Pistachio Fruit Salad--Green Stuff

Well, here we are for What We Like (or Don't Like) Wednesdays. The following recipe we LOVE! Hope you enjoy!

Beth posted this recipe for Pistachio Fruit Salad on her blog a while back, and I thought I would share it here. I got it from a coworker (sorry to say I can't remember her name) when I worked at TG&Y on Mobile Highway many years ago (like 1985!). We were having an employee luncheon, and she brought this salad. I am not an adventurous eater and was not going to eat any. It was GREEN! That is, until everyone was raving about how good it was. I'm glad I caved and tried it. It is SO good and has become a family favorite during the holidays. I also make it at other times of the year because it is just so good and healthy for you too. We refer to it as Green Stuff because it is easier to say, and it just plain looks like Green Stuff.

Here is the original recipe!
(I have made some changes and will add those below.)

Pistachio Fruit Salad

2 cups pineapple juice

2 packages instant pistachio pudding (small box)

16 ounces sour cream

8 ounces whipped topping (Cool Whip)

1 large can pineapple chunks (drained)

1 can mandarin oranges (drained)

2 bananas sliced

1 jar cherries, sliced (drained)

Before getting into the recipe instructions, I want to make note of the changes I have made to this recipe (both to make it healthier and easier).

1. First off, I put the cans of pineapple and oranges and the jar of cherries into the fridge to chill them. This helps the salad cool quicker when you refrigerate it at the end.

2. I use the pineapple juice from the cans of pineapple. If there isn't enough to make 2 cups, I top it off with the juice from the mandarin oranges.

3. I use instant sugar-free, fat-free pistachio pudding mix, either Jell-O brand or Royal brand (just comes in sugar-free).

4. I use both light sour cream and light whipped topping.

5. I use pineapple tidbits rather than chunks, and I use 2 cans.

6. I use 4 cans of mandarin oranges (because we LOVE mandarin oranges).

7. I DON"T use bananas. They turn dark, and the salad doesn't look very appetizing after that happens.

8. I use a small jar of cherries because I don't like a lot of cherries. You, of course, can use whatever size you wish.

Now for the instructions!

Pour the pistachio pudding into a bowl and add the pineapple juice. Whisk together until smooth and thickened. It will be a little bumpy because of the pistachio nuts in the pudding. Add the sour cream and whipped topping. Stir until mixed well. Add the fruit (remember to drain off the juice) and mix well. Now your salad is done and ready for the refrigerator. See that was easy, wasn't it?

I also wanted to add that I usually cut the recipe in half. It works out great!

Anyway, here are some pictures of the finished product.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and hope that it becomes a family favorite for you too!

Have a great day!

Denise

We're linking up at:

Made on Mondays - Owl Necklace

I made this awhile back, but wanted to share it on the blog!! I love working with felt! :) 1. It's cheap; 2. It's easy to work with; 3. You can make all kinds of things! :) I had seen some cute charms made from felt on etsy, and lately I've been loving owls so I decided to draw out an owl and whip something up. I stopped by Joann's and grabbed a pack of jump rings and a cheapo chain. haha :) And I already had felt at home, so I came home and started cutting. I ended up using all scraps to make this. When I made felt flower pins at Christmas, I saved all the scraps, even the teeny tiny ones. I need to take pictures of that and add it. :) It's amazing what you can do with even the smallest scrap of something. hehe Everyone thinks I'm crazy for saving stuff like that, but I finally put some of it to good use! YES! :)

Anyways, here is my little owl friend I came up with. I think he turned out pretty cute. Everything is felt, except I hand embroidered the little black feathers on the front and his black eyeballs are just little French knots. Well, ok, they are my version of a French knot because I don't do them correctly, but they work none the less. I was going to use hot glue for this project, but I got some felt glue before Christmas and decided to give it a whirl. I also attached a piece of stiffened felt to the back to help it be a little sturdier. :) All in all I think this necklace cost me about $1 after using coupons at Joann's for the chain and jump rings.

Excuse the crappy pictures, I just took them on my iphone at work, and we don't have the best lighting here. Fluorescents are just plain GROSS for lighting! haha :)

And a close up! :)

One more thing. I attached the stiffened felt to the back of the little owl before I did the embroidery, so all the strings were hanging everywhere looking gross. I should have embroidered, then put the stiffened felt over that. But since I didn't, I just cut a couple scraps and covered up my nasty knots in the back. haha :) So I'd recommend doing it the opposite way I did it. :) If anyone is interested I can post copies of my templates on here that I used. I just free-handed everything and cut them out doubled up so both sides were even!

We're linking up at

Feature Friday!!

Ok so this post is a little late, but we were really busy today! But here goes anyways!! :) This week I had to feature an amazing blogger, Mandi at Vintage Revivals.

Not only does she have a fantastic blog that is FULL of amazing ideas, creations, inspiration, etc.; but she is also currently having an EPIC ROOM MAKEOVER GIVEAWAY!!

The deadline to enter is tomorrow at midnight, so if you'd like to win, you have all day tomorrow to come up with an amazing blog post about why you need Mandi's help doing a makeover on any room at your own house!!

Just give the button below a click and it will take you right to her blog where you can read all the details about this amazing giveaway!!

