Pumpkin & Fennel Soup

Pumpkin & Fennel Soup:

Ingredients:

Makes 2-3 big bowls:

1 small Sugar Pie Pumpkin

1-2 fennel bulb

4 cups of water

2 Tbs Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 cup or so Heavy Whipping Cream (optional)

Fresh grated Nutmeg

Toasted Pecans or Pumpkin Seeds (As little or many as you like)

1: Pumpkin: Peel, clean and cut into cubes.

2: Fennel: Trim, clean and slice

3: Add all ingredients except salt, pepper and cream into pot.

4: Bring to a boil and simmer until pumpkin and fennel are soft

5: Add salt and pepper to taste

6: Toast Pecans or Pumpkin Seeds

7: Add cream

8: Use immersion blender or put soup into blender (be careful its HOT!!!!!) and blend until smooth

9: Serve with fresh grated Nutmeg and toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds

10: Enjoy

I get a box of fruit and veggies 2 times a month.  It has whatever is in season and usually not things I buy.  So I have found many uses for the box, mostly soup.  I usually make the soup and share it with my Mom.  She is a soup lover like me, so it works out well.  I didn't use cream in this bowl since I was out, but I have before so I made it optional.  It is delicious either way.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Spaghetti Squash Bake

We are trying eating less meat around our house, which is a big deal.  Every meal we have has involved some sorta meat.  So after watching many documentaries, we decided to cut our meat intake.  We haven’t totally gone vegetarian but we are noticing that we feel better when we don’t have so much meat in our diet.  Also our clothes are getting bigger and thats always a plus.  My only problem is finding stuff to cook.  Im so used to having meat as our main staple that finding ways to make a satisfying meal is a challenge.  Also trying to find food my kids will eat is hard to say the least.

So I had a spaghetti squash staring at me for a few days and was clueless as to what to do with it.  I guess I could have searched online for a recipe, but I get distracted when online and an hour has gone by without me doing what I planned on doing.  So spaghetti squash.  I searched in my cupboards, which is easy since I have moved into a house with a much smaller kitchen and no pantry.  Another challenge I will go into another day.

I located a bottle of pasta sauce and some mozzarella cheese.  I am also challenging myself to not use the micro so much, which is why I cooked the squash in the oven.

Ingredients:

~Spaghetti Squash, get size that works for your family.
~1 jar of your favorite spaghetti squash
~Fresh Mozzerella, sliced or favorite cheese
~Salt/Pepper
~Olive Oil
~Celery Salt
~Spices to taste
~Italian Breadcrumbs



Instructions:

~Cut squash in half and clean our the seeds.  

~Put squash in a baking dish or a cookie sheet with a lip, add 1/4” water.  Bake @375 until tender, about 35-40 minutes.

~Use a fork to separate the squash meat in to spaghetti.

~Put the spaghetti in a bowl and add 1-2 tablespoons of Olive Oil (you can also use a flavored oil if you have it), salt and pepper.

~Add your favorite sauce and as much as your family likes.  Remember that spaghetti squash is sweet, so watch which sauce you use.  I have used tomato sauce, pesto sauce and Alfredo sauce.  They are all good.

~Now is the time to doctor it up.  If you are a spice adder then go for it, if not then I suggest tasting it and adding more salt and pepper if needed.  Also add some celery salt and basil.

~Spray baking dish with non-sticking spray and add half of the spaghetti.

~Put a layer of cheese.  Use what you have or like.  Mozzarella is what I had on hand, but I will use some parmesan and maybe ricotta next time.

~Add the rest of the spaghetti.

~Top it off with more cheese and sprinkle some Italian flavored breadcrumbs.

~Bake @375 for 20 minutes then turn on the broiler.

~Broil until cheese is a beautiful, delicious golden bubbly brown.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we all did.  This was a hit for the adults and kids.  So now I have another spaghetti squash staring at me again.

