Pumpkin Pie

Made my very first pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving this yr :-) As a kid the only pumpkin pie I would was my grandma's. She use to make it from an actual pumpkin until she got older and it got to be to much work then she started using the pumpkin in the can. I like Frisch's also but it wont beat my grandma's. The bad news is my mom tried to find her recipe and couldn't find it anywhere in her house.  I searched Pinterest and debated for weeks what recipe to use. I got lucky and the recipe I used was very very delicious!!!!

From the kitchen of: Pinterest
Category: Dessert

Ingredients:

9" Crust (I am going to attempt making my own crust next yr)

15 oz Can Pumpkin
1/2 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp allspice)
1/4 tsp Salt
3 Eggs Beaten
1/4 c Sour Cream
1 cup Half and Half
1 tsp Vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375*

1. Combine pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt. Add eggs and sour cream.
2. Beat lightly.
3. Stir in half and half and vanilla.
4. Fill pie shell.
5. Cover edges with foil and bake 35 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake another 25 minutes.

Apple Pie

Ok so I put 2 versions of an apple pie recipe together... 1 I got from The Chew and the other one from Allrecipes.com. This yr I bought the crust but last yr I made it if I remember right.

Desserts

Ingredients:
 9" pie single crust

Pie Filling:
3 cups Granny Smith Apples - cut into small pieces
3 cups Red Delicious Apples - cut into small pieces
2 cups sugar
4 tsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
10 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:
1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Butter (Melted)
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped Almonds

Directions:
Preheat oven at 350*F

Topping:
1. For topping combine all topping ingredients in a bowl and mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.

Filling:
1. In a very large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat, then add apples, sugar, cinnamon, flour, and nutmeg. When apples begin to sizzle, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirrig occasionally, until apples soften and release their juices, about 10-12 minutes. Sir in lemon juice and vanilla extract and allow to cool.

2. Grease the pie plate and put crust in. Fill the crust with the filling and then sprinkle the topping on. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Allow to cool before serving.

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

From the Kitchen of: Pinterest.com
Desserts

Ingredients:

1 (16oz) container frozen whopped topping, thawed
1 (5oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15oz) can solid pack pumpkin
1 1/4 Pumpkin Spice or make your own 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp allspice

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin spice. Fold in whipped topping. Chill in frige until serving (or freezer if it's made only an hr or 2 before serving). Serve with cinnamon grahams.

Crockpot Honey Apple Pork Loin

Category: Dinner 
From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

Pork Loin 2.5 - 3 lbs
Red  Delicious Apples, 3 sliced
Honey, approx 4 T
Cinnamon, 2T

Original Directions: 

1. Lay the apple slices (from 2 of the 3 apples) in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Cut slits in the pork loin (approx 1/2" to 3/4")
4. Drizzle some honey into the slits.
5. Then place apple slices into the slits.
6. Place the pork loin into the crockpot.
7. Drizzle the top with the remainder of the honey.
8. Place the rest of the apples on top.
9. Then sprinkle the whole thing with cinnamon.
10. Cook on Low for 7hrs.

My Directions:

1. Lay the apple slices (from 2 of the 3 apples) in the bottom of the crockpot.

2. Sprinkle with 1T cinnamon.

3. Cut slits in the pork loin (big enough to stick apple slices in lol)
4. Rub 2T of honey all over the pork loin.
5. Place apple 4 or 5 apple slices in the slits.
6. Place the rest of the apples on top.

7. Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon and honey on top.

8. Place the pork loin in the crock pot.

9. Fill with Apple Juice (I read this in the comments of this recipe of what other ppl tried i also read someone used chicken broth.)

10. Cook on Low for 8Hrs. (My crockpot doesnt have an option for 7 hrs. 

We served this green beans and plain spiral noodles. It does have a sweet taste to it but it is not overbearing. I placed mine on top of the noodles and Adam ate his individually. I am a very picky meat eater and I liked it. I highly recommend this for a nice fall meal. Please let me know what y'all think of it.  

