Easy Wild Rice

Hello Everyone!

I'm posting this recipe for easy wild rice. No this does not mean it's fast to make, it just has a short number of ingredients. Plus it lets those who can't have sodium have full control. You'll need:

♣ 1 cup white rice, uncooked


♣ 1 large onion, chopped (divide the amount into two parts)

♣ 1 (4 oz) package of uncooked wild rice

♣ 1 clove garlic, chopped

♣ 1-2 Tablespoons parsley flakes

♣ 1 Chicken Bouillon cube or sodium free chicken bouillon packet

Directions:
In a rice cooker add the cup of white rice and half of the chopped onion. Put in two cups of water and cook the rice. In a sauce pan put in the package of wild rice, chopped garlic, chicken bouillon and onion. To cook this by stove top I suggest using the package's cooking directions.

Once the white rice and wild rice are cooked you may add them both to a bowl with the parsley and mix it all up.

This recipe goes well with almost anything, especially fish. Try it out and let me know how it went ^_^

Nantucket Cod Recipe in the works

Hi Everyone!

I'm currently working on a recipe that mimics Eat n' Parks Nantucket Cod.

So far I'm pleased with my first attempt sadly didn't have any crab though so made do with just using shrimp for the seafood filling.

I think it tastes similar and would be perfect if I could just experiment with crab.

Does any one want the recipe?
Let me know by commenting : )

Barnes and Noble Took My Paycheck!

Hi Everyone!

....Ok Barnes and Noble didn't take my paycheck...but darn it they have a way freeing me of a good chunk of my hard earned cash. What can I say I'm a sucker for craft books. Planning to give them a try.
I got a book on embroidery since I really do enjoy embroidery and have always wanted to be as good as my Great Aunt Cida from Brazil. She did fantastic work but then again back in those days girls learned knitting, crochet and embroidery back in school. The nuns taught her.

I also got a book on doll making. I'm terrible at sewing but I want to try so badly! As I told my friend Karyn I'm determined to try grrrr sewing game face --;  .....ya I'm like my American Eskimos I fail at fierce....and just end up looking stupid and nerdy oh well ^_^

Sorry Amazon.com I took the images from you. But at the same time giving you a small advertisement!

Amazon.com has these cheaper than Barnes and Noble. I paid about $25 for the one and almost $30 for the other. While Amazon both are about $20 a piece or $10 if you want a kindle version.

......go for it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/145210963X/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d1_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0BH4CGSNV4N6WB9G6TC9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607055503/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d1_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0BH4CGSNV4N6WB9G6TC9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

I only got them on Friday so I haven't tried any of it out yet but I do recommend them after flipping through the pages about 3 times and readings bits and pieces.

Now this was just part of my splurge at the book store.....I for some reason have another weakness and that is stationery. I don't understand why but I just love the idea of writing on fancy paper and sending a letter to my friends. Granted I only do that when I send them their gifts in the mail. It looks better than a birthday card plus you can write so much more! I really need to just start sending surprise letters. Bring back the excitement of mail.

To the men out there,  if there are any that read this blog...highly doubt it but I give you this advise. You can send a girl flowers that's sweet but if you really write her a letter and put your feelings on it (and I mean sweet words like "I always like hanging out with you" or something mushy like "I love how your eyes light up when you start talking about something you're passionate about. They almost shine like stars" lol mushy) NOT like "hey baby I love how your hips sway when you dance damn it's sexy".....no....never things like that. Letters are for ROMANCE. Give a girl a letter and her heart will probably skip a beat, write it on pretty parchment paper then she knows you were giving this letter some real thought, I mean you actually took the time to pick out awesome paper. 

Bring back letter writing! It's far more personal than a text message or an email! This is something your friends and loved ones will hold onto for years to come. When they're old they may one day take them out of a box that they've saved them in and show their grand-kids. Then their grand-kids will know just how awesome you were when you wrote the letter to them. Create special moments!

Ok mini rant done. Hope you guys give the books a try and hopefully I'll be able to post a project up. 

Plus I'll be doing reviews on some Japanese craft books, I adore them for their graphs.

Talk to you soon!

I heart you all!

~Fantasma

P.S. If I could make this look like a cool letter I so would have.

