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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Years Eve 2014 Props complete with Mustache Templates

Bring in the New Year with these adorable Photo Booth Props! DIY and super easy to make...

First DIY 2014 Numbers for Photo Booth Props or props to add a little fun to any New Year's Eve Party. We are celebrating at home with the kids and I wanted to do something fun for us all.

Items Needed:
Card stock and/or Card board
Glue
BBQ Skewer
Tinsel/Glitter
Scissors

First cut out the number 2, 0, 1 AND 4 from card stock or card board. I cut these from card stock then glued card board to the back to make them sturdier and so I could poke the BBQ skewer through the card board. Then glue some tinsel or glitter to the numbers for decorations. I used left over Christmas garland.





Mustache Props:

Print the templates below
BBQ Skewers
Scissors
Card board
Glue




You should be able to print these templates below for easy printing and cutting. If not please let me know and I will definitely email you them.


In addition to all of this above, I plan to stop at the dollar store to pick up some crazy glasses and maybe some Happy New Year hats/tiaras if they have them and a roll of shiny wrapping paper for the back drop of our photo booth. Stay tuned for more pictures from tonight. I hope and pray everyone has a safe but joyous New Years Eve no matter what you decided to do this evening. Remember if you drink please do not drive!

May your 2014 New Year be blessed and filled with hope, love and happiness throughout the year and years to come!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Amen!

Monday, December 30, 2013

Oreo, Oreo, Oreo Holiday Treats!

A little behind on posting my Christmas baking but here are some cute little Oreo Snowmen Cookies, Oreo balls and Oreo peppermint balls you can make for a winter treat.  Parchment/Wax Paper is a must during the holiday season.

Oreo Cookie Balls

4oz of cream cheese
18 finely crushed oreos (I put them in a bad and smashed them with a meat tenderizer)
1 bag of candy melts or 1 package of bakers square or a few squares of white chocolate almond bark, whichever you like. I used Wilton Vanilla Candy Melts and had to put oil/shortening in them because I could never get the chocolate thin enough. I like the almond bark much better.  

Mix the cream cheese and oreos together and form into little balls then freeze for about 30 minutes.  Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds so you do not burn the chocolate. then dip the frozen balls into the white chocolate and garnish with green and red glitter crystals.  This will make approx 20-24 depending on the size of the ball you make, if you make them larger then it will make less. Keep refrigerated until you are ready to display/serve. 

P.S. Hubby loved these!

Oreo balls with green/red sprinkles
 Peppermint Oreo Cookie Balls

4 oz of cream cheese
2 peppermint patty candy fun size or 1 regular size
1-2 peppermint candy candy
18 finely crushed oreo cookies
1 bag of candy melts or almond bark, add oil or shortening to the candy melts to thin as necessary

Mix the cream cheese, oreos, peppermint pattys and some crushed candy canes together and form into little balls then freeze for about 30 minutes. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds so you do not burn the chocolate. then dip the frozen balls into the white chocolate and garnish with chopped candy canes pieces. This will make approx 20-24 depending on your size of the balls. Keep refrigerated until you are ready to display/serve. 
Peppermint Oreo Balls
Oreo Snowmen Cookies
25 Oreo Cookies (Adjust to how many you need)**** If you are going to make snowmen pops please use double stuff Oreo cookies much easier.
1 package of orange tic tacs
1 black glitter icing
1 bag of white candy melts or white chocolate almond bark melted see instructions above.  THIN WITH SHORTENING OR OIL.
1 toothpick or lollipop stick

All you do is dip the oreo cookies in the melted white chocolate, use a toothpick to dip it and place on a parchment paper then place a tic tac in the center for his nose and use the black icing to dot eyes and a mouth and leave to dry/harden for at least an hour and package in a tin or container.


Cute Oreo Snowmen



Oh deer! A few simple Venison Recipes your will family will love!

I wanted to share a few simple Venison recipes I have made over the past week. I don't have any pictures to share at the moment because I have been super busy with family and kids that most of the time when I actually thought about snapping a picture, turned out my phone was dead.

Venison Roast in a Crock Pot

1 venison roast
3 cups of water
1 package of onion soup mix

3 tablespoons of garlic
1-2 teaspoon of pepper
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 tablespoon of rosemary
1 tablespoon of oregano
3 tablespoons of butter, you may substitute with deer fat or olive oil.

