The Real Deal?

So here is a bouquet of roses… But once again they are made of coffee filters! 

Here is the link to the directions and pattern for these roses, be sure and watch the video, otherwise it will be difficult. 

Oh this has been so much fun and the more you do the faster and better you become!  In fact, I had this vase on my kitchen table and had some friends over, One of them asked where did you find roses this time of year?  My reply, “the kitchen cupboard” ??  I then explained what they were made of!I even added some brown to my paint to give that light sunburned effect.  Ok, enough about these beauties.

Here are a few more entries in the Dolce Diaries…

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008                       

Today I got to play with my friends Nate and Andy; Nate just can’t get enough of me…  My mom thinks I am funny because when given a treat I pretend I am “burying” it…  I go through this long process of using my nose to toss invisible dirt over the top of my treat.  (Mind you I am sitting on top of my soft pink pillow) This takes me a very long time.  Then when it is “buried” just right, I stare at my work….  I patiently wait, until I just can’t stand it anymore, I “uncover” it, and gobble it up!   

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008                       

This morning I went back to the vet to start my puppy shots.  My mom walked me over in my baby sling, and I was so excited to see Nama and all her work friends.  They called my name and I went in the room, where I was rudely poked with a needle….  Can you imagine, here I am sweet as can be and they poke me!  I let out a good cry; they apologized and told me it was to keep me safe and healthy.  Umph….  Let’s just see how happy to see everyone I am the next time I have to go back.  I heard Nama tell my mom my next appointment is on Valentine’s Day.  When we got home my mom and dad went to Target and bought me a GIANT pink “diamond ring” it’s a chewy for my puppy teeth and I LOVE it!  

Friday, Jan 25, 2008                       

Today I spent the day playing and sleeping.  My family says I snore… I don’t believe them.  My mom was busy cleaning house for a Mary Kay party…  I got to come out and meet the ladies and I wet on my mom, because I was so excited to see all these people, who were making cutie noises at me.    

Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008                        

So my parents have been trying to figure out just where to put my “playpen” and after moving it all around its back in its original spot, smack dab in the middle of the gameroom.  I like it there best anyway.  Now they have this grandiose idea they are going to liter box train me, did you know they sell a dog liter pan (it’s larger than a cats) and dog liter… the liter is compressed paper made into long pellets.  Well, I like this concept and the liter too.  My mom put me in and I started eating the pellets!  She emptied it although it won’t hurt me and put my puppy in there, and I have used my “box” about 4 times! 

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Dolce Diaries

 I decided along with my regular posts I would include The Dolce Diaries, this is just a daily diary in the life of Dolce… Enjoy~  

Dolce Diaries 

 Friday, Jan. 18, 2008                             

I first met my mom and Tanner at the Animal Hospital, where Mrs. Landreth brought me for a puppy check, lucky for me my Nama works there and knew my family was looking for a puppy just like me!  I checked out perfectly healthy at 6 lbs. 4 oz. and Mrs. Landreth took me back to her house, so my mom could go get puppy supplies.  I got a crate, blanket, pillow, toy octopus, a food and water dish, and puppy pads of course.  My mom came and got me with Chris at 3:00 and I loved Chris immediately, I gave him a hug and tried to lick his face off.  I got to ride home on his lap with a pink handmade quilt Mrs. Landreth gave me.  When we got to my house my mom insisted on bathing me.  I gotta tell ya, I loved that.  I can’t wait to bathe again.  I only had one accident, but other than that I used my puppy pads.  Don’t tell them, but I think I have this family wrapped around my little paw! 

Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008                             

I had a great first night; my mom says I never once made a peep!  I slept in my crate from 11:00pm to 7:45am.  My mom went with Nama to Petropolis and bought me a red velvet collar with a “diamond” heart, a pink shirt that says “Amore”, a Christmas dress (it was on clearance) and two pink bows!  Oh I love to wear my bows.  Then our friends Emilie, Tatum, and Luke came over with more presents, they bought me a Valentine bone, and Tatum gave my mom a little white stuffed dog, she even has a red collar (it looks just like me)!  I have done really well using my puppy pads, I am impressing my family.  They think I am wonderful! 

Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008                             

 I am such a sweet girl (at least that is what they keep telling me)… my mom follows me around with the camera.  When she downloads the pictures to the computer, I bark at myself.  My Nama came over this afternoon with a bag full of presents!  She bought me a black and white toile (my mom just loves toile) sling (they say it’s for “real” babies) but I say it was made for me!  Now I can ride along when my mom cleans.  Nama also bought me a feather boa collar with a bone charm, a pink fleece blanket, a stuffed giraffe, and peanut butter puppy cookies.  Am I loved or what? 

Monday, Jan 21, 2008                             

Today was fantastic!  I didn’t have any accidents and my dad was off!  I played with my toys and got to watch my dad rebuild the backyard fence.  I liked barking at his saw.  I learned that I am not scared of the vacuum, I LOVE it, I chase it and “talk” to it.  My mom says, that is good ‘cuz she LOVES to vacuum.

 Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008                             

 Today hasn’t been such a great day… (at least that’s what my mom says) Don’t get me wrong I am super happy and don’t seem phased at all.  Let’s just say in my defense, I have used the puppy pads, but I have used the tile most, and the carpet a couple times.  Oops…  This evening has been the best…  I got to have Tanner’s bath water, when he got out!  I tried to get in during his bath (I almost made it too) my mom ended up caving and drained the water down and I got in!  I’m not sure if bathing or drying is my favorite.  I do so love both.  My mom says I am so pretty and Chris loves the smell of my new cherry blossom shampoo.  It was the perfect way to end my pee pee day.

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Our Girl

Dolce

Our little Dolce came to live with us on January 18^th.  We are enjoying her so very much.  She has been so compliant.  The first thing I did upon walking in the door was give her a bath; those that know me (all subscribed to my blog) know I don’t like the smell of a dog.  She LOVED her bath. In fact later that night when it was Tanner’s bath time she wanted in!  Some background on Dolce pronounced dōl’chā‘ ~ We had been searching for a dog, or should I say my hubby has been, his only stipulation was it had to be solid white, I on the other hand needed to have a female, soft/fluffy like my cats small dog.  He then decided he liked the Maltese breed, or at least a mix with Maltese.  So I mentioned to my mom (who works for a veterinary office) if she knew of any breeders, (we had located a few all in the Bay area and all VERY expensive), to let us know.  So on Friday morning she calls me to say there was a woman (one of their good clients) in the office with a rescue female Maltese mix.  Tanner and I, along with the 5 month old I am currently caring for walked through our back yard gate.  You see, the veterinary office my mom works for, literally shares my backyard, so my Papa made us a walk through gate!  Anyway, we went in the office and there she was a solid white small Maltese mix.  What was she rescued from you ask…. A lady who was moving into a condo and couldn’t take her.  She is only 4 months old or less (did you know can tell that by their teeth)?  Her vet check showed she is perfectly healthy.  The woman who brought her in was going to keep her, but mentioned to my mom if she could find a family who wanted her she would give her to them since she already has a “baby” dog.  Long story short (too late) we wanted want her and really look at it as a gift from the Lord.   I mean come on what are the odds??  Anyway she has been PERFECT, she goes potty on her puppy pads, sleeps in a crate at night without a peep, let’s me put bows in hair, dress her in cute shirts, and LOVES to be on our lap!

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Robin Eggs

Robin Eggs…  Look what came in the mail today!  Don’t you just love when “fun stuff comes?”  There is nothing better than finding a package on your porch!

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Everything is Coming up Roses

 

Roses in Bloom?

These roses aren’t real; they are made from Coffee filters!

Let me just say they aren’t easy, but worth the work.  Plus they will last forever!  I am going to keep working at them, when I have a bouquet I will post another photo.

