You Capture - Animals

I have been seriously neglecting one of my passions - photography. My boyfriend is a photographer, and we work together on his business. But when you start making money doing something you love, it's not always a good thing. The business side of it takes a lot of effort, and I haven't picked up my camera (ok, his camera) just to shoot for fun in quite a while. It's just not as fun when you have to work at it.

I have also gone from using my Canon Rebel DSLR to Rick's Canon 30D DSLR, since he now has a 40D and a 7D which are used for our business. We reserve the 30D for personal use. So, I am now under pressure to learn how to use it. I love photography, and really don't "want" to learn all the buttons and stuff, but it does make for a better photo. I'm also using an external flash.

Are you bored yet?

My plan (I always have a plan - doesn't mean I follow through with it, but at least I have a plan) is to start back up with the You Capture challenges at I Should Be Folding Laundry. I really enjoyed participating and checking out the creativity others would capture through the lens.

This week's topic was "animals."

 

I have a lot to learn when it comes to photography. I still love just taking pictures, but I'm excited to get to know what all those buttons mean too. Thankfully, I have an excellent teacher.

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pumpkins

At Cooper's preschool, the parent's are asked to bring treats for their Halloween parties, and the children go to the different classroom doors "trick or treating." I decided on chocolate covered marshmallows, since this is one of MY favorite treats!

Here's what I came up with:

These are super simple to make, and always a huge hit.

What You Need

Large marshmallows (I usually buy the Jet Puffed brand - the store brand ones seem to stick together more)

Melting Chocolate in your desired color (chocolate chips work well too)

Lollipop sticks

Your decorations of choice (ie. sprinkles, ribbon, etc.)

1. Stick the lollipop sticks into as many of the marshmallows as you are using, and set out on wax paper.

2. Melt your chocolate. You can use a double boiler on the stove, stirring constantly, or do it the easy way and use the microwave. Either way, the key is to stir, and not let it get too hot, as it will get thick and unmanagable. If microwaving, do so in 30 second intervals, sitrring every 30 seconds.

3. Dip your marshmallows in the chocolate, coating the marshmallow. Use a spoon to smooth, or run the sides along the side of your bowl to remove any excess.

4. If desired add sprinkes after each dip, because the chocolate hardens fairly quickly (if using chocolate chips, it takes a little longer).

That's it!

I added a green ribbon for the stem. I really like how they turned out, but I felt like they still needed something. I checked my pantry and came up with chocolate chips and toothpicks.

Adding the jack-o-lantern faces was not as easy as I thought it would be, but I'm pleased with the results. I hope the kids like them too!

Happy (almost) Halloween!

Amazing Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin - Two Meals in One

I love cooking meals that can do double time. This Pork Tenderloin recipe is not only amazing and tasty and wonderful, but you can keep the leftovers, and have a whole other meal!

Amazing Pork Tenderloin

Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup water
3/4 cup apple juice
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons soy sauce
freshly ground black pepper to taste
 
Place pork tenderloin in a slow cooker with the contents of the soup packet. Pour water, juice, and soy sauce over the top, turning the pork to coat. Carefully spread garlic over the pork, leaving as much on top of the roast during cooking as possible. Sprinkle with pepper, cover, and cook on low setting for 4-5 hours. Serve with cooking liquid on the side as au jus.

Doesn't this look yummy??

I serve this with sticky rice and veggies. I cook twice the amount of sticky rice we need, and save the leftover rice and pork for later in the week.
 
A couple of days later, I took out the leftover rice and pork and threw it in a skillet with a little oil, some salt & pepper, onion & garlic powders, soy sauce and egg and voila! Pork Fried Rice!

I realize that it would look much prettier with some colorful veggies, but then my family wouldn't eat it and that would kind of defeat the purpose. So, I serve a salad on the side.

Two meals, one great recipe!

What do you do with your leftovers?

Grandma-To-Be Party Planning

A good friend of mine is about to become a grandma for the first time. She has been an amazing grandma/mom figure to so many, including my son, and has helped me in more ways than I can count. Another friend and I decided that since she has done so much for us, and for our kids, that we should do something for her. Hence, the Grandma-To-Be Party!

