Twist On Taco Braid

I took Evan's recipe from last month and changed a few things . . . my family LOVED this!

Ingredients:

1 pkg crescent rolls

1 can re fried beans

1 can olives

chicken

taco seasoning

cheese

jalapenos (optional)

tortilla chips

tomato

lettuce

avocado

sour cream

Directions:

Cook chicken and then cube or shred and cook on the stove with 1/4 c water and taco seasoning for 3-4 minutes.  Lay out crescent rolls on pan.  Layer beans and chicken followed by olives and jalapenos.  Add cheese and top with crushed tortilla chips.

Wrap crescent rolls around everything. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Top with your choice of toppings and enjoy!  Thank you Evan!

Sausage Braid

Yesterday was Wednesday and that means breakfast night at the Westra house.  My parents watched the kiddos last night while the hubs and I were out for the evening.  Along with pancakes topped with mixed berries I made them one of our family favorites.  I'm not quite sure where this recipe comes from-perhaps pampered chef?  Either way it is YUMMY! So here is what you need:

12 oz pork sausage

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1 garlic cloves minced(I use my garlic press instead)

1 package 4 oz cream cheese cubed

2 TBSP. minced parsley

1 tube refrigerator crescent rolls

1 egg lightly beaten

NOTE:  Because I have a large family I always double this recipe.

 In skillet over medium heat cook sausage, onion, green pepper, and garlic until meat is cooked through.  Drain.  Add cream cheese and parsley.  Stir over low heat until cheese is melted.

 Lay out crescent rolls onto greased baking sheet.  Place the sausage mixture on top and start folding over your braid.  Brush dough with beaten egg.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes

Enjoy!

Great Job Chart!

This is a great job chart for both kids and parents and is super easy to make!

I love it because it is so visual.

Materials:

1-12" x 6" piece of cardboard (i.e. cereal box or other cardboard)

2 pieces of scrapbook paper

yarn or string

1-4 straws (depending on how many chores and how many times a week they need to be completed)

scissors

double sided tape or glue

marker

Directions:

First, you will cut 1 piece of scrapbook paper to cover the cardboard completely (13" x 12") and tape or glue it down (we all know by now that I used tape because I am too impatient for glue :) )

Next, cut 1/4" notches into the ends of the cardboard to support the yarn or string.  Be sure that the notches line up so the string will be straight when strung across.  You will cut as many notches as you need for the number of chores your child needs to complete.

You will then cut your straws into 1/2" - 3/4" lengths (the size of these straws will depend on the number of times a week your child will compete the chore.)

Next, tie a knot onto one end of your string to help keep it in place while your string it back and forth across the chart.  Slide the string with the knot into the first notch and pull it taut.  Slide the correct number of straw pieces onto the string for the first chore and pull the string to the opposite side and slide it into the adjacent notch.  Wrap around the backside to the next notch on the opposite side and repeat above directions until you have completed a string for each chore.

You will now cut your second piece of scrapbook paper to fit ( 15.5" x 6".)  Beginning on the left, glue or tape the paper down covering the notches on the end.  Leave 2 1/4" on the front to write the chores on, and wrap the paper around the back, gluing or taping as you go.  When you get the the other side, fold the remaining 1" around to the front to cover the notches on the opposite side.

 Last,  all you have to do is write your chores on the chart as well as label which side indicates done and which side indicates that the chore still needs to be completed.

Homemade Kids' Game Gift

Tippy Tepee Game

This is a fun game to make for a child.  I saw the game in a magazine that I was reading a while back and made this gift for my Westra Children for Christmas!  Because it is a game that has pieces, I decided to make a little box to everything in.  This game reminds me of Break the Ice or Don't Break the Camels' Back.

Materials:

1 1/2 pieces of Scrapbook Paper

tape (or even better double sided tape)

wooden dowels or wooden skewers

strong scissors

Directions:

First, cut dowel or skewers to length.  I made mine varying lengths between 6 and 8 inches.  Next cut a strip of paper 3 inches by 3/4 inches (the length will depend on how many sticks you have.)  Tape the ends of the paper together to make a ring.  You will need to try it out to see if you need to make the ring wider or narrower.  If your tepee is too tippy, widen the ring.

