Christmas Afternoon

Well as I was slaving away in the kitchen to make the Christmas dinner i heard something on the back porch!! I called the kids back and we opened the back door to see a yellow bag of gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Wallace.

The Grinch had had brought them back!!

Well we put them under the tree when what do you know a few min. later Grandma and Grandpa showed up!!!

Mom didn't want the kids to know they were coming down and then Isabelle's teacher set everything in motion to help explain why the presents from them weren't under the tree. It was all unittenionally planned out perfect!

Well we opened presents again.

Isabelle got a cute little over night bag personalized with her name on it and a gift card (which she got a back and some care products for her 3Ds).

BJ got an IPod Shuffle.

Matt got a gift card.

I got a coat. (I haven't ever bought me an actual coat ever!! Jacket yes, coat no. I've just been wear old one of Matt's for 14 years!!)

We ate the feast I made and then we said our goodbyes. Over all it was an enjoyable Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we have a couple of traditions:

We have finger foods.

*I made a veggie tray with home made ranch dip.

*Some little things my dad used to make when I was little.

*Pinwheels

*A pizza version of monkey bread that I got mostly from Pinterest. I made some differences though.

1. I don't have a bundt pan so I used 2 round cake pans.

2. I melted butter with some garlic then mixed in some Parmesan and used that to grease my pans and over the bread.

3. I just bought the 4 pack of biscuits instead of pizza dough.

I found these beef crumbles by the pepperoni so we did one pan of pepperoni and one with pepperoni and hamburger! Quite delish!!

We also open 1 present which is always Christmas night clothes.

Tried Something New

As promised I am showing off what I finished today and leaving a link to the fab. Pinterest inspired supper we had.

Matt's little sister Kathleen will be having a baby shower when we are up for Thanksgiving. Well I had crossed some ideas months ago, but never had the guts to try it. I thought that this was the perfect time to tell my low self esteem to quit whining and try something scary!! LOL.

I bought 4 different colored/patterned fabric pieces, Onesies, fabric paint, freezer paper, and iron-on adhesive. Then I sat down and got to work.

I used my ever so dependable Cricut to cut the layered shapes and sayings.

The shapes are in fabric.

The sayings I cut backwards out of freezer paper ironed it to where I wanted it then fabric painted it.

I'm having a hard time figuring out my favorite, it's either the bunny or the peguin.

For supper we had Pulled Pork sandwhiches, and thanks to my Pinning ablilities Matt has once again liked my experiment.



Here is the recipe.
The only things I did differently was I "HATE" Lawry's so I used a different brand, and we don't drink Diet Pepsi here. We have a choice with Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper. I went with the DDP because I was really wanting Matt to like it and that's his favy pop, plus I think it is sweeter.



Pinning Addiction

Ok, I know I have mentioned Pinterest before, but I can not help from getting addicted to daily pinning. I'm so glad my phone has issues or I would be on it all day long pinning new things!!!

It has been a great inspiration to many things around here: Food, Craft, Home Decor, and much more.

I will try to find a permanent button for the side but for now you follow me here if you are already a pinner if not join already!!

Here are some of the things I have been working on these past couple of weeks.

Christmas Present Spoiler Alert!!!

I am only going to show a side view of what I made because family and friends have daily access to this blog, but barely any of them have Pinterest so I will be posting ind. pictures over there if you want to look at them.

In the spirit of Halloween I made some Halloween candy for the first time. It included white chocolate covered pretzels with Halloween sprinkles, these smore like things that did NOT turn out as planned and Halloween Bark:

Crushed Halloween Oreos, crushed pretzels, Autumn Harvest candy corn mix, white chocolate, and Halloween sprinkles. Repeat after me, Party in my mouth!

Next I made Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese.

Matt is the pickiest eater in this house and he loved it! Nufff said!

Recipe link



Here is a sneak peek at what I will be finishing up today

And I'm also trying a new recipe, so until then I bid you adieu.



Oct., Srsly???

I just can't believe it's already October!

Life has gone by so quickly.

This past month we have contemplated a move, denied that contemplation, revived the van a couple of times, got caught in a drama-tornado, and just recently celebrated our son's 13th birthday!!!

