See You Later, Alligator!!

Using the mini tripod and mom's new camera taking pictures . . . 

. . . first of my cute baby sis, Morgan . . .

. . . and another . . .

. . . then using self timer and tripod to take some more pics . . . (please excuse the messy looking laundry room)

Bronwyn and me

. . . Love you all . . .

. . . bye bye . . . see you later, alligator . . . after awhile, crocodile . . .

Leaving for confirmation classes EARLY tomorrow morning and probably won't be blogging for the next week or so . . .

p.s. I really have been crafting lately . . .just haven't gotten any of it on the blog . . .I will soon . . .

2 Samuel 22:33

{Photo taken yesterday by me - the bee stayed there for forever . . .}

I'm Visiting Today . . .

. . . Over at Tattered & Inked!!

Come & check it out:)

Have a wondrously summery day!!

Baker's Review Wendesday 12: S'more Cookie Bars

Want some ooey-gooey-nummy s'more bars??  Try these!!

S'more Cookie Bars

1/2 cup butter, room temp.

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey's)

1 1/2 cup marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.  In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light.  beat in egg and vanilla.  In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.  Add to butter mixture at a low speed until combined.  Divide dough in half and press falf of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.  Place chocolate bars over dough.  Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme.  Place remaining dough in a single layer on top fo the fluff (works best to put between wax paper and roll out).  Baker for 30 - 35 minutes, until lightly browned.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

So go make s'more s'mores!!

Have a wonderful day:)

Organizing the Pantry

Thursday I organized the top of the pantry.  I used baskets, trays, and labels to try to help it not become such a mess.  About half way through, I realized I hadn't taken a before picture, but then I realized it would've been too embarrassing to show it on here anyways!

It's definitely not perfect, but a lot better than before!!

 

Friday, Tara cleaned most of the bottom of the pantry; I helped a bit with the top and bottom shelves.

I hope it stays clean with the help of the baskets & trays!!

Have a great weekend!

Baker's Review Wednesday 11: Chicken Quesadillas

Today for lunch I made chicken quesadillas along with fresh guacamole to go on the side . . . delicious!!  I had just enough chicken to make a quesadilla for each of us girls: Mom, Tara, and me.

These chicken quesadillas sound like they might be spicy, but they really aren't . . . I was surprised, to say the least . . . I added more salsa as the mixture was cooking together since it wasn't all too spicy!  Also, the chicken I used was grilled chicken because yesterday we had chicken ceasar salad, and the leftover chicken from that was all the chicken we had.

Chicken Quesadillas

1 cup cooked shredded chicken

1/4 cup salsa

2 tbsp. green onions

1/4 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

(water)

3 flour tortillas (soft taco size)

2 tbsp. butter, melted

cheddar cheese

sour cream, guacamole, and salsa

In a skillet, combine the first six ingredients.  Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally, and adding water as needed.  Brush one side of tortilla with butter.  Spoon 1/3 of the chicken mixture over half of unbuttered side of tortilla.  Sprinkle with desired amount of cheese; fold plain side of tortilla over cheese.  Place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 475 degrees for 9 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.  Cut into wedges; serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa, if desired.  Yield: 3 servings

You can also serve with chips, to also use with the sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.  {I was really stuffed!!}

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!  Thanks for stopping by!!  :)

By the way, there's a new item in my Etsy shop!

Felt Flower Hair Clips-Set of 8 . . .

Decorating the Organ + In Memory of Grandma Tile

I decided it was probably about time to change the decorations on the organ - it's been red, white, and blue ever since memorial day.  There were a couple things I for sure wanted on the organ, which were the Vintage Frame and the "In Memory of Grandma Tile" I had just made.

From there it went to some vintage, older look together with some more modern, bright colors.

1. I layed down a white ruffle runner that I used at the Memorial Day Party.

2. I put the tile on one side and the frame on te other.

3. I put a glass jar pedestal thing behind the tile.

4. There was a tile that was sitting on the organ behind some stuff for some time that Clayton (?) had made for Mom for a gift at school.  I put that on top of some old-looking books.

5. I placed a mirror (taken from the Headband & Hair Clip Holder) and placed it a little to the right of the center at the back of the organ.

6. I took a brown glass pop bottle and placed it near the mirror.

7. Finally, I found some bright orange and yellow flowers to put in the pop bottle and glass jar pedestal thing.

The tile I made in memory of grandma.  I printed out a picture of grandma, "In Memory of Grandma", and the first verse and chorus of the song the grandchildren sang at Grandma's funeral.  I modpodged all that on, and also some flowers taken from a flower arrangement someone had given.  Finally, I glued on some buttons on the side (w/ hot glue).

The song we sang (tune: What a Friend We Have in Jesus)

Grandma, you are precious to us

That is why we sing this song,

And today our hearts feel empty

With the thought of you being gone.

Chorus: 

But we know you loved your Jesus,

And leaned closely to His breast

Now you’re safely there in Heaven

All your cares are put to rest.

Jesus was your friend most precious,

And you loved to tell of him,

That we’d have our sins forgiven

In His precious name and blood.  (Chorus)

As today we bid our farewell,

And you go to meet the Lord,

That you’ve longed to see forever,

On that bright and glorious shore.  (Chorus)

Do not worry about us, Grandma,

We will see you soon someday,

And we’ll all be home together

Singing praises all the way. (Chorus)

Have a wonderful day!

Baker's Review Wednesday 10: Pizza Rolls

Pizza Rolls

1 package crescent rolls

italian seasoning

garlic powder

chopped ham

italian cheese mixture (white cheese)

cheddar cheese

Lay out the crescent rolls; push seams together to make one large piece.  Sprinkle with garlic powder and italian seasoning.  Sprinkle with a bit of italian cheese mixture, then with ham.  Sprinkle with more italian cheese mixture and cheddar cheese to desired amount of cheese.  Roll up dough; slice into 1 in. pieces and place on greased pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Serve with pizza sauce (or in my case, spaghetti sauce seasoned with italian seasoning).

These are very delicious and simple!  They make a great appetizer or even a meal if you eat a bit more:)

Have a wonderful day!

I plan on blogging more now ~ last week we were hardly home at all, so . . . that's what's with no blogging lately:)

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast,

There by his love o'er shaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest

Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, Borne in a song to me,

Over the fields of glory, Over the jasper sea . . . . . .

Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast,

There by His lover o'er shaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest.

Grandma is gone to be with Jesus in Heaven and She is safe in the arms of Jesus.

I will miss her so, as we all will, but I am thankful for her that she is away from the earthly pains and sorrows, but is with Jesus in heaven forever.  I pray God would help all of us to get through these hard times.