Messy Crafting

During my time off from my blogging I got a part time job. One day my husband saw an ad for an activities assistant at an independent senior facility. He said, "This is right up your alley. You should apply." Its some place I never thought of. I've always worked in retail. So I stepped outside my comfort zone. I interviewed. And guess what? I got the job. I've been having fun there for just short of two years now.

I love my job!

One of my job responsibilities is to come up with a monthly craft. Since these are independent seniors the craft should have at least a little bit of challenge. I  can't stand the ones that are like a kit (that I would have to prepare).

We have already done at least eighteen crafts so far. Im running out of original ideas. One of my residents asked me for a repeat of one of the projects we did last year. Kitchen clay jewelry. OK. I guess we can do a repeat. We have loads of new residents at the facility so many of them have not seen this yet.

I had to go back to Pinterest to go find my original recipe. It is a mix of flour, salt and corn starch. Only one problem, I could not remember quantities.

Change

I know it has been about 2 years since I have posted on here. I am going to try to get moving and start using my blog again.

I purchased myself a tiny little book a few years ago. I seek it out on some of those days that I need a little boost. It has an affirmation per each calendar day. I am not really into "affirmations" but this was a tiny little 365 page book that I bumped into on the bargain table at the book store. I think you all know that I can't pass up a useful bargain. I really liked today's. Here it is. I might have to share some more that I really like.

"Today I will embrace change. I know that change is the only true constant in life and today I will not resist it. I will let change happen.

Everything in nature changes - the seasons, the water levels, grass, leaves, wind, fruits, and vegetables. Nature is in a constant state of flux and change without this, there would be no growth.

My child and I are part of nature too. We do not need to force change; it happens by itself. Ours is to allow it and in this way we grow.

I will allow change to happen."

All is flux, nothing stays still...Nothing endures but change. - Heraclitus

--Daily Affirmations for Parents, Tian Dayton.

Candy Cane Kisses

So much for my "no sugar" or low sugar diet!

I bought some candy cane Hershey's Kisses just before Christmas. I LOVE them! I have been eating at least one, or maybe 3 almost every day!

Just after Christmas, I bought another bag.

It was 50% off! I couldn't resist!

I get home and my hubby helps me unload the bags. He asks, " You bought more kisses? Why?"

"Uum...'cuz I can't help myself...?" As I slink away...

So, how am I going' to lose these 15 pounds I want to lose?

Maybe not!

Does anyone else have something they just can't pass up on that is killing their diet? Come and share it with me!

Gluten free Seafood Breader Mix

Hmm...my kid,D (13 years old and picky) has been sick with stomach pains for weeks now. An upper GI xray series showed nothing.

But we had him eat only eggs and yogurt one day because those are the 2 things that consistently did not cause him pain.

So we decided to give him a special diet for the week or so we waited to go see the pediatric GI. Gluten free and. Dairy free. Yogurt doesn't count. It is digested differently than other dairy but we are keeping him off of that too. Just to make sure...

We decided to ask him what kind of protein will he eat besides eggs. He says "catfish!" We used to eat it all the time. At least a few times a month because it used to be the cheapest fresh fish out there at $3.99 a pound. Lately, it has been almost as expensive as salmon. If we had a choice between salmon or catfish...salmon wins!

So since he chose catfish I needed to figure out how he planned on eating it. We usually use this. So I needed to come up with a gluten free option.

Let's see...the label starts with corn flour. Got it. Then it adds wheat four and a variety of other things, I can't remember what, including spices. Just from tasting and looking at it...salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder...

OK. I'm game! I'll try it.

I bought some corn flour. I already had Gluten Free Bisquick in the house. For a pound of fish nuggets I put about 3 tablespoons corn flour, and 2 of Bisquick. I figured that the Bisquick would be salty. I didn't add any salt big mistake! I would definitely start with at least a 1/4 teaspoon. Then I added some pepper and paprika just by shaking some in. Wrong! Not enough! It needs to be measured! 

Think about it...You are cooking a pound of meat. You need seasonings!

