Febuary Counterfeit Kit

Better late, than never --- I finally got around to creating my scrapbooking kit based on the February Inspiration Kit from the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog.   There were two kits options from Scrapbook Circle and I selected Note to Self.  I liked the letters, words and circles in the kit, so I headed to my stash to see what I had to work with.  There are A LOT of old school (my term for really old, out of date) scrapping items in my kit.  Truly, I think I pulled out some items old enough to be considered antiques!  There are also some really out there color combinations, but I scrap for a boy and a girl and I'm trying to make my kits to suit scrapping for both of them.   Now, if I can just find some time to scrap....

Letters, Circles and Random Words Kit

Kit includes -
Cardstock - black, white, siena, kelly green, sun yellow, hot pink, lime green, Kentucky blue, dark rose, light rose, royal blue, lemon yellow

Patterned Papers -
DCWV Floral
MM Solid Light Red Watercolor
Christina Cole Rainbow Dots
MM Tangerine Speckle Watercolor
Pink Squirrel Dazzle Me
Unknown Orange Polka Dot Circles
Karen Russell Antique Red
KI Memories Disco Fever
Autumn Leaves Chic Notebook
American Craft Shin Dig
7 Gypsies Grotto
Heidi Grace Pyo Gradiant
Masterpiece Studios Stripe
L'il Davis Designs White Monogram
Heidi Grace Pyo Funky Square
7 Gypsies Amour
Daisy d's Classic Blocks
Daisy d's Red Wagon Classic

Embellishments
Imagination Project Coasters
Arctic Frog Cardstock Stickers
Daisy d's Mommyisms Rub Ons
7 Gypsies Home Cardstock Stickers
Basic Grey Wholy Cow Rub Ons
Paper Studio Rub Ons
Colorbok Margo Citrus Letter Stickers
Petaloo Butterfly 3-D Embellishments
MME Word Cards
5 different ribbons
variety of brads, tags and photo corners

Productive Presidents' Day Holiday

With 4 days off from school for the Presidents' Day Holiday I feel the need to be productive.  And by being productive, I don't mean pinning hundreds of things I WANT to do, but rather actually doing things I NEED to do.  This is my accountability post.  Hopefully by the time I go back to school on Wednesday most, if not all of my "to-dos" will be crossed off the list.

1.  Clean out the refrigerator - including taking out all the shelves and washing them down)
2.  8 loads of laundry, yes 8 - start to finish, including folding, putting away and IRONING
      8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1
3.  Amazing dinner - Crab and Shrimp Etouffe and Homemade Foccacia Bread
4.  Make February Counterfeit Kit I even got my kit posted! - My February Kit
5.  Make lunch and snack items - Pimento Cheese, Caramel Corn and maybe Hummus
6.  Clean out utensil drawer in kitchen
7.  Color Hair

I will probably add more items as I come across projects that need to be completed.

Meal Plan Monday - Feb. 20th

We ended up eating out a couple of times last week as we are still getting the hang of our spring sport schedule.  Hopefully this week we will eat at home each night, especially since we have school holidays Monday and Tuesday.  I've got some new recipes on the menu this week, like Crab and Shrimp Etouffe and Foccacia Bread.  Can't wait to see how they turn out.

Sunday - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots
Monday - Crab and Shrimp Etouffe, Salad, Foccacia Bread, Chocolate Fondue
Tuesday - Beef Nachos
Wednesday - Leftovers or
Thursday - Ravioli with Roasted Vegetable Sauce, Salad, Foccacia Bread
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday -

For more meal plans, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Avocado Ranch Dressing

This is a favorite in our house.  It goes so well on any salad and as a dipping sauce for veggies and potato chips.  I have even used it on baked potatoes... YUM.

Avocado Ranch Salad Dressing 

1/4 c ripe avocado ( I never measure, just use the entire avocado)
1/4 c mayonnaise
1/4 c sour cream
1 T buttermilk
1 1/2 t white vinegar
1/8 t salt
1/8 t dried parsley
1 pinch dill weed
1/8 t onion powder
1 pinch garlic powder

Mash avocado in a bowl, stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk and vinegar.  Add spices and stir to blend well.  Chill until ready to serve. 

Because of the additon of sour cream and mayo, this does not turn brown as quickly as most avocado recipes.  It will keep at least 2 days in the refrigerator. 

