Saturday, November 24, 2012
New Fave Lipstick
I saw the commercial for L'Oreal's New Color Caresse Lipstick, and I loved the way it looked on the model. I went to the store and picked out a peachy-pink color that I thought I liked. However, I didn't, so I decided to try the color the model wears in the ads. It's called Blushing Sequin. I do love this lipstick in this color! It's one of those easy lipsticks that you can use more like a stain for everyday, or layer for night. My favorite way to wear it is over a balm, and I apply to the center of my bottom lip and smudge my lips together. The color is really pretty and sheer, and it comes in a really pretty gold tube!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Even Packing Paper Can Be Fun!
Even though we got to California in May, we are still unpacking stuff
here and there. Especially with a baby coming, everything is getting
un-boxed. Last week, I unpacked our bassinet which was wrapped in huge
sheets of packing paper. Then I got the idea to put the sheets on the
floor of our living room and make a little art area for our toddler. I
even drew a little road for her to drive her cars on. I gave her
crayons and stickers and let her go to town. It ended up being really
fun for the two of us to sit on the floor and play on the paper!
I love being creative like this and thinking out of the box. I think it's really good for kids to do things like this from time to time as well.
I love being creative like this and thinking out of the box. I think it's really good for kids to do things like this from time to time as well.
Love Chicken Pie
Growing up, my mom's chicken pie was one of my favorite dishes. I had never made it myself, assuming it was very labor intensive, but the other night I stumbled upon my own version that ended up being super simple, and tasted just like my mom's!
Here's my easy Chicken Pie recipe. It's a little unrefined, but you can get the gist:
Ingredients:
Fresh boneless chicken breasts or tenderloins
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Frozen Mixed Veggies (carrots, green beans, peas, and corn)
Salt & Pepper
Two Pie Crusts
Put chicken and Cream of Mushroom (along with 1 can of water, according to soup directions) into the crock pot, and cook on High until chicken is cooked through. You may need to stir the water and cream of mushroom soup to blend.
Take out chicken and add frozen veggies. Watch your amounts, because you want to have enough Cream of Mushroom to Chicken to Veggies. Allow the veggies to start cooking in the Soup as you dice the chicken. Return chicken to crock pot.
*If you have extra chicken, you can add another can of soup & can of water and more veggies for two batches, or you can set chicken aside for something else. I used the extra chicken for lunches and dinners for my toddler.
Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste and allow to cook until veggies are heated through.
Lay one pie crust in bottom of pie pan, and press in to fit it snugly. Pour in chicken/veggie mixture.
Lattice crust is easy! Roll out your second pie crust and using a pizza cutter, cut crust into strips. Lay strips across top of pie, half going one way and half going the other. Lift alternating strips to weave the lattice. Use excess dough around edges to fold and pinch and seal the crust. I used a fork for added seal.
Cook at 425ยบ for 30-45 minutes, until crust is golden brown. There ya go! Delicious!
Here's my easy Chicken Pie recipe. It's a little unrefined, but you can get the gist:
Ingredients:
Fresh boneless chicken breasts or tenderloins
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
Frozen Mixed Veggies (carrots, green beans, peas, and corn)
Salt & Pepper
Two Pie Crusts
Put chicken and Cream of Mushroom (along with 1 can of water, according to soup directions) into the crock pot, and cook on High until chicken is cooked through. You may need to stir the water and cream of mushroom soup to blend.
Take out chicken and add frozen veggies. Watch your amounts, because you want to have enough Cream of Mushroom to Chicken to Veggies. Allow the veggies to start cooking in the Soup as you dice the chicken. Return chicken to crock pot.
*If you have extra chicken, you can add another can of soup & can of water and more veggies for two batches, or you can set chicken aside for something else. I used the extra chicken for lunches and dinners for my toddler.
Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste and allow to cook until veggies are heated through.