Next time I'll add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/8 the teaspoon of ground black ( or white) pepper and 1/4 paprika. That is what I was shooting for when I just shook it in. I obviously failed! Mine was tasteless! It's a good thing I made tarter sauce to go with it! D didn't notice the difference! 

Thank goodness! He'll even have some leftovers!

So here it is:

1 lb catfish (cut in nuggets)

3 Tbsp corn flour

2 Tbsp (gluten free) Bisquick mix

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

Toss all ingredients into a plastic or paper baggy. Shake well to coat. Place in hot skillet with a little oil or cooking spray. Catfish is a fatty fish. It doesn't need much oil. Brown on each side for 3-4 minutes. Voila! Serve warm with tarter sauce if desired. Also tasty cold as leftovers. It gets rubbery if you nuke it (put it in the microwave).

The measurements to make tarter sauce depends on if you are a heavy or light condiment user. I just use proportions. 1 part sweet relish (rinse spoon, I'm lazy!), 2 parts mayonnaise, one part lemon juice. Mix until well combined. Enjoy! Just a tip...it's much easier to put the tarter sauce on the fish than it is to dip...

I hope you love it like my picky guy and I did (...or would have if I wasn't to lazy to measure the spices) !

I'm in a Treasury!

I received a convo the other day...

It was from Lee Kuri of Carnivalamigo at Etsy. She informed me that my purse in a treasury she put together. It's "andes..where my heart is."

If you are wondering where I got the name Andes for my purse...That is what the yarn color was called.

Go check it out! It's a great collection!

Jeans and a Sweater Coupon

Anyone looking for an inexpensive way to give a good quality recycled/upcycled gift?

Come and check out my shop Jeans and a Sweater.

Use the coupon code HOLIDAY12 at checkouts.

Receive 15% off the prices listed in the shop.

Easy Peasy!

Happy Holidays!

Blue Screen Update

Well...my 15 y/o genius, who is my computer, man said that we will need to buy new RAM to replace the old RAM.

Hey...It's a much cheaper fix than I thought I'd be getting off with!

YAY!

I guess I'll be heading to Best Buy really soon...

Blue Screen

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!



The dreaded blue screen of death has appeared to me 3 times in the last month on this computer.

And only to me...

Am I doing something wrong? Or is it almost time to get a new computer?

I certainly hope not!

I need witnesses...

I've decided that I want to be prepared for the holidays...weight and diet-wise. I want to be in a "better place" so that when at a gathering I should be able to eat anything I want...in moderation.

I have decided that I want to go on a "diet". Basically, eat more healthy. Stay out of the Halloween candy. Control my portions.

I have been saying this for weeks but I keep eating junk!

I just can't seem to help myself!

I figured that if I have witnesses and maybe someone to embark in this undertaking with me...It'll be harder for me to slip.

What do you say?

Do I have any takers?

If not to join me...then at least to help keep me honest!

Lame Costumes!

I hope everyone was able to enjoy Halloween even in the wake of the storm. My thoughts are with those that are facing hard times.

On to happier things...

Hey, I had nothing to do with either one of them!

Here is Smarty Pants...



Can you guess who he is? I'll give you a hint...sci fi fans will have a better chance at guessing. Nobody else has a chance!

He didn't go trick or treating but he did this at school.

Here is the Picky One...

He certainly isn't picky about the clothes (or costumes) he wears!

He was "The Doctor" at the Halloween party he went to a week and a half ago. Once again, sci fi fans will understand that one.

The kid didn't feel like getting dressed up for school. He came up with this one about 20 minutes before he went out trick or treating. And I have no idea what he is...I think he said "Green Man" and "I'm definitely not a leprechaun!" (when Hubby suggested such a ridiculous idea).

Hubby thought it was awesome...

There is no accounting for taste here!

Cranberry Chicken Fricassee

As always, I was looking for a recipe that maybe the Picky One would eat...

I ended up taking an old Mr. Food recipe and changing it up. It started off as Simple Turkey One Pot. And ended up as Cranberry Chicken Fricassee. I changed a bunch of things, took some out and added some others.

For one, I didn't have a turkey breast...so chicken was going to have to do.

