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! 

Molten Brownie in a Mug

This is the fastest, easiest, and yummiest dessert!  It is a perfect recipe to do with kids because the steps are so easy!  My kids love making their own single serve dessert!  

Ingredients

2 tbsp Melted Butter

2 tbsp Water

1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 dash Salt

4 tbsp Sugar

2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

4 tbsp Flour

Directions

In a 12 ounce mug, whisk water, melted butter, vanilla, and salt together really well.  Add cocoa powder and whisk well.  Add sugar and whisk well.  Add flour and whisk well.  Microwave for 60 seconds for a slightly molten center.  Microwave about 75 seconds for brownie without a molten center.  When my kids make these, I split the recipe between two mugs and microwave both cups at the same time for 50 seconds.  Microwave cooking times vary of course, so start with less because these are not good when overcooked!  We sprinkle powdered sugar on ours or sometimes top with a scoop of ice cream.  Enjoy!  

Baja Shrimp Tacos

This dish is one of my family's favorites and the best part is how fast it is!

Shrimp Baja Tacos

Tortillas (any size (we use flour but corn would be good too), Jason thinks the bigger the better)

Shrimp (we have used both breaded and not breaded)

Cabbage (green or red)

Sour Cream

Southwest Seasonings

Lime

Cheese (we use cheddar but your favorite will work great!)

Cilantro

Cook Shrimp (when I use shrimp that isn't breaded, I cook them on the stove in butter garlic, dried red pepper, and a dash of salt - or a southwest seasoning.)  While shrimp is cooking, shred cabbage and cheese and mix your southwest seasoning (or a dash of cayenne, garlic powder, onion salt, paprika, and red pepper) and a squeeze of lime into the sour cream to taste.  When shrimp is done, build tacos and top with cilantro and prepared sour cream.  Enjoy!

What's For Dinner?

Today I had great expectations for my dinner plans.  But sweet baby Finn is sick.  So I spent most of my day with him in my arms.  As the dinner hour quickly approached I realized my big plans just were not going to come to fruition.  Oh well!  As I visually perused the fridge with Finn still in my arms I remembered the crescent rolls I bought at Costco last week.   YAY!!!  Ten minutes later dinner was in the oven.  Twenty minutes after that my lovely dish was being plated and Kurt was commenting on the wonderful arromas coming from our kitchen.  Success!  And before he even took one bite.  I love my husband dearly!  So what did I whip up in a jiffy?

I think I'm going to call it Sounthwest Yummy!  I know real original right!?!  All I know is that is was simple and good!

Southwest Yummy

2 tubes of crescent rolls

1 can refried beans

3 cups cooked and cubed or shredded chicken

taco seasoning

2-3 cups cheddar cheese

Cook chicken.  I use a George Forman grill to do this.

Place cooked chicken in saucepan.  Add taco seasoning and about 3/4 cups water.  I can't give you a specific amount of seaoning to add because my family like spicy so you need to add to your taste.  Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.  Once seasoned remove from heat and add cheese.  Meanwhile arrange your crescent rolls on your baking sheet in a braid or wreath pattern.  Place a layer or refried beans followed by chicken and cheese mixture. Finish off braid or wreath pattern and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes

Garnish

tomatoe

lettuce

sour cream

olives

or whatever else you like on your tacos

ENJOY!

Great served with guacamole, southwest chip dip or salsa

Now don't forget your umbrella drink!  They always make me feel special & festive!

Reading Fun!

http://storytimeforme.com/

This is a fun website where kids can hear story books read by professional actors and explore books on their own which is an essential part of learning to read!  

The best part is that it is completely FREE!  

Buttermilk Coffee Cake

This coffee cake is so so yummy!!  Great for a Thanksgiving brunch or afternoon snack served with hot cocoa or cider. 

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix together and add 1/2 cup brown sugar.  Cut in 2/3 cup butter.  Beat 2 eggs and add 1 cup butter milk.  Fold into dry ingredients.  Pour into greased 9x13 inch pan.

TOPPING

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Sprinkle over top of batter.  Refrigerate overnight.  In the morning bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

Welcome Friends!

We are so excited to launch our brand new blog Rocky Mountain Mamas!  Thanks for stopping by!  We look forward to sharing recipes, crafts, and stories about raising our families in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  Stay tuned.