Friday, August 24, 2012

Lunch!

Can you believe that summer is well... pretty much over.. All the little monkeys head back in just a few weeks. I am kinda excited about this school year. I have 2 step sons and now that I have evenings and weekends off I am excited to do more with them.

Every house has apicky eater! Every One! I have 2 sometimes 3 depends on teh day! but I got them. and they dont like sandwiches here are some ideas to send in their lunch!

Fried Rice
Meatballs
pizza rollls (Really simple get some pilsbury pizza dough fill with sauce and pepperoni and cheese then roll like cinnamon rolls and cut and bake and they are great cold too!)
pasta salad
cold meat and salad
 veggie salad
veggies and dip

just a few as i find more I will add them!

also check these out! my mom use to leave notes in my lunch all the time!
http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/kindness-notes.pdf

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

My Favorite Things #4

I always thought I loved doing dishes. Well I did... until I moved in with Jonathan. I didnt think 2 people could go through THAT many dishes but apparently we can! I as getting tired of doing dishes. I really did. Then for my birthday I bought a DISHWASHER!! I love my dishwasher!! I can do TONS of dishes all at once. I miss the 5 drawers I had but now in its place is a dishwasher!

ok so my dishwasher isnt what I really want to talk about. I want to talk about my detergent.. I use to buy Finish gels but lately they have been leaving residue on my dishes. I hate having to do 2 loads instead of one. Well I swithed! I have been using Cascade with Dawn. I love it! its only been a week but my dishes have been top notch!

visit their facebook page and you can get a free sample!



Butterscotch pudding pie




So my whole philosphy behind this blog is to show you easy and simple ways to cook or bake or whatever is on my mind.......

This next recipe is deemed the EASIEST RECIPE in the WHOLE WORLD. if you screw this up there is a problem! I cant even explain to how simple and delish this. and after you read the ingrediants you are gonna think I am nuts. But try it!! you wont be disappointed!!

You will need
2 packages of butterscotch pudding prepared
1 package of crackers (like soup crackers)
1 container of Cool Whip
and chocolate shavings for the top
and a 9x9 pan


directions
put a layer of crackers at teh bottom of the pan
the a layer of pudding
and a layer of crackers
and then a layer of pudding
the top it off with cool whip and chocolate shavings

put in fridge for about 30 mins to an hr just so everything gets together.... the longer it stays in the fridge the better it will be!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

My favorite things....




I am forever trying to thaw things half way and then break the apart so I can cook only part of it. Well my friends that day is OVER! I recently saw a commercial for these Perfect Portions things. Well let me tellyou they are defently one of my favorite things. and the price not bad! I paid $3 for 75 of them at walmart. I love love love these!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Dryer Sheets

Most of us purchase dryer sheets to toss in the dryer to make our laundry smell fresh, feel soft and reduce static. I shared that you can cut them in half and you get teh same results also tuck them away in your linen closet so then your sheets always smell fresh!  But did you know you can use those dryer sheets can come in handy in other rooms in the house?

5 Alternative uses for dryer sheets

  • Fabric softener sheets are designed to help eliminate static cling. When dusting the house, wipe your television, computer screens, and window blinds with a used sheet to keep dust from resettling.
  • When storing luggage away, toss a fresh dryer sheet in your suitcase before you zip it up. Next time you travel, your suitcase will smell fresh, rather than musty.
  • Does Rover leave hair all over the couch? Wipe the surface where he lays with a dryer sheet and it will attract most of the hair- and freshen it up a bit too!
  • Place a dryer sheet inside smelly shoes and leave them overnight. The smell will be gone in the morning.
  • If your pots and pans have burned food stuck on them, place a dryer sheet in the bottom before you fill them with water and leave overnight. The burned food will come off easily in the morning.
in our house we use Gain! I love the smell of it! The red box is my favorite... however I wil get whatever I can get...

My favorite things...



So this is something new I am starting.. its called my favorite things. I want you to know that I these products are products I actually use in my own home and I am not being paid or anything like that to support these products. These are just things I love to use! and I am sure you will too!!

I wanted to try these new no touch hand soap systems but couldnt justify paying $15 for just teh dispenser and one soap at walmart.... Until the day I went to COSTCO and was able to get one dispenser and 3 soaps for $10. Now I have one..
I wouldnt live without it! its great!!
I love when I am cooking with meat and things and I dont have to touch anything to wash my hands. Highyl recommend this product!

Also if you like their facebook page you get a free coupon!






Conversions....

I hate when you are going to cook something and you have to do this math in your head because you dont have the right measuring cup or whatever... HATE IT!

well i found this on a website one day and printed it off and now its on my fridge... jonathan thinks I am crazy but I dont  care! one day he will use it... i am sure of it!!





Saturday, August 11, 2012

to die fore blueberry crumb muffins

I had blueberries sitting in my freezer forever. ok one week! I do not make pies.. someday I will try.. so muffins was the plan! These made the house smell sooo good and taste unbelieveable!!

