shrimp ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

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shrimp ceviche

A few summers back when my husband and I spent a couple of days in Miami we ordered a shrimp ceviche and the waiter politely told us that was fine but a shrimp ceviche isn’t a real ceviche because you have to cook the shrimp with heat, as opposed to traditional ceviche where the acidity in the juice cooks the fish, before you put into the vegetables. I’m not sure why it needs to be cooked first but it’s not a big deal because it actually speeds up the time from making to eating which is always a good thing.

Ingredients:

  • 10 or more medium-sized shrimp, peeled, tail removed and deveined (or be smarter than me and buy some that are already like that) cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1-2 chopped fresh seeded vine tomatoes
  • 1 chopped bell pepper, no color preference
  • 1/2 jalapeño pepper, chopped and 1/4 of the seeds, add more seeds if you want it a little hotter.
  • Salt to taste
  • Cilantro to taste, stem removed and chopped

Directions:

1. In a glass bowl with lid, like a Pyrex, combine equal parts tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper. Next add the jalapeño. Mix well with a spoon.

2.  Add cilantro and mix. Then add the salt to taste and a little bit of lime juice. The salt is to take some of the sweetness away from the lemon and lime juice.

shrimp ceviche

3. In a small saucepan on medium heat, bring the lime and lemon juice to a soft boil.

4. Add the shrimp and cook until it goes from clear to white.

shrimp ceviche

raw shrimp

 

shrimp ceviche

cooked

5. Add the shrimp and a little bit of the juice to the veggies and mix.

6. Enjoy! With tortilla chips, crackers, pita bread and/or guacamole.

shrimp ceviche

 


shirt collar

How to Make a Shirt Collar for a Dog

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dog shirt collar

I decided Rusty needed another piece for his work wardrobe. So I decided to make his a shirt collar. I have a pattern for it. But the easiest way, I think, for someone to make it at home is to use an old collared shirt you don’t want anymore and take apart that collar for the pattern. Or if you use my pattern, please note the sizing of 14.5inch neck and adjust the printing size accordingly. Also there is a lot of ironing for this pattern. Yes, it is annoying but taking the time to properly press each piece will end in much cleaner results and make sewing much easier.

bottompatterntoppattern

Things you need:

  • fabric, preferably cotton
  • interfacing
  • matching thread
  • if you’re like me, a sewing machine that can make a button-hole because I don’t know how to do it by hand.
  • button

1. Place, pin and cut out fabric and interfacing pattern pieces.

applyinterfacing

2. Apply interfacing B to Fabric A leaving about ¼ inch of fabric at the top of A.

3. Apply interfacing D to fabric C leaving about ¼ inch of fabric at the bottom of C.

shirt collar

4. On pieces, A and B fold over and press raw edges on 3 sides, leaving the bottom as is.

5. Pin together A and B, right sides out, and sew with a ¼ inch top stitch and the 3 sides you’ve pressed the edges.

6. On pieces C and D fold over about ¼ inch and press all four sides.

7. Center AB in between C and D and pin all the layers together, right sides out.

8. Stitch around all four sides of C and D, encasing AB in between the layers making one piece.

9. Position and mark where the button-hole should be, and use your machines button-hole foot to create the button-hole. If you don’t have a machine that can do that click here to learn how to do it by hand.

10. Sew on the button.

shirt collarshirt collar

11. Put it on your pooch and enjoy!

shirt collarshirt collar

 

Hopefully your dog will enjoy it more than Rusty because he looks scared in these pictures 🙁

 


flatbread

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Recipe

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flatbread

Barbecue chicken flatbread, or what I like to call BBQ chicken pizza without the sauce. 🙂

Flatbread Ingredients:

  • dough, click here for recipe, don’t bake it yet *if you want a chewier dough use bread flour, use All-Purpose flour for a crisper dough
  • shredded chicken
  • barbecue sauce, I like Stubbs
  • diced red onion, about half of it
  • diced bell pepper, about half of it
  • olive oil

