Stripe Baby Blanket

So, I have decided that since all my friends and family are having little boys, I need to get more creative with my blankets. Not more creative in the sense of difficulty but just in style. In effort to "expand" my style but still keep simplicity, I made this baby blanket for my friend Stacey and her little boy. It is a reversible blanket again, but I only used 2 colors and just cut the fabric into strips instead of my usual blocks. I really like how simple it was to make, and I think it turned out really cute.
The biggest change/challenge for me that I encountered while sewing this blanket was the binding/border. I am a fan of simple, so I usually just leave one side of the blanket an inch or so bigger than the other side and just fold it over. However, that wouldn't have worked with this blanket, so I had to make my own border. That is a 1st for me. I was very happy with the end result.

No Brainer Bread Sticks

Here is the bread sticks recipe that I ALWAYS use. I have decided to share it since I talk about it a lot.

Again, it is super easy.

1 Tbsp yeast

1.5 Cups Warm Water

2 Tbsp Sugar

1.5 tsp Salt

3-4 Cup Flour

-Dissolve yeast in the water. Add sugar and salt and mix. Add flour until a soft dough forms (I usually have to use about 3.5 Cups here). Dough should not be too sicky but not flaky either.

-Lightly dust counter with flour. Dump out dough. Knead for 3 minutes. (I usually use about 1/4 to 1/2 Cup additional flour here)

-Pinch off some dough and shape into a bread stick. (I roll it between my hands like a worm). Place onto a greased cookie sheet.

-Raise for 10-15 minutes and Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

-Melt about 2 Tbsp of butter and brush on top of bread sticks. Sprinkle tops with desired seasoning. (I use Parmesan, Garlic, and a little seasoning salt) Go with your taste. Easy to be experimental and creative here :-)

-Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a nice golden brown.

Enjoy warm or cold!

Note: I melt about 2 Tbsp of butter and spread it in the bottom of the cookie sheet and then place the bread sticks in it. Yes, it is unhealthy, but I think the bread tastes better this way :-) Also, I can never make the same sized or shaped bread stick. I haven't mastered that yet.

Crockpot Italian Chicken

Another YUMMY crockpot meal. It is SO easy to make too :-)

Here is all you need:

Chicken (I use 2 large breasts or 3 small and then break them up once cooked-use more or less depending on your family)

1 Can Cream of Chicken

1 Can Cream of Celery

1 Cup Water

1 zesty Italian packet (the dry salad dressing ones)

4 oz. Cream Cheese

-Place everything in the crockpot except for the cream cheese. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. An hour before serving, add cream cheese. Before serving, stir everything and break up the chicken.

-Cook pasta. I use bow-tie, but any kind will work. Drain the pasta and add to the crockpot. Mix and Serve!

I also serve mine topped with Parmesan and garlic with bread sticks and salad as a side.

--Sorry, the photo is so crappy.

Chili Verde

So, I admit, I copied this from a friend's blog. She calls it Chili Verde, but if you were to actually order Chili Verde from a restaurant, there is ALOT more to it. Anyway, this is another crockpot meal. It is super yummy and super easy.

1-3 to 5 lb pork loin
1-can diced tomatoes

1-can Rotel (mild, original, or hot--your taste)

1-small can diced green chilies

Put everything in the crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred pork loin before serving and mix it all together. Serve on tortillas with cheese, sour cream, and/or guacamole. Serve with rice or another side of choice, if you desire.

Super yummy and easy burrito. My 2 year-old even LOVED this. :-)

-- from http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com.

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

The other night for Family Home Evening I made these no-bake peanut butter cookies. They took me a total of 5 minutes to make...seriously. So, if you LOVE peanut butter, I highly recommend these cookies.1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup light corn syrup

1 Cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)

2 Cups rice crispies cereal

Heat sugar and syrup in a saucepan until smooth and boiling. Stir constantly. Remove from heat and mix in peanut butter. Stir until mixture is smooth. Add the rice crispies and stir (again). Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper and let cool.

Enjoy!

Square Block Blanket

This blanket pattern is by far the easiest that I ever do. It is just using square blocks and sewing them together. Once the front is done, I sew a solid piece of fabric to it for the back, and then I use yarn and tie it.

Though simple, this blanket was probably the most challenging due to the fabric type. It is the really soft "minky" type fabric. It always just wanted to slide all over. Anyway, despite this fact, I LOVE this blanket! I think the colors are awesome (the pics do not do the colors justice) and the dinosaurs are cute!

(the blanket front)

(supposed to show the colors on both front and back)