{Hip Rugs for Kids Rooms} by Fresh Nest

A friend gave me some great blogs to read this week.  I have been in heaven and spending way to much time on them.  I found this great article featuring great children's rugs at Fresh Nest and had to share it.  These are adorable and Fresh Nest bloggers Deb and Erin, really did their homework.  Enjoy!

{notNeutral $260}

 

{Betty/Honey by angela adams $349}

{ikea $25}

{Buttons by Oliver Yaphe $980} –  so cute I had to include it!

{Urban Outfitters $68}

{Overstock $470}

{bellacor $64}

{Overstock $403}

{Dash & Albert $238}

{ikea $20}

{Avalisa $310}

 {west elm $99}

{Momeni $129}

To see the complete article visit Children’s Rugs.

{Great Food} Great Friends via Facebook

I went to visit a dear friend this week.  It had been close to 10 years since I saw her last (i missed her).  I had no idea how much until seeing her again.  We talked at the same time and we talked a lot!  We just couldn't catch up fast enough.  It was a great time.

We actually connected again via Facebook.  It's a wonderful tool for keeping in touch and finding lost friends.  Turns out she had re-married and I did not know her current name.  If you haven't tried Facebook.com, you might be surprised how easy it is to get in touch with a long lost friend!

When we decided to plan a day together, I knew she would cook something fantastic.  In the past, my friend was known for wonderful fresh meals.  I actually looked as forward to the meal as the companionship.  Let's face it..... great food made from scratch is hard to come by with all the hectic lifestyles today!  Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

I arrived and instantly smelled the wonderful aromas that reminded me of my Grandma's kitchen.  I miss Grandma and her home-cooking.  My friends know that I am not one to turn down the flavors of life.  Maybe that's why I have such a hard time loosing weight!?  That's a whole different blog for a later time :(

I took some snap shots of the wonderful meal.  It was fresh, simple, home-made, and delicious.  I hope to get the recipes from Deb, and once I do I will post them here also.  I hope you enjoy.  For lunch we had Spinach Quiche, fresh Bread, and a colorful Salad.

 

  

 

 

 

{Healthy Recipe} Layered Cornbread and Turkey Salad

Served in glass Mason jars, this all-in-one salad is perfect picnic fare. Look for Mason jars in the canning section of supermarkets and discount stores, or order online from www.canningpantry.com.

Prep: 45 min., Chill: 3 hrs.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (6-ounce) package buttermilk cornbread mix
* 1 (12-ounce) bottle Parmesan-peppercorn dressing
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup buttermilk
* 1 (9-ounce) package romaine lettuce, shredded
* 2 1/2 cups chopped smoked turkey (about 3/4 pound)
* 2 large yellow bell peppers, chopped
* 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
* 1 red onion, chopped
* 1 cup diced celery (about 3 celery ribs)
* 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
* 10 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
* 2 green onions, sliced

PREPARATION
Prepare cornbread according to package directions; cool and crumble. Set aside.

Stir together dressing, mayonnaise, and buttermilk until blended.

Layer crumbled cornbread, shredded lettuce, and next 7 ingredients evenly into 6 (3- to 4-cup) glass containers; spoon half of dressing mixture evenly over tops. Cover and chill at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours. Sprinkle with green onions just before serving. Serve with remaining half of dressing mixture on the side.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Martha White Buttermilk Cornbread Mix and Girard's Parmesan-Peppercorn Dressing. We used 3-cup marquis-shaped canning jars with lid and screw ring. To find a retailer, visit www.leifheitusa.com, or call toll-free 1-866-695-3434.

To make 1 large salad: Layer half each of crumbled cornbread, shredded lettuce, and next 7 ingredients in a large glass bowl; spoon half of dressing mixture evenly over top. Repeat layers ending with dressing mixture. Cover and chill at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Sprinkle top with green onions just before serving. Prep: 45 min., Chill: 8 hrs.

Layered Southwest Cornbread-and-Turkey Salad: Substitute 1 (6-ounce) package Mexican cornbread mix for 1 (6-ounce) package buttermilk cornbread mix; 1 (16-ounce) bottle buttermilk-Ranch dressing for Parmesan-peppercorn dressing; 1 (8-ounce) package finely shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses with jalapeño peppers for shredded Swiss cheese; and 1 (11-ounce) can sweet whole kernel corn, drained, and 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained, for yellow bell peppers. Prepare recipe as directed, omitting mayonnaise.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Gladiola Mexican style cornbread mix and Ken's Steak House Buttermilk Ranch dressing.

Joanna L. Hay, Arcadia, Florida, Southern Living

{Eco Valentine Cards} Crazy Love in a Funky way

I found these creative valentine cards on etsy!  Inspired by life and loved ones, this card is a great way to send an eco-funky card for valentine. 

Outside reads, "I love you so much that sometimes I ignore your farts. Of course, that doesn’t mean I want you to start farting more. It just means sometimes I’m willing to let one or two go unnoticed. Because of love." (blank inside)

f e a t u r e s

:: Single folded card

:: Red envelope

:: Neatly packaged in a cellophane sleeve

:: Size A2 (5 1/2" x 4 1/4")

:: One in a series of 8 sap-free love cards

e c o - f r i e n d l y  f e a t u r e s

:: paper is FSC-certified & carbon-neutral, made with 100% renewable energy

:: paper is 100% and envelopes are 30% post-consumer waste

:: paper is acid-free, elemental chlorine free, and archival

Price:  $3.00

Buy Here

{Wool Felt} Funky Coasters

Fun, funky, stylish, practical, and really cool! These coasters are nherently heat and moisture resistant, these die-cut industrial felt coasters will protect your table and countertops with style. Spot clean with water and pat dry or dry clean. Combine with donut set for a unique collection or small runner for a coffee table.

Set of 6
Dimensions: 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 3 mm thick
Material: 100% wool felt made in the USA
Colors: light gray, orange, red, olive green

Price:  $22
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{Custom Hors d' oeuvres} OlivatorTM Plunger

Create delicious custom cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by plunging flavor into pitted olives using the OlivatorTM. This unique gadget cores the perfect size and shape of pimento, onion, jalapeño, garlic or semi-firm cheese and then delivers it into the pitted olive with a simple press of the button. Take the OlivatorTM beyond the bar and plunge chocolate or mascarpone cheese into cherries or strawberries, or add tangy goat cheese or chipotle into pitted figs for tasty dessert or appetizer creations. Be creative with your culinary combinations! The OlivatorTM is durably constructed of stainless steel with a soft, padded grip and is dishwasher safe. Care and use instructions included. Please Note:  the OlivatorTM is not designed for pitting olives.
Price:  $20
Buy Here