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 450°
  2. Generously coat the shredded chicken in barbecue sauce.
  3. Put about a tablespoon of oil into a skillet and put on medium heat.
  4. Place diced peppers in the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes and then add the onions. Sauté both until tender, about 7 minutes.
  5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Place on a greased pan and place in the oven for about 8 minutes. *This is to make sure the top is cooked all the way through before putting on the toppings.
  6. Carefully remove the flatbread from the oven and top with cheese, chicken, onions and peppers. Followed by pouring a little more barbecue sauce on top of the flatbread.
  7. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, where the cheese is melted and the bottom is cooked all the way through.
  8. Enjoy!

flatbread


shirt

How to Shorten Shoulder Straps

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shoulder strap

I bought a really cute top for work, the only problem is that it is not petite sized. The straps are way too long making me expose too much of myself. Luckily I knew I could easily fix this after examining the shirt.

First I needed to figure out how much to take off of the straps so I put it on and pinned them into the correct place. I then carefully removed the shirt and measured the amount I needed to take off.

Next I turned the shirt inside out and got my handy seam ripper and opened the area where the strap connects to the shirt.

shoulder strapNext, I pulled out the 2 inches it needed to be shortened by and pinned it into place. Repeat for the other strap. shoulder strap

Using matching thread and the proper needle, I sewed the shoulder straps into place, using a back-stitch at each end to make sure they’re secure. I didn’t cut off the extra because it’ll be sitting in between the two layers of the shirt so they won’t be an issue. Turn it right side out and brand new shirt that actually fits.

shoulder strap


eggplant sandwich

Eggplant Sandwich

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eggplant sandwich

 

I bought a gigantic eggplant from the store the other day. I bought it with no idea how I was going to cook it. I decided to try an eggplant sandwich, burger type thing. I did add bacon to it but it can easily be omitted to make this a vegetarian option. I liked it and my husband even enjoyed it! Now what to do with the rest of this thing, eggplant parm?

Ingredients:

  • toasted bun
  • 2 pieces of cooked bacon
  • sautéed/wilted spinach – little bit of oil and saute in medium heat until wilted
  • slice of eggplant
  • shredded mozzarella
  • some Parmesan
  • basil
  • tomato slice
Directions:
  1. Pre-heat the to oven 350°F
  2. Pour a  tiny bit of oil in a skillet on medium-high heat.
  3. Cook eggplant on each side for 2-3 minutes until it has softened.
  4. On a baking sheet, place eggplant slice, sprinkle some salt on it,  followed by bacon, then spinach and then both cheeses. Place either a fresh basil leaf or generous amount of dried basil on top of cheese.
  5. Place in the oven for about 7 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.
  6. Put tomato slice on the bottom bun and then place eggplant on top of the tomato.
  7. Enjoy! I served with sweet potato fries.

eggplant sandwich


basket weave scarf

Basket Weave Scarf

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basket weave scarf

So remember way back in November when I started to knit a basket weave scarf for my husband? Well I FINALLY finished it! Just in time for this 90 degree and humid weather we’re having. So my husband will have to wait a few months to wear it but I’m very happy to have finally finished it.

Here’s what happened. I don’t enjoy long projects so I started knitting it in November worked on it for maybe two weeks and put it away. Then a few weeks ago I was sorting my yarn when I found this unfinished project sitting at the bottom of basket. I decided it was time I got back at it. I’m very happy with the results. The pattern is just nice enough to give it some visual interest without being overbearing. I love it. Now I need to tackle some other unfinished projects.

It ended up being  about 5½ inches wide x 6 feet long.

basket weave scarf

basket weave scarf


Where to Buy Fabric Online

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A lot of people don’t have access to great fabric stores in their areas and some, like me, are a bit lazy and prefer the comfort of their homes and computer screens to buy fabric. I have found a few online fabric stores to aid in your search for the perfect fabric. Granted you can’t touch the fabric and you have to wait for it to be shipped to you but I feel being able to find exactly what you want is worth the wait.

