Halloween Pumpkin Labels

 Halloween Treat Bags for Hannah's Preschool Class

I did my first project using my printer and my silhouette cameo! My pumpkins are yellow because I didn't have orange paper haha! Oh well, Hannah says the pumpkins are "glowing pumpkins". They still turned out cute :)

Here is my design on the silhouette cameo. I printed the text first (using the send to printer feature). Then put the cardstock on my silhouette cutting mat to cut out the pumpkin shape. I did the stems separately and glued them on.

Chicken Quesadillas

If you want an easy meal, here is one for you! I made salsa chicken in the crockpot to use in my quesadillas. Then I just added cheese and we had dinner!

Here is the recipe....

Ingredients:
- Flour Tortillas
- Queso Cheese (or your favorite Mexican style cheese)
- Salsa Chicken (click the link to go to the recipe)
- Vegetable Oil

Cut up your salsa chicken into bit size pieces

  Use a basting brush to brush on your vegetable oil to one side of the tortilla. Then flip it over onto your cast iron skillet.

Add your cheese and chicken to the inside of your tortilla on one side (not the side with the oil!)

Cook on Medium Heat and flip after 3-5 minutes (depending on how hot your pan is)

Once your cheese is melted you are ready to enjoy!

Smothered Pork Chops

So this is definitely not the healthiest dinner I have made but it sure was yummy! I started off cooking the pork chops in a regular glass pan, but then decided half way through cooking that they would be better in the cast iron skillet! I love that I can cook with the skillet on the stove top and then put it right into the oven to finish off the cooking. Here is the recipe and my pictures of the process :) Enjoy!

Ingredients:
- 4 Medium Pork Chops
- Salt and Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- 2 Eggs
- Italian Bread Crumbs (I made my own with the food chopper, bread and italian seasoning)
- 1 Cup of Flour

Gravy:
- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup of milk
- Worcestershire Sauce (I used about 1 tbsp.)
- Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

Use food processor to make bread crumbs. I used about 2 slice of cracked wheat bread and 1 Tbsp. of Italian Seasoning.

Coat your pork chops in beaten egg mixture (mix with a bit of milk), then your flour, then your bread crumbs.

This is where I originally just baked mine at 350, however I would recommend going straight to the cast iron skillet and browning each side of the pork chop. Brown each side for about 5 minutes. Then put your chops in the oven at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Until cooked through.

Once your pork is cooked bring it back out of the oven and pour your gravy over your pork.

You can heat it on the stove or put it back in the oven for 5 minutes. It heats up fast.

Add a touch of parsley over top before serving and Enjoy!

French Bread BBQ Chicken Pizzas

Ingredients: 
- 1 1/2 lbs. Chicken Breasts
- Your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1 Onion (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon (approx.) of Worcestershire sauce
- BBQ dry rub seasoning (optional)
- small italian bread rolls, sliced in half (I got mine from Costco)
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese 

We had the kale salad from Costco with our BBQ pizzas :)

Directions: 

Cook chicken, bbq sauce, onion Worcestershire sauce, and rub in crockpot for 4 hours on low.

Once cooked, shred your chicken and place it back into the sauce

Take your bread, slice it and place it on your baking sheet. I used my Pampered Chef baking stone.

Add sauce from the crockpot to the tops of your bread, then add the chicken. I added the sauce separately so it would soak into the bread. 

Add your cheese and you are all set to put it in the oven!

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes and Enjoy!

  

Personalized Family Date Sign

I found a variety of ideas when searching on pinterest for what I wanted my complete product to look like. Below is what I decided to go with! :) I love it!

Step 1: Figure out what you what your saying to be and the dates you want to use

Step 2: Create your design using the Silhouette Cameo computer software.

Here is my design:

Step 3: Using your choice in vinyl cut out your design with your Silhouette. Blade setting #2.

 You do not have to put the vinyl on the mat.

Step 4: Take you vinyl and apply it to your transfer paper

Step 5: Layout your design on the service you are applying it on to.This way to can double check it will fit properly. I ended up breaking mine up into 3 sections, it was easier to control since my lettering in some spots was thin.

Step 6: Apply your design to the canvas. Make sure to use the scraper to get the lettering down nice and tight. Don't rush it! Make sure you go slow to avoid mistakes.

Enjoy your finished product! 

Pictures on Canvas

I have found a new project that I love! I have always wanted to have pictures on canvas but could never justify the cost. So of course I went on pinterest and started looking for ideas. I found a variety of different options and below is what I ended up putting together. I think they turned out great! I am looking forward to making more for Christmas presents ;)

 Step 1: Choose your Canvas

I 

I mostly have used 8x10, but I also have used 11x14. The best place I have found so far to get them is Hobby Lobby. the 8x10 pack was only $3.99 for 2 of them! 

Step 2: Choose your picture and trim it down to size. 

I found with the canvases that I got I had to trim my 8x10 image just a 1/4 inch or so. 

Step 3: Paint the edges of your canvas

I painted the edges, and then realized after finishing my first one that I need to paint not just the edge but about a 1/2 inch or so on the top and around back of the canvas. By painting into and around the back it makes for a much smoother look to your finished product. 

Step 4: Mod Podge 

I love Mod Podge! Grab your foam brush and get ready to apply your picture! 

 

- Apply a thin layer on your canvas and on the back of your print.
- Line up the picture onto of the canvas.
- Flip the canvas over to apply pressure (make sure you have a clean surface) to press down to picture so you don't get your finger prints on it.

- Once your picture it applied, add another layer of mod podge on the top of your picture. I did about 2-3 layers on mine. Make sure you let each layer dry for the most part before you add another layer. Apply the mod podge in different directions to make it smooth and canvas like.

