Nothing's quite like sipping cocoa to relax you on a stressful day. Especially when it's got giant marshmallows floating around and you're sharing the moment with one of your kids. Ahhh...bliss.
Anyways, do you want to read WHY I am so stressed?
1. Got up early to go get my van fixed by my favorite mechanic (my step dad). He should open up his own shop. Pure car genius.
2. Signed up for classes for my nusing degree. Then realizing that I will be commuting an hour and back for 4 days out of the week. blah....
3. Had to wait for nearly 3 hours as the piano guy reassembled our piano. Now it sounds lovely and is perfect working order! Yay!
4. Sat down for an hour long piano lesson. I'm coming along quite well. Too bad my hands cramp so badly....
5. Sat and sifted through old taxes to figure out my financial aid form until I was nearly in tears.
6. Varnished the windchime my son painted for me. Pics soon!
7. Made a few more luminaries to stick around the porch and deck. HOW-TO to be posted!
8. Made a yummy spinach and artichoke spread, realizing I made too much, so posted a "anyone want?" ad on Facebook.
Still to do---finish the luminaries (which consists of me heading to Walmart again), hang John's windchime, make supper, make cute paper mache fridge magnets---HOW-TO to be posted soon.
Sound like fun? Anyways, here's the recipe for the spread:
Spinach & Artichoke Spread
----------------------------
This is a warm spread. I also made a cold dip, but maybe I'll post that some other day. Anyways, this can be made with a crock pot or oven. Use the crock if you're doing this for a party. It won't go cold on your guests. But I will be showing you the oven version.
1 can artichoke hearts, and drain in VERY well!
1 can spinach, also drained very well. You can also used frozen bagged stuff, just thaw it out.
2 large garlic cloves (I just used a bunch of garlic powder b/c all my garlic has gone bad)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo (I use Miracle Whip b/c I want it tangy)
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1. Preheat your oven to 375
2. Shove the artichokes, spinach, and garlic into a food processor. Thick or thin is up to you.
3. Dump the mixture into an oven safe cassarole dish. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Add a bit more parmesan cheese if you want it cheesier. I do =)
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. If it's not thick enough, you could leave it in a bit longer, just make sure you stir it so you don't have burned spinach on your dish
5. Spread it over a specialty bread, or dip bagels/crackers in it. Yummy!
****This yields A LOT of spread, so you should can it or ask anyone if they would like any****
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Pizza on the grill, windchimes, luminaries, bubbles
I've been too busy for the past couple days to actually cook for my family. A lot of fast food or cheat-meals. A lot going on in my life, and it's only going to get worse as I start my degree. But, as I type, I'm waiting on a pizza to get done. Just frozen, so don't get all giddy on me. But it's on the grill!
Most of the time if you put a pizza on your grill, it will come out burnt on the bottom, frozen still on the top. Or if you're like my dad, a flaming pizza (the result of getting drunk and forgetting to take the cardboard off the bottom of the pizza) which is, in fact, one of my favorite memories.
So, as an ode to that funny man, I love making pizzas on the grill. But I like to eat pizza without burnt cardboard, so I bought a cool pizza pan (made just for the grill!) at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. It's kind of like those grilling woks, but flatter.
The handle on mine folds up for easy storage. Buy one and start grilling!
Also, my son made me an awesome windchime. It's a kit we got from Walmart. Have your kid paint it, then seal it with some varnish (supplied), and hang!
And we may be making our decoupaged luminaries tonight also! I wanted star cutouts, but I forgot to buy the punch while I was at the store, so I may be making a late run there. There will be a HOW-TO soon on that.
My son is currently running through a sea of bubbles. I agreed to buy him a toy, b/c I lied to him today. Not intentionally. I didn't think he was going to get a shot. So I PINKIE SWORE that he wouldn't. Ended up that he needed blood work. I almost cried when he called me a liar. Broke my heart. So we came home with a monstrous bubble machine. But it's entertaining!
Lots of fun coming up! Stay tuned!
Most of the time if you put a pizza on your grill, it will come out burnt on the bottom, frozen still on the top. Or if you're like my dad, a flaming pizza (the result of getting drunk and forgetting to take the cardboard off the bottom of the pizza) which is, in fact, one of my favorite memories.
So, as an ode to that funny man, I love making pizzas on the grill. But I like to eat pizza without burnt cardboard, so I bought a cool pizza pan (made just for the grill!) at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. It's kind of like those grilling woks, but flatter.
