Crafty Mom Archives - Page 2 of 6

Steamed Clams

May 20, 2021 by Melissa

In the winter months, when it’s cold outside and you’re craving a little comfort food, steamed clams are a go-to option. They’re easy to prepare, don’t require a lot of cooking time, and are low in calories. But they don’t have to be boring. Here are a few ideas for eating clams in a way that will satisfy your palate and leave you feeling warm and satisfied. For the average person, steam clams might seem like a no brainer. The food is delicious, and it can be enjoyed year round and in all sorts of ways. You can find steamed clams in any Italian restaurant, as well as at the many clam shacks across the country. There are so many ways to enjoy this delectable dish, whether you’re having them for dinner, for lunch, or as a casual snack.

Steamed clams. Steamed clams are delicious. I think part of the reason they’re so delicious is that you can eat them in a variety of ways. For example, steamed clams are typically served with butter and lemon, which are both good, but for a change of pace, I sometimes like to serve them with a little bit of red wine, thyme, and bay leaf. I don’t think anyone can argue that these are bad combinations.

This recipe for steamed mussels with garlic butter is simple and very tasty. This dish is also very low in calories.

In the winter months, when it’s cold outside and you’re craving a little comfort food, steamed clams are a go-to option. They’re easy to prepare, don’t require a lot of cooking time, and are low in calories. But they don’t have to be boring.

Steamed Mussels

Living in the Northwest, where mussels are abundant on the coast, I have often indulged in this delicious dish. Each restaurant served a slightly different version, and the taste was different at each. But my favorite restaurant was Georgie’s Beachside Grill in Newport, Oregon. This chef really knew how to cook. He knew that only Mirapoix could make excellent mussel soup. This combination of celery, carrots and onions is an old culinary technique in French cuisine that always gives the perfect taste to any soup or sauce. Most importantly, the vegetables are cooked until tender, which gives the dish a certain sweetness. After ordering these delicious mussels at Georgie’s at least half a dozen times, I finally asked the chef for the recipe and he was kind enough to send it to me. His name is Chef Alfredo Cacho, and this is his original recipe for steamed clams. My version is a little different than his, but the taste is still absolutely fantastic.

Ingredients for Steamed Crustaceans

Steamed mussels: Star of the show
Oil: For assets
Garlic: What is better for the soul than garlic butter?
Celery: The first ingredient for preparing Mirapua… to taste
Onion: The second ingredient for the preparation of Mirapua…. for a deeper taste
Carrots: Last ingredient to make Mirapua…. for sweetness
Chicken broth: Adds a richer aroma
White wine: To give a nice flavor. There is no substitute for wine in this dish
Peppers: For an easy push

Preparation of Steamed Mussels

First, put a little butter in the pan with the soup over medium heat. When it starts to bubble, add the garlic, carrots, onions and celery and cook for about 3 minutes. To make a good mirapua, it should soften, but not brown. When roasted, they begin to caramelize, which gives them a very different flavor. Then just add the mussels, chicken broth, wine and pepper. Immediately cover the pan and let the mussels steam for about 7-8 minutes. Then if you see unopened shells, throw them away. Finally, spoon the nicely uncovered mussels, broth and vegetables into serving bowls and sprinkle with chopped basil.

The most important thing is to clean and wash the mussels. I once ordered steamed clams in Hawaii that were completely full of sand. If you’ve never tried steamed mussels, you’ll never order them again because you think they usually taste like that.

Don’t forget to serve this dish with French bread to soak up the delicious broth. Georgie’s serves them with slices of warm baguette smeared with garlic butter. Perfection. And the only way to top that is to eat this amazing dish while looking out the window at the beautiful Pacific Ocean. And if you’re lucky, you may see a whale or two, which happened to us a few times.

