Halloween Motherload

Lot's of fun Halloween ideas to see here.................

Quesadilla's

These are my new obsession lately. CJane had a tasty little video of her singing her heart out and making Quesadilla's and my first thought was "I wish she lived here, so we could be friends!" My second thought was, "I must have Quesadilla's." We've eaten them several day's in the last week. All sort's of yummy combinations.

This one is a yummy chicken and pepper jack cheese combination! Add some yummy slices of avocado (it wasn't quite ripe enough to make guacamole with) and this salsa and you have, YUMMY!!

Courtney's post got me thinking of all sorts of combo's. She mentions a refried bean, pepper jack and guacamole quesadilla, which attributed for the above picture. She also did black bean, sauteed mushroom and sharp cheese one! I need to make some more!!!

If you use the uncooked tortilla's from Costco, you get a yummier tortilla!! I use this spray on my griddle to lessen the fat. Tastes like butter, but with zero calories! I use it on pretty much everything, just so ya know!

Happy eating!!

Brandy's Christmas Wish List

My mom had a Food Saver when I was kid, but I guess I never appreciated how cool these are! My friend Kim over at All About Food Storage uses one and I got to see it in action the other day. Now I am dying to have one! I would be able to make massive amounts of Granola all at one time and seal it in bottles. Pretty and convenient!

One of these with a nice big red bow on top!

Have you seen this Etsy shop? It doesn't have to be the pendant, in particular. Any of them will do. I think I'm switching to Team Jacob. The boy is too cute!

This will definitely be under my tree. If I can wait that long to get it. Oh, who am I kidding. December 8th, I'll be buying myself an early Christmas present.

I've blogged about this before and I REALLY want one of these!

And finally, I want this book! I love a good pioneer story! Plus Gerald Lund is a great author.

It's an odd assortment of this and that, but it's the things I've been wanting for a while. What do you want for Christmas?

We're Tired

It's been a long week! The PTO carnival was last night and it was a huge success. It looks like we made around $4000.00. We have no pictures to show you. I don't think that either one of us sat down all day. There just wasn't enough time. The silent auction that we worked so hard on went well. We think about $1300.00 of the profit was from that. I don't have the exact numbers yet. So we'll have to see.

It was a lot of fun and next year, if we do become PTO presidents we will change a few things. We've already discussed a few things. First of all, it was way to spread out. We had a big slide, an obstacle course blow up, a bounce house, a swing, a climbing wall and a train, but they were scattered all over the school ground and it made for a lot of walking and a lot more work for putting them up.

How many of your schools host carnivals? Any great ideas? Our carnival games were a big bust

:(. Partly because they were kinda lame and we had a lot of mom's who were supposed to help who never showed up. FRUSTRATING! I would like to invest some money into making nice carnival games, (plinko, roller ball, ring toss) games that the PTO can keep and always have. That way we aren't tracking down games every year.

The one thing I for sure know is that Mandee and I are tired. We both woke up feeling like we had been hit by a bus. It was after 10:00 p.m. when I walked in the door last night. Another thing I'm sure of is that we've missed blogging!!! Missed our blogging friends! Thanks for your Patience! We'll be back as soon as we can catch up!

A Bit of Inspiration

I love this poem...

It makes you think.

About life, about being a mother....

a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife.....

Builders

I saw them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.
With a yo heave ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam, and the sidewall fell.
I asked the foreman if these men were as skilled
As those he would hire if he were to build.
He laughed and said, “Oh no indeed,
Common labor is all I need,
For they can wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do.”
So I asked myself as I went my way,
Which of these roles am I to play?
Am I the builder who works with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square;
Or am I the wrecker who walks the town
Content in the role of tearing down?

You've got to read this post
to fully appreciate this poem.

Have a box of tissue handy. You'll need it.

Laura Beth has roots on my hometown. She has a lot of family there. I've known her most of my life. Mostly in passing, but what a beautiful person. She has to be because she comes from a wonderful family.

I stumbled across her blog and I was hooked. Her writing is beautiful and so is she. And her little boy, Kort, oh he's a doll!!! You'll love her blog. She is always up to the most amazing things. She also has a great blog called Serve Utah. She does amazing things here on this blog. She shares way's in which you can make a difference in others lives, locally and abroad. She is inspiring.

ENJOY

100 Dresses Activity

This was the greatest activity EVER!!! It started out by just asking the ladies of my church to read this great story about friendship and judging, and I asked each person to bring a dress so we could donate them to a local shelter. My goal was to acquire 100 dresses but we ended up gathering way more than that! I was soo excited. The outline for the program was to first have dinner of course. We had chicken salad croissants and salads. With cake and icecream for dessert. After dinner we had a little skit about judging and fitting in, pretty much reinacting how the book portrays friendship.
Following that we had a sweet sister give a summary of the book and turned it into a discussion. I didn't think people would be affected by this book as much as they were. They were truly touched by it and it brought back memories of their childhood days and some were the bullies and some were the ones that were picked on. It became a very emotional evening. It was so great to hear all they had to say. We then sang a beautiful Childrens Song called "I'll Walk With You". There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
We ended the evening by learning about the Erin Kimball Foundation, which is the place we will be donating these dresses to. It was great to see a survivor of this foundation and to know that these ladies and children will all need these dresses. We all walked away feeling uplifted and I know I walked away wanting to be a better friend.
A great book that everyone should read. Even my son really liked it (even if it was about girls and dresses). It is a book that everyone can relate to at some level.

