Therapeutic Crafting

Dairy Substitutes

2012-02-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

After reading "The China Study", which I highly recommend you read because it's extremely interesting, I thought I would share some dairy substitutes we use at our house. Having an allergy can be challenging, but you learn to get creative. You would be surprised at how many things have dairy in it so we always have to read the ingredients.

Soy products have hormones in them that children should not have on a regular basis. It also is a natural diuretic. We use rice cheese instead. It doesn't melt as quickly as dairy cheese, but it is still tasty. Plus, there is no cholesterol in it. And it isn't oily like dairy cheese. LOVE it!

My son and I both hate the taste of soy milk so we use Almond milk. I also really like Rice milk (it is loaded with healthy vitamins) But Almond milk has a lower calorie option that I prefer. You can get 90, 60, or as low as 30. Though I prefer 60;)

For a little treat we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this Almond milk

If we are making ice cream, we use coconut milk as a dairy substitute. Many stores sell dairy free ice cream, but you have to be careful because not all sorbets are dairy free. It always has a wrapper around the top that says dairy free. This same company also makes a dairy free yogurt which my son loves.

My kids favorite are these ice cream bars. This company also sells dairy free sour cream.

So these are a few dairy free items we use at our house.

Aha! Moment

2012-02-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

I don't remember who coined this phrase, I want to say it was Oprah, but I literally had an Aha! moment a few days ago. I was reading through some of the writings I did when I was battling depression. This comparison came into my head as I saw where I once was and where I am today.

When my daughter was around 6 months old she was being immunized. She had to have a lot of shots that day and I remember pushing my back against the wall with tears running quickly down my face as she screamed and cried from the pain. My heart ached to reach out to her. The minute the nurses were finished I rushed to her and held her in my arms rocking her until she calmed down. It came to my mind that my Father in Heaven was pushed up against a wall watching me anxiously with tears streaming down his face as he watched me suffer in pain until he could rush in and comfort me. My daughter’s pain was necessary for her physical health. My pain was necessary for my spiritual health. A loving father in heaven allowed depression to "nearly drown" me because He knew it would make me better, it was a necessity. Just as I knew the immunizations would make my daughter's health better, even a necessity.

Tutorial Postponed

2012-02-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

I was feeling really tired last week. Exhausted really. I was going to bed at about 7:30pm and sleeping soundly and still taking naps during the day. Well, it was because I was coming down with something. Not sure what, but I got sick for 2 days. Now I am better, but my daughter has it, but her's is lasting longer. BOO!
So my future tutorial has been a very long week in the making even though it should be really easy for you to make;) I am hoping to have it finished soon:)

Lettuce Wraps

2012-02-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

(Better than PF Chang's)

My sister-in-law told us about these wraps. They sounded so good we went to the store that day and bought the stuff to make them. Luckily she showed us what to do. I was a little intimidated by the ingredients and the process but watching her helped ease my fears. This recipe takes a lot of time so round up a helper. Don't let this stop you from making these amazingly yummy wraps. After making them about 3 times I had it figured out (or I just wasn't afraid any longer). Now I can make them faster and by myself. I still love it when my husband helps. He usually starts the sauce and I start the filling. Once he's done then he takes over the filling while I get the lettuce leaves ready and cook Rice A Roni to go with it.

In this picture I forgot the ketchup, so not every ingredient is shown. The first time I made these I thought there was some strange things in it. You buy 7 of the ingredients in the oriental section of the grocery store.

Start by boiling your chicken in water. Once that is going I start the frying of the Maifun rice sticks.

These have to be the coolest things ever, they are like magic. You buy Maifun rice sticks not Saifun. There are several ways to cook them, but we fry them. Heat oil in a large, shallow pan. These rice sticks are super hard right out of the package. They are all bunched together and you have to pull them apart. I just do a small amount like in the picture below. They make a mess when you pull them apart. I usually have little pieces all over the counter. Put a paper towel on a plate to get ready for the fried rice sticks

The oil has to be hot when you put them in. They should puff up instantly when you drop them in the oil. If they don't your oil isn't hot enough. With metal tongs I flip them to fry on the other side. This is important because these noodles are break your teeth hard before they are fried. When you fry them they turn into puffy, light, crispy noodles. You'll have a big pile. These change again when you add them later in the recipe. Stay tuned for more noodle magic.

