SNOW DAYS ARE GREAT!

I love snow days.  Carson was actually feeling under the weather today (even though he INSISTED on snowblowing the sidewalk and driveway!) It is such a great opportunity to kick back and relax - wait, I mean, get home projects done.  I am busy fluffy my nest and doing what I really love - COOKING!

So - after posting about how good the Muffin Glory Coffee Cake is, I couldn't resist.  I had everything I needed so I whipped it up - And proceeded to have 1/2 of the 8x8 pan.  So good!

And, have you ever tried one of these?

This one might be my favorite.  The recipe is on the back and it makes for a really great dinner - for just your family or for a crowd.

Here's what you'll need and what to do:

3 lb Boneless Pork Roast (I have used one with a bone also - it worked just fine.)

Place in crockpot.

Combine:

1/2 c ketchup

1/2 c brown sugar

1/3 c cider vinegar

Seasoning Packet

Pour over the roast and put the lid on.  Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.  I did this today with a roast that was frozen.  I put it in at 11 am on high and we ate around 6 pm.   It was delicious!

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful!!!!

Ho-hum.  Winter in Illinois.  This is what we had to wake up to this morning.  About 6 inches of snow overnight and a forecast of -30 for windchill tomorrow.

Which means I have to go out and shovel a potty spot for this boy and the curly girl.

And, this is what our front walk and stoop looked like about an hour after I shoveled...

And, it's still coming down.  Looks like a great day to read up on how to use the D60 (still learning), make some yummy Muffin Glory Coffee Cake and make some easy-peasy dolls that I saw on Martha Stewart a few months back.  I'll post the final project - 

Stay cozy and warm!

natalie

THE BEST COFFEE CAKE EVER!

I just can't help myself....I hardly ever get out of the grocery store without one of those little booklets filled with recipes.  And, every once in a while, you strike gold.  Here is a recipe that is so good and so easy - courtesy of Betty Crocker.  

Find the recipe here.

I make it anytime I am having guests for breakfast or need to take something like this for the office.  It does have a few things in it that people tend to not like sometimes (coconut, or nut allergy).   They can easily be omitted, BUT - it's that kind of stuff that makes it really yummy!

And, I usually make a white icing (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, dash of salt) to go over it after it has cooled.

Enjoy!

Oh yes - American Idol is Back!

TV Time!

It's back! I cannot wait for tonight's premiere of American Idol. I hear they've planned to air not as many auditions this season - Thank God! You've seen one talentless hack, you've seen them all! And, there's a fourth judge this year. Apparently the loopy antics of Paula, the tactless insults of Simon and the overuse of the word "DOG" by Randy weren't enough - Throw one more into the mix. It will be interesting that's for sure!

Oh Carrie and Chris, will there be a star like you among the season 8 AI contestants?
In Bachelor News:

I watched last night's 2 hour episode. A little boring. I can't say Jason is someone I find attractive - it's something about his mannerisms that's registers on my "gaydar." Just not a real manly guy. Not that a little sensitivity isn't needed, but he's a little over the top for me. I'm getting tired of the "can I steal Jason away?" act. I know it's a dating show and there's a lot that goes on that we don't see, but there are girls that he picks that were hardly shown with him. Erica is one of these girls...and the constant bickering and fighting with Megan is just caddy. Front runners are definitely Jillian and Melissa. I think next week is going to be even worse and the girls tell Jason things that "he must know" about the other girls - but can I add that this happens IN FRONT OF EVERYONE? Nothing like creating more drama ABC...As if the dreaded return of DeAnna wasn't enough. I have to add that I saw Jason on Ellen the other day and I think he may have made a little slip up alluding to the fact he may be with DeAnna. Hmmm. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Bret - Can we talk?

I give the guy credit. I mean, he basically has resuscitated his dying (correction, DEAD) career. But the perpetual bandanna and "guyliner" has got to go. If you have a hair problem, which doesn't appear that you do - get some plugs done Ala Matthew McConaughey - there's no shame. And, the makeup - well, makeup is for GIRLS (case in point, the horrible selection of women who appear on your newest show...) And, while we're on the subject of your new show, "Bus of Love or Rock or Posterchildren for the CDC (whatever!)" - It's getting to the point where this is not suitable for television, even by today's standards. Let's face it, if you are in a public place, and are embarrassed to be watching, there's a problem. I know you're a rocker, but really, have you no shame? What a complete train wreck.

Planning to post a really great recipe tomorrow - Like the best coffee cake I've had. Ever. Stay tuned!

That's my 2 cents! Have a great day!

natalie

Greeting Card Extravaganza #2!

More cards that were given as a stationary set at Christmas. I got most of the materials at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and Archiver's. They make really nice personalized gifts for someone who loves to write notes and send cards.

Greeting Card Extravaganza!

Here are a few greeting cards I made over the holiday season as a stationary gift. There were about 25 total. I'll post more later!

