Leftover Tex-Mex Turkey Casserole

Looking for a flavorful recipe that will help you tackle all your turkey leftovers? Try this Tex-Mex Turkey Casserole. It's 100% hubby and kiddo approved!

Ingredients: 6 tbsp. butter, 1 can of mushrooms, 3/4 tsp. salt, 3/4 tsp. black pepper, 4 tbsp. flour, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 1/2 cups turkey/chicken broth, tortilla chips, 3 cups chopped turkey, 2 cups yellow onion, 1 cup green pepper, 8 oz. pepper jack cheese, 8 oz. cheddar cheese, 4 tsp. chili powder, 1 cup drained tomatoes, and 1 can of green chilies.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Melt butter in sauce pan.

Step 3: Add mushrooms, salt, and black pepper. Cook until golden brown.

Step 4: Sprinkle flour in mushroom mixture and stir to blend. Cook for 1 minute. (There should be no liquid. If liquid is still present add more flour).

Step 5: Add milk and stir until thick.

Step 6: Add 1 1/2 cups of turkey/chicken broth. Cook for 10 minutes, uncovered. Remove from heat.

Step 7: In a 13 x 9 casserole dish, place crushed tortilla chips in the bottom until covered.

Step 8: Pour the remaining 1 cup of turkey/chicken broth over the tortilla chips.

Step 9: Scatter turkey on top.

Step 10: Spread chopped onions and chopped green pepper.

Step 11: Top with half of the pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese.

Step 12: Sprinkle chili powder.

Step 13: Spoon mushroom mixture over casserole.

Step 14: Top with tomatoes and green chilies.

Step 15: Cover with remaining pepper jack and cheddar cheese.

Step 16: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

This seriously is such an easy recipe for a homemade black bean salsa. It's very flavorful with a little bit of heat!

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained), 1 can of white shoepeg corn (rinsed and drained), 1 can of fire-roasted texmex tomatoes, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 2 oz. of Italian dressing, 1 medium chopped onion, and 2 chopped jalapenos.

Step 2: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with warm tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you like pumpkin pie and chocolate, you'll absolutely love these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are tasty right from the oven or my favorite... cold from the fridge. 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Step 2: In a mixer, combine 1 cup canned pumpkin, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1 egg. Mix until combined. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp. baking power, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Set aside.

Step 4: In a small bowl, dissolve 1 tsp. baking soda with 1 tsp. milk. Stir into the flour mixture.

Step 5: While mixer is on low, gradually add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and mix well.

Step 6: Add 1 tbsp. vanilla extract and 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips. Mix well.

Step 7: Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until lightly brown and firm.

I recommend that you store these cookies in the fridge. I guarantee these will be a hit during your Thanksgiving meal.  Enjoy!

Decoupage Letters

These decoupage letters make the PERFECT gift for any child or teenager... especially if you know the color scheme of their room. They are so easy and fun to make!

Materials needed: kraft block letter(s), scrapbook paper, 1" foam paintbrush, Modge Podge Matte glue, ribbon, and scissors.

Step 1: Tear scrapbook paper into 1-3" pieces. I prefer having 3 different patterns.

Step 2: Take one of the cutouts you tore and determine where you want it on the letter. Using the foam paintbrush, apply a small amount of glue on the back of the cutout and place on the letter. Smooth out any bubbles and wrinkles.

Step 3: Apply rest of the cutouts using the same technique. I prefer to overlap my cutouts.

Step 4: Once the front and sides are complete, apply one to two coats of glue over the entire surface. Allow the surface to dry between coats.

Step 5: Allow letter to dry for at least an hour. Wrap a ribbon around one side for an extra touch.

Happy decoupaging!

Best. Mascara. Ever.

If you're like me, you've tried every mascara out there in search for the perfect lash look.

My absolute all-time favorite mascara is Mary Kay's Ultimate Mascara. It gives your lashes so much length and volume it's crazy! Love, love, love!

Spicy Sausage Balls

This spicy sausage ball recipe is one of my favorite recipes passed down from my Grandmother. It's perfect for breakfast or a comfort-food snack and super easy to make.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups bisquick, 1 lb. spicy/hot sausage, 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/3 cup water. Fold ingredients together, using your hands, until one large ball is formed.

Step 3: Shape into 1 inch balls. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet approximately 1 inch apart from each other.

Step 4: Place in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 5: Cool for 5 minutes and enjoy!

Card Making Ideas

It's so fun to send and receive personalized cards in the mail ... especially when we live in a world that's so dominated by email.  

Card making is one of my many passions. I absolutely love getting new ideas so I thought you would too. Here are two of my latest homemade cards. 

Materials used: blank pre-scored notecards, scrapbook paper, cardstock, rubber stamps, kraft ribbon, glue dots, scissors, and a paper cutter.

Happy card making! Send me some of your ideas!

DIY Microdermabrasion Mask

There are tons of DIY beauty recipes out there, but this Microdermabrasion Mask recipe tops them all! It's SO SIMPLE and literally costs only pennies to make.

Step 1: Combine 3 Tbsp. baking soda and 1 Tbsp filtered/bottled water. Mix until it forms a thick paste.