Throw it all in the crockpot and cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.  We made corn and mash potatoes because our roast was so large there was not enough room in my crock pot but feel free to throw in carrots and potatoes in the pot with the roast.  I would add them later once the roast has cooked for a few hours.


Venison Stroganoff

We had so much left over venison from the above roast that I used the left over venison meat to the make this wonderful recipe. If by chance you don't have any left over meat you can always cut up venison in cubes and flour them and fry them in pan with some olive oil or broil with some olive oil in the oven on 450 for 10 minutes.

1 package of egg extra wide noodles
2 packages of brown gravy mix
1 tsp of onion powder
1 tsp of flour
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of black pepper
1 cup of beef stock
2 cups of water
mushrooms if desired
sour cream

Boil noodles according to package.  In a sauce pan, mix venison, brown gravy packages, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, mushrooms (if you like them) beef stock and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil, then add 1 tsp of flour to thicken sauce as desired.  Drain the noodles.

Plate the noodles, pour sauce over top and add one teaspoon of sour cream to top and serve!


Venison Enchiladas

Again we used left over venison meat from the crock pot recipe but if by chance you used a smaller roast and no longer have any left over. I would suggest placing a smaller roast in the crock pot with a can of rotel diced tomatoes and can of corn drained or frozen corn with some beef stock and left that cook for 8-9 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.

left over venison or cooked venison from a crockpot
1 package of tortillas
Queso or 1/2 Velveeta Queso
Salsa or Rotel hot or medium diced tomatoes
*you can also use enchiladas sauce found in the same aisle as the taco/Mexican foods

Mix the Queso with salsa or rotel by heating in the microwave. My microwave has a melt cheese button so I just used that but I would suggest stopping every 40 seconds to stir it and to ensure you don't overheat the cheese.

Spray a 9x13 glass pan with butter/olive oil. Then pour half of the cheese mixture into the glass pan.  Then place one tortilla on top of the cheese mixture and fill with venison.  Feel free to add other things like jalapenos, corn, rice, etc. We kept it simple with just the meat. Roll each tortilla to where the seam is cheese side down. I fit 12 in the pan, by placing them tightly next to each other. Then I covered with remaining cheese mixture and baked in the oven on 350 for 20 minutes, then I pulled them out and covered them with shredded taco/fiesta cheese and baked for another 5-10 minutes until cheese was melted.  There wasn't one leftover. SO HUBBY AND  KIDS APPROVED!!!!

I got one picture before my phone died! lol



Hope you enjoy these wild game recipes! :)


Monday, December 23, 2013

Quick and Easy Deer Cookies

We made these little treats last night, they were quick and easy. Very simple for the kids to make and decorate. They also enjoyed eating them. Yummy!

All you need is Betty Crocker sugar cookie in the bag mix I used 2 packages
M&M's Red and Green
Pretzels
Chocolate Chips
Cinnamon for the deer who been playing in the dirt. lol

First prepare the sugar cookie mix as on the package then form in a ball and smoosh down onto wax paper or cookie pan and form into a shape that resembles a deer (bigger head/top part and smaller point where the nose should be)

add 2 chocolate chips for eyes or green M&M's

Break mini pretzels in half to make the rack/antlers.

dash a little cinnamon to make it appear the deer has been in the dirt.



Our Deer Family! So cute!!!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Dreaming of a White Christmas with these Oreo Cheesecake Cups

It's suppose to be 75 this weekend which is rare for North Carolina normally I would love it but it doesn't feel much like Christmas. I made these delights for a holiday party and I hope everyone enjoys them. I'll still be dreaming of a white Christmas. :-)

Oreo Cheesecake Cups

15 whole oreos 6-7 coarsely chopped oreos
15 cupcake liners
1 pound of cream cheese (2- 8oz boxes)
1/2 cup of sugar
1tsp of vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup of sourcream
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 275. Line muffin pan with liners then insert one whole oreo in each liner

Beat cream cheese and vanilla until smooth with a mixer until smooth, gradually adding sugar, beat until smooth and combined

add one egg at a time and beat until smooth and mixed well. Scraping down sides if needed. Add sourcream and pinch of salt and beat/mix well.  Add coarsely chopped oreos by hand and stir with a spoon.

