Happy Haunting

picture from Funkyfriends

Tonight I am going to eat white chili from a bread bowl, take my adorably excited kiddos trick or treating, and snuggle my hubby while we fall asleep. (He's been working nights for the last 15 days and last night was his last shift!!!!! He is really tired. Poor boy.)

Texas Caviar

My husband brought this recipe home from work.


 TEXAS CAVIAR
2 cans black eyed peas
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 can Shoe Peg Corn
1 Green Pepper
1 Bunch Green Onions
3 Jalapeno Peppers
1/2 Bunch Fresh Cilantro
3 Avocados(I like to add more)
8 oz. Zesty Italian Dressing
2-3 bags of Frito Scoops

Rinse black eyed peas and corn, then add to bowl.  Next add rotel tomatoes.  Chop the peppers, onions, cilantro, and avocados.  Mix all together then add 8 oz. Zesty Italian Dressing
Serve with Frito Scoops. (Can make the day before but wait to add the avocados right before serving)

Wonderful Things

Really my sister should be posting about this because she is the one who introduced me to these wonderfully amazing things. I feel so madly in love with them that I had to share with everyone. This is shout it from the roof tops exciting. If you already know about it then pretend to be as excited as I am (or maybe I should say why didn't you tell me earlier!?!)

It is not a sports bra like you think. It actually is used for layering without having to add all the extra layers. Less material means you still get the coverage you need, but is doesn't go all the way down like a normal cami. I am in heaven especially living in an area with such hot weather. These are priceless and come in 9 different colors.

Niki Biki Sports Bra Cami Top

Down east had them with SLEEVES too for sleeveless dress and such! I am beside myself with joy. Except they are sold out:( So, tell them you want it back and hopefully they will get more! I am thinking if you really wanted, you could make your own by cutting the shirt to the length you want, add an elastic bottom, and you are good to go!

Also, here is a little sample with the type of conversations we have at our house:)
N: Mommy where is your daddy?
Me: In Idaho.
N: What did you said?
Me: At home.
N: Mommy say it louder.
Me: (in a louder voice) At home!
N: Louder mommy!
Me: (in an even louder voice) AT HOME!
N: LOUDER!
Me: AT HOME!
N: LOUDER!!!!!
Me: AT HOME!
N: Mommy, don't yell at me.
At this point Melissa and I just started laughing. Cute girl!

A: Mom and Dad, Trent, in my class, doesn't have any ear wax in his ears!
Me: How do you know that?
A: Because I looked.

Soup

My sister in law made asparagus soup for my family last time we went to visit her. It was divine!  I am going to give you the recipe, BUT the beauty about this recipe is that you can pretty much use what ever vegetables you have in the refrigerator. I often make this when I just need to use up veggies. We have done, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, cabbage, asparagus, zucchini, squash, and combinations of everything! I have even added some small macaroni noodles.
Picture from Guilty kitchen

Asparagus Soup

2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
A bunch of asparagus (I just get the big bag from Costco and use all of it)
Sometimes I add 1/2 head of cauliflower
28-32 oz of Chicken broth
dash of red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste.

Saute onions and garlic. Add vegetables and saute for about 1 minutes. Add chicken broth, salt and pepper, and dash of red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veggies are soft. Using a stick blender, puree soup to desired consistency. Enjoy!


Some variations:

use 2 small leeks instead of onions and a lot of carrots, and 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger. Add the juice from 1 orange after you puree the soup! YUMMY!

baby zucchini + baby yellow squash + fennel + small macaroni noodles (don't puree) = A tasty harvest dinner.

I prefer cooking with fennel instead of cabbage because it doesn't cook down as much and still is a bit a crunch. You don't always have to puree either, like the above variation I did.

So, you get the idea. You can play around with this recipe because it is so versatile. I have yet to find a combination I didn't love.  If you find one you can't live without do share! Pretty please;)

National Comedy Theater

Hubby surprised me with an amazing date. He took me to National Comedy Theater. It is family friendly (kids were in the audience) Good, clean, humor that had me laughing. LOVED it! We will definitely be going there again. BUT, what I really wanted to tell you about was the bathroom. I secretely want this bathroom in my house:)

There was this really cool chair when you first walked in. I didn't like the mural painted on the wall.

