Guess what we did last night? Take a look and try it yourself!

Want something fun and different for the entire family for dinner tonight?

I wanted to do something fun with the kids for dinner. We had a fire-pit night, instead of the old hot dogs on sticks and smores... here are some of the new ideas we tried:

Note: I tried to cook on skewers, using the fire-pit coals, but the stick was to short making it too hot to work with for the kids and I. So, we had to transfer our goodies onto long marshmallow roaster sticks, which worked fine. I also cooked some of the skewers on a grate laid over some coals, a barbeque grill would be a great place to grill the shorter skewers as well.  

Just lay grate, or your "grill's rack" over coals.

Note the red coals are what you want to cook on, not a flaming fire.

Stuffed Peppers, Caprese Bites, Sweet Breadsticks, Pineapple S'Mores, Turkey-Brie Baguettes, Ham and Cheese, Mini Salami Subs coming up!!!

Note: Before using wooden skewers. --Soak Wooden Skewers in water to avoid them catching fire.

Stuffed Peppers:

Ingredients:
Baby Bell Peppers
Salt and white pepper
Haloumi or Feta Cheese
Olive (optional)

 Garden peppers washed

Simple Instructions:
Slit open baby bell peppers (being careful to not disturb the rest of the pepper because you want it to shut again after you add the cheese). Season insides with salt and pepper and stuff with cubes of Haloumi or Feta cheese. Thread an olive and the stuffed pepper onto each long metal skewer or long marshmellow stick.
Toast over a flame until the peppers blister.

You want to see chared markings on peppers, cheese will be melted inside, YuM!!!

Caprese Bites or Basil Salad on a stick:

Ingredients:
Prosciutto
Mozzarella
Cherry Tomatoes

We had a bunch in our garden, but the small cherry tomatoes on a vine in the grocery store are delish too.

Out of garden, not washed yet.

Or
Basil
Mozzarella
Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh Mozzarella comes packed in water.

Instructions:
Scoop out mozzarella balls.

Wrap prosciutto around mini mozzarella balls. Thread a cherry tomato, a wrapped mozzarella ball, and another tomato onto each skewer; toast over a flame until the tomatoes blister.

Or     We get so much from our garden that I find creative ways to use it.

Wrap Basil leaves around mini mozzarella balls. Thread a cherry tomato, a wrapped mozzarella ball, and another tomato onto each skewer; toast over a flame until the tomatoes blister.  Yum, fresh basil...   

Pineapple S'Mores:

Assembled; ready to go.

Ingredients:
Pound Cake
Dulce De Leche or caramels
Pineapple
Marshmallow

Instructions:

    Cut pound cake into small squares;

spread with Dulce De Leche (store purchased as below or homemade as above) or use a sliced caramel candy.

 
Thread a square of cake, a chuck of pineapple, a marshmallow and another square of cake onto each skewer; toast over a flame until the marshmallow is browned.

Doughnut on a stick:

Ingredients:
Refrigerated Breadstick dough
Butter
Confectioners' sugar
Cinnamon

Fixings of melted butter with a brush, powdered sugar, and cinnamon are ready to go, awaiting the skewers to be baked over coals or on a grill.

Instructions:
Cut strips of refrigerated dough in half; thread a piece lengthwise onto each skewer by simple folding it around the stick. *Note: Don't open bread sticks to soon, or the baking powder will flatten and it will not rise. Meanwhile melt butter for 30 sec's in a glass measuring cup in the microwave. Toast over coals until golden. Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and cinnamon.

Also Try: Mini Salmi Subs, Ham and Cheese and Turkey-Brie Baguettes.

Mini Salami Subs:

Split open Italian sub roll; drizzle the inside with olive oil and dill with sliced salami, provolone and basil. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Thread a pickled pepper and a sandwich piece onto each skewer; toast over coals until the cheese melts.

Ham and Cheese:

Spread mayonnaise on sliced bread. Sandwich with sliced ham, Swiss cheese and pickles. Trim the crusts and cut into quarters. Thread a quarter onto each skewer; toast over coals until the cheese melts.

Turkey-Brie Baguettes:

Split open a baguette; spread the inside with Dijon mustard and fill each sliced smoked turkey and brie. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Thread a cornichon whole small pickle and a sandwich piece onto each skewer; toast over coals until the cheese melts.

