Wednesday, August 31, 2011

William's First Happy Meal

 Now what could be in this box?

 Oh my gosh it's french fries !!!
 Boy, these are tasty!!
 Makes a guy thirsty!!
Oh my this is good!! Hope I can eat the whole thing. Note-- He ate 3/4 of it LOL

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Easy Restaurant Style Baked Potato

Easy Restaurant-Style Baked Potatoes recipe
1 large baking potato


2 Tbsp. PHILADELPHIA Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread

2 Tbsp. BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

1/4 cup KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided

Make It

HEAT oven to 400ºF. Place potato on microwaveable plate. Prick in several places with fork. Microwave on HIGH 7 to 8 min. or until tender.


CUT potato in half lengthwise. Scoop flesh into bowl, leaving thin shells; mash with cream cheese spread, sour cream and 2 Tbsp. Cheddar. Spoon into shells; sprinkle with remaining Cheddar.


BAKE 10 min. or until cheese is melted and potatoes are heated through.

Double Chocolate Mousse

Double-Chocolate Mousse recipe
1/2 cups fat free milked divided


2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1 pkg. (1.4 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping, divided

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Make It

MICROWAVE 1 cup milk and chocolate squares in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; whisk until chocolate is melted. Add remaining milk and dry pudding mix; beat 2 min. Refrigerate 20 min.


WHISK in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP; spoon into 6 dessert dishes.


TOP with remaining COOL WHIP and berries

Chessy Pasta Bake

Cheesy Pasta Bake recipe
4 cups penne pasta , uncooked


1 lb. lean ground beef

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 onion, chopped

1 jar (24 oz.) spaghetti sauce

3 Tbsp. OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1-1/3 cups KRAFT Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese with a Touch of PHILADELPHIA

Make It    HEAT oven 375°F.

COOK pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.


MEANWHILE, brown ground beef with vegetables in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Add sauce, bacon and seasoning; mix well. Simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.


DRAIN pasta. Add to sauce; mix well. Pour into 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with cheese.


BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until heated through.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Pretty Paper Bowls

Serve homemade treats in containers crafted from ordinary paper plates cinched with big, colorful rubber bands. These everyday supplies have never looked so chic.


Use six-inch plates for individual bowls or nine-inch plates for larger serving containers.


Tools and Materials

•Paper plates

•Paper Edger Scissors, in Clouds; fiskars.com

•Rubber bands, by Alliance Brites; officedepot.com.

1. Trim 1/4 inch from the circumference of 1 plate with scallop scissors.


2. Using a pencil, draw a tic-tac-toe grid on the back of the plate, with the center square at the plate's center.


3. Cut along every other pencil line that extends to the edge of the plate, taking care not to cut into the centered square.


4. Fold the flaps up, 1 inside the next. Wrap with a rubber band.

Twine Star Supports

Terra-cotta pot paired with these supports is ideal for determinate tomatoes, which don't grow as tall as indeterminate varieties. Drive five 1-by-1-inch stakes into soil, to bottom of pot; stakes should be long enough to stand 4 feet above the soil. Plant a seedling in center of the pot. Wind nylon twine star shapes around stakes at 6-inch intervals

Peach Slab Pie

Peach Slab PieINGREDIENTS


1box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box  3/4cup packed brown sugar  1/4cup cornstarch  2tablespoons lemon juice  1/4teaspoon salt  9cups sliced fresh or frozen (thawed, drained) peaches  1roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies.

Directions:
1   Heat oven to 375°F. Remove pie crusts from pouches. Unroll and stack crusts one on top of the other on lightly floured surface. Roll to 17x12-inch rectangle. Fit crust into 15x10x1-inch pan, pressing into corners. Fold extra pastry under, even with edges of pan. Crimp edges. 2   Mix brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and salt. Stir in peaches to coat. Spoon peach mixture into crust-lined pan. 3   Break cookie dough into coarse crumbs; spoon crumbs evenly over filling. 4   Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. Cool on rack 45 minutes

Southwestern Cobb Salad

What You Need 

2 Pkg (10 oz) mixed salad greens

2 pkg. (6 oz. each) OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Southwestern Seasoned Chicken Breast Strips

4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
Southwestern Cobb Salad recipe
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed

1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese

12 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled

2 small avocados, sliced

2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

2/3 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing

1/3 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

Make It

COVER large platter with greens.