Next start the sauce. Doesn't that look like steamy goodness! Dissolve the sugar and water in a pan, add soy sauce, ketchup, sesame oil, rice vinegar, & lemon juice. In a little bowl combine Garlic Red Chili Paste & Chinese Hot Mustard to desired hotness. HOT - 2 Tbsp. of each, MEDIUM - 1 Tbsp. of each, MILD - 2 tsp. of each. We make the medium because it's not to spicy for our children. Add the chili paste and mustard to the rest of the sauce. Boil for one minute stirring constantly. This is to be drizzled over the lettuce wraps.

To make the filling, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a big pan. Next add the chicken that has been cut into dime size pieces. Now add the green onions, chestnuts, mushrooms, and minced garlic. To save time chopping I use the trusty pampered chef chopper. The picture shows the green onions about to be chopped. It is great for the bottoms but I usually chop the tops by hand. I mince the chestnuts and mushrooms with the chopper till they are the size of peas.

Now for noodle magic. I just put the pile of maifun on top of the filling.

I take a spatuala and begin breaking it up.

This is what it looks like after you begin breaking it down. Next stir it in.

When the rice sticks get wet they change. Don't worry as you stir them in they become wet wiggly noodles. This is what should happen.

To get the lettuce ready I wash the heads, let them dry, then I slowly pull the leaves off the head. The first leaves are to big like the one pictured above so I cut right down the center starting at the white part. This way no one has to have an all white lettuce leave. To eat spoon the filing inside a leaf then drizzle some sauce on the filing, roll together and enjoy. You may want to have napkins handy.

We like to eat these with rice and a jello salad. I make Rice A Roni because it's fast. Fast is good after working so hard. I didn't make a jello salad this time. We had friends over and they brought the yummy jello salad. I'll have to post a jello recipe we love and that is fast on another day.

Lettuce Wraps * like PF Changs

by: Home Run Recipes

Special Sauce
1/2 cup Sugar
4 Tbsp Soy Sauce
4 Tbsp Ketchup
1/4 tsp sesame Oil
1 cup Water
4 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1-2 Tbsp Garlic Red Chili Paste
1-2 Tbsp Chinese Hot Mustard

Special Sauce - Dissolve sugar in water; add soy sauce, ketchup, sesame oil, rice vinegar, & lemon juice. In a separate bowl combine Garlic Red Chili Paste & Chinese Hot mustard to desired hotness: Hot - 2 Tbsp Both Medium - 1 Tbsp both, Mild - 2 tsp both. Boil for one minute stirring constantly. This is to be drizzled over the filing in the lettuce wrap.

Stir Fry Filling
3/4 cup Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
3/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar (I do use light sometimes and still taste yummy)
2 lbs cooked Chicken Breast (cut into dime sized pieces)
6 Tbsp Chopped Green onions
2 Cup Water Chestnuts (minced) 3 cans
1 1/3 cup mushrooms (minced) 2 cans
1 Tbsp minced garlic (2 cloves)
2 Cups Maifun Rice Sticks or noodles (fried)

2 heads ICE BERG LETTUCE
(you may not need 2 it depends on how much filling people put inside their lettuce and how big your heads of lettuce are. We do 2 to make sure we have plenty. Make a salad the next day with the left overs. Or we have put the rice a roni in the lettuce with the sauce drizzled on it the next day and it was pretty amazing.)

Filling - Fry the maifun until fully cooked. Combine Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, and brown sugar in a large pan. Then add chicken.. You want to chop the mushrooms and water chestnuts the size of peas. Add to chicken. Combine the remaining ingredients. We break up the maifun right in the pan with a spatuala. they go from crispy to wiggly noodles. You can serve right away or refrigerate for 2 hours to enhance the flavor. Just remember to heat before serving.

Serve Lettuce on a platter; stir fry and sauce in separate bowls. Let everyone make their own wrap. ENJOY!

yield - one recipe of filling will feed 8 adults. We usually pig out on these.

Glimps into My Life

2012-01-30T06:14:00.000-08:00

Here is a glimpse into my life. I love to take my kids on outings. When I am not crafting, I am exploring our area through the eyes of a 3 and 6 year old. There is a farm close by our house that I took my daughter to explore. Here are a few of the things we saw! I did try to get a picture of 2 baby chicks we saw, but they ran under a bush before I got my phone out.

