Recipes to try

Here are some of the recipes that I've added recently to my "To try" list.(For those new to blogging- just click on the name to be taken to the link.)

SEVERAL COOKIE RECIPES

FRESH PEACH PIE

This isn't a traditional fresh peach pie. The crust is Pavlova, which I love. I think I may even try it today. This is from The Pioneer Woman's new site. Have you checked it out yet?

Tasty Kitchen is for people to submit recipes. I'm hoping for some good ones since I've already found a few from times when she's had submissions for contests etc.

***Edit- This was SOOOO good. I doubled the meringue part, and spread it on a cookie sheet (Don't forget to grease it because I did, and it broke when I lifted it off!) Then I tossed the peach chunks with a Glaze (let me know in the comments if you want me to post the Glaze recipe!) before spreaging them over the crust. Also-When I make this for guests or a special event, I'll use real whipping cream instead of the topping. I think it would be good with other fresh fruits too! ***

LASAGNA ROLL UPS

I've actually tried this since I started this post. My family loved it. It turned out better than when I make traditional lasagna. (Don't judge me but- I don't know what I do wrong, my lasagna never turns out right, I know that's silly since it's not very complicated.)


SOFT SUGAR COOKIES

(Another confession- I ate almost a whole package of these today! Maybe I shouldn't make the pie, but I will. I have no self control when it comes to sweets. I blame genetics. We'll see if my parents check my blog anymore.)

MARINARA SAUCE

I really want to learn how to make a good pasta sauce to cut the cost as well as additives (our favorite is Prego- Traditional which has High Fructose Corn Syrup, why is this in everything?)

HOMEMADE GIRL SCOUT COOKIES

I'm all for supporting a good cause but $4/box is ridiculous.

HONEY POPCORN

APPLE STREUSEL CHEESCAKE BARS
You had me at Cheesecake. (Is that movie line over used?)

MAGIC ROLLS

A fun Family Night activity/treat.

Note- It's really annoying to me that the spacing when you create a post is not the same spacing when you publish it to your blog. Sorry it looks so bad.

Quiet Books

I've been wanting to make a Quiet Book since my oldest was little. Well it's never happened. I keep collecting ideas just in case I ever get around to it.



Religious Theme, full tutorial.

http://www.mormonchic.com/crafty/quietbook_church.asp

Another Religious one.
(The first link is for the directions, the next two are pictures of the completed pages.)
http://www.theideadoor.com/Printables/how_to_make_an_lds_quiet_book_by.htm
http://www.theideadoor.com/images/Quiet%20Book/1photoQBgc.jpg
http://www.theideadoor.com/images/Quiet%20Book/2photoQBgc.jpg



This is just like the one my Mom made for me when I was little.
http://www.quietbook.blogspot.com/


Here are some really cute ideas, like the name page. Keep scrolling down to her other posts for her other page ideas.

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/


This one is pretty basic.

http://www.makeandtakes.com/a-little-peace-and-quiet


Martha Stewart's instructions. http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=689876ecfd22f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=also_try

I like the idea of using coloring books for your inspiration.
http://naptimejournal.blogspot.com/2009/04/quiet-book-ideas.html
http://naptimejournal.blogspot.com/2009/05/quiet-book-pagesyou-asked-for-them.html

More sites to get ideas:
http://www.tctwest.net/~dcdesign/quietbook.html#MotherGooseRhymes
http://www.time4felt.com/quiet-books.html
http://www.countryfolkcollection.com/category.php?category_id=59

Lost, lost tooth

This is in honor of my daughter who lost her tooth then dropped it somewhere along her way to show it to me. We spent a long time searching for it and when I was trying to console her and suggested she write a note to explain what had happened to the tooth fairy, she said it was OK, we could just give her the money because her older brother had told her about the reality of the Toothfairy! (Then why did we spend all that time on hands and knees searching with a flashlight for it?---I still need to have a chat with the oldest child about what his role is as older brother.)

http://purlbee.squarespace.com/tooth-fairy-bags/

http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/02/tooth-pillow-revisited.html

http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/11/tooth-officer.html

New Recipes

We tried a new recipe, Root Beer Cookies , last night. They are a little weird at first, but we ended up liking them. I would say they are in the molasses/ginger cookie family. I think they definitely need the frosting, other people in the family liked them without.

We also tried another new recipe, Chicken Nachos, from Rookie Cookie

They were really good and we will be making them again soon.

Here's the recipe (with the changes I made in red)

Chicken Nachos ( www.rookie-cookie.com)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup prepared salsa (I used homemade)

1 large bag tortilla chips

1 lb cheddar cheese, shredded (I included Monterey Jack)

1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 14 oz can corn, drained

1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced (omitted)

Handful chopped green onions or cilantro (I used a bunch of green onions and included Cilantro too)

-Set oven to 400 degrees.

-Set a large pot of water on to boil. Once boiling, add the chicken breasts. Boil until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove chicken breasts from the water and set on a cutting board to cool. (I cooked mine in some olive oil in a skillet and sprinkled with taco seasoning and black pepper*, I don't like to boil chicken.)

-Once cool enough to handle, shred and put into a medium bowl.

-Pour salsa over the chicken and toss to coat.

-Spray a large baking sheet with non-stick spray. (I used a 9x13 dish instead, next time I'll use the cookie sheet. The cheese on the bottom layers didn't melt all the way and some of the chips got soggy.)

-Add half of the bag of tortilla chips and spread into an even layer.

-Sprinkle on half of the shredded chicken, half of the black beans, half of the corn and half of the onion. Sprinkle on half of the shredded cheese. Repeat again, beginning with the rest of the tortilla chips.

-Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

-Sprinkle on green onions or cilantro as garnish. Serve with more salsa if needed. (I added these before baking.)

*I only use fresh cracked pepper. In my opinion- The stuff that comes ground doesn't even compare and isn't even worth using.

More kids projects

I hope this isn't too boring, but keeping kids occupied is major in my priorities these days.

This idea peaked my interest because it's something older kids can do together with younger ones. http://www.tipjunkie.com/2007/06/dont-eat-pete.html

I think this idea could be used with other shapes, not just stars for the 4th.
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/july-4th/crafts/star-shaped-bubble-wands/

I have a ton of old magazines in a big stack in my room. Some I can't part with and want to organize them like this . The rest I have a hard time getting rid of because they seem like such a good tool for activites for kids. I let them make collages with the pictures in them. Sometimes I just let them do whatever they want, but I have also had them pick a theme to work with (letters, colors, people, food, plants & flowers, toys, holidays etc.)

Here are some more ideas I've found:

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/green-ideas/green-ideas-magazine-mosaic-087483

http://iamblogginit.blogspot.com/2009/06/scrappy-paper-dolls.html

Here's a similar idea using construction paper.
http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/2007/12/paper-collage-house.html

Orange Quilts

I wouldn't normally consider myself an orange person but, I am seriously contemplating making an orange and white quilt after seeing these ones.

http://sometimescrafter.blogspot.com/2009/06/finished-orange-sherbet-quilt.html

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/01/orange-quilt-dimensions.html

(I already linked to this one in a previous post on quilting. I love the colors so much, I couldn't help but mention it again.)

Great deals on baby gear.

Have you ever heard of www.babysteals.com ? Every morning at 9am MST they list a great deal on some kind of baby item. Most of them are at least 50% off, and they are available until sold out. Check out their blog here for some of the items that they've sold, as well as frequent give-a-ways.