Faux Enameled Numbers

 I've always loved french enameled house numbers.  I love everything about them...except for the price.  I saw a tutorial awhile ago to make these little tags via cantstopmakingthings and I had to give it a go...
You need just a few supplies...first off those little metal rings.  You can find them at hardware stores, online, or I even found some near the jewelry making gear at the craft store.  I got 20 for 3.99...then used my 40 percent off coupon.  Grab those and some sand paper.

 You want to rub them down b/c you are going to spray them, and without those rough ridges the paint won't want to stick around.  The tag on the left I scraped with my sandpaper.

 I gave them a quick coat of white spray paint (a buck from the supercenter).

 Next up, I grabbed some number stamps and a black ink pad and stamped my numbers.

 Last supplies on the list is clear embossing powder (near stamps at the scrapbook store).

 I put a cookie sheet with a piece of foil in the oven and heated it up to 350.  As soon as it beeped I threw my numbers on the tray (no more than 6 at a time).  Just leave them in the for about 40 seconds, if you leave it in too long the paint will start bubbling.  You just want it to get hot.

 Pull them out of the oven and slide them off on a tray (with a spatula) and put them on paper.  Quickly cover them with these with your powder.  Once they are cool enough, tap all the excess back into the container.

 Place these tags back onto the tray (it will look like they have a coat of sand on them).

 Throw these in the oven for about a minute.  You just want them to be in the oven long enough to 'melt' the powder, it will then create a clear glaze.

 Let these cool, add string and decorate jars/cards/dog houses.  Whatever.

Paris: Crockpot French Onion Soup

I saw this recipe for French Onion Soup....in a crockpot at Smashed Peas, and I knew I had to try it out.  First, I'm always looking for great recipes from the crockpot...because they are easy....AND....I had this spectacular French Onion Soup in France a few years ago, and I've been seeking out this memory from this point forward.  Usually French Onion Soup is relatively high mainatance, so I was skeptical at the ease of this soup, BUT....it was my favorite to date!  I'm keeping it for sure!  I halved the recipe, which made enough for 4, but this is the full list of ingredients. 
Crockpot French Onion Soup Ingredients
3 onions, sliced (I used a mix of white and yellow), 3 T. butter, 3 T.  flour, 1 T. Worcestershire Sauce, 1 t. sugar, 1/2 t. pepper, 2 32-oz cartons of beef broth
Baget, Swiss or Gruyere cheese (I just bought slices from the deli). 
Crockpot French Onion Soup Instructions
Melt butter in the bottom of a crockpot. 

 Add onions, toss, and then cook covered for 45 minutes. 

 This carmalizes the onions, mine never looked as brown as they usually do when you carmelize onions on the stove, but it still tasted great. 

 Add the rest of the ingredients (except the cheese and bread).  Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.  I actually added the ingredients, but it in the fridge, and then pulled it out in the morning before heading to work and let it cook all day. 

I sliced the bread then, added the cheese to the top and placed these in bowls of soup in the oven and broiled it on high for a few minutes (until cheese is melted).  You can also just put the bread and cheese on a cookie sheet and toast them up until the cheese is melted at about 300 degrees for a few minutes. 

Paris: Eclair Cake

This is one of those recipes that has always been a part of my family's dessert favorites.  I didn't know how wide spread it was until a few other ladies at work brought it for dinners.  I don't know if it's part of your recipe collection, but....oh my.  If you like eclairs, even a little, you will LOVE this cake, it's a thousand times better, AND much easier to make than a traditional cake.  Ready, set, mix.

Eclair Cake Recipe

Ingredients

1 box graham crackers, 1 small pkg instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 can chocolate icing, 3 c. milk, 1 c. powdered sugar, 1 9 oz tub coolwhip

Instructions

Place a layer of graham crackers (whole) into a greased pan, line sides as well.  Mix pudding with milk and powedered sugar until smooth and begining to thicken.  Fold in cool whip.  Place half of the mix over the crackers.  Add another layer of graham crackers (sort of like making lasagna), add the rest of the cool whip mix.  Add another layer of graham crackers.  Top with icing and chill. 

