Mac-n-Cheese & Menu-planning Monday!

As I mentioned last week, this week was an EASY dinner week since my husband was out-of-town.  We actually ended up having lots of frozen pizza and cereal!  lol  BUT we did make my sister's homemade Mac-n-Cheese and the kids LOVED it!  Here's the recipe...

Ingredients:
-  2 cups Macaroni or shell noodles
-  Cream of Chicken Soup
-  Cheddar Cheese - grated
-  Milk (optional)

1.  Cook & drain noodles. 
2.  Stir in Cream of Chicken Soup & cheddar cheese.  How much cheese is up to you... (I think I used about 2 cups.)  If you'd like you can add a splash of milk to make it a little creamier...
3.  Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese on top - or you could even add bread crumbs on top!
4.  Pour into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts.

YUM!

Back to cooking this week, which I'm actually excited for...  You can only take so much of spaghettio's and ramen noodles!  lol

Monday - Dinner with friends!
Tuesday - Skillet Lasagna / Garlic Bread / Salad
Wednesday -  Cheesy Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole
Thursday -  Tacos / 7-layer Bean Dip
Friday -  DATE NIGHT!
Saturday -  Sweet & Sour Meatballs / Rice
Sunday -  BBQ French Dip Sandwiches / Potato Salad or Funeral Potatoes

Thursday Thirteen Inspiration: SNOWMEN!

Lot's of fantastic little snowmen crafts out there!  LOVE it!  Here's thirteen to get you started!

1.   Snowman Topiary from Got Chikin? - So cute!!!

2.  2x4 Snowman from Under My Umbrella - I LOVE 2x4 crafts and this little snowman is NO exception!!!

3.  Snowman Soap from Crafts and Crap ~  What a perfect teacher or little gift for a friend or neighbor!!!

4.   Take a look at these snowmen from Lyndsey's Craft Spot!  LOVE them!

5.  Decorative Snowman Balls from The Idea Room ~ Absolutely LOVE this!  How stinkin' cute!?!

6.  Another cute snowman from The Idea Room - Love it!

7.  A Rock Snowman from Not Just a Housewife ~ What a fun craft to do with the kids! 

8.  Another 2x4 snowman!  This one is from Crafty Chic Mommy and is Fantastic!

9.  "FROSTY" Wood Blocks from Punkin Seed Productions - This woman is SO talented and I LOVE this set of blocks!

10.  A cute snowman plaque from Lyndsey's Craft Spot - so cute!

11.  Adorable Snowman Shirts from Harrigan Howdy ~  LOVE these! So much fun!

12.  Snowman Gift Boxes from Blue Cricket Design ~ What a fun little box to put a treat in & give to a friend!

13.  And a Snowman Glove Dryer from Sugar Bee - Craft Edition ~  Oh my, how I LOVE this!  So much fun and so useful!!!

Thank you so much to these awesome ladies for sharing their talents and inspiring us all!

If you want more ideas & inspiration make sure you "Like" my facebook page - I post the inspiration I find on there every day!

Easy Fruit Pizza & Menu-planning Monday ~ Jan 3rd

I LOVE fruit pizza & my I have a couple different recipes for it.  This one is my "easy" version - still VERY delicious - that I got from a neighbor...  So good!

(I made a pan for my family & then my own personal one that I didn't have to share!  lol)

Ingredients:
     -Sugar Cookie Dough (I just use the premade Pillsbury Dough but you can also make your own from scratch.)
     -Marshmellow Creme
     -8 oz. Cream Cheese
     -Fruit (Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Kiwi, Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges, etc.)

Instructions:
     1. Spread Cookie Dough on pizza or cookie pan and bake according to instructions.  Let cook completely.
     2. Beat together Marshmellow Creme & Cream Cheese.
     3. Spread marshmellow/cream cheese mixture on cooled cookie crust.
     4. Arrange fruit.
     5. Chill for an hour (unless you are like me and just CAN'T wait!)


My meal plan this week is WAY simple because my husband is out-of-town all week!  I am planning on easy kid-friendly recipes...

Monday - Pizza Sandwiches
Tuesday - Spaghetti (My kids favorite; the meal my husband DREADS!)
Wednesday - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup
Thursday - Shepherd's Pie (Maybe?  But truthfully it will probably end up being Spaghetti'Os!)
Friday - Weiner Boats
Saturday - Aunt Kristen's Mac & Cheese (IF I can talk her into giving me her secret recipe!)
Sunday - Leftovers!