Lay one pie crust in bottom of pie pan, and press in to fit it snugly. Pour in chicken/veggie mixture.
Lattice crust is easy! Roll out your second pie crust and using a pizza cutter, cut crust into strips. Lay strips across top of pie, half going one way and half going the other. Lift alternating strips to weave the lattice. Use excess dough around edges to fold and pinch and seal the crust. I used a fork for added seal.
Cook at 425ยบ for 30-45 minutes, until crust is golden brown. There ya go! Delicious!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Christmas Cheer - McKenna's First DIY Ornament
This project happened by accident. I had all of my craft stuff out last night, and my toddler comes over. She LOVES balls right now, so when she saw the little pompoms and the Christmas balls, she immediately wanted them. Not really thinking, I gave her a plastic globe and set her loose with the pompoms. McKenna started stuffing the pompoms inside the globe, and as she went, I realized it was becoming a really cute little Christmas ornament! Not only that, but it kept her busy for probably an hour or so. When she was done, I returned the hanging cap to the top, write her name and year on the globe with tacky glue and glitter, and when that was dry I added a pink bow. I think this will be a yearly tradition now, and might make great gifts for grandparents if we make more!
Christmas Cheer - Eclectic Christmas Balls
Pinterest has given me a lot of ideas for DIY Christmas decorations. With my supplies I got at Michaels yesterday, I went a little crazy last night trying out some of those ideas, and some of my own. I got plastic and glass hanging balls. I think plastic works for some ideas, and glass is better for others.
This ornament is a large plastic ball, and I simply put some littler sparkly balls (two different sizes) inside. I tied some wire and a velvet bow to the top, and there you go.
These are really fun to do! I got the idea from Pinterest. This is a small glass ball. I sprayed adhesive into the ball very liberally and spread it around so it coated the entire inside of the ball. Then I poured glitter inside and swirled the ball until the glitter was evenly distributed. I dumped out the excess glitter, twisted some wire to the top, and that was it!
I got this idea from Pinterest too. This is a medium plastic ball. I put a glob of tacky glue on the bottom of the little tree, and using long tweezers, I placed the tree inside, attaching it to the bottom of the globe. I then dropped in some fake snow and white iridescent glitter. I found a cork that fit, and added wire and a ribbon. I love this one!
Christmas Cheer - Front Door Hanging
Now that Halloween is over, I immediately want to press on to Christmas decorations. Maybe it's because we're expecting baby #2 within days of Christmas, and I want to start early, or maybe it's because Starbucks had their Christmas drinks out already, but whatever it is, I spent over $70 yesterday at Michaels on Christmas craft supplies. The first decoration I made was a monogram door hanging for our front door. I already had the big G, the spray adhesive, glitter, and ribbon, so all I bought for this was the plastic greens & berries, which were $1.
This project was really easy. I sprayed the wooden G with spray adhesive, and covered completely in glitter. When dry, I arranged the greens & berries, tied the ribbon in a knot around the top of the G & the greens, and then tied another knot to the hook on my door, and made a bow. All for a dollar plus what I already had. Voila!
Labels:
art,
christmas,
crafts,
decorations,
easy,
projects,
saving money
Paula Dean's Peach Cobbler
I have made this peach cobbler now a few times, and not only is it delicious, but it's pretty darn easy! It's really good right out of the oven with vanilla ice cream. Find the recipe here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peach-cobbler-recipe/index.html
Make sure to use SELF RISING Flour, because it does make a difference!
Make sure to use SELF RISING Flour, because it does make a difference!
Labels:
dessert,
easy,
food,
Paula Dean,
Peach Cobbler
Playin' Hardball at the Dealership!
Before our first daughter was born, my good old Pathfinder finally drove its last mile and we went searching for the perfect family vehicle. My husband and I ended up at a dealership in Delaware and got a great deal on a gently used, fully loaded Lexus RX350. It was exciting for both of us, because neither one thought we'd be driving a Lexus, but the price was right and the need was there. The car was wonderful, did what we needed it to do. It even drove almost 3,000 miles from Pennsylvania to California for our move in May.
