*Our green onion project. Next step- add soil into the jar. They are growing so well!
Join in for Wordless Wednesday!
*Link up your direct post, become a follower of Marriage from Scratch, and check out some of the other posts in the linkup! *
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Recipe of the Week: Homemade Peanut Butter
We made our first batch of homemade peanut butter on Saturday, and let me just say, it was a success! I decided I would share the recipe with you because we are enjoying it so much. We are making small-ish batches since there are only two of us. We figure we will just make it once a week to keep it fresh since there are no preservatives in it.
What You Need:
Food processor
Baking sheet
Parchment Paper
1 pound of unsalted peanuts (this allows you to add as much salt as you want!).
Honey
Salt
Process:
1. Place a sheet of Parchment Paper over a large baking sheet. Spread peanuts evenly throughout.
2. Roast peanuts in oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. They will start smelling like peanut butter. Yummmm.
3. Remove peanuts from oven when roasted. No need to let them cool- just add them into the food processor and start processing them. The oils will start to come out and it will becoming finely ground and eventually creamy.
5. When creamy, add two teaspoons of honey. Salt to taste. One thing to note: You taste salt more when food is warm & less when it is cold. So once the peanut butter cools it won't taste as salty. You probably will want to add an extra pinch or two!
6. Store in an airtight container inside the fridge.
ENJOY!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tutorial: How to add a "pin it" button
Want to learn how to add one of those Pin it buttons so that it automatically shows on each blog post? It's easy, let me show you how!
Step 1: From your blogger dashboard, click on "Settings". Then select "Template".
Step 2: Click on Edit HTML.
Step 3: Click the box to add a check mark where it says "expand widget templates".
Step 4: Find the text in the html coding that says <div class='post-footer'>.
Immediately after that, paste this code:
<div style="float: right; margin: 4px;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/green_tea/pin.jpg" /></a></div>
Step 5: Select "save template" and you should now have a Pin It button on each blog post!
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To use your own image, replace the image code in the html above with this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/green_tea/pin.jpg
To add the Pin it button to the left side instead of the right:
Replace <div style="float: right; margin: 4px;"> coding with just <div>.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Happy Weekend
Saturday has arrived and I couldn't be happier.
Hubby is working today so I am grocery shopping and starting season 2 of Big Love. Between that and starting to watch Dexter, I've spent my fair share of time watching t.v. lately.
This weekend I am making these:
I found them on Pinterest and have been dying to try them. Don't they look scrumptious?
We have also been re-growing our green onion roots left over from one of our dinners last week.
We have them sitting in water on our window sill so they get enough light. This is Day #3 and you can see the little sprouts forming at the top. I will be showing the whole process in details soon, so watch for it! This is a fun little project and it will be great to just snip off the green onions we need and to let them regrow again.
I want to make this with the girls I nanny for in the next couple of weeks for St. Patrick's Day. Adorable, isn't it?
How fun and easy! I know they will get a kick of out making them.
I've loved seeing all of the creativity and projects that have been linked up for From Scratch Friday in the last month. It's been great fun. Remember to come link up next Friday! The linkup is still open for this week, too, if you have some recipes, crafts, or DIY projects you want to show off.
Now, I'm off to the grocery store. How fun, I know.
Friday, February 24, 2012
From Scratch Friday #4
Hello lovely readers and welcome back to From Scratch Friday!
Most viewed projects from last week:
New Tricks from Eighteen
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap by Small Fine Print
Vintage Photo Jars by Silo Farm Hill
Joining in on From Scratch Friday:
Thursday, February 23, 2012
It's OK Thursday 2/23
It's OK...
...that one of my favorite lunches right now is peanut butter toast. Easy & delicious.
...that I have been slacking on blogging this week. I have an excuse. I blame it all on Dexter.
...that we just finished season one of Dexter. In less than a week. And we are hooked.
...that I went to visit a friend in the hospital yesterday (she is doing a five day study there) and I was overwhelmed by creepy and sad feelings. I don't like hospitals. Props to those who can work in them.