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French Dip Sandwich

 

Easy Crock-pot French Dip
 
4 lbs beef roast, I actually buy Beef Round Sandwich Steak, (meaning it is already sliced)
1 (10.5 oz) can of beef broth
2 (10.5 oz) cans of Condensed French Onion Soup
1 (12 oz) bottle of dark beer (I only use 1/2 the bottle)
1Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp garlic powder
6 French Rolls (I like Sara Lee Deli Rolls)
Butter  

Place meat in crock-pot, add beef broth, onion soup, beer, Worcestershire, and garlic powder.
Cook on low for 7 hours.
Split french rolls butter them and place under the broiler until toasted.  Placed sliced meat on the rolls.  Serve the sauce for dipping.
*You don’t have to toast the rolls, but it truly is yummy!

 

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Who wants to play tag??

I do, I do….

Everyone has scrapbook paper, rubber stamps, lots of little embellishments (right)?  Here is how it works… There is only two rules…. Tags are due on the first of every month, and they need to be 4 3/4 x 2 3/8 tags, I bought mine at Staples, they are called shipping tags, with reinforced holes, the ones I bought are made by Avery I actually got a box of 100 tags!

Here is what you do, for every person participating (there are two right now, me and Emilie) you will make a (2) two tags one with the month name and one with a theme, holiday etc. for each person, but you should also make yourself a set too.  Just assembly line them, then at the first of each month we can exchange!  If you don’t live near, we can mail them!  They are fun to decorate with and since we have already started the next batch is February 1st.  You should make the tags for the following month so you would be making a March tag and a St. Patrick’s Day theme or even Easter theme.  For more info contact me!  Here are the tags we have so far…  TAG YOUR IT!

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Slow Cooker

 

Classic BBQ Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3/4 cups chicken broth

1 cup barbecue sauce

1 sweet onion. sliced or chopped

salt and pepper to taste.

Place ingredients in a slow cooker; stir gently. 

Heat on high for 3 hours or on low setting for 6 to 7 hours.

 

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Fajitas

As I was looking for my fajita recipe this morning (and couldn’t find)… I realized I have too many recipe spots, meaning I have a recipe binder for recipes from magazines or ones I print, I have a recipe box that holds large size cards, I have a recipe book that holds standard 3×5 cards, and many, many, many cookbooks… No wonder I couldn’t find it!  After about 5 minutes of searching I did end up finding the recipe, and thought… hmm wouldn’t it be nice if they were more organized.  So with that, I am going to loose the big box transfer those recipes to the 3×5 book, go through the magazine binder toss the ones we don’t like or I have never tried.  Etc, you get the point….  Anyway after all that I thought I’d share my fajita recipe that came from a very old Mexican Food cookbook! 

Classic Fajitas

2 lbs beef skirt steak (cut into thin strips)

Pappy’s Season (it’s the one I like best for this)

3 garlic cloves chopped

Juice of one lime

Pinch chili powder

Large pinch paprika

Large pinch ground cumin

2 Tbsp Olive Oil 

Corn tortillas

Cilantro

Avocado

Sour cream

Cheese Combine beef with garlic, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and olive oil.  Add Pappy’s seasoning in a Ziplock baggie. Smoosh ingredients together and let marinate several hours in refrig. or over night. Heat tortilla in a lightly greased skillet, wrap in foil to keep warm.  Then add a bit more olive oil and stir fry meat until brown, just cooked through.  Serve the hot meat with warm tortillas, top with chopped cilantro sprinkled in. You may add Pico de Gallo, cheese, sour cream, and avocado. 

Pico de Gallo

8 ripe tomatoes, diced

3 green onions, diced

2 fresh green chilies, chopped

4 Tbsp cilantro

Salt to taste

 

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Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy Happy New year!  It feels like a fresh start here, the Christmas decorations are down and the house is CLEAN, well except for the dishes in the sink….  Some how at 1:30 am I just didn’t have the energy to wash dishes.  I am in the mood to craft, I feel like sewing, painting, and I would like to learn how to solder.  Hmm so many things to do where do I start… Oh yeah, I just remembered my game room looming over me, sheez talk about a bubble burst-er… ugh then that leads me to the garage…. uh oh if I’m not careful my fresh start is going to be looking not so fresh…. Ok so I guess there will always be something I will have to “work” on that isn’t so fun.  Anyway, if I just close the door, I forget the mess is there!  hmmm I kinda like that idea. 

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