I loved this flag hanging on the wall. It's old, dirty, and perfect. I can imagine a dirty, tattered, tired soldier trudging home after serving his country. I am thinking I will turn this into a 4th of July decor, but I haven't got the details figure out in my head yet.

I just loved the contrast of the blue and the orange. The old paint gives it a rustic look.

Who can resist an old rusty tractor? Seriously?

My daughter HAD to wear her Bell dress. Here she is peaking in a crack in a barn.

Vacation Complete

2012-01-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

My glorious vacation is complete:( But, after being only a 3 1/2 hour drive from the Grand Canyon for almost 7 years, we FINALLY can say we have seen the Grand Canyon. Here are some shots I took with my Iphone. I have to say I am really really pleased with how they turned out!

This picture is totally cool. I didn't do anything to it in photoshop. The rocks just look circular here.

I changed angles and zoomed out a little so you could see more

And a great family shot with the Grand Canyon behind us.

Thanks for your patients! We had loads of fun!

The Rare Privilege

2012-01-20T16:11:00.000-08:00

My mother in law sent me this book

Hillary Weeks has a great sense of humor, but in one of the more serious moments of her book, this caught my attention and I HAD to share it with you.

"I will spend eternity knowing [my child] as an adult. But tonight, right here, right now, and for the next few precious years, I have the rare privilege of knowing her as a child...For a brief moment during the journey of mortality, we get to watch them laugh, learn, experience, grow."

So, that is what we will be doing this week....my blogging sister is joining me at my home for one glorious week. Cousin sleep overs, making memories, laughing, giggling, swimming, site seeing, and just being a family. So please excuse us for a while as we enjoy "the rare privilege of knowing [them] as child[ren]."

Envelope System

2012-01-19T06:55:00.000-08:00

Managing a successful budget can take time and patients. Also, a lot of discipline. I am not great at budgeting. See my budgeting motto has always been only spend money when necessary and buy everything on a really amazing sale or at a garage sell. It's worked fine because we have never been in unnecessary debt. We have tried a 'regular' budget where we write everything down, but I always forget to record everything and hubby doesn't always tell me what he has spent. So basically I needed to think outside of the box for our family.
I have had so many people tell me how they are able to save so much money with the envelope system. I thought I would try it; however, I have lost my wallet and purse more then I care to admit and I don't fill comfortable caring around that much cash.
Here is my solution. We use our credit card like a debit card and pay it off every month. That way we get the free perks from earning points (cash back in our case). So we make money by using our credit card instead of debit card.

I bought a note book and put these cute tabs on the side with the different categories for our budget.

I carry this little note book around in my purse where ever I go. But like the envelope system I have an allotted amount I can spend on each category. When that money is used up, we go without;) We do it week by week. This way takes a little more discipline, but doesn't require caring around so much cash.

Every time I spend money I immediately (like still standing in the check out line immediately) write it down under the category.

Now for the fix for hubby. He's busy, he doesn't want a bulky note book in his pocket or white coat. Solution, every time he purchases something he texts me the amount and what category to put it under. Then I add it to the portable budget keeper;) And that's it. It works for us and doesn't require caring around a lot of cash.

Love is in the Air

2012-01-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Hearts, candy, flowers, won't you be my valentine!?!
I just loved this quote so I decided to put it on a printable for you guys!
download 5X7 HERE
download 8X10 HERE

Magnetic Paint

2012-01-14T06:12:00.000-08:00

In the mudroom I have this old window hanging that I've converted into a dry erase board and magnetic board. On the dry erase side we write down things we need to buy. On the magnetic side I keep the school lunch menu, the little school magnet with the years schedule, important things that week, etc. On the shelf next to it I keep the dry erase markers and erasers in a candle holder.

Here's a list of things I've learned about this magnetic primer:

1. You have to stir it a long time. It is like sludge. I had to stir sometimes even before I refilled the paint tray. The metal flakes float to the bottom.
2. Foam roller works best.
3. Takes several coats. Read the can it will tell you how many to do. To many isn't good and not enough makes it not work. I did 4 on this window.
4. This is a primer so you can paint over the top. Since it's dark it takes several layers. The more layers of paint over it the weaker it gets. Regular magnets wouldn't stay. So I discovered these super tough magnets called Rare Earth Magnets. They have magnets that have a pull of 6 lbs. How cool is that! Click on the green writing and it will take you to the website. You can see all the fun sizes and shapes.