Ducky Diaper Cakes

Last weekend I threw a baby shower for my boyfriends sister-in-law and made these adorable diaper cakes I wanted to share with y'all... 

Let me know what you think...

PARMESAN PULL-APARTS

From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

2 cans (7.5 oz each) refrigerated Homestyle Biscuits (I used Butter Lovin!)
3 tablespoons Butter, melted
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon dried Parsley
1 teaspoon dried Minced Onion
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan Cheese
1/3 cup shredded Mozzerella Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl mix together the melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, minced onion and parmesan cheese. Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch glass pie plate. Sprinkle the shredded mozzerella cheese evenly over the top of the butter mixture.

Remove biscuits from cans. Place biscuits close together over the top of the cheese and butter mixture. (You might not need all the biscuits. I had a few left over that wouldnt fit)

Bake biscuits in the oven for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and let stand for 3 minutes. Turn biscuits upside down onto a serving plate. Serve warm!

Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

 8 Cups Seedless Watermelon

1 Cup Strawberries

1/2 Cup Lemon Juice

1 Cup Sugar

2 Cups Water

Directions:

1. Clean and cut the fruit. 

2. Add all ingredients into blender. 

3. Blend.

Side Note: It has a funny texture do to the watermelon. We decided to freeze it and turn it into a popsicle. It was very yummy and didn’t have the funny texture.  

Peanut Butter S'more Bars

Category: Desserts

From the Kitchen of: ???

Ingredients

1 tube (16-1/2 ounces) refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough

3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

2 teaspoons shortening

1 1/2 cups milk chocolate M&M’s

Directions:

1. Let dough stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. Cut into 24 slices; arrange side by side in an un-greased 13-in x 9-in baking pan. Pat together to close gaps.

2. Bake at 350* for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned and edges are firm. Sprinkle with marshmallows; bake 2-3 minutes longer or until marshmallows are puffy.

3. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening stir until smooth. Sprinkle M&M’s over marshmallow layer; drizzle with melted chocolate. Chill until set before cutting.

Yields: 2 Dozen

1 bar equals 200 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 2g protein

Chocolate Cake

Category: Desserts
From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

1 cups (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips divided

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*

2. Spray pan with vegetable pan spray. 

3. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips and butter together either in microwave oven or on top of range over low heat. 

4. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

5. Pour into electric mixer bowl.

6. Add sugar; beat until well blended. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

7. Add vanilla

8. Stir in 1/2 cup flour, baking soda and salt; mix well.

9. Add remaining flour and water; mix until smooth. 

10. Pour into prepared pan. 

11. Bake 40-45 minutes or until cake test is done. 

Roasted Green Beans

Categories: Side Dish

From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

1 lb green beans

3 tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp red pepper

2 cloves garlic, sliced

1 lemon, juiced and zested

salt

pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425*

2. Heat the olive oil, red pepper and garlic over medium heat until the garlic browns.

3. Turn off the heat to remove the garlic with a slotted spoon.

4. Add green beans to the pan, toss to coat, and transfer to a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 10 minutes.

6. Toss with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve garnished with lemon zest. 

Bacon-Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Category: Side Dish
From the Kitchen of: ????

Ingredients:

1/2 lb Chopped Bacon
2 lbs. Potatoes
Salt & Pepper
1/2 to 1 Stick Butter
1 Cup Milk
1/2 lb Grated Sharp Cheddar
1/4 Cup Minced Parsley

Directions:

1. Cook Bacon Until Crisp.
2. Make Classic Mashed Potatoes
    a. Cover potatoes with cold salted water.
    b. Simmer 45 minutes
    c. Drain and mash with 1/2 to 1 stick of butter.
    d. Add hot milk, and salt and pepper.
    5. Mash until smooth and fluffy
3. Fold in some bacon; sprinkle the rest on top.
4. Add Cheese and parsley

Ranch Chicken Pasta

Category: Main Dish
From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients

6 slices of bacon

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 tbsp ranch dry salad dressing mix

1-1/4 cups whole milk

1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

3 cups dried medium noodles

1 tbsp finely shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp and then break into small pieces.

