Mushroom Rice with Pork

Greetings. I have another rice dish for you all. Been trying to use up stuff in the house before it goes bad. I dislike throwing out food. So I have been experimenting with different things to come up with dinner options. 

The teen has been very receptive to these experiments, devouring his plate and asking for seconds. He is definitely a "speak your mind" person so if he doesn't like something he will let you know. 

It makes me happy to know these experiments are successful. Never been one to be brave in the kitchen, choosing to follow recipes to the letter. 

What You Need:

• 2 pork chops (reasonable size) - cut up into even pieces
• 1 can of mixed veggies (drained)
• 1 can of condensed Mushroom Soup
•  cooked white rice
• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Cut up pork chops into even pieces. I used pork chops that I had from the freezer and I cut them while they were still partially frozen, to make it easier to cut. 
2. In a deep frying pan, cook the pork till it is no longer pink, then add the mushroom soup and a can of water. 
3. Add the drained veggies and cooked rice and cook for about 10 min, stirring occasionally, till the liquid has decreased and the rice and veggies are warmed up. 
4. Serve immediately. 

It was very tasty and pretty quick to make. I am all about quick when it comes to making food. Who has time to stand for hours in the kitchen. There is so many other wonderful things you can be doing with your time. ^.~

Hugs and Smoochies from the Madhouse

<3 Arawynn <3  

Happy Valentine's Day

This year I decided to celebrate my single status instead of cursing all the happy couples I see out and about in my travels. I discovered that in previous years I would just end up feeling worse and in a foul mood. Why waste time feeling that way? So this year I decided to treat myself for Valentine's Day. After all they do say you can't expect someone to love you if you don't love yourself first. 

I actually found I have enjoyed Valentine's Day this year. No disappointment in being forgotten or not having someone to share it with. I smiled when I saw all the frantic men looking for gifts for their ladies. My heart was full of love when I would spot older gentlemen with bouquets of roses for their ladies. 

I love getting deals as well so when I happened across these items I just had to snatch them up. In the Madhouse it is not uncommon to be some form of Rock Band being played. Sometimes The Teen joins in, on guitar but usually it is just me singing. We have Lego Rock Band, Beatles Rock Band and Rock Band 2. Now I am the proud owner of Rock Band 3. I found it on Kijiji brand new for only $10. Not too shabby if I do say so. 

I also found this awesome red jacket for $15, brand new. It was on clearance and the only one left. How could I not pick this beauty up. It was like it was destined to BE MINE. Oh you see what I did there :P 

Normally I shy away from bright colours, preferring my muted black colours instead. But I felt drawn to this jacket so I went with it and I am very happy with my purchase. Who doesn't love a deal? 

The Teen also made dinner tonight for the first time. I also got a huge hug for no other reason then to give me a hug. I think I am doing something right with this parenting business. Such a proud mama I am. 

So if you find yourself alone this Valentine's Day, don't fret. Go find something pretty for yourself, do something for yourself or spend time with people that you love, they don't  have to be romantic partners. Love yourself first and love will find you. 

As for me, I am off to become famous and have the best tour in Rock Band 3. Gamers ftw <3 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from the Madhouse. 
Hugs and Smoochies 

<3 Arawynn <3 

Repurposed Tin into a TARDIS

Oh yes another TARDIS. What can I say, I am TARDIS obsessed lately. I have been seeing them everywhere. 

This time I took a cookie tin from finger cookies and painted it all up to look like the TARDIS. In my haste to start painting, I forgot to snap a before picture. Silly me. 

I loved how it turned out and I am currently trying to decide if I want to keep it for myself as an awesome, geeky storage box or give it away to someone. I can always make another. 

I love letting my creative juices flow, even if they seem focused on the TARDIS. 

Currently trying to find the perfect item to use as the light on the top. I am sure I have something in my craft stash. 

I would love to see your versions if you choose to make one of your very own. 

Hugs and Smoochies from the Madhouse

<3 Arawynn <3

Madhouse Spanish Rice...

I have been getting creative in the Madhouse kitchen. I know, I am shocked too. I have been meaning to make Spanish Rice for a long while now. I decided to create my own version as an experiment. The Teen gave it his thumbs up in approval so I thought I would share. 

You Need: 

• 1 pound ground beef
• 4 cups of uncooked rice (I made way more than I needed for this so you could probably get away with 2-3 cups.)
• a bag of frozen veggies (partially thawed) 
• 1 package of Fajita spice (or any spices you wish to include) 
• 1 can of Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 cups of water
• dash of Hot Sauce

Cook rice according to directions. While that is cooking, brown ground beef and drain. Then add one can of crushed tomatoes, fajita spice package, veggies and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer till veggies are cooked. Add cooked rice to meat mixture and combine till rice is evenly distributed and no longer white. 

Serve immediately, add hot sauce if you wish. (The Teen is not a fan of hot spices so I have to add mine later.)

