Bathrooms, Laundry, & Lasagna

Ok, strange title, I know! So can you guess what all of these have in common?? Give up? These are the three 'topics' of my day.............I spent the day cleaning bathrooms, washing & folding laundry, and making three pans of lasagna (and brownies)! First I have to share that I have tried some new laundry items and I think I am in LOVE! he he I got this laundry detergent and fabric softener from a friend of mine and just tried it today for the first time. I ran out of my usual and decided to try this stuff. When I took out the first load of laundry from the washer I couldn't believe what a fresh scent I smelled. Then when the same load came out of the dryer, wow! Both are from Shaklee, so if you know a rep, contact them! If not, let me know and I'll hook you up with my friend!

So while doing laundry, I spent the afternoon making three pans of lasagna with brownies! Yummo! I was making one pan for a friend of mine who had surgery yesterday and I am making her family a meal. I made a second pan for our family for dinner and found that I had enough for a third pan! So I am freezing one for next week. I am not a cook by any stretch of the imagination, but I do try. Hubby laughs because I love to watch Racheal Ray (remember my cookware!) . Last week I bought the garbage bowl! Ok, not that I really needed that but boy do I love it! It really is easier to make one trip to the garbage then 15 or 20! I know any bowl would do, but I really enjoy seeing the orange bowl on my counter! LOL

After the laundry and lasagna, I cleaned both bathrooms! This is usually one of the chores for the boys but I like to do the deep clean because they just don't seem to do it. ROFL Speaking of bathrooms, check out this one that I found online. It's in my 'album of ideas'! Thanks again Jessica for that great idea!

So now I'm sitting here checking blogs and writing this blog. Afterwards, I am going to watch Beverly Hills 90210 on reruns! I love this show! In fact, we named our boys after two characters on this show! I wasn't that into the girl names so we went with one from a favorite movie!

Oh and finally last night we decided to 'throw caution to the wind' and change our family movie night! I saw that our movie rental place had 'The Bee' movie available and I have wanted to see it for months. This has to be the cutest, funniest movie out right now! Hubby and I were laughing so hard. The majority of the movie was good clean humor. There was a sub-text of how the bee colony works but nothing was 'out there' -- if that makes sense. Overall, a very cute movie! I'd give it 5 popcorns!

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

What's your favorite soap?

I don't know why I have been thinking about soap lately but I have been! I guess the main reason is that there are a couple that I have found that I just LOVE!

One is from Shaklee, and it's called the Get Clean soap. It's a fresh smelling soap. Perfect for any area that you would like soap.

Another is called Koala Pals and is in my kids' bathroom. I love this soap because it is foam based. So it seems that we don't waste a lot when the kids wash their hands constantly. I can't complain that they wash all the time, so it's nice that this is concentrated and they don't use a lot in order to keep clean.

I really like this one from Method! Try Ginger Yuzu or Sea Minerals. These smell wonderful and light. Plus the bottle is pretty cool!

And finally from the Savannah Bee company (you can find at Bath & Body Works too!), is the Blackberry soap that is made of honey! It's a refreshing scent of pure blackberries. The cool thing is that there is a matching lotion that makes this a perfect set for the kitchen or bathroom counters!

I'd love to learn about some more soaps. What do you use??

Lipstick Jungle!

How many of you have watched Lipstick Jungle? I've watched this from the beginning and I actually like it. At first it was a bit odd to follow, but then I figured out that friends are the basis of this show! Girlfriends! They stand together and are there for you, no matter what. Then I got to thinking about my college friends in my sorority! To this day we are all still friends, here for each other at a moment's notice. Our 'theme' song was by James Taylor, 'You've Got A Friend'.

When youre down and troubled

And you need a helping hand

And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.

Close your eyes and think of me

And soon I will be there

To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,

And you know whereever I am

Ill come running,

oh yeah babyTo see you again.

Winter, spring, summer, or fall,

All you have to do is call

And Ill be there,

yeah, yeah, yeah.

Youve got a friend.

If the sky above you

Should turn dark and full of clouds

And that old north wind should begin to blow

Keep your head together and call my name out loud

And soon I will be knocking upon your door.

You just call out my name and you know where ever I am

I'll come running to see you again.

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you got to do is call

And Ill be there,

yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, aint it good to know that youve got a friend?

People can be so cold.

Theyll hurt you and desert you.

Well theyll take your soul if you let them.

Oh yeah, but dont you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am

Ill come running to see you again.

Oh babe, dont you know that,

Winter spring summer or fall,

Hey now, all youve got to do is call.

Lord, Ill be there, yes I will.

Youve got a friend.Youve got a friend.

Aint it good to know youve got a friend.

Aint it good to know youve got a friend.

Youve got a friend.

I also think it's really neat in this 'blog world' that even though we don't 'KNOW' each other, we are there to help support each other! Sometimes it is just the kind word that we need.

In the mood for BBQ

I don't know what's happening here in the ole' house, but I think my hubby and kids like it! ROFL I usually do not like cooking but do it because I have to because we have to eat. I'm sure you know the drill. But lately I've been hooked on Rachael Ray and have grown to really enjoy making easy recipes that are tasty!

Our local grocery store has a little testing kitchen and they have awesome meals that are prepared. I picked up three cards today when I went grocery shopping.

