Happy Birthday, Recipes, Blog Surfing and more

Hey All,

I can't believe there is only a week left of summer vacation it just doesn't seem possible. We have been busy getting ready for school. Registration is done and most of the school supplies bought a few new clothes and bookbags. We have had a tough time trying to find glue sticks and you know it's like that every year. Seems that they would start getting more of those in because the demand is greater than the supply. Oh well but who am I to think of such a thing...hmmm just a shopper that has to go from store to store looking for them and who gets irratated over it.

Just maybe after the kids get back into school I'll have more time to keep up with my blog. I feel like I have neglected it so much this summer. And maybe I'll have more time to crochet I'm still working on Justin's afghan and I only have 12 rounds left to finish and then I can start on the next one. Oh man I need to get my fingers busy and get more of these done because Christmas will be here before I know it.

Colin's birthday was Saturday he turned 7. Oh my baby is growing up! We had the little ones here they came bright and early Thursday morning and didn't leave until Monday afternoon. We took them to Discovery Place on Saturday and the boys had a total blast. They had the dinosaur exhibit and Colin kept saying more to himself than to anyone...this is the best day ever. He loves dinosaurs! We went and caught the Light Rail to go downtown now Colin has ridden it before but Brendon had never ridden it and you would have thought that was the best thing ever.
Colin, Brendon, and Kaylee at the Light Rail stop.

Here it comes!

We are going really fast!

OH MY GOSH BABY DINOSAURS!

I can't tell you how many times Colin had to watch this. It would start out with DNA and then gradually become a dinosaur. He found it so fascinating.

That's a meat eater don't get too close.

Being a Paleontologist...yep, that is ONE of the things Colin wants to be when he grows up.

The boys really got into this and I was beginning to think they wasn't going to leave to see the rest of Discovery Place. lol

Even daddy got into it.

The boys were amazed with the stuffed animals and I thought they would like the huge bear but no they liked the bobcat the best.

They couldn't wait to have a turn on this. You press those buttons with your thumbs and you go up... way up. When you reach the top you take your thumbs off the buttons and you come down slowly.

There were so many exciting things that they saw and did at Discovery Place. They enjoyed every minute of it. We have promised them that we will go back in a couple of months when a new exhibit comes in. I think I may have to look into the membership because this is the sort of stuff Colin loves to do. He doesn't like sports and gets bored with them but anything to do with science he is amazed by. His mind doesn't stop!

As we came out of Discovery Place there were all these horse and carriages lined up waiting to give rides. No, we didn't do it but the guys were nice enough to let the boys pet each of the horses.

After retuning home and a quick dinner we finally had cake. Or I should say cookie cake it what my kids love for their birthdays.



Colin got a new bike for his birthday and by the time he was able to give it a try it was starting to get dark. Colin on the bike, Jene` on the scooter, Kaylee on the tricycle, and Brendon on the big wheel. If Dale would have been home he would have been on the skateboard. lol But he was having an awesome time at the Panter's preseason game with his friend.

The next morning he was able to play for a couple of hours on it in the morning before it got too hot. I really think it's a bit small and thought we should have gotten a bigger one but daddy says no that it's just right. Hmmmmm.....

The school sent a letter asking that everyone take a picture of their child reading this summer. I think this will be the perfect picture to send in.

Okay now onto a recipe that I made up one evening. I was thinking about having meatloaf but the day was so hot and humid and I didn't want to heat the house up with the oven on for an hour. So I threw the hamburg in a pan and started frying it still not sure what I was going to do with it. And this is what I came out with......

Spicy Beefy Noodles with sliced tomatoes, stewed squash, cucumbers and garlic rolls. Now let's see if I can remember how I made it.

fry up hamburg I used a pound and a half
add chopped onions and garlic while frying
drain
add a can of diced tomatoes
2 packs of taco seasoning
if you like a little more bite like we do then add a little cayenne pepper
add a bit of garlic salt and onion salt and pepper to taste

make wide noodles as directed on package and drain add to mixture and stir and let it simmer for a few minutes to get warm.

garnish with some mexican cheese and sour cream

I didn't have a clue as to what I was making while I was making it and kept going to the cubboard looking to see what I was going to put in it next. To my amazment every single person in this house LOVED it and has asked for it again. I'm still in shock I found something that I didn't hear one complaint about and they want more of it.

Now on to some helpful sites and tips...

My mom is a firm believer in vinegar. She mixes vinegar, water, and honey when she has a cough and takes it. She will sponge it on her aches and pains. She has a spray bottle with water and vinegar to spray on bug bites. She rinses the dog in it after her bath to help control fleas. So here are some sites on vinegar...
http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/119/1/Versatile-vinegar-tips.html
http://www.vinegartips.com/
http://naturesnaturalhealing.com/AppleCiderVinegar.shtml
http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/pet-care.html

She uses the brown vinegar mainly and I did try the spray for bug bites over the weekend. Kaylee was outside for a short period and came back in with several bites on her. I tried the vinegar water and she screamed she is so sensitive that the brown vinegar even diluted was stinging her. So I put some water in the tub and put some white vinegar in it and let her play in there for about 20 minutes. It did help the next morning the bites didn't look as bad. When she is bitten a bite can last for weeks on her. And this was helping it go away quickly.

