My Family

My Family
What if you woke up tomorrow with only those you thankded God for tonight. Thank you God form my amazing family.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books are the new way to preserve your memories. Create your own today.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I am always baffled when someone invites us over and request that we bring some sort of food dish.  I have lots of ideas and about a million pins on pinterest connected to food, but I don't know which one to choose.  Well this past weekend was no different.  We were invited to watch the Alabama/LSU game and to bring a dessert or appetizer.  Well I brought both.  I went with my old faithful spinach dip and a yummy dessert I had made twice before, each time with completely different outcomes.  Anyway, both were wonderful and I will give recipes for both, but if you are ever wanting to wow your friends or family or make someone fall in love with you, go with the dessert. 

Spinach dip

1 pkg frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes, drained ( I like the zesty jalepeno)
1 can sweet white corn, drained
1 block cream cheese
Shredded cheese (your choice)
sliced jalepenos

Mix all together except enough shredded cheese to cover and the sliced jalepenos.  I put in a pie dish for easy dipping.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese and decorate with the sliced jalepenos.  Bake on 350 until nice and bubbly.  Serve with your favorite chips. 

The tomatoes and corn really add a twist to the basic Spinach dip recipes. 

(I just call the following sin, because I don not know the name)

Sin

favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (I used a store bought mix)
1 pkg double stuff oreos ( might make with the pepermint ones at Christmas)
favorite fudgy brownie recipe ( I again used store bought)

Line a 9x12 dish with parchment paper or spray really well
Make the chocolate chip cookie dough and layer in the bottom of the dish
Cover with oreos
Make the browies and pour over the top

Bake in oven on 350 for about 40-45 minutes, cool completely, remove from dish and slice.

*you can serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce




This dessert of course is a favorite of those who love chocolate.  Who would have thought of layering all of that madness and serving it as one dish. 


On to crafts.  This past Saturday morning the weather seemed a little gloomy so I drank more coffee stayed in my pjs and painted away.  I can't wait to post the cute little elf that I painted, but for some reason can't get the pics to upload right now.  I also painted a really cute canvas for Abi's room and a distressed looking canvas for my kitchen.  Later in the day I got a call from a friend of mine who owns a little Candy store downtown that she sold my Candy Cane wreath I had made.  Woohoo, my first craft sale.  So exciting except that I really liked it myself.  Oh well guess I have to make another one.  Shortly after ODing on caffeine we were off to the stables for Abi's horse riding lesson.  We officially start lessons on Wednesday this week and I really need to sell some cute crafts so I can pay for them, haha.  If you see something you like or have an idea of your own, let me know and I will get you a price.  I also created an etsy store over the weekend in hopes that I could promote and sale that way.  I will post a link to the site on my blog. 








Until next time
Donna

Thursday, November 3, 2011

The weather here in the mountains has been absolutely beautiful.  The leaves are amazing.  I have really enjoyed my drives to carpool. Even with all of this beauty surrounding me the saga goes on at the Cantlay house.  I really ove my house but it seems that nothing ever seems to go smoothly for us around here.  About two months or so ago my dishwasher decided to start making strange noises and finally had its final wash, and about a year ago my oven decided that it would no longer broil.  Well the oven decided last month to broil only, so we decided to update our appliances.  What a challenge when you are trying to shop frugally for high priced items.  We decided to go with stainless (just in case we put the house on the market).  Well the new dishwasher barely fit, the fridge had to take a deep breath to get in its whole and the cabinet and tile counter tops had to be cut to allow enough room for oven and cooktop.  Really, could these things not easily just go in the wholes they were obviously made for...haha.  Well, I am still waiting on the hood vent because the one he brought to install yesterday had a dent in it.  Maybe the installer will become a permanent fixture at my house.  Anyway I will post pictures when the mini reno is complete. 
On to crafts....
Some of my girlfriends and I had our first craft day yesterday.  What fun.  We ate and painted away.  Even had participants who claimed they are not crafty at all join us and produce some really cute paintings for the holidays.  One of the girls introduced me to the best writing on crafty stuff .... a magnum sharpie marker.  I had to go out and buy one right away.  (and it was under 3 bucks. wow).  I made a cute Christmas canvas for one of my favorite families.  (posted picture... but shhhh don't tell it is a present.)

Today I had to make myself quickly dust, vacuum, and wipe down the kitchen counters, because I wanted to create my house rules painting.  What fun.   I painted it on a 16x20 canvas so it is a really nice size and I have already hung it on my kitchen wall.  Can't wait for the family to see it.  Wonder if they will all agree on the rules I decided upon????
I have decided to start taking orders for canvases made to order with your sayings and colors.  I am currently working on a cute snowman family painting and a Christmas card holder board.  Will post photos tonight.  Can't wait.  Let me know if you want one.