Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Coffee Confessions

Coffee Confessional

What to confess this week.  Last weeks was a drag, I admit, I wrote it when I was angry, and that is never a good time to do anything.  Anger and frustration is not a good thing and I wont lie my life has been full of it lately.  Maybe its the holiday blues, I don't know.  After calming down I re-read what I wrote and it was just too negative, so down it went.  So this weeks confession will be of things I am looking forward to and what I am grateful to have.

Linking up with adelynSTONE.


So I had a talk with my hubbie and explained my frustrations and he wants to help me out (he realizes he has been slacking).  I am really trying not to, how do I say this, only think negative things, I want to stay positive and hope that he will continue to help me out.

The good news is school is almost over with.  So that is a plus, I have given up caring about my math class.  I know I will do my research for next semester and make sure I get a good teacher next time around!  I got spoiled with my other teachers.  They were great.

I am excited for all the crafts I have lined up and the present ideas I have for friends and family come Christmas time.

My daughter is grasping hold of holidays and I love seeing her face when she talks about them.  She misses Halloween and doesn't understand it wont come back until next year.  Shes excited for turkey, but cant wait for SANTA!  We just happened to go out to lunch yesterday and we walked by a man sitting by himself that looked just like Santa, beard and all.  Once we got in the bathroom stall she whispers "was that Santa?"  Then she kept stealing glances at him while we ate.  Its fun seeing all the excitement going on around her.  Its tough when you get older and you lose that magic that Christmas seems to bring about for kids. 

I am grateful to have my hubbie there to listen to me and offer his help, whether it just be little things.  I am grateful that our fridge is stocked with food, even though we had to pay for it all by counting change.  Hey we had $50 in coins.  Not bad!  I am grateful for black friday this year!  My hubbie never buys himself anything and I cant wait to get him a flat screen TV for Christmas at a low price!

What is everyone else grateful for or excited for this week?


*Allie

Thursday, November 10, 2011

My Zoe Bean turned three!

On October 22, 2008, my fiances life and mine changed forever and for the better.  I gave birth to a beautiful 7lb baby girl!  Its been a wonderful experience watching her grow and learn.  Zoe Grace (named after her great grandma) just had a third birthday.  We celebrated by going to the magic kingdom for the first time! 

She looks and acts just like me.  Poor thing, she has no patience, shes stubborn, and a worrier.  All traits she got from me.  Shes also caring and has manners, she uses on a daily basis.  Now that she is three its so much fun talking and having conversations with her.  Her imagination is something out of this world and tells us stories of ghosts and mickey mouse. 

Her favorite foods are Chinese food that consists of egg drop soup, shrimp and lomein.  She loves eating the fortune cooking and listening to her fortune, she knows to take a bite first so her fortune comes true!  She can eat her weight in chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and corn!

Zoe's favorite color is purple, she loves trucks and cars and loves cooking in her kitchen.  She wears her pearls almost on a daily basis, in shorts and sneakers. 

Zoe is an expert at cooking scrambled eggs on the stove (with mommy of course) and loves Italians seasoning in them.

Shes proficient in her ABC's and 123's.  She knows all her nursery rhymes by heart and can sing all the theme shows to her cartoons.   

Zoe ages 2 weeks to 3 years!




I Love you Zoe Bean!



*Allie



Thursday, November 3, 2011

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Is the best, most yummiest thing I have ever had.  Well I have had a lot of yummy things, but this goes right up there.  So rich and gooey, and when you throw some whip cream on there, it really completes it.  It makes a bunch, so I brought some to work and everyone loved it.  Everyone wants recipes so I thought I would share it on here as well.  This is addicting, I am forewarning you now!

 Pumpkin Dump Cake (I can not take credit for this, I found it here at cookies and cups )

Usually when I make dump cake I just take a can of cherry pie filling, then throw some pineapple chunks on top and then top that with a bag of cake mix and some butter.  But my new go to is this pumpkin dump cake.  It is by no means low-fat, and it does not go with my eating healthy regimen, but I made it before I vowed to eat healthy.  So now I can just dream about it, until Thanksgiving comes!


Ingredients
  • 1 15 oz can Pumpkin Puree
  • 1 10 oz can Evaporated Milk
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter melted
  • 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans ( I used honey graham crackers)
  • 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional)  (I used some heathbar crunch bites I had.  It was yummy!)

So you mix the pumpkin, milk, brown sugar, eggs and pumpkin pie spice together.  Then dump it in a greased 9x13 pan.  Top it with the cake mix (don't make the cake mix, just open the bag and dump it on top).  Then cover it with the graham crackers or pecans, whichever you choose.  Then whatever else you want to top it with.  then pour the melted butter all over it.  (told you it wasn't low fat!).  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.  Make sure it isn't giggly!  Top it with whip cream or ice cream.  I then topped my whip cream with some cinnamon and sugar.  Its good warm or cold.  Below are pictures I took.

So doesn't that look delish?  Pictures were fixed up by picnic.  Love that site!

Until next time!


*Allie 





Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Good Tips

Hello All!  I found this on pinterest and thought some of these tips were really handy!  I am going to try the banana one right away!

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold.

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.  I do this and it comes out so yummy and creamy!

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a minty frosting. Will def. try this next time I made boxed brownies to make them tastier!

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic, and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy.

Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up. huh!  I knew to put it in a bag but mix it all in the bag! GENIUS!

Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread: To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away: Plant your plants in the ground, work the nutrients in your soil. Then wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch, and forget about weeds.

Broken Glass: Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily. No More Mosquitoes: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip to eliminate static cling. It works; you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks.

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. I just spray pam on it first but I will try the hot water next time!

De-fog your windshield: Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser.

Re-opening envelopes: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. It unseals easily.

