Homemade "Craft" # 1

INCREDIBLY EASY Repurposed Wine Shelf
Don't purchase, just Repurpose!

This wine shelf was originally my husband's first attempt to making a book shelf.  It worked for a couple years before we had kids who wanted to climb everything and this book shelf was a little too "shallow" (not very deep from front to back) so it tipped very easily.  

I also needed somewhere to put some of our wine glasses that we couldn't store in our kitchen due to small amount of storage.  After I painted the shelf using a color we had lots of extra from our interior walls, my husband fastened it to the walls and now we have a lovely addition to our porch!  

We surely come to this shelf before we VolunChEER for anything!

Recipe # 4

Today it is wet and chilly and I'm going to make some comfort food for my family.  I found this recipe in the Campbell's 1-2-3 Dinner Recipe book.  Like most recipes I added my own "flair".

Chicken Pot Pie
Makes 4 servings

1 can (10 3/4 oz) Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
1 package (about 9 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cubed cooked chicken (about 1 breast)
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose baking mix (aka Bisquick)
*I cut the chicken up into small cubes and then sauté it in olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped red onion to give more flavor.
**When mixing the soup, chicken, and vegetables together I add about 2 tsp dried tarragon and about 1 tsp celery salt.
***These are just my suggestions but my family loves it!***

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. In 9-inch pie plate mix soup, vegetables, and chicken
3. Mix milk, egg, and baking mix. Pour over chicken mixture.
4. Bake 30 minutes or until golden.

This is also a great dish to bring to a friend who is sick, just had a baby, or simply needs a nice home-cooked meal. (Just don't bake it, leave the bisquick mixture uncooked)

Enjoy!

Thanksgivingback

This weekend I volunteered at our church for the annual Turkey Dinner.  I have never volunteered at a church sponsored event let alone an event that fed hundreds and hundreds of people.  My husband tells me about how he would volunteer with his grandfather when he was growing up and how good it made him feel to be able to help those in need.

Byron helped with the carry-out orders during this Turkey Dinner.  When I told him what I was going to be doing we both laughed thinking it was a silly job.  I stirred gravy with one of my friends for 2 hours.  I had no idea we were actually MAKING the gravy...  My arms are a little sore today but it was absolutely worth helping with 1806 meals.

You should absolutely experience (AT LEAST ONCE) volunteering.  Helping others from the good of your heart can make your heart feel a little fuller.  You'll be thankful you did it and the beings you helped will be even more thankful!

If you volunteered because of a Caffeine Commitment or a VolunCheer, that's okay!

Shout Out SHATurday #1

Hey hey! It's our first Shout Out SHATurday!

This Shaturday we are going to Shout Out to Bob Savoie, or as some of us call him, "Pepere" (pronounced Pepe).  HEY PEPERE!

                                (Tall, white hair, can't miss him)

Pepere is a father to 3 daughters and has been married to my lovely grandmother Arlene for the past 54 years.  Therefore, yes, he is my grandfather.  He has 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  For over a half century he has been putting up with SHAT from the women in our family. We are pretty sure we are the cause to his extremely selective hearing ;)

He is a loyal, loving, fun man and I am happy to say, 

"Pepere, you are the SHAT"

Keep an eye out...

We will be offering our Thanksgiving Game starting next week! The kids AND adults will have a blast Thanksgiving Day!

Helpful Tip Friday!

I saw this sign on my way home this afternoon and thought "There are SO many days that I feel anxious with all the things to do, to be sure my family is healthy, happy, and safe, to keep others happy, to be sure the house is still intact, the list could go on and on and on."

I hope this sign can help you take a little breather from what ever anxiety you have whether it be today or another day.

Happy Friday!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the McPumpkin Heads!