It's about time you meet these guys

I honestly can't believe that I never posted these last year. . . but I think that I will just declare 2012 as a year of slacking off when it comes to the blog realm of my life.  I created these monsters to keep my boys company while I was in Wyoming last June.  Seriously, I was so excited as I worked on them and I can't wait to make more.  

The green dinosaur one was the first one I made. . . he went to Weston.  He is just the right size for cuddles.   Math Whiz on the Left was made for Ethan.  He was the second one and I got more creative with that one. . . the wheels in my head kept on turning. Like I said, I can't wait to make more.

Ethan's also has a really cool letter E sewn into his butt.  Super cool feature.  I am tempted to sell these on Etsy. . . but that's a topic to be discussed at a later time.

Hope you all are having a great day!  Thanks for taking time to read my blog. . . off to work on some birthday preparations. . . my baby will be 2 next week!

Stuffed Mushrooms: a tutorial of awesomeness!

I love stuffed mushrooms.  I especially love the ones you can get as a small plate at the cheesecake factory. . . it is a guilty pleasure my mom and I enjoy every year because the men in our lives just don't agree with our love of mushrooms.  In fact, my husband, will probably disagree on my title of awesomeness.  But, these ARE awesome!  I promise you.  

I made these for some family gathering back in November and my sister-in-law, Kristal, keeps asking for the recipe.  Since, I made up the recipe and it was all in my head, I decided it was time to get it down electronically so that it can be enjoyed by all.  (So, Kristal, in case you are reading this. . . this post is for you!).  

The first step in every recipe is gather and prep your ingredients.  You will need some bread crumbs, white wine (I like the sweetness that a moscato has to offer), parsley (dried or fresh work), Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, garlic, \ a shallot, and mushrooms, of course.

First, take your mushrooms and wash them very carefully.  Pull out the stems (it's okay if one mushrooms break apart).  Heat your pan to medium with about a tablespoon of olive oil.  Allow to heat, while you chop your veggies. Set your stems aside and chop them up.   Then chop up your shallot. 

Add to the heated oil, your chopped shallot and mushroom stems.  Also add a few cloves of garlic, chopped (I love my Pampered Chef garlic press for this job!).

As your shallots start looking soft, pour 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of your favorite white wine into your pan with the mushroom mixture.  Allow it to simmer/cook for about 10 or so minutes.  A lot of the liquid will evaporate during this time, which is what you want. 

While you are cooking down your wine, in a small bowl, combine your cream cheese (you can use 1/2 to 1/3 of a block.  It's up to you how cheesy you want it to be.  You can zap it for a few seconds to make it soft if you need it to be.  Add your parsley and a few handfuls of Parmesan cheese.  I honestly don't measure too much here, just however much you feel is necessary. Using a spatula, mix that up as well as you can.

After 10 or so minutes of simmering, your mushroom stem mixture should be soft and the liquid should be reduced to about 1/2 of what it was when you first put the wine in.  Pour into your cream cheese mixture.  The heat, will melt everything and make it easier to stir.

Spoon the mixture into the mushrooms.  Mine are usually overflowing with goodness.  Then sprinkle your favorite bread crumbs over the top and stick in the oven at 350 for about 10-20 minutes. . . keep an eye on it until they have a nice golden top.  

Oh, don't they look wonderful?  It makes me want to go make some right.now.  Seriously, they are that good!  And they are way cheaper to make then ordering them at Cheesecake Factory.  That makes me happy.  Very happy!

Okay, one last picture. . . i'll bet you are checking your refrigerator for ingredients. . . don't lie. . . you know you are.

Now, that I am done blogging for the day, I am going to go sew on some buttons. . .

2013. . . random thoughts to start the year

Welcome to 2013. . . it's a new year.  One that I am looking forward to with anticipation.  (I think, though, that I may feel this way every year. . . I don't know?).  This year will be a year that includes some changes, some trusting, and some new goals.

Last week, my husband and I each made a list of our goals and things outside of our budget that we wanted to do. . . then we shared our lists. . . we now have one big list, and I know for a fact that not everything will get accomplished.  But, we can dream right?

I hate resolutions, because they are usually not doable and most often are forgotten about within the first few months.  I do, however, enjoy the sales that come with people trying to lose weight. . . Special K is always on sale in January and that makes me very happy!  Plus, they came out with one this year that is chocolate and strawberries. . . it's a limited edition. . . maybe I should stock up?

Here are some of my goals for the year:
Slow Down (yep. .  . this is going to be a hard one for me)
3 quilts.  One of which, you will see a block each month.  (I should probably start getting to work)
More card making. . . I miss it.
Albums need to be caught up. . . seriously, I am so behind.
Try new recipes (and I am already on a roll with that).
Garden. . . i am super excited about this one. . . I will have to share my journey with you.