I don't really like stuffing...so instead, I put in Yukon gold potatoes.

I wanted a sauce for this stew, so I used a can of whole cranberry sauce instead of some Craisins.

And nobody but me will eat 'shrooms on a regular basis...so I just left those out.

And then I added a bunch of herbs/spices that he didn't think of.

Where did I get the name for my new recipe?

When I was a kid, one of my Mom's friend's was a horrible cook. (Everyone knew it but her. And I know that my sis and mom know who I'm talking about.) But the one thing she could cook well was chicken fricassee. I have never had it before...nor since. When I scooped the leftovers into a container, it dawned on me that it looked like her old standby that I once loved. So it will now be called fricassee!

Here is my new recipe that my Picky One gave a thumbs up to...

Cranberry Chicken Fricassee

2 skinless boneless chicken breast

2 leg quarters, separated at joints (next time I will probably remove some of the skin)

10 Yukon gold potatoes, approx 1/2 slices (I sliced the long way, 'cuz it meant I'd be doing less work)

1/2 bag of baby carrots (next time, I'll use a whole bag, they were tasty!)

1 small cooking onion, chopped

1-15 oz can whole cranberry sauce

salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp dried basil

dusting of garlic powder (I'm not sure how much of either one of these I used, a generous sprinkle)

dusting of powdered ginger

Spray the crock pot before you do anything. (I forgot, I hope it's not too hard to clean! It's too heavy for me so that's Hubby's job.)

Season with salt and pepper.

Place the sliced potatoes in layers on top of the chicken. Salt and pepper each layer.

Sprinkle liberally with garlic powder. Sprinkle basil and thyme over the top too.

Add onion, carrots and cranberry sauce. 

Sprinkle ginger over the cranberry sauce.

Put your lid on and turn on the pot. 4-5 hrs on high or 7-8 hrs on low. (I'm just guessing here the thermostat on my 7 quart crock pot is screwy!)

I just asked Smarty Pants what he thought of the meal. He said that "it probably needs more juice/sauce." We had enough but there probably won't be enough for the leftovers. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm not sure if I want to add chicken broth to it, but it'll either be that or next time I can add another can of cranberry sauce (either whole or jellied). If anyone makes it and finds the perfect solution...let me know!

Pumped up Shepard's Pie

I needed a casserole type dish that we would all eat and that Smarty Pants could/would heat up for himself since us parents did not plan on being home when he was supposed to be eating dinner. Neither one of us were planning on being home until drive time, then heading back to the meet if it was still going on.

Picky One had his first high school gymnastics meet and we both wanted to watch, starting at 5pm. Smarty Pants had his math class starting at 6pm (at the local university). He should be eating by 5:30. Since hubby and I didn't plan on being home, I had to make something easy and quick...and hopefully tasty.

I had told hubby that i would make a shepards pie. He told me that I had better make a salad 'cuz he doesn't really care for it.

Hey when we went to an Irish pub recently with Picky One and he said he liked it...I had to give it a try. Right?

I searched Pinterest and came out with 5 different recipes that each had their own special ingredients. I don't think I really need to give credit to each of the 5...do I? I took the special ingredients from all of them and combined them and totally changed them around to make my totally different and easier/quicker version of the Shepard's pie (some call it Cottage pie)...I will put an * by each of the special ingredients. All of the ingredients are in italics. I hope this isn't too confusing the way I did this.

Prepare a 13" x 9" pan with cooking spray. Set aside. I am not positive what temperature or for how long to cook this. we all just took bowl fulls and nuked (microwaved) it for ourselves. The average of all of the other recipes gives me 375 for 20 mins or until light light browned or bubbly.

Sautee in large fry pan with following other ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce *
2 tsp dried thyme *

Drain off excess fat/liquid.

Mix together (in separate bowl):

1 bottle of beer *
1/2 cup water
2 packets of brown gravy mix 

Add to meat mixture with:

2 Tbs tomato paste*

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon*

1 tsp dried thyme*

1 tsp dried parsley*

Stir well to combine. Simmer down until you have a nice thick sauce.