Remarks

The most important thing is to clean and wash the mussels. I once ordered steamed clams in Hawaii that were completely full of sand. If you’ve never tried steamed mussels, you’ll never order them again because you think they usually taste like that. Hard and gruesome. And the thing is, it’s so easy to clean. If you just soak them in water with a little cornmeal for an hour, they will clean themselves. All you have to do is use a brush or do what I did and wipe it off with a paper towel under running water. It’s that simple. Print Recipe

Steamed mussels

This recipe for steamed mussels with garlic butter is simple and very tasty. As a bonus, this dish is very low in calories. Cooking time 10 minutes Cooking time11 minutes Curing time 1 hour Total time21 min Course: The main course Kitchen: American Keywords: Steamed mussels Servings : 2 servings Calories: 194 kcal Author: Pam – Two cups of health

Ingredients

20 cherryton mussels About 1 1/4 pounds.
2 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup diced curry
1/4 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced cellophane
1/2 cup chicken broth Prefer Manischewitz low-sodium chicken broth.
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons basil ha ha

Instructions

Shells must first be cleaned to remove sand. The easiest way to clean the shells is to put them in a bowl and cover them with at least 1 cm of water. Then add about 3 tablespoons of cornmeal to the bowl and let it soak for about an hour. In essence, they clean themselves. When the time is up, clean each sink under running water to remove any excess sand that has not yet been removed.
Put butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Then add the garlic, carrot, onion and celery and cook for 3 minutes until softened slightly.
Put the mussels in the pan with the chicken stock, wine and pepper. Cover the pan and let the mussels steam for 7-8 minutes. Discard all unopened shells.
Place the mussels and broth in serving dishes with the vegetables and sprinkle each with chopped basil.

Power

Similar recipes:

Simple shrimp scampi Scallops with lemon butter sauce Jambalaya with prawns The most important thing an individual can do to prevent one’s health from declining is to stay as healthy as possible. There are many things that can be done to help keep a person healthy, one of which is eating seafood.. Read more about what to serve with steamed clams and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you steam clams?

Are you a fan of seafood? If yes, you are probably familiar with the popular food: steamed clams. As per the traditional way of preparing the food, the process calls for deep-frying the clams, which can allow harmful substances to enter the food, thereby increasing your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other serious diseases. Steaming clams is a delightful and very easy way to cook them! After you’ve harvested them, clean them and remove as much of the sand and grit as possible. Then cut the clams in half through the shell, and remove the claws. Place the clams in a large steamer pot, cover with cold water, add more water if it’s low and steam for about 20 to 25 minutes. Take the clams off the steamer and leave to cool for a few minutes. Then use a sharp knife to remove the “lips” or “foot” of the clam.

How many minutes do you steam clams?

To find out how you can cook the perfect steamed clams, we consulted a highly reliable source: the US Department of Agriculture. (For those who don’t recognize the name, the US Department of Agriculture is the same agency responsible for determining the nutritional value of foods.) According to the USDA, “the amount of time needed to cook clams is related to the temperature of the water in which they are steamed and the temperature of the heat source being used.” While steamed clams are available in most grocery stores, you can also buy them online. You can either buy them from a delivery service, or even have them delivered to your door by an online clam delivery service. The delivery service will include a link and instructions for cooking the clams on your own. The recipe for these clams is simple and they can be prepared in less than 10 minutes.

What to Steam clams in?

Steam clams are a classic New England dish that is very easy to prepare and can be enjoyed by all. In fact, you can make them much faster than boiling them on the stove; instead, just place them in a steamer basket. Steam them for 10 minutes and you’ve got yourself a delicious clam dinner in no time at all. Of course, there are some health benefits to eating steam clams, too. They are a low calorie, low fat and cholesterol friendly food item. Steam clams are also a good source of vitamins, particularly the B vitamins, potassium and iron. Ever tasted some of the best steamed clams around? You’ll have to check out this recipe for some of the tastiest steamed clams ever, and your kitchen will be filled with the most heavenly aromas!

Related Tags:

simple steamed clamssteamed clams recipe with winesteamed clams without winesteamed clams near mesteamed clams simpsonsbeer steamed clams,People also search for,Feedback,Privacy settings,How Search works,simple steamed clams,steamed clams recipe with wine,beer steamed clams,what to serve with steamed clams,steamed clams recipe without butter,sauteed clams recipe,steamed clams in oven,steamed clams near me

Must-Have Timeless Fashion Pieces For A Busy Mom’s Wardrobe

December 7, 2020 by Melissa

Basic wardrobe essentials for business attire

As a busy mom, you probably don’t spend a whole lot of time flipping through fashion magazines. Between shutting your kids for dance class and soccer, making sure there’s dinner on the table that has some nutrients, and dealing with the constant tidal wave of dirty laundry: comfort trumps style.

Shopping for yourself is probably a rare occasion, and you try to quickly pick up something for yourself while shopping for your kids. The word ‘fashion’ conjures up images of skinny teenage models on billboards and runways, none of which we can relate to. We likely have teenage daughters who’d know much more about what’s trending in the world of apparel.