These were the invitations we made. I just googled Paper Doll dresses and found this one at Milliande.com. We then put lace on the bottom to dress it up a little bit. The bow gave the finishing touch.

Our great group of women!

We used porcelin dolls and antique hats and gloves for the centerpieces.

We used different china for each table setting. It gave it a "teaparty" touch.

It was a great evening that I will never forget. It is moments like these that make you want to be a better person and to realize how blessed I am with my life.

Printable Superhero Masks

Stumbled upon these quite awhile ago and have had this page marked on my favorites, hoping to do this. We just haven't had time. I even printed them off and have them in my stack of things to do. Easy boredom buster. Make a superhero mask!!

Go here to print.

Mandee and I feel like this!

It's been a BAD day!
I can't understand why parent's don't step up to the plate and help out at the school??
A no good, horrible bad day!

Untitled from David Henson on Vimeo.

Thinking Halloween......

Mandee and I are so sad that we don't get a chance to be room moms this year!! Waaaaahhhhh! We tried to offer our FANTASTIC services, but no one wanted us! How sad is that? If I can't be a room mom, dang it, then I'll be a cool mom and have a Halloween bash!!

I stumbled across a great sight called Craft Jr. Awesome stuff to be found here ladies! Check out just a few of my finds! This is a goldmine of a website!

Easy Finger Puppets. Who doesn't love a craft that involved pipe cleaners, pom poms & googly eyes??? Does it get much easier than this?

Mummy letters for your preschool and kindergartners.

Scary printable masks!

Darling little treat boxes in 3 fabulous designs!

That's it for today! I have lots of more ideas, but right now I only have time for ideas!! Hopefully once the school carnival is over, Mandee and I can breathe easier and have a little more time to do the stuff we love!

Boys

I thoroughly enjoyed this little essay. It speaks the truth. Boys are strange creatures indeed. Their messy, loud, crazy and wild, but I sure do love mine. Enjoy..........



What is a Boy?

PTO Hiatus

To our fellow blog readers!! Brandy and I have been sucked into PTO _ _ _ _. Because of our "willingness" to serve we have been made PTO CO vicepresidents. Neither one of us can still believe it and we are finding out how much work this is. We have jumped in head first and are just trying to stay afloat. Because of this our blog may be a little neglected for awhile. We will still post as often as we can but we just don't want you to wonder why we all of a sudden don't have a new post to share. So it will probably go from a new post every day to a couple a week. Hopefully we will be able to get back ahead of things. If anyone has any ideas on how to juggle everything please let us know!!! We are so thankful for all of you that come by and please be patient with our new adjustment.....we sure are trying to be!!!!!!!

Crazy 8

I stumbed across Crazy 8 on a blog, and I can't remember who it was, but I immediately fell in love. It's a lot like The Children's Place.



Unfortuantely there is not a store in my state!! Why is that, I wonder? Thank heavens for internet. They are super affordable and have super CUTE clothes!

If you join their email list, you will recieve a $10.00 off coupon.

I think I love the fact, that not everyone will have the same clothes as my kids. I do love Childrens Place and I especially love their prices, but I see the same clothes on every kid. This is just a fun change of pace.

Yummy Chicken Noodle Soup

Can't wait for it to be fall! I love soup!!

This was one of those recipes I found during my food therapy days! I can't remeber where I got it, but I know it was off of a blog. If it's you, please let me know so that I can give you proper credit.



Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup


3 cans chicken broth *I boilded a whole chicken for the meat and the broth*
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
1/2 chopped green onions
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
2 cups chicken cooked & cubed
4 cups noodles
1/2 tsp herb d' Provence (oregano, basil, thyme)
1/4 tsp pepper


Boil broth and veggies until cooked. Add cream of chicken soup, milk and seasonings. Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes and then add noodles and chicken and continue to simmer for about 20 minutes until the noodles are cooked. Keep on low until ready to serve.


Noodles


1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. milk
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder


Combine egg, salt, and milk. Add flour and baking powder. Form dough into a ball. Roll out dough. I try to roll it as thin as I can. Let stand for about 20 minutes. then cut into 1/2 inch strips. Let dry for 1-2 hours. Drop into hot soup and cook for about 10-15 minutes.

Chocolate Play Dough

Chocolate Play Dough:

1 & 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar

Mix together. Then add:

1 cup warm water
1 & 1/2 Tbsp. oil

I had to add some flour to make mine play dough consistency.
Just add what you need.
It smells so good!
Like brownies, but without the calories.
Provides hours of fun!

I found this idea, here.

A Habit I Just Can't Break....But NEED To!!

