10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK and something for the GIVE AWAY BASKET

" A good home must be made, not bought."  Joyce Maynard

22 August - 29 August, 2010

#1  I have done 100 posts this year  :-)

#2  Doug took Monday off (for his birthday).  We were going to go to a baseball game, but ended up not.  What did we do for his birthday?  We flipped our mattress, watched Logan and I went to a funeral. 

#3  We went to Classic and climbed in the jungle for a fun play date.  It was one of our last summer play dates before Layne and Annie (the girl Leslie nannies) started kindergarten. 

#4  It was a busy week with Hilary and Lindsay working long hours getting ready for the boutique.  The boutique ended up being slow.  Because of very windy weather, it was held inside.  We had a nice day together and friends and family found us. 

#5  Leslie made her first pie crust.  She did a great job.  She made a chocolate cream pie and we made a fresh peach pie together.  (I will post the recipe and blog address later this week.)  The peach pie was so good.

#6  Emily bought a fun homemade ice cream book for me.  It has recipes sized for the smaller freezers.  I have enjoyed it.  A lot.  Thank-you very much, Emily.

#7  I thought of a GREAT idea for my brother-in-law's birthday.  I hired someone to make the playing card holders and they came back so much better than I thought they would.  He did a great job building them.  My idea made me happy.  The finished product made me happy.  I hope they work well, and I will still be happy.

#8  There was a television show in 2004 that I really liked.  My nephew copied some of my old videos (happy) on to DVD (happier) for me. Then my sister-in-law said it might be easier if he copied them from on-line.  I came home and looked on-line.  I FOUND THE WHOLE SERIES ON EBAY.  All 41 episodes on 10 DVDs for ONLY $25.oo and FREE SHIPPING!!!  (HAPPIEST:)  (He said I could offer less, but I couldn't.)
The show?  "MYSTERIOUS WAYS"  Great show.  And I have all 41 episodes.

#9  I am happy Lindsay and David have their appliances.

#10  Doug's car is fixed.  The head gasket was not ruined.  YEA!

Did you see the ice cream book that Emily bought for me?  She hunted all over and found one for you.  I am putting it in the basket of my" favourite things".  Watch for there to be 60 Followers and one of them will get the contents of the basket.   

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK

15 August - 22 August, 2010

"Happy talk, keep talking happy talk.
Talk about things you like to do.
You got to have a dream.
If you don't have a dream,
How you gonna have a dream come true?" from South Pacific

Not in any particular order.

#1  PBS broadcasted the play "SOUTH PACIFIC"  I really enjoyed the production.  And I did not remember the ending, so was happy when it ended...happy:-)

#2  Did you know Wednesday 18 August) was National Thrift Store Day?  I had no idea there was a National Thrift Store Day, but I HAD to celebrate it.  O.K.  It was just lucky.  Leslie was off work and we decided to go to a thrift store to look for a particular book.  On our way home Hilary texted me to tell me.  I did find one thing I was looking for.  Two matching shirts in different sizes.  I will explain why I needed these later :)
Thank-you for going with me Leslie.

#3  Swimming!  (We had to give the pool back on Saturday:(  Welcome home, Michael and Kate and Kids.  Thank-you :)

#4  I read a really good book.  I finished it in 24 hours.  I could not put it away.  I will do my August book reviews next week.  (If you can't wait, just ask.)

#5  We went to my niece's baptism on Saturday.  It was nice to share the day with Kate.  (The dinner was very nice, also.)

#6  DVR!  O.K.  I do like it.  I really like it.  :)

#7  Emily brought home sandwiches from "Village Baker"  mmmm  (She bought them because it was the last week of summer.  Not for me.

#8  The radiator in Doug's car blew up!  No.  I am not happy about that.  But...
I have been working to only use cash.  Each payday I take an amount that I decided on, out of our household account.  I have enough left in the household account to pay to replace the radiator.  Points for me.
 (Of course it could turn out to be wasted money.  It could have happened because of a bad head gasket.  Then we need a new car.  I have not saved that much money in that account.)

#9  We had a great storm Thursday.  I had the windows open to enjoy it.  The thunder just kept rolling.  It smelled wonderful.  I love summer storms.

#10  I tried a new recipe that we really liked.  It is easy and fairly healthy.  It is called Mexican Lasagna, but since it isn't, I am calling it simply, Corn Tortilla Bake.  (Both my daughters-in-law hate casseroles :)  Doug and I like this so much (even the left-overs) that it is going in my "30 Day plan".

