Yum, Yum I found a recipe similar to Old Chicago's Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls!!!!!!!

My FAVORITE thing to eat at Old Chicago is their Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls! I can't get enough of them - especially since I don't live close to one anymore. :(

I found a Copycat recipe at wegottaeat.com submitted by Stacy Clark. I am so excited and can't wait to try it.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

- Pizza dough (enough for 1 pizza - I've used a number of different mixes and recipes, and the only one I don't recommend is the Pillsbury kind that comes in a tube)

- 1 package pepperoni
- 1 cup shredded mozz cheese
- 1 cup (or a few slices) Pepper Jack cheese
- 6 green onions, sliced
- Caesar or Ranch salad dressing (this seems to be the "magic" ingredient - the tangier the dressing the better!)

Directions:

Mix the dough according to the directions, roll it out into a thin rectangle and slice it into 6-8" long strips. Top each strip with pepperoni, cheese, green onions, and a fairly generous amount of Caesar or Ranch dressing. Roll the strips from end to end like a cinnamon roll - whichever side ends up flatter will be used as the "bottom". Place a pepperoni on the bottom and put the roll on a greased cookie sheet or baking pan. Bake for 18-20 min at 425 (or until dough is golden brown).

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Winter Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Winter Holiday Blog Hop being hosted by yours truly! Grab a hot chocolate, sit back and enjoy. I know you will find many things to love by the 9 women joining me in this hop. 


Back in October my mother and I went to a large craft show in Oklahoma City. One booth was crawling in spiders. They were all over the booth, laying around and hanging on a Christmas tree. I was very confused. The man then told us about the Legend of the Christmas Spider. They were even selling a book about The Christmas Spider.  Mom just had to get one. Being a teacher, I had to get the book AND 2 spiders - one for my house and one to use in my classroom (when I get one again).

Mom and I made some Christmas Spiders to be given to the children at my church. I got on line and looked at the various versions of the story. This is the story that we liked best. Each child will also get a copy of the story when they get their spider.

The Legend of the Christmas Spider

 Once upon a time, long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year....the day on which the Christ Child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left anywhere. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling. To avoid the housewife's busy cleaning, they finally fled to the farthest corner of the attic.

T’was Christmas Eve at last! The tree was decorated and the children were delighted. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ Child's visit. The oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door to see him. Silently they crept out of their attic, down the stairs, and across the floor to wait in the crack in the threshold. Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit and quickly the spiders scurried into the room. They must see the tree closely, since their eyes weren't accustomed to the brightness of the room... so the crept all over the tree, up and down, over every branch and twig and saw every one of the pretty decorations. At last they satisfied themselves completely of the Christmas tree’s beauty.

But alas!! Everywhere they went they had left their webs, and when the little Christ Child came to bless the house he was dismayed. He loved the little spiders, for they were God's creatures too, but he knew the mother, who had trimmed the tree for the little children, wouldn't feel the same, so He touched the webs and they all turned to sparkling, shimmering, silver and gold!

Ever since that time, we have hung tinsel on our Christmas trees, and according to the legend, it has been a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the tree.

 A folk legend from Germany and the Ukraine.

Here are a couple of the spiders we made.

I hope you are having a wonder Christmas Season. I can't believe Christmas is almost here. I am sooooooo not ready. I have purchased very few gifts. I better get to work. Don't really know when we will be able to finish. :(

Well enjoy the hop. Here is the line up!

1.  VinDeeLoo - VinDeeLoo's This 'n That! <-----You are HERE!
2.  Alina - Addicted to Scrapbooking!!!! -----> Go Here Next!
3.  Paula - Scrap Your World
4.  Jessica - That's Uneek
5.  Yolonda - Crafty Scentiments
6.  Martha - A Scrapping Time
7.  Leah - Leah's Card Designs
8.  Lissa - So Many Crafts, So Little Time
9.  Sigrid - LoveScrapReflect
10. Monica - Scraps 2 Treasure

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and safe travels!
Until next time ~ VinDeeLooAddicted to Scrapbooking!!!!

