Tuesday, December 20, 2011

On the Bright Side

The computer we just bought (a week ago) died so there are no more posts for december. On the bright side the people are sending us a new one for free (as they should).

We can't move into our apartment until the 3rd. On the bright side it is an up stairs apartment in my ideal location and it has lots of storage.

We accidently let the movers pack our phone chargers. On the bright side we have the car cgargers for the phones.

Brett is still job hunting becasue no one hires in January unless two employess just quit. On the bright side two employees just quit at the girly job I applied for so now I have a job.

Happy Hollidays and a very merry Christmas.

Miss Riss

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Once There Was a Snow Man

Once there was a snow man in jar, in my head. I took him out and this is what he looked like.


Isn't he so cute?! Why is he in a jar? He is in a jar so you can poor hot cocolate over him. He even has some white chocoalte snow at the buttum becasue he knows that every one loves white chocolate.

Incase you were wondering. He is stuck together with powdered sugar and a little water. As I mentioned. His snow is really white chocolate chips. His eyes are not made out of coal, but coloered on with a confectioners pen. And that carrot nose is really just some frosting. Also, he perfers to be assembled outside of the jar and put in before you add the snow.


Happy Holidays,

Miss Riss

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Absent

Apparently I forgot blog edict by not informing you that I would not be posting for a week or two. No I haven't given up on being a consistent blogger. Its just that moving and holidays are time consuming and pleasantly distracting. Plus my craft stuff is in a box in storage somewhere in America. In the mean time, do you think the owners of my new apartment would let me paint this on my wall?


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Apartment Requierments

In case you missed it I am moving. That means the hunt for the my new apartment sweet apartment will be on. Since my husband and I will most likely be experiencing the glories of starving students (going back to school) we will not be picking from the oh-so-fancy market. Now, that doesn't mean a girl can't put her foot down in some areas (or that a girl can't dream). Therefore, I am making a list and checking it twice of the things I am hoping will surround my stocking this up coming Christmas night. (Oh and since Santa always leaves candy I am leaving you with some decorating eye candy)


 Must-Haves
-Big master bedroom (must fit a king and a dresser)   -Dishwasher
-Breakfast nook (any reasonable place to fit a kitchen table and my china cabinet)
-Big Guest/Study/nursery room if it is only 2 bedroom.
-Garbage Disposal
-A living room big enough to have friends over for games.
-Tub/Shower
-A bathroom counter that can comfortably hold my curling iron.
-Rooms where the sun shines



Wants. (The oh-please-oh-please-oh-please-happen-to-haves)
-A little out door space
-Washer and dryer or hook ups
-Full sized oven
-Wood floor (because then I have the excuse to buy a cute rug)
-Cute details like built in shelves.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Felt Christmas Decor



I made these little guys and there tree friend a little while ago. All they are, is Styrofoam, felt, ribbon, glitter, hot glue, push pins and Christmas cheer.







Happy Hollidays,
Miss Riss

Monday, November 14, 2011

Thanksgiving Table for Kids

When I was younger 90% of my moms family lived in Arizona. I remember regular Sunday dinners and ginormous Thanksgiving feasts. My grandma would have the TV from the bedroom pulled into the kitchen where she could watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Aunts, Uncles and cousin would slowly trickle in as the smell food wafted its way throughout the house. Finally it would be time to eat and there would be the cutest little folding table for the little kids to eat at. 

My little table isn't as cute as my grandmother's retro red and white folding table so I decorated it up for a Thanksgiving feast. Not that I am actually going to get to use it as we are moving. I just wanted to for a minuet.


I used a simple center pieces of pumpkins because those don't break



I wrote I'm thankful for on the paper place-mats I made so the kids can draw something they are thankful for when they are done eating and the parents talk or eat.


I burnt the edge of the white paper for texture (and because I wanted to play with fire)


and I made the turkey just because he is cute.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Miss Riss

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Moving

 You can buy this wall art here

Once again we are moving. This time it is back to Utah (where our tiny family of two started). I love Utah. I always have. There are wonderful things there. We have old friends and family scattered throughout the state. Plus, Utah is thrifter's heaven.

