Enchilada Casserole & mini casserole

This is a simple meal and it tastes so yummy. I originally found it on the Homemaking cottage a few years ago (I can't find the original post) but have changed it several times to fit our tastes.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Cooked shredded chicken (2 chicken breasts)

2 cups shredded cheese

3/4 cup sour cream

1 can cream of chicken

1 tsp. garlic salt

minced onion

3/4 can enchilada sauce (I used the green kind for this one)

crushed up chips (I grab about three big hand fulls and crush them-great for the broken chips left at the bottom of the bag)

1/2 can refried beans optional (see below why I add it)

Mix everything together (use only 1/2 the cheese). Pour into an 8x8 casserole dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

mini casserole for your pick eater or in our case allergies: Livy can't eat any dairy so cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken are out. I mixed the other ingredients together and added a few spoonfuls of refried beans to her mixture (I add some to ours so we don't waste a whole can). I then scooped it into muffin tins. I baked it at 350 for 10 minutes. She really liked it and loves that she isn't eating something different from us. She is only 1 but she gets mad if she doesn't have the same thing we are having. I am hoping these little casseroles will work with other meals. (It would probably look a lot better if my pans weren't so old and gross-anyone have a good way to clean them?)

Family Motto

Erika from Oops I craft my pants started an online craft club. Such a fun idea. Each week she posts a new "inspirational idea" and on Friday everyone links up their project. I jumped right on board (you know I love a good challenge). This weeks project was to make your own artwork using mod podge, wood, and your computer. It didn't take me long to decide to use our new family motto for my project. Here's how I did it:

You need:
a quote or design
Computer and printer
Pattern paper (optional but is so cute and saves ink)
paint
sandpaper (optional)
wood (mine's from walmart for about $3.50)
Mod podge(forgot to picture) I typed up my quote (our motto) in Word and printed out on cute pattern paper. I then cut it down to size and rounded the edges. (*In word I set up a text box and changed the shape to have rounded edges. I love doing it this way because I can easily size it and it makes cutting so easy-just follow the lines)

Sand then paint the edges of your board (anywhere that will show)

Sand the edges and all over the paper for a fun distress look. (notice the difference in the two sides of my paper)

Once the paint is dry sand the edges and anywhere you want to distress it.

Add mod podge to the top of your board

Add your paper and mod podge to the top of it. Smooth out any wrinkles. Now here's where I had a problem. I didn't realize the edge of my brush touched black paint so when I went to apply mod podge I got a big black streak down the middle. I tried to wipe it off but tore some of the paper (I almost cried) Well instead of just throwing it away and starting over (not an option because I really wanted to use this color of paper) Once the glue was dry I dipped the edge of my finger in the paint, wiped off most of it and then streaked it randomly across the paper. I then quickly rubbed a paper towel over it until I got off all that I could (just be careful not to rip the paper).

Let it everything dry.

Its not quite the look I was going for but it worked and its growing on me.

Oreo Cookies

My Aunt use to make these when we were young and I have been addicted ever since! I like to add food coloring to the frosting depending on the season.




You need:
2 boxes chocolate cake(I used chocolate fudge last time and it worked great)
4 eggs
3/4 cups oil

Mix together. Roll into quarter size and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 2/3 cup powder sugar (or more as needed for taste)
Beat together.
Makes about 40 Cookies (I often only make 1/2 for my small family)

XO pillow

I fell in love with this pillow from Pottery Barn. I thought it was such a cute Valentines idea and decided to make my own. I made it in colors that would match Aubrey's room so we can leave it out all year.

Here's how I made mine:
I cut out two pieces of fabric to the size I wanted my pillow
I traced my letters on the paper side of freezer paper. I cut out the letters (The part you want painted). Leave plenty of paper around the outside to help prevent stray paint. Lay the wax side down on your fabric and iron over it will a warm iron (I had my set to a medium temperature and it worked well)

Paint your letters. The freezer paper acts as a stencil.

Once its dry remove your freezer paper.

Pin and sew your ribbon on.

Pin your fabrics right sides together and sew. I curved my corners. Leave an opening to flip.

Pull your pillow right side out. Stuff and sew up the opening.

