Beef Tips and Gravy - Slow Cooker Recipe

With the weather turning cooler, I am very excited to 

share this easy slow cooker and freezer friendly meal with you!

Beef Tips and Gravy is tasty and comforting, and I just bet you'll love it.

 Enjoy, y'all :-)

 You Will Need: 

1 to 1.5 lb. package of lean stew meat
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use Campbell's Healthy Request)
1 tbps. minced garlic
1/2 c. frozen seasoning blend (a mixture of diced onions, celery, and bell pepper,

 found in the freezer section with other frozen veggies - I like Pict Sweet brand)
1/2 tsp. thyme (I always add more as I go.)
salt and pepper (to taste)

1/4 c. sour cream (light or fat free is fine - I have also subbed Greek yogurt, 

but since it has such a strong flavor, start with just a small spoonful!)

In a medium slow cooker, combine all ingredients except for sour cream. 

Cook over low heat for about 8 hours, 

or on high for 4-6 (depends on how your machine cooks). 

Once meat is done (chunks will no longer be pink and 

will break apart easily with a fork with no 

gummy appearance on the inside), stir in sour cream. 

Like stroganoff? Add more sour cream. 

(Avoid adding any dairy products to a slow cooker at the beginning 

of cooking time, because they will curdle.)

Serve over rice or, if you make it into stroganoff, wide egg noodles.

We really like green beans as a veggie side for this meal at our house.  

*If you choose to make this as a freezer meal, dump all ingredients except for sour cream

and rice/noodles into a bag -- I find if I use a 1 lb. package of meat, it all fits perfectly

in a quart sized freezer bag with very little air space to squeeze out!*

Variations:  

Feel fancy? Add a small can of mushroom pieces and stems, 

drained,  or my mom's favorite: pearl onions.
 If you hunt, this can be made with a venison roast! 

Cut it in chunks and soak it several hours to remove the gamey taste,  

and then cook as described. 

 It goes without saying that this is also delicious on top of a baked potato,

 and we have also enjoyed it over biscuits or toast, too. 

Please let me know if you try this recipe by leaving a comment! 

It makes me feel all warm and gooey to think that

the same things that bless my little family on a chilly day

might do just the same for yours :-) 

Partying it up with these awesome bloggers:

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings - The Heart of Your Home
 Inspiration Monday @ twelveOeight
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage 
Creative Bloggers' Party @ Homemaker on a Dime  
What'd You Do This Weekend @ Recipes and Ramblings  
Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home
Works For Me Wednesdays @ We Are That Family  
What I Whipped Up Wednesdays @ Sugar and Dots
 Whatever Goes Wednesdays @ Someday Crafts

Funky Chickens!

**Big Ol' Disclaimer**

This is not a sponsored post, and I have received nothing 

from The Painter's Cottage for writing it. 

When my friend and I painted our fab Funky Chickens, 

we each paid full price for our experience. 

In other words, I wanna talk about The Painter's Cottage 

just because I think they're wonderful, and 

they're a great small business here in southwest Arkansas!

Painting in a casual atmosphere 

with friends is a hot new trend for a fun outing! 

Here in lower Arkansas, we don't have many diversions -- 

it seems like dinner, a movie, and perhaps bowling are our only options.

However, I am very proud (and lucky!) to report that 

we do have The Painter's Cottage in nearby Smackover,

a relaxing spot for visitors to come with 

friends and family to paint or create crafts.  

My best friend, Mary, had the idea 

for us to get together and paint some amazing 

"Funky Chickens" just before my birthday

this past July, and it was an amazing evening

for us to unwind, create, and chatter.

We truly had no idea what to expect when we arrived.  

As we walked in, Mary and I were greeted by lots of 

unique and colorful canvases on the walls from past painting parties,

and we followed the sounds of ladies 

laughing and talking to the back of the building, 

where tables, canvases, and bottles of acrylic paint waited. 

What I loved best about our painting experience was

 that while Jennifer (owner) guided our paintings from the front of the room,

we were encouraged to choose colors to our liking and make our chickens our own!

Jennifer really takes time to encourage and assist each painter, 

and circles the room many times to check your progress.

Very reassuring and fun to hear her feedback!

The thing I loved second best about our painting experience? 

The room was jumping with music,

and delicious snacks (which are brought potluck style) waited for us!

I already knew I wanted my Funky Chicken to "roost" in the kitchen,

so I picked colors that would coordinate with my other decorations.

Mary chose a softer palette including pastels as well as vibrant tones,

and guess what? BOTH chickens turned out perfectly!

Ta-dahhhhh!

I will never forget the memories or the art that 

Mary and I made for my birthday this year,

and I will always have my Funky Chicken

 perched in my kitchen as a reminder of that fun night.

Framed in a chunky vintage frame I picked up 

at a church rummage sale years ago!

I shall call her Esmeralda ... LOL 

If you live in/around Union, Columbia, or Ouachita Counties,

I strongly recommend giving The Painter's Cottage a try.

It is a refreshing, family friendly change from the ordinary,

and you leave with a great piece of custom art!