Let’s face it: we have those moments of accidentally glancing at a mirror and thinking, “Who is this old lady? What happened to that fun, college girl?”. We all feel frumpy sometimes.

Our personal style can feel vintage and not in a good way.

But just because we’re busy doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to be well-dressed! And as a mom, you’re not looking to wear the season’s latest trends.

You’d much rather build a wardrobe full of good-quality, re-wearable, timeless, stylish pieces that are comfortable and never going out of style.

You’d be surprised how what we wear decides how we feel. I’ve always noticed that dressing myself (even for a grocery trip!) and getting a few compliments from friends/colleagues can fuel me throughout the day. When you feel good about yourself, you go about your day with newfound strength and confidence.

You’ll get done with work better and be happier around your family! They’ll notice the difference as well.

So, let’s get right into it!

Building a Wardrobe

If you look at your closet and all you can see is worn out and faded clothes that you’ve worn for years, it’s probably time to revamp your entire wardrobe.

If you have the objective of getting a new wardrobe and go shopping, chances are you’ll spend way too much and buy lots of unnecessary pieces.

To do this, you’ll need a very systematic approach.

Let’s divide your entire wardrobe into two categories. Basics and Statements.
Basics are pieces that are your everyday wear. This doesn’t just mean white t-shirts, but it expands over all the essential items a wardrobe would comprise. That’s T-shirts, Blouses/Tops, Jeans/Trousers, Dresses/Skirts, and Coats/Jackets.
Statements are quite self-explanatory. These are prints and eye-catching pieces that you’d occasionally wear to impress and look your absolute best.

It always makes more sense to spend money on Basics.

Basics are elevated everyday wear that you can create different outfits with. It adds subtle style without being recognizable.

For example, those jazzy bright red flare pants you own look great but are instantly recognizable. You can’t wear them more than once without it seeming like you wear the same thing all the time.

We all have a terrible habit of going shopping and spotting that one absolutely stunning dress that costs a bomb, and you have no idea when you’d wear it.

We feel like spending on that one dress because it’s beautiful, but for the same money, we could buy 4 Basic items that would help us look stylish and put-together every day.

Think of it as junk food. When you take your kids grocery shopping, they want to pick up the sugary cereal and candy, but you know that you have to buy vegetables and fruits for them to eat for every meal.

Get New Jeans

I know we tried hopping on the trend of skinny jeans some time ago even though it was uncomfortable, but I have good news for you now. Those tight skinny jeans are no longer in fashion, and we can go back to wearing the comfortable baggy high waisted jeans we wore in college in the 70s and 80s!

The latest jeans are called “mom jeans”! All the kids wear them these days, but they look dignified and polished at any age. Loose jeans can upgrade your daily look and be comfortable enough to run errands and do daily chores.

Black jeans or black trousers are also a staple that should be there in your wardrobe. This is an excellent example of a comfortable outfit with black jeans.

Basic Blouses

Blouses are the best way to seem elegant and well-dressed while also being comfortable. These days, when I’m shopping, all I seem to see is crop tops. Now I have nothing against crop tops, but they feel too teenage for me to wear myself. I’d prefer blouses with stylistic elements, like a bit of frill, cuffs, or pockets that make it look simple but stylish.

Go for colors that will go with everything. You must have a few ‘whites,’ which are a range of light-colored blouses. Look for cream, off-white, blush pink and other light and breezy colors that you can pair with anything.

Try to also get solid dark colors like a good navy blue and black.

This is a simple pinstriped blouse that has a stylistic element: the collar. The woman looks fashionable and polished. Her bright orange lipstick gives the look a ‘pop’.

I love this blouse because it’s so feminine and flowy and yet simple. You could wear this thrice a week, and people wouldn’t really notice, as long as you wore different pants each time.

Plain white blouses are so versatile. This woman pairs it beautifully with a creased midi skirt.

Don’t shy away from Dresses and Skirts!

I used to feel awkward wearing dresses as an everyday outfit. I felt like I was quite literally “dressing up too much” or trying too hard. But wearing a comfortable, well-fitting midi dress makes the day such a breeze. It’s just one item to wear, so you don’t have to fuss around too much while getting ready.

You also look like you have refined taste! Shop for dresses that have structure and are of good breathable quality. Try to buy linen!

