Crochet and Cooking

I've been so busy today but I wanted to come in and show you the finished Ripple Cushion and also something I threw together in the kitchen.

I am definitely at my happiest and most content when I'm creating.

Whether it's with yarn, or in the kitchen, the feeling of getting something accomplished and seeing it's final result, makes me smile, like big smile.

But I'm not going to sit here and blab away about this, I think things are better shown with pictures right?

So first, let's take a look at my newest crochet creation.  My Ripply Cushion which I'm so proud of :)

I just can't tell you how much I love it. It's found a place next to all my other crochet pillows. I think that chair is quickly becoming my favorite corner in the living room.

Right after I was done putting the pillow together, I decided to make a quick crochet jar topper, just to see how it would look.

Love it :) I'm thinking of making a few more.

It feels good to finally put this project aside. I kept putting it off because I was so busy and didn't have much time for my crochet hooks, I did miss them terribly though.

Can't wait to start my next project, have a few in my mind that I want to make :)

But before I leave for the evening, I want to point you in the direction of my food blog.

See, I was puttering around the kitchen today and happened across my new box of tiny mason jars. In my attempt to use them, I came up with this quick breakfast for the kids.....and for hubby and I, he already tried one and LOVED it.

Muffins, yogurt, fresh berries???

What is not to like right?

Chocolate chip muffin base, topped with vanilla greek yogurt and chocolate chips.

Mixed berry muffin base, topped with strawberry greek yogurt and fresh berries. 

I think these are going to become a favorite around here. They are SO good, turned out so much better than I could have thought and now I can't wait to try different flavor combinations :)

Give them a try and let me know what you think.

You'll find them over at Full Bellies, Happy Kids. Mini Breakfast Jars!

Alright and now I'm going watch a quick show on tv and then call it a night. I'm getting up early tomorrow to fix my hubby a good breakfast for his birthday :)

Happy Homemaker Monday #19

Good Morning everyone, hoping you had a relaxing weekend :)

I have a busy week ahead of me as we prepare for my husband's TDY coming up soon.  Never a fun time.

But anyway, on to today's Happy Homemaker Monday......

If you want to save and use the new button, just click here.

The weather:::

I think we are pretty much full into summer here in Arizona.  It's been triple digit temps, lots of sunshine, barbecuing, swimming in the pool and just plain having fun.   BUT, also lots of time spent indoor and out of the heat which is a killer out here, 5 minutes outside and your clothes are soaked through.

 
On my reading pile:::  

Currently reading "Little Blog on the Prairie", it's a really cute book about a 13 year old girl Genevieve, who is forced to go to this Frontier camp for the summer.  Living back in the 1890's, she has to give up her Ipod and all modern items etc.  It's fun reading about how the family struggle to fit in, to make it work without all their modern necessities.
 

On my TV:::

- Watching the second episode of  "Starlings".  I actually enjoyed the first one.  If you're interested in giving it a try, you can click on the link above, both episodes are posted :) 
- This weekend, the hubster and I also watched "Jericho".  It's a series that used to be on TV, and we're really enjoying it, so much so that I finished my ripply pillow during our little marathon of the first season :) 

On the menu for this week:::

 Monday -   Beef Curry
Tuesday -   Hubby's Birthday (Cowboy Lasagna, Lemon Bars)
Wednesday -  Chicken, Bacon and Potato Gratin
Thursday -   Zucchini Casserole
Friday -  Mushroom Swiss Burgers
Saturday -   Burgers on Jalapeno Cheddar Buns
Sunday -   Fettucine Alfredo
 

On my to do list:::

Laundry
Sweep and Mop floors
Birthday shopping for hubby

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Finished my ripply pillow yesterday, so thrilled with how it looks and can't wait to share with you all today.  Also made a little crochet jar topper and plan to make a few more. 

Summer Fun::: (this one will take over for the homeschooling until school starts up again.  You can share an activity, or a recipe, or a photo, or anything you wish to show us what your family is doing for summer)

We've been enjoying a lot of outside time, or as much as we can without dying in that heat.  But the main activity for the kids has been swimming out back and Miss Lola has decided that she loves swimming more than the kids, so it's been fun watching her jump into the pool on her own and swim around.  

Looking around the house:::

I'm sitting on the couch typing this up and to my left I have the patio door.  The sheer curtains are open, the blinds are open and I can see the morning traffic of airman heading off to work.  

Miss Lola and Miss Bella are laying on hubby's chair fast asleep. Kids are still in bed.

I have a cup of not so hot coffee that I'm taking swigs out of and I'm thinking that I really do need to get to the dishes in the sink.  But for now, I'm just going to finish this post and then read my Bible, devotionals and maybe relax a little until hubby returns from his PT test. 

From the camera:::

Chicken Pot Pie from my Amish Cook at Home Cookbook.  Delicious and you can find the recipe on my food blog.   

Something fun to share:::

While we are on summer break, I have the kids read every day and I also have a day each week where we do some Math.  I like to keep their brains exercised and don't want them to just lose everything they've learned throughout the year.
Scholastic has a great summer program for the kids, they sign up, and then log in every time they read and can win great prizes.  It's a fun idea and an incentive for them to keep reading.  Scholastic Summer Challenge.  Just should I would share in case someone else would like to try it :) 

On my prayer list:::

Friends going through some hard times right now.  
Praying this morning for my husband to pass his PT test and also praying for him and us, as we prepare for his TDY next week.  
(I was asked last week what TDY stands for, it's Temporary Duty Assignment.  In other words, it's a shorter deployment. )

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

Let God work in you, through you and for you, and you will have God’s kind of results.

And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. (John 21:6)

How your garden grows

I've been fascinated with my garden this year.

