Snowman Family {Guest Post by Tasha}

Snowman Family

So I had some extra wood lying around, and my sister and I decided to make a snowman family. They turned out PRETTY cute! 

You will need: 

*Fabric for the head wraps, and scarves. I probable used a 1/3 of each. 

(at Joannes they had a 4 pack of christmas fabrics for 10 dollars, so I bought that.)

*Glue Gun

*Twin, string, anything that you can tie the top of the hat with.

*Orange, White and Black Paint

*Wood. Depending on how tall you want your tallest one, then cut an inch or 2 off of the second, and an inch or 2 off the 3rd.

When I cut my blocks I didnt measure how tall they were, I just sorta guessed how tall I wanted them..so I cant give you exact measurements.. It just depends how tall YOU want your cute snowman's to be! I painted my blocks white, let them dry, then tied the head wraps on. I hot glued the fabric to the snowman blocks, then with twin I tied the top of it. Wrapped my scarfs around each one. Then painted the faces on. you can use your creativity and use buttons for the eyes, felt or fabric for the nose, I just had paint in the closet, so that's what I used! I painted my cute little nose, and eyes. Once they were all made, I set them on my porch! 

Happy Snowman Making!!!

Tasha Bracken

Scallion Lime Rice

Scallion Lime Rice

1 1/2 cups water

1 tsp chicken boullion

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 TBS lime juice

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Bring the avove ingretients to a boil. Add 1 cup Rice, turn onto low, cover and let sit for 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and add 1/2 a cup of chopped scallions.

Another Hairbow Giveaway!

My cute Sister in law is doing another bow giveaway! Isn't she great!?!

 It's an AWESOME one this month! She is giving away a bow and rosette set for each month! That's 24 in all!! And they are great quality and made REALLY well! I would know, I've seen her make them!

 If I had a girl I would totally enter! But, I don't think my husband would appreciate our little Mr. wearing such a darling hair accessory! ;) Head over to her blog to enter!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY ON HER BLOG

Garlic Lime Tilapia

We love fish at our house! Salmon is our go to dinner, but I decided to switch it up! This fish was SO good! My husband actually made it, and it was like pulling teeth trying to get him to remember what he put in it! Finally he remmebered and I am so glad, because I will definetly be making this fish again!

Garlic Lime Tilapia

2 Tilapia Fillets

1/2 tsp lemon pepper

1/2 tsp garlic bread seasoning

1 tsp black pepper

2 TBS lime juice

Drizzle tialpia with lime juice and sprinkle with a little of each of the seasonings. Grill on the barbeque or on a skillet.

Cheesy Beef Taquitos

Have you ever been to Taco Time? I love that place. I love it so much I worked there for 3 years. Okay so I didn't work there for that reason.

 But I never ever got sick of the food! We still go there now! In fact, we went there for lunch 2 days ago. :)

So at Taco Time they have these crisp meat burritos. You know what I'm talking about. Deep fried, yummy, hot, meaty goodness. Well these are a LOT like them! I switched up a few things, and I honestly think they are better! Not healthier however, oh well, ya gotta live a little sometimes! ;) These are SOO yummy!

Cheesy Beef Taquitos

makes about 8-10

1 1/2 cups cooked ground beef (warmed)

3 TBS low fat cream cheese

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp taco seasoning

2 TBS picante sauce (or thick salsa)

8-10 corn tortillas

vegetable oil (for frying)

Mix your pre-cooked ground beef, cheeses, salsa and seasonings in a bowl until well combined.

Heat about 1/4 inch of oil over med/high heat until it sizzles when you dip a tortilla in it. Quickly dip each tortilla (about 2 seconds) into the oil to soften for easier rolling.

Spoon a few tablespoons of the filling into the tortilla, roll and secure with a toothpick. Repeat until all tortillas are filled.

Place taquitos seam side down in frying oil. allow to fry until golden brown, flip and repeat on the other side.

Repeat with all taquitos, and allow to cool slightly on paper towels.

