New layout- My life...

This layout is for a challenge in the journaling class at Note~able. I specifically picked this photo of me to show that I rarely have time to do my hair or make up and am usually carrying Ellie around. But I completely forgot to write that in my journaling...oops!! Anyhow, this was a fun page to do and will be interesting to look back on in years to come. Most of the products here came from the Note~able store.

Hope you are having a great day!!

Menu Plan Monday

A fairly easy menu this week as usual. I do have a couple of non crock pot meals planned so hopefully I will find time to make them. I might do the prep work during naptime so it will be easier once dinner comes around. :)

Monday- Pasta (just regular old pasta and a jar of sauce), stuffed pizza bread sticks (I will use my pizza dough recipe ).
Tuesday-Porcupine meatballs, green beans
Wednesday-Crock pot Taco style lentils and rice made into smothered burritos (covered in enchilada sauce.) These lentils are so easy, tasty and healthy! Definitely a no meat favorite for us. I need to remember to take a picture this time since we eat this about every other week!
Thursday- Crock pot BBQ ribs (just some ribs with BBQ sauce on top), corn, potatoes and Easy Cheesy rolls (you must try these! Sooooo yummy!!).
Friday & Saturday- My parents will be here and we haven't decided what to make yet. :)
Sunday- Crock pot easy roast 2, mashed potatoes and peas

For more great menu ideas, check out www.orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday

A fairly easy menu this week as usual. I do have a couple of non crock pot meals planned so hopefully I will find time to make them. I might do the prep work during naptime so it will be easier once dinner comes around. :)

Monday- Pasta (just regular old pasta and a jar of sauce), stuffed pizza bread sticks (I will use my pizza dough recipe ).
Tuesday-Porcupine meatballs, green beans
Wednesday-Crock pot Taco style lentils and rice made into smothered burritos (covered in enchilada sauce.) These lentils are so easy, tasty and healthy! Definitely a no meat favorite for us. I need to remember to take a picture this time since we eat this about every other week!
Thursday- Crock pot BBQ ribs (just some ribs with BBQ sauce on top), corn, potatoes and Easy Cheesy rolls (you must try these! Sooooo yummy!!).
Friday & Saturday- My parents will be here and we haven't decided what to make yet. :)
Sunday- Crock pot easy roast 2, mashed potatoes and peas

For more great menu ideas, check out www.orgjunkie.com

Crock pot roasts

I have three CP roast recipes that are super easy and yummy. I will share all of them with you (I don't have any photos, though. Sorry!) I usually buy a couple of roasts when they go on sale, cut them in half and freeze them. Then I toss in a small roast early in the day while it is still frozen and add the other ingredients. If it's a larger roast, I might start it on high for an hour or two. This just makes things easier for me to get dinner made and it works for us. :)

Crock Pot - Easy roast 1
Any beef roast or stew meat
1 envelope onion soup mix
Can of diced tomatoes
Directions:
Cook all day on low and serve over rice.
(This is really good leftover in enchiladas.)

Crock Pot-Easy roast 2
Beef roast
Package onion soup mix
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
Directions:
Cook all day on low and serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Crock Pot- Easy Roast 3
Beef roast
½ cup flour
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 can ginger ale
Directions: Coat roast with flour. Combine the other ingredients with the remaining flour and pour over the roast. Cook in crockpot all day on low. Serve with potatoes or rice.

Easy Cheesy Rolls

You must try these!!! Sooo good! I can see so many variations of this recipe. I am going to make a pizza version tonight using my pizza dough recipe. I also plan on creating a new post about making pizza dough...it is fast and easy.

Easy Cheesy Rolls
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 pkg. Pillsbury Grands Biscuits

Directions:
In a bowl, combine melted butter, parmesan cheese, dried basil, and garlic powder. Mix shredded cheeses in a separate bowl. Remove biscuits from can and separate into individual biscuits. Flatten each biscuit slightly and put some cheese in the center of each biscuit and fold the dough around the cheese to form a ball. Pinch the dough together to seal the cheese inside. Roll each ball of dough in the melted butter mixture and place on a baking sheet. Spoon any leftover butter on top of the rolls on the baking sheet, Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes until rolls are golden brown. (Took about 15 minutes in my oven.) Makes 8 rolls.

I got this recipe from Real Mom Kitchen who got it from the World Wide Ward cookbook from Darleen Capson in South Windsor, Connecticut. :)

New sketch challenge and layout

I posted a new sketch challenge and layout over on the Note~able message board. I hope you'll join me and create a layout using this sketch. Please share if you do!!

Crafty time with the little ones

Joshua and Abby love when I pull out things for them to be crafty. I wonder where they get that from??? :)

Recently, we were on a finger puppet kick...I made the finger puppets (following their directions) and they put on shows. The newest sets are the three little pigs and the big bad wolf and a set of five baby ducks and their mommy. (I also have a stack of monkeys that still need to be finished!) Here they are putting on a show- (I didn't make the big puppets Abby is using.)

