Rock 'N Share Party #5

Are You Ready to Party?!  I know I am! I can't wait to see what you've been up to!

 However, first, allow me to introduce you to the latest inductees to the Rock 'N Share Gallery (on Pinterest). These were the most viewed posts from last weeks party!

Each of the following blogs have many more projects to inspire you!

ROCK 'N SHARE GALLERY INDUCTEES Week #4

Mesh Wreath by Easy Breezy

DIY Holiday Mercury Glass Tutorial by Charm Bracelet Diva 

Marshmallow Wreath by Eclectically vintage

  Wren, Kathleen & Kelly 

Congratulations & Thank You for joining the party! 

Be sure to get your Rock 'n Share Gallery Button! (on sidebar)

Now on to today's Rock 'N Share!

The only requirement is a link back! (no link = no feature)--- a text link at the bottom of your post, or a Rock 'N Share button (see button code below)!   You may copy and paste this text link onto your blog post, in the event you are not sure how to do it otherwise.     The Shady Porch

  

It's NOT a requirement to join my blog, although I love it if you would! 
** I always follow back!  Just leave me a comment, so I'll know!**

I also ask ...

1. Everything be family friendly!
2. Link up your own projects...something that you've created.
3. Link to a specific post not your Home page!  No Etsy shops or other businesses!    
4. Mingle! Introduce yourself (comment) on other party projects! Be kind! Make new friends! 

I reserve the right to remove links that are in violation of these requests!

**I will be sharing my personal favorites on my Facebook throughout the week!**

Most viewed posts make the weekly Rock 'n Share Gallery!

Party will be open NOW through Friday (midnight).

Be sure to check back each Wednesday to see if you've been featured!

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Homemade Butterfinger Candy

Bite-sized Homemade Butterfinger Candies

It's a tradition for the hubby and I to make goodie gifts for his colleagues at work. In selecting the candies to prepare for this year, I found a recipe for homemade Butterfinger candy bars. Can you say "Instant Winner?"
 

I thought the recipe was probably going to be difficult, costly and time-consuming. Wrong, wrong and wrong! It's easy, cheap and microwave fast! 

We made a test batch and all of our taste testers recognized the "Butterfinger" flavor at once, and the most common response was, "that was like having the freshest Butterfinger candy bar ever

For the holidays, we cut the them into bite-sized pieces for presentation and decoration purposes. I added a few sprinkles to some of the candies to make them appear a little more festive. Spoiler alert...it's probably going to be in your goodie bag this Christmas! 

Note - In the event you are interested in making this for the holidays and think it's too late because the candy corn is out-of-season, you can still purchase it online for a good price. Just Google it!

Checking the candy corn in melting process

Homemade Butterfinger Candies

1 lb. bag candy corn
16 oz. jar peanut butter

16 oz. pkg. chocolate candy coating

Directions:

Candy is ready for dipping in the chocolate

• Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking in 15-20 second intervals until the candy corn has melted, stirring each time.  Don't overcook or the candy will be tough instead of having a fresh, smooth creaminess.  
•  Stir in the peanut butter until mixture is smooth (no lumps).  
•  Spread candy mixture into a 8x8 parchment lined pan. Cool completely. 
• Cut into squares. Dip in melted chocolate candy coating. Lay on waxed paper to set. 
•  Decorate as desired.

I found this awesome recipe on Plain Chicken.

I shared this Christmas treat at these great parties!

Skip To My Lou, Dittle Dattle,  Lines Across My Face,  Mad In Crafts, Keeping It Simple, 

Stone Gable, Make Ahead Meals,  Junk In Their Trunk, A Bowl Full of Lemons,  2805,
Marcia's Crafty Sewing,  

DIY French Script Shade

Pineapple Lamp with DIY French Script Shade

You might recognize the lamp...this past summer, I did a remake on this thrift-find pineapple lamp. I also did a decoupage remake on its original shade. However, I was never a fan of that style of shade so, when I ran across a deal on this self-adhesive shade, I snatched it up.

