Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipe!!

WOWZER....so I finally got around to making this peanut butter ice cream a friend had given me the recipe for...Amazing...a little labor & time is required but its worth the wait!

PB Ice Cream
3/4 c sugar
3 large eggs
1 c milk
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 c heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the sugar into the eggs until thickened and pale yellow, set aside.

Bring the milk to a simmer in a heavy sauce pan. Slowly beat the hot milk into the eggs and sugar. Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly. Be careful not to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble.

Remove from heat and beat in the peanut butter. Pour the hot custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl. {I skipped this part & it was totally fine!} 

Allow the peanut butter custard to cool slightly. Stir in the cream and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight. Stir the chilled custard, then freeze in 1 or 2 batches in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.


And like that's not bad enough...I chose to serve it with these little babies....oh yea...chocolate and peanut butter baby!!! 

My super cute chocoholic helper!


Sunday, January 29, 2012

Weekly Menu!

Meal #1 Manicotti w/ tossed salad & breadsticks
Meal #2 Crockpot Parmesan Garlic Chicken w/ popovers
Meal #3 Pizza w/ fried bocconcini
Meal #4 Spagetti Carbonara w/ garlic bread
Meal #5 Taco salad w/ cheese quesadillas

Extra treats!
cinnamon chocolate chip protein bars
cinnamon bread - taking to a friends house for our coffee date!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Happy Birthday to Mr. Fab Four!

The hubby turned 37 today!!!! We celebrated with one of his favorite meals - pizza & wings.. followed by an AMAZING custom motorcycle cake from one of my very dearest friends who has unbelievable talent!

Friday FAB finds!

"Heart Attack" for your kids bedroom door
image via pinterest
How cute is that for upcoming Valentines Day?

DIY wood signs
So cool ?!?!

cute & easy project!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Lamp Revamp!

I had this great old school floor lamp hidden away in the attic....My entryway was calling for just a little light at night...instead of turning on the overhead lights I wanted more of a glow.  This floor lamp was perfect, just needed a little sprucing up!  It sits beside my pew now and I love it.

Before, In all it's faux wood, two-toned glory & nasty stained shade!

It got a coat of my favorite good ole oil rubbed bronze spray paint and I used this awesome tutorial to recover the lampshade!  I took the easy way out and finished off the edges with trim instead of tucking under like she did though!  BIG thanks to my handy hubby who helps out when I am required to use any type of mathematical skills at all, we cranked it out last night and I finished it off this morning with the trim! 





Watch out thrift stores...I am coming for all those awesome vintage lamps with crappy shades!!! :)
{Psssttt...I already have one waiting in the wings, don't tell Dave!}

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Responsibility!

Savannah received a big honor at school this week.  She won the Responsibility Award for her class.  Her teacher said she was chosen because she always turns in homework on time, keeps a neat & tidy desk, and always follows instructions {I am wondering where that kid is at home but whatever!}. 


She was recognized in a school assembly and got her picture taken with the principal, Mrs. Macintosh. This is quite an honor for Savannah since at her age and with her personality the school principal is right up there with Taylor Swift and I-Carly!  It was a BIG deal! We are so proud of her and wanted to share the great news!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Weekly Menu!

Meal #1 Crockpot fajitas w/ spanish rice & chips w/ salsa
Meal #2 Mac & Cheese w/ carrot sticks & apple slices
Meal #3 Pork tenderloin w/ rice pilaf & green beans
Meal #4 Chicken tenders w/ tossed salad & fresh fruit
Meal #5 Beef stew w/ bread

extras
crockpot granola
peanut butter icecream - recipe from a friend I cannot wait to try out! I will post if it turns out :)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Savannah's desk makeover!

BEFORE

I have been on the lookout to find a better desk for Savannah's room for awhile now.  She had a cute antique lift top desk but it just did not have enough workspace.  I am trying to get her in the routine of doing homework in her room rather than the kitchen counter after school and want her to have a nice space to work in.  I couldn't find one I liked, or one I could afford and that's when I remembered this gem up in the attic.  We literally pulled it out of the burn pile at an old co-workers house several years ago.  It was in great shape aside from some scratches..but there is no stained wood in her bedroom.  I have been having withdrawls from painting, crafting, remodeling so I was anxious to get moving!  Savannah chose the paint color from the 4 colors used on her walls and I am thrilled with the result!

AFTER

Now....to find a chair that works since its at an odd height & width for the opening........

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Weekly Menu!

Meal #1 Beef stroganoff w/ tossed salad & popovers
Meal #2 Chicken enchiladas w/ spanish rice & chips w/ salsa
Meal #3 Ravioli lasagna w/ tossed salad & breadsticks
Meal #4 Chicken caesar salad w/ paninis
Meal #5 Meatloaf w/ rolls & roasted potatoes

Treats:
double tree choc chip cookies
fruit salsa w/ cinnamon chips {taking this to a baby shower this week!}

Friday, January 13, 2012

SNOW Day!!


It's finally here.....The first official snow day of the school year!  This winter has been crazy so far, barely any snow, way warmer than normal temps...not that I am complaining but this is the time of year for snowman building, sledding, warming up with cocoa by the fire...not rain boots and a green Christmas!


Emmie was frozen right through after being outside so long but it helped me get a great picture! Love the rosy cheeks that winter wind brings....
Savannah has always LOVED the snowy winters, making snow angels and throwing snowballs for the dogs! She was in heaven today....
This picture cracked me up....check out Dixie's ears flapping in the wind! She was running with all her might to keep up with the girls, looks like she is about to take flight!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Weekly Menus

Meal #1 Slowcooker pork chops w/ tossed salad & green beans
Meal #2 Potato soup w/ popovers
Meal #3 Mac&Cheese w/ corndogs
Meal #4 Creamy chicken tacquitos w/ spanish rice & chips w/ salsa
Meal #5 Chili w/ honey cornbread

Snacks & Yummy extras!
soda icecream - very excited to try this with Orange soda!  Emmies FAVE summer treat is creamsicles!
fruit roll ups - these have been on my "to try" list forever now, finally gonna do it!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Friday FAB finds

Seriously, how flippin cute & easy are these? Since Emmie's haircut she is all about accessories!

WOWZER! That looks super delish!

Really want to try this out! Super cute!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Weekly Menu!

Meal #1 Lasagna, fresh bread, antipasto salad (we are having our 3rd & final Christmas celebration on New Years day so big meal for a big crowd!)
Meal #2 Chicken & Dumpling casserole w/ perogies & fresh fruit
Meal #3 Calzone w/ tossed salad
Meal #4 Chicken Milanese w/ fresh bread
Meal #5 Olive Garden Salad & minestrone soup

Sunday, January 1, 2012

HAPPY New Year!!

2012!!!! 
We rang in the new year with some great friends.  6 kids + 4 adults = crazy fun!!! The kids all did amazingly well staying up sooooooo far past their bedtimes!  We had awesome snacks,drinks,crafts & loads of fun!  I hope everyone ended 2011 and began 2012 with such fun!




Family & Friends, nothing better!