Cereal Bars

Ingredients:
Crust:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups oats, ground
• 2 cups flour (I used whole wheat because its what I had)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups fruit of choice (Frozen or Fresh)
• 1 1/4 tablespoon cornstarch
• Sugar to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350
• FILLING:
• Heat fruit in a saucepan over med-low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Cook until the fruit begins to cook down and thicken, about 15 minutes
• If the fruit is to chancy, put in a blender to puree for a few pluses then put back into the pan.
• Whisk in cornstarch and cook 5 more minutes.
• Taste fruit and if it is too sour add 1 teaspoon of sugar until it is to taste.
• Put fruit into a heat safe bowl and into the fridge until cool.  About 20-30 minutes.
• You can make the fruit up to 2 days prior to using.
• CRUST:
• Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and applesauce 
• Add to flour and mix throughly. 
• Place dough onto plastic wrap and form into a brick.  Cut in half and wrap each in plastic wrap and chill in fridge for 20-30 minutes.
• Roll out half of the dough and transfer onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  To make it eaiser on myself, I rolled the dough out between 2 peices of parchment paper.
• Spread fruit onto dough.
• Roll out 2nd half and place on top.  Press down the sides to seal them.  Use an egg wash if you want to help keep sides sealed.
• Trim the edges if you want it pretty.  :)  Im a mommy with 2 kids under 4 so I dont do pretty, Im just happy to bake.
• Bake for 25-35 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Take out of pan and cool completely on cooling rack.
• Cut bars into desired size.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  Use parchment paper between layers.  
• Freeze remaining bars in freezer safe container or bag.  Let thaw overnight in fridge

***You can also use a muffin tin instead of cookie sheet.  Make balls and press into the tins.  Make sure to use non-stick spray or cupcake papers.  Use 1 tablespoon of filling for each.

Im back... I hope so

I enjoy writing in this blog very much, even if no one is reading it.  I have found that I helps me vent and its nice to purge my insides.

A lot has changed the past few months.  We have moved to a new town, I love it.  We are now closer to Daddy's work so we get family dinners every night.  I believe that is very important to families.  Mini Me started school and dance, and the Little Guy will start after the first of the year.

I have also started eating mostly veggies.  I drink a lot of juice, I either make it myself, or drink the Odwalla and other real juices.  My body LOVES veggies.  Ive not only lost weight, but I have so much more energy and just feel better over all.

Today I am making homemade cereal bars.  My kids eat a lot of them.  I buy them by the bulk.  The other day I realized, this isn't a good thing for my kids to eat.  So I went in search of a recipe.  As always I started on Pinterest.  Found several, tried one but realized I needed to add other things to make it better.  So I mixed a few and came up with what I hope are some good treats that my kids will love. 

Back to baking.

My Phone Case

I just had to share my iPhone case.

It's more pink then red, but o'well.... I still LOVE it, and I wanted pink.

I got it at http://www.zazzle.com/.

I love Pride and Prejudice, but couldn't find a case I really feel in love with.  On top of that I really enjoy all of Jane Austen's books.  So I set out to find one that worked and I couldn't.  I ran across Zazzle late one night because I wanted to design my own.  And this is what I made and I am loving it.  It has the hard case outside and the rubber case inside.  I'm so happy.  :)

Rapunzel Rapunzel... Let Down Your Hair!

My Mini Me has found the Princesses over the past few months.  She has a great love for Rapunzel.  She loves holding anything from a shirt to a towel to my comforter on her head as her hair.  So I thought OK let me make her some Rapunzel hair.  Then of course I searched on Pinterest. 

I found several but didn't like any one more then the other.  So I kinda took a bit from all of them and came up with my own idea.

Mini Me and I went to the craft store in search of the 'hair'.  I bought 2 shades of yellow, a yellow/white combo, purple, and 2 multicolored balls of yarn. I got smaller balls since we were using several different colors.