However, when we realized we were going to have to squeeze a second carseat into the back of my small SUV, we saw a need for more room. Not to mention the luxury automobile we had been able to enjoy was getting a little messy from our toddler's messes and spills. Once we were somewhat settled in California, I started researching larger SUVs online and looking around. We were also looking at the cost factor, and decided that if we bought something that was less expensive than the Lexus, we might actually be able to get money back.
I did my research, decided what vehicle I wanted, and then found out what the Lexus was worth and what I should pay for the "new" car. We visited a couple dealerships, and did the test-drive thing with the salesmen, and got a feel for what we liked and what we didn't. I definitely noticed that I knew enough about the car I test-drove before driving it, that I could get a feel for whether it was a good buy or not. I also adopted the mindset that the salesmen did not have my best interest in mind, and that I would have to be blunt with them to get what I wanted. I used to be afraid to go car shopping by myself, but after a little practice I had really gained the confidence to try it alone. With my husband's schedule growing busier and busier, it looked like that might be the only way I was going to get another vehicle.
The first time I went to a dealership by myself, one of the salesmen actually said to me, "You're not going to buy a car without you husband, are you??" I was kind of shocked, but just told him that my husband trusted me. I did test-drive a Tahoe at that dealership, but I didn't end up buying it. The next dealership visit, my husband did go along, but I did the test-driving and was so put-off by the salesman's incompetence and condition of the truck they were trying sell us, that even though my hubby was ready to make a deal, I told him we were going to walk. After that, Andy really did trust me.
Finally, I found a great truck online that I wanted to go see. It was about an hour away, so one day while Andy was at work, McKenna and I went to see it. Although it was a GMC Yukon, it was being sold by a BMW dealership. I went prepared with what I wanted for my trade-in, and what I wanted to pay for the Yukon. After a test-drive and a thorough inspection, the salesman and I sat down to talk numbers. The first offer he gave me was really bad. He wanted to give me very little for the Lexus, and said and done I'd only get $1500 back. I told him we were not even in the same ballpark. He went and changed some stuff and gave me a second offer where I'd be getting $2400 back. This time, I told him that I loved my Lexus, and I would keep it for that little amount of money. The salesman told me that his other manager had just gotten in, so he would got check with him and be back. Meanwhile, McKenna was getting antsy and we started walking around the dealership. We ended up wandering into the pro shop in the lobby, and McKenna found a baby BMW ride-on toy that was being displayed. She almost threw a fit because I wouldn't let her get on it.
When the salesman came back, he had a much better deal for me. They were prepared to give me Kelley Blue Book value for the Lexus, and they brought the cost of the Yukon down a bit as well. This meant I'd be getting around $6,000 back! So I told him I wanted to look at the truck one more time. After another look at it, I told him I was going to drive a hard bargain but if he brought the price of the Yukon down $200 (to Blue Book value) and threw in the $100 ride-on toy for my daughter, that we would have a deal. The salesman went back to his manager, and when he came back we signed the papers. In the end, I traded my 2008 RX350 with 70k miles for a 2002 Yukon XL with 83k miles, and I got $6,000 and a BMW toy car for my daughter (who was elated, by the way)!
It was an exciting day for me, and I was proud that I did it all on my own. I got Blue Book value on the deal, and was able to get some cash to help pay off our outstanding student loans. Plus, now I have a HUGE truck with enough room for a big family!
However, when we realized we were going to have to squeeze a second carseat into the back of my small SUV, we saw a need for more room. Not to mention the luxury automobile we had been able to enjoy was getting a little messy from our toddler's messes and spills. Once we were somewhat settled in California, I started researching larger SUVs online and looking around. We were also looking at the cost factor, and decided that if we bought something that was less expensive than the Lexus, we might actually be able to get money back.