That said, there are things that I am going to miss. In fact, I am going to miss them horribly. Things like the Ocean, my job and the wonderful friends that I have made here. Brett might be going back to school too so there goes my comfortable income as we would be starving students. Leaving these things behind makes me feel nervous.

While I am nervous about the move because it has come at such short notice and I am sad that I didn't get to do all the things I wanted to do while I was here, I know that we are going to be OK. I know that we are going where we are supposed to go and that their is a reason {whatever it maybe} that we are going. I may not comprehend it yet (or ever), but Heavenly Father has great things in store for us.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Starfish Christmas Ornaments

I know that Thanks Giving hasn't happened yet but as I mentioned in my last post, I am probably going to move soon and that makes the idea of decorating for thanksgiving seem pointless.  Therefor, onto the Christmas decorating I go because I just might be able to decorate by then.

This year I am adding Starfish to my Christmas decorations. Glittery Christmas tree ornaments starfish to be exact. I know I am not the first to do this, but what is the point of looking at all those creative blogs if I never recreate the things I see?

Making them was supper easy. Just grab your starfish, sponge brush, two paper plates, glitter, modge podge, hot glue and some twine of ribbon.


When you have got all the stuff together, modge podge the starfish and sprinkle glitter over it.


While the starfish dry cut your ribbon or twine into 6 inch pieces. When they are dry flip them over and hot glue your twine or ribbon to them so that they make a loop.


Let the hot glue dry and then you are done.
My plan is to give a few of these shining stars out as gifts to a couple friends this holiday season. Early of course so they can hang them on the tree.


Happy Holidays,
Miss Riss

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Patience

You know how people say never to pray for patience. Well, every now and then I forget and ask Heavenly Father for it. Like I did recently. You see I wanted to be more patient with this guy.


Not because he is aggravating (because he isn't), but because he is a very patient person (just look at him patiently smiling at me when I am annoying him while he does his school work).

Now how is Heavenly Father answering my prayers for patience. Well, just like the last time it was not the way I hoped (I was thinking magical patience dust that could be mixed in my hot coco). Instead He decided to throw something bigger and challenging at me.

The challenge is that my husbands job is changing. There are so many different ways it could change. Everyone possibility is so different and half of them come with a LONG list of things to do like moving to a different state(and in the middle of  the holiday season too) and changing allot of travel plans.Why is this an extra trial of patience? Well, there were mistakes on the paper work and the people are taking even LONGER THAN NORMAL. So now I wait, not decorating for thanks giving because we will probably move and stressing over the rising prices of tickets to replace the ones we already bought for Thanksgiving and Christmas. All of this is being don while I remind myself that if I just hurry up and learn my lesson that this teaching experience will end faster.

On the bright side, I know Heavenly Father hears my prayers and I'm allot more patient with my husband now :-).

Friday, November 4, 2011

Maple Pumpkin Cookies {Food Friday}


Happy Food Friday. One of my favorite things about fall is the food people cook during this season. Everything just has to be something to eat while you snuggle up with good book or a classic old movie. And if for some reason you should happen to have made to many of something (say cookies) then it is the perfect season to share all the extras.

Here is a cookie recipe for Maple Pumpkin Cookies. It make allot of cookies so you will be able to share. I am not sure where I found it but it wasn't pinned to any of my boards so sorry if you put this on the internet before me. 



Set oven to 350 F

Cream together
2 c. Sugar
2 c. Canned Pumpkin
2 c. Shortening
2 eggs and mix well

Then add
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt
4 c. Flour

Mix again. Soon one inch balls 
onto pan. Cook for 10 minuets

Frosting
6 tbs. melted butter in a sauce pan.
8 tbs. milk
1 c. brown sugar

Let brown sugar dissolve and cool a bit.

Add
2 c. Powdered Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Drizzle over hot cookies.