Give Thanks Blog Hop - Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of the Give Thanks Blog Hop. I hope you enjoyed your hop yesterday and are back for day 2. I just loved everyone's projects. Seeing everyone's projects always gets my mind to thinking. I have some new ideas for when I get back into a classroom.


Today's project is about something I am thankful for - my family. My husband and I can't have children so we spend a lot of time with our 4 nieces. Last night I had a date with my 11 year old niece, Hannah. She is a soccer player - which makes Uncle Vince proud. Uncle Vince played soccer past college. He officiates today. Oklahoma State University is playing in the Women's NCAA Soccer Tournament. They are playing just over an hour away. Last night I took Hannah to the game. I had so much fun with her. If my 6 year old niece, Heidi, had not been ill I would have taken her too. She is just getting into soccer. She is soooo fun to watch. Both their teams this fall went undefeated.


My oldest niece, Holly, is 17. I can't believe she will be a Senior next year. I tear up thinking about it now. She is a cheerleader, basketball player, pole vaulter, runner,  etc. This year during a football game someone snapped of picture of Holly kissing her baby sister Henley. The picture just melts my heart. Henley is 3 and is growing up way to fast. Last night I thought how big/old she is looking. No more baby Henley.


I love pictures done on multiple canvases. I took the picture of Holly and Henley...

cropped it an blew it up to 12.75 inches by 12.75 inches. I used my photo editing program and divided the picture into nine 4.25 inch squares and attached them to tiles. I am excited about the way they turned out and have ideas to do more with different pictures. I am looking forward to doing the picture of me kissing my grandfather at my wedding.


These nine pictures...(sorry for the blurriness)

 go together to make...

Your next stop along the hop is Carley.

Here is the line up in case you get lost along the way:
1. VinDeeLoo - VinDeeLoo's This 'n That! ---> You are here!
2. Carley - The Real i Carley <---Go here next!
3. Leah - Leah's Card Designs
4. Ashley - Made Especially For You
5. Alina - Addicted to Scrapbooking!
6. Dee - Designs From My Heart
7. Sigrid - Love Scrap Reflect
8. Paula - Scrap Your World
9. Martha - A Scrapping Time

We will remember!

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Give Thanks Blog Hop - Day 1

Welcome to the Give Thanks Blog Hop - Day 1. This is part of the monthly hops hosted by Creations with Kathryn, however, she is not able to be a part of this hop (and December's) due to a family situation. I am filling in as surrogate hostess. Kathryn, we are thinking and praying for your family!


I have been wanting to make some coasters. Many months ago I purchased some tiles with the intention of trying to etch them. Absolutely NOTHING worked good enough to my standards. I pretty much gave up on the idea. When working on my Day 2 project, a thought came to me. What if I combined my "Autumn Is Here" project and the box of tiles I couldn't use.


Here is what I came up with. 

And here is the set of 6 coasters.

I cut the napkins to a 4.25x4.25 inch square. I mod podged the napkin on.From experience, completely let the tile dry before adding mod podge on top of the napkin - less wrinkles.


When I bought the tiles, I also purchased some shelf liner. I didn't mind the baby print on top, because I knew it would be the part glued to the tile. Now the tiles won't scratch furniture or slip. 

I was going to give my tiles to my mother on Thanksgiving, but since we are now going to my sister's I will give them to her. I hope she likes them.


Be sure and come back tomorrow and see what I am thankful for!


Your next stop on the Give Thanks Blog Hop is my friend Carley from The Real iCarley. Less than a year ago when I was just starting this crafty adventure I went on my first blog hop. I won my very first blog candy from Carley and we have been friends since. I am so glad she was able to join with me today!


Now on to the rest of the hop!
1. VinDeeLoo - VinDeeLoo's This 'n That! ---> You are here!
2. Carley - The Real iCarley <---Next!!!
3. Leah - Leah's Card Designs
4. Ashley - Made Especially for You
5. Alina - Addicted to Scrapbooking
6. Dee - Designs From My Heart
7. Sigrid - love scrap reflect
8. Paula - Scrap Your World!
9. Martha - a scrapping time

I WILL remember!