...to be worried about the health of your loved ones.
...to always wonder what dinner is going to be.
...to be annoyed when the sink is full and I force myself to do the dishes only to wake up glad that I already did them. Anyone else?
...to be excited about the green onion project I am doing- yes regrowing the roots! I'll let you know how it turns out...
Happy Thursday!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wordless Wednesday 2/22
How to Participate:
*Become a follower of Marriage from Scratch.
*Place the button (right side bar) on your blog so others can participate.
*Link directly to the post.
*Visit other posts and leave the bloggers some love.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
It's OK Thursday AND From Scratch Friday #3
It's OK...
...that I was completely exhausted all day. I haven't woken up so tired/been that sleepy in awhile.
...that ever since this week started I have been counting down the days until the weekend.
...that our Valentine's Day was just. so. awesome that I'm still smiling about it!
...that I have let my coupon inserts pile up and really need to get clippin'.
...that I am getting really into Big Love after almost finishing the first season.
...that I'm sad Whitney Houston died.
...that one of the girls I nanny for dropped a toy in the (poopy) toilet. And I decided I was not in the mood to grab it out. So I left it...and told the grandparents! :)
...that I am excited to get started with From Scratch Friday...join in below!
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Welcome to another From Scratch Friday! I am so excited to check out your arts & crafts, recipes, printables, furniture, or anything else you have created this week!
There were a lot of great entries last week. Here were some of the favorites:
The Paper Bag Floor by 4 You With Love
Dining Room Makeover from Laughter and Grace
Dates that Changed Our Lives by Holy Craft
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Valentine's Day Recap
What a fun, sweet day we had on Valentine's Day this year. With a husband who used to serve at a fancy restaurant and consequently was required to work on this day (one of the busiest days for restaurants, of course), it was so wonderful that we both ended up having the day off together. What a treat!
Stephen woke me up with this surprise that I mentioned yesterday. After that, we got ready for the day, browsed some of our favorite stores, went out for sushi (for him; I had chicken bento), relaxed and caught up on a show or two on dvr, and then had this amazing meal that words can't even describe.
We enjoyed wine throughout the evening and also watched a movie that hubby has been wanting to see.
I gave him his gift. He was incredibly touched as he read through the 52 reasons I had written. It was so sweet to see his reaction. After reading through them, he stood up, kissed me, and told me "this was probably the best present I've ever given him." Wow. And I have given him a lot of gifts! What a hit this special gift was.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
{Almost} Wordless Wednesday
My loving, thoughtful, sweet, dedicated, hardworking husband woke me up to this on {candlelit breakfast} Valentine's morning.
Homemade strawberry crepes
Beautiful flowers.
Thoughtful card.
Homemade chocolate covered strawberries.
And coffee the way I like it.
The cutest part? He had the flowers (in water, of course) and already made chocolate covered strawberries in his truck overnight so that I wouldn't find them. Cute.
The rest of the day is full of fun & showing each other how much we care. We were blessed to have this day off together. But, one thing we love most about each other? We show each other how much we love each other every day. Not just on February 14!
Happy Valentine's Day.
How to Participate:
*Become a follower of Marriage from Scratch and place the button above on your blog so others can participate.
*Link up as many posts as you would like that contain something you have made.
*Link directly to the post that you want to show off.
*Visit other posts and leave the bloggers some love.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Get Your Blog Out There!
My name's Christina.
I am:
A wife, (grand)daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend.
A Christian.
A lover of pink.
Outgoing.
Married to an amazing man who cooks for me!
A nanny with a teaching degree.
A scrapbooker and craft lover.
A wine lover.
Coffee drinker.
Silly song writer (yes, I make up goofy songs).
If you're new...take a look around & be sure to leave a comment so I can come visit you too!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday Randomness
As many of you know, Google Friend Connect is going away. Boo. This means that unless we connect with each other soon, we will lose touch. I have added Networked Blogs to my site. Please take a minute and follow Marriage from Scratch through Networked Blogs either below or on the left sidebar. Thanks!
