Costumes!

This year for Halloween my husband and I were Mary Poppins and Bert, the chimney sweep.

For his costume we needed a chimney sweep obviously. Luckily it was easy and FREE!

I started out with two cardboard boxes, and cut three circles out of them.

I taped up the folds so that I would be a bit more stable when I cut into them.

The next step was to cut around the edge to make it look like the bristles of the broom/sweep.

Then I punched a whole in the center with the broom handle that it will go on, so that the whole is about the same size.

The next step was to spray paint it. I happened to have black spray paint at my house. After the paint dries stick all three on a broom handle (that you have previously taken off the broom on.) and fray the edges that have been cut.

Super easy!!

My next project was the shirt for Mary Poppins. I found a Tuxedo shirt at the thrift store for $1.50!! It was a bit masculine so I thought I would work on  it a bit.

It started out looking something like this.

I was able to take in the sides of the shirt to fit and take off the large sleeves and ruffle the shoulders with the bulk of the fabric.

I also customized the detail on the front of the shirt.

I lowered the detail and added a bow as well as a fringed the collar. What you cannot see the bottom of the tuxedo detail is in the shape of a "V" for a more feminine look.

It turned out to be a success. (Not the photograph, the costumes and our Halloween).

Chicken Parmigiana

 

This week for Tuesday Treats I made a delicious quick meal. 

Chicken Parmigiana

My photography is not good,  I promise it looked a lot better than it looks in this photo. It tasted wonderful too.

You'll need:
1     small onion
1     clove garlic
1     tbs butter
1     can of diced tomatoes
1/2  tsp sugar
1/8  tsp salt
       dash of pepper
1/4  cup fresh basil (less if using dried, I never have fresh basil)
4     boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/3  cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs
4     tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1/2  tsp dried oregano
1     egg beaten
2     tbs milk
3     tbs olive oil
1/4  cup shredded mozzarella cheese

I started with the sauce. cook onion and garlic in hot butter until tender. stir in tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to boil. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil (if using dried basil add with tomatoes and other spices). set aside and keep warm.

Meanwhile. Pound chicken lightly to about 1/4 inch think in plastic wrap to keep counters clean.

Stir together bread crumbs and 3tbs of Parmesan cheese, and oregano. In another dish stir together egg and milk. Dip chicken in egg mixture then bread crumbs. (I like to dip chicken in flour before dipping it in egg to make it stick better.)

In a skillet cook chicken in hot oil for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until done.

I decided that we needed some noodles too, so I made some fettuccine noodles. A secret I learned from "The Chew" is to cook your noodles 1 minutes less than the directions say on the package and let finish cooking in the sauce. It makes the noodles have a perfect al dente. 

Serve with extra mozzerela and parmesan cheese. 

Its delicious. Try it and tell me how you like it.

family photos

I love taking pictures in the fall, I think these turned out pretty cute with all the fall leaves!

Creative Sister Saturday... kitchen

My little girl is going to have a birthday next month and I thought a play kitchen would be a great gift. The one I want is about $140 from Ikea.

From "Ikea"

 I really don't want to spend that much but I don't want to get a plastic one either. I decided to make one so here is the first step in my process... research.

From "I wish I had time to..."

 From "Ohdeedoh"

From "Growing a Green Family"

Most of these include items from Ikea but cost quite a bit less. So here is my plan draw out what I want keep my budget under $50 and make a sturdy fun kitchen for my daughter and future children. 

Family Photos

I wanted to get some family pictures taken before it got to cold out. I used a timer and hoped for the best. I think they turned out ok. 

Halloween is coming!!

With Halloween coming I thought I would share some of my past homemade costumes. 

My husband and I did this two years ago. We got some black sweats and used puff paint and q-tips to draw our bones.   

I was pregnant and the time so we put a little baby skeleton in my tummy. 

Broccoli Pin Wheels

Last night for dinner we had these beauties. These are so easy to make and so delicious, they are even great left over. Last time I made them I had the use of a Bosch Mixer, this time unfortunately I didn't have the use of one so it took a bit more muscles and time, but turned out great.

 Cheddar, broccoli and ham pinwheels.

The bread recipe I used to make these delicious treats took me about 10 minutes in the Bosch mixer. It was wonderful!

I am going to have to save my pennies for a while to be able to get one, but I am determined.

Recipe:

I got the pinwheels recipe from the Lion House Bakery cookbook, and I added ham to it.

Ingredients

1 recipe dough for Lion House Dinner Rolls, prepared through first rise. (Any bread recipe will do)

1 (10 ounce) bag frozen and chopped (I used fresh, and steamed)

1 Cup grated cheddar cheese

1/4 Cup dried minced onion (I used minced fresh red onion)

1 egg

1 teaspoon onion salt 

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Directions

After dough has completed first rise, turn our onto a floured surface. Roll out dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Mix broccoli, cheddar cheese, onions, egg, onion salt, Parmesan cheese, and seasoned salt (and some diced ham) into a small bowl. Spread broccoli mixture over dough. Tightly roll up the dough jelly roll style. Using a little water on fingertips, pinch edge firmly to seal dough. Cut dough into 24 slices.

Place slices, cut side up, in cavities of muffin pans sprayed with cooing spray or place on greased baking sheet. Brush panned dough with melted butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let rolls rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (I couldn't wait that long).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from pan immediately to cool on a wire rack. Makes 2 dozen rolls. (1 dozen was enough for us so I halved it).

Enjoy :)