A Simple Advent Wreath! If You're Five or 90, This is For You!

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post is only available at my NEW SITE HERE.  Re-pin this post with its new URL, so you don't lose it! 

Frame an Outdated Mirror

This blog site is no longer operational. At some point soon, this post will only be available AT MY NEW SITE.  If you have pinned this post to this URL, you will need to change the link to the new site in order to maintain access to "Frame an Outdated Mirror."  Come see my new site at Adventuresintheballpark.com!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(This post has been re-pinned on PINTEREST over 3,000 times. SO glad it's helpful!)

My husband and I spent this past weekend working on a Pinterest project I fell in love with:  Framing an outdated construction grade mirror.  In our bathroom, we have two large mirrors, and we framed them both for about thirty dollars. 

I clicked on all the Pinterest sites that offered tutorials about this, but none gave enough information.  I corralled my husband into helping me, and we forged our way through, hitting some snags, but solving the issues.  Here's our detailed pictorial, just in case you like this idea too.

1.  MEASURE all sides of your mirror.  Then, choose the wood/molding you want to use as your frame.  We spent an hour at Home Depot considering the options - wide vs. narrow, mitered corners vs straight edges with corner pieces (our final choice.)

2.  PURCHASE the wood you need.  At Home Depot, a saw is available to cut approximately what you need, so you aren't paying for extra length.   At home, with a miter box, we finalized the cut edges of the four strips of molding that would line the sides of the mirror.

3.  MAKE NOTCHES.  If you have mirror clips (we have the flat metal ones), you will need to notch out a chunk of wood on the back of your molding to accommodate that feature.  (If your mirror is glued directly to the wall, you can skip this step.)

Hold the molding perpendicular to the mirror clip exactly where it will go. Draw the area that will need to be removed, making it a little bigger than the clip, so there is some fudge room later. 

If you have a router, notch out the drawn area.  If you do not (we don't), it's still easy to create the notch.  Simply saw several small notches close together within the blocked off space.

Once the molding is cut, scrape out the notched pieces with a chisel or screwdriver.  They pop right out. 

Your finished notch will look like this from the bottom.

 

This creates a space for the mirror clip.  We needed to create four notches, two in the top piece and two in the bottom piece.

4.  PAINT all of your wood pieces.  I used a white latex enamel for easy long-term cleaning.  Be sure to paint the back edges of all your wood pieces, as these will show in the reflection of the mirror.

5.  DRY-MOUNT.  Once the pieces are properly cut and painted, dry-mount the frame, meaning hold everything in place to check the fit.  We put double-sided tape on the back of our corner pieces to temporarily hold them while we placed the side boards.  You can see the faint outline of the tape here.

During our fitting, we discovered one piece was a tad too long, so we trimmed it down.  Once you know the pieces fit well, mark on the back which piece goes where.  Once they're off the mirror and you're applying the adhesive, you might not remember.  (We got confused a few times.)

6.   ATTACH your pieces to the mirror.  This is the adhesive we used. 

In most of the tutorials I watched from Pinterest, people used Liquid Nails.  We started with that, but it did not grab the mirror within a minute.  The first piece we applied with Liquid Nails fell off.  Maybe it was our technique, or we didn't apply enough...it just didn't work for us.  It might for you.

Power Grab held beautifully. 

We glued the bottom strip of molding first, centering it and making sure it was level (use a level.)  With each piece added, we quickly checked the rest of them, assuring the fit was maintained.   

When all the pieces were attached, we noticed the top right molding bowed out a bit and would not lay flat.  We clamped this piece tight.  Because our mirror is not glued to the wall (but held with clips) there was a small space between the mirror and wall to allow for a clamp.  I decided our mirror is probably bowed in this area and needed some help holding the wood.  We taped the top pieces in place for added security.

We let everything dry overnight. 

7.   CAULK the cracks.  No matter how straight your cut edges are, some cracks will be visible.  Use a thin caulk bead.  You can always add more, but you don't want a gloppy look.   These three pics show a pre-caulked crack on the left, the caulk bead, and the finished look.