This is a perfect example of a statement piece. It’s a beautiful vivid print, yet something that’s can be worn on a regular weekday.

A beautiful sundress that will make you feel your best without feeling over-dressed.

What a comfortable yet fashion-forward outfit! The asymmetrical silhouette definitely makes her look posh and elegant while in solid plain colors.

Coats/Jackets

Coats and jackets can be the most expensive item to stock your wardrobe with. The key is to stick with neutral colors that can go with virtually anything.

To start off, make sure you have a black and beige coat. Warm browns and taupe are perfect for the autumn and winter seasons.

Longer coats always give a more sophisticated look.

Have fun!

Shopping for a new wardrobe can be really fun. You’re doing this for yourself, as self-care. Clothes can only be a reminder of how we feel on the inside, so make sure you dress yourself like a million bucks — because that’s who you are!

How to Make Your Own Pegboard for Your Children’s Bedroom

September 21, 2020 by Robert

A pegboard is usually used as a display/storage structure in most garages. But, it doesn’t have to be limited to only industrial use. It can be used in your home as well. Pegboards are a really great way to use your cute stationery as decoration while giving them a home of their own.

If you have a playroom or an arts and crafts room – someplace where your kids play the most and do arts and crafts activities, this is a great way to use vertical space and also add some functional decor.

The stationery you get for your children are anyway colorful and more of a statement piece in themselves. Give them a moment on the wall. Let them shine. Here’s how to make a pegboard on your own.

Materials You Will Need:

Plywood
Tools (jigsaw, power drill, drill bit)
Wood Glue
Chalk Paint and a Paintbrush

You can also get a proper pegboard if you do not want to make it from scratch.

Pegboard headboard ideas

STEP 1: Measure Your Plywood

Start by measure the area of the wall you want to cover with your pegboard. Use this measurement to mark out the plywood.

STEP 2: Cut Your Plywood

Cut the plywood to the measurement required. You can use a jigsaw, which is a power tool. You can also use a hand saw, but that will take a lot of your time and energy.

STEP 3: Drill Holes to Hang Your Organizer or Dowels

You now need to mark out where you need the holes to go. Mark them out at equal distances and then use a power drill to cut out the holes.

STEP 4: Glue the Dowels and Organizers to the Board

You can glue some of the dowels and organizers to the board so that they are sturdy. If you are going to changing things up, then you can glue in just the dowels that will hold things that you do not want falling. The organizers can be hung using hooks as well.

STEP 5: Hang It Up

You can drill the pegboard onto the wall so that it stays nice and secure. Start by drilling and securing the four corners and then add additional in the centers to ensure the security.

BONUS: Decorate!

Just because it is a functional decor piece in itself, it doesn’t mean that you cannot bring in some decor elements to up the wow factor. There are so many things that you can add, here are some examples and tips:

Add some greenery with some hanging plants.
Hang some pictures or quotes or posters.
Throw in something bright at random intervals.
Display your child’s artwork.
Use some of your child’s old toys as decorations.

Final Thoughts

Making your own pegboard isn’t difficult but is going to need power tools. You can buy readymade pegboards and then create the organizers yourself. A pegboard lets you have all your supplies on display. They are easily accessible, easy to maintain, and also make use of the vertical space.

A pegboard can help your child be creative with the supplies and the decorations. With the things on display, they will reach for different things more often. You can decorate it with plants and memorabilia to add some personality.

5 Creative Ways to Decorate a Nursery

March 25, 2019 by Melissa

If you are expecting or someone else you know is, first of all, Congratulations! Now, you need to plan out the nursery. As important it is to consider the safety of the baby while decorating the room, it is also important to have fun elements.

Today, we will be talking about some of the unique ideas I have curated for nursery designs. These things have the ability to transform your room completely and also help channel your creativity.

Wall Mural Decals

Wall decals are a great way to spice up the walls of your nursery. They are cheap, easy to apply and remove, and colorful. You can go for a classy look or a total color fest. You can go for the designs aimed at kids like dinosaurs, animals, cartoons, anything and everything bright and colorful. You can easily remove the decals and replace them as your kid grows.

Floor Mural Decals

A lot of people don’t know about floor mural decals. Floor decals aren’t as popular as wall decals, but they are catching up. When the baby is able to crawl, it will be fun for the baby to crawl on a scene of a beach or jungle. They make the floors much for fun and make the room look airy. You can have an elaborate game of pretend play with toys that match the decal. It is great to create a story within the room.

