Trades to Master

  • Things to Master: Sewing (Quilting),
  • DIY,
  • Painting,
  • Remodeling,
  • Cooking,
  • Gardening,
  • and so much more

Thursday, July 28, 2011

I'm a Winner!


Hello Everyone!

I have only entered a few giveaways in blogland.  I usually don't have very good luck in winning things so I don't try very hard.  However, I just couldn't pass up the chance to give it a try when I saw the giveaway that Karen at Sew Many Ways was having on her blog a few weeks ago.  And guess what?  I Won! She was doing a giveaway from Kate at The Adopt Shoppe.  She and her family are trying to raise money for their adoption.  I think adoption is a wonderful thing.  I have many friends who have either been adopted or have and are adopting.  Here are a few of my favorite things in her store.  She has so many cute things; it is hard to choose.
  
She does personalization for moms or grandmothers.  Too cute.
Faith.  Something we all need reminded to do.
We appreciate the support here in Joplin, MO.
No explanation needed on this one. ;)
And, her sewing ones that were in the giveaway.  I picked number 3.  Actually, I gave her a choice of 3 or 7 and she sent 3.
So folks, that is just a small sampling of what Kate has to offer in her Etsy shop.  Go check it out and give a little support for adoption.  I'm still trying to decide on which one I actually am going to buy. 

Stay tuned for my travel log I promised you.  I will try and be brief but it may be hard.  We packed a whole lot into 3 days!  I am hoping to get something posted within a few days.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Vacation...Finally

Hello Everyone!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend.  Just a quick note here to tell everyone that we are finally getting to get away for a few days.  My hubby has been working incredible hours lately and gets up at an insane time of day (3:00 am).  So, this is a much needed break.  We only wish it could be longer.  We are going to Branson, MO. from Monday to Wednesday.  We are going to pack in as much as we can in those three days.  We got a spectacular deal on our motel so that gives us a little extra to "play" with.  I will be sure to take lots of pictures and bore you all with a travel slideshow when I get back.  Just kidding.  I do plan to take a lot of pictures but I won't post them all.  My son & hubby are going to do a little kayaking while my daughter and I do a little some shopping.  I wonder which will be more dangerous. ;)  Once again, just kidding.  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Quotable Quotes #3 and my son

Hello Everyone!

Today I am going to share with you my Quotable Quote #3.

A CREATIVE MESS
IS BETTER
THAN
TIDY IDLENESS

Well, most of the time I am right on with this quote.  My sewing room is usually a "creative mess".  However, lately my son has been having his "creative mess" on my dining room table and I'm not too sure I like that.
Notice sawdust everywhere.
"What is he doing?" you ask.  He has recently started making wooden fishing lures.  I don't know if he is using the right paint or doing it all the "right" way but he is learning, having fun, being creative, staying busy and making a creative mess.
"Mom, why do you have to take my picture?"
Ahh, there's a half, fake, forced smile.  
Here is a close-up of one he made recently.
Love the squigly eyes on this one.
Psst. don't tell him but we are talking about getting him some things for his b-day next month that might make it a little easier to do and to make the "creative mess" not so messy. (As in a box to organize all his stuff)  I love that my son is artistic.  He gets his drawing ability from his dad.  Maybe he's starting to get some of my craftiness. ;)  We'll see if this is a fad or maybe a lifetime craft for him.  Even though I don't like sawdust in my dining room, it is still better than "tidy idleness".  AMEN?  Amen!  So, until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

All in One Chicken and Potato Dish

Hello Everyone!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far.  I have a recipe to share with you today. I came across this recipe last week on All Recipes.Com.  If you have never checked them out, you need to do so! I have come across several recipes that are now staples in my recipe book.  This one is called Bacon-Roasted Chicken with Potatoes.  Like many recipes I use, I altered it to fit what I had on hand or what we prefer.  I will give you the real recipe and tell you what I did different. 

6 chicken thighs
6 chicken drumsticks
12 slices center-cut bacon
salt and pepper to taste
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 pounds baby Dutch yellow potatoes
Seasonings:
2 Tbs. dried chives
2 Tbs. dried basil
1 Tbs. garlic powder
1 Tbs. adobo seasoning
1 Tbs. ground black pepper
1 tsp. salt or to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Wrap each chicken piece in a slice of bacon, trying to cover as much of the chicken as possible.  Place the wrapped chicken pieces in a 9x13 inch baking dish, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle the onion over the chicken.  Push potatoes down into the spaces between the chicken pieces and around the edge of the dish.
Combine the chives, basil, garlic powder, adobo seasoning, and black pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle the seasoning to taste over the chicken and potatoes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until bacon is crisp and brown and the potatoes are tender.  Sprinkle with salt, if desired, and serve hot.