The handle on mine folds up for easy storage. Buy one and start grilling!
Also, my son made me an awesome windchime. It's a kit we got from Walmart. Have your kid paint it, then seal it with some varnish (supplied), and hang!
And we may be making our decoupaged luminaries tonight also! I wanted star cutouts, but I forgot to buy the punch while I was at the store, so I may be making a late run there. There will be a HOW-TO soon on that.
My son is currently running through a sea of bubbles. I agreed to buy him a toy, b/c I lied to him today. Not intentionally. I didn't think he was going to get a shot. So I PINKIE SWORE that he wouldn't. Ended up that he needed blood work. I almost cried when he called me a liar. Broke my heart. So we came home with a monstrous bubble machine. But it's entertaining!
Lots of fun coming up! Stay tuned!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Why you should love baseball
We had an awesome trip to Great America yesterday. Rained for about half the time, but otherwise, much fun! Once I edit the few pics I took, they will be posted. Too much fun, no time for picture taking! And no recipes from yesterday, but I'm making a crazy dinner tonight. Leftovers mixed with some boxed stuff. Will it taste good? Maybe, we'll see. I'm crossing my fingers.
So baseball season has started. I have to bring my step-son to a practice in an hour. So I feel like making a list of why everyone should start paying more attention to baseball:
1. Baseball players have great butts. I know guys don't care, but I do. Nothing like a cute butt in a tight pair of baseball pants.
2. Baseball is 1,000 times more intense than any sport. Seriously, watch a game. You'll understand.
3. It's okay if you miss a game. With baseball, there are so many games in a season, no one expects you to watch every single one. But you should still keep up on the highlights.
4. It's a lot easier on fans from the northern woods. Football game=froze my tail off Hockey game=froze my tail off Baseball game=enjoyed the beautiful warm weather
5. If you're a Brewer fan, listening to Bob Ueker is enough reason to love baseball.
6. A chance to come home with a souvenier like a foul ball, or someone's game winning home run ball. Hard to do with football, eh?
7. You need season tickets for football. Baseball you can just walk up to the booth and buy a ticket on the game day! (Now of course I'm speaking about Wisconsin teams. But if you are from states like Illinois...ahem...Cubs....then no, sadly you would need season tickets for baseball also)
8. Racing Sausages!!!!! (yes, I do realize this is getting to be a more "why you should love the Brewers" rather than a "Why you should love baseball")
9. Retractable roof. (K, now it's completely about the Brewers)
So baseball season has started. I have to bring my step-son to a practice in an hour. So I feel like making a list of why everyone should start paying more attention to baseball:
1. Baseball players have great butts. I know guys don't care, but I do. Nothing like a cute butt in a tight pair of baseball pants.
2. Baseball is 1,000 times more intense than any sport. Seriously, watch a game. You'll understand.
3. It's okay if you miss a game. With baseball, there are so many games in a season, no one expects you to watch every single one. But you should still keep up on the highlights.
4. It's a lot easier on fans from the northern woods. Football game=froze my tail off Hockey game=froze my tail off Baseball game=enjoyed the beautiful warm weather
5. If you're a Brewer fan, listening to Bob Ueker is enough reason to love baseball.
6. A chance to come home with a souvenier like a foul ball, or someone's game winning home run ball. Hard to do with football, eh?
7. You need season tickets for football. Baseball you can just walk up to the booth and buy a ticket on the game day! (Now of course I'm speaking about Wisconsin teams. But if you are from states like Illinois...ahem...Cubs....then no, sadly you would need season tickets for baseball also)
8. Racing Sausages!!!!! (yes, I do realize this is getting to be a more "why you should love the Brewers" rather than a "Why you should love baseball")
9. Retractable roof. (K, now it's completely about the Brewers)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Spring Cleaning
It's raining on a Saturday. Is that really fair, God? I had so much I wanted to do today. The husband's gone at camp with the dog. But everything I wanted to do involved being outside. So I tried thinking of some fun rainy-day activities for the kids and me, but I think I should clean this pig-sty of a house. So here's my very own spring-cleaning list (including outside stuff for those lucky enough to NOT HAVE RAIN!)
