Too Cute Not To Toot!

Just a reminder that I am hosting a Thirty-one catalog party and would appreciate any orders :-)  You can click on the link and it will send you to the original blog post which has all of the information as well as a link to the website to order from my party!  The party closes April 15th and yes, your order can be shipped directly to you!  My consultant is actually had baby number 6 on Monday and I'd love to "give" her a BIG party in celebration of that new baby boy!

Now, on to our party!  I missed last week due to working on projects!  I told my husband that the next time my kids go away for any amount of time, I'm not going to plan so many projects.  I feel like I need a break from my week "off" HA!  Do you know the worst part?  I didn't even get through my entire list and yet I worked like a crazy woman all week!!!   Well, enough of that - lets take a look at some great ideas that are out in blog land!!

I love this first idea from Positively Splendid and would really like to make this for my porch this summer.  I've discovered that with a dog and two boys, trying to plant flowers in a flower bed just isn't the best idea!

I love fresh herbs but don't like spending money on them so when I saw this idea from Gingersnap Crafts, I wanted to share it.  This would be easy to do even with the small pots, I would think, and then you could put them on a windowsill.

Ok, now I know what you were expecting, right?  LOADS of ideas since I didn't post last week.  Well, so did I but . . . most of the ideas in the places I search were still ALL Easter ideas and, as much as I love a good holiday, I'm tired of things made with Peeps and Plastic Eggs.  So . . .I only have two summery ideas for you!  I'm kinda curious what the next few weeks bring since Easter fell so early and the next "big" holiday isn't until the end of May (Memorial Day in case you are trying to figure that one out).  Personally, I'm even at a loss of what to hang on my door and what to put on my "mantel".  Maybe I'll be inspired next week after I recover from all of my craftiness from last week!





Camera Class #2

Welcome back!  Yes, last week as you know I kinda took the week off from blog posting.  I worked hard all day long and went to bed a little earlier than normal so it was kinda nice to not post but . . .I missed my little blog! 

I wanted to share first this week the latest project from my Photography class that I'm currently taking.  Last week we learned about how to make things blurry :-)  Really, the focus was on trying to focus on one item and then make everything else blurry so you really saw that one item.  Our homework was to take 100+ photos of one subject in 30 minutes or less.  I enlisted my husband to be my subject because I knew I needed someone who could stand still and do what I ask HA! 

Here are my favorite photos:

 This is by far my favorite photo manly because what I wanted to do WORKED!!!  I wanted the guitar to be the main focus and everything else, including my husband, to be slightly blurred - it turned out perfectly!!

So this week - I have lots to catch you up on . . .a wedding from a week ago, projects from this past week, a bridal shower I co-hosted, and, of course, Easter Sunday!  I also want to get a Too Cute Not to Toot post up this week and catch you up on what I'm reading!  And, I just realized that I have no more recipes set to post (I was 3 months ahead not long ago!) so I have to get some more recipes up! 

Looking forward to being back in the saddle and writing once again :-)

Food Friday - Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella

I've been trying to add some healthier recipes into our repitore so I've been using one of my favorite food blogs, Gina's Skinny Recipes, and trying to pick out as many as I possibly can.  Most of the recipes I try are pretty good and this one is one that ranks up there with "great".  My husband even asked me to please not let this one fall through the cracks because he loved it so much!! 

Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella
adapted from Gina's Skinny Recipes

The Chicken rollatini was fantastic.  It was easy to make and tasted super yummy.  I used chicken tenders because that is what I had on hand but, I think it would be easier to use a thin chicken cutlet when it comes to rolling it all up.  I did end up using toothpicks to hold the chicken together but I think it was because of the size of the tenders.  This would make a fantastic meal for company because it doesn't use spinach :-)  So many people don't like spinach - but this still looks just as pretty.  I served this with Savery Rice and Mixed Veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups (1 medium) zucchini, shredded
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp Romano cheese (or parmesan)
• 3 oz part skim shredded mozzarella
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 thin chicken cutlets, 3 oz each
• 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt and fresh pepper
• olive oil non-stick spray

Directions:

Wash and dry cutlets, season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray.

