Superbowl Appetizers

**Obviously I wrote this post back in February but I had such a huge backlog of posts (especially Recipes) that this got pushed to the bottom - they are still good recipes though!

As I've mentioned in other posts - we love football in this house so, needless to say, Superbowl Sunday is a day to celebrate!  Here is our menu along with a few recipes that I used for our celebration!

Lunch:
Brats
Corn Dip
Wisconson Cheese and Crackers
Chips and Dip
Garlic Cheese Bread

Dinner
Left over brats and KFC (we had planned something else but with all of the other food - we stuck to leftovers)
Cheese Dip
Leftovers from lunch (again, I had a couple of other things planned but after seeing what we had left, I decided leftovers was a better idea!)

Dessert:
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting


Hot Corn Dip
(I found this recipe at Hanging with the Hewitts)

Ingredients:
1 15 ounce can white corn, drained
1 15 ounce can yellow corn, drained
1 10 ounce can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, diced and softened
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
chopped fresh cilantro to taste

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a medium baking dish, mix all ingredients together.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips

We liked this recipe because it was different but I wouldn't count it as an all time favorite.  Just note that it will taste like . .. corn. LOL  I made mine the day before so I cooked it "cold" and probably should have cooked it another 10 minutes and that might have helped it a little.  I would make it again to have for a party because it is so different from most dips.

Hot Chorizo and Cheese Dip
(I found this recipe at Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cups minced yellow onion
8 ounces chorizo, casings removed and diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
8 Ounces Cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) medium cheddar cheese, grated.
1 small can diced green chili's
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.  Add the diced chorizo and cook, breaking up the chorizo into smaller pieces if you like, until it is cooked through, about 5 minutes.  Pour off all but one tablespoon of fat from the pan.  Add the flour and stirring constantly, cook for 1-2 minutes.  Gradually whisk in the milk and combine well.  Cook over medium heat until the sauce is thick, about 4 minutes.  Add the cream cheese to the pot in tablespoon-size pieces and stir to combine as the cream cheese melts.  Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese 1/4 cup at a time, stirring until each addition is melted before adding more.  Stir in the green chile's and the salt.

Serve warm in the bread bowl or with tortilla chips; you can also serve this with pretzel bites too!

This recipe has become one of our favorites. I did find Chorizo at my grocery store but they only had "fiery hot" and that is not us!  I substituted regular sausage instead and it tasted fine.  I might add a second can of chilies just to give it more flavor next time. 

Garlic Cheese Bread
(I found this on a blog, saved the recipe but did not write down which blog it came from - if I can figure that out, since it is one I follow, I'll link it up!)

Bread:
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 Tablespoon yeast
1 cup warm water
1 Tablespoon cooking oil

Topping:
1/3 cup Italian salad dressing
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
A dash of pepper

1 1/4- 1 1/2 cups of cheese - any Italian combo is fine

Ingredients:
Combine the warm water with the yeast and add oil.  In a mixing bowl, mix the remaining bread ingredients.  Add the liquids to the dry to form a soft dough.  (I used my dough mixer for 1-2 minutes or you can turn it out on a floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes until smooth).  Place in a greased bowl and allow it to set for about 20 minutes in a warm place.  Place the dough on a buttered 12' pizza pan and spread out to the sides.  Combine all of the topping ingredients, except the cheese.  Spread on top of the dough.  Sprinkle the cheese on top and bake at 450 degrees for approximately 12-15 minutes - or until a nice golden brown.  Serve warm alone or with a side of pizza sauce.

We LOVED this.  This would make a great side to go with pizza (and now you don't have to buy cheesy bread to go with it!) Plus it is a great snack too!  The flavor will be impacted by the type of dressing you use - I used a really strong one that we like on salads . . I think I would go for a more mild (cheap) Italian dressing next time but it was still fantastic.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
(This is "my" recipe that I've had for years - it is Darryl's favorite cake hands down.)

