March's thought of the Month

Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning .

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The Day William Crawled

Yes you read it right, William crawled. First he had to get some nutrition before he could show Grandma and Grandpa.

He likes his food

Look at that determined face.

Made it !! This is what he was crawling to.

Boy, that's good!! William we are so proud of you.

New Look !!

Do you like my new look for March !! I Do !! Jennifer designed this for me. She gives me a new look every month. You could have this look or something similar if you want or need one. Just check out the sidebar for Two Creative Chicks Blog Design and get in contact with Jennifer for a new look in 2011.

Hearty Beef Chili

Try a classic black bean chili recipe from the Pillsbury Test Kitchens Chili Cook-Off

You need

2 1/2 pounds beef stew meat cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tablespoons quick mixing flour
2 tablespoons oil
4 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 dried bay leaves
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes undrained
1 large onion
1 medium green pepper
3 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons cornmeal
1 can drained and rinsed black beans
1 can chopped green chile's

Garnish
Jack cheese, Sour Cream,, Chopped cilantro ,Tortilla chips

Directions

In large food storage bag,place half the beef and 1 tablespoon flour shake to coat. Repeat with remaining beef and flour. In a dutch oven, heat oil and cook beef in oil until browned on all sides.

Stir in remaining chili ingredients except cornmeal,beans and chile's. Heat to boiling , reduce to cover and simmer for 3 hours til meat is tender .

Stir in cornmeal,cook and stir about 1 minute to thicken. Add beans and chile's, cook until thoroughly heated. Serve chili with garnishes

Baked French Swirl Toast

You need

1 loaf Cinnamon Swirl Bread cut into cubes

3/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins

6 eggs

3 cups half and half or milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cinnamon sugar

Whipped butter

Pure maple syrup

How to

Place the bread cubes and cranberries onto lightly greased shallow baking dish. Beat the eggs and vanilla and milk. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. Stir and press the bread cubes into the egg mixture to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar Serve with butter and syrup

New Uses for Old Things

Tie up a few pieces of chalk in cheesecloth and store them with your good silver to slow any tarnishing .

Giveaway shower caps becomes the perfect wrapper for shoes when traveling,preventing them from dirtying clothes packed in your suitcase.

Taco Casserole

A quick and easy one dish version of "Taco Night "

You need

1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
1 package of taco seasoning
1 can pinto beans drained and rinsed
1 can tomato sauce
1 can kernel corn drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup coarsely crushed tortilla chips
Assorted toppings, sour cream,sliced green onions, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes

Preheat oven to 400 Brown meat and drain fat.

Stir in seasoning mix,beans,tomato sauce and corn. Bring to boil.Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Spoon into 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and tortilla chips.

Bake 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted Serve with assorted toppings

Lime Marinated Broiled Salmon

You need-

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

2 garlic cloves chopped

4- 6 ounce salmon fillets

Cooking spray, 4 lime wedges

How to

Place first 5 ingredients in a blender, process until smooth. Pour into a large zip lock bag. Add salmon and seal and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour. Turning bag

Preheat broiler

Remove salmon discarding marinade. Place salmon on broiler pan and broil for 8 minutes. Turn and broil an additional 4 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork

New Uses for New Things

New City Navigator- Don't make yourself a target by looking like a tourist. Snap a photo of your map and it will look as if you're scrolling through snapshots, not street names.

Clogs as Hanging Planters- Before you retire well won gardening clogs,consider this; You can use them as hanging planters(the holes are perfect for drainage. Line the toes with moss,then plant with your choice of flowers. Hang them by the heel strap.

More Favorite Uses for Old Things

Cart condiments to a backyard barbecue.Slot flatware, ketchup and mustard in the compartments for easy transport.

Re purpose an old frame for a vanity tray that's pretty as a picture. Place a piece of colored paper or fabric inside as a finishing touch

Blog Design

Looking for a new look or a re-design for your blog? Check out Two Creative Chicks Blog Design. This service can help you showcase your blog for eye catching appeal.

Maybe you have been looking for a new look. Let Jennifer re-design your look. She has some great ideas and pricing. Contact her for a consultation and let her inspire you.

This is a start to finish service from the set up of the blog and applying for a custom domain name to all the finishing touches. Contact Jennifer at twocreativechicks10@gmail.com . Re- designs start at $25.00! At these prices it's a good time for a new look.

Favorite New Uses for Old Things

I found this article that had some great ideas I thought you might like. I will post a few each day.

Corn Cleaner- Use a clean toothbrush to remove stray threads if silk from freshly shucked ears of corn. The bristles will lift them away quickly and efficiently. Vegetable oil will put a shine on leather shoes. Use a damp cloth to remove any dirt,then run a soft cloth with a drop of oil over the surface(literally) add polish

Forget unruly plastic bags that seemingly regenerate under your sink. An empty tissue box keeps them neatly corralled and ready for use

Spiced Brazilian Mocha

You need

2 cups strong coffee
1 square unsweetened chocolate chopped
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup whipped topping

To make

Place coffee and chocolate in saucepan, cook on very low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is well blended

Stir in sugar and cinnamon and bring to boil cook until sugar is dissolved. Gradually add milk and vanilla, stirring until well blended. Cook until heated through stirring

Pour into 4 large cups or mugs. Top with whipped topping

Lasagna Bake for Two

What you need

2 lasagna noodles uncooked
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup undrained diced tomatoes
2 tbsp cream cheese
4 cups baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup Italian blend cheese