Game of Thrones Stark cookies

Hi Everyone,

I bought some cookie stamps in July from the awesome seller Totalum on etsy. Seriously awesome work worth every penny.

I made butter cookies and just had to pay homage to the Starks. The bottoms are dipped in dark melting chocolate.

These are for a friend's party hence the packaging.

Legend of zelda blanket

Hi everyone!

Pictures to come of the blanket by the end of the month!

So far link is getting pieced.

The design is of 8bit 1986 link holding the triforce.

So here's a picture of Sasha all comfy with our project. She loves to participate in my projects. My friend who's getting this is very excited. Can't wait to show her : )

Cauliflower Rice

Hi everyone!

Attempted to make cauliflower rice for the first time today. I'd like to say it went very well.

Ingredients & utensils:
1 cauliflower
Dash garlic powder
1-2tbs olive oil

Grater or food processor
Frying pan or pot
Wooden spoon
Knife

Cut up your cauliflower in pieces you can hold and handle easily if you plan to use a grater and smaller if you plan to use the food processor.
Grate/process so it looks like little grains of rice.

Then in the pan or pot heat the oil and and add the cauliflower and sauté.
Just sauté enough so it's tender and season with garlic powder ( to your taste)

Then done!
It's really simple to do and goes well with dishes with sauces. Also good if you're trying to cut some carbs.

I had mine with beef and eggplant that I marinated in some ready made bulgogi marinade. I can tell you ill definitely make it again!

Hope you give it a try : )

Portal granny square blanket design

Hi everyone

I worked on this the other day.
I hope to make it in the future.

It's a bad picture but it works
Go ahead give it a try
Can't make money off a pattern like this since its a copy written item/image from steam but doesn't mean I can't share for FREE

If you have any questions about the graph feel free to ask also if you want a blanket made I take commissions

Have a great weekend everyone!

Scarf Pattern

Hi Everyone!

So I have way too many projects in the works....it's like project attention deficit disorder....or as I call it " I'm tired of staring at this color...oh let's work with this now!"

I started this scarf it's two colors which I'm shocked I'm doing because I'm downright awful at intarsia.

So it's just a simple rib patter k2 p2
These pictures show the front and back.

You should give it a try ^^

Baby Blanket Finished!

Hi Everyone,

Sooooo after months of working on this.....and many breaks. I have finished the baby blanket for my cousin. His son was born a month ago. So this blanket will be making the long trip to Brazil.

I believe the pattern is using Katherine's Wheel.
It's one giant piece and I think it's dubbed the yarn eater blanket.
I got the pattern off of youtube. If anyone is interested in this pattern I will gladly put up the link for you guys. The lady that did it has some wonderful work. She's fantastic!
I'm just  so excited it's done! Sasha is very sad to see it go....she's been eyeing it for months hoping she'd get it, poor puppy. She was sad with the last blanket I made and when my friend came over and got it for her birthday....the puppy would NOT let it go, it was like watching non violent protest she just laid on it and stared at my friend. Took some coaxing to get her to stop.

Homemade steak sandwich

Hi Everyone!

The other day I made steak sandwiches....I love them!

Ingredients are:

Sub buns
Steak ( tenderized by beating with a mallet tenderizer and cut into strips to fit the sandwich I try for 1 1/2 thick in width or so)
Provolone cheese 2-3 slices per sandwich
Butter
Bell pepper ( any color)
Red onions
Mayonaisse
Tooth picks
Foil

Preheat your oven to about 400 degrees

Melt butter in a pan and cook your steak pieces. Afterwards or before which ever step you want to do first is slice thin pieces of red onion and bell pepper sauté until tender ( I sauté using butter for this)

Assembly:

Open up the sub bun layer in some mayonnaise put salt and pepper to your taste. Put in the onion and pepper as much as you like. Add the strips of steak layer with the cheese slices. I like to cut the slices in half then neatly later them kind of helps it from oozing out of the sandwich.

Place bun on top put tooth picks in to hold everything in place and wrap in foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

It will come out ooey gooey with cheese and the bread will be lightly toasted. Yum!

Serve with chips or fries.

Any steak meat will do for this as long as you tenderize it. You don't specifically have to get phillysteak cuts...I know I sure don't.

