Being Kendra: Cribs, Cocktails, and Getting My Sexy Back

I just finished this book up last night.  Yes, I know, it is Kendra Wilkinson so it isn't exactly a huge piece of great literature but if you like to keep on top of celebrity gossip like I do, this appeals to you.  I don’t exactly call this what would be a typical biography like her first book was.  This is more like they picked a few topics to make into chapters and she told stories that have happened in the last 2 years that go along with that topic.

All in all, it was interesting to see how different people think when it comes to things like raising children and being married.  I still though, wouldn’t run out to purchase this book, I would just check if out from the library like I did No money spent.

New Years…

I have been thinking about what I want to do for my resolutions this year.  Where it may seem like it is the same as everyone uses, I hope to accomplish them…

1.  Health – I am tired of being a fat girl.  I was doing so well this past summer until I let drama filled adults get in the way.  I want to get back to the gym.  It will be hard because I am going to have to have my exercise time focused in the evenings, most likely right after dinner.  I don’t want to be big anymore and I miss having all the energy that it gave me.

2.  Financial – I just finished pulling our credit reports today.  In the next few days, I am going to go through and see if there are any things that need to be fixed.  Right now, I am going to focus on anything that isn't student loan related.  With this, I am going to implement some serious restrictions on spending.  We will not be eating out unless it is a special occasion.  Items will not be purchased until a necessity.  I want to see how much we can not spend.

As the year goes on, I am going to look into different ways to save money.  An example would be that I know the contract that we signed with Comcast is up in July, at that time, we will be making changes, possibly going to internet only.

3.  Job – I will be graduating with my Master’s in March.  there is no reason that I should not be able to find a job this year.  I’ve been looking at some other items to help advance my career and boost my resume.  I am thinking of taking a class to get certified in Project Management.  Once I pass that, I will possibly work to get some computer certifications along with other business ones.

4.  Blog – I want to work on keeping up on this blog and making sure it stays more updated.  This past summer, I had added Evan and Ryan as authors some I am going to encourage them to start posting items also.  I’m sure I can get Ryan but not too sure about Evan.  We will see…

5.  Decluttering – I have a lot of stuff in this house although with the help of the virtual yard sale, I have been able to get rid of some of it.  I still have A LOT to go through.  I have already made two large trips to the thrift store too.  I also got a great idea on Pinterest where you turn all your hangers around in your closet on January 1st.  Then when it gets to June 1st and you haven't used the item of clothing, it gets sold or donated.  So far I have turned around all the kids clothes.  Going to work on doing the adults this weekend

2012 Guide to Groceries Under $250 a Month

Get your free copy here!

Ryan’s Birthday Poem to Brynlee

This year, Ryan decided to write a poem to his sister for her birthday.  I thought it was pretty good since he wrote it himself.  Thought we would share it with everyone.

Happy Birthday Brynlee!

Happy Birthday Brynlee,

You are so friendly.

You are so cute,

I wouldn’t put you on mute.

I love my baby sister,

I’ll always kiss your finger when you get a blister.

Please Brynlee,

Don’t ever leave me.

I always get stronger,

When you stay with me longer.

Happy Birthday Brynlee,

I love you more than cake and candy.

I love you,

Just give me the cue.

I’ll be at your birthday,

And never run away.

Cricut Cake Cutter–76% off!

Great Price on Cricut Cake Cutter.  Normally $399.99 and is now on sale for $74.95!

Job Hunting…

It sucks.  That is all I have to say about it.  Sometimes I regret doing the stay-at-home mom thing.  I enjoyed staying with my kids but I am definitely ready to get back to work.  Brynlee will be 3 on Friday so it is a good time to go back.  I’m just tired of checking my email and everyday, getting a rejection letter.  I just don’t understand.  I wish I knew if it was that my resume sucked or for the fact that I haven't worked full time since 2005.  I wish when you get a rejection letter, they would give you a reason.  It would be so much more helpful the next time around.

Today…

…is the first day back on my new diet.  A few years ago, I tried Sparkpeople.com and had a lot of success with it so, I am going to try them again.  I just like someone telling me what to eat so I don’t have to think about it.  So breakfast wasn’t too bad but I know it is a lot less food that I have been eating this past few months.  Luckily, I haven't gained back all the weight I lost before so it shouldn’t be that bad to get back on the scale.  Breakfast this morning consisted of 1 whole grain waffle with peanut butter and a container of strawberry yogurt.  I was supposed to have blueberries too but I’m not a fan of blueberries so I skipped that. 

Busy Busy November

So I started looking at my calendar for November…busy busy month…

It all starts with Halloween.  Not only do the kids get to go trick or treating that day but they also have the day off of school.

5th – Scouting for Food Bag Drop-off

7th – Parent/Teacher Conferences (which I am going to try to do as early as possible) – No school

8th – Election Day/No School

12th – Scouting for Food Bag Pickup

18th – Brynlee’s Birthday (Would love to get to take her to Build A Bear again but we will see what happens)

19th – Brynlee’s Birthday Party (Invites will be out soon)

21st – Evan has a doctor’s appointment

23rd-25th – No School

24th – Thanksgiving

28th – Ryan’s Birthday (might have to try to go eat lunch with him that day) plus him and Brynlee both have doctor’s appointments that day.

Among these dates, Ryan has choir on Wednesdays and Art Club every other Monday.  Football Playoffs are sometime that month.  Then we have scouts on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the months…like I said…busy busy

Hamburger Sliders

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried onion flakes
• 2 lbs. ground chuck
• 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
• 6 slices cheddar cheese
• 12-15 small party rolls

Directions:

Evenly spread the onions on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.  Gently press the ground beef on top of the onion flakes as to make one large patty.  Sprinkle with seasoned salt. 

Bake in a 400 degree over for 20 minutes.  Using a paper towel, pat excess great from top of the patty.  Top with cheddar cheese and return to the over for 2 minutes.

Remove from oven, let set for 5 minutes then cut into patties.  Slice open and separate each roll.  Using a spatula, let the patty with the onion layer onto each bun.  Top each slider with pickle then add top of the bun.  Serve immediately.

Taco Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
• 2 8 oz. cans crescent rolls
• 1 16oz can refried beans
• 2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 4 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Brown ground beef and drain.  Add taco seasoning to the ground beef according to the package directions.

Unroll crescent rolls into rectangles.  Place in ungreased 11 1/2 inch x 16 1/2 inch jelly roll or cookie sheet.  Press dough over the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust.  Bake at 375 for 11 to 13 minutes or just until golden brown.

Microwave beans in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minutes.  Carefully spread beans over warm crust creating a thin layer.

Top with cooked beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese followed by tomatoes, black olives, and green onion.  Return to oven for 3-6 more minutes until cheese is melted.  Serve immediately.  Makes 12 main dish servings or 48 appetizers.

Graves Mountain Apple Festival

On Saturday, for the first time, we went to Graves Mountain’s Apple Festival.  It was a lot of fun.  Originally, we were supposed to be at a football game but because of the weather the previous day, they cancelled the games.  So off to the festival we went…

The kids had a lot of fun.  They got to see some animals and do things like feed the goats.  Evan got to help make apple butter which he thought was really cool.  We tried to do the U Pick Apples but, unfortunately, there wasn’t really any left.  So we took the few we found and went and just bought a bushel.  Let’s just say, I have been making apple butter all weekend long.  Today I am going to attempt apple cookies with caramel.  Hopefully they turn out good…

Cold Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 box tri-color Rotini pasta
• 1 small red onion
• 1 small green pepper
• 1 small red pepper
• 1 large carrot
• 1 can whole corn
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes, drain
• 1 bottle Italian dressing

Directions:

Cook pasta according to box directions for al dente and rinse in cold water.  Dice onion, peppers, and carrot into small pieces.  Drain tomatoes and corn well.  Add all the veggies to the cooked pasta noodles. Pour Italian dressing over the top.  Left sit in the fridge overnight.

