Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

I love scalloped potatoes but the box versions always seem a little gummy to me. I have never tried the homemade version but when I saw this crockpot version I knew I had to give it a try and I'm so glad I did. These go great with pork chops and are absolutely YUMMY!!

 Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 pounds potatoes (about 6 medium)
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 can Cream of (YOUR CHOICE) Soup
1/4 cup flour
4 slices American Cheese



Peel and thinly slice your potatoes. Toss slices in the water and cream of tartar. Drain. Spray your crockpot with cooking spray. Put half of the sliced potatoes in and top with half of the onion slices. Sprinkle with 1/8 cup of the flour, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add remaining sliced potatoes and onions. Sprinkle with remaining flour and salt and pepper. Disperse the butter in chunks over the top and then cover with undiluted soup. Cover and cook on Low for 7 to 9 hours (High: 3 to 4 hours). Add cheese slices 30 minutes before serving. Give your potatoes a few quick turns and serve!!

My Really, Real Reality: Advent Calendar to Encourage Young Readers

My Really, Real Reality: Advent Calendar to Encourage Young Readers

Homemade Baked Potato Chips

Who doesn't love a salty, crispy, potato chip? But.....who doesn't love what it does to our midsections?? Good news!! I found a delicious recipe that tastes just as good as those fried pieces of heaven but contains less calories and fat.

 

Homemade Baked Potato Chips

Ingredients:

 3 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thin

3 tbsp. olive oil

Lawry's Seasoned Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray your cookie sheet with olive oil. Cook potato slices in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Drain well and combine with olive oil and salt and pepper. You could also add some spices for a kick like oregano, basil, or garlic. Place potato slices on your prepared cookie sheet in an even layer and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until crisp and golden brown; turning once. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool a bit. Serve. YUM!!

DIY Coat Rack

Have you ever seen all those cute knobs and drawer pulls in your local craft store? I love them and have thought and thought and thought some more about how I can use some of them in my decor without spending a fortune. I finally found the answer......

A DIY coat rack!!

 

In my case, I picked up my knobs and door knob at my local Hobby Lobby when they were having one of their famous 50% off sales.

Step one. Decide how long you want your coat rack and find the perfect piece of lumber for you. You can find one to sand smooth as a baby's butt. I found a piece of wood with some character that had some knots and pits in it. I barely sanded it, just enough to take away the roughness, but not so much that it erased any character. 

Step two. Stain or paint your piece of wood. I used some paint to achieve the perfect color for me. By dipping my brush in some water before painting it created a stained look.

 

You could use any color you like. I sampled many on a scrap piece of wood before deciding.

 

 

Step three. I had my husband drill holes for the hardware. I could have done it myself but he loves doing handy work so I pass it on to him every chance I get! 

Note:  The door knob had to be trimmed with a hacksaw so it didn't stick out beyond the board.

Step four. Attach the hardware.

 

 

Step five. Hang your coat rack!!

 We drilled holes straight through the coat rack and drilled it right into the wall. Next, we filled the holes with wood caps.

 

Then, we touched them up with the paint stain. And voila!!

 

I love the way it turned out!!