Ballard Designs - Script Empire Shade

I knew when I bought the new shade that I wanted to make my version of the Ballard 
Design Empire
shade with the French script. 

To do this, I  removed the paper template that comes affixed to the self-adhesive lampshade, using it as my pattern to cut out my off-white cotton material (from an old bed skirt, I no longer use). The shade is already sticky when you remove the template paper, so all I had to do now was slowly wrap the material around the shade, smoothing out wrinkles as I went along.

Adhesive lampshade with paper template
still attached.

French inspired words and/or fonts taped inside the shade.

Once the shade was covered in my fabric, I had to get words and symbols that looked similar to the French script on the inspiration shade. I used Power Point fonts to create the template I needed.  I printed them, cut them out and then, as you can see in the picture, taped them inside the shade so they showed through the translucent fabric.

Now it was just a case of tracing the words/symbols using my black Elmer's Painters marker. I did this until the shade was covered in words, phrases, and symbols. I love how it turned out and I think the lamp is so much prettier with its new shade! 

Other Shady Porch projects you might like....

DIY Metallic Makeover 6-Drawer Chest

China Cabinet Makeover

Pallet Coat Rack

 

I shared this DIY project at these great parties!

Blissful & Domestic,  One Artsie Mama,  At the Picket Fence,  Stuff & Nonsense, The Shabby Nest, 
2805,  Fun to Craft,  The Shabby Creek Cottage, Saved by Love Creations,  House of Hepworths,
Somewhat Simple,  Fireflies & Jellybeans,  Lines Across My Face,  My 1929 Charmer, 
Nifty Thrifty Things, Skip To My Lou,  Dittle Dattle,  Junk In Their Trunk,
Mad In Crafts, Keeping It Simple, Everything Under The Moon,
A Bowl Full of Lemons,   

Rock 'N Share Party #4

Welcome...I'm so glad you could stop by! First, allow me to introduce you to the latest inductees to the Rock 'N Share Gallery (on Pinterest). These were the most viewed posts from last weeks party! 

Each of the following blogs have many projects to inspire you!

Rock 'N Share Gallery Inductees

DIY Ornament Chandelier

By Things We Fancy

Lion's Head Corn Chowder
by Moogie & Pap

 Kitchen Renovation Progress
by Blue Chateau Interiors

Congratulations & Thank You for joining the party! 

Be sure to get your Rock 'n Share Gallery Button! (on sidebar)

 

I know the approaching holidays have tightened our schedules all the more! In the event you don't have anything new ready to post, feel free to post something from your archive!! I simply ask that it be new to the Rock 'N Share party and seasonably appropriate. 

The only requirement is a link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or a Rock N Share button (see button code below)!   You may copy and paste this text link onto your blog post, in the event you are not sure how to do it.     The Shady Porch

I also ask ...

1. Everything be family friendly!
2. Link up your own projects...something that you've created.
3. Link to a specific post not your Home page!  NO giveaways, Etsy shops or other businesses! I will remove links that are in violation of this request.
4. It's NOT a requirement to join my blog, Facebook or Pinterest page, although I would appreciate it.  **Just leave me a comment and I always follow back!**
5. Mingle! Introduce yourself (comment) on other party projects! Be kind! Make new friends! 

**I will be sharing my personal favorites on my Facebook throughout the week!**

Most viewed posts make the Rock 'n Share Gallery!

Party will be open today through Friday (midnight).

Each Wednesday, I share the latest Rock N Share Gallery inductees here!
Be sure to check back to see if you've been featured!

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Chicken Dumpling Casserole

Chicken Dumpling Casserole...a new twist on the southern Sunday favorite!

If you've ever made chicken and dumplings, you know that it's an art to get the dumplings right. I've been told the secret is to add the dumplings to a "rolling, boiling" stock...and
sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. In the cases when the dumplings DON'T turn out alright, it is usually because, for lack of a better term, they melt. You can drop a lot of dumplings in the pot, but sometimes,when it's time to serve them, they've dissolved into the broth. Still, even with all the trouble dumplings can be, they're still a southern Sunday favorite.