OK.  Now my version.  I didn't use thighs and drumsticks because all I had was chicken breasts.  Then, I just used as much bacon as needed for the amount of breasts.  I actually cut the bacon into two strips and laid them over the top.  If you wrap them all around, the bottom won't crisp and it will just be soggy and limp.  Then, I have never heard of adobo seasoning and I didn't have any dried chives, so I didn't use either one of those.  The potatoes I had were from Sam's Club.  I had purchased a variety bag of small potatoes.  The potatoes were yellow, red and purple.  Also, I have fresh basil growing in my garden so go figure that I would use that over dried.  Oh, did it ever smell wonderful!  Anyway, I think that is the just of my changes.  Really, as far as the spices go, just use what you like and what you have on hand.  I think the quantities they give for the spices are a little much.  I can't imagine a whole tablespoon of black pepper.  I didn't combine my spices first.  I just sprinkled all over the top each spice I wanted to use.  I will show you a few pics.  Unfortunately, we were so anxious to eat that I totally forgot to take a picture after it all came out of the oven so all I have are some before pics.  I think you will get the idea and just let your imagination finish it off for you.

This is before the spices.  I also used a bigger pan than the called for 9x13. 
With the spices and fresh basil added.  YUM!
Close-up
This was a wonderful dish and all I added to make a complete meal was a loaf of French bread.  So give it a try some time and let me know what you think.  This would also be great for company.  It really doesn't take very long to prepare but just give yourself enough time for the baking.  It was very close to the hour of the recipe.  I think I added maybe 5 minutes.  Every oven is different though so the hour is a good standard time. 
So, until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Monday, July 18, 2011

What's been keeping me from posting lately

Hello Everyone!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  I just noticed that it has been like 10 or 11 days since I posted.  Please tell me where the time went.  I have been working, working, working lately on this or that.  I've had wedding on the brain lately.  My niece is getting married and I have been helping her with some of the planning and executing of ideas.  (That sounded kind of bad.  I mean executing in the sense of completing or working on a job not murdering it!)  Anyway, I'm about half way done with the bridesmaid dress I'm sewing for one of her bridesmaids.  Sorry, no pics of that; as of yet.  I will say it is a wonderful shade of blue.  That ought to keep ya wondering. ;)

I've also been working on birthday gifts and new Etsy items.  Those, I will show you because, of course, I want you to buy them!  Just kidding, sorta. ;)
Wood slated wall sign with bible verse for sale on Etsy. This would make a great wedding gift. 
Vintage 1957 Miramar of California pink, ceramic, oven-safe dish for sale on Etsy. This would be cute as a candy dish.
A personalized wall sign that I made for my niece's birthday.  I have also listed it on Etsy as an example of the customized signs that I can make to order.
I also have some half started projects and more I need to start (sis-in-law's b-day and wedding gift for niece).  I just found out that we are having her bridal shower the first weekend in August and I haven't decided what to do yet.  I gave her the option of something practical or decorative.  Guess what she picked?  Yep, decorative.  We are going on vacation next week for a few days so I better get myself in gear or I just might not have anything for her by the time the shower comes around.  YIKES!

So, I say all that to say, I have thought about blogging but have been too busy to do anything about it.  I have a few more posts in the works on other various subjects so I'll have to get those out to you soon too.  Keep checking back because...you just never know what will show up here at Jane of All Trades!  So until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Quotable Quotes #2

Hello Everyone!

Here is a second installment of words to live by or if you will, "Quotable Quotes".  It is summertime and with all the gardens going and fruit consumption in full swing; I thought this was appropriate.


KNOWLEDGE IS KNOWING
A TOMATO IS A FRUIT.
WISDOM IS NOT PUTTING IT
 INTO THE FRUIT SALAD.

Fruit? Yes

Add to fruit salad?  NO!

Don't they both look good?  Hope you all enjoy the blessings of the summer sun - Garden Vegetables & Fruit!  Until next time...

Have a blessed day,

maggie jane

Both images courtesy of Google Images