2. Drain all but 2 tbsp of bacon grease.

3. In the same skillet cook chicken in reserved drippings until tender and no longer pink, turning to brown evenly.

4. Sprinkle flour and salad dressing mix over the chicken in the skillet; stir well.

5. Stir in milk

6. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.

7. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package.

8. Stir in bacon and black pepper (into chicken mix)

9. Serve chicken mixture with noodles; sprinkle with parmesan. 

Hearty Chicken Pot Pie

Category: Main Dish
From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

1 pkg (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetable, thawed

1 cup cut-up cooked chicken

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

1 cup Original Bisquick Mix

1/2 cup Milk

1 Egg

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400*. Mix Vegetables, chicken and soup in un-greased 2-quart casserole dish.

2. Stir remaining ingredients in small bowl with fork until blended. Pour into casserole.

3. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. 

Strawberry Icing

Category: Desserts
From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1/3 Cup Sugar
4 tbsp. Fresh Strawberries (put in food processor)

Directions: 

1. Whip cream until it looks like Whipped Cream
2. Mix in Sugar
3. Mix in Strawberries

*Please Keep in Fridge
*If you want to make Peanut butter icing simply take out the strawberries and put in the peanut butter. I am still trying to get the exact amount of peanut butter I kind of just did it by taste. Start off with maybe 1 tsp. and go from there.

Pepperoni Roll-Ups

Category: Main Dish/ Appetizer

From the Kitchen of: Pinterst

Ingredients

1 tube (8ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls

16 slices pepperoni, cut into quarters

2 pieces string cheese (1 ounce each), cut into quarters

3/4 tsp italian seasoning, divided

1/4 tsp garlic salt

Directions:

1. Unroll crescent dough, separate into eight triangles. Place eight pepperoni pieces on each. Place a piece of cheese on the short side of each triangle; sprinkle with 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning.

2. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 375* for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve Warm.

Yields: 8 Appetizers

2 roll-ups equals 282 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 766mg carbohydrate, trace fiber, 7g protein

Spicy BBQ Chicken

Category: Main Dish
From the Kitchen of: Biggest Loser

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chili sauce

2 tablespoons low-sodium ketchup

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp Dijion Mustard

3/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cayenne

12 ounces chicken breast, boneless, skinless

Directions:

1. Coat a grill rack with non stick spray. Fire up the grill and heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Place the rack on the grill.

2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, mix the chilli sauce, ketchup, honey, vinegar, ginger, mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat. Set the sauce aside. 

3. Place the chicken on the rack over the heat. Grill, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Turn the chicken over and brush with the sauce. Grill until the chicken is no longer pink, 5 to 10 minutes. Brush with the remaining sauce before serving. 

Meatloaf

Category: Main Dish
From the Kitchen of: Carol

Ingredients:
Lean Ground Chuck
1 egg
Chopped parsley (plain not italian)
Bread Crumbs
*Chopped Onions (finely)
1 Package of McMormick Meat Loaf Mix
2 Strips of Bacon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 365*
2. Mix together ground chuck, 1 egg, parsley, chopped onions, meat loaf mix (Don't over mix because it makes meatloaf tough).
3. Put in meat loaf pan, sprinkle bread crumbs. Add 2 strips of bacon on top.
4. Bake for 20 minutes to brown top then cover with foil and bake until 170* in center.
5. Halfway through baking pour off excess grease.

Pulled Chicken/ Pulled Pork

Category: Main Dish
From the Kitchen of: Carol

Pulled Chicken

Ingredients:

3/4 Chicken Broth

3-4 Chicken Breast

Fat Boy BBQ Sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*

2. Soak chicken breast in chicken broth until chicken is done cooking. 

3. Let chicken set and cool until you can shred it with a fork.  

4. Add “Fat Boy BBQ Sauce”

Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

Lean Roast

Garlic Salt

Fat Boy BBQ Sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*

2. Rub garlic salt all over the roast and soak roast in water until it is done cooking. 

3. Let roast set and cool until you can shred it with a fork.  

4. Add “Fat Boy BBQ Sauce”

Chicken & Cheese Lasagna Roll-Ups

Category: Main Dish
From the Kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:

3 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 cup Ricotta Cheese

1/4 cup Cheddar or Colby Cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup milk

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

8 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

2 cups Prego Spaghetti Sauce

Directions:

1. Pre-Cook chicken and noodles

2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, cheese, milk, and pepper

3. Spread 1/2 cup mixture on each lasagna noodle; roll jelly-roll fashion

4. In a 13x9-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup spaghetti sauce

5. Arrange lasagna rolls, seam-side down in sauce in baking dish

6. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce

7. Cover with aluminum foil

8. Bake at 375* for 30 minutes or until hot

9. Serve, if desired, with additional Parmesan cheese on top. 

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Briad

Category: Main Dishes
From the kitchen of: Pinterest

Ingredients:
2 Cups Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls
2 Cups Chicken Chunks, Cooked
2 Cups Cheddar Cheese
2 Cups Broccoli, Frozen, Steamed and Chopped
1/2 Cup Light Mayonnaise
1 Egg Yolk
Fresh Rosemary

Directions:
1. Pre-cook Chicken and Broccoli as directed!
2. Preheat oven to 375*
3. On a greased cookie sheet, spread both cans of crescents length wise to form a long rectangle.
4. In a large bowl, combine chicken, cheese, broccoli and mayonnaise.
5. Spread mixture over the center of the crescent dough evenly to create a log.
6. Using a sharp knife, cut horizontal strips 1 inch apart down each of the sides.
7. Fold the dough strips over the top of the chicken mixture, alternating left and right to create a braid. (not as hard as it sounds)
8. Brush the top of the braid with a beaten egg yolk and sprinkle rosemary on top.
9. Bake for 28-30 minutes until golden brown.

Turkey Roll-Ups

Category: Appetizers
From the Kitchen of: Biggest Loser

Ingredients:
1 whole wheat flour, low carb tortilla (7 1/2" diameter - 60 calories)
1 tbsp light garden vegetable cream cheese (30 calories)
2 oz thinly sliced low sodium oven roasted turkey.

Directions:
1. Place the tortilla on a cutting board.
2. Spread the cream cheese evenly to the edges over 3/4 of the tortilla surface.
3. Lay the turkey slices evenly over the cheese.
4. Start at filled side, roll tightly into a tube.
5. With sharp knife, slice into 8 equal pieces.
6. Arrange, spiral side up, on serving dish.
7. Serve immediately.

Recipes

Ok so I have never really been an outstanding cook.... Since I have my own house now I can't rely on my momma to cook for me and thought it was time for me to learn. Me and Adam kinda split the cooking he cooks most of the red meat bc I am not ready to try that yet lol. As I add a recipe in my cookbook I will add it on here and hopefully you and your family will like as much as me and Adam... Remember If I can make it then anyone should be able to. I would also, love to hear ur comments and let me know what you think.

Bridal Shower Invites

My boyfriend's brother is getting married in August and I am one of the bride's maids. Since I never like the little cheap versions of invites for bridal showers I decided to make them :-)

Here is the outcome. If you see any blurry spots its because that is where the address or phone number was located. 

Memorial Day Week

We didn't have anything special planned for monday this week since I did not see the kids due to Memorial Day.

Reading Tuesday

After swim class I read this book to Jackson during pencil time and he did a comprehension worksheet afterwords. Then did a few other worksheets. 

Cooking Wednesday

Cooking Activity: Pepperoni Roll-ups

Items You Will Need: 1 tube (8oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls, 16 slices pepperoni, cut into quarters, 2 pieces string cheese (1 oz. each) cut into quarters, 3/4 tsp italian seasoning, divided, 1/4 tsp garlic salt.

Pictures:

Directions:

1a. Unroll crescent dough, separate into eight triangles. 

