Monday, November 29, 2010

Long Term Storage Recommendations: Prepared LDS Family: Food Storage Items to Shop for in December

Prepared LDS Family: Food Storage Items to Shop for in December

Jennifer's Shower - Breakfast Casserole | The Family Kitchen

Breakfast Casserole | The Family Kitchen

Breakfast Casserole
1 pound all natural sausage (I use Jimmy Dean)
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 potatoes, peeled and shredded
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons cream cheese, in small pieces
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 eggs, well beaten
salt and pepper to taste.
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a skillet, cook sausage for about 4 minutes. Just as some of the sausage begins to brown, add in onion. Cook together, stirring frequently, until sausage is cooked through, and the onion is tender. Set aside to cool.
2. Press shredded potatoes into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a medium size glass baking dish. Pour over melted butter. Spread the sausage and onions on top of the potatoes, followed by the cream cheese, cheddar, and eggs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for one hour, or until eggs are fully cooked.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Jennifer's Baby Shower Brunch Menus

Baby Shower Brunch Menus: "Coffee
Be sure to have some java brewin'! Guests love to sip on it while eating dessert. Don't forget the cream and sugar!

Mimosas
No baby shower brunch menu is complete without these yummy drinks! They can be made with or without champagne. For the real thing pour two-parts champagne to 1 part OJ. Mock version for the mom-to-be: substitute Sprite or 7-Up for the champagne."

Fruit Kabobs
Cut up some in-season fruit and slide it onto some skewers for instant fruit kabobs! Easy to do and very impressive!
Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, kiwi, strawberries...all make wonderful kabobs!


Quick Bread


Mom's Yogurt Egg Picante Casserole

Saturday Randomness #3

Thanksgiving went well and was good.

Pizza Hut the next day was great too.

Found out the hypothyroidism comes from my dad's family.

Had a great visit with my adult son and adult nephew.

DH is in the spending money on Christmas that we can't really afford.

We are getting a deep freeze (see above).  I am glad we are as our refrigerator freezer is hard to use.

I am still in my pj's (it is 4:10 p.m.).  I have done laundry, planned a baby shower and talked to my mom and my sister today so I am not a total lazy bum.

It is colder in the house than it is outside.  I will be glad when the new windows get installed.

We are going to ask one of our nephews to do some odd jobs around the house for $10 and hour.  With my back situation and DH's work situation and nephew's employment situation it should be a win win situation for all of us.

Jennifer's Shower Baby shower

Modification of an idea I found:   A great baby shower gift to make is to  have everyone write a message for the mother and father to be on a snowman and present them to the mother to be by placing them in a keepsake box or bag. Have the mother to be read each one out loud as she takes them out of the box which makes for a sentimental and funny time. Have each guest do this upon arrival and have the mother read them outloud during the shower.

Jennifer's Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Favor in a Snowman themed take home container - hot chocolate.

Jennifer's Shower Minty Snowmen Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Minty Snowmen Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Jennifer's Shower Sweet & Salty Snowmen Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Sweet & Salty Snowmen Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Jennifer's Shower Baby Shower Games from Baby shower 101

Baby Shower Games from Baby shower 101: "165) Name the children from the following TV families - (Materials: paper, pens) - The following baby shower game is great for trivia nuts and related to children of TV. See how many of the baby shower guests can guess these correct:

1. What was the name of Fred and Wilma's child on The Flintstones? Pebbles
2. What were the names of Ross Gellar's 2 children on Friends? Ben and Emma
3. Name the 3 kids on The Simpsons: Bart, Maggie and Lisa
4. Name the 4 children on Family Ties: Alex, Mallory, Jennifer, Andy
5. Name the 5 Huxtable kids on The Cosby Show: Sondra, Denise, Theo, Vanessa and Rudy
6. Name the 6 Brady Bunch kids: Marcia, Jan, Cindy, Greg, Peter and Bobby"

Jennifer' Shower Baby Shower Games from Baby shower 101

Baby Shower Games from Baby shower 101: "4) Out Of The Mouths Of Babes: (Items required-pen and blank paper) - Give the baby shower guests a time limit of 10 minutes and have them write down as many baby-talk words as they can think of followed by the correct name for the words. Examples: potty is going to the toilet, poo-poo is a bowl movement, wee-wee is urinating (or it may be a boy's penis), baa-baa is a bottle, bye-bye is good bye, wa-wa is a drink of water. You may need to give them one example to get them started. Our guest Pam whose idea this is stated, 'At a recent shower, we played this game and heard about 20 different terms just for 'pacifier'. Everyone has funny and different baby words so there are no wrong answers. The real fun is reading them out loud and hearing some of the silly terms we adults have come up with to communicate with our babies or the creative words our children have used to communicate with us! It's hysterical how many adults still use slang words, for example, we had someone write 'poo-poo is baby talk for doo-doo'!! We laughed our 'boe-boe' off!' Thanks for the game Pam!"

