School is out for Christmas Break!!!

Whew! What a week this has been, so many Christmas parties. I am so thankful to get some time where I won't be in the car. I have managed to do some baking and sewing. Here are a few things I've been up to ....
Teacher's Gifts.
Made some Nutty Snack Mix, a.k.a. "Christmas Mix". Also, this new Hot Cocoa mix that is DELICIOUS from www.lollychops.com. What wonderful "freebies" she has on her site. It is a new favorite, I love how she puts a gift together. Has me all inspired to learn more about paper crafts. Even downloaded the cute little recipe and package wrapping she has on her site. I also did the Brownie in a Jar from her site, but lost the pic on my crazy camera. I am making some more this weekend, so maybe I will try to snap a few pics of it.




And some sewing for my nieces, aprons and a prayer pillow..




Made a "Who" outfit for Big G's 3rd Grade Grinch party, he wouldn't allow me to post pics! But he looked cute!

Late menu plan

I get my tentative menu plan done about 2 weeks ahead and then make amendments to it when the week comes up. I just have to remember to share it! There is not much planned for this week, mostly because the weekend will be busy.
Monday - Ham and Cheese macaroni bake, salad (Lil loved this with our leftover honeybaked ham - she calls it wack-a-roni)
Tuesday - Beer Battered FRIED fish, tater tots, green beans and grits (what a treat! Hubby used the fish we froze that Big G caught at the end of summer)
Wednesday - Tuscan Sausage Stew (from Junior League's Tables of Content yummy poured on top of Italian Bread)
Thursday - Spice Rubbed Pork Chops, Crumb topped Brussel Sprouts & Cauliflower, sweet potatoe wedges (1st time for the kids to try brussel sprouts!)
Friday, Sat, Sun - up in the air!

Big G and I made Cypress Inn Muffins tonight. My in-laws first made these when Miss M was little and they became known as Molly Muffins because she loved them so much. Big G calls them Raisin Bran muffins. The batter is supposed to last about a month in the fridge! Ours has never even come to last that long. I know the recipe is out there online somewhere, but here it is.

Cypress Inn Bran Muffins
1 15 oz box Raisin Bran Cereal
3 Cups of sugar
5 cups all purpose flour
5 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
1 cup of vegetable/canola oil
1 quart buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl and then stir in the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake 15 minutes or until done.
This recipe make ton of batter. I made 12 regular size muffins and then 24 mini muffins and still have a ton of batter left. They are great for snack, breakfast or dessert.

Not much sewing, but after this weekend hope to get busy. Also, planning teacher's gifts, etc...

Thanksgiving!!!

Oh, do we have so much to be thankful for! My sweet sister in law had surgery today to take a tumor off of her thyroid and praise God it was not cancer!

This week we are eating:
Monday: Warm Tortellini Soup out of the Birmingham Junior League's cookbook Tables of Content
Tuesday: Hubby is grilling some Halibut, cabbage, and quinoa
Wednesday: will be a night for me to thaw out some leftovers because I will be busy cooking for Thursday!
Thursday: Thanksgiving - We are having Ham and Brad is cooking the Turkey. I am making Savory Pull apart Rolls, pumpkin pie spectacular, green bean casserole, corn pudding, sweet potatoe casserole, peas and mushrooms (I think that is it!)
Friday: Alabama VS Auburn game!! We will be eating some finger foods, maybe Super Chalupa Dip.
Saturday: Christmas Decorating day!!!! Taco Soup and I will make a batch of Christmas Mix (Nutty Snack Mix)
Sunday: Hubby will grill something??

The kids are super excited! And so am I. It will be a joyous week. I will try to post some recipes or some links to the recipes online soon.

I have started some sewing projects, added a ruffle to some old jeans of Miss M's to make them last a little longer, made her a Christmas shirt, and made a prayer pillow for my sweet sister in law. I will try to post some pics soon.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Gone for 6 months!!

