Double Pnuemonia

I am be absent for a bit. I have double pneumonia and I feel very bad.

Craft Classes at Craft Stores

Did you know that most craft stores also offer classes in a lot of crafts? Classes like cake decorating, sewing, knitting, crochet, and even scrap booking. Most of these classes are pretty cheap as well. When I didn't have kids and had a lot of spare time I took Wilton Cake decorating at Michael's. As I remember each class was $30 PLUS you needed to buy the class kits as well as supplies. I took all 4 classes there and I think I ended up spending with all the supplies around $200. In the end I even got paid to make a few cakes and made my money back. On the other hand I gained 20 pounds and will NEVER like buttercream icing again!

2 weeks ago I took Basic Sewing 101 at Joann's ETC. I spent $17.50 and I got personalized attention on how to thread my machine and a few basic techniques. Joann's offers a bunch more sewing classes that I want to take if I can fit it in with my Midwife school, apprenticeship, and most importantly time with my family.

I really recommend people take advantage of these inexpensive classes and learn some of these dying arts!

Let me know how it goes...

Pre-View Work in Progress

Gouda's Party dress is coming together. Stay tuned for the finished project.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies

I'm allergic to rice, which is sad because I've always held the belief that if I could eat it I'd be skinnier. Have you seen Suvivor? Those people get skinny really fast. Alas I prefer not to go into anaphylatic shock and die so I avoid it for the most part.

However, I saw this recipe over on the Idea Room and it looks so good maybe I'll risk it!

Go on over and check it out!

 

Peanut Butter Rice Krispies

Check out this deal!

ABC's of Flash Cards

 I printed out the ABC cards for free on www.leapfrog.com

Then I colored them with a mixture of the worst crayons I've ever encountered and the worst colored pencils on earth.

 I got these self laminating pouches at Wal-Mart for under $10 (make sure you get enough for 26 letters)

They have easy to read instructions printed on every single pouch. All you have to do is place the paper inside the sleeve and then slowly Peel away the adhesives protective paper.

Smooth out and you are all done!

Chili’s Style Margarita Grilled Chicken

Serves: 4

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

 1 cup liquid margarita mix

 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions1. Pour margarita mix over chicken breasts, and marinate for 2 hours in refrigerator.

2. When ready to prepare, drain and dust chicken breasts with black pepper.

3. If you do not have a grill, use an iron skillet. Bring to medium high temperature and spray skillet with an oil coating. Braise the chicken breasts until done on each side.

4. Serve with a serving of your favorite Mexican rice, black beans, and pico de gallo.

My Cinnammon Banana Cake

Cinnamon Banana Cake
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 dash salt
3 cups flour
1 pint sour cream (2 cups) or vanilla yogurt
Blend butter, sugar, bananas, eggs and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients. In another bowl make the filling.
Filling: 1/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips (optional…but why wouldn’t you?)
Layer batter and filling twice in a 9X13 dish. Bake 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.
* Sometimes the middle of the cake needs to bake longer. If so, put foil over the cake after the 45 minutes and bake it for another 5 minutes. Test with a toothpick in the middle to see if the batter sticks to it, if it comes out clean…the cake is finished.

Gather all ingredients

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla

  The filling

Layer in pan

Final baked cake

Changes I made: I used Vanilla yogurt. I didn't have any brown sugar so I used regular sugar. FYI use brown. It turned out really good and yummy! Try it out for yourself!

Cinnamon Banana Cake

I love looking at other people's blogs and getting new recipes to try out. Yesterday I stumbled across this recipe from The Idea Room and it looked divine.

Check it out here!  cinnamon-banana-cake

Join me tomorrow as I try out this recipe.

Homemade Dog Food for Brandy Baby

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of homemadedogfood.com for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

In a few weeks, when our backyard is ready, we will be inheriting my brother-in-law's dog Brandy.  She is a super sweet, high energy dog and my girls just love her!  We always joke that she was always my daughter's dog anyway, and my BIL was just taking care of her until I was ready to admit it. 