Step 2: Apply the paste on a clean, dry face while avoiding the eye area.

Step 3: Let set for about 5-10 minutes. Wash with warm water and pat dry. 

Step 4: Apply your favorite moisturizer.

I promise you'll fall in love with this recipe... I certainly have... and my skin has too! Enjoy!

Oreo Frogs

Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit... that's what I kept hearing while I was making Oreo Frogs! This is a perfect after school treat for your kiddos or a fun way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Step 1: Gather the following ingredients - one package of Oreos, one small bag of M&M's, one bag of tiny twist pretzels, and one container of white icing.

Step 2: Take one Oreo and put a small amount of white icing on half the cookie. Place two tiny twist pretzels on the white icing leaving 3/4 of the pretzel exposed as the feet.

Step 3: Turn the Oreo over and lay flat. Take two M&M's (same color) and place a small amount of icing on one side of each M&M. Place each M&M on the Oreos edge, icing side face down, to create the eyes.

Step 4: Lay on wax paper and repeat until the desired amount of Oreo Frogs are made. Let the frogs set for about an hour before handling... or should I say leaping. Enjoy!

It's a Wrap!

I'm always looking for fresh ideas on how to create the ideal present. All of spend so much time looking for the perfect present for that special someone... so we should package it up with just as much love.

Step 1: Use gold foiled wrapping paper (or any wrapping paper you have on hand) and brown paper bags from your local grocery store.

Step 2: Wrap your box as you would normally with the gold foiled wrapping paper.

Step 3: Cut a piece of brown paper bag long enough to wrap around the entire box. Fold each side 1' to create a perfect seam. Wrap around the center of your box.

Step 4: Tie kraft ribbon in the center of the brown paper bag.

Happy Wrapping!

Mmm... Homemade Spicy Chili

This one's for the adventurous taste buds looking for some heat. Make this Homemade Spicy Chili recipe and I guarantee you'll have empty bowls and full tummies!

In a saute pan, cook 1 lb. ground beef, 1 cup onion, and 1 cup red bell pepper, drain excess fat. Transfer to a medium pot and combine with 1/4 cup water,  two 8 oz. cans of tomato sauce, one 15 oz. can of tomatoes (do not drain), one can dark kidney beans (drain and rinse), one large chopped jalapeno, 1 tbsp. red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, and one package of hot chili seasoning. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and shredded sharp cheddar cheese... enjoy!

50 Cents...

Want to make a fashionable bracelet... for only 50 cents? Umm... yes please! Check out this bracelet I made using chain from your local hardware store and a piece of black ribbon.

Step 1: Get a 2ft piece of chain from your local hardware store. You'll also need a strand of ribbon measuring 5ft long.

Step 2: Tie a double knot at one end of the chain leaving 3" of ribbon at one end. This extra ribbon will be used to tie your bracelet into a bow.

Step 3: Using the longer end of the ribbon, weave it through the chain until you reach the other end.

Step 4: Tie a another knot at this end. Again, leave 3" of ribbon at the end. Cut the remaining ribbon off.

Step 5: Wrap the chain around your wrist approximately 3 times and tie into a bow. That's it... you're done! All you need to do now is show off your DIY skills!

'Ready to Pop' Baby Shower Theme

Use this fun 'Ready to Pop' Baby Shower theme idea to celebrate the mommy-to-be.

Invitations: Use brown 5" x 7" greeting cards, with matching envelopes. Create your design using scrapbook paper, ribbon, and rubber stamps with brown stamping ink.

Message on a Diaper: Looking for a unique way to give the mommy-to-be good luck wishes? Write your wishes on newborn diapers! When the mommy-to-be is changing diapers late at night... she'll be able to see a fun message from you! Simply purchase a package of newborn diapers and a permanent marker (fine point). Decorate a brown paper bag with matching design from the invitation for the mommy-to-be to take the diapers home with her.

'Ready to Popcorn': In cardboard boxes or mason jars, set out popped popcorn. Not only is this a great decoration idea, but also a yummy snack!

Thank You Bags: Take brown paper lunch bags and stamp the outside with a creative design of your choice. Fold the top of the bag twice and punch two holes. Make 'Thank You' tags using the same scrapbook paper as the invitations and tie through the holes using paper kraft ribbon.

Go ahead and start 'popping'!

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

  

Bring this delicious Tomato Mozzarella Salad to your dinner table for a quick and easy bite. This recipe is so simple!

Gently toss 5 chopped tomatoes, 2 Tbsp of fresh basil, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion. Add 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes.

Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour. Before serving, toss salad with 2 ounces of balsamic vinaigrette.

Serve alone or with fresh focaccia bread. Enjoy!

Couscous and Garbanzo-Bean Tabbouleh

Looking for a unique side dish that will please all palettes? Try this Couscous and Garbanzo-Bean Tabbouleh recipe!

Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, then pour 1 1/4 cups of couscous. Stir, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.

In a large bowl, toss couscous with 1 cup drained and rinsed garbanzo beans, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 1 large seeded and chopped tomato, 3 chopped green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. In a small bowl, whisk the juice and zest of 1/2 lemon and 3 Tbsp olive oil; drizzle over couscous and toss. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours... enjoy!