A Chicken Recipe and New Blog & Etsy Design Services

It's been ages since I posted, but I wanted to share a quick recipe with you.

I love things that are easy. Who doesn't? One of my favorite recipe jumpstarts is the store bought rotisserie chicken, and it's even better when you get them half off which happens at my store after 8 pm! One chicken usually gets us at least two meals.

I just searched my pantry to come up with a great meal.

Chicken Roll-Ups

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 - 1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheese (we like it cheesy around here!)
Corn tortillas (about a dozen)

Heat a small amount of olive oil in a skillet and saute onions until clear and soft. Add garlic and saute for a couple of minutes. Add shredded chicken, chili powder and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Uncover, and simmer 10 more minutes, or until liquid is reduced. Remove from heat.

Wrap a stack of tortillas in a clean towel and microwave for two minutes. This will make the tortillas soft enough to roll without hardening them.

To the chicken, add the sour cream and half the shredded cheese and stir. Place a generous spoonful in the center of a tortilla and place in a 9"x12" pan, seam side down. Repeat until the pan is full.

At this point, you could cover with salsa or enchilada sauce, but I didn't have either on hand, plus I actual prefer them "dry."

Top with remaining cheese, cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

They turned out a little like taquitos, a bit crunchy on the ends. This got a thumbs up from my picky eaters, I'm sure your family will love it too!

{Linking up to the parties you see in my sidebar.}

I wish I could be spending more time here at Betty Crocker Wannabe, but my real life is taking me away from blogging more than expected. I am, however, expanding my Blog Design Shop. Have an Etsy shop in need of a new design? In the market for a new business card? Just need to freshen up your blog design? Stop by Simply Klassic Designs and see what's new!
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Target Dollar Spot Finds, Teacher Gifts, and New Blog Design Services

Have you seen these cute little tins and pails at the Dollar Spot at Target???

As soon as I saw them, my mind started racing, thinking about what I could use them for. I scooped up four of then, but as soon as I left I wished I'd bought more because I was sure they would be gone soon. I was right...I stopped by today and not a silver pail in sight!

BUT I did see these cute little pails, and instantly knew I would use them for Coop's teachers Easter gifts.

This is just one of the designs. I got four pails, four different designs, but didn't think to take pictures of the others. Add some candy at the bottom, and a magnetic notepad and lip balm (YES PEEPS FLAVORED LIPBALM!) and a ribbon and bam! A cute, inexpensive teacher gift.

Had to show you this close up:

How awesome is that? And it was in the Dollar Spot too!

I'm so happy to have this done and not have to rush around last minute trying to figure out what to get them.

In other news, I am offering new services in my Blog Design Shop. Have an Etsy shop in need of a new design? In the market for a new business card? Just need to freshen up your blog design? Stop by Simply Klassic Designs and see what's new!

Linking up to:

A Beach Cottage

The Shabby Nest

Someday Crafts

Fingerprints on the Fridge

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My New Workspace

When Cooper's sister joined our family, we had to do a little rearranging in our home to make room for her. My desk was moved out of the office that Rick and I shared and into the living room. Now, I'm not exactly sorry about this move. I actually kind of like it. Sharing the office meant that I really couldn't put my style in it, since Rick spent much more time in there than I did. It was more of a "manspace." And it was kind of a mess.

Of course, my old desk didn't really mesh with the whole beachy, cottagey, vintagey vibe I was going for in the living spaces of my home. It belonged to my grandfather, so it's got sentimental value, but it had to go.

So I decided I needed to go shopping. It was a tough decision and there was a lot of arm twisting but I forced myself to go to Country Roads again.

Remember I said in my last post that I got a new piece of furniture?

Here it is!

When I saw this desk and chair it was love at first sight. Probably because there was nothing I was going to have to do to it - it was perfect already!

Since I spend so much time at my computer blogging and creating blog designs, I decided I need to have a comfortable space that focused on things I love.

