{Motivational Monday }if you do not hope...

~ Tina

Recipe: Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly

Combine one package of softened (I let it sit out for an hour) cream cheese, and 1/2 jar of either red or green pepper jelly. (I use red jalepeno peper jelly). This is not hot, but delicious served on gourmet crackers.

Seven-layer Bars (also called Magic cookie bars)

These cookies are easy to make. 
Melt 1/2 cup butter in the microwave.
Pour into a 13x9 pan and stir in 1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers.
Pat evenly in pan and then sprinkle, in order, with 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 cup butterscotch chips, 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
Pour one 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minute.
Cool and cut into bars. (These cut more evenly if you wait overnight to cut them).

{Magnets}

 

Origami Owl's Living Lockets are held closed by two small magnets, allowing your important charms to be held tight inside your locket. The magnets allow for easy modification as your story grows and evolves as well as security and piece of mind knowing your locket won't pop open during your busy day! ~ Tina

Chicken, Rice, and Mushrooms

(2) large, boneless-skinless chicken breasts

1/2 C chopped onion

1 T minced garlic ("fresh" in a jar)

black pepper to taste

paprika to taste

1 can low-salt cream of mushroom soup

approx. 3/4 C water



Toss into the crock pot and cook on high for 2.5 hours. Then add:



1 C brown rice

1 1/2 C thawed veggie mix (any kind will do)

Cook for another 35 min or until the rice is tender



I think I need to work on the proportions a bit - there's more chicken here than there is rice & veggie. This dish is feeding myself and my DD(4) for two days, and maybe I'll have a chicken sandwich at work the third day! - Michigan Flybaby

{Embrace Change}One of the best things about Origami Owl Living Lockets?

 

The ability to change out the charms, plates and dangles to make it an entirely new piece of jewelry from day to day!

~ Tina

Died & Gone to Heaven Cake

Is a  very sweet and goes great with a cup of coffee after some turkey and stuff.

For the bottom:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine melted
1 egg
1 yellow cake mix (extra moist works best)

Combine ingredients and press into a cake pan (I use a piece of waxed paper to do this, the mix doesn't stick to it and if you use a big enough piece you can just smush it into place in one shot.)

For the top:
1 ~ 8 oz package of cream cheese softened
2 eggs
1 16 oz (1 lb) box of powdered sugar (yes the whole box)
spread and bottom over pour smooth. until mix added. is all sugar add gradually mixed cheese cream, eggs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until top is golden brown. let cool before serving.

Is also good with chocolate chips mixed into the top and I know someone who uses the same recipe with a chocolate cake mix instead, it is very good that way.

{Gifting Made Easy} for the runner in your life...

Remind her how awesome it was that she completed a 5K with an Origami Owl Locket!
~ Tina

{Grandma} When was the last time you got your grandma a gift like this one?

 
 ~ Tina

Recipe: Flaky Garlic Toasted Spaghetti Cups

3 Pillsbury refrigerated pie dough, thawed

¼ Cup olive oil, for brushing

½ teaspoon garlic salt, Lawry’s

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

½ Cup diced white onion

½ Cup diced red bell pepper

1 lb lean ground beef

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic salt, Lawry’s is what I use

26 oz favorite pasta sauce, homemade or store bought

1 lb whole wheat spaghetti

½ Cup Fresh grated parmesan cheese

12 Fresh basil leaves

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out pie dough rounds to an even thinness. Using a 3 inch wide bowl or cup, press 12 round circles of dough. You may need to roll out remaining dough to make more circles. Lightly brush each side of the dough rounds with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with garlic salt. Press gently into the bottom and sides of 12 muffin tins, that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool on cooling rack.

2. Place oil into a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, sauté onion and bell pepper until slightly softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in beef, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Cook until browned and crumbled. Stir in pasta sauce and reduce heat to low to simmer.

3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

4. To assemble, using tongs, place a small amount of noodles into the bottom of the crusts. Top with a heaping spoonful of pasta sauce. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and basil leaves if desired.

