Eazy Cheezy Potato soup...cuz I don't cook

Alright, so I will admit it...I hate cooking.  There are only a handful of things I can throw out on the table...most of them...meals that qualify under the "30 minute" title.  I'm no Martha Stuart or Rachel RAy....but I am Crystal.  And one thing my Momma did teach me was how to cook on a budget that pleases everyone!  Did I mention that I really don't like cooking?  My husband usually stands behind me and critiques my cooking,  because he is an excellent cook when it comes to meat and anything that comes from the wild.  But what about those nights he's at work and you got some hungry kids that just want to eat now?   Not to mention all the neighbor kids too.  I don't have time to take 3 hours to cook!

So tonight I threw together my EAsy Cheezy Potato soup.  My Gramma used to make it, and so did my Mom.  I'm sure as time has gone on...each one of us tweaked it to our desires and time schedules.  So I'm just going to share with you my recipe on my time schedule.  Normally I'm typing about Junking and furniture make overs, but I felt I should share this...cuz I know there are other crazy junkers out there that spend more time creating and less time cooking...so here it goes.

After I spent an hour counting quarters, dimes and nickels from my change box...I headed to the super market.  I even had the money counted out and organized and labeled on each ziploc bag.  quarters in one, nickels in one, dimes in one...and so on.  LOL (that's why my friends compare me to Monica on the old show Friends)  So inspired by the guy that paid his mortgage off with Pennies...I will be that person next.  There are so many if you think about it!  When I checked out, I paid the check out lady with each ziploc bag labeled.  No I was not embarrased...I made it a joke...and had the line behind me applauding..so don't ever be embarrassed about things like that.  I think it's something to take great Pride in!

First on your grocery list you need:

Bag of Potatos

Some kind of Velveeta or off brand cheeze melt

MILK

BUTTER

ONION POWDER

GARLIC POWDER OR MINCED GARLIC

COOKED HAM

WINE/TEQUILA/BEER/ OR ANY BEVERAGE OF YOUR CHOICE

SALT

PEPPER

SHREDDED CHEESE

PARSELY (fresh or flakes from the seasoning isle)

Step by step..which this blog is probley longer than it really takes to cook

The first thing you need to do is wash and clean your potatos.

Once you wash the potatos, you need to peel them.  I like to lay out some paper towels to peel over.

Once you peel your potatos, all you have to do to clean up is fold it all up and throw it out.

While you are doing all that, it's best you have already started your pot of boiling water.

Then it's important to dice your potatos.  Not too small, not too large.

So now that we have that all diced up, we throw it in the pot of water we already started boiling.  Don't forget to add your wooden spoon across the top, to keep the water from boiling over.  My Grandma taught me that when I was little.  Yeah, I know it's on Pinterest too...but seriously, My Grandma who is German, taught me that.

While you are waiting on your potatos to cook and boil, you could wash dirty dishes, play with kids, clean fridge out, work out, or drink some wine!!

 (yes, I have just exposed myself without makeup)

After that 2nd glass...ok..maybe one if you are not from Texas..cuz we tend to drink double the norm. 

It's time to drain your potatos.  When you drain them, leave just a little bit of the potato bisk in there (the water) The wine should not be poured into the soup at all...that's for your pleasure.

Once you drain your cooking pot, put it back on stove or open fire...however you cook? Then add some milk and butter. Now I would tell you how much to meausre, except when I cook, I never ever measure....I just throw it in there to taste. (another tip my Mom and Gramma taught me)  We just don't measure.  Too much time gets wasted on counting and measuring in this life anyways.

Ok, so now you have cooked potatos in some bisk, added milk, and added butter.  Add some cooking cheese (the type you use for party dips).  Again, no measure, just add as you please and taste.  I would tell you to only use half, but I use the whole block, cuz my kiddos like it cheezy like Kraft!  Dice some cooked ham up (the kind you use in a ham sandwhich)

Then you stirr and take a mash potato maker and mash the remaining chunks, unless you like it chunky (wink wink). 

Add salt, pepper, dash of garlic powder, some onion powder...and dress with parsely and extra shredded sharp chedder.

AWESOME!

Now you have this beautiful dish of warm, cozy easy cheezy potato soup, cuz you hate to cook too!

YUM!

(finished product and ready for my tummy)

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

Follow me on Instagram too!!



Life after Picnik.com...

Call me crazy.  But I believe the lack of sleep I've had the last few days has been because Picnik.com shut down a few weeks ago!  Ugh!  Although I am the proud owner of Photoshop...I enjoyed using Picnik because it was fast, simple, and easy and didn't take hours but more like  minutes to edit a photo. 