Supplies:

180 Yards of Yarn 

Scissors

Tape Measure

2 Chairs you can tie too

Ribbon

Ponytail Holder

Flowers

Step 1.
I set up my chairs to be 6 feet apart and tied one end of the yarn to a chair and started winding it around.  I did the 2 yellows 10x and 15x for the 3rd yellow.  Then 5x for each of the colored yarn.   Make sure when you are winding that you mix up where the yarn is winding.  If its just stacked then when you separate it to braid you won't have color variation.

Step 2:
Tie together the end you are not going to cut and leave the tie long.  Also tie some ribbon to the uncut end, you need it later and its easier to do it now.  Cut the other end apart so you now have 'hair'.  Tie the other end to the chair.  ***Try not to tangle the hair.  Its very easy to do.

Step 3:
Count out 30 strands for each section and lay them out.  Then start braiding.  **Make sure to keep the sections apart at the bottom.  I had a few mishaps so that is very important.  ;)

Step 4:
Use a ponytail holder at the end and trim off the bottom.  I then measured it around Mini Me's head (make it a bit smaller because it will stretch and it will end up around her eyes) and tied it off with ribbon.  I kinda wove the ribbon in the braid so it couldn't come undone or move.

Step 5:
I tied several pieces of ribbon around the top to not only help hold it together but to add some pretty to it.  I added flowers and ribbon at the bottom and we were done.

I hope you and your Mini Me enjoy this.

I think I can breathe again.

Well the holidays are over, we are finished with vacation, and Spring break is coming to an end so I finally feel like I can sit down and rest and just get myself back in order.  I have so many projects that are bouncing around in my head.  I plan on getting them all straighten out in my head and in my dining room, which doubles as my craft space this weekend.

Cant wait to post my next crafty stuff.  Also have a few receipts that I will be putting up soon.

My O My How Time Flies When You Are Going Crazy

Ive been so busy over the last few months that I don't even remember with what.  :)  I am doing so many things right now that its hard to keep it all going.  I do have a few things I will be adding in the next few days.  So stay tuned.

Fried Marbles

Its not really fried, more like heated up.  So I have lots and lots of glass filler stones.  I never seem to use them in the vases like I plan.  I ran across a bag stuffed all the way back in the pantry... now what to do with them.  I searched and searched but couldn't find any cool ideas.  Then I saw fried marbles.  Fried Marbles??? What the heck is that?  Its heating up the glass stones or marbles then putting them in ice cold water.  Presto Changeo.... They shatter on the inside, not apart.  They are still smooth on the outside but you can see the cool shatter effect.  I used clear glass, I read that the frosted wasn't worth it because you cant see the shatter effect.

I grabbed some of the stones and put them in the pan.  Turned on the stove to med-high and let them get hot.  It took about 10 minutes I guess. 

Meanwhile.... I got a baking dish and filled it with ice water.  Once the glass stones were hot I put them into the ice water.  Immediately I heard the cracking and popping.

Of course I forgot to take the dried off after picture.  But you can see what they look like.  I'm thinking of using them for a wire wrapped pendant or earrings.  They are really pretty.  Ive added yet another project to my long list.  But it does keep me happy and busy.

Photo Glass Tile

I finally did the photo glass tiles..and I LOVE them.  They are very easy and so sweet. 

What you need:

Glass tiles.....I got mine from CandyTiles.  She has great bundle deals and the products were very nice.
Diamond Glaze
Bails or Tray- Depending on the look you are going for
Chain
Super Glue
Picture or Scrapbook Paper design

Step 1:

Put down parchment paper or wax paper in your work area.  Clean your tile off with a lint free cloth or a cloth you clean your glasses with.  Choose your picture or paper.  If doing a picture, print it on Matte Paper.  You can either cut out the picture you are using to the size of the tile (make the picture slightly smaller then your tile) or wing it.  I winged it and next time I will pre-cut it.

Step 2:

Put a little Diamond Glaze on the back of the tile.  Do it in the shape of the tile you are using, it will spread better when you apply the picture and pressure.  Don't add so much that it oozes out the sides.  You don't want that.



