Frozen Banana Bites

If it is hot and almost unbareably muggy where you are, you wont want to miss this treat!
      Okay okay... there are much more humid climates. But you see, Utah is supposed to be dessert.  And for the last few weeks the humidity levels have been abnormal to say the least.  Example: I walk outside turn the hose on, stand there holding the hose watering my hopeless veggie plants that I transplanted from the old house to the new house drinking my Diet Pepsi and before I know it I've got what seems to be a river running down my back, my hair is almost instantly wavy from the sweat on my neck, and now I need yet another pointless shower for the day.
Anyways... Here is a super simple treat for you to make that may just help you through those rivers.

You will need:

• 4 large bananas
• 3/4 cup milk or dark chocolate chips depending on your preferance
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• Optional- course sea salt, coconut flakes, Oreo baking crubms

Melt chocolate and peanut butter together stirring freaquently to avoid burning the chocolate.
Lay a piece of parchment paper on a plate that will fit somewhere in your freezer.
Peel and cut the bananas into bite sized pieces or about a 1/2 inch.
Using your fingers dunk each banana piece into the melted goodness and set on the parchment paper.  When all of the pieces are covered lick your fingers! Don't burn yourself like I did though!.

Spoon the remaining chocolate over the top of the bananas, you wouldn't want to waste in now would you.
 If you have any optional ingiedients to sprinkle over the top now is the time to do that. 
Now place in the freezer.  You will want to let them freeze for 2-3 hours.

I will love having these babies in my freezer from now on!  I get a serious sweet tooth just before bedtime and a couple of these will be perfect.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

This is one of those meals that I throw together when all of the sudden out of nowhere the clock says 5:45 PM and I haven't given supper the teeniest tiniest thought.  It is very fast to prepare and doesn't really need to bake for too long at all.  Just about anyone would have every one of these ingredients at any given time as well.

You will need:

•  2 1/2 cups Egg Noodles (If I don't have egg noodles I just use whatever kind of pasta I have and it works just as well)
• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 4 Tablespoons Flour
• Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 2 cups Milk
• 2 cups Colby Jack Cheese
• 2 or 3 cans (small cans) Chunk White Tuna
• Plain Potato Chips Or Ritz style Crackers, Crushed

Preheat oven to 400. Boil noodles until nice and tender. 
In a medium sauce pan on medium heat melt the butter then add the flour and whisk well.  Be sure to incorporate them as soon as you put the flour in. Then add the other seasonings and continue to whisk.  Once well incorporated, pour in the milk, increase heat a medium high and whisk some more.  -I sound like a broken record I know but it truly is important, you want the butter, flour, and milk to become one ingredient and it will also burn quickly-
Once the mixture starts to boil it will start to thicken.  Once thick remove from heat and stir in cheese and tuna. 
Drain noodles and pour into a sprayed 9x9 baking dish. Pour the cheesy tuna mixture over the top and mix through it a little. 
Now, crumble an even layer of potato chips or crackers over the top and bake uncovered for about twenty minutes or so. 
Serve with a green salad and garlic bread.

...

I think this crazy chapter in my life is slowing down (((KNOCK ON WOOD))) and I hope to get back to some of the things I enjoy. 

I have accutally been making my family decent meals!  This is something that truely makes me happy.  A local grocery store had a killer deal on chicken wings, thighs, and drumbsticks so I got 5 packages.  Which means I had to do some recipe searching because I have never cooked with any of these cuts before.  I made the obvious Fried Chicken on Tuesday night.  I used the recipe out of  The Pionee Woman's cookbook. I also made these delicious Popovers they were so easy and good.  They are like my Hoot-N-Nanny Pancakes but a dinner roll vergan.  YUM

For those of you Utahians I am thinking about hosting a few Food Canning/Preseving classes. Leave me a comment if you might be interested or know someone that would be.

I have so many things I need to sew and so many things I want to make for my new home but so little time.  My list is getting longer and longer.  Here are some ideas that are on my list...

Knot So Hard Flip Flops

Drunken Gummie Bears

I am also going to be making very easy shmeazy citronella oil out door lanterns for my new patio... My next tutorial.  COMING VERY SOON!!!

Sharing Time...

