Another way to put something in a can

http://theidearoom.blogspot.com/

Cute Blog!

Check out this blog http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com/ It has a tutorial on how to make those cute wipes cases. Also today they posted a link to where you can get a free nursing cover!!

Easiest Cookie Recipe Ever!

1 chocolate cake mix

1/3 cup oil or 1 stick butter

2 eggs

peanut butter chocolate chips

Mix all together and bake at 350 for 10 minutes. I love making these when I am in a hurry or just want something sweet without a lot of work. MMMMMM. yummy.

Mosquito Remedy

We have moved to the mosquito capital of the world.

We have all been bit even our littlest.

Here is our at home remedy. Baking Soda mixed with water so it can be made into a paste.

Rub it all over the itchy area. Let it dry. It will eventually fall off or you can wash it off.

Don't worry if it gets on your clothes it makes the perfect addition to any load of laundry and doesn't ruin your clothes.

I have also heard if you rub an onion on your bites that helps to. I have never tried this.

Stick with the baking soda you'll have more friends.

Offseason Bargains

Today I went to Sears like I do every end of September and beginning of October. Why do I go?

I am able to get my boys shorts and shirts for $1.99-2.99. I have done this on the East Coast, the West Coast, and now in Texas.

Every year at Easter time I buy my end of Winter stuff for the next year and in October I buy my end of summer stuff for next year.

It is amazing. Even my husband and I get great deals. Lands Ends shirts and shorts for $4 and women's shirts for $2.50. It is not always marked and I have to check the price at the price checking machines.

It is so worth it. Here is a picture of the amount of stuff I got for $62.

And another picture with them on my boys. They were thrilled.

The only thing is I wish I would had bought more.

Albertsons Freschetta pizza

Just thought I would let you know if you ever buy frozen pizza there is a good deal going on right now at Albertsons. They have their Freschetta pizzas for 4.50 (normally 5.50 at Walmart) and there is a $1 off coupon on the pizza making them 3.50 a piece. There are many different kinds. We love to have these on hand for a busy night or when we go out and we have the babysitter make it for dinner. It's cheaper than Little Ceasers.

Fun with formula cans

First I washed out an empty formula can and took off the label. Next I measured the area between the edges. Then I cut out my scrapbook paper to that size. I used modge podge to adhere the paper to the can. Last I tied it with a ribbon and put a flower sticker on it. Kayla was taking cookies to a friend so we put some tissue paper in the can and filled it with cookies. I think it turned out pretty cute!

Easter Peeps Smores in a Jar

I want to do this for Easter for some neighbors and vt's.  I will have to post a picture when and if I get it done.  Until then you can look here.  www.creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-bunny-smores.html

Thanks for all the cute ideas!

So, I know I haven't actually contributed to this blog before but I thought you would be interested to know that I actually use it a lot. I have made over half of the recipes and it has been really nice to have some really good, easy things to make. 

Staci- I made those peanut butter cookies you posted and they were so yummy! I used chocolate chips in the recipe and they turned out really good. I took some of the extras to school and some friends and had to give the recipe to several people. I even took a picture because I thought of you.   :)  I really want to try some of the Thai recipes because they look fabulous but I haven't had the time yet. Maybe when school is over and I have a break before rotations. I will let you know how they go!

Peanut Butter Love

Yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Susan- I made lots of things you posted... the ranch chicken, the tortilla soup, the peanut butter love etc. They have all really turned out well. I also got a recipe from a link on your family blog (my kitchen cafe) for broccoli cheese soup that was really good that we ate in bread bowls. Here is a picture of the parfaits of peanut buttery happiness we made. Thanks!

Maybe I will contribute a recipe someday, but it might go something like this:

Erica's Own Tuna Surprise

Open can of tuna

Add mayo

Salt and pepper according to your tastes

Serve with crackers or on your favorite bread.

