Ballard Business: February 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010

My deadly Costco run...

Seriously, every time I try and attempt a "family Costco trip" - I leave feeling like "Why on earth did I do that?!!!!"

I hadn't taken the whole crew in awhile so Mike and I thought we would try it out again, shop a bit and grab some yummy pizza. But low and behold - WHAT WAS I THINKING?!!!

Here is the run down:

Try to shop but kids want to watch the TV's so we split up and do our thing separate (whats the point of going together again?).
We get back together with the exact same items, should have cordinated I guess.
Get our pizza and arrive at the table, boys are being silly and the people behind us keep starring at them.
I finally call them out on it cause I can't stand people who stare at my kids!
They feel bad and try to make small talk - kind of awkward.
Then I feel bad and try to be nice back, should have just kept my mouth shut as usual.
Kids start fighting and calling each other "POOP" names - classic.
One boy drinks too much soda and pukes on the floor.
While we are cleaning it up we get more fighting on the side. Positive we are getting lots of stares but too busy to care.
Karly slips off the bench and whacks her head so hard. Loudest noise, whole room seems to stop to see what happened. Piercing screams come from Karly.
As I am holding her I feel something wet streaming down my brand new pants. Apparently Karly didn't see the need to keep her diaper on when she changed her clothes for the 2 time that morning and I didn't see.
Getting even more stares now.
Squat down holding a crying baby and try to clean up pee on the floor at the same time while Mike is gathering the rest of the crew who is so worried about Karly. All I can say is get out to the car as fast as you can!
Leave Costco after making the best scene ever with pee all down my clothes and trying to keep wet Karly warm with my sweater as we head out into the cold.
Have to put Karly in Mikes new truck - who needs the nice new smell of a brand new truck anyway right? We are just wearing it in.
Get home - EXHAUSTED!!!

So, needless to say, I am retiring from Family Trips to the local Costco...

Sunday, February 21, 2010

My mom is a firm believer in curtains and has really help me value their appearance in homes. She makes all her own and they look so good! So, with the help of my fabulous neighbor Jane, we went to work to see how we could spice up my living rooms. I love these ones the best because they were so inexpensive!!! The gold swags were hand-me-downs from my great mother in law and the textured ones were on clearance at Walmart - $5 each! Finally my long 72 inch rod is from Ross - the BEST place to buy curtain rods - $20 compared to $60 every where else!

Small windows look great with a small covering and stuck in place by the $2 window brackets at Wal-Mart. I love using them cause I can install them myself and can take them down whenever I want!

Trying to get "manly" curtains for Mikes office was tricky, so I used some pins, 2 curtains spliced in half then sewn together and some rubber bands - wal lah!

These were so fun to do because Jane was so creative and helped me do it all. She just kept wrapping and folding until they turned out right. She was so sweet and gave me all the cream swags because they were left in her house when she moved in and she didn't like them! I love HAND-ME-DOWNS!!! We found these hooks at RodWorks (great website at rodworks.com) for only $3 each - such a steal.

Lots more windows to decorate - so little time...

Friday, February 12, 2010

My love of BIG photos!!!

I have had so many comments from friends about my posts of my house - so THANK YOU!!!! I even had a fun visitor this week who was a sister of a college buddy who popped over and wanted to see inside - so fun! Thanks for being so nice to me in my journey of decorating on a budget!!!

Large pictures of my kidlets are some of my most favorite things. So wanted to pass on the details of where to get them CHEAP!

Walgreens is one of my favorites for 1 hour printing and I only use them when they have sales - which is all the time. I love them because they allow you to print in "true digital" print which is a 4 x 5.3 and doesn't cut off any edges. They offer amazing things there.
Costco is still a favorite of mine even thought their print images aren't as nice. I usually have to fiddle with the photo and make it lighter than expected because Costco usually prints them darker. But you can beat their prices!!! My 16x20 prints were only $5.99 for posters. I love them. Also, they have the cheapest collage prints around. 8x10 and 11x14 are only $2.99 and you can pick background color and title.

