Friday, July 27, 2012

Simply Betty Tumblin Buddies Exchange Hop


Hello lovelies, Last month over on the Simply Betty Fan page on Face book  Ms. Betty came up with the idea to exchange tumblers filled with goodies.  We filled out a questionnaire with our favorites and then got paired up with a buddy!  My buddy sent me some wonderful goodies, even something I have wanted to try for a long time, some Crystal Light Mojito .
Today I am sharing with you some pictures I have of what I got in my tumbler! There were was so much in there I was so excited to receive it! 
010012011Can you believe all of that fit into a 24 oz. tumbler???     Well the members of this group have decided to have a hop to show off all of our goodies.  Here is the hop list and remember to go and see what everyone has gotten!!!

Betty Roberts: http://simplybettystamps.blogspot.com/ To include: Cyndi Collins, Katie Holder
Kelli Green http://cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com That’s me!!
Christina Wernstrum www.wernstrumfamily.blogspot.com

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Bombshell Hump Day Hop

Hello Lovelies, today is the day for the bombshell hop and I did not get my project done.  I have most of it done, and planned on finishing it yesterday but I had a dentist appointment that didn't go very well.  Well the procedure was fine but my reaction to the numbing meds was not.  After i got home I slept all day, literally, I woke up around 7 pm and went back to bed around 1030 pm.  My appt. was at 9 am.  My poor family had to fend for themselves last night for dinner.  Thankfully both of my kidlings are old enough to cook for themselves so they were OK!   So i am here to post the hop list and say that I will get my post up later today.  I am sorry I had no idea that it would affect me the way it did and fully thought I could get my project finished yesterday. 


Bombshell Blog: http://bombshellstamps.blogspot.com/
Alison: http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
Laura: http://craftylittlewoman.blogspot.com/
Torrey: http://left-field-studio.blogspot.com/
Sparkly Engineer Mary: http://sparkly-train.blogspot.com/
Stempelientje: http://stempelientje.blogspot.com
Glittery Katie: http://ferrishyn-frontier.blogspot.com
Kelli: http://www.cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com
Jodi: http://www.elamdesign33.blogspot.com/
Alaine: http://missalaineousmosaics.blogspot.com/
Kim: http://www.craftypinkanchor.blogspot.com
Kathi: http://kathstales.blogspot.com

As Promised I am back with my project!  I made a bracelet for my daughter and myself to share as we often share jewelry.  It's a simple bracelet for sure as it just says Bombshell(I honestly don't remember which set it came from, I think bombshell queen but I am not sure) and uses the small bomb from the Pirates Life set!  I stamped them onto a grunge board oval with Stazon and then colored the grunge board with distress inks, tattered rose, orange marmalade, and walnut ink.  Then added eyelets and covered the whole thing with glossy accents.  This project also goes well with July Pin Up challenge!  I hope you enjoy!




Sunday, July 15, 2012

Zucchini Pancakes!!


Yep you read that right!  Zucchini pancakes, for breakfast, with syrup…. Sound funny?  It did to me when I first thought about it but then I thought why not!  You can make bread, and cupcakes, and cakes, and almost anything with zucchini so why not pancakes!! 

As most of you know I have a plethora of zucchini coming in our garden right now and I am forever trying to make different things with it because honestly there is only so much steamed, sautéed, pan seared, oven roasted or grilled zucchini you can take.  Not to mention the breads and cakes and cupcakes…. but this one came out of a need for a different breakfast!!!

Ok here is how it all started… the other night I was whining to my husband about not wanting to have any more eggs(read egg beaters egg whites) for breakfast.  I mean any type of regular bread product is out of the question so what does that leave?  Oh and I am more than willing to take suggestions on very low carb breakfast ideas if you have any!  Anyway, as I was whining he said what about zucchini pancakes, of course this was while he has chocolate zucchini cake on a plate in front of him!!  And like I said I thought it sounded funny to begin with then the more I thought about it the more I wanted to try it, so what do I do…. YEP I googled the damn things! Found several recipes and even pinned one.  So yesterday morning I get up and print the recipe and sit down and start replacing their ingredients with ingredients that fit my dietary needs and this is what the end product looks like!
zucchini pancakes

Look like regular pancakes don’t they!  Taste really good also!  Now as you can see my plate didn’t have syrup but the Steven’s(the hubby) did and I snuck a taste and DAMN they were even better with syrup!!!  But alas syrup is wasted carbs for me so I just had the one bite from his plate and went on with my wonderful goodness of a breakfast… My sister suggests I try with cinnamon/splenda mixture on top next time and I will!


Zucchini Pancakes for Breakfast!
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp splenda
2 Tbsp unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup egg beaters
4 oz. nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 cups grated zucchini

Heat Griddle to 350* or what ever pan you use to make pancakes in.