OMG!!!

I have a teen in the house!!

Also since i have been greatly inspired by Pinterest I cooked up some good eats!

This one was actually something my mom got from a kids cookbook, (that I inherited).

It was a little breakfast the kids actually got to cook themselves, (which my supervision of course).

Easy peasy: bread, butter (one side), egg (any way you like BJ had over easy Is and I choose scrambled), and my own addition any extras (I used bacon crumbles, shredded cheese and green onions). Oh and a cookie cutter that will fit in the bread.

The next thing I tried was home made Cheesy Breadsticks like Gambinos!!

Another easy peasy recipe: pizza crust (I made my own), Zesty Italian dressing spreaded generously over it, mozzarella cheese, garlic (better it it's fresh), Italian seasonings. Yum-freaking-ee!

The were just a side to the next try out

Pizza Soup:

This one I got from another blog over here. It was really easy and quite tasty, but there are some improvement I will be adjusting next time. It was a little to watery for our taste so we will be cutting out some of that and adding more pizza sauce.

Labor Day Weekend

I am actually starting this post before the weekend is actually over, so I am really hoping that even though this weekend started off bad it will end better.

My van being loaded onto the tow truck. :(

On Friday I am heading to work almost there when POW!!!

The outside of my tire pops.

We have also been having problems with it not starting when I am at a certain place only, (weird I know but so true).

Looked ok while it stayed! :p

On Sat. I was just playing around with my hair and tried to make my first messy buns.

They didn't stay...



I color coded my ribbon (they were all just thrown together and I was starting to hate these jars but the color coding makes me have a change of heart)!



Then I color coded my stamps!

Sunday I started to reorganize some of my craft stuff, but I had to stop to go get groceries and haven't gotten back to finish cleaning...

I also stepped into the kitchen to bake up some ideas that have been floating around in my head for about a year now.

I messed up this batch. :'(

My first attempt at the caramel sauce bombed by burning it.

Carmel Apple Cupcakes (this recipe was a little too rich for Matt and I).

The second time tasted good, but I was so worried of burning it I took it off before it turned the right color (oh well at least it was edible this time).

Kids tossing the football.

Matt working the grill.

We also decided to enjoy the beautiful weather by packing up some grub and cooking out at the local park.
I can officially report it ended better than it started, but tomorrow is another day!
 LOL!
I hope every one out there had a fun, safe holiday!

Whatt Am I Thinking?

I usually post on Sundays, with weekend things , or pictures.

Yeah..... That didn't happen obviously.

 This weekend was one that wears you out, but you don't really remember doing anything to make you that worn out.

Friday: BJ had his friend stay the night, no biggie right? Well this was the first friend sleepover at our house since we left Kansas, so we have been out of practice. They stayed up till the wee hours of the morning. Then woke up bright and early Sat.

Saturday: While BJ and said friend played on the Wii the other three of us attended to our Sat. cleaning. Yes, we cleaned around the boys. Then when "friend's" mom came to pick him up she brought her other kids, which made Isabelle in better spirits; we talked for about 2 hours. Well my son is not one to have no sleep then be all sunshine and puppy dogs, so we got to put hear him complain all day.

I decided to make an awesome supper that is like sooo bad for you but throws a HUGE party in your mouth just so I didn't have to listen to him any more!!!

Chicken Scalloppini in a Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

Yeah it has a pound of butter, bacon, heavy whipping cream, and pasta... Plus I mixed up some herbs to throw into some olive oil and dip our french bread into.

I cooked it all in the blistering 98 degree kitchen! I was beat, but did I go to bed? Nooo, I thought we were gonna watch a movie, but we didn't.

Sunday: Other than the kids all of a sudden thinkin they could try to run the house I cooked 2, yes dos suppers.

See here is the deal. Matt has supper duty Mon.-Thurs. And I get Sat. and Sun.

Before you judge and say wow he cooks a lot, I ask you look at past post.

My meals are very thought through, planned, big meals!! His are what ever he can grab from the freezer and throw in the microwave. So they eat like crappy TV dinners, frozen pizzas, or any other nasty processed mess. (I usually grab a bowl of cereal or nothing)

Well I thought I would help and I made a Tamale Pie casserole that he could reheat tonight, and then I made fried steak for our Sunday meal.