Cake

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon salt

3 cups shredded carrots

1 cup coarsely chopped nuts.

Frosting:

1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened

¼ cup butter or margarine, softened

2-3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bottom and sides of 13x9 inch pan with shortening or cooking spray; lightly flour.  In large bowl, beat sugar, oil and eggs with mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended.  Add flour cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt; beat on low speed 1 minute.  Stir in carrots and nuts; pour into pan.  Bake 40-46 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla with mixer on low speed until smooth.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time on low speed until smooth and spreadable.  Frost cake.  Store covered in refrigerator.

April Tot Time Plans and a Few More Ideas!

I have more ideas for you for the Spring!  My kids headed to the grandparents this week so I didn't even plan for this week.  Instead , I have ideas for the next couple of weeks based on some great books. 

I saw this idea over at Helping Little Hands and fell in love with it.  Why?  Because it fits us perfectly.  I love activities that are connected to books because by reading the same book over and over for days (or even weeks) on end kids learn what to expect and can start to "tell the story" themselves.  Right now my boys LOVE playing in laundry baskets so an activity that includes playing in one is perfect!

Another book idea is from Notes from a very red kitchen (I think she is the sister to the writer of the above blog . .).  I liked the math/number ideas she gives to go along with the book "This Old Man."

This looks like a fun idea to do outside from The Path Before Me.  I think we are going to hold off on this idea until this summer when it is warm enough for the ice cubes to melt and paint though.

One Hip Mom gives a great tutorial for making a tool belt - a cute idea for an Easter basket idea.

Another idea for a cute Easter basket gift is this crayon holder from Nested.  There is a great tutorial included too. 

Everyday Celebrate gives a tutorial for a colors quiet book - she also has items available in her etsy store to help make this craft easier.  We are starting to focus more on colors so I really like this idea.

This is an idea I started working on last summer when I went into Craft overload and never finished so I think I'll follow the clear tutorial given over at smartbottomenterprises and finish up this project for spring.

I would really like to do more crafts with the kids (well . .Josh .  .Nate has a little while yet) and though this was cute.  It's from Funny days with mommy and maddie and show how to make a cupcake liner bouquet.

Muffin Tin Mom gives another easy craft for making a paper chick.  I love that I do the prep work (cutting, etc) and than the boys get to be creative. 

Of course we need a bunny craft too and One Mom, Five Boys and a Bundle of Joy delivers!

The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman gives a cute Easter Wreath idea for kids to make. I'm not sure if I will have dandelions by Easter but I think that using pom poms would work too.

Another idea from Muffin Tin Mom is painting with plastic Easter eggs. 

These would be fun to make and fun for some pictures - bunny ears from Kaboose

I never did get my sensory bin made for March so I'm going to get April's done.  Here's one idea from mydeliciousambiguity

The Spring Units are starting to come out too!  Musings of Me has prepared another great unit with so many wonderful ideas to use.

She has also posted some really cute art projects to share also!

Home School Creations has a really neat looking Garden Unit.  They are also hosting a Garden Challenge that begins March 31st.

Than, over at Our Little Monkeys has prepared an April Showers Tot Pack.

Idea overload yet? LOL  It is amazing the ideas that are out there in blog world and, with Easter falling late this year, I know that there will be tons more ideas coming in the next few weeks.  I had planned to have my April calendar ready to post this week - and I actually had it done . . .than all of these spring units popped up and I felt the need to make some changes to my plans. I plan on finishing up plans and getting everything prepared this weekend so we can start out Monday with some fun plans. I also find that the last week of the month I use to plan for the next month (and this week . .. well I just dind't do anything) - the break is good for both the kids and for me!
So, for now, enjoy all of these ideas!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . . that spring is in the air.  Rumor has it we'll hit 70 this weekend (even if it for just a day!)

I'm loving . . . my new devotional book "The Power of a Positive Mom" - you can read my post HERE.