Baby Name Plaque

Baby name plaques on the walls can add a great personal touch for the baby, and they will love it as they grow to read and write. There are many websites that will make custom name plaques for you. You can even frame each letter and put the name on the wall like a photo gallery. If you feel plaques are out of your budget and you want an inexpensive option then there are name decals as well, it will give you the same effect.

Cartoon Animal Heads

Fake animal heads have been trending recently. Cartoon animal heads are a fun addition to have. They are easy to find, like this one from eBay. You can also get custom animal head stuff toys made on eBay.

Hanging Cloud

Hanging clouds are really fun to look at even as adults. Imagine the happy laughter from your child. Imagine how fun it will be to have a cloud indoors and how marvelous it will feel when it is raining outside. It is really easy to make, you can turn it into a laid-back afternoon project. Even wikiHow teaches how to make a hanging cloud, this image is proof of it.

Decorating a nursery is your chance of unleashing the child inside of you. Babies don’t know good design from bad design. Add elements that will make them curious about things. The hanging clouds and the beach floor mural can help you teach them about the environment. Add elements that are in some way attached to learning, that way it will still be relatable as the child grows.

What Nurse-Parents Are Like

September 10, 2018 by Melissa

My mother always said that being a nurse is the most noble and rewarding job, and she was right. As a nurse, she met a lot of patients who came in with different problems, and her favorite thing to do was watch them leave the hospital with their families after they recovered. She said that the patients may not remember a nurse’s name, but will always remember what they did for the patient. Nurses have not only touched the hearts of patients; they have also made an impact on their own kids’ lives. I will never forget everything that my nurse-mother has done for me. Even when she had a really long, hard day, she would come home to make me dinner and tuck me into bed every single night. She took me to the hospital on numerous occasions, and proudly introduced me to everybody there. Being a nurses’ child has indeed been a pleasure, and I am sure others would also agree. Here are 9 points that aptly describe nurse-parents. How many of them can you relate with?

1. They are hardly home

I think we can all agree that nurses are the real superheroes in a hospital. They do everything in their part to make sure that patients are comfortable, reassure their families and assist during surgeries. They leave home early in the morning and return at odd hours. The worst part is that they are sometimes even called in to the hospitals on their day off!

2. They have the softest hands

If your parent is a nurse, go feel their hands! As a child, I always used to always hold on to my mother’s hand because they were so soft and cold. Nurses have extremely soft hands as a result of washing their hands a thousand times a day. Those soft palms, with neatly trimmed nails also appear tired and stiff from the long hours at the hospital.

3. They are never fooled

Here’s a fact – The child of a nurse can never skip school, unless they are actually sick. As kids, we love to pretend that we are ill just to miss school. We artificially make our forehead hot and our face red to fool our parents and stay at home. However, it is nearly impossible for the child of a nurse to actually pull off this trick. Nurses are smart enough to identify symptoms, and can easily understand when kids pretend. Never try this trick with them!

4. They are well-equipped

Nurses always stock up the medicine cabinet at home with enough pills and first aid supplies. They even keep a stethoscope in hand, in case their children fall sick. They can easily identify an illness when we list out a few symptoms, and know what to do. No wonder all my friends prefer to come to my mother when they fall sick, or get injured!

5. They work on Christmas

Hospitals will always function, even if it is Christmas! Nurses are on duty even on this National holiday; doing their best to take care of sick patients. It is disappointing for children to wake up excitedly on Christmas morning, only to find out that their mother had to work. Yet, these loving nurse moms also make it a point to leave some gifts under the Christmas tree for the little ones, and arrange for a homely Christmas dinner for the family.

6. Their closets are filled with scrubs

Who knew a nurse could own so many scrubs? When I was young, I would go sit inside my mother’s closet, between her scrubs, because I loved the smell of clean, soft scrubs! Laundry has to be done every single day to ensure that their scrubs are white and clean before they leave to the hospital!

7. They teach us how to be independent

Nurses’ children are usually more independent than other children. From a very early age, they are aware how hectic their parent’s job can be. They do their part to help out around the house, since their parent usually returns home late. They are taught how to cook, do the laundry and babysit the younger children.

8. They are extremely proud of their job

Nurses love what they do. They get to cure lives just as much as doctors can! They take care of patients, scrub in on surgeries and communicate with patients’ families. Why would they take up such a hectic job if they didn’t love what they are doing? Most nurses love speaking about their job to their children, in the hopes that they too will get inspired to become a nurse!