CORN TORTILLA BAKE
adapted from "Vegetarian Times"
Serves 6

1 can black beans (or kidney or pinto)
1 can seasoned tomatoes  (I use Petite diced tomatoes w/ chipotle chilies)
2 cups frozen corn-defrosted
8 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups monterey jack or colby jack cheese-grated  

In a bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes and corn.
Spray a large square baking dish.  Line with 4 corn tortillas.  (I have mine go up the sides a bit.)  They can over lap.  Spread 1/2 the bean mix over the tortillas.  Sprinkle 1/2 the cheese over.  Top with 4 more corn tortillas, the rest of the bean mix, and then the cheese.  HOW FAST IS THAT?  (Cheap and easy, too.)
Bake at 400* for about 15 mins.  (A little longer if corn is frozen.)
Can serve with sour cream.  This was so quick and good that we forgot the sour cream.
REMEMBER THE FLAVOUR COMES FROM THE TOMATOES.  BE SURE YOU LIKE THE KIND YOU USE.

Each serving contains ABOUT
315 calories
15 grams protein
10 grams fat
41 carbs.
25 mg. chol.
8 grams fiber

If you are local to where I live (Salt Lake, UT)  and work on food storage, check out MACEY'S.  This week they have Libby's canned beans and corn priced at 3/$1.oo.  (Only $4.oo for a case of 12.)

Last week I posted a MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH recipe.  I heard that I had (opps! Forgot) not put pictures on.  They are there now.  Sorry.

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WHEELER FARM FALL BOUTIQUE
28 AUGUST, 2010  (This Saturday)
10:oo a.m. - 6:oo p.m.
6351 South  900 East
Murray, UT

My daughters will have a booth there.  You can win one of their cute *Princess* clippies.  I am adding a princess clippie and headband to "my favourites" basket.  I will add something each week until I have 60 followers.  Then I will random.org a winner for the basket contents.

You can also buy a Princess clippie at the boutique or website http://bitsandpieces10.blogspot.com/ .
Also included in "my favourites" basket is a cute photo album ready for pictures and included embellishments.

SOMETHING FOR THE GIVE AWAY BASKET (and my husband's birthday recipe;)

WHEELER FARM FALL BOUTIQUE!

THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 28th
10:oo - 6:oo
6351 South 900 East
Murray, Ut

My daughters (http://bitsandpieces10.blogspot.com/) will have a booth there with clippies and other childrens items.  They have given me a cute *PRINCESS* clippie and headband to put in my  "FAVOURITES BASKET".  I will add something every week until I have 60 dear followers.  Then, I will random.org a winner (from my follower list) to recieve the basket. 
Check out the cute princess collection.  (The winner will get to choose their favourite princess :)  Sign up to be a follower on my blog for a chance to win.  (To see the cute photo album I put in this week, visit the 17 August post - !0 Things That Made Me Happy")

Check out their blog AND get a free ribbon flower clippie IF you are a follower of theirs, AND if you visit their booth on Saturday at Wheeler Farm.

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I love you.  Thank-you for all you do.  Happy Birthday, Honey.
I will post my "10 Things..."  later this week. 
Today is my husband's birthday :-)   I was going to write "10 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY ABOUT MY HUSBAND".  Then I decided I would just write it for him.

So, for Doug's birthday I am posting the ice cream dessert that Doug picks e v e r y  year for his birthday cake.  This is one of my kidults favourite foods.  (They all came over for it yesterday.)  It is also one of my 5 oldest recipes.  I got it (and slightly adapted it) before I was married.  (Since we are approaching our 32 anniversary, and since I have no clue who gave it to me, and I adapted it, I am calling it mine.)

ICE CREAM CRUNCH

6 oz. chocolate chips

1 can evaporated milk 12 oz.

about 10 1/2 oz. mini marshmallows

6 table. butter (margarine is o.k.)
1 1/2 cups coconut
2 1/2 cups crushed rice krispie cereal  (about 3 cups uncrushed)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 gallon or so :( vanilla ice cream - in a rectangle box (not round)

Step 1

In a large skillet melt chocolate chips and evaporated milk (just til melted).  Stir in marshmallows just until melted.  Cool in fridge about 1/2 hour.

Step 2

Melt butter in a large skillet.  Stir in coconut and stir until light brown. I put my rice cereal into a small mixing bowl.  Then I make a fist and just kind of grind it down in a few times.  Add to butter mix and stir.  Let cool.

Step 3

Open all sides and ends of ice cream carton.  Use a long knife and cut (long way) into lots of slices  (about 12).  Then cut all the slices in 1/2.  (Emily has picked this for her birthday for awhile now, too.  If my cutting directions do not make sense, let me know.  I will do a tutorial with Emily's.  (Sept.))

