Wrapped in Raffia

Thursday, January 28, 2010

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!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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.

Monday, January 25, 2010

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?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

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!