Seafood Skillet

This meal is one of the first one's I cooked after we got married.  It quickly became a favorite one for us.  I love the sweet, spicy, smokey taste of it!

You will need:

4 strips bacon, chopped

1 lb. small bay scallops

1/2 lb. medium shrimp shelled, deveined, tails off

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (11.8 oz.) coconut water

1/4 C. water

2 small chicken bouillon cubes

red pepper flakes  (Add to you liking - we like it spicy)

1 bag frozen mixed peppers

2 C. instant rice

Directions:

In a large skilled, cook bacon over medium heat.  Add bay scallops, shrimp, and garlic and cook for about 4 minutes over medium-high heat.  Add coconut water, water, bouillon cubes, and red pepper flakes.  Bring to a boil

Add mixed peppers; simmer for 3 minutes.  Stir in rice; cover and remove from heat.  Let stand, stirring occasionally, until liquid is mostly absorbed.

Enjoy!

Linked to:

Elizabeth & Co.
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
The Winthrop Chronicles
Ladybug Blessings
Flamingo Toes
Someday Crafts
Lil Luna
Katie's Nesting Spot
Whipperberry
Thirty Handmade Days
The Shabby Nest
Craftionary
Six Sisters Stuff
Tatertots & Jello
I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Craft-O-Maniac

Polka Dot Table Runner

Over my spring break, I made it a goal to "conquer" my sewing machine.  I've often found myself opting to hand sew things instead of diving in head first to the sewing machine.  It seemed overwhelming for me to even get started.  I decided to get over my fears and just go for it.  I am FAR from being good at it yet, but I had so much fun!  It felt great to problem solve as I went along and accomplished when I finished a project.  It's going to be a learn-as-I-go experience!  

I found this piece of black and white polka dot fabric in my fabric bin.  It was an awkward size, but to me it looked like the perfect size for a table runner.  

So, I just went for it.  I didn't follow any tutorials, but it is a basic little project.  I washed and ironed the fabric, folded over the fabric and ran it through the sewing machine.  I am pretty darn happy with the outcome!

Linked to:

Thirty Handmade Days

Tater Tots & Jello

Six Sisters Stuff

Elizabeth & Co.

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Winthrop Chronicles

Ladybug Blessings

Flamingo Toes

Someday Crafts

Lil Luna

Katie's Nesting Spot

Whipperberry

Thirty Handmade Days

The Shabby Nest

Craftionary

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Craft-O-Maniac

Dark Chocolate Bark With Pretzels and Cranberries

Here is a quick and yummy treat that will satisfy your salty and sweet cravings.  

You will need:

8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Mini pretzel twists

Dried cranberries

Directions:

Line the bottom of an 8 in. square baking pan with foil.  

Fill a sauce pan with about 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer.  Place a heatproof bowl over the saucepan and put the chocolate pieces in the bowl.  Cook and stir often until the chocolate is almost melted.  Remove bowl from heat and stir until all chocolate is melted and smooth.  

Using a knife, spread the chocolate in an even layer across the lined baking pan.  

Arrange pretzels on top and sprinkle cranberries, pressing gently into chocolate.  Let the bark stand at room temperature until solid.  About 45 minutes.  Break bark into pieces before serving.

Enjoy!

Linked to:

No Minimalist Here

Katie's Nesting Spot

The Shabby Creek Cottage

The 36th Avenue

Thirty Handmade Days

Tater Tots & Jello

Six Sisters Stuff

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Tulip Bookmarks

To celebrate (and force the warmer weather to cooperate) I made some felt tulip bookmarks.  Easy to make and great for scraps of felt you have laying around, these make an adorable accessory for the latest book you are reading. 

 I don't have a cricut or anything fancy like that, so I cut the pieces all free hand.  I think it adds some charm to them.  I used embroidery floss to attach the flower and leaves to the stem.  You could use any varying colors of your choice!

Happy reading!

Linked to:

The Winthrop Chronicles

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Coastal Charm

The Trendy Treehouse

Someday Crafts

Lil Luna

Made to be a Momma

No Minimalist Here

Katie's Nesting Spot

The Shabby Creek Cottage

The 36th Avenue

Thirty Handmade Days

Tater Tots & Jello

Six SIsters Stuff

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Saturday Hike

We took a lovely hike in the woods this past Saturday.  It was so nice to have a sunny sky, warm weather, be in the woods, hear the birds, and breath in the fresh spring air!