Makes 12 spaghetti cups, you’ll have more spaghetti left over

Tagged Tuesday ~ Finish this sentence...Happiness is....

~ Tina

{Family} Car decals...

 I was driving today and saw three different cars with those little stick figures on the back of their windows. The mom, the dad, the kids and pets... I mean, it's cute and all but wouldn't you love a custom piece of jewelry that tells your story just as well? 
 
~ Tina

Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

1 pound lean hamburger, uncooked

2 tbsp. dried onion

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Green beans

1 small package of Tater Tots

In 13×9 inch pan, spread and press hamburger. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and onion. Pour and spread the soup on top of the hamburger. Drain well the green beans and spread over the mushroom soup. Cover with Tator Tots. Bake 1 hour at 350 degree oven

{Sorority} Gone Greek? Know someone that has?

What a perfect gift to symbolize the bond developed through sisterhood than a sorority locket! Origami Owl carries a full line of Greek letters that can be combined with accent stones and birthstones to make the perfect sorority locket. Message me for more information or visit my site for prices and availability!
 
~ Tina

Surprise an expectant mom

I LOVE newborns! Surprise an expectant mom with a special locket just for her little one! She will love it!!

 ~ Tina

{Bella} It all started with a girl and a dream...

Company founder Isabella started what came to be known as Origami Owl at the age of 14. With big dreams for a new car and a modest budget of $350 in babysitting money plus matching funds from her parents, Bella began creating her own line of custom jewelry. She sold the unique, customizable jewelry to friends and families and soon realized, the dream was about to become reality and then some! Isn't it time you started turning your dreams into reality?



 ~ Tina

origami owl ~ home office

Home offices can be so much fun! Who's up for hanging a big pink heart in the middle of their wall?

Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Capture your summer fun in an Origami Owl Living Locket!

What will your summer story be?

 ~ Tina

10 things mom's can be thankful for...

♥ Tina

{Classy} Everything about this picture says classy to me.

 

 Beautiful picture, beautiful dangle, beautiful locket. All classy!  ~ Tina

OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST

This recipe is so easy and delicious, (if you like sweets for breakfast). It tastes like a giant cinnamon roll!

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) oleo

2 tsp. cinnamon

18 slices Italian or French bread

3 cups milk

6 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup white sugar

2 tsp. vanilla


Melt the brown sugar, oleo, and cinnamon in pan.

Lay some of the bread slices in bottom of a well greased 9x13 pan.

Drizzle part of the butter mixture over the bread, add more bread, repeating to make 3 layers, ending with the drizzle mixture.

Mix the remaining ingredients, and pour over the bread.

Cover with foil, and refrigerate over night.

Bake at 350* for 1 hour covered, then for 15 minutes uncovered.

I found I had to bake a little longer (maybe 15 min. more), but remember, it’s supposed to be moist and not dry looking.  It’s so sweet, you don’t even need to use butter or syrup. And it tastes delicious re-heated or cold, too, if there’s any left for later!!! It smells so good baking, you’ll want to get up early in the morning just to taste it!  Makes about 6 to 8 filling servings.

{Just Run}

 

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." - John Bingham This one's for all of my long distance running friends who have the courage and determination to just keep on going. We could also do 26.2 using numbers and stones for all your hard-core marathoners! Let me know if you'd like me to put one together for you!! 
 ~ Tina

perfect gift wrap

Each Origami Owl locket is shipped in it's own personal fortune cookie style holder. Perfect for unique and interesting gift wrap that doubles as a beautifully secure storage spot...

 To order or get more information, please click on the Origami Owl icon and email your request. Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Theme for the day...{LOVE}

 Every locket tells a story. Who do you love? Who loves you??  

~ Tina

{Motivational Monday} Each day is...