New Red Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 6 lbs. unpeeled red potatoes
• 8 eggs
• 3 cups mayo
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup sliced green onions
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 cups sliced celery

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add red potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes.  Drain, cool and chop into 1 inch cubes.  Please in medium bowl.

Place eggs in a medium saucepan, and cover with cold water.  Bring water to a boil, and immediately remove from heat.  Cover, and let the eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.  Remove from hot water, cool, peel, and dice.

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, distilled white vinegar, green onions, salt and pepper.  Pour the mixture over the potatoes, and mix together with the eggs and celery.  Cover, and chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours before serving.

Southwestern White Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. Italian dressing
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cans (15 oz. each) white beans, rinses
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (4 oz.) green chilies, undrained
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 1/2 cups Mexican style cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Add chicken and onions to a slow cooker.  Cook for 3 hours on high.

Stir in beans, brother, chilies, and cumin.  Cook another 1-2 hours on high.  Once complete, shred chicken.

Service topped with cheese and cilantro.

Diet–October 3, 2011

I did pretty good on the diet yesterday.  Well, that was until we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for their $3 burger night.  You can’t beat that before tip, I was able to feed my family of 5 for $16.50.  Although, I was able to stay under my total calorie burn for yesterday.

Calories Burned:  3154

Calories Consumed:  3089

Calorie Deficit:  65

That is anywhere near the 500 deficit I am supposed to have but at least I didn’t go over.

Hot Dog And Baked Bean Soup Recipe - Food.com - 366936

 

Hot Dog And Baked Bean Soup Recipe - Food.com – 366936

 

This is what we had for dinner tonight.  I haven't actually eaten it yet since I had a late lunch.  Hubby did eat it and he didn’t say anything about it so I assume it was ok.  It is a pretty simple recipe to make.

JELLIO: FUN… By Design

 

JELLIO: FUN… By Design

Love this cupcake chair.  Don’t love the $900 price tag along with it.

Little Sprinkles of Fun: T-Shirts to Belle Dress

 

Little Sprinkles of Fun: T-Shirts to Belle Dress

This is the cutest idea for a dress. If I had some sewing ability, I would try to do this for her.  I have really got to get the sewing machine out and try to use it.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

This is a great mac and cheese casserole.  I think I made a boo boo last night though because it tasted like cottage cheese a whole lot.  I have made it other times though and it has been fine. 

IngredientsL

• 1 16 oz container low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 8 oz container low-fat sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 8 oz dry elbow macaroni
• paprika
• breadcrumbs and butter/margarine (optional)

Directions:

Cook the macaroni while you prep the rest of the ingredients.  In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients and stir well.  Drain macaroni and add to bowl.  Stir to combine.  Spoon into a lightly-greased 1 quart baking dish and sprinkle with paprika.  If you would like to put a crust on it, melt a little butter and stir in some breadcrumbs, then sprinkle that on top as well. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes., and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving. 

Cheeseburger Soup I Recipe - Allrecipes.com

 

Cheeseburger Soup I Recipe - Allrecipes.com

This is a great recipe that I had the other night.  This isnt the exact same one as the one I used said to use Velveeta instead of cheddar.  The Velveeta made it a lot less greasy then I think it would be if I used cheddar. 

Chicken Pillows

Evan really like these last night and actually ate them…so I had to share the recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 1/2 tbsp. dried chives
• 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh onion, minced (I used dried onion)
• 3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 2 (8 oz.) cans crescent rolls
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 (14.5 oz.) cream of chicken soup
• 1 pkg chicken gravy mix

Directions:

Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and sour cream until well combined.  Stir in salt, pepper, onion, chives, and diced chicken.

Using the crescent rolls, take 2 triangular rolls and push together at perforated seam to make a square.  Make sure to seal perforations well so filling does not come out.  Put about 3 tablespoons of chicken mixture forming a pillow.

Dip each pillow in melted butter on both sides.  Roll in breadcrumbs on both sides.  Shake excess crumbs off.  Place chicken pillow on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. 

Make gravy by  mixing one package of chicken gravy mix, one can of cream of chicken soup, and 3/4 can of water in a small pot.  Mix together and heat until warm.  Serve chicken pillow with gravy poured on top.

Book List

Here is a list of books that I eventually want to try to read….maybe I will get through some of them:

1. Where the God of Love Hangs Out – Amy Bloom
2. The Book is Overdue – Marilyn Johnson
3. Wench – Dolen Perkins-Valdez
4. The Postmistress – Sarah Blake
5. Just Kids – Patti Smith
6. The Lost Books of the Odyssey – Zachary Mason
7. Jealousy: The Other Life of Catherine M – Grove
8. Brava, Valentine – Adricina Trigiani
9. Devotion – Dani Shapiro
10. Three Days before the Shooting – Ralph Ellison
11. A Mountain of Crumbs – Elena Gorokhova
12. Erotic Poems – E.E. Cummings
13. Union Atlantic – Adam Hassett
14. Then We Came to the End – Joshua Ferns
15. The Unnamed – Joshua Ferns
16. Shadow Tag – Louise Erdrich
17. The Possessed – Elif Batuman
18. Marry Him – Lori Gottlieb
19. The Measure of Our Success – Marian Wright Edelmar
20. Another Bullshit Night in Suck City – Nick Flynn
21. Fugitive Pieces – Anne Michaels
22. How to be Famous – Heidi Montag (yes I know it is trashy…lol)
23. Mommywood – Tori Spelling
24. Candyland – Candy Spelling
25. Red Carpet Suicide – Perez Hilton
26. Perez Hilton’s True Bloggywood Stories – Perez Hilton
27. The Girls Next Door – Paul Ruditis
28. L.A. Candy – Lauren Conrad
29. Sweet Little Lies – Lauren Conrad
30. Wishful Drinking – Carrie Fisher
31. One Fifth Avenue – Candace Bushnell
32. Lipstick Jungle – Candace Bushnell
33. The Carrie Diaries – Candace Bushnell
34. 4 Blondes – Candace Bushnell
35. Sex and the City – Candace Bushell
36. High on Arrival – Mackenzie Phillips
37. Bought:  A Novel – Anna David
38. Party Girl:  A Novel – Anna David
39. Naturally Thin – Bethenny Frankel
40. The Skinnygirl Dish – Bethenny Frankel
41. The Skinnygirl Rules – Bethenny Frankel
42. High Voltage Tattoo –Kat Von D
43. Bunny Tales – Izabella St. James
44. Pretty in Plaid – Jen Lancaster
45. Such a Pretty Fat – Jen Lancaster
46. Bitter is the new Black – Jen Lancaster
47. Bright Lights, Big Ass – Jen Lancaster
48. My Fair Lady – Jen Lancaster
49. Breaking Dawn – Stephanie Meyer
50. Prom Nights from Hell – Stephanie Meyer
51. The Host – Stephanie Meyer
52. Dead until Dark – Charlaine Harris
53. Living Dead in Dallas – Charlaine Harris
54. Club Dead – Charlaine Harris
55. Dead to the World – Charlaine Harris
56. Bossy Pants – Tina Fey
57. A Stolen Life – Jaycee Dugard
58. Matched – Ally Condie
59. Night Road – Kristin Hannah
60. The Murderer’s Daughters – Randy Susan Meyers
61. The Art of Non-Conformity:  Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World – Chris Guillbean
62. Women and Money:  Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny – Suze Orman
63. The Simple Dollar:  How One Man Wiped Out His Debts and Achieved the Life of His Dreams – Trent Hamm
64. Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyoski
65. The Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramily
66. Your Money – J.D. Roth
67. The Automatic Millionaire – David Bach
68. Money 911 – Jean Chatzky
69. The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas Stanley and William Danko
70. Your Money or Your Life:  Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence – Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
71. Working Writer Happy Writer:  How to Build a Thriving Business from Nothing – Sue Lapointe
72. The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin
73. The Well-Fed Writer:  Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelander in 6 months or less – Peter Boweman
74. Blogging Heroes:  Interviews with 30 of the World’s Top Bloggers – Michael A Banks
75. Resilience – Elizabeth Edwards
76. Ariston Bread in 5 Minutes a Day:  The Discovery that Revolutionizes Home Baking – Jeff Herzberg and Zoe Francis
77. Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time – Donna Otto
78. The Money Books for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed:  The Only Personal Finance System for People with Not So Regular Jobs – Joseph D’Angese and Denise Kiernan
79. The Mission of Motherhood:  Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity – Sally Clarkson
80. One Thousand Gifts:  A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are – Ann Voskamp
81. Raising Boys:  Why Boys are Different and How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men – Steve Biddulph and Paul Stanisto
82. How to Survive without a Salary:  Learning to Live The Conserver Lifestyle – Charles Long
83. The Help –Katherine Stockett
84. What Happy People Know:  How the Science of Happiness Can Change Your Life for the Better – Dan Baker, Ph. D & Cameron Stauth
85. A Separate Place – John Knowles
86. Organized Simplicity:  The Clutter Free Approach to Intentional Living – Tsh Oxenreider
87. Not Your Mother’s Casserole – Faith Durand
88. 365 Thank You’s:  The Year a Simple Act of Gratitude Changed My Life – John Kvalik
89. True Compass:  A Memoir – Edward Kennedy
90. On Secret Service – John Jakes
91. The Hundred Secret Series:  A Novel – Amy Tan
92. Left Neglected – Lisa Genova
93. The Usual Rules – Joyce Maynard
94. I’d Know You Anywhere – Laura Upmann
95. Red Hooke Rd – Ayelet Waldman
96. The Cookbook Collector – Allegra Goodman
97. Annabel – Kathleen Winter
98. These Things Hidden – Heather Gudenkauf
99. Deep Down True – Juliette Fay
100. Lose It – Charles Teague & Ananad O’Connor
101. 10 Lessons From a Former Fat Girl – Amy Parham
102. Stitch N Bitch – Debbie Stoller
103. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years:  How I Learned to Live a Better Story – Donald Miller
104. Acedia and Me – Kathleen Norris
105. Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet – Jamie Ford
106. Before I Go To Sleep – J.J. Watson
107. The Midwife’s Confession – Diane Chamberlain
108. Faith – Jennifer Haugh
109. The Pioneer Woman – Ree Drummond
110. Saving Savvy:  Smart and Easy Ways to Cut Your Spending in Half and Raise Your Standard of Living – Kelly Hancock
111. Those That Save Us – Jenna Blum
112. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb – Melanie Benjamin
113. The Language of Flowers – Vanessa Diffenbaugh
114. Water For Elephants – Sara Gruen
115. Mudbound – Hillary Jordan
116. Faith – Jennifer Haigh
117. The Dry Grass of August – Anna Jean Mayhew
118. The Dirty Life:  On Farming Food and Love – Kristin Kimball
119. Skipping a Beat – Sarah Pekkanen
120. Bossypants – Tina Fey
121. Left Neglected – Lisa Genova
122. Dreams of Joy – Lisa See
123. Annabel – Kathleen Winter

