Wednesday Take-Out

Being the day before T-giving, decided to take the easy way out today...Pizza. Nothing creative, nothing fancy...just pizza...that is all.

Comfort Food Tuesday

Everyone is still feeling pretty icky around here, so Tuesday was designated soup and comfort food day.

I decided to make a cheesey veg soup served in bread bowls and some chicken.

I began by making my own veggie broth for the soup..2 cups of water with carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. These happened to be the veggies I had available.



In the soup kettle I started with the flour, cheese, milk and butter...nice and bubbly then added the veggies and stock.



For the bread bowls just thaw a loaf of frozen bread dough..roll into 8 balls...let rise an additional 30 min, brush with egg white and water and bake. After 15 min brush with additional wash and bake another 15 min. The egg wash makes the outside of the bowl crispy and keeps the soup from seeping through. When cooled cut center out and fill with the soup.



Also I wanted to get the kiddos to eat some protein so I baked 4 chicken breasts. I wanted to tie the cheesey theme in so I used crushed sour cream and cheddar potato chips mixed with bread crumbs for the coating. It was a crowd pleaser!

Magicless Monday

Everyone in the house is feeling kinda yucky (including me) so tonight's dinner was pretty basic.
Fried up some sandwich steaks to serve on kaiser rolls and boiled some pierogies served with fried onions and cheese. I usually prefer to make my own pierogies, but this time we had to settle for the frozen kind...

Steelers Sunday Snacking

On football Sundays we like to have something around to snack on while we watch the super Steelers kick butt!

This week I went with an artichoke/spinach dip that we had fallen in love with at the Olive Garden. After several trial and errors I finally got the recipe just right and now I like to make it for munchin' (it's better to eat at home so you don't have to worry about having spinach stuck in your teeth!) I serve it with sesame crackers and buttery crackers of some type. A few times I've had celery or a crusty bread on the side too...YUM!

Simple recipe...a can of artichoke hearts (cut up fine), frozen spinach, 8 oz softened cream cheese, 2 dollops of sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonaise, 1 cup shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheeses, salt, pepper, garlic salt and fresh diced tomatoes on top (after it comes out of the oven). Mix together, bake at 350 for approx 1/2 hour!

Saturday Fiesta Ole'

Nothing says "I love you, man" like tacos!

This is one of my favorite family meals because everyone can pick and choose their own toppings. Our typical taco spread consists of lettuce, tomato, cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, sour cream, avocados, black olives...browned taco meat and refried beans. I always refry my own kidney beans rather than buy them in the can (which usually will contain lard). It's very easy to squish them yourself to be sure of what is really in there.

I also make my own soft shells (tortillas, if you will). This only takes a few extra minutes and is so worth it. One tip I have for that is that it will work out so much better to pound the dough out yourself rather than using a rolling pin, you will get a nicer shape. Also, if you have a quesadilla maker that's the best way to cook them, and much less clean-up than using another pan.




Ole'

Friday Menu

Okay, so I wasn't feeling like cooking today and we ordered hoagies from a local shop...so it was cheese hoagie and fries...not starting this off with a very creative bang..but it is one of my favorite places to eat....and I couldn't resist.
So stick around it will get better!!

The Daily Creativity

So yes crafting, creating and being inspired is what I do in my free time...and this leads me to wonder...what do I do in my not free time and how do I apply my creativity to my every day life.

I would say that one of the things I have to think about most in a week is what I am preparing in the way of meals. Mind you I have 2 pre-teens, one who is as picky as the day is long, a husband who is a carnivore all the way, and me being a vegetarian. The simple answer to this dilemma would be to go to Subway every day and we could all get exactly what we want...but that is not an option.

So here's what I'll do...I will blog for a week on the meals that happen in this three-ring circus of a household. I just thought of this idea this morning and I already did my grocery shopping for next week, so I'm not gonna post fancy schmancy stuff that I would never usually make. Just a week of using what I have, trying to please everyone, boring, stay-at-home meals. (Okay, so I know there will be a few take-outs in there somewhere)....

Here we go!

HairFalls...My Obsession of the Week

My problem is that I see something at a fair or show and my nutty little mind takes it and re-works it into something I can make..Well I guess that's not really a problem, but I do tend to get obsessed with things until I figure them out on my own.
So, this latest obsession is with HairFalls...totally cool in a gothic, steam punk sort of way. I am lucky enough to have a huge collection of yarns, ribbons, beads and all kinds of fun stuff to work with so this was a very minimal cost craft.



So first I did pink...and then I was thinking how about some really cool ones for the Steelers...love it!!




and if you're interested in clearer pictures so you can make your own...here's my eBay link!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190469475638&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Reflections of the Season

Now that October has come and gone, it's time to reflect back on all the magic of the season...



I can do a lot of things, sewing is not one of them. I amazed myself making my youngest her bat costume from a hoodie and umbrella. Mind you that I used embroidery thread and hot glue...but it worked! I even whipped up some ears with tulle and a head-band...Sometimes I amaze myself!



The pumpkin was carved and set out on Halloween eve...the remembrance candles were lit and apple offering was left. (and may I add the apple was gone in the morning...yes I know it was probably raccoons, but.....)





There was plenty of time spent admiring the beauty of the season.



Then it was time to put it all away...somehow it looked like Halloween threw up in my kitchen....