REFRESHED PICNIC BASKET

One of the things that happens around our house after the holidays (besides letting our breath out and patting ourselves on the back for "doing it again.") is that we go to our project list and see what is to be done that we either stopped or put on the back burner once we became engrossed in the holiday preparation, etc. This project was not hard to find because it was under my feet, under my work table calling, "line me, fill me, take me out to a picnic."

Meet my picnic basket - if it were human it would be a grandmother!  A few things about this basket, it is approximately 14x9x8, made in USA and I think made out of hickory and it has been used a lot and is still perfect. We like to picnic and when we lived in Monument, CO our spot was Garden of the Gods - so easy to get to, so beautiful, so peaceful.  We have not found our spot here in Idaho but are determined to do so this spring. I was tired of lining the basket with napkins or small cloths that had to be laundered so I decided to line the basket and in the process make it easy to wipe out when necessary to clean and to protect the basket.

This is actually a pretty fast and easy project and you can sew the lining by hand or use a machine.  I chose a flannel backed plastic as opposed to a genuine oil cloth as this flannel backed plastic is very easy to work with and easy to sew with. I will try and make this simple.......1) Set the basket on a piece of the fabric and draw (I used dashes see below) around the bottom of the basket leaving a 1" seam allowance.

I have had this flannel backed plastic for a very long time and it was a little wrinkled - you can iron, using a low setting on the flannel side to get the winkles out of the fabric.

2) measure two lengths of the flannel backed plastic fabric for the sides and top, once again a 1" seam allowance and on the top leave and extra 5-6" so that you can turn the top over and it will have enough flannel backed plastic fabric to lay over the top, no seams are necessary. You can always trim the fabric if you think it is too long when you turn it over the top of the basket.

3) put your hands inside and pull the fabric so that the seams are in the middle both front and back 4) taking a needle and a very long piece of thread weave in and out all around the fabric and then you gather the fabric until it is the right size to fit on the bottom piece. 5) pin the bottom to the sides and either by hand or machine stitch the bottom to the sides and you are done with the exception of fitting the handles.

 Put the liner into the basket and turn the top over (you do not want to glue this in because you want to be able to take it out to wash and have the ability to get into all the creases in the sides of the basket, or at least I do). 

All you have to do to fit the handles is to make a mark on the fabric with a felt pin where the handle will be and make a cut and pull the fabric around it it will lay flat. I cut some lengths of 1.5" seam binding for the bows - just wanted to add a little something.

The silverware is from a long ago Target trip but with the exception of the bento box the rest of the containers are from the Dollar Tree, including the cupcake/muffin containers and the red and white table cloth. Container sizes for sandwiches, veggies, pickles, etc.  

The bento box is great because it will store flat but when needed for chunks of fruit or a potato salad, etc. it will open to the larger size (see photo above) and be great.

 Is it perfect? No, but it fits snugly in the basket and the sides are long enough to fold over and it is now lined and will protect the basket and be easy to clean. I'm happy!

Basket is filled with containers and there is still room for plates, a bottle of wine or thermos of hot drinks or soup.  I always toss in a zip lock with napkins, wipes, mosquito wipes, salt and pepper, etc. I prefer an open basket as we have had those English types with the fitted items and the closed lids but this works much better for our type of impromptu picnics.

Resource

Basket, use one you have on hand or find a really sturdy (preferably made in USA) basket.
Liner fabric, Hobby Lobby (very reasonable) or other craft stores.
Seam binding, sewing and craft stores
ECO one Bento Box, Gourmet and specialty stores.
Betty Crocker storage containers, Dollar Tree, grocery store

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BIRTHDAY FIESTA

My youngest son when asked what he wanted for his recent birthday dinner was quick to say "tacos."  With that in mind I set about to create a menu.

 After the menu is set - the tablescape is next....

My country French rooster crossed the pond and became Senior Gallo!

I have always bragged that my hubby has a small but excellent repertoire in the kitchen.  One of the items he always cooks is tacos.  He uses a recipe from my beloved MIL.  I do not know if he ever had a written recipe or just made the tacos from the memory of watching his mother.  These tacos are best with ground beef but I also like them made with ground chicken.  They do not have any typical Mexican spices in them as they are made with the addition of vegetables, carrots, potatoes and onions.  Serve with salsa and taco sauces so your diners may add spices as desired.