I did my research, decided what vehicle I wanted, and then found out what the Lexus was worth and what I should pay for the "new" car. We visited a couple dealerships, and did the test-drive thing with the salesmen, and got a feel for what we liked and what we didn't. I definitely noticed that I knew enough about the car I test-drove before driving it, that I could get a feel for whether it was a good buy or not. I also adopted the mindset that the salesmen did not have my best interest in mind, and that I would have to be blunt with them to get what I wanted. I used to be afraid to go car shopping by myself, but after a little practice I had really gained the confidence to try it alone. With my husband's schedule growing busier and busier, it looked like that might be the only way I was going to get another vehicle.
The first time I went to a dealership by myself, one of the salesmen actually said to me, "You're not going to buy a car without you husband, are you??" I was kind of shocked, but just told him that my husband trusted me. I did test-drive a Tahoe at that dealership, but I didn't end up buying it. The next dealership visit, my husband did go along, but I did the test-driving and was so put-off by the salesman's incompetence and condition of the truck they were trying sell us, that even though my hubby was ready to make a deal, I told him we were going to walk. After that, Andy really did trust me.
Finally, I found a great truck online that I wanted to go see. It was about an hour away, so one day while Andy was at work, McKenna and I went to see it. Although it was a GMC Yukon, it was being sold by a BMW dealership. I went prepared with what I wanted for my trade-in, and what I wanted to pay for the Yukon. After a test-drive and a thorough inspection, the salesman and I sat down to talk numbers. The first offer he gave me was really bad. He wanted to give me very little for the Lexus, and said and done I'd only get $1500 back. I told him we were not even in the same ballpark. He went and changed some stuff and gave me a second offer where I'd be getting $2400 back. This time, I told him that I loved my Lexus, and I would keep it for that little amount of money. The salesman told me that his other manager had just gotten in, so he would got check with him and be back. Meanwhile, McKenna was getting antsy and we started walking around the dealership. We ended up wandering into the pro shop in the lobby, and McKenna found a baby BMW ride-on toy that was being displayed. She almost threw a fit because I wouldn't let her get on it.
When the salesman came back, he had a much better deal for me. They were prepared to give me Kelley Blue Book value for the Lexus, and they brought the cost of the Yukon down a bit as well. This meant I'd be getting around $6,000 back! So I told him I wanted to look at the truck one more time. After another look at it, I told him I was going to drive a hard bargain but if he brought the price of the Yukon down $200 (to Blue Book value) and threw in the $100 ride-on toy for my daughter, that we would have a deal. The salesman went back to his manager, and when he came back we signed the papers. In the end, I traded my 2008 RX350 with 70k miles for a 2002 Yukon XL with 83k miles, and I got $6,000 and a BMW toy car for my daughter (who was elated, by the way)!
It was an exciting day for me, and I was proud that I did it all on my own. I got Blue Book value on the deal, and was able to get some cash to help pay off our outstanding student loans. Plus, now I have a HUGE truck with enough room for a big family!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Giada's Macaroni & Cheese
One of my favorite Food Network chefs is Giada De Laurentiis. I found this recipe for her "Venetian" Mac & Cheese when looking for a mac recipe for my husband. It is definitely not traditional mac & cheese, but boy is it delicious! It's more like an Alfredo dish, and it's packed with whole milk, cream, and three kinds of cheese - not exactly low fat.
The recipe is super easy, and the hardest part is shredding the cheese, so for a quicker prep time I recommend buying the cheese already shredded - at least the Parmesan and Mozzarella. This dish is sure to please any family or guest!
The recipe is super easy, and the hardest part is shredding the cheese, so for a quicker prep time I recommend buying the cheese already shredded - at least the Parmesan and Mozzarella. This dish is sure to please any family or guest!
Labels:
Alfredo,
dinner,
easy,
food,
Giada De Laurentiis,
Ham,
italian,
Macaroni Cheese,
Pasta
Easy Cheap Yummy Enchiladas!