This made a huge pot of rice and we were able to get supper for two nights (with seconds) and lunches for 2 days as well. Definitely going to be making this again. I have to say I am starting to like this cooking thing. It was fantastic that on Monday night, when my therapy ran 2 hours instead of 1, and I was able to just come home and we had dinner in 5 min. Normally I would be looking for something to order. 

Going to keep experimenting in the kitchen and will share some of my experiments, whether good or bad. I am making it my personal mission to organize my kitchen and cook more instead of relying on pre-packaged meals or take out because they are quick and easy. 

I am getting the hang of this adult thing ^.~

Hugs and Smoochies from the Madhouse

<3 Arawynn <3

Geeky Gifts and The New Year....

I hope everyone had an amazing start to the new year. This year has started off with some challenges for the Madhouse, nothing that I can't handle, however, so fear not. It is one of the reasons this post is so late in coming. I was once told I am a Warrior Woman and I have a lot of strength to get me through anything and I am keeping that in my mind to get me through the coming weeks. 

I decided this year not to do resolutions. I never seem to stick with them for very long and I just end up disappointed with myself for not keeping them up, so instead I am going to say F**k It and just do what comes naturally. Stressing myself out trying to keep up with something and having life get in the way seems counter productive.  I want to just enjoy life and go with the flow. It's a work in progress. 

Back before Christmas I got the crafting bug and started making gifts. Baker had been talking about buying himself some Doctor Who Ornaments for his Christmas tree. I thought I would surprise him with a set. One night I whipped up these little beauties while watching Christmas movies, and sent them out his way.  I was so excited to see what he would think. 

Baker loved the ornaments. He asked me where I bought them and was shocked to hear I had made them myself. I was so glad he liked them. The Teen wants me to make a set for our own tree. Will have to get that done for next year. Added to the list of things to do. 

I also made a 52 Reasons Book out of playing cards for Baker as well. I decorated it all up. Should have taken more pics of it though. Here is the Tardis I drew for one of it's many decorations.  It was a lot of work but it was so worth it. I roughed up the cards a bit, to give it a used, vintage feel. Along with the 52 reasons I put in quotes and whatnot from Doctor Who and other odds and ends. I was very happy with how it turned out. Baker also seemed to like it. 

I also personalized a journal for The Teen. He is a Minecraft fan and he has been wanting a journal for a while. I found a green journal when out and about Christmas shopping so I decided to Geek it up for him. 

The face is made using black fun foam and glued in place with Tacky Glue. It is so simple to personalize  your notebooks into something more Geek inclined. The teen liked the book, although he did declare he had been wanting a pocket size journal instead. *eyeroll*

I am currently working on making a set of River Song Diaries. I am liking how they are coming along. Hope to have that up soon. 

I will be sharing more of my craft items as I finish them. I find it relaxing to be making something and have been making an effort to work on something each day. My mind is always looking for new ways to revive something or make it unique and special. I also love to be frugal. Will be sharing some of my finds in coming blog posts. 

For now I will bid you farewell, until next time. 

Hugs and Smoochies, 

<3 Arawynn <3 

Comfort Zone...

...I am no longer in you. 

Recently I made a huge trip out of my comfort zone. I don't usually venture too far from the Madhouse. I like familiar. Familiar is safe to me. While I don't have a particular routine (since I dislike routine) I like to be places that I know. So it was shocking to me as well as people that know me, when I up and decided to fly to Alberta recently, to visit an old ex from high school. 

Back in September I received a message from an old love from high school, asking how I was doing. We hadn't spoken in almost twenty years after a very bad break up. I was shocked to receive a message from him but at the same time it made me smile. I had been thinking of him quite a bit prior to that message, actually. He asked if he could call me and instead of hesitating like I normally would I gave him my number. Hearing his voice again put a smile on my face. I was a little surprised at how easy it was to talk to him after such a long time. It was like no time had passed. 

We started talking regularly after that. Remembering a lot of the stupid crap we had done in high school. Sharing what has been going on with the last twenty years. He has relocated to Alberta and after a few weeks of talking he asked if I would go out to visit him. He thought I could use the vacation since things have been pretty tense in the Madhouse, as of late. 

It was completely crazy but I agreed to go out to visit. I have several friends in Calgary and I have never been past Ontario so I would see something new. People that know me well, know how terrified of flying I am. So getting on a plane to fly out to Calgary was definitely something I wouldn't normally do. 

I had been told by so many people that I was crazy and shouldn't go. Normally I would have talked myself out of going and that it was crazy and irresponsible to just up and decide to go flying across the country to see someone you hadn't seen since you were in high school but this time I didn't have that. Somehow I knew it was the right thing to do and I would definitely regret it if I didn't go. 

I arranged for the teen to stay at a friend's house while I was away and I boarded a plane bound for Calgary. I was nervous but calm at the same time. It would be the longest I was ever away from the teen. I have only travelled alone once prior to this trip. I had to change planes in Toronto which I have NEVER done before. I prefer to fly direct whenever possible when I manage to get on a plane. I was pretty nervous about it but I made my connection and finally ended up in Calgary. 

