Tuesday, December 13, 2011

3rd Gloomy Tuesday

I've posted the past two Tuesdays about how gloomy it was outside and wanted things to brighten up. Well... we meet again. Tuesday. Gloomy outside. Yuck.

Today I've made a big pot of chicken and dumplings with a side of mashed potatoes. I'm trying to decide if I want to make corn bread or biscuits to go with it... I guess I'll let the kids and hubs decide later. Yum! 

My family will definitely be happy tonight! My hubby has also been building us nice fires in our fireplace so it's been cozy and inviting in our house.  With the Christmas tree and lights glowing it's a good place to be on a cold winter night. 

I wanted to share a sweet photo from Photography by Jessica Rivera that puts me in the spirit for the season!


Isn't he the sweetest in his little blue jeans? I adore!

Here's another AWEOMSE freebie from Val over at Pixel Stix Graphics:


Aren't they adorable? Very on trend chevron patterned bottle wrappers with cheery red Christmas accents! Great to take your party decor to the next level of gorgeous. Pop by her website to download then for free and check out her other great freebies!
www.pixelstixgraphics.com

Here's my recipe for chicken and dumplings. It's crazy easy and delicious!

Chicken & Dumplings

-2, cups of cooked cubed chicken
-10, bullion cubes, chicken flavor
-8, cups water
-1/2, 24 oz. package Mary B's frozen open kettle dumplings (use 12 oz.)
-1, stick butter (1/2 lb.)
-1/2 cup cold water
-1/4 cup corn starch

1. Combine 8 cups water and bullion cubes in a large pot.  Bring to a rolling boil and add frozen dumplings, breaking them into desired size pieces.

2. Reduce heat and cover.  Allow to cook for 30-40 minutes or until dumplings are tender, stirring frequently.

3. In the meantime, combine 1/2 cup of cold water and 1/4 cup of corn starch in a small bowl whisking together until there are absolutely no lumps (re-stir right before adding to your hot dumplings).

4.  Remove lid from dumplings and add the stick of butter (you could totally leave this out but oh my gosh, it's delicious!) and the corn starch mixture.  Add the cubed chicken.

5. Stir until the dumpling gravy thickens, the butter is totally melted, and the chicken is warmed through.

6. Serve with mashed potatoes or however you like.  Makes great leftovers! Heats up well and freezes well so make a double batch! Enjoy!


Happy Tuesday! Let's hope for a brighter one next week!

xoxo, Lisa

Posted by at 1:59 PM 0 comments

Monday, December 12, 2011

My Favorite Things

The holiday season is here in full force! It is finally really cold here... I'm definitely not complaining that fall seemed to stay forever this year, but being cold makes it feel like Christmas time.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite things.

Okay, they may not be as fabulous as Oprah's and I might not be giving them away for free but maybe you will draw some inspiration about your own gift giving or receiving. ;) Enjoy!
Kate Spade Glittery Clutch
A fun and spunky addition to the closet.
$95



O'brien Schriddle Picture Frames
Any and all of these are gorgeous, well made, and a great addition to the home.
$25 & up


Custom Monogrammed iPhone Case
Tons of color, pattern, and font choices. I ordered a barbie pink and key lime green in chevron pattern. :)
$54


Martha Stewart Collection Cake Stands at Macy's
Can be dressed up for any occasion. I'm already imagining ribbon weaved through them to suit my theme... on in each size, please!
$43-$65


A great addition to any kitchen from the casual cook to the serious chef.
$29.95


Printable Christmas Cupcake Toppers from Pixel Stix Graphics
While you're baking, make it look extra special and adorable with these sweet little toppers from Valerie over at Pixel Stix Graphics.
FREE

Gorgeous and long lasting shadows in one adorable package.
$46


I don't remember a Christmas that I haven't eaten a box of chocolates!
$15
Stella & Dot Enamel Bangles
I'm already dreaming of summer and the beach!
$59-$69 each


Sorel Tofino Boots
Great for winter and totally stylish! Uggs, I believe you have been replaced.
$140


This handmade soap is made with real coffee grounds! They say it's great for exfoliating and I'm sure wonderfully awakening on mornings you're not so happy to be out of bed.
$5.50


A great gift for the trendy photographer or stylish mom in your life! tribeccreations@yahoo.com
Any amount.