Menu

Well, I try to do a grocery menu for the week.  I have typical stuff for breakfast and lunch and then I try to make some different for dinner.  I like to experiment with different recipes from blogs that I read.  Here is what I have planned for Thursday July 14 – Tuesday July 19:

Thursday – BBQ Turkey Meatloaf with Oven Potatoes

Friday – Healthier Crockpot Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potato Fries

Saturday – BBQ Hot Dogs with chips

Sunday – BBQ Nachos

Monday – Chipotle Chicken Mac and Cheese with Pinto Beans

Tuesday -  Honey Mustard Chicken with Salad

We are going out of town next Friday so I have to re-evaluate what is left in the house and decide what we are having Wednesday and Thursday night.

Crock Pot Pasta Sauce with Sausage | Ginas Skinny Recipes

Crock Pot Pasta Sauce with Sausage | Ginas Skinny Recipes

Made this pasta sauce last night, it was so good :) The only difference is that I used turkey sausage instead of chicken sausage because it was cheaper.

Gym Schedule

To all my gym buddies, here is the scheduled that I laid out for when I am going to the gym (unless something happens).

Monday – Taking kids to Martial Arts at 11:30 (if they want to go), BodyCombat @ 6:30 (never done it before but figured I would try it)

Tuesday – Mat Pilates @ 10am, Sh’Bam @ 11am.

Wednesday – BodyPump @10 or 4:30 (Haven't decided on which one, I know there is a scout meeting at 7:30 so might do the 10) **Edit…totally forgot that I was babysitting on Wednesday so I am going to have to work gym time after that**

Thursday – Mat Pilates @ 10am, Sh’bam @ 11am.

Friday – Taking kids to Martial Arts at 6:45. 

Unless something happens, this is what I am going to shoot for this week   I have been so bad on my diet so I have got to step my game up again.

Baby Red Potato Salad | Ginas Skinny Recipes

Baby Red Potato Salad | Ginas Skinny Recipes

This is a great potato salad recipe. Just wanted to share it with everyone. It is low calories and tasty :)

Skinny Taco Dip–Skinnytaste.com

Skinny Taco Dip | Ginas Skinny Recipes

This is a great taco dip recipe. It is lower calorie and very tasty with Baked tortilla chips.

Summer List…

So the boys were able to mark off number 38 off their Summer List.

38.  Take a hike

A couple of weeks ago, we went hiking with our cub scout pack to Camp Rapidan.  It was definitely a fun hike and everyone should Google it to see what the Camp is all about.  I wish I could have pictures but we didn’t want to lug the big camera and then, of course, the small one was dead.  The boys got cameras as of today so I am hoping to get some pictures from them on the other adventures that we do this summer.

I hate that we are moving on such a small pace but I am hoping to change that…

Interesting Facts…

So I was reading the July 2011 “O” Magazine when I come upon this section called “The Latest Science on Sex” and there is some information in there that I thought was interesting.  The first blurb says:

“The scent of a woman’s tears decreases sexual arousal in men, according to research from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.”

The second blurb says:

“A study at the University of Toronto has revealed that male rats raised with more sisters than brothers are less appealing to potential female mates.”

The third blurb says:

“Based on the most through scientific review of natural aphordiacs to date conducted at the University of Guelph in Ontario, ginseng root boosts arousal and sexual satisfaction, and chocolate increases desire.”

The final blurb says:

“A recent study found that a man is more than twice as likely to stay with an unfaithful girlfriend if she cheats on him with a woman than a man, whereas women are more likely to break up with a boyfriend over a homosexual affair that a heterosexual one.”

Summer Vacation List–Day 2

So the boys were able to mark off number 10 off their list, which was visit relatives.  Last night, we went to their Nana and Grandad’s house to see Grandad for this birthday.  They have a new dog which the kids loved.  I think Brynlee thought that he was supposed to come with us.  She kept asking where the dog was last night.  I had to keep explaining to her that it lived at Nana and Grandad’s.  I hope the kids don’t think they are getting a dog anytime soon…I told them they had to wait until we moved into a home that we actually owned instead of rented.

Ryan as a Blogger

Ryan will also be blogging on this page…it is the Grayson 5 after all

Evan as a Blogger

So Evan is going to be blogging on this site for the summer about what is going on.  I just wanted to check to see if the posts would actually work

Summer Vacation List

So last night, the boys did number 42 on their summer to-do list.  The list was for them to stay up until midnight.  They have been watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and that is what they ended up doing.  They have a lot more to do on their list but there is a lot more of summer left….

