Gingerbread House made by NEWBIES......

Just an Update.... if you care to know...

Just a quick note to say, I've been busy with Christmas stuff. Wrapping presents, shopping (or in the other order actually) and I've been baking goodies, so that we might give some to friends and family. And partake of some of the yummy goodness ourselves as well. The girls have their last day of school till January today, and I'm trying to make sure that they don't run me ragged next week.

We've been able to attend some Christmas Assemblies at school, and Choir concerts that Kaylee has been in. Fun stuff. I have a mess in the kitchen left over from last night, because of the fudge, peanut clusters, toffee butter crunch (like almond roca), coconut bark, and my first batch of CARAMEL ever!! I think they turned out rather good!!

I have about 6 loads of laundry to fold, and somewhere I heard that each "Chore" should only take you 10 minutes to do. So if I take those 6 loads and times them by 10 I'll be busy at folding them for at least an hour, and then add on extra time, for putting them away. Plus all the interruptions from two lovely little boys, or all 5 lovelies if I don't get to it till after the girls are home, it'll take a little while. But as soon as it's done a lot of my stress will be GONE!!! But it's been neglected in large part because I've been working on our Christmas cards for this year. Nearly done with the cards, but I need more printer ink, so I can print of the letter to put inside our card. I also think I'll need to print more pictures. Who knows??? hm...

I don't know if I'll get to sewing all the pj bottoms for my kids this year or not. And honestly they won't be a surprise, because I've had Kaylee try her pair on, and I had to cut off ALOT!! But they work now. But hers are the only ones I've cut and sewn on. Yikes... better get going. Maybe during the day next week.

I've been sacrificing sleep these days, because I don't want to be up late next week at all... at least not busy wrapping presents. I want to sit and watch Christmas Movies. I need some relaxing time. I just feel bad that Chris still has to go to work. But at least I don't have to get up in the morning and worry about getting the kids out the door and into the car by a certain time. Geesh... that makes me tired and ready to go back to bed as soon as I'm back. It's almost as rough as getting them to bed.

Well now, I'm off to either take a nap, take a shower, fix some luscious hair for my head, run to the store, head to the school (later), work on Christmas cards, go buy more ink so I can finish the Christmas cards, Fold laundry, clean up my dishes from last night, start some laundry, fold more laundry, wrap some presents (except the boys are here, and could be a problem, might have to wait on that one), Go on a date with my husband tonight, get something ready for dinner for the little tykes, call a few friends, visit my last sister that I visit teach, call my sister.... and the list really can go on and on!! Have a great day!!

Baked Potato Soup

Okay so I posted this over on facebook, but I wanted to have it on my blog for safe keeping as well. Now my mind is churning for other possibilities of what I can do. I've got my wheels churning for how to improve another dish, I've loved to make, but it just isn't quite how I'd like it. But for your tasting pleasure try making this recipe... it is so GOOD!!!

6 large Red Potatoes
1 small onion diced
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup flour
2 cups of Chicken Broth
12 oz. Evaporated Milk
2 Tbsp Butter
1 1/2 tsp of Seasoning Salt (add more if you need to)
4 slices of Turkey Bacon
1/2 - 1 1/2 cups of cubed Turkey Ham
Green onions to garnish with
Steamed Broccoli to add on top

You can either use the oven or microwave to bake the 6 red potatoes that have been previously washed. When the potatoes are cooked set aside and let cool. (In the oven this could mean about 45 - 60 minutes with the oven at 450 degrees and in the microwave just squeeze in on the potato to test for doneness) Cut one potato in half and scoop out and slightly mash the insides, set aside. You'll need to dice up the rest of the potatoes that are left, and set aside.

