Ellie@Home by Nicole Kapise-Perkins

  20 questions for a New Year’s Eve reflection 2014-12-30 05:01 by Tsh A s you end this new year and move on to the next, I hope you take a bit of time to reflect . Post-eggnog, it’s easy to want to speed forward with gusto, packing up the ornaments until next year and juice-cleansing your system from all the holiday indulgence. But ease your foot onto the brake for the next few days, and gift yourself the space and freedom to reflect on the past twelve months. I’m all about starting a new year fresh, making a few goals, finding that one special word, and cleaning out the cobwebs from the corners. But all that stuff is much more meaningful when you look behind you at the bends in your road. Honor the past year by celebrating your joys, mourning your losses, and shaking your head at the wonder of it all. Isn’t it amazing another year has passed? And so the earth goes round and round, with us about to orbit once more. Whether you’re headed to a party or headed to the l...

This is the foundation recipe for the chicken pot pie that I make once a month. I'm not a huge fan, but my husband and sons like it so much that it's a monthly request (sometimes weekly) and I actually have to make 2 of them, or make it in a large casserole dish (buy extra pie crust if you do this) and there still aren't any leftovers. Enjoy! Savory Chicken Pot Pie <img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/gmi-digital-library/ae5f07e7-da29-40e6-9f69-f82effe91cee.jpg" alt="Savory Chicken Pot Pie"/> Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts make a delicious pot pie that’s made using chicken and Green Giant veggies - a cozy dinner. prep time 10 min total time 40 min ingredients 4 servings 4 Ingredients Crust ...

     I've been away, caught up in all the to-do that goes along with the holly-daze, and I've missed being able to pop in and fill people in on the weirdness and loveliness that is my life. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, whatever you observe, filled with fun, laughter, introspection, fulfillment, friends and loved ones. I'll be back later with a simple recipe for a nice, calm, sit-down dinner...something I'll be making tonight after I find my house. I lost it somewhere amid the paper, ninja gear for the five year old, books, resumes and college transcripts. I know it's here somewhere.....      Much love to you and all you hold dear, and I'll be back. I'm looking forward to sharing recipes, books, music, and quiet times with all of you!    <3, Nicole

My short story Endurance is getting mixed reviews at FictionMagazines.com....we'll see if it makes the cut for New Realms Magazine . ( I thought it was a good story, lol). I've decided to take the plunge and investigate self-publishing through Dorrance Publishing ( http://dorrancepublishing.com ). The biggest drawback I can foresee (at present) is the fees. I have no idea what they are going to be, or what the payment process looks like. There's only one way to find out, I suppose. Guy Furpurr is on its way, and we'll see what Dorrance has to say. (Ooo, I'm rhyming again. Time to write some poetry, I guess.) In the meantime, while I wait I'll rampage through my kitchen and make some messes. And cookies. Orange Hazelnut Bars (from the much-missed For Me Magazine ) 2 sticks butter, softened 2/3 c. granulated sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. vanilla 3 c. flour 1 Tbs. grated orange zest 1 c. orange marmalade 1 c. hazelnuts, toasted ...

Nicole,      Thank you for sending us "A Cookie Jar Full of Seashells, and Other Poems".  The staff and I have accepted this piece for FIVE Poetry. Congratulations!      You may spread the word far and wide that you will be published in this issue. We encourage you to promote your issue alongside your fellow authors to generate sales and gain readers. Reach out to a small blog you follow, get them to interview you, and send the interview to bigger blog; post to Twitter, Facebook, and Google+; share with a forum like AbsoluteWrite.com, reddit.com, or wherever you hang out; and email your fans, friends, and family.       Please reply with any comments or questions you may have about the publishing process. Your editor, Doug Editor-in-Chief http://www.fictionmagazines.com OH MY GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've done it!!!!! SQUEE!!!!! (Ahem.) Thank you, readers and friends, for all your support and encouragement. I ...

More DIY gifts, these ones from http://andreasnotebook.com  . Take a look at Andrea's Notebook, and these fun DIY gift tutorials! Kitchen tablet holder Lemon Sugar Scrub Cute little candy box Letter magazine or paperback book holder Fancy cork board Wine cork mini succulent magnets Tile coasters Patchwork pouches Leather tablet cover Commuter Cowl  infinity scarf Gathered case for sunglasses Easy cloth napkins       20 DIY gifts to make her for under $10!

I'm not going to post each one of these...there's 101!! But check out these great ideas that the crew at Hello Natural shared! 101 Homemade Holiday Gifts November 15, 2014 by Daria Patrunjel Not sure where to start your Christmas shopping? Look no further than your own home – you probably have at hand most of the supplies you need to make all sorts of thoughtful homemade holiday gifts. From delicious treats in a jar to jewelry and kid-friendly gifts, we have it pretty much worked out: Food 1.  Winter trail mix by Cafe Johnsonia. A little bit of snacking never hurt anyone, especially when they’re as healthy as these mixed nuts. Perfect for co-workers! 2.  Cranberry marshmallow swirl brownies by Beard and Bonnet. These are not only delicious and Christmas-looking, but also gluten-free! 3.  Caramel apples by Modern Wife Style. If there are kids in the household, they’re gonna want these caramel apples. That’s a fact. 4.  Homemade mulli...

by Brandee James | June 5th, 2014    http://thechicsite.com/2014/06/05/last-minute-fathers-day-gift/       If you’re still on the hunt for a fun idea for Father’s Day, trying whipping up our DIY Shaving Cream for dad. This is an awesome last minute Father’s Day gift that is so easy to make all the kids can help! The Shea butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil are great skin softeners to prep the skin for a close shave, and the bergamot essential oil leaves a clean, fresh scent. If you have a little extra time to spare, pair it with a fancy customized shave set like one of my favorites from  Art of Shaving . ~Brandee DIY Shaving Cream For Dad  Ingredients  1 cup Shea Butter 1/2 cup Coconut Oil 1/2 teaspoon Jojoba Oil 25 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil Instructions First, soften Shea Butter (it is very hard in natural form) Add Shea Butter and Coconut Oil to large mixing bowl. Add Jojoba and Be...