Also horse radish sauce is awesome in this.

I have etsy followers??

Hi Everyone!

I just keep blogging away this morning must be a good day ^^

I just checked my etsy shop and to my great surprise I learn I have 2 followers.

My eyes bugged out. ME? Have followers?? ^^ squee!

Did a little happy dance in my chair honest I did.

So to the lovely two followers I have just discovered I have, I have something to say.....THANK YOU!!!

If I could I'd hug you both ^^

My mascots my dear dogs Sasha and Gypsy wag their tails in thanks : )

I got a food present yay!

Hi Everyone!

So the other week I got a present from one of the girls I work with and I thought I'd do a little post about it.

My coworker is so sweet she gave us each a Tortuga rum cake. Now I have no idea how much it costs but it looks so pricey from the look of the box.

BUT that's not the point I could care less if it was expensive or cheap.

It's the fact that it was the TASTIEST rum cake EVER! Now I have an urge to learn how to make a super moist rum cake. I thanked her sooo many times for this present....should really thank her more...

So expect in the near future to be getting a rum cake recipe I'm determined!

Plus it could just be me but the packaging is fantastic so pretty

Yes I'm a nerd you guys should have been able to tell by now....

Simple Dessert 1 : Strawberries

Hi Everyone!

Here's a very simple and cheap dessert you can have at home plus with a little imagination you can make it look fancy : )

I got 2 pounds of strawberries the other day at SAMs club and in my poor attempts at being a good girl and eating a bit healthier I did this.

You'll need:
1 bag melting chocolate ( I used Wilson's) you'll use about half the bag
Strawberries of course
Sugar or artificial sweetener ( I used Splenda)
And fat free cool whip
Wax paper

Now wash your strawberries and separate about 10 of them.

Melt your chocolate, I had used a dark chocolate. Now dip the 10 strawberries and let them harden on the wax paper.
If you're lucky you might be able to dip some more depends on the size of your strawberries.

Then just chop up the rest in a bowl and sweeten to your liking.

After that just scoop some chopped strawberries into a bowl decorate with some cool whip and place 2-3 chocolate covered strawberries near the cool whip.

If you're really good you can make it look like a dessert from a high class restaurant : ) and happily know you spent under $10. Happy dance anyone?

Quilt/Crochet Granny Square Blanket Ideas

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently working on two ideas for granny square blankets or quilts.
So far I have a graph for the Companion Cube. I also have a graph of 1986 Legend of Zelda's Link holding a piece of the Triforce. I'll get these pictures out this weekend. At least the Companion Cube the Link I'm thinking needs some cleanign up before I pass it on : )

If you have any ideas you'd like to see graphed out for a granny square or quilt blanket let me know and I'll see what I can do. Just message me and I'll get back to you.

Oh and update on my Fiery Amigurumi

He's still going I'm still fussing over the shape of his head. I'm also trying to hunt down my latch hook. So he's still a loving work in progress.

Have a nice week everyone!

How to have a fun time with your frieds whle staying home

Hi Everyone!

Now if you're sitting around thinking of what to do with your friends but you're tight on cash here's some ideas. Now if you're my age *coughs* 25 *coughs* there's plenty of stuff to do.

First here's some examples of what I have planned for my one friend and I who are planning on hanging out this Saturday.

Video Games: don't lie to yourselves you still love video games at this age, take out your old system(s) and break out those old favorites and get to playing. We love Legend of Zelda so all the old games come out from the 1986 8bit classic to Skyward Sword. Not to forget other gaming classics like megaman. Dance Dance Revolution anyone?

I grew up as a kid in the 90's and there were sooo many computer games out there. Two that stick with me to this day are 7th Guest and Starship Titanic. Sadly the discs don't work anymore due to computer technology advancing so much (..you'd think they'd let the old stuff still be useable if necessary) BUT thankfully they sell Starship Titanic for Windows XP ^.^ I did a happy dance when I found it. Plus there's some internet vendors who sell games like 7th Guest for internet download and they include the programs needed for the game to function properly. I also got its sequel 11th Hour and some of the old Kings Quest games. The site I got it from is GOG.com it's a great place and the games are decent prices some even come two for one. 7th Guest was just $9.99 it was exciting.

