kinda boring

Well....I know it's kinda boring....but I'm just really happy there's something in my wonderful canister. Plain and brown...but they are my most favorite pretzels in the world....Now that there is something in it, I can hear the clinking of the glass lid everytime the kiddos help themselves...it makes me smile.



My pretzel of choice are the Utz's Sourdough Specials......I came across these a few years ago and prefer them over all others....just the right amount of salt! But don't they look so much more presentable in my pretty glass canister??? When I emptied them in, Cubby immediately had big plans for for the empty container....



His ever-growing beer cap collection!!! A big thanks to Daddy and Grampsy....regular contributors!

every girl needs a little bling.......

My 13 year old daughter LOVES Juicy!!!! She saw this necklace on their website for $48....she showed it to me and I thought it was cute too....not $48 cute, but really cute....she dissappeared for a while and showed back up with this....



Apparently living with the treatgirl is rubbing off on her!!! The thought," I can make this for waaaaayyyy less" must have run through her Juicy loving/gotta have it mind!!!!!



A while ago I saw these cute little Altoids cases while on a trip to Florida....they were in a boutique for $65....of course the ones that I saw had real Swarvorski crystals and the ones I used are from Michaels....but you know what the treat girls favorite last words are..."I could make that!!"



And you can too, with just a few blingy rhinestones, Aileene's Jewel-It glue, a paper clip, some chapstick (I borrowed mine from Cubby's chapstick collection :) a cute little tin of your favorite mints or gum....and some patience and time.



Working with the glue around the top edge of the tin run a thin line of glue about an inch or two....don't put down too much at a time...it dries too quickly and placing the rhinestones takes a little bit of time. The stones are quite tiny and I had to figure out a way to pick them up and place them accurately...the paperclip and chapstick now come into play. Tap the opened paperclip into the chapstick and then tap it onto the top of the rhinestone. It will stick and then you'll be able to place it where you need to. Continue working around and around until you have reached the amount of bling that you want. And as always, the possibilties are endless.....my niece and I spent an afternoon "blinging" our cellphones once too!

canister

You may recognize this canister.......it started out as a terarrium. Well, it bit the dust several weeks ago....I emptied it and washed it out. I love the shape of it and it seems that this should be easy....but I sat it on my counter several days ago and have been pondering what to fill it with. I am definately thinking NO CANDY!!!! If you have any ideas....let me know......stop back every now and then to see what turns up!

hoagies

In my never ending search for quick and easy dinners that my kiddos will eat...I need to mention the hoagies that became popular during the Steeler playoff and Superbowl parties we hosted. If you remember, we called them our lucky hoagies. I struggle with the daily feeling of guilt when I have to serve dinner at 4pm on most days....because of all of our activities we generally need to be out the door by 4:45pm....the alternative is to eat at 8:15pm when we all get home and that makes me feel quilty too...so we choose to have a bowl of cereal or ice cream before bed. These are super quick and easy.....here we go....



hoagies

1 loaf of italian bread
1/2 lb. of deli meat....whatever you prefer
1/4 lb. sliced deli cheese...we use provolone
5-6 slices of tomato
1/4 head of iceberg lettuce...chopped
chopped olives
sweet pepper rings
seasonings
Beano's original submarine dressing...this is what makes it taste like it came from a sub shop!!!!



Now you're ready to assemble...Slice the loaf of bread in half, not cutting it all the way through. Place it on your baking tray and layer your deli meat, cheese and tomato. Bake it in the oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt and bubble. Take it out of the oven and finish topping with lettuce, olives, pepper rings and dressing. Slice, and add a side of your favorite chips and call it a meal!!



These are perfect for a quick lunch on the weekends, dinner during the week, or a crowd at a party. I'm sure everyone will love them!!

an outstanding omelet

I was browsing through an Oprah magazine my mom left behind on her last visit and I came across a fabulous article about omelets. I can't believe I had totally forgotten all about them!!!...I know for a shower gift I had recieved an omelet maker and tried a few times...not much success...same thing with the waffle maker....but that's another post :).....we really don't have a morning with enough time to make a big breakfast.....and sadly we only go out for breakfast/brunch a few times a year...which has become the only opportunity for an omelet. Well, this article really sparked my interest when the author made the remark that is a simple satisfying meal on winter night.....it's been a long winter over here and I'm in need of simple meals to eat at 4pm!!!...I polled all of the kiddos individually to get their thoughts on an omelet and it was quite positive...so last night I tried it...with terrific success!!!! They all loved them....quick and super easy!...and need I mention quite an inexpensive dinner as well!! $2-3 for all of us!!!!!! According to Julia Child a real omelet is an accomplishment and in her book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" she devoted EIGHT pages on making a simple omelet...I found out last night it takes just a few minutes!!...Well...if your interested here's the essentials on making an outstanding omelet:



Omelet

3 eggs at room temperature
a pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
1 tsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter

Break the eggs into a small bowl...preferably metal...Beat eggs vigorously with a fork until a mousse of tiny bubble froth along the surface. While you heat a small non-stick pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle salt and pepper on eggs. When the pan is very hot, add oil, then butter...tilting the pan to coat it evenly...Pour eggs into the center. As they start to firm up, run a spatula under the eggs, bunching the mixture toward the center so the remaining liquid can cook. When the egg is firm and nearly dry, fold over the omelet with the spatula. Slide it onto a plate and serve immediately.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can always add ham, cheese, mushrooms, onions, peppers...just about anything!!....we started with ham and cheese.




I feel so accomplished to be able to make such a great omelet!!...Cubby even wanted one for breakfast this morning...and truly, it took as much time as it would have to put a frozen waffle in the toaster!...I was so excited about it when I got to my class at the Y last night that I mentioned to a dear friend and here she makes eggs every Tuesday night....I think I will be doing this much more often!

playdoh

What to do on a morning with nothing planned.......bust out the playdoh!!! We have always loved playdoh over here....and only the original stuff......I don't make it from a recipe....I remember when my oldest child got her first playdoh.....we opened it up and it smelled exactly as I remembered it from when I was a little girl!!! We have a big bin with all kinds of accessories.....the ice cream shoppe, pizza maker, birthday party kit, barber shop, cookie cutters, rolling pins etc.....we play almost every week! When my Dad visits it's something they all love to do together too! I know a lot of moms think it's a hassle and a big clean up....but it's really not that bad....and they have so much fun...they're only little once!



Cubby even wanted a playdoh birthday party for his first kid party when he turned 3!!....We had it one morning and I got each kid their own duffle bag of playdoh and let them play!!!....then we dove into the Krispy Kreme donut cake.... They loved it!! So when they are looking for something to do.....say "yes" to playdoh and have fun!

a whole lot of paintin' going on!!!

Today was the day!!!!...for the past few major holidays....Valentine's Day, Anniversary, Christmas, and birthday......all I've asked for is for Chip to help me paint our kitchen and great room....it's been six years and it needed it!...he called some painters, but they didn't get back to us...and I just couldn't see paying when we could do it.....plus, I figured with the money we saved doing it ourselves, that will pay for my Bruce Springsteen tickets!!!....we were painting it the same color so I'm totally sure it won't be noticeable to anyone but me...I taped it all off last night...and today we knocked it all out in just six hours!!! We even did the powder room, the stairs and the entry way!!! What a wonderful feeling to have it done!

And here's Chip painting.......he told me to take his picture because this would be the very last time he would be painting...hhhmmmmmm looks like the plans I have for our master bedroom and bath will be all up to me!!!