Today is Monday....

Today is Monday....Monday Green Beans...OK, not really, Monday was Sour Cream Enchiladas.  lol...but that song is going through my head right now.  If you are not familiar with it, look for this book at your local library, or buy it at your favorite bookseller.  I miss my little ones being....little.  hee hee  One of the librarians at our local library used to sing this song at story time every week.

So, Monday was Sour Cream Enchiladas.  I love enchiladas and I am trying to get the family back to meatless Mondays.  You can find the recipe over at Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen.  They were delicious.  Although, as usual, someone decided they prefer regular, plain cheese, enchiladas to these.  Sigh, but...it is nice to add something to the rotation.  hee hee

Tuesday we had Chicken Tortas.  For those of you unfamiliar with Tortas, it is a Mexican sandwich.  For these I fried some chicken breasts (a real treat that Brighton had been begging for, I don't like to fry ) and added jalapeños, chipotle mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and avocado...all on a fresh roll.  (be sure to scoop out some of the extra bread.  Here is a tasty recipe at Food Network if you need one.

Wednesday we had Tacos.

Thursday was Macaroni and Cheese with broccoli.  Boring, but the children love it.  I won't bore you with a photo.

And finally, Friday Phil came home and made smothered pork chops.  Which, I don't have a photo for because, well..we were in a hurry to eat so we could get to Mackenzie's parent observation at ballet.

Well, not really any recipe to share since everything is fairly simple.  So...let's get onto the good stuff.  

Last week, one of my lovely little darlings did not appreciate me trying to expand their horizons with sweet potato fries.  And that little darling is my son!  So, Cindy d...send me your address and I will get these goodies out to you.  

For now I am off to start tonights dinner.   But I will be back later this week with lots of things to share, cards and layouts and boxes, OH MY!

Hugs.

Nancy

A Few Cards and.....

Some exciting news!!!

Which first?  hmmmmmmm

Let's start with the cards...because, well...nothing like waiting for the last minute to get something done.  As you may know, I am a member of the Cricut Circle.  Every month the blog hosts a challenge with some of the most amazing prizes.  This months prize is a Cricut Cake package...well, not that I know what I would do with a Cricut Cake, other than the obvious; but how cool would it be to own one?

This month's challenge was to lift a previous project from the blog.  So I decided to make a card set.  I am always in need of cards.  The colors in these cards were just gorgeous and that is where the inspiration began.

You had to use 2 of the blog sponsors, which isn't hard to do when the sponsors are so fabulous!  I chose Echo Park, Bazzill, and American Crafts; and some of my favorite images from Cindy Loo, Mother's Day, and French Manor.  I don't know how card makers do it.  Mine never look that good and the photos do not help.  Oh well....

Now on to some crazy exciting news!!!  Kristina from Your Memories Here as invited me to join her design team!  As you may remember, I did a guest design spot for her last summer.  I was simply thrilled that she asked and can't wait to get started.  Kristina has some of the most beautiful Prima around and has all the kits from the Live with Prima shows!  If you have never seen one of the shows, you should definitely check them out.  Tons of fabulous inspiration!

Well, off to get something productive done today.  It is really rainy and icky, and I am so not motivated to run errands, but alas....groceries must be purchased if we are to eat this week.

Hugs.

Nancy

The 28th...

I had every intention of posting yesterday.  But life got away from me....Do you ever have one of those days?  I am working on a set of cards for the Cricut Circle monthly challenge and being that the month is almost over I really need to get busy.  Not like I know what I would do with a Cricut Cake...but I do so want it!  lol

You know what I have been busy with tho?  Scrapping my adorable niece.  And this sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches was just perfect for this photo I had.

I used my kit from Inspired to Scrap for this layout.  I had tons of fun inking those gorgeous papers from Pink Paislee and House of 3 and I loved the way Stacey mixed the papers with My Minds Eye.

Don't forget, you can link your take on the sketch at the Sassy Lil' Sketches blog for your chance to win a prize from one of our sponsors.

Our paper sponsor

Our digitial sponsor

To be eligible for the January prizes, your layout/card must be uploaded via Mr. Linky below by February 5th at 11:59 PM EST.

Specific rules regarding Sassy Lil' Sketch challenges can be found our "SLS Rules" page.

*The paper prize is open to US residents only.

The digital prize is open to all US & International residents.

Well, back to the grindstone.  It is going to be a busy weekend.  

Hugs.

Nancy

Happy Hump Day

It is another gorgeous day today.  Do you think the weather has anything to do with the children not wanting to do their school work?  Spring Fever in January perhaps?

Well, that's ok, I will make it work.  We did manage to get everything and then some done yesterday, it is just slow going.  sigh

Enough about me....How about some projects?

I recently was cruising through my photos and came across this one of Mackenzie when she was 5.  She still shoots me that look occasionally.  hee hee....My fellow IFS artist Cathy designed the sketch...it was so cute.  I busted out the Cricut for the mushrooms and some ancient Prima flowers.  The Cosmo Cricket paper usually isn't my style, but I just loved the colors...and I think the style may be changing...becoming a bit more simple perhaps?  hmmmmmm

Cosmo Cricket patterned papers, Bazzil Basics cardstock, American Crafts Thickers, Prima Marketing flowers.

Brighton was one of the ones who was just to die to make holiday cookies.  Of course, when the time came, he really couldn't be bothered to focus on the task at hand.  lol  He is watching TV and listening to his iPod.   I used a Pagemaps sketch for this one.  I love sketches....have I mentioned that before?  hee hee

Bazzil Basics cardstock, Echo Park patterned papers and stickers, Paper Bliss layered embellishments.