Summer Vacation is Here!

So the kids are out for summer vacation.  I decided to make a list of activities for us (or just me) to do this summer.  Some are kid-related, some are just me related.

1. Have the kids host a sleepover. 
2. Go to Splashdown. 
3. Build a fort. 
4. Make homemade pizza.
5. Go to Buster's Ice Cream.
6. Visit the zoo.
7. Paint a project
8. Do a service for someone.
9. Read a book.
10. Visit relatives
11. Go camping
12. Go to the movies
13. Create a scrapbook
14. Write a story
15. Sew a library bag
16. Start a blog (for the boys to do)
17. Have a picnic
18. Have a pajamas day
19. Help make dinner
20. Plant flowers – Evan helped do that today
21. Go to the park
22. Tie dye a shirt
23. Mail a letter
24. Make a magazine collage
25. Go to the pool
26. Make lemonade
27. Play a board game
28. Paint with pudding
29. Play soccer
30. Play football
31. Build a model
32. Start a collection
33. Melt crayons
34. Invite someone over
35. Make cookies
36. Write a card
37. Visit a cemetery
38. Go on a hike – Doing this Saturday
39. Have a popcorn fight
40. Go mini-golfing
41. Do a puzzle
42. Stay up until midnight
43. Go Fishing
44. Clean room
45. Use Sidewalk chalk
46. Email a friend
47. Make a root beer float
48. Draw a self portrait
49. Go to a museum
50. Get a new hairdo
51. Go Bowling
52. Play Hide N Seek
53. Shop at a thrift store
54. Write letters to family
55. Go to an outdoor concert
56. Pick vegetables from a garden
57. Make frozen bananas
58. Learn to Can (That one is for me )
59. Go through the house and get rid of stuff not needed.
60. Make homemade sidewalk chalk
61. Make sponge balls
62. Find a job (This one is for me too )
63. Take the kids to Kings Dominion for the first time

Using The Sun to Help Out My Environment

**Please Note This is a Guest Post**

Using the sun to help out my environment

Posted by Winford Tillman

I felt that it was about time that I stopped complaining about all of the things that were going wrong in my community and started doing something about it. I really wanted to contribute my part to making at least my local environment a better place. I felt that the only way I was really going to be able to do this was by installing solar panels onto my home.

I had read somewhere about individuals who install solar panels onto their homes. At first the idea seemed just as crazy to me as it probably does to you. After a while though, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of help I felt I was giving to my local community. Before long, I was able to supply all the energy used my home solely through those solar panels. It helps that I happen to live in an area that is sunny almost all the time. I just really feel that this is a way to do my part.

I was also happy that I was able to lower my ShopElectricityRatesTexas.com bill by doing this. I don't have to worry about the world that I am leaving to my children, and I get rewarded for it as well. I consider this decision to be a win-win all around for me. You would probably find it very useful for yourself as well. Just give it a try.

My thought of the day

I find it so funny when girls complain about child support. Reality check...that money is for your kid...not so you can pay YOUR bills...and it most certainly isn't for when you need your hair and nails done.


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Microsoft XBOX 360 CORE Gaming System Console - CowBoom Store

Today on Cowboom.com, You can purchase the Microsoft XBOX 360 Core gaming system for $79.99.

Microsoft XBOX 360 CORE Gaming System Console - CowBoom Store

I Just Don’t Know…

So, my diet has completely sucked for the last week and half.  I am sure that I have gained some weight back.  I just haven’t been eating very well.  I am hoping to get back on the wagon tomorrow.  I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow and get more “better” food in the house.

Also, I got another rejection for a job.  Last Friday, I was supposed to go for my “try-out” but the girl was sick so I couldn’t.  So I talked to her today and told her that I couldn’t come in until Friday.  I’m sorry, I’m not setting up daycare for Brynlee to not get a job.  So she called and they filled out.  So why did you tell me to come in Friday and then go with someone else?  Jay told me to email them and tell them to take my resume out of the pile for the next time.  I actually think I want to keep it in there.  Just for the satisfaction that when this next person quits and they call, I can tell them to shove it.  Honestly, I have a bachelor’s degree and I am working on my Master’s, I think I am better than $10 an hour.  I would take it for the job history but I think I am worth more.  So now I am back to submitting resumes and see what happens.  I heard employment has been going up so hopefully, that will work for me.

Kids Eat Free After 4pm in the month of April!

Change of Plans…

So I got a call this morning saying that my “try-out” wasn’t going to be today.  That actually worked out though cause I wanted to go over to the consignment sale at St. Luke’s.  It is so funny how crazy some of those women get in buying stuff.  I always just go to see what they have.  I never really am able to find anything for the boys.  I did find about 5 outfits for Brynlee.  So it wasn’t a total bust.  I just can’t imagine how much some of those women pay.  I did spend $60 in there one time but it was only because I bought at Super Gate (which I am now selling if anyone needs one ).  This time I spent $20 and that wasn’t too bad.  I got her 5 outfits, 2 pajamas, a hat, and I found a Pack 198 shirt that looks brand new in Ryan’s size.  The Pack shirt will work out nicely because here in January, Ryan will be bridging to the Troop.

Since today, my plans have changed, I guess I am going to straighten the house up.  I have to wash Brynlee’s blankets and sheets (which are in the wash right now) and work on yard sale stuff.  They are supposed to call me back on Monday and let me know what is going on.  So we will see…

Tomorrow is the Try Out Day

So on Tuesday, I went for a job interview.  It was my first one in a long time.  I guess they were kind of impressed that I used to work for Pitney Bowes and they wanted me for their mailroom position that just came available….not the customer service position I applied for.  To be honest, once I finished my degree, I wasn’t thinking about seeing myself going back to working in that setting.  Although, I have to think that I haven't worked full time for almost 6 years so I need to work up some kind of work history.  I am just hoping it works out.  So this place likes to do a “try-out” day to see if you like it and they like you.  To be honest, I think a lot of places should do that.

I guess my two biggest concerns are daycare and schedule.  I know, for right now, I can have the boys go to after school at the school.  That isn't a big deal.  Now, when it comes to the summer, I would be interested to see what the cost would be to have them go to summer camp program that the after school company runs.  I guess that will let me know a great deal of what is going to happen.

Next, I need to figure out what to do with Brynlee.  I would like to get her in a setting like Evan did when he was about her age.  He went to a church preschool and then they had after care that they could go to after school was over.  I liked that because it was no required for them to be a yes we are coming everyday or no we weren't.  It was a drop in kind of thing.  So you could tell them in the morning that they were staying and then pay the additional at the end of the billing part.  The biggest problem with it is most places like that require them to be potty trained.  I don’t think Brynlee really is interested that much in that yet.

Then on top of that, I am worried about schedule.  As of right now, Evan has soccer practices on Fridays at 5.  If their games are cancelled on Saturdays, then they have practice on Wednesdays.  So, this job wants me to work until 5…it would be hard to get him there at 5.  Right now, we only have one main family vehicle.  Additional to that, I already have days set aside that I have prior plans.  Like I have a bunch of Fridays that I have stuff planned.  I have the Friday of our yard sale, Friday of Webelo-ree, and Friday of our trip to Williamsburg.  Oh and the Friday of our Sherando Lake trip…and I am sure there is more.  I am wondering how much they would be willing to work with me until I have a working mommy schedule again instead of a stay at home mom schedule.  I guess we will find out tomorrow….

Just like restaurant guacamole

Guest post written by Dean Perry

For Valentine's Day, I decided to fix up a good meal of Mexican food for my girlfriend. Last year when we went out to eat at this nice restaurant, we had to wait almost two hours to get seated and then the food was just okay. It wasn't even that good. So I decided I would do that for him this year because it will be more special for her. Plus, I think that she'll appreciate the effort a little bit more.