I'm loving . . . That I finished my first quilt - one of my 40x40 projects :-)

I'm Loving . . . that Bed Bath and Beyond carries TONS of flavors for my Tassimo coffee maker (as I enjoy a new Chi Tea!)  

I'm loving  . . . this song by Mandisa!  Enjoy (and be sure to pause my player below!)



What are you loving today?

Weekly Devotions - The Power of a Postive Mom

This book, The Power of a Positive Mom, by Karol Ladd is what I am using as my current devotional book and I wanted to take time each week and share some of the things that I learn.  I am doing this as an on-line book study with The Homeschool Village.  One of the things I've discovered while reading blogs is great ways to learn and encourage.  I was so glad to come across this as my current study in James is coming to an end.  I was already doing some reading to pick a new book on another topic but, this popped up!  (I was going to do that topic starting back in January too but than the James study happened so I guess that study is just not to be as of yet!)

Each chapter is written with a "Power Point" at the end - the Power point provides some scripture to read, memorize, and ponder; there is also a challenge given in order to apply what was just read.  There are 7 principles that will be studied - each one encompassing 2-3 chapters.  I'm excited about this study and really hope to learn a lot!

The first challenge given was to write a Job Description.  Throughout the first chapter the author hits on all of the different job "titles" a mom holds - both those that can have a salary attached like accountant, nurse, and chauffeur and those that are priceless, like the kisser of booboo's, telling stories at bedtime and providing warm cookies for a snack.  She also starts right off putting some common myths to rest about mothers.  So, in trying to come up with a job description, it needs to include all of your responsibilities - have fun with it!  Here is one example (I'm still working on mine!) :

Investor of Human Resources

Encourages and instructs all clients as to the best use of their time, gifts, and talents.  Invests love, care, strength, and tears into all clints' accounts.  Drives to most locations.  Attends all performances and events in which clients are participating.  Provides for basic needs of food, clothing and clean house.  Irons occasionally, upon request.

A couple of scriptures to review - Psalm 34 and Collossians 3:17. 

Finally Choose to view your role in motherhood as a highly significant investment of my time and energy.

The second challenge given is to write a mission statement, after all, all great organizations have mission statements, right?  I'm still working on mine but love the concept.

Why are these two things important - a job description and a mission statement - you might wonder?  Simply to give purpose to what a mom does every day.  A mom is often asked "What do you do?" and you know as well as I do that people are expecting something like "Customer Service Rep, or Office Manager" yet when someone says "I'm a mom". . . .it seems so plain!  But it is anything but that!  If you are a mom trying to figure out your purpose - take time to read this book.  You can check out insights from this weeks reading at The Homeschool Village

* This book is written to all moms - stay at home and those that work outside the home.  With that said, though, even though the author talks about "running home from your job", I do read it more as a stay at home mom type of book.  I think if I had read this while working, it wouldn't have applied or may have made me feel a little sad.  Just my little humble opinion! 



Too Cute Not To "Toot"!

Countdowns are always great and this one is adorable for Easter.  The idea comes from Lyndsey's Craft Spot

I love this adorable tote bag from Oopsey-Daisy for library books or carrying toys.  You could create this to meet your needs and just use the "idea"!

My porch is currently empty.  I've been thinking of trying to figure out something to do for some decor out there and came across this idea from The V Spot.  I think that I could take this hanging tin idea and actually create something that could be in a pot sitting on the porch instead. 

This idea it 100% totally for me - I'm in the middle of doing a mini-redo in my kitchen which includes finishing the stairs.  I saw this idea several years ago on a commercial and knew I would do something similar and am so thankful to find this over at Take The Side Street.  I love what she did and it confirms that this really will look great once it is done!

This Easter Pail from Ben Franklin Crafts is so adorable!

Ok, this is by far one of the cutest things ever!  This Easter themed shirt from Cute as a Fox Creations seriously made me smile all day long.

 Sorry for the short list but there are a lot of repeats out there this week. 