Youtube: Watch your favorite videos together heck find new ones! Youtube is a potential goldmine for hilarious videos AND educational ones. Once we watched a craft tutorial. Even music videos to pass the time while waiting for something else are good. Don't forget if you have internet access on your tv you can watch youtube on the "big screen"

Movies: Get out your movies people, sometimes that movie theater is tempting but when you don't have the cash it's just not plausible. So I take out all my dvds and we route through them to see what we haven't seen in a while. Just the other day by myself I took out my Mel Brooks movies and went on a spree. Not to mention I watched the Odd Couple while I cut out some squares for a quilt. I don't care what anyone says Walter Mathau and Jack Lemon are fantastic....I wish they were alive and well and doing more films.....
Also Anime anyone? Unleash the nerd within and watch your favorite anime or the one you've been meaning to check out, there are many sites online that have them for free.

Also if you and your friends are really dead set on something like pay per view all of you just chip in for the price. So lets say a movie you want is on and it's $6.99 to see it. Well just divide the cost and you're good to go. So if there are 3 of you you're all paying less than $3.

Cooking: Well this can go two ways. You can cook before your friend(s) come or you can make them part of the process. Trust me when I say you have a really great friend if he or she helps out. Plus it makes for some good memories and trust me if something goes wrong you both end up having a good laugh. I always like to make things in advance sometimes if it takes a while but sometimes my friends like to pitch in by chopping veggies etc. Although when it comes to sweets we all just dive right in. Especially if we bake cookies.....we sometimes eat the dough raw and not that many cookies make it into the oven....

Also don't forget dinner that you'd normally make at home having 1-2 more people around doesn't add to the cost : )

Crafts: Now if you're like my friends and I we love crafts, we just adore it. One friend of mine was an art major in school so she loves to draw and show us different painting techniques, I love when she does it's great to learn new things. I like to crochet and knit and I sometimes try to teach or they like to give me color ideas. But when crafting together you learn new techniques and other crafts. Plus it leaves for plenty of talk time. Sometime we let the radio play or we semi watch a film while we craft deep into the night.

The key is to find things in your house, make it fun!

This Saturday my friend and I will pretty much be doing all of the above. Especially crafts because she's going to be in a 5k and it's at Disney so she's going to look like Belle. I got me some shorts to embellish this weekend and she gets to learn for future use : )

Give it a try and have some old time fun!

Think about it when blue laws existed (before my time), our families did NOTHING on Sunday NOTHING was open. According to my dad you'd have like a pharmacy open and they'd take turns on who'd be open.

So if they could entertain themselves at home you can too! I know I can ^^

Etsy Sale!

Hi Everyone!

For limited time only if you like me and message me on Facebook I will give you 20% off on your purchase at my store! There are three dog collars just waiting for a home : )

If you think your dog deserves to be treated like a princess these are the collars for you

Remember just search for fantasmalua

Sandwich: change up your pb&j!

Hi everyone

Quick sandwich idea. Sometimes I just get tired of peanut butter and jelly. Then there's the times that I know I could make a cheese sandwich or something with deli meat but yet I don't feel like meat or cheese. I call these my 5 year old moments where I crave something a little kid would eat.

That's when I turn to Nutella. Just use that with peanut butter in your sandwich instead if jelly. It's a chocoholics dream! It's especially tasty when you toast the bread and both it and the peanut butter begin to melt yum ^^

You can even put banana slices in the middle. Heck strawberries even.

Also random kid idea give your kid a piece of toast smothered in peanut butter and use different fruits to make a face. Maraschino cherry eyes banana slice mouth strawberry nose it's all good : )

.....and now I want a Nutella and peanut butter sandwich....and I have neither in the house....sad times sad times....

Labyrinth Fiery Pattern Update

Hi everyone!

Soooo got the torso done as well as the nose/snout tried to make it already connected to the head...but it went wrong....BUT I now have a pattern for a wizard hat! Also now working on the head and I already figured out the ears so good progress I think hoping to finish in a week or so ^^

Recipe Coming Soon! Potato Soup

Hi Everyone!

