New Cookbook

This past Thursday night I went out by myself to run a few errands. I did some browsing at Home Depot to get some ideas for my landscaping project. Then off to Old Navy and then to Books-A-Million.

Now, I don't usually buy books from BAM because I can usually find books on Amazon for a bit cheaper and I don't have to wait in line. (I'm so spoiled) However, I scanned the cookbooks and found a yellow and red book on the end cap. I had heard of it before so I decided I'd snatch it up so I could use it for my upcoming menu plan.

My new cookbook is Erin Chase's The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook. I'm eager to try out some recipes from it. Some recipes on the menu this week are: Beef & Cranberry Stew, Cheese Enchiladas and Sweet & Sour Pork. 

So, I'll be sure to report on how it went.

Pardon My Mess

As you can see, I'm changing things up on my blog.

There's something that you should know about me. I like paper things--cards, stationary, etc. Especially, really pretty paper. It's the reason I've started scrap booking and never even put a picture in a scrapbook. It's part of  the reason I became an education major. Even though I didn't know it at the time, I just liked the paper goods (among others). The construction paper, large rolls of colored butcher paper, bulletin board borders, laminating, grading papers, grade books, lesson plan...books--you see they all revolve around paper. Oh, and totally unrelated, the big boxes of crayons...all organized by color.

Wow, I think I'm digging something up here. I never really realized how deep this went. Anyway, back to my changing blog. You see, all these pretty backgrounds remind me of pretty paper. Like those many racks of 12 X 12 papers at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. There are too many options not to take advantage of them. And here, they are FREE. It's just a matter of time to change things around.

So, that said, bear with my fascination. I'll promise not to change my design too often. You know, there is a lesson of contentment here, too.

Finding Joy in this Season

Don't be alarmed, it's not a real lizard. However, Sarah found it of vital importance to change it's diaper. It's okay that she wasted about 20 wipes in the process...

This is Rachel's Post-It note creation. She said, "Mommy look!". I said, "Wow, that's awesome." Rachel replied, "No Mommy, it's pretty." And I am still finding these little pink flowers in random places of our house. 

Bedding for the girls

Here's what I've been working on. I finally started on the girls' bedding.

It's going to take a while to finish all the flowers. However, I figure if I do one or two a day for a month I'll get it done before the summer. Sarah is still in a crib right now so I probably won't start on her's until the summer anyway.

Here's the quilt/comforter I bought from Wal-Mart:

I kind of feel like I'm cheating by buying a pre-made quilt but if I want to finish it this year I'm going to have to take a shortcut.

Oh, and speaking of Wal-Mart, I found the cute fabric there, too. It was on clearance and I just couldn't pass it up. It's already cut in strips which will cut down on the flower making. 

So, there ya have it. Hopefully, I'll stay motivated and get'er done. The flowers aren't too hard and they are easy to make...I just have to do it.

{Remember this Leah...they aren't that hard...they'll be so cute when it's all done...you can do it.}

I'm Back

Yes, my tummy had been very sad the last several days. Rachel and I battled a terrible stomach virus and we are now crowned the victors. Ah ha! 

Now, I'm back. I have energy again--oh sweet energy! And I can eat food and drink coffee. Everything is gravy. Today was the first time we actually all went out of the house since...goodness, I don't remember when. So, as you can see, happy to be better. 

Tomorrow, I'm planning on showing you what I purchased today and I'm really excited to get this project going. Til then...

Photo found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/courthead/3440590356/

Landscaping Project-Phase I

When I get something in my head, I usually have to do it as soon as possible. Now, I'm not talking about "Oh, I'll do the dishes right now." or "I'll fold this load of laundry." No, I sometimes procrastinate on those duties until there are no more forks or no more socks to be worn. It's just a simple fact. Maybe, it's because I know there will be more loads of laundry to be done or more dishes to be washed. It's a cycle.

However, when it comes to home improvement projects I have to get it out of my system. These projects have a start and a finish. There is an idea, a plan and then I execute. I watch as my ideas are made tangible. I work through any bumps in the road and I (hopefully) get the job done. It's big projects that I'm thankful to have very capable family members. I usually have an idea and they help me make it happen. Or they bring me down to reality.

This is my latest project--my front flower bed. The previous owners thought it would be a wonderful idea to put pebbles and a pebble/concrete mixture down over a plastic layer around the existing boxwoods. No flowers to replant, no weeds to pull. It's softscape and hardscape together...perfect!...for them.

Needless to say, I've avoided this for a while, I just wasn't really sure what to do with that space. I've always wanted some flowers there...something more than the boxwoods. Last fall, I got the urge to do something about it but it was starting to get cold and I knew I was running out of time to plant anything. So I decided to wait...until now. Last week, my plan came together in my head. I sketched out my idea and now I have a plan...kinda. :) I started on Phase I on Monday when the weather was a wonderful 65 degrees. I singlehandedly got rid of 98% of the pebbles in the bed. Well, Rach helped a little. She cheered me on, "Mommy, you're doing a great job." It's just what I needed to get it done. It took two days while the babies took their morning naps but Phase I is complete.

There's a brick walkway under there.

Now for Phase II...doing something with all this.  

Tasty Tuesday: Baked Oatmeal

Sometimes, staples like oatmeal get a little redundant and you want to mix things up a bit. That's why I first made this baked oatmeal. I usually make this on a Sunday morning. Then, I have enough for another breakfast early in the next week. Rachel always asks for seconds so that makes this a winner in my house.

Baked Oatmeal
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp. vanilla
1tsp. cinnamon
2 1/2 cups oatmeal  (rolled oats aka old-fashioned)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a pie plate with nonstick spray. Whisk together the milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, mix the cinnamon, oatmeal, brown sugar and baking powder. Fold the milk mixture into the oatmeal mixture. Let stand for about 15 minutes (I've never waited that long and it turns out fine--in my opinion). Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes.

adapted from: suite101.com