I actually picked up some supplies to make some Easter Decor this past weekend.  I'm hoping to get the items done over the next few weeks.  The Dollar Store and Hobby Lobby served me well :-)

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify - Part 4 (and a Challenge for April)

I was looking back over my Simplify posts 1, 2,  and 3 and am happy with the progress I've made to simplify my life.  Remember, way back in January, I picked my theme word for the year - which was to simplify!  I've had a few detours that I found myself on and had to route back to the right path but I feel good about the progress.  (I've made some notes for next year about possible theme words since those are the items that keep pulling me away this year!).  But with that said, there are a lot of items not crossed off yet so this month's Simplify goals are two parts.

Finish All Other Simplify Projects

I've listed below the main topic of each area that still has items to finish as a link back to the original post.  You can click on the name and it will take you back to the original post so you can read what has been done and what still needs to be done. 

Simplify #1 - all items have been completed :-)
Simplify #2 - working on Organizing the Books, DVD's, CD's and VHS tapes; finish the bathroom and work on the kitchen
Simplify #3 - working on The closets and dressers; Vacation Planning; Gift wrap center; Tot Time Storage

The Outside

This is the HUGE project I have eluded to in past Simplify posts.  See, two years ago we started a project called - painting the outside of the house.  We did the garage first because it needed repair work and we had just put a new roof on it as well.  We managed to get the garage done (well . . almost) and than life got in the way.  So, this year we are finishing this huge project.

1. Paint the hidden back wall to the garage so I know it is done (even though no one else can see it!)

2. Paint the entire outside of the house

3. Put up gutters on both the garage and the house

4. Put up new lights on the front and back of the house

5. Build a new front porch (seriously, ours is rotten - it is so bad . .. )

6. Put in a new front door (ummm .. the storm door was ripped off last summer in a storm so my husband jimmy-rigged it to get us through until we did this big project)

Now - there is more to this project that I'll continue here but understand that if we can get the above part done I'll be thrilled - if we need to put this part off until next tax refund summer, that is fine.

7. Put in a new pathway from the front porch to the sidewalk out front

8. Plant new bushes along the side of the house (I know what I want and this might have to wait until spring due to planting times)

9. Remove all of the ugly white landscaping stones the previous owners put in that I hate

10. Plant another tree in our yard.

11. Finishing edging the flower beds in the back yard

12. Put in a new garage door/opener (ok, dreaming here - this really will have to wait until later!)

So, as you can see this is a big project.  We are really hoping to have the entire thing done by the end of May (well the first section of this list).  Lots of prep work (like pulling out old bushes and taping off windows) has to get done and than the painting will begin - we plan on doing one side of the house at a time so it will take about 4 weeks, I think, to get it done.  Here's praying for a REALLY dry spring!! LOL

It will feel good to get my current projects all completed and to see these changes on our house.  I'm already thinking about Part 5 :-)  I actually am starting to see an end to my simplify goals and know I will accomplish what I wanted to get done by the end of the year! 

Here's another challenge going on - this one is sponsored by I Heart Organizing  Since the beginning of the year, she has done monthly challenges.  Up until now, I haven't participated because I had already done the items she was walking through but this months challenge is "30 things in 30 days"  Basically, challenging us to get rid of 30 items this month - one item a day.  This first week we are to concentrate in the Living Room.  I'm starting to feel closed in around here so it is time to start this process again.  It is a nice side task to my Simplify Tasks - I honestly don't know if I have 30 things in my living room to get rid of - my living room has been parred down pretty far but I'll try :-)

Spring Cleaning Challenge

**In order to keep these posts to a minimum, I'm going to add to this post each time there is a new task over the next two weeks.  **

  I'm not a "huge" spring cleaner because of following Flylady but I thought that Anna might throw some things out that maybe I haven't been doing on a regular basis plus, I'm making my own list of some tasks I'd really like to get done over the next two weeks that I've been avoiding :-)