Open the gift that is today and enjoy!  ~ Tina

{Accessorize} Adding dangles to your locket can give...

 
 it a completely different look. Love this combination of great dangles and a beautiful locket!      ~ Tina

{Moms} Are you blessed to have children and be a great mother?

 
children and be a great mother? Or are you blessed to be a child who has a great mother? Or perhaps even both?? Either way, this locket is meant for you! 

~ Tina

{Layers}

 


I love this layered look with dangles on top and a beautiful locket on bottom! For our full selection of dangles, charms, lockets and more please visit link above  ~ Tina

{Dreams}

 Most of the time they are in color but every now and then, they're in black and white...
~ Tina

{Superstar} dreams do come true

We've got the perfect gift for that budding musician, vocalist or stage superstar on your list!  ~ Tina

{Brides} We've talked a bit about great bridesmaid gifts.

 

 This time, it's a great gift for the bride! What a unique way to celebrate such a special day. Gift her "something new" with a gift that will never get old. 

 ~ Tina

{Yoga} namaste

 

I've never been able to master most of the poses but know plenty of friends that have. Despite my lack of skill at poses.  I always feel more centered and relaxed after I try it. How about you?  ~ Tina

Baby it's cold outside...

Baby it's cold outside -------BRR------Hard to get going today it's so cold!! No snow here though is there snow where you are? ~ Tina

A Guy Who... Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot,

who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you.... The one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her ♥ ♥ ♥ Tina

Single Serving Popcorn....

 
Single Serving Popcorn, Perfect portion size, as well! Only $29 and it's great for dips, warming brie, roasting garlic... yummmm.... so happy it's almost FALL(tomorrow)!! Send me a message if you want one or want to know more. Great Gift for Christmas too!

Have you ever had so much laundry to do you don't know where to start :) :)

and I thought saturday was supposed to be your day off  ♥ ♥~ Tina

{Origami Owl} I am so happy to be a part of such a rewarding and amazing company!

We hope that you may want to join us in this journey! You won't regret it and you won't look back!! "Gonna do my dreaming with my eyes wide open!"    ~ Tina

wise words Reese!

 I love to personalize everything!!!!!  ~ Tina

Fashion Friday ---> Rock N Roll

Who's rockin' the Rock-N-Roll look this winter? ~ Tina

Love this DIY project!

Love this DIY project! Once a window shutter now a beautiful aqua blue magazine rack!! Where would you put this??? ~ Tina

charm love

Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Preheat oven to 375

1 pie crust for 9” pie

2 eggs (*Note from Crystal 2 T. Dry Egg Powder + 1/4 C. Water)

1 cup sour Cream

1 cup sugar

4 TBS all purpose flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp salt

3 – 4 cups peeled, chopped and cooked apples (*note from Crystal, it is faster to re-hydrate dried apples. Place 2 1/2 dehydrated apple slices in 3 1/2 C. boiling water and let stand for five minutes, discard excess water )



In a large bowl beat eggs then add sour cream and sugar. Put in 4 TBS flour, vanilla, & salt and mix well. Stir in apples, and then pour into pie shell.



Bake at 375 for 20 minutes

Crumb Topping

3 TBS butter – melted

¼ cup brown sugar

6 TBS all purpose flour

Mean while combine brown sugar, flour, & butter with wire whisk or whisk on mixer until crumbly (should look like small peas)



After 20 minutes cooking take pie out and top with crumb topping, then return to oven and continue cooking for 20 – 25 minutes.



Cool, cover and store leftovers in fridge.

Basic Crepes

4 Eggs (1/4 C. Dehydrated Eggs + 1/2 C. Water)

1 C. Flour (1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour + 1/2 C. All Purpose Flour)

1 C. Milk (3 T. Powdered Milk + 1 C. Water)

2 T. Butter, Melted

2 t. Sugar

1/2 t. Salt

Measure all ingredient into blender (you don’t need to re-constitute your eggs or milk just throw the powder and milk in and let the blender do the work!). Pour scant 1/4 C. batter onto lightly greased 8″ pan. (You’ll know your pan is hot enough when you throw water on the pan and it “dances” around the pan.) Tilt pan to coat bottom evenly with batter. (Basically, move the pan around until the batter is a circle and fills the pan) Cook over medium heat until brown and turn to brown second side.

i carried you

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints is when I carried you."