Divide batter evenly among cups,  filling each one almost to the top of the liner. Bake for 22 minutes, rotating pan after 11 minutes to ensure baking evening. If you have a convection oven no need for this step. Let cool completely then refrigerate overnight for best results.


Monday, December 16, 2013

A fluffy kids craft with a puffy birthday meal for my hubby!

Saturday was a busy day for my owl, my husband and ofcourse me! Hubby started Saturday morning off by killing a 10 point buck and on his birthday which was probably the best birthday present ever!  He was so happy cause it was now the biggest deer he has ever killed. :-) Me and my owl stayed home and did a snowman craft and hubby a special birthday dinner.

First up is the fluffy craft.


Awww Aren't they soo cute!!!

Well here is what you need to recreate these little guys!

Items needed:
cotton balls
toilet paper roll
poms (different sizes) I got mine at Walmart for 1.00
pipe cleaners
ribbon
glue
buttons
white baking cups (muffin)

So first you glue cotton balls all over the toilet paper roll until you completely cover it.

My little owl covering her roll. :-)

 Then do the same on the muffin cup.


I cut an orange pom for the nose, used 2 buttons for the eyes and the tiny poms for the mouth.
Then cut a ribbon and tie around the snowman. You can hot gun the head to the body but we didn't. My daughter thought it was hilarious when the head would come off, similar to the movie Frozen and the snowman. haha!

Cut a piece of pipe cleaner for the earmuffs and use 2 poms for the balls for the muffs. and 2 larger poms for the body for buttons or you can use real buttons. Add any special touches you want, or change it up and do a hat instead of ear muffs. My little owl enjoyed making these and I'm sure your kiddo's will too!

Now it's time for a puffy meal!

Cheeseburger Puffs

1 pkg of puff pastry
1lb of hamburger meat
2-3 tablespoons of montreal steak seasoning
1-2 tsp of onion powder or 1 small onion diced
1 brick of cheddar cheese

First thaw the puff pastry according to the package. In a bowl combine the hamburger meat, Montreal seasoning, onion powder or real onions. Form small mini cheeseburgers. In a frying pan add some olive oil and brown each side (do not over cook) just brown. Then place each burger onto the puff pastry and cut a square, add cheese on top and pinch to close. (see picture below)



Preheat oven to 350 and make for 20-25 minutes until slightly browned and puffy pastry has puffed.

YUM YUM WHEN THEY ARE DONE!


3 Musketeers Cupcakes

Makes 12 -18 depending on your muffin pan/cups

1 box of milk chocolate box cake mix (prepare according to box)
1 or 2 bags of miniature 3 musketeers or fun-size cut in half
1 container of marshmallow fluff
4 cups of powdered sugar
1 stick of butter
2 tablespoons of milk
cupcake liners
spray butter
muffin pan
preheat dark pan to 325 or light pan to 350

Make milk chocolate box cake mix according to box then pour about 3/4 full into sprayed butter cupcake liners. Bake for 5 minutes. Then dunk 1 miniature 3 musketeer candy or cut in half fun sized bar by pressing it into the cupcake batter cup until it is almost all the way down. This is so the cake batter will form around the candy. Then return to baking for 10-15 minutes.

Let them cool completely before adding frosting

Frosting Recipe

Melt in microwave or on stove top the remaining 3 musketeers bars until they form a marshmallow consistently, Add the marshmallow fluff and butter and mix well. Next add the milk and powder sugar and you are all set.

Put a ziploc or frosting bag into a cup and add frosting. Then cut corner of ziploc bag or end of frosting bag and add piping tip or just use opening. You can also just spread the icing on top. 

These were pretty yummy...









Thursday, December 12, 2013

Super Easy Egg Carton Christmas Craft

Here is an easy craft to do with your little one for the Christmas Holiday.

Little owl did this one last year and she is still gets so excited to see it hanging in my office. It is super cute, I always get compliments on it. She did a great job!



Items needed:
white & brown cardstock
1 egg carton
little red bows (got them from dollar tree)
glitter
green paint
glue
1 star you can cut it out or use something from the scrapbook section. I already had this star from a scrapbook swap I was in many years ago.

