J. Ell Creations

Making A House A Home

2010-03-10T07:04:00.003-07:00

We are trying to buy a house. We have been renting for almost a year and are ready to have our own space again. We are buying a foreclosure that needs some fixing up. Here are a few pictures:

So, here we go on another house renovating adventure! Let's learn how to fix up a house and make it a home together!

Chili Blanco

2008-09-18T16:42:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite foods to make when it starts to get cooler is Chili Blanco (from "Always in Season"). It is a wonderful white chili. I thought I would share it with you:

Chili
1 lb dried small white navy beans
2 onions, chopped
1- 48 oz can chicken broth
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
1- 7 oz can chopped green chilies
6-8 cloves of garlic, minced
3 TBLS chopped fresh oregano
4 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp cayenne
1 cup sour cream
3 cups shredded montery jack cheese

Sweet and sour dressing and tomato garnish
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp celery seeds
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
chopped fresh tomatoes
chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

For the chili, rinse and pick the beans and combine with water to cover in a bowl. Soak for 8-12 hours; drain. Combine with the onions and chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Add the chicken, green chilies, garlic, oregano, cumin and cayenne. Simmer for 30-60 minutes or until of the desired consistency. Remove from the heat. Stir in the sour cream and cheese until melted.

For the dressing, bring the vinegar and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Combine the lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, celery seeds and salt in a jar with a lid. Add the vinegar mixture and oil and shake to mix well. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week if needed.

For the garnish, combine the desired amount of the dressing with the tomatoes and parsley/cilantro in a bowl and mix well. Serve with the chili.

Serves 10-12

If you try it, let me know what you think! My family loves it! What are some of your favorite fall recipes?

Change of Seasons

2008-09-17T11:39:00.002-06:00

I love the changing of the seasons. I enjoy all the seasons and it seems like I am just starting to get bored with one when it's time to change! How wonderful it is to have a change every so often.

With the changing of the season comes the changing of the wardrobe, recipes, home decor, and many other things.

I'm excited to break out my sweaters and hot chocolate! What seasonal changes are you excited about?

Organizing Ideas

2008-09-15T12:22:00.002-06:00

I have to write everything down. If I don't, then I will forget whatever it was. I like to keep little notebooks close by to jot down ideas in. I also have a larger notebook that I put magazine clippings, fabric swatches, paint chips, and other pictures or ideas for decorating my home. It is really great to have a picture to help remind me what I wanted to do, or to show someone else what I want. I can haul all of my ideas around with me. There are a lot of ways to organize your ideas. What do you do?

Cause

2008-09-10T10:28:00.001-06:00

I love to make things. I love to be crafty. I also love to help others. We can combine all three and craft with a cause. If you have wanted to help, but aren't sure how to do it, there are sites online with lists of charities and projects to be donated. I have been so blessed, that I feel I should give to others. Care to join me? Tell me what projects you have done, would like to do, or are working on.

Weddings

2008-09-08T09:25:00.002-06:00

I love weddings! Who doesn't? I have been itching to plan a wedding for several months. I have been trying to talk my sisters into getting married, but when it's not the right time...

I still love to look at dresses, photography, cakes, reception ideas, flowers, everything! Here is a great site full of wedding dresses. I didn't know J. Crew made wedding dresses, but they are really pretty! I love this blog about weddings and this site is fun too.

So, does anyone else out there love all things weddings? What are your favorite sites, blogs, anything?

Back To School Crafts

2008-09-05T11:35:00.002-06:00

I love the fall. I love the weather cooling off a little, the leaves changing colors, and crisp scents in the air. Fall means back to school time. The summer went too quickly! But now that the kids are back in school, we should have more time to work on projects. Here is a sandwich wrapper to cut down on waste. Here, here, and here are some great lunch box/bag tutorials. Here is a list of fun back to school crafts. I have been wanting to make the sandwich wrap and a lunch box/bag for my little 1st grader. Maybe if the three still at home will take naps, I'll be able to! If you have made any of these projects or have ideas for others, please share them!

Knitting

2008-09-03T08:16:00.004-06:00

So, I wanted to learn how to knit. I couldn't find anyone to teach me, so I tried to teach myself. If you would like to learn along with me, here are some sites to try. If you want to watch video how-tos try here or here. If you would rather read instructions try here or here.

So, grab some needles and yarn, and give it a try. I would love to see some projects that you are working on! I'll post some of my handy work.

This is my first attempt at knitting:

I thought if I used textured yarn then the mistakes wouldn't show as easily.

Then I tried smaller needles and a different texture of yarn:

I still don't know what I'm making yet. Maybe a baby doll blanket? We'll see. What are you working on?

Getting Started

2008-09-02T12:30:00.002-06:00

I love all things crafty. I love to try new crafts and new projects with old crafts. I like to make things with my hands. I love to look at a completed project and think to myself, "Wow! I made that!"

What kinds of crafts do you like to do? What kinds of crafts would you like to try? What are some of your favorite things to make or do?