When I ran across this casserole recipe, I thought, "If this actually tastes like dumplings, this could be an excellent replacement to the troublesome original!" Well, I made the casserole, and it was very good. I did think that the next time I make it, I will add some poultry seasoning to the broth and I would add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables to make it into a chicken pot pie to make it a more complete meal in one dish. Either way, it received the thumbs up rating at my house. 

Adapted from - Deep South Dish

Chicken Dumpling Casserole

Ingredients

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, boiled and shredded*
2 cups chicken stock (from boiling the breasts above)
1 stick of butter ( 8 Tbsp which equals 1/2 cup)
2 cups Bisquick or self-rising flour
2 cups 2% milk (whatever you prefer)
1 can cream of chicken soup (the herbed cream of chicken soup adds lots more flavor)
3 t. Wylers chicken granules or 3 bouillon cubes
1/2 t. dried sage
1 t. black pepper & salt, as desired 

 (*you can use any chicken you choose this is simply what we use most often)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in sauce pan with enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat; place a lid on your pot and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes to finish cooking. Remove chicken from stock (reserve the stock) and allow to cool, then shred the chicken. 
When building the layered casserole, do not mix the layers.

Layer 1 - In 9x13 or larger casserole dish, melt 1 stick of butter.  Spread shredded chicken over butter.   Sprinkle black pepper and dried sage over this layer.  Note: If you want to serve this as a pot pie, add a layer of vegetables now. 

Layer 2 - In small bowl, mix milk and Bisquick. Slowly pour over chicken.

Layer 3 - In medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the chicken stock (strained, if needed), chicken granules and soup. Once blended, slowly pour over the Bisquick layer. (Tip - Add some of the hot stock to the soup can to help melt the soup and get it all out of the can).

Bake time varies by oven and the size pan you decide to use, therefore, bake until the top is golden brown- approx. 50-60 minutes.

If you like one dish meals you will love the Double Crust Pizza Casserole, Mostaccioli and Shepherd's Pie! 

I shared this great recipe at these great parties! 

Frugally Sustainable, Mommy By Day, Crafter By Night, This Chick Cooks, 

733,   Blue Cricket Design, Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Me,  House of Hepworths,  

Somewhat Simple,  Fireflies and Jellybeans,  The Brambleberry Cottage,  

Delightful Order,  Passionately Artistic, Miz Helen's Country Cottage,

Shabby Creek Cottage,  Saved By Love, Fun to Craft,  At the Picket Fence, 

Stuff & Nonsense, Grocery Cart Challenge,  The Shabby Nest, 2805,

My 1929 Charmer, Nifty Thrifty Things, EKat's Kitchen,  Skip To My Lou,

Dittle Dattle,  Lines Across My Face, Keeping It Simple, Stone Gable,

Everything Under The Moon,  Make Ahead Meals, 

 

Festive Tortilla-Cream Cheese Appetizer

Tortilla, Cream Cheese, Green Onion Roll-ups

One of the major things I want to be during the holidays is PREPARED! Having been caught off-guard on occasion, I have learned the hard way that preparedness is a stress reliever. 

One of my favorite tips to is to have a go-to food item you can whip up in very little time - or have waiting in the fridge! - for impromptu entertaining.

Today's recipe is an easy go-to spread. One of the benefits of this recipe is its common ingredients...items that you probably will already have on hand over the holidays.

Once prepared, the spread can be served with crackers, or, as presented here, as a rolled and sliced appetizer.

A seasonal feature of this spread is its festive appearance with bits of red and green pepper  in a backdrop of white cream cheese (I didn't have red bell peppers this time, so they aren't pictured here).

Festive Cream Cheese-Tortilla Roll-ups

Ingredients

1 pkg flour tortillas

2 pkgs - 8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup chopped scallions

1/2 cup green bell pepper

1/2 cup red bell pepper

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 t garlic salt

1 pkt dry ranch dressing

Optional - 1/2t. red pepper flakes, crushed and 1/4c. chopped green olives)

Directions:

1. Allow the tortillas to reach room temperature.

2. Mix together all ingredients, except for the tortillas. 

NOTE - I do not recommend using a food processor. It releases all the liquid in the peppers and makes the mix too thin, rather than the desired spreadable consistency.