Directions:

Cut the egg cartons into 12 pieces
Paint each piece green
glue onto the white card stock
sprinkle with glitter
cut the brown cardstock into a trunk as shown
and attach star and ribbons






Twelve Days of Boots Giveway! Country Outfitters & Pioneer Woman

Hey y'all, Just wanted to share the Pioneer Woman's Christmas boots give away. She is giving away a pair of boots every day for the next 12 days. This is an amazing giveaway. The boots are to die for. Here is the entry for today's drawing. Like, Share, Comment with your boot size to enter!



Lucchese Seagreen Madras Mad Dog Boots from Country Outfitter.



Good Luck and Happy Christmas!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Thank God for Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe Ideas

Are you wondering what to do with all your left over turkey or ham, here are a few recipes I came up with so you don't waste the food. My husband ate the first one all gone before I was able to take a picture. I made the 2nd one tonight, so I will upload a picture later on. The third one will be for tomorrow night.

Ham, Potato, Green Bean Casserole (HUBBY APPROVED)

Cut up left over ham
1 box of Au gratin or cheesy scalloped potatoes or make homemade with thin sliced potatoes, milk and cheese.
Use left over green beans or open up a new can (drain)
shredded cheddar cheese
 Mix it all together
salt and pepper to taste
Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes, longer if you used real potatoes.


Baked Ham Alfredo Ziti  (HUBBY APPROVED)


Cut up left over ham
1 box of Ziti pasta
1 jar of Alfredo sauce or make your own with cream cheese, heavy cream and garlic
4oz of cream cheese
1/4 cup of milk
2 tsp of butter
1 bag of broccoli florets
salt, pepper, garlic, oregano
Panko bread crumbs

Cook pasta as directed on box
Cut up left over ham
Spray baking dish with butter
Drain Pasta into baking dish, add ham, butter and broccoli
In a saucepan, heat Alfredo sauce, milk, cream cheese together until blended add pepper and garlic.
Pour sauce over noodle ham mixture and mix well
sprinkle panko crumbs on top for a crunchy texture
Cook on 350 for 30 minutes until bubbly and bread crumbs are toasted.

 Cornbread Turkey Casserole

Cut up leftover turkey into pieces
1 box of jiffy cornbread mix
1 can of cream of celery
1 cup of milk
1 can of corn  drained or left over corn
1 can of carrots drained  or leftover carrots
1 can of peas drained or leftover peas
2 tsp of butter
1tsp of honey
1 tsp of onion powder or chop up a little onion (saute first in butter)
salt, pepper and garlic
Preheat oven to 400
Bake 20-25 minutes

Spray butter the pan
Mix turkey, cream of celery, milk, butter, cans of veggies, salt, pepper, onion powder or onion, garlic together and add to pan.
In a separate bowl make the jiffy cornbread mix according to the box, add 1 tsp of honey and then pour on top of turkey/veggie mixture and bake in oven until cornbread is brown and no longer jiggly.

For tonight's meal I didn't have peas or carrots so I used corn and broccoli. I also added some leftover corn pudding in the mix. And I didn't use the whole can of corn, I reserved about 1/4 of the can and added it to the cornbread mix. UPDATE: Hubby ate it all but didn't like it as much as last night's dinner. It was a little sweet for me, I think the corn pudding made it too sweet, I probably should have omitted the honey.





Monday, December 2, 2013

Save Time and the Day with this Pumpkin Cheesecake Cheat!!!!

So after many raves about my mini pumpkin cheesecakes, I must finally admit my secret.  I am a cheater. LOL I didn't have time to pull off a real cheesecake for our big day, and since everyone loved it and wanted the recipe I just decided to go easy once again for the big cake for turkey day!

Step 1 purchase a Jello plain no bake cheesecake .
Step 2 purchase a can of libby's real pumpkin puree (NOT FILLING)
Step 3 Assemble the crust as the directions say on the box but add a few sprinkles of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon.
Step 4 Assemble/Blend the no bake cheesecake as directions on box say then add 1-2 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice to filling mixture.
Step 5 pour mixture on top of graham cracker crust
Step 6 take a few tablespoons of the pumpkin puree and use a knife to swirl into the filling mix.
Step 7: place in fridge I recommend overnight

The first time I made these with cupcake liners that I sprayed with butter spray. Then used whipped cream on top and sprinkled pumpkin pie spice as decoration. After a while the whip cream melted, so I will suggest to use cream cheese icing instead. I just didn't want anything heavy on them, luckily most people ate them right away. lol

