FriendlyIam

Or better known as: "My Husband Lost His Job Over The Easter Holiday Weekend And We Would Really Like To Be Able To Pay Our Bills (and not eat Ramen Noodles everyday) This Month - SALE !" *sigh* Sad, but true.  It's happened to too many people lately and it's horrible each time, and now it has hit us as well. But.... there's GOOD NEWS FOR YOU, my friends! I'm having a F R E E S H I P P I N G S A L E in my personal Etsy shop ! And none of the prices were raised to fool you, either.  It's a genuine , honest-to-goodness free shipping SALE . Some prices have even been reduced! (free shipping is on all U.S. orders, but there is reduced International shipping as well!) (SugarPlum mini hoop art) Have you been wondering what to give your mom for Mother's Day ?   Check out my shop!   You may just find an embroidery piece that would be perfect.   (Olive You felt+floss hoop art)   And, if you purchase this week, there's time to ship it to you be...

Now that Passover is over, it's time for challah once again. When it comes to cooking, I'm all about quick and easy, but I've got to say, challah is an exception to the rule. There is nothing that makes a home smell more luscious and heavenly than the smell of challah baking in the oven.  People always ask: "Is it easy? Does it take all day?" Yes, it's easy. And yes, it does take all day.  But so worth it. (At least once in a while!) And, for those of you who are superstitious, it's been said that baking challah brings good luck, and answers your prayers... Also, I can't write this post without giving full credit to my friend Jeanne (who got the recipe from her friend Ayelet) full credit for teaching me how to make the best challah. Week after week, she'd come over to my apartment at 8am and show me how to make it- her hands are magical. And no matter what, her challah always comes out better than mine!  Challah Recipe 5-7 Challahs, depending on si...

???????I've been noticing a trend with myself lately... whenever I see flowers,  or branches , or berries , or grasses in white pitchers I swoon.  There's something so classic, alive, so country-fresh about them that I can't help but love. I've been stockpiling pictures (thanks Pinterest!)  that I've come across lately, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites:? ? ? Little Big Nest ? madiganmade ????? my home ideas ???? (photo credit unknown) Sherri's Jubilee ...and the one that probably started my obsession: ? Centsational Girl Aren't those all fabulous?! ? ??I have always loved white pitchers and creamers , and I already have a small collection of them. ...but, unfortunately, I also have severe allergies to pollen, so I must settle for fake stuff in mine. Okay, so maybe that last one isn't a pitcher.....or a creamer. Yes, folks...it's a gravy boat . So I guess I {heart} gravy boats with flowers in them, too. -Tammy ?? ?? ??

  This Recipe! "Sauteed Cabbage with a Bas il Chiffonade"   The perfect side dish to serve on Easter, Passover, or all year round. Every time I make this dish, I have to refill 2 or 3 times- people just can't get enough of it! I found this recipe in an old-school Martha Stewart cookbook titled, "Martha Stewart's Menu for Entertaining", circa 1994. It's an oldie but a goodie. It may sound fancy, but its really not. The recipe uses 5 ingredients, takes just minutes to prepare, and people react to it as though you are serving them caviar. It goes great with any roasted meats or fish, and also a perfect pairing with mashed potatoes. I love finding these types of recipes, because they take a basic ingredient like cabbage, (which we often neglect), and turn it into something really memorable. I'm all about " less is more ", and in this recipe, it certainly is. I wish they all could be this easy.  Here's what you will need: 1 bunch basil, was...

Hey, everyone! Tammy is sharing a few  " S h o p Y o u r O w n H o u s e " ideas over at Creation Corner today... Be sure to check it out! Tasha's got a great blog with some really cool guests and giveaways this week.  You wont want to miss it!  

Last week we got to share this tutorial and free printable with the lovely readers at Mine For The Making (thanks Kara!) and now we would like to share it with you ! This free printable was created for you using part of a song called "Give, Said The Little Stream" which we learned when we were children in our church Primary class. It's a reminder to us all that no matter how small we may think we are as individuals, we can still make a big impact and have a positive influence on everything and everyone around us. "I'm small, I know, but wherever I go... the grass grows greener still." You may have learned it as the "fields grow greener" instead of grass, but this is how we learned it and how it will always be in our minds. Here is how we decided to turn this fabulous quote into a piece of framed art! You can print your quote as large or as small as you would like. Ours is printed on a regular-sized piece of cardstock and will fit perfect...

I decided to use my original sewn paper candy pouch tutorial to make something just as cute (if not cuter) for Easter ! This really is such a simple way to make a BIG statement . Who wouldn't love to tear right into this { c h o c o l a t e } bunny to get to the treats hidden inside ? I used brown craft paper here and inked it up with distressing ink to make it look more c h o c o l a t e y .  The googly eyes definitely add an element of cuteness , don't you think? I just drew this bunny free-hand, but I'm sure you could find any shape you want to use to copy or trace for your candy pouch. An egg-shaped pouch would be cute, too! This little guy is about 9 inches tall and is filled with jelly beans . Perhaps the E a s t e r B u n n y  reads this blog and will decide to leave a few sewn candy pouches in YOUR Easter baskets this year! * * * * * You can find my original tutorial on how to make the candy pouches here : -Annie   *clic...

Growing up, my mom always made lamb on Passover. It was a special treat- something we'd look forward to all year round. My siblings and I always knew that lamb was a special dish, and we felt lucky and proud to have it...It's funny because I never gave it much thought, but I always find myself making a big deal out of serving lamb to my family. My mom serves her lamb in a traditional Jewish Moroccan style- with canned truffles... My recipe is a little more modern- but I can't say that its better than my mom's! The baby lamb chops are marinated in wine vinegar,  red wine, crushed garlic, fresh mint leaves, and cilantro...the result is honestly unreal. Baby Lamb Chops with Red Wine Vinegar, Mint & Garlic Serves 4-6 10 baby lamb chops, Frenched 1/4 cup red wine vinegar splash of red wine (plus a glass for yourself to enjoy while your cooking, optional but recommended!) 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 handful of fresh mint leaves, stemmed and roughly ...

We're excited to be participating in Mine for the Making 's Spring Fling Giveaway ! Hop on over to check it out! Be sure to enter all the fun giveaways� You could even win one of these Sweet Strawberry Garlands   -Annie and Tammy