While the potato cooks, get the rest of your ingredients ready and gathered. I boiled 2 cups of water in the kettle and then added about 2 tsp of granulated chicken bouillon, to make the broth. Dice up the onion and set aside. Cook up 4 - 5 slices of bacon (or less) I used a stone and baked them in the oven. But I also cooked a few pieces in the soup pot and removed. I then threw in the diced onion and cooked it in the bacon "grease" (turkey bacon doesn't make a lot so butter is needed to help saute the onions, but I'm sure you can use olive oil as well). Cook the onions till they are transparent, then add the 2 - 3 cloves of minced garlic to the onion. Cook just until you can start to smell the cooked garlic. Add the flour and mix into the onion and garlic. But don't let it get too browned (it will proably turn brown naturally because of the bacon being cooked in the pan first). Then slowly add the chicken broth and the evaporated milk. Add the smashed potato you set aside earlier and mix into the soup. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for about 5 minutes add the diced potatoes and the cubed ham, if desired.
Mix into the soupy mixture and make sure all of the potatoes and ham get well coated. Cook till heated through all the way. Maybe 5 - 10 minutes. (could be longer though)
Cut up the bacon, or break apart into small little pieces. While all the soup is cooking, steam some broccoli if you desire to have it on top when you eat the soup. Cut up green onions and add to the top as a garnish, and the bacon that you have cut up as well. Serve Hot/Warm.

Makes about 4 - 6 servings (Depends on who's eating.) We have 2 adults and 5 kids, and some of the kids don't eat a lot.

I didn't come up with this solely on my own, I did find the basic recipe but tweaked a few things to make it my own. Hope you like it!!

My New Chicken Chili .....

I was busy this evening and had to go and look at a possible new dryer for us, and wanted to have something yummy to eat when I got home. So I sort of just came up with this....

so I'm taking name suggestions now...

4 16 oz cans of Great Northern Beans
1 16 oz. can of Black beans
1-3 cans of green chili's (depending on how HOT you want it)
1 12 oz can of chicken
1 onion chopped and sauted
1 19oz can of Enchilada sauce

I added all these ingredients to the crock pot and placed on Hi for about 2 hours.

In addition to the above when I dished it into my bowl I added some shredded cheese and a little sour cream. Or omit it and have a healthier chili.

I also will add a can of corn next time, and will probably make some rice to add to it.
You could also eat it with corn chips. Just be creative.
I also think I'd add it to a tortilla shell and add the cheese and rice, that might be good too. So are you totally salivating now and want to run and make this? If you do... give me your feedback.

So I thought I'd just share this with you. It's way YUMMY!!!

Yummy Pudding back in Nov 2008

Okay so I've been really busy putting "templates or sketches" together. You know the kind you can just throw your digital papers onto and just fit the spot you want so you don't have to "create" it everytime. Well, if you've never digitally scrapbooked.... well you might not have a clue what I'm talking about....the important thing to remember... I've put together over 40 of these two page layouts that can be used over and over. My inspiration has come from the books that Close to my heart sells. Because only heaven knows I'm not THAT creative with the whole layout. But I decided to take a "break" from building the templates (sketches) and actually throw a page together. This was so fun.




Credits:
Papers -- I got from this blog --- LetMeScrapbook.blogspot.com Elements -- (The mini note and staples) I got from Coreen Silke And the fun brads -- From an element kit by JBaechtold

Random Friday

It's been a while since I've done a Random Friday....

A DREAMY AMBITION OF MINE --
A dream I've always had was to write a novel someday. I've always had ideas, and thoughts about what to do, but really haven't ever put anything on paper. Well, that's all changed now. I've started putting words to paper, or rather typing to screen and forming words and thoughts, and feel like I'm on my way to really getting the book finished. Might not be anytime soon. But at least I've started. And in order to "finish" one must actually "start", right?

SLEEP IS A MUCH NEEDED COMMODITY THAT IS ALMOST EXTINCT ---
I've also had some time the last few days to get caught up on some much needed sleep, and have spent time with my kids playing at the park, and watching them have a water fight, while I waited safely in the house to avoid getting wet also. But don't think I'm a wuss either. Because sometimes I'm getting just as wet as they are and totally LOVE it. Today just wasn't that time.


