I'm Back....

Dear Friends, 

It seems like so long since I have been here.  I took a part time job a few months back... and that immediately became a streesful fulltime job!  After many worried, sleep free nights, my sweet husband and I decided that my place is at home.

So, that makes me officially back - crafting, cooking, getting inspired and most importantly - taking care of my family! Although my children are all essentially adults - my youngest is 18 and living in a dorm at college - they all still need me.  And, I need to nurture and create a peaceful home for them to come home to. 

My husband is still my favorite person in the world! He makes me so happy, and I only hope I make him feel the same way. 

As for my crafting - today I am making some cute prim stockings.  I will post pictures and directions tomorrow... until then have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Laura

Mason Jar Monday! ~ Teacher's gifts

Today I am working on Teacher's Gifts with Mason Jars

Layered Mocha Coffee Mix ~ Yumm

Ingredients

Qt. Size Mason Jar

1/2 c. Powdered Non Dairy Creamer

1 c. Mini Chocolate Chips

1/4 c. Powdered Sugar, sifted

2 T. Vanilla Powder

2 c. Non Fat Dry Milk Powder

2/3 c. Instant Coffee

Instructions

Combine Non Dairy Creamer, Vanilla Powder, Powdered Sugar and Dry Milk Powder together in a bowl.  Take turns layering the milk mixture, chocolate chips and the coffee crystals.  Tap between each layer to help settle the contents.

Make cute gift tags with the following instructions for making a yummy cup of mocha!

For each cup add 1/4 c of mix to mug, and pour 2/3 c boiling water and stir! Enjoy

I give these to lots of my kid's teachers and their aides.  Who doesn't love a nice cup of mocha??



Had to Share...

I had to share a story with you about my daughter and our broom! She came into the kitchen and said, mom all these people on Facebook are standing their brooms up all by themselves. She grabbed our broom and gall darn it, it stood up all by itself!  

You have to try this! It's very cool!  

We were able to do it both of the two brooms we have in our house! 

Spring Equinox??

Friday's Feast... Chicken & Chourico Casserole

Chicken & Chourico Casserole

Yumm!  This is comfort food!

Chop skinless, boneless chicken breasts into 1-2 inch pieces and place into a buttered casserole dish.  Slice Chourico (can use chorizo also) into 1 inch slices too and add to chicken.  You can now add quartered red potatoes or sometimes I add a bag of frozen broccoli & cauliflower normandy.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Now, top with sliced cranberry white chedddar cheese.  Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes and enjoy!!

I served it with Grilled Napa Cabbage with a hot mustard dressing!

Quarter a large head of Napa Cabbage down the center keeping the center stem part intact to hold together.  Brush with olive oil and S&P.

Heat your grill.

For dressing: 

Combine 

1/3 cup Hot Chinese Mustard (more or less to your taste)

2 T agave nectar (more or less to your taste)

1 T olive oil 

Salt & Pepper

Place cabbage on your grill and keep an eye so as not to burn it.  Cook until it has nice grill marks.  Place on a platter and spoon dressing over.

Enjoy!

Thursday Tip of the Day! Bobby Pin Holder

First off.... Whoa! Have I been gone for awhile or what??!!  After a serious bout with pneumonia, I am back! I hope all of you are well, and are getting ready for Spring!  I have lots of projects planned to share with you! 

Today's Post is about those nasty little bobby pins that end up EVERYWHERE in my house! Being a mother of three girls... I have had to deal with these for quite sometime. I am sure those of you with teenage daughters know just what I am talking about!!!  

I used to throw them out when I would see them on the floor, the vanity in the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room coffee table, the dining room table, the chairs and sofa... etc!  Well, then I would have to just replace those the next time I went shopping.  Come to think of it, I should have made THEM replace them! lol

Here is a clever little idea to keep them in one place and out of my vacuum cleaner!  

I took a piece of self adhesive magnet strip, and stuck it to the mirror in the bathroom.  Now when they take out there bobby pins, they have a spot to put them.  And, actually, it has taken care of most of the issue.  Although occasionally, I still see them here and there, but the girls like knowing where to find them, so they are usually pretty good about placing them back there. 

So, I call that a success! 

Blessings to you all, it feels so good to be back! 

And the Winner is... for my first Giveaway for 2012

And the winner is... Here are all the names in the basket.  

Shake, Shake, Shake

My daughter choosing the winner...

~Beth at Sugar & Spice~

Congratulations Beth! I will get your package ready to go!

Friday's Feast... Super Bowl Snacks!

So... what are you having at your Super Bowl Party?

Some of the yummies we are having...

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Take a couple boneless chicken breasts, put in a pan and cover with water.  I usually season the water with salt and pepper and some garlic.  Boil until the chicken is cooked.  Shred chicken and place back in pan.  Add 3/4 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce, 1 8 oz. pkg of cream cheese, and about 1 cup Ranch Dressing.  Stir to combine, and then add about 3/4 cup shred cheddar to the mix.  Pour into a baking dish, and place 1 cup shred cheddar on top.  Bake in oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until hot and bubbling.

Serve with celery sticks, crackers, tortilla chips.  

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Halve jalapenos, and remove seeds. (may be easier to wear gloves to do this) Take 8 oz. pkg cream cheese, and spread about 1  to 1 1/2 TB of cream cheese inside jalapeno, top cream cheese with finely shred sharp cheddar, and then wrap the jalapeno with 1/2 a slice of bacon. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 425 degrees until bacon is done to your liking. We like ours, crispy.

"Bogus" Cheese Dip

Named such because my hubby said it looks "bogus" but tastes amazing, years ago.

Take 1 block of sharp white cheddar cheese (I use Cracker Barrel Vermont White)  and cut into pieces and place in a baking dish.  Chop one onion finely, and place in with the cheese.  Add 3/4 cup mayonnaise to the mixture and stir to combine.  Add a couple of sprigs of fresh or dried rosemary.  Bake at 375 degrees until browned and bubbly.

Serve with celery, broccoli, crackers ... good Lord, you serve this with just about anything and it will taste good! 

.

And for me... who is trying to lose weight and get healthy... Fresh Salsa with cucumber "chips"

Finely chop about 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, toss with 1/2 cup finely chopped onions, 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, 1 small jalapeno, chopped and seeded, about 2 TBS fresh lime juice and  season with salt and pepper.  Serve with sliced cucumbers.

 Oh there will be more food, but there are a couple recipes for you to enjoy! 

Hugs