If you have any questions, check out her FAQs section here!
Now get to blogging people! You could get a room makeover for FREE!!! And Mandi's a pretty cool chick too, so I really wouldn't mind spending some time hanging out with her!
Good Luck! Happy Friday Everyone!!
Beth :)

Cricut Imagine Giveaway

Skip to my Lou is giving away a Cricut Imagine! Here is a link for the giveaway.

This is a great machine (Cricut Imagine Machine), and the projects that could be done with this little wonder are endless. Check out the video here.

If you would like to enter, leave a comment on her page. Share on Twitter and Facebook for additional entries. Good Luck to Everyone!

Have a great day!

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner and Nexxus Pro-Mend Hair Products

Well, better late than never for our What We Like (or Don't Like) Wednesdays. I have been busy today trying to get Google Analytics to work with our Facebook page. Working with the computer is SO time consuming, especially when what you're trying to do isn't working. And Beth isn't feeling well today. She has a head cold (I think) and is feeling just generally yucky. :( She stopped by today to pick up some medicine. Hopefully, the medicine will help her sleep, and she will start feeling better.

I decided to review two different products today. The first being Tide Washing Machine Cleaner (Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, 3 Pouches) which is available at Amazon.

I have a front-load washer and noticed black scum starting to build up around the door and seal. I changed to powder detergent which helped but was hoping for another solution. I got a coupon for Tide Washing Machine Cleaner and thought I would try it. It was still expensive (at least to me) with the coupon (around $7), but I was hoping it would help. I followed the directions and waited for the washing cycle to end. The areas where there was black scum looked better, and the washer smelled really nice. I used the second pack the following week (again following directions) and got the same results. The areas where there was black scum looked better, and again, the washer smelled fresh. I haven't used the third pack but expect the same results when I do. I will update my post if the results vary at all.

So, what do I think of Tide Washing Machine Cleaner? It helped to clear the scum from my washer; however, the black stains caused by the scum are still there. It also made the washer smell really fresh; however, the smell only lasted for about a day. So with this in mind and due to the cost, I would not purchase it again.

My second review is for Nexxus Pro-Mend Hair Care Products.

 The only positive thing I have to say about the shampoo (Nexxus Pro-Mend Shampoo, Split End Treatment, 13.5-Ounce) and conditioner (Nexxus Pro-Mend Conditioner, Split end Binding, 13.5 oz) is they both smell nice. Now the negatives. The shampoo doesn't lather well (you have to use a lot). The conditioner is runny (again, you have to use a lot). I want a conditioner that sticks to your hair and, well, conditions. These products make your hair feel dry (Beth said the same thing). I'm not sure if these products really mend split ends. With my hair feeling so dry, I can't see how that would help split ends, and I really don't think there is a product out there that mends split ends. The only help for that is getting your hair trimmed on a regular basis.

So for my final thoughts, I think you already know at this point that I would not buy Nexxus Pro-Mend Shampoo or Conditioner again.

  Now the Nexxus Pro-Mend Leave-In Treatment Creme  (Nexxus Pro-Mend Leave-in Treatment Crème, 4.8-Ounce) is a very different story.

I LOVE this stuff. I use it on both damp hair and dry hair. I only have to use a little bit, and it makes my hair so soft and manageable. I also flat iron my hair, and I believe it helps protect my hair from the heat. It doesn't really help with frizziness but, honestly, what does in this humidity!

So, would I buy Nexxus Leave-In Treatment Creme again? Well, that would be a "YES!" because I already have.

I hope you enjoyed my reviews and hope they help in your decision as to whether or not to buy these products.

Have a great night!

Denise

Felt Flower Pins with our Scarves

The new flower pins in our etsy shop look SO ADORABLE with our scarves!! Don't y'all think so??

Strawberry Periwinkle Pin with the Carnival Scarf

Periwinkle Pin with the Enchanted Forest Scarf

Berry Cherry Red Pin with the Red, White and Blue Scarf

Ultramarine Pin with the Under the Sea Scarf

We'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on any of our items! And we LOVE new ideas, so please let us know if there is something you'd like to see us make! Have a great day everyone!

Made on Mondays--Locker Hooking!

Well, my first attempt at Locker Hooking was a success (after some redoing and adjusting). I learned a lot and realized how much fun Locker Hooking is.

I got my materials and tools together.

Seen in the picture above are scissors (they were my mom's), locker hook, tapestry needle, locking medium, and rug canvas.

And here is the yarn I used and the fabric cut into 3/4" strips.

I decided a bracelet would be something easy to start with. Here was my inspiration:

I found the picture here at Color Crazy. Color Crazy is owned by Theresa Pulido, and she is the author of hook, loop & lock (the Locker Hooking book we purchased).

Here is my first try. Beth and I decided it was too wide and too big around. I hadn't gotten far, so it wasn't a big deal. I cut all the fabric pieces out and cut the rug canvas to make it smaller (both length and width).

I started again and...

Here is my finished product. I think it turned out rather cute for my first attempt. We still think it is too big around, so I will make the next one smaller.

Be looking for these bracelets and more to show up in our shop.

Have a great day!

Denise

We're linking up at....