The basic smores are great, but try something different this year.

Seashells turn an ordinary Household item into Fabulous!

I like to think up frugal ways to decorate. I especially like using nature. I find Mother Nature's items are better than the imagination. I used to live in FL; this is where my love of seashells started. They were abundant and free! You can also find them very cheap at such sites as: http://www.qualityshells.com/shell-mix.html. That was a random one I simply goggled, "Cheap sea shells." So you may want to shop via your Google engine for a super savings buy.
With shells, you can cover just about anything.

You have seen picture frames and jewelry. How about taking bleached starfish and use your hot glue gun to decorate a large mirror? Drift wood makes a mirror just as dramatic.

Just make sure you take out the smell by bleaching first. I learned that lesson the hard way. ;-)

I wanted to include this vase because I use this idea all the time. You can put just about anything of nature in a glass vase and fill it with water. Find a very attractive large shell and do the same thing.

 A second mirror idea. You can mix paint with shells too:

Just what can we do with all those free shells?

You can go more elaborate, like with this chandelier:

Or simple, like with these candles:

You can see that sand was also a medium used in these. They make great gifts! Simply roll your spray glued candle in dry sand, you can spray a sealant if you want, but it is not necessary. Tie some jute or twine around the sea shell. Ideally, you can drill a hole in the shell first. I have also used a hot glue gun. ;-)

Pour sand on the bottom of the glass container/ candle holder, a few shells, water and a floating candle is as easy as it gets. It looks like you spent hours making it!

A totally elaborate idea, but if you have the hours to glue these cute babies on, wow... a conversation piece floor lamp! Or you can simply just do a lampshade on a table lamp to add interest. ;-)

How easy is this? Soap shells in an apothecary jar? Place this in your bath areas.

A bit more difficult, but worth the work. Decorate with shells strung upon thin wire. Shop antique or junk shops for old lighting fixtures, or take the form of what used to be a lighting fixture and add candles instead of the electric lights.

Again, candles can be used instead of electric lights. You can also simply use white Christmas lights.

You have heard of a dream catcher; this is the same idea, but with shells. ;-)

This is my favorite creation! Instead of a drum shade, use shells. They would look wonderful outdoors around a deck or patio area. Talk about a mood setter! Or you can make a simple wind charm.

Several simple ideas: To make an easy centerpiece, take three simple jars (canning jars) and fill half way with sand, place shells or starfish on top. Leave the top half empty and screw the lid on.
Or just take a pretty shell in the shape of a open dish and use it for a soap dish! ;-)

Or just make a simple shell tube. Collect shells from wherever you travel and place them in a tall glass vase. ;-) Memories in one place!

It is amazing what one can do with a simple shell!

How to Paint on canvas or board: Arts and Crafts

I have had several friends who desire to learn how to paint, or to further their craft skills with a paintbrush. I saw this beautiful lady on a scuba dive trip and could not get her out of my head until I painted her. So, here are the stages of "Sea Turtle Takes a Breath."

Cover canvas with either a light color like off white, or with your background color, like I did here. Lighter first coat makes the colors pop brighter. A darker background will give the opposite effect, it depends on the feel you desire.

 This gradual blue undercoat is going to be under the surface of the ocean. You can see the paints, pallet, and brushes. The undercoat is done in acrylic because it drys quicker than oil.

 The second stage is simply painting a rough outline of your painting; it is like sketching with paint instead of a pencil. I used an off-white because I want the colors to pop out on this one.

 Now I am outlining the main shape with green to create the lowest level, or the painting that is going to be the furthest back, leaving the foreground to do last. I do the body first (The shell will be on top of the body).

 Now the beginning of the shell, face and bottom legs. I am switching to oil paints at this time. The lower lights are being applied first. (Just like in hair color).

 More detail to turtle and the surface of the ocean has begun. A dry paintbrush stroke made the sunlight come into the water with simple linear strokes.

 Highlights of lighter colors and white to accent the shell and face. This painting can be done as is. Each painter will find their own expression. My style is  a 3D texture. My paintings come out (if you feel them with your hand). I achieve this by using a lot of paint or mediums. So, I have one more step.

Thicker paint to create a shell that literally comes out if you touch it, or look at the side of the painting. Sea Turtle Takes a Breath is finished! Wala! I hope you have fun in your painting endeavors!