ARRANGE next 7 ingredients in rows over greens.

Drizzle dressing over top.



Office in a Chest

Transform a traditional piece of bedroom furniture into a multitasking mini office, complete with bulletin board and filing cabinet. You'll have easy access to all your essentials -- and be able to tuck them away at a moment's notice. It requires only minimal construction to reconfigure a chest.




To make the bulletin board: Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick cork (available at office-supply stores) to fit the underside of the lid; affix it with craft glue.



To make the sliding supply organizer: Cut two strips of molding to fit inside the long sides of the chest; use small nails to attach a strip along each side, several inches below the lip, to support a tray (as pictured). To make the tray: Cut a piece of kraft paper the length and width you'd like the tray to be (make sure it will be wide enough to rest on the strips of molding), and mark the depth needed on the template. Bring the paper to a home-supply store that sells wooden drawer organizers, and arrange enough organizers on top of the paper to cover the surface. At home, paint the organizers to match the chest, and let dry. Use wood glue to attach to one another. To create a filing system: Insert adjustable hanging file-folder frames inside the chest.







Monday, August 22, 2011

Williams First Camping Trip


 Now why am I in here !!!
Thinking what to get into next !!
 Nap time? LOL
 Now why are these pants on my head? Because Daddy thought it was cute





I don't think my feet have ever been this DIRTY !!!






Nothing like a bottle to finish a great day !!!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Ladder Shelf

ladder shelf



What it is: An old ladder extends storage space and adds vintage charm.

How to make it: Give a ladder a fresh coat of paint. Add old vent grates to each rung and simply screw them into place

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Clutter Busting Habits

Boxes full of belongings on table

When you're trying to decide whether to keep something, ask yourself three questions: Do I love it? Do I use it? Could someone else use it

Clutter Busting

Practice organizational layaway. Keep a box for things you're thinking about getting rid of but aren't sure you can part with. When the box is full, write the date on it and store it. After one year, if you haven't needed or missed anything in the box, it's time to toss or donate.Box with clothes

Storage Smarts

Nightstand

An Orderly Nightstand

Designate your nightstand as a clutter-free zone that's a pleasure to wake up to. Limit yourself to a reasonable number of books. Set out a tray to hold change and jewelry. Park a basket below for blankets or magazines

Storage Smarts

Over-the-door closet organization


Extra Storage Space

Use the backs of doors and cupboards for bonus storage space. Shallow shelves, hooks, and over-the-door organizers make convenient spots for items that are chronically homeless

Declutter your paper piles

Recycle Those Paint Cans

Create an indoor mailbox in a central location. Set a time to go through the box once a week. Open everything, pay bills, file important correspondence, and recycle junk mail.



Bamboo Straws

.

A basic straw gets a tropical makeover

Tools and Materials



Green crepe paper

Clear tape

Green plastic straws

Scissors

How to:

Cut crepe paper into 1/4-by-3-inch strips, with the grain running vertically; you'll need 3 strips per straw. Shape 1 end of each strip into a point. Using small pieces of tape, attach leaf bases around 1 straw, near the top. With your fingers, gently spread the center of each leaf so it bends slightly outward.



Bamboo Candles

Bamboo candles, which have built-in shelves, are a pretty way to decorate the table the next time you're entertaining, both indoors and out.