But I've never cooked Mexican food like that before, so I decided to go online and find some recipes to make for her. While I was online, I came across this site www.ClearTVBundle.com and decided to change over my internet service at my apartment to it after I looked through it some.

I found a recipe for guacamole that I'm going to try to fix. I thought about making it ahead of time but I don't want her to suspect that I'm going to fix her Mexican food for Valentine's Day.

Diet Journey

Well, I think I have been doing okay on my diet.  I know the big thing is that I am not getting exercise in like I am supposed to.  I guess it is hard because I haven't been putting it on my “to do” list.  I really need to start that, I think that would help my efforts a great deal.

On a positive note, I have officially hit in the 250s.  I know that it is still a big number but I am trying my best.  I am trying to push getting in all my water but for some reason, I am short every day.  I usually get around 6 cups in so I have to really push to try to get a least the 8 in.  So today, my goal is to be to 8 cups.  I read a diet one time and it said you should try to drink half your weight in water.  I don’t know if I could do that, that would bring me from 8 cups up to around 16-17 cups.  That would definitely be pushing it for me.  I wouldn’t get anything done because I would have to spend all day peeing.

So back to trying hard today.  I am hungry already after eating breakfast but I have it set in my mind, I can not have my snack until 10-10:30.  So I am going to try to stay busy and not think about it.  I really wish it would hurry up and get warm.  That way, I could open the windows and get the spring cleaning started.  For some reason, I cant get motivated to do spring cleaning unless it is warm and the windows are open.

Update

Well, I wanted to write an  update over the weekend but this weekend was just totally busy.  Saturday, the boys had their Blue and Gold banquet for Cub Scouts.  It was a fun time.  It was neat to see how everyone got creative with their decorations.  The theme was “Turn Back the Clock” and each den had to decorate for the decade they were given.  I wish I had a better camera so I could have taken pictures .

On the diet front, I haven't been doing that well.  I have been cheating really paid and I paid for it.  I gained 2 pounds back So today, the diet restarted.  So far, so good.  The only thing is that today, I have a headache.  At least I was able to get downstairs cleaned.  I am going to try to go clean out the car while Brynlee sleeps but, we will see.  It is supposed to rain so I am sure that’s not going to help.

Tonight, my den at scouts is going bowling and I think they will have a lot of fun.  This time, I am actually going to bowl and see how much I suck!

Tomorrow, I have to clean my upstairs and do a major amount of laundry.  Brynlee wont be too happy about hanging out upstairs for the majority of the morning but she will just have to get over it.

Gotta Get Back…

Into workout mode.  We have worked out in a few days and I can tell.  Sometimes, it just seems so hard to get it in.  I wish it was warm outside again so I can at least take Brynlee for a walk because she loves doing that.  I am hoping to find a jogging stroller for cheap so that it would be easier to actually push her instead of having her in the umbrella stroller.  Plus, it is kind of hard to use that one anyway.  So I am hoping to get back into the exercise tonight.  It takes 21 days to make it a habit is what I have been told.

Slow Cooker Creole Chicken

Ingredients

• 2.5 lb. chicken thighs
• Drizzles of olive oil
• 1-2 Tbsp. Creole seasoning
• 1 bag vegetable soup frozen vegetables or gumbo soup mix
• 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup brown rice

Directions

1. Add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker.  Drizzle a little olive oil over the top.  Season with the Creole seasoning.
2. Add the vegetables over top of the chicken. (Adding them while still frozen is fine!)  Sprinkle a little more seasoning over top.  Add a few dashes of salt and pepper as well.
3. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours.
4. About 1 hour before dinner time, start cooking the brown rice.  Cook according to package instructions. (If using instant brown rice, you’ll only need a few minutes!)
5. Serve Slow Cooker Creole Chicken and veggies over brown rice.

My diet journey

I guess I should be using more pictures to show my diet journey. This is me today February 4, 2011. Still have some muffin top going on but it is getting better.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Elmwood Dr,Culpeper,United States

I know I should be doing my exercise tonight but i guess it is being put on hold tonight. Jay is working on the computer where I do it plus I have a bunch of reading to do for school. I wish it was warm already and i had a jogging stroller for brynlee. I am ready to get out and do some walking. I think that would help alot. I have the DVDs for the P90X but I am wondering if I am too out of shape to do that.


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Location:Exercise...

Spicy Bean Burritos

Ingredients:

For the bean filling:

• 2 tsp. canola or vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. minced chipotle in adobo sauce
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1/3 cup water, vegetable, or chicken broth
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 tbsp. salt

For serving:

• 6 tortillas
• shredded cheese
• diced tomatoes
• shredded romaine lettuce
• chopped green onions
• low-fat sour cream

Directions:

1. To make the bean filling, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle, cumin, alt and cayenne;  stir, cooking just until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.  Add the beans and the water or broth to the pan.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the salsa, and mash mixture with a spoon or fork.
2. Spoon about a third of a cup of the bean mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Top each serving with a pinch of shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, and sour cream.  Roll the tortilla up tightly, burrito style and serve.

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred–Day 4

It is getting easier with each day, however, my shins hurt so bad that sometimes I have to stop.  I am wondering if it is just because of how big I am and I hope it eventually stops.

Slow Cooker Creamy Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Ground Turkey or beef
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1 10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
• 1 beef bouillon cube

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, garlic powder, and quick oats.  Once this is fully mixed, create the meatballs.  Place in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Pour cream of mushroom soup over the meatballs and add the bouillon cube.
3. Cook one low for 6 hours.

Jillian michaels 30 day shred - day 3

Getting a little easier but I am still having trouble getting up. Hopefully it is working.


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Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup coarsely chopped canned artichoke hearts
• 4 cloves roasted garlic, smashed
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. roasted red pepper flakes

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan, sour cream, mayonnaise, spinach, artichokes, roasted garlic, salt and red pepper flakes.  Mix well with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are evenly blended.  Spread into a small baking dish.  Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan over top if desired.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until top slightly browned.  Serve warm with baguette slices, pita chips, crackers, etc..

No Spending Challenge

When we say no spending, we mean no spending outside of our normal daily living expenses.  Some things will still need to be purchased in order to keep lights lit, food on the table, and diapers on the little one.

Grayson Family Spending Plan

• $400 a month for groceries – this will be interesting…lots of bean burritos I see
• normal utility payments and monthly bills
• gas for the cars
• We will do our best to not spend on anything else for the month and share our experience with you.
• Get our finances on track and have fun documenting the creative ways to not spend any money.

Here are a few ideas to spend the free time:

1. Dust off the board games and finally play them.
2. Watch free movies on Hulu.com or watch something in our DVD collection.
3. Dig through cookbooks and try out recipes using ingredients in the pantry.
4. Actually use craft supplies that have been bought and not yet used.
5. Catch up on laundry for once and teach the boys how to do it.
6. Look for free activities to do in the community.
7. Volunteer or find things in your home that you could donate to those less fortunate. 
8. Visit the library and actually use the books
9. Clip coupons and play your grocery shopping for a month
10. Learn a new skillet set or check out books on self-improvement to make your life easier.
11. Take a bubble bath.
12. Organize your closets and go through clothing.
13. Price and get items ready for the next big yard sale when the weather is warm.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple butter
• 2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 15oz can pumpkin
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp. baking soda

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients together until dough forms. Spray a bread pan with non stick spray and pour into the pan. 
3. Bake in the oven for 1 hour or until bread takes shape.

