raisin funds...

The kids at church had an auction.  The proceeds went to help raise money for their summer activities, and other things that keep popping up that seem to cost a fortune.

All the kids were supposed to donate, and I pitched in a little and made some hair bows.

They were out of scrappy fabric and were really cute.

The hair bow above was cuter than the picture, it had a vitangy shabby feel for it, and I would have worn it with no problem.  It sold for $8.00.  Ok, not an astounding amount, but about what retail would have been.

Then there was THIS one, it was so cute and so vibrant, and I threw in a $8.00 beanie because I bought it for Olivia and it was too small so what the heck.  I thought for SURE that would be the eye catcher.

$7.00 (ouch)

 

Along comes this number.  A yellow daisy I had at the bottom of my bag mixed with other scraps.  It was cute, but of almost no creative investment or monetary investment on my part, just something I literally just threw together.

It brought in $31.00

Really.

Blink blink...

cha ching for the kids anyway!

over the top hair bows...

I got really busy with packing for our trip to San Diego I didn't get around to finishing hair bows for Olivia's outfits, so I packed them up (much to the husband's disbelief)...

And made some honkin big hair bows...the hot pink and green set she never did wear, as we did a lot more "beach time" than planned.  (Not a bad thing) They are made to match Gymboree's "Little Lady Line"

The

The yellow orange black red hotpink mess matches Gymboree's "Fiesta Del Sol" from a few years back.  She did get to wear these though...

We were in Old Town San Diego and a mariachi musician told Chris (in Spanish, so I only caught bits and peices), that my daughter was very pretty.  That she was dressed in the colors of the sun.

The color of life.

I agree. 

Do's and Don'ts of Carmels...

Do NOT use a pan with a ridge at the corners (will make a mess)

 DO use one with a good square edge.  Nice and neat!

 Also look for a good wooden spatula to stir with.  One with square corners, good for  keeping sugar from BURNING in the corners or crystallizing.  That also is BAD.

 Use a candy thermometer.  They are cheap and TRUST me, will save you ruining good fresh yummy ingredients. sob.

 Stir.  A lot. 

Do NOT allow your Mom to leave the room if you have never made caramel before.  It will end badly.  Badly as in I think the horses have a new lick in the coral about now.  It was bad.  That is NOT steam puffing up with the bubbles burst.  I burnt it in seconds, apparently I had the heat up too high.  This project called  for a definite do over.  So glad some things in life allow do overs!

Didn't bother posting the recipe or the cast of characters (they didn't make it anyway).  Will try again next time... Too bad everything can't be a success every time!

She blames Orange County Choppers...

About died when I saw this thanks to Mia.

Actual response was SHUT UP!

I need this, so don't enter. I just had to share the cutness and the color! Mmmmm.

Kind of makes my red one look bland.

Don't think I couldn't figure out a way to have two. Don't. I could.

Check it out and enter if you must @ www.pioneerwoman.com/cooking. Sigh. Those graphics are making me nuts...

Red and shiny and lots of power!

Nope, not a Ducati under the tree for us. Poor husband. I got a new mixer. It didn't spend much time shiny and new...

so good in the raw!

Raw Summer Fruit Cobbler
Ingredients
*4cups fresh berries (assorted): use blue berries raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and /or cherries
*2 cups stone fruits: peaches nectarines, plums etc.
*1-2 Tablespoons Agave nectar (optional if fruit needs sweetness)
*Juice of 1 lemon
*1 Tsp. vanilla
*pinch of salt
*2 cups raw pecans
*1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted
*1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine berries, stone fruit, optional agave (we didn't use it because A~ we couldn't find it, and B~ it was awesome without it!), lemon juice vanilla and salt in a large bowl and GENTLY combine. Place in a baking dish or serving platter. Process pecans and cinnamon until coarsely ground. Add dates and process until the mixture begins to come together. Sprinkel nut mixture evenly on top of berries. Serve right away or chill for a few hours before serving.

Ok, this is a recipe the dh found in MaxMuscle Magazine (www.maxmuscle.com)and was submitted by Jessie Monds a private chef in Dallas, Texas "with a focus on healthy, fresh local flavors") her blog is http:/bodyandsoulfood.blogspot.com.

This was soooo stinking good!!! I was sceptical of the whole "raw" food movement, and although I am a sound carnivore and enjoy hot foot, this was an amazing treat that will defiantly be part of our recipe stash. Did not miss the fat the sugar NOTHING. We ate it for breakfast and thought it was a great way to get it going for the morning for our family.

We used blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, a peach, a plum, and two apricots. It made a lot and if my 16 year old boy wouldn't have absolutely decimated it before heading out the door before the rest of us could get to it probably would have made some leftovers. I made the fruit the night before, sealed it in a gallon baggie getting the air out, and made the topping first thing before serving. AMAZING!!! For once a recipe that makes up as pretty and yummy as the article and photos suggest!!!

Protein Pancakes

So after several "suggestions" from the dh's trainer I caved and tried his recipe for protien pancakes. Think crepes, because that is what it reminds me of. My kids love it, and AFTER they ate it they found out what is in it. Relativley simple, as healthy as you want it to be they have actually turned out to be kind of a go to recipe. Our favorite is with berries and a little coconut syrup. You can put whatever you want on it that fits your dietary needs. They work great for our family because the dh needs the extra protien because of his excercize load, great for me because it lowers the carbs for the meal. I have to watch the toppings of course.

So here it is...ready? (brace your self!)
1/2 cup cottage cheese (we use low fat, not no fat)
1/2 cup regualr rolled oatmeal
6 egg whites ( I use egg beaters much of the time for speed)

put it all into a blender and blend it all up, cook like a pancake and serve as you wish. good luck! We love them. No one in the family balks at all.

I haven't done the nutrish info yet, have too many things going right now. I will be lucky to get a pic to post! ;)