I am pretty lame, but keep the recipes coming. I heart them.    ;)

Easy Gift

I think this is a cute idea that you can give as a birthday present to someone in the ward or a vt gift. You take a cute notebook that you can find at walmart or target. Then you use your left over ribbon and tie it on the spiral part of the notebook. It turns out really cute and can be given with a cute pen or alone.

Cheap Cute Bags!

So I found these cute bags at Albertsons for $6.99. I have used them in the past for diaper bags. It's great because they are cheap and diaper bags get gross really fast. This year I bought one for me and one for Kayla. She uses hers as a piano bag. I added a flower to hers and I am in the process of putting her initials on it. So far I have got the M on there. Anyway I think it's a great deal and they are cute and can be used for lots of different things like dance, piano, scriptures, church, or diaper bag.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Box of brownies

Peanut Butter Filling

1 8 oz package cream cheese softned

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup milk

16 oz cool whip

4 peanut butter  cups

chocolate syrup

Make brownies as directed.  Let cool completely.  

Trifle:  Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.  Add in peanut butter and milk.  Combine.  Fold in Cool Whip until combined.  Take half of the brownies out and crumble in large glass bowl or in a 13x9 pan.  You can also divide up between tall parfait glasses.  Add a layer of Peanut butter mixture.  Put the last half of the peanut butter mixture on top.  Drizzle chocolate syrup on top.  Add the chopped peanut butter cups on top.  Refrigerate until serving time.  To see a picture of this you can go here.....www.happytobeathome.net/chocolate-peanut-butter-love/

Homemade Oreo Chocolates

1 full package of Oreo cookies (you can also use mint)

1 8oz package of cream cheese softened

milk chocolate bark

*Crush package of Oreos completely.  In a bowl mix the oreos and cream cheese together.  Form into quarter sized balls.  Melt chocolate bark.  Drop a ball into melted chocolate.  Using a spoon, cover ball with chocolate then roll ball onto parchment paper.  You can also melt white chocolate and drizzle over the top.   Refrigerate until ready to eat.  

I have never actually made these but my neighbor brings them to us for Christmas every year and it's our families favorite treat that we get.  We down them:)  It looks really simple.

Breakfast Energy Bars from Bosch cookbook

Breakfast Energy Bars from Bosch cookbook

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 T. honey
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 1/3 c. fresh ground wheat flour
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. bkg soda
1 t salt
1 1/2 c. rice crispies
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1/4 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. pumpkin seeds
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. coconut
1 c. frozen berries, craisins, or raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 11 X 15 pan. In mixer, cream sugar and butter. Add honey, peanut butter, vanilla, and egg. Blend together. In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, soda, salt, rolled oats, rice crispies, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Add to creamed ingredients. Remove bowl from mixer (unless you have a dough hook) and add the following by hand: chocolate chips, coconut, and berries/raisins. You don't want to overmix or it will be dry. Turn into pan and press flat. Bake 22 minutes.

This recipe is a great thing to have on hand. Cut into individual bars/servings and wrap in saran wrap or sandwich baggies. Add to kids' lunches, take in your purse for a mid-morning snack, or send to the office with your husband for his lunch or afternoon snack. You can add or remove whatever ingredients you like or don't like- nuts and dried dates would also be good in this. If you are a runner, this is a good post-run snack to replace all those carbs and give you protein you need.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

These are by far the best peanut butter cookies I have ever tasted. The texture is perfect - tender and soft, with a nice sugary texture on the outside.

Adapted from the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook and taken from My Kitchen Cafe

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened (I used salted butter and cut the 1/4 teaspoon salt down to 1/8 teaspoon)

1 cup peanut butter at room temperature
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon (for sprinkling) sugar

½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup peanut butter chips

½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.In a large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the peanut butter chips. Place sprinkling sugar on a plate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls into the sugar, then onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Using a fork, lightly indent with a crissscross pattern but do not overly flatten cookies (I used the back of a flat spatula to flatten). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (I only baked mine for about 9 minutes). Do not overbake. Cookies may appear to be underdone, but they are not.