 

 

I used a damp index finger to smooth out the line, wiping the excess caulk on a paper towel.

8.  CLEAN UP.  Once the caulk is dry, scrape off any glue residue from the mirror with a straight-edge razor.  We let one strip of wood slide while attaching it, so we had some goop to remove.  If you're more careful than we were, you won't have this issue.  I cleaned off the last smears and fingerprints with Goof-off. 

The twenty-two year old mirrors that formerly had borders like this...

...now look like this.

We're so happy with the results, we're going to update the other mirrors in the house.   This is an easy makeover and relatively inexpensive.  I used paint and caulk we already had, which helped.

If you frame a mirror and discover other helpful tips, let me know, and I'll include them here (with recognition, of course.) 

A great weekend project.  Happy framing!

 

Century-old Beauty

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post (Curtain rods from Old Window Frames) will only be available at my NEW SITE HERE.  Re-pin this post with its new URL, so you don't lose it! 

Denim Phone Charger Pouch

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post will only be available at my new site.  New site for this Denim Phone Charger post HERE.  Re-pin this post with its new URL, so you don't lose it!   

Handy Re-dos

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post will only be available at my NEW SITE HERE.  Re-pin this post with its new URL, so you don't lose it! 

Microwave Cobbed Corn

I just found two typos in my last two posts.  It's embarrassing.  I work darn hard to write brilliantly, and it's disappointing to discover mistakes that have been on exhibit to the world for a week or more.  My daughter usually spots any errors, but she's on a road trip this month, so I'll blame her.   Free labor isn't what it used to be.

I wanted to share a corn-on-the-cob cooking method, which I just learned from a couple in the grocery store.  I saw this idea on Pinterest, so I don't claim it as my own.  However, the directions I saw were limited.  The couple in the grocery store told me exactly how to cook the corn in a microwave, and I've tried it twice now.  I doubt I'll ever use another method again. 

It's very complicated, so pay attention.

1.  Place unshucked ears of corn on a microwave proof plate and cook for four minutes per ear.  For these two ears, the total cooking time was eight minutes.  It's OK that the husks look discolored and icky.  They cook too.

2.  Next, grab a pot holder or a thick wad of paper towels (because the ears are very hot) and cut off the stem end of the ears, about an inch up.

3.  Using the pot holder, squeeze the silk end of the husk, working the corn down and out the open end.

The silk stays in the husk!  It's very exciting.

No silk on the corn.  One tiny strand on the cutting board, from the husk stripping, but the golden corn is silk-free. 

Slather the thing in butter, and there you go.  Steaming hot, tender, string-free corn.

I was joshing about this being complicated.  It's three steps: cook, cut, squeeze.  It's easy as pie.  Although, pie is not really easy; it's tricky.  Microwave corn-on-the-cob is not pie.

It's corn season, and I'm buying it often.  I usually add a final step, which is sawing the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife.  Then, we don't need dental floss after the meal.  

Try this method for cooking fresh corn, and let me know what you think.  (And if you find a typo, let me know that too.)

Plastic Tray Do-Overs

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post (Plastic Tray Recycle) is only available at my NEW SITE HERE.  Re-pin this post with its new URL, so you don't lose it! 

Containing Myself

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post (Hair Dryer Holder) is only available at my NEW SITE HERE.  Re-pin this post with its new URL, so you don't lose it! 

Twelve Days of Goodies

On the first day of holiday prep, I made some chocolate acorns.

Saw these on Pinterest and immediately put mini Nutter-butters on my grocery list.   Assembly is easy-peasy:  Melt chocolate chips and use them as the 'glue' to stick a Hershey's kiss onto a Nutter-butter.  Use another dab of 'glue' to stick a chocolate chip to the opposite side.   Edible acorns!

On the second day of holiday baking, I made an overnight cheese bread.  So different, so easy, so delish.  It serves 6-8, but I know I could eat the whole thing by myself.  