My mom also uses bleach to kill weeds. She saw a neighbor do this and waited to see what the results would be. It killed the weeds and now she uses it. She said all this time I've been buy these expensive weed killers and this works so much better and cost a whole lot less. So I gave it a try and yes I've got a new weed killer. I just have to make sure that I'm wearing old old clothes because everytime I get near bleach for some reason I always end up with it on me. I also did some searching and did find that many use bleach for weed killer I would have never thought of it. I also found this site during my search...

http://www.dealseekingmom.com/2008/07/make-your-own-clorox-anywhere-recipe.html

Yep, I am no longer buying the Clorox Anywhere I'm making my own.

If you have noticed over on the right I have the new blog list that gives the last posting of the blogs I have saved. Now if you go to the bottom of that list you will see one that is a crockpot blog and it says the last posting 5 months ago. Well that is not true and I don't know why it's not updating she posts everyday and has a ton of recipes I want to try. Here are a few to start off with but you will have to go and check it out because she posts something everyday...


http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Day 216...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-french-toast-bake-recipe.html
Day 210...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/07/five-spice-steak-strips-crockpot-recipe.html
Day 205...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/07/crockpot-gyro-recipe.html
Day 198...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/07/crockpot-indonesian-chicken-recipe.html
Day 186...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/07/crockpot-french-dip-sandwiches.html
Day 178...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/06/crockpot-philly-cheesesteak-soup-recipe.html
Day 170...
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/06/crockpot-bacon-and-cheese-chicken.html
Day 68
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/03/crockpot-broccoli-beef.html

These recipes are on my list of things to try first. Then I will have to go through them again and pick out some others.

Also for some reason it won't give any updates for my sister in laws new blog and she has some really good recipes that I would like to try...
http://redneckbistro.blogspot.com/

http://redneckbistro.blogspot.com/2008/08/pennies-and-potatoes.html

Tipnut had posted a while back about different uses for old jeans which sent me on another search. I found many great ideas for new projects...

http://tipnut.com/things-to-do-with-old-jeans/
http://www.wisebread.com/twenty-five-things-to-do-with-old-jeans
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/recycle-denim.shtml
http://sewingneedlework.suite101.com/article.cfm/recycle_and_repurpose_old_jeans
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/515141/ten_ways_to_recycle_your_old_jeans.html?cat=46
http://www.gomestic.com/Do-It-Yourself/Recycle-Your-Old-Blue-Jeans.42897
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_dolls/article/0,2025,DIY_13753_2269300,00.html
http://4h.wsu.edu/clothing/quick_projects/denim/denim.htm
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26211076.tip.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_needle_arts/article/0,2025,DIY_13768_5299326,00.html
http://lifehackery.com/2008/06/22/25-wonderful-ways-to-recycle-your-old-denim-jeans/
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_books_boxes_boards/article/0,2025,DIY_13746_2269932,00.html
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/denim-pocket-magnets.shtml

And over on Keep it Cheap I found this that I will have to do one of these days...

http://keepitcheap.blogspot.com/2008/08/bath-towel-bath-rug.html


I was in a magnet swap and I think it's safe to say that the person I sent these to have gotten them by now.

I just love the butterflies and I am going to make me some. I got the directions from http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/crochet-butterfly.html and the Kiss The Cook I had bought these little tiles a year or so ago when I was making a plaque.


Ooops I have to throw in a picture of my little munchkin after he had finished a s'more. I think he enjoyed it by the looks of the chocolate on his face.

And a picture of Blue claiming the laundry basket as his own. It's not easy getting him out of it so I can hang clothes. lol

Here are some recipes I found to help cut back on all those packets. Those little packets are getting very expensive to buy. It's time to think twice on spending and on if convience is worth it.


Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/4 cup chili powder
3 tablespoons salt
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Combine the ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year.
To prepare tacos:

In a skillet, brown 1 lb. ground beef; drain. Add 2 Tbls. taco seasoning mix and 1/3-1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Yield: 4 servings per batch.
This recipe from CDKitchen for Taco Seasoning Mix serves/makes .75 cup

Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoon instant beef broth mix
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon instant minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Combine all ingredients. Store in air tight container. Recipe makes 1 package.
This recipe from CDKitchen for Taco Seasoning Mix serves/makes 1 package


Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

6 teaspoons chili powder
5 teaspoons paprika
4 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 teaspoons onion powder
2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In storage container with tight-fitting lid, combine all ingredients; mix well. Seal tightly. Store in cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
This recipe from CDKitchen for Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix serves/makes .5 cup


Homemade Onion Soup Mix Recipe

3/4 cup dried, minced onion
1/3 cup sodium-free or low-sodium beef bouillon granules
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon sugar

Mix all ingredients together in a blender and grind into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container. Use 1/4 cup mix as you would a pouch of commercial onion soup mix.
This recipe from CDKitchen for Homemade Onion Soup Mix serves/makes 1 cup

I haven't tried any of these yet but I'm going to and I will have to see which taco seasoning I like the best.

Okay it's bedtime! I can't believe I've been on here almost 3 hours doing this post. Either I'm really slow or time is flying by!

Take Care :)