French Rustic Tomato Tart

I saw this recipe for rustic french tart at Baking and Creating with Avril, and it was right up my alley.  I decided this winter to find meals that required me tossing the degrees on the oven to the max, heating the house, heating my food, and this tart hit the spot.  It was really great with the dijon base, and a tasty treat. 
Crust:  1 1/2 c. flour, 4 T butter (cold and cut into cubes), 1/2 t. salt, 1 egg, 2-3 T cold water
Tart Filling:  3 T dijon mustard, 2 fresh tomatoes, 2 T. olive oilk, salt and pepper, fresh herbs (I used basil leaves (chopped), 8 oz mozerella cheese. 
1.  Make crust by mixing flour and salt.  Add butter with pastry blender until fully mixed and crumbly. 
2.  Beat eggs and 2 T of water.  Make a well in the middle of the flour/butter mix.  Stir together until it just comes together, add 1 more T of water if it's not coming together. 
3.  Gather into a ball.  Place on a lightly flourished surface and roll to 14 inches. 
4.  Spread mustard onto dough and let it sit out and dry whilte the oven preheats to 425 degrees. 
5.  Add sliced tomatoes, herbs, and cheese to dough (leave 2 inches betwen tomatoes and the edge.  Drizzle with olive oil. 
6.  Fold over crust edges around the entire filling. 

7.  Place on lined pan (I took the advice of Avril, and placed this on a silapat covered pat and made it directly on the sheet. 
8.  Bake 30 minutes (or until crust is lightly browned, and cheese is bubbling, tomatoes are tender etc). 
Look...steam!

On-A-Stick: Mini Eclairs on a Stick

 I made these for a luncheon I'll share details on at some point in the future, but it was a fun way to serve eclairs.  You can make them, but...I let Sam's make them for me.  You can buy these mini eclairs in the freezer section of the grocery store.  They are filled with cream.  They actually sell these with a chocolate coating now, but.....in order to keep them on the stick, it was better to buy these plain...

 Slip them on the stick (they will be a little wobbly b/c the center is filled with cream).

 Dip in chocolate, dry...or....eat. 

Thrift Store+Vinyl=Framed Glass Chandelier

This framed, glass chandelier has a future ahead of her.  She'll eventually hang at a few upcoming parties with no wall behind her, but for photo taking purposes, I plucked down a canvas painting and hung it against the wall.  This was really easy to put together, and I think it's going to make a real splash at the parties it will be attending in the (near?!?!?) future.  ;O)  I saw an idea like this at Third Monday.  This one shop has an old window with a colored vinyl picture like this hanging in the window...and I got to thinking...  I hunted down a vinyle chandelier at Hobby Lobby (they are also all over the net).  I got mine for half off ($10).  It also came with rhinestones, and can be plopped onto a wall if the frame isn't doing it for you. 

I then found a frame at the Thrift Store for $5....I'm sure I could have found one cheaper at a garage sale, but I'm kind of into this molding.  I sprayed it with a 99 cent can of glossy spraypaint from the store. 

I applied the vinyl, and now...I need to start gathering the rest of these supplies for the festivities. 

I have a week of Mother's Day post going on, so I'm interrupting so I can enter this in a vinyl project in a round up at the Iron Crafter 

Linking To:  Dittle Dattle  Funky Junk CRAFT KISS Under the Table and Dreaming The Girl Creative Keeping it Simple Naps on the Porch Trash 2 Treasure

Mardi Gras: Crepes

I've wanted to try my hand at making crepes since I was introduced to these in Paris.  I understand there are a lot of ways to fill a crepe, but THE appropriate way is to slather them with nutella, bananas, and a sprinkling of powdered sugar...or, if you aren't snowed in for the fourth day and you can actually make it to the store-try whipped cream. 
What I didn't know is how easy these actually are to make. 
I found this book on vacation last summer.  I love cookbooks, and I've started collecting these from the places I visit, sometimes I look for church cookbooks in local antique stores, sometimes I buy them at the visitors center (in this case).  I still collect ornaments as well, but I think a cookbook says a lot about a place.  This cookbook comes from (The Bridges of) Madison County. 

The contributor said that crepes are a traditional breakfast on Fat Tuesday.  In years gone by Lent meant no eggs, fat, meat or dairy products (my how times have changed) and so houses tried to get rid of their 'extras' on fat Tuesday via pancakes, or in this case, the French pancake=the crepe. 

Crepe Recipe

*makes 20

Mix:  4 eggs, 1 c. flour, 1/2 c. milk, 1/2 c. water, 1/2 t. salt, 1 T. melted butter, 2 t. sugar, 1 t. vanilla. 