When we began moving we decided to move everything that we needed to live and get it all put in it's new home first then we could go back (only like 3 minutes away) for the rest.  So as I am typing this I sit in a plain, boring, undecorated house.  I want so badly to get all of my paintings, pictures, shelves, etc. That is my plan for tomorrow.  My handy husband had to work today and I have a bridal shower to go to.  So I just don't think I will be doing much moving today. 

Today I thought I would show off my very creative husband's handy work.  He makes me the coolest furniture!  You will see.  But I am warning you now... you will be jealous!  He loves to use old reclaimed wood.  He always has his eye out for an old barn that is falling apart or a fence someone is replacing or some random pile of "crap" wood that someone would be grateful for him to get off their property.

I took these pics with my phone so I hope they work out okay...

This is my night stand.  He made one for each side of our bed.  They have concrete counter tops and HUGE drawers to lose stuff in.

This... is my favorite piece of furniture EVER!!! My bed he made me for Christmas two years ago. He wouldn't let me out in the shop I new he was making me something but had NO idea it was this magnificent bed. I love it!

His dad is an amazing wood carver.  He learned to carve from his father and carves the neatest things for all of us.  So, my hubby had my father in law carve this to go on the headboard.  So sweet hu! 

It says "made with love for the love of my life".

And this........ Is our front porch.  He made this a few years ago as well.  This picture does not even do it justice.  It is SO darned pretty!

So, there you have it.  Just a few pieces of my husband's handy work. 

........ And NO I don't rent him out ;-)

M.I.A.

So, I know how every one of you beautiful followers has been wondering where in the world I have gone to and have been missing me dearly.
So, to all of you I am sorry.
I truely am. I promise!

Now I know each and every one of you have crazy lives just like me and every once in a while you just need to disappear. Well, I really really need to escape from the real world! I've not prepared a decent meal in far too long. Honestly I couldn't tell you what it even was. I have not been able to sew. I have not taken my kids to do anything fun at all.

You see we are in the process of moving. We've got just about everything (not my sewing machine) to our new home but there is still so much to organize and put away. Where away is? I have NO clue. I am having such a hard time deciding where the best place for everything is. I am determined that this house will be much - MUCH more organized and orderly with less clutter. I really truely need a more clutter free life!

On top of moving, next weekend is my towns annual Foam Day. My very talented bestest friend Shandee @ Demi Blair Couture and I have a booth to sell our goods. And I have 0 bags made! Needless to say as soon as I wake up in the AM I will be headed back to the old cassa to get ALL of my beautiful fabric, my sewing machine, my sissors, etc. Don't ask me when I will find the time to sew other than while I should be sleeping but I've got to get some done!

So please... Wish me luck! I think I will need it. Oh, and also if you have any great tips or ideas on organizing and or moving, please share them with me!

Love you all!

She's Going To The Chapel & She's Goin To Get Married...

This week has been anything but calm.
My sister is getting married tomorrow! So... we've been shopping, baking taters, cutting fruit & veggies, & today I will be baking.  My husband is smoking Turkey & Brisket.
Oh and guess what! My Grams is in town! She is the strongest most amazing woman. I love spending time with her!!! But most importantly I want my kids to know her.
I will post pictures of the wedding and the food... too bad you won't be able to taste it though. I can't wait to have some of the meat.
Well, I really need to get baking but I also wanted to share a giveaway with you.

It is a bag I made and I love! Check out my good friend Halzey's blog, Spunky Junkyy's blog 
  and check out more of her posts. This is a blog I check daily, this girl has so many different creative ideas flowing through her head. She inspires me! Anyways... check it out and be sure to enter!
Well, my baby & my baking is calling me... so you all have a less stressful day than I & make it fabulous!

Banana or Not - Oat Pancakes

These pancakes are wonderful! They are tasty, healthy, and very filling. I love them!
YIELD: 3 servings - serving size: 4 pancakes
One serving is 9 Weight Watchers points.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup quick-cooking or old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon sugar or 3 packets of Truvia
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup nonfat buttermilk or milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1  large egg
Cooking spray
2 bananas (optional) - if using, I do not add sugar.
1. Combine the first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
2. Combine buttermilk, butter, and egg in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
3. If using banana, mash it up and stir into batter.
4. Heat a nonstick griddle over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Spoon about 2 1/2 tablespoons batter per pancake onto griddle. Turn pancakes over when tops are covered with bubbles; cook until bottoms are lightly browned.
If you do not use sugar one serving will be 8 Weight Watchers Plus Points.