I like easy food. I like delicious food. And, my family likes dinner that will taste good and fill their bellies. We love almost all kinds of cuisine, and Mexican is a favorite at our house. However, with very little experience in Mexican cooking, I am often hesitant to do much more than nachos or tacos. I had tried the Old El Paso Enchilada Bake before, and they came out good, but this time I decided to try them myself without the kit.
So, I purchased two cans Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce, and went by the recipe right on the can. Basically, the recipe was for beef but I used chicken instead. Additional ingredients needed are: chicken, cheddar cheese, and flour tortillas. The hardest part is dicing the chicken. The rest is super easy and straight-forward, and most importantly, very tasty! Muy Bueno!
So, I purchased two cans Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce, and went by the recipe right on the can. Basically, the recipe was for beef but I used chicken instead. Additional ingredients needed are: chicken, cheddar cheese, and flour tortillas. The hardest part is dicing the chicken. The rest is super easy and straight-forward, and most importantly, very tasty! Muy Bueno!
My enchiladas made with whole wheat tortillas!
(Regular flour tortillas taste better, but I'm always trying the healthy route.)
Labels:
dinner,
easy,
enchiladas,
food,
mexican,
old el paso,
products
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Encouragement for Mommy
For all you wives/mothers out there. Hope this encourages you, as it does me.
Proverbs 31, NIV
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31, NIV
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Preggo Clothes
There's a lot that goes along with being pregnant. Probably the biggest change for most women is the big belly! While it can be a little annoying when you can't button your pants anymore, or when your tummy starts peeking out of the bottom of some of your more slim fitting shirts, pregnancy can also give you a chance to be creative and come up with some really cute preggo clothes!
While I think we are fortunate in this generation to have so many stylish maternity options, we also have the benefit of long and loose tops being in style! When I was pregnant with my first child, I went to Urban Outfitters and bought a whole bunch of clothes that were not "maternity" but they worked for most of my pregnancy. With this pregnancy, I got a lot bigger a lot quicker. My pants already do not fit, and I am already obviously pregnant. I took out all my maternity clothes pretty much right away.
But at the same time, I have been able to put together some really cute outfits from my normal wardrobe. I think my favorite article of clothing that is totally in style and super cute with a preggo belly is the maxi dress! A lot of stores are selling them right now, and most of them are available in an empire waist style and stretchy jersey fabrics, that fit just right. Maxi dresses are comfortable ad effortless, and should really only be worn with flats, so there's no concern with high heels during pregnancy. They also can go from day to night, and if it's cooler you can pair your dress with a jean jacket and give your look that effortless-coolness you want - even when you're pregnant!
I also love drapey cardigans, and anything that fits above my belly. If you buy a couple pairs of maternity pants (skinny jeans!) - and don't forget the pairs of stretchy leggings you already have - and layer long and loose tops with drapey cardigans, you'll look totally in style, and not like you're wearing maternity clothes! If a loose top doesn't give you much shape, just tie a ribbon or belt above your belly, and voila! Instant empire waist! I'm one of those people who likes to accentuate my belly so it's obvious that I'm pregnant. And, don't forget that you can wear as many accessories as you want!
If you're creative, you can have some really cute preggo clothes that will not only look great for everyday, but also will be awesome in any pictures you take! After all, don't you want to look back and have some of those cute preggo pics you see on Pinterest??
While I think we are fortunate in this generation to have so many stylish maternity options, we also have the benefit of long and loose tops being in style! When I was pregnant with my first child, I went to Urban Outfitters and bought a whole bunch of clothes that were not "maternity" but they worked for most of my pregnancy. With this pregnancy, I got a lot bigger a lot quicker. My pants already do not fit, and I am already obviously pregnant. I took out all my maternity clothes pretty much right away.