In the next week I'll be posting up my family recipe for Potato Soup.
I just have to get my exact measurements its been years since I looked at a recipe card for this it's to the point it's all in my head. Which is funny because as I write those words I sound like my grandma most of her recipes are in her head too...just wish she'd write them down so when she's gone I can remember her through her recipes. My grandpa would call her Mao Santo roughly translated it means Saint's Hands because her cooking skills are fantastic. I hope one day I can get a title like that.

Red Lobster Biscuit Instant Mix Review

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm going to review Red Lobsters biscuit mix. I was so excited to see it when I went to Sam's Club the other day I just had to try it.

So here's the verdict.....

I WILL NEVER HAVE TO GO TO RED LOBSTER AGAIN!

It's not the perfect biscuit you get BUT I think it's because you have to determine how long it will take in your own oven I believe once you get the time down they are perfect

Now if only I could study the ingredients in the box to figure it out ingredient wise so I don't have to buy the mix....I'm that much of a pain

But the box it goes for about $6 and it gives you three bags of mix and three packets of the butter flavor mix. All you need then is water and 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese for the mix and melted butter to use for the seasoning that you brush on after they're done.

My only suggestions are that when you use the butter use less than what they say so its more concentrated and you get a stronger taste in the biscuits

Also note use SALTED butter first time I tried it all I had was unsalted so they were ok but you couldn't help but go "should have added salt"

But all in all it's worth trying....I got my second box already.....if I get any fatter we all know why

So my one theory is next Olive Garden will be kicking out a breadstick mix. I have this theory because Red Lobster and Olive Garden along with Longhorn Steak House are owned by the same company.....just a matter of time I mean for god'a sake they already try to sell us Olive Garden croutons.

I hope my review was helpful and you give these biscuits a try because my parents and I give it a thumbs up...not to mention my eskies Sasha and Gypsy give it paws up they know what these biscuits are I think they already recognize the box....

Crazy Mocha Coffee Co.

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm doing a little love post for my favorite coffee company. Crazy Mocha it's in Pittsburgh.

First off prices are a bit similar to Starbucks it's cheaper to some degree depending on the type of drink you get.

BUT taste wise it blows Starbucks out of the water. Because if no one noticed this Starbucks' idea if roasting coffee is basically to just almost burn it. It all tastes the same plus the reason for that is so you can still taste coffee after they've mixed in all the sugary flavorings.

Crazy Mocha has better tasting coffee and their flavored drinks are wonderful.
I love their one where they have chocolate and banana flavors in it ^.^ tasty!

Also they actually know what a real macchiato is folks its NOT what Starbucks gives you THAT is a latte. A REAL macchiato is literally just the 1-2 shots of espresso then topped with the foam from steamed milk that is it. Now if you wanted a caramel version you just add caramel sauce into it.

Oh you're full of it fantasma you might say but I speak the truth I was a barista for a year in college the coffee bean vendor taught me about each drink and how to actually make a perfect espresso shot. Which for reference should take 15-25 seconds no more. And it will have 3 shades of brown if done properly. He also taught me preflavored coffee beans once brewed contained the same sort of ingredient you'd find in antifreeze....totally put me off my preflavored coffees.

But in a nutshell if you go to Pittsburgh go to crazy mocha. Btw if the barista ever reads this she needs to know she's epically awesome and I owe her a major tip when my temp job ends here.

Also love the goat.
Today was cafe au lait day ^.^

Amigurumi Pattern in the Works- Labyrinth

Hi everyone!

I'm currently working on a pattern it's going slowly but it's going. The character being made is a Fiery from Jim Henson's Labyrinth.

I remember being 5 and watching that movie completely mesmerized....not to mention the huge crush I had on David Bowie....Jareth was one of my childhood crushes yes I admit it freely.

But I also I loved the fieries to this day I listen to the soundtrack still. It helps me not get frustrated as I work on my pattern because it makes me remember my love of Labyrinth.

Also small rant WHY does this movie not get enough love?!?! People only a year or two younger than me don't know this film.....blasphemous! I was born in 87! It's not THAT old and still more epic than a lot the stuff kids are seeing on tv today.

So hopefully more pictures to come only one I took so far was of his body which isn't close to being done.
Not too pleased with the red I chose BUT it was on sale and is soooooft ^.^
Plus so far it's keeping decent shape.