Tools and Materials



Bamboo canes (4 to 6 inches in diameter)

Saw

Wax

Double boiler

Large wick with metal tab



Bamboo Candles How-To



1. Saw bamboo canes to varying lengths with level bottoms and 2 inches above each shelf for safety.

2. Melt wax in a double boiler; pour in enough to coat shelf surface.

3. Insert a large wick with a metal tab; let wax harden.

4. Fill almost to the top with wax.

5. Let cool for 4 hours before using, and trim wick to 1/4 inch.

Note ... Although bamboo is hard to burn, please keep your eye on any burning candle






Friday, August 12, 2011

Herb Sachet for Cooking

Sachets of aromatic herbs, such as the classic bouquet garni of thyme, parsley, and bay leaves, add flavor to simmering soups, stews, stocks, and braises. But fishing these cheesecloth bundles out of the pot can be difficult. The next time you use one of the herb packets, tie a length of butcher's twine to the sachet, and then tie the loose end to one of the pot's handles. (Be sure the twine stays clear of the burner.) When the time comes, the bouquet garni will be easy to retrieve and remove.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Boston Creme Minis

Boston Cream Pie Minis recipe
1 Pkg (2layer size) yellow cake mix


1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 cup cold milk

1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Heat oven to 350



PREPARE cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes. Cool completely.



BEAT pudding mix and milk with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Meanwhile, use serrated knife to cut cupcakes horizontally in half. Whisk 1/2 cup COOL WHIP into pudding; spoon onto bottom halves of cupcakes, using about 1 Tbsp. for each. Cover with cupcake tops.



MICROWAVE remaining COOL WHIP and chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until well blended. Let stand 15 min.; spread onto cupcakes. Refrigerate 15 min.

Farmers Market Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Farmer






1/4 cup mayonnaise


2 cups baby spinach


1 tsp. minced garlic


8 1/2-inch thick slices sourdough bread


2 Tbsp. olive oil



1/2 of a 3.5 to 4-oz. pkg. garlic-and-herb goat cheese, softened


1 small zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise



1 tomato, sliced




1. In blender or food processor combine the mayonnaise, 1 cup of the spinach, the garlic, 1/4 tsp. sal,t and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Set aside.


2. Brush one side of each slice of bread with the olive oil; place, oiled side down, on waxed paper. Spread goat cheese on half the slices; layer zucchini, tomato, and remaining spinach on top. Spread some of the spinach mayonnaise on remaining slices; place on top of vegetables, spread side down.


3. Cook sandwiches in a very large skillet over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes or until bread is golden brown, turning once. Pass any remaining spinach mayonnaise. Makes 4 servings.



Paper Cocktail Covers





Keep bugs, leaves, and other unwelcome guests from joining you for drinks by topping glasses with these jaunty little hats (otherwise known as baking cups). Cut a small X into the center of each liner, poke a straw through the hole, and enjoy your beverage worry- (and pest-) free

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Peek A Boo Board

Personalized Peekaboo BoardThis custom-made lift-the-flap craft has a special surprise waiting behind each door: Grandma! Teddy! The family dog! Your child won't realize he's learning about object permanence, he'll just know great peekaboo fun when he sees -- and doesn't see -- it. When the excitement fades, turn the picture board insert over to reveal a new set of images on the other side.




Materials

2 (12- by 12-inch) pieces of card stock, one white, one decorative

Clear Con-Tact paper

Pencil and ruler, or our template

Craft knife

Electrical tape

16 (1- to 2-inch) images, such as family photos, stickers, and pictures from magazines

Glue stick


Instructions

Cover one side of the decorative card stock with ConTact paper. Fold the card stock in half, Con-Tact paper side facing out.



Unfold the card stock and lay it flat, uncovered side up. Using the pencil and ruler or our template, mark eight 1 1/2-inch squares on one half of the card stock as shown. Cut open three sides of each square with a craft knife, then lightly score the fourth side to create a hinge.


Fold the card stock in half again and seal the sides with electrical tape to form an envelope.