SPRING CLEANING
-----------------------------------------------
Curtains---Take the curtains down and throw them in the wash. Follow the care instructions printed on the tag. I don't like to put mine in the dryer. When you re-hang them wet, it should take out the wrinkles. If it doesn't, use your steamer to get the wrinkles out. Don't have one? Younkers just so happens to carry them (hehe)
Windows---Take out the window screens and one-at-a-time put them in your bathtub. Scrub them with a rag (with soap and water). Then rinse them off with your shower head. I have a detachable shower head to make this easier. You can also just spray them down with your garden hose. Let them dry before putting them back up
Closets---Start organizing! If you need to, but those nifty closet-organizers that you can find at a hardware store. Line up shoes that you don't wear often, stuff the leather ones with bunched up newspaper to keep their form (purses too!) If it's your cleaning closet, get rid of stuff that you never use.
Bedrooms--Tear off the sheets and give them a good washing. If your comforter is dry-clean, bring it in. Wash up your pillow cases, and either buy an allergy-reducing cover, or buy a pillow that does the same. Younkers carries both. At that note, everyone should have a mattress pad. It's easier to wash that than your mattress!
Bathrooms--Most toilets use more water than needed to properly flush it's contents down. Put a heavy stone in your tank. Or anything that won't float and takes up enough room. This will make sure that your tank doesn't use as much water. Reduces your bill too!
Take down your shower curtain and wash it up.
Clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of any meds that are expired. Don't toss or flush them! That will pollute our ground water and can lead to things like mrsa. Most dr. offices will let you bring them there to get rid of them. inquire
Replace all your toothbrushes
Dining room---If you have a wooden table, go to the store and pick up one of those nifty bottles of wood oil. It prolongs like life of your table and makes it look pretty =)
Wash all your table linens
Kitchen---Insect all your appliances for bad cords.
Clean the coils under your fridge.
Deep-clean your fridge. I like to take all the shelves out when I do this
Most freezers and de-icers these days, but de-ice your freezer if yours is an old model
Organize your pantry. Can goods, boxed goods, cereal, etc.
Clean your oven. A lot are "self cleaning" but I still like to do mine manually just to make sure
Run a cycle of vinegar through your coffee pot
Living room---Take the cushion covers off your furniture and wash as specified.
Organize all those cords behind your entertainment center. There are some nifty kits at Walmart for that
Basement---Oh the dreaded basement. All I can say, is start organizing. Every basement is different, depending on what you use it for and if it's a finished basement.
Clean your filters on you furnace. It'll be in tip-top shape by the time the heating season comes again
Insulate your water heater.
Insulate your pipes. You may want to consult a pro for these tasks.
If you have open-rafters, shop-vac the crap outta those spider webs. They give me the willies
Garage---again, clean according to how you use it. I can't park in mine, bummer.
but give 'er a good hose down after you're done cleaning
Check cords on power tools.
Replace batteries on cordless power tools that are losing their charge
Clean out the beer fridge!
Mud Room---Put a bench in there so everyone can sit while putting on shoes.
Make a place for people to hang their jackets.
Have some way to organize the shoes
Exterior--Clean out those gutters! Put on some gutter screens so that it will at least be every 3 years before you have to look in those gutters again!
Depending on the condition of your siding, pressure wash the dirt off of it. While you're at it, pressure wash your decks/porches too.
Check the seals on all doors leading into the house. Leaks cost money
Wash any oil spots off the driveway. You can try good ol' soap and water, or try a specialty cleaner at your hardware store. Use a push broom to clean.
Clean up any furniture
Yayaya! You're ready to sit back and relax for the warm seasons!
SPRING CLEANING
-----------------------------------------------
Curtains---Take the curtains down and throw them in the wash. Follow the care instructions printed on the tag. I don't like to put mine in the dryer. When you re-hang them wet, it should take out the wrinkles. If it doesn't, use your steamer to get the wrinkles out. Don't have one? Younkers just so happens to carry them (hehe)
Windows---Take out the window screens and one-at-a-time put them in your bathtub. Scrub them with a rag (with soap and water). Then rinse them off with your shower head. I have a detachable shower head to make this easier. You can also just spray them down with your garden hose. Let them dry before putting them back up
Closets---Start organizing! If you need to, but those nifty closet-organizers that you can find at a hardware store. Line up shoes that you don't wear often, stuff the leather ones with bunched up newspaper to keep their form (purses too!) If it's your cleaning closet, get rid of stuff that you never use.
