Tis' The Season...

I'm backkkkkk. I havent written in a while because 1) I feel like no on reads my posts and 2) Ive been overwhelmed with that pesky thing called life. But Look ahead, as I have many-many projects I have completed an will be soon blogging all about. That is when they are unwrapped and opened from under the tree... Hope this finds you all in a very festive spirit.

Pretzel Party

Today the girls wanted to make something. So we decided on yummy pretzels. We weren't sure how they turned out so we just started with plain. Once we know if these will turn out we plan to make salt ones, chocolate ones, and an all time favorite around here, the Cinnamon/sugar ones. Yum...I went off the food network websites directions for the "Almost-Famous Soft Pretzel.
Learning to twist them "just so" was the best part for us. Many laughs created. And in the oven they go...

They Turned out so yummy and the girls had such a blast with making them from scratch.

Start your adventure here... http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/almost-famous-soft-pretzels-recipe/index.html

Fun with the letter C

I saw this on a crafting website and thought it would be fun!

You can either hang it on the frame as a horizontal or veritcal frame by turning your letter whatever way you like best.

Here is what you will need:

A picture frame- 8x10 or larger

A wooden letter of your last name

Fabric

Glue gun

E600 or like "strong" glue

Here is what I did. I bought a $5.00 frame from Walmart. Removed the glass. Then took a slightly smaller cardboard backing and wrapped in fabric, hot glueing the fabric to the back of the board. Since it was somewhat smaller then the 11 x 14 frame, I just the border as another backing. This gave it a multi dimensional look. I then painted a C (purchased from a craft store) in acrylic paint. Once everything dried I put it all together. I used hot glue for everything BUT attching the letter. It is heavy and I wanted it to nice and secure, so I used E600.

This project took me no time at all, maybe a half hour or so. I plan to hang it on a small corner wall in my living room.

Most of us have all the needed items around the house just waiting to be used for a craft. :)

As a side not, I thought since I had more of this fabric, Id make a couple throw pillows for the couch to tie it all in.

Book Basket

So, while reading "Water for Elephants" I was wondering what other books out there that I have missed out on. What are some of your new "must reads"...?

Here are a few of mine, Now they are not all born to be classics- but ones I have read more then once over the last year because they caught my attention in such a way I could not let them go with just one read....

Ceclia Aherns- Theres no place like here
Shanna Swendson--Enchanted, Inc..and the 4 series books to follow
F Scott Fitzgerald-- This side of paradise
Lesley Kagen--Whistling in the Dark
Jenna Blum-- Those who saved us


I'd love to hear yours...

Chicken Minestrone

So far I am doing pretty well with this cooking thing. I made homemade Chicken Minestrone soup tonight. My kids are not soup eaters so I made it more "thick" by adding more noodles, but at least they all ate it, and actually liked it.

Here is what I did. I added all the ingredients to the pot and cooked for 20-25 minutes until done.
2 cans of Italian tomatoes (undrained)
2 cups water
3 cups noodles
3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 package of Italian dressing powder mix
and a frozen bag of summer veggies (zucchini, ect)
...added some parm cheese before serving.

I also served a huge Italian bread loaf.

It must have been good because not only did Samantha constantly hum, "yumm, yumm, yumm" between bites, she also proceeded to lick her plate! Id call that a successful dinner!

Jucy Lucy!

As part of a new year start I am going to see if I can get myself more motivated to really cook dinners. Not just easy dinner, but the kind from scratch-type dinners for my family.
To start the year I decided to give the Minnesota staple "Jucy Lucy" a try.
I went to this website (www. ehow/jucylucy.com, and gave it a go. My husband told me it was the best burger he had EVER had. (wow, maybe I can actually pretend to cook). Just think if he had the real thing from Matt's in Minneapolis!
I ended up winging it from there. Used my own steak rub, put in the the salt, pepper, milk, garlic powder, with mozzarella, monetary jake/colby, and Cheddar cheese. This is because it was what I had in the fridge. Made them on my griddle. For the adults I also added raw onion on the inside too. Delicious! To be honest, I am just shocked that not only did I pull it off, it actually sorta tasted like the real ones! Pat on the back for me.

Happy 2011

To kick of 2011 I have started a new blog. The real reason: I cannot remember the password or email associated with my other blog. (Typical) so I'll just start a new one, and say its for the new year!
Here is to a happy, healthy new year full of family, friends, love, and health!