Hot Cocoa Maker and Other Things

It has been a long time since I have posted, I promise I haven't forgotten about this blog, but boy have I been busy. I have had a lot of little trials that have taken up most of my time and haven't been able to be very creative. I am pregnant with a little girl and she takes up most of my energy, she has quite a personality and moves quite abruptly. I'm a night person and so is she so that has been fun to not be the only one up at night. She is the kind of baby that moves and someone sitting across the room could see my belly rumble. I am working on making her a baby quilt and am excited to get her nursery put together. I have been blessed to recieve lots of clothes from friends, a crib, and I am borrowing some gear from another friend. It is nice to know people care about me and my baby, and though I have a ways to go I can't wait until she gets here. I always thought I would have three kids, but this little girl is working hard on being my youngest. This pregnancy is hard on me but I am excited for our new bundle of joy due mid March.

Here is the latest and greatest for me, I got my long awaited hot cocoa machine, and it is everything I hoped it would be. I need to have some friends over to really test it out but I have enjoyed a cup or two over the last few days.



This is an awful picture of me, with my double chin and all, but can't you see the joy in my eyes:)


I also got a laminator and I am excited about all the things I need to laminate. I will be again making a pre-made scrapbook for my little girl and got the album now...lots to do but now to find the energy and motivation...nesting stage come soon!

Yummy Mashed Potatoes

I know this isn't new to most people but it was a cool find for me so I will post it. Quite a while ago we had potatoes we needed to use and so we made some mashed potatoes but we didn't want them plain and I didn't want to make gravy so I added some ranch dressing and cheese to taste and whipped it in my potatoes and it turned out great! If you don't want cheese and ranch try sour cream and garlic salt, and chives if you have them. It is a great side dish and a delicious way to use your potatoes.

Tin foil Dinner

There is nothing like a good tin foil dinner. I peel my potatoes and dice them up along with some carrots then add a little onion flake and some ground beef. Wrap in tin foil, then in damp newspaper or damp paper towels, then in tin foil again. I bake at 375 for about 45 minutes or until done. We still haven't done this camping out here yet but plan to someday, this is a good one to have in the fire while you set up camp.

Enchilada Rolls

Enchilada Rolls

4 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup, reduced fat
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can diced green chilies
1/2 cup shredded cheese(more or less to taste or sight)
16 crescent rolls

Combine soup, sour cream and chilies in a small bowl. Pour about 1/3 to 1/2 of the mixture in with the chicken and add cheese. Stir and add more if too dry but don't make it too wet or soupy. Put about 1/4 cup of mixture on each crescent roll at the wide part and roll up carefully pinching closed any openings so that moisture doesn't leak out. Place on a stone or pan and cook at 375 for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.(Optional: brush with butter) With remaining soup mixture add a little milk until the consistency of gravy, heat and pour on top of cooked roll as a sauce. Serve with steamed veggies and a salad.

I got this idea from a few other recipes that I didn't have all the ingredients for. They turned out really yummy:)

Practical Sewing

I have been doing some practical sewing lately. I made a ottoman slip cover for our ottoman and I made a reusable shopping tote as well. My Mom came out for a visit and she was able to pack some fabric that I had purchased when I was first married in hopes to reupholster this ugly car I had. I didn't end up doing it since the car only lasted about 9 months but I just now figured out what to do with the fabric. I have a ton of this fabric so you will be seeing a lot of it.

The lovely shopping bag, it is so durable so it should last a lifetime

The ottoman before, this picture makes it look not so bad but it really was

The after, the fabric is so stiff and hard to iron so it is a little wrinkly

Doesn't it look a million times better and really brings out those nice legs the ottoman has, it also matches the chair in our living room better too.

Navajo Taco and a Closet

Foodie Moment: I thought I would share this meal idea. I found this on some blog, I don't remember where, but it was for Navajo taco's. Simply buy the big grands biscuits(I buy off brand) and flatten them out thin and fry them and they make great scones. We have done it a couple of times and put left over chili and toppings and it works out great. I usually have cheese and sour cream etc, but we were out so I just put lettuce and some ranch and boy was this tasty.