Enjoy!



BLUEBERRY CRUMB MUFFIN


CRUMB TOPPING
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup light brown sugar
MUFFIN BATTER
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 8 tablespoon unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 pint (2 cups)
Instructions

  1. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375° F. Line a standard muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. For the crumb topping, combine the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl and stir well to mix. Melt the butter in a small pan. Remove from the heat and add the brown sugar to the pan of melted butter and use a small heatproof spatula to stir them together. Scrape the butter and sugar mixture into the flour mixture, stirring it until the flour is evenly moistened. Set aside while preparing the batter.
  3. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl and stir well to mix.
  4. Combine the butter and sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute, or until well mixed and a little lightened in color. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating smooth after each addition.
  5. Decrease the mixer speed to low and beat in 1/2 the flour mixture. Stop the mixer and use a large rubber spatula to scrape down the bowl and beater.
  6. On low speed, beat in the milk. After the batter has absorbed the milk, beat in the remaining flour mixture. Stop and scrape down the bowl and beater again.
  7. Add the blueberries to the bowl and beat them into the batter on lowest speed for no more than 2-3 seconds, to crush some of the berries slightly.
  8. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a large rubber spatula to give a final mixing to the batter.
  9. Divide the batter evenly among the cavities in the muffin pan. Break the crumb topping into small crumbs with your fingertips and scatter over the top of each muffin. Bake the muffins until they are well risen, feel firm to the touch, and the topping is golden, about 30 minutes. Cool the muffins in the pan on a rack.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Crock Pot Potatoes

I love my slow cooker!! and I always trying new recipes for my slow cooker. why not? put everything in before i leave for work and i come home to supper!

This is super easy!!

you will need
a crockpot
aluminum foil
potatoes
your favorite toppings

directions
wash potatoes
wrap in foil
place in crockpot for 8hrs on low..

see easy!!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Cookies for a Cause

When I moved to Doaktown, I didnt know too many people. One day I was introduced to this wonderful Krista. She kept telling us about all these trips she makes to Miramichi. and I never really questioned it. Then I found out that Krista needed a new kidney and had to go to dialysis everyday. I couldnt believe what this wonderful girl went through. but NOW krista is getting a new kidney!! I am so excited and happy for her. Our little community of Doaktown will be having many fundraisers over the next little while to help pay for her and family to get her new kidney. So I decided to do what I do best... BAKE! and take photos... lol

These cookies will be forsale at a bake sale they are having this weekend at Save Easy please go out and support her!





1 cupbutter, softened
1 cupsugar
1 egg
2 cupsflour
2 tsp. Cream of Tartar
1 tsp.baking soda

directions

HEAT oven to 350ºF.
BEAT butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in egg. Mix remaining ingredients; gradually beat into butter mixture until well blended.
SHAPE dough into 1-inch balls; place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray.
BAKE 13 to 15 min. or until edges begin to brown. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely



top with your favorite icing!
    

Monday, August 6, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last fall when I was in the states I picked up some margarine and there was this recipe for chocolate chip cookies so I thought I would try it.. well they ended up being my favorite recipe!


You will need:
  • 2-1/4 cups Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; set aside.
  2. Beat margarine granulated sugar and brown sugar by hand in large bowl until combined. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until well blended. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Dough will be soft; do not add additional flour. Stir in chocolate morsels.
  3. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet about 1-1/2 inches apart.
  4. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are crisp but centers are still soft. Let stand 2 minutes on baking sheet before removing and cooling completely on wire racks

Oven Beef Stew

I love beef stew!!  I like trying to cook a few things on a day off so then I have a few days of relaxation. So I like making this stew simple and easy... and often add biscuits to the top of this.


you will need:
2 lb. stew beef
1 c. diced celery
2 c. diced potatoes
1 c. diced onions
2 c. diced carrots
2 cups of frozen veggies
1 package of stew spice (it comes in the red package in the gravy section)
Place beef and vegetables in a Dutch oven, casserole or small roaster. Pour stew spice over stew and one cup of water. mix well. Cover tight and place in oven at 250 degrees for 4 hrs.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Diana's Chicken Bacon Dip


This is one of my favorite recipes. I could eat it ALL BY MYSELF and NOT feel ONE BIT GUILTY!!!


You will need
One bottle of Dianas Chicken and Rib Sauce
One package of Cream Cheese
One small container of Sour Cream
2 cups Shredded Cheese
1 cup of chicken cut up into smalll pieces
1 bag of real bacon bits
1 bag of chips (nacho chips)


Directions
Mix cream cheese and sour cream until smooth
then spread on a plate
then poor some bbq sauce on top of the spread you dont need the whole bottle but just a light coat
then add chicken
then add bacon
top it off with cheese...

ENJOY!!

DIY Cleaning Solution

I am the kind of girl that you cant dress up and take somewhere because I will spill something on me. I also the girl who wears white and then realizes I made a huge mistake....

Check out these tips and tricks I have actually used some of them..