A jelly roll & a cupcake...

Well, it's February and once again...slacking on the blog! Argh! So frustrating and no excuses really.  I've thought updating several times and then I just never do it.  Must. Get. Better! I'll have to set a reminder on my calendar! 

I have, at least, been a little crafty! And I tried a couple new recipes that I liked...and didn't like!  Since it's February and we are approaching Valentine's Day, I decided to do "14 Days of Valentines" for my hubby.  Little gifts, either handmade or store bought things...I started creative and then I just started buying stuff...Strawberry Crush for "I've got a crush on you"...or Reese's Bits for "You have a piece of my heart", etc... I did make him coupons for back rubs or date nights and what not but my favorite gift for him was a pillow cover made by moi!  I was really excited for that as I have had that idea for several weeks now and I finally executed it..January 31! Nothing like waiting for the last minute, haha!  It's an envelope pillow case so you can remove the cover to wash or switch it out or whatever you decide... and I love the fabric! 

 Not too shabby! 
I also decided I - FINALLY - wanted to attempt a sashay scarf.  I ended up making two with one skein of yarn.  They aren't difficult at all but the yarn is a beast to work with.  I would make them only for gifts as they really aren't my style.  The first one I made was a longer one and the second was much shorter. But two scarves from one skein is not a bad deal!

To make the scarf, I followed a no-crochet crochet tutorial I found on YouTube. If you are interested, you can follow the video here.

ANOTHER project I'm working..been working on...is a baby blanket, pattern courtesy of Project Linus. I don't know if I'll ever get this blanket finished but as I'm considering giving it for a gift, I need to get butt in gear! (This is a bit of an older picture I'm posting, I've got several more rows done than what is currently shown.)

This season, we have had more snow that I can really ever remember...44 inches total - SO FAR! And we are supposed to get a couple more this weekend!  As an adult, I can't remember a winter like this in a very long time. I'm completely ready for spring!  Being stuck indoors for the majority of the time, I broke out the sewing machine.  I've been wanting to make a jelly roll quilt for awhile so when I got home from work last Friday, I got my jelly roll (pre-cut fabric strips) out and went to town.  My boss sent me a link to a video to watch so I just followed that to make the quilt.  I must say that I'm really impressed with myself that I was able to make the quilt by myself and didn't really have any issues. (The video says it's a 45 minute quilt top but it took me 5 hrs!)

I've also been on a healthy "kick", working out and eating right. I need to lose about 10 more pounds to meet my first weight loss goal and I think this is such a difficult 10 to lost.  I'm at a plateau and it's really frustrating watch other people lose weight either on the scale or via a tape measure. I don't feel like I'm moving..and if I move, it's in the wrong direction!  Today, I had a talk with myself to stop being "bad" and quit with the excuses - I have the time to work out, I know I should lay off the carbs at dinner. So, I found a crazy workout and Pinterest today did it. By doing a mash up of several exercises, I felt really good even if I thought I was going to die.  But it's all about the results.  I have only 5 weeks to lose the 10 lbs. I need to push myself harder. Every day.  No excuses! 

On My Way...

I can't believe we are almost to the end of January! It seems like it was just New Years! Time sure flies when you are having fun.  Not sure how much fun I've had but either way it's gone by way too quickly.  I need to set a reminder or something for myself to update my blog at least once a week because it's gotten away from me - AGAIN - and I don't like that.  I've got a couple things on my mind to work on for my crafts - some crochet, some SEWING! I'm SEW excited! Ha ha! Bad pun! :)  One of my most favorite gifts from Christmas was a sewing machine.....
TA-DA!

I've decided on a couple projects I would like to take on but my first one is going to be a jelly roll quilt.   I'm very excited to do this and I really hope I take to it fast because I want to get started on a LOT of projects! :)

I've done a couple crochet hats, they are pretty easy, just time consuming (but can be knocked out in less than a day).  My husband was kind enough to model one of my hats although he may kill me if he knows I posted the photo on the web! =)

Besides from being my crafty self, Ive been working my butt off trying to be a new, healthier version of myself. So far I'm pretty proud of myself.  Last week I lost 4 lbs and 1/4 inch off my stomach - not too shabby if I do say so myself!  I watch what I eat; I don't always count calories but I'm very aware of what I eat now.  I've eating LOTS of fruits and vegetables! Yumm!  My boss recommended an oatmeal that she really likes and I have to say, it's DELISH! I put just a bit of honey in it as well as blueberries for breakfast and it carries me to lunch time without really snacking in between.  I makes sure to exercise at least 5x a week for 30 minutes as well as doing a plank AND squat challenge! I hate planking but I don't mind the squats.  I'm currently on a rest day for those but tomorrow it's back at it to the tune of 220!  Eek! I'm at 2/5 minutes on my planks and those are pure hell! But I'm seeing results - slowly! And that's okay!  I'd rather do it the right way and make this my permanent lifestyle rather than just a temporary fix. I didn't get overweight in a day or in a week so I can't expect to lose in that amount of time! (Although it would be nice if I did!)  I don't really have any healthy recipes to share as of now but I will post later in the week (promise!) and share some new recipes that I learned! 