Game for Jennifer' Shower

Baby Shower Games from Baby shower 101: "Guess the baby item: (Materials- any baby products and blindfold). A bag of baby items are placed in front of the mother-to-be for her to take one item out at a time blindfolded and tell her baby shower guests what item she has in her hands. This is really fun baby shower game when you choose some crazy baby toys or products."

Jennifer's Shower Idea

diaper-cake-10.jpg (394×545)

Christmas E Magazine

Inspired%20Ideas%2C%20The%20Christmas%20Issue

How to Make a Pom Pom Wreath

The Pleasures of Homemaking: A Christmas Pom Pom Wreath

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Candle Awesomeness

The Ivy Cottage: Three Easy Candle Crafts

Saturday Randomness #2

Spent $154.00 stocking up on food on sale for the holiday, purchased at Price Chopper so I earned 10 cents off gas per gallon up to 20 gallons at Quik Trip.

The weekend was beautiful.

DH went shopping for clothes at Kohls with DS and I--haven't done that since DS was probably 6.

Further reading into my newly diagnosed Hypothyroidism has me angry again.  How different life would have been if I had been diagnosed years earlier.

Enjoying listening to The Messenger by Daniel Silva.

The house was more peaceful this weekend, DH went at a slower pace yet I believe he accomplished more.  Hmmmm.

Finally used those baskets I purchased to store things above kitchen cabinets -- worked perfectly.  I have room for two more but I don't know if I can purchase the same baskets now.  Will have to look.

DS learned how to script this weekend.

DS organized my linen closet.

Coasters

 Tiles:  $0.76 for four
Prints:  Done on home printer...pennies
Felt:  $0.10

Total Cost:  Four for $1.00
Ceramic Coasters at Home Decor Store:  Four for $15.00

amberdawn said...

I love your blog! I wanted to let you know that when doing coasters, try using a spray on acrylic sealer. Speaking from experience, modge podge will turn gluey and hazey, sticky like if glasses condensate! It is totally gross, and ruins them! I was truly sad when this happened, but so thankful for spray on sealer! (I use Matte so it doesn't look to thick or shiny)

#9 Neighbor Christmas Gift Idea – Therapy Sacs | How Does She...

#9 Neighbor Christmas Gift Idea – Therapy Sacs | How Does She...: "#9 Neighbor Christmas Gift Idea – Therapy Sacs
November 27, 2009 by Missy
4 Comments

These are so great for cold toes after sledding or just being out in the cold. You just pop them in the mirco for a couple minutes, put on your cold toes or hands, AAHH instant warmth. They are also great for sore muscles.
tag idea: Stay warm and toasty this Holiday Season, Merry Christmas!
To make: You just sew a pouch, fill with wheat or rice, sew the pouch closed – DONE! So Easy! I used a washcloth for my material and added a ribbon embelishment, but you could use any fabric. (Be sure not to use ribbon with wire in it – for obvious reasons)
If you want a more detailed tutorial, click here – Brassy Apple has a great step by step tutorial with pictures and she even adds essential oil to hers to make them smell good."

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Dr. Oz short cuts

1. eat an apple an hour before lunch. Studies show you will eat 187 calories less per meal. Can lose 5 pounds in a year.

2. Refrigerate canned goods that have saturated fats. Those fats will rise to the top so you can skim them off. You can lose 6 pounds a year.

3. Dilute your juice by one half. His example was cranberry juice which contained 24 pounds of sugar for a year, you could lose 6 pounds.

4. Fake a carbohydrate. Exchange one fake for a real one for one of two. You can lose 12 pounds.

5. Replace half fat in baking with applesauce. Can lose 5 pounds.

34 pounds in one year.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Healthy Substitutions: Ditch the condensed soup

Healthy Substitutions: Ditch the condensed soup

A thousand sheets of paper: Simple Sunday returns

A thousand sheets of paper: Simple Sunday returns



Supply list:
cardstock- Jillybean Soup kraft and PTI
paper- Doodlebug (yellow)
stamps- My Favorite Things Pure Innocence (Cart full of Friends and sentiment)
ink- Memento tuxedo black and Colorbox creamy brown chalk ink
Prima flower
Kaiser Kraft pearl
K&Co puffy mini heart (colored w/ copic marker)
EK Success border punch
Signo Uniball white gel pen
Copic multiliner black pen
Copic markers:
skin- E000, E00, E11, R20
hair- E50, E51, YR31, Y35
clothes- E40, E41, 0, Y000, Y00, Y02, Y06, C5, C7, C9
wagon & friends- R05, R08, E09, C5, C7, C9, E30, E31, E33, R20, E35, E37, E57, E40, E41, 0, W00, W1, W3,YG03, YG25, YG17, BG01, BG05
sky- BG0000