Sometimes they like to use paints, glue, glitter, crayons, etc. Yesterday, we punched a bunch of shapes out of some construction paper and they went to town with a glue stick. THIS, my friends, is when I try to bust out a scrapbook page! LOL The baby was napping and the munchkins were happily creating. And I finished one page for Sketchapalooza. (My desk is right next to where they are working.) Anyhow...here they are.

And here is their new art display area. The amount of papers on the fridge was getting out of control. They have to pick and choose what to display now.

Here's to being crafty! Happy Friday!!

Menu Plan Monday

I've gotta have a plan and it's gotta be easy. :)
Monday- Homemade beefaroni, corn
Tuesday- CP Split pea soup (not sure what recipe yet), easy cheesy rolls (never made these last week)
Wednesday- CP Sesame Pork Ribs, rice, egg rolls
Thursday- CP Mexican chicken soup
Friday- CP Italian chicken (just chicken with some Italian dressing in the crock pot), a veggie and rice
Saturday-CP taco chicken (just chicken cooked with some taco seasoning and a little water(or salsa) then shredded-will probably make burritos
Sunday- CP Magic meatloaf (new recipe), mashed potatoes, gravy, garlic peas

Menu Plan Monday

I've gotta have a plan and it's gotta be easy. :)
Monday- Homemade beefaroni, corn
Tuesday- CP Split pea soup (not sure what recipe yet), easy cheesy rolls (never made these last week)
Wednesday- CP Sesame Pork Ribs, rice, egg rolls
Thursday- CP Mexican chicken soup
Friday- CP Italian chicken (just chicken with some Italian dressing in the crock pot), a veggie and rice
Saturday-CP taco chicken (just chicken cooked with some taco seasoning and a little water(or salsa) then shredded-will probably make burritos
Sunday- CP Magic meatloaf (new recipe), mashed potatoes, gravy, garlic peas

Crock Pot Sesame Pork Ribs

CP Sesame Pork Ribs

1 medium onion, sliced (I chopped mine)
¾ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup soy sauce
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup honey
2 TBS cider (or white) vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground ginger
¼-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (I left this out)
Country style pork ribs
Sesame seeds
Chopped green onions

Directions: Combine everything except for the ribs, sesame seeds and green onions in the crock pot. Put ribs in the slow cooker and pour sauce on top. Cover and cook all day on low. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and green onions for garnish. Serve with rice and a veggie (I threw some baby carrots in to cook in the sauce.)

Layouts and how-to

I posted an easy little how-to on the Feeling Scrappy blog this weekend. You can see it here-http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/

Here are some layouts I have to share with you. This one was for the first challenge in the Noteable journaling class.


I did both of the following ones at the same time since I already had all the papers out. I also used a similar design for both which helped me get these done quickly.
The first one is for Joshua's album and the second is for Abby's.

Guest Designer Call at Note~able!

Here's the information from the message board...I hope you all check it out and apply!!

Note~able is looking for a guest designer to work with products from our December kit! We are looking for a fun easy going person who loves journaling and title products. If this is you then you must apply!

To enter please send a link to your gallery and 3 of your favorite projects featuring journaling products to noteablekit@yahoo.com. Please keep your pic sizes under 600 pixels. Please send your emails by 11:59 p.m. on October 31.

Designer will be chosen and notified soon after. You will receive products in our December kit to create with and you will be featured on the blog for December. You will also receive other supplemental products to create with as well since we are not a traditional kit. You must create 2 or more projects with atleast one being a layout. Further instructions will be given on a time frame but you will have atleast 2 weeks to complete your work. Due to timeframe of shipping we are accepting on U.S. residents at this time.

Good luck!

What am I working on??

Any guesses as to what I am working on?

Here's a hint...it's something fun that's coming up soon!!!

Anyone? (Bueller???)

Ok, ok, I'll tell you.








Are you sure you want to know???









Sketchapalooza layouts!! The designers have created some fabulous sketches and I have been itching to dive back into scrapping (I've done a little bit, but not much in the last two months!). The picture shows what I pulled out to work on my first page for the class. (I also added paint and glitter after I took the picture.) I finished the layout last night and can't wait to share it during Sketchapalooza!!

Read about the class and sign up here- http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/search/label/Classes

It starts October 26th so start organizing your photos and prepare for a month of scrapping!!!

Menu Plan Monday

While I forgot to post last week, we still ended up having mostly crock pot/easy meals...just like we will this week! It really helps me to have a plan (whether I stick to it or not). Here's the plan for the week-

Monday- Crock Pot Taco Style Lentils and Rice (Easy and yummy. We use it as a filling for burritos and add cheese, sour cream, etc.)

Tuesday- Crock Pot Downhome Chicken and Noodles (new recipe...I will share later in the week if we like it.), Garlic Peas

Wednesday- Lasagna Soup (I plan on making just half a recipe...we had it a few weeks ago and it was yummy!), Easy Cheesy Rolls

Thursday- Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken (This is a yummy freezer meal you bake in the oven...but I am going to see how it turns out in the crock pot.), broccoli, rice

Friday- Crock Pot Carribean Black Bean Soup (new recipe) homemade French Bread (takes a little time but soooo good!! I made two loaves over the weekend so I have some in the freezer.)