Dip in salsa or sour cream.

Menu Monday

Monday: Grilled Fish and Chips

Tuesday: Enchilada Rice

Wednesday: Generlas Tso's Chicken

Thursday: Beef Stew

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: Sloppy Joe Calzones

Sunday: Honey Apple Pork Roast

Parmesan Baked Chicken

Parmesan Baked Chicken

2 chicken breasts pounded out to 1/2 inch thick

Breading:

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Egg wash:

1 egg

1 TBS milk

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix all the ingredients for the breading in a shallow bowl, and in another bowl, mix the ingredients for the egg wash. Dip the chicken breasts into the egg wash, and then into the breading. Bake on a sheet pan at 400 for 30-40 min, or until it's no longer pink inside.

I served ours over linguine with pesto and it was a huge hit!

Perfect Bread Machine Rolls

1/2 c. warm water (if you get it too hot or too cold, the yeast will not work properly, make the water only slightly on the hot side of lukewarm, and be sure it is NOT so HOT it is scalding.)

2 1/2 tsp. yeast (or 1 pkg is OK-which is 2 1/4 tsp.)

1/3 cup sugar

1 c. milk

3 Tbsp. butter (soft)

1 egg

5 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

Put the yeast, warm water and sugar into your bread machine first. Let it set a few minutes before adding any more ingredients. This should make your yeast foam a bit, which is a good sign that it is working properly. Then add the rest of the ingredients in the order listed. Put the salt in last.

Then put your bread machine on it’s dough setting, which should last approximately 1 1/2 hours. As your dough mixes, use a spatula or spoon to help the flour get mixed in.

Once your dough cycle has finished, cut your douugh into balls and place on a baking sheet. Allow to rise until they rolls are doubled in size, about 1 hour. Bake at 350 for 15 min or until golden.

25 Stocking Stuffers for your Manly Man!

I love looking at stocking lists! Personally I think the stocking is one of the most fun parts of Christmas morning! Maybe it's because it's first, maybe because it's a whole lotta gifts really fast, but whatever it is, I love stockings! However, my dear sweet husband is SO hard to buy stocking stuffers for! He is not into toys, or gag gifts, and I hate filling it with all candy! He is a 'Manly Man', into hunting and fishing and 'guy' stuff! So I put together a list of stocking stuffers that have been a hit with my man over the past few years. No frilly, cutesy stuff here! Hope it gives you some ideas!

1. Jerky
2. Car air fresheners
3. Fishing bait
4. Fishing hooks
5. Nuts
6. Fishing Line
7. Bullets
8. iTunes card
9. Hunting gloves
10. Earbuds
11. Hunting Magazine (or whatever magazine he's into)
12. Hunting movie
13. Keychain
14. Window/leather wipes for the car
15. Mini Tape Measure
16. Pocket knife
17. Knife sharpener
18. Mini boxes of cereal
19. Mini flashlight
20. Body wash/cologne
21. Gum/mints
22. Hand sanitizer (for the tackle box)
23. Wool Socks
24. Extra cell phone charger
25. Love letter (because no matter how manly he is, he still needs to know how much you love him!)

Organize your Christmas {Free Printables}

Need the updated 2012 edition!?? Click Here!

Christmas time is officially upon us! I adore the holidays! I love being with family, the decorations, the yummy food, the music, and the LISTS! Oh, the lists! I am such a list person, so I use any excuse I can to make one, or two... or a binder full! Last week I shared this first printable on my guest post at Over the Big Moon, and I promised the rest of it soon, and here it is!

The first printable is Santa's Survey!

I had been wanting to do a page like this for a few years now, for my husband mostly! It is SO hard to just come out and ask him what he wants! This way you are able to have your spouse write everything down, or have your kids fill it out for you, and there's no more guess work! You will always have everything you need to know at your fingertips! I also filled it out for my little boy, so that whenever I get an idea of something to get him for Christmas, I can jot it down. I keep mine all together in a binder, so I can just grab it whenever I go out Christmas shopping and I have all my ideas right there!