A Simple Guide to Homemade Chicken Stock

A Simple Guide to Homemade Chicken Stock: "I gain about a gallon of stock when I make it in my stock pot with two chicken carcasses. I pour the stock into two half-gallon glass canning jars. This gives me enough to make soup twice for my family later that week. Stock can stay in the fridge for about four days, or you can freeze it for a couple of months.
When I see a jar of homemade chicken stock in the fridge, I know I’m just minutes away from a cheap and nutritious meal for my family."

Survival Gear & Emergency Supplies - Off Grid Survival – Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills

Survival Gear & Emergency Supplies - Off Grid Survival – Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills

More from the same.

Survival Food – 56 food supplies from the store

Survival Food – 56 food supplies from the store

Okay, it's an idea. Would need to modify this for our family.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sausage Spaghetti Recipe

Vanderbilt Wife: Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sausage Spaghetti Recipe

This sounds good -- different but good. Be forewarned that she is pregnant, however I'm not and I think there is just something about the recipe that appeals to me. Should be a flavor sensation for the mouth.

Oh Yeah A Chili Casserole

Beef & Black Bean Chili
makes about 5 c chili
(can be shared with kids 8+ mos)
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 c finely chopped onion (about 1/2 a med onion)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 lbs beef
2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cocoa
8 oz tomato sauce (about 1 cup)
2 c beef or chicken broth
2 15-oz cans black beans
chipotles in adobo
2 tsp cornmeal
1 tsp hot water
1 tsp hot sauce, optional
1-2 tsp red wine vinegar
1. Heat oil in a large dutch oven over medium flame. Saute onions and garlic until soft and fragrant.
2. Add ground beef, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, sugar, coriander and cocoa powder. Cook until spices are fragrant and beef is cooked through and browned in spots.
3. Add tomato sauce, broth, beans and as many chipotle peppers as you like. (I add 1 deseeded pepper, which gives a little bite, but keeps things on the milder side for our little one.) Cook down for about 15 minutes, until almost desired chili consistency.
4. In the meantime, mix cornmeal with hot water. When the 15 minutes are up, add cornmeal mixture and 1 tsp hot sauce plus 1 tsp of vinegar or, if skipping hot sauce, 2 tsp vinegar to the chili. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until perfect chili consistency.

Would I Love a Pantry Like This?

pan1

Chalkboard Markers

Harvest Homecoming Part 2! | Sugar Pie Farmhouse: "My silly�Autumn declaration was� written with my favorite Chalkboard Markers.

fall-sign2


chalkboard… is actually an old twin size headboard…

Monday, November 8, 2010

Christmas cards for the soldiers

"Bond Girl" Creations...: Christmas cards for the soldiers

Cute cards and a smile making idea that her soldier friends are going to be able to send some nice cards out to their loved ones.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Crafting The Web: Warmth and Love

Crafting The Web: Warmth and Love

This card is gorgeous. I have go to try the technique.

Saturday Randomness

ButterYum: Saturday Randomness

This post delighted me so I thought I'd try one of my own.

--Daylight savings time YES
--We chose not to go to Mass again this week. Got to stop this pattern
--I love the SI Joint belt I bought yesterday though I wish I didn't need it.
--Saw Judge Asher on TV last night
--Have BUNCO here on Tuesday and I am so not ready for it
--People are starting to wake up around here
--I have 7 loads of laundry to do, really wish the laundry was on the second floor
--Been dreaming of a big remodel in my kitchen, I said dreaming, so perhaps I'll add dreaming of moving the laundry room upstairs. That would give me a walk in pantry area downstairs.  I like it
--Every year I think I will decorate for Thanksgiving and each year we go straight from Halloween to Christmas. Pretty sure that is going to happen again this year.
--How windy is too windy to play tennis outside?
--DH and DS gathered all the leaves into a huge compost pile, the yard looks great, the garden area has doubled in size.

That was fun. Saturday Randomness on Sunday.