Like Pottery Barn.

(Wire basket for mail, ironstone bowl filled with moss, and mercury glass candle - 

sorry my flash went kind of crazy)

And this guy.

The only thing I purchased was this bottle I found at Marshall's. I fell in love with the little butterfly topper, and the best part is it was on clearance for $5! The bottom book is a signed Judy Blume from when I was a kid, and on top is my grandmother's old German Dictionary.

My favorite part:

Apparently Shelley Smith had a thing for Brian Gibbons.

I used my Pottery Barn knock-off frame to hold my calendar and a few of my favorite photos.
So there it is, my new work space! I'm thrilled with my new desk. So thrilled that I went and picked it up by myself, even though Rick said he'd go with me this weekend. Yeah, couldn't wait. I then proceeded to bring it in the house by myself. It was kind of heavy. I'm impatient like that.

Have a great weekend! I'm hoping to get a nap in tomorrow...but I'm sure my kids have other plans...



Funky Junk Interiors
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Spring Centerpiece

It's finally spring! The past two days we've had thunderstorms and heavy rains but today was clear and sunny and beautiful enough to play outside. I rounded the corner in my backyard and was greeted by these beautiful flowers.

I love Calla Lilies. They are one of my favorite flowers. They are just so pure and white and clean looking.

As you can tell from the title of my blog, I prefer simplicity in my decor, so this was right up my alley. I cut one and placed it in a bottle with some curly willow for my dining room table. Simple!

Cooper spent the night at Grandma's so my daughter and I did some shopping on Saturday. We spent some time at one of my new favorite places - Country Roads. Sue, the owner, hired me to do her blog design several weeks ago, and she was such a pleasure to work with. I have run into her a couple times since at the store, and this past weekend we were able to spend some time chatting.

I absolutely cannot leave that store empty handed, so this crate from my friend Kate's space came home with me. It was only $10! I've been coveting these from PB for a while, so I was happy to find one of my own for such a reasonable price. I also bought a new piece of furniture that will be coming home soon. I can't wait!!

The table runner came from Country Roads too a couple of months ago. I seriously could blow an entire paycheck and then some at this place!

Linking to:
The Shabby Nest
Fingerprints of the Fridge

If you're visiting for the first time, welcome! Hope to see you back soon!
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Sweet Spring Printable

One of the things I love about blogging is being able to share things I create. I think that's the same for just about all crafty bloggers. Things have been so crazy in my life lately and I feel like I have no time to think, much less indulge in one of my passions...creating printable art! So tonight I sat down determined to come up with something, and here it is!

Yes that's my painted paneling. Isn't it lovely? Not.

The quote says:

"If we had no winter, if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, 

the spring would not be so pleasant, prosperity would not be so welcome."

I came across this quote about a year ago and tucked it away knowing I would use it someday.

I love the simplicity of it's meaning - the hardships we suffer help us to appreciate the beauty of the blessings. It reminds me to appreciate every step of the journey, no matter it's difficulty.

If you would like the quote for yourself, just click on the image below, then right click and save. Size is 8" x 10" but there is not frame so it could easily be reduced to 5" x 7".

For PERSONAL USE ONLY. Not to be claimed as your own or sold for profit. Thank you.


The clip art was a freebie from Poppies Posh Pixels when I purchased some clipart for Simply Klassic Designs.

If you are visiting for the first time, welcome! Please feel free to follow along - I will be sharing more free printables in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend - it will be a wet one here in So Cal!
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Playroom Progress - Creativity Corner

I've been loving having my family leave time off, giving me a chance to really bond with my new daughter. Cooper's been having a hard time, but we are all adjusting as well as I think can be expected. 

With all this time off, I've had a chance to concentrate on our playroom. Remember the tear down? Well I am so happy with how it all has turned out. There are a few finishing touches I'm still working on, but I thought you might like to see the creativity corner.