Linking up to

Eat At Home 

Meal Plan Monday - Feb. 13th

This is the first full week of crazy spring sports season at our house.  Someone has practice every night of the week (including Friday)!  This makes getting dinner on the table a bit tricky.  I have several tricks to stay out of the drive thru and I will be employing many of them to get through until May and keep up eating good, home cooked food. 

Three Ways to Survive Spring Sports at Dinner Time -

• I have several recipes that are my go-to, quick meals during sports seasons.  You can find those here - How to Eat at Home on the Go Series. 
• I will also be making a casserole and salad ahead of time on Monday to eat on Tuesday and Thursday night.
•  I will also make use of my crockpot this week. 

Saturday - Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Parmesan Green Beans
Sunday - Fried Cod with Remoulade Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus
Monday - Chicken Cordon Bleu, Broccoli Casserole, Crockpot Acorn Sauce
Tuesday - Pizza Pasta Casserole, Layered Salad
Wednesday - Broccoli Cheese Soup (from freezer, heated in crockpot) and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit Salad
Thursday - Leftover Pizza Pasta Casserole, Fruit Salad
Friday - BUNCO here (had to reschedule from last week) -Tortellini Salad,  Hot Corn Dip, Red Pepper Hummus,  Chocolate Cupcakes with Cherry Frosting

To find many, many more menu ideas, visit I'm An Organized Junkie.

Fleece Poncho

I've had this fleece laying around for awhile and finally got around to making something with it.  Boo Boo LOVES her new poncho and since the weather has been mild in the Southeast this winter, she has gotten many opportunities to wear it.  I used this tutorial and it was fairly easy.  I had a difficult time with the neck opening, but this was due to my lack of sewing experience and not the tutorial directions.  I would play around with the fringe next time, either tying them or adding beads for a little punch, especially for a little girl.  I'm thinking about making one for myself as well next time fleece goes on sale.

Linking up to 

Sundae Scoop

Made By You Monday

It's A Blog Party

Make It Yourself Monday

Show Me What You Got;

Link It Up Wednesday

Somewhat Simple

Delightful Order

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Tatertots and Jello

Meal Plan Monday - February 6th

Last week's menu was full of family favorites, both recipes and restaurants.  After our self-imposed spending freeze in January, we relished the opportunity to stop at Chick-fil-a and order from our favorite chinese delivery. 

This week is the beginning of spring sports, so things are getting busy!  We are also hosting two parties -- Super Bowl and it's my turn to host Bunco so there are some yummy treats on the menu. 

Sunday - Super Bowl Party - Tempura Shrimp, Football Dip, Potato Skins, Fruit/Cheese Tray and Football Cupcakes
Monday - Chicken Parmesan with Pasta, Salad
Tuesday - Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli, Salad
Wednesday - Crockpot Baked Potatoes, Fruit Salad
Thursday - Leftover Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli, Fruit Salad
Friday - Bunco Here - Tortellini Salad, Hot Corn Dip, Red Pepper Hummus, Chocolate Cupcakes with Cherry Frosting
Saturday -

For more great menu plans, visit I'm An Organized Junkie. 

Football Cupcakes

Super Bowl Sunday is a sacred holiday in our house.  Second only the the BSC National Championship game.  Boo Boo and I made these lovely Pinterest inspired cupcakes for the big day.  I used my very favorite easy and delicious cupcake recipe from RecipeGirl and found a wonderful chocolate frosting on Allrecipes.

Football Cupcakes

Makes 36 cupcakes

1 box yellow cake mix

1 c all-purpose flour

1 c sugar

3/4 t salt

1 1/3 c water

2 T oil

1 1/2 t vanilla extract

1 c vanilla yogurt

4 egg whites

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line cupcake tins with liners of your choice.

Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and beat with a mixer for 2 minutes ( no longer or your cupcakes will be tough)

Fill prepared cupcake tins 3/4 full (I use an ice cream scoop).  Bake for 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool and frost.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting

Double recipe to frost 36 cupcakes
*** I used 8 T butter and 4 T shortening so the frosting would set up well.

For decorations, I used a #21 tip for chocolate frosting and #3 tip for football laces.

Linking up to

Sundae Scoop

Made By You Monday

Tasty Tuesday

It's a Blog Party

Melt In Your Mouth Monday

I'm Lovin It

Full Plate Thursday

Tatertots and Jello