 All I can say is:

 never again.....

It was such a hot mess in the tiny galley kitchen that has no counter space. Oh well both suppers were received well by the family, so my work here is now done.

Till next weekend.

Weekend Life.

This weekend was a fun start to spring break.



Matt didn't want to be pictured; these are temp. till we can find a set we have in mind.

 Sat. we fixed up out front porch, so we could actually sit and enjoys some time on it.

We had to take our computer to the Geek Squad.

We spent more than I planned during a Hobby Lobby run. We found this really neat little thing that was broken so we got it discounted and then I came home and fixed it.

Plus I finally found a frame to put my New Moon still I got a year ago. 

Matt and BJ mowed the grass while I set up the doctored up computer.

We had a wonderfull supper of grilled steaks, grilled loaded baked potatoes, and salad.

Most of us (Isabelle was grounded) rocked out on Band Hero.

Sun. We went to mass, and then since there was no PRE classes due to spring break we ate a big breakfast.

"Black Forrest Cupcakes"

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When we got home I decided to make some Black Forrest Cupcakes.

 I made a couple of vinyl projects with my new toy.

This is in our bedroom.

So over all I'm having a great time on spring break with family and projects. I still have 7 more days of stuff to do, and I can't wait!

Weekend Highlights

Well the weekend has come and gone and I actually got some things done like:



Carne Asada Fries

1.) Making 2 new dishes; Carne Asada Fries and Mexican Shredded Beef Burritos. I also made homemade salsa, pico de gallo, and guacamole!

2.) I made some major hair changing!

3.) With the beautiful weather that God blessed us with on Sat. I took the kids to the park and took some pictures. (That I have to say look actually good)!

4.) I did laundry, and tonight I will "try" to color code my closet.

Hope your weekend was as accomplishing as mine was!

VBFY here I come!

A Cozy Winter's Night

A cozy winter's night starts with:

while making this:

and then eating this:



A weekend in the kitchen.

This weekend I spent the whole time in the kitchen making holiday goodies to give away to friends and family. I only had one helper this year because BJ was sick and Isabelle wanted to eat it all and not have any to give away.

It was a looooong weekend! It was also especially hard because of I have to honestly admit we are just not into the holiday spirit this year, and this kills me because I LOVE Christmas time.

Now I could go on and on about how crappy things are, or we can just get right to this year's menu.

The usuals: Puppy chow/muddy buddies, peanut butter blossoms, peanut butter balls, white chocolate covered pretzels, and peanut clusters. These few show up here every year, some are "Santa's" favorite but most are some past on to me by my mom.

 The newbies: Chex mix, peanut butter fudge, triple chocolate turtle fudge, mint M&Ms chocolate cookies (this was adapted by my brother's chocolate chocolate chip cookies, I added the holiday mint M&Ms instead of chips), sugar/caramel blossoms (my twist from PB blossoms, it sugar cookies with caramel filled kisses), peanut brittle, egg nog cupcakes with egg nog buttercream frosting, and gingerbread cupcakes with vanilla sauce drizzled on top.

I'm not really sure if they are a success or not because my tongue got burnt and I am kinda scared that if I eat some I will go on a full fledged binge. So I am really trying to be a good little girl. We delivered most of the packages today and now all I really need to focus on is getting some shopping done!

Not your plain Jane potato salad.

Its summer and summer means grilling outside with friends and family in this house. Potato salad has been a side dish for grilling for most families. I am not a huge fan of regular potato salad. I got ahold of this recipe a year ago and have tweaked it to my family's preference.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

•2 1/2 lbs. Potatoes
•approx. 3Tbsp Olive Oil or Vegetable oil (more or less depending)
•Seasoned salt
•1 1/2 sticks of Butter
•8oz. Sour Cream
•2 c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese (divided)
•Bacon pieces (I use Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Pieces found next to Bacobits) divided
• 1/2 c. Chopped Green Onions (divided)

1. Clean potatoes, brush each potato with oil, and then sprinkle with seasoned salt. Bake your potatoes to your liking via stove, Microwave, or grill.