But at the same time, I have been able to put together some really cute outfits from my normal wardrobe. I think my favorite article of clothing that is totally in style and super cute with a preggo belly is the maxi dress! A lot of stores are selling them right now, and most of them are available in an empire waist style and stretchy jersey fabrics, that fit just right. Maxi dresses are comfortable ad effortless, and should really only be worn with flats, so there's no concern with high heels during pregnancy. They also can go from day to night, and if it's cooler you can pair your dress with a jean jacket and give your look that effortless-coolness you want - even when you're pregnant!
I also love drapey cardigans, and anything that fits above my belly. If you buy a couple pairs of maternity pants (skinny jeans!) - and don't forget the pairs of stretchy leggings you already have - and layer long and loose tops with drapey cardigans, you'll look totally in style, and not like you're wearing maternity clothes! If a loose top doesn't give you much shape, just tie a ribbon or belt above your belly, and voila! Instant empire waist! I'm one of those people who likes to accentuate my belly so it's obvious that I'm pregnant. And, don't forget that you can wear as many accessories as you want!
If you're creative, you can have some really cute preggo clothes that will not only look great for everyday, but also will be awesome in any pictures you take! After all, don't you want to look back and have some of those cute preggo pics you see on Pinterest??
I'm only 20 weeks pregnant, and look how huge I am this time!
This outfit is actually put together with items I bought even before I was having kids.
The dress is an empire-waisted dress from J.Crew, and the wrap cardigan is from Target.
The only thing that is somewhat new is the hat (J.Crew Factory Store, Men's)!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Key Lime Truffles
On my quest to use all of the Key limes I bought, I tried another recipe for Key Lime Truffles, found here: http://thesugarpixie.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/key-lime-truffles/. My husband and I have enjoyed confections by the same name from See's Candies, so I thought it was something worth trying. These are a little more time consuming then I was really prepared for, and I think it would be fun to do with kids or a group, because it takes time to dip each truffle so they are completely covered in the white chocolate. However, as I got tired I put the melted chocolate in a baggie with the corner cut off and drizzled my truffles. They won't have a complete outer shell as they should, but they're pretty! These are really yummy, and the recipe will make a lot of truffles, so they are great for parties or gifts. I think this might be one of those things that you get better at with practice. Next time, I plan to make sure the balls of filling are fully set in the freezer, and then have each one completely covered. They are definitely best this way, and will keep better with a full candy shell.
Scenes of Vacaville
I love when I have my camera with me on outings around town. There is so much inspiration, from patterns and textures, to colors and culture. Here are a few photos from our family's Saturday morning stroll through downtown Vacaville.
Friday, August 3, 2012
"Easy" Key Lime Pie
Northern Cali is great for a lot of things, and one of those things is fresh produce. We often go to Larry's Produce in Suisun Valley. It's great because you can get tons of fresh produce for cheap, and we are support local business! Anyway, Larry's has Key limes, and even though they're actually imported from Mexico instead of the Florida Keys, I still had to pick up a bag and make some "real" Key lime treats!
My first attempt was a Key lime "cheesecake". I found a super simple recipe online, and went to work! I knew the reason most people don't use real Key limes in their dishes is because they're sooo tiny and labor-intensive, so I was prepared. I bought a little hand-juicer (that's really cute, too!) and readied myself to cut and juice a lot of little limes. It actually went pretty easy, but it took me 23 limes to get the 3/4 Cup of juice I needed for the recipe. Anyway, the recipe turned out less like a "cheesecake" and more like what I know to be a Key lime pie. And, besides the juicing the recipe was super simple, and the pie ended up being delicious!
Here's the recipe I used ->
Ingredients:
1 prepared graham cracker crust (or make your own - might make it that much better)
1 Pkg Softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2-3/4 cup key lime juice (I prefer closer to 3/4 for tartness)
*You could just use regular lime juice of course, if you want this to be super easy and fast.
*You could just use regular lime juice of course, if you want this to be super easy and fast.