 You can see the mural in the reflection of the mirrors.

I was greeted with a collage of mirrors. All painted red and the paper towels were held in a glorious red bin. I just loved it! The stalls were also the same bright red. BUT I didn't want to offend those individuals using the stalls while I was taking photos:)

Homemade Hamburger Buns

Got this recipe from Creations By Kara.  I was feeling lazy and really needed to go grocery shopping.  We had hamburger just needed buns for a yummy dinner.  These won't disappoint. They don't make good rolls but they taste delicious with a hamburger. 

Homemade Hamburger Buns
3/4 cup hot water
2 Tbsp oil (I used canola)
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp instant yeast (I used SAF)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
2 3/4- 3 cups flour
Combine water, oil, sugar, yeast, salt, and egg with about 1 1/2 cups of the flour in a large bowl. I use my Bosch.  Beat till smooth. Add enough flour to make a dough that is slightly sticky, but doesn’t stick to your finger. Knead for about 5 minutes.  Let dough rest for a couple of minutes, then divide into 8 portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Place on well greased cookie sheet and press down with the palm of you hand to flatten slightly. Let raise till doubled. (Mine took about 30 minutes, but it depends on the temperature of your kitchen.) Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for about 15-18 minutes. Cut in half and serve for the yummiest hamburger you’ve ever had.
Notes:
-If you want sesame seeds on top, take them out of the oven after 10 minutes of baking. Brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Then return them to the oven for the remaining 5-8 minutes.

Tips for Hamburgers - add an envelope of powdered ranch dip mix, or powdered onion soup mix to the raw hamburger.  Makes them taste great. 

Fall Decor

I saw this on Pinterest, but I didn't remember where. I am thinking this would be fabulous on a porch. (Kim I was mainly suggesting this for you!)

This is so simple, so elegant, and makes a HUGE statement.

Missing the gorgeous fall colors in AZ:( I am living vicariously through other's photos.

Love this book pumpkin. 

This just makes me smile, and maybe a little hungry:)

Fun ribbon wreath

Loving this burlap wreath

And that is a few of my favorites on pinterest.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread Like Great Harvest

I have a huge weakness for Great Harvest Pumpkin Bread.  My husband was nice and found this recipe for me online.  I think it's better then GH's chocolate chip pumpkin bread. (but their's is still amazingly yummy)

I always use Libby's canned Pumpkin.  It has the right consistency.  I have tried other brands of pumpkin and they come out of the can like a jello blob (to thick) or like water.  Libby's is perfect so if you don't want to mess with the water just buy Libby's.  Sounds like a commercial.  I buy the big 29oz. can of pumpkin.  I always use the leftover pumpkin for pumpkin pancakes.  I'll post that recipe next. 

Once I added all white flour and it wasn't good.  So adding one cup of wheat flour makes a big difference.

Another trick about this bread is it doesn't come out of the pan very easily.  Let it cool completely in the pans before taking it out and it won't fall apart.  When I put shortening on the bottom of the pan I  have better luck with the Chocolate Chips not sticking.  It's never fool proof so If you have a better solution for this please let me know. 

2 1/2 Cups White Flour
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
3 Cups Sugar
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 Tsp. Cinnamon
1 Tsp. Nutmeg
1 Tsp. Salt
16 oz. Libby's canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 Cup Oil
4 Eggs, beaten lightly
2/3 Cup Water
1 Cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 2- 9x5, or 3- 8x4, or 7- 3x5 loaf pans.

Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl;  set aside.

In a kitchen aide or Bosch mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, & water.  Add the dry ingredients.  Stir in Chocolate Chips.  Place batter in pans.

 Bake for 60-70 min.  On the smaller pans the cooking time is decreased.  I cooked the little loafs in 32 minutes.