9. They teach their children how to be grateful

Nurses have seen everything – they have witnessed the pain and sufferings that patients go through, and the sadness and desperation that the families of patients feel. They know how hard life gets, and how valuable life is. Therefore, they make it a point to remind their children over and over again to count their blessings, and to be good, and kind to all.

8 Beautiful Life Lessons Taught by Mothers

September 3, 2018 by Melissa

The most influential person in everybody’s lives is their mother. She was there for us from the moment we were born, until we are ready to face the outside world. Being a mother is more than just being a personal cook, or chauffer. Our mothers have taught us so many life lessons when we were young. What we learnt as a child is what helped build our character, and make us into smart, responsible people. We had the opportunity to interview some lovely ladies, who were more than happy to anonymously share some beautiful life lessons taught by their mothers.

“My mother taught me how to be independent. From a young age, she made sure that I helped out with the chores, and included me while making family decisions. When we moved to a new country, she even let me set up my room. She respected me, and treated me as an equal. That has really helped make me the strong woman that I am today.”

“My mother taught me how to love myself. I was, and still am an extremely caring person. I would go out of my way to help people that I love. That resulted in me getting hurt really often. I remember, my mother took me to a fancy restaurant one evening, and left me there. She wanted me to go on a ‘date’ with myself. I thought that it was an absurd idea. However, when she came back to pick me up, I realized how much it actually helped me. I had a lot of time to think, and understand myself. Having some ‘me time’ is extremely important to be happy and content with life.”

“My mother taught me how important it is to stand up for myself. As a child who was constantly bullied, and now as a young lady who is judged because of my ethnicity, I found it really hard to hold my head up high. My mother taught me how to be strong and helped me gain confidence. She never encouraged me to physically fight back against the bullies, but instead enrolled me in a self-defense class. She would constantly remind me about what a good person I am, and how much I’ve accomplished. That really helped boost my confidence.”

“My mother taught me how to be a good mother! When I was growing up, I thought that my mother was too strict, and I secretly wished she could be as liberal as my friends’ mothers. However, now that I have my own kids, I find myself being just like my own mother. Now I realize that everything she did, or said was for my own good. I feel confident that I can raise my children to be good human beings just like how my mother brought me up.”

“My mother taught me how to be myself. As a teenager, I always knew that I liked girls. I was extremely scared to talk to my parents about it, because I imagined that they would hate me. Somebody found out and spread a rumor about me in school. People started to say some really bad things, and my mother was called in to school. I was extremely scared that she had to find out this way, but she took it really well. She hugged me and said that she was proud of me. I’ve never been scared to be myself ever since then.”

“My mother taught me how to be a graceful woman. I was an extremely rebellious teenager, who colored her hair pink and wore too much make up. I would do anything to get attention! When I was sixteen, my mother bought me this beautiful pink dress for my junior prom. She did my make up, and curled my hair too. I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world! My mother taught me how I could look good, and actually feel good at the same time. I learnt that if I love myself, I could be confident, graceful and elegant, and people would respect me more for who I am, and not who I portray myself as.”

“My mother taught me to dream big. When she was growing up, she didn’t have many opportunities. She spent all her life taking care of her family, and making sure that we were happy and content. When I told my mother that I wanted to start a company, she told me that I could do it. She never believed in the concept of ‘being realistic’ or ‘being practical’. My mother gave me the confidence that anything is possible, and can be achieved.”

“My mother taught me to count my blessings. It has made me more compassionate towards other people. We didn’t have a lot of money, but she would donate food and clothing to the lesser privileged every month. That was what made her such a remarkable human being.”

Choosing the Right Art for Your Home

May 31, 2018 by Melissa

Adding art to your home can really help to transform the overall feel of it but sometimes it can be hard to find the right piece. When you are trying to choose the right piece of art, you need to think carefully about what it represents, where you are going to place it and how well it fits in your home. In this article, we are going to look at some of the things that you should consider when you are choosing the right piece so keep reading if you’d like to find out more.

The Location

It is important that you have the right location in mind for your new art piece before you go ahead and purchase it. It is likely that you already have a space that you’d like to put it, so you should make sure to measure it so that you know exactly how much space that you have. You don’t want to choose a piece that is either too big or too small as this might ruin the overall effect. Make sure that you leave enough space to allow your art to be centered and focus on one great piece rather than several in one place.