My Word for 2009

This is my word for 2009:

What inspired this is the Tip Junkie Blog. The other day, when I was at the gym, I saw one of those commercials about the children in Africa that are dealing with the AIDS epidemic. In the commerical, they told a story of a little boy, only 12 years old, who had just lost his mother and father to AIDS and was left to take care of four younger brothers. It showed two of the youngest brothers stooped next to the very small food bowls taking turns getting bites of food. While the 12 year old brother went without food so that the others could eat. The tears rolled down his cheeks as he thought of a mother and father he'd just lost. At 12 years old, he was now the head of the house.
I literally fought back the tears while I was ON THE TREADMILL. There are many, many times I take the things I have in life for granted. There are many people in this country that have lost a job or a house because of financial hardship. I have never been hungry because there was no food to eat or cold because I didn't have a nice warm bed to sleep in. My husband and I both have well-paying jobs and drive cars that are new enough to never need fixing. I am so very fortunate and I hope that I am constantly reminded of this throughout 2009.
Wishing you a blessed and fortunate 2009.

Does This Put You in A Bad Mood?

Well, it's done. Yesterday, we took down our glorious, brand new to us Christmas tree. Bah-Humbug! Does this put anyone else in a terrible mood? Could be due to the fact that Carson and I worked on this, dare I say, TOGETHER! This was a result of the fact that putting this monstrous tree up took about 3 hours (no joke.) So, we decided to put all matching branches in garbage bags that were labeled with the color code. All the branches are color-coded, kind of. This was part of the original problem because the color had worn off many of the branches from use over the years. Geeezzz-Louise! We got it all down in about an hour.
But, I also think that it is the undeniable symbol that Christmastime is not here - in fact, it's over.
Chins up! Only 360 days to go until next Christmas!

Painting, Painting and more painting...

In a past career (about three years ago), I was a faux painter.  I really enjoyed it, but I was alone a lot of the time and I am a very social kind of person.  So, periodically, I get someone who is interested in having some work done or a repeat customer who want to do another room, or even someone who just mentions in passing that they'd like to "have some of that fancy painting stuff done."  Well, that, is just what I love to do.  Before Christmas, I took a job that was two hallways and a master bath.  The owner said she wanted it to feel "spa-like" - it was previously painted dark green.  So we changed it to this:

They loved it and I had some Christmas money to spend...hence, the Nikon D60 (which STILL rocks!)

Hope you are all having a great beginning to 2009 - I can't believe 2008 has come and gone.

Natalie

Nature Pics

Still having fun with my Nikon D60 and am amazed at the detail and beauty that can be seen when you get up close and personal with nature.

Christmas at Mom and Dad's

Christmas pictures from my Mom and Dad's house on Christmas morning.

Handmade Christmas #5

What are these you ask? I got this idea from Nicole over at Crafting Happens.

Bookmarks, of course. Really easy to make - and a perfect gift for a friend who loves to read! I modified the size slightly from the tutorial. The piece of paper I started out with was 8 x 4 instead of 7 x 3. But the smaller is great for a paperback and I made a bigger one at 10 x 5, but that was almost too big - maybe perfect for a magazine.
See how they work:

A little late for cookie recipes but...

I know, I know. A little late for Christmas cookie recipes, but seriously, I could eat these every.single.day. I have taken a picture of my pan just two days after these babies were made. Ah, heaven.



You may make these already, but these are a must-make of mine at Christmas. And,if you are a lover of coconut, and how could you NOT be, these are fabulous.


Seven Layer Cookie:

-1 C graham cracker crumbs

-1 stick melted butter

-1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

-1 C butterscotch chips

-1 C flaked coconut

-1 C chopped walnuts

-1 can sweetened, condensed milk (NOT EVAPORATED!)



Melt (or pour melted) butter in bottom of jellyroll pan.

Add graham cracker crumbs - I always add more than the recipe calls for so that I get a nice covering on the whole bottom. But don't add too much, otherwise the cookie won't hold together.

Layer ingredients in order given.

Drizzle sweetened, condensed milk over the top and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. After about 20 minutes, I keep a very close watch as the coconut can tend to get burned.

Handmade Christmas Gift #4

This is a really great little idea that I found on someone's blog (but I don't remember who's - so if you read this, send me a link!) Anyway - so easy-peasy and inexpensive.


What you need are clear glass ornaments, some fake, flaky snow (I found at Hobby Lobby), some scrap pieces of scrapbooking paper, a pencil and some festive ribbon. I have also seen these done in non-holiday colors (for instance, if you know someone who does a non-traditional colored tree, then you can make one to coordinate with that.)

So, I cut the pieces of scrapbooking paper in varying widths and lengths. I found that different textures (some foil paper, some plain, some glittered) compliment eachother the best. Add your snow and then wrap your paper around a pencil and put it through the top of the ornament. Depending on the paper weight, it will uncurl a little or a lot - but that's what makes each ornament unique and, best of all, HANDMADE! Then, I put the silver cap back on and looped some ribbon throught the hanger part. I think it took me about an hour to make 5 or 6 of these.

Family Christmas Pictures

Just posting some family pics from over the holiday. Here's my mom with the fabulous Christmas scented salt scrub that I posted last week.

This is my husband and my brother and his girlfriend.