Adventures: Gingerbread House Party

Last night our neighbors, +Stephanie Segall  & +Daniel Segall, had a Gingerbread House decorating party.

This was the first time I had ever decorated a gingerbread house.  I had picked up a kit from ACMoore on sale for $6.99 (and then of course they were cheaper the next week!) and a couple of light up necklaces.

First up, trying to figure out what piece was what - yes, I had to read the directions!  Obviously, I didn't read the frosting directions very well, because I ended up with frosting coming out of the back end of the frosting bag & had it all over me by the end of the night! 

The first gluing/caulking job went well, until the roof was put on - then the whole thing collapsed!  Second try, went better.  I carefully put the roof on and held it for awhile.  After that, I let it sit until after we had dinner.

Next was decorating. I went for a red & white theme.  I used the red glitter frosting that we brought and some candies.

Well, the peppermint that I used, didn't stick and slid down, then when I was trying to put the necklace lights on it, I kept bumping against the frosting.  The biggest issue - when I put in one of the toothpicks to hold the lights, the wall started to collapse in. 

Anyway - not bad for the first time!

back of the house

front of the house (notice the bleeding red down the side)

one of the sides

the other side

Becoming Betty Crocker: Baked Chicken Enchiladas

I decided to try another one of the Easy, Peasy Recipes.  This time, it was Baked Chicken Enchiladas. 

Now, I learned from the Sausage Calzones that the cooking cream can be a little too much "sauce", so I was careful this time.  Once I mixed the chicken, cheese & sauce, there was a LOT of sauce left over.  The recipe called for the remainder of the sauce to be poured on top of the wraps.

 

The sous chefs watching and cleaning plates.

 

Half way done - wraps with the chicken mixture.  I did change the recipe a little - no beans and added onions.  Oh - I cheated a little on the chicken - I used my Tupperware Stacker  to cook it.

 

Pre-oven with only a little of the sauce spread on it and topped with cheese.

 

The sous chefs wouldn't stay out of the kitchen while waiting for the oven to heat up.

The finished product!

It was really good!  There was just enough sauce and we had sour cream on top.  There a BUNCH of sauce left over - probably enough for another whole recipe.

Becoming Betty Crocker: That was pot roast?

The plan last night was steak and baked potatoes.  I went hunting in the freezers (refrigerator freezer & the chest freezer) for the steaks that we bought on Sunday and couldn't find them (OK - so I didn't look that hard), but found what I thought was steak (just really thick pieces with no bones).

Thawed them and still thought they were just really thick pieces with no bones.  Started cooking them, and realized - hey, look at that!  We had pot roast in the freezer that we didn't know we had!

So, change in plans - Pot Roast in a skillet for dinner.  I just kept adding water to it and then cut it into about 6 pieces.

It was ok.  Would have been better in the crockpot!

Note to self - next time LABEL the baggies!

Adventures: Loose Dog(s) in the Neighborhood

Let me just say - we let our dogs off of leash in the neighborhood when we know they are focused on where they are going AND no one else is around to make them lose their focus.

• When we are about 1/2 block from our house, we sometimes let them off leash and we all "race" to our porch.
• When Dan runs with Esa (on leash) at the park, I let Zed off leash to chase them.

We always look around when they are off leash, just to make sure no one comes from out of nowhere.

So Wednesday, Dan was walking the pups in the morning and a neighbor let their dog (a bichon ?) off the leash at the part to chase squirrels.  What happens?  The dog "attacks" Zed!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!

Dan said that it was only a few seconds, but the dog did mouth Zed and luckily, it did not draw blood.  Possibly because Dan pulled Zed and grabbed the other dog.  During these few seconds, Esa is growling at the other dog and Dan has to calm her down too!  The owner came over and just kept saying "I'm so sorry - Max was just in the zone.  I always let him chase squirrels around here". 

Dan was PISSED, but kept his calm.  He checked Zed over and said that he did whimper a little and his backlegs went limp!  Zed kind of walked it off, but was definitely shakened (along with Daddy-o). 

Of course the rest of the day, Mama & Daddy-o were worried about the Z Brother.  He just has so many aches and pains that any roughhousing will make him flair up.  However, when I got home from work, he was back to his normal self and zooming around the house ready to go on a walk.

