Monday, August 31, 2009

Make This Monday - Mexican Pizza

Hubby made this for dinner a couple of weeks ago and it was so delicious!

1 bag pizza dough
1/2 cup taco sauce
1/2 lb ground beef, seasoned with taco seasoning
1/2 cup pico de gallo
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
4 oz can sliced black olives


Brown ground beef with taco seasoning. Spread dough out on baking sheet. Top with taco sauce, then ground beef, then pico de gallo, and then cheeses. Bake 10-13 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then top with lettuce and black olives.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Kitchen implements on the loose...

Missing: Black cheese grater and small pizza cutter. Last seen at the bright and happy home. If found, please contact owner.

I can not find my cheese grater or pizza cutter anywhere. How could these items possibly get lost?? I mean, they never leave the kitchen. Has it gotten to the point that my kitchen tools are feeling the need to run away from home?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Works for Me- Oven Quesadillas

Want to make quick quesadillas? Preheat the oven to 425. Butter 4 tortillas. Place two butter side down on a baking sheet. Top with shredded cheese and the other tortillas, butter side up. Bake 6-8 minutes or until crispy.

Go here for more tips.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Bedtimes

Bedtime for my 3 year old has been shifting around lately and I'm not sure what our best course of action is. She no longer naps, and is usually pretty ornery by 7:30 or 8pm. So we started putting her down around 8:30, but now she wakes up around 7-7:30am and is very cranky. I am afraid if we put her down any earlier she'll be up at the crack of dawn.

What do you all do with your little ones regarding bedtimes?

Monday, August 17, 2009

Make This Monday - Pesto Chicken Sandwiches

This is great if you're in a hurry. Add a salad and you've got a nice lunch or dinner in 10 minutes.

1 loaf French bread, sliced
4 tablespoons jarred pesto sauce
1 cooked chicken breast, shredded
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Spread pesto onto bread and top with chicken and cheese. Broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Works for Me: Instant Volume Control

My daughter has aquired many toys that are LOUD. Most don't come with any form of volume control, and can really give you a headache after a while. So one day I covered the speaker with a piece of blue painters tape and presto - the volume is turned down to a more reasonable level. She can keep playing with her toys, and I can keep my sanity.

For more tips - click here

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Little Things

Lately I have felt like God has been calling me to pray more about things, even the little ones that seem too trivial to bother Him with. I have had a had time finding clothing that fits right since having Princess2 - even though I am only a few pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight, my old clothes just don't fit right anymore. I was having an especially hard time finding something to wear to church the other day, and prayed that God would help me find something I liked that fit well and didnt cost too much. After looking through several stores yesterday and leaving empty handed, I stopped at Goodwill on the way home and found a cute skirt that fit me perfectly and only cost $2.49. I guess God does care about the little things after all :)

Monday, August 10, 2009

Make This Monday: Indian Chicken Curry

1 lb diced chicken breast
1 Tbl. Cornstarch
1 1/3 c chicken broth
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp red pepper
salt to taste

Toss chicken and cornstarch together. Brown chicken in skillet. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until carrots are tender. Serve over rice.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Outside freezer- Is it worth the money?

We moved into this house last summer, and brought our old refrigerator with us to keep in the garage. I have enjoyed being able to buy foods in bulk, and double meals when I cook and store them in the freezer for nights when I am too tired to cook ( which came in especially handy when Avalyn arrived).

Lately though I have been wondering if it is costing more in electricity than it is saving us? Our last electric bill was $274, and I think part of that cost is from trying to keep the fridge and freezer cold when it is 100 degrees in the garage.

It is about halfway empty at this point - should we try to eat everything out of it and then shut it off until the weather cools down? Or is the cost of running it nominal? I'd love to hear from anyone who keeps an outdoor freezer.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Italian Grilled Cheese

Wow. I came up with this on a whim the other day and loved it.

2 thick slices sourdough bread
sliced fresh mozzerella cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, cut in half

Brush bread with olive oil and rub with garlic. cook in skillet until bread is toasty and cheese is melty. Rub with garlic again and serve with a sprig of fresh basil.