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Heavy Heart

As I prepare for tonight's blog hop, I have a heavy heart. My alma mater - Oklahoma State University - lost two of our own yesterday in a plane crash. Coach Kurt Budke and Coach Miranda Serna were killed yesterday on a recruiting trip when their plane went down. There were no survivors. I just this moment found out the pilot and his wife are from Ponca City, Oklahoma - 15 minutes from where I live. This is de-ja-vouix for the Orange and Black. Just in January, we remembered the 10 who were lost in a plane crash 10 years ago on their way home from a men's basketball game.

Coach Budke and Coach Serena, you now join the 10

 we will never forget - 

Nathan Zane Fleming, Pat Noyes, William Ransom Hancock III, William "Bill" B. Teegins, Daniel Paul Lawson Jr., Jared Grant Weiberg, Brian Wayne Luinstra, Kendall Carlton Durfey, Denver Ray Mills, and Bjorn Gunnar Fahlstrom!

What is Orange?

Orange is that day that you moved into the dorms as a freshman w/ lines for the elevator.

It’s meeting those friends that would stick with you for life. 

It’s remembering those dorm buildings, even though they may not be there anymore.

It’s wearing orange the Friday before the first game & every Friday after that. 

It’s KURT BUDKE, MIRANDA SERNA, Barry Sanders, John Smith, Garth Brooks, Mike Gundy, Eddie Sutton… it’s you and me. 

Orange is putting your arm around the shoulder of the stranger next to you to sing the Alma Mater. 

It’s making the switch to saying “Power” instead of “Orange.” 

It’s remembering Lewis Field & admiring Boone Pickens Stadium. 

It’s knowing that it’s left hand up to make an “S.” 

Orange is when it’s good for a Cowboy First Down and Ten. 

Orange is Pistols Firing – Touchdown Oklahoma State. 

It’s “...O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A Oklahoma STATE” no matter where you are when the state song is played.

It’s the big smile on your face when you walk past the orange fountain. 

It’s going back to the place you worked in college & remembering it as the best job you ever had even though it paid the least. 

It’s a cabinet full of Joe’s cups. 

Orange is knowing that it’s time to go home when you hear “New York, New York” or “Shoulda Been a Cowboy.” 

Orange is the one you tried to let down easy & the one you’ll never forget. 

Orange is wanting to get out of Stillwater for four years & spending the rest of your life wanting to go back.

Proud and Immortal,

Bright shines your name.

Oklahoma State,

We herald your fame.

Ever you’ll find us,

Loyal and true.

To our Alma Mater

O – S – U!!!!

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Give Thanks Blog Hop

Our monthly blog is just around the corner. Unfortunately Kathryn is unable to participate in this hop so she has asked me to step in as surrogate hostess. I hope I can live up to her expectations. Please join me on November 19th and 20th for some wonderful projects.
Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop

Welcome to the Halloween Trick or Treat Blog Hop hosted by Kathryn of Creations With Kathryn. If you just arrived from Amy Designs than you are in the right spot. If you just happened on my blog and would like to start at the beginning, then go here.

Halloween is just around the corner. It will be here before you know it. We usually go spend Halloween at my sister's house. We hand out her candy while she takes her daughters Trick or Treating. I enjoy seeing my nieces costumes. I think that one of my nieces will be The Cat in the Hat and the younger 2 will be Thing 1 and Thing 2. My oldest niece probably won't be around this year as she is 17 and will most likely be with her friends.

I usually do something special for the girls. This year I put their stuff in these cute little "sour cream" treat holders. I also made about 40 of these to sell at a craft show. Hopefully I will sell out today.

Your next stop on this hop if Peanut Butter & Jelly Designs by Michelle. I wonder what super cute digi she will have found to use today! :)
Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop hosted by Dee of Vintage Heartfelt Designs.  As you know October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We want to spread the news about this deadly disease that could be cured if it is diagnosed in time. I know that each and everyone of us has been touched by someone with cancer or has had it ourselves. Thank you Dee for having me be a part of this hop. My mother is a survivor and I am doing this in her honor. She was diagnosed 9 years ago (the year after I got married) and has been cancer free since her surgery and radiation! Praise God!