All the kids love coloring and art in general, so I knew I wanted a space for them to let their creative juices flow in our new playroom. 

The table was an IKEA find years ago in their markdown section. It had a scuff or a ding, I don't remember, and it was already put together. It was regular $149 and I believe I paid around $50. The chairs were part of a dining set I used to have that we had bought extra chairs for. I've thought about painting it, but this set is going to get so much use, I decided to leave it as it. I like the natural wood look sometimes anyway.

I picked up the baskets at Staples with a rewards certificate, and the blue pails were leftover from Cooper's birthday party, and the supplies was all from our stash. I did, however, buy new crayons. There's just something beautiful about fresh new crayons, don't you think?

I made the pennant banner using Photoshop and the Spring Scrapbook Kit from Kevin & Amanda. I printed on basic photo paper so the colors would be a little richer, then used heavy-duty double stick tape to secure the pennants to the string, and then the wall.

I really love how this little corner turned out, and I can't wait to be able to show you the rest of the room! I'm still working on some artwork for the walls and a few other finishing touches, but I did finish painting this weekend...wanna sneak peek?

 I'm hoping to be able to show off the rest of the room by the end of next week!

I also wanted to say thank you to those who have sent messages of congratulations and support during this transition time in our lives. I know I said I wasn't going to show pictures of my daughter until the adoption is finalized, but I figured just one would be okay.

We took some time this weekend for Rick to shoot some photos of the kids. He is an amazing photographer and has been such a huge support to me through this overwhelming transition. He gives me strength and keeps me grounded. I know everyday just how blessed I am.

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Spring Chicken

My grandmother liked to make quirky things. I used to think some of the things she made were kind of goofy, but now that she's gone, I seem to cherish them much more.

Take this chicken.

She's missing her eyes, and it looks like her head is about to fall off. But she's pretty cute nonetheless.

Turn her to the side...see that?

Look closer. Give her a little squeeze.

Yes my friends, she will lay an egg.

My kids get a big kick out of these. My grandma had made several of them, but I only have a couple left. And when I found them last spring, they still had chocolate eggs in them. From three years ago. Ew.


Guess what??? We're painting the playroom this weekend! Rick patched all the holes today and I went in search of colors. I've settled on two, and will be choosing after painting the samples tomorrow. I'm so excited to get this room finished!!!

Happy {almost} spring!
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Decorating Challenge: Spring Decor Using Only Items on Hand

Time and money for decorating has been drastically cut for me. If you don't know why, you can read about it here. Yet, as soon as March 1 hit, I knew it was time to change out the winter and Christmas decor (yes, I still has a few Christmas decorations up in a couple of rooms), and bring on the spring!

Problem is, I don't have a lot of spring decor. So I went around the house, searching for inspiration. I found a few white pitchers, some artificial hydrangea and some canning jars and set to work. 

I also found this:

Now, I'm not real big on decorating with old things just for the sake of decorating. I love it when others do, but it's just never worked for me. But this has history. It was my grandparent's ladder. Not sure how old it is, but I can just imagine the stories in those paint splatters.

I brought it in the house because I've always seen these little ladders used as display pieces and I wanted to give it a shot.

What do you think?

I used the canning jars, pitcher and hydrangeas that I found and also my cute little cherub (it's actually a sprinkler!).

I absolutely love how it looks in my living room. My children however, will probably make sure that it doesn't stay there for long.

I also finished started decorating my mantle. I'm not thrilled with it, but I did only use what I had, and remember I said I don't have much spring decor? I opted to bring in only spring green as my accent color, and I love it.

I've decided on the pillows I want, and will be ordering them later this week. I'll share as soon as they arrive.

I found some Easter decor as well, but I'm waiting a few weeks before putting that up. There will be a cute little project that my grandmother made years ago that I think you will like, so stick around!


Linking up to:
Shabby Nest
Fingerprints on the Fridge
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