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Baked White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake French Toast

We go to church every Sunday and our church starts early at 9am, so Saturday evening I made this baked raspberry cheesecake french toast and put it in the fridge to soak overnight. Then popped her in the oven Sunday early morning for about 50 minutes and Viola we have breakfast before church... :-)

Raspberry White Chocolate French Toast

Recipe, I used a smaller pan, but double the recipe for 9x13 pan
6-8 slices of bread
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons of sugar (white)
1 tsp of vanilla
1-1/2 cup of half and half (you can use milk)
1 cup of raspberries
2 tablespoons of butter
1/4 cup of brown sugar
3 oz of cream cheese
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
Half (4 squares) of white chocolate bakers bar

- Cut the bread in cubes
- butter than pan you use either with spray butter or real butter
- Mix/beat the eggs, white sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, half and half or milk
- cut cream cheese in small pieces and put in bread mixture all over.
- pour liquid mixture over the cubed bread
- add raspberries, mix lightly
- cover with foil and put in fridge overnight
Preheat oven to 350
- remove pan from fridge, uncover and cut butter on top all over ans sprinkle brown sugar on top.
- put pan with foil in oven for 45-50 minutes.
- when you are closer to the 45 minutes put white chocolate baker squares in a ziploc bag and place in microwave for 45 seconds, stopping every 15 seconds to turn and squeeze bag until it is all melted. cut the end off one edge of the ziploc bag.
-remove french toast from oven and drizzle white chocolate on top. 
You can place the pan back in the oven if the french toast is too jiggly for you. It will depend on the type of pan you use and your oven. I believe I baked mine a little over an hour but I like mine firmer.

Happy December! Enjoy this blessing!






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Friday, November 29, 2013

Thanksgiving Desserts for your holiday dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! This year I will be spending my turkey day a little different, but let me explain... I am only cooking a few things, WHAT!!!! Did she say only a few things??? YES MA'AM! Well I usually do everything myself but this year my husband's family is making this a joint\family effort. So since I am the cookie queen, I get desserts, cranberry sauce and I made some apple cranberry stuffing...

Cookie #1 are my magical chocolate chip cookies


Recipe for about 2 dozen depending on size
Preheat oven to 350
2 and 1/4 cups of flour
1 teaspon of baking powder
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 box of vanilla pudding dry
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of soften not melted butter
2 eggs
2 cups of milk chocolate chips

Mix all dry ingredients first (flour, baking powder, sugar, packaged dry pudding) in one bowl.

 

Beat eggs, butter, vanilla together in another bowl
combine the wet bowl with the dry bowl until dough forms.
add chocolate chips and mix by hand just a few times until it looks like below


Bake on 350 for 10-12 minutes, the edges will start to turn light brown. Do not over bake.


Cookie #2 White chocolate cranberry cookies

Recipe for about 2 dozen depending on size
Preheat oven to 350
2 and 1/4 cups of flour
1 teaspon of baking powder
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 box of vanilla pudding dry
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of soften not melted butter
2 eggs
2 cups of white baking chips
1 cup of craisins or dehydrated cranberries.

Mix all dry ingredients first (flour, baking powder, sugar, packaged dry pudding) in one bowl.
Beat eggs, butter, vanilla together in another bowl
combine the wet bowl with the dry bowl until dough forms.
add white chocolate chips and craisins and mix by hand just a few times until it looks like below

Bake on 350 for 10-12 minutes, the edges will start to turn light brown. Do not over bake.



Cookie #3 Pumpkin Caramel Cookies 


1/2 cup baking butter, room temperature
1 + 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 + 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons + 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/8 pumpkin spice
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (14 ounce) bag Kraft Caramels

 In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and 1 cup sugar together for about 2-3 minutes. Add the pumpkin and vanilla mix by hand until it looks like above.

In a small bowl whisk together the flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, pumpkin spice, ginger, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to the sugar mixture just until combined. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes scoop up very slightly rounded tablespoons of the dough, stick a caramel in the center and roll into a ball (TIP COVER YOUR HANDS IN FLOUR SO THE DOUGH MIXTURE DOESN'T STICK TO YOUR HANDS). Set on one of the parchment lined cookie sheets please do not let them touch each other. Repeat until all the cookie dough is used up. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

After 2 hours preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 2 tablespoons cinnamon in a wide, shallow bowl. Roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar and bake 2 inches apart for 14 minutes.

line them up on parchment paper at least 2 inches apart, I also used spray butter on the parchment paper.



