R-E-S-PECT. It works.

 
   Here lately I've been working on myself - my character, my levels of responsibility, my respect for others. And in so doing, I've had to learn to accept things as they come. From taking instructions from a parent/person in authority, to finding the initiative myself, I've been putting in some hard work on my character.
 
     I have examples and opportunities everywhere I go of people I see that I don't want to act like...don't want to talk like...don't want to be associated with. Yet when I took a step back and really looked at myself, I realized that I have way more in common with those people than I ever care to admit. Talking with my closest friend on the face of the planet, I was able to see that I don't have to stay this way. I don't have to have an attitude when I'm told to do something. I don't have to react harshly when someone snaps at me. I can find ways to react positively to situations that I find myself in - whether they be preferred or not.
     
     One thing that I've been working on the most are my responses. Having respect for people in authority is key to obtaining this goal. I don't have to agree with the person, I don't have to act like their bestfriend. But, I do have to respect them - because guess what?? Th.ey are still human being. They still need someone to respect them as a human being, no matter the circumstances. And one way I can respect them is by watching my responses. How I react when they say or do something.
   For example: If I'm about to start my homework, I've had a long day of school and just want to get this done so I can go to bed....and my mom/dad/grandparent tells me to go clean the kitchen. Sure, I have "every right" to have a reaction and just be in a terrible mood. You could do that, and make everyone else miserable. Or, you can decide to put yourself, your self-interest, and your wants aside, and go clean the kitchen out of respect for the person who asked you. WITHOUT complaining and letting the whole world know you're doing it.
   
    If you do however REAALLLYYY need to get that essay written, or what have you, and can't possibly clean the kitchen, be respectful about it. Don't turn around and snap at the person, saying perhaps, "Mom, I can't. I'm TRYING to get my homework DONE!" That would only cause more problems between you and that person of authroity. Something along the lines of, "Mom, I would love to clean the kitchen for you. I have an essay due tomorrow that I really need to finish and print off though. Would it be okay if I cleaned the kitchen when I'm finished", or even offer to clean the kitchen tomorrow night when you don't have homework due, or make breakfast or something.

   There are so many things a person can say that wouldn't seem disrespectful - except for their tone of voice. When it comes to showing respect for those in authority, no matter what the situation, your tone of voice and how you say things will play a huge role in communication.

  This is something that I've been working on in myself...and I hope that, if needed, it is something that you can work on as well. Trust me, people see the change! People see the results, whether it's the person you're respecting, a close friend, or even someone in the middle at Walmart. People are always watching and learning - let us be respectful, and help teach those around us.

As always, with love,
   Simply Jenn
         

Mister Bunny

Hey y'all! Oi vey, I'm so sorry for the delay! My classes started up full swing last week, and all of my homework is online - which has produced an eye strain and eye sensitivity....therefore, I had to go to the eye doc and get prescription glasses to be worn until it goes away. But for now, I have some "readers" as we call em that seem to be helping and let me see my laptop again!! I have several good posts coming up...it's just finding the time to sit down and write them out.


Eitherwho! For today, I will share my little bunny friend that I have finished. I started crocheting this little guy a long time ago, but got to a stopping point and moved on to other projects, as you can see. However, I found him again recently and just had the urge to get ahead and get it over with - I have to finish making his little arms and legs!

 

This is what the poor guy looked like when I hit my stopping point previously. I decided he needs arms and legs! 

And Alas! The finished results. All of which took merely an hour. 

 

This little guy can be found at http://lionbrandyarn.com :)
Enjoy!!
  Simply Jenn
P.S. I'm planning on making some Valentine bunnies (using this pattern) for our Etsy shop and for an Easter Craft Bizzar my family will be attending. Just so you know ;)

Sorry :(

Agghhhh!! Classes are taking over my life! College classes started back up last week, and oh my goodness I have been so busy already! I'm sorry I haven't been able to blog, but tonight I'm hoping to write a post about taking care of yourself. The importance of taking care of your hygiene, your self-esteem, your attitude, your spirit.
  I look forward to posting tonight! And again, I'm sorry that I haven't blogged all weekend. :/
Love,
   Simply Jenn