In a medium bowl mix the first 5 ingredients; set aside.  In a small bowl mix next 3 ingredients well; pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.  Fold in the zucchini just until combined.  Let rest until ready to cook, about 5 minutes.

Pour 1/3 cup portions onto heated griddle and let cook on first side for 7 minutes.  No joke 7 minutes.  Flip and cook on other side for 6 minutes.  I promise you do not want to rush them or they will be mushy and I personally don’t like mushy pancakes! Serve as you would a normal pancake

Makes 8 pancakes
Nutrition Information per pancake: calories 76, fat 1.0g, carbs. 13, protein 3 g. 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Altered Match Box and ATC prototypes...

Hello lovelies, I am here today to show you an altered match box and a few ATC prototypes I am making with some new papers I have!!!  Ok first the match box.  I used StazOn jet black ink and some collage sheets from AlteredPages. 





Supply list for the Match Box:
Altered Pages Collage Sheets:
Halloween ATCs AP 1488
Antique Halloween AP 1080
Halloween Memories AP1010
G45 Happy Haunting paper pad
Red Micro Beads PWA
Blue Moon Beads: Glass charms
Glossy Accents
Mini Bottle Caps: Bottle Cap Inc.


Now for the ATC prototypes, I used the G45 papers, the collage sheets from Alteredpages, and some paper from makingmemories for these little cuties!!




Be expecting to see different versions of these during 31 Days of Halloween!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Chocolate Zucchini Cake


Hello Lovelies, today I have for you another chocolate recipe…. I got the original recipe for the wonderful Nicole Maki.  It looked so good I couldn’t wait to make it and then low and behold that damn outage happened and I am just now getting to it today.  It’s sort of a special day as all 4 of us will be home for supper today.  It’s rare these days what with Steven working 14-18 hr days and jewel having her job at sonic.  We rarely have a family dinner during the summer, during school it’s different, but summer it’s most of the time just Hunter and I . 
So I saw this cake by Ms. Maki and wanted to make it seeing as I have loads of zucchini coming in the garden now I wanted to make it.  Of course I had to make a few changes, not a lot, but a few to 1. work with my nutrition needs, and 2. to use things I had on hand!

zucchini cake
Remember you can find the original recipe here on Nicole Maki’s blog.  The ingredients I changed were:  I used unsweetened dark cocoa powder, splenda instead of sugar, unsweetened silk instead of milk, and egg beaters instead of eggs.  That’s it.  OH MY GODDESS it is so yummy!  I wanted to eat the whole cake!  I didn’t but I wanted to!!!!  I will most definitely be making this again, and again, and again!  Now to try the brownies, and everything else!!!

Nutrition information for the cake the way I made it are: Serving Size 1 piece, serves 16
Calories 182, Calories from Fat 96, Total Fat 10.6g, Saturated Fat 2.4g, Trans Fat 0.0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 162mg, Total Carbohydrates 23.8g, Dietary Fiber 6.0g, Sugars 2.5g, Protein 3.4g.  Total Net carbs.: 17.8

Sketch Challenge!!!

Hey Guys I am back with the Bombshell July Sketch Challenge.  Our sketches are always made by the wonderful Kathi who is also our fearless leader over there!  This month's sketch is no less awesome than all the other sketches that Kathi has done.  I am not just saying that either, I don't think there has been a sketch she has done that I didn't like...anyway I digress.  Since the power outtage I have been so far behind, but catching up slowly but surely, not to mention that my MOJO went on vacation. It didn't even give me fair warning that it was going either, it just said Peace Out and left!!! RUDE! LOL  Anyway I digress, the sketch is wonderful and you can fine it HERE along with the other DT members takes on it.  Remember to visit their blogs and leave them some love cause you never know where the monthly winner will come from!!!  That Prize patrol hottie is everywhere!!:)

Here is my take on the sketch:

I used Bombshell stamp set Man's Ruin:

So like I said the power outtage has me behind and the mojo leaving I needed something simple to do and I love the black and white look so that is what I went for!  I hope you enjoy and remember to go and see what everyone else has done!!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Butterfly ATCs


Hello lovelies,  Today I have to share with you some lovely ATCs I have made for a group swap.  The concept for these was one I saw from Christy Tomlinson.  I get one of her mixed media kits every month, because what better way to add to your stock pile for one monthly price!!!  Anyway one month she sent us these wooden butterflies and showed us a video of what she did with them.  I didn’t have time then to play but when I joined back up with this monthly group I knew what I wanted to make so out came the kit and the wooden butterflies and the Dylusions Ink sprays, and an ATC was created. 