Bloom: thanksgiving

Bloom: thanksgiving: "Sometimes really simple, organic things (popcorn kernels, acorns, nuts, whole cranberries) can quickly and inexpensively be turned into a classy accent. We liked this idea from PB and these from BHG:"


and these from BHG:



Thursday, November 4, 2010

OPTP SI-LOC Sacroiliac Belt - # 670 - # 671

OPTP SI-LOC Sacroiliac Belt - # 670 - # 671

Chicken in Marinades — Life As Mom

Chicken in Marinades — Life As Mom

Looks good.

So Easy

How to create artwork for your walls with tissue paper



Question? Tired of Complicated Weight Loss Plans?

Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan — Healthy Eating Ideas

Yes, I am. This plan is along the lines of what I am planning to do so I thought I would post this as a reminder.

Bible Comparison: Ignatius Study Bible v. Navarre v. NAB | St. Joseph’s Vanguard And Our Lady’s Train

Bible Comparison: Ignatius Study Bible v. Navarre v. NAB | St. Joseph’s Vanguard And Our Lady’s Train

This looks like a useful post.

Paint Possibility for Kitchen Cabinets

a penny saved...: Exhibit A



Softer Tan

SW6141     Color looks dark on swatch but not when painted with the dark floor - ours are dark as well.

Quilted Potholder Tutorial

12 Days of Handmade Christmas Day 4|Quilted Potholder � lifeingrace

Pretty AND a great tutorial.

Cheesy Broccoli Soup



Cheesy Broccoli Soup
1 10 oz. pkg. of Frozen Broccoli Florets
1 Med. Onion
3 cups Water
3 cups Non-fat Milk
½ Tbsp. butter
3 cubes of Chicken Bouillon
10 oz. of Velveeta Cheese, cubed
¼ cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 oz. spaghetti noodles, broken in pieces
½ Tsp. Garlic Powder
½ Tsp. Parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste
Sauté the onion in butter. Add water and chicken bouillons to pot and bring to boil. Add noodles and cook covered for 2 min. Add broccoli, onion, and seasonings and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Lower heat and add the cheeses and milk. Stir frequently until the cheese is melted and serve. This soup can also be added to a crock pot on low setting to keep warm.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

10 Habits of a Clean Home | iDreamOfClean

10 Habits of a Clean Home | iDreamOfClean Pursue this.

Curious Sofa Diaries: Christmas 2010

Curious Sofa Diaries: Christmas 2010

Using stumps of would on front porch.

Floating Shelves Tutorial

Workman Witticisms: DIY Floating Shelves Love these.

Kara's Korner: Glazing White Cabinets

Kara's Korner: Glazing White Cabinets

I am considering glazing our kitchen cabinets so I want to keep this in mind.

TRU TALES FEATS: THE COLOSSAL POTATO TOWER VENTURE

TRU TALES FEATS: THE COLOSSAL POTATO TOWER VENTURE

Potato Tower, the beginning.

TRU TALES FEATS: POTATO TOWER...THE REVEAL!!

TRU TALES FEATS: POTATO TOWER...THE REVEAL!!

Must look into this further. We looovve potatoes.

Apple Crisp Recipe

Pocket Full of Posies: TASTY TUESDAY – Apple Crisp

IMG_0414


Apple Crisp
4-5 apples, peeled and chopped
2 sticks butter
1/2 C. white sugar
lemon juice
vanilla
1/2 C. oats
1/2 C. flour
1/2 C. brown sugar
dash or two of cinnamon
In a large skillet, melt 1 stick of butter and sauté apples until tender.  Add white sugar, vanilla and a dash of lemon juice.  Cook a bit longer.  Pour cooked apples into a 9x9 cooking pan.  In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Cut in remaining stick of butter.  Top cooked apples with mixture.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

Really? Linky Tools?

NoBiggie: Quick Tip: Use Pages & Linky Tools to create a visual link list

Mmmm Mmmmm Good Soup & 11/3 What's Cooking Wednesday Linky

Not So Homemade: Super Easy Taco Soup & 11/3 What's Cooking Wednesday Linky

Distressed Eat Sign ~ Crafts by Amanda

Distressed Eat Sign ~ Crafts by Amanda

Awesome craft.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

So That's How It's Done

Halloween Vases - DIY



Good Grief Why Didn't I Think of This?

Pretty Plastic Pumpkins

This year I had an idea to make planters out of those cheap plastic pumpkin baskets. I picked up 2 different pumpkins at 2 different times and well they turned out to have 2 different faces AND they were 2 different shades of orange. Lessons learned cause that was not what I had in mind at all. Um hello - tacky? For Halloween decoration in years past, I have had a witch along with a huge ceramic pumpkin that I made when I was pregnant with my youngest... 12 years ago. Last year I broke it. It was a sad sad day. So my solution for my lonely witch? Stacked plastic pumpkin. Pretty cute huh?
Guess what! They light up too!