3. Spread the mixture evenly on the tortillas and roll them up tightly.

4. Wrap each rolled, filled tortilla in plastic wrap and refrigerate a minimum of 3 hours, preferably overnight.

5. Cut in 3/4" diagonal slices and serve with salsa...although they are very good on their own.

This spread, whether served as a rolled-up appetizer or set out with crackers or vegetables, can be created and served immediately. It is just the kind of quick and tasty treat that holiday socializing sometimes demands. If, however, your timetable permits it, a good chill in the fridge will allow the flavors more time to blend better (and if you DID make the roll-ups, better slicing for a more finished appearance.)

Other yummy appetizer/snacks you might enjoy! - Mozzarella Sticks  and Pizza Pops aka Pizza Bites!

I shared this yummy recipe at these great parties! 

Grocery Cart Challenge,  Frugalicious Friday,  A Little Knick Knack,  At The Picket Fence,  

Nifty Thrifty Things,  I Heart Naptime,  Lines Across My Face, My 1929 Charmer, 

Jell-O Pretzel Dessert & Thank You!

THANK YOU

First, I am so awed by your support in the Crazy Cooking Challenge! That's right... we won again!  The Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes with Bacon  has been named the Ultimate Recipe of the Challenge! I hope you try it...I'm confident that it would be a winner on your Thanksgiving table, too! Special thanks to Amber and Ann Kelly at Recipes We Love  for sharing their wonderful recipe.

I am a late-comer among fans of the salty-sweet combo.  My friend from high school always said she loved the two together and would eat chips with her candy bar, but I never thought it sounded that good. I was just fine with a candy bar. However, palettes change and I now understand her appreciation for that tasty combination! Well, when I saw this recipe, I thought, this is one that my salty-sweet friend would love! The pretzel crust was the first thing that caught my eye and then strawberries and cream cheese...sounds good, doesn't it? I put it on my want-to-make list, and sooner rather than later, I had to try it.  It was very good. There were a couple issues that I would try to deal with in the future, however. 
Namely, the recipe I had did not say to drain the thawed strawberries and the additional moisture prevented the Jell-O from setting up as jiggly as I like it. Secondly, I'm not sure what to do about it, but there were some bites that were just too salty for me to enjoy (I'm not a big salt fan anyway). I will say it was devoured by my family in short order so it warrants sharing! So without further ado, here is the Jell-O Pretzel Dessert.

Jell-O Pretzel Dessert

2 1/2 c. pretzels, crushed fine

3 T. Splenda brown sugar (or regular brown sugar)

3/4 c. melted butter

1 pkg Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O

1-10oz. pkg frozen strawberries (thawed & drained) or 16 oz. fresh sliced strawberries

1 - 8oz. pkg cream cheese, softened

1 cup Splenda (or regular sugar)

1 - 8oz. Cool Whip

Directions: Combine crushed pretzels, Splenda brown sugar, and melted butter and press into greased 9x19 pan. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese and Splenda (or sugar) until creamy. Blend in Cool Whip. Spread over cooled pretzel crust, making sure to spread it edge-to-edge to protect the crust from any Jell-O leaks.

In a separate bowl, mix Jell-O according to directions, then add the drained strawberries, if using frozen. Refrigerate until partially set. If Jell-O is not partially set, it will leak through the cream cheese layer and make the pretzel crust soggy. 

Once the Jell-O has set, pour it over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate until Jello-O is firmly set, then serve.

Original recipe from: The Girl Who Ate Everything

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I shared this yummy treat at these parties!

Passionately Artistic,   This Chick Cooks, House of Hepworths,  Somewhat Simple, 
Fingerprints On The Fridge, Pocket Full of Pink, Finding Fabulous, Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
Grocery Cart Challenge,  Miz Helen's Country Cottage,  One Artsy Mama, 
At the Picket Fence,  Bitsy Pieces,  Whipperberry,  Funky Junk,  I Heart Naptime, Lines Across My Face,
My 1929 Charmer,  

Rock 'n Share Wednesday #3

Welcome!