Step 3:

Apply to the picture.  Putting pressure on each corner and the middle.  Then flip it over and rub it lightly with your fingers to make sure it is all touching and adhering together.  Let dry tile side down for at least an hour.



Step 4:

Trim off any excess paper.  I used very sharp scissors and exacto knife.  I think next time I will have it pre-cut.  I think it would be easier and a cleaner edge. 

Step 5:

Apply more of the Diamond Glaze to the back of the picture.  You want a thin layer and around the edge of the paper that is on the tile.  This will seal it and make it water resistant.  Not proof, but resistant.  So don't wear it in the shower, but don't need to freak out if it gets a little wet.  I used a stiffer paint brush.  Make sure you clean the brush as soon as you are finished.  Let it dry for at least an hour.

Step 6:

Now its time to glue your bail to the tile.  I did mine on the back since I didn't want it to cover up my beautiful kids. Make a little mark where you want your bail at.  It will be helpful to make sure its centered.  I used Super Glue.  I'm sure there are other glues, but its what I had.  So add a tiny bit of glue to the bail and put it on the tile applying pressure.  Let dry at least half hour.

**You can also buy a tile tray.  I plan on trying that too.  If you are using a tray you don't need the bails because the tray is an all-in-one kinda thing.  So you would add the glue to the tile and press it into the tray.  Applying pressure to make sure it is all glued down.

Step 7:

Add your chain and enjoy.  I gave mine to the Grandmas for Christmas.  I planned on making a key chain for Grandpa, but ran out of time.  So that's what is on my To Do List next. 

Christmas Card Book

I'm sure like many of you, you wonder what to do with your Christmas Cards.  I have displayed them several ways in my house.  Hanging them from the mantel, placing them all over the house or taping them to the walls.  So this year I did a little more decorating on the mantel then normal and didn't want to add another thing to it.  I also decorated the walls a bit more this year so I was out of space.  What to do....what to do.... A Christmas Card Book.

Supplies:
-Cardboard--I used a thin one
-Scrapbook Paper or Christmas paper that wont tear easy.  I used 2 different patterns. 4 total sheets
-ModPog or Glue (what ever you have on hand)
-Scissors
-Binder Rings
-Hole Punch
-Embellishments (Stickers or whatever you want)


I started out with an empty box, it was a thin as a cereal box.  I cut off all the flaps and tried to make it as straight as possible.  I then took the cards I had received so far and laid them on top to measure.  I was able to get a pretty universal measurement I believe.  I made mine 6x8.  I then cut the paper a bit larger so I could make sure I had wiggle room in case I messed up. 

Next I put ModPog on one side of the cardboard and the back of the paper.  I was able to wiggle the paper around enough that I could get at least one clean edge.  I then pressed and rubbed firmly to make sure there were no air bubbles and that it was all glued together.

Let them fully dry and trim the edges.  Then do the same to the other side of the cardboard and paper.  I had to put them under a heavy book this time to dry flat.  Once its dry you can add your embellishments if you are putting them on there.  I didn't see anything I liked when I made a quick run to the craft store.  So I'm going to try to find something so I know what year it is or just write it on there with a Sharpie.

After I trimmed the edges again it was time to put it all together.  I had a 2 hole punch left over from my working in an office days.  It came in very handy.

Add the binder clips and you have yourself a book of cards. (I plan on doing this with the Baptism and Birthday cards the kids get.  Also thought of making an on going one for myself with cards from the kids and the hubby.)

Here it is on our mantel.

It was a very simple project.  The longest part was waiting for the ModPog to dry.  Hope you enjoy it. 



Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Candies and Goodies

Wednesday is going to be my big Christmas Goodies making day.  I have a wonderful teenager who comes to my house to take care of the kids while I run around and get done what ever needs to be done... and faster.