Poppa's Tacos

2 Pounds good, lean ground beef (or lean ground chicken)

3 carrots, grated

3 medium potatoes, peeled and grated

2-3 medium onions, diced

Salt

Pepper

Onion Salt

Brown the ground beef, drain off excess fat. Add the potatoes, onions and carrots. Season with salt, pepper and the onion salt to taste. Stir often but let the mix get a little brown on the bottom before turning, the carmilization that occurs during this step is what gives these tacos their distinctive flavor - be careful not to burn. This should take 20-30 minutes.

These tacos are best served with crispy corn tortillas but are also good with warmed flour tortillas.

Serve with  bowls of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and a variety of salsas and taco sauces. You may also want to add some guacamole and sour cream to your selection of condiments.

Serve with Mexican rice and re-fried beans.

Resource

Rooster, Deco 79 40744 Ceramic Decorative Rooster Statue, 13 by 14-Inch
Place mats, TJ Maxx

Yellow Plates, 222 5th

Chicken Napkin Rings, Antique Farm House

Glasses, Kohl's

Runner, Fiesta

Napkins, Bed, Bath & Beyond

Red handles flatware, Hampton Forge

Salt & Pepper Mill, Pier One

White candlesticks, Oddity Home

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VALENTINE TREE

My after Christmas shopping list this year included 24" trees, with lights if possible.  On my list of items to do this year was small trees for each holiday.  This white tree did not have lights so I added a string of 50 battery operated lights. The tree is held firmly but not permanently to the mini-colander and the mini kitchen type ornaments will be used with other themes.  I will use this same tree for St. Paddy's Day, Easter and 4th of July - just changing the mini-colander when necessary and the theme decorations. With this in mind the add on items are just attached with a simple tie so easy to remove, box and label them for next time. I have just the spot in my kitchen for a tree and anytime I have a dinner party and want to serve buffet style I will have a nice centerpiece! 

As I mentioned this tree is 24" but you could use any size tree, just fluffed out the limbs a little....

Because I will change out the mini-colander for St. Pat's and Easter I do not want to put anything permanent inside to stabilize the tree so I just used a little Tacky.

Next I put on the lights and hid the battery pack in the back.

I pulled down my Valentine decorations box and found this fabric garland.  A garland like this is easy to make (I think I will have to make on for St. Paddy's Day).  Measure out a length of heavy cord or  twine and then cut strips of fabric, ribbon and felt and just tie them on the cord tying a loop on the ends.  I purchased this one (Michael's I think a couple of years ago) it is perfect for the tree.

I then added some miniature kitchen utensils and turned on the lights to see how the tree was looking....

 Added some heart ornaments....

I had this little Anna Lee in my Valentine's box and she looks precious tucked into the tree....

Of course a tree needs a topper so I moseyed over to the Graphic's Fairy (will provide a link below) and found this perfect heart and printed two of them out on white cardstock, cut them out, glued them together (to give the heart good stability) and punched a couple of holes towards the bottom and ran some red cotton cord through the holes and tied to the tree and then made two bows and tied one for the front and one for the back.

The final thing that I did was to put some red sizzle into the mini-colander to finish off the look.

Ta-Da....here it is the Valentine Tree!  I can't wait to do the St. Pat's, Easter and 4th of July Tree using this same white tree just different decorations.....this was big fun.

Resource

Annalee Dolls, The small Annalee's run about $25 directly from Annalee.com but TJ Maxx & Marshall's always has them discounted for every holiday and then red tagged after the holiday.
Garland, Michael's (last year)
Small grater with red top, Cost Plus (.79 cents)
Mini-colander, Cost Plus ($1.98 assorted colors) 
Wide red-checked ribbon, Costco
Little red styrofoam ornaments, Michael's
Antique mini-kitchen utensils, Ebay seller, here is a link to a strainer she has on sale now:Link
Tree, TJ Maxx (after Christmas)
Battery Lights (50 light), even though the review's were mixed on these lights I took a chance and LOVE them,GBB LED 50 Super Bright Indoor and Outdoor Battery Operated Christmas Wedding Fairy String Lights on 5M/16ft Long Silver Color Ultra Thin String Wire
Heart on top, The Graphic's Fairy, Link
Love sign and plate, Marshall's (previous years)
Tacky, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, craft stores

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