In a large skillet, heat oil on medium-high heat. Add oil when hot then saute garlic a minute, or until golden. Add zucchini, 1/4 cup Romano cheese, salt and pepper and saute about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool. When cool, add mozzarella cheese and mix to combine.

Lay chicken cutlets down on a working surface and spread 3 tbsp of zucchini-cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one and keep seam side down.

Combine breadcrumbs and grated cheese in one bowl; in a second bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper in another bowl.

Dip chicken in lemon-oil mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down in a baking dish (no toothpicks needed). Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spraywith oil spray.

Bake 25 - 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

A Busy Week . . .

Normally you see a "Too Cute Not to Toot" post on Tuesday but . . .this week life is busy!  WHEW!  My kids are gone to Papa and Nana's all week so Monday I spent shopping and I think I met my shopping quota for awhile.  This past weekend and all this week we are trying to get all of the final touches done on the kitchen - I'm priming and painting every single day trying to get the steps and banister done (Holy Cow is that alot of work but it will look so awesome when it is done!).  Added to that I'm getting things ready for a Bridal Shower on Saturday AND trying to get my normal cleaning/toy organization done that I always doe when the kids are gone.  I'll need a week off after this week just to recuperate! 

Anyway - my focus this week is on a few other things so I'm not sure how many blog posts will actually go up - it depends on how tired I am each night :-)


For now - just now that there are more posts coming with pictures and all that fun stuff!

PLUS, don't forget about my Thirty-One Party!!  Just click the link and read all about it!  You have until April 15th to place your order!

Yes, I'm hosting a Thirty-One Catalog Party

I personally love the Thirty-One products which is why I have decided to actually host a Catalog party.  I honestly haven't hosted any party for any product since October 2009 - I tend to just order from others or just go on-line and order from some random hostess just to get what I want at the time.  My wish list is long, though, so I thought I would give you all a chance to enjoy some great product and, yes, help me earn some things on my wish list!

Currently, I own two purses and a wallet which I've had for 4 and 2 years respectively and they all look like brand new.  The quality of the product is amazing.  I also have three other products that I order from a friends show last week and I can't wait to get them! 

If you love bags as much as I do, this is for you!  You can check out my party (and the catalog) by clicking HERE.  Then, select "my events" and then choose Jackie Koll's party. 

The special this month is great - for every $31.00 you spend, you can choose any purse for 1/2 price.  They even have skirt purses where you can get the purse at 1/2 price and pick up a couple "skirts" to make one purse  for every day of the week!  These bags also make great gifts - you can start your Christmas shopping early! 

The best thing about this party is that anyone, anywhere can order - when you check out, make sure to choose to have your order shipped directly to you! The party will actually close April 15th - your items will ship after that date so you have a little while to look through the Catalog online, make a list of everything you love, and then pick out your top favorites to order.

Personally, I'm hoping to get two bags for the boys for "quiet bags" to use in the car and for when we go places where we need quiet activities.   I also want to get a bag to use as a "diaper" bag.  We've grown out of a baby diaper bag but I still need a bag to pack extra clothes (and yes, still a few diapers), juice cups and snacks.  We don't always use a stroller anymore so I need something easy to carry.  Plus, I have a bag I want for scrapbooking.  Yes, I love their bags!

So, start making those wish lists and yes, I will make reference to this post a lot over the next two weeks! 

Where did winter go?

The other morning, I was laying on the couch and it hit me - we missed winter this year.  Now, let me back up.  Before you think I just lay around on the couch all day, it was 8:30 AM and the boys wanted me to lay down so they could cover me up with their blankets.  Trust me, I was not saying no to that . . .they went off and played and I fell asleep thought about this post.  Back to my point.  From my relaxing spot on my couch I had a great view out of our slider and could see over our garage roof to the neighbors roof and I thought about how pretty it would be to see snow falling.  And then I thought "Where did winter go?" 