For the box, I used a whole sheet of paper to make my box.  Fold the paper into even fourths with a 1/4 inch fifth side to use as a flap to secure the box together.  Tape or glue along the side (I used tape because I don't like waiting for glue to dry :)  Honesty is the best policy, right!)

Next, cut about 2 - 2 1/2 inches down each corner on ONLY ONE end of the box and fold sides to close the end.

  

Again, secure with tape or glue . . . we all know what I used!

For the top, I cut down each corner again so that the sticks would fit inside once it was closed.  Then I trimmed along the top of each side so that I could fold the sides into each other to close.  See the picture below.

Last, I placed the game inside along with a piece of scrapbook paper with the directions written on it.

Game Directions:

Tippy Tepee

To set up game, place sticks inside ring and fan out to stand up like a tepee.

To play, take turns carefully removing one stick at a time.  Whoever knocks the tepee over loses.

Mini Dipped Oreos

Mini Dipped Oreos

This is an easy recipe that is great for treat plates!  You could dip them in any color for any occasion!

Ingredients:

Mini Oreos (as many as you want)

Melting Chocolate or Chocolate Chips

Oil (any oil - I use Olive)

Candy Melt (any color)

Directions:

Place chocolate and oil into a microwaveable bowl.  The rule I use is for every cup of chocolate add 1 tsp of oil.  The oil helps with the finished look of the chocolate preventing it from looking chalky and also helps with the consistency.

Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, microwave at 20 second intervals stirring in between until completely melted.  

Next, dip cookies in chocolate and place onto wax paper or parchment paper to cool.  

Once cooled, place candy melt into a microwaveable bowl and follow the same instructions for melting chocolate from above.  I used tongs to dip half of the cookie into the candy melt.  Again, place onto wax paper or parchment paper to cool.  Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Balls

Yummy Peanut Butter Balls

I LOVE this recipe because the peanut butter balls don't have a lot of extra sugar refined sugar!  Plus, the recipe is easy enough that my 5 year old was able to help with the majority of the process!

Ingredients:

1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

2/3 cup Honey

2 cups Powdered Milk

2 cups Melting Chocolate or Chocolate Chips

2 tsp Oil (I used Olive)

Directions:

First, combine peanut butter, honey, and powdered milk together to make the dough.  Roll dough into 1" balls (or whatever size you want!)  

Put chocolate and oil into a microwavable bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, stir, microwave another 30 seconds, stir, and then microwave at 20 second intervals until melted completely.  Be careful not to overcook because your chocolate will get thick and lumpy.

Next, dip balls into chocolate and place onto wax paper or parchment paper.  I put decorating pearls on mine, but you can obviously make them without.  Last, put them in the refrigerator until chocolate hardens. Enjoy!

Christmas - Winter Pancakes!

This morning I decided that it would be best if I made our breakfast more involved!!  So instead of regular pancakes, we made Christmas Pancakes!  It really wasn't more difficult than regular pancakes.  

While preparing the pancake batter (any pancake batter will do), I had the griddle heating.  I set cookie cutters on the griddle, so they would heat up too.

Next, spray the griddle and the cookie cutters with cooking spray.

Next, fill each cookie cutter with batter. Be careful not to overfill.  I found that it worked best to put batter in and then use a scraper to spread it into the shape.

When the pancakes are ready to be flipped (when you can see bubbles on the uncooked side) flip the entire cookie cutter.  You need to flip quickly, so the uncooked batter stays in the cookie cutter.  Once flipped, gently push the pancake down towards the griddle, so the pancake cooks evenly on the other side.

When cooked completely, remove the entire cookie cutter and pancake from the griddle.  The cookie cutter will be hot!  I used a paper towel to hold the cookie cutter and gently push the pancake out.  They came out really easily.  

Finally, we decorated ours with "snow" (powdered sugar.)  Enjoy!

Melting Snowmen Cookies

These cookies are so easy to make and so cute!

I used a recipe for the inside cookie I found on Pinterest for Oreo Truffles (Chef In Training.)

