What to do when you don't have time to cook a.k.a. I'm too busy decorating to worry about cooking dinner.

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I don't know about you but there are tons of things I would rather be doing than cooking dinner. Yeah. But the reality is that my family depends on a good dinner and, honestly, they really are appreciative! Who can't beat that?

Easy crockpot recipes

What I do love about dinnertime is that this is when we all sit down together and connect during the day. And when you have older children in college and high school, it is important to cherish this time and keep that tradition going.

Oddly enough, for all my lack of cooking desire, I seem to have a knack for it. Especially for altering recipes by substituting ingredients and not measuring. I can sometimes even just 'create' a meal by throwing items together. I'm not even sure how I do it but it works.

Easy recipes

To make it easier, I created Pinterest boards that help with this effort. When I search for recipes, I always start with 'easy'. Every. time.

Check them out for some easy, and great, recipes!

LInking up this week to:
Happiness is Homemade
Mom to Mom Encouragement Link UP
Submarine Sunday Linky Party

One Man's Garbage...

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I have a confession. I'm a garbage picker. There I said it and I feel so much better now.

This is what it looked like in its original state and the way I found it on the curb.

In fact, I even have a friend who pick garbage for me...in her pajamas! Now that is friendship. But I have found some amazing things in the garbage and you know the saying "one man's garbage is another man's treasure."

This is what it looks like today after a simple fix, some chalk paint and wax, and a quick upholstery.

Sharing my treasure with you today.

Close up of the finish.

So be honest, are you a garbage picker or are you too embarassed to admit it?

Found the two adorable pillows at a consignment shop for 8.99 ea. What a steal and they match my kitchen chairs!

Linking up today to:
Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick

Quick and Easy is Chicken Enchilada Dinner

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Something strange is happening to me. I have felt this over the past year and I can't explain it. Where I used to hate to cook, I now kind of like it!

These chicken enchiladas were a BIG hit with the family!

The older I get, the more that is true. I even start my online searches with the word 'easy'.

Start by slow cooking the chicken in a crockpot for 6-8 hours.
Don't forget to add cumin, chili powder, and garlic.

Easy italian recipes, easy dog treats, easy DIY table projects. You name it, easy is my game.

Make an easy cheese sauce by starting with a bechamel then adding milk and cheese.

It is no different when it comes to cooking dinner. You see I have never really like to cook and used to buy frozen lasagna and frozen pizza, or order take out. Lately, I don't know but I am kinda gettin' into it and my boys love it! Maybe it is simply there appreciation!

Easy Mexican Rice as a side dish.

Whatever it is, I thought I would share my easy chicken enchilada dinner.

Chicken Enchiladas

1. Slow cook chicken in crock pot (could be chicken breasts, chicken thighs). Quantity is dependent on how much you want to make.
2. Add cumin, chili powder, fresh cilantro, and garlic. Again season to your taste. If you like it kickier, add more of the seasonings.
3. Shred chicken once it is cooked.
4. Roll chicken in flour tortillas. Be sure to warm the package of tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds first. They will roll much easier without tearing and breaking!
5. Roll and line up in baking dish.
6. Cheese sauce:
1. Start with a bechamel sauce by melting one stick of butter in sauce pan.
2. Add flour, one tablespoon at a time, and whisk into butter until thicken. (Probably would not take more than 2-3 tbls.) Bechamel should be thick!
3. Add milk (can use heavy cream if you like a rich sauce or 1% milk if you want a low fat version). Quantity depends on how much sauce you want but I would say 2-3 cups.
4. Simmer on low and gradually start adding shredded cheese. I like to use a variety for flavor. Colby-Jack, Cheddar, Monterray cheddar, etc. I like ours real cheesy so I add about 3 cups of cheese.
5. Continue to simmer until cheese is melted, whisking as you go to blend sauce.
6. Pour over rolled tortillas, top with shredded cheese, and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min-1 hour.
7. Mexican Rice.
1. Chop up peppers (yellow, red, and green), tomatoes, garlic, onions and fresh cilantro. Saute in butter.
2. Add chicken broth and rice
3. Add chili powder and cumin
4. Simmer all in one pan until rice is cooked.
5. Top with cilantro and cheese and serve.

Linking up to:
Happiness is Homemade
Real food Fridays
Table it! Link Party

Updated Living Room, yes again!

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I thought that today, on this blustery winter Michigan day would be a great time to share my updated living room.

New grey on the walls, new curtains, new rug from Pier 1.

This room started with the desire to neutralize our house, possibly for purposes of selling in the near future, and mostly because as much as I love color, I have been recently in love with all the new greys out there. Aren't they just fabulous! But most importantly because I wanted to 'unify' all the many transitions that exist in this room to make them flow better.

View facing west. Still have to add the curtain/valance on the west window.

So a few months ago I took the plunge and painted my living room which led to several other changes. Many of which I wasn't not planning on or expecting! Does that ever happen to you?

View facing east that includes the entry way. Oh and of course a cute chocolate lab!

Our house was built in the 70s and every. single. wall. is. textured. Seriously. That said, painting rooms in our house is not for the faint of heart. You need several coats of paint, a thick paint roller, going back many, many times to check for drips and runs. It is very tedious and very frustrating. But I have to say that this time, due to convenience, I went to Ace Hardware and bought Clark and Kensington paint. I initially asked for 3 gallons as this paint job typically takes at least that much. Luckily for me, the lady only mixed two. Although at the time I was frustrated, it ended being a blessing. I was able to paint this room with one. coat. of. paint and finished the whole area only using 1-1/2 gallons total. Talk about shocked! Keep in mind I was covering a rather dark green as well.

This is the green that I was covering!
This paint is called "Submarine' from Dutch Boy.

Linking up this week to:

Pieced Pastimes 

It's Overflowing

Be Different act Normal

Silver Pennies

Stephanie Lynn

DIY Showoff 

Thoughts From Alice

What We accomplished Wednesdays

Boogieboard Cottage

Creatively Living 

Just A Girl & Her Blog 

Pink When

Mod Vintage Life 

The Dedicated House 

Between Naps On The Porch

Dwellings-Heart of Your Home 

Rain on a Tin Roof 

Lou Lou Girls