Chalkboard Coasters and other fun stuff.

Occasionally, I get a good idea.  This one started out at a gift shop near the Stockyards in Fort Worth.  The girls & I were shopping and I noticed the cutest little stack of coasters that were priced at 30 dollars for a stack of 4.  My first thought was........  Really?  Second thought.....   I can so do that!

The first stop was the local resale store.   I found stone coasters for this price.  Winning!
The second stop was the hardware Store for chalkboard paint.  It was 15 dollars for a quart.

I simply washed the coasters off with a warm rag and started painting.  

They needed more than one coat of paint.

The round ones were of a higher quality stone than the square ones.  Most likely,  I should have sanded the square ones down a bit.  The only painted coasters I found on Pinterest were made using the unfinished kind you can purchase at Home Depot.  The pinner said she found them for .15 cents and she had to prime her coasters first.  I purchased 8 for .29 cents.  I am still winning!

During the wait time I dragged out something else I purchased at the thrift shop.  It was kinda cute on its own.  It cost me $4.99.  I had other ideas for it.  

Did I mention it is metal???  Score!!

The surfaces need to be seasoned before you write on top.  This is easily done with a new piece of chalk.  Just turn it on its side and chalk it down.  Don't write anything at this stage.  Just rub the side of chalk everywhere and then rub it off with a dry rag.  I did this a few times..it was fun!

Tie them all together and give to a friend or invite a houseful over and share a meal.  Either way.........  They look beautiful!

That super cute painted clothespin magnet was only a quarter!

Now what else can I paint?

TONIGHTS DINNER WAS.........yummy.

Tonight I needed some good and easy comfort food.  Let me emphasise here.....EASY.   This is a take on a pampered chef recipe from a few years ago.  I changed it around a bit to meet my needs.  My children have always liked this...even with the veggies.  Go figure.

Philly CheeseSteak Roll

1 tube of Pillsbury Pizza Crust
1 container of sliced roast beef lunchmeat
1 package of provolone cheese slices.  (I bought the smoked flavor.)
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 white onion, chopped  (however much you like...I think I used about half)
1/2 stick of butter or olive oil  (whatever your preference)
Italian Seasoning
egg white..whisked

Melt the butter and add the onion & green pepper.  Saute until both are clear.
Roll out the crust onto an edged cookie sheet.
Spread the vegetables.
Put a layer of beef slices on top.
Add a cheese layer.
Roll it up lengthwise and seal shut.
I like to brush on an egg white and a few shakes of Italian seasoning.

Bake at 375* for about 25 minutes or until golden.

*depending on what kind of baking sheet you may have to use a spray of non-stick.

This one is for the homeschoolin' cajun.

And, yes, I will share it with anyone else who wants it.  The story behind this is that last week she was texting me about how she needed to find a teachers lounge.  HA!  Can you guess where I told her to go?   Well, just in case she wants a little privacy.......this little poster would look fabulous framed up and hung up properly on the door.