I can't believe I let 6 months go by without a single blog! It has been busy with summer, school, sports, dance, dog, etc.. My kid's social life keeps me busy. I am still sewing and cooking and menu planning just haven't taken the time to blog about it. Look at my flickr group, I have managed to get a few things loaded on there.

I am pumpkin crazy this month. I made Pumpkin Pie Spectacular out of this month's Southern Living and it was truly spectacular! We just used regular whipped cream instead of the Ginger Spice Topping. I think we have found a new Thanksgiving recipe.
I then made some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins from here. Also, gobbled up my 3 little turkeys! They were super easy to make.

I just love this time of year! There is not enough time to try all the crafts and foods I want to make.

Some good recipes from the summer:
Broiled Greek Fish Fillets
Cheese Grits (cheddary and garlic tasting)
Cheese Grits (very creamy and peppery, we use this for special occasions like our yearly low country boil)

Other recent hits:
Greek Pasta with Meatballs
Chicken thighs with olives and tomato sauce
Quick Meatloaf
Beef and Barley Soup

Hopefully, be back before another 6 months pass....

Another Snake Costume...

What is it with us and snakes?? I never liked reptiles and neither has hubby too much. Big G had his 2nd grade Talking Zoo today. He was a Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake. I used some fabric I had leftover from when I made a shower curtain at our old house. I put a coat hanger at the end of the tail to make the rattler curl up. I used felt for the diamonds, stripes, and eyes. I stuffed it and sewed it to a baseball cap. I had to use clear elastic to keep it on his head, it was a bit heavy. At least he was sitting at the talking zoo, otherwise he may have had a headache from the weight of it!
Here are some pics:

Menu Plan Monday

The menu for our busy week:
Monday: Homemade Pizza and salad
Tuesday: Thai Green Curry chicken
Wednesday:Slow Cooker Enchiladas
Thursday: Pear Stuffed Pork Chops (I will use an apple), mac n cheese, peas
Friday: Fish, Snap Beans, Wild Rice
Saturday: Grilled meat, cabbage, new potatoes
Sunday: Smoked meat, salad and brown rice

For more great menu plans, visit orgjunkie.com

I am starting to see things slow down!

We have been so busy since spring break. It is very busy juggling everyone's activities. Soccer has really been busy, with both Big G and Miss M playing. This past weekend we had 4 soccer games, Lil's 4th birthday party, Big G's best friend's birthday party and my niece was singing in her church choir! Next weekend is much of the same with a gymnastics exhibition and the piano recitals. I am really looking forward to summer. The only thing I have signed my kids up for this summer is VBS, and I am tempted for that to be it. When I get some time I really want to "plan" some down time for them, that is the planner in me - even planning to do nothing! Plus, there are about a 100 things that I want to sew. I sewed the Easter dresses, they came out pretty but I didn't get many great pics of them. I also made Lil a crocodile A-line for her "Reptile" Birthday party this past weekend. I need to make Garrett look like a Western Diamond Back rattlesnake for this Friday. The second grade is having a "Talking Zoo". Not sure how great I will be at keeping up the blogging this next month, but I am going to try hard.

Here are some pics of us during the past few weeks:
New family member Merle

Easter Desserts, Bunny cake and Lemon Glazed Blueberry Bundt cake

Lil's 4th Birthday

While I was away..

We had such a good time at the coast. Lil made her first catch - a sting ray! It was nice to have a change of scenery even if it rained for 3 days straight. We were super busy when we got home. I have done some crafty things. I made Miss M a soccer ponytail ribbon for her purple team, I saw these at a Sports store and thought I could so do this.
I made some bookmarks during teacher appreciation week and I have been smocking some. But mostly I have been working on Easter Dresses. First time to work with this much lace. It is not too bad, but I do need to give it my full attention when I sew with it. Here is a preview:
Hopefully, I will get these done soon so I can start on some new projects.