I'm planning on making English Toffee, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread, Chocolate Chip Cookies and maybe Divinity.  Along with the last of the Christmas gifts I need to finish up

Wish me luck.

Bag of Girls

I noticed the other day My Mini Me was using her chips as dolls and playing with them.  I thought I should try to find her some little dolls to play with.  Then I saw on Pinterest a pin for a  Box O' Princesses from http://www.lilblueboo.com/2011/11/a-box-o-princesses-a-tutorial-and-download.html, which is so stinking cute.  The problem is My Mini Me doesn't know all of the Princesses yet.  She is getting the Princess barbie dolls for Christmas, but I don't think she would get the wooden ones yet.

I liked the idea of the wooden dolls because they can't really break and have no removable parts.  So I set out to make my own.  I bought the wooden dolls the other day, and today I am starting the drawings on them for the design.  I'm not the greatest artist, but I think I can manage this.  I'm going to start with a few simple ones and work my way up to something with a little more flare.  Ok mine will be simple, but my brother is an amazing artist and I'm crossing my fingers he can draw some girls on the wooden dolls for me to paint.  Gotta love people with talent. 

So my wooden doll making is starting today.  I will update this post with pictures as I get them moving along.

Being Sick Stinks

Being sick really cuts in to my fun time.  Over the weekend I was fighting a battle not to get an ear infection, and I won.  Then Monday morning I woke up with runny eyes and a stuffy nose and realized it was only the battle I won over the weekend not the war.  So my body has been fighting the bug and half way winning.  But I do realize that when I'm sick my kids get the bad end of the stick, but I think to them they love it.  Its cartoon heaven here at home.  O'well one more day and then I should be on top of the world again.

Wine Glass Tags

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our friends house.  There were about 30 people or so.  The food was wonderful, the kids had a blast and it was great to have so many people to chat with and just enjoy the day with.

Shirley,the Grandma, brought wine glasses for all the adults with tags of everyones name.

We used them the whole night to drink what ever it was we were drinking.  From water to wine, everyone loved them.

This is how she did it. 

Supplies:
-Wire (She had extra hanging around in her craft supplies, so I'm not sure what kind she used.)
-Something to wrap the wire around to get the shape.  (Wine bottle neck, medicine bottle.. anything that is the size you want.)
-Tools... wire cutters and pliers
-Alphabet beads or what every you want to add.  I think this is up to you and how fancy you want to get.

Instructions:
-Wrap wire around  what every you are using to get the size you want and cut a bit larger so you can hook them together.
-Bend one side into a loop.
-Add your beads
-Put the wire around the glass steam then put the straight end through the looped side and loop it
-DONE!

They are very cute and a great way to keep track of everyones glass.  They were hand washed a few times during the day, so they held up fine.

Thank you to our wonderful friends for a great day and a new idea for me.  :-)

Chalkboard Table

I have a Little Tikes plastic table that was in need of a make-over.  So since my new obsession is chalkboard paint, I thought why not make it a chalkboard table?  I got a can of primer to cover plastic so the chalkboard paint would stick.  I have learned about myself that I suck at spray painting.  I blame it on the defective can.  :)  So I primed the whole thing, drips and all.  I just decided to live with the fact Id have to repaint it. 

So I mixed up some blue chalkboard paint and painted away.  I think I used 4 coats, but just with the kids playing with it today, I can tell its going to need some refining.  I guess I will just have to keep the blue chalkboard paint handy for some touch-ups.  The grand plan for the table is to have removable pouches around 2 of the edges so there are pockets for the chalk and whatever else the kids stick in there.  It needs to be removable so nothing else gets drawn on, I realized sometimes the crayons and chalk has to go away for awhile for me to catch up on the hunting and cleaning of all the places that were colored that weren't supposed to be.

Here is the table being used by the kids.  I love it, flaws and all.

Ice Cream Cake In a Jar

I wanted to do something different for my daughters 3rd birthday cake.  I am not the normal run of the mill mom.  I like to find something different and try it out.  Anyone can have a normal ol birthday cake.  But not many get an Ice Cream Cake In A Jar.