These 12x18 were only $2.99 too! We had an Family Home Evening on how much we love it when our kids are happy and smiling. Then we had them search the house for these frames and hung them up in their bathroom so they could see how great they look when they have smiling faces. It turned out to be a wonderful activity, I would totally recommend it!

Finally, a few more of my favorite print websites:

I have posted this before, but picnik.com (thanks Liza) is so wonderful! And its free to basic users. I signed up for the $24 a year fee cause it gave me lots more access. But you can do anything you want to your pictures - add words, redder lips, lighter skin, frames, etc... and it is so much easier than photoshop (for me anyway).
I also love Artscow.com! I get soooooo many canvas prints, books, and about anything else you can think of for photos through them. Once again, I don't buy normal priced things, but only the sales, which they do almost every day. If you sign up you get 1500 free photos!!! Love this site a ton.

Until next time, happy decorating!!!!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

I love wall quotes...

Wall quotes are some of the most helpful things for me as a mommy. I can see them constantly and am reminded often of their sweet messages. They help me everyday. Mikes cousin Jenni prints these for me and I adore her work! You-said-it.com is a great place to get ideas and she has amazing prices.

This sign I bought at Roberts and had to use my 40% off coupon, but it was worth it. I love seeing it in my living room.

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time from Sister Dew. Her talk on the pre-existance is one of the most enlightening ever!

I am always trying to be grateful for my lot in life. As I do my dishes I read this many times a day. My sweet neighbor Jane helped me with the curtains and had the ideas for bows - I would have never thought!

Some things that I am grateful for today:

My computer that works
Joey's sweet face
Karly's calm personality
A doggy that is almost potty trained
A husband who is so thoughtful to me and whom I adore even more than ever
A phone call from an old friend
I fun Mom who calls me just to chat
A son who finally feels better to go back to school
Another son who goes to school even though its not his favorite place
A house that is still standing
A washing machine that works
Shoes that fit
A warm shower that I get to look forward too
Knowledge that my Heavenly Father thinks I am so wonderful and the peace I feel when I think of him...

Karly "Kooking"

Karly is really trying her hand at cooking - I am thinking she will go really far!

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From My Kitchen

I got this from my Aunt Steph and served it at my little brother's wedding. Since then I can't even count how many times people have asked me for the recipe. I could probably eat it for a week straight and still LOVE it! Combine: 1/2 c. red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp. fresh basil 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning 3 cloves of minced garlic 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 T. sugar 1 T. parsley or chives Mix well then add 1/2 c. olive oil, 5 to 6 Roma tomatoes (diced) and 1/2 red onion sliced very thinly. Marinate for several hours or overnight. When ready to serve mix 3/4 c. mayonnaise & 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Cut 1 loaf baguette bread into thin slices. Spread with mayo-cheese mix. Top with one tablespoon of tomato mixture then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Broil about 5 minutes till crusted and serve promptly.

Frosted Cinnamon Rolls

Quick Cooking

Add into bread machine:
1 c. warm milk *
¼ c. water *
¼ c. butter *
1 egg *
1 tsp. salt *
4 c. flour *
¼ c. instant vanilla pudding mix *
1 T. sugar *
1 T. active dry yeast *

Cook on dough setting until finished. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll out to 17 in. x 10 in. Spread with ¼ c. melted/softened butter. Sprinkle with 1-2 c. brown sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon.

Roll up into jelly roll and pinch sides to seal. Cut into 21 slices and place in 9 x 13 pan and 9 x 9 pan greased pan. Let rise in warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cool on racks for 5 minutes and frost with the following:

4 oz. softened cream cheese *
¼ c. softened butter *
1 ½ c. confectioners sugar *
1 ½ tsp. milk *
½ tsp. vanilla extract *

Beat together and frost warm rolls.

Homemade Orea Cookies

Our Favorite Sausage Gravy

1 lb. pork sausage

1 onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 T garlic, minced

4 T unsalted butter

salt and pepper to taste

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

2 cups milk, divided

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

In a skillet on medium heat cook pork, onion, green pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic until pork is crumbly. Drain off excess fat, but leave a small amount.

