Projects, Cleaning and Pinterest

I have been making an attempt to actually use some of my Pinterest pins. There are SO many - does anyone else ever feel overwhelmed by the gazillions of ideas out there? Truth is, I could probably live to a hundred and not use all my pins, but that doesn't seem to keep me from finding more!

One I decided a couple months ago that I was going to do was to make a pumpkin out of canning rings for Fall. Check! Done!

Cute right? This one is sitting next to my TV in the living room, but I made another one with the wide mouth lids for my dining room table. LOVE!

On a more unpleasant note, I ended up with an unexpected day off from work today. Malachi got sick last night.... very sick... several times. Very strange because there was no fever and he seemed almost normal today, but last night was not fun. I  washed A LOT of laundry today, sheets, mattress covers (he started in my bed and moved to his own.....) pillow cases, pajamas... you get the picture. So I decided to hunt down one of my pins buried in a Cleaning/Household Ideas board for washing pillows (I had two different methods pinned, of course, so I picked the simplest one). Amazing!

This is seriously TMI, but I couldn't believe the difference. The original blogger suggested doing this every 2-3 months - I just might had to attempt that after seeing these results. These are my pillows.

Kind of incredible the difference right? I'm looking forward to sleeping on these pillows tonight. Malachi's got done today too, but I'm going to do my husband's and any other pillows I can find sometime this week.

And lastly... I have about a MILLION recipes pinned. Many, many of them are pumpkin related. I could obviously make these any time of the year, but for some reason I can only do it when it's cold outside. =) Tonight I made these copycat Starbucks pumpkin scones....

Granted, mine do not have the yummy frosting on them yet (although that was also provided in the recipe), but they are still super yummy. I think if I make them again (or I should say when) I will definitely put more spices than called for in them, but other than that they definitely satisfied my pumpkin craving for the day. 

I felt like a accomplished a lot today AND marked a few things off my Pinterest To-Do list as well!

Late Season Jam-Making Session

I have been a terrible blogger of late. To be honest, it's not that I don't want too, but my computer tends to be a little slow - especially if I'm trying to edit and upload pictures - and the thought of it seems like too much time and work sometimes. It's a bummer really... one of these days we'll get a new computer and then it should be easier. Until then, it might be spotty and have lots of book reviews because I have to post those and they require almost no pictures!

Yesterday I met up with the gals from my MOPS table and we made some jam! It was a really fun time. I was a little nervous because I was in charge although it wasn't at my house (my kitchen is NOT big enough for a houseful of people canning) and I think this was my first attempt at jam-making without my mom there.

I think it went well. Everyone brought one or two ingredients and I supplied the canner, jars and canning utensils. I have to admit that I think I ended up doing the majority of the work while everyone else was running after kids and chatting, but it was still fun and we managed two batches. Everyone was sent home with two half-pint jars of Caramel Apple Jam.

I got this recipe from A Latte with Ott,A's blog. It's a favorite in our house!!

Meal Organization/Planning

I am currently working on a new organizational project.... how it will end I'm not sure. =)

Here is the scenario I deal with quite frequently at my house:

I sit down to think of some things to have for dinner for the week. I ask my husband’s opinion on the matter. No one really cares. I write down a couple ideas. I am forced to go to the computer (usually to my Pinterest boards) to print off said recipes. Then I quickly try to figure out what additional items I need from those lists and then go off to the grocery store.

What is the problem you ask? I have a list. I’ve picked meals. Well… for one thing, I don’t usually plan ENOUGH meals – figuring I can just fill in the blanks with stuff we already have in the house or freezer. This would be a fine idea if I had enough staples lying around to do so. Hence, why we have pancakes or waffles for dinner at least once a week. Next problem is that I HATE it that we have a good selection of favorites, but I constantly have to search the web for their location and then print off another copy. Then that copy sits around in the kitchen until I finally chuck it in the recycle.

SO, I’ve decided to go through all our most commonly made meals and start myself a little folder – or recipe book. I don’t really want to transcribe all my recipes onto little cards, but I thought a nice folder of our favorites would really make my life so much easier. AND as I make new meals that we enjoy, I can just add a new page to the folder!