2014: A New Year, A New Me

I'm determined for this to be a new year for me.  Every one has their own New Year's Resolutions, for me,  I just want to be a better version of myself.  I want to be happier, healthier.  I want to be able to let the little things go, not be bothered by the things I cannot change.

As I mentioned in a prior post, a tornado destroyed a Washington, IL, a city very near to us mid-November.  Several weeks ago, I went to help out (I work for a State Farm agent) in an agent's office in Washington.  It was an eye opener, hearing people's stories of what they went through, witnessing the destruction first hand and the strength of the people in the city.  They want to rebuild, stay put. It makes you realize how you should never take anything for granted.  Washington Strong.

Along with the holidays, I've baked many, many dozens of cookies, tried some new recipes. Tonight I made Crockpot Italian Chicken which was quite good. 

 It was very simple.  4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  8 oz softened cream cheese. 2 cans cream of chicken soup. 1 packet dried, zesty Italian dressing. Cook on low for 4 hours.  Voila!

Along with the New Year and new crafts and recipes comes a new, healthier me!  I have been sick with a nasty cold/flu since the first of the year so I wasn't able to start "on time" but this year I'm determined to rid myself of extra weight I've been carrying for far too long.  Today I completed 50 squats, 25 mountain climbers, 50 crunches (25 regular and 25 reverse), 10 burpees and ran in place for 10 minutes.  It was tiring but I feel good so far!

New name: Lazy Procrastinator

I promise I do not mean to ignore this blog.  But life in all it's laziness and business, just gets in the way sometimes.  I haven't really tried anything new or crafted anything spectacular in a long time.  I tried a couple new recipes that don't warrant a blog entry and in regards to my overall craftiness...well, that all it really involves right now is crocheting edges around fleece blankets for an organization called Project Linus.  Project Linus is currently collecting blankets for a neighbor community that very recently was destroyed by a tornado.  The tornado was in Washington, IL and did an amazingly breathtaking amount of devastation.  It just makes your heart sick to see the destruction done by the F4.  I'd never seen anything like it first hand and I hope I never have to again.  But anyway, that's what I've been doing. Any other craft project comes second to that.  Once I'm done however, I'm trying to finish out a blanket for a Christmas gift (which I'll post pictures of later).  Beyond that I really haven't been up to much; I've been decorating for Christmas; the holiday bug finally hit me and I'm all about decorating and getting back into the Christmas spirit. My current want is an Elf on the Shelf. I really want one.  And yet I don't. I'm torn. But I want one. Ha ha! So indecisive! 
Tonight I made 12 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange with my Craft Group tomorrow.  I used the choco chip recipe from in the post directly prior to this one except that I substituted the chips for M&M minis in one batch and for peanut butter chips in another.  I love making cookies.  There is something to be said for the order in which I do things and clean that bring me a sense of calm. (The sense of calm that eludes me when crocheting, lol!)
I do have a couple ideas of things I want to try this week/weekend in regards to overall craftiness so hopefully I'll have a better blog in the coming days. 
It did snow over the weekend and I was able to snap a couple pictures..

Four Score & Seven Years Ago...

is how long it feels since I've done anything with my blog! I do feel really bad about it but unfortunately, life gets in the way and I get a little busy. Sometimes lazy.  To be fair, I did go without internet for a couple days...but, excuses, excuses. No more! I do have a bit to update though!  I tried a couple new recipes that I want to share and I have been having some ideas from some DIY projects for Christmas ideas (and for myself!)...But where to start...? Last week I did make some really yummy M&M cake bar brownies. They were really good, stayed really moist but were gone within the day!

 You will need:

1 box yellow or white cake mix (I opted for yellow)

1 (3.4oz) box instant vanilla pudding

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 cup choco chips (I substituted mini M&Ms)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spray 9x13 pan w/cooking spray and set aside

Combine all the ingredients together in one large bowl. The mixture will be very thick.