Classes are offered for both children and adults.

Prices for classes range from $20.00-$50.00,

and you will be in class approximately 2-4 hours 

depending on level of difficulty.

 Want a private party, or to host a birthday party here? 

The Painter's Cottage offers that, too! 

Current classes may be found via The Painter's Cottage website

via the "Events Calendar" tab, or you may also visit them 

via Facebook here.

I'm partying with these cool chicks!

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Inspiration Monday @ twelveOeight 
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage
Creative Bloggers' Party @ Homemaker on a Dime  
What'd You Do This Weekend @ Recipes and Ramblings  

Kitchen Pennants n' Pinwheels

Hi guys! 

I haven't given an update lately

on my ongoing low-budget kitchen decor,

so let me show you two quick and inexpensive projects 

I recently completed. 

If you'll remember, in my planning photos 

I wanted to add a pennant banner on this large window

to soften the angles and add color and pattern.

Mission accomplished! 

Here's a close up of the papers I used:

I used this tutorial from the Orchard Girls

(they so rock!! Go visit them!!) to create my banner.
You can do a Google image search for "pennant banner template"
for a variety of sizes of triangles, depending on your needs.

The hardest part was cutting out the triangles -- all 18 of 'em!

I was also able to use sheer teal ribbon I already had 

in my stash, so this was a no-cost project. 

These fun pinwheels are my second addition to the kitchen! 

I used Apartment Therapy's tutorial, found here,

but since I didn't need my pinwheels to spin,

I hot glued them to bamboo skewers instead. 

Oh -- and I used a CD envelope for my template.

I added the button to the center of each to cover the glue blob

and create Maximus Cuteimus.

The pinwheels are nested in this vase of eucalyptus, 

because why not? 

It makes the arrangement fuller and picks up on 

the turquoise color I have incorporated in the kitchen. 

A band of gift wrap paper from Dollar Tree and a little raffia bow

was all I needed to make the vase a little prettier. 

I was able to use the same paper pack from my 

vintage rolling pin canvas art

for both the pennant banner and the pinwheels,

which made these projects free and perfectly coordinated

with what I already had going on! 

Simple and precious - can't beat it :-)

What do you think of my kitchen pennants n' pinwheels? 

Could you see yourself making these crafts for 

other rooms of your house -- 

maybe even for a holiday project? 

Tell me all about it!

This post linked to:

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House
Inspiration Monday @ twelveOeight 
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage
Creative Bloggers' Party @ Homemaker on a Dime  
What'd You Do This Weekend @ Recipes and Ramblings 

Roll Your Towels!

Rolling your towels up and

displaying them in a basket or on the shelf

is an easy, no-cost method

of attaining the spa look that is so popular.

It also results in a special, welcoming feeling

and can give a splash of color.

I like it because it frees up cabinet space, too!

This is how the rolled towels look in my master bath:

I got the blue basket at Goodwill when we were on vacation  

a couple of years ago for just this purpose! 

Look around your house and see if you have anything that might work :-)

Deeper baskets work well to stand up bath towels,

and shallow tray-style baskets are good for hand towels. 

Buckets, decorative boxes, anything -- be creative in choosing a container!

Here is how I store my hand towels in the master bath:

I keep them on the back of the toilet to free up space on my bathroom counter,
and I think they look nice there, too.
That's a repurposed basket that I received a gift in.

First, spread your bath towel out. 

Your towel may or may not have a decorative band at the top like mine. 

If it does, keep it at the top as we fold and roll.

Makes it prettier!

Fold your towel in half twice, making sure that seams are to the inside. 

Keep the tag tucked inside, too. 

Next, flip your towel over with the folded side up towards you, 

and starting from the short end, roll it up ...

...until you finally get a roll like this.

 When you place it in the basket, turn the loose end towards the back. 

That's it! 

You'll need to be sure your edges stay more or less lined up,

but this is easy to fix as you roll.

Washcloths will roll up the exact same way, 

except they will only need to be folded in half once. 

I also only fold my hand towels in half once before rolling,

It will depend on how long your towels are 

and your own preference, of course. 

I roll the washcloths and hand towels in my upstairs bathroom too!

I like to think that it makes things just a bit nicer, 

plus it shows my guests that I anticipate their needs and

want things to be nice for them. 

Do you have any easy, low to no-cost tips

for decorating with what you already have?

I'd love to hear them -- please comment away below!

 This week I'm partying with:

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings - The Heart of Your Home
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Mod Mix Monday @ Mod Vintage Life
Inspiration Monday @ twelveOeight
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage
What'd You Do This Weekend @ Recipes and Ramblings 
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Penny Pinching Party @ The Thrifty Home
Works For Me Wednesdays @ We Are That Family
What I Whipped Up Wednesdays @ Sugar and Dots
Whatever Goes Wednesdays @ Someday Crafts
Fluster's Creative Muster Link Party @ Fluster Buster
Cast Party Wednesday @ Lady Behind The Curtain
We Did It Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
What's It Wednesdays @ Ivy and Elephants
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Ducks 'n a Row
Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House