Combine butter, salt and pepper with the meat mixture and stir until butter melts. Slowly sift flour over the top. Mix gently and allow mixture to cook for 5 minutes. It will burn, so do not let it sit unguarded. Don't forget to scrape the bottom of the pan. Add the sage and thyme (if you used Italian seasoned sausage, omit sage and thyme)

Slowly stir in milk, about a half a cup at a time, and incorporate it well. When the mixture thickens, add more milk. Do not let it boil vigorously, or it will burn. Add chicken bullion and let cook for five minutes. Again, if it thickens too much, add more milk. Adjust taste with more salt and pepper if needed.

Just before serving, add the parsley, and about a 1/4 cup more milk; the gravy will thicken quickly as it cools.

Chicken Rolls

Nola's Pizza Sauce

I have looked for a great homemade pizza sauce and this one has past the test so far....

Combine in sauce pan:

15 oz. can tomato sauce or blended diced tomatoes

¼ tsp. oregano

¼ tsp. dried thyme

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. lemon juice

1 ½ tsp. sugar

¼ tsp. dried basil

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. pepper

dash of onion powder

Heat until bubbly, then turn down to low and simmer for 30-60 minutes. When cooled store in fridge in tightly sealed container. Double the recipe and freeze some too. Use for pizza or dipping sauce for bread sticks.

Croissant French Toast

Great Cooking Magazine

Vanilla Sauce:

1 T. Flour 4 egg yolks

1 T. Vanilla extract ½ c. sugar

2 c. whipping cream

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Combine flour, yolks, vanilla- set aside. In saucepan over medium heat, bring cream and sugar to boil. Remove from heat and add small amount of cream to egg mixture. Return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to gentle boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in ice cream until melted. Set aside.

Berry Sauce:

2 c. raspberries 2 T. Sugar

Combine in saucepan and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Beat 3 eggs and dip 8 slices of croissants in mixture. Brown both sides on griddle in butter. Serve with vanilla and berry sauces on the side.

Homemade Pretzels

Dissolve: 1 T. yeast

1 ½ c. warm water

Combine: 4 c. flour

1 ½ tsp. sugar

¾ tsp. salt

Add yeast water to flour mixture and mix well until blended. Knead until smooth and elastic. Shape (they grow twice the size, so make the pretzels thin- about ½ inch wide) and place on greased pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or on convection speed for 10-12 minutes.

After baking brush with butter, then sprinkle with kosher salt (this can be done before baking as well) OR cinnamon sugar. Great activity for groups of kids.

Apricot Chicken

My dear buddy Liza brought me lunch one day during a tough time in my life (Law School, 2 toddlers, & RS President among other things...) It was SO yummy and each time I eat it I remember her thoughtfullness that touched me that day.

1 pkg. Onion Seasoning Mix
1 jar Apricot Jam
1 bottle Russian Salad Dressing

Mix and pour over 4 chicken breasts in sauce pan. Simmer for 20 minutes until chicken cooked through (works great in crock pot too). Serve over rice and veggies or mashed potatoes. Such a great food storage recipe. Love you Liza!

ps-other weeks recipes are found below

Green Beans with warm Bacon Dressing

I love this with FRESH green beans from our local market!

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 large shallot, minced

½ c. chicken broth

1 Tbs. cider or red-wine vinegar

1 lb. green beans, trimmed

In skillet, cook chopped bacon till crisp. Remove and set aside. Add shallot and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and vinegar, and bring to boil over high heat; cook for 2 minutes. Reduce to low and keep warm. Boil 4 quarts of salted water. Add beans and cook for 5 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. Drain well. Whisk warm dressing and spoon evenly over green beans, then sprinkle with bacon. Makes 6 servings.

Kelly's Favorite Bruchetta

Combine:

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. fresh basil

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

3 cloves of minced garlic

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 T. sugar

1 T. parsley or chives

Mix well then add 1/2 c. olive oil, 5 to 6 Roma tomatoes (diced) and 1/2 red onion sliced very thinly. Marinate for several hours or overnight.

When ready to serve mix 3/4 c. mayonnaise & 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese in a bowl.

Cut 1 loaf baguette bread into thin slices. Spread with mayo-cheese mix. Top with one tablespoon of tomato mixture then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Broil about 5 minutes till crusted and serve promptly.