Bake for about 12-14 minutes at 350, do not over bake.





I will post some more holiday recipes later on. :-) Hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

DIY Party Favor Ideas & Flower Girl Basket

I've been quite a little busy bee lately working on several projects. I wanted to share a few of those things with you.

I made these for party favors, they can be used for engagement parties, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, etc. They were very inexpensive to create. I bought the mints in bulk at Sams Club for $8.00 for 24.  I bought the paper and flowers at Michaels for less than $4.00 (big sale and coupons).  I already purchased the burlap type yarn at Walmart. I created the wording in MS Word and printed on regular white card stock and cut.




-Cut the paper to the size of the wrapper of the mints leaving some of the silver showing. Cut it about 3.5 inches long
-roll the paper around the mint securing it with craft glue
-wrap the burlap style yard around the mint holding it with a tie/knot
-use a hole punch and put a hole in the top corner of the white cardstock printed saying and place the burlap yarn through the hole.
- create a bow as you were tying your shoes
-glue the paper flower on with craft bond glue and your all set.



The next project I worked on was Flower Seed Packets. I cut the paper a little bigger than the actual seed packet. I scored big on the seeds, picking them up at the dollar tree for 10 cents each. Then I folded the paper twice, I folded the bottom up almost covering the whole packet then folded the upper half. I punched a hole through both folds and tied it up with burlap ribbon/yarn. I printed out a cute saying and cut them out to fit on the seed packet.


The next project was a flower girl basket. I had a little basket, then I hot glued the blue ribbon around the handle, I cut pieces of white tulle then I hot glued the pieces of tulle all around the basket making it look like a tutu then covered the ends of the tulle with orange ribbon. I also have orange flower petals in the basket.



Monday, November 4, 2013

Fall back Monday with Blacklist, Corn Dog and Strawberry Cheesecake...

Fall back Monday was quite a boring day at work, I pretty much counted the minutes until I was heading home. It was really cold and windy today. I guess that's why I couldn't wait to go home and snuggle up with my better half.  Not to mention one extra hour yesterday means driving home from work when its dark. WAAA WAAA.

I've never been much of a TV buff but tonight a new Blacklist comes on. I have to say I am quite addicted to this show. I LOVE JAMES SPADER and his character Red Reddington... He is superb in this show and definitely keeps me guessing. I do believe he will end up being Elizabeth Keene's father. Just a wild guess because he acts like a father figure and seems to know very much about her and her childhood.

So here I am sitting at home eating a state fair corn dog and strawberry cheesecake (recipe below), there went my diet... I will pretty much tell you running on the treadmill just went out the window. haha!

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe: 

For the crust or purchase a graham cracker pre-made pie crust
1 package of graham crackers
4 tablespoons of melted butter
2 tablespoon of sugar

For the Cheesecake:

1 pound of cream cheese
1/2 cup of heavy cream
1 tsp of vanilla
1/2 cup of powered sugar

Strawberry Topping:

1 pound fresh (washed and cut) or frozen strawberries
1/4 cup of sugar
1 pkg of gelatin can be strawberry or plain
1 tsp of vanilla
4 tablespoons of water (if you need to add more water, just make sure to have cornstarch on hand to thicken the sauce)

Prepare the crust:
Use a blender or food processor and grind the crackers up into a fine powder, add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, then push mixture using your fingers or a spoon into a 8 or 9 inch pie plate. The slides should slightly come up.

Prepare the topping:
In a sauce pan combine strawberries, sugar and 2 tablespoons of water and cook over medium to low heat until soft. sprinkle gelatin and add remaining water. Whisk the gelatin until smooth then sit pot to side of stove to cool.

Prepare the cheesecake:
 Mix the cream cheese, sugar, heavy cream on low to medium until smooth. Add vanilla and mix a few more seconds.

Final Steps:
Pour the cheesecake mixture into the graham cracker crust pan. Let it sit for an 1-2 hours then pour chilled strawberry topping on top and return to fridge for 1-2 hours (best over night)

Slice and Serve!!!!