Z is a sensitive little guy.  Physically and emotionally - we realize that he does play it up (any boo-boos) by whining to get the attention.  But you never know since pups can't talk!

Note:  Dan did get the lady's name & number in case Zed was hurt.


Zed focused on Mama after running in the field



Becoming Betty Crocker: Sausage and Vegetable Calzones

You know the entry I did about Easy Peasy Recipes?  Well, Philadelphia Cooking Cream was on sale this week and with a couple I was able to get them for about $2.00.

First up on the testing kitchen floor - Sausage and Vegetable Calzones.  I changed the recipe a little - substituted onions for peppers and used cut up sausage links instead of the "bulk" sausage (what is that anyway?  Just grounded sausage?)  So - I am no sure how this recipe is going to turn out (still need to put it in the oven).  Plus I only made 4 calzones instead of the 6 that it said.  The recipe said  10 minutes prep - right - more like 30 minutes before the oven time! 

THAT is the portion of cooking I hate - trying to time everything to be ready when it needs to be.  So, I got everything ready and then put it in the oven for the 15 (or until brown) minutes.

Here's the during picture:

The after picture:

 

Doesn't look exactly like the picture, but they tasted good!  Even hubby thought so!  Definitely will do some things different next time - ground sausage & add some more meat - it was WWWAAAYYY cheesy.  Oh - and sauce to dip it in!

Yes, I'll be making this again.

Adventures: Visit to the Dog Park

The weather here has been awesome - today it was in the 60s.  It's December!!! Should't it be snowing?  Anyway - Dan thought it would be a good idea to take the pups to the park today after basically sleeping all day on Thursday.  Yesterday, you could just see that Zed was all wound up.  When Dan came home - he had the zooms - like crazy!

Anyway - a couple of pictures from the dog park.....

Adventures: AHL Hockey Showcase at Verizon Center

I have been quiet on the NHL Lockout.  I don't know all of the details (who wants what, who won't give, etc), so I don't really comment on it. 

I DO know that NHL will lose alot of fans either way - whether they have some sort of season or no season at all.  The last lockout when the missed a whole season ended in a LOT of fans "leaving".  Needless to say, I miss my hockey.  We had 5th row seats this season for the 5 games we did buy.

Part of the package we bought included tickets to the AHL Showcase that happened last night between the Hershey Bears (the Caps minor league team) and the Norfolk Admirals (Anaheim Ducks minor team).  We got to sit in our 5th row seats last night and FINALLY got to see some hockey!

from our seats (before the game)

I expected the Verizon Center to be full since I'm sure there are Capitals (or even just NHL) fans out there "jonesing" for some live hockey.  Not so - the "Phone Booth" might, MIGHT have been half full.  Sad.  And it's not like Capitals fans do not know the players - 2 of the players last night have been up on the Caps roster.

It was fun to finally see the Hershey Bears.  There were so many penalties - it dragged the game out.  It just seemed much slower than NHL.

There wasn't that much merchandise, but they did have showcase merchandise.  We picked up a puck and a pin (which I will be making into a magnet).

Becoming Betty Crocker: This week's dinners

So dinner has been basically the same things - or at least it seems.  Dan has been getting home and kind of finishing up on the cooking, but it's been up to me to figure out what to have.

Tuesday was pork and home fries.  Dan had found the home fries recipe in the Betty Crocker cookbook.  I was kind of wondering if I was going to be able to pull this one off.  I could have done some things different - used the bigger skillet for the potatoes instead of the pork, and I totally forgot about the 1/8 teaspoon of garlic and pepper.  Those were added at the last minute.  Oh well, I guess that's cooking!

Dan came home when I was about half way done with the dinner, and helped finished it up.  I made the comment "Look at us!  Cooking together!".

Here are pictures of the end product:

Dinner last night was Pasta Roni Garlic & Oil Vermicelli and Chicken with italian season.  I got a little creative with the chicken - I mixed 1 teaspoon of italian season with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and put it on top of the chicken when it was almost done.  I figured worst case, it would be too spicy.  NOPE!  Came out good!



Now, let me just say, Esa has been perplexed with seeing Mama in the kitchen cooking at the stove!  She has become the sous chef.  Carefully sitting outside of the kitchen waiting to be of help.