Day 8 of spring cleaning is to clean your washer - the inside.  Whip it down, run some vinegar/bleach through it and make it smell good!  I try to keep up with this weekly by just using one of my dirty towels to wipe down the front window to keep it from getting grungy after I noticed one time (before I did this) how gross it gets YUCK!  I also try to run some Iron Out through it every couple of months to stop the iron build up we get from our well water.  So I just made sure to wipe off the top and I put everything neatly back in the basket, cleaned up all of the stray socks and called it good!
Day 7 of spring cleaning was to lighten up!  Doing things like getting out your summer clothes and even changing up your comforter.  I did this last Thursday while my kids were gone!  I switched our clothes out as our out of season clothes hang on a rod in the basement and, even though I didn't switch out my comforter, I did wash it and hung it outside to dry.  Everything seemed so clean and fresh!

Day 6 of spring cleaning is to do the grout in your home . .. well, I have none so this is a freebie for me LOL  Instead I will say that I scrubbed the shower and tub last Thursday as well and than waxes the shower walls to help keep them clean.  So far I'm impressed with this little trick!

Day 5 of spring cleaning was to wipe down your walls and do touch up paint.  On Thursday of last week (04/07/11) I worked on the one room that needed the walls wiped down - the bathroom.  They were streaky from moisture so I took care of that.  The rest of the walls I keep up with monthly through my Flylady zones.  As far as touch up paint.  The one room that needs touch up is the Living Room but we painted in there 8 years ago and I don't have the paint anymore so . .. that has to wait.  The kitchen is being redone, I had just done touch ups in the dining room and the bathroom was just painted!

Day 4 of spring cleaning is to clean your windows!!  I'm not doing well at all at taking pictures but it really is because I'm doing TONS of cleaning right now!  I spent Thursday afternoon and all day Friday cleaning the living room and bedrooms including doing things like shampooing the carpet!  So, while doing that, I also vacuumed out the window tracking, wiped down the sills with my swiffer duster and took the windex to the windows.  Maybe I can remember some pictures on the next challenge :-(

Day 3 of Spring cleaning was to clean our vents.  I did not take a picture but I did do this task.  Our vents are all very attached so I didn't actually remove them but I wiped them down with a wet cloth.  I was surprised at how much junk was sitting on top of them - gross!!

Day 2 of Spring Cleaning was to REALLY dust.  I'm thankful again for Flylady because so much of my major dusting is taken care of but there was one BIG thing staring me in the face every single day.  I would look at it, see the huge piles of dust hanging off of it and think "I should clean that thing" and well, I wouldn't!!  So, I got out my rag and some pine sol (because it smells good) and went to work.  It took a whole FIVE minutes to wipe this puppy down!  What is it?  Can you guess?  Take a look!

Yep!  The ceiling fan - GROSS LOL  It looks so much better! Now, when I sit at my desk working on whatever needs to be done and glance into the dining room, I smile instead of cringe :-)

There was an optional challenge given of cleaning house plants of which I have none.  Not because I don't love them - I do!  I used to have 4 HUGE plants but, this house is not built for plants.  There is no room nor any great light to keep them going.  Maybe someday I'll get a goldfish plant or lipstick plant again . . and another rubber tree - I loved that thing!

Day 1 of Spring Cleaning over at Ask Anna started on April 2nd with washing draperies and cleaning the blinds.  She will be posting a new task every other day along with some other "optional" tasks on the off days.

Thankfully I keep up with some of this due to Flylady - I clean the blinds once a month and technically, washing curtains is also on that list but it doesn't always get done.  So, what I did to meet this challenge was take down my Dining Room Drapes, which are very dark and heavy (but I love them still!) and replaced them with some nice, crisp, bright, white, curtains for the spring and summer.  I've posted a below and after picture below :-)

Doesn't that look more like spring?  Not sure yet if I'll end up using ribbon to tie them in the middle or not.