Cool the cookies on the sheets for 1 minute, then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Pumpkin Biscuits

Ingredients:

2 c. flour
3 T. sugar
2 tsp. bkg. Powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. bkg. Soda
½ tsp. salt
¼ c. butter, chilledand cut in small pieces
¾ c. fat-free buttermilk
½ c. pumpkin

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through nutmeg); cut in chilled butter with pastry blender until mixture is a coarse meal. Combine buttermilk and pumpkin; add to flour mix, stirring until just moist. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 5 times. Roll to ½ inch thickness. Cut into 12 biscuits with 2 ½ inch cutter.



Place close together on sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 11 minutes or until golden. Serve with Orange-Honey butter.

Black Bean Tortilla Pie

serves 6
prep time: 25 minutes
total time: 1 hour

4 flour tortillas
1 T. canola oil
1 large onion, diced
1 jalapeno chile, minced (remove ribs and seeds for less heat)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t. ground cumin
coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
12 ounces beer or 1 1/2 c. water (I used water)
10 oz. frozen corn
4 scallions, thinly sliced
2 1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (I used colby jack)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Trim the tortillas, if necessary, to fit into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, jalapeno, garlic and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the beans and beer or water to the skillet, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium; simmer until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 10 minutes. Stir in the corn and scallions, and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.

Fit a tortilla in the bottom of the springform pan; layer with 1/4 of the beans and 1/2 c. cheese. Repeat three times, using 1 c. cheese on the top layer. Bake until hot and the cheese is melted, 20-25 minutes. Unmold the pie; sprinkle with scallions if desired. Slice into wedges, and serve immediately with salsa and sour cream.

Quick, easy, and delicious!

Source: Everyday Food Great Food Fast

Som Tum Green Papaya Salad

1 medium dark green papaya
4 garlic cloves
2 green Thai chilies (or to taste)
10 grape tomatoes
½ cup chopped green beans
1 T fish sauce
2 T lime juice
1 T sugar or palm sugar
½ cup peanuts (optional)

Peel the papaya and rinse with running water to remove the acid. Remove the seeds and shred the papaya with a grater. Set aside.

Place the garlic cloves and the chilies in a mortar and mash with a pestle until crushed into chunks. Place the papaya and the remaining ingredients in the mortar and gently combine all ingredients by mixing with the pestle and a spoon.

Serve cold with sticky rice or plain.

This is my favorite Thai Salad. I have made this with carrots instead of papaya and it tastes fantastic. Go easy on the Thai spices if your not used to using thai spices. I will even make it with out Thai chillies and it is fantastic.

Spicy Chicken with Basil

6 garlic cloves, minced

4 shallots, minced

4 mixed green and red thai chilies

(The recipe called for 12. You can if you dare!)

1 T oil

1 lb ground chicken (or can be sliced very thin)

1/4 c. fish sauce

2 T. sugar

1 cup hot basil leaves (bai Krapow)

Place the garlic, shallots, and peppers in a mortar and mash with a pestle until a paste is formed.

Heat a large sauce pan to medium-high heat and add theoil. Add the garlic paste and stir for 1 minute, then add the chicken, fish sauce, and sugar. Continue to cook until the sauce is reduced. Toss in the basil leaves.

Serve with jasmine rice.

Thai Soup Tom Yum Goong

2 T Tom Yum Paste
2 cups boiling water
1/2 lb shrimp (or chicken)
1 cup oyster mushrooms

Add Tom Yum Paste to boiling water. Mix. Add meat. Once meat is cooked through, add mushrooms.
(If you prefer a richer soup, add 3 T coconut milk or evaporated milk.)
Garnish with chopped cilantro.
Eat as a soup, or can be served over rice.

This is my favorite thai soup.

Conference Ideas

I was reading the Ensign and Friend last night and they had some great ideas of how to get everyone excited ready and paying attention to General Conference coming up. I thought I would add a few this year to what we already do.

1. Make Conference Books. We take about 10 pieces of plain paper cut in half and staple on the side. We write Conference Book on the front. As a speaker starts we write the name of the person speaking and then the boys color a picture of what they are wearing or talking about.