Step 5: Let it Dry! 
You can use a hair dryer if you want to help speed up the process. Just make sure to have it on low so you don't blow the glue around.

So easy and so much fun! 

Vinyl Family Name

First Project! Sorry I don't have step by step instructions for this one. When I do another one I will edit and post instructions. For now here is a picture of the one I made for my hallway. I have a plan to make canvas pictures to put around it.

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie

I made this for dessert last night! SO yummy! Great way of using the apples we picked from Hannah's field trip. Super easy to make and it makes your house smell good! I wish I could take credit for the recipe, but I found it on Pinterest.

All plated and ready to eat....might not be the best presentation, but the taste made up for that! We had it with Caramel Praline ice cream!

Here is the link for the recipe or check it out below: Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie 

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Granny Smith apples
• 2 pounds Braeburn apples
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar $
• 1/2 cup butter $
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 (14.1-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts
• 1 egg white $
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar $
• Butter-pecan ice cream

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Peel apples, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Toss apples with cinnamon and 3/4 cup granulated sugar.
2. Melt butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat; add brown sugar, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and place 1 piecrust in skillet over brown sugar mixture. Spoon apple mixture over piecrust, and top with remaining piecrust. Whisk egg white until foamy. Brush top of piecrust with egg white; sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar. Cut 4 or 5 slits in top for steam to escape.
3. Bake at 350º for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly, shielding with aluminum foil during last 10 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Cool on a wire rack 30 minutes before serving. Serve with butter-pecan ice cream.

Jalapeno Popper Pizzas

This has always been a favorite appetizer when I have made them. I sold pampered chef a few years back and got some really delicious recipes! This is one of them! 


Ingredients:

· 1 pkg. (11 oz.) refrigerated thin crust pizza dough
· 4 slices of bacon (chopped)
· 1 small red bell pepper (1/2 cup finely diced)
· 2 jalapeno peppers (or one for a milder version)
· 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
· 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· 1 cup corn chips, crushed (about ½ cup crushed chips)


Directions:

· Preheat oven to 425 degrees
· Cut pizza dough (without unrolling) into 24 round disks
· Place disks on large stone pan and press to flatten and seal the seams
· Bake 11-13 minutes or until golden brown
· Meanwhile, slice bacon and cook in sauté pan over medium high heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towel.
· In the bacon drippings cook bell pepper and jalapenos until tender (2-3 minutes)
· Combine cream cheese, ½ cup of cheddar cheese, peppers, and bacon in mixing bowl.
· Spoon and divide cream cheese mixture over the cooked pizza disks
· Sprinkle with remaining cheese and corn chips
· Bake 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted and crusts are golden brown
· Remove from pan and serve

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients:

-          1 Medium Onion, chopped

-          1 Tbsp. Canola Oil

-          1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic

-          5 Cups Water, Divided

-          4 tsp. chicken base (or 4 cubes)

-          1 tsp. chili powder

-          ½ tsp. cumin

-          ¼ tsp. ground coriander

-          Dash of cayenne pepper

-          1/3 cup masa harina (I used flour)

-          8 oz. reduced fat process cheese (Velveeta), cubed

-          2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

-          ¾ cup pico de gallo (or your favorite salsa)

-          Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese

-          Tortilla Chips

Directions:

1.       In a stock pot, sauté onion in oil until tender. Add Garlic. Cook Chicken with onion and garlic.

2.       Remove Chicken and Onion Mixture and Set aside.

3.       Bring  4 cups of water to a boil and add chicken base, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and cayenne.

4.       Whisk masa harina (or flour) and remaining water until smooth, stir into pot.

5.       Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

6.       Reduce heat. Stir in processed cheese until melted. Add chicken; heat through.

7.       Garnish with pico de gallo, cheese, and tortilla chips.

8.       ENJOY J

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach and Artichoke Dip 

Ingredients:

-          1 package of frozen spinach

-          ½ can of artichoke hearts (chopped)

-          Minced Garlic

-          2 Tbsp. Butter (to cook the spinach and artichokes)

-          Salt

-          Pepper

-          Onion Powder

-          A little red pepper to spice it up 

-          1 16 oz. container of Sour Cream

-          1 8 oz. package of Cream Cheese

-          Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1) Thaw spinach and chop up artichokes

2) Over medium-high heat cook spinach and artichokes in butter

3) Mix in a spoon full of garlic

4) Add Seasonings to taste (salt, pepper, red pepper, and onion powder)

5) Once cooked Turn heat to Medium and add sour cream and Cream Cheese

6) Stir until melted

7) Add Parmesan Cheese to taste (a good ½ cup or so)  

8) Serve warm with crackers, bread, or veggies

Apraxia Walk 2014

Walk for Children's Apraxia of Speech

Just this year, Brooklyn was diagnosed with Verbal Apraxia of Speech. It has been a slow road as we have listened to Brooklyn learn how to talk. She can say much more now with the help of her speech therapy and classes at the MISD (Macomb Intermediate School District). At the age of 2 1/2 she is still learning how to talk but has to work extra hard at producing sounds to create words. She is such a great little learner and works so hard to communicate with us. We were able to a walk to raise awareness of this speech disorder that people may not be aware of. Below are a few links if you would like to learn more about it. Here are some fun pictures from the day of the walk. We were so grateful to the family and friends who supported us on that day and continue to support us!

America Speech and Language Association 

Walk for Apraxia

Apraxia Kids.org

 All of us ready to Walk! 

 Brooklyn got a medal before the walk started! :)