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Day 2

Well, it still kicked my butt but slightly better.  I am going to stick with it though and finish out the next 28 days.  I am hoping that I will actually see results after doing it.  It is nice to be able to get in a workout just in 20 minutes.  I am thinking about trying P90X after the 30 Day Shred, we shall see

Jillian Michaels 30 day shred day 1

Today I did day 1 of level 1 of the Jillian michaels 30 day shred. It definitely kicked my butt. I am hoping by the time I get to day 10, I won't feel like I am dying.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Holly Crest Dr,Culpeper,United States

Pizza Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 8 slices Italian bread
• 8 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 8 slices tomatoes
• 4 tsp. grated parmesan cheese
• 24 slices pepperoni
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• pizza sauce, warmed

Directions:

1. On four slices of bread, layer one slice of mozzarella, two slices of tomato, 1 tsp. Parmesan cheese, a dash of garlic salt, and six slices of pepperoni.  Top with remaining mozzarella and bread.  Spread outside of sandwiches with butter.
2. On a hot griddle, toast sandwiches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.  Service with pizza sauce.

Why I Make a Weekly Menu

The first reason, plain and simple, we have to eat. It is something that every human being does.

The second reason, is because I want to make sure that we have variety, with different kinds of meals all the time. 

Cooking at home is much cheaper and healthier than going out to eat.  You have more control over what you are putting in your both and you can make sure the meal is more rounded.

There are some things that I have to take into account when I am planning the menu.  You have to find stuff that you think sounds good. 

You need to look at the days individually and think ahead about how busy you will be on each day.  So make sure that if you are having a busy day, you do a crockpot meal or something that wont take longer than 30 minutes to make.

Also, make sure to look around in the pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what you have around the house to use.  That way you can make your bill lower and wont be letting food go to waste.

Make sure that your meals are well balance.  If you have a main dish of macaroni and cheese, don’t serve potatoes as a side.

The most important when making your meal plan SALES.  Make sure to look at the weekly sales ads and see what is one sale and plan around that.

Once you make your meal plan, then you can do your list. 

Make sure when you go to the store to shop, you only get the items that you have on your list, and you’ll save money.

Devilish Chili-Cheese Dogs

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. ground sirloin
• salt and pepper
• 2 tsps. worchesthire sauce
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 8 beef franks
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. hot sauce
• 8 hot dog buns, toasted
• 2 cups shredded cheddar

Directions:

1. Heat skillet over medium-high heat.  Add olive oil and meat and season with salt and pepper.  Brown and crumble beef. Add worchesshire, onion, garlic, chili powder, and cook together 5 minutes.  Add tomato sauce and reduce heat to low.
2. Meanwhile, boil franks in shallow pan to warm through, about 5 minutes.  Drain water and return pan to medium heat.  Score casing on dogs.  Melt butter in skillet and hot sauce.  Add dogs to pan, browning and crisping the casings in hot sauce and butter. 
3. Heat broiler.
4. Place devilish dogs in buns and top with chili and lots of cheese.  Place devilish dogs under broiler and melt cheese.  Serve immediately.

Beef and Green Chile Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies
• 8 oz. (2 cups) Monterey jack cheese
• 1 can enchilada sauce
• 6 flour tortillas
• shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and additional sour cream, if desired

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In 10 inch nonstick skillet, cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently.  Drain.  Add corn;  cook and stir about 3 minutes or until corn is thawed.  Stir in sour cream, green chilies, and 1 cup of cheese.
2. Spread about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce in a 13x9 inch glass baking dish.  Spread about 2 tsps. enchilada sauce on each tortilla.  Top each with 2/3 cup beef mixture.  Roll up tortillas; place seam side down over enchilada sauce in baking dish.
3. Drizzle remaining enchilada sauce evenly over filled tortillas.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.  Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray;  place sprayed side down on baking dish and seal tightly.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until thoroughly heated.  Serve garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, and additional sour cream.

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 tbsps. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Butter at 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
2. Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork.  Mix in the milk and cinnamon.  In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined.  Add dry ingredients, mixing just into flour disappears.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes.  Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack, and completely cool before slicing.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 10 Chicken Tenders
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. lemon pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a foil lined baking dish, place the chicken tenders.  Pour lemon juice over the tenders and sprinkle with lemon pepper.  Bake in the over for about 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Slow Cooker Roast Pork

Ingredients:

• 1 pork loin (or whatever your favorite cut is)
• 1 package dried onion soup mix
• 1 tbsp. fresh minced garlic or 1 tsp. dried garlic powder
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. caraway seeds
• 1 cup water (approx.)

Directions:

1. Place roast in crockpot.  Add water, spices, and soup mix.  Cook 4 hours on medium-high for a 2 lb. roast, and 1 additional hour per pound, up to approx. 8 hours.

Topic of the Day–January 24, 2011

The Story of My Serious Injury.

Well, to be honest, I have never really had an injury that I consider serious.  I have had sprained ankles and stuff like that, just like anyone else.  Maybe you have had a serious injury and would like to share your story.

Artisan Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. yeast
• 6 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

1. Mix in a very large bowl, just until all flour is wet.  Cover loosely with saran wrap.  Let sit for 2 hours.
2. Shape into 4 grapefruit size balls and leave on cookie sheet (sprinkled with cornmeal).  Let rise around 40 minutes.
3. Preheat over for 450.  Put a pan on the bottom race and a basking stone on the middle.  Slide loaves onto middle cookie sheet and then pour water in the bottom pan.  Then close over quickly.  The steam will get trapped in your oven.  Cook 20-30 minutes or until brown on top.

Lemonade Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. lemon zest

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350.
2. In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
3. In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended.
5. Reduce heat to low and beat in flour mixture just until combined, scraping the bowl with a spatula.
6. Stir in lemon zest.
7. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheet. 
8. Bake for 10 minutes or until just brown around the edges.

Diet…

Well, I decided to try this website and app called MyFitnessPal.  So far, it seems pretty easy.  We will see how it goes.  It is just so hard in the winter to try to eat better and get exercise.  I’ve been using the games on the kinect but I noticed that I’m not getting as many calories burned in the same amount of time that they want me to.  So with that, I am going to have to find other ways to make up with at least the calorie portion.  What I would really love is to find a full time job.  That way, not only will I not be at home to see all the food but, maybe we can think afford a nice gym membership.  You know, the ones that have daycare That way I could go during the day and, at the same time, Brynlee could get some socialization skills that I worry she doesn’t get because she is home with me all the time.  I am just hoping that sometime this year, I can go back to work.  If anything, at least I am trying to get my Master’s

Meat Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 15oz can tomato sauce
• 1 15oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
• 1 4oz can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup beef stock, optional
• 3 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 – 1 tsp. salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. allspice
• 1 bay leaf

Directions:

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, add ground beef with the onions, green peppers, garlic, and zucchini.  Season with 1/2 tsp. salt and crushed red pepper flakes.  Cook until browned; drain. 
2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine well.  Continue cooking over medium heat until it just starts to bubble.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer as long as you like.  Serve over pasta.

Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. spicy breakfast sausage
• 10 medium russet potatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can corn
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

Directions:

1. Peel and Cube Potatoes.  Cover with water in large stock pot and put on to boil. 
2. Brown sausage and onions.  Set aside. 
3. After the potatoes become soft, whisk in soup and corn
4. Add sausage and onions.
5. Stir in cheese and serve.

Skillet Corn

Ingredients:

• 5 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/2 green or red pepper, diced (optional)
• 1 bag frozen corn
• 1 tbsp. cumin
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, melt butter or margarine over medium heat.  Add onion and optional peppers.  Cook until onion is translucent.  Add corn and seasonings.  Cook, stirring often, until the corn begins to just slightly crisp.

Layered Italian Casserole

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. uncooked spaghetti
• 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15 oz. each) Italian tomato sauce
• 3 tbsps. minced fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 4 cups (32 oz.) 1% cottage cheese
• 2 1/2 cups (10 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions:

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the beef, onion, and garlic until meat is no longer pink;  drain.  Add the tomato sauce, parsley and oregano; heat through.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.  Drain the spaghetti.
3. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce into a 13x9 in baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Layer with half of the spaghetti, cheese mixture, and remaining meat sauce.  Repeat layers.
4. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Uncover;  sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.  Bake 5-10 minutes longer.