1b. Place eight pepperoni pieces on each. (we did however many they wanted)

1c. Place a piece of cheese on the short side if each triangle; sprinkle with 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning. (Since George thinks pepperoni is to spicy we shook them up with the Italian Seasoning and Garlic mixture. We also found it easier to sprinkle the seasoning mixture on the crescent rolls before putting anything else on.)

2a. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet.

2b. Bake 375* for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve Warm.

We also had our yummy vegetable with these.


THE KIDS LOVED THEM! (George is VERY picky)

Field Trip/ Science Friday 

In the morning we took our weekly field trip to Children's Museum.

In the afternoon we did our awesome science project....

Science Project: Color and Bubbly Science Exploration

Items Needed: Droppers, Plate or Tray, Baking Soda, Food Coloring and Vinegar

Pictures:

Directions:

1. Mix together whatever color food coloring each child wants with vinegar and set aside.

2. Each child scoops out a spoonful of baking soda on their tray/plate.

3. Then the children used the to add colored vinegar on top of their scoop of baking soda to create colorful bubbles.

4. The children continued to add new scoops of baking soda and new colors of vinegar to make bubbles on the trays

Planting a Rainbow Week

This week's theme is Planting a Rainbow. 

Monday

Art Project: Painting a Rainbow of Flowers

Items Needed: 4 Kitchen Loofa, Blue and Green Construction Paper, 4 Bright Colors of Paint (add liquid soap to help with clean up)

This is a picture of a different group of kids doing the project.

Tuesday

Science Project: Catching a Rainbow

Items Needed: Milk; red, yellow and blue food coloring, dishwashing liquid

Directions:

1. We poured a cup of milk into a bowl.

2a. Squeezed 3 drop of red food coloring at the top of the bowl,

2b-c. yellow at the bottom, and blue at the opposite side (to form a triangle). 

3. Squeezed a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid into the middle of the bowl, 

4. and we observed the changes.

Wednesday

Cooking Activity: Granola-to-go Bars

Items Needed: 3-1/2 Cups Quick - Cooking Oats

                         1 cup chopped Almonds

                         1 egg, Lightly Beaten

                         2/3 Cup Butter, Melted

                         1 tsp Vanilla Extract
                         1 tsp Honey

                         1/2 Cup Sunflower Kernels

                         1/2 Cup Flaked Coconut

                         1/2 Cup Chopped Dried Apples

                         1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

                         1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

                         1/2 Cup Ground Cinnamon

Directions:

1a. Combine oats and almonds in a 15-in x 10-in x 1-in baking pan coated with cooking spray. 

1b. Baked at 350* for 15 minutes or until toasted, stirring occasionally.

2a. In a large bowl, combine the egg, butter, honey and vanilla.

2b. Stir in the sunflower kernels, coconut, apples, cranberries, brown sugar and cinnamon.

2c. Stir in oat mixture.

3a. Press into a 15-in x 10-in x 1-in baking pan coated with cooking spray.

3b. Bake 350* for 13-18 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned.

3c. Cool on a wire rack.

3d. Cut into bars.

3e. Store in an airtight container.

We ate it with vanilla ice cream and the kids liked it.

Grandma's Garden Statues

So my grandma's garden statues needed so touch up jobs on them here are the before and after pictures....

I almost forgot to take the before picture 

(This goes by my grandpa's grave)

After Picture

Again almost forgot to take the before picture 

After Picture

Breast Cancer Benefit Baskets

Here are gift baskets I made for a benefit people were having for a lady at my mom's work....

Lilac Basket

Book Basket

Planting a Cure

Popping in a Cure

Baking in a Cure

French Toast Casserole

When I woke up this morning I decided to create a breakfast I saw on Pinterest and since me and Adam both love french toast this sounded like a great idea....


Recipe:

• 5 cups bread cubes
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter an 8x8 inch baking pan.
2. Line bottom of pan with bread cubes. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and vanilla. pour egg mixture over bread. Dot with margarine; let stand for 10 minutes.
3. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45 to 50 minutes, until top is golden.

6 servings 

It takes a little bit of time but over all it was pretty easy. I also used my silk vanilla milk instead and omitted the vanilla extract by doing so. 