If you arrived from Charity of Scrap Faire you are in the right spot. If you just happened upon my blog and want to start at the beginning then go here. You do want to make sure you go to all stops because we have 3 sponsors and lots of Blog Candy.

After you have finished the hop, I would love it if you would stop back at the beginning at Vintage Heartfelt Designs and let Dee know which project you liked the most.You will need to do this in order to be eligible for the blog candy that she is giving away on her blog, which is a bag of goodies that you can use to scrap with and a $15.00 gift certificate. You must leave a comment on each blog and become a member of each blog to be eligible for the candy from our sponsors.

Our  instructions for this hop was to use "PINK". We have 3 sponsors for this hop. We would love to see a project from you with the same instructions - use "PINK"!

Our first sponsor is Jillian Vance who's favorite color is pink and is offering a set of her stamps.

Our second sponsor is Micelle from Cloud 9. She is offering a $20.00 GC to use on her sight.

Our third sponsor is Jennifer from Crafty Card Gallery. She is offering a $10 GC to amazon.com or Oh My Crafts.

Now that all the formalities are over with we can get to my project. Let me tell you, everything that could go wrong HAS gone wrong with this project. After I purchased what I needed for this hop my husband decided to help and "put away" my stuff. Guess what, when I went to go work on the project my stuff was gone. He has no idea where he put it. So, I make a trip to Hobby Lobby and re-purchase what I needed. Now I can sit down and work on it. I find out that food coloring does not work in paraffin. Who would have known? My mother didn't know either because she thought it was a good idea. I make a trip back to Hobby Lobby to get what I need and come home to my electricity flickering and going off. But never fear, I did get my project done FINALLY!!!!!

In September I was in a blog hop and altered a candle. You can see that here. I had TONS of paraffin left over and thought I would like to make a candle. When I saw the ribbon candy molds at Hobby Lobby (you know the ones I had to purchase 2 of), I thought that would be a perfect project for this hop. Since the food coloring didn't work, I got some wax crystals that were pink. I added a little bit of an old burgundy candle to make the pink a little darker. This was a very messy project. I spilled wax EVERYWHERE! Be careful with candy molds, they are open on one end. :) I put a tooth pick in the cooling wax to add the wick. After trial and error I found that if I use a small screw and slowly twist through the candle and then untwist, I can easily add the wick.

Well, I hope you are enjoying this hop I know I had fun coming up with my idea. Many are offering blog candy along the way. I would love to be able to afford to give some candy away for every hop I participate in, but I am a teacher with out a job (aren't rifs fun?) and we don't have much fun money. I have decided when I get to 150 followers I will put together some type of candy and do a give away.

Don't forget to go back to Vintage Heartfelt Designs for a chance to win Dee's blog candy and the candy from our sponsors!

Your next stop on this "Hop for a Cause/Cure" is Jamie of Crafty Girl 21!

Here is our line up, in case you get lost along the way:
1. Dee of Vintage Heartfelt Designs

2. Kari of Purple Funtastick Creations
3. Faith of Faithfule Creations
4. Haidee of **created2Bunique**
5. Becky of Becks Cricards
6. Bunny of Bunny Runs with Scissors
7. Jillian of Princess & the Paper
8. Amy Jo of Scrappings, Card Making and Living with Fibro
9. Gill  of Creations by Gill M
10. Jennifer of Crafty Card Gallery
11. Paula of Scrap Your World
12. Tonya of Creative Addiction to Paper
13. Debbie of Debbie's Craft Time
14. Carol of Cardstock Scissors and Glue
15. Pam of Scrapbook Flair
16. Linda S. of Linda's Crafty Piece of Heaven
17. Linda J. of Scrapbooking and More
18. Michelle of Queen of my Craftroom
19. Ellen of Cardmonkey's Paper Jungle
20. Jearise of Lorby's World
21. Brynn of Flair and Frills
22. Charity of Scrap Faire
23. VinDeeLoo of VinDeeLoo's This 'n That --You Are Here!--
24. Jamie of Crafty Girl 21! <-----GO HERE NEXT----->
25. Donna Lee of -Scrampin N Scrapin with Donna Lee
26. Rachelle of Creations by Rachelle
27. Kristy of Scraptastical Kreations
28. Sylvia of Bella Scrapbook Designs
29. Cathy of Designs From My Heart
30. Sandra of 365 Days of Cricut

