Diary of a Rather Crafty Girl

A quick hello!

**This is the 4th time I've sat down at the computer in hopes that I might get a post done. Maybe I will this time...

I should definitely be in the bed but I never get a chance to post anymore. That could be because of my two little birds or the fact that my desk has about 2 feet of junk piled all over it. Either way I'm trying to remedy the problem.

Tim is in the process of replacing our carpet with beautiful wood laminate. He started last week so we went to Mississippi while he worked. It still isn't quite finished but we're home and working around not having furniture in the house at the moment. Lex loves it because he can just run everywhere.

While we were in MS we did lots of funs things. Rexana joined us for a few days and we headed to the beach for a day. These are a few pics that she took of our adventure ...

Layla at 4 1/2 months. She got her first two teeth on the bottom this week so she was gnawing on anything she could get a hold of. We also started feeding her rice cereal this week and she loves it! I think it is helping her sleep better at night. She had started waking up quite a few times in the night wanting to eat.

We did so many fun things while in MS. We went to Jellystone park for a night . The kids had such a great time getting to play with family and old friends. And we all enjoyed being out of the city.

Now back to the real world. Tim is finishing up our floors this weekend and I'll post pictures soon. They look stunning! I can't wait to get the furniture in and take pics. Actually I can't wait to get the furniture back in so that we don't have an empty house. :)

Tomorrow we're going to get out of the house and go shopping for a while so that Tim can work. I haven't shopped in a long time. I've got a few little projects that I'm wanting to make so I need to go to Hobby Lobby (always a bad idea...haha). Shannon gave me tons of bows for Layla so I want to make a cute bow holder for her room so that I can actually see the bows. And I've also been wanting to make a cork board for Lex's room to put his artwork on - maybe this would free up some room on my fridge. :)

Crackin' Da Eggs Momma!

Tim has been letting Lex help him crack eggs in the mornings when he makes breakfast. So, now when Lex sees me cracking eggs, he wants to "Crackin' Da Eggs Momma". It is really quite cute and he's actually really good at it. I saw these confetti eggs the other day at walgreens and thought it would be a fun activity for us to do OUTSIDE. However, I forgot and left them on the island in the kitchen... Lex had a blast Crackin' da Eggs!

Layla is getting so big and she is just a doll. Look at this smile! I can't believe she is 6 weeks old! The time is just flying by.

We're getting ready for Lex's 2nd Birthday party on Saturday. I cannot believe he is going to be 2 on Monday!!Of course I've been planning a menu and such which has been a little difficult trying to plan a menu around things that toddlers like and things that adults will like too. This is what I've come up with so far...

Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders with dipping sauce

Fruit Salad

Ham & Cream Cheese Rollups - I've got to use up some of these free crescent rolls that I've been getting at Kroger. :)

Cocktail Meatballs with a Sweet BBQ Sauce  - using up more free stuff. I think I have 5 bags of meatballs that need to be used.

For now that's all I've got but I need to look through my freezer to see what else I should make.

In other news, we went to the zoo on Friday b/c it was simply a beautiful day. Lex didn't care too much for the zoo b/c he wanted to play on the playground. I love the look on his face in this photo - simply sweet carefree fun.

Weekend Recap

Lex had a playdate on Friday and they had lots of fun. Lex and Nathan played in the backyard swinging and running until both were exhausted. Hopefully we can do this again son Bellamys - it was lots of fun for all.

I'm working on a menu plan for next week. I've got tons of food in my freezer that I need to cook. Anywho, I thought I would pull some old recipes out that I haven't made in a while.

Monday
HUSBANDS DELIGHT 

1 1/2 lb. browned ground beef
Sm. onion
Sm. jar spaghetti sauce
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. Mozzarella cheese
1 lg. crescent roll
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Brown beef, add spaghetti sauce, simmer for 10 minutes. Mix cream cheese and Mozzarella cheese together. Place over sauce mixture in large rectangular dish. Spread crescent rolls on top, butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Tuesday

CROCKPOT CHICKEN WITH BLACK BEANS AND CREAM CHEESE served over rice/noodles

4 - 5 boneless chicken breast

1 can black beans

1 can corn

1 jar hot salsa

1 8 oz package cream cheese

Take 4-5 frozen boneless chicken breasts put into crockpot. Add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn drained. Keep in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked. Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour. All done and enjoy!

Wednesday

PEPPERONI PIZZA AND SIDE SALAD

Thursday

leftover night or eat out... Tim has Volleyball on Thursday.