It sounds so simplistic – I mean, seriously what has been stopping me from doing this already? – but such is the way of life, I guess.

The second part of this plan is to make up a monthly meal plan. This would not be set in stone – our lives are way to busy to stick to something rigid – but instead of sitting down each week wondering to myself what we should have for dinner that week, I will have some ideas right in front of me. Things that are not a repeat of the week before!

Sounds great in theory right? Now to enact the plan…. =)

Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Ever read the ingredient list of your store bought coffee creamer?? I did one day. It contained a whole bunch of words that I could spell or pronounce. The only things I could recognise were water and sugar.... hmm....

I went on an internet search for DIY creamers. The first one I tried had you cooking milk, heavy cream and maple syrup together in a pot, adding a vanilla bean and then cooling. I wasn't really a fan.

I've made this next version a couple times now. I've made it with regular milk and with half-and-half. It's a little creamier with the half-and-half, but I think it works well either way.

Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• Half-and-half (or milk)
• 2 Tablespoons Vanilla (DIY vanilla extract)

Combine sweetened condensed milk and an equal amount of half-and-half using the sweetened condensed milk can as a measuring guide. Add approximately 2 Tablespoons of vanilla. Use the amount of vanilla that tastes good to you! Stir it up really good... the sweetened condensed milk sinks to the bottom. I pour mine into a mason jar (this makes it easy to stir up once in awhile!) I also write the expiration date of my half-and-half on the jar so that I know when it's time to replace the creamer (if there's any left!).

There you go! Super easy and good and you know what's in it!! AND as an added  bonus, no more plastic containers to recycle!

Eating Healthy - Again

Way back in July 2011, before I got pregnant with Zach, I wanted to lose about 10 pounds and my husband wanted to lose some weight too, so we started the 17-Day Diet together. I ended up losing 7lbs in the first 17 days (this diet has four 17-day cycles) and I so I quit. I kept that weight off until I got pregnant, which I thought was pretty good.

Well, now I have a couple pounds to lose post-baby (really... probably less than 10 this time around) and after my husband had his knee surgery earlier this fall.... he has some to lose too. I honestly don't really need to do this diet, but I want to be supportive of my husband and I know it will be easier for him if we're both doing it. Plus, I refuse to make more than one meal, so we might as well all be eating the same things.

We're currently on Day 9 and we're getting a little tired of our current food... there are not really a lot of options on this first cycle. It's mostly a detox and you eat mostly vegetables, chicken and fish, 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of probiotics. Booooorrring!

I've been scouring the internet for some interesting alternatives to what we've been eating and today I tried a couple out. =) I thought I'd share for any other 17-Day Dieter's out there who need a little help!

Apple Pie Yogurt
6 oz of plain greek yogurt
2-3 T of plain unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 packet Truvia (I think this is optional... I used it, but I think I could have left it out)
Mix everything together and YUM!

I actually used some canned Spiced Applesauce from the pantry instead of the plain unsweetened. I'm not exactly sure what spices I used in that, but I really need to use it up and it was free!

Turkey Breakfast Sausage
2lbs lean ground turkey
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp fennel seed
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

I use my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, but you could also just use a large bowl, to combine all the ingredients together until well blended.
Heat a skillet over medium-high head, and coat with non-stick cooking spray (I used some coconut oil).
Form the turkey sausage into patties and fry until browned on both sides. Make sure its not pink in the center!
Cool on a paper towel. Store in refrigerator.
This made me about 14 patties.
These were excellent! So yummy!

Now I'm in the process of attempting to make my own Greek yogurt!

1st Batch Homemade Baby Food!

I can't believe its time for solid baby food already!! Okay... maybe solid is a slight stretch of the idea, but you know what I mean. I got a Magic Baby Bullet for my shower gift and I have just been itching to get it out to use it!!!