I'm not going to say this was easy, because it was very time consuming.  And I had a few set backs, but finally got it all worked out.

Step 1... Finding the right jar.  I used 16 oz and wish I would have used 12 oz instead. 

Step 2... I used the sterilize setting on the dishwasher to make sure they were all clean.  I put the flat part of the top in a bag used for delicate things in the washer so they wouldn't go all over the place.

Step 3... Baking bottom cake in the jar.  I got a white cake mix and added purple food coloring.  I then used a ladle so I had the same amount in each jar (Id say little less batter then you would use for a cupcake.)  I then baked them on 300 for about 25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.  I used a lower temp so they outside of the cake didnt brown.  I wanted the purple to be seen.  I only put in 9 at a time on a cookie sheet so they would have room around them to cook.  I don't know if it was necessary, but it worked.

Step 4... I let them cool completely.  I then put frozen yogurt, (mishap 1 was tyring to use regular ice cream) in a  quart Ziploc bag, cut the tip, and piped some into the jars.  Put the lid on and store them in the freezer.

Step 5... I made 2 more cakes.  I used chocolate and vanilla and did a swirl.  I put them in a baking sheet so it was larger then a 9x11.  Once it was cooled I used a circle cookie cutter the same size as the jar.  I then added the cake round to the jar, put the lid on, and in the freezer they went for a few days.

Step 6... On the day of the party I made whipped cream frosting and put it in the quart sized Ziploc bags to store.
*** 1 small box of pudding, any flavor you want.  I think Jell-o would work too.
*** About 3 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
     Add pudding and 2 cups of whipping cream in to bowl and whip.  Add the remaining as needed to get the right consistency.

Step 7... When it was cake time, I took the lids off and cut a corner of the bag and piped in the frosting and topped them with purple sugar.

They were so yummy and everyone enjoyed them. 

Happy Birthday Emma.  I hope you had as wonderful of a time at your party as I had planning it out.  I love you my little girl.  I'm blessed to be your mommy.

Emma's 3rd Birthday Party!

I survived Emma's first real birthday party.  I seem to be having an issue putting up the pictures taken with my camera (stupid computer).  So the one from the phone have to do.

This is how I decorated the house.  Since we were doing an Art Themed Party, I thought simple but fun.

Front Door.  I had Chalkboards everywhere, so one on the front door made sense. 

I bought a bag of 72 balloons, took the black ones out, got the tire pump, and got my arm workout.  These were also a source of entertaining the kids after we had painted and eaten.  They all had some and were playing and having a blast.  Along with the roller coaster in the hallway.

I used those Command hooks to hang them but I didn't like them showing so...

Tissue Paper Flowers over the hooks.

I also made the Happy Birthday Banner out of chalkboards. (Not the best picture, but you can understand what I did.)  I used the Command strips on here, and since I was already making flowers, I made extra.  Darn I wish the picture was better because it is so cute

"Happy 3rd Birthday Emma"

And now the cake.  On Pinterest I keep seeing 'Cake In A Jar'.  I went one step more and did "Ice Cream Cake In A Jar'

I had a table set up in the Great Room with a long coloring page and crayons for the kids to color on.  All the adults noticed how quite the party was with the kids coloring.  I had easy, kid-friendly food for everyone.  Sandwiches, chips fruit and dips.  The main event was everyone painted their own Masterpiece.  I bought 11x14 canvases and paint and the kids did their magic.  No phone pictures of all of this, but they will be added once I get the camera and computer to love each other again.

All in all we had an amazing time and Emma had a blast with her friends coming over for her very first real Birthday Party.

We sent home with each child their own Artist Kit.  It had a chalkboard, doodle pad, glow stick, crazy straw, coloring book w/crayons, chalk, candy, notebook, pencil, and a spiral drawing kit.  I know I went overboard.  But o'well it was fun had by all.