This was from Tuesday night when both of us were in the kitchen.

Becoming Betty Crocker: Steak & Garlic Frites

So, last night I pulled out 3 steaks that were frozen together.  I debated whether or not to make steaks again & what would I have with it since we had mashed potatoes last night?

Then it hit me - Steak Frites!  We used to have steak frites on our rotation when hubby was on days a long time ago.  But, I wanted to do something a little different - Garlic Frites.  I looked at this recipe and changed it up a bit.

I cut the potatoes up and then put 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil on them, added pepper & garlic powder unil lightly covered.

 

I put the oven at 400 degrees, turned at 20 minutes, cooked for another 20 minutes and below is the final product!

YUMMY!  We had steak with Montreal seasoning (our favorite) and blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping the frites in.

I think I'm getting the hang of this Betty Crocker stuff!

Becoming Betty Crocker: Easy, Peasy Recipes

I'm excited about this, so I need to share.

I receive several food product newsletters to keep up-to-date on coupons.  Usually, these newsletters have recipes too.  Now, you know I'm "Becoming Betty" so I'm actually checking out these recipes now.

Today, one of these newsletters lead me to recipes using Philadelphia Cooking Cream.  Now, I've seen several coupons for this, but really didn't know how to use it.  JACKPOT!  This website has over 100 recipes using the cooking cream AND THEY ARE EASY!!!!

I am all over this!  I've pinned several of these recipes to my Pinterest recipe board.

Taking Advantage of: Free Diabetes Awareness Bracelet

I usually don't go for the causes bracelets, but this has special meaning. 

Get it free - Diabetes Awareness Bracelet

Diabetes (type 2) runs on my mom's side of the family & my mom passed away from complications from diabetes.

This may not make it to my wrist, but it will be where I can see it everyday to remind me to take care of myself.

Wordless Wednesday

Blogpaws.com Wordless Wednesday 11/14/2012





32 degrees = double layered today



Taking Advantage Of: P&G coupon booklet & Walmart Pet Samples

Southern Savers posted on Facebook the link to this entry.  Free pet samples!  I'm in! 

I had to find the link though.  If you go to Walmart.com & go to their pet central, you will see the ad.

P&G always has coupon booklets (like every quarter).  They usually have some great coupons for cleaning products.  Usually coupons that aren't in the inserts.

Adventures: Even Dogs Have Bad Days

Poor Zed.  The last two days have been bad for him. 

Every once in awhile, he has some stiffness in his shoulder area.  Usually we just assume it's from him & Esa playing too hard.  Zed has to basically jump up to grab Esa when they are playing.

This time, it was his back leg.  It was like he didn't have control of it or something.  He wasn't in pain or yelping from pain (he has done that before).  He didn't let it stop him from walks or anything (we made sure that there was no playing between the kids).

All I could think of was the first episode he had when we took him to the emergency vet & they said that one day, he could wake up paralyzed - it was common in small dogs.  Our vet (and good friend) said she thought it was just from playing too hard and he pulled something. (FYI-emergency vets sometimes prepare you for the worst to cover themselves).

Of course, we all know as you get older, you get aches & pains that cannot be explained.  So we keep an eye on the pups when they play so Zed has an even playing field with Esa.  Esa is really good at laying down when she is playing with Zed.

Diagnosis is that Zed gets a little inflamed from playing too hard or whatever.  Baby aspirin is the key (and pain meds if it's too much).  Yesterday morning, we gave him a baby aspirin and then last night, I made him sit under the heating pad.  I guess it worked.  He seems a LOT better today.  We are going to (try to) limit the activity & hope for the best.

I'm not ready to let him go yet....<3

Adventures: Becoming Betty Crocker Day 4

This cooking thing is going pretty well!

Last night was tacos.  I got the meat (ground turkey) thawed & started in the skillet.  It was almost done when Dan got home - I was adding the seasoning to the meat.  He finished it up though. 

Cooking lesson learned - when adding water to meat & seasoning, there is a difference between simmering with or without the cover on.  The box DID say uncovered, but the box was already in the recycle bin.  Dan had me check & sure enough, uncovered!

It makes sense - covered keeps the steam in, uncovered the water evaporates!

No picture today - the pciture would basically be cut up lettuce & onion; shredded cheese in a package, taco sauce in a package, taco shells & meat.