Bedrooms--Tear off the sheets and give them a good washing. If your comforter is dry-clean, bring it in. Wash up your pillow cases, and either buy an allergy-reducing cover, or buy a pillow that does the same. Younkers carries both. At that note, everyone should have a mattress pad. It's easier to wash that than your mattress!
Bathrooms--Most toilets use more water than needed to properly flush it's contents down. Put a heavy stone in your tank. Or anything that won't float and takes up enough room. This will make sure that your tank doesn't use as much water. Reduces your bill too!
Take down your shower curtain and wash it up.
Clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of any meds that are expired. Don't toss or flush them! That will pollute our ground water and can lead to things like mrsa. Most dr. offices will let you bring them there to get rid of them. inquire
Replace all your toothbrushes
Dining room---If you have a wooden table, go to the store and pick up one of those nifty bottles of wood oil. It prolongs like life of your table and makes it look pretty =)
Wash all your table linens
Kitchen---Insect all your appliances for bad cords.
Clean the coils under your fridge.
Deep-clean your fridge. I like to take all the shelves out when I do this
Most freezers and de-icers these days, but de-ice your freezer if yours is an old model
Organize your pantry. Can goods, boxed goods, cereal, etc.
Clean your oven. A lot are "self cleaning" but I still like to do mine manually just to make sure
Run a cycle of vinegar through your coffee pot
Living room---Take the cushion covers off your furniture and wash as specified.
Organize all those cords behind your entertainment center. There are some nifty kits at Walmart for that
Basement---Oh the dreaded basement. All I can say, is start organizing. Every basement is different, depending on what you use it for and if it's a finished basement.
Clean your filters on you furnace. It'll be in tip-top shape by the time the heating season comes again
Insulate your water heater.
Insulate your pipes. You may want to consult a pro for these tasks.
If you have open-rafters, shop-vac the crap outta those spider webs. They give me the willies
Garage---again, clean according to how you use it. I can't park in mine, bummer.
but give 'er a good hose down after you're done cleaning
Check cords on power tools.
Replace batteries on cordless power tools that are losing their charge
Clean out the beer fridge!
Mud Room---Put a bench in there so everyone can sit while putting on shoes.
Make a place for people to hang their jackets.
Have some way to organize the shoes
Exterior--Clean out those gutters! Put on some gutter screens so that it will at least be every 3 years before you have to look in those gutters again!
Depending on the condition of your siding, pressure wash the dirt off of it. While you're at it, pressure wash your decks/porches too.
Check the seals on all doors leading into the house. Leaks cost money
Wash any oil spots off the driveway. You can try good ol' soap and water, or try a specialty cleaner at your hardware store. Use a push broom to clean.
Clean up any furniture
Yayaya! You're ready to sit back and relax for the warm seasons!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Cook-it-Slow Beef-Stew, Garbage Disposal Tips
Getting my hair highlighted today. As my husband quoted "because some hair is more important than others." I have a wonderful woman that does it. She will come right to your house. Excellent if you have little kids. If anyone wants in that piece of action that lives in my area, gimme a call. Help a sista out!
I also made one window's shutters yesterday. They turned out fabulous! Well, they haven't been stained yet, but they look awesome anyways. REMINDER! There will be a HOW-TO posted once I have them all done! (For problem-solving sections and what-not)
So, last night I made a simple beef stew. Used the ol' crock so that I wouldn't have to do any work during the relaxing evening hours. It was sooooo yummy. Much better than that canned crap.
SLOW-COOKED BEEF STEW
------------------------------
1. Get out your ol' crock pot. I believe I used my 4-qt one. But you should put it in a bigger one if you decide to add more stuff than I did. If you don't have a crock, head to your local Younkers (hehe) and pick up one. There's a huge selection available in assorted sizes. Some with some awesome features. Turn it on HIGH
2. You're going to need about a pound of steak. I chose leftover round steak. Cut it up and fry it first in a seperate pan. Yes, a slow-cooker will cook a steak, but I don't like the thought of it not getting to the hottest temp to kill all the bacteria. Better safe than sorry. So chop it up, cook it, and throw it in your crock.
3. I used about 5 red potatos, but you can also use 2-3 russet potatos. Eyeball it. Cut up the potatoes, leaving the skins on. Make sure you wash them first! I make pretty big chunks, b/c I wanted a chunky stew. Toss them in.