And finally, Mackenzie working on cookies.  This is another Pagemaps sketch and a layout I really struggled with.  I love the colors from the Catch the Moments kit.  And I really liked the sketch.  The problem was...so much white space.  I still just can't get used to it.  I guess it is an acquired taste?

Bazzil Basics cardstock, Basic Grey patterned paper and flowers, American Crafts Thickers, Prima small resin rose, Unknown trim.

I have a few more things done or in the works...but nothing to share yet since it is DT work.  Speaking of DT work, guess I should go get busy!  Reveal day at Sassy Lil' Sketches on Friday...Catch the Moments post from me next Thursday.

Oh, and don't forget to guess who didn't like the sweet potato fries last week for your chance to win some fun  goodies.  You can see him here.

Hugs.

Nancy

Is it Monday Again?

The youngest two seem to be in a mood today, so I thought I would sneak over and share some projects with you while I wait for them to decide they are ready to work.  Some days, it is just not worth the fight.  Eventually they will settle back into it...patience is a virtue.  sigh

Don't forget I have a little contest here...you could win some fun papers.

I did a bit of scrapping this last weekend.  I had been really wanting to play with my shabby look and found some great challenges to do so.

This first layout is based on a Pencil Lines sketch.  I have had some of these doo dads forever and it felt so good to play with them.  I love the Webster's pages, and Ainsleys making a wish at Disneyland in front of one of the beautiful trees...well.....just love.

Websters Pages papers, Prima flowers and bling, Tattered Angels mist, Pencil Lines sketch.

Another great challenge...and the one that really got me moving this weekend was over in The Color Room.  This weeks colors were gorgeous and the twist was a lift!  Well, how easy was that?  I adored Emma Trout's use of all the feminine products on a boy page, so I had to lift her.  I even used the same papers.  Hers is sooooo gorgeous.

Websters Pages papers, Prima flowers and butterfly, Pink Paislee alphabet and medallion, Misc. trims. Tattered Angels mist, Martha Stewart border punch. Hambly rub on.

And finally, a fun sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches.  This sketch is from January 21.  I was looking through all my papers trying to find snow paper, but couldn't find anything the right colors and brightness for these photos.  They just didn't seem to work with the distressed look.  So, Cosmo Cricket to the rescue.  I used the back sides of Honey Pie.  The banner ...well, I was trying to decide what to use for a banner and when the tickets and the title came to mind...

Cosmo Cricket Papers, Cricut snowflakes, Stickles, Pink Paislee tickets, Scenic Route alphabet, Misc. trims.

Well, I think it is time to try again.  Hope your day is going better than mine.

Hugs.

Nancy

It's Monday and a Contest

You know what that means?  Time for some new meal ideas!  woo hoo

This week on Monday we had our swim team banquet.  Which means no cooking for me!!!  Hooray!

Tuesday we had the most tasty citrus and herb marinated chicken tacos...hmmm recipe anyone?  hee hee

Wednesday was a simple beef and mushroom stew...although, since Mackenzie doesn't really care for the broth, hers was more like beef and mushrooms over pasta.  Gotta make it work, right?

Thursday was one of everyone's faves.....Pulled pork from the crock pot.  I tried to sneak in some oven baked sweet potato fries (thought they were a little healthier for everyone) but one of the three children was not a fan.  Can you guess who?

Friday I made minestrone.  Seemed a little odd since it was almost 70 degrees...but no one complained.  lol

Recipe time....

Citrus & Herb Marinated Chicken
2/3 cup orange juice
2 - 3 jalapeño chilies, stemmed and seeded
7 cloves garlic
1 tbs black peppercorns
1 tbs salt
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 lb. chicken legs and thighs


In blender combine 1/3 cup of the orange juice, the jalapeños, garlic, peppercorns and salt.  Puree until the peppercorns are completely crushed.  Add the cilantro and remaining 1/3 cup juice.  Puree until smooth.  In a ceramic or glass oven proof dish, toss the chicken with the marinade.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 12. 


Heat the oven to 350 F.  Bake the chicken in the pan it was marinated in until the meat easily pulls away from the bone, about 40 minutes.  Set the chicken aside to cool.  Pour the juices from the pan into a bowl or cup and reserve.  Refrigerate the juices so that the fat rises to the top.  When the chicken is cool, remove the skin and shred the meat into bite sized pieces. 


When ready to serve, skim off the fat that has risen to the top of the reserved cooking juices.  Use the remaining liquid to moisten the shredded chicken as you reheat it.



How about a little contest?  As usual, I am trying to work through all the goodies in my stash to make room for some new things.  The quickest way for me to get through the stash???....share with you!    So, guess which of the three children did not like sweet potato fries.  I will take all who guess correctly...and pick a winner.  Easy?  I will also throw in some embellishment to match of course.  Just leave a comment below.

I will pick a winner on Friday.

I will be back tomorrow with some fun projects I did over the weekend!

Hugs.

Nancy

More Scrapiness

I am back with a few more projects to share with you.

Bazzil Cardstock, My Little Yellow Bicycle - Zach's life, everything else.

Brighton is getting so big, so fast.  Hard to believe he will be driving soon.  sigh  A pagemaps sketch.  I really struggle with boy pages.  Trying to find embellishments is so hard.  

Brighton and his cousins both got the new Xbox Kinect for Christmas.  We spent most of the afternoon playing video games.  If you aren't familiar with the game, your body is the controller.  You jump and move and your avatar does what you do.  Super fun, quite a workout!  Even the adults (grandma and grandpa included) got in on the action.  Another pagemaps sketch.  Lots of Fancy Pants here.  Remember, trying to work through some of the stash to make room for new stuff.  It is an addiction I tell you.

Well, off I go.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs.

Nancy