So since we have moved I have been moving things around here and there to make the most out of our space. We have this small closet that we use for our shoes and we most recently needed to add space to it for some pantry items like potatoes and onions. I noticed that we didn't need all the storage spots for the shoes so I was able to fold them up and sew them together to make them short and leave us with some floor space that we can get to easily. It turned out great and if we ever need them longer again we can just unpick the long stitches. I love having a sewing machine and being able to follow through with these little ideas I come up with every once in a while.

The before picture. Sorry I took it half way through. The one on the right is how long they were and the one on the left is after I sewed it.

After: Much better

I know it doesn't look like much but it is perfect for what we need it for:)

A Skill Is Forming

I have a bread making skill that is forming and I am getting better and better. It is not easy and I don't live to make bread or anything but I sure do enjoy having home made baked items on hand.

Here is my first attempt at home made buns and they turned out great:) Also, I am really into steaming fresh green beans and adding the smallest hint of butter and and some garlic salt for flavor.

Here are some bunny buns we made for Conference weekend. I got the idea from a church magazine called The Friend. We couldn't wait for them to cool to frost them and I just used our favorite pretzel recipe.

Here is my latest and greatest! I perfected the Hamburger buns and boy was this good to have for dinner.

Camping

Yes! I finally was able to go camping on the East Coast. I had so much fun and I'm really an east coast girl all the way. I love the climate even though it did get a little cold for my taste. My Dad was able to help me out and get me the basic gear I needed for camping so now I can go. There is just something about it that makes me so happy; I get to see the stars, feel warm by the fire, and have my loved ones close. It is awesome! I didn't bring my flash drive for my camera so no pictures but there will be plenty of other times I will bring the camera. Thanks Dad for making this possible.

Moving

I recently moved to another city after being in the same apartment for three years. I didn't think it would be that big of deal but boy was I wrong. It is surprising how comfortable you get in the same place and when you move, even when it is a good move, you miss little things about your old place and it is hard to get used to a new living situation.

The move went really well and a big thanks to all the family and friends that helped us out. We are settling in and I really do like it but it will take some time to meet new people and get used to new places.

Happy Anniversary

My Mom and Dad are celebrating their 40th anniversary this weekend and since I haven't blogged a thing in months I thought I would post it. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad and thanks for having a lot of kids so I could be born (I'm 6 of 8)

The whole reason why they got married...that's right, me. Wasn't I such a cute baby?

It's a New Year 2011

Wow, a new year already! I can't believe but boy am I ready for it:) Here is a review of my goals from last year and my new goals for this year.

2010 Goals and Review
Spritual Study at least once a day: I did pretty good with this one and it helped me to be able to use other resources along with scripture study and has devloped into a morning devotional. I give myself a B since I wasn't consistent the whole year but I was able to get a new routine by the end of the year.
Buy a Sewing Machine: I got one on sale the begining of the year as kind of a birthday present. It is nice not to have to borrow from friends and be able to use it whenever I want. I get an A+
Make a Twin Quilt: Well, you can't win them all I get a big F for this one since funds were low and I wasn't able to buy any material for it. I do still hope to do this in the future but now isn't the time.
Make a baby quilt: I get an A++ for this one since I made several and figured out my signature recieving blanket that I like to make. I made many this past year making it hard to achieve my previous goal so I get brownie points on this one.
Make a Crib Sheet: I lost count on just how many of these I made. The are so cute and easy and are a perfect gift so I really mastered this one. I get an A++ again.


New Goals for 2011
Morning Daily Devotionals including scripture study: I heard of a friend doing this with her family and thought it was a great idea and it has been going well but it is still in the works. My goal is to polish the routine to ensure that I get my daily dose of spirituality every day.
Combine a Recipe Book: As you know I do freezer meals often for me and my family and this year I would like to finally finish a menu and combine all our favorite recipes into a book. Wish me luck this one can be the most daunting of all my goals this year.
Create a Diet and Exercise Plan and follow through with it: Well, I have gained a good 20 lbs the last half of 2010 and would like to get my diet and exercise plan back on track this I plan to do by joining WW again and to get a realistic and doable exercise plan of my own.
Attend a Girl's night out once a month: This one is the fun one to balance out the difficulty of the other goals. I will do this by either attending RS meetings(Church woman's group), going out with a few friends or hosting a girls night. I need this as a goal so I can remember to take time out for myself.