Pour mixture into the large bowl (it appears to be a very thin layer but it is okay!)

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until edges are a nice golden brown.  The center will not look to be done but that just means it is done! 

 

 

 I also tried a 3 ingredient BBQ pork dinner in the crockpot last Friday. Came out to mixed reviews. I thought it was too BBQ-ey but my husband loved it as is.  All you take is a pork tenderloin, one can of root beer and a bottle of BBQ sauce (I chose Sweet Baby Rays). Cook the pork and root beer on low heat for 6 hours, take pork out and shred it (set aside your liquid in the crock pot) and empty the BBQ sauce in the crock pot with the pork. I heated the BBQ mixture up for about 10 minutes on low before serving.  I saw there are a couple of different variations of the recipe that I will try also.  I'd love to know if anyone has a good BBQ recipe! Please share if you do!

Ok..one more recipe! And I think I saved the best for last on this one! It's my new new favorite (sorry, Grandma) chocolate chip cookie recipe!

2 1/4 cups flour

1 t baking soda

1 cup soft butter

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 package instant vanilla pudding

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla extract

1 bag choco chips

Preheat oven to 350F.

Stir flour and baking together in small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar.

Beat in instant pudding until blended. 

Stir in eggs & vanilla.

Blend in flour mixture and then choco chips.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Again, these stay soft and gooey and are too-die-for good!

I know I said I've been crafting also but that post will have to wait for tomorrow! I decided to go full speed ahead "housewife" tonight and have started more household chores than I can probably finish tonight. Early morning for this wanna-be Betty Crocker!

Saluting Our Veterans

Thank you to our veterans, to the people who continue to serve and to their families. Without you, we couldn't enjoy the freedoms that we do today.

 

 

I was watching the Today Show this morning and this week they are featuring people that they are inspired by. Willie Geist told the story of a young man, a veteran, U.S. Marine corporal Aaron Mankin, who had been badly burned by an IED.  Willie is a big supporter of UCLA Operation Mend, which is a group that helps veterans wounded in the war.   It is an amazing story; I highly recommend checking it out.  You can read a bit more about the amazing journey he has gone through here and if you would like more information on supporting Operation Mend, click here.

Betty Crocker Strikes Again!

Today was another day that stayed pretty busy.  I raked and burned leaves today; somewhere along the line, I smashed two fingers, sliced open my thumb and made both arms go numb. But I (along with  my dad) finished both the front and back yard. So..SUCCESS! My dad's lab, Daisy, and my lab, Harley, weren't much help.

Once I was done outside, my need to cook/bake struck again.  For dinner I made ranch hamburgers.  They are pretty easy to make; with so many people eating I used 3 lbs of hamburger, 2 packets of Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix and 2 eggs. Just mix it all together, make your patties and cook!  It turned out pretty good. You can't go wrong with a hamburger!

For dessert, I made Apple Pie Cookies.  I mentioned them in yesterdays post and gathered up the ingredients and went to work!

For those of you that would like the recipe, you can find the link here.  They are incredibly easy to make but it is very messy!  I would definitely recommend having a cookie cutter on hand. I couldn't find mine and ended up using a glass jar and that was no fun! They were getting stuck in the jar and getting them out was a chore!  Also make sure you either spray your cookie sheets A LOT or use parchment paper.  I just sprayed them and as you can see, it was very messy and the caramel/apple filling stuck to the sheet.  I ended up with 17 out of my pie crust so they are more bite size but still...YUMMY!!

I also forgot to post about another dinner I made earlier in the week.  It's so easy and delicious so I thought I would share.  It's just boneless, skinless chicken breasts (not frozen), chopped/diced red tomato or your choice of vegetable (I either use canned green beans; reg or french cut -or peas) and one packet of dry Italian salad dressing mix.  I use a 9x13 glass pan and get either 3-4 chicken breasts in the pan.  Lay your chicken in the middle, your veggies on one side and your red potatoes on the other.  Melt one stick of butter and pour it over the entire pan and then sprinkle the package of Italian dressing mix all over it as well.  (I stir it in to the potatoes and vegetables).  Bake at 350 for an hour.  The recipe calls to cover with foil but I always end up cooking it longer if I use the foil so I do not.  It may take longer than an hour depending on how you chop your potatoes and how big your chicken breasts are.  I've cooked my dinners anywhere between 1 hr and 1.5 hrs but I like my potatoes to be a bit crispy if I can! =)
It's a really good dinner if you just want to throw something together!