Enjoy the holidays!
Don't forget to visit me on


to view the rest of my favorite goodies this year and the rest of my pinboards.

xoxo, Tri-Bec
Posted by at 3:59 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

New Cuteness for ANOTHER Gloomy Tuesday

I last posted a week ago on a gloomy Tuesday.  Here I am again, on another gloomy Tuesday! I have some sweetness to brighten our days though.  Here you go:

Hot Pink Santa Baby Hat
Beautiful photo by Photography by Jessica Rivera
Sweet Little Pixie Hat... Coming Soon!
Chunky Double Pom Jester Hat... Coming Soon!


Now doesn't that totally brighten up your day? Seriously. Babies in hats. Cutest. Thing. Ever! 

I also wanted to share with you this story about my older son:

Does everyone have Elf on the Shelf at their house? My 2 year old decided he wanted to name ours "Elf" and that he didn't like him.

I read him the book and he thought about it for a minute. Then he grabbed Elf and put him back in his box and said, "You be quiet Elf. Get in your box Elf. You be quiet Elf!"

Maybe there's something he doesn't want Santa to know about? I know it was pretty darn funny!


I just finished sharing this on my facebook page. Too funny! My children definitely brighten my life! Mama loves you boys so much!


Have a great day everyone!

xoxo, Tri-Bec


Posted by at 12:50 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Gloomy Tuesday

Here in Missouri it's a gloomy, rainy, yucky Tuesday. We do have a little snow on the ground but most of it is slushy because we're right at freezing. I decided to make a turkey minestrone soup which is total comfort food at my house.  Serve with a big crusty loaf of garlic bread and everyone's happy!  I thought I would share my recipe:

Turkey Minestrone
adapted from Cooking for Baby

     -leek, 1
     -carrot, 2 peeled
     -zucchini or yellow squash, 2 peeled
     -frozen green beans, 1 cup
     -crushed tomatoes, 1 28 oz can
     -cannellini beans, 1 15 oz can
     -olive oil, 6 Tbsp
     -ground turkey, 1 lb
     -salt and pepper
     -dried oregano, 2 tsp
     -water, 2 qts (8 cups)
     -chicken bullion cubes, 8
     -tomato paste, 4 Tbsp
     -elbow macaroni, 1/2 cup

1. Thinly slice leek, white and light green parts only. Place leeks in a large bowl and fill the bowl with cool water until the leeks are floating and no longer near the bottom. Swish them around the bowl until the dirt falls to the bottom. Remove them onto a paper towel to dry. 

2. Chop carrot and zucchini and set aside. Remove beans from can and rinse until water runs clear. Set aside.

3. In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add turkey, season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook until turkey is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Remove the turkey with a slotted spoon onto a plate lined with paper towels.  Set aside.  Add leek, carrot, zucchini, and green beans to the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. 

4. Stir in water, bullion cubes, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste and increase heat to bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 20 minutes.

5. Add cannellini beans and macaroni and simmer until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes, or according to package directions. Stir in turkey and cook to heat through, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

6. Serve and enjoy! 

To store: Refrigerate soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days. This soup makes great leftovers and heats up wonderfully!

I love this soup because it's great to throw in whatever you have left in the fridge or pantry. Change up the beans, veggies, sub ground beef for turkey, whatever you like! It pretty much tastes fabulous whatever you do to it! :) The Cooking for Baby book is available in the link online at Williams-Sonoma and probably other places like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  

I got this book before my youngest was born and it has a lot of great recipes that the whole family can enjoy. It's definitely easy to make your own baby food and worth looking into! They offer the baby steamers and puree machines but I never had one and just used my steam basket in a pot at home and my blender and made delicious homemade food for my kids. 

_______________________________________________________________

I also wanted to share this cutie pie photo from Jen Lavazza Photography. I've been making hats for this little one since she was almost brand new! Here is Miss S modeling one of my rompers in red, perfect for the holidays!



Happy Tuesday all, I hope you stay warm! 

xoxo, Tri-Bec

Posted by at 12:28 PM 2 comments

Monday, November 28, 2011

New Advertising Flier!