It was great to see (let's call him) Baker, again. It was so strange being there and I kept staring at him because I couldn't believe I was there. I never do things like this. Definitely out of my comfort zone. I was there for about five days. So much went wrong while I was there but I had a fantastic time anyway. It was strange because normally when things go wrong I freak out but I just went with it this time and had a great time. 

Neo and I took a day trip to Banff and had a fantastic day walking around and snapping pictures. I was absolutely in love with the mountains. 

It was a fantastic trip and I actually didn't want it to end. It definitely got me out of my comfort zone and I learned to just go with the flow. A new thing for me, to be sure. I do believe now that the person you are with can determine your own reactions. If you are with someone that you have to be on guard with all the time you are going to be on edge and jumpy all the time. 

Neo is definitely someone that I can be relaxed with so I found myself very relaxed and easy going with him. He had actually said he found me easy going and I laughed because most people think I am far from easy going. 

I have been back from Calgary for a month now. Baker and I have been talking pretty much every day. We are getting to know each other again. Much has changed with both of us over the last twenty years. He knew me before I was broken and I have been trying to put myself back together over the last two years, as he has since his recent break up. I have no idea what is in store for the both of us in the future but right now we are taking things slowly. Both of us have been hurt a great deal and have become a little jaded when it comes to our hearts. 

For the first time in a long time I am actually hopeful. Only time will tell now. Until then I will continue trying to step out of my comfort zone. Yes there is a chance things can go horribly wrong but you are actually living. It is an awesome feeling. 

Hugs and Smoochies from The Madhouse

<3 Arawynn <3 

The Fox and the Raven...

Recently I attended a Charity Ball in the city where my Madhouse is located. The theme was The Spirit Within and you were to dress up as an animal. When I first found out it was an Animal theme I got excited. I immediately thought about dressing up like a cat but somehow knew this would be a popular costume so I began to look for inspiration. 

While walking through my local dollar store I spotted some masquerade masks in the party section. They were butterflies and I have a weakness for butterflies so I started to look through the selection of masks and came across this beautiful mask. 

I was immediately taken with it and had to buy it. I decided then that I was going to be a Silver and Black Fox. I got to work brainstorming on how to make this costume possible. I knew I was going to be in need of a tail and being the frugal lady that I am I knew I wanted to make it myself rather than buy it. So I set to work researching how to's on fox tail making. I was surprised with the amount out there. I ended up settling on making it out of yarn. It seemed to look more realistic to the faux fur and definitely a lot cheaper. More elbow grease to getting it made but I am not afraid of a challenge. 

It took me about two weeks to complete, working a little each night on it. There is a lot of work involved but I think it is totally worth it. For the tutorial I used click here

This was taken after my party, it held together very nicely :)

My friend and I had a blast. He did a great job on his costume as well. He chose to go as a Raven. 

Quote the Raven "Nevermore"

He was very proud of his mask. He purchased a plain mask and added all the feathers to it and even included a blood tear. He did a fabulous job. 

One Foxy Lady off to the Ball

There was a photo booth so Raven and I had our picture taken together. Yes I am know I am freakishly short. I tend to think of myself as fun-sized as opposed to short. Much more interesting, I think. 

There was much dancing and fun to be had. We both had our Tarot cards read. I was quite surprised at my reading this year. When I first sat down she chose a stone for me to hold. She handed me a Rose Quartz. She explained that I needed to accept love and I was having trouble doing that and Rose Quartz would help me with it. She said something was in the works with a man, someone intelligent and I need to just accept love. This will make me extremely happy. She also said I have a lot of people telling me negative things about the situation with this mystery man. She told me to not let them get to me. This is a good thing in the works and to take their negative comments and release them with love. 

I was stunned as was Raven. He is pretty much my best friend so he knows all about the guy I have recently reconnected with and had been talking to since September and who I was planning a trip to see in November. I had been wondering if I should make the trek out to visit him. I had asked several people what they thought and pretty much everyone thought I was mad and trying to convince me that it wasn't a good idea. This reading however, confirmed how I felt and it was the right thing to do. 

Raven had his cards read as well. I think it was pretty accurate for him. I had my very first Tarot card reading with the same lady a year prior. I was so happy to see she was there again and we were able to have her read us. 

All in all it was a great night. Raven actually ended up befriending a lady he met there. Maybe there is a love connection in the works there. I am hoping for my own to develop. I am so glad he was able to make it. It was nice to hang out with someone not trying to get into my pants all the time. Sometimes I wonder about men. 

We did find it highly amusing that we had ended up being a Aesop Fable. If you are unaware of the story of the Fox and the Raven please click here.  There was no cheese harmed in the making of this blog post :P 

I am actually looking forward to next year. That is if the Madhouse is still in it's current local. You never know what tomorrow will bring. 

What did the Fox Say? 

Hugs and Smoochies of course ^.~

<3 Arawynn <3