Banana Bread :)

Hey y'all! Today decided to make some loaves of banana bread. Our last few bananas were getting pretty brown and spotty, and that's the perfect time to transform them. See, if you use fresh bananas the bread of course will be yummy and turn out...but if you use old bananas? You're giving them a new purpose - they're not fit to be eaten by themselves or even in yogurt or what not. At this point, it's cook them or throw them out. Sooooo why not take the opportunity to make such a scrumptious snack??
    Here's the recipe I use for Banana Bread :) I hope you guys enjoy!! If you try any of my recipes, please feel free to leave some feedback on how they turned out or if you liked them, same with the patterns I share. :)

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

    2-3 mushy bananas

    4 T. Milk

    1 stick softened butter

    2 eggs

    1 1/2 c. sugar

    dash salt

    1 t. baking soda

    2 c. flour

 

Preheat your oven to 350* and grease two bread pans. In a medium-large bowl, mash your mushy bananas! You can use a fork for this act of violence, or a hand-held mixer. ;)

  Next add your splashes of milk, 4 T. worth, along with the softened butter and eggs. Use the handheld mixer to blend up this gooey mixture. You want to make sure the butter and bananas are in chunks, not too big but definitely don't blend the mixture smooth.

   Scoop the sugar, salt, and soda into the bowl and using a wooden spoon or spatula mix well, setting aside the mixer. Add the 2 cups of flour, and stir until all the ingredients are mixed and you have a gooey yellow batter.

   Pour your batter into your bread pans, making sure the batter level reaches only about half-way up, no more than 3/4 full so that the quickbread will have room to expand as it cooks.

  

 

   Bake for 45-60 minutes, but check around 30 minutes to check and see how the little guys are doing. To tell if your loaf of banana bread is done, insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into the center, and slide out. If the stick comes out clean, then the bread is done! But if the stick is a little gooey when you remove it, cook for 5 more minutes and then try again until the stick comes out clean :)

   Take 'em out of the pans and let cool on wire wracks once they've cooked through, allowing to cool a good deal before you serve. This bread is amazing when served warm, or cool, with a spread of butter.

Enjoy! And as always,

 Love,

   Simply Jenn 

Infinity Scarf

One of my newest loves....scarves!! I've been developing my style lately, and I have a story on that for another day. Anywho, along with my style and this CRAZY cold weather, I've developed an affinity for scarves. Thick, pretty, warm, scarves. Especially the Infinity Scarf look, as shown below from Pinterest.

Being a knitter, I decided to create my own infinity scarf pattern! I looked up "lacy stitches" in my book "The Complete Guide to Needlework", or something close to that. I found the delightful Turkish Stitch :)

Therefore, with my knitting needles and yarn, I went to work making this pattern.

With size 13 needles and two strands of worsted weight yarn, cast on 18 stitches.

Round 1: Yarn over, slip first stitch, knit one stich, psso. Repeat Round 1 until scarf reaches desired length. Cast off using the k2tog method. Using the mattress stitch or invisible seam, sew together the two ends to make an infinite loop.

There you have it! The infinity scarf :)

***Note*** for the pattern I created, you can use any size needles and yarn, this is just what worked for me. Depending on how thick or thin you want the scarf depends on how many stitches you cast on (more or less stitches).  Just be sure you always use an even number of stitches so that the Turkish stitch works correctly. This scarf also looks great when left as a regular, open scarf, and tassles on the ends are quite adorable.

** If you do make this pattern, it is not copywrited. But if you make this scarf with the intent of selling it, I ask that you give the proper credit for the pattern. **

Love,
   Simply Jenn

Buttermilk Brownies!

The other day while I was at work, the kiddos and I were playing with play-dough - oh what fun! I was given the brown play-dough  by a sweet little girl with big blue eyes, saying "Ms. Jenn, please come plaaayyyyy!!" How could I resist?
  Together, we made wiggle snakes and snowmen with top hats and used cookie cutters. At one point I took this picture:

....and send  it to my wonderful boyfriend, for privacy's sake we'll just call him the Sniper. Well, as soon as my Sniper saw this picture, he flipped out! "Oh my gosh, are those brownie hearts?? for real?? aww you're the best!!" ....Oops. Poor tyke got so excited too.......

