Goodbye 2018

Well 2018 is coming to a close. I have had lots of fun trying some DIY projects. It has inspired me to be more creative with future holiday decor. We still have most of our Christmas decorations up. We normally don’t take anything down until after New Years Day. This year I decided to transition our table from the Christmas decor to a sparkly setup for the new year. Here are some pics of what I’m working on:

Transitioning from Christmas to New Years.

I’m using some things from our Christmas decorations to set this up. I bought the tablecloth at Aldi when it was on sale during the Fall. I also feature things in here that I bought from the Dollar Tree. I don’t know what else I’ll put up on NYE but this is a start.

Pieces used in our Dinning Tablescape.

My husband loves the look and suggested I take pictures for memories. I love that I spent no more than $15-20 to set this up. The benefit of it all is that it's inexpensive (especially using things I already had on hand), cute, and simple. Thanks to all who stopped by to read my blog during this year. I’m also grateful to those of you who left comments. I hope you have a safe New Years Eve and Day with your friends and families. Most of all I’m looking forward to more spiritual growth in 2019.


© My Life 0utside The Box 2016-2018. All Rights Reserved. All photos, text, personal videos, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the blog author.

Wordless Wednesday~ 12/19/18

My prizes that came in the mail.

Things I purchased with my $35 coupon code

© My Life 0utside The Box 2016-2018. All Rights Reserved. All photos, text, personal videos, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the blog author.

Ham and Corn Chowder

Ham and Corn Chowder

Ingredients:
6 strips of bacon
1 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
4 medium potatoes (2 cups), peeled and diced
2 cups Ham cubes (leftovers cut into bite-sized pieces)
10.5 oz. low sodium cream of chicken soup
14.5 oz. can creamed corn
8 oz. of frozen corn (or 1 can of corn, drained)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 Bay leaf
2 Tbsp. butter
2 cups of chicken broth (or water)
1/2-1 cup half and half or 12oz. evaporated milk (see note)
2-3 Tbsp. cornstarch (optional)

Directions:
Sauté bacon in a skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels but keep 2 Tbsp. of the grease in the skillet. Cool bacon off, crumble and put in a covered container to use later. In the same skillet add onions, celery, carrots, and cook until soft. Can cook the potatoes for a few minutes as well. In crockpot add potatoes, cooked veggies, ham cubes, cream of chicken soup, corn, seasonings, butter, and broth.  Cook on low 6 hours or until potatoes are done. Stir cornstarch and milk together in a bowl. Stir this mixture in the last 30 minutes of cooking to help thicken the soup. Remove Bay leaf. Sprinkle cooked bacon on top of chowder when serving.

Serve with a side salad and buttered crusty bread.
Serves 4-6

Note: You can sub any milk you prefer like regular, almond, or coconut milk.

For Instant Pot:
Press the saute button and add 2 Tbsp. of bacon grease or Olive oil. Add onions and celery. Cook till soft. Add in garlic cloves and cook another minute. Add carrots and potatoes. Saute a few more minutes. Add all other ingredients except cornstarch. Hit cancel. Cover and press the Soup button. Cook for 10 minutes (be sure the valve is in sealing position). NR for 10 minutes then carefully move the valve to release the rest of the pressure. Once you hear the pin drop open and stir. Remove Bay leaf. If you need to use the cornstarch to thicken just add it to a few Tbsp. of water and stir. Hit the saute function on Instant Pot and stir in cornstarch mixture. It should start to thicken once it begins bubbling. Hit cancel and it's ready to serve.


© My Life 0utside The Box 2016-2018. All Rights Reserved. All photos, text, personal videos, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the blog author.

TSW Daybook {12/10/18}

For Today: 12/10/18

_____________________________

Looking out my window

It’s cold but sunny outside. This time of the year makes me want to stay in bed longer. Our high for today is 44 degrees.

I am thinking

About how close we are to ringing in a New Year.

I am thankful

For being here to see this Christmas season.

One of my favorite things

Celebrating Christmas time with friends and family. For me, it’s not all about the gifts. I like to take time to just enjoy celebrating Christ, spending time enjoying the season with family, and doing things to bring a smile to other people’s faces

I am creating

Goodies to give to my neighbors.

I am wearing

A red blouse and black pants.

I am reading

“Devotions for a Sacred Marriage” by Gary Thomas with hubby.

I’ve been watching

Classic Christmas movies with the family.

I am listening to

Christmas music. I especially love the Classics, Jazz, and Gospel Christmas songs.

I am hoping

I finalize my plans for Christmas gifts by the end of this week.

I am learning

To relax and just be.

In my kitchen

Have you ever made Chicken Stew? It’s like making Beef Stew but using chicken in place of the beef. I made this for the 1st time and have been requested to make it again. It’s great comfort in a bowl on a cold day or night. YUM!

Board room

I love making my own flavored cream cheese. Here are some different flavors I want to try out

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/61291244910189411/.

Post Script

There are so many great household and laundry tips at https://www.stain-removal-101.com/.

Shared Quote

“The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think. No book in the world equals the Bible for that.”

-Harper Lee

A moment from my day

Have you guessed what’s different?

Closing Notes

Thanks for letting me share another little peek into my simple life with you. You can join in too, or read other ladies posts by heading on over to the host site

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

______________________________

© My Life 0utside The Box 2016-2018. All Rights Reserved. All photos, text, personal videos, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the blog author.

Winter 2013 (TBT)

A flashback a few winters ago when we lived in Kansas City, MO....

Around the house during Christmas time

Not only do I love Fall, but Christmas is my other favorite time of the year. I love putting up some decorations to make the house look festive. Each year I add something to our collection through after holiday sales. This year I decided to be a little more creative thanks to watching some Dollar Tree Christmas Decorating YouTube videos. I tried a few DIY ideas and used other stuff I already had on hand. Here are some pics of what I have set up around the house so far...

I love our giant stocking with the countdown calendar.

Can't believe the JOY candle set was bought by my mom
way back when I was in High School.

Past Christmas cards put in frames

Online printables put into frames.

Our Dinning Tablescape

Thanks for stopping by to see some of my Christmas decor. It's inexpensive, plain, and simple. I am getting more into DIYs which I’m finding fun to do. I’m still adding and creating more things along the way. This is part of what makes it all so special to me.


© My Life 0utside The Box 2016-2018. All Rights Reserved. All photos, text, personal videos, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the blog author.