Here is one of the recipes that was easy and the kids loved it.

BBQ Baskets

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) can buttermilk biscuits

1 1/2 cups cooked shredded pork with barbecue sauce

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Place each biscuit in one muffin cup. Press biscuit down into bottom of each cup until about 1/4-inch thick, then press biscuit up side of muffin cups to form crust.

3. Divide pork evenly into biscuits (about 2 1/2 tablespoons each); sprinkle with cheese.

4. Bake 20–25 minutes until biscuit edges are golden and barbecue pork is thoroughly heated. Serve.

Cowboy Beans

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can pork and beans (undrained)

1 (15-ounce) can black beans (drained)

1/4 cup hickory-smoked barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons cooked bacon pieces

1 teaspoon mustard

Steps
1. Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan.

2. Cook on medium 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thoroughly heated. Reduce heat to warm until ready to serve.

The World's Biggest Tea Party!

I had to share that my daughter was so excited because she got to see the 'ponies live'. :o) Imagine life size colorful ponies dancing on a stage at a venue near you and that's what she experienced!

She was invited to the 'party' with her 'sister best friend'. They are the cutest because they call themselves 'sisters best friends' all the time. And if they ever fuss, which they do to, they become 'cousins'! It's a hoot!

Here is the little Princess at the tea party.

The stage was all aglow with the lighting of the ponies.

The ponies dancing and trying to help PinkyPie because she was sad that there would be no tea party!

More ponies dancing~

What's for dinner tonight?

I was watching Racheal Ray this morning while checking emails and postal mail and got inspired to do some cooking! If you know me, easy peasy is what I like when it comes to cooking and baking. So I made a full meal that to my surprise took less than an hour to make!

First I made a chicken in the microwave! Yep, the microwave! I went to a Pampered Chef show a few months back and the consultant made a yummo chicken in the microwave. I was shocked and surprised because usually cooking chicken in the microwave would scare me. I am all about making sure no one gets sick from undercooked chicken and pork! I'm very OCD about cleaning my counters, cookware, and hands when preparing it too. So I made this chicken right after the show and it was pretty decent. So I made it again for dinner. Here's the recipe:

30 minute chicken
1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
1 tables spoon EVOO (extra virigin olive oil)
Seasoning mixture-
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground flax meal (I add this to everything b/c of it's dietary goodness)

Combine seasoning mixture. Set aside.

Lightly spray deep covered baker with EVOO. Remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken cavity. Rinse chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat off. Baste the chicken with EVOO. Completely coat the chicken with the seasoning mixture. Place chicken, breast side up, in baker. Microwave, uncovered, for 30 minutes (pocket thermometer needs to register 165F in thickest part of breast and juices run clear). Remove from microwave and cover with lid. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Then I also served some baked mac-n-cheese! Craig has always asked about making this but I have never found a recipe that fit my tastes (ie. easy recipe!). I found one online and decided to try it. It was super easy to make but did use up a couple of pots/pans which I'm not a fan of doing. But it was yummy, which is all that matters!

Baked Mac-n-cheese
1 16-oz box of elbow macaroni
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons dry ground mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt (can use regular salt too)
5 cups milk
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (easier to use 2 bags of 2 cups each for recipe)
1/4 teaspoon flax meal (see above note)

Cook pasta according to box directions. Preheat oven to 375F. In large saucepan, over medium heat, melt margarine. Stir in flour, mustard, and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Coak and stir until mixture thickens slightly and bubbles. Remove from heat and add 2 cups of cheese, stir until melted. In large bowl, combine sauce with pasta. Spoon mixture into a greased 13x9 baking dish. Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese. Bake for 4o minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes. (makes 8-10 servings so you'll have leftovers!)

Then I steamed some fresh green beans and added butter, EVOO, and a hint of bacon pieces.

For dessert, I saw a recipe over at Kelly's blog that I wanted to try. These cupcakes were yummy! It was also super easy to make and would be a great treat for any event!

My husband and kids were so excited about the dinner fare. The kids loved the chocolate cupcakes with the surprise treats inside. And Craig loved the mac-n-cheese and the cupcakes too. Usually I make white or yellow cupcakes because I'm not a fan of chocolate cake. So this was all for them!

So that's what's for dinner tonight. What's for dinner at your place?

What a wonderful Wii-k

What a week we have had and it's only Tuesday! If you recall, I received a Blackberry Curve 2 for V-Day. So yesterday I was going to run some errands to the mall, but it started raining so hard that I decided to stay in town. I went to Walmart to pick up a few items, then I headed over to the AT&T store to get a cover for the phone. Next door to phone store is a Game Stop so I thought I'd pop in and see if they happen to have a Wii in stock. You see my boys call the store at least 4 times a week, since the beginning of January to see if they have any. Well, yesterday must have been the day because the truck had just dropped off 4 Wii's! I had to laugh because as I was paying someone else walked in and asked for one. Less then 10 minutes and two gone! It was even better because we had a gift card there and I ended up paying half of how much it cost! Yeah! Then we went back to the store after gymnastics and the kids traded out some games and their PS2 system. So we were able to get 2 games and a docking station! Double yeah!

The boys came home and after homework, set up the system and played a couple of games of bowling. They had a great time! I'll post some pictures of them playing later!