How To Make Marbleized Ornaments

My dearest friends..I hate to break the news to you, but Christmas is in 2 months!!! Aaahh! It's that time of year when October, November and December is really just one huge holiday filled with a lot of eating.
It seems every year our children gets older, the more expensive the 'toys' get. The toys for my little dude won't matter, because it's just another day to him. But, for the 2 older ones, it's anything that has a mini computer in it with buttons. My son wants the PSP and the girl is getting a cell phone. (Oh, Lord)
This time of year though, I always start trying to find presents that fill:

• The thought put into the gift
• The price

This year, since I've got my embroidery machine I still don't know how to use..I must find things to embroider. I will also be doing yummy gifts like homemade apple butter and special gifts like handmade marbleized ornaments. These ornaments are actually really easy to do. If you have a Cricut, or just go to Hobby Lobby or even Walmart, you can put initials on them to make them even more special and personalized. So, I thought I would share with you on how to do them so you can give a great gift that looks expensive and that looks like you put a lot of thought into it!
Here are the directions on how to do Marbleized Ornaments:
What you will need:

• Acrylic Paint
• Glass Craft Ornaments
• Vinegar
• Plastic/Styrofoam Cups
• Nail Polish Remover

Directions:

• Choose your acrylic paint colors. The inexpensive ones are fine.
• Choose 2-3 contrasting colors. Get metallic colors to make it luminous.
• Get the large or medium sized glass craft clear ornaments. Avoid the tiny ones, they don't turn out so good.
• Cut ventilation holes into the sides of the plastic cup. They should be large enough to let air through but not where the paint will drip out. I use it to steady the ornament as I add paint.
• Carefully remove the metal top and handle the bulb with care.
• Rinse out the bulb with one part vinegar and three parts water. Rinse again with just water, and let completely dry by placing the bulb open side down in the cup.
• Shake each paint tube well before opening.
• Add your paint slowly so that it streams down the side of the bulb, but just enough so that the paint easily reaches the bottom. You will add 4-6 streams of paint around the ornament.
• Start rotating the bulb around. After the bulb is coated, place the ornament open side down so that the excess paint can drip down into the cup.

Drying Process

• After you have removed the extra paint from the bulb, the drying process begins. Most of the blending and swirling of the colors happens at this time. If you want vertical streaks, let the bulb dry open side down for 48-72 hours.
• For the blended and swirling effect, turn the bulb on its side and allow it to sit for several hours at a time, then rotate again. Continue until you have the desired effect you are looking for.
• Once you have finished, turn the bulb open side down into the cup and let dry the rest of the way for 48-72 hours. If you don't allow it to dry completely, it will settle in the bottom and not look very nice.
• If you had any paint get on the outside of the ornament, just take it off with a little finger nail polish remover.
• Add a ribbon or initials to finish and Voila!!

Tales of the Lost Diaper

Well, my little man is now 18 months old and counting! I can't believe how time has flown and the time I do have doesn't ever seem to be enough. Ever have so much housework to do that it's overwhelming so you just sit down? Yeah...that's been my week so far. However, the toilets are now clean..yah me!
I have also found the joys and addiction of Instagram...OH MY GOODNESS! It's a picture book for adults! Sometimes I wonder if I need to close all my social 'apps' and logoff....
Anyhoo....back to the world of toddlerdom. My crackhead little boy constantly digs in his crack and has now found out he can take his diaper off with or without clothes on. The other day, he wakes up and I notice he feels ... well..lighter and not so wet (let's face it..diapers do NOT work at night!) I lay him down on his changing table, pull his pants off and ... NO DIAPER!! What the crap?! I put on a new diaper, quickly pull his pants up and put him down. Then, I go looking for the diaper. I mean, it couldn't have gone THAT far, could it?! Amazingly enough, he didn't pee anywhere and I found the diaper between the wall and toys.
Then the other day, while I am at my desk, he comes running up to me laughing, then runs off...laughing more. As a mother of a 3rd child can tell you, things don't bother you quite so much anymore and you think, whatever. I continue to play, I mean work.
Then it hits me....did I see a flash of butt? He comes back, laughing harder and I see the peepee. AAHHH! How long has he been running around ... and where is the diaper?
Off a hunting I go. I look...and look...and crap a cow look. I finally found the sucker 30 minutes later underneath the kitchen table! I pick it up and little turds fall everywhere. All while, of course...he's laughing and running around trying to take his peepee off.
You know..sometimes I don't think there's enough Prozac for a day like that one. So, now all of my facebook friends are telling me...It's potty training time. WHAT? How can that be..he's only 18 months old! Doesn't he need to be at least 2 years old? They tell me no..it is time young mommawalker. How the heck do you potty train an 18 month old, stubborn, strong-willed little toddler who speaks in kid-latin?
One of my friends and future teacher of my little pooper, tells me her daughter was like that, so while at that time, she was a stay-at-home mom, she just took her pants and diaper off and let her roam the house. She would follow her with the potty chair and within a week, she was potty trained. Hmm...sounds easy I guess. However, we just got in new carpet!
Please! I need any and all help!