Now I want to paint a spot above the desk with this magnetic paint covered with the wall color for notes, fun pictures of kids, and maybe the calendar. Let me know what fun things you do with this paint.

Kitchen

2012-01-12T06:33:00.000-08:00

I am doing some organizing in my Kitchen and I decided to make labels for my canisters.

I cut mine out of vinyl, but you can easily print them on sticker paper or print and laminate them.
Here they are in all the glory. I have some weird ones like Chia Seeds or Bulgur so I decided to just give you the basics and empty ones to fill in yourself. Enjoy!

Download HERE

Magnetic Paint

2012-01-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

I have had some fun around here with magnetic paint. Here's the latest project.

Magnetic primer on the wall holding up the kids school art projects with strong magnets. I didn't have the store shake the paint can. I had to stir for 10 minutes to get the metal flakes evenly distributed. If you want to know how to make clean edges when painting then check out THIS. (If you don't have your wall color you can use clear glaze to seal the edges of the tape to get a clean edge.)
Check back Saturday for another idea with magnetic primer.

A few things

2012-01-09T06:12:00.000-08:00

First off let me announce the winner to My Memory Suite. Drum roll please..................

Congrats to:

The Matthews Family who said... "I now follow My Memories on Facebook."

I am working on a few things right now. Let me run down the list:

Finish sewing 2 bags for my sisters
Finish sewing 2 bean bags for my nieces
Finish organizing guest room
Finish organizing storage/craft room
Make piece from salvaged wood
Get my decorations hung back up after taking christmas decor day
Take christmas tree down
Oh, and buy a new car.

Hubby's car is dieing so instead of fixing it we have decided to purchase a new one. In the meantime he has been driving my car and I have been riding my bike everywhere. Needless to say, I am making finding a new car a higher priority because it is starting to bug me to be without a car for over a week now people.

In the mean time I finished a winter printable for all ya'll! (I am practicing for when we move to Tennessee).
Download 8X10 HERE
Download 5X7 HERE

Caramel

2012-01-07T06:49:00.000-08:00

This is so yummy. It's fun to dip the apples in caramel then chopped macadamian nuts, melted chocolate, or sprinkles. You can cook this a little longer and dip your pretzels in.

Caramel

1 Cup Karo Syrup
2 cubes Butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1tsp vanilla

Add everything to the pan except vanilla. Stir constanly and cook till soft ball about 240 Degrees. When it reaches that temperature remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Photo courtesy of thecookinmamas.blogspot.com
For pretzel caramel cook till firm ball about 260 degrees.

***If the caramel starts to stick to the pan it looks more like gravy. I use a strainer to get the darker specks out.

Consistency

2012-01-06T07:10:00.000-08:00

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I don't because I believe in starting now and not waiting for the new year. Let me tell you a story. I had this friend I exercised with every night for about 1 1/2 hours. We made another friend we invited to exercise with us (this is the end of November). She said she would start on the New Year. I thought, "what does that have to do with anything. Start now so when the new year rolls around it's already a habit." From that moment on I decided I wasn't going to wait for New Years to make goals. It's better to start now when I have the motivation.

But, I did choose a word to live by this year, Consistency, my motto, my mantra. Consistency in parenting, exercise, living and eating healthy, working towards and achieving my goals, in being a better spouse. This one word sums up what I have been and will continue to work towards making myself into a better individual. I know I will trip and fall, but that's part of life. Let me leave you with these words:

Rain Rain Go Away

2012-01-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

***Giveaway ends January 6th. Go HERE to enter. ***

The middle of December brought a lot of rain to our area (3 days of nonstop to be exact). I just wanted to share some wonderful pictures I was able to capture of the delight my daughter found in every puddle. My camera battery died and I just barely found my charger so sorry this is so late in coming.