Don't forget to go back to the beginning for your chance to win some Blog Candy from our wonderful host, Dee and from our gracious sponsors - Jillian Vance, Cloud 9, and Crafty Card Gallery!

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Breast Cancer Awareness Blog Hop on October 1st!

I am participating in a blog hop on October 1st. The topic is very near and dear to my heart as my mother is a Breast Cancer Survivor. I want to thank Dee with Vintage Heart Felt Designs for hosting this hop and allowing me to participate.

As of right now we have 3 sponsors and many/most all stops are offering blog candy.

Our first sponsor is A Jillian Vance Design offering a set of stamps.

Our second sponsor is Michelle of Cloud 9 offering a $20 prize to use on her site.

Our third sponsor is Jennifer Restivo with Crafty Card Gallery.

Our gracious host Dee is including a $15.00 gift card and goodie bag with her blog candy. 

Be sure and put October 1st on your calendar! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Autumn Is Here Blog Hop - Day 2

Welcome back to Day 2 of Autumn Is Here Blog Hop hosted by Creations With Kathryn. Yesterday's hop was so fun. I hope you got some good ideas! If you arrived from Michelle of Peanut Butter & Jelly Designs then you are in the right place. If you just stumbled upon my blog and want to start at the beginning go to Creations With Kathryn.


Before I get to my stuff I want to give a Shout Out to Lissa of So Many Crafts So Little Time. While at her blog during the hop yesterday I noticed a section of her blog Photography Tips for Beginners. I left a comment for Lissa asking for tips on taking pictures for our blogs. She graciously posted some tips about an hour after my comment. Thank you sooooo much Lissa. To bad it has rained here all day and we had no natural light. I will try to use your tips for next time. :)


Michelle always finds the coolest digi stamps. Her card from yesterday really goes with my projects for today. :)


Project 1 is a Wall Hanging. 

I used 11 craft sticks on the front. If you were to use the jumbo craft sticks you would not need as many. Just make sure you use enough to cover the 3 sticks on back that give the wall hanging sturdiness. I found some fall napkins at Dollar General (for $1). Cut out the design you want and and take the back layer of your napkin off. I used Mod Podge to decoupage the napkin onto the craft sticks. My husband was nice enough to drill 2 small holes so I could add the wire and raffia to hang.


Project 2 is an Altered Clay Pot

I took a clay pot and painted it brown. I used the same napkins to decorate the pot. I just cut the cornucopia out differently but Mod Podged it on as well as the leaves. Right now I am using the pot to hold what few napkins we have. We are more a paper towel family. You could also put a small plant in it. 


I hope you like what you have seen. I would love to hear from you and for you to become a follower.


The next stop on this hop is Tina with Tina Time.


Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Autumn Is Here Blog Hop - Day 1

Welcome to the "Autumn Is Here Blog Hop" hosted by our talented Kathryn from Creations With Kathryn.


Are you ready for Autumn? I know I am ready. We had record breaking 100+ days all summer. Our electric bill has been out of this world. I am sooooooo glad we are cooling off. Temperatures have dropped over 30 degrees in the last week. I really hope it is here to stay. 


Hopefully you are coming from Michelle with Peanut Butter & Jelly Designs. If you have just stumbled onto my blog and want to start from the very beginning you can go to Creations With Kathryn.


I really have no idea where I came up with my ideas for this hop. I remember seeing a candle in a magazine and ideas started popping in my head.