SCHOOL DURING THE SUMMER @ HOME. ----
I'm going to start next week doing school with my kids. They are in essence going to have spelling words to work on, math worksheet(s), they'll have journal time, and then they will have reading time as well. And I'll try to fit in some " arts and crafts" and maybe even some science stuff. I guess you could say I just might do the "homeschooling" thing for the summer. Even T-man will have things to do to. Like working on ABC flashcards, learning to write his name, and practicing writing all the letters and numbers. He'll also have reading time to, but mainly it'll be mom reading to him and Ethan. This should be lots of fun, and I don't want the kids to get bored, but I guess you never know because they are kids.


BEJEWELED BLITZ on FACEBOOK ---
I think it's a healthy addiction!! NUF SAID!!

FAMILY GET TOGETHERS --- Are great but only when there isn't a lot of STRESS, CONFUSION, and LAST MINUTE changes that take place. And while doing the event, everyone needs to watch out for thier kids, and try not to be irritated with anyone, or for any reason. The best way to pull of a HUGE FAMILY GET TOGETHER is with a plan. A very well thought out plan, one in which :

1. The Day
2. The Place
3. The Reason
4. The Time
5. For Who
6. What Food if any
7. What Activities if any
8. What to wear

Are decided as far in advance as possible. Keep the food simple, keep the location neutral, and preferrably somewhere already familiar with everyone, access to bathrooms, and lots of room for kids to run around and be crazy. And when planning said event, have as few people as possible actually "planning" it, so that confusion can be avoided. You need to plan a time, when as many people as possible would be able to make it, and avoid getting together "outside" in the middle of the hot day. Now as far as food goes, is the get together really about the food?? Or is it just because everyone is meeting around the time of a meal, but what is really important is the togetherness and time being spent with each other?? Keep the food simple, finger foods are great, and food that is inexpensive for those on a limited budget is good. I've also discovered that everyone can help out with the food "assignments". Because everyone eats, and wants to eat, they can help bring something, especially if you don't spring it on the last minute. So since summer time is coming and I know "parties" are going to take place, just keep this in mind as you plan. But I'm also wondering if you have ideas for what goes well for the "menu" of large get togethers. I can always use new ideas...

What's for dinner?

Ever wonder what's for dinner?? So do I. I've tried to do a menu thing in the past but never seemed to find a system that quite worked for me. So now, I'm plugging away at a new system and will see how this works for us. Granted I know things will change, and that's okay -- I take change well. Sometimes. But here is my plan.

I got this idea from my friend who in turn got it from this lady. Where has this been my whole life??? I'm finding myself starting to get an actual routine going, whereas before I didn't really have one. My kids are starting to get to bed at 8pm instead of just starting at 10pm because of whatever REASON!!! They aren't snacking as much because I am being more aware and actually have "scheduled" snacks in addition to mealtimes. I've been doing a lot of baking lately. So all the "bread" items listed below I make by hand, and from scratch. I've finally mastered a roll recipe that I LOVE!!!

My kids love it, my husband loves it,

and everybody cries for more!!

I now find myself trying to schedule the afternoon part of my day so that I can have dinner ready and on the table by 5pm (okay so sometimes it's more like 5:30) so that we can eat and the kids can help with chores, or finish homework, or PLAY if they get LUCKY!!! My main goal for this year is to become ORGANIZED. I was okay before I had a husband, and then the kids!! So now I'm trying to handle this whole household on my lacking knowledge and we've been suffering. But -- what I'm looking for is a MIRACLE by the end of this year. And it's more prudent now, because of the loss of hours which means less money. So I'll have to see if I can even work this plan on the limited funds that we'll get now. But .... at least this is a start.

So I know that a lot of my friends actually have themselves on top of everything, how do you "decide" what's for dinner. What works for you???