You now have the bottom layer precooked. Pour into prepared pan.  Now, take a 

16 oz bag of frozen vegetables of your choice (I used mixed veggies: corn, peas, green beans and carrots) defrost if you will be putting it directly into the oven when complete. Don't bother if it's waiting until later. Place as the second layer on top of the meat. I think that keeping it frozen help to keep the veggies green. Boil :

3 cups of water. 

Take off heat. Mix in :

2 packets of mashed potato flakes (I used one butter, one roasted garlic) 

1 cup milk

1 tsp shallots (optional)

1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese 

You have now finished your final layer. Spread it on top of the vegetables. Gently! It's a tough layer to spread. Mine was really thick. I'm guessing it was because of the cheese.

You're done!

Either dish it up and nuke it like we did. Or put in the 375 degree oven for 20-25 mins.

Enjoy!

Let me tell you...My kids loved it! I loved it! 

And wait for it...

My hubby who said he doesn't like it...Loved it too! He actually had seconds and no salad!

Yay! We have another regular to add to our menus!

Belated Pintember: Gluten-free Pumpkin Corn Bread

I've been a little delinquent on my Pintember posts lately but this morning I just made my gluten free version of the the pumpkin cornbread I made last week. I had saved the other half of the can for some other recipe, not sure what. I had to make it gluten free and spice improved. The first one was "missing something" as I had heard from both one son and my hubby.

I have decided that I really do not love gluten free breads. I would rather skip it and have a cracker instead. There are plenty of good gluten free crackers around. But when I had tasted the regular version of this recipe, I knew I had a good thing to convert. It was already gritty, thanks to the cornmeal.  What difference would it make if I put gritty gluten free flour in it. NONE!

Here is the new improved and gluten free pumpkin cornbread recipe...

1/2 cup sorgum flour

1/2 cup white rice flour

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

1 Tbs baking powder

1 Tbs cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger (I'm not a fan of ginger, but it's great with pumpkin!)

few scrapes of fresh nutmeg (I do not like nutmeg but my MIL introduced me to the fresh stuff and it makes quite a diff!)

1 cup corn meal

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2- 15oz can of solid pack pumpkin (approx 3/4 cup)

1/4 cup light olive oil

1/4 cup applesauce, sweetened (it needed a little more sweetener and moistener)

Preheat oven to 400. Mix together all of the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until well combined. Mix all of the wet (remaining) ingredients into a small mixing bowl until well combined. Pour wet into dry and mix until just combined. Prep 8 x 8 baking pan with oil spray. Pour and spread batter into pan. it will be thick. Bake for 22-28 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy with butter or without. I ate mine without!

Brought some over for my gluten free taste tester who lives across the street. She said it was a keeper recipe. 

Yay!

I almost forgot...Here is the inspiration pin...

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Pintember: Pumpkin Corn Bread

I know...

I've missed a bunch of days.

First, I had my aunt come visit me from Manhattan. She took us out to dinner for our 20th wedding anniversary at Black and Blue restaurant. You can see their menu here. We had a fabulous meal! (With enough for leftovers the next day's dinner.) Then, when the boys went to see How to Train Your Dragon, we went to an art show in Lewiston, NY.

I hit the mother-load! And I didn't have to pay for any of it! My aunt bought me a pair of unique beaded (lamp-work) earrings, an art deco style pair of hanging chain sparkly earrings, a silver/blue Swarovski crystal bracelet, a bottle of  Rosebud Rose wine and to top it all off...a bag of fresh kettle corn to share with her (she'd never had it before) and my friend Angela!

Then after she left...I wasn't feeling too well...

Anyway... I need to get back to Pintember...

This morning I went on my normal morning browse through the pins of who I follow. I found a recipe that I couldn't get off of my mind...Pumpkin Corn Bread. I had to make it!

It sounded so easy! And it was too!

It just came out of the oven...it smells sooo good!

And looks sooo good!

It is wonderful! But ,a little on the dry side. It will need to be served with butter. I had a feeling it was going to be when I put the batter in the pan. It was really thick. I think I'll have to make a slight change next time I make it.