4. Throw in half a bag (however many ounces that is =P) of baby carrots. I didn't chop them. You can if you want. Again, I wanted mine chunky.
5. Chop up two stalks of celery, toss them in.
6. Add about 1/2 cup of fresh parsely. Fresh parely will taste better than the crap in your seasoning jar. You can add it to your processor if you choose. Dump it in your crock.
7. Add 4 bouillon cubes and 4 cups water. You can do more cubes and more water if you want it to be more like a soup instead of a stew.
8. Stir it all up and let that sit for about 5-6 hours. I made mine around noon and by supper time, everything was soooo tender! Serve it up with some chunks of french bread and enjoy!
****TIPS FROM BRITTANY'S KITCHEN****
Thinking of getting a garbage disposal? Sure, why not? They are kind of handy. We might be getting one, just b/c someone insists that we need on and is willing to pay for it. But.....here's the kicker. WE ALREADY HAVE ONE!
His name is Sebastian. He's an awesome hound/german shepard mix, and he LOVES table scraps. So instead of spending money on something that could potentially destroy your nice silverwear or take off someone's hand (not to mention the cost of installing the damn thing), head to your local animal shelter and adopt your own cute cuddly garbage disposal. Other great features are:
1. Cheap security alarm.
2. Cheap entertainment for kids
3. Cheap company for trips to camp.
4. Cheap workout buddy
5. Cheap bed-warmer
6. And best of all: cheap love for a lifetime.
Can your garbage disposal do all that?? Didn't think so....
My garbage disposal-----
I also made one window's shutters yesterday. They turned out fabulous! Well, they haven't been stained yet, but they look awesome anyways. REMINDER! There will be a HOW-TO posted once I have them all done! (For problem-solving sections and what-not)
So, last night I made a simple beef stew. Used the ol' crock so that I wouldn't have to do any work during the relaxing evening hours. It was sooooo yummy. Much better than that canned crap.
SLOW-COOKED BEEF STEW
------------------------------
1. Get out your ol' crock pot. I believe I used my 4-qt one. But you should put it in a bigger one if you decide to add more stuff than I did. If you don't have a crock, head to your local Younkers (hehe) and pick up one. There's a huge selection available in assorted sizes. Some with some awesome features. Turn it on HIGH
2. You're going to need about a pound of steak. I chose leftover round steak. Cut it up and fry it first in a seperate pan. Yes, a slow-cooker will cook a steak, but I don't like the thought of it not getting to the hottest temp to kill all the bacteria. Better safe than sorry. So chop it up, cook it, and throw it in your crock.
3. I used about 5 red potatos, but you can also use 2-3 russet potatos. Eyeball it. Cut up the potatoes, leaving the skins on. Make sure you wash them first! I make pretty big chunks, b/c I wanted a chunky stew. Toss them in.
4. Throw in half a bag (however many ounces that is =P) of baby carrots. I didn't chop them. You can if you want. Again, I wanted mine chunky.
5. Chop up two stalks of celery, toss them in.
6. Add about 1/2 cup of fresh parsely. Fresh parely will taste better than the crap in your seasoning jar. You can add it to your processor if you choose. Dump it in your crock.
7. Add 4 bouillon cubes and 4 cups water. You can do more cubes and more water if you want it to be more like a soup instead of a stew.
8. Stir it all up and let that sit for about 5-6 hours. I made mine around noon and by supper time, everything was soooo tender! Serve it up with some chunks of french bread and enjoy!
****TIPS FROM BRITTANY'S KITCHEN****
Thinking of getting a garbage disposal? Sure, why not? They are kind of handy. We might be getting one, just b/c someone insists that we need on and is willing to pay for it. But.....here's the kicker. WE ALREADY HAVE ONE!
His name is Sebastian. He's an awesome hound/german shepard mix, and he LOVES table scraps. So instead of spending money on something that could potentially destroy your nice silverwear or take off someone's hand (not to mention the cost of installing the damn thing), head to your local animal shelter and adopt your own cute cuddly garbage disposal. Other great features are:
1. Cheap security alarm.
2. Cheap entertainment for kids
3. Cheap company for trips to camp.
4. Cheap workout buddy
5. Cheap bed-warmer
6. And best of all: cheap love for a lifetime.
Can your garbage disposal do all that?? Didn't think so....
My garbage disposal-----
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