Here are the latest inductees to the Rock 'n Share Gallery on Pinterest! 

Count Your Many Blessings by Karen at Pocket Full Of Pink

Dinner In The Library by Sheila at Beyond The Portico

New Decor for Guest Bath by Theresa at Tuscan Cabin

            Each of these blogs contain many projects that will inspire you!              
Check 'em out! 

Congratulations & Thank You for joining the party! 

Be sure to get your Rock 'n Share Gallery Button! (on sidebar)

 

Now for today's festivities...I hope you're ready to share your latest Recipes, Crafts, DIY projects, Decorating Tips, Photography, Art or Thrifty Finds...because we can't wait to see them!

The only requirement is a link back! --- a text link at the bottom of your post, or a Rock N Share button (see button code below)!   You may copy and paste this text link onto your blog post, in the event you are not sure how to do it.     The Shady Porch

I also ask ...

1. Everything be family friendly!
2. Link up your own projects...something that you've created.
3. Link to a specific post not your Home page!  NO giveaways, Etsy shops or other businesses! I will remove links that are in violation of this request.
4. It's NOT a requirement to join my blog, Facebook or Pinterest page, although I would appreciate it.  **Just leave me a comment and I always follow back!**
5. Mingle! Introduce yourself (comment) on other party projects! Be kind! Make new friends! 

**I will be sharing my personal favorites on my Facebook throughout the week!**

Most viewed posts make the Rock 'n Share Gallery!

Party will be open Wednesday through Monday, November 21st.

Each Wednesday, I share the latest Rock N Share Gallery inductees here!
Be sure to check back to see if you've been featured!

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Thanksgiving Cornucopia Centerpiece

Thrifty find...Ceramic Horn of Plenty

In my quest to get our Thanksgiving preparations finished well before the celebration, I worked on the menu and the table centerpiece today. How are you doing with your preparations? I've handled holidays both ways...early prep and last minute frenzy, and I've learned that, no matter which method I use, everything that really matters gets done. 

Holidays are usually spent with people we love who aren't really concerned with  place cards or how I fold the napkins. Sure, they will probably notice any extra efforts and appreciate them, but the celebration won't be any less wonderful if I don't have the magazine cover table setting or a party favor for everyone. So I am going to early prep some stuff... and probably get distracted by life and go into a frenzy later, as the day approaches. 

Supplies - Cornucopia,
Silk flowers, Candle, Florist foam

A few weeks back, I shared pictures from a thrifty shopping haul. Part of that successful adventure included a ceramic horn of plenty (or cornucopia...I just love that word!) When I saw it, I knew I wanted to make it the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving table.  So today - after reading a How-To article on arranging cornucopia centerpieces - I pulled out all of my supplies and got busy.  I'm very happy with the result, although I'm sure someone with proper training on such things could find my flubs.

Now that the centerpiece is in place, here is my tentative menu for our Thanksgiving dinner.

Deep Fried Turkey*

Sausage Stuffing Muffins

Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes

Corn Pudding

Broccoli Casserole

Cranberry Relish

7UP Biscuits
Deviled Eggs

Fruit Salad

Waldorf Astoria Red Velvet Cake

 Apple Orchard Punch or White Cranberry Lime Punch

*we've been frying our turkeys for many years now.

I would love to hear how your preparations are coming! Do you have Thanksgiving traditions? We actually have our Thanksgiving on the Saturday of the OSU-Michigan game! We gather for the game each year and, rather than several long distance trips in the same week, we've combined the two.

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I shared this project at these wonderful parties!

