Wordless Wednesday

Crockpot Tuesday!

I hate the cold.  Really, I just do. I can't think of any good reasons for the existence of cold.  I don't know why anyone would like the cold? You like being bundled in blankets, sweaters, coats, gloves, hats and not being free to move without all that bulk?  No really, I HATE the cold.  It's a very chilly 5 F right now, and in order to combat the cold, I literally moved my chaise lounger in front of my fireplace, so I could sit by the fire, under my snuggie.  I was that cold.

I love my Crockpot!

I can only think of two positive things about winter.  Christmas and crockpots.  I love crockpot meals on a cold winters day.  It makes life so much easier, and the meals are always piping hot.  Chili, stew, soup...delicious stuff!

I decided that I'm going to try to use my crockpot at least once a week this winter.  Shall we call it a resolution?  Sure, why not?

I made a warm and delicious taco chicken in the crockpot yesterday, which was one day too early for warming crockpot meal. However, the leftovers were just as delicious as they were yesterday, maybe even a little tastier.

Taco Chicken


3 Chicken breasts (I actually used two, but wish I had used three.)
1/2 cup chicken stock
3 TB taco seasoning (I admit it! I threw in a whole packet.)


1 jar picante sauce/salsa
1 TB chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 cup corn (frozen, or canned)
juice from 1 lime


Mix the first 3 ingredients together in the slow cooker, cook 6-8 hours on low, on 4-5 hours on high)  I actually added a bit more stock, just to keep it nice and moist.


About 30 minutes before serving, remove and shred the chicken.


Stir in the remaining ingredients, add the chicken and allow to heat for at least 30 minutes.

Serve with tortillas or taco shells (we used corn tortillas the first night and didn't care for them- the next night we used taco shells and that was much better.) and whatever your traditional taco accompaniments are. We had lettuce, tomato, sour cream and shredded cheese.

It was delicious!  I might have to try it with some black beans and cilantro next time, though.

On the hook...

Now that the holidays are over, and I'm not knitting mini-stockings every day, I'm working on my crochet skills.  While my friend Harriet was in town, she (once again) got me attempting crochet, and I'm proud to say I caught on this time.

It's just a Triangle

The first thing I have hooked right now is the Just a Triangle shawl from Laughing Purple Goldfish. It's in Sweet Mocha Ombre I Love this Yarn, which I love! The pattern is so simple, it was almost the perfect practice pattern.  I'm already on my second skein of yarn.  I get a little dumbfounded on just how fast you can crochet something up.

Have I mentioned I can't wait to finish this?  I really dislike the cold, and it's been quite cold the last few days.  I'm not the only one either- Liam seems to not enjoy the cold, and neither do my chickens.  In fact, I think my desire for warmth is the theme to this week's projects...

Easy Slouch Beanie

Also hooked is the Very Easy Slouch Beanie (with a brim) from Zesty Nachoes.  Again, a very simple pattern that's just perfect for practicing my stitches.  This time I'm using KnitPick's Cherry Cordial Andes Wool of the Andes bulky yarn and hoping the two hanks I have are enough for the hat and a scarf.  I wouldn't want to have to order more, now would I?

Next week, as long as I finish these projects, will hopefully include some belts for the kids, some fingerless gloves for myself and maybe something delightfully geeky.

Christmas recovery

Opening presents Christmas morning

It's taken me days to recover from Christmas.  No really, I'm not joking in the least.  One of the things I've learned in the last 5 years is that having a child with a birthday two days after Christmas makes it so there is no break between Christmas and Birthday celebration. I'd almost describe the experience as awful, and at the very least, I always feel guilty because Lilia doesn't have any sort of separation from Christmas.  She doesn't seem to mind too much, thankfully.  I guess that comes from being an awesome kid. The kids opened presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day and Lilia's birthday.

Christmas was good though.  I enjoy the time with family, particularly with my niece and nephew since it makes my kids happy to be able to play with them.  I love seeing the excitement in both kids for Christmas- Lilia was super excited about "Santa", even doing an impromptu last minute bribe for Santa (she cleaned her room without being asked) and begged to go to bed as soon as we got home from Grandpa's place on Christmas Eve.  Liam picked up on Lilia's excitement, and enjoyed all his new toys.

Blowing out the candles

Lilia's Birthday was small- just family.  We're working on doing "half-birthdays" for both kids in June each year.  It seems weird, but with birthdays so close to Christmas, we felt it was the best way to allow each kid to have a party with friends without imposing on others during such a busy season.  We got her a cake, the cake she asked for while at the store, had her cousins and family over and just had a nice time.  With the exception of Liam swiping off the word birthday from her cake, everything went fantastic.  And she loved her present- a pink DS and NintenDogs.

We still have to survive New Years, and Liam's birthday next week, but that's not as hectic and stressful as Christmas.  Thankfully.  And in case you are wondering, yes...I did finish my advent calendar garland, on time.

The finished garland

Wordless Wednesday (Not so wordless edition)

Birthday Pancakes

Birthday Pancakes
Pancake batter
Sprinkles
Whipped Cream


Make up pancake batter of choice. I prefer making it from scratch, just because it's pretty easy.  Pour in some sprinkles, make pancakes.  Top with whipped cream!

Christmas crafts

The Cheese ball poses for some pictures.

I feel like I've done so much home made/crafty stuff this holiday season.  This past week, I feel like I haven't stopped moving, it's crazy.  Cookies, candies, wrapping presents, making presents... it felt like it never ended.  It feels good to be mostly done.  I have two stockings and a few more presents to wrap.  The best part was that I did a lot with Lilia.  She and I had a lot of fun making clay ornaments, and all of us had fun painting them.  It was a really easy to make:

1 box baking soda (1lb box)
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups water

1. Mix everything in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring the entire time, until it's difficult to continue due to the thick consistency. 

2. Cool for about 15 minutes. Knead 5 minutes, or until smooth. Keep dough wrapped in plastic until you use it.

Mold it like you want, then let it set 1-2 days for the clay to dry.  The thicker it is, the longer it'll take to dry.  When it's dry, paint with acrylic paint (or similar.)

Cute ornaments!

It's that simple!  The smell was a fit funny, or so Lilia informed me, but she didn't mind.  She had too much fun.  She was coming up with little stories for each ornament shape she cut out.  We waited 4 days to paint, just to make sure it was dry, and then both kids painted them.  See the little patchwork Buffalo?  Yeah, that's the one I did.  And then Liam broke it.  Since I used a straw to put a hole in each, when the paint dried, we strung a ribbon through each ornament, and I attached some of them to gifts bags that I was giving to friends and family for Christmas.  It made a nice touch, I thought.

Speaking of gifts bags, I had my first experience making soaps.  It was a simple melt and pour recipe, meaning I melted it, added some color, fragrance, and poured it into a mold.  I've recently fallen in love with Brambleberry.com and can't wait to experiment more with soap and candle making.  I also made a gingersnap scented sugar scrub, and chocolate lip balm. I have the ingredients to make bath fizzies, but decided to not make those this week with everything else on my place.

Gingerbreadman soap, fresh from kitchen!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and it's good to know that I really don't have much left to do.  In fact, it's kind of refreshing and I look forward to relaxing with John and the kids instead of running around like a crazy mama.

Wordless Wednesday