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair. I do this and my legs do come out silky smooth :)

Goodbye Fruit Flies: To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. flies are drawn to the cup and gone forever.

Wash your dryer filter: dryer sheets cause a film over filter that will burn out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. The best way to keep your dryer working for a long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take the filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush at least every six months. Never thought of this!

You can find more right here at the fun cheap or free queen


*Allie 

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

30 minute meal

Tonight I made a quick, delicious meal before heading off to class.  It was so yummy, I packed it up to go and ate it on my way to school!  So easy, I used what I had in the fridge, but you can basically do whatever you want. 

Panko Crusted Chicken with Mushroom, Spinach Alfredo Pasta


Not pictured chicken, spices and oil

First I made my quick and easy alfredo sauce: 
  • 2 T. butter
  • 2 T. flour
  • 2 C. milk (I used whole)
  • salt, pepper, and nutmeg
  • 1/2 c. - 3/4 c. grated parm
The trick to making a thick sauce is the roux.  Roux is butter and flour mixed together.  This is what makes it thick.  The trick to a good roux is melting the butter and putting the stove on  high.  Add your flour real quick and whisk furiously for a minute.  You don't want to form little balls, but you don't want it to burn.  By keeping it on high and whisking super fast it wont form a ball.  The reason you whisk for a good minute is to cook the flour taste out. 

Slowly add your milk and keep on whisking.  Let it come to a simmer, whisk occasionally.  Add your salt and pepper and parm cheese.  Keep whisking occasionally.  You know your sauce is thick when it coats the back of a spoon.  Let it sit on warm on the stove, I also grate some fresh nutmeg in my alfredo sauce, gives it a nice taste.  If you don't have any don't worry.
So with the sauce done I sauteed some mushrooms and thinly sliced mushrooms.  I was in the mood for garlic so I used like 6 cloves.  Add some oil to the pan and then add the garlic.  According to Mario barteli you want the garlic to be a nice golden color, not too dark.  So keep an eye on it.  Add your mushrooms and saute for a few minutes.  Do you know how to clean a mushroom?  Just take a wet paper towel and wipe them off.  That is all.  You don't want to submerge them in water.

When that is done put it aside.  Now I took three chicken breasts and cut them into strips.  Threw some salt and pepper on them and dipped them in oil.  Then I mixed panko bread crumbs with lots of Italian herbs and some parm cheese.  I did not measure this, but you want to use quite a bit to get a good flavor.  Mix those together and dredge your chicken in it.  Heat some oil in a nice big pan and add chicken.  Turn once after there is a nice golden color.  Because they are strips they don't take long.  I believe I did 4-5 minutes each side.  Don't over crowd your pan.  I did mine in two batches. 

So while I was doing all this I made some shell pasta. (don't forget to salt your pasta)  Once it was done I added the sauce, mushrooms, garlic and fresh spinach.  I added some pasta water to help the spinach wilt some.

 Mix it all together and plate some up!  I threw some yummy chicken on top and chowed down.  It smelled so good!  The chicken was nice and crunch and the pasta was yummy.

And that is my 30 minute homemade meal! 

*Allie

Monday, October 31, 2011

I'M BACK!!!

Yay!  I'm back!  I've missed blogging! 

How was everyone's October?  Get some good Halloween candy?  My daughter was Tinkerbell and I thought she was the cutest Tinkerbell ever!  Also didn't hurt that the costume only cost me $4! 

My month was busy and stressful.  My little one turned 3 and already sasses me!  I will do a special post for her highlighting all her qualities and what her father and I love about her!  That is to come.

I have lots of things in the works for this month, I plan on featuring another blogger.  Shes a wonderful friend of mine and talented to boot!  She made me a fantastic knitted hat that I love so much!  I just opened her package today and I want to wear it non-stop...even in my PJ's I had it on!  Look forward to that one!  My first feature, I hope it turns out great :)

I am working on a facebook page, so in time there will be a little "like" button to the right of the screen up top, right above Pinterest!  To be honest, I did have one up already...but something was bugging me about it and I deleted it, but for some reason it won't permanently delete for 14 days so I think I am at like 9 or so until I can make another one!  Oh computers and technology how I love thee!

I haven't tried out too many recipes in October but I did make some yummy treats I will share with you :)

I am focusing on my health the next two months (and upcoming new year), so expect some healthy recipes and some gripes along the way of weight loss, or no weight loss or frustrations in general.

I have lots of crafty projects lined up and I cant wait to do them and show you all!  

Until next time....

*Allie  
A little sneak peak of whats to come!  (yes that is several kinds of pumpkin, and yes I am slightly obsessed....)
 Is that vintage tinsel, why yes it is.  I was super excited when I found that amongst the things at grandmas house!



Saturday, October 1, 2011

Taking October off

It saddens to me to say this, but I am taking the month of October off.  October is a busy month for me.  Halloween (one of my favorite holidays) and my daughters birthday.  I'm kinda tired.  Blogging can be addicting, and if anyone knows me when I get addicted to something I get addicted.  It kinda consumes my life.  So I need to prioritize and get some stuff done this month.  Focus on my baby cuz this is her month, party planning takes me awhile, aha. 

I will still be trying out new recipes and crafting (when I find the time) and taking pictures so that when November comes along I can post all my wonders with you all :)  I will still be pinning, because I cant quit all my obsessions for the time being.  Pinning calms me, crazy I know.  I am crazy.  That's OK, you can agree with me!  See the red button to the right of this post?  Follow me on pinterst and see what future crafts and recipes I have lined up!

Of course I will be checking out my favorite blogs which can be found on the right, check those out because those ladies always have wonderful things posted!

Until next time, enjoy the fall weather and all the pumpkins!

*Allie



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