                                      You know what that means: it's time to make brownies.

Therefore! As soon as I got home between my split work shifts, I got to work in crafting a brownie masterpiece! And, I shall be generous enough to share it with y'all here today :)

Buttermilk Brownies

Preheat your oven to 400* and grease a 9x13 square baking pan (or other desired pans: muffin tins, banana bread tins, etc etc.)

 

Boil together until a melted mess:

     1 c. cold water

     1/2 c. oil (I used Olive Oil)

     1/2 c. butter (aka 1 stick)

 

Sift together in a large bowl:

    

     2 c. sugar

     2 c. flour

     pinch salt

     4 T. cocoa powder

 

Pour the boiling mixture over the dry ingredients and beat until creamy, You can use a whisk, a mixer, a hand mixer, whatever suits your fancy! I used a wooden spoon though, that's my favorite :)

    

     Anyways...

 

Add:

 

     1/2 c. buttermilk

     1 t. Baking Soda

     2 eggs

     splash of vanilla

 

Stir well, and when all the ingredients are blended to perfection, pour the batter into your pre-greased pans. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, depending on your pan, remove from the oven and let cool. Now brownies you can leave in the same tin they were cooked in and they will do absolutely fine; or, you can remove them carefully by sliding a knife around the sides of the brownie and removing it gently to be placed on a pretty plate or what have you.

 

**Note** If you don't have buttermilk, all you need is regular milk and either lemon juice or vinegar. Add a splash of vinegar or juice to your 1 c. of milk, and let set while you prepare and mix the other ingredients. When it comes time to use the milk, you should be good to go!

 

These brownies are yummy frosted, or left alone alike. :)

 

Enjoy!

  -Simply Jenn 

 

P.S. I did make my sweetie heart-shaped and frosted brownies ;) sadly...we ate them before I could snap a picture!



A Few Things I Left Out..

Hey y'all! So in my post yesterday I forgot to mention a few things! I used a Size 'I' crochet hook and worsted weight yarn, "I Love This Yarn" brand.

Also, here's an easier version of row two:

Ch 4, turn and dc in next sc.
Dc in first sc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc on next sc, ch 1.
Dc3tog over the next 5 sc.
Ch 1, sk next sc, dc, ch 1, sk next sc.
(Dc, ch 1, dc, ch1, dc) in next stitch-lace increase.
Ch 1, sk next sc, dc, ch 1, sk next sc.
Dc3tog over next 5 sc.
Ch 1, sk next sc, dc, ch 1, sk next sc.
(Dc, ch 1, dc) in last stitch.

Hope this helped! :)
Love,
Simply Jenn

WIP

Hey there :) soo today I worked a double shift! And on Friday nights, work is super slow, not a lot to do. Therefore, I bring along my knitting and crochet. :) today's project is a WIP (Work-in-Progress), a cranberry colored scarf. This cute crochet pattern looks super complicated!! But once you get the first row down and keep going the pattern is actually fairly easy and fast.

Here's the link!
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10146.html?iP=1

Love,
Simply Jenn

Gumdrop Slouchy Hat

     Soooo I am NOT  a hat person! I can hardly ever find a hat or even style of hat that fits my head, isn't itchy, and is cute. But, I've been seeing these "slouchy" hats all over the place....and thought maybe, just maybe, I'll like them..maybe they'll fit. Therefore, I found a quick and easy hat pattern, and yesterday in a One-Night-Wonder moment, I found the beauty and comfort of a slouchy hat.
    These are perfect for when you don't have time to do something to your hair and just need to run out the door! Just toss it off, tilt it just so, and off you go. They compliment tons of outfits, from jeans and a cute tee to a skirt and blouse.
 