This one is pretty big. It would also be cute to make two matching ones (like pottery barn) or make just one that says XOXO. I like this one and want to make another one to match if I have time (maybe with colors reversed).

Not my normal type of post

I normally don't get very personal on this blog-its a craft blog and I like it that way but I thought I would make an exception today.

I've been wanting to cut my hair and donate it to Locks of love for about three years. It has always been something special to me-My cousin had cancer when she was only six and with that came chemo and loosing her long, thick, gorgeous hair. At the time her only options were an itchy wig (made for older women) or a bandanna/scarf to cover her head. At only four years old I remember this how sad it made her and she would tell me how much she missed her hair. Her hair never grew back to how it was and it was always something she worried about. That was over 20 years ago! She still has occasional complications and health issues but overall is very healthy, has very beautiful hair, an adorable husband, and teaches kindergarten. I don't know if I've ever told her how much I admire her. I don't know how she has handled all she has been through. She is one of my heroes and I love her.

A side story-My mom and I would go to the hospital almost daily when she was there. One of my only memories is her getting really mad at me for playing with her barbie. She also likes to remind me of the time we went to visit her and when I got out of the car I accidentally let go of the balloon bouquet we were bringing her. Did I mention I was really young-maybe one day she will forgive me.

Well this week she went through another surgery. All of the reality and worrying about her came back. She is fine, her surgery went great, and its not cancer! With her in mind and she being the reason I wanted to do this I figured what better time. She didn't have many options back then but hopefully some other little child can use it. I know its just hair-but I remember how important it was to my cousin.

So here we go-Before DuringAfter

Also thanks to my cousin Mindy for cutting my hair and my Aunt Sharon for taking the pictures and watching my kids. Also thanks to those out there that have already donated their hair-you helped give me that extra push to do it.

ABC year in review book

Okay this took me forever to finish (Its already 2010 so 2008 was a while ago). I love this book and it was a lot of fun to make. I went with an ABC theme because it was a great way to use a variety of pictures, quick journaling, I didn't want to go in chronological order so this was a good way to organize, and it will be great for my girls to practice their letters.

Here's how I made it. I came up with one word/theme for each letter that I thought best described our life at the time. I picked out a few of my favorite pictures from 2008 to highlight the word (this was the tricky part trying to narrow it down to just a few pictures). I used my digital scrapbooking software to create each layout. Printed each page as a 5x7. Then glued each picture to a piece of 8x8 cardstock and added to the album. Super easy! It took so long because I kept forgetting to order the prints. If you want to make this even easier print them as 4x6 pictures and just slip them into a mini album (you can get some at the dollar store). I chose this size because I wanted them larger to show more detail. I couldn't find an album to just slide them in but I already had this 8x8 album and paper kit so it worked out well (no cutting for me!)

Here's a peek into our book:
The cover-
E for Easter and F for Farm

Here's a close up of some of my favorites (there are a lot because I just couldn't narrow it down):

I usually don't really like to make mini albums but I am so happy I made this one. Did I mention I LOVE it! I love to scrapbook all of my pictures and go in order so the small ones just don't work for my style. I have made a few as gifts but that is it. This one happened because I wanted an ABC book for my girls and what better way then to have pictures of themselves. Also my software allows you to burn the slide show to a CD or DVD and add music and other stuff. I really love it with the music and I think my girls will like to watch it as well as look at this book.

I am adding this to:

For my little Rock Star

This idea came from Aubrey asking me to make her a guitar everynight for several months. I finally came up with this pillow idea. I think it turned out cute but there are a few things I would change for next time (and yes there is going to be a next time). I also added loops to attach a ribbon so she can also play with it but it comes off when she is sleeping (don't want it to be a choking hazzard). Aubrey said "I love it. Its my favorite." ...she says that about everything:) I really need to make some pillows for her new bed and I think this will be a cute addition to the pile I'm envisioning.

Brown and Pink Quilt

My first quilt is finished and Aubrey loves it. My mom, sisters, and grandma actually tied and binded it for me. (I just ran out of time and haven't been feeling well.) I really love how it turned out.
I mentioned that it wasn't quite long enough so the fabric at the ends solved that problem and with her bed you really don't see that part. I can't wait to get some pillows finished.