The Colour Scheme

When choosing a piece of art for your home, the colour scheme of the piece is very important. Most great pieces will have some prominent colours that you should try to carefully match them with the décor of your room. This is important to ensure that your art and your décor are not clashing and so you should make sure that your fine art ties in well. If you are unsure about which colours might go together, do some research and you’ll find many colour combinations that typically look good in interior design.

The Design

Make sure to carefully consider the message that your new piece of art is going to give. The colour of the piece is not the only important part as art can be so varied in its style. You’ll be able to choose from many different designs from images of people to locations or even canvases with just words on them. Make sure not to choose something that will clash with the design of your home. Find a piece that is right for you and you’ll find that your home is transformed by this great new addition.

The Cost

Art can be expensive, especially those pieces that you think might look best in your home. You should always try to choose something that is within your budget but don’t be afraid to splash out if you find a hidden gem. Your best bet would be to choose your art from an online market place like Fine Art America, as they have a wide range of art to suit every budget. When choosing art for your home, think about spending more on one great piece rather than splitting the cost amongst a few average looking pieces. You will love coming home to a piece of fine art that transforms your room and you won’t be sorry about how much you paid for it.

Easy Mason Jar Crafts

May 26, 2016 by Melissa

Ever walk through the craft store or flea market and see a great THING and think “That could be something amazing” but not know where to go from there. I think of myself as pretty crafty but I come up blank with ending ideas very often. I feel like I try to do to much, think of something too grand. Re-purposing and recycling doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes the smallest changes to something can make a beautiful and purposeful impact.

These simple mason jar DIYs are a great start to get your creative muscles a workout.

Start with mason jars of all sizes and colors. Buy what appeals to you. I have an obsession with antique Blue Mason Jars with Zinc lids. I collect them when I can find them and actually use them all over my kitchen to hold baking supplies, spices and sometimes flowers

Mason Jar Toothbrush Holder

This simple idea to add some country chic to the bathroom is from Fireflies and Mudpies. With the addition of some wire you instantly have a toothbrush holder for the family.

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Use what you already have to make something special in a bathroom or kitchen. Don’t stop there either. This dispenser tutorial from Burlap and Babies shows how to use these for anything; add lotion, mouthwash, coffee syrups and more.

Mason Jar Vase

Another easy idea to use what you already have on hand. Grab some yard, twine, lace or paint and create a beautiful vase for flowers, herbs or candles. Make it as elegant or fun as you wish.

Mason Jar Candle Holder

Dump in some sand or colored stones and you’re done, top with a tealight Instant candle holder. If you don’t want to stop there, don’t. A couple brush strokes of your favorite paint color will transform a simple clear jar into a pretty and trendy candle holder to light up a dinner table or hallway.

Mason Jar Bowl

A couple times a week I add a scoop of oatmeal, some brown sugar, a handful of sliced almonds and milk to a jar. I top it with a lid and put it in the fridge. In the morning I grab it and go to work. This ensures I eat breakfast and it’s done the night before. Chia seeds are all the rage these days and make a fantastic overnight breakfast pudding.

Mason Jars for Storage

Use them as they were intended. Store food, household supplies, drinks, hardware and even kid’s stuff in them. They make everything more fun like these Superhero Jars created by Country Chic Cottage just for kids to store all of these little things that end up in the floor, in the vacuum or chewed up by the dog.

Adding some decorative touches to a mason jar will immediately transform it. My daughter is obsessed with Washi Tape so she’s wrapping it around everything she can get her hands on similar to this Washi Tape Jar from Nileey Sphere shown above. Maybe paint is your thing. Where you brush it on or spray it on it’s going to look amazing. These painted and distressed jars from It All Started With Paint can hold flowers, plants, paintbrushes and kitchen utensils for years to come when treated properly. Use what you have. Start simple and be proud of everything you create.

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Craft

December 1, 2014 by Melissa

Are you tired of hearing me talk about handmade holidays yet. There’s something about creating gifts and decor that suit perfectly one’s taste that really appeals to me. Each year the kids and I make ornaments, cards and decorations not just for our home but to share with the grandparents and other family. I still unwrap ornaments Sabreena made when she was little and they each bring a smile to my face. This Burlap and Evergreen Tree is a more recent creation. I took some inspiration from pictures I saw on Pinterest but definitely made it my own.