Taking Advantage Of: Real Dogs Membership

Womans Freebies had this Alpo Real Dog Membership listed in their e-mail today.

I'm always looking for freebies for the pups.  Anything that we get and don't use, gets donated to Loudoun County Animal Care & Control.

Adventures: Becoming Betty Crocker Day 3

What the heck - I figured I might as well start blogging what I'm making since I'm impressing myself!

Tonight was pasta with sausage and garlic toast.  I usually use Franceso Rinaldi sauce - it's closest store bought to my Aunt Helen's sauce.  Of course, I have made pasta & garlic toast before - it's the sausage that was new to my "cooking". 

Tonight was perfect timing.  The above was done right as Dan was opening the door!  Shocked again!  I did tell him, I'm running out of ideas for the week - I have one more idea for Thursday and that's it.

So our skillet is getting a workout and I'm getting the hang of cooking meat.  Here's the list so far:

1. Teriyaki Chicken with rice

2.  Steak with (boxed) mashed potatoes - Dan finished the steak on this, but it was close to being done when he got home.

3. Pasta & sausage.

Wordless Wednesday




BlogPaws.com - Wordless Wednesday 11-7-12

Cold mornings = breaking out the hoodie!

Adventures: The Start of Big Changes

Today is the first day of some big changes at our household.

Dan starts working days today.  He is working a mid-day shift (10 am to 6 pm).  The location is MUCH closer (about 10 miles less one way) and opposite traffic (saving commuting time).

We haven't worked (close to) the same shift in years, so it will be a big adjustment for us.  It will be nice to see each other.  Before we had a little routine that worked pretty well.  Dinner, watch TV shows together or go do separate things in the house.  We would also go out to dinner and we used to go to bingo once a week (yes, bingo).  Now we will be able to do some things that we have been wanting to do, but haven't been able to do together because of the schedule differences.

This was all before we had the pups.  It was much easier when we just had Babe, my cat.  Cats are so much easier to take care of.  So, as you know, our pups are our kids.  The big concern, how do they change with the schedule?  I'm sure it will take some time for them to get used to it, and they will be full of energy when we get home.

Of course, THIS schedule will probably be for only 37 more days (minus holidays & one PTO day).  Then, I will be out of a job (if NOTHING changes) and will be a housewife for awhile.  Yup, that's right, a housewife.  I am ready for a break (not to say that I won't be looking for a job), but expect an upswing on blog entries, because I will have time! 

Oh, I have so many projects planned.  Stay tuned, we'll see what happens.  Who knows, something might drastically change I'll continue to work.

Adventures: Becoming Betty Crocker?

I do not cook. I was never taught and just don't like it. I hate the preparing the waiting and trying to time everything. I just like to eat.

I am very lucky that Dan cooks & he's good at it. I think he likes it - he did work as a cook at Friendly's. I've always told Dan I don't cook however if I stayed home I would learn.

Now that Dan is on days we need to figure out dinners. I told him yesterday that would pull something out when I got home. I pulled out chicken & figured we would have teriyaki chicken & rice. The chicken was frozen so I thawed it in the microwave. Then I figured I'd put it in a pan and just start it on low - hoping that Dan would get home soon since I had no idea what I was doing.

Guess what - the chicken was basically done by the time he got home - I MADE DINNER! Woohoo! I did it! I cooked meat on the stove for the first time ( I have used the microwave & tupperware stacker before)!

Dan was giddy. He was just shocked that I made it. He said he wasn't looking forward to coming home to cook.

And yes, he said it was really good.

Adventures: Donating Blood

Dan made an appointment to donate blood yesterday. I didn't make an appointment because I figured they would take walk-ins. When we got there there was a wait even if you had an appointment.

Dan was almost done when I finally got in for a screening. I never know if I will be able to donate or not because sometimes my iron level is low. I was at 12.8 and you need to be 12.5.

Part of the screening they ask if you have ever donated under another name. The screener was shocked when my name came up. It was from 1996! She said that was the first time ever that happened.

The worst thing with giving blood is I ALWAYS get someone that isn't that experienced and I end up getting a BIG bruise. The tech this time had a hard time finding my vein & asked if I had any water (I guess she thought I was dehydrated). Then had to get a supervisor to start me.