Menu Plan Monday

Well, I am finally back. Between spring break, a birthday, a funeral, starting soccer for 2, I am just getting back on track.
This is what we plan on eating this week:
Monday - Southwestern Chicken with Brown Rice
Tuesday - Grilled fish, Cabbage, snap beans
Wednesday - eating with grandparents!!!
Thursday - Lasagna
Friday - Grilled pork chops, roasted new potatoes, spinach
Saturday - Steak, squash casserole, salad
Sunday - smoked chicken, salad, wild rice
I am planning on making some banana bread for breakfast this week also.
For more great menus, see orgjunkie.com.

Menu Plan Monday

This week we will be getting ready for spring break! Yeah, I am thankful for the time off from school. We will be going down to the gulf for the weekend and then come back to have a garage sale with my mother. I haven't put a lot of thought into this weeks menu, but here is what I think we will be eating:
Monday - Homemade chicken tenders,Alexia oven fries, green beans
Tuesday - grilled fish, brown rice, broccoli
Wednesday - Ginger glazed Pork Tenderloin, Macaroni and cheese, Peas
Thursday - Favorite White Chicken Chili
Friday - Leave for the Gulf - eat out
We do cook on vacation. I am bringing ingredients with us to make bursting berry muffins, mom-mom's one pot brownies both from here. I can't wait to gobble up fresh seafood and shrimp, which we will probably cook Saturday, Sunday and Monday!!! And of course, not to set an alarm clock. (even though I do have 3 that will be waking me!)
For other menu plans, see orgjunkie.com.

Menu Plan Monday

This week is a busy week. (I think I say that every week!) Most of these recipes I found in an unorganized binder where I have torn them out of magazines. Since most were from Southern Living or Cooking Light, I then looked them up on MyRecipes to provide the link.
Here is the plan:
Monday - Turkey Meat Loaf, Sweet potatoes, peas
Tuesday - Fish Tacos with Lime-Cilantro Crema, Black Beans and Rice
Wednesday - Brunswick Stew with Smoked PaprikaThursday - Grilled Pork Chops, Pole Beans, Wild Rice
Friday - Chicken with Lime Sauce, Cauliflower, Cumin Roasted Potatoes
Saturday - Steak, Squash Casserole, salad
Sunday - Grilled meat, Quinoa, Roasted Asparagus.
I will make some Banana Bread this week for breakfast. Also, I think I may try this Banana Pudding Pie recipe. For more great menu plan ideas see orgjunkie.com.

Snow in March!

Hard to believe we were wearing short sleeves earlier this week. The children woke us up screaming this morning that it was snowing. And yes it is and still is. It is supposed to stop this afternoon, but the kids are soooo excited. We could barely get them to eat any breakfast. Miss M ran up and put 3 of everything on - t-shirts, socks, pants. I am not sure how she could move! This is the most snow we have seen here in a few years. It snowed one weekend last year, but not this much. We have inches of snow in Alabama in March! I don't think we even got a good snowman last year, but this year we made 2. It is so beautiful.
Here are some pics:

A new outfit for Miss M

Miss M really needed an "in-between" outfit for school. The weather is crazy around here. One day it is freezing and a few days later it is 70 degrees! She is growing like a weed and doesn't fit in some of her stuff from the fall. So, I looked at what I had lying around and found this brown t-shirt and some pink and brown paisley fabric. I made Sarah's Skort. (My fave pattern for active little girls) Then appliqued a big M out of a scrap of the fabric. Maybe this will get her by. I must focus on Easter, Spring and Summer or she and Lil will have nothing to wear. I can't believe it is almost March!!