I had everything I needed to make this; card stock or , felt, hot glue, burlap roll, evergreen clippings from the yard and scissors.

Directions

Create a large cone with your cardstock or posterboard. This particular tree is tall I used a posterboard that was tucked away in the closet. The best cones come from a Pac Man shape rolled tighter for a thinner shape or kept wide for a fatter cone like party hat.
Secure your ends with tape from top to bottom. I then spray painted my coat with a quick coat of brown so that any cone showing through wouldn’t be too obvious.
Measure a length of burlap around your cone base. Cut it, fold in half (tack with glue if needed) and clip 75% up on the folded edge about 1-2 inches apart.
Glue this around your cone and repeat all the way up ensuring there is sufficient overlap.
Tuck in sprigs of evergreen or other greenery, real or fake. Personalize by cover with glitter, holly berries, fake snow or mini ornaments.
Top your tree with a hand cut felt star glued to the top of the cone.
Your tree is ready to display.

Complete this tree in less than a half hour or make an entire forest in a day. These on a mantel, paired with long pillar candles is a subtle but gorgeous display of the season.

I think this would be beautiful made in muslin, lace or even felt. I have another prepared cone waiting for a makeover.

Christmas Tree Planting Ornament Craft #handmadeholidays

November 3, 2014 by Melissa

Each Christmas season as we start to decorate I get all kinds of nostalgic. I look at the boxes of handmade ornaments from years past and I remember the time when they kids and I made them or when they brought them home from school. Making our own ornaments each year is not only a great way to bulk up your inventory over the years its the best way to create memories and add your own touch to the holidays. This handmade Christmas Tree Planting ornament reminds me of the days of chopping down our own tree in years past and kinda pushes me back to that desire.

When I was pregnant with Shaun we were about to venture out on our annual hayride to the Christmas tree farm when I knew I couldn’t do it. I was tired, plump, achy and grouchy. It was cold and I didn’t want to go. That year we spent a pretty penny and bought a gorgeous fake tree and have been using it each year since then. It’s still a great tree but we’re missing the memories of that family outing.

That decision hasn’t been made yet but making this adorable ornament is a great touch to any tree.

Supplies

Styrofoam ball
Burlap or Muslin
Craft glue
Evergreen clippings
Ribbon or twine for hanging
Twine, yarn or embroidery floss for tying
Straight pin
Button, acorn or other embellishment
Ribbon or hanging 8″-10″

Directions

Wrap your Styrofoam ball with your burlap. Tuck in edges so the ball is completely covered using the craft glue for some support.
While holding your burlap in place start spearing the Styrofoam with your evergreen clippings. Use the glue again to provide some staying power. With a straight pin insert a loop of hanging ribbon into the Styrofoam along with the branch pieces.
With a length of yarn or embroidery floss tightly tie the burlap closed. Cut off long ends.
Adjust and fold down your burlap and add button with glue. Set aside to dry
Hang on your tree, hook on wall or use to decorate a wreath.

This craft is part of a collaborative effort of 25 bloggers called 25 Days of Handmade Holidays. We each will showcase our crafty, artsy and creative abilities to celebrate the upcoming holidays by sharing our handmade ornaments, home decorations or DIY gifts.

An InLinkz Link-up

In the winter months, when it’s cold outside and you’re craving a little comfort food, steamed clams are a go-to option. They’re easy to prepare, don’t require a lot of cooking time, and are low in calories. But they don’t have to be boring.

Steamed Mussels

Ingredients for Steamed Crustaceans

Preparation of Steamed Mussels

The most important thing is to clean and wash the mussels. I once ordered steamed clams in Hawaii that were completely full of sand. If you’ve never tried steamed mussels, you’ll never order them again because you think they usually taste like that.

Remarks

Steamed mussels

Ingredients

Instructions

Power

Similar recipes:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you steam clams?

How many minutes do you steam clams?

What to Steam clams in?

Related Tags:

Building a Wardrobe

Get New Jeans

Basic Blouses

Don’t shy away from Dresses and Skirts!

Coats/Jackets

Have fun!

Materials You Will Need:

Pegboard headboard ideas

Final Thoughts

Wall Mural Decals

Floor Mural Decals

Baby Name Plaque

Cartoon Animal Heads

Hanging Cloud

The Location

The Colour Scheme

The Design

The Cost

Read Something

Kids in the Kitchen Linky Party

Find it Here

How To Cancel?

What’s Mom Found Now?