Santa's Survey Download

Next up... A fun December calendar! I know you all probably have a calendar on your wall, but I'm using this one for all things HOLIDAY! what days I'm going to make Neighbor treats, what nights we're going to pass them out, things like that!

December Calendar Download

Next up... FOOD list! I love food. This list keeps you reminded on what neighbors you are giving treats to, and what food you agreed to bring to what party!

Christmas Food Download

This next one will replace your 50 cent notebook that has random gift ideas for your family scribbled all over it. Just fill in the name, and whenever you get a genius gift idea for your grandma, jot it down and it will be with you when you go out shopping!

Christmas Gift List Download

And what would a download list be without a cover!?

download cover

 Merry Christmas and Happy Planning!

Menu Monday

Woohoo! On time! ;)

Monday: Frito Stacks

Tuesday: Sandy's Baked Beans and cornbread

Wednesday: Meatloaf (rollover from last week)

Thursday: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Date Night

Sunday: Roast Beef and potatoes (rollover from last week)

Shepherd's Baked Potatoes

I grew up eating Shepherds Pie! It's one of those comfort foods that I have always loved! My husband, however, is not a fan of mashed potatoes. or casseroles for that matter! But he was a fan of these! And so was I! They were so simple and quick to throw together and SOO yummy! We will definitely be making them again!

Shepherd's Baked Potatoes

makes enough to cover about 2-3 large potatoes

1 can green beans (I used french cut)

1/2 can corn

1 can tomato soup

1 cup cooked ground beef

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp onion flakes

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 cup milk (optional)

2-3 large baked potatoes

Bake your potatoes. Want to know the best way to bake potatoes? preheat your oven to 400, rub your potatoes in vegetable oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Place (without covering in foil) directly on the oven rack. Bake for about an hour, or until fork tender.

Dump all your ingredients into a pan and simmer until warmed through. Use the 1/4 cup milk to thin the mixture until it's the consistency you want. I used the whole 1/4 cup, but if you want it thicker, use less.

Spoon on top of your baked potatoes and top with cheese. ( I added sour cream to mine)

Spaghetti and Chili

I had always just assumed that everyone's family ate this dinner! It was one of my very favorites growing up, and it still is now! But when I started dating my husband, he wasn't familiar with it! I was shocked! We have it for dinner quite often, since it's so quick and I ALWAYS have the ingredients!

1/2 box spaghetti noodles

1 can Nalley canned Chili (it's the only kind I buy, I'm a canned chili snob)

shredded cheese

Kind of self explanitory, isn't it!? You just cook your spaghetti, heat the chili, spoon the chili on the noodles and top with cheese! SOO good!

Christmas Card Display and 5 Free Printable Christmas Cards [Guest Post by Over the Big Moon]

Hey LLS Readers! We are so excited to be Blog Swapping with Stefanie today! Don't you just love her blog? She's adorable!

We are Lisa and Pam from Over the Big Moon!

Over the Big Moon is a blog where you will find a little bit of everything that relates to family life, kids, and decorating our homes! Pam is a Mom to 2 boys and Lisa a Mom to 3 boys! So, you actually might not find a ton related to little girls, but you will still find a lot of fun family ideas and traditions for your home! So, run on over and check it out!

Today we are looking forward into December, and to Christmas Cards! We both love the tradition of Christmas cards! Lisa wanted to share a cute way to display your Christmas Cards and then we also have 5 different Christmas card printables you can choose from for your family card this year!

I (Lisa) had a coat rack that was just screaming for a North Pole makeover!

I decided to unscrew my hooks and wrap the pole in white ribbon. 

Now it is as easy as clipping the cards to the ribbon when they come in the mail!

I used these super cute spiral Paper Clips to attach the cards.

One of my favorite things about the Pole is that it will be easy for my boys to look at the Cards. I have such fond memories of looking at Christmas cards each year! I loved seeing my family's friends grow up over the years. Now for the Printable!

