Sugar Snap Peas and Mushrooms

If you like ginger, you will love this light crisp pea and mushroom side dish.

I got this receipe at Recipezaar as I wanted to try something other than the standard bacon and/or potatoes with peas.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Snow-Peas-with-Mushrooms-13525?scaleto=8

It got mixed reviews - I loved it as I love ginger in general and this was a light, fresh alternative with almost an Asian flair, but my son didn't care for it because it wasn't the tried and true savory standard of bacon and/or potatoes.

I will depend on your preferences, but I would recommend at least giving this a try as it is quick, easy and something a little different that the same old - same old.

Ingredients:

• 1 24 oz bag frozen (or 2 cups fresh) Sugar Snap or Snow Peas
• 1 13-14 oz can (or approx 1 cup fresh) mushroom pieces
• 1 shallot, thinly chopped or grated
• 4 TBSP margarine
• 1 small ginger root (approx 1 1/3 TBSP)
• A few dashes of salt and pepper

Prepare the peas according to the bag or if fresh, add approx 1/2 cups water, bring to boil then cover with a lid and steam for a few minutes.

While the peas are cooking, chop or grate 1 shallot

Finely chop or grate the ginger

Melt the margarine in a pan and add a few dashes of salt and pepper.

Open the can of mushrooms and drain the liquid.

Add the mushrooms to the butter and cook on medium heat for approx 2 mins.

Mix in the shallots and ginger then add the peas and toss for about 30 seconds and then it will be ready to serve.

Warhol 60's Inspired Tote Bag

Turn a photo in to a retro work of art to carry your groceries in! Items used:

• 1 tote bag
• 6 photos
• Craft Glue
• Packing Tape
• Scissors

I used a Walgreens bag that I got on sale for .33 cents (they are normally .99 cents not on sale) and it was larg enough to hold 2 pictures across and 3 pictures down.

The photos are of my son checking out a guitar at a local guitar store and is one of his favorite memories, and they were created using free software at Picnik.com and the basic tutorial on how to tint and make collages is posted here: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/pop_art_portrait_2/versions/6/edit

I had originally intended on putting pictures over the entire bag and use the four picture collage; however, when I went to pick up the pictures from Walgreens where I had them developed, the head were chopped off on all of the 4 picture collages and none were useable, so I went with what I had left. I chose 6 photos, 1 black and white, 1 tinted, 1 with 50% tint and three with tinted 3 picture collages.

Lay them out how you want them to be on the bag.

I used packing tape across the front of the pictures to protect them, then put glue on the back of the photos 2 at a time and made sure it was long enough on each side to slighly overlap the edge.

Trim off the extra tape from the edge and allow to dry.

Mint Limeaid

A cool, refreshing summer drink!

http://www.nofussfabulous.com/?p=7111

I made this twice as the first pitcher was consumed almost immediately after it was made. The first time around I chopped up the mint and then crushed it against the side of the pitcher, but even after I removed most of it my son said he liked the taste, but not the bits of mint in the drink, so the second time I used mint extract and just garnished with mint leaves that he can pick out.

Items used:

• 3 12 oz cans (or 4 1/2 cups) of Sprite Zero or other lemon/lime drink.
• 1 Can Frozen Limeaid or 3 fresh limes
• 1/2-1 tsp Mint Extract or approx. 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• 1 lime (for garnishment)
• A few mint leaves (for garnishment)
• 1 large pitcher
• 1 large spoon

If using fresh mint leaves, put them in the pitcher first.

Pour the can of limeaid (I let it thaw in the fridge first to make it easier to mix) into the pitcher Pour in the cans of Sprite Zero

Add in the 1/2 tsp-1 tsp (I used 1/2 tsp) to the pitcher.

Chop up the lime, then add it and the mint leaves to the pitcher for garnishing.

Garden Guardian Angel Ornament

Make a garden angel ornament using a clear plastic bottle and an angel ornament.

The inspiration for this project was the little plastic angel that did not make it back in the box when the Christmas items were put up and has been sitting on my desk for 6 months, but I have also seen ones at the dollar store that would work as well.

Items used:

• Clear Plastic Bottle
• Small Plastic or Glass Angel
• Decorative Stones
• 1 Large Jump ring
• Gold Acrylic Paint
• Small sponge brush
• Cardboard
• Clear Acrylic Spray (optional)
• Caulk (I used a single use caulk)
• Clear Glue (I used Amazing Goop)
• Box Cutter
• Craft Scissors
• Push Pin

The bottle you use depends on the size of angel that you have as it needs to be able to fit in the bottom. Remove the labels from the clear plastic bottle.

Paint top of the lid of the bottle with the gold paint. When dry spray with the clear acrylic sealant.

Paint a cross on the cardboard using a brush, allow it to dry then cut it out.

Flip it over and paint the other side.

For this side, which is the side I used facing out, I textured the paint by dabbing it with the sponge brush and squishing it down.

Use a box cutter (I tried using a regular knife and it was not sturdy enough and scratch the front) to start a cut along about an inch from the bottom, then use the craft scissors to cut the shape of a door.

This is what it will look like when you are done.

Put the cross in the bottle (you may have to trim it to fit).

Apply the clear glue to the edges to hold the cross in place.

Squeeze the caulk into the bottom of the bottle and distribute it evenly using the end of the sponge brush.

I put a decorative stone on the back of each edge of the bottle.

Put the angel in the bottle and press it down slightly into the caulk.

Use a push pin to make a hole in the door and a hole just to the right of the door.

Put the large jump ring through the hole and bend to close and you are done.

I put mine out on a piece of marble and put 4 decorative stones in the front, but you could put it wherever you like.