I hope you enjoy them.
Miss Riss

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Birds Nest Necklace {DIY}

Have you heard about the Pinterest Challenge that these girls (her and her) are having? I did and since I was making this for Christmas presents anyway (and I sort of think these girls are cool) I figured why not.
Here is the pin that I pinned here that I pinned from here


and here is my version on how to make it.

1. String beads onto wire in the order you want them.
2. Glue felt to the back so it won't slip around while you are making it.


3. Cut the felt in a circle around the beads without cutting the wire (since it was just one bead I didn't add the wire yet).


4. Wrap wire round and round until the nest is as thick as you want it to be and then cut the wire. During this process you will want to bend a loop into it so you can attach the chain later.


5. Cut off three or three inch pieces of wire. Then wrap that through the edges of your nest.
6. Attach the chain and wear proudly or wrap up for gift.



Happy Crafting and Pinning,

Miss Riss

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Simple Seasoned Chicken {Food Friday}

I found the original recipe on pinterest {which you can see here on my pinterest board) My only problem was I didn't have the Italian dressing mix. Being to lazy to run out and buy chicken (and since I am trying to use what I have in my kitchen before I buy more) I decided to use ranch instead and oh how happy I am that I did. My husband (whose has a very different set of taste buds then my own) even likes it.

Here is what you do.

Let 6 chicken breasts thaw over night in the fridge. 
Rinse out glass pan before you spray it (this seems to help keep the chicken extra moist).
Roll chicken in the mixture below and place it in the pan.

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 package ranch dressing mix
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Cook for 25 minuets at 400 degrees F.

I really do like this recipe and I hope you enjoy it.

Miss Riss

Friday, October 28, 2011

Caramel Apples

I love caramel apples. I have fond memories of my grandma making them. Now a days people put all sorts of things on them. Jenny and I decided to try. These are our attempts.


They look OK in the pictures but overnight the caramel fell lower and lower. It was a sad thing to wake up to so I must ask. Does anyone know a better caramel recipe where the caramel will stay on the apple? If so PLEASE share.

Here are some suggestions that a friend of a friend recommended.
-Chill the apples in the fridge for at least 24 hours so they are nice and cold when you dip them in the caramel -keep the caramel on low heat just barely enough to keep it smooth so it isn't so thin and runny
-chill the pans you put them on also
-use a non-stick baking pan instead of the cheaper ones. The caramel doesn't run near as much on the thicker colder non-stick pan.

Best of Luck and a Happy Halloween,

Miss Riss

Monday, October 24, 2011

Halloween Bag

I don't have a little girl to make this for (and there is no way I am going to tempt myself with all the sugar this bag would create), but if I had a little girl I would make her one of these. They are oh so cute. I pinned this from the eighteen25 girls.


Have a Happy Halloween with all your kiddos.
Miss Riss

Halloween (craft) Horribles

Ohh, when crafts go wrong. In my head I had these cute little witches hat all planed out. But then, as I continued to craft these horrifying hats came out. I got so depressed that I gave up on them. Now they haunt my craft room with other crafts gone wrong as proof that not all things are meant to be.


The one in the front isn't so bad. I might finish it.....if I don't get to scared by its evil cousin.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Paper Garland and Wall Art {Halloween}

 
This is my first go around for Halloween decorating and since I didn't want to go to over board (this year) I decided to limit my self to wall art.




Almost every came from a 118 page packet of seasonal paper (and yes I will be doing similar things with it for other holidays). Apart from that I used a stamp, twine and hot glue.

Happy Halloween,
Miss Riss

Friday, October 21, 2011

Deviled Eggs

I really really really like Deviled eggs.


In a fit of craving (and a need to take them to a friends house for dinner) I searched for recipes on line. Nothing. Oh they had recipes but nothing that I had all the ingredients to (who knew there were SO MANY spices in the world?) After exhausting all the recipies on the internet cooking data base I gave up and made my own recipe. It turned out pretty good. Here it is.