 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread (like great harvest)
by: Home Run Recipes

2 1/2 Cups White Flour
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
3 Cups Sugar
2 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 Tsp. Cinnamon
1 Tsp. Nutmeg
1 Tsp. Salt
16 oz. Libby's canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 Cup Oil
4 Eggs, beaten lightly
2/3 Cup Water
1 Cup semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

 Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 2- 9x5, or 3- 8x4, or 7- 3x5 loaf pans.

Mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl;  set aside.

In a kitchen aide or Bosch mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, & water.  Add the dry ingredients.  Stir in Chocolate Chips.  Place batter in pans.
 Bake for 60-70 min.  On the smaller pans the cooking time is decreased.  I cooked the little loafs in 32 minutes

Rest and Relaxation

I had a whirl wind visit with my sisters and momma. We shopped until we dropped, we assembly line crafted, and we giggled like school girls all along the way. Usually when my mom stays longer after the sisters have left, we slow down, but not this year. We did lots more shopping and lots more Christmas surprises. My mom left yesterday and I literally dropped. My mind was foggy, I had a hard time forming coherent sentences. My body was so exhausted from all the excitement and go-go-going. I napped for 3 1/2 hours as soon as I got home from dropping her off at the airport. I went to bed at 8pm and slept hard until I woke up feeling quite rested at 7am. So, now I have a little more energy for my little munchkins who were so patient with me while my family was here. They are getting a lot of extra love and attention this weekend. So no crafting for me, just mommy time:)

Pumpkin Pancakes

When fall comes we like to eat pumpkin stuff.  These are best if you mix the batter the night before.  I have made it right before eating and they were fine but it does make a difference.  You want 3 bowls for this: one big and two medium sized.  Our favorite way to eat these is with the caramel syrup.  I always use the left over pumpkin for Pumpkin Bread that tastes just like Great Harvest's.  Saturday I'll post that yummy recipe.

Pumpkin Pancakes
by: Home Run Recipes

 2 Cups Flour 
2 Tbsp Baking Powder
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Salt
4 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1 Cup Pumpkin
3/4 Cup soft butter
1 Tbsp Vanilla

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl: flour, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, salt.  Separate the eggs.  Put the yolks in the big bowl and the whites in a medium sized bowl.  Beat the egg whites till stiff peaks form then set aside.  Beat the yolks then add milk, pumpkin, butter, and vanilla.  Then add the dry ingredients.  Fold in the egg whites.  Store in fridge till morning.  Cook pancakes on warm griddle.

Angry Bird Costume

I tried to talk my son into being a skeleton for Halloween. I have wanted to be a family of skeletons for a year. Anyway, my daughter was all for it, but my son refused. So, I changed my direction.

My son is obsessed with angry birds. This was a lot easier to do then I originally thought. It turned out awesome and I am soooooooo excited! And to be honest I was not loving the angry bird costumes for sale. They just look uncomfortable and weird.

First gather your supplies. I got plain colored t-shirts in the color of the birds we wanted to be. I got 2 sizes bigger then we normally wear so we could stuff them a little. It is too hot here to put a lot of stuffing so if you want it bigger, go bigger:)  Hubby is red, son is black, mommy is yellow, daughter is pink pig (there is no pink pig, but she just wanted punk.  Plus I put a crow on her to be the 'queen' pig so just pretend she is in green).

You can use freezer paper and make a stencil and paint it on, use t-shirt vinyl, or use felt and sew the face on. I just hand drew the faces. I have included my drawings. I cleaned them up in Photoshop! If you would like to use them just click on the links below.

Black Angry Bird (black tail feathers)
Yellow Angry Bird (black tail and head feathers)
King Pig (I put on a squiggly pig tail)

I bought hubbies shirt at Wal-mart and it already had the angry bird face on it. So that is why there is no red angry bird pattern:)
Red Angry Bird (red head feathers, black tail feathers)

Cut out the faces you want and put on the front of your shirt. I made stencils from freezer paper and painted them on.