This year, I chose a word that is my ultimate goal.  To SHINE.  Yes, I want to shine for Jesus and I want that to be clear in everything I do.   I want to shine to my boys and to other moms.  I want to not be so busy that I miss out on meeting a need or passing out some kindness.  I am super excited about this one!

Okay, so I have some work for you. . . I want you all to comment (please) and tell me about your plans for the new year. . . ready . . . set. . . go!

Getting back into a routine

I honestly have no idea where November went. I still can't believe that it is December! Here's a brief overview of November:
Organized our annual Mops boutique! Celebrated my 33rd birthday, celebrated the life on Jon's grandma who passed away, went on vacation, and somehow managed to keep my family fed and my kids alive!
It's month we are taking it slow and I am loving it!

We started advent this week... We are doing the Truth in the tinsel again...I love the crafts and the concepts that lie within this study! Plus this year, they have printable ornaments, which helps when we don't have the time to do the craft.

We are also following Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. Using our little people nativity, the kids get up each morning and hunt for them to see how far they traveled. This morning they we in the bathroom checking out Nemo, our goldfish. Baby Jesus will make their appearance on Christmas morning...it is really helping build the anticipation on Jesus' birth and the real meaning of Christmas.

This morning, I made the most delicious and simple doughnuts for the kids...I had to cut Ethan off,or he may have eaten all of them! He even asked if we could make hem for daddy sometime. I have a feeling we will be making them again soon!

Super easy cinnamon sugar doughnuts

Ingredients:
Oil
1 cup sugar
2 tbs cinnamon
1 pkg pills bury biscuits
Small cookie cutter

Directions:
Heat oil so it sizzles when you drop a few sprinkles of water on top. While it is heating, combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl; set aside. Open can of biscuits and flatten each a little' make a hole with a small cookie cutter (we used christmas trees). Drop dough into pan and cook until golden brown on each side. Take out and immediately coat in sugar mixture. Let cool enough that it doesn't burn your hands and serve!

Enjoy!

21 Days of Gratitude: Day 8

Today I am thankful for God's beautiful creation.  I stand in awe of the uniqueness and breathtaking beauty of his mountains, forests, oceans, and rivers.  I am learning to be thankful in every minute of every day. .  . and it's been wonderful looking for the beautiful, breathtaking moments.  I wait in expectation and excitement for the next picture of beauty from God.  It gives me hope to know that his creation is just a glimmer of how beautiful and majestic He is.  

 I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!

    Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

² 

Your unfailing love will last forever.

    Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

 You rule the oceans.

    You subdue their storm-tossed waves.

¹⁰ 

You crushed the great sea monster.^[b]

    You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

¹¹ 

The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours;

    everything in the world is yours—you created it all.

 You created north and south.

    Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name.

¹³ 

Powerful is your arm!

    Strong is your hand!

    Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.

¹⁴ 

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.

    Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

 Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,

    for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

¹⁶ 

They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.

    They exult in your righteousness.

¹⁷ 

You are their glorious strength.

    It pleases you to make us strong.

 Praise the Lord forever!

    Amen and amen!

21 days of gratitude: day 7

Today, I am so thankful for the ladies who serve alongside me on my mops steering team! Without them there is no way that mops would happen each week! I praise God that He called these ladies and the, in turn, accepted his calling to use their gifts...even if it stretches them or takes them out of their comfort zone.

You are probably waiting for some sort of crafty, food thing for me to share and I will confess there are things for me to share, but I haven't had a Ron of free time. But here's a little something I made for the gals on steering for thanksgiving.

Hershey nuggets wrapped in candy wrappers made from my set from stampin' up. I used su pads garden green, pumpkin, and cranberry...perfect fall colors!

I hope that u r taking time to be thankful as we prepare our hearts for thanksgiving!

21 days of gratitude: day 5 and 6

Yep! It's a mops week and the to-do list is rather long. And yes, it's late and I am blogging from bed (we stayed up late watching the political Super Bowl).

Day 5: I am incredibly thankful that my kids have clothes to wear. It's that time of year where old clothes and summer clothes get boxed away and new clothes get to replace now too small clothes. As I was working through the piles, I was overwhelmed by God's blessings and provision over us. I know he takes care of our needs!

Day 6: the privilege to vote. Today was Election Day and I voted. My husband voted. I watched on tv our 200+ year old system work to elect our president. No matter how we feel about our now re-elected president, we are called to respect and pray for him. I am happy to say I voted! Not everyone gets this privilege!