How to

Heat oven to 350

Cook noodles omitting salt

Brown meat with onions and garlic. Add tomatoes cream cheese and stir for 2-3 minutes or until cream cheese melts and just comes to boil. Add spinach;cook and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup cheese stir until melted

Drain noodles Spoon 1/3 cup spinach mixture into each of 2 ramekins;top with noodle letting excess noodle extend over rim of ramekin Top each with 1/3 cup spinach mixture;fold noodle back over dish to cover filling Repeat until all filling is folded between noddle layers;top with cheese

Bake 20 minutes and let stand 5 minutes

Quick Fix Beef Burrito Skillet

What you need

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg seasoning mix Taco
1 can kidney beans rinsed
1 cup Salsa
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup shredded cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
1 large green onion

How to

Brown meat and drain

Add seasoning mix,beans,salsa and water. Bring to boil. Simmer on medium for 5 minutes

Stir in tortillas top with cheese Cover let stand 5 min or until cheese is melted Top with sour cream and onions

Decorate with Paper

Decorative Plate -- A clear glass plate makes a clever frame for a profile shot of a pretty pumpkin or any other seasonal photo. Upload the image, size and cut to fit under the center of a plate, and adhere using decoupage medium. To clean,wipe plate with a lightly damped rag. Use the plates as decorative chargers or as wall art around your home.

Decorative Dresser Drawers-- Dress up a bland dresser by lining the drawers with bright, fun paper. Select patterned wrapping paper that matches your room and attach the paper to the bottom using double stick tape. The paper gives a pop of color and personality to otherwise boring drawers

Pretty Tissue Flowers-- These delicate petals create an elegant centerpiece whether scattered down the center of a table or piled on a platter. To create,cut a flower shape or 3 inch circle from eight layers of tissue paper. Place in a stack. Next, poke a hole through the stack with a pin. Pull the paper off the tip if a twist tie and insert the exposed wire through the paper layers. Twist the wire to create the flower center. Make the flower bloom by gently pulling up one layer at a time

Easy Home Decor Crafts

Bedside Storage-- Let a nightstand hold an accessory and let the bed skirt do all the work. Fold up one end of a fabric runner to the ,length desired for the pocket. Stitch the outer edge of the folded portion. Stitch through the folder portions in two places to make three total pockets. Tuck the other end of the runner between your mattress and box spring.

Button Border Picture Frame -- Bring life to an old picture frame. Find a handful of pretty buttons. Using crafts glue, adhere them around the frame. Let dry.

Jeweled Throw Pillow-- Sparkly jewels add pretty detail to this throw pillow. Glue the jewels in a row to complement striped fabric. For checked fabric,glue one jewel in the middle of every other square. Add a jewel in the middle of flowers for floral fabric.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's my little Valentine Charmer.

Hope you all have a great Valentine's Day.

Birthday Card Book

The next time you find that perfect birthday card for a loved one whose birthday is many months away, go ahead and buy it and keep it in a safe handy envelope book . Punch holes in a dozen 9x12 inch clasp envelopes so that the envelopes fit in a three ring binder . Affix a page from a monthly calendar to each envelope with a glue stick before placing in the binder.

Fill in the birthdays or other occasions you need to remember and drop the cards suitable for each recipient in the appropriate envelope throughout the year.

Perfectly Spiced, No Mess

The next time you need to season meat, poultry, or fish, use a fine sieve to do the job. Pour in the spice, hold the sieve over the food, and tap gently. The food will be evenly coated, and your hands stay clean

I Found 2 More You Need To See

See why Mommy does not want anymore stuffed animals, and these are not all of them

These were just to precious not to post . Mommy was doing laundry and William had to help

William is 7 Months Old

It's hard to believe but William is 7 months old, and cuter by the day.Above he is in the laundry basket.

What a cute baby!! That smile melts your heart

Sucking in that bottom lip

He is trying real hard to crawl. This is his new stance. I think it will happen soon

Catching a movie. He looks interested doesn't he

Grandpa and William in their hats

Twisted Newspaper Fire Starter

Using newspaper to get a blaze going usually results in just another flash in the fireplace. An old fashioned solution:these newspaper twists

Tightly roll a sheet of newspaper,bend it in half, twist the ends together, and fasten with twine. Keep a basket full by the hearth and you'll always be ready to heat things up

Sewing Repair Kit in a Binder

Where's an extra button when you need one ? Find sewing supplies fast in this three ring binder repair kit. Add zipper pouches and a felt needle holder.

Crafty Centerpiece and Tabletop Ideas

Fabric Coasters These coasters are made from two rounds of contrasting pieces of fabric stitched together. Using felt and cotton fabric, place cotton material on top and stitch around each circle.

Personalized Wine Glass Markers- Press an adhesive initial on a vellum tag and thread on cording with metal charms from scrap booking supplies.

Gerbera Daisy Place Card- Fill buckets with fresh cut flowers or use silk flowers for a gift that will last. Cut a tag from card stock, pink one edge with pinking shears, and tie onto the bucket handle with ribbon or twine.

Polka Dot Place Mats- Take a plain mat and add some fun. Using fabric paint, dip a pencil eraser in paint and make polka dots all over the place mat in an even pattern

Pink Rose Centerpiece- This centerpiece is as elegant as it is simple. Wrap a length of ribbon around the vase and cut to fit. Place double sided tape on one side of the ribbon to secure it