Friday

CHICKEN CRESCENT ROLLS

2 c. chopped chicken
2 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 tbsp. chopped chives
1 lg. bottle drained mushrooms
8 crescent rolls (unbaked tube)
Melted butter
1 pkg. seasoned croutons, crushed

Mix chicken, cream cheese, chives and mushrooms. Unroll crescent rolls, fill with mixture and reroll. Roll in melted butter and seasoned croutons. Bake in shallow pan 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Optional - top with cream sauce or chicken gravy.

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Starting Monday there is an awesome deal at Kroger on Pillsbury Products. The small rolls of cresant rolls, cinnamon rolls and grands biscuts are on sale for $1. There have been tons of coupons in the last few months for pillsbury products. I've got 25 cent off coupons for the cresant rolls which would make the rolls 25 cents when the coupon triples. Then on top of this great deal, if you buy 5 you get a $3.50 catalina oyno. Ends up being a $2 money maker... yippee. If you want to read more about this Catalina deal check out the forum at HotCouponWorld.

So, here are some of the recipes that I'm going to try when I stock up on these rolls.

Sunny Morning Star Biscuit Soufflés

Soufflés

1 can (10.2 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (5 biscuits)

4 Eggland’s Best eggs

1/4 cup Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa

1/2 cup sour cream

1/3 cup cooked real bacon bits (from 3-oz bag)

1 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

Garnishes

Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa, if desired

Sour cream, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 6 (6-oz) custard cups or 6 (8-oz) ramekins with CRISCO® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray.

Cut each biscuit into 6 wedges. Using 5 wedges for each cup, arrange wedges around side of each cup with pointed ends up to form a “star.” Press dough lightly on bottoms and sides of cups (it is not necessary to completely cover bottoms and sides of cups). Set aside.

In medium bowl, beat eggs with fork or wire whisk until blended. Beat in 1/4 cup salsa, 1/2 cup sour cream and the bacon bits until blended.

Spoon 2 tablespoons egg mixture into center of each cup; top each with about 2 tablespoons cheese. Spoon remaining egg mixture over cheese in each cup. Place cups on large cookie sheet with sides.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until eggs are set and biscuits are golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Garnish with salsa and sour cream.

Ham and Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches

1 cup cubed cooked ham

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)

1/2 cup finely chopped peeled apple

1 can (12 oz) Pillsbury® Golden Layers® refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)

1 Eggland's Best egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon water

 Chopped tomato, if desired

Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray large cookie sheet with CRISCO® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray, or grease with shortening. In small bowl, gently mix ham, cheese and apple. Separate dough into 10 biscuits. Press or roll 5 biscuits into 4-inch circles on cookie sheet.

Place about 1/2 cup ham mixture onto center of each circle. Press or roll remaining 5 biscuits into 5-inch circles; place over ham mixture on each. Press edges with fork to seal. Mix egg and water; brush over filled biscuits.

Bake 13 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cut each sandwich in half. To serve, garnish with tomato. Serve warm.

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We went to pick strawberries today with James and Melanie. It was chilly and super windy but we had a great time. I think Lex ate every strawberry that he picked ... or at least it looks that way.

We picked about 10 pounds of strawberries and they are so sweet and delicious - definitely better than anything in the grocery store lately.

I'm going to make a few chocolate covered strawberries for us because I just love them and I have the chocolate to make them on hand. I'm also going to use some of my Grands biscuts and Vanilla Whipped Cream (free at Kroger a few weeks ago) to make Strawberry Shortcakes. This is the recipe from the Pillsbury website.

PILLSBURY STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES

Biscuits

1 can (10.2 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (5 biscuits)

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1/4 cup sugar

Strawberry Mixture

1 1/2 pints (3 cups) fresh strawberries, sliced

1/3 cup sugar

Whipped Cream

1/2 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla, if desired

Heat oven to 375°F. Separate dough into 5 biscuits. Dip tops and sides of each biscuit in butter; dip in 1/4 cup sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar. Set aside.

In another small bowl, beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in vanilla.

To serve, split biscuits; place on individual dessert plates. Top with whipped cream and strawberry mixture.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

(This isn't Mel's recipe but she inspired me to try Freezer Jam - maybe I won't have to buy so much Strawberry Preserves for Tim if he likes this)

 

2 cups crushed fresh strawberries

4 cups sugar

1 (1.75 ounce) package dry pectin

3/4 cup water

Mix crushed strawberries with sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars or other storage containers.