Thursday Thirteen

Sorry for the absence...  Life is crazy (lots of family drama) but I'm hoping to be around a bit more...

Today I have Thirteen Inspiration Links for fun neighbor gift ideas!

1.  A Snowcone Kit from the pcCrafter clipart site:

2.  A Snowman Kit from Make it Do:

3. Peppermint Patties from Inking Idaho:

4.  A darling Snowman Gift Box to put treats in from Blue Cricket Designs:

 

5. Cute Christmas Coasters from Beneath My Heart:

 

6. Cookie Dough from Design Dazzle (with more from Blue Cricket Design and Make And Takes):

7. Sand Christmas Tree Ornaments from Twiddle-Thumbs:

8.  Jingle Bell Treats from It Is What It Is:

9.  Snowman Candy Bars from Small Fry & Co.  (and even more examples from Coley's Corner and  It's Been A Hard Days Night)

10.  Festive Soap Dispensers from Brown Paper Packages:

 11.  Marble Magnets from Not Martha:

12.  For those much more talented than me - a Snowman Oven Mitt from The Idea Room:

13.  And lastly - The Greatest Gift from Celebrate the Little Stuff:

For even more gift ideas and lots of other inspiration make sure you visit my Facebook page and my Tumblr Blog!  Lots of fun inspiration added DAILY!

Notebook Entry: Door Knob Pumpkins

How cute are these Door Knob Pumpkins from How Does She?

Notebook Entry: Team Shirts

I LOVE these t-shirts from How Does She? - So cute!

Notebook Entry: Laundry Sign

LOVE this laundry room sign over at Love Stitched!  Too cute!

Notebook Entry: Mirror

I have always wanted to try something like this mirror that Miss Craft Pants made!  LOVE it!

Notebook Entry: Thank You Binder

My Mix of 6 posted this awesome Thank You Binder! Maybe I'd get my Thank You notes written that way?!?

Temple Bracelet

When I saw these LDS temple bracelets at Sisters' Stuff, I LOVED them and decided I needed to make some of my own!

I bought white & clear beads, plus clear stretchy string and an alligator clip...  And in a few short minutes I had these...

1.  Lay out the beads how you want them...
2.  String the beads on the stretchy string.  When I came to the alligator clip I put it through the hole, but a tiny white pony bead on and then back through the hole so the clip won't twist sideways...
3.  One all the beads are strung, tie tightly with a square knot.
4.  Before clipping the ends, coat the knot with clear nailpolish.  This will strengthen the knot.
5.  Once the nailpolish is dry, clip the ends!

And there you have it!  Now get to the temple to try it out!  I can't wait to use it!

Book Review: Fine Old High Priests

Another book review...  I promise I do have some crafty stuff to post also, but I thought I'd post this book review first since I have another one coming soon!  lol

Meanwhile, if you are looking for crafty inspiration make sure you follow me on Tumblr or Facebook for daily inspiration!

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The June book for our book club was Fine Old High Priests by Donald S. Smurthwaite.  Can I just tell you that I LOVED this book?!?  As I finished the book, the first word that came to my mind was "Beautiful!" 

It is so uplifting and it made me want to be a better person.  I absolutely loved it and it will be on my "To Buy" list!  I've been told that there are two others in the series also and I can't wait to read them also!


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi 

Book Review: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

The book club book for this month was Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale.  Although this wasn't one of my favorite books ever, it was definitely a page-turner and a very good book.

Shannon Hale is SUCH a great story teller and this was a great and captivating story! I couldn't put it down and the ending was terrific!  What I love about Shannon Hale is that she writes these awesome stories that I can't help but sharing with my children.  I will read the books and the kids are excited to tell me the story to them! 



Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)

Book Review:A Train to Potevka

I just realized that I am WAY behind on my book reviews!  So over the next few days, I'll get caught up!


In March, we read A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell for book club.  I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read. 

Although it is a "novel", it is based on the author's own experiences in Russia and it was amazing to think of him going through what he did and the inner strength he had to survive!

I think my favorite part in the book was when it describes him walking in the snow (and you can imagine how FREEZING it was) and how he collapes from exhaustion.  Then he hears the wolves and forces himself to get to safety.  AMAZING!  Definitely an inspiring story!!!



Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck
• Life of Joseph Smith - George Q. Cannon
• The Five Thousand Year Leap - W. Cleon Skousen
• The Peacegiver - James L. Ferrell

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
• Dear John - Nicholas Sparks (NEW on list: 3/7/10)
• Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi (NEW on list: 3/710)