Sunday bruises from the blood donation on Saturday

Taking a Chance: The Great Turkey Escape Bloghop

Throughout the year, there are always different bloghops that I check out - sometimes they are just to get more traffic to your site, some are giveaways.  Well, we are getting to the season where there will be a TON of bloghops with giveaways!

Here's one that I'm going to take a chance on and enter some of the different sites giveaways.  I try to enter for items that I will actually use.

Cheap is the new Classy

Bloghops are great for checking out new blogs that you might not have heard of otherwise.  I've found some great coupon and dog blogs through bloghops.

Adventures: Halloween

We have a TON of kids in our neighborhood.  Every year it seems like we have more and more kids.  We always have over 50 kids stop by and this year was no different.  Trick or Treating usually lasts about 2 hours - from 6 pm to 8 pm.  After a couple of times alone for halloween, I asked Dan to be home (he's usually working).  It's no fun sitting outside waiting for kids by yourself!  And hard to hand out candy and watch the dogs at the same time.

Due to the storm this week, we didn't put halloween decorations out.  Dan was home yesterday, so in the afternoon, he put the decorations out. 

 

He also carved one pumpkin and put decorations on another.  The carve one started out as the Capitals logo, but he had a hard time with it, so they became eyes.  I bet you wouldn't have even guessed that if I didn't tell you!

Pups weren't too happy with the costumes.  Zed will do anything, so he was ok with the gnome costume.  He just didn't like it covering his ears.  Esa didn't really care about the bells on the collar nevermind about even having it on!  Most of the evening, she had her tail between her legs.

Our neighbor had a new smoke machine that he was using.  Come to find out, Esa was not happy with that machine - she was totally afraid of the smoke.

As usual, Zed started to shiver.  So I brought a blanket out and he was all about that.  I put the blanket on my lap and he climbed right on it & I wrapped him up.  Esa got tired after about an hour, and ended up laying down.

All in all, a good night.  Zed went crazy a couple of times with some of the other neighborhood dogs coming by, but was fine with all of the kids and them petting him.  Esa loved all of the attention.  Luckily, she loves kids & doesn't mind them all over her.

Wordless Wednesday



Blogpaws.com - Wordless Wednesday 10/31/12

Taking Advantage of: Pinfreeoffers.com

I just found this site from a coupon site that I follow

Pinfreeoffers.com

I've already signed up for a couple of samples!

Taking Advantage of: Free Amazon Credit

This was posted this morning by a couple of sites I follow.  This is a great way to add to your music collection for free.  Amazon is constantly give out free credit.

Amazon.com - What's Your Favorite Party Song?

Adventures: Family Visit

My nephew came down to visit on Sunday. Tonight at dinner he started to ask about the family tree.

FINALLY! Someone is interested! I definitely did not think it would be him though!

It's a really cool feeling that someone else is really interested in the family history too. It makes it feel like it's all worth it. :)

Adventures: Run, Walk, Wag

Esa's daycare was a sponsor of a charity walk named "Run, Walk, Wag" this last weekend (Saturday, October 27) for Northern Virginia Spay Neuter Clinic.

It was the first year ever for this event and they had a pretty good turnout - maybe about 35 people total.

We did the 1 mile walk and afterwards took part in some of the dog games and checked out the vendors.  Both of the dogs enjoyed the "hot dog game" where they had to figure out what dish the hot dog was under.  I was a little surprised that Zed did so well.  Esa, of course had no problem with it.

One of the vendors was a photographer who had a little display set up for pictures.  I'm just waiting for them to be uploaded so we can check them out.  Proceeds will be going to the clinic, so I'll probably purchase a few.  I think with the storm, they haven't been put online yet.

The Shelter was there handing out info on the CARE program.  It was a last minute thing or I would have volunteered for it!  I didn't see the table at first, but was wondering why there was a whole family with volunteer t-shirts on! 

The pups enjoyed it - as always.

UPDATE:  December 13, 2012

Finally got the pictures from the professional photographer.  She had the wrong address so it was returned.  Even with the correct address, it took almost a week and she is only 10 miles away.  It ended up in New Jersey for processing and then back down here (in VA).  Crazy.

Here they are....

Returning from the walk

Playing a game - "find the hot dog"