For some time now, I've wanted a big piece of art to fill a blank wall in my kitchen. I perused art and poster sites at length but never could find the perfect piece in my price range. Then one day, I was struck with the perfect solution: a magnetic chalkboard! I could write my weekly menus on it. We could post the countless wedding, shower and birthday invitations we get. Hubby could leave me reminders about what he needs me to add to the grocery list. It was the perfect idea!

But then I started looking for one. I had no better luck than I did looking for a piece of art. The large ones were cost prohibitive. And even then, I couldn't find one big enough. So I decided to make my own.

I searched Craiglist for a frame and came across this 3'x3' piece for $20:

Before (as seen in Craigslist ad)

I brought it home and got to work!

It seems like every Southern family has a recipe for chicken spaghetti. My own family didn't -- darned Northern parents! -- but luckily my husband's family does. Well, technically, each of his sisters and his mom have a different recipe for chicken spaghetti. So I took what I liked from each of their recipes and left out what I didn't. Here's how we eat it at our house:


Ingredients
3 chicken breasts (boiled and shredded)
1 package dry spaghetti, broken in half
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups grated cheddar (one cup for mixing in, one for topping)
1 can Rotel
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste


Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil chicken breasts and shred (reserve water). Boil spaghetti in reserved water for just less than the time indicated on package (pasta will still cook a little in the oven). When spaghetti is done, combine all ingredients in a casserole dish with the exception of the second cup of cheddar. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


Serves 4-6. Makes good leftovers.

Since I started the new full time job and decided to take a break from the side business, I have a lot more time on my hands. Not that you'd know it by how infrequently I post! I've used the time to catch up on some things around the house, do a couple projects and sleep in. ('Cause this girl has some serious trouble getting up in the morning. Remember the 20x20? How could we forget that annoying little adventure?)


The first project I decided to conquer was organizing all of my necklaces and earrings. I'd had an idea in mind for some time but never could find the time to put it into action. That is until recently. A friend gave me an unpainted frame that she wasn't using and I immediately realized that it was perfect for my jewelry organizer project! So I ran to the hardware store and picked up the necessary supplies.


Materials List
Picture frame
Spray paint
Cardboard or foam core board
Fabric 
Window screen
Cup hooks
Saw tooth hangers
Hot glue gun
Stapler
Small nails


Directions

1. Prime frame if necessary
2. Apply several light coats of paint to achieve a smooth, dripless finish
3. At the same time, paint to cup hooks if you want them to be the same color as your frame
4. Finish frame with a high gloss lacquer if you wish
5. Allow to dry for 24 - 48 hours
6. Meanwhile, cut cardboard to fit your picture frame (leave a couple of millimeters to account for the fabric and screen)
7. Stretch your fabric tight over the front of the board
8. Using a hot glue gun, adhere your fabric to the back of the board (you don't want the hot glue to show through on the front)
9. Then, stretch the screen tight over the front of the board
10. Staple the screen to board all the way around (on the back and very close to the edges - don't want the staples to show!)
11. If your frame doesn't already have a hanging mechanism, install saw tooth hangers 
12. Screw the cup hooks into the front of your frame (I opted to do five along the bottom for shorter necklaces and one at each top corner for longer necklaces)
13. Insert wrapped board into frame opening and use small nails to secure it
14. Hang

Voila! Now your jumble of necklaces and earrings is organized and in reach.

Over the weekend, a good friend celebrated her birthday with a potluck brunch. We enjoyed a smorgasbord of delicious food and drink including mimosas, Bloody Marys, baked French toast, truffled hashbrown casserole, breakfast pizzas, bagels and lox, and more. I brought an easy to make spinach and mushroom quiche 'cause what's a brunch without quiche, right?

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

Ingredients
1 frozen pie crust
4 eggs
1 cup half and half
4 ounces button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 shallot, diced
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Cover edges of pie crust and bake for 7-10 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Add shallots and saute for a few minutes. Add mushrooms and saute a few minutes more. Remove pie crust from oven and cover bottom with half the shredded cheese. Top with spinach, shallots, mushrooms and then the remaining cheese. Beat eggs with salt, pepper, and half and half. Pour eggs over the top of the pie. Bake at 360 degrees for 50 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

The greatest thing about quiche (other than the fact that it's super easy and yummy!) is that you can fill it with basically anything! If you're a carnivore, throw some crumbled crispy bacon in there. Don't do spinach? Try broccoli. You get the idea... Also, feel free to substitute whatever dairy you prefer or have on hand. You can use anything from heavy whipping cream to skim milk!

Serves eight. Makes good leftovers.