Last year my hubby and I grew a few things, not many at all, but we tried tomatoes, basil, green onions.  They did remarkably well for our climate which is exceedingly hot in the summer.

So this year, we decided to go a step further and to actually devote a spot in our back yard for some veggie gardening, we put together two very easy raised beds and planted Romaine Lettuce, Bibb Lettuce, Yellow Onions, Cantaloupe, Garlic, Jalapenos, Hot peppers, Banana Peppers, Green onions, Chives, Green Beans, Squash, Tomatoes, Thyme, Cilantro and Broccoli.

I had no expectations whatsoever, because honestly this being such a hot climate, I wasn't sure I would be able to get these vegetables to grow and then given my track record of plant murder, I really wasn't expecting anything.

Boy was I surprised, the garden is thriving, the veggies are all growing beautiful and starting to produce and I couldn't be happier OR prouder of myself.

So let me show you where we're at right now.....come talk a walk with me into the garden, I've made some fresh Iced Mint Tea for us so feel free to grab a glass and follow me out to the back yard :)

It really is such a small area in the garden, but I think the point is that you can do so much with whatever little space you have.

First up, are my Sandia hot peppers

And now my squash :)

And my green beans, I can't help smiling when I see them.

It's still amazing to me to see something go from a tiny seed into a vegetable. The whole process is just fascinating to watch.

Broccoli anyone?

Now onto the other side of the garden, where my Romaine Lettuce is growing nicely

and right next to it, is the Bibb Lettuce also doing very well

right across from it are my Cantaloupe

and the other veggie growing on the bottom left, is actually some of my yellow onions, I think some of the wind blew the seeds across. I don't want to mess with them, so I'll just leave them.

Now onto the green peppers....

Cilantro, which I LOVE and I tell you, homegrown are so full of flavor, a thousand times more flavorful than store bought

my thyme which is growing wonderfully and smells amazing

and last my tomatoes

I know, it's a lot of pictures, but I think we could all use some green in our lives right?

Some of you are still seeing really cold weather and even snow, so I hope these pictures of Spring make you smile, at least a little. :)

Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes.

Cooking Thursday

Morning everyone, hope you are all having a great start to your day.

I'm so glad it's Thursday, I am looking forward to this weekend more than usual, I don't know why, but I just am LOL

If you want to use the picture, just click here for the original.

On to today's recipe, this one comes from the Gooseberry Patch Meals in Minutes Cookbook, which I reviewed last night and is actually a giveaway, so if you're interested in winning a copy of the book, head on over to Full Bellies, Happy Kids and leave a comment :)

And by the way, I opened the contest to everyone, not just USA. :)

Easy Cheesy Manicotti

4 to 6 qts. water
1-1./2 t. salt, divided
1 T. olive oil
12-oz. pkg. manicotti
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. cottage cheese
12-oz. pkg. shredded Monteray Jack cheese
12-oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
24-oz. jar spaghetti sauce


Bring water and one teaspoon salt to a boil; add olive oil and manicotti.

Allow to resume boiling; boil for 6 to 8 minutes. Drain boiling water; fill with cool water and set aside.

In a bowl, blend cheeses, egg, parley, garlic and remaining salt; set aside. Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce in an ungreased 13″x9″ baking pan.

Spoon cheese filling into each manicotti until about 3/4 full; arrange on top of sauce. Pour remaining sauce over manicotti; bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6.

The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman - TLC Book Tour

In a famous family of exceptionally talented people, fifteen-year-old Claire Walker is ordinary . . . or so she leads everyone to believe. Yet the minute she steps out of line, her parents transfer her to Cambial Academy: the prestigious boarding school that her great-grandfather founded for students with supernatural abilities, or “specials”. Although Claire can’t see ghosts or move objects with her mind like the other students, she does have a special she considers too lame to admit: she can hear the thoughts of animals.

Just as she is settling in, one by one the most talented students – the Exceptionals – go missing. In an attempt to find out what happened to them, Claire uncovers a dark prophecy involving a plot to destroy Cambial and a mysterious girl who can communicate with a hawk. Could she be that girl? Does the gorgeous but secretive boy she meets in the woods know more than he is letting on? After years of ignoring her special gift, Claire decides the time has come to embrace her ability . . . before it’s too late.

******************************

Now this was another fun read for me.

Though I do admit to liking supernatural shows, movies and books, it's not the only reason that this book appealed to me, or rather, I shouldn't say that is the only reason I liked it.

I think the book as itself, is a great read, it's a fun story, it's one of those that you start off not quite sure what to expect and within a few pages are completely immersed into the setting, the feel, the atmosphere and the characters. 

It's almost like you completely block out everything around you and become one with the book.

As a Yound Adult Fiction, I think this one rates right up there with some of the most popular, it features a young heroine, a strong willed girl but yet vulnerable.

I like that her talent and ability has to do with animals, with understanding them, with reading their thoughts, I guess you could call her an animal whisperer of sorts.  It's not much focused on ghosts, or magic or anything of that kind and I think that was a breath of fresh air.

I'm passing it on to my 13 year old daughter to read as I think she would really enjoy it.

Thursday, May 17th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Sunday, May 20th: Reading Lark
Monday, May 21st: Life is Short. Read Fast.
Tuesday, May 22nd: Just Joanna
Wednesday, May 23rd: Peeking Between the Pages
Thursday, May 24th: Broken Teepee
Monday, May 28th: Reviews From the Heart
Tuesday, May 29th: Brandi Reads
Wednesday, May 30th: Book Him Danno!
Thursday, May 31st: A Soul Unsung
Friday, June 1st: A Novel Source

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me with a review copy.