Halloween Decor and aDIY!

My mantle, and bookshelves all decorated for fall.  Garlands from Michaels, crows from Dollar Tree, pumpkins from Xmas tree shops, ghosts from Target's $ spot, happy Halloween garland from Michaels, apothecary jars from Kirkland's, IKEA framed leaves that DH picked for me. 

An inspiration picture (not mine, found through google search on Country Living):

And here's my creepy sofa!!! (cheesecloth-found it at the dollar tree)

 

And finally my DIY chalkboard!  I used a PB signature frame that I never used for our wedding and used only the backing of the frame and painted it with primer then chalkboard paint. I draped some more of the creepy cheesecloth around the frame as well.  The pumpkin on the table is a candle- from B&BW and smells AMAZING.

 

**Oops, forgot to close that drawer.  Nevermind that!**

 

 Hope they inspire you, and you like them!  Let me know what you think :)  Happy Halloween!

Finally.

Click here for my ETSY shop!!!

So, my big announcement that I have been anticipating for about a month now has finally happened.  I opened my very own ETSY shop today!  I only have a few items so far, and right now Im offering free shipping!!!  Head on over to check out my goods :)

(Note:  Im having difficulties with doing links lately since I upgrade my blogger version.  Maybe its my Mac?  If anyone can help me, let me know in the comments section please.)

Weekly Menu

I have decided to add in lunch options to my weekly list!

Sunday
L: Jr Bacon Cheeseburger (Wendy's)
D: Sushi

Monday
L: Tuna Salad, wrapped in iceburg lettuce
D: Salsa chicken- taco salads.

Tuesday
L: Tuna Salad, wrapped in iceburg lettuce    Carrot and celery sticks, hummus
D: BBQ Chicken, salad & these potatoes:
http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/2009/10/hasselback-potatoes.html

Wednesday
L: Veggies & light ranch or hummus dip
D: Pulled pork sliders, cole slaw

Thursday
L: PB&J, Light Pringles
D: Burrito bowls or taco salads (using leftover pulled pork).

Friday
L: Veggies & light ranch or hummus dip
D:  Chicken stir fry

Saturday
L: Leftovers
D:  Spaghetti, garlic toast & salad

Weekly Menu

Sunday : Pepper Steak, Brown Rice, steamed broccoli.

Monday :  Leftovers

Tuesday : Grilled Brats, macaroni salad, baked beans   No softball for the hubs tomorrow so he wont be having his weekly superstitious meal (haha!).  So, we will have something else...pasta or crab cake sliders with a salad.

Wednesday : Pulled Pork BBQ Sliders

Thursday : Leftovers (pulled pork sliders)

Friday : Salsa Chicken

Saturday : Leftovers

Coming Soon!

I have some news.  Im working out the kinks  and getting everything together, so stay tuned for my super exciting news!  Here's one hint:

Any guesses?

Bacon!

I looove bacon! The only thing I used to hate about bacon was cooking it. I hated the grease popping and burning me, and the bacon itself not getting an even doneness. So, I only bake by bacon now. It's so much easier, and I like to think a little healthier since all the grease drips into the pan and doesn't "bathe" in the grease.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Get a cookie sheet with high-ish edges (mine is from Sam's Club-comes in a 2-pack!).

Place a all metal "cooling rack" on your cookie sheet (mine is supposed to be for cookies, but I like utilizing it in this way instead).

Lay your slices of bacon side by side, as close as you can get to each other on the metal "cooling rack."

Bake in the oven until desired doneness! That's it, so easy and you can spend the time you would have slaved over the heat and grease cooking your bacon doing something else!

Mahi Mahi BBQ Fish Tacos

I got the inspiration for this recipe while watching an episode of Diner, Drive Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri last week. The Husband begged me to make them after watching this show. I quickly dvr'd the episode so I could do some studying! These were very easy to make, I served the tacos alongside some black beans and rice and were delicious with a Corona Light with lime, yum :) Let me know how you like them, and any suggestions you may have.

Mahi Mahi BBQ Tacos

Makes approx. 7 Tacos.

3 filets of Mahi Mahi (bought a bag of frozen from Costco)

Guacamole (Costco)

Chile Cole Slaw (recipe to come)

Cilantro Cream Sauce (recipe below)

Mango BBQ sauce (recipe below)

6 inch flour tortillas

Cheddar Jack shredded Cheese (also from Costco)

Cilantro

1 Diced fresh tomato

Caribbean seasoning, Lawry's seasoned salt

1 cup Chicken broth

Start with your frying pan, heat with 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.

Season your frozen Mahi Mahi with Carribean seasoning, and a dash of Lawry's seasoned salt.

Place seasoned Mahi Mahi in skillet, pan fry on both

sides until almost white thru out. Chop fish into cubes with a spatula.

Add one cup of chicken broth to pan, cover with lid and let simmer (to let chicken broth cook the fish the rest of the way and evaporate).

When fish is finished cooking, add Mango BBQ sauce to pan and stir to coat Mahi Mahi.

To assemble tacos: Place heated small tortilla on plate. Spread with tablespoon of guacamole. Sprinkle desired amount of cheese, then diced tomatoes.

Add some of the chile cole slaw, then some of the Mahi Mahi BBQ fish.

Drizzle the tacos with Cilantro Cream sauce. Top them with more cilantro if desired.

Mango BBQ Sauce:

1 Mango sliced

1/2 of a jar of Roasted Red Bell Peppers (Trader Joe's)

2 Cups of your favorite BBQ sauce (We like Sweet Baby Ray's)

2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper

1-2 Teaspoons Caribbean Seasoning (depending on your taste)

Blend all ingredients in blender until combined.

Cilantro Cream Sauce:

1 & 1/2 Cup Sour Cream

1/4 Cup Light Kraft Mayo

1/2- 1 Cup of fresh Cilantro (depending on how much you love cilantro, stems and all!)

Dash of Lawry's Seasoned Salt.

Place all ingredients in Food processor and process until combined and cilantro is well chopped and blended into the sauce. Pour the sauce into a squirt bottle (I got mine from Michale's in the cake decorating aisle).

I have to say, this cilantro cream sauce is absolutely amazing!!!

NOTE*

The Chile Cole Slaw recipe will be posted at a later time, still perfecting the recipe! You could just use the Dole cole slaw mix in the bag, no dressing and it would give a great crunch to your taco.