I am by no means an expert, but I was very pleased with capturing the spray of the water, each individual droplet of water cascading around her legs. And still getting a crisp image of my daughter running. I set my shutter speed very high and had my camera set on continuous shooting. So I took a LOT of photos very quickly. I just held the button down and snapped as she ran towards me. I weeded through the photos to find the ones I liked best.

This one I needed to lower my aperture, but it all happened so quickly that I didn't have time to adjust. So, I recommend just setting your aperture low to begin with.

She was soaked by the end, but she was so pleased to be able to put her rain boots to good use. My neighbor came out and watched for a bit. She told me later, "I am so glad you can allow your kids to be real kids."

Photo tip today is: Let your kids be real kids and let the pictures tell the story. Such a simple moment that made my daughter so happy and I have great photos to look back on the fun.

A New Year

2012-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

Hey there!!!! I have been missing in action;) So here is the low down on my Christmas vacation. Hubby flew through a different airline then the 2 kiddos and I because Allegiant doesn't fly on the days he had off and it was $200 difference to buy 2 one way tickets from 2 different air lines. Soooooooo, he left a day earlier then me. On Christmas Eve I flew with my 2 kiddos and daddy picked us up at the airport. Hubby flew back to work on the 26th. I was suppose to come home on the 29th, BUT I was lame and thought my plane left at 5pm instead of 9:45am so when I went to check in online at 8:30am on the 29th I realized my plane left in 1 hour and I was 2 hours away. CRAP! Lucky for me the interstate was closed due to a severe dust storm so I will probably get a reimbursement for the flight (fingers crossed). $500 later I am finally home and come to find out hubby's car is making a weird noise so I have to take it in tomorrow to get it checked. I am just praying this piece of crap lasts until we move in June. So, that is our holiday in a nut shell. I skipped over all the fun we had and gave you all the bad;)

My little man isn't in school for another week so I am going to lay low doing some activities with him to keep him occupied. Hope you had a great Christmas and a happy New Year!

Magical Day Of Make Believe #2

2011-12-22T06:02:00.000-08:00

"Off we go to explore the moon." (That's a quote from a children's show my daughter watches, but at this moment I can't remember the name of it.)

This week is outer space. I kept this one simple.
First we made a mobile of our solar system. Download HERE.

or Martha Stewart has instructions to make one found HERE (I have a toddler so this was a bit more complicated then I was going for)

We sat in our "rocket ship" (chairs laying on the ground) and blasted off into outer space. Remember there is no gravity in space so we moved silly and jumped really high;) Then we looked at the planets in our solar system and talked about them. You can download the planets and information HERE.

Magical Day of Make Believe will placed on hold through the Holidays. It will start again when my son goes back to school Jan 16th. Yes you read that right. Can I just say who the heck planned this Holiday break. They don't get out of school until Dec 23rd. I would have way rather get out a week earlier and started a week sooner.

Italian Roast Beef

2011-12-21T07:07:00.000-08:00

1 3-5 lbs Roast
1 jar of Peperocini's with juice
1 packet Dry Italian Dressing
1 can beef Broth
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbs Italian seasoning

Put it all in a Crock Pot for 5-8 hours. Shred meat. I fish out a lot of the peperocini's from the crock-pot and even dump a little of the juice over the shredded meat. Serve the meat on a toasted bun with a slice of Provolone Cheese. You can make your own buns click HERE for the recipe.

My Memories Suite

2011-12-20T04:47:00.000-08:00

I was contacted by My Memories to review one of their products. I was skeptical about the software because I am not a scrapbooker. I print my personal blog out every year by just added pictures and texts to already made pages via Picaboo or Blurb. Easy & simple are my style. I thought, "what am I going to use this for?"

Well, I have come to a conclusion. You could make cards, printables, make your own pages for a blog book to be printed on, decor. What ever. In fact, here are 2 things I made this morning:)
2 cute birthday cards

It is substantially easier to use then Photoshop and cheaper too. The fun thing is there are tons of freebies you can get from My Memories and the paper, embellishments, etc are automatically saved into the software. With photoshop I have to open a folder and search until I find exactly what I want then I have to place it and that all takes time. This was totally eliminated with this software! Now here is the fun part. My Memories is offering 1 lucky winner a free version of the my memories suite 3 too!!!!