Directions:
Blend in food processor until smooth.
Pour in pie shell and refrigerate.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Easy Delicious Chicken Sausage Herb Pizza
I have been trying to increase my cooking repertoire, as I am not a natural housewife, but I'm trying to have dinner on the table for my family every night. I like recipes that are easy and tasty, and hopefully lower in fat and calories. I adapted this pizza recipe from a Pampered Chef recipe called: Chicken Sausage & Herb Wheat Pizza. Their recipe has you make your own dough, but I opted to use the pre-made stuff to save a little bit of time and effort. I started with the regular old Pillsbury Pizza Dough and rolled it out on my baking stone, which does happen to be by Pampered Chef, but you can use a cookie sheet too. Then I made a little mistake, and brushed the dough with the honey & oil mixture instead of the oil & garlic. Hoping that it would still taste good, I just added garlic to the top of the dough and proceeded. And there was success! In fact, I think the honey gave it a sweet flavor that was better than if I had done it right! My husband and 18 month old loved it too! Overall it probably took 30 minutes from start to finish, and had simple ingredients, and was delicious while not being overloaded with fat and calories.
Easy Food - Broccoli Instead of Meatballs
So I LOVE easy recipes and tips and tricks in the kitchen. I also love healthy food! My maiden name is DiSabatino, and even though I'm really only 1/4 Italian, the food from that country is definitely my favorite. I make spaghetti A LOT. I make it for lunch, for dinner, I eat it hot and cold. I could just eat noodles and sauce, but my husband loves meatballs. I am also partial to having chunks in my spaghetti, but not really a fan of meatballs on a regular basis. Usually, I buy frozen broccoli, cook it in the microwave, and then throw it in instead of meatballs. But, I just found a super-easy way to do the same thing! I cook my pasta and then when there's 2 minutes left on the timer, I throw fresh broccoli florets in the boiling water. This blanches the broccoli to exactly the right tenderness, and then all you have to do is add sauce, and voila! Spaghetti with broccoli instead of meatballs!
I made this with Newman's Own sauce, and I added some Hunt's Diced Tomatoes w/ Garlic, Basil, & Oregano for extra chunkiness. You can also add chicken, sausage, cheese, and if you're still hankering for beef, meatballs will still go very well!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Love
In light of the recent events concerning Chick-Fil-A and their owner's remarks about gay marriage, I thought I'd post a poem I wrote a while back. Regardless of our point of views, we need to remember to love one another. I personally went to support the fast food restaurant today, and it was too busy for me to wait at lunch time, and they were closed due to selling out of food at dinner time. I am proud that we will still stand for what we believe in this country.
So many colors and shapes
and sounds, full of life
Look around and see it
such a beautiful world
full of people
to love
not to judge
to accept
not to hate
to care for
not to ignore
to support
We can't look down our noses anymore
We can't stand above
Think of Jesus
our God
who dined
with the less of these
remained strong in Him
but loved all
A perfect example of Him
and His love
Handwritten Poetry
When I'm at my lowest, I write. When I'm at my highest, I write. When I'm dead inside I can't seem to find the words, but when I can, I write. I was looking through my computer and found some of these that I wrote when I had the words.
The redundancies of life
make things so slow
so quiet
so normal
I forget how real these colors are
how strong these feelings are
Just stop and just be
just be who we were meant to be
and you'll remember
the butterflies, the goosebumps
all the tingles that tickle your spine
Take a little trip to a new place
just to remind me of how much love means
between you and me
I was an artsy little hippie chick
with dreams and chipped nail polish
you were the popular frat boy
with a huge education
and we wanted more than just
a white picket fence
So we remember to dream
we remember to laugh and touch
little kisses here and there
like every day we are new lovers
once again
young again
fresh again
and I am not going to be
redundant
at least not with you.