Crockpot Chicken, Zataran's Yellow Rice & Cheese Soup

Found another recipe on Pinterest that I thought I would try. I added black beans.

Ingredients:

4-6 Chicken Breasts

1 Can Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom

Onion

1 Box Zataran's Yellow Rice

1 Can Black Beans

1 Can Corn, Drained

1 Can Black Beans, Drained and Rinsed

Directions:

Put chicken and cream soup into crockpot and put your onions in. Set on low for 3-4 hours or high 7-8 hours.

Close to when it's done or when your going to serve it, cook your rice and add to the pot. Add your can of drained corn and drained and rinsed black beans and your cheese. Stir and let 'marry' for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
I personally used a large can of the cream of chicken and I think if I cook it again, I will use cream of mushroom. It was too cream of chicken-y for my taste. I might even add a can of drained Rotel next time to give it a little kick. Let me know your variations..I would to try them, also!



Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for a gameday dinner and it was Amazing and super simple! Perfect for fall, too.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef (I used 2 lbs)

6 Slices of Bacon

Frozen Hashbrowns

1 Block Velvetta

1 Box Chicken Broth Stock

Onion

Optional (Block of Cream Cheese)

Directions:

Cook beef and drain well so you don't get all the grease. Cut up Velvetta in cubes and place in crockpot along with all the other ingredients. If you want it creamier, you can add a block of cream cheese, but I didn't this day. The onion gives it a wonderful taste, but since me and the boy don't like the texture, I shredded about 1/2 a small onion in it. Pour the entire chicken broth in. I cooked my bacon in the microwave and let it cook, then just broke off pieces. Cook on high for at least 2 hours and voila! You could also put some tortilla chips in the bottom of your bowl, then pour your soup on top (didn't think about this!)

Get in my belly!!!

The Day the World Stopped Turning 9/11

I'm getting coffee for my boss, David. The TV is on in the break room and I hear and feel something is wrong. A plane went into one of the Trade Center buildings. Brandon comes into the breakroom and at that time another plane goes into the 2nd building and he says, "Oh, no" very quietly because we both know that something is terribly wrong and I feel sick to my stomach. I go tell David. I am shaking and scared. The world around me stops. Brandon puts his arm around me. I still feel what I felt that day and will never forget. I still cry uncontrollably when I watch. I watch because I don't want to forget. Remember with me.

Chicken & Black Bean Rice Casserole

A couple of weeks ago on Pinterest, I saw a dish similar to this and can't find it now. So, I tried to remember everything I saw and do my own! It turned out pretty good, but I will definetly put maybe a can of corn in it next time. It needed something else. Little dude liked it!

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Breasts, chopped

1 Can Black Beans

1 Large Can Cream of Chicken or Mushroom

1 Can Corn

2 Cups Cooked Rice

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese or your favorite

Seasonings

Directions:

Cook rice according to directions.

Heat up some olive oil and about 2 pats of butter in a skillet and cook chicken. Add salt, pepper and garlic.

Add beans and cream of chicken to chicken and bring to a boil while stirring. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in cheese

Add to rice in a casserole dish.

(I was running out of time for foosball practice, so I didn't do the next step)

Add more cheese (yes!) on top and cook for about 10-15 in a 350 oven.



Baked Apple Pies

You ever notice how when you are on a diet all you want are carbs and sweets?! Ugh. The other day I wanted a Rally's fried apple pie and I remembered a post that was along that line on Pinterest, but couldn't find it. So my willey little brain decided it was experimentation time with food. Turned out unbelievable yummy and all were eaten quickly. So here is my take on the baked apple pie.

Ingredients:
1 Can 24 oz Large Apple Pie Filling
Sugar
Cinnamon
Butter
Dough or Crescent Rolls

Directions:
Preheat oven according to the doughs instructions. Mine was 350.
Mix sugar and cinnamon to your taste

 Melt 2 tbsp butter in microwave

Cut dough to accomadate a helping of your filling. I cut 3 sections.

Place about 3-4 of the apples on one side

Fold over and press sides down with a fork

Brush the melted butter over the top of the pie and sprinkle a generous helping of the sugar/cinnamon mixture on a greased pan.

