It Ain't Food Network, But They Eat It....Tuesday!

I don't really consider this a recipe (maybe some of you would?) but I thought I would share this with you.  Maybe you already know this but it was news to me!  I found this on pinterest and could not believe that I had never heard this before!  Especially as much as I use my crock pot.  (I have a 4 lb. roast in it now.  I keep buying them bigger and bigger in the hopes of left overs, but with all 3 boys playing ball now there really is no such thing around here!) 

Baked Potatoes in the Crock Pot

I used my 4 quart crock pot for this and it worked perfect.  I also used the big baking potatoes instead of little ones.  I could fit 5 of the big ones in that crock.  Scrub your potatoes like you normally would and dry them with a towel.  Don't worry about pricking them with a fork...no need to!  Then wrap them in foil and put them in the crock.  Cook them on low for 8 hours.  Done.  How cool is that?

As much as I cook, I have always been horrible with baking a potato.  How hard can it be, right?  Well, I can never get them done the same time everything else is done.  I can't tell you how many times we have eaten almost done potatoes because we have somewhere to go and don't have time for them to cook longer, even though I have cooked them how long my momma said!  And in the summer the oven makes the  kitchen so hot!  I will definitely be making more baked potatoes now!

Enjoy!
Sara

Conversations with Bryson

We were driving home the other day and Bryson tells me from the back seat....

Bryson:  "Hey mom!  Look!  It's an Orange Jay!"
Me:  "A what?"
Bryson:  "An Orange Jay."
Me:  "What in the world is an Orange Jay?!?"
Bryson:  "You know....it's the bird with the orange breast?"
Me:  "Oh!  Do you mean a Robin?"
Bryson:  "Yeah, but I just call them Orange Jays."

Well alrighty then......

Sara

Etsy Blog

Hello All!

Just wanted to let you all know that I started a blog for my Etsy shop so I can keep this as my personal blog.  Add it to your blog reading list and share it with your friends.  Keep updated on new items in the shop and coupon codes!  You never know when I might surprise you all with a surprise sale :)

sarasdaisylove.blogspot.com

Sara

Conversations

When only 2 of the boys are together they get along really well. When you throw the 3rd one in, it doesn't go so well. I love to listen in on the way they interact with each other. Most of the time. I overheard this conversation this morning while Brayden and Bryson were eating their oatmeal.

Bryson: "Brayden! Look how much you ate at mine!" (That would mean "look how much you ate compared to mine")
Brayden: "I know. I'm almost done."
Bryson: "How do you DO dat?"
Brayden: "Cause I'm beast."
Bryson: "You ARE beast!"

It Ain't Food Network.....But They Eat It!

Crock Pot Enchiladas

This is a recipe adapted from my "Fix It and Forget It, Lightly" cookbook.

Makes 6 servings
Crock Pot size: 4 quart

1 lb. ground beef (I weigh mine to get that part just right)
1 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup green peppers, chopped
2~16 oz cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed (recipe calls for 1 can black beans and either 1 of kidney or pinto)
10 oz. Ro-Tel (I used mild cause Brayden doesn't like hot stuff)
1 cup water
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
dash of red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese
6 flour tortillas (6 or 7 inches)

In a large skillet with a lid, brown beef, onions and green peppers. Add remaining ingredients, except cheeses and tortillas. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Combine cheeses in a bowl. In your crock pot, layer about 3/4 c. of beef mixture, one tortilla, and about 1/4 c. cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours.
My 4 quart crock pot gets a lot hotter than my other 2, so I only use it when I am going to be home to make sure it doesn't burn. Unless I am making soup since that doesn't burn. Really all you are waiting on is for the cheese to melt and it to get bubbly since everything is already cooked. In fact, I put it in the crock pot at 3:00 and we ate at 5:45 and the bottom was almost too done. I have made it before with the black beans and everyone ate it fine but I just don't care for black beans. They just look gross, so I use all pinto beans now. We also top ours with Cholula Hot sauce. It's the best!

Playing Catch Up!

I have so many things that I need to catch up on. I'm sure I am not the only one, but I can almost bet you my list is longer. My sewing room is finally coming together. I have my washer/dryer moved to the new area with cabinets above. I have cabinets set in the sewing room and this weekend we will be installing the upper open shelving over the cabinets that my dad and uncle made. I am sure it won't take me long to fill it full of fabric once it is up and ready to go! I have to paint them first, though. My pantry is finished (well, almost). All but the flooring and molding. That is coming up soon! I have totally slacked on taking pictures as we went. My plan all along was to take before and after photos but I would get started and then I would remember after it was too late.

I was super busy before Christmas with my Etsy shop. Since this was my first Christmas with my shop I had no idea what to expect, but I was happy with it. I didn't have time to make all the Christmas gifts I wanted to make, but I did get a few done. I also didn't get Christmas cards sent out, much less purchased. Ugh. I say every year I need to start earlier but I seriously think I need to start in the summer! I made fabric monogrammed note cards for all the teachers (except the 14 year old's because he is officially too cool now) and they were a hit! I decided to list some in the shop so we will see how that goes. It is a good fabric stash buster.


I also made a wreath for my SIL that she requested. She had seen one on Pinterest and showed me at Thanksgiving. Mine turned out to be fuller than our example but I was pleased with the turnout. And she wanted a cream flower on it. I had a hard time finding one that didn't clash with the filters but I finally found one. A single Magnolia bloom was perfect! I didn't add a way to hang it because I forgot to ask where she was putting it and what she wanted. I thought it would be easier to go back and add that than to redo it. I bought the ribbon the other day....now to just get it put on!

I like it so well I may have to make one for myself! I can't remember for the life of me what size wreath this is, but for some reason I am thinking it is a 16" foam wreath. It took almost an entire 200 count package of coffee filters and a whole bunch of glue sticks! It was more time consuming than I thought it would be, but it wasn't bad at all.

Now that the holidays are over I hope to do a better job keeping you all up to date on my boring life. But don't count on it....baseball season will be starting soon and Bryson says he IS playing this year! That is 3 kids, 3 different ball fields. At least with Brayden his season will be over just as the other 2 are starting so that will help us so much! Have a great weekend everyone!

Sara

Linking up to the Funky Polkadot Giraffe's Too Cute Tuesday !
And Made By You Monday!

Hello!

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted on my blog since September! Wait, yes I can. I have been sewing and sewing and sewing. My SIL has just about giving up on me ever updating the blog, and I do have a lot to share with you all. We have been visited by an Elf this year! His name is Elfis Presley and when I get a chance to update a little more I will share him and the crazy things he is doing with you all.


But today I wanted to share with you a coupon code for the Etsy shop! This is for my blog only! Now don't you all feel special? Now through 10pm tonight enter coupon code BLOGBUDDY10 and receive 10% off in the shop.


Are you a last minute shopper? I have coffee sleeves that pair perfectly with gift cards for local gift shops for teachers! Tissue holders and book marks also make great teacher gifts and stocking stuffers. I now offer my crayon rolls in 2 different sizes....16 count and 8 count. Party packs are also available for birthday parties. Pricing is at the bottom of each crayon roll listing.


Already finished with your Christmas shopping? It's not too early to start shopping for Valentine's Day and Easter. They will be here before you know it!


Happy Shopping!
Sara