Best Taco Soup Recipe

Fall is here and I've been wanting soup everyday. 

(And cider, and donuts, and carmel apples, and all things healthy!)

Here is one of my absolute favorite soups...

No, seriously, this stuff is SO good! Try it.

Best Taco Soup Ever

Ingredients:

  Soup:   

   1 lb. Ground Beef 

   1 24 oz jar Tomato Sauce (I like to use Prego Traditional Sauce)

   2 16 oz cans Diced Tomatoes

   2 16 oz cans Chili Beans

   3 cups Water

   1 pkg Taco Seasoning

   Minced Onion (opt.)

  Toppings: Fritos Corn Chips

                   Shredded Cheddar

                   Avocado 

                   Shredded Lettuce

                   Greek Yogurt 

Directions:

  Brown the beef, adding minced onion if desired.  Drain beef. Combine all soup ingredients in a large pot. Cover and simmer over low-med heat for 1-2 hours, stirring frequently. Serve hot with all choices of toppings. Enjoy!

I love to mix in a little of each of the toppings. The crunch of the chips and the lettuce, the creaminess of the cheese and yogurt, and the flavor of the avocado all combined with this flavorful soup has you going straight back for more! :)

Have a good weekend!

-Sylvie

Ironing Paper

I've never tried ironing paper before, and I am no professional,

but I'll share my experience with ya'll anyway! :)

I got this old map in a tube/ roll, and the edges

 wanted to curl in when I hung it on the wall...

So ironed it out, and it lays nicely against the wall now!

 I first tried ironing it with a (steam off) med heat iron with a piece

 of cotton protecting it, but I didn't have much luck...

 So I cranked the iron up to high heat, and removed the layer of cotton.

 I pressed it twice, and I am happy with the results! :)

I have it hanging in the hallway next to my new letter!

Thanks for reading! :) 

-Sylv

Paint A Letter In Your Hallway...

So I painted a Z at the end of my hallway...

It wasn't one of my brightest moments... Can you see why?

It is backwards. Oops! But I still love it! 

Here is my hallway before I brought in the paint:

 It was so simple, I just taped...

 used this charcoal color paint and a brush:

 ...painted in between the lines; two coats...

Touched up the edges with an angled brush...

 And stood back and said OOPS! That's backwards! :)

I could have mirrored the images just for this post, 

but I'd rather be real than pretend it is all perfect over here! :) 

This photo was my inspiration...

source

What do you think? 

Should I repaint over it and turn it around,

or do you think it is fine as is? 

What would you do?

-Sylvie

Linked to:

Patch A Hole In Leggings: A Photo Tutorial

All the little Liv's are forever making holes in their clothes playing rough!

Here is a quick money saving project for you! :)

You could make the patch a heart, oval, or star shape, that'd be cute too!

Enjoy fixing up those clothes! 

-Sylvie

P.S. I showed these to Mr. Liv... "I thought you hate hearts!" he said.

Weeeell... I did. Like when we moved into our home, the first change I made was

 to rip down the shutters that had heart cutouts on them... 

And the bathroom was decked out in wood heart cutouts- those came down too. 

Buuuut... I like hearts again... just not wood heart cutouts! ;)

Poor Mr. Liv, he'll never know what I like! :)

Easy Biscuit Pockets Recipe

I like to make these easy sandwiches for lunch on Saturday, when Mr. Liv is busy working in the yard or the shop.

 I love that they are super easy and to make, and they are a warm meal!

I like them as they are, the little Livs like to dip them in ketchup...

Biscuit Pockets

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury Homestyle Biscuits

8 slices deli ham

1-2 cups shredded cheddar

Mayonaise

Mustard

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Remove biscuits from can and press flat between your hands.

Smear a little mayo and mustard onto the middle of flat biscuit.

Add a piece of ham and a bit of shredded cheddar to the middle of the biscuit.

Fold the dough in half over the ham and cheddar, and press the seams closed with a fork.

Poke air vent holes in top of pocket with fork.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. 

Bake 15-20 min, or until golden brown and crispy outsides.

Serve warm. Enjoy! :)

P.S. If you be sure to seal up the seams well, the pockets shouldn't leak cheese as mine did! (I was in a hurry that day)  

-Sylvie

Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Want to make a can of tomato soup more fun?

I like tomato soup, but I  LOVE it like this...

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

1 can Campbell's tomato soup

1 can full (equal parts to soup) of milk

1 cup shredded cheddar

1 tsp dried basil flakes

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients in a small pan over medium heat.

Stir constantly until soup is heated and cheddar is melted.

Serve with crackers, grilled sandwiches, or alone.

Enjoy!

-Sylvie 

Freezer Paper Stencil Aviator Shirt Tutorial

Did you know that you can easily make perfect designs on fabric using freezer paper? Yep, the kitchen kind used to wrap meat, sandwiches, etc!

Here what you will need:

Freezer Paper (Can be found in Grocery Stores or amazon.com)

Xacto Knife

Cutting Mat (or old magazine)

Fabric Paint (I got mine here)

Paint Sponge Brush

Iron & Ironing Board

Here is how it' s done:

First draw The design you want to use onto the paper,

 and then cut out using Xacto blade and cutting mat.

 Using a hot iron with the STEAM OFF,

 press the stencil onto the fabric, waxy/ shiny side DOWN.

Continue to press until all edges of the paper 

are securely attached to the fabric. 

 Then, using fabric paint and sponge brush, paint in the stencil.

 Use an up and down motion for best results.

 Allow paint to dry, and carefully peel away to paper.

In places of small detail, use your knife to help peel the paper away.
Press the painted stencil with a cool iron to help it bond.

You can reuse your paper as long as it holds up! :)

Have fun! 

Sylvie

Linked to:

XL Shirt To Girl's Dress

My favorite projects are the ones the cost next to nothing! 

I got this shirt for $.20 at the thrift store!

The steps I followed where similar to this tutorial I did last spring. 

It was a super fast and easy project, and I am pleased with the results!

I love when I can use existing necklines, it makes it go way faster!

 I used extra fabric off the bottom of the shirt to make ruffles for the bottom.

 Always remember to sew right sides together! :)

 Isn't it fun! And $.20!!! I feel so accomplished. ;)

I also used most of the same steps when recycling this sweater.

Have a good week! :)

Sylvie

Thank you all for your votes in the kitchen giveaway! 
Although I did not make it to the top ten, I still appreciate all of your votes!
The good news for you guys is, now you will see my kitchen transform in a much more economical way, rather than being funded (when it ever gets done that is!)! ;)

Upcycled Mom's Shrunk Sweater To Child's Sweater

My entry into Shwin&Shwin's Link Party  sponsored by Appliances Online.

I picked up a nice cotton sweater for myself at a thrift store...

And then I shrunk it in the dryer. :(

So I turned it into a child's size sweater instead! Problem solved!

I forgot to take pics, so I'll show you how with drawings.

Drawing is not my strong point, don't judge! ;)

First using another child's sweater as a pattern, I cut the pieces:

Then, I opened up the pieces and pinned the sleeves to the body.

Right sides facing.

 This is the only point I remembered to snap a pic. Don't ask why!

 Then fold the sweater right sides in, into a sweater shape, pin, and sew:

Turn the sweater right side out. Sew the cuff pieces into a loop

the same size as the sweater bottom. Pin the right side of the cuff

against the right side of the sweater, with the raw cut ends together. Sew along the pins:

Trim your excess seams and threads, iron seams, and you are finished! :)

This is an easy recycling project for any adult clothes 

that the neck is small enough for a child!

Have fun! 

-Sylvie