"Spring"-ing out a New Wreath!

Last Friday we had about 4 inches of snow here...and tomorrow they are forecasting another winter storm watch and are predicting about 5-6 more inches of snow.

I am NOT  a person that likes winter...and we will be travelling south in the next couple of weeks to find the sun and some warmer temperatures...in the meantime, I wanted to add a little SPRING to my home.

I purchased some flowers at the dollar store...

and then I took apart the Valentine's wreath that I had made for our front door...This grapevine wreath really has seen many re-inventions!

I searched through my stash of scarves and came up with a pretty orange and pink polka-dotted one.  For me scarves are so much easier than ribbon, and they are a great item to recycle in all sorts of decorating projects...either in a wreath or as a table runner.

  I added the flowers to the wreath along with the scarf, just tucking them between the grapevine.  I never use glue to secure things because I am forever dismantling the wreath to re-use again.

I then tucked back in some of the white roses that were used on the Valentine's wreath as well and hung it on my front door.

Its a great pop of spring colour and gives me a little hope that maybe the snow will be gone soon and spring weather is just around the corner...Here's a closer look!

Here's hoping the weather is spring-like where you are!!!

Cheryl

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The DIY Show Off

A Little Taste of Mexico...Chicken Tortilla Soup

Okay - we are leaving the DIY behind today in favour of showing you this great new soup recipe that I found.

Many of you know that I am currently trying to eat gluten free...I started this journey after reading the book entitled, Wheat Belly.   Now, I'm not going to push this way of life on anyone - but this has been a conscious choice for me for the last month and a half or so...

It is not as difficult as I thought adapting to this lifestyle change.  Especially when you can make tasty things like this...

MEXICAN TORTILLA SOUP!!!  This is the recipe in the Wheat Belly book - however I modified it a bit, because I didn't have all the ingredients on hand.  Regardless though it was amazingly good and very easy to make.

I sauteed 1/2 an onion and 2 large cloves of garlic in some olive oil.  I did not saute the chicken because I used pre-cooked chicken I had on hand in my fridge, leftover from last night's dinner.

Instead of boxed chicken stock, I used 4 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder mix.  Next I added a large can of diced tomatoes.  I then added a chopped green pepper and some mushrooms that I sliced up. (The recipe doesn't call for mushrooms, but I had them here!)  The recipe does call for jalapeno pepper but because I didn't have any on hand, I omitted that.   I then added the cooked chicken once the stock and tomatoes came to a boil.  I turned down the heat and added the sauteed onion and garlic and some freshly cracked pepper and salt to taste.

I simmered the soup for 30 minutes as directed and then served it up in a shallow bowl.  I added 1 ounce of shredded cheddar cheese to the top...

and then instead of crackers, I added corn tortilla chips..

The recipe suggests also to serve it with sliced avocado and cilantro on top, as well as, sour cream.  Since I didn't have those things on hand, again I omitted them.

The soup has wonderful flavour and is very filling.  It's definitely a soup I think you should try!

Cheryl

Linking up @:

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Those of you that follow by Facebook already know that McG and I don't normally make a big deal over Valentine's Day - maybe a card or something small...

But today I realized that this is our 30th Valentine's Day together as a couple.  Back in 1983 we had only been dating a few short months when we celebrated our first Valentine's Day together...I was 17 and he was 20 - WOW - that's a long time together!!  YAY FOR US!!  We have weathered many storms together and here we still are!

So today I decided to surprise him with a Valentine's centerpiece.  I am cooking him dinner and thought it would be nice if we dined in the dining room for a change instead of in the kitchen...

I went to WalMart this morning and picked up a $3.00 package of Hershey kisses and a card for him (I KNOW, BIG SPENDER!!  LOL)  Once I was home I started pulling out all the red things I could find...I decided on a red, aqua and silver colour scheme.  Here's how it turned out...

I left my aqua runner on the table and added a large red urn that I had on the hallway table.  To that I added a red plate and a pink mini rose that I had bought earlier in the week - it is in an aqua pot.  I scrounged around and found some red and silver candle holders as well.   

I had some wine here and decided to add that and some wine glasses to the display.  I scattered the kisses and some red and white mints I had here already over the table.  Here's a closer look...

A quick and lovely centerpiece for just the cost of the kisses and a card...

I'm sure he will LOVE it!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Cheryl

Linking up @:
5 Days 5 Ways
The Tablescaper

Happy Sunday!

The sun was shining yesterday....And Sloan was enjoying it!

Hope it's sunny where you are today!

Cheryl

Linking up @:

My Little Home and Garden

A Little Pillow Talk...

Do you like stenciled pillows?  I can do without all the ruffles, but I do enjoy the look of the stencil...You know what I mean...something on a creamy background that would look great in any room!

I made a quick trip to the Dollarama yesterday to pick up some cat treats and a few other items.  While walking down one of the aisles I spotted these...

Very cool pillow covers for just...wait for it....

I purchased these 2 - there was another one with more of an old postcard look to it...but they only had one and the zipper was broken...

Not sure where I will put them - but I LOVE THEM!!!

Here's another picture of them...

I'm going to find a pillow form in my stash and get them out....might make a cute addition to the loveseat in the living room...

Cheryl