Heat a non-stick skillet  on medium heat (I played around with butter, it's not necessary).  Add just enough batter to fill the bottom of the pan (less than 1/4 of a cup, these are really thin).  Tilt the pan until the bottom is completely covered with batter. 

The sides will start to curl up with a minute or two.  Flip.

Add your favorite toppings. 

Roll, and enjoy.  The good news is, I'm not Catholic, I just play one on my blog when the mood strikes, so I can enjoy these tomorrow...and the next day, and the next day....and the next day.  I am, however, Baptist, so you can fill in the blanks for all the things I won't be indulging in as I eat my crepe. 

A Paris Page

I have no reason for posting this scrapbook page, except I'm trying to get past my post...and dream about coyotes chasing bunnies, and Elvis impersonator traffic jams....
I went scrapbooking yesterday with my buddy, Amber. It was such a good scrap....we had the store to ourselves, and we both finished albums we worked on together over the last few get-togethers. I've never actually finished everything I brought with me to a scrap before....and I not only finished, I had over an hour to play.
...so, I started my Europe album...which overwhelms me even at the thought (as if there is a time limit?), but the good news....I'm one picture, and a little journaling short of the first finished page.....now isn't this post less disturbing than hammerhead sharks at the thrift stores and high heels for babies?
Linking To:
Scrappy Gifts

Mini Sausage Quiche

I tried this new recipe out today from a Taste of Home. I made a few adaptions, but it was pretty good, and it might be a good dish to take to a party. It was relatively easy,and yummy.
Mini-Sausage Quiche (24)
1. Roll out, and cut 24 squares out of one can of canned Crescent Rolls, and line the bottoms, and sides of mini-muffin tins with these squares (the recipe called for half of this amount of dough....are they kidding? It needs a full can for 24, or it would be way too bland).
2. Brown 1/2 pound of Italian Sausage, 1 T. of diced onion (I added two) in a pan (4-5 minutes). Drain grease, and add 1 T. of green onion (again, I added two). Spoon mix into bottom of the crescent cups.
3. Mix 1 lb of grated Swiss Cheese, two eggs, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, and 1/3 cup of Parmesan Cheese (these measurements are cut down quite a bit from the original recipe, but it was plenty). Spoon over sausage mix, and sprinkle each quiche with paprika.
4. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

My Europe Online Albums

Here is a links to all of my Europe Photos (well, the ones I put on Shutterfly at least).
Europe Trip Part One:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a8e10d9cf40c5b046cdd16a80fdf8c46&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLIcA
Europe Trip Part Two:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=0c0543df255ae80bcf4ab00f16ca9e1e&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLIvA
Europe Trip Part Three:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=309bdf4c1eb8f0af&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLI-A
Europe Trip Part Four:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=1ca91f32585888a66d9889752d9a603c&sid=0AZMmrNw0YsmLJBg

Day Fifteen: Paris, France-Trois Times the Fun

Day Three in Paris-The Day I REALLY fell in love. I was softened on Day Two with the fabulous Louvre, and Notre Dame, but Day Three is when I got to experience the charm of Paris, it was a great finale. We woke up and took a metro back to the Island Notre Dame is anchored on, and where the city was birthed. We arrived, and I got in line to climb the bell tower (the line was too long the day before). There were already about 15 people in the line, but they let people in by groups of 20, about every ten minutes. You can start climbing at 10 am. There are over 400 steps up to the top of the tower. These stairs are tight spaces circling in tight spirals. There have been so many visitors who took this journey before me and the stone steps are indented because of the feet brushing past each one over the years. On the way up there are two stops-the first is at a gift shop (what's a famous landmark without a gift shop?), level one of the bell tower, and then, about four more flights up, the top! The pathway is narrow, and between the first and second tower you wait again next to a walkie talkie armed employee until enough of the 'other visitors' leave that area for you to move up. On the way BACK down there are no stops....and I was dizzy after the fast descent. You are at the mercy of the people before, and after you to determine the pace as you make that climb together. My Mom chose to stay down below due to knee problems, and exhaustion. From the top you can see the city as the gargoyles do, and it's pretty neat. I think I'm still caught up in thinking about all the people that climbed before me....LONG before me, what they saw, what they didn't see, what they experienced along with those same Gargoyles. Were I a writer, I'd write those gargoyle's tales...oh....wait, I think that's been done. :O) It's worth a visit if your knees will take it!