 To order or get more information, please click on the Origami Owl icon and email your request. Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Old Fashioned Brownies

This recipie for brownies is my son's favorite. He is now 21 but ever since he was small he would ask me to make these anytime his friends came over. They all loved them! To this day, when I see his friends they always mention how much they loved this treat!



They're fast & DELICIOUS. And the great thing about this recipe is that you can dress them up for company by cutting them up like petit fours and putting some white frosting with a cherry, or you might just pour regular chocolate chips after they come out of the oven and spread it around after the chips are melted (cheaper than buying frosting). You can swirl them with cream cheese (mixed with one egg & 1/4 c. sugar) before putting them in the oven and make swirl brownies--quite honestly--they're great!

2 Eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. old stale strong coffee

3/4 stick butter

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup all purpose flour

Melt butter & chocolate chips in the microwave for 1 minute (stir to blend). Meanwhile, in medium size bowl, beat eggs lightly with a a wooden spoon. Stir in sugar, salt, vanilla, & coffee. Add the melted butter and chocolate chips to the mix. Stir in flour until it is all well blended. Do not overbeat! Spread mixture into a greased 8 inch square pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes. Brownies should still be soft and not overdone. Let cool in pan and cut into 12 regular size or 24 small bars.

new momma?

How special is making a locket for a new momma? We {HEART} hearing your journey through your locket! 
~ Tina

{Join Our Team!}

We can't say enough what an opportunity there exists for you to join Origami Owl and our team. Nationwide there are still less than 3,000 Origami Owl Independent Designers. To put that into perspective, there are more than 2,000,000 Mary Kay representatives and more than 58,000 Pampered Chef representatives. This is an amazing company and it's poised for tremendous growth and we want YOU to be a part of that growth. We believe we have the perfect place, as a part of our team, for you to grow, learn and succeed! If you think this opportunity might be for you

 Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

{New Mom}

 Get a gift for that new mom or expecting mother that she'll remember for years to come..
 
 To order or get more information, please click on the Origami Owl icon and email your request. Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

CutOut Cookies

This is the recipe for sugar cookies that my Mom has been making since I was little--and I still think they are the best ever! I truly believe it is the nutmeg in the recipe--it gives it such an interesting taste! For icing, just use your favorite powdered sugar recipe. The other recipe is one my Mom got from a lady at church--they were always a hit at Potlucks!



4 C. sifted all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp nutmeg

3/4 c butter, softened

1 1/4 c sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract



On sheet of waxed paper, sift flour with baking powder, salt & nutmeg, set aside.



In large bowl, beat on high speed the butter, granulated sugar, eggs & vanilla until light & fluffy.



With wooden spoon, stir in 1/2 of flour mixture. Stir in remaining flour mixture, mixing with hands if necessary.



Refrigerate dough, covered, several hours.



Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Divide dough into 4 parts, refrigerate until ready to roll out. Roll out dough, 1/8" thick.



Place cut out cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.



Bake 8 min or until set & lightly browned around the edges.



Let cool, and frost. Makes 3-4 dozen.

{Dreams}

 "Each of us represents a star in heaven. Sometimes we shine with the rest, sometimes we twinkle alone, and sometimes, when we least expect it, we make someone's dreams come true." - Unknown


Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

{Simply Stated}

To order or get more informThanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Corn on the Kob!

To order or get more information, please click on the "contact" and email your request. Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

{Musician}

 

Growing up, there was a path that diverged and I took the path towards dance instead of music. I love dance and enjoyed it throughout my childhood and teenage years but I always kind of wished I could play a fun musical instrument like accoustic guitar. Props to those of you that have taken that path!  Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

{Grandma}

Nana, Mema, Mawmaw, Nana... Our mother's mother. A special woman, like no other. What will you be getting her this holiday season? 
 
 Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

10 things you should not refrigerate.

 

 Certain items are at their prime when stored at room temperature.

Hot Sauce
It can live happily in the pantry for up to three years.

Potatoes
Refrigeration adversely affects their flavor, so store in the pantry in paper bags (plastic bags trap moisture and speed decay). Most varieties should last three weeks.

Bread
The refrigerator dries it out fast. Instead, keep what you’ll eat within four days at room temperature and freeze the rest.

Onions
They like their original mesh bag (or any bag that allows for air circulation) in the pantry. But keep them away from potatoes, which emit moisture and gases that can cause onions to rot.

Batteries
Stash in a drawer at room temperature. Extreme cold (or heat) can diminish performance.

Garlic
It will do well for two months in the pantry. Store loose, so air can move around it.

Tomatoes
They can get mealy in the fridge, so leave them on a counter, out of plastic bags. To speed ripening, store in a paper bag. Once ripe, they’ll last for about three days.

Coffee
The fridge (and the freezer) create condensation, which can affect the flavor of both ground coffee and coffee beans. Coffee fares best in an airtight container in the pantry.

Nail Polish
Keeping it in the fridge can cause it to thicken. Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

Winter Squashes
Varieties such as acorn, butternut, delicata, and spaghetti will last for about a month or more in the pantry

Plates

 Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Origami Owl Party Plan

When you Host an Origami Owl Jewelry Bar with 4 ordering guests you’ll receive one of our NEW SoHo dangles to begin your collection!         But Wait. . . Theres More!

FREE ORIGAMI OWL PRODUCT + DISCOUNTS 

Orders	10% Jewelry Credit		Jewelry Discount
$1,500.00	$150.00	and	30%
$1,000.00	$100.00	and	25%
$750.00	$75.00	and	20%
$500.00	$50.00	and	15%
$250.00	$25.00	and	10%

At your Origami Owl Jewelry Bar you will enjoy rich rewards! Hostesses are showered with free jewelry, discounted shopping sprees and more, all for sharing an evening of fun while creating stylish one of a kind jewelry with you + your friends.
•Hostesses receive 10% of retail sales (for example, a $770 Jewelry bar would earn $77 in Jewelry Credit.) •Hostesses may  not combine discounts with jewelry credits.
•Hostesses must pay applicable taxes on retail value of discounted jewelry, plus shipping.
•Jewelry Discount is valid on up to $100 in retail merchandise of the Hostess’s choosing.•Jewelry Bar totals exclude discounts, tax, shipping and handling.

To order or get more information, please click on the Origami Owl icon and email your request.

Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

Fruit And Cheese Kabobs

• Fruit – I used strawberries, pineapple and red and green grapes

• Cheese cubes – I used colby and cheddar

• Iceberg lettuce

• Bamboo Skewers

Wash and cut up the fruit and then alternate fruit and cheese on each skewer. I initially thought I would leave the head of lettuce whole so the skewers would be secure, but my sweet mother-in-law was extra helpful and washed the lettuce and tore it in pieces. At first I thought it was going to be a total flop, but truly it worked out okay.

I’ve seen kabobs displayed in whole heads of iceberg lettuce on a platter, but since I already planned to use a trifle bowl, a potential fail was averted. Isn’t it pretty?


I love that it looks a little like Spring….which I wish was closer than it is!

wish lockets

 Origami Owl Wish Lockets are a great to keep that dream, that goal, that wish...close to your heart to remind you of your hopes and dreams on a daily basis. They come in Aqua, Peach, Coral and Gray. 

 Thanks for stopping by ~ Tina

{Giveaway}

  

For every order of $31 you will get your name into a drawing for the hostess benefits and one lucky winner will get a free Medium Silver Locket and two charms of their choice!
To order CLICK here starting today until midnight on Dec 28th

 ~ Tina