I did forget to set the oven 25* less than what the recipe called for so it only took 30 minutes. The outside was a little crunchy (my mom suggested I cover with aluminum next time). The inside was a little bit more soggy than I would have liked also (I can't stand anything soggy but Adam and mom liked it). Overall the taste was yummy. 


<3 Nik

Coupon Organization

So I am a huge planner... For example I have planned George and Samantha's entire summer break from field trips, cooking, science and art activities. All I need is for their mom to let me know what day their sporting activities are on and when.

Living at home my mom mostly takes care of the coupons and grocery shopping. I figured since I will be moving out soon I need to get a coupon system set up. I hate using those expanding file folder things bc they never stay open. So I found an empty box laying around the basement and decided to make little folders to fit in it.... Here is the outcome.

I made a folder for all the different categories plus:
*Air Fresheners & Candles
*Baby (even though I don't have one yet but it would have messed up the tabs if I didn't make it now and 2 years from now I needed it. Told you I am a huge planner).
*Bags
*Baking
*Batteries
*Beverages
*Bread
*Candy & Gum
*Canned Foods
*Cereal - General Mills
*Cereal - Kashi
*Cereal - Kelloggs
*Cleaners
*Condiments
*Crackers
*Dairy
*Frozen
*Health Foods
*Hygiene - Dental
*Hygiene - Other
*Jelly / Peanut Butter
*Makeup
*Meat
*Medicine / Rx
*Mexican
*Office Supplies
*Paper Products {T.P., etc.}
*Pasta
*Rice
*Salad Dressing
*Seasonings
*Sauce
*Snacks
*Toys
*Vitamins
Additional categories I made for specific stores:
*Bed Bath & Beyond
*Craft Stores
*CVS
*Kroger
*Target
*Walgreens
*Wal-Mart
Other categories:
Restaurants -- Gift Cards

I also made folders for different memberships so we can set the money aside ahead of time. This way when the membership fee is due we wont be searching for the money.
Sam's Membership
Moose Membership

<3 Nik

Layney's TuTu - Item for Sale

So one of my friends wanted a TuTu for her little girl's 1st birthday.... I thought it would be hard to do so I was a little nervous to do it at first. I actually went to the fabric store to go get supplies for a different craft and while I was there I was why not it's worth a shot. Here is the final result of Layney's TuTu... If you would like to order one Please e-mail me at dream.lovehope@live.com with the subject line Sweet Dreams Crafts. 

$10.00






<3 Nik

Sweet Cupcake - Item for sale

Me and my boyfriends mom were shopping for craft ideas and this is one of the many we came up with. This would be an adorable decoration for the summer time... ONLY $15.00 and it's yours....

Just e-mail me at: dream.lovehope@live.com with the subject line sweet dreams crafts (this is so I don't think its spam).

<3 Nik

Specialty Order Form

If anyone would like to order a gift basket here is an order form you can fill out and e-mail me @dream.lovehope@live.com

Please let your friends know :-)

<3 Nik

Stranger Safety

George is going to be 5 this week and Samantha is going to be 3 at the end of the month. It is a really great time to go into more detail about stranger danger with George. Since Samantha wants to do everything he does she is learning the basics but might not comprehend everything he does.

The kids mom got a DVD it is for ages 4 and up. The video is called The Safe Side: Stranger Safety. The company also has one for Internet Safety. These video's were created by John Walsh and Julie Clark. I have had a little time to check out the website www.thesafeside.com which has more resources for families and teachers to download. We have not had time yet to watch the video but when we do I will give you my opinion on it and weather or not the kids liked it and understood it.

So George has sat down with his mom and watched the video this past week... I saw him on Thursday and he could not wait to watch it again. I didn't actually get to sit down and watch it with him but he could already tell me so much about it and the clips I did see were great. This video his kid approved!!!! 

<3 Nik

Benefit Basket

Ok so back in February I made TWO gift baskets for a benefit. If you are interested in ordering a basket please e-mail me at dream.lovehope@live.com. I have several more pictures on my facebook page.