Our next stop was Montmatre and the Sacre Coeur. This is the ONLY hill in Paris, so the view from the top is stupendous. The church is pretty fabulous itself!

We took the metro, and when we exited, we wound our way to the funiculaire that took us to the top of the hill for the price of a metro ticket. Mom was ready to avoid these intimidating stairs, and it didn't take much arm twisting after my adventure in Notre Dame's belltower. At the top we took in the view of the city, and then we began walking through the streets. This part of Paris was left alone when 'the renovations' were done, so it retains the old charm, and it's the Paris I always expected to find (I also found this authentic feel in the Latin Quarter, across from Notre Dame). The buildings are each a little different, the streets are steep, and cobbled, and there are large windmills still resting atop their homes from their days of service many years ago (include the famous Moulin Rouge!). There are artist sitting under umbrellas in the squares sketching visitor's portraits, and painting scenes from around Paris. There are also some fun little shops, and cafes with great views of the city from the sidewalk tables. We stumbled upon one with the best food, a sweet waitress, and an even better view of the city below. We walked our way down off the hill, and took a Metro to Hotel des Invalides. We passed it the day before on our driving tour, but I wanted a closer look. It's many things, including Napolean's resting place (his tomb is directly under the gold dome).

Next, I wanted to walk under the Eiffle Tower.

We made the mile plus walk to the park that lead up to the tower, and walked around, I grabbed another crepe by the river (did I mention I like them?), and then we decided to walk to the next thing on my list-The Statue of Liberty. It was a much longer walk than I thought it would be (no surprise-despite all the sweets, and bread-I lost a few pounds at the end of this trip with all the walking and stairs.)

She wasn't as big as 'ours' (which I knew), but she is indeed an almost exact replica....go figure, the brochures don't lie. We then just stumbled upon a bus route next to the statue that led us to our final stop for the day, and so we felt adventurous and decided to take it, which was neat. We got to experience the people coming and going from the bus, and the city shutting down for the work day on the 45 minute trip. The last stop was the Museum of Modern Art-not for the inside, no, that didn't interest me, it was the fountains on the outside simply because in French Class this was the scene of many of the 'greetings among friends' that we watch to learn the language, so....it's the one spot I remember....at least I remembered something from all those years of French!

...and then, we shopped around, caught the metro back to the hotel, grabbed some bread (because I hadn't had enough), and got to sleep relatively early in preparation for our early morning trip to the airport. Paris was the hardest city for me to even like, it wasn't initially a very warm, and inviting place when we entered it through the large boulevards, but even those started to appeal to me after I got the chance to see some of the character that lies in the layers around the city. I think a must are the Eiffle Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Montmatre, and the Latin Quarter-they are a great representation of all the city has to offer, but had I not visited the last two-I would have left a little disheartened. HAVING visited those two places, I feel like there are so many more stones to upturn, and it's a place I'd love to visit again someday!

Day Fourteen: Paris, France Part Deux

The second day in Paris, we joined our group for a city tour in the morning. All throughout the trip, tours were provided in the cities. There were also opportunities for 'extras excursions', which were more money. In Paris we could have joined the group for Versailles, or a tour up the Eiffle Tower, A Cabera Show, etc etc etc, but we choose to go off on our own during some of those times. Our tour was hosted by a local guide, though our tour director came along as well. We started out the morning by going to Notre Dame. When we arrived about nine, very few people were around, but in the afternoon, when we came back by on our own, there was a wait to get into the church, and an even longer wait to go up the bell tower. We walked around the outside of the church, and saw the gargoyles, and Quisimodo were pointed out to us. The sphire on the church is black, compared to the rest of the church, but apparently this is due to pollution, and the rest of the church was just recently cleaned.

We saw scaffolding all over Paris because of the pollutions impact on this limestone material. Next, we went inside the church. Our guide gave us some history of the church. This is where Napoleon was crowned, and we later saw a picture in the Louvre depicting this occasion. The Pope had traveled all the way from Rome by carriage for the ceremony, but at the very last minute, Napolean grabbed his crown and put it on his own head-showing nobody had power over him, not even the church. After the tour of Notre Dame, we got back on our bus and we were taken to a park overlooking the Eiffle Tower.

After that, we drove by some of the major sites (more pictures to come later). After a shopping/lunch break some of the group walked over to the Louvre.

