Sew God's Grace

I have had a dress in my closet now for over 11 years.  I had not worn it, but I didn't want to get rid of it.  Though it is not a style I would wear now (and likely could not fit into), I really liked the colors.  So, I continued to hold on to it. Then, I had a great idea--I'll make it into a skirt for my daughter. I used much of the same techniques outlined in this simple skirt tutorial .  Here's what I did: The Dress! First, I measured Maddie's waistline and how long we wanted the skirt to be.  I added an inch and a half to the length for the elastic casing. I placed the dress on my cutting mat and spent some time getting the bottom edge lined up.  Then I cut it off.  (That was a little scary for me for some reason!) The dress had two layers, so I pinned the layers to each other around the top of the skirt, being careful to match up the seams. I did a straight stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the top of the skirt. Then I did an overlo

My friend Tanna invited the kids and me over for supper tonight since our husbands were out of town.  (Plus another friend and her four kids.)  When I asked what I could bring, she suggested a dessert.  Hooray!  This is my chance to make something that I normally wouldn't make.  I started to rack my brain, thinking of all the decadent desserts on my Pinterest board.  Then, I had an idea.  I would make Aunt Hilda's Party Dessert!  My grandma, having received the recipe from Grandpa's sister, Hilda (thus the name!) used to make this when I was little.  I remember absolutely loving it.  I thought, "that should go over well with a bunch of kids."  It had been years since I had eaten it--making it today was a fun trip down memory lane.  This is also a landmark occasion for me, because this dessert does not contain any chocolate.  (Although my friends and I did agree that it would taste delicious with some chocolate syrup on top!) The taste is hard to describe, sort

Yes, I know, I make a lot of mixes.  I think they are so fun!  I had seen lots of mixes in a quart jar, but I did not have access to any.  So I thought, "Why not put them in a bag?"  I found a mix online and made several of these up for Christmas gifts.  Of course, I had to pass the recipe along. I like how versatile this gift is.  You can take any recipe, put together the dry ingredients, and include instructions.  For more on how I make my labels, see here.

I found a recipe off of Pinterest for Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce.  While I would love to have spinach in my enchiladas, I knew that it would be a struggle to get my kids (and probably my husband!) to eat them.  Still, chicken enchiladas sounded so good. . . And, the thought of making my own enchilada sauce made me feel accomplished in the kitchen! So, I started to think of what else I could put in with the chicken.  I love Chipotle's burritos with black beans in them, so I decided to add black beans instead of the spinach. I cooked five four-ounce chicken breasts with some olive oil brushed on the top in my George Foreman Grill while I started making the enchilada sauce.  Find the recipe for the sauce here . Drain and rinse a fifteen-ounce can of black beans.  Place in a large bowl and mash up a bit with a potato masher. After chicken is cooked, shred it.  I am so glad for this tip I found on the internet-- shred chicken in your kitch

Okay, I know!  I just can't get enough of making mixes as gifts.  Through several mixes into a  basket, and you have a great Christmas gift.  I have found that making a mix takes less time than making a baked good for gifts, also.  Plus, the recipient can use it at his or her convenience.  See here for the recipe.  I used the first version, and I recommended adding a pound of cooked hamburger.  I like some meat in my soups!  Also, the recipe called for 1/2 cup of dried minced onion.  According to my package of minced onion, that is the equivalent of 2 cups of fresh.  For me, that seemed a little much.  I put a little less than 1/4 cup of the dried minced onion.  Keep this recipe in mind the next time you need a little something as a gift! Here is the text on my label: Spiral Soup Directions:   In large pan, bring 8 cups water and 2 cups diced or crushed tomatoes to boil.   Add one pound cooked hamburger or other meat if

This is another peanut butter/chocolate recipe that I received from my friend Kristin.  She and I share a love for chocolate!  I really wish I had taken a picture of a brownie once it was cut.  Unfortunately, I was too busy eating it to get my camera!  With a peanut butter crust and brownie on top, it makes a pretty presentation as well as being delicious. I think the recipe was originally from the back of a Betty Crocker Supreme Peanut Butter Brownie mix.  I have not been able to find this particular mix, so I just adapted a plain fudge brownie mix to the recipe. Double Peanut Butter Brownies 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1 package Betty Crocker Supreme Peanut Butter Brownie mix or  1 box 9 by 13 sized brownie mix plus 1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 teaspoon shortening Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom of 9 by 13 inch pan.  Stir together peanut butter, sugar, and egg; press into pan. Make brownie mix

