DIY: W is for Wittkop

Finally finished my jute 'W.' This idea came from Pinterest & Crystal Cattle's blog. I loved the idea of twine & burlap flowers!
It is super easy to make, it just takes time wrapping the twine. All you need is jute twine, a styrofoam letter, burlap, & a hot glue gun. You can find pre cut letters at shindigz.com for a great price. I found a huge roll of twine at burlapfabric.com. This site is my go to burlap shopping source for my wedding decorations. They are excellent priced & everything has arrived in a timely manner.
Since 'W' has ends on it unlike a 'D' or 'O' I had to wrap in a couple different steps to cover the ends. First, I cut pieces that would go over & have a little extra room to be glued on the sides. It also gave the letter a little more of a blocky look that I like. Once the ends were covered I started at the top wrapping around the ended making sure to get it tight & covered. Then I wrapped down the line. The creases also took a little more time because I would wrap, cut, & alternate sides so it would give a weaving pattern. Note: you have to pull it pretty tight to squeeze the twine in to cover the styrofoam without giving it a boldgy look. When wrapping I used quite a bit of glue in the back & on the edges, which my fingers felt the wrath of hot glue most the time.
You may notice as your wrapping it will may curve. When it would start this I would cut a piece with tapered edges & glued it in to fill the space & continued wrapping so the lines would be straight.
Once the 'W' was completely wrapped I made my first burlap flowers! They're supper easy...as long as you don't accidentally drop one with a bulldog roaming the house. I had a red flower causality. Then I made sure to get those puppies glued on & wallah!
Now I have my first wedding decoration & after the wedding I plan on hanging it in the house.

Greek Pot Zucchini

Nope not all together...
...Greek in the yogurt for the chicken, Pot of the crock pork chops, & zucchini flavored boats!

I've been on a new recipe kick this week, which also helps out the 'By 12/31/13' list.

The first night was salad, zucchini boats, & Melt in your Mouth Chicken. Of coarse I got the ideas from Pinterest but the Zucchini boats originally came from Proud Italian Cook blog. & the Melt in you Mouth Chicken came from Food.com. I re-posted their recipes in my De-lish Dishes page because they are both ones that I plan on visiting again!

Another new dinner I tried was 3 ingredient crock pot pork chops. I first heard about this idea from Lori but I have also seen it's caught onto the Pinterest world as well. It is super easy!
All you need is:
- Pork chops
- Can of Cream of Mushroom (could use any 'cream of' soup)
- Packet of Ranch seasoning
Toss it the crock pot for the day, and by 6 add a veggie to the plate and whalla! yummy tender pork!

I think Paul is loving me & this 'cooking Alicia' character....

..... haha we'll see how long it lasts :)

Naked, No Roads & Eggy

For those of you who haven't heard already... I'M FREE!!! (oh shit, better cross my fingers so it lasts). On Thursday, April 5th, 2012, my liver tubes were taken out. They said everything was flowing fabulously so there was no need to keep them in. I was pretty out of it, I just remember crying... I believe out of happiness & a little worry some (because my luck hasn't had been too great). I just have to have faith in my KU team & continue with my blood work. Then at the end of the month I will find out at my follow-up how everything is really coming along.

On Friday, Paul & I started our 'Date Night' events. I made a 'Date Jar' with all kinds of day, noon, evening activity ideas in it. I pulled ideas from Pinterest, blogs, & Googling, then twice a month we'll shake it up & do what that little paper says. This way we don't end up in that dinner & movie rut (which I will always love). Anyways, this last Friday's date was the drive in movie theater. Drive in's are far & few between. I had been to one in Sterling, CO & this was Paul's very first experience so luckily I found one in KC, Boulevard Drive In. This weekend was their opening fan weekend, if you had the coupon your carload was free. They were also debuting their new sound & digital systems - which are supposed to be the best out there in the drive-in world. The movie menu included Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Arch & Back to the Future. Two very awesome movies & especially to see on the big screen. They even had a couple Delorians their for people to check out while waiting for the sun to go down. Another treat we enjoyed were funnel cakes, yep they had someone one there frying up those delicious powder sugar covered desserts! YUMM! In the end, we finally were back home by 2am-ish & it was well worth it.

If you have any date ideas or would like to share your awesome time, please do! 

Or look up your nearest drive in & take your own trip back in time....

"Where we're going, we don't need roads."

Lastly, Easter Sunday. Paul & I headed West to my good friend Lori's house. Her family was very welcoming, & I thank them very much for the invite & great food. Not to mention the good stories by 'grandma' & 'grandpa' & the nail biting Taboo game.... WE WON! hahaha. The fresh air fishing was also nice, I enjoyed my catch of moss almost as much as Lori's trophy fish.

New Restaurant #2

KC Smoke Burgers

1610 West 39th St.

Kansas City, MO 64111

March 22nd, after leaving KU Medical hospital, Paul & I followed another restaurant recommendation... KC SMOKE BURGERS. Their location was great, in an area by other little shops, restaurants, business' & down the road from KU Med. When entering, you can either sit-down order or walk up to the counter for to-gos. After reading their menu I was over whelmed with all the burger options. They also had other choices, gyros, salads, and challenges. Paul is normally not one to turn down a challenge, but he decided with the hour drive home wouldn't be good with a meat coma that usually follows the scarfing.
This picture shows the list of challenge options:

Paul & I both ordered burgers, well I wanted an gyro, but thought since this is a burger joint better go with what they know. So, I got the lamb/beef gyro burger! Amazing & HUGE!!!

The burgers came out on their own little grill thingy & branded, I love these little unique touches!

 

If you're ever in this area & craving some good ole smokey, grilled, meat, we recommend this little joint! 

Depending on the day you're there, they also have great daily specials!

Bucket 'O Food

While Paul & I were price checking food & paper goods at Sam's we stumbled accross this:

Yes, a single persons emergency 30 day supply of food!!!

This is the first time we had seen this, have any of you seen something like this before? It gave us a good chuckle & of coarse a picture had to be taken!