Getting crafty

One of my good friends is having a baby here in a few weeks. I helped throw one of her baby showers. She had quite a big turnout between her 3 showers, so I didn't feel bad making her a couple of things instead of buying off the registry.

First are burp cloths. I think I could have bought them on Etsy or Ebay cheaper and may go that route if I ever decide to do it again. They are SUPER cute, but cost about the same as purchasing them!




Second is I decided to crochet an afghan. My grandma Grace taught me when I was 8 or so...so 27 years ago. I've always known how to do it, but never really done it. I picked up a how to book from walmart and some yarn. Then I found an EASY pattern online. It took longer than I expected...but it was pretty stinking cute!

New food #7--2011

Apple Baked French Toast



Ingredients:
1 loaf of french bread cut into 2 inch squares
8 eggs
3 cups milk
4 tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbs butter melted
cinnamon and sugar

5 apples peeled, cored, diced
1/2 cup sugar
cinnamon

Place bread pieces in to a lightly greased 13x9 pan. Mix eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla. Pour over bread and stir. Refrigerate for 6-36 hours. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes. (I would mix twice during that time.) Baste the top with the melted butter then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Return to the oven for another 15 minutes.

Mix apples, sugar and cinnamon. Warm up in oven for 2-4 minutes. Mix well.

Serve warmed apples over french toast bake! YUMMO!

New food #6--2011

Tuna Boats--err chicken boats
The recipe calls for four 5 ounce cans of tuna...I used chicken instead!



Ingredients:
2 big cans of chicken drained
1 can cream of chicken soup (I used lowfat)
1/2 cup of milk
Garlic/pepper to taste

Enough pieces of bread for how ever many you and yours need.

Mix chicken, soup, milk and seasoning together. Simmer over low heat until combined.

Fold each piece of bread together by the corners and stuff into a muffin tin. Bake at 350 for 7-10 minutes or until crispy.

Serve creamy chicken mix over toasted bread boat.

I added quite a bit of garlic and salt and pepper. Next time, I think I'll mix in broccoli and cauliflower into the chicken soup mix. Or use broccoli cheese soup!

Four years old

It is so hard to believe my little boy is four. Yesterday was his officially birthday, but we have been celebrating for a couple of weeks.





He amazes me with the things he can do himself (even if he thinks he cannot sometimes). He is independent to a fault, but still my little boy in so many ways.

He has become scared of the dark for some reason. He won't go to the bathroom alone if the light is not already on. He says the shadows scare him.

He loves fiercely and gets angry easily (wonder where that comes from?). He still likes to snuggle at times, and other times he hates to be touched.

He had his first surgery last week. I took my camera, but wouldn't let myself take a picture of him in such a bad state.

I hope this year brings as much happiness as the last four.

New food #5--2011

Pizza Roll Up


Ingredients:
Pillsbury thick pizza crust
Pepperoni
Mozarella Cheese
marinara sauce

Roll out pizza crust and stretch to the size of a jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with cheese, then lay out pepperoni. Roll up and place seam on the bottom. Pinch ends together. Bake at 425 until brown. Slice and dip in marinara sauce.

It is YUMMY. Add other meat or toppings to your likings. I usually do ham, pepperoni and mushrooms and TONS of cheese!

New food #4--2011

This is a recipe I have eaten before...many times! It's a go-to recipe that is relatively healthy and YUMMO!

Ingredients:
1 can pumpkin
1 box spice cake mix

Mix together. Make into muffins. Should make 18 easily. Bake about 25-30 minutes or until centers are done. Serve with fat free cool whip as a topping. Good for a dessert or even a quick on the go breakfast.

Quick meal I LOVE

Easy Ham and Potato Bake

You can easily adjust this to fit your family.

Ingredients:
sliced potatoes
ham
onion
cheese

Sprah a 9x9 (or 8X8) pan with cooking spray. Layer ingredients twice. Cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 or until potatoes are tender. Uncover and cook for another 10 minutes.

LOVE this one! My boys are not as fond, but they will eat it normally.