Mason Jar Mania

Howdy!

Is it just me, or is there a mason jar mania spreading? It's like some sort of fever, and once you get it, it's hard to shake. I would even say it is addictive. I would collect mason jars if my husband would let me... Maybe I do and he just doesn't know it. How could you not like them? They come in all colors and sizes, and they literally have thousands of uses.

As I recently moved, I have found the urge to craft and create more than I have in the last couple of years. Maybe that's because I actually have a little free time, now that I'm not working 14-16 hours a day. Most people would enjoy their free time in a regular way... Maybe vegging out in front of the TV to watch all eight Harry Potter movies. Oh wait, I did that! It's something my mom and I started years ago, and I still do every summer, sometimes twice. After my near 24 hour sit-in to accomplish this great feat, I got to work. My first project is this adorable little soap dispenser. Now I have a reason to re-do the rest of the bathroom, because we all know it has to match! I hope you find this helpful, and realize that you don't have to spend $20-30 retail for this little gem; it only takes a few items laying around your house and a five minute time commitment.

Step 1: Gather your supplies. You will need:

•  A soap dispenser 
• A mason jar with lid 
• Tools
• sharp knife
• cutting board
• permanent marker 
• hot glue gun (my best friend!)
• drill (optional)

Step 2: Process the plastic soap dispenser. 

• Pull off the pump and set it aside. Then cut off the topmost portion of the bottle, just below the thread where the pump screws in. I used a large kitchen knife and cutting board to accomplish this task. Be careful, as the plastic may be slippery if it recently held soap. Toss the rest of the bottle in the trash or recycling bin.

Step 3: Trace the top of the bottle onto your mason jar lid. Cut the hole out with either a kitchen knife or drill. (I used a knife, because my drill is still packed up somewhere.) 

Step 4: Hot glue the bottle top to the underside of the mason jar lid. The threaded portion should be sticking through the lid, out the top. 

Step 5: Assemble and fill with the soap of your choice. 

This cutie not only looks great, but it also holds more soap than your average dispenser. This is good if you are the sole soap re-filler in your household, like I am. 

Enjoy!

Jessica Courtney 

I'm Back....

Hello one and all!

It has been some time since I last wrote. Life gets hectic, what can I say? A lot has changed since then... Basically all you need to know is that I am back at school, living the dream as a grad. student! I am hoping that I will now have time to actually keep up with blogging, because I really do enjoy it, even if there is no one reading it!

I am so excited to share my latest project with y'all. I bought this T.V. stand for just $18 at Goodwill, on sale. (Who knew that they had sales?!) I already had the paint laying around, so all I had to put into it was time. After much frustration, I learned that painting glass is not as easy as it looks, but the outcome sure was rewarding.

Now I have a custom piece of furniture that cost me less than $20; not many people can say that! I also have decided to start up yet another side business, as if I'm not busy enough already... custom furniture creations, like this. Be on the look out for more products soon- I'm currently scouring through every flea market, yard sale, and trade market I find for pieces that need some TLC and a twist.

Until next time...

Jessica Courtney

Bakery Update

I am amazed by the outpouring of support for my bakery that I launched publicly just yesterday! Please go check my Facebook page out at https://www.facebook.com/JkSeriouslySweetTreats. Friday is the deadline for my first COOKIE GIVEAWAY! All you have to do is like and share a post for a chance to win cookies in the mail! I will be drawing one winner for every ten entries, which are pretty good odds!

Also, check out my top five most popular cookies, and place an order today! For a limited time, all cookies are just $7.00/ dozen, a steal!

Good luck!

JC

JK Seriously Sweet Treats

Howdy y'all!

I am finally starting a bakery of my own, as a fun summer project. I am running it our of my kitchen until I can raise enough funds to rent a building. I am hoping to break out in popularity through catering sweets for parties, holidays, and local business get-togethers.  Please look me up on Facebook or check back here frequently for updates!

I look forward to "Making your sweetest dreams come true!"

