This is How I'm Spending My Weekend

This is where I'm spending my weekend!  

I get to PLAY hard, LOVE hard, and WORK hard!

Check out The Center For Courageous Kids

photo by Craig Lonas

Medicine Bottle Makeover

If you are anything like me, you are always looking for something to do with those bottles you get your medicine in (I have tons and I hate the thought of throwing them away).

I finally discovered the soultion to that problem. I decided to jazz up the bottles and use them to store items that I'm always looking for a container for (buttons, money, safety pins, etc).

You will need paint, a medicine bottle, Mod Podge, a brush, some fabric (you can use paper if you please), and some scissors.  You can also decorate your bottles with glitters, stickers, buttons, or whatever your heart desires.

I started by painting the top and allowing it to dry.

I also painted the bottle because I didn't want the label to show through the fabric.

Cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover the bottle (you can trim later if needed).

Cover the bottle in Mod Podge.

Place the fabric on the bottle and trim it as needed.

Then cover your fabric with more Mod Podge and allow to dry (especially before you put the top back on the bottle).

I added buttons to mine by using a hot glue gun (you can let your imagination sore).

Now, gather up your medicine bottles and get creative!

Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffins

I love my sleep (I will not deny it).  So in the mornings, I sleep until the last possible minute, giving myself just enough time to get ready and out the door. Therefore, I'm always doing breakfast on the go.  Lets face it, a lot of the quick and easy breakfast items are not so healthy for you.  I decided to make something that was super healthy, delicious, and something that would be quick and easy to grab in the morning.

I happen to be munching on one of these as we speak.  I hope you will give these Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffins a try (I love love love them).

This is what you need.  Wheat Bran may be difficult to find, but usually it is in the health food section of the grocery store.  And make note, I left out my egg in this picture (maybe because last time it rolled off the counter and broke).

Mix together the milk and wheat bran allowing it to sit for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix together the egg, sugar, vanilla, and applesauce.

In a different bowl (yes, you need three bowls), mix together the two flours and salt.

Add the wheat bran mixture to the sugar mixture.

Now, time to cut the apple.  I used this wonderful invention (seriously, it makes cutting an apple almost effortless).

Chop the apple.

Add the cinnamon and flour mixture to the wheat bran mixture.

Fold in the apples.

And divide into 12 muffin cups.  Cook for 15-20 minutes on 375 degrees.

Don't they look amazing?  They only have 122 calories and 1 gram of fat!

Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffins

1 1/2 cups Wheat Bran

1 cup Milk

1/2 cup Unsweetened Applesauce

1 Large Egg

2/3 cup Light Brown Sugar

1/2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Self-Rising Flour

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 tablespoon Salt

1 cup Chopped Apples

1 1/2 tablespoon Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix wheat bran and milk in a bowl and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix the egg, sugar, vanilla, and applesauce.

In another bowl, sift together the two flours and salt.

Combined all three mixtures.

Add cinnamon and fold in chopped apples.

Divide into 12 muffin cups and cook for 15-20 minutes.

Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe found at The Kitchen Table

My Italian Side

I'm starting to think I have to have some Italian blood in me, I love their food way too much. (seriously, I'm crazy about it).

I made this lasagna a few days ago, I froze most it, and finished off my leftovers today.  It was delicious and super easy.

Gather all of your supplies (word from the wise, do not walk off and let you egg fall off the counter...it will break.  I may or may not have had this happen to me)

Cook the noodles and let them dry on a paper towel.

Mix together the cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and egg. 

In a different bowl mix together the cooked beef (for a quick way to cook beef, just stick it in the microwave and every few minutes or so take it out and chop it up) and the sauce.

Layer a spoonful of meat in the bottom of the dish.  Place a layer of noddles and then another layer of meat.

Layer with more noodles.

Some more meat and then half of the cheese mixture.

 Add another layer of noodles.

And then top with the cheese mixture and shredded cheese and cook.

YUM!

And knowing that my freezer has all of this waiting for me makes me very very happy!

Lasagna


8-12 Lasagna Noodles
1 Pound Ground Beef
16 oz. of Cottage Cheese
1 Egg
1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
2 1/2 cups Shredded Cheese (mozzarella or colby jake or whatever you choose.)
1 Jar of Spaghetti Sauce

Boil water and cook the lasagna noodles.
Brown ground beef.
Combine cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheese and egg.
Drain water from the noodles and lay on a towel to dry.
Add the jar of sauce to the browned meat.
Spread a spoonful of sauce in the bottom of the 9 x 13 pan.
Layer half the noodles, then half the sauce, then half the cottage cheese mixture.
Repeat.
Cover with 2 cups of shreeded cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Recipe found at Whatever.

Snowed In

Meet Frosty (yes, I know he has a slightly large nose).

He was the first snowman I have made in some time.  Don't let this photo fool you, we had more snow then this. It snowed a good three inches or so on Thursday (and though that may not seem like a lot to some of my Northern friends, that is a ton for us here in Central Kentucky).  I had plans this weekend, but the snow had different plans for me (since I was unable to get my car up one of our country hills).

This is my wonderful sister.

The best part of the afternoon.