Saturday, November 2, 2013

Crazy Weather, Shepherds Pie and Happy Friday!

First of all it from freezing cold to 80 pretty much over night and I can't say I am terribly unhappy about that, it surely was nice to go trick n treating in warm weather. I can't say my owl or hubby was thrilled about the warm up. She was a cat wearing a velvet long sleeve dress with hood and boas and he was Garfield.  I think they both enjoyed their costumes better the previous weekend when it was 60. They were both good sports and we had a blast last night.  Unfortunately the warm weather is not here to stay, cold front coming in tonight and tomorrow we are back in the 60's.  boo-hoo!

So I have the left over chili and a 10 pound bag of red potatoes I desperately need to use.  I figured I would combine the two, for tonight's dinner.  So you ask WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Shepherds Pie


So here is what you'll need:

Left over chili
1 can of corn drained
1 can of peas or lima beans drained
1 can of carrots drained
baking dish
potatoes peeled and diced
water
salt
butter
garlic
cheese if desired

First boil the water and salt on the stove in a pot
add peeled and diced potatoes and cook until tender/soft
drain the potatoes
add a few teaspoons of butter & garlic & cheese if desired to pot, add cooked potatoes and MASH!!!
Butter or spray butter a baking dish (glass or metal)
Add chili and all drained canned veggies to greased pan
top with mash potaotes
and baked on 350 for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are browned.








Monday, October 28, 2013

Pumpkin all the way!!! Seeds and Pie... OH MY!

I love to call this time of year the Pumpkin Saga, because everything we see, do or make is PUMPKIN! lol This weekend was no different, we carved our pumpkin and roasted the pumpkin seeds. I usually make my pumpkin seeds sweet, this year I thought I would try spicy. They are pretty good, a little salty for me, but Hubby loved them.

Items you will need:

Pumpkin Seeds
Olive Oil (I just put some all over the pan lightly, approx 2-3 tablespoons)
Salt
Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Spicy Seasoned Salt (I got this at the dollar tree)
Garlic Powder approx 1tsp
Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Onion Powder approx 1 tsp

If you don't like salty, omit the salt and lightly sprinkle the spicy and lawry's seasoned salt. Yes I used all 3 salts!

No need to dry the pumpkin seeds or even rinse them, its ok to leave some pumpkin on them, more flavor... Just remove any big clumps or snotty pumpkin stuff before roasting. Then coat them in the olive oil and add the spices you want to achieve the taste you desire. 



Roast in oven on 300 for 45 minutes turning every 15 minutes


Next comes my super easy Pumpkin pie

Items Needed:

1 can of real Pumpkin pie puree
1 frozen pie crust
1 can of evaporated milk (15 oz can)
2 eggs
2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 to 1 teaspoons of ginger
1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice
1/2 cup of Brown sugar
1/2 cup of white sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Preheat oven to 400,  poke frozen pie crust with fork and bake in oven for 8-10 minutes, remove from oven. Mix the remaining ingredients (Add spices to your liking, if you want a more flavorful pie add more spices, pour pumpkin mixture into prebaked pie crust and bake pie on 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce oven to 350 and bake for 50-60 minutes. Center of pie will jiggle a little. Place a butter knife in center of pie and if knife comes out clean, pie is done. Remove from oven and allow to cool.  

They cut the pie before I could snap a photo, so here is a half pie picture!

I wanted to show you how thick the pie was.


Monday Craft Corner
 
 After all this baking yesterday, me and my owl decided to make a fall craft. I am so proud of her, she did such a great job on this one!

 
Items needed:
Paper plate
black, brown, yellow, white, orange and green construction paper or scrapbook paper
brown paint
black pen
leaves (I purchased these from dollar general for a buck but you can also make them out of paper.)

Step 1: Fold the paper plate on each side
Step 2: cut the top of the paper plate like a U shape or curve
Step 3: Paint the owl plate brown
Step 4: cut 2 white circles for eyes and draw eyeballs with pen
Step 5: cut big yellow circle for moon
Step 6: cut orange triangle for nose/beak
Step 7: cut tree branch out of brown construction paper
Step 8: cut two half moon shapes in green for the owl's feet
Step 9: then glue everything on the black paper like above