You hand-stir the dough, then let it rest overnight.  Next morning, knead in some cheese.  Plop it in a hot, covered casserole dish and bake it (no peeking.)  This bread is on my holiday menu from here on.  Here's the recipe:  LAZY WHOLE WHEAT CHEESE BREAD.

On the third day of holiday prep...Christmas trees.

We're on our third year of not putting up a Christmas tree.  We decorate the piano.  (For that story, CLICK HERE.)  In lieu of a live evergreen, we have sugar cookie evergreens.  Except they're not always green, as you can plainly see.  And they don't last forever, because we're pigs when it comes to grandma's sugar cookie recipe.

We also have sugar cookie bells, which I made on the fourth day of prepping. 

Can't you just hear Carol of the Bells?  (CLICK HERE and you will.)

On the fifth day....golden rings with lingonberry jelly (or whatever jelly I have.  The cookie doesn't care.)  

For every M&M I placed....I ate one.  I had to get that off my chest.

On the sixth day of baking, I made a mess with oatmeal and coconut and puffed rice and chocolate mint.

                     

These are Meemaw's Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies from Paula Deen - with my own variations.  For this recipe CLICK HERE.  My three variations:

1.  I used mint chocolate chips instead of toffee bits.
2.  I used green buttercream frosting, instead of white chocolate.  And I drizzled the frosting instead of dipping the cookies in frosting or chocolate.  We try to watch our sugar intake around here.  Not.
3.  I eliminated the crushed candy canes, because I used them in another treat.

On the seventh day of baking, I made swans-a-swimming dressed in white buttercream feathers.

                       

This sparkly one posed for a picture.  Shortly after the picture, her head was snapped off and eaten. 

On the eighth day of baking...pretzel buttons.

These little gems are everywhere on Pinterest.  Little waffle pretzels topped with Hershey's kisses or Rolos.  Melt a few minutes in the oven, then top with a nut or M&M.  Recipe here: PRETZEL BUTTONS.  A perfect salty/sweet treat.  I've gained five pounds since I've joined Pinterest.  I've also learned how to make a pencil holder from a cheese grater and hang a picture using a soda pop top, so I'm expanding my mind as well as my behind. 

On the ninth day of maniacal baking, a three-year old helped me.  We made peanut-butter reindeer.


Somebody got carried away with the red-hots.   A couple cyclopses ended up on the cookie sheet as well.  Everyone is welcome here in the Ballpark kitchen.  For these body-less creatures, make balls of dough using any peanut-butter cookie recipe.  Press mini-pretzels into the dough for antlers, and use chocolate chips and red-hots for facial features.   Add as many noses as you want.

 On the tenth day of baking...snowy candy canes.  

Living in the Sunshine state, I've not really seen snow in twenty years.  I'm pretty much OK with it, because I never want to drive on ice again.  But, snow dots are pretty on cookies, so there ya' go.

On the eleventh day of baking, I lit up the place with old fashioned tree lights.

I love this cookie cutter because it's small, and, unfrosted, these little lights are for those who just want a tad of something sweet.  If you want more, you can eat ten of 'em.  It's not important how I know this.

On the twelfth day of baking...dreamy, creamy Oreo cookie/peppermint bark. 

Chunk up 1/2 - 3/4 bag of mint Oreos.  Spread them out on greased cookie sheet, using only half the pan.  Crush 4-6 candy canes in a blender/food processor until desired consistency (we like ours fine.)  Gently melt 2 bags of white chocolate chips.  (I melt mine in the microwave, using the "auto defrost" button, stirring every 30 seconds.)

As soon as the chocolate is very smooth and pourable, drizzle it over the cookies.  Gently fold a bit as needed to coat the cookies well.  Smooth out the mixture to desired thickness.  Sprinkle the candy crumbs over the top, and place the sheet pan in the refrigerator. 

When the chocolate is set, break the bark into chunks and share with everyone you know.  If you eat it all yourself, it will put you in a coma until Easter. 

I am so going on a diet come January. 