Baked Beans with a Kick

Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cans pork n beans
• 2 cans kidney beans
• 2 cans butter beans
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 tbsp. molasses
• 2 tbsp. mustard
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup picante sauce

Directions:

1. Fry bacon and onion in large stockpot. 
2. Rinse and drain butter beans and kidney beans. 
3. Add all beans to bacon and onion. 
4. Mix ketchup, barbecue sauce, sugars, mustard, molasses, salt, and picante sauce.  Blend, then add to bean mixture.
5. Bake at 350 for one hour.

Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked
• non-stick cooking spray
• 12 oz. evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 4 cups shredded cheddar

Directions:

1. Coat the crockpot with non-stick spray.  Add all ingredients, saving 1 cup of cheese.  Cook on low 4-5 hours.  Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese over the top a few minutes before serving.

Grilled Chicken Marinade

Ingredients:

• 3-4 Chicken Breasts
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup Italian dressing

Directions:

1. Put chicken in resealable, gallon size plastic bag.  Dump in the barbecue sauce and salad dressing.  Shake,flip, and mix together.  Let sit in fridge overnight or at least 4 hours.  Grill as usual.

Oven Fries

Ingredients:

• 5 large russet potatoes
• 3 tbsp. oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions:

1. Fill a large bowl halfway full of cold water.  Slice the potatoes lengthwise into ovals about 1/2 inch thick.  Then, slice each oval into individual fries.  Immediately place the cut fries into the bowl of water.  Place the bowl in the refrigerator and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to up to a few hours.
2. Place 2 cookie sheets in a cold oven and preheat to 400 degrees. 
3. Thoroughly drain water from potatoes and pat dry.  Toss with the oil and salt and pepper.  Spray the heated cookie sheets or lightly brush with additional oil.  Spread the potatoes onto the cookie sheets in a single layer.
4. Bake the fries until golden brown, about 20 minutes.  Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese, if using, and bake an additional 5-8 minutes,until cheese is caramelized.

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H-O-T Boneless Buffalo Wings

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. raw boneless, skinless lean chicken breast, cut into 10 nugget-shaped pieces
• 1/4 cup Fiber One cereal (original), ground to a breadcrumb like consistency in blender or food process
• 1 oz. Pringles Light Fat Free Potato Crips, Barbecue
• 3 tbsp. Frank’s Red-hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• dash onion powder
• dash garlic powder
• dash cayenne pepper
• dash black pepper
• dash salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Crush potato crisps completely and, in a small dish, mix with cereal crumbs.  Add a dash of each of the seasonings and mix well.  Place chicken pieces in a separate dish, and cover and toss with Frank’s Red-hot.  Spray a baking pan with nonstick spray.  Give each chicken a shake and then coat it evenly with the crumb mixture.  Lay the battered nuggets on the baking pan.  Place in over, and bake for 10 minutes.  Then flip the wings over, and return them to the over for 10 more minutes, or until outsides are crispy and chicken is cooked throughout. 

Sunday Beef Roast

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. chuck roast
• Lemon Pepper
• 3 tbsp. lemon juice
• salt and pepper
• 4 medium red potatoes, washed and quartered
• 4 carrots, peeled and quartered
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cups hot water

Directions:

1. Marinate the chuck roast in the lemon juice, sprinkled with lemon pepper, and a bit of salt and pepper.
2. Place into a roasting pan and add the red potatoes, carrot pieces, celery pieces, diced onion, and some hot water.
3. Cover with roasting pan lid and roast for 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 160.
4. Slow Cooker Alternative:  Place the marinated beef roast in the base of a slow cooker.  Add all the veggies and water if you want to thin out and save the beef broth.  Set on low and cook for 8 hours.  Serve.  Save the broth, let it cook, and then freeze it in 2 cup portions.
5. Serve the beef roast with all the veggies.

Pierogi Casserole

Ingredients:

• 9 – 12 lasagna noodles, prepared according to package directions.
• 2 cups cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced incluing the tops
• 2 tbsps butter, melted
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 pan.  Place 3-4 noodles on the bottom of the pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese and egg.  Spread the mixture evenly over the lasagna noodles.  Sprinkle 1/3 of the green onion sliced over the cottage cheese mixture.
3. Place 3-4 noodles over the green onions. In a medium bowl, combine mashed potatoes and mozzarella cheese.  Spread the potato mixture over the noodles.  Then top with half of the remaining green onion slices.
4. Place 3-4 noodles over the green onions.  Brush melted butter over the noodles.  Sprinkle with remaining green onions and cheese.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.  Remove foil and bake for additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown.

Beef and Mushroom Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 can (10 3/4oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cups spaghetti sauce
• 9 cooked lasagna noodle
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Stir soup and milk in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Cook beef in skillet over medium-high heat until well-browned, stirring often to separate meat.  Pour off fat.  Stir in sauce.
3. Layer 1/2 beef mixture, 3 noodles and 1 cup soup mixture in 2 quart shallow baking dish.  Top with 3 more noodles, remaining beef mixture, remaining noodles and remaining soup mixture.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Cover baking dish.
4. Heat broiler.  Broiler 4” from heat 2 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.  Let stand 10 minutes.

Bean Burritos

Ingredients:

• 15 oz. pinto beans
• 1/2  cup brown rice
• 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 8 burrito sized flour tortillas
• shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook rice as instructed on the package.
3. In a medium size skillet, add the beans, tomatoes with green chilies, and the cooked rice.  Let this simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Once the mixture is done simmering, add 2 tbsp. of the mixture to a tortillas and top with cheese.  Roll each tortilla and place seam down in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.  Top with cheese
5. Bake in oven for about 15 minutes.

BBQ Bacon Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 1/2 tsp. dried minced onion
• 1 1/2 tsp. steak seasoning
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• lettuce leaves and tomato slices

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine mayo and barbecue sauce.  In another bowl, combine the bacon, 2 tbsp. mayo mixture, onion, and steak seasoning.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Shape into four patties.
2. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer read 160 degrees and juices run clear.  Top with cheese.  Cover and cook 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Spread remaining mayonnaise mixture over buns;  top each with a burger, lettuce and tomato.

How To Make Money Selling Gymboree on eBay

Here’s how:

Buy

Yes, Gymboree retail is quite expensive but if you purchase clothes on Gymboree.com or in-store when they are having a HUGE clearance and pair the sale with a coupon, you can usually walk away with a pretty good deal.  They also offer Gymbucks at certain times of the year.  So buy $50 worth of clothes and receive $25 worth of Gymbucks to use later.

Why Gymboree is so popular

Every few weeks, Gymboree releases a new line or collection that is themed and includes everything from socks to hair accessories.

Another reason gently used Gymboree is so popular on eBay is because of the high quality of the clothing

Sell

Typically they should be listed in lots.  They sell for approximately 50-75% of what you originally paid for them.  Extreme care should be taken to the clothes.  Using the delicate cycle, hang dry, etc. so they are almost like brand new.  List with a lot of pictures, write very detailed descriptions, and start each listing at $.99.

You can make a lot of money selling Gymboree on eBay or just dress for close to free!  Some lines ell out so quickly, that eBay is the only play to find them.