A friend gave me this angel back before I got married. She knew I collected angels and when she saw this, she thought of me. I usually set it out at Christmas with a Snow Candle from Party Lite on it. I thought why not use it for other seasons too. I purchased a $4.99 cinnamon and spice candle from Hobby Lobby that was on sale for $2.49. I also purchased a 1 pound box of paraffin - with my 40% off  coupon at Hobby Lobby. I looked all over and could not find leaves I wanted to use. I don't have a Michael's near me and I really hate that. Last week mom and I went to Wichita to get music for my church choir. We ran by Michael's and I found the size of leaves I wanted ($6.99) and was able to use a 40% off coupon. I have more paraffin and leaves than I know what to do with. I have always wanted to make candles. Maybe this is just what I need to start doing that.

I heated the paraffin and dipped my leaves into it. I heated it in the microwave. It started to cool off before I was done dipping the leaves. My embossing heat gun worked very well to keep the paraffin melted while dipping. I then hot glued the leaves onto my candle.

Something was missing so I took some of my leaves and sat the candle on top of them.

Now I have a pretty fall candle to set out during Autumn.

Be sure and come back tomorrow to see what else I came up with. I would love for you to leave a comment and become a follower.

The next stop on you hop is Tina with Tina Time

Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Brag Post!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to my niece Hannah Beth!!! 

She ran in her first Cross Country meet today. She rocked!!! She is a 6th grader. She was running against 6th, 7th and 8th graders. She placed 22nd. She was only 2 positions out of medaling. Out of her team (6th, 7th, and 8th graders) she took 2nd!


Sissy, I am SOOOOOOO proud of you! You ROCK girlfriend!
Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Candy Giveaway!!!!

Scrapbookers Central has started a new blog. For every 100 followers they will be giving away some candy.The 1st giveaway is the following picture.

Let's help them reach their goal and win some candy along the way!
Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo

Welcome to The Beginning of School Blog Hop Day 2!

Welcome back to Kathryn's wonderful Beginning of School Blog Hop Day 2. Hopefully you are arriving from  Lissa's So Many Crafts, So Little Time.  Didn't you just love her lay out yesterday? I would love to have the pencil die cuts. I could see me using those on bulletin boards in the future.

Now if you missed yesterday or are just happening on my blog today, don't worry. You can still see what all these wonderful ladies have made by starting at the beginning at Kathryn's Creations With Kathryn.

Now before I show you what I made for today, I have to get a bonus chance at some blog candy out of the way. If you were on the hop yesterday, you saw that Jen from Scrapping at the McCalley House is giving you an extra entry for her blog candy by mentioning her blog on your blog. Well everyone loves a little blog candy, so I just had to mention her. :)

Now on with the hop. Even though I don't have a class room again this year, I still think about bulletin boards and things for my future classroom. I decided to do a bulletin board that can be used at most any grade level.

All my paper is from WalMart in their stacks. "Grab a good book!" is cut at 4" with a shadow. For the life of me, I can't remember what cartridge the font was from. I am thinking ?Printing 101? but not sure.

The books are from Locker Talk and are cut at 6" with a shadow. I think the apple is from the same cartridge and is cut at 2" with a shadow.

The children are from Everyday Paper Dolls and cut at 4". I used my Peachy Keen PK-570 Basic Paper Doll Face Assortment Package 1" stamps for the faces. I would like to add 4 more dolls at some point.

My intentions are to cut out single books and write the names of Award Winning books on them for the grade level I am teaching. This bulletin board would go in my reading center. Did you see the bookworm Digi Stamp that Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs by Michelle used yesterday? It would have been a wonderful addition to this project. In fact, I looked for a bookworm to use, but didn't have one in my cartridges. I think the Digi Stamp would also make great bookmarks.

I hope you are enjoying your hop. I know I am. Please encourage your friends to hop along too. Remember if I get to 150 followers on this hop I will do some kind of Blog Candy.

Next on this journey is Jen at Confessions of a Scrapaholic. I always enjoy seeing what she has to offer.
Until next time ~ VinDeeLoo