Mother's Day Flowers

With mother's day just around the corner many of us find our selves shopping for flowers for that wonderful woman in our life.  I wanted to share a simple arrangement I did for a recent event that could be quickly recreated for your mother.  I understand most of you don't have access to floral wholesalers, so almost all of these flowers can be found at your local grocery store or florist any day.  The great watering can container was found in the "dollar" section at Target for a great cost of $2.50!  In total this arrangement could be as affordable as $20 and your mother would love that YOU made it for her!

Flowers used: Tulips, Carnations, Lisianthus, Trachelium, and Waxflower

I just finished some fun arrangements today for the some special mother's and here they are! 

Flowers used: Stock flower, Dusty Miller, Tulips, Roses, Astrantia

I hope you have found some inspiration and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! 

{Call Me Country}

Vintage Rhinestone Earrings

Whenever I am thrift shopping for pieces to make my belt buckles I can never resist buying up all the vintage earrings I can find.  Often the earrings come with clip on backs, and I can only wear them like that for so long!  I finally got around to changing the backs and brightening up a pair last week and thought I would share.

First off:  I purchased these earrings at a local thrift store for around $4 a pair.  Most thrift stores have 50% off sales on large holidays, so I try my best to do my shopping then.  

What you will need:  

-Two part epoxy.  This can be purchased at any hardward store.  I love using this product because of its great strength.  I am so hard on my jewelry and don't want to be worried that I might have issues with my glue holding up.  

-Wire cutters

-Pliers

-Stud earring backs found at your local craft store

-Cotton Swabs

-Nail polish.  I have found polish that has a glossy and more transparent coloring tends to work best. 

-Earrings

Lets get started:

As you can see these earrings have clip on backs.  You can remove them simply by cutting with your wire cutters as close as possible to the back of the earring. 

How simple was that?  The backs of both sets are removed. 

If you are wishing to color your earrings simply take a fingernail polish of your choice and carefully paint the stone.  I have gone with a coral pink and aqua colored polish.  

 All finished painting, now let them dry for a few minutes. 

In order to start re-backing the earring cute the ends off of your cotton swaps and mix your two part epoxy according to directions.  Place a small amount of epoxy directly on the back of the earring and apply the stud.  

Allow the glue to dry according to the dry time on the bottle, as they will vary.   

Both pairs are finished.  For the three stone pair of earrings I placed the stud at the opposite side of the earring from where it was originally.  I was unable to remove all of the old back, and felt it would be easier to attach the new stud on the other end's smoother surface.  

Here they are!  I love them and have worn them almost every day since I made them! 

 Painted Vintage Crystal Earrings

I found my backs were slipping slightly due to the weight of the earrings and replaced them with these larger backs.  There is no need to redo the studs just simply purchase these higher quality backs.

Thanks for stopping by and reading! 

{Call Me Country}

Jessica Cattoor Design Belt Buckles

For for a quick post today I would like to share my custom belt buckles.  I am a total freak for rhinestones, especially when they come in the form of a vintage brooch.  Since my daily activities at the barn and outdoors aren't always conducive to jewelry, I decided to design these custom buckles.  A girl can always wear a fabulous belt buckle where ever she goes!  I have quite a few listed on Etsy if you would like to check them out.  Just go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/jessicacattoordesign?ref=ss_profile

Thanks for stopping by! 

{Call Me Country}

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Everyday!

So, obviously other aspects of my life have taken over lately and I have completely neglected my blog.  Well, I am back at it.  I thought my first post should be something to win you all back.  Cookies anyone?

I am the sort of person who cannot pass up a warm chocolate chip cookie, so when my aunt served me these warm cookies I was hooked.  In order to always be able to serve my craving for a warm cookie, I keep a bag of cookie balls in the freezer.  They are so easy to make and each night I can throw a few in the oven and have a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie! Here's how:

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, Everyday!

Recipe:
1 c Butter
1 c Sugar
1 c Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
2 c Flour
2 1/2 c Oats
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
12 oz Mini Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large mixer cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla.

