Let me see, me

I pray God lets me see.
From the warrior, to the war in her.
At battle with the passion for her own desires and of her family.

Friends,
Family, everywhere in between.
Inside out.
Out of place, drives her a little over.
Over, to another lesson.
In love with the life she is living.
She is a tightrope walker.
Balancing, the weight.
Shoulders tight, nose runny.
Illness is an ugly world.
Much like hate and loathing.
Fund to say, that is all...
That my life is all. May I see myself.
In you, through you, to you.
Balance that.
Grace, Love, Power.

Power of the one.
One who, is me.
I am, self.
I am determined to live.
For my desires are yours.
My passion, be you.
Or as close as I can be.
At the hem of your garment.
Sew with love. Create with honor.
Make the life I live be.
Meaningfully showing life with grace.
To be me.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Blackbean Hummus

When I get stressed out I try to keep breathing and be productive instead of wallowing in my own self pity. Lately my patience has been running on fumes and I have been struggling in the muck. Fighting my urge to just sit on the couch and get to sucked into whatever is on the screen, I made dip.
A hummus to be exact. I think it turned out really well and my son and I have been eating on it the last few days. It is officially kid test and mother approved.

To make this dip you will need...

1 C Black Beans (Canned is fine just drain and rinse)
1 C Chickpeas / Garbanzo Beans(Canned is fine just drain and rinse)
3 Cloves garlic
1 T Tahini (Recipe at bottom)
1/3 C Olive oil
1 Dried pepper minced or 1 T of red pepper flake (yours choice of heat)
Salt to taste ( I used about 1 teaspoon)


Once you have drained and rise beans, puree in food processor / blender with 1/2 of the oil. Once smooth add Tahini, pulse a few times then add remaining ingredients. Puree once more until everything is incorporated then serve with pita chips or veggies.

Tahini
1 C Sesame Seeds
1/4 - 1/3 C Olive oil

Toast sesame seeds until light brown. Add olive oil and puree until smooth.

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Rules and regulations

This post is going to be a rant, if you don't want to read it I suggest you stop now. 

For those of you that don't mind here is what is going on in my life right now. My husband and I have been approved for a VA Loan, we have looked at over 30 houses and have been beat out by other offers three times now. We have found a house we love and it needs a lot of work. However we are completely willing to do all the work and are ready to pay full asking price and accept this house as-is. Due to restrictions from the approval process during VA appraisal it will never pass the inspection.

I am beyond frustrated right now. I understand that the VA is trying to do a service for our military families  to provide safe housing but I would think if you are knowingly willing to complete any unfinished work or repair you know what your getting into. 

I am trying very hard to look at this as a sign from God that this is not the right house for us. But the way the housing market is going and how fast "move in ready" houses are going, we are going to end up paying a lot more then we want. With that said, we are continuing to look at more houses today.  I pray that I will go into each house with a clear and level head and move on from the ones we will never get. I pray for confidence on our decisions and peace when we find the one god has in his will for us.

Aside from trying to find our new home, my husband is working three hours away during the week (at least he is working) and my son is going through some pretty wicked tantrums right now. I am not sure if my patience has ever been tested so much at once.

~Kristen

Earth Day Up-cycled Decor

I love home decor items that make a dull boring space seem more warm and inviting.So with that need in mind, and also my love for all things recycled and re-purposed, I have decided to liven up my bathroom. Not the most glamorous of places but hey, it needs some character!

Anyone who knows me can clearly see I have a obsession/problem with recycling. Not in a bad way, but I am sure my husband gets really annoyed with be always telling him, "uh... hun, that can be recycled". I just have a strong urge to do the best with what we have got and that means no excuses for disposal. If we can't use it, give it to someone or a place that can.

You will need:
Old Vase that you would otherwise get rid of
Rope or twine
Hot glue and glue gun
Ribbon or embellishments as wanted

Make sure your vase or container is clean and ready for your glue. You will be only putting it on the outside, so your vase will still be usable for flowers or what ever you would like to put in it. I just left mine empty but I may add something more at a later time.

You will need enough rope or twine to go around your container from top to bottom.

I started with one end laying glue down on the vase then pressing the rope into the glue all the way around. Once you have gotten back to the start, guide your rope just below the first round and start your second round. Continue this process all the way to the bottom of the vase.

***I found that using one piece and spiraling down the 

vase works better than cutting each round.***

Once you have gotten to the bottom of the vase you can overlap the bottom ring and tuck the tail under the row above to conceal the end.

You do not need to put glue the entire way around each ring. Just enough to hold in place. I also found that as you are gluing and wrapping the rope, press the rope up against the ring above to make a tight wrap.

If you need  a place to get rid of your old stuff but don't want to throw it away consider donating it to a second hand store, charity or use an online service to help you find a new home like Freecycle.

Let me know what Earth Day inspired projects you come up with or if there is anything you would like me to try. Happy crafting!

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Father's Day Treats

This year for father's day my son and I are making his favorite cookie (Shortbread) with a little piece of us in it. The shortbread is a family recipe, raspberry jam made fresh last June and my son's hand print.

To make your own, make up a batch of a cookies that can be rolled out like a sugar cookie. Roll a ball of dough about golf ball sized then gently smash almost flat. Press child's hand down to leave imprint then fill with jam. Bake as directed in recipe. Finished cookie will be about 3-4" in diameter.

 ***Jam will be very hot when it first comes out so let cool before eating***

Size of dough ball may need to be altered depending on child's hand size. Try it out this Father's day!


Here is a link to a couple cookies I have made that will work for this project:
Mmm...cookies!

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Bison Tacos

I am always trying to make new foods for my family. I came across some ground bison recently at the grocery store. We have had it before but it is not usually on the forefront of my mind when shopping. I like bison for its great taste and low fat content.This recipe was never really intended for a blog but it turned out pretty darn good so my husband encouraged me to write a little something about it.

Bison Tacos
1lb Ground bison
1-2 Large Sweet potato
1 1/2 C Quinoa
1 C Water
3 Cloves Garlic
1/4 C Green onion (optional)
3 T Coconut Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Rinse quinoa, Add to pot bring to boil on med/high heat with the water. Cover with lid a reduce heat to low for 15-20 mins or until tender.

Peel and dice sweet potato then steam until tender. (About 8 mins)

In large pan brown bison with garlic and fresh ground pepper and salt. Drain any fat then add sweet potatoes, oil, quinoa and onion.

Fold together and serve on warm tortillas. Garnish with additional green onion if desired. 

Serves four adults.(Three small tortillas is about one serving depending on how full you fill each one.)

Try bison out and let me know how you like it. If you have any ideas for using bison please share here. I hope you enjoy!

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris

Frozen Almond Butter Bananas

I have heard similar recipes are floating around on the internet... so here is my version to add to the bunch. This treat is great for anyone that wants a cold alternative to ice cream. Vegan, no sugar, no fillers just deliciousness!

Frozen Almond Butter Bananas

3  Medium Bananas

2 T Almond butter (I used fresh ground, no salt added)

1/4 C Coconut or rice milk

Peel and freeze bananas until solid. Once frozen through, place in food processor / blender. Add almond butter a milk a little at a time. Puree until smooth. Serve immediately. It will get a little soupy if not consumed right away.

You can also other flavors to suit you needs. My husband suggested a chocolate hazelnut spread. I have to admit...it did make dangerously delicious!

~Connect with me ~ 

Web site: Chee Chee and Company

Facebook : Chee Chee and Company

Youtube : HandmadebyKristen

Twitter: Handmadebykris