I have a habit....one that has been with me since I left home at the age of 18. I go crazy if it isn't done, but now I am running out of steam and time. I use to have time for this habit, I use to look forward to doing this habit. The habit I am referring to is....IRONING!!! I have a fetish (if that is the right word for it) of ironing. I love having my family wear crispy wrinkle free clothes. I think it just looks so much better than wrinkles and creases. But it is getting to the point where I just can't keep up. This is the LAST half of what I had to do today. I should have taken a picture before I got half way done but I thought of it too late. I spend about 5 hours a week ironing and some weeks I just don't feel like doing it so I get a pile three times this height! Isn't that crazy??? My visiting teachers came over one day and they looked at my pile and my ironing board set up and they asked "Do you really iron?" . I think these days we are so rushed and over scheduled that it is a chore of the past. My parents ironed EVERYTHING growing up. It brings back so many memories of growing up.
I also love that it gives me a guarenteed time to watch a movie and just think....it is my therapy in some ways. I do it when the kids are in bed or at school so it is nice and quiet.
I am just trying to figure out....keep the habit.....or drop it.

Granola

Mom's Granola

3 cups 6 grain mix
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1 c. shelled sunflower seeds (optional)
3/4 c. reg. wheat germ (optional) I use a few Tbsp. flaxseed
1 c. flake coconut
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dry milk
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup oil (I use butter)
1 & 1/2 cups raisins, dates, apricots (I use a dry fruit mix)

*** I made another batch today and I used 5 tbsp. + 1 tsp. Splenda Brown Sugar inplace of the brown sugar and I used Xagave in place of the honey. I substituted that straight across. It was awesome!!! )

In a large bowl combine, 6 grain, almonds, sunflowers,flax,coconut, brown sugar and dry milk. Mix well. In a suacepan combine honey and oil heating gently till well blended. Add fruit. Pour over dry ingredients and stir well to coat. Put on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Stirring every 5 minutes. You need to really watch it or it will get a little to crispy. Edible, but crispy. You can do that for 10 minutes and then let it air dry. Store in air tight containers.

This is the best granola for cereal. It's much cheaper to make your own than to buy it. I also love that I can add variety. This batch I threw in a couple Tbsp. of Vanilla Powder. I also want to try it with Xagave, instead of honey. It's an easy recipe to experiment with. Plus it makes your house smell sooooo good!!

Fun & Free Art

I stumbled across this the other day at How About Orange.

Feed Your Soul is a free art project. The founder of this program, Jen Wallace wanted to do something to uplift other during this time of economic decline. She loves aret and so she came up with a great idea, to help others who also loved art. She has contacted many artists and asked them to offer a print that they would be willing to share for free on her sight that people could download and print out and use for personal use.

What a great idea! The prints are really cool. These were just two that I downloaded. You could print these off and simply tack them to the wall, put them in a cool frame you got at the thrift store, or hang them in a row on a clothesline with clothespins. The possibilites are endless.

Every 2 weeks new prints are added so check back and see if you can find a little happiness in some free art!

Onesie Baby Shower Banner

This banner if stinkin' cute! If I do say so myself. My big contribution to decorations, came in the making of this banner. I was having a hard time coming up with something that I liked. I googled banners, looked at banners on etsy and was in tears last Tuesday, because nothing I did looked right. I saw some banners on onesies and so I looked up onesies templates and thought they were cute. Mandee and I were out shopping for the shower on Wednesday and I mentioned having seen cute banners using a onesie template and she said, "How cute would it be to use real onesies and make a banner?" A stroke of genius on Mandees part. She's the brains in this operation!!

So we went and bought 2 packages of onesies, which makes this banner a bit expensive. We got them a little bit cheaper by going to Ross. Mandee found the cute pink paper for the cupcake picks and we went with that for the banner. I printed up the cute BABY GIRL on the computer and cut them out. Added a flower onto each with a button and you have the cutest banner ever!! You could get really crazy with the embellishments, but we thought simple was better. Mandee covered each clothespin with ribbon to bring in some more color. What's fun about this, is the mom to be gets to take home the onesies!!! A present and a decoration all in one!

I can't find the actual website that the scallop template came from. All I can find is the link for the download, here. The flower template is found, here.

The Most Delicious Cupcakes Ever!!

I honestly don't know where I got this recipe. When I was doing food therapy (first round of HCG) I would spend hours looking at food blogs and printing recipes for that happy day when I could eat agian! Well, it's time to eat! I made these yesterday and they are the best cupcakes I have ever had! Seriously!! If this recipe came off your blog, let me know so I can give you credit, because you DESERVE it!

Extra Delicious Cupcakes:

1 box yellow or chocolate cake mix
1 - 4 serving box of vanilla or chocolate instant pudding mx
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil

Mix all ingredients togehter. Bake at 350 for 17-22 minutes. While they are cooking, make sure to lick the spoon! It's sooooo worth the calories. Cool completely and frost.

They aren't a rounded top cupcake. They kind of sink and spread outward, which makes them look a little diffrent, but oh my, my, oh heck yes, they sure do taste delicious.

Speaking of delicious. Cupcakes should be both delicious and pretty.

I'm having a love affair with cupcake decor.

Check out this darling Esty shop!

Bake It Pretty, is another fun shop.

Full of eye candy and temptation.

How's a girl to choose?