We go the 'whisper head sets' again, and our guide was able to direct us to some of the most famous paintings, and sculptures. There are over 35,000 pieces dating from the 6th century BC to the 19th century AD, and it's not hard to find a name you recognize. There are also over 60,600 square meters of floor, and I forget the mileage, but it's pretty impressive. There are also many steps. Again, our group-both young and old were struggling by the end of this fast passed tour up and down flights of stairs, and through long hallways. The painting's colors are so vivid, like photographs, and....you can take photographs . The walls, and floors were COVERED with paintings, and sculptures in this massive space, with long galleries. We didn't even scratch the surface. I swept by many of the highlights, but I'm sure I missed more than I saw. When I think Louvre-I think-Mona Lisa. Seeing the Mona Lisa has been on my 101 List. The room she hangs out in was really crowded (no surprise). I had been told she was smaller than you would expect, but since my expectations were so low-she was actually bigger than what I thought (I was expecting something the size of a piece of paper after the warnings), I'd say she was almost the size of a piece of poster board. What's so great about the Mona Lisa? Well, she's famous-regardless of whether it deserves that reputation or not-because of that, you get to add your name to the list of guest who spent some time with her, and I'm sure there is an impressive guest list. She also appears to be looking at you, regardless of which angle you look at her from. That's pretty unique to have a painting watching you so closely. And, she's pretty mysterious....who knows why she was so important she made her way to canvas. Our guide gave us the most interesting suggestion as to her origin. There is a theory that her face is actually that of Leonardo da Vinci's own face.

The thing that always resonates with me when viewing art is how many of these artist never knew the work would be anything more than a hobby. It's pretty neat to think you may have such a long lasting impression you may never know about. Moving on....we could have stayed at the museum all day, but....we didn't. Mom and I left the group, and we walked to the Latin Quarter where we grabbed some lunch at a location with tables overlooking the busy streets of these old college quarters at a little place called Starbucks. I recommend it. :O) We then found a bookstore called Shakespeare's that is in the Latin Quarter, but on the edge facing Notre Dame. This is a famous little, English bookshop that author's are invited to hang out at from time to time, and leave their impact. I went as a reader, who can appreciate these authors, and got a copy of the Hunchback, and a Shakespeare stamp to prove it's authenticity. Then, I headed onward.

The last major stop for the day was Galleries Lafeyette which is three huge stores sitting together, with as many as 7 floors in each store. This is a lot like Harrod's with some pretty impressive decorations, and high end merchandise. In contrast, they do have an affordable 'food' court towards the top, with a view of Paris, and the Eiffle Tower to watch as you eat. They also had a food store, but it reminded me of more of a gourmet grocery store, and we bought a few things like, madelines (I love these!), cheese bread, and....canned Diet Cokes (very Parisian, I know). We also found a few affordable souvenirs (something we didn't experience in London at Harrod's).

I would definitely visit again. The last thing we did was head back to the hotel, walk around the streets, and we stopped in a local grocery store, found some dinner in a pastry shop for me, and a burger at a fastfood place called 'Quick' for Mom, and then headed back to our hotel for the night. I guess now would be the time to address one little quirk of Paris. There were some interesting situations in each location, but I would say this was the most likely place to have your pocket picked, or to be approached by people looking for funds. We had some explanation prior to going out on our own that really helped, but you still had to be on your guard. We were asked numerous times "Speak English?" by young ladies, usually categorized as "Gypsies." They were hanging out all around the major attractions. We were told to say "Non" with a French accent....or anything but American, and sure enough, they walked off, but if you said "Yes" At some point they would ask for money. They were definitely on a mission. We also heard they would drop a ring, pick it up and ask if you dropped it to initiate a conversation which would lead to a request for money. There were also lots of men selling Eiffle Towers in all sizes that they carried around on a large 'hoop,' and there were more aggressive men selling portraits, and bracelet who would come up and place the object on your hand, or begin the portrait unless you kept your hands well away, and your "No!" very firm. I also saw a lady cover her hand with her scarf, and have her two young kids cover both sides of her as she approached a lady in our group with a backpack on as we were waiting at a light, and she tried to slip her hand inside before she was caught. Luckily, she didn't get anything from our group. We were warned over and over about pickpockets in each country (and I imagine the same warnings are given when visiting American cities), BUT despite my travels, this was the most aggressive I saw people regarding these issues. It wouldn't keep me from visiting again, but I'd be cautious about my belongings, and my personal space.