And I will definitely be making it again! I think It might be the new standard bread for Thanksgiving dinner!

I think I need to try to make this gluten free next time! It should be easy. (Then I can have more than just one tiny piece!)

This is the pin I got the recipe from...

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Samantha on Pinterest

I did make one change. Instead of using light brown sugar and molasses. I just used dark brown sugar. I probably need to add a little bit more for the liquid content.

And now I still have half a can to use up...

I did see online today that it was National Pancake Day...

How about some gluten free pumpkin pancakes...?

Pintember: Banana Pancaked Revisited

I made these...

Source: blogilates.com via Samantha on Pinterest

about a week and a half ago, here.

I liked them but they were more of a crepe consistency than a pancake. I wanted a pancake. When I think of crepes...I want them to be filled. And I just can't be bothered to do that for myself.

So I just revisited the recipe for lunch. To 2 eggs, I added in 2 tablespoons of gluten free Bisquick. But this time I only had a half of a banana, mashed. (It was left over from Picky One's lunch that I had made this morning...peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich.)

The pancake wasn't very sweet, and it was a little dry. I bet that the perfect mix would include 1-1/2 tablespoons of flour/Bisquick and a whole banana.

I'll get it right...one of these days!

Pintember: Leather Cleaner

My mother in law has great taste in furniture. She also gets tired of it in a shorter period of time than the average person.

A great portion of our furniture is from my in laws house, 'cuz they have either moved or just redecorated.

A bunch of months ago they gave a light mossy green leather couch. Nice but with darkened areas from use. Now with my kids (and their friends) eating on it...it now has some food stains. Apparently the reason why it is so bad is because it is a raw leather. It is colored but not coated.  I think that is the right term for it. If not? hey...you know what I mean! 

So I got tired of looking at the food spots and used this pin to help me clean it...

Source: graceandblessings.com via Samantha on Pinterest

I had taken the recipe for the ultimate spot cleaner from there so I figured it would work...

Umm...maybe not...

I know that you are supposed to spot test cleaners first in an inconspicuous place but I didn't...

I'm not going to bother taking a picture of the "fail".

Umm...

Now what? 

Hey, we knew this couch was not going to last that long...

Pintember: Impossible Pie Breakfast Muffins

My 10th grader eats breakfast at 6:30am because his bus comes at 6:55.

He's not allowed to use the toaster 'cuz it is waaay too loud and will wake up the other 3 people in the house up to an hour earlier than necessary. So he eats lots of cold cereal and oatmeal (from the packets) and a yogurt. We can turn off the beep on the microwave, not on the toaster. And he alternates having cereal every morning with having breakfast Hot Pockets, on the other mornings. Hot Pockets get expensive after a while!

So I have decided to try making him (as well as everyone else) egg based breakfasts every once in a while. At least I know what goes in them and they are much cheaper!

I got the idea of doing the muffins from Pinterest. No surprise there!

Source: snackinginthekitchen.com via Samantha on Pinterest

I told my hubby about this recipe and he said that he didn't like eating reheated eggs so I decided to make Bisquick Impossible Pie muffins. We are always reheating Impossible Pie leftovers! We usually make the savory kind that are similar to a quiche.

So tonight, I decided to make an Impossible Pie for dinner and make the breakfast muffins at the same time.(Check out the many different types of pies you can make with Bisquick here.)

One and a half hours later...I had both tonight's dinner and tomorrow's breakfast done.

If there are any muffins left after everyone has eaten breakfast, I will throw the rest in the freezer for another day.

I wish I could give you a recipe but I've been making these pies for so long that I just throw them together with no measuring except for the batter. That happened to fit perfectly in the pan.

3 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk, I usually use skim
1/2 cup Bisquick mix

Just whisk it all together and pour it over the extras (like sausage, veggies and cheese, etc.) you put in the muffin tins.

Pintember: Modesty Panel

I have a few shirts that show just a little bit to much cleave for my teenage sons. I usually just wear a ribbed tank top underneath them.

And I usually pic those tanks that should not be worn out in public on their own. You know which ones I mean...The ones with that are shrunken, stretched out or way too tight or just pit or ordinary stains somewhere else on the shirt that can't be seen when worn under something else.

