Valentine

I sometimes wonder what all the fuss is about on Valentine's Day.  Having said that, I would be so sad if I was forgotten.  To me it is really about showing someone you care about that you are thinking of them, and that you planned ahead.  I would rather have a jar of candy and a nice note than $80 spent on a dozen roses that are going to die anyway.  I prefer spending $80 on flowers planted in my yard than sitting on my table only to die in a week or so.  Then when they are growing in my yard I can cut some and put them on my table anyway.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.  Last year for Mother's day my husband and kids planted berry bushes for me.  Now that is a way to really win a girls heart, but during the winter when there is snow on the ground, I will settle for candy:)

I bought the cinnamon candy at the grocery store and the jar at the dollar store.  The heart I made in Microsoft word.   I printed it out and spray mounted it on red card-stock paper.  I used to spend hours making my own cards, but after a lot of time and money, I figured out I like the clip-art and ease of making them and printing them out.

Feel Free To Use this Template For Your Own Card

You can use the same idea using Hot tamales, cinnamon bears, red hots, or any other red candy.  I have even dipped cinnamon bears in chocolate to make an even fancier gift.

Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

I found a house that I loved, especially the location, but the kitchen was in desperate need of an update.  I found a bunch of DIY projects on Pinterest, tried them out, and I have to say, I love the results.  I wasn't sure about painting cabinets, but I couldn't afford to replace them and I hated how they looked, so with about $100 worth of paint and some elbow grease, I am happy to report it wasn't that hard.

Prime the cabinets with a good primer

The most important part of the painting project was to get a good primer that did not require sanding.  It was a little expensive, but so worth it.

I spray painted all of the cabinet hardware and the bar stools

I also took the doors off the cabinets above the microwave and painted the light fixture and door as well.

Grandpa's House On the River, Literally

My Grandfather lived in this house

It is literally on the water

My nephew Kyler Michaelson took this awesome photo.  It is located on the Snake River in American Falls, Idaho.  When you cross the bridge you can see the house with water flowing from all sides.  Back when my grandfather lived in the house, it had a swinging bridge to the front door.

Next Bling Project

I love these shoes and this is going to be my next Bling Project.  Check back in a few days and I will let you know how it goes.

Wheat Bread Recipe

There is nothing better than Homemade Bread

Whole Wheat Bread

Bling Out Phone Case

Bling Out Your Cell Phone Case

Add crystals to an ordinary case to Personalize

All it takes is some jewels, E6000 glue a toothpick and a little time.

Wall of Pictures for Under $40.00

Wall of Photos DIY

I love family photos, but it can be very expensive.  I decided to mount my own pictures.  I had a friend take some family photos.  I then had them printed out on poster paper at Walmart.  I even had them printed when they were running a half off sale, but even at full price they are very reasonable.  You can get an 11" x 14" poster printed for $5.86 plus tax.

I bought a large sheet of foam insulation from Home Depot.  A 4' by 8' sheet cost $10.47. This picture is what I still had left over after I mounted all of the posters.  I used spray mount to attach to the foam core and then used an x acto knife and a straight edge to cut them out.  I placed them on a piece of cardboard in my living room to cut them out.  Make sure you spray mount the posters on the foam before you cut them out.  It is much easier that way. Don't use spray mount on carpet.  It does not wash off.  I put down sheets of wrapping paper on my kitchen table to catch the extra spray mount over spray and I also wore gloves to keep the glue from sticking to my fingers.    

Next Mod Podge all of the Posters to give them a Canvas Look.

Add tape along the edge of the posters to give them a black frame line and to help protect the corners.

Add a generous amount of velcro strips to the back of the Foam Boards.  I put both sides on the board so when I attached it to the wall I didn't have to try to line up the two pieces of velcro.  The foam boards are light weight, but they still need quite a bit of velcro to keep them from bowing out.