2. This year I want to add a quiz night where the boys can use their books to ask questions. I think we will do this at FHE just following Conference.

3. Take out the center pictures of the Ensign with all the General Authorities and put it next to the computer or tv and each time a new speaker comes have the boys try and find his picture. I wish I had more of these and they could each have their own to look at. Maybe next year.

4. Have a list of words that if they hear. Like temple, prophet, family, etc... Then they can take a treat out of the special treat bowl for conference.

5. Play a family game between sessions.

6. Have a picnic during one of the sessions and relate it to how King Benjamin's people did the same thing when they gathered to hear the prophet speak.

These are just a few feel free to add your own to the list. They had others listed but they were more for the teenage crowd and I am not quite their yet.

Pilgrims Food

Eggless Egg Salad

3/4 lb very firm tofu (I just used a regular size package)
3 scallions minced ( white and green)
1 medium carrot grated
1 medium stalk celery finely minced
1/2 small bell pepper finely minced ( I like yellow)
1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup light mayo
1/2 tsp salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut tofu into very small dice place in a medium sized bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix gently.
3. Cover tightly and chill until cold.
3. Serve over lettuce. Like lettuce wraps or boats.

I didn't tell the boys or Bri this was tofu at first. They love it. They thought it was chicken. Also my boys love this on ritz crackers. You may want to add more mayo to your liking or put out an extra bowl of sunflower seeds on the side. The boys would decorate with the seeds.

Butterscotch Cookies

1 1/2 stick butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups oats
1 2/3 cups butterscotch chips

Mix first 5 ingredients together. Then mix the dry ingredients together and add to the first 5. Add oats and chips.
Bake on 375 degrees for 10 minutes

We love these.

Oreos on a stick

I made this for my kids teachers and the people I visit teach for Valentines Day.  First I took lollipop sticks (I found them in the craft section at Walmart) and stuck them in double stuff oreos.  Then I melted some white almond bark.  I spooned the almond bark over the oreos and put them on a cookie sheet lined whith wax paper.  Next I sprinkled them with cute valentine colored sprinkles.  Then I put them in the fridge to harden.  I filled a vase (Walmart .97) with sweetheart hearts and tied it with a bow.  After the chocolate hardened I put the oreos in little bags (craft section walmart) and tied them with a ribbon.  I think it's a cute inexpensive gift!

Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy!

Fruit Salad

1-5 oz pkg of pudding- Vanilla or White Chocolate

1 cup milk

*mix together and refrigerate

1-large container of whoppers

Bananas

strawberries

grapes

green apples

Add cool whip to pudding mixture and blend until smooth.  Add fruit and whoppers.  Yum!

Chicken over Rice

Chicken and Rice

1 cube cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 can cream of chicken

1 packet ranch seasoning

6-8 chicken breasts

*Cut up the cream cheese and butter.  Throw it all together in a crockpot.  I cooked on low all day.  When ready to serve I turn off crockpot to let mixture thicken and mix , then I take out chicken and shred with a fork then I add it back to the cream cheese mixture.  I serve it over rice but you could also use noodles.  My kids absolutely love this, it is has become our Christmas Eve meal.

Chicken Tortilla Soup (Very Easy)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 can chicken broth (or 1 chicken bullion cube and 1 cup water)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can chicken

1 can rotel-we like the mild flavor

2 cans pinto beans (or black beans)

If you use black beans you might want to use just one can. I used 2 in this picture and it made it pretty thick but you could just add more chicken broth.

*Heat everything in a large pot. If desired, top individual bowls with tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese.

Also you can add corn, rice, or kidney beans. I like to put rice in it and use the left overs to make chicken enchiladas. I put it in tortillas and add cheese then top with a little soup and cheese and bake at 350 until heated through. My kids love this and so do Brandon and I. Sometimes I double it so we can have left overs.

So I was thinking.....

It would be nice to have a blog for all of us to post recipes that we have tried and liked. Also if you want to post craft projects and tips and even tips for places to get good deals.