Make it in Five Minutes Clothespin Bag

I've been in the market for a new clothespin bag ever since I left mine on the line back when it was actually raining in East Texas. That was when I first realized that my "bought at WalMart" clothespin bag wasn't actually made of cloth, but some sort of paper very deceitfully designed to look and feel like cloth. At first look at the disaster that was hanging by threads and clothespins on the line, I was sure that our new dog had tried to snatch it off the line and tore it to shreds(my sincere apologies, Tank.) However, on closer inspection, the deception was finally realized.

So, I've been needing a new one and I've browsed around online, but I just haven't taken the plunge and actually ordered one. I don't know why it's such a difficult choice...it's just a clothespin bag, right?

I've also been needing a new set of sheets for our bed(and you're wondering what on earth this has to do with clothespin bags...hang in there), so I ran across some Shabby Chic sheets that were almost a match to the Shabby Chic comforter set I'd bought a couple of months ago. I just love Shabby Chic stuff, but it's rawther pricey, so when I find a sale, I'm a happy camper!

Anyhoo, the sheets came in one of those sweet little bags with actual buttons and buttonholes, so dreamy! There's no way I'm going to trash that little bag...I am not a packrat, but I know when something can surely be used for another purpose and I was sure that something could!

I've been looking at that little bag for a couple of days now, trying to figure out just what I could do with it when.....BAM! Brainstorm(minimal damage!) What a perfect clothespin bag. All I would need to do was somehow stick a hanger in it. I looked for a child size hanger left over from grandkids, but I guess for once they took their stuff with them when they left. There wasn't one to be found.

Another brainstorm....a pants hanger would work great. I had to find a narrow one to fit the bag. I assembled my "kit"....the bag, the hanger and a pair of scissors!

I suppose I should have taken pictures somewhere besides on the comforter that almost matches the sheet bag, it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

All there was left to do was to cut a slit in the flap for the hanger part to fit through.This will need to be stitched, I don't have a machine, I'll do it by hand, but those of you with a machine can do it in a jiffy I'm sure. You'll want to clip the clips in place for a minute to see where the slit needs to be. 

I fit the hanger through the hole. 

I then clipped the hanger clips onto the back part of the bag, you can clip back and front also if you like.

 I have to tell you, it's a mighty cute little Shabby Chic clothespin bag!

Then I filled it with clothespins to make sure it would actually work. It did!

If you have a lot of clothespins and it makes for a heavy weight on the bag, you may have to figure out a way to secure the clips on the bag. I haven't figured that one out yet. I don't know how durable this little bag will be, but if I actually bring it in the house instead of leaving it on the line, it may last a good while.

I have to say, I'm feeling pretty good about my creativity here....

I did this one all by myself!

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Cory's Paleo Shrimp Bisque

This is sort of a guest blog....sort of because the pictures and comments belong to the cook, my son Cory, but I'm doing the blog work.

So...I guess it's a joint effort.

Cory has become quite the Paleo chef. He's very creative....I wish I could hire him to cook for me every day.

Come to think of it....I cooked for him for years and years....he sort of owes me.

Anyhoo, here's his great looking shrimp bisque dish he came up with and I've named it.....(not very original, I'm afraid)....Cory's Paleo Shrimp Bisque.

The ingredient list and full recipe with instructions are listed below the pictures!

Cory's Paleo Shrimp Bisque

A gathering of the ingredients

Patti's note: Cory likes to cook with LouAna Coconut Oil because there is no coconut flavor in it and some things don't need to taste like coconut....I agree.

Sauteing the peppers & onions

I sautéed the diced onion (yellow), bell pepper (yellow), hatch pepper and poblano pepper in a little olive oil (very little oil, just enough to aid with not sticking).

Adding the peeled tomato

Cooking one large tomato (peeled) over the sautéed onions/peppers to start the sauce...

Patti's second note: Somewhere between these two pictures, you add the water and coconut oil(see recipe below)

Adding the organic heavy cream

Of course, this is my favorite part!! After adding the heavy whipping cream (organic), a good cook has to taste the sauce for QUALITY purposes.

Add the shrimp, green onions and cilantro

Now, I put the shrimp in and then covered it all with chopped green onions and cilantro to cook down together... MAN, it smells good!

Paleo Shrimp Bisque

 Mmmmm,mmmmm good (but its not Campbell's)

Cory's Paleo Shrimp Bisque

Ingredients:

1 Large Yellow, Red or Orange Bell Pepper (Diced)

1 Medium to Large Yellow Onion (Diced)

1 Large Poblano Pepper (Diced) 1 Large Hatch Pepper (Diced)

1 Large Tomato (Peeled and Cubed)

½ Bunch of Cilantro (Chopped)

½ Cup of Green Onions (Chopped)

12 to 14 oz. of Organic Heavy Whipping Cream

2 lbs. of Shrimp

1 to 2 Cups of Water

¾ Cup of Coconut Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Seasonings Used: Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Olde Thompson’s Orange & Lemon Pepper (Grinder), & Cayenne Pepper

Sauté the diced onions and peppers together with a little olive oil (not much) just enough to keep them from sticking to the pan at first. After they start to soften, add the tomatoes. Stir them in, cover to keep the moisture in, and allow the tomato to break down. Add ¾ cup of Coconut Oil and stir in well, allow to return to previous heat or temperature. Add water (the amount of water depends on how much moisture was retained from the vegetables). You should have enough sauce or juice in the pan to fill the vegetables at least half way, preferably ¾ covered. Remember to keep the lid on as much as possible to retain the moisture. When the ‘juice’ returns to a good boil, add the cream and stir until you have an even color throughout. Allow the flavors and ingredients to blend well then season to taste (keep the dish covered as much as possible). I prefer a peppery citrus flavor with a garlic undertone. Remember to allow for the shrimp because it will also influence the flavor when added. Once you are satisfied with the flavor, and the sauce has returned to a slow boil, add the raw shrimp (stir the shrimp in). Now spread the chopped green onions and cilantro over the entire dish but do not stir. Keep the dish covered. This will allow the cilantro to break down separately without the hindrance of being in the liquid. When the shrimp are almost done, go ahead and stir the cilantro and the onions into the sauce. Once the shrimp is done, you can serve!

With a side of sweet potatoes

......aaaannddd here's the end result! Delicious! A creamy shrimp bisque that's all paleo...

(Charisma wants the world to know that she did the sweet potatoes!)

I think it looks totally awesome!

patti