Place tops on the containers, and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer, and store frozen until ready to use.

Mimi's Giant Whole-Wheat Banana-Strawberry Muffins

 

2 eggs

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 bananas, mashed

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 cup frozen sliced strawberries

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 12 large muffin cups, or line with paper liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, oil, brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon; Stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Stir in the strawberries until evenly distributed. Spoon batter into muffin cups until completely filled.

Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when pressed lightly. Cool before removing from the muffin tins.

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  And lastly, I made a really fantastic simple recipe last night that I thought you might enjoy. I've made it before with things we had on hand so I don't really have quantities... just do everything to taste.

Shrimp, peeled and deveined (about a pound)

Angel Hair Pasta (small box)

Asparagus (sliced into one inch pieces)

Lemon Pepper Marinade (I use the Kroger brand and it taste just like Lawry's)

Saute asparagus in a few tablespoons of oil oil until tender crisp. Add 1/2 bottle of marinade and stir until heated through. Add shrimp and saute until done.

Lex's new Ride

Lex is such a cutie these days. He's started saying lots of sentences and the 2 year old sentences that he comes up with are just too funny.

Yesterday we ventured out to Super Target for a few things and came home with a van load of toys courtesy of Paw-Paw. Among Lex's favorites was a shiny new tricycle with an Elmo helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Isn't he just the cutest!!

No new photos of Layla. She's been napping a lot and with family here things have been crazy. Hopefully I can snap a few new ones this afternoon when she wakes up. For now I'm going to make a run to Kroger for a few things then head to the church to pick Lex up.

Yummy Cupcakes!

Wow, Lex is going to be 19 months next week. Where does the time go??? He is growing up so fast and I just love his little personality. He's such a rowdy little boy but that sneaky little smile gets me every time. I can't imagine loving any one person any more than I love him.

Here are just a few notes about Lex at 19 months:

• He can now count to 3 (he's almost to 5 but he usually just says 1-2-3-GO!}
• He will only eat shredded cheese... no more cubes. And he has become totally picky.
• He loves Yogurt and Applesauce b/c he gets to use a spoon.
• He love apples and will eat the whole thing (core and all) unless you watch him very closely.
• He knows tons of words but a few of his favorites are Elephant, Choo Choo, Mess and V-V (Video)
• He loves for Mom or Dad to chase him.
• He weighs 29 lbs and 6.5 oz and is 33 inches tall.
• He is getting his eye teeth on top and bottom.
• He still isn't a big napper - only a few times a week.

Last week we went to the cake decorating store to get a few things. Lex picked out these Bat Halloween picks so I made Halloween Cupcakes. I think they turned out pretty cute. I took them to Frazzled Female yesterday and I think everyone liked them.

Lex's New Room

Well I've started on Lex's big boy room and I just can't wait to get it finished. It is going to be super cute. I'm working on a Wonky Ispy Quilt for his new toddler bed. I've only done 7 blocks so far but I love it and he does too.

I also found an awesome piece of fabric that is a world atlas but with animals all over it to use as the backing for his quilt. So, Lex's room is not going to really have a theme, which I'm very happy about. It is just going to be about all of the things that he loves. I'm going to do a strip of ispy blocks across the bottom of his curtains as well. So, if anyone has cute kid fabric scraps they are looking to get rid of please oh please send them my way. I will definitely use them up.

Also, I forgot to post this new cornbread recipe that I tried a few weeks ago. It was yummy but next time I will leave the sugar out and add a chopped jalapeno.

ABSOLUTE MEXICAN CORNBREAD

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
1/2 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers, drained
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish (Seriously, cornbread is not real cornbread unless it's baked in a cast iron skillet).

In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in cream corn, chiles, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to corn mixture; stir until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted into center of the pan comes out clean.

Lex at the Pool

I just got photos from the JOY Camp Pool Party. Lex had a blast at the Noah's Ark Pool at Church. If you're in Houston and you've never checked out this pool, you should check it out. It is at our church (First Methodist - Westpark/Beltway). It only cost $5 and it is fantastic for little ones.

We're expecting...

My pregnant brain has been on overload lately and I just realized that I had not told my blog readers our good news... WE'RE EXPECTING!! YIPPEE. We're due January 28th but since we'll be having another c-section we'll have the baby on the 21st (probably).

I hate to say it but this is the first belly picture that I've taken. It is going to be my 1st trimester photo since I am just 14 weeks.