So I've been working with one of my all time favorite people... my graphic designer Val over at Pixel Stix Graphics. She is totally sweet and talented and I can't say enough good things about her! She's responsible for my whole look here on the blog and my tribeccreations.bigcaretel.com website which I completely adore.  When I e-mailed her on Saturday for a flier I needed she of course came through and in record time! So here it is: 


Don't you adore?! I picked out some of my all time favorite photos of my products and she whipped them into this gorgeous homage to moi! This beautiful piece of work definitely wouldn't be possible without the photographers who share their time and talent photographing my work: Photography by Jessica Rivera and Little chics pics by Lisa Rapp. Both of these ladies have been influential, kind, encouraging, and there for me through most of my Tri-Bec Creations journey. Thanks so much girls, I don't know where I'd be without you!

I hope you all have a great week, it's good to see you on my blog!
Don't forget to visit me in my shops:

xoxo, Tri-Bec
Posted by at 11:23 PM 0 comments

Sunday, November 27, 2011

SALE!

In honor of the post-Thanksgiving sale madness I've decided to offer my whole shop at 20% off with no exclusions! I'm not really a Black Friday shopper myself, but I did have a nice time that day.

My Black Friday plans this year included sleeping in, a nice big cup of coffee, a hair appointment with my fabulous stylist, and then a little shopping at a local boutique called Bloom Studio & Gifts. If you're local to the Cape Girardeau area, it's a definitely must. I was offered hot chocolate as I shopped and picked up some fabulous gifts and a few treats for myself including a scarf, headband, and exfoliating pedi-sponge!  Located right next door is my own photographer, Photography by Carrie. Along with fabulous photography services she offers some pretty cute picture frames and other decor in her reception area. Any time I get a chance to stop  by their shops is a definite treat for me!

So anyway, here are the details to my sale... I hope you'll stop by either of my shops and browse around!



I hope you have all had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend and kick off to the holidays! I got my tree up with the help of my 2 year old and 1 year old so we are ready for Santa here! :)

xoxo, Tri-Bec
Posted by at 1:05 PM 0 comments
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

I truly hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones.  Me writing this blog post has actually given me a nice time to reflect on what I'm thankful for.  I could go on for quite a while! My life is beautiful and blessed and I'm one thankful girl!

The first thing is my family.  My sweet husband and my beautiful, healthy, happy, smart, funny, darling, sweet, amazing babies. Oh my gosh, I can't begin to put into words how much I love them! I'm thankful for our health, my husband's wonderful job that provides for our family, our beautiful home, and the many other things we have.  I'm so thankful for my brother who is serving our country overseas.  He's smart, brave, and I can't wait to see him when he comes home! My boys are so proud to have their uncle in the military.

I can't forget my sweet little business that has bloomed so much this past year.  I've been so blessed in that way! It's truly blossomed along with several friendships with people who have helped me along the way.  It gives me a fun creative outlet and something to call my own.

So on to this madness they call Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Small Business Saturday! I'm totally not a shopper. Except online. :) If I can sit in my PJ's and eat cookies while I shop, I'm all for it. Totally. Don't get me wrong, I love going to a store but not if it means waiting in the cold, mean ladies pushing and sneering, and loss of sleep. Precious sleep! Anyway... on to my deal!


I'm offering 20% off my entire shop now thru Sunday.
No exclusions!
Just use code TRIBEC20 at checkout and you'll be set!

BigCartel: http://www.tribeccreations.bigcartel.com
Etsy: http://www.tribeccreations.etsy.com

Visit either shop for the deal!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. As always, I'm available at tribeccreations@yahoo.com to discuss any custom ideas.

Okay so I HAVE to share this one! One more chunk of super cuteness before I wrap this up. ;)
One of my very favorite photographers sent me this photo yesterday because she came across it and thought of me! *blushes*


Oh my gosh isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen adorable?! I'm totally inspired for next year... I can definitely see something like this in my future!  
Thanks Carrie for thinking of me!

You all rock... you inspire me and I adore having you as friends, fans, and followers. 
Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Tri-Bec


Posted by at 10:31 PM 0 comments
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