Ingredients:

1 package double stuffed Oreos

4 oz. cream cheese

1 package Mini Oreos

Frosting (you can use any recipe or even store bought if you prefer)

2 packages White Chocolate Chips

4 tsp oil

Put Oreos into a food processor and chop finely.  Mix cream cheese into Oreos.  You can add more cream cheese if you need it.  Roll into balls.  Put 1 package of chocolate into a microwaveable bowl with 2tsp of olive oil.  Microwave for 1 minute, stir, microwave 20 sec, stir, microwave additional 10 sec intervals until completely melted.  Drop cookie balls into chocolate. Roll to cover and place onto sheet of wax paper.  Allow the extra chocolate to pool around the bottom to create the melted look.  Before the chocolate cools, place a mini Oreo on top.  Once cooled completely, pipe frosting on for the face.  You can use a decorating piping bag or even a Ziploc bag with the corner trimmed.

When I piped the nose on, I pulled the bag away at the end to create a carrot-looking nose.

Card Wreaths

I am seriously loving Pinterest!  Last week I found card wreaths via Martha Stewart and just knew I had to make one or two! 

All you need is an embroidery hoop, clothes pins, wide wired ribbon, and a hot glue gun.  Within minutes you will be ready to hang your cards.  These look great in a house that is very antique loving and rustic like the Westra house, but would also look great in a more modern home if you rattle can the hoops and pins with a beautiful rich color.  Either way this is a fun and easy project that helps us enjoy all the holiday cheer all our family and friends from around the globe are sending our way.

Breakfast Fun-For Dinner!

Here at the Westra house every Wednesday night I serve breakfast for dinner.  I found this super adorable snowman pancake on pinterest and just knew I had to make it for my kids.  We do love our snowmen!! 

For our protein I made our favorite breakfast casserole.  I got this recipe from Kurt's mom years ago and it really is our go to recipe for holiday brunches or for when we have company.  The best part is you can make it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you are ready.

Amish Breakfast Casserole

1 pound browned sausage

1 medium sweet onion

8-10 quality eggs lightly beaten

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes thawed

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups(12 ounces) small curd cottage cheese

1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Brown and drain sausage.  In bowl combine remaining ingredients.  Add sausage.  Transfer to greased 9x13 inch pan.  Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

You may have noticed that I typed "quality eggs" in the recipe.  I cannot stress the difference in flavor not to mention nutritional value in quality farm eggs.  I know Heather would agree with me.  She does get her eggs from my chickens after all.  No seriously if you are able to buy farm eggs directly from a local farmer-do!  They are so much better for you and they taste amazing!  Once you do this you will never go back to store bought eggs I promise!!

I hope you all enjoy the casserole!

The Best Taco Salad Ever!

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
Mama Heather and her family that's who!  Last night we had the Wood family over for taco salad.  Seriously this is the best taco salad dressing I have ever eaten!  Now I can't take credit for this recipe but I will happily pass it along to all of you.  An amazing mother of five named Mama V. graciously passed her recipe to me after one of our church potlucks.  She told me this is how all the people in Michigan make taco salad.  I'm not sure if that is true or not.  All I know is she lost me as soon as she mentioned Doritos.  Yes this taco salad has Doritos in it!  YUMMY!

Taco Salad

Salad Dressing: 8 oz Thousand Island Dressing

1 TBSP Taco Seasoning

1/3 Cup Sugar

Mix together and set in fridge for a couple of hours.  I always double this dressing recipe because I have a large family causing me to make a pretty big salad.

Evan's Taco Salad Ingredients:

The amount of each ingredient varies by how many portions you are preparing

Lettuce or salad mix

Tomatoes

Cheddar Cheese

Kidney Beans

1 lb hamburger browned and drained.  Add taco seasoning to the meat and let cool till warm.

Tortilla Chips Or Doritos broken into pieces

Prepared Salad Dressing

Mix it all up and enjoy!

Dipped Snowflake Cookies

I saw these cookies on Pinterest (The Decorated Cookie) and decided that this would be a great project for my kids!  She used the white fudge covered Oreos from the store, and she also used frosting for decorating.  I decided that I wanted to use white chocolate to cover my Oreos and use candy melt for the decoration - partially because I wanted the decoration to harden on the cookie and partially because these were the ingredients I had in my house!