Yes, I know some people (like my husband) would prefer snow on Christmas and never again but not me.  I love snow on the ground and snow filled days.  I love watching a snow storm pick up intensity outside my window and I love it even more when we are all home together.  (eh um. . .I do NOT like driving in the dark in a blizzard . .. been there, done that, won't do it again for a long time).  It seemed that this winter we had one great storm that hit during a day that we all were home.  The others came during the night or fizzled out before they really got big.  But it isn't just a good storm that I enjoy.  I also just love a day when the snow is falling softly; the kind that when it is all said and done there is only an inch or three of snow on the ground but it is just so pretty!

I also missed my kids getting to play out in it more . . .. granted putting on all of that snow gear was a little much; trying to get a 2 and 3 year old to keep gloves on was near impossible; listening to a 2 year old cry in pain because his hands were so cold was just not fun.  Despite those things, they loved being able to play in the snow and be pulled on the sleds in the yard.  We even scoped out a sledding hill early in the year thinking we would get to take the boys but the snow that did come never lasted long enough for us to get there. 

Now, don't get me wrong.  The recent unseasonably warm temps that brought out the shorts and T-shirts were great.  The normal spring days we are having now are wonderful (cold nights, chilly  days - sweatshirts and jackets. Love it!) The buds are blooming, my Willow tree is turning green, flowers are popping up (and then freezing because it is way to early!) and the grass is green.  It is beautiful.  I'm just thinking about what we missed this year by not having a "real" winter.

(Should I mention that in looking back at some photos . . .. we had snow in the middle of April last year . .. a snow storm that gave us about 3 inches of snow.  So one just never knows!)

Weekly Menu - March 31st

So this week, I made sugar free no bake cookies.  A friend of Darryl's is a diabetic and his favorite cookie is the wonderful no-bake so, I had coupons for something called "Real" which is in the same family as Splenda, and tried it out.  The cookies turned out almost like the real thing - they are a little softer and not quite as chocolaty-sweet; almost like the sweetener doesn't make the unsweetened cocoa sweet enough to taste like chocolate.  Other than that, they are great - no after taste - we'll see if Ernie likes them :-) 

My kids are leaving today to go to Papa and Nana's for the week.  Yep.  The whole week!  We try to have them go to their house for a long weekend at about every 6-8 weeks.  It's good for the kids, the grandparents love it and it is GREAT for me - I love the break and I'm able to tackle some projects that are hard to do with extra hands :-)  Usually they keep them Thursday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon but since we'll be traveling to their house for Easter weekend, we shifted it slightly and they get them for an extra day.  I'm excited about a few days off and have a long list of things to get done!

With the kids gone, our menu is a little different this week:

Saturday: One of the reasons the kids are going to my parents this weekend is because Darryl and I have a wedding to attend.  A good friend of mine is getting married and we get to attend and go to the reception which at "The Top of the Bob" - some place I've always wanted to go to but have never had the chance ! I'm so excited :-)

Sunday: Darryl and I are eating out.  The plan is to go to the next town over and eat at a favorite restaurant but, if we are two tired, we'll just order in instead :-)

Monday: This is "my" day!  I'm going shopping for some clothes as well as getting stuff for a bridal shower for my niece.  Therefore Darryl and I are meeting for dinner somewhere - shoot we may just go to Checkers - there is nothing better then a good burger from there!!

Tuesday: As much  as it was my goal to not cook all week - I gave in and I'm cooking tonight.  I'm going to make Teryiaki Chicken Wings and Bacon dip.  Two food Darryl and I love which makes it more fun to eat while they are hot ;-)

Wednesday: We'll either get a pizza or, if Darryl is going to practice, I'm going to meet him in town and go to practice with him - I seldom get to go anymore due to the kids and I really enjoy it.  Before kids, I probably went at least twice a month.  :-)

Thursday: The plan tonight is to grill steaks on the grill along with Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans.  If the weather doesn't cooperate, I'll do something inside.

Friday: We are heading to my parents so we will grab McDonald's on the way out!

As far as baking this week - I'm not.  Well, I plan on making a Snickers Pie on Sunday because we love it so much and it feels like a special treat.  Otherwise, it is store bought cookies this week!