Cake Stand

I found this beautiful cake stand at my favorite antique store and didn't really know what to do with it at first...

I hated the thought of hiding it in my cabinet, so instead of keeping it safely tucked away (a decision I may later regret with 2 small children running around the house) I decided to use it to display my favorite seashells. This is a wonderful way to display some of your prize collections instead of just having your cake stand out the few times a year you use it for cakes. It would be wonderful to stock full of mini pumpkins or gourds for the fall, a few of your favorite Christmas ornaments or a mini Christmas scene for the winter, pile high with Easter Eggs, or whatever neat things you may have tucked away around your home. Change it with the seasons, holidays, etc. Enjoy the pieces you have in your home and think of new ways to use them, which always makes them more wonderful and special as the years go by.

3 Bean Salad

This is one of my favorites and something you usually find in my fridge. I like to have it around to snack on, instead of my usual cookies and bread. It makes a wonderful side dish or topping for a salad. Lasts for several days in the fridge.

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup, give or take, Kraft Tuscan House Italian dressing
1 handful fresh spinach, chopped

optional toppings to be added just before serving:
grated Parmesan cheese
crushed Jalapeno flavored potato chips

Varsity Letters

Ever wonder what to do with those old varsity letters from school days? Sew them onto pillows for a unique way of displaying them. It's a fun way of showing off your school spirit!

Great for a boys room,

library or den.

Tex Mex Eggrolls

These eggrolls are always a big hit in our house during the football season and are easy to make. We usually have them as the main course at our house, but they also make great appetizers.

1 package eggroll wrappers (found in refrigerated section in produce)
1 can black beans, drained
1 can original Rotel tomatoes, drained
1 can fiesta corn, drained
1/2 pound ground beef cooked in 1/2 packet taco seasoning - let cool slightly
optional add ins: cheese, spinach

toppings: salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese

mix the above ingredients together and spoon into eggrolls according to directions on eggroll packet. The eggrolls can be baked but we find that fried in canola oil is by far the best. Any remaining mix makes a great topper, with Doritos, for a taco salad. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do.

Simply Made Valance

This is a great valance that is so easy to make. It will give your room a more sophisticated and finished look.

I started with one yard of fabric for each window. Hem the sides and bottom of the fabric and make a 1 1/2" pocket along the top of the fabric (allowing enough room for the valance rod). Can't sew? No problem! Just use stitch witch and a hot iron, or like me - use a hot glue gun. That's it. The valance rod is very inexpensive (around $2 each at Target) and the fabric can be too. I spent $10 a yard on mine. Use ribbon sold by the spool to tie up the sides, only a few dollars for several yards. The knots can be hidden in the back or covered with shells, buttons, etc. to dress up the front. Have fun and be creative.

I added a couple of pictures from the valances I've made for my home. I hope they help to give you ideas for your own home.