Yummies & cute babies

I made an awesome crockpot recipe the other night. It sounds a bit odd but it is fabulous.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE LASAGNA

9 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 pkg frozen spinach, cooked and drained
1 can cream of onion soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 package of fresh mushrooms diced
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup milk
salt & pepper to taste
1 pkg shredded colby jack
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Break 3 noodles up into bottom of crock pot.

Mix chicken, spinach, soups, mushrooms, sour cream and milk. Salt & Pepper to taste. Spoon 1/3 of mixture onto top of noodles. Sprinkle 1/3 of Colby Jack over mixture. Make 2 more layers. Top with Parmesan and Pecans. Cook 4 hours on low or until noodles are done.

This is fantastic.

I served with a green salad, garlic bread and steamed fresh green beans.
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I had a small group of friends over last Sunday afternoon to scrapbook. This is one of the pages that I worked on. I started two others but I am not quite finished. Isn't Lex too cute. I love that little stinker. =)

I'm back

Ok I need to get off of my lazy b-hind and get busy. I've got tons of things that I've been wanting to do and I haven't been able to find the time to do them but I'm getting in gear this week and getting things accomplished.

Where has this year gone?? My baby is going to be turning one in just a few weeks. I finished his birthday party invitation tonight and I have to say I have been on a roll with the creativity this week. The darn thing turned out awesome. I can't say enough good things about Jacque Larsen's Birthday Bash kit at The Lily Pad. I used it and the elements are precious. In an effort to be more green I made the invite into a one page website and sent it out to family & friends. I have all kinds of cutesy, crafty things in store for his party.

 

I've been wanting to re-design my site for a long time and I've been doing that this week. Right now I've gone as far as I can go without updating zencart and we're having some issues with my host at the moment. So, the store is in a bit of disarray at the moment. Hopefully it will be finished by Saturday. Speaking of Saturday, be on the look out for our March Newsletter on Friday... I've got lots of great new products that will be available on Saturday.

Second, I haven't been doing much OAMC lately and my grocery budget is hurting because of it. So, I started again  with some great simple recipes that I could accomplish in the afternoon. I did the following:

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Calico Beans (I doubled the recipe and it made 3 8x8 casseroles)
*My friend Marc B. made these and they were great. I think they will freeze beautifully.

• 8 ounces bacon, about 10 to 12 slices
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. dry mustard
• 2 cans pork and beans
• 1 can lima beans or butter beans, drained
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. vinegar

Brown bacon, ground beef, and chopped onions.  Combine drained ground beef mixture in slow cooker with remaining ingredients; cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 5 hours. After this was cooked I transfered to 3 - 8x8 disposable aluminum pans, wrapped them in foil, labels then placed them in gallon ziplocs. To reheat, thaw and bake until bubbly at 350.

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Spaghetti Sauce (for Spaghetti, Pizza and a few other pasta dishes)
Turkey Tetrazzini

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Shepherd's Pie

Ok I saw a recipe similar to this in a magazine but then couldn't find it so I just made it up as I went. It turned out fantastic. I didn't really measure but just do everything to taste and it will turn out fantastic.

• 1 large batch of mashed potatoes - (boil potatoes then add a block of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, minced garlic, garlic salt & pepper, butter & milk.)
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 bags of frozen mixed veggies
• 2 packages of brown gravy mix

Brown beef and onion (season with salt & pepper). Drain and return to pan. Add veggies and 1/4 water. Cook on medium until veggies are warm. (Do not overcook b/c theses will be reheated after being frozen). Add gravy mixes and 1 cup of water. Cook on medium high until gravy thickens. Ok now dish up the veggie meat mixture into the bottom of disposable 8x8 pans. My quantity made 3 pans. Cover the veggies with mashed potatoes so that no veggie meat mixture is showing. Now sprinkle with Cheddar Cheese. Cover with foil and place in gallon ziplocs. To reheat, thaw and bake until bubbly at 350.

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Nacho Casserole (This one isn't OAMC but it is super easy)

• 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 8 ounces shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
• 1 (14.5 ounce) package crushed nacho cheese doritos

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a square cake pan and bake according to package directions.

Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir together well. When dough is done, remove from oven and place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream and cheese, and then top off with the crushed nacho chips.

Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

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I can't believe I forgot to post this photo. I did the cake for my friends baby shower a few weeks ago. It turned out so pretty. It was a three layer yellow cake with chocolate buttercream icing - Chocolate Fudge icing drizzles on top with chocolate covered strawberries. The lavender is colored white chocolate.