There have been lots of changes going on is my life the past year or so, some good, some bad, some that needed to happen and some that didn’t but did anyway…some were on purpose some weren’t but they all happened and I have to say my outlook on life is more positive now for them.  Anyway, it is what it is and I am happy, that’s all that matters.  So out of all of this and the mixed media kit and ATC about change was born.  I knew I wanted to use the saying I heard Christy say on the video I watched. 

butterfly atc groupHere is the group of the 4 different ones I made all the same concept just slightly different.  The saying is “There would be no Butterflies without Change”.  When I first heard that I thought that is very true and change is good.  I like it!
butterfly atcHere's a close up.  Those are micro beads from Pennywise Arts, which is also the group who has the monthly swap. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Zucchini for you, Zucchini for me, Zucchini for everybody!!!!


As you know, if you read my post yesterday, we were without power like so many others in 10 different states all due to a straight line wind storm.  I think the saddest part for me was when we had to throw out all of the food in our fridge/freezer, and our chest freezer!!!  Throwing out all of it was hard but the hardest part was throwing out the 20 gallon size Ziploc bags of zucchini and squash that we had processed on Thursday(the day before the power went out).  I think that was the hardest because we worked so hard to grow it and pick it and take care of it… It was ours we didn’t go buy it!!! We worked hard for it…

Anyway during the power outage we had lots and lots of zucchini to pick in the garden but we decided to leave it on the vine and see what happened… We didn’t have any way to process it and at least still on the vine in the garden it was getting what it needed.  We were worried though that it wouldn’t last as long as we needed it to…It did though and boy did it grow…. This is just one of the biggest zucchini’s we picked once we had power again….that is a stock pot in the background…. this zucchini is about 14 inches long…. it was enough for 2 meals(which I am getting to…well at least one of them).


zucchini
please click on the photo to see how big it is!!!

Anyway I am forever looking for recipes to use zucchini in or with because lets face it, steamed or sautéed zucchini can get old sometimes!  So I look at blogs and of course pinterest all the time for new and exciting recipes.!  So I found this original recipe on pinterest and used it as a base recipe for my stuffed zucchini.  I had to change some things for dietary needs but the concept is still the same…

STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Ingredients needed:
Zucchini
Ground Sausage(use what ever meat you want it was a sausage night for us)
Crushed Tomatoes
Mozzarella cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Onion
Gralic
First step is to preheat your oven to 350 and to prepare your zucchini.  This zucchini I chose(pictured above) was enough to have 6 – 2 to 2 1/2 in cups.  Once it was cut into pieces I hallowed out the insides to hold the stuffing!
hollowed out zucchini
Second step is to prepare the stuffing. 
food group
Use half of the onion, 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, the meat (inside part you scooped out) of the zucchini and blend them in a blender or food processor.  How much you want them blended is up to you… you can have it chunky or pureed it is all up to you and your families taste!  I went almost pureed with mine simply because the boy wouldn’t let the ninja go cause he likes pushing the button!!!  That’s alright though. 
zucchini in blender
Cook the meat in a very large skillet and once browned add the zucchini mixture and the crushed tomatoes.  Salt and pepper to taste and cook for about 10 minutes, just enough to blend the flavors. 
Once that is cooked through fill up your zucchini cups and top with the mozzarella cheese.
photo
bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes depending on how you like the zucchini cooked….we like ours to still have a little bite to is so I went 25 minutes.
food on plate
Enjoy! 
This was my plate and I couldn’t finish both pieces but DAMN it was good!!!

I have enough stuffing left for another meal and I can't wait...Might try something different this time!!!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Some Like it HOT…..

 

I do NOT!   We were part of the 10 states that were without power for a while and boy was it hot!  I know it was hot everywhere and I am not complaining I just want to express my displeasure!!! LOL  No really we dealt with it the only way we could….we bought kiddie pools!!!!!  Yep sure did!  Not one but two!!!  Yes I said two!  I am telling you extreme hot and Diabetes do not mix very well not to mention the fact that eating out and diabetes do not mix…. It was not a pleasurable weekend or week let me be honest!  We were in the middle of a movie on friday night when all of a sudden then power was gone and we didn’t have power again until Tuesday night/Wednesday morning!  I know there are people still without power and that makes me sad for them.  Anyway I thought I would show you some pictures of the pools and how we handled the heat!

 

jewel poolThis is  my daughter Jewel showing her off her guns in the luxurious pool with the waterfall attached!!!

 

us in pool

Me, Steven and Hunter in the pool….Hunter is camera shy so no photo of his face today!!!

 

photo 2

We decided we liked the little pool so much we wanted to get one bigger….mind you my son now says our pool is so big he needs binoculars to see us in it!!!!  LOL  I love that my kidlings have a great sense of humor!!!

So there you have it…. We made it by sleeping in the basement and spending as much time in the cool water as possible….I really hope that those without power get it back soon!