Here comes Peter Cottontail!!!

Can you believe Easter is right around the corner...I'm telling you, I had no idea it was so early this year. I don't know why this surprises me, I am Catholic. I know when Lent starts you have approximately 40 days to go before Easter...All I can say is my brain is hiatus!!! Anyway, I decided today would be a great day to start decorating my front porch for the upcoming holiday. The little one and I went to Big Lots, which I have to tell you is one of my favorite places to shop for holiday crafts. I decided not to use the mesh ribbon I have used for the last couple of holidays, mainly because I don't have time to order it, but, I also wanted something different. I found some of the most precious baskets. They were slanted and a fun fuschia color. I think they might be for periodicals or magazines or something, but I loved the color and they didn't have a handle, which is what I was looking for. They (Big Lots) had some fake tulips in a pot wrapped in bright yellow paper. They aren't the best looking faux flowers I have seen, but they will work for $4...I bought two pots..oh..and the baskets were also $4...I purchased one bunch of unpotted pink tulips for $4, then cut them and planted them into the pot with the yellow flowers. Then $1 for green basket grass and some precious little pin wheels to put in the back of the arrangement....I did have to cut the wooden dowel on the pinwheels to shorten them up a bit, but after I did that, they were perfect. I picked up a very cute kitchen mat for $5, however, I will use it for a front door mat. Phew!!!My work for the day is finally done....I really love the way it turned out. As soon as the weather cooperates, I will find some nice ferns or something to put around the porch and maybe some pink and yellow throw pillows for the white wicker chairs and couch to add some color...I LOVE SPRING!!! It can't come soon enough, well maybe a few more weeks of winter so I can take some of this weight off before boating season...but that's another story...enjoy my pics and let me know what you think.



Precious welcome mat $5





Basket with tulip pot, added pink tulips, grass filler and pinwheel..$13












Total for all decorations from Big Lots....$30

Time is on my side...yes it is!!

It's been almost a week without Facebook, and it really hasn't been as much of a struggle as I thought it would be...sure it would be nice to know what's going on with some of my friends, but honestly, I think they all probably gave it up for Lent too...right? Ok, that's what I'm telling myself....anyway, I have had a little more time on my hands and along with giving up Facebook, I also have decided I'm going to try and cook healthier meals for the peeps. I am going to share some of my favorite new found recipes with you...as well as the calorie and fat content. I know if your family is like mine, it's hard to pass off healthy food as something wonderful, but my new found cookbook has really helped. I will post some of the ones we have tried and rate them on how good they are...My new found kitchen companion is Taste of Home Guilt Free Cooking....356 home style recipes for healthier living.... I purchased mine at Sam's Club, but I have included the link to Barnes and Noble...


HAM AND MUSHROOM FETTUCCINE

12 ounces uncooked fettuccine
3/4 cup fully cooked lean ham, cubed (I used the cubed ham you can get at the grocery near the sausage)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed ( I omitted this, I'm not a big rosemary fan)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/4 fat free evaporated milk ( I used an entire 12 oz. can)
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 Tablespoons reduced fat sour cream


1. Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet
saute ham in oil until lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add onion to skillet; saute for 4 minutes. Add mushrooms; saute 3 minutes longer.

2. Stir in flour, rosemary and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat; add peas and sour cream. Cook 2 minutes longer. Drain fettuccine; stir into mushroom mixture. Add ham; heat through.

Prep time/total time
25 min.
Yield
6 servings

One serving
334 calories
8 g fat
1 g saturated fat
29 mg cholesterol
876 mg sodium
46 carbohydrates
3 g fiber
21 g protein


**** 4 out of 5 stars



I hope you all enjoy this one...My kids loved it!!!

The Party's Over

Well, we made it through Mardi Gras...now starts the Lenten Season. If you are Catholic you know that it is time for penance, fasting and reflection. Now brace yourself...I have made my Lenten sacrifice and I truly think it may be the hardest thing ever...I am giving up Facebook until Easter....Wow...there I said it. It is an absolute sacrifice and I hope and pray I can hold myself to my promise. Which brings me to this question? What did I do before Facebook? It seems like a silly question, but I truly don't remember. That is a real shame and I am hoping that this break from technology will renew some energy and fire into my life. I'm a pretty social person, so being out of the loop will probably be one of the hardest things ever, but I must remember the incredible sacrifice that was given to all of us...putting a computer down for 40 days pales in comparison.

Saints Win!!! Saints Win!!! Saints Win!!!

