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.

Tomorrow Layla will be 3 weeks old. WOW how the time flies by. I took a really cute picture of her today while she was sleeping. The quality isn't the best but I didn't want to turn the light on while she was napping.

Yesterday was my first day alone with the kiddos. Well, Lex actually went to MDO but it was my first day to manage that with 2 in tow and it went fairly well. Though Mel did have to help me out to the car when I came to pick Lex up. While Lex was at MDO Layla and I hit Target for diapers and a few other things (cutesty flannel blankets and new pacifiers) then we headed home. She napped the rest of my MDO time while I cleaned the house. Praise the Lord for sleepy babies!

Mel came over and played in the afternoon and Lex of course had a blast with her as always. :) And I definitely enjoyed the girl time together b/c I haven't had much of that lately. I am so ready to get things back to a more normal routine. Hopefully that will be the case next week.

I also had a sweet little surprise from my oh so fabulous husband yesterday when I came into the kitchen. I was quite tired and not really in the mood to clean but his little message just perked me right up. I love that man! I can't believe that Saturday will be the 11th anniversary of our first date!! Time really does fly by. Happy 11 Years sweethear, I love you more each and every day!!

What a week! So much has been going on. We got the china cabinet on Friday and on Sunday we unloaded the china. I am so excited b/c it looks really nice. Unfortunately some of the stemware was broken. Thankfully the broken ones were all wine glasses so we do have one set of matching water glasses for the china. Aunt Betty also sent along some random china pieces of Tim's mom that I had forgotten about like a crystal egg dish that I kind of fell in love with. It really is the little things that make my day.

On Saturday the YC girls had a Sprinkle for Heather and I. Our sons are 10 weeks apart and now we are both preggers again with our 2nds that will be born in January. It has been so much fun being pregnant together twice. We're about 2-3 weeks apart so the "Sprinkle" was for both of us. We both got tons of diapers which was fabulous! You gals rock!! This is us with our super cute diaper cakes that my (secretly) crafty friend Erin made for us.

In other news, I'm trying to get the baby's room ready so that I don't have to worry about it anymore. I've bought everything that we needed and we're (Tim) going to be painting soon. Gaggy is coming on Sunday to help me make the bedding. I just can't wait to get it done because I know it is just going to look awesome. I bought the rest of the room stuff from a line of bedding from Kidsline called Lullaby Birds. I thought it was super cute and just fell in love with it. However, I found out it had been discontinued... but lucky me found the mobile, lamp, and valance in the clearance aisle at Babies R Us. I was super excited. I ordered the hamper online from Better Homes and Gardens and got an awesome deal on it as well since it was discontinued. The rest of the room decor is pink or pink and white gingham.

Where oh where has the time gone??? I am officially 27 weeks pregnant now! And I feel gigantic. At last count I had gained 18 pounds... but that was a few weeks ago. We haven't really done anything for the baby so I'm startig to stress a little. However, Gaggy is coming at Thanksgiving to help us get everything going. I've still got to make a list of all the little pink things that I need to buy before baby girl arrives.

It is getting increasingly more difficult to pick Lex up and I think he is starting to catch onto the fact that something is going on because he is going through a jealous phase. He doesn't want anyone to get close to me and he freaks out if I pick up another child.

~oh the joys of parenthood~

These are the cupcakes that I made for the Halloween Party last saturday. I think they turned out super cute. I bought these little cupcake picks at Joann's.

Today I'm making Mrs. Spider Tea Cakes for Melanie's class at MDO tomorrow. I'll post photos later. Hopefully they will turn out cute.

Well we weathered the storm and our power came back on after going out a second time. Tim's been out of work since their office has no power. Thankfully our house suffered no damage but we have so many neighbors with roof damage. And so much of Houston is still suffering greatly.

Since we've had some down time we've gotten lots of things done. Tim finished moving everything into the new shared office... pictures to come later.

I had to break out the pink this week because... IT'S A GIRL!!!!!! {I've gotta scan the ultrasound photos to post soon.} We are just on cloud nine thinking about a sweet little girl. I went through my fabric stash today and now have a plan for the baby's room. I started cutting the squares for the crib bumper which I am going to quilt. I can't wait to get started on it. I'm going with a pink/aqua kind of theme (but not really a theme).

Tim's great grandmother made this gorgeous baby quilt that we are going to have framed and put over the crib.  And I've got a few other things in the back of my mind that I'm going to be working on in the coming week. Hope everyone has a great week!

16 weeks

Ok this isn't a great photo - I look like I'm busting out of my swimsuit but it will have to do. We're 16 weeks now and I'm pretty much busting out of all my clothes... I have officially gained 9 pounds. This photo was taken at the Shrimp Boil this weekend at the Daughdrill's house.

I've got to get back to work now. Hope everyone has a great day!