Not only is Brandy super sweet and super high energy, but she has a very sensitive digestive system.  My BIL has to buy very expensive, preservative free food for her so she doesn't get sick.  So I was so excited when Social Spark shared this link for Homemade dog food!  Since she is going to be one of my children, I love knowing exactly what is going into her food.  Plus the Easy cooked dog food recipe includes supplements so I know Brandy will be receiving all the nutrition she needs to keep up with my girls!

It really is easy to make you just mix the ingredients, bake, and store.  The recipe has you make a lot at one time, so you don't have to make it everyday.  It can be stored in the freezer and then put out to thaw and store.  So simple!

Progress and Frustration

My readers know that C and I moved into my parents home in October 2011. The deal is my parents carry the mortgage until C and I can officially buy it ourselves. Since we moved in we have painted Goo's bedroom, painted the master bedroom, replaced all the light fixtures with energy efficient lights, cleaned up the front yard, and began to re-landscape the back yard. We have done this all the while C works 6 days a week 70 hour work weeks and I've been at home with the kids (looking for work) and going to school to become a Certified Professional Midwife.

My parents (along with 2 sisters and my 3 nieces) live in Utah one happy, dysfunctional family. A month ago they said they wanted to come back to Vegas. As you might imagine this caused some concern for C and I. However, they said they didn't want this house back because it had stairs. They instead want a 1 story 4 bedroom 2 bath house and want C and I to buy it. We found a realtor and even found a bunch to match ours and their needs. Then my mother said she didn't want to come back to Vegas but was being forced by Drisella and Anastasia. So C and I cancelled everything. Then a week later they again changed their minds. So we began looking again. Then they changed their minds.... So far they have told me to find them a house 4 times and backed out.

So my question is, Is it alright to stop looking and just pretend too?

.             

A Midsummer's Days Birthday Party

Gouda turns 2 on June 14th. I have been planning her party for a while now and even have somethings made for it.  I wanted to let you all know what I have been working on for it.  These pics are all from sites where I have gotten ideas and inspirations. I do not make any claims on originality.

 I am attempting to make this myself. Gouda loves this one but it is $80.00 to buy it! I do not have that kind of money right now (and who would spend $80 on a freaking tutu dress for a 2 yr old?)

So far I've got all the tuile done I just need to add the strap and the flowers.

                                          This is another version and isn't it so cute?

I am making tutu's for all the little girl guests to have for the party and to take home as party favors.

Free Carseat Canopy

Mother's Day Deal: Free Carseat Canopy™ at CarseatCanopy.com!

Use Promo Code "CCMOTHER" at carseatcanopy.com TODAY!

It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Go to CarseatCanopy.com.
2. Click on "Shop Now" and select any carseat canopy you like.
3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag.
Enter the promo code " CCMOTHER " and we will deduct 100% off the cost of the canopy
- all you pay is the shipping fees! This promo code is also good for $50 off the cost of any of our 5-Piece Whole Caboodle Sets!

Remember: the promo code is " CCMOTHER " and you can use it more than once - just open a new browser window each time you do.

These Products make great gifts.
Selections dwindle

Free Baby Carrier from Seven Slings

Mother's Day Deal: Free Baby Carriers at SevenSlings.com!

Use Promo Code "CCMOTHER" at sevenslings.com TODAY!

It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Go to sevenslings.com.
2. Click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier you like, be sure to visit the sizing page to get the correct size.
3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag.
Enter the promo code " CCMOTHER " and we will deduct 100% off the cost of the carrier
- all you pay is the shipping fees!

Remember: the promo code is " CCMOTHER " and you can use it more than once - just open a new browser window each time you do.

These Products make great gifts.
Selections dwindle quickly, so get yours today!

 

Tomorrow is the Big Day

Tomorrow is surgery day. I have to admit I am scared. How could I not be scared having the same surgery that my grandmother died having? My Mother in law came down to help me and I am so grateful for her to be here! I can't imagine having surgery and then being all alone with 2 kids.

So wish me luck everyone!