So as a Picnik.com junky I looked into instagram....I'm not that excited about that program.  And I also have spent hours that I do not have anymore searching the web for a new online editing tool.  I finally loaded photoshop onto my laptop today and honestly didn't even want to mess with it. 

I became ill last week and this week, so I've had to stay off my feet.  Ok, well that's freaking impossible because I hate being indoors and I love my job and work, and people.  Yesterday My husband asked me...ok TOLD me to clean the house.  So I redecorated!!!  Never under estimate a women.  Seriously.  Well, I moved some heavy pieces and I knew it was a bad idea...but I'm stubborn and determined...and SO Well I DID it all by myself!!  and it looks like a girl's house finally!  Honestly, he doesn't say anything to me anymore....he just lets me do my thang!  Which is why we are good for eachother?  Too, I get asked the question quite often of what my home looks like on the inside.  We've seen the pics of the outside thru previous blogs.  Here are a few pictures of my new home decor around the house.

On the Buffet in the Kitchen/dining area

The buffet I painted & Distressed

While staying off my feet of which is driving me InSaNe in the Membrain!!!!!!!!  I decided to catch up on the marketing, Pinterest pins, photo albums, and all that MOM and HOuseWife stuff in between.  I played around with editing photos in Photoshop.  It didn't go so well on my first project..but I slowly gained patience and the photos started to look a little better towards the end of my editing project for the night.

This is my very first photo edit using photoshop.

Side/end table $85

The second editing project went MUCH BETTER!!  I'm actually In love with this photo!

Fancy Throw Pillow $20

And a few extra below

Dresser w/Mirror $375 Hardware & mirror are distressed

Cherub Decor $15.95 each

Mason Jar lighting is available for purchase for $15.95

 I know all you professional photographers are really cracking up at me right now....That's good.  Cuz I'm laughing at myself too.  Awe, it's all fun.  I love photo editing when I'm not pms'ing and in a good mood.  I know you know what I'm talking about.

Then here is the last photo for this blog.  It's my pride and craigslist find joy! She isn't for sale though...only available for rent.  It's a photographers dream photo prop, great home staging unit, and would make a lovely piece as a decor item for a wedding. 

You can email me here for pricing info:

crystal@shabbyjunquecouture.com

As always you can follow me at these links:

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

www.pinterest.com/shabbyjunque

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

Taking life by the horns while Romancing the junk...

It's been a put a "shizzle in your drizzle", hold your hat cuz it's too windy kinda weekend.  I finally got around to unloading my trailer today.  There was still a trailer load full, but not much left.  I think I'm going to put most of that stuff on sale...and get all my good stuff ready for the Junk Salvation show coming up the last weekend of April.

While I was in the middle of all that, plus dealing with my 3 year old....I managed to get a few things done.  I'm always itching to create something.  It's not always furniture.  I love making something, or drawing something...Just always have to be doing something.

I'm not much of a Pinterest FREAK.  And honestly I can't stand the question "Did you get that from Pinterest"?  Drives me crazy!  but I will admit.  I found something on there that really peaked my interest.  so I decided to try it and i LOVE it!!!

I first gathered a million of our canning mason jars.  Since I'm married to Old School handsome fool, we can our own vegtables and pickles.  So we always have jars laying around.  He even saves the picante sauce jars, pickle jars, jelly jars.  One thing I can't stand is he will wash them, and leave them on what small counter space we do have.  When he leaves for work, I normally just chunk them, cuz I can't stand clutter in my home. This time, I'm finally grateful he saves them.

I first wrapped each jar using raffia and any kind of lace I coud find.  Then I spray painted the jars with flat white paint.  I even used the colors Jade, and purple for fun.  White is my favorite.  Since I'm a romantic at heart...I could burn candles day and night all the time.  We put little tea lights in the candle holders and they were gorgeous.  My coffee table on my patio now homes 3 of them because they are just too dang pretty!

And as most OCD type peole are.  There is always some project that you have not started or finished that just lingers in your head over and over again.

I finally accomplished one of the 1 million of those projects today.  I've had this cow head that I purchased as a joke for my El Camino project.  It was hideous!  found it at an old lady's house on her porch while dropping my daughter off at school.  Anyways, I painted it white first..because my orginal plan was to cover it in lace and fabric.  Well after I took it every where with me, no one purchased it because the horn broke off.  so I had to bring it back home.  I finally tackled that piece today.