Here's how to enter. Leave a separate comment for each thing you do:

1. Go to mymemories.com and browse around. Then come back here and tell me what your favorite product was.
2. become a follower on my memories blog
3. follow my memories on twitter
4. follow my memories on facebook

The fun isn't done yet! My Memories is offering $10 off their software just use the code STMMMS31779 at check out making an already low price ($39.99) Just right $29.99

Software is compatible to both Mac and PC.
P.S. obviously there are pros and cons to having photoshop or My Memories Suite. Photoshop is harder to use, but has a lot more options to work with. But if you are looking to getting your footing with little cost and user friendly, then my memories suite is the way to go.

The Secrete to Cleaning Stainless Steal

2011-12-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

The word STAINLESS steal makes you think that your stainless steal pots will never get stained. Right!?! Wrong......well until recently.
Remember THIS post. My pan was having some issues and it was not coming clean.

So I asked for help from you guys. I got a few ideas, but until a yesterday nothing was working. Then an angel, whom I would like to hug, left me this comment:

Michele said...: I have stainless steel pans too...my pans look perfect and brand new after lots and lots of cooking...i used to spend a lot of money on cleaners until I discovered magic erasers....that is all you need my friend....i sometimes soak in plain or soapy water ...and that is it

After some rubbing and 1 magic eraser later and my pan now looks like this again:)!!!!!!

I just can't believe it. THANK YOU again Michele it worked like a charm. You da' bomb sista'!

Cheese Bread

2011-12-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

This is something we snack on around here.

1 Loaf of French Bread
1 Jar of Alfredo Sauce
Cheddar Cheese
Monterey Jack or Parmesan or Mozarella
Real Bacon Bites

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Break up french bread into bite size pieces right into a 9x13 pan. Dump half or less of the alfredo sauce all over. Sprinkle with shredded cheeses that you have on hand. Sprinkle bacon bites all around. Give a little stir and bake for 10-15 minutes. Just till the cheese is melted and it is heated up.

Secrete Santa Gift

2011-12-15T06:07:00.000-08:00

Hubby's work does Secrete Santa every year. He has always had a woman, so I have made the gift every year. This year, it was a woman again and word has gotten out that if Dave is your Secrete Santa his wife will make you a cute decoration. He is in high demand now and has been informed he is being fought over;) Here is what the lucky winner gets this year. Using THIS printable I made last year, I cut it out in vinyl and placed it on a tile. BUT I think for myself it will be put on a distressed wooden board:)

Sorry about the lack of Magical Day of Make Believe Series, I have been down for the count with a wicked head cold. I am working on it and will have it done beginning of next week:)

Cheese Ball

2011-12-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

CHEESE BALL
makes 1 cheese ball

1 package softened cream cheese
1/2 package Lipton onion soup mix
1 tsp drained crushed pineapple
1 tsp chopped green pepper
chopped pecans
Mix into ball and roll into chopped pecans.

Pots and Pans

2011-12-13T06:21:00.000-08:00

So, I have stainless steal pots and pans. After burning a gourmet meal (see HERE) I was left with this mess. That gunk will NOT come off.

So I googled myself some help. The consensus was vinegar and baking soda. I let it sit for about 1 day.

Here it is looking a little better, but not the results I wanted or was told to expect.

Any ideas? We are in the process of soaking it in vinegar and baking soda again. Brillo pads didn't work and they just scratched the pan so that was a no go. I am sick of it sitting on my counter or sink.

Almond Crunch

2011-12-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

Almond Crunch

1 cup margarine (DON'T USE REAL BUTTER)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
3/4 c ground almonds (divided into 1/4 cup and 1/2 a cup)
8 oz chocolate pieces (our family prefers semi or dark but milk works just fine)

**Things will go much smoother if you get everything ready before you start cooking.
1. Butter cookie sheet.
2. Ground Almonds and divide into 1/4 cup and 1/2 cup.
3. Measure out chocolate. It needs to be in pieces about the size of chocolate chips. If you are using chocolate chips you don't need to cut them up.
4. In a saucepan combine butter, sugar, and water. Cover and bring to a boil.
5. Next add 1/4 cup ground almonds.
6. Cook and stir constantly over med-high heat until mixture darkens. The first few times I thought I ruined it because it got dark in streaks so I thought I had burned spots. On a candy thermometer it should be 290 degrees. If you stop before this it will be soft and gross and will only continue to get soft. This step takes 10 to 20 minutes so be patient.
7. Pour onto a buttered cookie sheet, and spread around with a spoon.
8. Top with chocolate chips. Let the chocolate sit for a few minutes so it melts.
9. Spread melting chocolate.
10. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup ground almonds.
11. Cool completly
12. Break into pieces.
**It stays fresh for a few days in a covered container. After that I always throw it in the freezer.
Get it out 1 hour before you want to eat it.