Make a casing at the very bottom of the shirt. I opened a little part of the hem and threaded elastic through it. Then sewed the opening closed again. This is to keep the stuffing from falling out:)

Make the tail feathers. I drew a pattern first then cut 2 pieces out of felt. I didn't include the hand drawn patterns for the tail or head feathers.

Sewed the 2 pieces together. Then flip them right side out and stuff. I used grocery bags.

Sew the tail feathers to the back of the shirt.

For the pig tail, I sewed a piece of bias tape together. Then I threaded a piece of pipe cleaner down it.



















I sewed the tail on and then shaped it  into a little squiggly pig tail!

For the head feathers, I used head bands and hot glued the felt feathers onto it. I used the same concept to make the head feathers as the tail feathers, but I didn't stuff the head feathers.

For the pig crown, I used puff paint and put 3 blue dots and 3 white dots.

For the pig ears I painted the inside a lighter pink with puff paint.

For the bomb bird, I painted the top half yellow.

Here is our family of angry birds! I think our costumes are AWESOME and I like them WAY better then the store bought ones.

Decorating under the stairs

We keep toys under the stairs.  It gets messed up fast -not a big space and too many toys.  At Kara's Korner she put up the cutest book shelves for her daughter's nursery.  Check out the tutorial and pictures HERE.

We made our own and then modified it just a bit.  By modified I mean - we hung one upside down.  We didn't plan it at first but then we realized we needed a wider shelf for stuffed animals.  The girls also keep their Liv doll wigs up there away from their brothers.

Halloween Printable and tutorial

Today I will be offering 2 new printables. The Halloween plates and the happy Halloween sign!

You will need mod podge, vinyl lettering, a frame, and 3 plates.

I don't remember what font I used for the Happy Halloween but I really like it in "house sitter's club, impervious, or claudia jean" These are all free fonts I got HERE. The font I used for the plates was Papyrus.

I realize many do not have a vinyl cutting machine. So, I have found a solution, although it will be a little more work for you:) I created a jpeg that you can print out and use as a stencil to cut out from vinyl or black contact paper with scissors or an exacto blade. Please keep in mind you will have to size the file to fit your plates and frame.

8x10 frame

plates


First download the following 4 files.
Definitions #1
Definitions #2
Definitions #3
Definitions #4

I printed them off at home on regular paper with and ink jet printer. I think I made 5 copies of each file. Maybe more. Next, you will rip the paper into little pieces. There is no method to it. Smaller pieces work best. I liked it better with more words showing and less empty space. Here is a close up of the background.  See the open spaces with less writing, I don't like it, but I like it where there is lots of writing.













FRAME:
Take out the glass from the frame:) Arrange the pieces of paper onto the glass, mod podge as you go. After the entire piece of glass  is covered with the words, put your vinyl lettering on. Then spread a thin layer of mod podge over the entire thing. Place back in the frame and hot glue a cute ribbon onto the back. Hang up and enjoy!

PLATES:

Cut out a circle the same size as the center of the plate. I used light weight card stock. Mod podge the torn pieces onto the paper. After the entire circle is covered, cut of the excess that might be hanging over the circle. Put a thin layer of mod podge onto the back of the circle and place in the center of the plate. Smooth out any bumps or bubbles. Place another plate on top and add weight. Leave the plate to dry over night. Place the vinyl onto the circle and spread a small layer of mod podge on top.

Master Bedroom

I love decorating for holidays.  The rest of the year or everyday decor has me stumped sometimes.  WHY because there is something so permanent about it.  I know you can change it anytime.  But if you invest money and time into it then you want to enjoy it for awhile.  Plus I am frugal.  I want beauty that doesn't cost a ton, which requires patience. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Vases - From Ross $8 a piece

Iron wall art - Free from my mom

Blue Pillow - Left over fabric from curtains. Pillow form - sale at Hanncock Fabric $4

Tray - Ross $4.50 *** I read once that trays to hold stuff make a desk or night stand not look so cluttered.  

Alarm clock - Had forever.