I made all my own baby food for Malachi and I'm so glad I did. This time around I already have have my cookbook (Cooking for Baby: Wholesome, Homemade, Delicious Foods for 6 to 18 Months)and now my new Baby Bullet. =)

Zachary has been lunging for my food lately. He tried to grab my to-go espresso cup the other day and was gnawing on the lid. When I attempted to get it back he had a fit! He also tried to get my pizza from me the other night at my in-laws... so I'm thinking he's definitely ready to start giving him some food.

My first concoction - brown rice cereal! So much more nutritious than that yucky stuff you buy in a box in the store (although, I DO confess that is what Malachi got for his first meal).

One recipe made up 12 of these little serving cups. He ate one, 6 went in the fridge and 5 went in the freezer. I think he is having a big of a hard time figuring out how to keep the food in his mouth, so I think we may be attempting something with a little more flavor here pretty soon.... sweet potatoes maybe?

A Homemade Christmas

In an effort to have a more cost-effective Christmas, I've opted to make many of our presents this year. Extended family members, gift exchanges and friends are receiving these gifts - although I think they are pretty great! I can't exactly say what these projects are because several people reading this blog might be receiving them.

My mom has come over two different days. One day we worked on sewing projects. We each had our own sewing project that we were working on, but it was way easier to do together (plus - she helped me a ton by cutting all mine out, so I could just focus on pinning and sewing!) This is super helpful to me because I don't get as distracted by the boys as I normally would by myself.

I'm have about half of this particular project done.

Today she came over again and we shopped and then assembled the other portion of our gifts. 

Mmmm... looks yummy right? These are about 1/2 done also. Now I have to finish them up and then find a way to wrap up these crazy gifts! Hmm.... 

Bulk Chicken and Freezer Meals

Yesterday my mom and I bought 40lbs of chicken from a company called Zaycon Foods. I had seen it advertised on some couponing websites and I had a friend who had tried it out the last time they were around. 
What is Zaycon Foods? They sell a variety of fresh products, but the chicken is 100 % natural chicken with no added hormones, additives or artificial ingredients. It also comes directly from the farm (like.. you receive it the day after they killed it). But the best part? It only costs $1.69/lb. Amazing right? That's cheaper than frozen chicken breasts around here.
The only iffy part is that you have to buy it in 40lb amounts. So my mom and I decided that for the first time, we'd just split one box. 

The night before we picked it up, we went to the store and purchased everything we thought we'd need. Many people we read about just clean it up and package it into bags of chicken breasts. We decided if we were already doing the work and had it out, why not just make it up immediately into freezer meals?

Next we got to work cleaning the chicken up and cutting it into desired amounts. Some we cooked first and some we left raw depending on the recipe. I had printed off some slow cooker freezer meals, we decided to freeze some in marinades and make a couple tried-and-true freezer meals.

Not at lot of cleaning was involved, but there was some fat to trim and a few pieces had some skin left on them. The little tidbits that we shaved off, we put in a pot to make into chicken broth - no waste here!

We ended up with about 20 freezer meals and 8 bags of grilled chicken strips. Not bad for one day's work. We split those up between us and we'll be eating good for the next few months.

Next time I'll be getting a babysitter for the day though. I think we could have accomplished this all in about four hours if I hadn't had my kids with me and vying for our attention the whole day. Ah well... a lesson learned for next time.

Currently...

1. I just finished the second book in the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. I can't believe I have to wait A YEAR to find out what happens. Seriously... this is why I usually wait until the whole series is out before I start reading it.

2. I have a lot left to unpack from our move, but I've squirreled most of it away into the back bonus room so that Malachi is the one who has to look at it most of the time. =)

3. I have been spending WAY too much time on Pinterest lately.

4. I am planning a Jane Austen bunco party at my house next month - and getting super excited about all the fun prizes and food and decoration I'm going to have.

5. Our new house has a fireplace with a mantle! I've been super excited to decorate it. Here's the beginning of my Fall mantle:

Oil lamp from Grandma's | Harvest jar candle | Picture of Malachi | 3 votives covered with burlap | Pumpkin 

pillar candle w/ acorn & leaf ring from World Market | Two old frames from Grandma's | Malachi's baby 

pumpkin from the Cider Mill | Hurricane holder from Partylite | Leaf garland from Dollar Tree 

I have a burlap project to finish it off.... but I've either misplaced or used up all my burlap...