Come on ladies...'fess up! We all do it! With t-shirts as well as tanks. (I bet some men even do it!)

Well, I got this idea while on Pinterest...that is what the site is for isn't it?

Source: modestymatters.wordpress.com via Christine on Pinterest

But..I am way to lazy! That would mean I would have to either sew on snaps or sew it to the shirt itself. I needed to find an easier way!

So I just chopped up the nasty old ribbed tank I usually wear underneath things anyway instead! I figured that if I ruined it...it wouldn't matter anyway. So, I gave it a try!

I cut off the outer binding on the arm holes. Then I put the tank back on and marked it where it came just past my rib cage. Took it back off...And chopped of the bottom too.

It was much more comfortable than wearing the tank as it was before! It almost didn't feel like I was wearing anything under the other shirt. And the one thing that I thought might happen at some point during the day, did not. I was afraid that it would slide up and bunch. Nope! YAY! A great solution!

I think I'll be doing this with all of my nasty tanks! 

Hey...and I figure I have the bottom piece to play with...

I've got another idea...for another day!

Pintember: Avocado as Mayo

I have been trying to eat as healthy as I can deal with lately. I'm trying to keep both my sugars and my fats down. When playing on Pinterest a while back I saw these 2 pins...

Source: skinnytaste.com via Samantha on Pinterest

and

Source: becomingbetty.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Yes, they do look kind of gross! I know!

But if you like avocados...this is definitely the way to go! These 2 pins inspired me to make a tuna salad with mashed avocado instead of mayo. Yes, the avocado still has fat, but it's the good kind.

It was sooo good! So healthy...and so easy!

Tuna Avocado Salad

1-5 oz can of tuna, drained (I use solid white packed in water)
4" piece of cucumber, diced
1/3 of a red pepper, diced
1 Tbs onion, finely chopped (I used regular cooking onions)
1/2 avocado, mashed
Dash of lemon or lime juice (to prevent the avocado from browning)

Mix together all ingredients. Enjoy on crackers (I used Glutino gluten free, original flavor) or as a sandwich.

After making this substitute...I think I might have to see what else I can use an avocado for...YUM!

Now...If I could just convince my family to try it!

Not !

Pintember: Ultimate Stain Remover

Smarty Pants dragged me shopping today. Yes, a teenage boy dragged me to the store!

He swore that he needed new jeans. He had grown out of his old ones. Darn those growth spurts!

Anyway...While I was at Kohl's (I had a 20% off coupon), I remembered that Picky One needed a new white dress shirt for 2 reasons. 1) He was going to need one for upcoming concerts soon. And 2) We have a bat mitzvah to go to in 2 weeks, so we might as well just by it now. These are the only reasons why my kid would be wearing a dress shirt of any kind so i should just kill 2 birds with one stone. 

I had totally forgotten that he could probably wear Smarty Pant's old shirt that he just grew out of. So I called home to have Picky One try it on. It just fit. But why bother buying a new one if we already owned one that fits, right? Who says a 13 year old needs to totally button up his neck underneath his tie?

Well then, I was informed that it had armpit stains! I hate those! While playing on Pinterest one day a while back, I had seen a supposed solution. So I figured I'd try it...

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Samantha on Pinterest

The recipe listed called for  1 tsp. Dawn dish washing detergent, 3-4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and a couple tablespoons of baking soda. Now, since I only had one shirt to clean I just used 1/4 tsp Dawn, 1/2 tsp baking soda...and thanks to an over spillage of the peroxide...I have no idea how much of that I used...

It is currently sitting in the kitchen awaiting the white load to go into the washer. 

I will update this post when the shirt comes out of the washer to let you know how it worked...

***UPDATE 9/17/12***I just threw the white load into the dryer and remembered that I needed to check the dress shirt. The pit stains are totally gone! I had also gotten 2 tiny spots of red Kool-aid on my good white t-shirt. So I had decided to try it since I had a little solution left...They are gone too!

WOW! I will definitely be using this recipe again!

Please let me know if you have some success with it too.