Dinner, Homemade (lime)Chili.

I don't know about you, but I have always hated chili.
I have also always hated  Cantaloupe, and Honeydew melon. 
These are foods that I have always wanted to love! I see people eating them, and they loooove them! 
And I'm not gonna lie, I get a little jealous!  
Lately, I have been trying to pinch my pennies, and use all of the food that I have here, instead of buying new ingredients all of the time, so a couple of nights ago, I decided to try something new. 
A homemade chili.
Well, a sort of chili, just with everything in my cabinets!


1 can of black beans
1 can of unsweetened corn
1 or 2 cans of diced tomatoes
-or 3 or 4 fresh tomatoes skinned and diced
1 small can diced chili's
1 whole lime
1 or 2 cloves of garlic, finely diced
1/2 of a large white onion, chopped
season as you like salt, pepper, chili powder
olive oil
optional:
sour cream
shredded cheese 
cilantro


In a large pan, drizzle a little olive oil, and sautee the onions, and garlic until they have softened a little bit. 
Add the rest of the ingredients in no particular order... turn the heat down a little bit, and let 'stew' for about 30 minutes.
The longer it sits, the more the flavors will come out....


Serve, and top with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro! YUM!

Impromptu DIY Candle holder

Waking up in the mountains is so refreshing. 

The air was clean and the sky was blue and the sun was so warm!

My mom and I went on a little walk through our 'back yard' and I found a bunch of these black, charred twigs. I thought this would be an easy project with very few supplies, that was wintery, but really pretty and kind of magical just in time for Christmas. 

Supplies:

Hurricane, or any simple glass container with a straight shape

Candle

Twigs

Scissors

1 Rubber Band

Thread, twine, ribbon, or string

After you have collected all of your twigs, measure your glass and cut, or break your twigs to the appropriate height, since I snapped my twigs by hand, they varied in height a little bit, but I really like that look! 

 Put your rubber band around the glass and put the twigs in place around the glass.

Once you have all of your twigs in place, wrap your thread over the rubber band and as much as you like until you are satisfied with the look of it all. 

Tie off the thread, and CAREFULLY cut the rubber band, and gently pull it out from under the thread. 

Light Candle and ENJOY!!

A few hours later when the flame has burned down a little bit, the twigs have made an amazing silhouette...

I am so ready for my computer to be back and running like it used to be! Virus killed it for awhile, it is down to the bare bones now... 

I am waiting to get my photo programs back up!! 

Let there be light!

I have been seeing a lot mason jar ideas online lately. There is something about canning jars that feels so homey and warm.

I have been looking for a way take these little cuties out of the cabinet and have them on display, so I made this little guy...

It was so simple, and I think it's really sweet.

What do you think?

Gone Fishing!

While I was in Southern California, I saw my dad's new house... the last tenants were fishers... not only did they leave an old boat in the garage, but tons of fishing equipment.  I saw some tackle boxes and I started scavenging, I found a ton of little gadgets. I don't have any idea what these things were originally used for, but I thought they were too cool to pass up.
Everything I took home smelled like fish juice, nastiness, and was covered in fishing hooks. I cleaned, sanitized, and de-hooked everything and made some adorable jewelry!!

ps... if anyone has any old Fish tackle boxes collecting dust, please let me know. I would be glad to make you something amazing if you want to do a little trade! 

keysforkelsey@yahoo.com

I also used little pieces from the hooks for clasps.

A weight that looks almost like a whistle, the deer is something I already had. 

#18 Make-Up Bags

Awhile back I learned how to make these simple boxy make-up bags. They turned out really cute, but I used a single layer of a fabric that was pretty flimsy. Today I layered the fabric, and tried a newer spandex fabric, and they are much more sturdy :)

Sometimes, you have to compromise.

Over the last couple of months I was craving sushi, twice a week.
Not saying I got it everytime I wanted it, but because I love it, I still craaaaave it!! YUM YUM!!

Lets face it, sushi isn't the most economical meal and well- I'm BROKE.
I started making a VERY cheap, and easy version of sushi, and although it is nothing like going to a sushi shop, it definitely satisfies my cravings!

Ready for the easiest 'sushi' ever?

Recipe time!
Packet of seaweed (trader joes brand is my favorite)
White rice, sticky, or jasmine (I use those microwave pouches from trader joes)
Soy-yoki, or Soy-Vey, this is a soy sauce/teriyaki sauce blend, that is amazing.
1 sliced avocado if you want to splurge!
and I also get pickled ginger, which is completely optional, I just happen to LOVE it!

Let me know if you try it, or if you like it, or whatever :)