6. I'm trying to get through the BBC's version of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Usually I don't like to watch a movie before I read the book, but Austen novels are the exception. I've decided the novels are so involved that it actually helps me keep it all straight to watch a movie first. So... the next book on my list is Persuasion, which will fulfill one of my Fall reading goals and 2012 goals. =)

7. Last night I baked my first pumpkin recipe of the season - Banana Pumpkin Muffins. The recipe said it made 12 muffins, so I doubled it. We got almost 3 dozen muffins... hmm...

8. My friend Lisa came over a couple days ago and helped me cut Malachi's hair with our clippers. I usually spend about $18 every couple months to take him to the local children's salon. He has a crazy cowlick in the back and it always grows out weird. I'm thinking I can do this... and save myself some money and cut the cowlick back whenever it needs it, rather than when I have the money. Apparently I need to get some thinning shears though....

Project Pinterest #8

Lots of recipes in this edition. I've been doing quite a bit of cooking and baking since being off work. It's been lots of fun trying some of these recipes I've pinned out!

Source: howdoesshe.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Playdough by HowDoesShe.com - Great playdough! Good texture and stays nice for a long time! Check out my post on making it!

Source: myrecipes.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Overnight Peaches-and-Cream French Toast - YUM! I made this to take to my sister-in-laws for a family get-together. So easy to put together the night before and refrigerate. Then take it out in the morning... add a bit and bake. SO EASY and yummy. I think it would also be wonderful with blueberries or blackberries.

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Puffy Vanilla and Peanut Butter Chip Cookies - Very tasty... I just spontaneously decided to make these one night and used chocolate chips instead. My only complaint... it does make much. I'd double it next time.

Source: lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Blueberry Lemon Bars - I WILL be making these again. So yummy. Consistency of a lemon or key lime pie. Awesome flavor!

Source: tuscanrecipes.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Source: fullbellies.blogspot.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup & Homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks
These two recipes were from an Olive Garden inspired dinner. I received some kale in my Bountiful Basket that week and needed a use for it. The soup was so good my husband has requested it to take hunting. The breadsticks were really good, but I need to work on my shaping skills... they looked pretty funny!

Source: ohmysugarhigh.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Best Zucchini Bread - I haven't made many zucchini breads in the past, so I can't attest to this being "the best" but it was pretty good. I liked the fact that it made two loafs for my efforts.


For more Pinterest Projects I've accomplished check out my Things I Actually DID! board. Have you found any awesome Pinterest projects lately? I'd love to hear about them.

Project Pinterest #7

It's time for a Pinterest Project update! =) Check out my Things I actually DID! board for more completed pins! Not a ton completed lately... but I think that is to be expected.

Source: daffodildesign.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Father's Day Project - see my post to see our completed one

Source: myrecipes.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast - made this just the other day to take to the in-laws. It was wonderful! Make it up the night before and then bake in the morning. I'm thinking I might try it again with blueberries!

Project Pinterest #6

It's time for a Pinterest Project update! =) I've gotten quite a few of my pins completed this month. Check out my Things I actually DID! board for more completed pins!

Source: ringaroundtherosies.net via Elsie on Pinterest

Freezer Meals - For more info on my freezer meals, go to this post and this post.

Source: rustsunshine.blogspot.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Ribbed Hat for Malachi - turned out cute. He loves it and I wanted to make him something since the baby is getting things. I was afraid I was going to run out of yarn, so its not as "slouchy" as the original pattern.

Source: family.go.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Cookie Dough Bites - made these for a Crafting Night. Yummy... and EASY!

Source: tastykitchen.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents - these were a little spicy for me... although I think I put more jalapenos in it than the recipe said. My husband ate all the leftovers the next day though!

1 & 2 - Ribbed Hat 3 - Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescents 

4 - Cookie Dough Bites

I was happy to have completed at least ONE non-food project! I have another in the works for Father's Day... hopefully it turns out. =)