Tuna Pasta with Garlic and Basil

It never ceases to amaze me when I make up dishes and it actually tastes good.  To give a little background, up until a few months ago, I hated cooking and only cooked basic.  I'm not sure what changed but perhaps it was all the mouth watering recipes I kept seeing on Pinterest and wanted to try.  Even then, if it looks difficult, I won't try it. That being said, I was starving today and did not feel like making a run to the grocery store so as I started looking through my pantry to see what I could put together with what I had, here it is...tuna pasta with garlic and basil.  It's a fairly simple recipe for anyone who cooks regularly but it was a gold mine for me :)

Ingredients:
3 cloves of garlic
a handful of fresh basil leaves
olive oil
1 cup pasta (I used spaghetti noodles)
1 can tuna
a pinch of salt
a pat of butter
1 tablespoon olive oil and vinegar salad dressing
1 tablespoon of mayonaisse
1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.  Mince the garlic and throw it in with the pasta.  Add the dash of salt and 1 teaspoon of olive oil.  I chose to add it to the water and also another teaspoon after the pasta was drained.  I don't know why.  But you can do either or both. 

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it.  Add in another teaspoon of olive oil if you want.  Stir the butter in until it's melted.  Mix in the tuna and the basil and then add in the mayo and then finally the olive oil and vinegar dressing. 

And eat it up!  As always, if you have any suggestions for this novice cook who still doesn't really like to cook but is willing to learn, please share :)

Sequoia National Park Roadtrip

My friend and I took a 2 day trip up to Sequoia National Park to play with the trees and to chase some squirrels.  I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures from the trip.

Kings Canyon Falls

A not so shy chipmunk

Sequoias at Grant Grove

Early morning sighting of the moon

General Sherman Tree

Sunset on our first night

Oh my stars!

Spider web

Skull and Roses Messenger Bag and iPad Case Set

I really liked how the cupcake messenger bag I made for my now failed Craft Challenge came out so when I was asked to make one (along with an iPad case) for an order, I was excited.  The messenger bag is lined with a stiffer red fabric and interfacing to give it more stability.  Again, a front pocket was added for the smaller items. 

This was my first time making an iPad case and I made it a little differently than I did with the Kindle cases I've made in the past.  For this one, I added an outside pocket and a zipper opposed to a foldover flap for closure. Also used felt to give it added padding to help protect the iPad.

A matching tissue holder is also shown in the picture above.

 

Ruffle Purse

I made this ruffle bag for my friend, Karey who requested it after seeing this purse on Pinterest.   I have to admit, this purse was a lot of work since I never read the directions thoroughly and just end up tackling the project head on after skimming the tutorial.  Of course, there is actually a lot more detailing than what I normally have patience for and I have to say, I am once again pleased with the outcome.  Enough that I'm willing to make another one or two as gifts. 

Rick Rack Rose Rings

 

I have to admit that the 30 Day Pinterest Craft Challenge didn't go as well as I had hoped.  Out of the 30 days of crafts, I managed to do 15 (not including two or three unfinished projects).  I guess it's still not too shabby considering that I work full time among some other stuff I had been dealing with.  I definitely learned a lot, making things I might never have, content with staring at the projects on the screen.  I also learned a bit more with sewing and rediscovered my love and joy of making a new garment or bag.  

To conclude this Craft Challenge, I am ending it with the rick rack rose rings I made.  The tutorial from The Ribbon Retreat can be found here.  I've actually (and am also in the process of making more) made a few more which I will post later (I haven't taken any pics yet).  But overall, I loved how they turned out and already sold a few.  

BTW, it's never too early to start shopping for Christmas! :)

Project #14 - Craft Challenge - Hanging Dish Towel

 

Already had the hand towels (*ahem* washcloths) and the fabric so naturally when I saw the pin to make your own hanging dishtowels, I was stoked.  I only had enough attention span to make one but I would like to make a couple more to rotate around when they get dirty.  It was a pretty easy project and hardly took any time.  This is the pin/post I used for reference but as usual, I didn't follow it and did my own thing (even tho it still looked like I followed directions :)

Yay for hanging dish towels! 

Homemade Granola

I made a batch of peanut butter and chocolate chip granola bites the other day.  They came out moist and cakey unlike the store-bought, full of additives granola.  Since I don't have kids or a significant other, I brought the batch in share with my fellow massage therapists.  I was happy to see the container was empty within a couple of hours and that they loved them.

Here's the recipe I followed.  I did add in 3 tbs of cut up flax seed.  Note to self:  get the already grounded flax seed next time so you don't have to chop chop chop, chop chop chop, chop chop chop, etc with a large kitchen knife.