6 Hard boiled eggs
1/4 c. Mayo
1/4 tbs. honey mustard
1/4 tsp. Garlic
1/4 tsp. mustard seasoning
1/8 tsp. crushed red peppers
1/8 tsp. salt
paprika

Mix all ingredients except for paprika and the whites of the eggs together with the boiled yellow yoke. Spoon mixture back into the white part of the egg. Sprinkle paprika over the top.


Happy Eating,
Miss Riss

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Rainy Day


 Picture via google, here.

The rain and cold weather is preventing me from doing the projects I want to do most. That's OK though because it gives me lots of time to snuggle indoors, wear my sweaters and try to work on some indoor projects (more on those tomorrow).

Have a g'day,

Miss Riss

Monday, October 17, 2011

Little Witches Big Night

I remember my mom reading this with me when I was little. It is a story about a good little witch that becomes friends with the trick-or-treaters. I highly recommend it.

I have heard of some people don't like Halloween because they feel it celebrates evil things. I think it is a matter of perspective though. For-example, when I dressed up for Halloween as a witch I certainly wasn't making a connection to the devil or demons. I thought of all the fun things a witch could do, like making caramel apples appear, being able to blink my room clean and flying on a broom stick. A witches power came from genetics not some evil deal with the devil. No, I won't be letting my kids dress up as things from horror movies, but innocent ghosts, super heroes, cow boys, princesses and good little witches will parade out my front door one day. Why?, because I enjoy the creative, odd, unushual, and creepy (have you seen some spiders) things of this world every now and then.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Miss Riss

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Fireside with Sister Beck

Last Sunday Sister Beck came to speak to the Relief Society Sisters in my Stake (stake = organized group of local church members).  It was wonderful to go and hear her speak (did you know that she speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently?). Since it was Sister Beck I knew that I had to get their early if I wanted to be able to sit close enough to see her facial expressions. So me and these two gals went 2 hours early to save seats and have a picnic.

   
           
 
It was wonderful to be fed physically and spiritually. I always knew that sister beck has a deep love for women but having heard her speak at the fireside also made me realize that she is my friend.  

Here are a few things she mentioned that I especially like. (I am not putting them in quotes because it might not all be word for word)

- I believe that it is time for Latter-day saint women to pray for miracles and expect them
- This world is not the dream. This world is preparing us for the dream.
- You came here for a mortal experience and you're getting one.

Two other things that I especially liked.

She paralleled Moroni fortifying the Nephite Lands to us fortifying our lives and homes. She mentioned that every women's home is her fort and she should guard it like a lioness.

The part of her talk that I think was especially for me came at the end of her talk. It was five things to do when you wake up to show the lord that you are ready to face the day with faith.

1. Get up
2. Pray
3. Read Scriptures
4. Get Dressed
5. Make Your Bed

Along with a short list of to-dos, these five things are what I want to apply to my life.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Bargain Gals




Last Saturday rolled around with its garage sales so my friend Jenny and I rolled out of bed early (ignored the lack of makeup on our faces) and hit the streets to see what we could find. Among them is the hat I am wearing (you'll find out more about it later).
Here are some things we saw but didn't buy.....

 



and some things we saw and did buy.

2 for $5

$1 (2 by 3 feet)


I so wanted that chair. Their were actually 2 of them for $100 but I bet I could have talked them down to $70. Can you emagin them apholstered? I couldn't justify it though. My apartment is alredy full of furniture on the upholstery list. My Man would have shook his and we are so well off for newly weds that I just need to be grateful and use what I have.

I am excited for all the projects that we have in mind for the things Jenny and I bought (I forgot to take pictures of the things she bought). Of course I will share with you our projects. I did promise you some craft do it yourself things after all.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Food Friday: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This recipe is easy, in-expensive and my man loves it. He loves it so much that I didn't get the chance to take a good picture. This is all I got.


Yah, not the most flattering picture, but I have learned that some of the best tasting things don't look fantastic.

Here is the easy-peazy-recipe. 