 

  The following pattern is copywrited, however you can still use it for your own person use and enjoyment :)
 
The pattern calls for chunky yarn and a size J crochet hook, however I used the brand "I Love This Yarn" and a size I hook, and I think it turned out just fine.

http://www.gleefulthings.com/blog/?p=640

Love,
  Simply Jenn

Simply Jenn's Basic Biscuits

Hello there :) Yesterday I shared with you my Pot Pie Minis, buuttt saved the biscuit recipe for today!  I have many good memories associated with these biscuits. My family loovvveesss homecooked goodies - especially biscuits. We could sit and eat a tray of biscuits and tell stories all day long, if we didn't have other necessities to attend to. I would get up early and make this biscuit recipe for my family to go along with scrambled eggs, orange juice, and Bible readings.

Simply Jenn's Basic Biscuits

(adapted from the Betty Crocker cookbook)

Preheat oven to 450* :)

 

Sift together in a bowl:

  

   * 2 c. flour

   * 3 t. baking powder

   * 1 t. salt

 

Cut in finely with two butter knives:

 

   *1/4 c. shortening (I use Crisco)

 

Stir in:

  

  *2/3 c. milk

 

Stick your lightly floured hands into the gooey mixture and lightly knead the dough, being careful not to overdo it - lest you turn up with the dreaded tough biscuits. On a floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/2" thick, and cut with whatever desired object....knife...upside-down canning jar...cookie cutter..you get the picture :)

   Lay the little biscuits on a lightly greased or non-greased cookie sheet, and if ya want you can let the little guys rise for 20 minutes, or at any rate let them "rest" - they've worked hard!

   Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden crispy color :)

Let cool about 5 minutes...or, 5 seconds if you just can't wait...smear some butter or jelly or what have you and dig in!

 

Love,

    Simply Jenn 

Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes!!

        Hey y'all! I'm back in the blogging swing, a new laptop and a new year of crafts has provided - at long last - the return of my blogging inspiration. I have several crafts in progress, and as of late have rediscovered the usefulness of Pinterest. :)

        Here, I would like to share with you my daily experiences, decisions, the crafts and handmade wonders of my life, and sometimes even just wacky stuff. Today what spiked my blogging inspiration was...of course....a Pinterest Project!!

                   

                     I made....Mini Chicken Pot Pies!! Except with a homemade heart's twist.

 

Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes

(I like Mini Pot Pies a LOT better as a name, just saying).

 

Ingredients:

 

* 2 cups diced chicken breast (I used turkey breast, as that's what I had on hand)

* 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

* 1 cup mixed vegetables

                or

    * 1 cup frozen corn

    * 1 cup finely chopped carrots

    * 1/2 cup finely chopped celery

* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

* 1 t. dried thyme

* 1 t. dried basil

* dash onion powder, dash garlic salt

* Simply Jenn's Basic Biscuit recipe, or if short on time/resources, 2 (10 oz) cans Pillsbury biscuits

 

Preheat you faithful oven to 400*. Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin with vegetable shortening, making sure not a single crease has been left out. If you have the time and you want to, mix together my basic biscuit dough in a medium bowl, being careful not to knead the daylights out of it. Roll the dough into twelve balls with your hands, ooey gooey hands, and flatten each ball with your fingertips into the shape of a flat circular disk. Press the sucker into the muffin tin on the bottom and up the

sides, such a cute little pie shell!

 



 

In a small bowl, stir together the veggies, chicken breast, and seasonings - adding some other yummy herbs and what not if ya like. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, and mix it up!

 

                                              

 

Using a spoon, scoop the gooey mess-ture into the cute little biscuit shells until all the mess-ture has been used and each little shell is filled up with goodness.

 

Slide the delishous-looking tray of yummy into the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until biscuit shells are nice and crispy, the filling not too-too gooey.

 

Let the little pies rest for 3 minutes, then dish up and enjoy!!

 

Aren't they cute??

 

 

Hope ya enjoy these little bits of heaven :)

 

Love,

   Simply Jenn



Under Construction

Soooo, possibly looking to change my blog again! This time, into a crafts blog. I've lately picked up my crochet hooks and knitting needle's and have been going to town. Therefore, I have missed blogging....and am going to try to get back into the blogging and needle crafting spirit.
  However, with college starting up soon, I'll be hard pressed to find time. But, we always find time for the things we love :)
-Simply Jenn