Burp Rags

Another project that I have been working on is burp rags. I have had lots of friends have babies, and my sisters both had babies. So I wanted to make some burp rags. I wanted them to be unique. So here is what I came up with. The ones below were made on white Gerber diaper clothes. I just measured the fabric and sewed it on. The back side is super soft. Then I added the ribbon for decoration, I mean hide my mistakes! As far as the monogram goes, I downloaded the letter M from some google picture, and then cut it out and put it on!

From 2010-06-20

These ones, I drew out a pattern. I wanted it to have some contour to the sides, so when it sits on your neck, it just kind of goes into your neck line. Does that make sense? One side is fabric the other side is super soft fabric. Then I cut out a bird and sewed it on. These were super fun to make. Now I just need to get them mailed to the right people!

From 2010-06-20

From 2010-06-20

From 2010-06-20

Oliver + S

I found a website called Oliver + S. It has some free tutorial’s for sewing. So, since I need LOTS of practice in sewing, I tried one out. I wish I was a better seamstress! My mom is so talented in this way, I can only hope that one day I will be better!

From 2010-06-20

This was the Popover Sundress! You can find the tutorial here.

Black Bean and Rice Dinner

From 2010-06-19

2 c. white rice (pre-cook this, it works better chilled)
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained
1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
1/2 c. chopped avocado
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1/2 c. chopped cilantro
1/4 c. olive oil
4 Tbsp. lime juice (fresh lemon is best)
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 crushed garlic clove
salt and pepper

So you just mix all these ingredients together! We doubled the recipe and fed my family of 7 just fine! It was so yummy and refreshing! And my kids all ate! That is an accomplishment!

Buttermilk Pancakes!

I bummed this Pancake recipe off of my Mother-in-law. And it is really good. So I thought I would share it with all of you. I sometimes add blueberries to the batter or chocolate chips.

Buttermilk Pancakes

1 cup of Buttermilk
1/3 cup of milk
1 egg
1 Tablespoon of oil

1 Tablespoon of sugar
1 Cup of flour
1 Tablespoon of baking powder

MIX liquids first.
Mix the dry ingredients

Then combine everything and mix. I hand mix this batter, I think it tastes better!

If too runny add 1/4 cup of flour.

For our family of 7, I have to triple this recipe…mostly because we have 3 growing boys

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot
save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear…”

Isaiah 59:1

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Yep, we have another birthday in the house! My oldest son is 12 today! I remember when he was born like it was yesterday. All my family was there. It was such a special time. The circumstances where not the greatest, but God was right in the middle of it. He never took His hand off me or Bryce. Bryce is an amazing little boy. Full of so much personality and life! He is caring! He has such a tender heart. Especially for those with special needs! I am serious, I have never seen a kid that is so compassionate towards those that are without or not as fortunate, or that have disabilities. I could really see God using him in some special way with those gifting. I keep telling him it starts out small, and it starts out right here in our own home, since he has a sister with disabilities. He is smart. Detailed. Loves music. Helpful. Creative. Funny. Best bear hugs ever! Sensitive. Loving. Hard-worker. Very creative at earning money. He is just a really great kid. I am so thankful that God saw me fit to be his mom. He teaches me things almost daily. Our family is blessed to have this bundle of joy in our home. I tell him often, that I do not care what kind of profession he has as long as he loves Jesus with all his heart, soul, and mind. That is the most important, because if he does, then He will be in tune to what God wants to do with his life.

I love you son, and I am so proud of you!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn

My baby girl is 4 today!

From 2010-06-07

I can not believe she is 4! Time is flying by!

From 2010-06-07

She is so sweet! So obedient! So relaxed! Kind! Patient! Loving! Helper! Detailed! Hard worker! Passionate! The best hugger! The best snuggler! She loves Jesus! She is a good friend! I could go on, and on, and on. She is just so sweet! When you meet her, you just fall in love with her.

From 2010-06-07

From 2010-06-07

We had Krystina’s Neurology appointment this past week. It went well. Tony was able to go with me, so I felt like I had a second set of ears to hear what the Dr, was saying. Some of her diagnosis was not a surprise to me, as I have researched so much on her. I am a little overwhelmed with it all, but know God is going to give us the strength for each day. She was diagnosed with mild Autism, Sensory Integration, PICA disorders. So we are researching out some Occupational Therapy for her, per the Dr’s recommendation.

From 2010-06-07

Benjamin just finished Kindergarten, and will start 1st grade in the fall. I am just not believing that my baby boy has finished kindergarten! They grow up to fast!

From 2010-06-07

Chandler just finished second grade! And he will be in 3rd grade in the fall! AHHH, my babies are growing.

From 2010-06-07

And my Bryce…he is giving me the I am too old for pictures, and you have taken to many of me today look! He is going to be in 6th grade! Oh man I feel old!

From 2010-06-07

These girls are the best little buddies. Trust me they fight, but they love each other! They love hanging out! And they watch out for each other!

