The List

How many of us have written a list of all the qualities that we want in a man???  I know I have certainly written my fair share (several times as a Young Womens activity.)  It occurred to me several years ago that maybe that practise wasn't entirely healthy.  I mean, as we mature we gain a wider perspective of who and what will make us happy.  I, for one, do not want to narrow the field of potential mates so much that no one will fit the bill.  Now I am not being completely ridiculous here and saying that we shouldn't have standards but merely suggesting that maybe those standards should be more about what would compliment us and less about the man. Does that make sense????

Anways, as I was playing around on http://www.pintrest.com/ today (if you haven't checked it out yet you should but be warned it's majorly addictive!!) I found the following list that I can fully support.  This is the man I am looking for...If you can't handle it you had best just move on because this list pretty much embodies me and all my dorkiness! :)

Crazy Crafting Lady!!

So, I have met someone recently who thinks it's his sole job to teach me patience.  Thank you very much Andrew! :)  Because of these lessons I have sought a lot of distractions and I have turned into the Crazy Crafting Lady.  Right now I am in the middle of hand quilting a  cute quilt but tonight I finished a super rad light fixture for my living room.

This light fixture was inspired by one I saw at IKEA but I convinced myself that I could make it for cheaper.  The fixture itself turned out a little diffferently than the one at IKEA but I absoutely LOVE the end result.

So, 1 16" paper lantern, 600 coffee filters, 30 hot glue sticks, 10 hours and 1 blister later this is the end result.

The light hasn't found it's permanent home yet because I have to put some anchors in my ceiling but I am so happy with how it turned out.  Go me!!! 

Progress-Goal Number 5

Goal Number 5 is to visit 5 MLB Parks so when the opportunity to visit Toronto presented itself last week I jumped at the chance. Mindy, being the kind friend that she is, induldged me in attending a game. We saw the Jays play the Orioles. Not exactly the best teams in the AL East but we had so much fun! Side Note: Canadians are super nice!!

Even if there was nobody at the game the skyline was impressive!

Great seats!!  First row of the 2nd deck. Home run side of the foul pole. 1st Base side!

Goal Number 37-New Recipe #9

S'Mores Cake

All I can say is YUMMY!!!!  This cake was a little labor intensive but it was totally worth it!  A big shout out to Heather Christo who's blog gave me the delicious recipe.  Click here and check it out!

It may not be as pretty as Heather's but it was delish!!

Aunt Cindy is so much fun!!

I spent some time Monday afternoon with Russell and Sophia.  I am a big fan of projects so we decided to recreate come cute cupcakes we saw in the July issue of Woman's Day magazine.  We had a ton of fun!!

The cupcakes are suppose to look like a cob of corn!  I don't know about that but they were yummy!!

Goal Number 37-New Recipe #8

Coffee Cake Muffins
(recipe courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book-12th Edition)

Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes

Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. walnuts or pecans, chopped
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk

Preheat oven to 400 F.


Grease twelve 2 1/2-inch muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; set aside.

For topping, in a small bowl, stir together the 3 tablespoons flour, brown sugar, and the 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in the 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; stir in nuts; set topping aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the 1 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, the 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt; cut in the 1/4 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

In another bowl, combine egg and buttermilk; Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).

Spoon half of the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each one-third full. Top with half of the topping, the remaining batter, and the remaining topping.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden and a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Reimove from muffin cups; serve warm.


**This is a delicious recipe!  I highly recommend it.  I made them for dinner and served them with a yummy Potato Corn Chowder.  Yum-Chum!!

Cinco de Mayo Celebration-New Recipes

I love Mexican food and what better opportunity than Cinco de Mayo to try out some new recipes.  I made some chicken tacos and actual FRIED ice cream.  The both turned out super yummy.  I would definitely recommend both recipes.


Sheryl Crow's Chicken Taco's
(Recipe courtesy of People Magazine)

1 1/2 c. chicken stock

1 1/2 c. mild salsa
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Flour tortillas
Shredded Cheddar
2 c. shredded lettuce

In a sauce pan, combine the chicken stock and the salsa. Bring to a boil. Add the chicken, cover and simmer on low heat for 1 1/2 hrs. Remove chicken from pan, reserving some liquid, shred chicken with two forks. Pour reserved liquid over chicken to keep it moist (you don’t need much because it’s very moist already). Create your tacos!

**I should note that I like more "stuff" on my tacos so I also used some black beans, corn, rice, tomatoes and olives but the basic concept of cooking the chicken in the salsa and chicken stock really was delicious.  YUMMY!!


 
 
Fried Ice Cream
(Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com)
 


1 quart vanilla ice cream

3 cups crushed cornflakes cereal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 egg whites
2 quarts oil for frying

1.Scoop ice cream into 8 - 1/2 cup sized balls. Place on baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.

2.In a shallow dish, combine cornflakes and cinnamon. In another dish, beat egg whites until foamy. Roll ice cream balls in egg whites, then in cornflakes, covering ice cream completely. Repeat if necessary. Freeze again until firm, 3 hours.

3.In deep fryer or large, heavy saucepan, heat oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4.Using a basket or slotted spoon, fry ice cream balls 1 or 2 at a time, for 10 to 15 seconds, until golden. Drain quickly on paper towels and serve immediately.