-----
My eyes are wet
my hands are cold
I know the salt I taste
so familiar
So is this hole
the same one
I've climbed out of
so many times
My passion is stifled
my heart is still beating
but I feel less alive
I can't daydream the same
The sheets and pillows
look so inviting
the mattress calls my name
sleep is my escape
But I lie awake
every night
it's like I'm all confused
mind, body, and soul
Cloudy, shaken, lost
A shell of who I really am
looking for my insides
that have left me behind
Dropping to my knees
wanting to feel
wanting to dream in rich colors
taste the life I should be living
I give it up to you
I give it all away
I give the control
I give you my fear
So empty
wanting to receive
what you have
just for me
One day at a time
ready for what's there
from you
just for me
I trust you
I know you love me so
your plan is all I need
and I need it
I need you.
I want to throw it all away
Be just you and me
nothing but nothing
simplicity
------
All I want to do
is feel alive
so alive
that I can't stop dancing
I can't stop singing
I can't be kept silent
I don't want to be held down
and it is in my power
to not let that happen
so I will always be up
stay up
let God lift me up
let God hold me up
-----
I don't always know
who I am
or where I am
supposed to go
I want honesty
with myself
I want honesty
with you
I don't always know
what is true
to even be able
to tell you
I feel so different
but the same
and I don't want to be
the same
as everybody else
I want to be
the individual
you made me to be
Gel Manicure
So, I'm not really a "nail" person. Mostly I go to the nail salon every so many months and I usually make a pedicure my first priority, since my feet tend to get so dry and cracked. This time I opted for the manicure too, since it had been so long since I had gotten my nails done. Of course, the nail technician talked me into a gel manicure, and I was thinking how I was going to pay all this money and end up with a normal manicure, but I have to say I was very impressed! For a stay-at-home wife and mom like me, manicures usually last about 2 days (and that's if I make it out of the salon without smudging or chipping my polish). This manicure was different! I didn't have to pay until the end of my services because the manicure dries COMPLETELY when it's done, so you can't mess it up! This was relief to me, because I usually smudge my nails before I make it home. It's been 4 days and my manicure still looks great! No smudges, no chips, and still very shiny! Although it cost me $30, I think it's worth it to spend a little more for something that will stay nice longer. The picture may not look like much, but my nails look great! Next time, I'm going for a darker color, but I like pale pinks for everyday.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Fab Five
Congratulations to the the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team for winning gold at the 2012 Olympics! They are all so beautiful and talented, and watching them win brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations, and Go USA!
Project
Well life is a project, isn't it? Even though I've been married since 2006, marriage is a project that continues, learning to be a housewife continues, and now figuring out this Mom thing is my newest project in progress. But, in the meantime, my creativity makes me mentally bank other little projects that interest me. I have a entrepreneurial spirit with a couple DIY bones in my body, and nothing thrills me more than creating something myself, by-hand that looks good enough to sell or show off to my family & friends. This is my playbook.
J.Crew Bubble Necklace - Revisited
You've probably seen the J.Crew Bubble Necklace EVERYWHERE, starting sometime last year. It seems to still be going strong, and even though I think it's been overdone, I like that they keep adding color options. If you still haven't dropped $150 on this necklace but want to, I think the kelly green color is the best right now. It has optimal versatility, and will take you well into the fall season. I love it with a boyfriend style gray tee & jeans with heels. You don't need much more with this statement necklace.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Where I Am
This is me: sitting on my couch watching "The King of Queens" on TVLand in my husband's sweatshirt and a pair of leggings. I'm 5 months pregnant and tired but I don't feel like sleeping. This is my alone time. My husband and 18 month old daughter are asleep. The house is quiet, the kitchen is still dirty. It's almost midnight, and tomorrow's coffee and breakfast for hubby must be prepared before I hit the sack. But, I am a procrastinator. And a night-owl. The kitchen will wait until tomorrow, and I will sleep in as long as I can. I'm not lazy, I'm creative. This is my playbook.
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