     How many of you keep a journal? I am on my eleventh volume, if you want to call it that. The other ten are a variety of styles, from whimsical blank books picked up at Target to large 11x14 artists' sketch books. What do you write about? (That's a rhetorical question, I'm not trying to be nosy.) Are you satisfied with what you write? I'm not. That sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? It's a journal . In any bookstore or library we find piles of journals written by people whose innermost thoughts turned out to be something that our world needed to hear. Their words are moving, appalling, thought-provoking, enchanting, horrifying. My journals, as much as I wish they were of such caliber are more of a daily brain-dump. I complain about housework, finances, my husband, my children and my cat. I write tarot card readings, dinner menus, half-formed poem ideas, first lines of stories that I might try to write sooner or later. When I read older volumes, I can't help ...

   Which in my reality includes my husband, my seventeen year old son, my fifteen year old daughter, my five year old son, my nineteen year old stepson, my dad, my father, my mother's husband (yes, those are three separate entities...don't ask) and my best friend. My father in law, brothers in law,  and both of my husband's grandfathers are probably on that list as well. I think I'd better buy stock in bacon. This comes from the very kool new-to-me blog, Snixy Kitchen. Thanks Sarah! http://www.snixykitchen.com/2014/04/13/diy-bacon-gifts-bacon-jam-bacon-salt-and-bacon-candy/ Print Bacon Jam Author:  Sarah Menanix (Slightly adapted from Martha Stewart ) Yields:  12 ounces. Fills one 8-ounce jam jar and one 4-ounce jam jar.   Ingredients ¾ pounds sliced bacon 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup packed dark-brown sugar 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup Scant ½ cup brew...

     If like everyone else I know, your holiday budget is looking a little lackluster, may I suggest homemade gifts this holiday season? Here's the first of a number of shares I'll post, as now is the time you're going to want to start making gifts. (Really, if you're smarter than me, you've already begun.) First up: Homemade Herb and Spice Glycerin Soaps from Hello Natural ( http://hellonatural.co/diy-herb-spice-homemade-glycerin-soap/  ) DIY: Herb + Spice Homemade Glycerin Soap for the Holidays November 13, 2014 by Lindsey Johnson 1 Comment My favorite gifts to receive are those made by hand, and they are also my favorite to give to others. Pretty homemade soap is the perfect little gift to give to a friend, co-worker or anyone, really. They look stunning in a soap dish by the side of the bathroom sink or stored in a decorative jar on a shelf. If you’ve ever wanted to try homemade glycerin soap, take note! It’s easier than you ever imag...

As I've been working on a nonfiction book I've named for her, my much-missed grandmother has been on my mind quite a bit lately. While taking a break from writing and editing, I made a mug of tea (how apropos) and read some poetry from a new treasure picked up from my library's semi-annual book sale. Here, Autumn Leaves by Janie Screven Heyward found in The Home Book of Modern Verse:                                                      Autumn Leaves                                        The dear old ladies whose cheeks are pink  ...

     As promised, a review of one of the recipes from Laurie David's The Family Cooks. Tonight's dinner was her Saucy Eggs: eggs poached in tomato sauce. Not bad, all things considered. Both teenagers liked it enough to clear their plates and ask for the recipe in their cookbooks, and my husband gave it two thumbs up. I don't think it needed quite four cups of tomato sauce, and when I make it again I'll probably add some veggies like zucchini and mushrooms to the sauce before dropping the eggs in.      Anyway, here's the recipe for those of you who might want to give it a go: Olive oil, for the pan 1 medium onion, chopped 3 cloves of garlic diced 4 cups of your favorite tomato sauce 6 eggs garlic bread Salt and pepper Shredded mozzarella cheese 1. Heat up a  medium skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle in enough oil to cover the bottom; once the oil is hot, add onions and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragr...

 from Once a Month Meals! I've only shown 30 here, because the other 71 are lunches, side dishes, breakfasts and desserts. I've included the link: http://onceamonthmeals.com/101-fall-freezer-meals/  so you can go check out the rest of the posts, and maybe follow the links for 101 Spring Freezer Meals or 101 Summer Freezer Meals! Dinners Paprika Chicken & Rice Bake ** Slow Cooker Carnitas + Pork & Apples (GFDF)  ** Apple Pie Pork Chops  + ** Vegan Spinach Meatballs Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Cream Sauce Pumpkin Black Bean Tamale Bake ** Butternut Squash Lasagna ** Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash ** Beef and Butternut Squash Stew  (GFDF)** + Chicken, Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash ** + Thai Curry with Beef Brisket ** + Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers ** Sweet Potato Chicken Casserole  (GFDF)** Slow Cooker Rosemary Pot Roast Sweet Potato and Ham Burgers ** Sweet Potato Chili ** + Mexican Pork and Sweet Potato...