More Changes

2011-12-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more changes I made with my Christmas decor. Front door in years past:

Front door this year, with a new stain, wreath hanger, and wreath.

The nook in years gone by:

Nook now:

Because of my nativity scene, I needed things to be a little less glittery and more rustic. So I switched out the wreath. Using an idea I saw Craftaholics Anonymous, I added cinnamon sticks to some candles.

I have wanted the Willow Tree Nativity set for longer then I can remember. This year for my birthday I got the starter set. I will be collecting it slowly:)

Cranberry Toffee Cookies

2011-12-08T05:18:00.001-08:00

Cranberry Toffee Cookies
By: Home Run Recipes
Makes 5-6 Dozen

1 Cup of Vegetable Shortening
1 Cup Real Butter (softened not melted)
1 1/2 Cups White Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
3 to 3 1/2 cups Flour
3 cups Oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
2 Cups dried cranberries
2 Cups Toffee Bits
2 Cups Choc. Chips (optional) sometimes I just use milk chocolate toffee bits to get the chocolate.

1. Mix the shortening and butter with the white and brown sugar.
2. Add the eggs and vanilla
**** Now mix these until they change to a beautiful lighter colored cream. This is very important. It takes at least 3 minutes but mixing it for 5 or 6 minutes will guarantee it's mixed well. I know people who mix for 10 minutes to be safe.
3. Mix the dry ingredients together.
4. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix well. Then add the other 1/2 of the flour mixture. Add your oatmeal .
5. Finally add the craisins, toffee bits, and chocolate chips.
***DO NOT use cooking spray on your pan. This makes the cookies bake uneven. I use parchment paper or nothing. Just scoop those cookies right onto the pan.
6. BAKE for 8-10 minutes until slightly golden on top. This leaves the center nice and soft. If you cook until they are golden colored all over they are overcooked.

Christmas Card

2011-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

I made digital christmas cards this year to email to family and friends. It's cheaper and easier on me. So here they are in all their glory.

You can download HERE Just add your photos

The green wasn't working for me with our family photos so I changed my back ground to red to make the photos pop more. Merry Christmas

Printables

2011-12-06T13:37:00.000-08:00

I have received a few emails about printables being deleted and unable to download them. For the ones I have been told about, I have worked it out and you can download them again. If you happen across another that says it was deleted please let me know so I can get it fixed!

Putting up Christmas

2011-12-06T06:50:00.000-08:00

This is my mantel from years past. I was never really crazy about it, but it worked and it was cheap.

Here it is now (the candles in the fireplace I Photoshopped in because I will eventually get around to doing something like that:)

My mom gave me some decor from Costco (reindeer and tree)

I made these with a stencil a few years ago and I love them as much as the day I made them:)

Another change was I purchased a tree skirt for the very first time in 8 1/2 years of marriage;)

African Safari

2011-12-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first of the Magical Day of Make-believe series, where play time is fun for everyone. Let's go on an African Safari. Have an adult or older sibling who can read be the tour guide. (download HERE).
Every great explorer needs his gear. A must have are binoculars.

Most importantly, we need animals! (download HERE).
Cut out the animals. If you want to re-use them laminate the pictures. Hang the pictures of the animals at the kid's eye level. This is a great activity for a park (if weather won't permit, just do it around the house). For older children, make them harder to find. Have the children search with their 'binoculars' to find an animal. Once an animal is spotted, as a tour guide it is your responsibility to tell a little bit about the animal;)

After all the animals have been found, gather round the campfire for snacks of animal cookies and milk.

Letters To Santa Claus

2011-12-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

I made a printable for my kids to write letters to Santa this year. There are lots of lines, not because we are greedy, but because writing small is very difficult for them:) And there is a big space at the bottom so they can sign their names.