Pearls

http://www.finecraftguild.com/beading-technique-how-to-knot-a-pearl-necklace/

Foam Core Magic




This looks great.  She used foam core, staple gun, look of leather fabric, nail heads and batting.  I am loving this.  Don't know where I would use it in my home but I like it.

Candy Corn and Sticks Oh My

http://itsnotalwaysblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2010/10/spooky-sticks.html

Signs, Signs, Signs

http://never-enough-thyme-creations.blogspot.com/2010/10/signs-of-autumn.html

My Way Home: Beauty and the Bean

My Way Home: Beauty and the Bean

Easy peasy and I saw some leaves at WalMart today that I almost purchased.  Now I can go back with confidence that I have something I can make immediately with it!


And made this:

CAN'T STOP MAKING THINGS: Paper Weave

CAN'T STOP MAKING THINGS: Paper Weave

Wow, and wow again.

I placed a long piece of double-stick tape at the top of a piece 

Monday, November 1, 2010

Beef Nacho Casserole

Beef Nacho Casserole


Beef Nacho Casserole

Ingredients
  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1- 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • 1- 10 ounce can of corn drained
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon of chili powder ( you can also use 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning instead of the chili powder)
  • 1 ½ cups of crushed tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
(you could also easily add beans to this also)
Cook beef until browned and crumbled. Drain grease and stir in tomatoes, corn, sour cream, and chili powder. Set aside.
In a 9x 13 or similar size pan, spread the crushed chips, then layer ½ of  the beef mixture,  then ½  cheese, then remaining beef and cheese.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Serve and enjoy!
Beef Nacho Casserole
Lynn loves to cook and try new recipes. She lives in Oklahoma on 43 a


Read more: http://thehappyhousewife.com/beef-nacho-casserole/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thehappyhousewife%2FuGIP+%28The+Happy+Housewife%29#ixzz145l0kZsq

Our Best Bites: Single Serving Pie in a Jar

Our Best Bites: Single Serving Pie in a Jar

So darn cute!

How To: Simplify: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

How To: Simplify: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup


Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3-4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3-4 large celery sticks, sliced
  • 14 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups extra wide egg noodles
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
  1. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a saute pan. Pour in onion, carrots and celery; saute for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
  2. Pour the chicken broth into a large pot and heat until bubbly. Add egg noodles and cook for approximately 10 minutes or until the noodles are softened.
  3. Add shredded chicken, sauteed vegetables, oregano, basil, salt and pepper (to taste).
  4. Bring soup mixture to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for at least 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to intermix.
  5. Serve warm with crackers.

Paint the Door Red

I so want to paint our front door, DH likes the stained brown look but I don't.  I'm looking for a great color to do it in and this one is in the running.


The paint color is Benjamin Moore's "Heritage Red." 


Bake It -- Don't Buy It: Homemade Snacks

I found this recipe on frugally blonde, the words and photos in between quotes are from her blog.  Click on the link to go see what else she writes about.  These are the same granola bars I always buy with the exception of the peanut butter.  While the cost savings isn't huge, there is something about making it myself that I find appealing.


'"I developed this recipe for granola bars myself, using one I found in Taste of Home a while ago as a guide. It is probably not the healthiest granola bar recipe out there, but I was trying as much as possible to replicate the Quaker chewy granola bars that we usually buy, in order to get a good price comparison.

I mixed about 6 cups of old fashioned oats with chocolate chips.


Then I heated 2/3 cup corn syrup with 1/4 cup brown sugar. I boiled it for about a minute, then stirred in about 1/4 cup of peanut butter. Then I poured it over the oat mixture and thoroughly stirred.

Then I patted into a greased 9 inch square pan and let it harden for several hours.


Then I simply lifted the whole piece out of the pan with a fork and cut it into bars on a cutting board. I was trying to replicate the size and shape of the Quaker bars, but as you can see I forgot how small they are!


Final Analysis: This is another easy recipe, and infinite variations could be created. I plan to try it with fruit, nuts, and seeds as well. However, the money saved is not huge if you usually get your granola bars on rock-bottom deals. Nevertheless, this might be worth making for the taste
and health factors alone.


Approximate costs:


Store bought - $2.50 for 10 small bars ($.25/bar); occasionally as low as $1.50 for 10 (with sale and coupon) ($.15/bar)


Homemade - $1.52 for 12 much bigger bars ($.13/bar)"