Caribbean Comfort Bowl

So I am still on a Caribbean kick… I just can’t stop making island food! This is last night’s creation that had my husband raving about how I should open up a restaurant. Haha. This recipe was so simple, and just from the things we had on hand at the house; you could say that I was happy that it was garnered as such fine cuisine! I’ll be honest; I actually had to make more shrimp after dinner, just so we could have leftovers for lunch. (It was just as good the second time!) I apologize for the simple picture, but what did you expect for such a simple recipe? K and I just love casual dining, no need for all that fancy place setting business. Without further ado, here it is:

Caribbean Comfort Bowl

Makes four servings.

Ingredients

4 c. water

1tbs. butter

Salt

1 c. white rice

Cilantro

Lime juice

Cooking oil

2 cloves garlic, diced

2 c. small shrimp, deveined and detailed

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Directions

1. In a small sauce pan, add water, butter, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Add rice, a handful of torn up cilantro leaves, and 2-3 tbsp. of lime juice. Turn to low heat, cover, and leave on low heat for 15- 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when all water has been absorbed by rice.
2. While the rice is cooking, thaw the shrimp in a bowl of warm water.
3.  In a small frying pan, add enough oil (I use canola) to just barely coat the bottom of the pan. Turn to medium-high heat. Add garlic and allow to simmer for one minute.
4. Next, drain the shrimp and add them to the frying pan. Generously cover them with the Jamaican Jerk Seasoning on both sides. Now allow them to simmer for two minutes on each side. Once cooked, turn to low heat to keep warm.
5. Divide the rice evenly into four bowls, and then add the shrimp. Now go inhale it! I eat chips and salsa with just about everything, but this doesn't need a partner to be a star! 

Here it is again, at work. Note the shrimp size difference... Like I said, I had to cook more for leftovers. I honestly don't think I  have ever done that before! I also feel like it is much healthier than a lot of things I eat on the go, like the snacks stashed in my desk. I will definitely be making this again.

Now go to your kitchen, whip this up, and then kick back. Enjoy the unparalleled comfort that comes from this combination that tastes like it came straight from the island!

Caribbean Cowboy Nachos

Lately I have been missing Jamaica. K and I went there for our honeymoon back in August, and I cannot stop wishing that I could go there again this summer. Since that is highly unlikely, I decided I will have to bring Jamaica to me! Here is a concoction I came up with last night, that had us both going back for refills. It combines the best of two food styles I highly admire: Mexican and Jamaican; hence the name! 

Caribbean Cowboy Nachos

Ingredients

Bottom Layer

1 can black beans

1 can green chiles

2/3 c. sour cream

Middle Layer

Vegetable oil

1 Swai fish fillet, thawed and cut into 1” pieces

1 ½ c. small shrimp, thawed (detailed and deveined)

2-3 cloves of garlic, diced

3 tbs. lemon juice

10-12 jalapeno slices, cut into quarters

Seasoning: Pepper, Lemon Pepper, Montreal Steak seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, Paprika (I used a wide variety of seasonings to create the flavor I was looking for.  I used a dash or two of each of the following. This is the part of cooking that I call an art!)

1 whole white onion, diced

Top Layer

1-2 small handfuls of cilantro

1.5 c. cheese of your choice

Directions

1.       Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9” x 13” casserole dish or pan, set aside.

2.       In a medium bowl, combine black beans, chiles, and sour cream. Mix well and set aside.

3.       In a large skillet (medium heat,) add a few tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the garlic, jalapenos, and lemon juice, letting simmer for a minute or two.

4.       Next, add the fish. Immediately season. When fish is cooked through, add shrimp. Season again. When shrimp turn colors, add the onion. Turn to low heat and let simmer for five minutes.

5.       Meanwhile, line the bottom of the pan with the bean mixture from earlier.

6.       When the fish and shrimp mixture is done simmering, add it to the pan.

7.       Next, add the cilantro and cheese to the pan.

8.       Place pan in the oven for five to eight minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and melted.

9.       Spoon out into bowls filled with tortilla chips, and be transported to Caribbean Cowboy heaven! 

Needless to say, there were barely enough leftovers for lunch today! 

Long Time No See

Well it has been almost a year since I have blogged... Graduating college, getting a real job, getting married, and relocating have really made time fly since then. Now that I'm settled and back to crafting and cooking more than ever, it's time I reconnect! Be on the look out for new posts soon!