I've waited to post anything about the Saints on my blog as I am so emotional about the win it was hard to find the right thing to say. As a life long Saints fan, I have had my fill of ups and downs with this team. There have been times when I just couldn't believe how bad they were, but most of the time, I have always been proud of our team. Although I am not a New Orleans resident, I, and most of the Gulf Coast area, consider them to be "Our Team". We have cheered for them and rooted them on through the good times and bad. I never wore a bag or called them the "Aint's", but I have had my share of cussing at a television screen on a Sunday afternoon. Since the beginning of the season, we have all known this was a great team. They are all strong, intelligent, compassionate guys, who have adopted the Katrina ravaged Gulf Coast into their hearts. You could tell by the way they played every game, that this season was special. As they won game after game the emotions strengthened. The fair weathered fans started crawling out of the woodwork and jumping on the bandwagon. That's ok, true fan's don't mind, it's just more energy to keep these boys pumped up....Then it happened, we were in the playoffs and the only thing standing between us and the NFC Championship was one of our own...Brett Favre. Who would have believed that a boy who rooted for the Saints his entire life, was now the one that could take it all away from them. That particular night I had fever and was practically delirious, but I watched in anticipation with the rest of this region.It truly was a spectacular game and although Brett gave his best, it wasn't good enough to stop "our boys"....The Saints won the NFC Championship and they were going to the Super Bowl....OMG!!!!! It meant so much to this area and to New Orleans to have this happen... years of waiting, hoping and rejection had just been squashed and we had finally proved everyone wrong....WE ARE CHAMPIONS! Here we come Miami...the Saints are marching in...The whole Gulf Coast had been rocking since that day...black and gold everywhere, Fleur de Lis everywhere, it had totally taken the place of the Mardi Gras season that most of us would have been celebrating...We all had Drew Brees on the brain. I just can't put into words what the last few weeks leading up to the Super Bowl were like, it was euphoric. Then game day....it truly is all a blur, the sportscasters counted us out, the celebrities in attendance counted us out, everyone was betting the Colts were going to take it...And keep in mind, the Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, is also a hometown boy, who rooted for the Saints his entire life...maybe by default because his daddy was one of the most beloved Saints that ever played. We all still love Archie. But we couldn't let our feelings for a former player stand in the way of our dream. You could tell when they took the field that nobody was standing in their way. The gutsy calls by Sean Payton were mind blowing, he is truly the King of Calls...and Prince Drew Brees was unstoppable...With every second of the clock, my heart pounded harder and harder. I don't remember the commercials, the commentary or what anyone said to me that night. I do remember the incredible joy and elation when Drew Brees took a knee at 44 seconds left on the clock, to win the 44th Super Bowl, in the 44th year of the franchise and with the 44th President in office. It was destiny and I am still trying to come down from the high I have felt since Sunday. I have cried and cried, and next to the birth of my children and the day I married my husband, I don't think I have ever felt so much joy. I love the Saints, I love the Gulf Coast and I love the fact that they are all back with a vengeance. We are strong, faithful and hopeful....GOD BLESS YOU BOYS AND GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!

Slacker!!!

Ok...so I'm slacking again on my blog posts...I knew it would happen...but we've been extremely busy around here with the Saints winning the Super Bowl and all...GEAUX SAINTS!!!! We have also been doing our Mardi Gras duties...two balls, parades and parties. Things are starting to slow down and I am preparing for Valentines day. The girls have to bring a snack for school...Sami has already requested cupcakes, but I found the cutest snack. Had I not already committed to the cupcakes I would be doing this precious idea...check it out from La T Da

New Shirt designs

So I finally received new designs for shirts...here they are...let me know if you are interested...$20 for any design...I have black long sleeve, short sleeve, tanks and some children sizes.

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas!!! I hope everyone had a great and peaceful day with family and friends. I myself had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed every moment of watching my children's faces when they saw the wonder of Christmas morning. We attended a great mass at 4:30 at the new Senior Center here in town. It wasn't exactly a traditional church service, but since Katrina we've been gathering in a modified skating rink and we're no worse for wear. So, anyway, Secilia slept through the whole thing and snored her britches off. Samantha was her angelic self, singing and acting very reverent when she thought people were looking. We then took them (the girls) out to eat at the local casino...did you know there is nothing open on Christmas Eve except The Waffle House and casinos? And although I like a good scattered, smothered,covered and chunked breakfast, I just felt that the occasion warranted something a bit classier. It was good and the girls really enjoyed themselves,they love all the noise and lights at a casino, plus they thought they were cool when they realized kids aren't normally allowed. We then went home and prepared for Santa..
On Christmas morning it has been tradition (since the babies were born) for everyone to come to our house for breakfast... And what a breakfast it was! I tried a new recipe that called for cooking a casserole in a crock pot for 10-12 hours...guess what? DON'T EVER COOK EGGS FOR 12 HOURS!!!!! Luckily I looked in at midnight to check on my concoctions and realized these babies were gonna be a big ole' hot mess in a matter of minutes. I turned them off and just kept the warmer on them and they were fine in the morning. Bacon and hashbrown casserole, ham and hashbrown casserole, grits, biscuits, stuffed strawberries, and cinnamon rolls were on the menu....yummo!! Such a great morning with the family and I truly love moments when everyone gets along and is kind to one another...
Everyone loved their gifts, Mike was extremely pleased with his Saints tickets that I gave to him...not so much with the Saints clothing I bought for him to wear when attending the games, but he really loved the fact he was going to see them. He would have painted his chest in gold with my name in big black letters had I made that a stipulation.
He did a great job too...I received the most breathtaking Baccarat Crystal necklace from him and the girls. It truly is one of my favorite things I've ever received. He also gave me a Cricut, which I have wanted for years; a new Hero Android phone, of which I know nothing about, but I'm loving every moment of learning and of course a box of Hickory Farms (long story that I probably will never share with anyone, but trust me, it's hilarious). All in all it was a great holiday, I'm looking very forward to 2010 and what may be on the horizon for me and my loved ones. I truly wish all my friends and family abundant blessings and love in the upcoming year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My new Baccarat Crystal necklace