Tips for a way to save money…

One way that we save money as a family is having the guys in the house cut their hair at home.  We bought a $30 pair of sheers at Best Buy 6 years ago and it was the best $30 spent.  Who knows how much money we have saved in 6 years…

Dinner Tonight–January 6, 2011

Chicken Wonderful

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup mayo
• 16 oz. sour cream
• 1/2 can cream of mushroom soup
• 16 oz. frozen broccoli
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• dash of lemon pepper
• dash of chili powder
• 2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Season the chicken with the lemon pepper and then it can either be cooked in the skillet or boiled (I put them in the crockpot all day).  Once it is fully cooked, cut the chicken into cube pieces.  Pour lemon juice over the chicken and let it sit a few minutes.
3. Meanwhile, boil the rice and steam the broccoli as instructed on the packages.
4. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, mayo, sour cream, soup, broccoli, cooked rice, and cooked chicken then mix well.  In a 9 x 13 baking dish, pour 1/2 of the mixture on the bottom, and then top with 1 cup of cheese.  Add the remaining mixture and top with more cheese and a dash of chili powder.
5. Bake in over for 15-2o minutes or until cheese is fully melted.

Cornbread and Beans Pie

I actually found a recipe that Evan ate

Ingredients:

• 1 box corn muffin mix
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 taco seasoning packet
• 1 can ranch style beans (I couldn't find any at the store so I bought chili beans and used 2 cans)
• 1/2 frozen corn (I didn’t put any in because Evan and Jay do not like corn)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix the corn muffin mix, milk, and egg until smooth consistency is formed and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the meat and add the taco seasoning as instructed on the packet.
4. In a medium skillet, warm the beans and corn, the add in the cooked and seasoned ground beef.  Let this simmer for 5 minutes.  Pour this mixture into a 9 inch pie pan and spring the corn muffin mix on top.
5. Bake in over for 15 minutes or until corn muffin mix is completely done.

Chicken Ranch Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and thinly sliced
• 1/2 lb. bacon, diced
• 1 green pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2-3 cups shredded cheese
• ranch dressing
• 8 tortillas
• butter or margarine, for cooking

Directions:

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet until desired crispness.  Remove to drain with a slotted spoon.  Pour out all but 1 tbsp. of the grease.  Add the sliced green peppers and onions to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes, until crisp tender.
2. Add a handful of cheese to the tops of 4 tortillas.  Top each with chicken and bacon, then lightly drizzle some ranch dressing over that.
3. Top each tortillas with cooked peppers and onion.  Then add the remaining cheese on top of each pile.
4. Top each tortillas with remaining four tortillas.  Melt a little butter or margarine in a large skillet and cook the tortillas stacks one at a time over medium heat, about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.  Add more butter or margarine to the skillet as needed.
5. Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with extra ranch for dipping, if desired.

Topic of the Day–January 6, 2011

Why I Don’t Vote…

Well, for the most part, I try to vote.  I really wanted to vote in the last presidential election.  At the time, I was still pregnant with Brynlee.  That day, I had an appointment with the doctor and just like most of the appointments at that point, I was sent over the hospital to be monitored.  By the time they finally released me, the polls were closed

Perfectly Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 4 lb. Boston butt or pork shoulder
• 1 12 oz. can or bottle root bear
• 1 18 oz. bottle BBQ sauce
• 8 hamburgers bun, split and lightly toasted

Directions:

Place pork meat in a slow cooker;  pour the root beer over the meat.  Cover and cook on low until well cooked and pork shreds easily.  Shred the meat and drain the root beer from the slow cooker.  Stir the barbecue sauce and toss gently.  Serve over hamburger buns.

Baked German Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 12 medium red potatoes
• 8 bacon strips
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup water, divided
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/3 cup sweet pickle juice
• 2 tsps. dried parsley flakes
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. celery seed
• 4 1/2 tsps. all purpose flour

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, cook potatoes until just tender;  drain.  Peel and slice into an ungreased 2 quart baking dish;  set aside.
2. In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings.   Crumble bacon and set aside.  Sauté onions in drippings until tender.  Stir in the brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, vinegar, pickle juice, parsley, salt, and celery seed.  Simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine flour and remaining water until smooth;  stir into onion mixture.  Bring it a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Pour over potatoes.  Add bacon; gently stir to coat.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Topic of the Day–January 4, 2011

My Favorite Place on the Planet

My favorite place on the planet is my home.  I just loved hanging out and just relaxing.  I guess I am kind of boring in that way.  I’m not trying to say I am a hermit or anything like that.  It is just nice to have a place to come to and not have to be dressed a certain way…you can just chill.  Home doesn’t necessarily have to be this house either.  It may not be this house in a few months anyway.  I have a feeling that my landlord is going to foreclose on this house…and I hate moving….

Easy Banana Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 boxes vanilla pudding mix
• 5 bananas

Directions:

Prepare cake mix and pudding as directed on boxes.  After baking cake, spread pudding on top.  Slice bananas and layer over pudding.

Sausage Zucchini Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sausage, mild or spicy
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 chopped green pepper
• 1-3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1-2 large zucchini, sliced
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
• 1-2 roma tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Brown sausage.  sauté onion, pepper, and garlic with the meat.
2. Pour a little spaghetti sauce in a 9x13 glass baking dish.  Layer 1-2 large zucchinis on top.
3. Mix the remaining spaghetti sauce in a large bowl with sautéed meat and veggies along with the fresh basil.
4. Pour overtop the zucchini.
5. Layer sliced tomatoes on top, then cover with mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
6. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15-30 minutes longer, until the cheese is browned and the sides are bubbling. 

Topic of the Day–January 3, 2011

What’s your favorite restaurant and why?

I don’t think I really have a favorite that I always want to go to.  I do have some that I do enjoy.  For fast food, I really like Chick-Fil-A.  I haven't had it in a couple of weeks so it is time for some more.  As for other kinds of restaurant, we went to Red Robin the other night, and I really enjoyed that.  I also like Glory Days Grill…especially on Monday nights when they have their $5 burgers. 

Topic of the Day for January 2, 2011.

What TV Show do you remember most from your childhood and why?

I have 4 that also stick out in my mind when I think about my childhood. 

The first was She-Ra.  I remember being in 1st grade and I loved watching that show.  I remember getting a ton of the toys and sometimes, I still wish I had them.  I remember having the Castle and Crystal Falls, it was a good time.

The next one I remember is Punky Brewster.  I really loved that show and it was nice to see something that actually had a message to it.  I think I am going to try about getting the DVDS for the seasons.  I think there was only 4.

The next I remember is Jem.  Yes, I still could probably sit the whole theme song…ME AND MY FRIENDS ARE JEM GIRLS…JEM…JEM IS MY NAME..I remember trying to get all the dolls.  I had a good amount of them from what I remember.  Although, their hands were poorly made cause they keep falling off.

The last show was mostly from my middle-high school years and that was Beverly Hills, 90210.  I was obsessed with that show.  I collected the dolls and had some pjs with them on it.  Oh and I had a pillow too.  Yup, I was one of those.

Blog Topic of the Day: How I Earned My Worst Karma

How I Earned My Worst Karma….

I guess I earned my worst karma by any of the times that I was mean to people.  I would like to think that I am not a mean person but, perhaps, some people might think otherwise.  I don’t think I really have bad karma.  I have a hard time believing that you have some sort of karma that decides what is going to happen to you.  I think you have to go and make things happen for yourself.

New ideas…

So, in order to get some more content and followers to my blog, I have decided to draw some random topics to write about.  I have found a list from a website and put the topics on little sheets of paper.  I will draw a different on everyday and go with that topic.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda; set aside.
2. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter, and brown sugar until fluffy.  Beat the egg, vanilla, and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.  Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
3. Bake at 375 for about 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball,  Cool and completed remove from pan.

How I Use Facebook

It seems that everyone has a different reason for using Facebook.  To me, it is a great way to keep in touch with people that you normally would not.  It is amazing how many people I have been able to find and keep in touch with now.  I wish that I the ability to actually hang out with some of them more.  No one really lives here in Culpeper so it is hard to find people to “hang with”. 

Another way to use Facebook is promote any business activities that you have going on.  I know plenty of people who use Facebook to advertise stuff they are selling or even their blogs.  I think Facebook is a great way to get information out to people.