Pepper-Crusted Grilled Flank Steak

I opened up my inbox a few days ago to find this gem of a recipe. My honey hardly gets red meat, so, I figured this would be a special treat. He deserves it :) I tweaked my portion to be veggie friendly.

Fitness Magazine Pepper-Crusted Grilled Flank Steak

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
Salt
Coarsely ground black pepper
1 flank steak (about 1 1/4 pounds) ***I used Morning Star Chik-n-Strips for veggie friendly option***
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 

1/2 cup light mayonnaise ***Cheated and used what I had on hand Best Foods***
1 cup packed fresh baby spinach leaves ***Added a bit more, <3 spinach***
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
Mist the chopped sweet potatoes with cooking spray, season to taste with salt and black pepper and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown and tender. 
Set a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the steak with the oil and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add steak to pan; cook 5 minutes per side for medium. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

In a food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise, spinach, mustard and garlic powder. Process until smooth.
Serve steak slices with spinach mayonnaise and roasted sweet potatoes.

Spray

Out of the oven... YUM

Doesn't look very good to start out

Omnivore's version

Veggie Version

Sunny Feelings Reign Supreme on Etsy

Check out today's favorite finds...

Sunny Feelings Reign Supreme

Sometimes, Messy is a Good Thing

My very favorite vegetarian sandwich is a perfect example of messy as GOOD!!!

Prior to becoming a vegetarian, BLTs were my favorite. This is my answer to missing BLTs.

The FGTC

4 microwaved slices of Morning Star Farms Bacon Strips (affectionately called Facon in my house)
1- 100 calorie package of Wholly Guacamole
2 sliced Campari tomatoes (or your favorite)
Sliced Tillamook Sharp Cheddar
Pile it all on top of your favorite toast

Enjoy!



Sweater Redoux

No, I am not out of my mind... Well, maybe just a bit. Considering the hundred plus temperature reading. Alas, a girl can dream of cooler weather. Which is why I decided to alter a favorite sweater that I have never worn because it was a tad frumpy. Now, it's perfect and I thought I would share so you too can have a fitted sweater in about 20 minutes. Faster even, if you have a mannequin.

Let's begin!





Step One (photo right)
Lay your most true to form tank top or shirt over your sweater (inside out)

Step Two
Pin your shape around the shirt allowing a half inch of extra space along both sides.


Step Three
Try the sweater on, leaving it inside out. Adjust the pins as needed.







Step Four
Use a straight stitch to sew along the line of you pins.

Step Five
Remove pins and cut along the side of your straight stitch leaving a 1/4" of fabric.


Step Six
Zig zag or serge edge to prevent fraying.

TAaaaDAaaaa!!! Flattering sweater... to rival the Sweater Girls. Just stay away from the "Bullet Bra"... ;)

Heads will be rolling...

To the craft shows. Teehee! I am so excited to have found these lovlies @ the local Savers Thrift Store for $1.99/each. I can't wait to use them as craft show props. They definitely make for a better headband presentation than lying the bands shapelessly on the table.

Girly girls can be heros, too.

Here are some photos of the recently completed "Girl's" version of the super hero cape. Personally, I think the darker version is unisex, but I know a few girly girls who love pink and purple. This is for them :)

Super Kids!

Pattern

Work Room

Finished Product

My nephew mentioned that he wanted a super hero cape for his birthday. So, after much research. I decided to make a pattern using ideas from various sources. I think it turned out pretty cute. They will definitely be making an appearance at my upcoming craft booth and my Etsy shop :) I also have a purple and pink version in the works for a special little birthday girl.

click this link to enter to win some amazing prizes from Audrey's Country Crafts... Including this cape :)

Kitchen Mini-Make Over

I finally finished the kitchen drapes! I am very happy with the results. Now, to refinish the cabinets :)
The floral fabric is vintage and it perfectly marries all the colors in our home... even if it is a Little House on the Prairie-ish (I like to think it is Anthropology inspired)... I love to mix modern and woodsy items, especially with fall tones.

Doggie Bed

Luke and Cheeky, my Shiba Inu and Rat Terrier needed new sleep mats for the bedroom. We booted them from the sofa after months of not being able to have humans sit on the sofa, due to a matting of dog hair. Unacceptable :( I love having them on the sofa, but it is not fun avoiding having people over because the pups have taken over the seating. SO.... I made them using a simple box pillow design with a tuck in flap to remove the cushion for easy washing.  They seem to like it, although perhaps not as much as the sofa.

Baby Bib and Blankie

My girlfriend was having a Baby Shower this past weekend. In order to keep true to my goal of all handmade gifts this year I crafted a couple of reversible bibs and blankies using the pattern in my indispensable One Yard Wonders book.  They are a bit formal for baby items, but I thought they would be sweet for a night out with Mommy and Daddy. I definitely plan on making some more in some more practical prints.