hint and taco salad

Okay, first things first. When I got home from work yesterday, this is what I saw.

Do you think this is a hint? Well, my friend Jennifer and I took sewing lessons over the summer and I told Paul that in order for me to get better, I needed to get a machine. He gave in and said I could get it. What a sweet husband. Sadly, I have only used it a couple of times. My excuse was that I had nowhere to sew. Now I have no excuses. I'll keep you posted on my progress:)

Switch gears now.

Don't know what to do with your leftover chili that you are cooking next Sunday night for the big game? I have an idea for you.

Taco Salads - All you need is lettuce, fritos, chili and whatever toppings you choose.

Put a handful of fritos on your bed of lettuce

Then put the chili on top of the fritos

Add your favorite toppings: sour cream, cheese, etc...

Yum!

chicken packet

The chicken packet makes for an easy dinner. My sister and I make it all the time.

Take your chicken breast and place it on a piece of foil. Cover the top of the chicken with dijon mustard.

Next, you'll need a handful of these...

and a handful of these.

Put the baby carrots and red potato slices around the chicken. Add a few thin slices of onion and a little salt and pepper to taste.

Wrap up the chicken packets (1 per person). Bake at 400 for 45 min. - 1hr.

Put the chicken and vegetables on your plate and enjoy!

FYI: If you prefer beef over chicken, you can make ground beef patties and add just a little Worcestershire sauce. Everything else is the same.

you gotta be

Whew! We got through Monday. If only I could wind down here.

Why are Mondays so tough? For me, it's just getting to work. Once I'm there I'm fine. This morning I heard Des'ree's 'You Gotta Be' on the way to work. If that song doesn't get you pumped up in the morning, then I don't know what will! I'm sure that all the cars around me got a good laugh out of me singing to the top of my lungs and bopping my head. This is not an uncommon sight for me:)

You gotta be bad

You gotta be bold

You gotta be wiser

You gotta be hard

You gotta be tough

You gotta be stronger

You gotta be cool

You gotta be calm

You gotta stay together

All I know, All I know, LOVE will save the day

What song gets you pumped up in the morning?

why the name

I just thought I would take a minute to fill you in on how the name 'wrapped in raffia' came about, just in case you were wondering. For my wedding, which will be two years ago in April, my mom and I made welcome gift baskets for our out-of-town guests.

We filled the galvanized pails with a handful of raffia along with a few yummy treats. Side note, bottled Cokes and Moon Pies are my favorite! Anyway, when I bought the raffia, I bought the largest pack that Michaels had. I don't know what I was thinking.

Ever since then, I have been wrapping all of my gifts in the leftover raffia.

I'm STILL using it, although my supply is starting to run low. Don't worry, I'll go get more. Anyway, that's how I came up with the name. I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

random findings

I came across these three findings this week and I love them! I'm so happy that the weekend is finally here. Have a good one!

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This placemat is made out of 100% raffia :)

pretty in pink

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So pretty. I'd like you!

mutt huttz

I don't have a dog (can't wait for the day that I do:), but if I did, I would definitely be buying

this,

one of these,

and one of these. So cute!

Check out the company here. Enjoy!

give a day, get a day

You have probably seen the commercials for Disney's 'give a day, get a day'. Our family is planning a trip to Disney World this spring, so we thought we would participate in it too. If you take a day to volunteer with one of the participating organizations, which you can find in your area by clicking here, then you get a one-day free pass to Disney World. This weekend was our weekend to volunteer and it was truly rewarding. My brother-in-law chose to help kids repair their bikes and me, Paul, and my sister helped with Project Yellow Ribbon. We made care packages for the soldiers and prepared them to be shipped out.

Thank you to the men and women that serve our country! We cannot thank you enough for all the sacrifices that you make.

After Project Yellow Ribbon, my sister and I wanted to walk in two antique stores that we spotted earlier that morning. I do like antique shopping, but I have to remind myself that sometimes you have to take the good in with the bad. When I say bad, I mean BAD! See for yourself.

Crushed red velvet lamps anyone?

Paul, on the other hand, does not like to antique shop. He was a good sport though, so Ashley and I decided that we better treat him to some Starbucks. Well, that was my weekend. I hope your weekend was wonderful!

a tale of two topiaries

I found these two little guys at one of my favorite stores, Brass Exchange (no website, but you should go visit). They brighten up my bathroom nicely!

don't tempt please

Dear Boden, please do not send your spring catalog to me in the dead of winter. I love your stuff too much and it makes me wish it were spring already!

Thank you,

Amber

mother of pearl

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Mother of pearl just looks so feminine and classy. I can't get enough.

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next time...

...i would like to have a window in my kitchen. I guess technically I have a window in the kitchen, but I would like one above the sink. I like the thought of growing herbs there and I would love having the extra natural light. Check these out:

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I love that the inside of the cabinets are painted.

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ice cream delight

Paul and I just spent this past week in the mountains with my family and it was wonderful. I love spending time with my family and one thing that we all do well together is eat. One night for dessert, my sister made the concoction below. I named it ice cream delight. Feel free to name it whatever you would like to. Either way it is delicious!

All you need is 2 scoops of Breyers vanilla and 1 tbsp. of Kahlua.

Just pour the Kahlua over your ice cream.

Ahhh... it is so good.