Valentine's Advent

So we all know this one, right?  I saw this here and just had to do it for my hubby!  What you do is make 14 cards (I made 16 because I'm starting tomorrow).  On the back, you write an activity you and your spouse can do together that day.  The point is to bring you closer together in an inexpensive way.  There are lots of ideas listed in the link above.  I seriously did all mine in 45 minutes with my baby getting into everything (e.g. spilling modge podge in my carpet).  It's very easy and really fun!

(I was in a hurry, that's why 15 & 14 are in the wrong places.  Oops!)

Have fun crafting!

Potato Chip Cookies

Yes I know the name throws you off...just promise that you will give them a try...They are delicious! They are my brothers favorite cookie...{one of my favorites too}Potato Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 lb butter
1 cup sugar
3 1/2 cup flour
4 oz. crushed potato chips
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar till smooth.
Add the rest and Mix thoroughly
Drop from teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes
When cool...give them a dunking in powdered sugar.

--I don't ever recall doing these with nuts. But I think they would be good that way too. Make sure the cookies are completely cool before tossing them in a bag of powdered sugar. --

Now GO make them!

Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chinese Rice

Hello friends! I have been listed as a poster of this wonderful little blog but have never actually posted. So I thought I might share a delicious recipe that is a HUGE favorite in our home. Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chinese Rice!

Sweet and Sour Chicken:
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
3/4 C Sugar
3/4 C Vinegar
1/4 C Chicken Stock
4 tbs Ketchup
1 tbs Soy Sauce
Dash Salt

Directions: Cut chicken into small cubes. Dip in beaten egg and then cornstarch. Brown lightly on both sides. In a pot, add sugar, vinegar, chicken stock, ketchup, soy sauce, and salt. Bring to a boil (until sugar is melted). Put chicken in a square, glass pan. Pour sauce over the top. Sprinkle LIGHTLY with garlic salt. Cover with tin foil. Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Chinese Rice:
2 tbs Olive Oil
3 Large Carrots chopped
3 Large Celery sticks chopped
1/2 an Onion Chopped
1/2 a package of bacon chopped
4 eggs
2 cups of Rice

Directions: While Rice cooks... put olive oil in large frying pan on low to medium heat (depending on your stove), add carrots, celery, and onions. Let cook until done. (Add a little soy sauce to them and other seasonings that you like...I do salt, pepper and a little garlic salt). When they are done, set them aside and fry the small bits of bacon. When bacon is done add it to the veggie mix. Then beat the eggs and scramble them in the pan (so they get the yummy bacon flavor). When the eggs are done mix it all together in a bowl. Fry the rice in the same pan...and then add the whole mix together.These pictures don't really make it look very good, but I promise it's DELICIOUS! Happy Cooking!

Super Mario Baby Shower

The Mission: Jessica's Baby Shower

The challenge: Mario themed for a boy

I must say I was quite surprised at the lack of Mario stuff out there. I was so very lucky to find a stamp on etsy. And with help of Samantha, Suzi, and Natalie, we pulled off a great shower!

We framed one of the invites. {And we used plastic gold coins as accents.}

This is my favorite. It was so fun to put together. I am loving the bright happy colors.Brought to you by the letter "P"Triangle banner.Sam found some super cute clothes to put on the clothes line.The Diaper CakeThe food table...so FUN!And last but not least the beautiful Mom to be {Jessica} with her diaper cake.
Thanks for letting us throw you this shower.
I had so much fun!
Now we just wait for Baby Preston!

oh...and MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Christmas Wreaths

I made the first wreath a year ago. All I did was buy a plain 24 '' wreath and some holiday picks in the colors I wanted and wire them to the metal circle supporting the wreath. This year I made the other two wreaths for my mother and sister and I did the same thing. It's really simple and looks great for a whole lot less money than buying a pre-decorated wreath.

Corn Maze Munch

CoRn MazE MUnCh!

This is so so good.
Someone brought it in for a potluck at my Mom's work.

Definitely a must try!

Ingredients

1 (11 oz.) pkg mini pretzels
1 (10 1/2 oz) pkg mini peanut butter filled crackers (ritz)
1 C. dry roasted peanuts
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter
1/2 C. light corn syrup
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 (10 oz) pkg M&M's
1 (18 1/2 oz) pkg candy corn

Directions
In a large bowl, combine first 3 ingredients.
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over mdeium heat; boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mix will foam)
Pour over pretzel mixture and stir until coated.
Pour into greased 15x10 pan.
Bake at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Break apart while warm.
Cool completely.
Toss with M&M's and candy corn.
Store in airtight container.

**We made it last night to take to the football game. We left with 5 quart size bags and only came home with one. It was gone this morning. So today we made it again, with some revisions. We added some Chex cereal and some of those tiny soup crackers and cheerios. We also leave out the candy corn. Just be sure that you don't cook the mixture too long as you will not see it fowm when you add the baking soda. It should about double in size. The first time we made it it didn't. The second time it did. So just don't cook too long.**

my FIRST post:)

Pumpkin Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ginger

2 1/2 c. flour

3 Tbsp. molasses

2 c. pumpkin (canned pumpkin mix)

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together and drop by the spoonful on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.