Saturday- Crock Pot Magnificent Meatballs (first time trying this), rice, green beans

Sunday- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili, rice, maybe some cornbread

Visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ for lots of menu ideas!

**Scrapbookers, don't forget about my sketch challenge on http://www.noteablekit.com/forums/index.php See an earlier post for the sketch!

Menu Plan Monday

While I forgot to post last week, we still ended up having mostly crock pot/easy meals...just like we will this week! It really helps me to have a plan (whether I stick to it or not). Here's the plan for the week-

Monday- Crock Pot Taco Style Lentils and Rice (Easy and yummy. We use it as a filling for burritos and add cheese, sour cream, etc.)

Tuesday- Crock Pot Downhome Chicken and Noodles (new recipe...I will share later in the week if we like it.), Garlic Peas

Wednesday- Lasagna Soup (I plan on making just half a recipe...we had it a few weeks ago and it was yummy!), Easy Cheesy Rolls

Thursday- Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken (This is a yummy freezer meal you bake in the oven...but I am going to see how it turns out in the crock pot.), broccoli, rice

Friday- Crock Pot Carribean Black Bean Soup (new recipe) homemade French Bread (takes a little time but soooo good!! I made two loaves over the weekend so I have some in the freezer.)

Saturday- Crock Pot Magnificent Meatballs (first time trying this), rice, green beans

Sunday- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili, rice, maybe some cornbread

Visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ for lots of menu ideas!

**Scrapbookers, don't forget about my sketch challenge on http://www.noteablekit.com/forums/index.php See an earlier post for the sketch!

Cranberry Chicken-Freezer Meal

This is really tasty and sooo easy!

Cranberry Chicken –FREEZER MEAL

1- 8 oz. Fat Free French Dressing
1- 8 Oz. can cranberry sauce
1 package – Dried Onion Soup Mix
4 Boneless Chicken Breasts

To freeze: Dump all ingredients into 1 gallon Ziploc freezer bag. Lay flat in freezer.
To cook: Defrost in fridge overnight. Mix all ingredients in a 13 x 9 glass pan. Cover with tin foil. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Stir and serve over rice or noodles.

Note-I tried cooking this in the crockpot and it still turned out yummy!

French Bread

I love to bake bread and I have several yummy recipes. This is one I made for the first time over the weekend and will definitely make over and over. It takes a little more time and effort to make than most of my recipes but it was worth it. Plus, it makes two huge loaves of bread so I have some in the freezer for more meals (I cut the loaves in half and put them into freezer ziplock bags.) This tastes about the same as those loaves of French Bread you pick up fresh at the grocery store. I got the recipe from Real Mom Kitchen-thanks!!!

French Bread

2 ¼ cup warm water

2 Tbsp sugar

2 pkg. active dry yeast (I buy the jar kind so it was 4 1/2 tsp yeast)

1 Tbsp salt

2 Tbsp soft shortening or vegetable oil (I used canola)

6 cups flour

Directions:

In large mixer (I just do it in my kitchen aid with the dough hook), combine water and sugar then sprinkle with yeast. Allow to soften.

Add salt, oil, and half flour; mix well. Add remaining flour and mix. Leave mixer in dough.

Allow to rest 10 min. Stir dough down and allow to rest 10 min. Repeat until dough has been stirred dough 5 times. Turn dough on floured surface. Knead 2 or 3 times. Divide dough in 2.

Roll each dough into 9x13 inch rectangle. Roll from long side and pinch edges. Place on baking sheet with pam or cornmeal. Cover and allow to rise 30 min. With sharp knives cut 3 gashes at angle on top of dough. Bake 400 degrees for 30 min, check at 20 minutes (It took 25 minutes in my oven).

Layout and sketch class (Win it today!!)

Here's a layout I created for a blog post on Feeling Scrappy about using a crimper. (Nope, I haven't had much time to scrap...this was made before Ellie was born! LOL)

And while we are just finishing up Simplify the Season on Feeling Scrappy, I already have Sketchapalooza on my mind. If you haven't taken one of our sketch classes before, you should consider it! You get 20 brand new sketches with samples from the design team and more variations from all of the people in the class. It's a great way to catch up and get a lot of pages completed. It starts Oct. 26th and you can read about it and register here- http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com/search/label/Classes

Edited to add that you still have a couple of hours to leave a comment on Ella to win a spot for FREE in the class!!! Go now!!
http://www.ellapublishing.com/blog/ella/were-feeling-scrappy

Have a great Friday!!

Sketch challenge

Need some sketchy inspiration? Here's a new one I drew up for Note~able. If you use it, be sure to share! You can post your layout on the Note~able message board under challenges. (Or at least link it up in the comments here so I can see your take on it!) I hope to get to this sketch very soon but I haven't had a chance to scrap for a while. (edited to add layout)

Happy Thursday!