Tuesday, January 13, 2009

A Plug

Okay so it's no secret that I love to cook. I'm always on the lookout for that great new recipe as well as any great new tools that may come my way. Case in point, I LOVE Pampered Chef. In fact, I think that may even be an understatement. I was just at a party a few weeks ago and saw it. As soon as I turned the page it jumped out at me. Look at it in all it's beauty.....
And then look what it does to ground beef:

With no splatters! Or meat all over the stove top! Nice little pieces all evenly browned in their wonderfulness... and all for the unbeatable price of: (ready for this??): $9.50! What is it called? It's the Mix 'N Chop. Run, do not walk, to your nearest friend having that show!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

How am I doing?

I only have a minute but wanted to update my "Back To School" to-do list that I wrote for myself on the first day of school. Some of you may remember that. Here it is with updates:

* Finish the corn hole game for aunt and uncle DONE!

* Paint verse on wall for grandmom DONE!

* Paint stuff Ella wants on her bedroom wall (this will be FUN!) VERY VERY CLOSE!

* Go through kids closets (again? still? one never knows....) DONE!
* Re-pot bathroom plant DONE!

* Clean out and unpack (from when the house was on the market) the new part of the basement DONE! Carpet comes next week!

* Paint cabinets to be ready to finish above mentioned "new part" DONE!

* Go through boxes of framed pictures and figure out what to do with them! Not even started

* Scan in all pictures from before we had a digital camera (LARGE undertaking!) Slowly working on this...

* Outside gardens - split hosta and other perennials and create new garden in front and side DONE!

* Clean all windows inside and out. Include mini blinds and curtains egh...avoiding?

I'd like to add some stuff to the list but have to think about what would be priority for me. I've got lots of volunteer stuff coming up with school and church and don't want to throw un-realistic goals on myself. I will mention that the Living Room fireplace wall has got to be wallpapered with that paint-able wallpaper and then painted. I'm also indulging in a new camera (Nikon D80) and would love to take a class to learn more about before the summer.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Ella lost another tooth!

Her 4th tooth has been hanging by a thread. So much so that I wrote in her baby book yesterday morning that she lost it that day. I was so sure she'd lose it yesterday! Now I'll have to change it to today! By the way, she lost the bottom one today. That top one was two months ago. She's going out of order! She still hasn't lost her top front middle right one!




While we're on the subject of Ella, I wanted to share this cute pic I got yesterday. She doesn't look five, does she?!?!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

And the WINNER is:

MARY ELLEN!
Congrats!! I'll get you the book soon!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Hoilday Happenings!




Enjoy the slide show!!

Winner of the contest to be announced soon!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Another yummy recipe!

I get requests for this all the time. Here is my recipe for Oooey Gooey Butter Cake!





Oooey Gooey Butter Cake

Bottom:
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 Egg
1 Stick Butter, softened

Directions for bottom:
Mix until blended and crumbly. Press into greased 9X13.

Topping:
1 8oz Stick Cream Cheese, softened
1 lb 10X (Powdered) Sugar (1¾ C)
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla

Directions for topping:
Beat all together until blended. Pour onto bottom and spread to the edges. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.


DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE ONLY TOMORROW TO ENTER MY CONTEST!!!!
(Click on "contest" above for details!)













Monday, December 22, 2008

ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT!!

Come and join my challenge! You could win a FREE BOOK!!


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Friday, December 19, 2008

Uh oh...I think I'm in trouble...

Coby has been given a project assignment to design his own island using the geographic stuff (I'm so technical, aren't I?) they are learning in school. He has three options for his island. He can make a 3D one, make one on poster board, or make one using Word or PowerPoint. He decided he wanted to do it on the computer. He was asking about PP, and I was trying to explain to him what it can do. He wasn't grasping it so I wanted to show him an example. A real good one is the slide show I made for him for his first birthday. It chronicles all of his milestones each month as well as including pictures and video. Took me weeks to do. I found where it was on the computer and Coby, Ella, and I settled in to watch it. Coby loved how the slides moved on their own and you could add different transitions and all that. Totally accomplished what I set out to do - make him understand PP. When it was over Ella turned to me and said, "Did you make one for me too, Mommy?"

Opps.


Guess what I'm working on this afternoon?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Get Yer Snowman Poop Here!!

So, the funniest thing I've seen for the holidays is "Snowman Poop." I was given this little bag of goodness years ago and have made some almost every year. This year I thought the kids would get a kick out of giving some to their friends and, yes, their teachers. Here is a pic of the finished product and a copy of the words in case you would like to make it too. The "poop" consists of mini-marshmallows! Enjoy!

Santa looked at his list
Even checked it twice
And he found out that you
Haven’t been very nice
Since coal is so expensive,
Here is the scoop:
Santa’s filling you stocking
With
Snowman Poop!

Don't forget about the blog challenge!