Menu Plan Monday

Hello. This is another busy cooking week. It is my wedding anniversary, school arts and crafts fair, and taking dinner to a friend that just had a baby.
Last week, I also forgot to mention the Double Apple Bran Muffins I made. They were very good. Hubby really liked them, he is not a big sweet eater. The kids ate them and seemed to enjoy them, but they commented they liked the blueberry ones the week before much better. I guess everyone has their favorites.
Lil kept asking for Strawberry muffins. I don't think I would have ever thought of making strawberry muffins. So, I looked on myrecipes.com and found this one. I will try it out this week for breakfast.
So, here is the menu:
Monday - Enchilada Casserole
Tuesday - Grilled Fish (whatever is wild and cheapest), Stir Fry of Mustard Greens, Kale and Leeks (we had a bunch leftover from last week), wild rice
Wednesday - Taco Soup or Chili (will double this and take the rest over to a friends house), corn bread
Thursday - Cashew! God Bless You Chicken
Friday - Kids eat pizza and salad, We go out for Anniversary!
Saturday - Grilled Meat, broccoli, Whole Wheat Orzo
Sunday - Smoked Pork Butt, Sweet Potatoes, salad
I am making Mom-mom's one pot brownies for the cake walk at the school fair for Friday. For more great menu plans see orgjunkie.com.

Menu Plan Monday

Menu Plan for the week:
Monday - Spaghetti with zuchinni
Tuesday - Turkey Taco Salads
Wednesday - Roast Chicken, English Peas, Mac N Cheese
Thursday - Slow Cooker Char Siu Pork Roast, Stir Fry veggies, Brown Rice
Friday - Grilled fish, Black Beans, Roasted Cauliflower
Saturday - Grilled Country Style Ribs, Stir Fry Mustard Greens,Kale and Leeks, wild rice
Sunday - Grilled Chicken, Salad, grilled potatoes

For more great meal plans visit orgjunkie.com.

Lollipop outfit for Miss M

Miss M needed one more outfit for this season. So, I had some of this Pink Minky Dot fabric that I got 2 years ago on sale (along with the blue, white and yellow - I know I am insane). I have used it for bibs, clothes, pillows and I still have a ton of this stuff. She loves anything PINK! I also found this blank shirt that I forgot I picked up at a store around here. So, I got busy and made this outfit. She loves it. I used this pattern for the pants.
Too bad it has been 70 degrees this week!!! I can't believe it, it was freezing just last week. Well, it has snowed here in March. There's hope she can get some wear out of it before I save it for Lil. She wants to wear it tomorrow, so I better check the temp!
Only spring clothes on my list now, with the exception of some embroidery on some long sleeve T's I have lying around.
Oh, made those Bursting Berry Muffins (see Menu Plan Monday) tonight for breakfast tomorrow morning. I haven't tried them yet, but my hubby came in from work and had one and said they were great!

Apron

This apron is a gift for someone that I have had for a while. We haven't been able to get together, so I am going to just mail it. I love this fabric (don't I always say that). Anyway, I am trying to decide what to do with the rest of it. Again, I used as my template the pattern from Amy Karol's book.

Menu Amendment

I was making lunches this morning when I found two whole wheat pizza crusts in the pantry. I have tomatoe sauce, black olives, green bell peppers,ground turkey breast, etc. So, no take out tonight - Pizzas! I should have time to make them this afternoon, then we can pop them in the oven when get home. This should take no more time than take-out! Plus, we can eat it at home with some salad.

Menu Plan Monday

This week I decided to use one cookbook to plan out our menu. Almost every recipe comes from this cookbook. I really like this cookbook it has good recipes with good ingredients. This is our menu for the week. I plan on trying the "Bursting Berry Muffins" from the book to break up the breakfast options during the week.
Monday - Country French Chicken Stew with Green Olives, Cornbread
Tuesday - Pizza - afterschool activities until 7 p.m.!
Wednesday - Simply Saucy Beef Stew, Brown Rice, carrots
Thursday - Not-Your-Basic Turkey Burger, Mac n Cheese, broccoli
Friday - Crabby Cakes, green beans, wild rice
Saturday - Steak (Valentine's day!!), roasted sweet potatoes, salad
Sunday - Grilled Chicken, asparagus, Whole Wheat Orzo

Taco Soup

I looked everywhere for my taco soup recipe and could not find it. An old friend had given it to me and it was always good. So, I decided to use my "not so good" memory and come up with something similar and maybe even a little bit healthier.
Taco Soup
1 lb of Ground Turkey (not breast meat)
1 onion Chopped
1 pkg of Taco Seasoning **
1 pkg of Ranch Salad Dressing Seasoning **
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can of diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 - 2 cups of water as preferred