Cook for about 15 minutes or until done.

Holy cow..this will be a new addiction and it's deserving of Get In My Belly!!!

Homemade Lasagna...The Easier Way

I love lasagna and homemade is best. This is a homemade version that doesn't take hours. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare and the cook time is 1 hour. Make ahead and give yourself an awesome dinner!

Ingredients:

1 Large Container Ricotta Cheese (you can use low fat or skim)

3 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1 Large Jar of Your Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

1 1/2-2 Lb Ground Beef or Turkey, browned and drained

1-2 Cups Water

12 Lasagna Noodles, Uncooked

2 Tsp Italian Seasoning or Parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the parmesan cheese, italian seasoning or parsley, and egg until well blended; set aside. 

After cooking and draining meat, pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce into skillet. Pour your water into the jar, shake and pour into skillet. (Adding water to the meat and sauce helps cook the traditional noodles during baking, so you don't have to cook them beforehand. Saves you about 15-20 minutes of prep time!)

Mix well and let simmer for just a few minutes. Place 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of your 13x9 baking dish, this way the noodles won't stick to the pan. (I obviously didn't read my instructions!)



Depending on the size of your baking dish, place 3-4 of the noodles on the bottom and put a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Add 1 cup or so of the meat mixture and repeat until you've used all your ingredients.

After you've finished, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top. I'll be honest...I used 4 cups of the mozzarella cheese on top! Yummy!

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil that you have sprayed with Pam so it won't stick to the cheese. Bake 45 minutes.

Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let stand about 15 minutes if you can stand it to make cutting into it easier...this NEVER happens. My family is already at the table ready to dig in.

Get In My Belly!!! Yummy!!!!

Homemade Ranch Dressing with Greek Yogurt

After seeing posts and pins on Pinterest about the homemade ranch dressing, I thought I'd give it a try.

Ingredients:
Ranch Dressing Mix
Greek Plain Yogurt
Directions:
Mix well

As you can see, it's very simple and supposed to be better for you. I would rather make food so I know what's in it than buying it store bought if I can. And, with me training for a marathon and needing to get rid of 20 pounds, I thought this would be great. Welllll....
YUK!!! If you have never tried greek yogurt, it must be an aquired taste. It is now down the drain and I won't make it again. I do not like greek yogurt, Sam I am! But, if you do..it's a great alternative to the processed, don't-know-what's-in-it, store bought ranch dressing!

The 16 Month Terrible Twos and A Shin Splint

Good morning everyone! My weeks seem to have gotten busier and busier! And school starts on the 20th...basketball and football have already started..whew!
So far on the marathon training it has been great. Everyday gets easier and I love it now and can't wait til the next day so I can do it again. However, I think I may have a shin splint. When Thing 2 was a few months old I started running and felt an sharp pain in my shin area but just accounted it to getting older and pushing myself too hard. Then I just quit exercising, but the pain in my shin was still there and hasn't ever gone away. Last night, the pain was pretty bad and the Hubs suggested I do some research. So, I guess I will be making a doctors appointment, which I need to do anyway. I've also had these weird and extreme fatique days where I just want to sleep and I've never ever been like that. Anyway....now to the fun stuff.
Last night the kids spent the night with nana and the Hubs and I took Thing 2 to Logans Steakhouse. I must admit I had 3 rolls and don't regret it. Bread is my weakness and I love it. It was past little dude's bedtime, but we gave him a few sips of Coke and he ate french fries and bread rolls, so we thought he'd last a little while. WHAT WERE WE THINKING? We've been through this before and know better...yeah right. He threw a fit, so the Hubs took him outside to let him 'air' it out. He loves outside, by the way. The Hubs brings him back in and all heck broke loose. Since I'm 10 years older than when I had the last baby, I'm a little better and the fits don't affect me as much as they used to. So, I let him have my salad and make a mess. Worked for a little bit more, so we just decided to leave. Here comes the fun part...
Finally get him in the Hoe after he took off in the parking lot and he proceeds to let the demons loose!!! OH MY GOODNESS....it took both of us and almost 5 minutes to get him in the carseat! So....my fellow parents...PLEASE give me some ideas as to what to do! He is a very independent child and doesn't seem to listen at all...Ugh..HELP!!

8x10 Canvas Print $14.95 Shipped!

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***If you are on Pinterest, chances are you have seen a lot of really cute motivational quotes or posters that people have created and shared. (Thanks Freebies2Deal for sharing it with everyone!) So don’t think you have to only use these types of deals on pics! There are lots of creative ways to use Canvas Prints.