My grandma taught me how to cook.  I used to get so frustrated with her because she didn't measure very often.  I would ask how much of something to put in, and she would say, "Oh, a little bit."  What did that mean?  I also learned that if we actually were measuring something, it must be pretty important!  There was a running joke in our family about a chocolate pie she once made.  Apparently, it was the best pie my family ever tasted.  Unfortunately, because she had made some substitutions and used inexact measurements, she was never able to recreate it!  It's in honor of Grandma Ruth that I am posting this recipe.  It's something I just threw together.  You can adjust it to your needs and tastes.  This recipe is similar to a recipe my husband's Aunt Sarah served us on a recent trip to her house. Easy Fruit Salad (Serves 2 adults and 4 little kids) 1 apple, chopped (I had a large honeycrisp apple) 2 medium bananas, sliced 1 handful dried cranberries

This is one of my kids' favorite chicken recipes.  Adapted from a recipe from Taste of Home's Quick Cooking, it has become one of my "go-to" meals.  It tastes delicious and comes together quickly with a few simple ingredients.  I typically serve rice or quinoa alongside--we spoon the sauce over the top! Baked Provolone Chicken 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 10 3/4 ounce can cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup chicken broth 6 slices provolone cheese 1/2 - 3/4 cup italian seasoned bread crumbs Place chicken breasts in greased 9 by 13 inch pan.  Mix broth and soup; pour over the top.  Place cheese slices over the top of chicken and sprinkle bread crumbs on top of that.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.  I usually insert a meat thermometer and cook the chicken to an internal temp of 165 degrees.  Hope you enjoy this wonderful recipe! Tip:  To cut calories, you can use three slices of provolone cheese.  Just halve them and put one-half slice on each

There's nothing like homemade pizza!  You can add exactly what ingredients you want--fewer complaints in my family, for sure!  I make my dough in the bread machine.  Thought you might enjoy the recipe: Herbed Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (2 lb. recipe from Better Homes and Garden Best Bread Machine Recipes) 1 1/3 cups water 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 2/3 cups bread blour (I just use all purpose) 1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano, and marjoram 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or bread machine yeast Place ingredients in bread machine pan in order recommended by manufacturer.  Select "dough" menu option.  Check after five minutes of kneading; add 1 teaspoon flour or water if needed.  When cycle is complete, remove dough and punch down.  Cover and let rest 10 minutes.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Divide dough between two greased pizza pans.  I use a 12.5 inch diameter metal pan and a 14.5 in

This is one of my favorite breads to make.  I got the recipe from my good friend Bill.  He was one of my classmates in dental school.  My husband, Matt, and I spent many an evening over at Bill and Jenn's apartment eating supper and playing board games late into the night.  At one of these get togethers, they served this bread.  I think I ate at least three pieces and later requested the recipe.  I was delighted to discover that you make the dough in the bread machine.  Here is the recipe: Oatmeal bread 1 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon hot water 3 tablespoons dry milk 2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 3 tablespoons honey 3 1/2 cup bread flour 3/4 cup oatmeal 1 1/2 teaspoon yeast Place ingredients into bread machine pan in order recommended by manufacture.  Select "dough" setting.  Check dough in 5 minutes.  Add 1 teaspoon water or 1 teaspoon flour if needed. Place dough on greased baking stone.  Using your hands, shape into a circular loaf, a

Every time I make these cookies, I think of my dear friend Kristin, from whom I got the recipe.  We were classmates in dental school and spent many hours together sipping coffee and studying at Barnes and Noble.  We have many things in common, including a love for all things chocolate! She brought these moist and delicious cookies to a get together one time.  Of course, I had to have the recipe.  The recipe calls for instant pudding in the mix.  I first tasted this recipe containing vanilla instant pudding and chocolate chips.  You can use any variety of pudding/chip combinations, and, believe me, I have.  So far, chocolate pudding plus peanut butter chips has been the favorite for our family. The following is her recipe, with a few updates from me. . . Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies 2 1/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 3.4 ounce package chocolate instant pudding 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanill

Okay, home-made pizza is on the menu tonight.  So I had to throw together some of this delicious pizza sauce to top it with.  I had not made pizza sauce until a couple of years ago--I usually just reach for a jar.  However, my sister-in-law Joni had put this recipe into our church cook book.  I figure if it's good enough for the church cook book, it's worth giving it a try.  Turned out to be the right move for me!  I love this sauce; it's sweet with a bit of spice to it.  In a word:  exquisite!  Here's the recipe: 1 6 ounce can tomato paste 3/4 cup warm water (hint--just fill the tomato paste can with water) 3 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon mince garlic 2 Tablespoons honey 3/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper salt to taste In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; mix together, brea