Thing is, there's not a lot of party planning ideas for this kind of party out there in cyber space. It's a shame because I would have loved if someone had thrown a party like this for my mom. After all, the role of Grandma is second only to the role of parent, and should be celebrated!

I thought I'd share with you what we have come up with so far...

The Theme: "To Grandmother's House We Go..." (Little Red Riding Hood)

Decor: red & white gingham with touches of aqua and a little bit of burlap, Greens and twigs in vases

The Invitation (designed by me):

I'm also designing cupcake toppers, banners and more.

The Food: Lots of baked goods (pies, cookies, cupcakes). My co-host is starting a cake/cupcake business, so we'll be set! Other goodies will include sandwiches, fruit and salads.

Party Favors: Little baskets with chocolates or homemade cookies like this:

Source

I'll share more of the details as the party gets closer.

So what do you think? Do you have any other ideas?

Disney Days Guest Post at Someday Crafts

You can find me over at Someday Crafts today. I'm guest posting for Michelle's Disney Days, as she prepares for her families first trip to Disneyland.

Stop by and check it out. There are a lot of great ladies posting wonderful tidbits about all things Disney!

Winnie the Pooh Life Lesson No. 2

"And by and by Christopher Robin came to an end of things, and was silent, and he sat there, looking out over the world, just wishing it wouldn't stop."

-A. A. Milne

The Winnie the Pooh series by A. A. Milne is such an amazing collection of life lessons that are relatable to people of all ages. This particular quote talks of change, of moving on, of growing up. Christopher Robin had Pooh as a child, and when he gew up and went off to school, he outgrew Pooh.

When I watched my son walk off to preschool for the first time, I couldn't believe it was really THAT time. That he had grown up to be a strong, independent, tender, loving three year old. Time just seems to go by faster when you have children.

Sometimes, I wish he was still the sweet little infant I used to rock to sleep with "Baby Mine." But now he sings it to me.

Sometimes I wish I could have held him just a little bit longer. But those grip your neck, knock you down hugs sure are pretty sweet.

Sometimes I wish it was easier, because that independent three year old can sure push my buttons. But he can sure make my heart swell too.

Sometimes I long for the spontaneous trips I used to take. But then I remember, that for the last three years, home is my favorite place to be.

Change is a part of life. It's almost always hard. But sometimes, change is good.

Comfort Food - Hamburger Soup & A Meal for a Friend

There's nothing that warms the heart and soul like good 'ole comfort food. 

I recently took a meal to a friend who is having some health issues. She is pregnant with baby number four, and her other three children are under age seven. So I put together a meal of my famous (ok, not so famous) Hamburger Soup, a green salad, and some rustic Italian bread. I also made them a loaf of Microwave Banana Bread (since my oven is still broken).

I found the base for this recipe on allrecipes.com (my favorite go-to cooking site) but I actually tweaked it quite a bit.

Hamburger Soup
(All measurements are approximate)
1 Tbls Olive Oil
1/2 a med sized onion, chopped
2 Tbls minced garlic
1 lb ground beef
1 can condensed tomato soup, plus 1 can water
2-14 oz. cans beef broth
1 small can of corn
1 cup cooked macaroni, wagon wheel, or small shell pasta, (or any small noodle you choose, but kids love the wheels)

Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion and garlic until the onions are just soft. Add ground beef, season with salt and cook until meat is longer pink.

Meanwhile, in a 5 quart soup pot, pour in beef broth, tomato soup and water. Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer. In another pot, cook pasta to package directions, or cook directly in tomato/beef broth (I've done it both ways, but prefer to cook pasta in plain water).

When meat is cooked through, add to beef soup mixture. Add corn and pasta and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

This is one of my favorite recipes because not only is it simple, but even my pickiest eaters (that would be all of them) will eat it! It's great fresh out of the pot, as leftovers two days later, and it also freezes well.

What's your favorite type of comfort food?