Cut the white card stock in half. Trim a half-inch off one short end of one half, then insert the trimmed piece into the envelope. Lift the flaps, then trace each square onto the insert. Remove the insert, flip it over, and repeat the tracing. Remove the insert again and glue an image on each drawn square, then cover both sides with Con-Tact paper. (Repeat with the other card stock half, if desired.) Place the insert back into the envelope, and it's ready to use with your tot.

Chicken Bites with Dipping Sauce

Buffalo Chicken Bites with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce


1 egg white

1/3 cup hot Buffalo wing sauce

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 40 (1-inch) pieces

3/4 cup Original Bisquick® mix

3 tablespoons cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Vegetable oil



Dipping Sauce

3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (3 oz)

6 tablespoons sour cream

6 tablespoons light mayonnaise

3 tablespoons milk

 In medium bowl, mix egg white and Buffalo wing sauce. Stir in chicken. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes.

2 Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, place Bisquick mix, cornmeal, salt and pepper. With slotted spoon, remove 1/4 of chicken pieces from bowl and add to bag; seal bag and shake to coat. Repeat with remaining chicken pieces. Tap off excess Bisquick mixture and place chicken on cookie sheet.

3 In small bowl, mix dipping sauce ingredients until well combined. Cover; refrigerate until serving time.

4 In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil (1/4 inch) over medium-high heat 2 to 4 minutes. Cook chicken bites in oil in batches, about 1/3 at a time, 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve chicken with dipping sauce.

Pea and Macaroni Salad

1 cup fresh pea pods

8 ounces dried elbow macaroni

Pea and Macaroni Salad
1 cup frozen peas, thawed



1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing



1/2 cup dairy sour cream


1/3 cup milk


1/4 cup horseradish mustard


2 cloves garlic, minced


1/4 teaspoon salt


1/4 teaspoon pepper


3/4 cup thinly sliced celery


2 tablespoons chopped onion

Milk (optional)

Pea pods (optional)1. Remove tips and strings from pea pods. Cook macaroni according to package directions in lightly salted boiling water, adding pea pods and peas during last 1 minute of cooking. Drain and rinse. Halve pea pods diagonally; set pasta and pea pods aside.


2. In a small bowl stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper; set aside.

3. In a large bowl combine cooked macaroni, pea pods, peas, celery, and onion. Pour mayonnaise mixture over macaroni mixture. Stir gently to combine.


4. Cover; chill 4 to 24 hours. Stir mixture before serving. If necessary, add additional milk (1 to 2 tablespoons) to moisten. Top with additional pea pods, if desired. Makes 12 to 16 side-dish servings.

Super Scoops

These decoupaged milk jugs are great for transporting toys, dumping them on the ground, and scooping them up again when playtime is done. Make a waterproof version by cutting drainage holes in the bottom and decorating the jug with permanent markers; it's perfect for skimming toys from the bathtub.

Super Scoops


Materials

Craft knife (parents only) or scissors

Gallon jug

Colored tissue paper

2 1/2-inch-wide can

Pencil

Glue stick

Paintbrush

Mod Podge


Instructions

Cut the gallon jug as shown, leaving the handle section intact.

To create multiple tissue-paper circles quickly, stack and fold the paper into several layers. Use the can to trace a circle onto the paper, then cut out the stack of circles.

Adhere the tissue-paper circles to the jug with a glue stick.

Brush Mod Podge on top of the circles to seal them.

No Sew Baby Ratttle

No-Sew Baby Rattle
Rather than toss out single baby booties, turn a mismatched pair into a super-snuggly rattle.




Materials

Mismatched baby booties

Cotton batting

Bell (we used a plastic cat ball with an enclosed jingle bell)

Ribbon



Instructions

Stuff a baby sock with cottonbatting. Place a bell inside the batting, then twist the end of the sock and wrap it back over itself to form a ball.