What are you gaining weight on this holiday season?

Talking Turkey (and other treats)

This blog site is no longer operational. Currently, this post will only be available at my NEW SITE HERE. Re-pin "Talking Turkey" with it's new URL, so you don't lost it! 

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~

December is here! 

It comes every time this year, but it still surprises me.  I live in Florida, so I'm a shorts/flip-flop girl year round.  I hung clothes out in the sunshine just yesterday.   And scarfed down two fat, juicy navel oranges.  Snow shovels and mittens just aren't on my radar.

We have to manufacture Christmas down here.  A couple of things that help Floridans get in the mood are blinking house lights and blow-up yard displays.  One neighbor has a blow-up Santa holding a shot gun peering from a look-out tower.  A reindeer is cowering behind a bush.   That's how we do it in the South.

I learned a couple of tricks this Thanksgiving.  The first one, thanks to Trisha Yearwood, is how to roast a perfect bird (her method was in the Sunday paper.)  It's so easy - and nontraditional - you won't believe it.   I tweaked a few things, and, I'm telling ya', we are never having dry turkey again.  Here's the recipe; it's very short:

For a 12-pounder, stuff the cleaned bird with an apple, an onion, a stalk of celery, and an orange, all cut in chunks.  Place the bird breast side down in a roasting pan with a lid.  It will lean to one side - that's OK.  Add 2 cups of boiling water to the pan, and put the lid on.  Place the pan in a 500 degree oven for one hour.  After the hour, turn the oven off and go to bed.  Really.  

That's it.  In the morning, the turkey is done, still warm, and delicious.  No watching, or basting.  No turkey hogging the oven when you later need it for the sweet potatoes, stuffing, and whatever else you're baking. 

I cooked a 7-pound turkey breast this year, put the bird in about midnight, did not check it until 8 a.m.  The meat fell off the bone.  It was the most tender turkey we have ever had, fork tender.  No knives needed.

Placing the bird breast side down enables all the juices to drain into the bulk of the meat.  Covering the bird and adding water allows the meat to steam.  If you want the golden-skinned Norman Rockwell bird that you present at your holiday table, you might not care for this method, as the turkey skin stays soft and unbrowned. 

We didn't care.  The moist meat was worth it.  (I always slice the meat off the carcass for the table anyway.  If that's the method you use, you will love this.)  The flavorful water/juice remaining in the pan is the base for your gravy.   This method makes such good sense to me, I don't know why, for generations, women have been roasting turkeys breast side up with no fluid and no cover.  That's a recipe for dry meat. 

I discovered another trick while wondering how to use up leftover mashed potatoes and stuffing.  I came up with this.   

I stirred the potatoes and stuffing together, added some Parmesan cheese, and rolled the mixture into balls that fit nicely into a muffin tin.  I baked them for ten minutes until warmed though, then added a slice of cheese and some leftover spinach dip (Ranch dressing would be great too.) 

Viola!  A fancy, tasty new twist on "stuffed potatoes."   I guess you could throw the green bean casserole in there too.

Here's another thing I threw together.  

Our daughter makes the best whole wheat bread.  We usually have rolls, but this year, she was out when the dough was ready to shape.  I didn't want to spend time rolling balls, so I hastily made three uneven snakes and braided them together.  The misshapen log looked small and goofy on the cookie sheet, but it puffed up beautifully.   Sometimes I just get lucky. 

My last item is from Pinterest.  I saw these cutie-patooties and had to try them.

Keebler's Fudge Stripe cookies, peanut-butter cups, and frosting (canned or homemade.)  You just assemble them.  The cups are stuck to the cookies with a glob of frosting.  Tint the last of the frosting yellow, and pipe a "buckle" onto the front with a fine tip.   Miles Standish would be proud. 

I wanted to share a few holiday cooking discoveries, because in four weeks, we get to do it all again.   You might want an ugly, but succulent turkey, a stuffed potato muffin, or a bread braid.  The Ballpark aims to please.

Next....

Christmas!!!!