We have 5 Christmas Card designs available for download that you can simply add your own family picture and personalized message to. If you do not have a photo editing program like Photoshop you can use Aviary.com for free! Their Advanced Image Editor is almost just like Photoshop and will allow you to add your custom text and add your family picture! The downloadable files below are PNG's, so they will work in all Photo Editing programs! Costco allows you to upload custom designs in to their Christmas Card selections so we have provided their standard size of 6 x7.5, as well as a 5x7. Simply click on the size under each card to download.

5 x 7
6 x 7.5

5 x 7
6 x 7.5


5 x 7
6 x 7.5

 
5 x 7
6 x 7.5


5 x 7
6 x 7.5

Come visit us at Over the Big Moon to see more Tutorials, Pre-K Packs, Free Printables, Traditions and More!

Thanks again Stefanie for letting us Guest Post!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin has to be one of my all time favorite cookies! These were no exception! They were REALLY yummy!

original recipe from here

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup all purpose or whole wheat flour

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup raisins (or chocolate chips)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars in large bowl until pale and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and stir until almost combined; add the raisins and stir just until blended.

Drop by the spoonful onto parchment-lined sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes, until pale golden around the edges but still soft in the middle. Let cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 1 dozen

Menu Monday

Sorry this is on Tuesday again! I've got a one year old trying to get molars. No fun. :(

Monday: Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Tuesday: Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Wednesday: Taco Burgers

Thursday: Meatloaf Muffins

Friday: Enchilada Soup

Saturday: Date Night

Sunday: Roast Beef and Baked Potatoes

Freezer Fried Rice

I love recipes that you can make tons of and throw the extra in the freezer to save for one of those 'non-cooking' days! We love fried rice at our house! And it's chock full of veggies, so it's good for you, right!?

This is how I do fried rice, but any recipe should work fine!

2 C. uncooked rice (plus whatever you need to cook it)

1 C. shredded cabbage

1 carrot finely sliced

1/2 cup peas

1/2 cup chopped ham (I used homemade cannadian bacon)

2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp powdered ginger

4 TBS soy sauce

2 TBS teriyaki sauce

Cook rice according to directions. in a large skillet, add hot rice, cabbage, carrots, garlic powder, ginger, soy and teriyaki. Cook for a few minutes until the carrots and cabbage are slightly tender (this is why you slice them THIN!) Add peas and ham and stir well. Cover and allow to heat ham and peas through. Serve with more soy sauce.

After the rice has cooled a bit, transfer to ziplock baggies (I did 2 cup portions) lay flat to freeze.

To reheat, place bag in microwave for 30 seconds, flip and heat for another 30 senconds. repeat until heated through.

this makes for a super fast and yummy lunch! It's a tad dry after reheating, but just add a touch more margarine.

Flatbread Pizza

So this isn't as much a recipe as it is an idea for a quick and easy lunch or dinner on the go!

I am still loving these pita flatbreads! I have been using them for everything! Including this lunch! They are a ton faster than making dough, and SO much cheaper than those pre-made crusts!!

Flatbread Pizza

1 pita flatbread

2 TBS pizza sauce

1/4 cup Mozzarella cheese

Pizza Toppings

Oregano

Preheat your oven to 475 and let it get nice and hot! With a long pair of tongs, place your flatbread directly on the hot rack. let it sit for about a minute (watch it closely) and then flip to the other side and let it sit another minute. Repeat this until it's crisp. Remove the flatbread and add your pizza stuff. You know the drill! Sauce... Cheese... Toppings. Then place it on a cookie sheet and pop it back into the oven until the cheese is melted. Now here's my pizza tip. Any time I make pizza, any kind at all, I sprinkle it with a little oregano at the very end. It makes it SO yummy! I also add some crushed red pepper and parmesan cheese, but that's no secret!

Happy Pizza Making!

i love us {Free Printable}

Awhile back, I did a post on my Barn Door Shelf, and to be quite honest, I think the 'i love us' block was just as popular as the shelf itself!