Cherished Bliss,  Under The Table and Dreaming,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff,  Project Queen, 
Skip To My Lou,  Mommy By Day,Crafter By Night, The Stuff of Success,  Tip Junkie,  
Homework,  I Can't Stop Crafting, Vintage Wanna Bee, Reasons To Skip Housework,  A Little Tipsy,   I Gotta Create,  Junk In Their Trunk,  Passionately Artistic, 
House of Hepworths, Somewhat Simple,  Fingerprints On The Fridge,
Pocket Full of Pink,  Finding Fabulous,  Crafty, Scrappy, Happy,   One Artsy Mama,
My 1929 Charmer,  
I Heart Naptime,  Lines Across My Face
At the Picket Fence,  Bitsy Pieces, Whipperberry,  A Little Knick Knack,  
Nifty Thrifty Things,  Funky Junk, 

Thankful Bunting & Blog Award

Since I started blogging, I have seen so many cute bunting projects. I can honestly say, I've never used bunting in my home decorating before. My decorating style is most assuredly eclectic; it expresses my taste and meets my budget, too. The bunting as decoration seems to fit both criteria, so I thought I would give it a go!

Thankful Bunting

I love burlap for fall, and, since I had plenty on hand, I chose to use it to make my bunting. I opted to go the easy route with the lettering since I don't have stencils with the fonts I like for this project (and I'm not confident enough to free hand it!). Therefore, I turned to Power Point, yet again, and simply printed out the letters from the clip art library.

Next, I Mod Podge'd the printed sheets, both back and front. Once it dried, I went over the lettering with a bright orange paint pen to give them brighter contrast to the muted burlap. Finally, I glued the letters to the burlap flags.

I'm going to tell on myself...I worked on this yesterday and felt really good about it. Last night, I asked the hubby how he thought I should attach my new project to the mantel and, as I did, I unfurled it to show him, and lo-and-behold, I had glued the letters on backwards. Yep! It said, L-U-F-K-N-A-H-T! The hubby was a sweetie, as always, and simply said, "bless your heart." That is when I both laughed and cried. How on earth did I manage to do that? Still wondering...
Nevertheless, I am glad I was able to fix it and no harm, no foul; in the big scheme of things. I have much to be T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L for!

Presenting A Blog Award

I have only been blogging for a few months now and I am so thrilled by it all! I love all of the wonderful recipes, crafts, decorating talent and inspiration that I see. I am encouraged and at times overwhelmed by the wonderful spirit and kindness I've been shown along the way.
Anita from Aunt Nubby's Kitchen is one of those wonderful ladies who is both kind and inspiring. (You will love her recipes!) The other day she presented me with a Triple Cute Blog Award! Wow...I did not expect that. Thanks, Anita! 

Triple Cute Blog Award

Once presented with this award, the recipient is to pass it on to seven other deserving bloggers. FUN! It took me a while to think about this because I had trouble narrowing it down to seven! However, I selected these 7 blogs to receive the Triple Cute Award. Like Aunt Nubby's Kitchen, these, too, are really cute and inspirational!

The seven blogs I pass the award to are:

Everyday With Peggy
Mom's Crazy Cooking 
HIS frugal servant
2805

Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Blissful and Domestic

The Dedicated House

Congratulations!

I hope you'll check out these triple cute blogs...they'll make you feel welcome!

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I shared this project at these great parties!

A Pocket Full of Pink,  Fun to Craft,  Passionately Artistic,  Fingerprints On the Fridge, 
2805,  The Shabby Nest,  A Little Knick Knack,  Whipperberry,  Simple.Home.Life,  
Stuff and Nonsense, At The Picket Fence, One Artsy Mama,  House of Hepworths,  
Junk In Their Trunk,  Beyond The Picket Fence,  Homemaker In Heels, Nifty Thrifty Things, 
Under The Table & Dreaming,  I Heart Nap Time,  The Girl Creative,  Marvelously Messy,  
Petite Hermine,  My 1929 Charmer, Homemaker On A Dime,  Tatertots and Jello,
Keeping It Simple,  Mad In Crafts,  Sumo's Sweet Stuff,  Skip To My Lou,  Dittle Dattle,
Mommy By Day, Crafter By Night, The Stuff of Success, Tip Junkie,  I Can't Stop Crafting,