I fixed the horns and started to just splat some turquoise piant on it.  At first, I was just going to cover the horns...but decided to go all the way.  Then that lead to "oh I'll just add a little glitter" to using the hole jar of glitter.  Glitter on my hands, legs, body, feet, hair, face....and all over my work space.  But it was worth it.  So Now I've got this blingin bad AZZ cow head thing to sell to a lucky person.!  I'm thinking it would look awesome in a boutique some where!  What do you think?

And just for kicks.  here is the Before/after photo.

Until next time!

www.shabbyjunqucouture.com

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

When you need some wood...

Finally back from the crazy Rutersville/Warrenton/Roundtop Antique Week in Texas.  That is a whole Vegas the Junkin' Texas Way!  Wow, I needed like three days to restore myself after being there.  That blog is my next one....but there is so much adventure to share...that it will take me several days to write that one.

In the meantime, I decided to share the other side of me.  The side that takes plenty of pride in her home and yard.  A few weeks ago I came across this one piece of wood that I just absolutely had to have.  I already knew what i wanted to do with it when I first laid eyes upon it.  (no dirty jokes)

I love to share my stories about my adventures as a child as well.  We had this beautiful River Bottom off the San Antonio River.  It was covered with Pecan trees and lots of raspberry and grapevines.  We used to ride our bikes and four wheelers down there for hours.  Swing from the vines too.  I always loved exploring and adventure.  Still do.  So I was always the girl that would try to encourage everyone to grab a stick so we could hike up the river and look for junk and driftwood. 

I have quite a bit of driftwood located in my flower beds and planters.  All from my river trips, tubing adventures, and beach excursions.  This one piece of wood I'm fixing to share photos of, was something different.  check it out for yourself.  I apologize for the poor quality of photos.  I was using my iphone.

Here we go, Step by step process.  First, here is what I have.  It's a semi hollowed out, funky shaped wood piece.

After that, I started to hollow the middle out a little bit more.  I just picked up one of my son's sand shovels and started to dig.

Well, after that got me kinda angry and frustrated I decided to take a break and relax for a minute.  Not an hour.

AFter I got semi refueled I realized the kid's shovel was not cutting it.  I walked over to my potting shed and grabbed my hatchet. (watch out.  Girl with a hatchet and glass of wine...I would be scared)

The hatchet was a miracle!  So much easier and better because I was able to get cleaner edges and a bottom.

After this, I started to add some potting soil I picked up at the grocery store.  Nothing fancy, just the cheapo stuff.

Add your potting soil to your new hollowed wood.

Pack it in really well.  Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty or your finger nails messy. 

Start adding your favorite plants.  I'm in LOVE with vines, or any other type of plant you can tear off from the original potted plant that will grow anywhere.  These plants were all just little pieces off of my already established potted plant.

Then  WHOOP, WHOOP!  You have a beautiful cascade of different foliage.  I added the Angel that is about 10 years old...to this piece just because i felt it symbolized me. ; )

Enjoy!

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

Below are some other snapshots I took while working in my yard. Most know I'm big into Junkin'.  So I pretty much re purpose whatever kind of container I can find.  It's easy and not expensive and looks super FABULOUS!

Well, I'm still set up over here in the backwoods with my redneck belt and my AZZ kickin' boots! I still got lots of junk, but starting to run low! HURRRy, we are making some crazy deals on items! 

My long haul here was definitely a challenge....but I made it and survived. I even tripped and fell on my face after i burned my hand on my radiator. I have made some AMAZING friends the last three days I've been here, managed to not get robbed or shot while staying at a roach motel.

anyhow...one of the most Amazing things that has happened to me this morning was when I woke up. Last night, I had a nice chat with a new friend about our Faith in the Lord. and all the sudden, when I awoke, I had an email from a NEW fan....and she said she found me on this site below! click the link below! Thanks to the Funky Junk Sisters for writing an amazing Blog about me.!!!! Words can not express my gratitude towards you and your patience you have had with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ~XOXO

Incase any of you reading this want to come to our Rockin' party, junk on the side of the road, junk pit stop, we are located at 6035 state hwy 159 La Grange, TEXAS until Saturday before Easter!
GRAB your boots!

"Junk Salvation" by Funky Junk Sisters: Austin Junk Salvation Show Vendor Profile: We love this gal! She's a fireball. Her name is Crystal and she loves collecting junk. She's so passionate about it... yo...

The beginning of a bunch of good things...

Who likes Junk?  Who likes to talk about Junk?  And we all know if we are any of those two things, we sure as heck like to SHOP for JUNK!

