Cricut Expressions

My sweet man bought me a Cricut Expressions

for our 20th Anniversary. That he even knew what this was, and that I wanted one shows what an awesome man he is. I adore him, truly.

I am thankful for him everyday. So I have been making some "stuff"

with it... Vinyl for my front door

Peeps bags inspired by this post

Strawberry Marshmallows dipped in Chocolates

and so much more.

I can't wait to try rolling fondant on the mat and decorating cakes with the cutouts.

Tutorial: Cheater Petit Fours

Okay, so have you seen this! This super cheater petit four recipe?! Really it is all over the web. here, and here and now I am adding a tutorial as well.

Yes, you start with these:

Your children will squeal!

Trim them into squares, as the family waits for the bits of snacks.

Get your rolled fondant out (recipe here) Okay, so take my word on this...don't use the store bought fondant, make your own. You will love fondant if you make your own, if you use the store bought fondant you will not be happy!

The biggest part of this tip, don't roll the pieces out like I did. By the time you get to the last square it will be to dry to form around your bitty cake piece.

If you wrap your cake and it crack, don't cry. the warmth of your fingers will make it flexible and you will be able to have a smooth edge.

See, if you have a round of rolled fondant, you can form it over the cake much easier.

The bottoms don't have to be perfect...right?!

Color some fondant green for leaves, and pink and yellow for flowers

To get the tiny flowers to adhere to your fondant topped cakes, just use a little drop of water. Place in mini cupcake liners for presentation.

Are you surprised?! Total cheater, huh?! But big bang presentation!

Menu Plan Monday...

Monday:

Homemade whole wheat turkey filled ravioli

Bechamel Sauce (low fat)

Rustic Sourdough

Salad with fresh Basil and Roma Tomato

Iced Tea

Tuesday:

Mexican Rice

Black Bean and Corn Salsa Salad

Fresh Refried Beans

Chopped Iceburg Lettuce

Lemon Iced Water

Wednesday:

Grilled Turkey Burgers

Pico de Gallo

Baked Potato Wedges

Baby Carrots

Chocolate Milk

Thursday:

Barbeque Chicken Pizza

Pizza Margherita

Italian Cheese Pizza

Cranberry Spritzer

Friday-

Leave for San Diego Trip Pack...

Submarine Sandwiches

Home Baked Oat/Granolla Bars

Teas in our Stainless Steel Bottles

Quality Ingredients+Simple Methods=Pizza Margherita

Memories of Indiana...

Old fashioned Kettle Corn. N'uf Said!

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup popping corn

salt

Heat oil, sugar and popping corn on medium/high heat until all corn is popped. Remove from heat and salt to taste.... perfect fall treat!

CReAm cHeEse bAnaNA BReaD....

Danielle said that I only post pictures of food... and to prove her wrong I am posting pictures of the kiddos... enjoying the foods! ;)

Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (1 1/4 pounds unpeeled bananas, about 4 medium)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanilla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8- x 4-inch loafpans.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.

Trying hard not to turn this into a cooking blog!!! LOL

We also enjoyed:

HOME BAKED CHICKEN POT PIES

Dinner...

Okay, so I still have camera problems, but I have an iPhone, so I am making do for now with camera phone pictures...

Tonight's Menu:

Cheese Ravioli and Tortellini

Marinara Sauce with Fresh Spinach

Italian Herbed Bread Sticks

Yes the Bread sticks are about 18 inches long! They were a hit! I made an Italian herb bread (dough cycle) machine recipe with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese, brushed the sticks with olive oil, butter salt and pepper when they came out of the oven.

Bread Machine Applesauce

We purchased a bag of apples from Sam's Club a few weeks ago, and although they were not "bad" the apple lovers in our family thought the flavor and texture wasn't "spot-on" after they sat... so I had read a while ago that you can use your bread machine to make jellies and sauces... here we go! I used five apples, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup cranberry juice, 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice and a splash of water... set the machine on quick bread and reset it twice after a 20 minute bake... yummy chunky applesauce with our pork chops for dinner!

Classic Flavors

My sweet daughter has completed her studies and we are having a celebration for graduation and a farewell celebration. We plan on 100 people to attend (and kept the costs at $120 for the get together!) Without skimping, this is our plan

Grilled Gourmet Burgers

Grilled Polish, Smoked and Classic Dogs

Sliced Fresh Watermelon

Baked Brown Sugar Beans

Tortilla Triangles with Black Bean Corn Salsa

Ruffled Potato Chips

Raspberry Lemonade

Classic Flavors of Cup Cakes

French Vanilla with Vanilla Buttercream Icing

Deep Chocolate with Cocoa Buttercream Icing

Noodles and Company

Okay, so we traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin yesterday... my husband is a pastor and a parishoner was going into surgery... I know a 6 hour drive, but It is so worth it though. If you see how these visits make a difference in peoples life. I am thankful that my husband is willing to take the time to share God's Comfort and Forgiveness... no matter what.

Anyway

We ate at Noodles and Company. I LOVE this place. I have only eaten there maybe four times (we live in a remote community)... so when we travel out of town it is a true blessing to have dinner out. Today I am going to "mock-up" a noodle recipe! I will post pics later! Whole Wheat Pasta, fresh Romas, garlic, balsamic, onion.... yummm-o!

This Year's Cookie!