First, collect your ingredients:

1 bag Oreos

1 bag white chocolate morsals

2 tsp oil

1/2 cup candy melt (any color)

decorating bag (or a zip loc)

wax paper

Pour the bag of white chocolate morsels into a microwaveable bowl.  Add oil.  Stir and microwave for 1 minute.  Stir.  Microwave at 30 second intervals until completely melted.

Drop Oreos into melted chocolate.  Use a fork to remove from chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.

Once chocolate has cooled and hardened, place candy melts into decorating bag (or a ziploc) and microwave 10-15 seconds at a time until melted completely.  Take bag out and smoosh (a technical cooking term) the candy melt to mix it up between intervals.

Then decorate away!

Juice Top Ornaments

My kiddos really enjoy giving gifts at Christmas time.  With such large family the gift expenses can get a bit out of hand pretty fast!  Last year I gathered up my kids and all my nephews and niece for a holiday craft that they could gift to their grandparents.  Juice top ornaments are a fun and easy-not to mention affordable gift that adds a personal touch to that special loved one's  holiday decor.   Here is what you need:

1. An image-this can be personal photograph, pretty scrap booking paper-really anything

2. Terrifically Tacky Tape-this comes in a role or in sheets.  Either one works for this craft.

3.  A juice top

4.  Ribbon

5.  Clear Micro Beads-I use Martha Stewart luster glass micro beads from Michael's

6.  Ornament hanger-purchased a pack of 20 at Target

7.  Glue-rubber cement works best

8.  Scissors

Once you pick out your image trace the juice top around it to get the right size

Set your Tacky Tape on top of you image leaving the protective layer on.  Today I used the role tape so I had to set three lines of tape on my image.

Cut out your image.

Glue your image onto the juice top.

After a few moments your image will be set.  Take off the protective layer careful not to touch the image.

Sprinkle Micro Beads on top of image. 

Spread the Micro Beads over the entire surface.  Pour off extra beads back into original container.

One option is to cut out a card stock piece to glue on the back.  This adds a nice finishing touch.  This particular ornament reads, "Owl Be Home For Christmas"

Punch a nail hole into the top of your ornament big enough for your hanger to fit through.

Add some ribbon-wired works best, and hang on the tree! 
Very Fun!!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothies

We love, love, love smoothies in our house.  We also love peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.  So why not combine the two!?!   

Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothies

Berries

Milk

Yogurt (I use Nancy's Plain)

Honey

Peanut Butter

If your berries are a bit tart you could add some sugar or a bit more honey.

A great way to start your day!

Thank Goodness For Comfort Food!

I love myself a good meat loaf!  Bet ya didn't know that about me!  Anyways, what I don't love is a dried out hunk of meat topped off with a dab of ketchup masquerading as a meatloaf.  You all know what I'm talking about.  We've all eaten that ole thing at least one time in our lives.  Well no more my friends, no more!   Now you can make you and your family the yummiest, moistest, most fab meatloaves this side of the Mississippi.  The best part(besides the taste of course)is that there are no fancy ingredients.  I mean really don't you just hate it when you see a picture in a mag. of something that makes your mouth water only to find the recipe back on page 475 with all weird ingredients.  You will not find recipes like that on this blog.  Heather and I have way too many kids between the two of us to drive around to five grocery stores for something smancy.  Okay, back on point-the ingredients for personal(that's right, I said personal)meatloaves are as follows...

1 lb ground beef

1 package stuffing(stovetop brand is great for this)

3/4 cup onion either fresh or dried

1/2 cup BBQ sauce(I use Sweet Baby Ray's)

1 1/4 cup chicken broth

Place all the ingredients in a bowl.  Roll you sleeves up your going to dig in with your hands.  Make patties.  Place patties on a baking sheet.  I always spray my baking sheet with Pam so the meat doesn't stick.  Now the meat is going to be very moist.  You might even think to yourself that maybe you are missing something because it feels like it may fall apart.  Don't worry it is supposed to be like that.

Once you have all your patties on the baking sheet top them with either ketchup or more BBQ sauce.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

At our house I served them with ranch mashed potatoes, corn from my garden, and green beans.  Dessert was homemade canned applesauce. 

So there you have it folks, good old fashioned comfort food.  There's nothing like it!