As most know, I love finding the ugliest pieces of furniture and restoring them.  Ever since I was a kiddo, I always had this heart that believed there is and was beauty and good in all things no matter what.  Most think I'm not for real, or out of this world.  I get the question quite often  as to which planet I come from.  Actually, I find all that as quite the compliment.  I love the fact that I am unique and I am very happy in life.

I just find a great thrill out of helping someone or something that most ignore.  With all that said...my passion and kind heart has lead me to great adventures and all kinds of things!

I truly get a healing in my own heart when I create or restore a piece of furniture.  It's an art and a talent, yes.  But to me, it's comfort and passion.  Also, with the great love I have for God, I spend alot of my time while working on these pieces of furniture listening to Bible scriptures, and preachings!  It's a rejuvenating time for me, and it's my place for Peace!  Did you know that some of my pieces of furniture, depending on it's original state....bare a Bible scripture about "restoration"?   I figured maybe, If I place a message on it...when that woman is really mad at her husband and fixing to hit him across the head with the chair....she might just find the message and it change her life!

I do this business to inspire someone..and to show that all things are possible.  I never gave up on myself or what I wanted to do.  Believe me, it's a struggle.  And it's not always glitzy, and you are broke half the time.  But as long as you put all the effort you can into it, God will do the rest.  And then once you believe that...you will see how everything will fall into place as it has for me.  If I had all the time in the world to write my testimony on How God has worked for me....you would all be hooked and understand why I have such a strong relationship with the Lord.

Last Wednesday I had no idea my day would start with an amazing radio interview with the Junk Mafia radio station out of MO.  I was able to call into the "Junk in my Trunk" radio show and give a very fun interview!   That was so much fun!  They guys will be out and about in Warrenton at the Antique show coming up in a month!  I would make it a point to hunt them down and let them interview you about your junk!  Great guys, and so much fun!

Please click on the link I just provided to listen to my full interview.!  Special Thanks to Darren and the Junk Mafia Team!

http://junkmafia.podbean.com/

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

It's raining, it's pouring, this ole gal is going....

Rain, Rain, and more Rain.  Mud, and just a big ole huge MESS.  Maybe I shouldn't complain because this is going to make all my beautiful flowers look so pretty this Spring. 

I spent the last week in some kind of FUNK with this weather and all.  No fun!  Kinda had a pitty party too...which isn't like me.  No worry, I pulled my underpants together and quickly restored my brain back into overdrive times 1000!

As you know, I risked my LIFE last week trying out the Little Mexico Flea Market down in San Antonio, Texas.  Then I headed over to Salsa Momma's hood.  Salsa Momma had the hook up with the fancy mirrors as mentioned in my previous post.  Therefore, I was itching to get started on the painting and distressing on one of these bad boys!

So Fabulicious lady here was in a funk and I just told myself get your butt in gear and just GO already!  So instead of switching up colors and going all FuNkY as usual....I decided to paint several pieces all the same color...just to make things a little easier that afternoon.  Normally I like to make things harder than what they really are.  I didn't feel like using the paint sprayer, so I decided to stick with the whole brush, wax on/wax off....bit.

I was able to paint all this, and most of it has all SOLD!  Yay for me, but blah for you...so keep checking my inventory so you don't miss out again! I hand painted each item then distressed it myself.

I had a custom job as well, and it was an old pine end table that I turned around and painted a rustic turquoise like color, then distressed too.  This time I had to use a putty knife and a bottle opener to distress.  My sander is crapping out on me...and honestly I like the really chippy look that you distress by hand anyways.

 

While I waited on the paint to dry on the custom piece above, I went ahead and turned this table I found wasting away for months outside a vintage shop Into this HOT little minty number.  You do know what they say about mints right?  this table was SOLD right away. It's going in a baby's nursery. AWE!

In order to keep this business running and help keeping y'all so entertained without having to pole dance...I do have to manage to throw in some small home decor a time or two.  Here are a few items that sold this week.

And a few more items below that are STILL AVAILABLE for PURCHASE.

Thanks y'all! 

 And if Country Living magazine or Nate Berkus (wish he liked women, and I was single.  He's so hot) is reading this....I can tone my mouth down for public TV and a page in a magazine.  I did work in the Engineering field in Corporate America for almost 10 years...so I do know how to come off softer, elegant, and professional!  : )  Actually, I'm pretty elegant, but I like the fact that I'M THE BEST OF ALL THE WORLDS because it makes me so very unique and quite intriguing...along with being a GREAT CONVERSATION PIECE!

Keep up with all my stories at www.facebook.com/shabbyjunquecouture

www.shabbyjunquecouture.com

Always available for hire!  All over the USA!