 

I have had multiple emails asking if I sell the blocks, and to answer them, no I dont, too much stress and work goes into to selling things like that! Trust me, I've tried it!

However, printables are FREE and EASY! So, I whipped a few up for you! They are formatted to a 5x7 photo size, so you can just send them into costco (or wherever you print your pictures) or just print them out on your computer.

I have to add first, that I got the original idea here.

Download

Download

 this would also make a GREAT valentines decoration! If you think that far ahead! :)

Quick and Easy Beef Enchiladas

I know that whenever my husband sees enchiladas on the menu for dinner, he is holding his breath for this kind. They are his all time favorite! I usually make these when I make enchiladas, so for lunch yesterday, I decided to treat him to the kind he loves!

Quick and Easy Beef Enchiladas

makes 4

4 corn tortiallas

1 cup cooked ground beef

1tbs water

2 TBS taco seasoning

shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 can Old El Paso Mild Red Enchilada Sauce (my personal fav, but use your favorite)

In a pan, cook your ground beef (or reaheat from frozen if you're like me!) and add water and taco seasoning. warm through.

Soften your tortialls by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and heating them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

Place 1/4 cup of ground beef and a little cheese in the tortialla and gently roll. Place seam down into a small baking dish. repeat with all 4 enchiladas. Pour 1/2 the can or enchilada sauce (or more is you like more sauce) and sprinkle generously with cheese. Bake in to oven at 400 until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Menu Monday (2 weeks in 1)

Whoops, I didn't just post last weeks menu late, I skipped it all together! I promise though, we did eat! Want to know what?...

Monday: spaghetti and chili (recipe to come)

Tuesday: Baked chicken nuggets

Wednesday: tacos

Thursday: Baked Potato Soup

Friday: Ramen Noodles (awesome)

Saturday: date night

Sunday: Beef Enchiladas (recipe to come, we actually had these for lunch, that's our big Sunday meal)

But I AM going to do better this week! No ramen for us! Not that there is anything wrong with ramen! ;)

Monday: Dinner with my family

Tuesday: Chili and cornbread

Wednesday: BLT's

Thursday: Baked Parmesan Chicken

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: Steak and Baked Potatoes

Sunday: Smothered Crock Pot Pork Chops

Baked Potato Soup

It's COLD today. at least here in Utah it is! So I thought I'd share a soup recipe we had for dinner the other night! Baked Potato Soup is all over blogland and pinterest, but here's my version!

Baked Potato Soup

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 small onion chopped

3-4 potatoes

2TBS olive oil

water

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

3 C. milk

 1TBS Cornstarch dissolved in 1/2 c.cold milk (optional)

toppings: bacon, green onion, sour cream, cheddar cheese, etc.

In a large pot, saute celery and onion in the olive oil. Once they turn translucent, add potatoes and add enoguh water just to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are tender. Add 3 C. Milk, and seasonings. Cook until warm. Add the cornstarch mixture to thicken if needed. Add desired toppings.

BBQ Hamburger Salad

Umm.. new favorite salad! Right here! This salad is SO yummy and very different from your basic chicken and ranch on lettuce! Yay! Plus, it uses leftovers! Double yay!

1/2 of a hamburger patty, BBQ'ed

1/2 of a hamburger bun -toasted

lettuce

relish

mustard

ketchup.

Sound weird? Yeah I thought to too. But its SO good! Just dont go crazy with the ketchup and mustard. Feel free to add any other burger toppings you like (cheese, tomatoes, onion, avocado)

PLEASE try this salad! seriously, do it.

CHRISTMAS BOW GIVEAWAY!!!

Another AMAZING bow giveaway. Makes a Perfect Christmas Gift for that lil' princess in your life.  (ok, I'll be honest.. I wear the bows all the time..)

CLICK on the Link below to enter!

http://jasonheidi.blogspot.com/2011/11/merry-christmas-bow-giveaway.html

good luck!