  1. Big Z Fabric has a something for everyone. It has your basics, as well as beaded fabric, faux leather, lace, velvet and upholstery fabric. It’s worth it to just browse to see what all it has to offer.
  2. Fabric.com has all of your basics. It also has great sales and a couple of free patterns.
  3. Fabric Exchange is another great place that has everything from cotton, fake fur, sequined fabric, taffeta and many more options. It’s an addicting fabric website to just look at. There are so many unique fabrics at the Fabric Exchange.
  4. Fabric Worm is great for children’s and quilting fabrics. It also has a few free patterns.
  5. Mood Fabrics has a little bit of everything. Part of my love for it stems from it being featured on Project Runway, I love that show!
  6. Purl Soho is another website that is fun to browse. It has fabric, notions, yarns and books. All seem to be unique and it even has kits to make a variety of projects.
  7. Spoon Flower is another fun online fabric store. It has a lot of unique patterns. It also sells wallpaper and wall decals. Another reason to love this store is because you can design your own fabric, wall paper, decals and wrapping paper! You just need to upload your file of the pattern you designed and they create it for you!
  8. Emma One Sock for fabric! It even lets you order swatches of material.
  9. Fabrics Fashion Club
  10. Trim Fabric for fabric and it has a great selection of trims and notions.
  11. M&J Trimming for all trims! Ribbons, rhinestones, lace, crystals, buttons and more!
  12. Mendel’s is where I purchased the faux fur for the lion’s mane costume.

Fixed Latch on a Canister

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I read the book Vitamin Water by Arnel Ricafranca. It’s a free kindle book that explains how to make your own vitamin water.  It inspired me to create my own. But I didn’t have an air tight glass pitcher or one that didn’t take up a lot of space. Then I found this glass canister at Marshalls! $3.00!!!!

canister

canister

I was so excited that I didn’t even notice it was missing part of the latch. Of course, the simple thing would have been for me to return it. But why? Of course I could fix it. First I tried a paper clip. That didn’t work because it was too flimsy. I decided to try a wire hanger. I grabbed my husband’s tools and some of my own and got to work with Gordon Ramsey yelling at the chefs on Hell’s Kitchen in the background.

canister

It took a lot longer than I expected, like 3 episodes of Hell’s Kitchen on Hulu. I thought I’d just use part of the hanger that’s already bent because it’ll be more pliable. But no, it snapped in two. So I took a piece about 3 inches long from the straight part of the bottom of the hanger and used pliers and my tiny muscles to bend it. My fingers hurt after I finished but it was worth. It’s not pretty but it works! Now I can make delicious vitamin water.

canister


wedge salad

BLT Wedge Salad

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wedge salad

I had a BLT wedge salad at a restaurant the other day and loved it. It’s a fun new way to eat your veggies. I needed to make it at home. It is really easy to make too! Just wash and cut your head of lettuce into 4 pieces, sprinkle your favorite salad veggies and proteins around it, dress it and you’re done!  A wedge salad is also an easy way to wow your guests at your next get together! I like to serve it with salmon and a twice baked potato or biscuits.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • head of iceberg lettuce
  • diced tomato seeds removed, or cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • bacon
  • blue cheese
  • blue cheese dressing

Directions:

  1. Cut off bottom/stem of head of lettuce and then cut head into 4 equal pieces
  2. Cook bacon in skillet until and break into pieces.
  3. Put quartered lettuce onto four separate plates.
  4. Sprinkle the tomatoes, blue cheese and bacon around the lettuce.
  5. Cover in blue cheese dressing.
  6. Get your knife and fork and enjoy your wedge salad!

wedgesaladwedge saladwedge salad


shredded chicken

Shredded Chicken Recipe

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shredded chicken

Shredded chicken is a very versatile food. You can cover it in barbecue sauce, taco seasoning or anything else you can think of; there are endless possibilities. This makes it a great meal starter and it’s super easy to make!

How I make shredded chicken:

Serves 1-2

Ingredients:

  • 2-4 chicken tenders or 1-2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Directions:

  1. Pour broth into a skillet that has a lid, bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce to a simmer and carefully place chicken into the skillet. Cover with the lid.
  3. After 4 minutes, carefully flip the chicken and cook another 3-4 minutes. *I found using tongs much easier than using a turner.
  4. Remove the chicken from skillet and place onto a cutting board. Discard the broth.
  5. With two forks, shred the chicken.
  6. Season as you wish.
  7. Enjoy!

shredded chicken