Step 4

In a 9 x 13 pan, layer 1/2 the coconut/cereal mix..  Then lay down 1/2 the ice cream squares.  Top w/ 1/2 of the partially cooled chocolate sauce.  The next layers are (layer 4)  the rest of the ice cream.  Layer 5 is the rest of the chocolate sauce, then top with the rest of the "crunch".  Chill at least 4 hours.  (The hardest part is finding a place in the freezer:)

( I had to use my yucky 9 x 13 pan because it is bigger than the glass ones.  We needed lots of servings.)

WE LOVE DISNEYLAND FOOD...

...and try to have it at home. 

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES - Although of french origin, we know and love them from Disneyland's Blue Bayou Restaurant (the restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride) and Cafe Orleans (indoor and outside dining in New Orleans square, right across from Blue Bayou).

I make these a few times a year, but not always the way they are made at Disneyland.  This recipe came from the annual passholder magazine, "DISNEY MAGAZINE", Winter 2003-04.  (Luckily no nutritional info. is included.)

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH  (Be sure to read how I have adapted this below the recipe)
from DISNEY MAGAZINE
Makes 4 sandwiches

Batter:
1 egg
1 1/4 cups + 2 table. water
1 1/4 cup flour
1/4 tea. salt
1 tea. baking powder
Whisk egg and water.  Stir in flour, salt and baking powder.  Put in a shallow pie pan type dish and set aside while assembling sandwiches.

Sandwiches:
8 slices egg bread - about 1/2 in. slices (I also use french bread or cheap white bread)
thin sliced ham
thin sliced turkey
sliced Swiss cheese
Assemble sandwiches with cheese and meats.  (I put cheese on each bread side so it will melt together.) 
In a large skillet heat vegetable (canola) oil until a drop of water flicked in sputters (365*-375*).  Dip sandwich into batter, either covering sandwich or turning it over.  (Allow excess batter to drain.) 
CAREFULLY (very) place sandwich in oil.  When lightly browned, carefully turn over (if not fully immersed in the oil).
Drain on a paper towel as you cook the remaining 3 sandwiches.

To serve, cut sandwich diagonally and put on the plate.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Serve with blackberry preserves or currant preserves or three berry jam or ...

I noted a few of the changes that I use in the recipe, but here are a few more.
Instead of the about batter I sometimes use 1 1/2 cups water with 1 1/2 cups Bisquick.

BUT, MOST THE TIME I make an egg heavy French toast batter with a couple table. of Bisquick.  I dip and flip the sandwich and then cook in a buttered pan, like you do french toast.  It is still so good, but much lower in fat and no fry mess.

As a side note, although there are some same day reservations, we always make reservations about 2-4 weeks before we are there.  (Unless we get a spur of the moment trip :)  We like to make reservations for lunch (cheaper) at 11:30.  That is when Blue Bayou opens so you do not usually need to wait long to be seated.

Reservations for Disney Park restaurants can be made by calling 714- 781-3463.

BITS & PIECES - a craft for my address

If you stopped by the yard sale you saw my address rock. 
The rock came with the house, but as a stepping stone.  I wanted our house address etched into it and called around.   The quotes I got started at $150.oo.
 
I wanted it done so I tried using "Cricket" vinyl numbers.  (Big laugh here :)  With my house facing south, the were off in an hour. 
So I used the "Cricket" vinyl number stencils (the left-overs from removing the numbers).  I traced the numbers on my rock and painted them using craft paint that I already had.
I finished my project by spraying a protective coat over it.  I used the inexpensive KRYLON Crystal Clear Flat spray.  (about $3.oo at Wal-mart).  It is an indoor/outdoor paint.
I did this 2 summers ago.  It has held up - wonderfully.  I do re-spray it several times a year.

10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS WEEK!

8 August - 15 August, 2010

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things."  Henry Ward Beecher

WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER, STEPHANIE!!

#1  I am SO happy the yard sale is over.  Everyone sold something.   (I bought a griddle and a fun building toy for the boys.) 
Another yard sale down.
 
I did learn some things.
May sales are much better than August sales.
I want to get a canopy.
Either way, the sale is over and I get my garage back.

#2   Last week-end Doug got a new computer for me.  This week a lady from my church came over and taught me how to work on Family History and Index, using the computer.

#3  "MOVIES ON THE LANE".  Four Mondays during the summer Grandpa has neighborhood movie night.  He uses a blow up big screen and projector.  Everyone (family, friends and neighbors) come.

Grandma makes dinner before hand for family.  Thank-you, Grandma and Grandpa for a fun summer.

#4  Leslie made me happy.  She took donations to the thrift store for me. (Three trips.)