2. While potatoes are warm cut up into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Add butter and let melt. I mix this with my hands so it all gets coated but you can use an utensil.

3. This next step depends on your preference. Add the sour cream if you like it melted but if not put your potatoes in the fridge to cool a little.

4. When cooled if you did not already add sour cream do so now. Add 3/4 of your cheese, bacon, and onions. Making sure you mix it all in.

5. Now top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and onions.

Its ready to serve now or refrigerate till ready to serve. This makes enough for a small gathering.

**Variation: The type of potato you use is up to you. We have used both russet and red potatoes. I prefer the red potatoes personally.**

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I know you'll be scared but try it. Srsly!

Alright I admit I was scared poopless to try and make these, but they were like Tony the tiger says, "Grrrrrrrreat"!

Lauren from Busy Bee Lauren blog got this from one of her bloggers and passed it on to us.

K, you start with your average box of brownies (she used low fat, but I made these for my parents and they like fat).

Next you get a can of Black beans (yes I swear). You rinse and drain them then place in mixer.

Add a cup of water. And puree. Make sure there are NO lumps cuz then it might be gross!

Mix in a bowl the bean mix and the brownie mix. Add handful of chocolate chips (I used a lil more).

Bake accordingly to the packaging and tada!

Really yummy brownies I swear!

If you make these let me know how you liked them.

It's supposed to be healthier than using eggs and oil, especially if you use low fat mix.

A Different French Toast

I'm going to try to post only food related stuff on Sundays.
Today I picked an easy little thing I picked up in an old magazine. It gets you away from the same ole same breakfast.
1. I started with Cinnamon Swirl bread (you can use raisin or another type).
2. I dipped the bread into the egg/lil bit of milk/salt/pepper batter.
3. Cooked them on a skillet.
4. Spread Cream Cheese on 2 pieces of toasts.
5. Layer deli ham on bread and make a sandwich.
Here is where you can be as simple as you want or creative. I chose to add these things to mine:
Butter
Powdered Sugar
Fresh Fruit
*the kids added syrup to theirs.
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I may not be a professional... I think they ar ejust fine!

Today I decided to makes some cupcakes from scratch. I got this recipe from a cookbook my Grandmother gave me(it was her submition for Red Devil Food Cake). Then I got a great Cream cheese frosting recipe from my mom and tada!
Wonderfulness in your mouth!

Christmas Eve Traditions pt. 1-The Food

This is something my mom and dad did every Christmas Eve while they were still together that I have brought to our family. Every Christmas eve we have finger foods to just munch on all day into the evening. This year we invited some people to enjoy it with us, and it's something the kids enjoy eating. In the top left is a Rye Boat Dip, top middle is Lil' Smokies and meatballs in BBQ sauce, top right is little appetizers things, bottom left is summer sausage, pepperoni, and cheeses, middle bottom is pinwheels, and bottom right is just home-made dip.

First ever Brown-made Gingerbread house

Grandma Wallace came down for her Christmas visit and we decided to try to make a gingerbread house with the kids. I just want to say that I am glad no ne has asked us to build them a house!!

(Click on picture to make larger).

Trying out my present and a day worth of baking.

This morning I rounded up my troops to start a day of tackling some serious cooking!

We gathered our supplies.

We started by 10:30 a.m. with some yearly favorites:

White Chocolate Pretzels, Human Puppy Chow, Peanut Clusters, Peanut Butter Balls,

Peanut Butter Blossoms(Santa's prefferred cookie here), and Christmas M&M cookies.

Every year I try to make atleast one new thing and this year I tried two:

Holiday Chocolate Truffels and Mint Layered Fudge.

We were finally finished by 6:15p.m. with out first tin filled & ready to be shipped out to Matt's Aunt's house.

Just think I get to do it all again in 2 weeks when my mom comes down to visit!! LOL.

Oh and I got to try out my early Christmas present from Matt; a Nikon L100. It's got a lot of stuff I'm trying to learn about.

And as for my diet, I didn't even lick the spoons and I only had one pretzel, one little Chex/puppy chow thing and one M&M cookie! I was sick of the smell of sweets by 10:45a.m.! I was a good girl.