From 2010-06-07

Carrot Cake

I wanted to make a carrot cake for my dad’s birthday. He is here with us right now. So I called my mother in law up, and asked her to send me some recipes. She sent me 2 and I just picked one. I personally HATE carrot cake. Never eat it. Do not like it…you get the point! But since it is his birthday I had to have a piece. If you like to try new things, YOU have to try this out. IT WAS SO GOOD! SO very good, that I kept eating it! It was so moist! So I guess I like “this” carrot cake! Enjoy!

From 2010-05-28

MIX ALL THESE TOGETHER:
1/2 cup oil, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup grated raw carrots, 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, 1 1/2 cups flour.
****if it seems too dry, just keep on mixing until it gets moist or you can add about a tablespoon more of crushed pineapple.

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
This can be used for a 8 x 8 pan or 2 dozen muffins. ( I USED A CIRCLE PAN) I bet these would be great for breakfast. You could even add walnuts, or maybe raisins or coconut, if you wanted to get adventurous!

And it would not be complete unless you put Cream Cheese Frosting on it!
Cream cheese icing:

4 oz Philadelphia cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups icing sugar. Beat together. When cake is cool, spread frosting on top of cake. Keep refrigerated after it is frosted.

Buttermilk Biscuits

So I was looking for a good recipe of Biscuits. I have tried several others and they just do not turn out very good. So, I stumbled across Paula Deen’s recipe for Buttermilk Biscuits and made them. OH MAN! They were SOOO good. I used a cast iron skillet to bake mine. For reference, I also baked a few on a cookie sheet, and they did not turn out as good. So I highly recommend using the cast iron skillet. If you don’t have one, you can get one at Wal-Mart for like 12 bucks. I wish I had taken pictures, but I did not. Anyways, try these out! So yummo!

Ingredients

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Pinch of cayenne pepper
* 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
* 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
* 1/4 cup butter, melted and divided
Steps

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cayenne pepper. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly. Gradually add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Dough should be sticky. Do not overwork dough.

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness with a floured rolling pin. Cut 12 biscuits with a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter. Place biscuits in a cast iron skillet or hoecake pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray and brush tops with half of melted butter. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until lightly browned. Brush with remaining melted butter before serving.

* Sausage Gravy:
* 1 pound Paula Deen Breakfast Sausage by Smithfield (either hot or mild)
* 3/4 cup flour
* 4 1/2 cups milk
* 1 tablespoon Louisiana Style hot sauce
* 1/2 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
* Salt to taste
* 2 tablespoons butter

While biscuits are baking, start gravy. In in large saute pan or cast iron skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly. Reduce heat to medium and add flour to sausage; mix thoroughly. Cook until flour browns, about 4 minutes stirring constantly. Add milk slowly and increase heat to medium-high. Continue to stir. Add hot sauce, pepper and salt. As the gravy comes to a boil, it will thicken. If too thick, add additional milk. After boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and add butter.

To serve place two of the buttermilk biscuits on each plate and top with sausage gravy and garnish with freshly cracked pepper.

Chicken Pot Pie

I have heard lots of other bloggers talk about The Pioneer Woman’s Cookbook…heard the recipes were good…and decided to give one a try before I run off and buy the cookbook. So we made the Chicken Pot Pie tonight…and it was oh so good. A home run with all the kids and the honey! It was actually her Leftover Turkey Pot Pie, but I put chicken in it. I diced my chicken up and fried it in LOTS of butter! Once it was almost cooked I added the veggies and continued with the recipe as she has it. The pictures are from my Chicken Pot Pie, but if you want to hop on over to the Pioneer Woman…she has some pretty amazing pictures too!

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

1 pie crust (1/2 of Perfect Pie Crust recipe)
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/2 cup finely diced celery
2 cups leftover turkey, light and dark, diced or shredded (or both!)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
splash of white wine (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
Frozen peas (optional)
Fresh thyme, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

From 2010-03-28

Melt butter in a skillet or dutch oven. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until translucent (a couple of minutes.)
Add turkey and stir. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir. Cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.

From 2010-03-28

Pour in chicken or turkey broth, stirring constantly. Splash in wine (you can leave this out if you’d like.) Pour in cream. (May add frozen peas at this point if you’d like.)
Bring to a slow boil and allow mixture to cook and thicken for a few minutes.

From 2010-03-28

Add salt and pepper to taste (do not underseason), and fresh or dried thyme to taste. Do one final taste at the end and add what it needs.
Pour mixture into a casserole dish or deep pie pan.
Roll out crust so that it’s about 1 inch larger than the pan you’re using.

From 2010-03-28

Place the crust on top of the pot pie mixture, and press crust into the sides of the dish. Cut vents in the top of the crust.
Bake for 30 minutes or until very golden and bubbly.
Allow to cool for a little bit before serving.

From 2010-03-28

Serve with a large spoon.

Happy Birthday Benjamin

From 2010-03-11

Benjamin my middle son was born 6 years ago!

From 2010-03-11

He was born early and spent some time in the NICU!

From Petting Zoo

He was absolutely the cutest baby ever!

From Petting Zoo

And I still think he is pretty handsome!

From 2010-03-11

He is full of so much life!

From 2010-03-11

He is so sensitive! He always has been. He has a very tender heart!

From 2010-03-11

He brings so much joy to our lives! And I love him so much!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!