1-1 1/2 c. cooked cubed chicken
1 family sized can of cream of chicken soup
1 c. sour cream
1 can diced green chilies
grated cheddar cheese
about a dozen corn tortillas

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Mix chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup and diced green chilies together.
Spray 9x13 pan.
Put a thin layer of the mixture in pan. Cover with tortillas and then put another layer of the mixture over the tortillas. Alternate these layers until it is a centimeter below the top of the pan.
Sprinkle a good amount of grated cheese over the top.
Cook for 30 minuets in the oven.

Something extra:
I like to top mine off with spinach and tomatoes.


Happy cooking,
Miss Riss

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Halloween Fun Packages

A week ago I sent off three Halloween Care packages. Just some little things to inspire some Halloween fun (and decorating).



Each one was a little different but here is what went in this one to my TX Parents and my Sister's family.

Halloween Oreos- For brother-in-law (he thinks they taste better than normal oreos)
Stamps- for my sister because she likes to make cards and doesn't eat sugar and my mom because she is uber crafty.
Play-dough- For the two year-old nephew because he will like it and hi mom will not be happy if I give him sugar.
Candy Corn -For my mom because she loves them
Pumpkin money- For my dad because he is the best pumpkin carver I know.
Sugar cookie mix and Halloween cookie-cutters because it is tradition to do knock-and-runs. It is such a tradition that my mom even sent me a Halloween Knock-and-Run kit. (we think alike)

Have a Happy Halloween Month.

Miss Riss

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

General Conference: Oct. 2011 Self Improvement

For those of you who don't know what General Conference is you can check it out here. I highly recomend it, even if you are not a member of the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, there are still great talks on christian values and self improvement.

After this last General Conference I have decided to examine one talk each month, find a goal that it inspires me to do and then do it. The goal for this month is using my time wisely. The goal came from Ian S. Arden's talk. In his talk he invited us to "identify the time-wasting distractions in our lives that may need to be figuratively ground into dust". So that's what I did and here is what I found.

Facebook
TV
Reading Blogs / Pinterest

Now to grind them to dust. I don't intend to eliminate them completely from my life but I do intend to grind them down to size. Here are their appropriate sizes in my life and therefor my goals

Facebook- 10 minuets a day
TV shows- 2 episodes a week
Reading Blogs / Pinterest- 1 hour a day

Here goes. I'm curious to know what what other people have set for goals. If they are inspired by a general conference talk or something else.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Marshmallow Man

Kids are great for sunshine on rainy days, especially if they like roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. This little man does so that's what we did.



Yea for simple fun, sugar and kids.

P.S. I have more pictures at my photography site.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Ahha!

I had one of those moments the other day. The one where you realize what is off. I realized why I was having a hard time with this blog. Its that I was going about it the wrong way. You see, I am not an amazingly organized, driven individual who does amazing things (crafts, great deeds and exciting adventures) all the time. I am just a newly-wed (about a year) girl trying to be more disciplined, organized, caring, patient, faithful and most of all, HAPPY!
You see I have been prone to depression for a fair amount of my life. My life history is full of icky trials, most of which I had no part in creating. I have been fighting this fight to be happy for awhile. Sometimes it feels like I am winning and sometimes it feels like it's never going to end, that I will never be the woman, wife, someday mother or friend that I want to be.
That is why I want to write this blog. I am going to document and share the things that make me happy as well as the areas that I am improving on. Yes I plan to share some creative things and recipes with you. I will often be the silly, hyper and slightly crazy girl next door, but ultimately I am going to be me and let that be enough.

Here's to hoping and doing,

Miss Riss

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Hello

Hello World.
This is it! The place where I share the things that I love to, am trying to and learning how to do with all of you wonderful, awesome, kind and hopefully happy people. There is a great big world out there full of wonderful things and this is where I spit out all the the stuff that I have learned and loved from it. This blog will officially be up and running mid September. In the mean time sit back and be inspired by others or better yet, go out and do the things that you are inspired to do.
Smiles,
Miss Riss