Spa Party...did someone say chocolate?

So today was Samantha's 7th birthday...I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday she was toddling around, sucking her pacis and singing at her Backyardigans 3 year old party...Sometimes I miss those days, but these days she is independent and is a girl who knows what she wants and likes...guess what? She likes spas!! I'm in so much trouble...everything she does now involves polish, makeup, smelly stuff galore. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact she is such a girly girl, but the expense is killing me and she isn't even wearing the stuff for real. This years party was a toss up between a party at Bath Junkie with ten of her closest friends or a spa party at home with many more friends and mom doing all the work. She chose the home spa party. I made invitations from a template I found at Martha Stewart online. They turned out so cute... I decorated with mainly a white and pink theme. I found some cute baskets at Hobby Lobby and filled them with pink bath puff, a headband, some rose petal soaps, a monogrammed washcloth that I made with my trusty embroidery machine and washcloths from Sams Club, and a sack of bath salts that we scented and colored at the party. We smeared the girls with a chocolate mask that was made from cocoa, honey, sour cream and oatmeal, it smelled awesome and looked like a thick chocolate frosting. It probably tasted good too, but I was too afraid to try it. I printed each girls name out on paper to mark their seat and added a charger with a white candle surrounded by silk daisies to each table. I covered the tables with a white paper tablecloth that I purchased from Sams Club, then added white hand towels that I also purchased at Sams, at every girls seat. The basket went on top of the hand towel and I added a clear plastic bowl and a popsicle stick for preparing the bath salts. I think all the girls truly had a great time, and I had a fantastic time planning it, but then again, that is my favorite thing to do...I'm a party girl!!! A party girl that has a four and seven year old and goes to bed at 9:00 every night! Anyway, the party was great, my sister made the most fantastic cake (if you ever need a cake you should really look her up at Iced and Sliced), and my baby had a great birthday. My girls are loves of my life, I want them to have memories of their childhood and birthdays. I want them to be able to share those memories with their children and remember how much fun they had. But most of all I want them to know how much they mean to me and that their mom would go above and beyond to make them feel special. Happy Birthday Sami!!!!

Shower caps for kids

My kids love to wear a shower cap...I don't know what the fascination is with these plastic head wraps, but they are the biggest fans...So, I thought to myself this year for Christmas I would buy them one of their own...They have been wearing mine, it is huge on them of course, but safety pins are a fix all for all things big. Anyway, much to my chagrin, there is no such thing as a child size shower cap...yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking, sure there is, you've probably seen them hanging in the dollar store, but what I meant to say is there aren't any "really cute" shower caps for kids....So what's a crafty gal to do....make her own!!! I found fabulous caps for kids in the UK...but who knows how to purchase something from over there and honestly I just don't understand the whole money conversion thing...I'm sort of math challenged. I can't even do my six year olds first grade math, much less change euros into American money...but I did find a website belonging to our British neighbors that had stylish and fancy caps. I scoped out the design and went to my favorite store, Hancock Fabric, and wouldn't you know it, they had satin fabric on sale for 50% off...it was meant to be...a deal!!! I bought all the notions and accessories and headed home to venture into the unknown...I cut out a pattern from old wrapping paper (it was the biggest thing I could find) and used a shower curtain liner that I hadn't opened for the inner lining. They turned out FANTASTIC!!! I have posted pics here and on my Facebook page and wouldn't you know it, I've already gotten an order for one...I think I might try and sell them...you never know this could be my fortune...I could be the "Shower Cap Lady"...hmmm...we'll see, my friend Denise says they are awful...it's a good thing I like her or I would make one for her kids for Christmas...I know they would love it...her youngest would probably want to wear it to school!! Happy showering everyone.

Fleur de Lis Shirts

The new Mardi Gras Fleur de Lis shirts are in....have a look and let me know if you are interested...I can still order Christmas shirts as well...They are high quality long sleeve t-shirts with beautiful rhinestone and rhinestud designs....$20..
email me a gunz1963@cableone.net....Enjoy!!