Mix flour, oats, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a separate bowl.  Add to creamed mixture.  When thoroughly mixed, stir in chocolate chips.

Bake for 6 minutes when dough is fresh, not frozen.   If cooking frozen cookie balls bake for around 12 minutes.

Some possible variations:
Add 1.5 c of chopped nuts
Blend oats in a blender to a fine powder, providing for a smoother cookie

To Freeze:

When I am making a batch of these cookies I usually freeze the majority of the dough to enjoy at a later date.  Using an ice cream scoop, create cookie balls.  Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze (this prevents one large mass of cookies stuck together).  Once frozen place in a sealed baggie. Cookies are good for around 1-2 months.

Enjoy!

{Call Me Country}

Nursery Baby Letters

Over the years I have collected a few ribbons from my horse showing and am always looking for a way to repurpose them.  I was recently looking to make some small changes to my daughter's room and came up with this idea.

How To:
Purchase either wood or synthetic letters from your local craft store.  I did a light pink under coat, added an antiquing glaze then finished them off with a soft white.  To attach the ribbons I simply tacked the base of the ribbons to the back of each letter.

I love adding a little equestrian inspiration to everything- horses always make life better!  Hope are you inspired.

{Call Me Country}

Our Daughter's Table

I just wanted to share a quick post of our daughter's table my husband and I made her for Christmas.  We found the plans for the table on Ana White's blog http://ana-white.com/2010/11/clara-table.  This is a great table and is very simple to make.  She also has plans on her site for the chairs.  I highly recommend her site as she has many great ideas.

We decided to paint her table white but I wanted to add a little girly touch to it.  I ended up adding a lace detail on the whole top of the table and it was so simple!  I purchased a few yards of cheap lace fabric at the local fabric store and simply laid it over the table and spray painted it with a contrasting color.  The lace does not need to be precise so there is no need to do anything other than lie the whole sheet over the table.  I did tape the edges of the table to prevent any overspray but I found it was not necessary.

I am in the process of adding many other details to her table and her little play corner!  I will post more pictures as I move along with this project.

{Call Me Country

Grapefruit Salmon with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus

There is nothing that makes me more happy than being able to cook a beautiful, good tasting meal for someone I love.  This is a recipe that is up on my husband's list of favorites so I thought I would share.

This recipe yields 4 servings

Garlic Mashed Potatoes:

8 Baby Red Potatoes

Milk

Garlic and Chive Cream Cheese

Garlic

Salt 

Pepper

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and lightly salt.  Clean potatoes, quarter and place in large pot. Allow to cook until tender (usually around 5-10 min)

Once potatoes are soft drain and mash using a fork or potato masher.   Add about a 1/4 cup of milk, 1/4-1/2 cup garlic and chive cream cheese,  a tablespoon garlic (I use garlic from a jar as I am not always a fan of the stronger flavor of fresh garlic).  Mash all ingredients.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Salmon:

This is the easy part.... I love No Name Original Salmon with this recipe.  Follow directions as listed on box.

Grapefruit Sauce:

2-3 Grapefruits 

2 tbs Butter 

2 tbs All Purpose Flour

Clean and juice 2-3 large grapefruit.   Strain juice and set aside juice in a small bowl. 

In a large sauce pan melt butter on medium and add flour.  Stir continuously until rough thickens being careful not to brown (about 2 min).  Gradually add grapefruit juice, while continuing to stir.  Once all juice is added allow sauce to simmer a few minutes in order to encourage thickening.  Once at desired thickness remove from heat.  

Asparagus:

1 Bunch Asparagus

Rinse asparagus and break off large ends.  I have two different methods I use so I will share both.

Broil:

Lie asparagus out on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Broil for 3 min, turning the asparagus once.  If you are working with large asparagus you might want to increase the time slightly, but making sure the asparagus remains crisp not soggy. 

Boil:

In a large sauce pan boil around 1 inch of water.  Add asparagus and cook until asparagus is bright green (approx. 2 min)

Enjoy!

{Call Me Country}