She weeded ALL the front yard.  (She likes it because she can listen to books.)  I like because... you know why.

It was also Leslie's week to do kitchen.  She does the best job of all kidults. 
THANK-YOU, LESLIE.

#5  Everyone, except Layne, was here for Sunday dinner.  And at the same time.  :D

#6  I am happy everyone helps with meals.  Emily got the Chicken Cordon Bleu for last Sunday.  Hilary got the scones from Sconecutter for this Sunday.  (We order them and pick them up on Saturday.)

.#7  Swimming!  (So sad summer is almost over.)

#8  After looking lots of places for "Cupcake Pebbles" (a newer Post cereal) @ WINCO.  Emily helped the kids "Pebbles Cupcakes" (like Rice Krispie Treats.  They frosted them and put sprinkles on them. mmm

#9  Doug spoke in the hospital branch on Sunday.  It was quite relaxing.  There were the 3 men leaders, a couple that does the music, and us.  The meeting lasts about 1/2 hour.  It was nice.
Then we went to our church meeting and substituted in the nursery with Hilary.  Add this to our Sunday dinner, and it was a very nice day.

#10  Lindsay and David ended up with a major cabinet problem.  Their granite counter tops (from the house) were not going to fit.  So they were going to have to get a less expensive counter top - and have to wait 2 weeks for it.  Doug gave me an idea, and I followed thru on it.  And paid for it.  And it worked.
How many points can I have for solving the problem?  :)

I am filling a basket with some of my favourite things.  When I have reached 60 Dear Followers, I will random.org a winner of the basket.  Today I am putting a fun boy fan photo album that I made.  I am including things to embellish it.  These are fun to leave on a table  (and could be used for a holiday gift).


Later this week I will add a cute hair clippie that Hilary made.  She and Lindsay are busy preparing for the fall boutique at WHEELER FARM on Saturday, August 28th.

JULY ODDS & ENDS

Left-over thoughts from July.

#1  Do you remember JAM shorts?  (They were bright, knee length, easy to sew shorts from the late 80's,-early 90's.)  It was fun helping the kids pick out the fabric and sewing them.

#2  The biggest jar of SKIPPY peanut butter varies in price by $4.00 in the stores where I shop.  (Wal-Mart is cheapest right now.)

#3  When we went to Australia, I packed several small bottles of starch for ironing.  We had a washer and dryer in our hotel room, with laundry soap-but not dryer sheets.  Our laundry came out with LOTS of static.   The ironing mix that I make with starch worked great on the static.

#4  I have usually heard the spice TURMERIC pronounced TUR-mur ic.  Lately on t.v. (Throwdown, Next Food Network Star...) I am hearing it pronounce tur-MER-ic.

#5  On Toddlers and Tieras  (I got trapped at the train wreck one night.) the mom had her 4 year old get a chocolate facial.  To brighten her skin.  It was much weirder to watch than it sounds.

#6  I love aromatherapy in the shower, but am not a fan of bath gels/body washes.  I like BATH & BODY WORKS variety's so, I squirt a bit in the back corner of the shower and aim the shower head.  It works great and I can still use my favourite bar soap.

#7  While in California we went to dinner at PIRATE'S DINNER ADVENTURE (Buena Park).  (Similar, and next door to MEDIEVAL TIMES    .
The seating is bench style, facing the "ship".  The menu has 2 choices, and the food is adequate at best.  It is basic and uninspired.
BUT, the show was fun.  It was quite a professional production with quality actors.  The audience involvement was well done.  My husband is quite quiet and without a dramatic bone in him, yet was comfortable with some participation.  And it was so fun to see my 2 1/2 year old grandson waving his SPRITE mug as he sang, "Drink, drink, drink". 
Our almost 9 year old Lincoln was taken and dressed up as part of the Royal Army that saves the day.  It was fun.
Our tickets were $30.00 each and were 1/2 price tickets.  (We went mid-week.)  If you plan on attending, be sure you call for discount days or find coupons.  (While it was worth $30.00, it was not worth $60.00.)
You do want to make reservations in advance.


My Menus
Thursday - Tacos (Leslie's request)

Friday - JDAWG Chicken (crock-pot)

Saturday - "pick-a-can" or  healthy Subway

Sunday - Navajo Tacos (family comes over)

Monday - Dinner @ Grandma and Grandpas  I will take S'more Brownies.

Tuesday - Bengal Beef

Wednesday - Mexican Lasagna (new recipe)

Thursday - Oven egg scramble

Friday - Korean Candy Chicken (new recipe) or healthy Subway

What are you eating ?  If you have a favourite recipe that you would like to guest post, let me know :)