Put the rattle inside another sock and securely tie the end with a short, double-knotted ribbon.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Citrus Stunner

lemon vase


Fragrant lemon slices camouflage stems of purple tulips, anemone, lisianthus, lilac, and stock tucked into an ordinary pitcher

Unique Orange Vases


flowers in an orange


Set an orange or lemon on a flat surface to see which end will make a stable base. If necessary, cut off some of the bottom to make it flat. Cut a hole in the top and scoop out the insides with a grapefruit spoon. Cut a piece of wet florist's foam to fit inside; then push stems into the foam

Brown Bag Special

flowers in brown bag


Arrange flowers in a sturdy, wide-mouth vase or jar, positioning the heavier flowers, such as the lilacs, around the rim and adding tulips, with stems left long, in the center. Slip the vase into a large lunch-size brown bag, and roll down the top a couple times to make a cuff. Tape or staple the bag in the back to make the cuff fit snugly around the vase. Tie with twine

Mixed Veggies

veggies and flowers




This spring vegetable medley blends artichokes, asparagus, and broccoli florets with white and yellow flowers, all cleverly displayed in an enamel colander. Sprigs of parsley, basil, and other herbs fill in with delicate scents and more shades of green

Tidy Cords





Eliminate the tangle of unused extension cords by storing each one in a piece of pipe insulation -- foam tubing with a slit along one side. Using a utility knife, cut insulation to desired length (about thirteen inches for each six feet of cord). Fold the cord to size, insert it, and label the foam to indicate the length of cord enclosed.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Window Treatment Plus Storage

Canvas shoe organizer filled with crafts supplies


A hanging canvas shoe organizer, suspended from clip-on curtain rings, functions as a window treatment and art supply storage. The pocket depth is perfect for pens and pencils, paintbrushes, and notepads of various sizes

Paper Scraps Portfolio

Clear plastic portfolio with hand sliding paper scraps into it


Paper scraps can be stored in an at-the-ready clear divided portfolio and taken to crops. Corral scraps by color to make them easy to

Color Coordinated

Glasses with colored buttons tucked into storage shelf


Beverage glasses aren't just for lemonade. Use clear glass or plastic glasses to store small supplies, including buttons, rickrack, and other embellishments. You'll be able to quickly identify what's available, plus give your crafts space a pleasing ambience

Embellishments in a Snap

Pillbox with labels such as ?flower? and ?heart? with embellishments inside



Repurpose a pillbox for an eye-catching storage system. The tiny containers hold dozens of eyelets and are easily embellished with a label and preview of what's inside

Craft Organizing Tips

Bath tote filled with crafts supplies.



You'll always have your supplies at hand with this transformed bath tote. It is perfect for keeping supplies tidy and ready to move

Preppy Napkin Rings




Cut 9-inch lengths of grosgrain ribbon or twill tape. Notch 1 end, or cut it at an angle. Loop the other end through 2 D rings, wrapping ribbon around the rings' straight edges, and glue it to itself with fabric glue. Center a rolled napkin on the ribbon; thread the ribbon's free end through the rings as you would a belt, and pull it snug

Broccoli Spaghetti

Broccoli Spaghetti
6 oz dried linguini

3 cups broccoli florets


1  15- to-19 oz. can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained



10-oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo sauce


3 cloves garlic, minced



1/2 cup croutons, coarsely crushed


1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Olive oil


Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return pasta mixture to pan; keep warm.



2. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor combine beans, Alfredo sauce, garlic, and the reserved pasta water; cover and blend or process until nearly smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan; heat through over medium heat, stirring frequently.



3. Spoon sauce onto serving plates. Top with pasta mixture, crushed croutons, crushed red pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Makes 4 servings.

Easy BLT Pie

Impossibly Easy BLT Pie 
12 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled


1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)

1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix

1/3 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

3/4 cup milk

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs

2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing

1 cup shredded lettuce

6 thin slices tomato



1 Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Layer bacon and cheese in pie plate.

2 In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, the milk, pepper and eggs with wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.

3 Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Spread 2 tablespoons mayonnaise over top of pie. Sprinkle with lettuce. Place tomato slices on lettuce.

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