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Friday we drove out to Bob's Red Mill to get some of the best flour and grains around!
It was my first trip (although I've been buying their flour for awhile).
What did we buy? Rolled oats, honey oat granola, wild rice and twelve pounds of unbleached white bread flour. Hubby mixes white and wheat flour to make our delicious homemade bread.
Bob's Red Mill was a fun experience. I highly recommend trying their products if you haven't. I loved that we cold buy in bulk from the bins at their store. What a cool place!
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After an insanely busy week at work, I was rewarded with this super romantic dinner on Thursday night courtesy of my loving husband.
This is what I walked in the door to. Candlelit dinner. Encrusted chicken with an apple, wine reduction sauce, potatoes and squash, and steamed broccoli.
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After an insanely busy week at work, I was rewarded with this super romantic dinner on Thursday night courtesy of my loving husband.
This is what I walked in the door to. Candlelit dinner. Encrusted chicken with an apple, wine reduction sauce, potatoes and squash, and steamed broccoli.
I am so blessed to have this man as my husband!!
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I saw two movies this week that I highly recommend!
Both of these movies surpassed my expectations. They were both entertaining and intriguing. Have you seen either of them?
Saturday, February 11, 2012
52 Reasons I Love You
I completed my Valentine's gift for Stephen. I am soooooo excited to give it to him!
I found this idea off of Pinterest. Technically, this is my first "Pinterest Project" and I'd say it was quite successful! This is such a unique, special gift that includes 52 different reasons why I love my husband. Some reasons are silly and some are serious, but they are all about him! I found the idea here.
Supplies:
A deck of cards (preferably red if for Valentine's Day)
2 Book rings
Single hole puncher
A Sharpie or red maker
Labels (Card stock/paper would work too)
Sand paper
Red ink pad
Paper towels
Glue
Steps:
1. Remove cards from deck and sand the top of each card.
2. Rub one card at a time over the ink pad. After smearing ink on it, wipe card on paper towel to spread around and wipe off excess. This will give the card more of a worn, used look.
3. Punch two holes in one of the jokers (the other joker will be the front cover) to use as a template for the rest. Then punch holes in the rest of the deck. I was able to punch through two cards at a time easily.
4. Write your "reasons" on 52 individuals labels or trimmed pieces of paper. Then peel & stick or glue onto cards one at a time.
5. Place both rings in their holes then place joker bottom up on top.
6. Decorate a cover. Give to your sweetie! Would make a great present for any occasion, not just Valentine's Day.
Want another Valentine's Day gift idea? Check out the Candy Bar Valentine Card I made my husband for our very first Valentine's Day ever.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
From Scratch Friday #2
I want to thank you all for participating in the first From Scratch Friday linkup last week.
I'd love for you to join in this week by sharing any recipes, crafts, or other things that you have created.
Most Viewed {from the last party}
It's OK Thursday 2/9
It's OK...
...that I have been waiting all week for today because I have Friday off (yay, three day weekend!).
...that when I get a magazine subscription I don't find the time to read the magazines. I will this weekend..
...that I have let the dishes pile up the last couple of days.
...to want to be somewhere tropical right now.
...to not understand how people don't drink coffee (or like it). I need my caffeine!
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The From Scratch Friday linkup starts tonight! Get ready to come linkup anything creative that you have made such as recipes, crafts, and diy projects.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Wordless Wednesday 2/7
{This was one of the cute little "friends" we had on our porch on our honeymoon in August. One of my favorite pictures every, and it is hanging in our bathroom!}
How to participate in Wordless Wednesday:
How to participate in Wordless Wednesday:
Monday, February 6, 2012
Weekend Pictures
1. Enjoying a perfect, beautiful, sunny Saturday.
2. My little (14 year old) brother's basketball game.
3. Some of our super bowl grub (minus homemade spicy sausage & a veggie platter).
4. My first Shellac manicure. Loving it so far!
5. Super bowl beverage: Citrus vodka, pineapple juice, raspberry liqueur, & pineapple chunks
6. Homemade pitas (yum!)
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