Saute onion and meat in pot or dutch oven (sometimes I add a little oil). Drain off excess. Add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Let simmer at reduced heat until ready to serve. I usually simmer at least 2 hrs. I do think the longer it cooks the more the chiles heat up. Don't know if that is true or not, it just seems like it to us. If you don't like any spice just use regular diced tomatoes. Serve with cornbread, corn chips, a dollop of sour cream, or cheese. **Note: I used Simply Organic brand for these, I like to find seasonings without MSG or other yucky stuff.

Menu Planning

I usually do a menu plan and when I do it is extremely helpful. No stressing about what we are going to eat that night. Well, I did have my menu plan done yesterday, but I am a day late in posting about it. I don't get the list of what is going to be in our CSA box until Mondays. I like to add that to my menu plan. I came across this blog last week: I'm an Organizing Junkie, that I just love. She has a menu plan monday. I so wanted to participate this week, but my Monday was such a monday. I couldn't get anything right yesterday.
So, here it is now. I wanted to get it out there quickly, but I will try to go back and link to recipes later. Note, right now on Mondays and Tuesdays I have to do quick dinners, we have the most after school activities on those days. So, if you have a quick healthy dinner, please let me know about it! My hubby loves to grill, so he usually tries to grill Friday, Saturday and Sundays. I usually let him pick the item he wants to grill.

Monday - Homemade Chicken tenders, Alexia Oven Fries, chopped spinach
Tuesday - Taco Soup and cornbread
Wednesday - Ginger Glazed Pork Tenderloin, broccoli, black beans
Thursday - Roast Chicken, Brown Rice, carrots
Friday - Grilled Fish, mustard greens, quinoa
Saturday - Grilled or smoked meat, risotto, fresh green beans
Sunday - Grilled meat, salad, Brown Rice

I will make some banana bread and smoothies to break up breakfast during the week, also.

Maybe I'll get better at this!!

Return to Blogland

Hello! I am so happy to be returning to blogland. Between school starting back, colds, stomach viruses (yuck) and a new computer, I haven't been able to post much less read any blogs! Things are finally turning around, just hope we can make it until spring without too many more bad bugs!

Anyway, I have had time to do a little sewing. I made these outfits for my niece that is turning 1 years old this weekend - my how time flies! I got the blanks at Dharma Trading.
I just love this Michael Miller fabric. I got it at a local shop and they had just gotten it in for Spring - still had the plastic on it! My how I love fabric!!! So, I had to make big sister something to match. (I think I have enough to make some skorts for my girls - so you WILL see this fabric again!)

Then I whipped up this bib to go with a baby shower gift. I love the bib pattern in Amy Karol's book, Bend the Rules Sewing!


I am working on a couple of other things and have gotten fabric for Easter dresses, so hopefully I won't be gone so long this time!

A lost tooth!

You would have thought that Miss M won the lottery. She came running into my bathroom on New Year's Eve screaming with blood coming out of her mouth. I was so surprised, it took me a minute to clue in that she had lost her bottom tooth. This is her first tooth to lose for "real". You may notice that her upper tooth is out also. That tooth got knocked out when she was 2, so it has been out a long time. (A little accident riding the John Deere Battery operated Gator her then 4 yr old brother was driving - went under the swing set, he said "Duck!" - she did not and caught a swing chain right in the mouth!)
Anyway, she has been wiggling this tooth since the first day of Kindergarten when she found out that you got to sign a Tooth poster when you lost a tooth. She was so excited and can't wait to return to school from break so she can sign that she has lost a tooth too! Of course, she is already wiggling another......

The Clone Trooper

With Big G's help we came up with a stuffed clone trooper. I got it made a couple of days ago. He loved it. He even made some guns out of felt himself. I made the gloves where one side wasn't sewn, so that it made a little pocket to hold the guns. It was nice to make something for the big boy, I don't really get a chance to make him anything but pj's!