Recipe Wednesday: Slow Cooker Meatballs and Bread Bowls

We currently do not have working central air in our apartment, so I've been trying to either plan for meals on the grill, in the slow cooker or no heating necessary to avoid turning on my oven to make us dinner. Earlier this week we had a few days that it was okay to use the oven with the windows open and fans on, so I made some meatballs and mini bread bowls.

SLOW COOKER MEATBALLS AND MINI BREAD BOWLS

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

1 egg

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

3 tablespoons milk

1 jar (25 oz) marinara sauce

1 can (11 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crusty French loaf

Parmesan cheese, if desired

Directions

1. Spray 3-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl: mix beef, egg, bread crumbs, milk and Parmesan. Shape into approximately 16 meatballs. Add marinara sauce and meatballs to slow cooker. Cover and cook on High heat setting 3 to 4 hours.

2. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Cut dough into four pieces. Spray underside of jumbo muffin pan. Form dough around muffin cups to make four bowls. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until bowls are golden brown. Cool slightly. Remove bowls, and cool completely.

3. Brush baked bread bowls with butter and garlic salt or Italian herbs for an interesting flavor twist.

The fat in the beef and the cooking spray does make it a little oily
when the meatballs are finished cooking.

4. To serve, spoon 4 meatballs and sauce into each bread bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

My bread bowls weren't perfect, but they still tasted yummy!

Feature Friday: HCM Creations

This week, we're bringing to you HCM Creations. HCM Creations specializes in hand painted home decor and gifts - with a focus on custom items. "If we can paint it, we can create it."

Here is a bit about HCM Creations in small business owner, Heather's words:

HCM Creations came to life in July of 2013 from the idea of creating my own decor and gifts for friends and family and expanded more than I could have ever imagined. I grew it from a personal interest into a small business and am hoping to expand as far as I can through networking and word of mouth.

HCM Creations is a the perfect place to find unique, custom, home décor pieces that look great in any part of your home and gifts that your friends and family will love. Each product is hand painted and completely customized with any character, design, team or theme you could imagine.

From wooden name letters for your little one’s room, to custom signs and plaques, to hand painted glass wedding frames and everything in between; shouldn’t your home décor be as unique as you are? Maybe you’re looking for the perfect gift, HCM Creations creates anything from custom map flasks, to painted wine and pint glasses, to “Man Cave” signs, if it can be painted we can create it.

Head on over to HCM Creations and see what they can offer! 

Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/HCMCustomCreations

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HCMCreations

Instagram - http://instagram.com/HCMCreations

Recipe Wednesday: Cookies!

Yesterday was my husband's birthday and he had a pot luck event at work, so he asked me to make him some chocolate chip cookies to take in. And by some, that meant approximately 150 cookies! And since I was lacking a share-able recipe for this morning, I thought why not share our cookie recipe?

Our "secret" cookie recipe

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

³/₄ cup brown sugar

¹/₄ cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

¹/₂ tsp baking soda

2 cups all purpose flour

12 oz baking chips

Optional Ingredients

1 cup oats

12 oz raisins or dried cranberries

All but the chips

Directions

1. Preheat to 350°F

2. Mix sugars and butter until smooth; mix in vanilla, egg and baking soda

3. Slowly mix in flour (and oats, if desired)

4. Add in baking chips (and/or fruit, if desired)

5. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Be careful not to overbake!

Fresh outta the oven!

Enjoy!!

We have a 4.5qt KitchenAid stand mixer and I don't remember making a double batch of cookie dough before this Monday when I made the cookies for my husband. Well...once I finished, it looked like it was a little a on the "too much" side for my mixer! lol

#100itemcraftstashchallenge: Project 45-48

For my mom's birthday this year, I made her a set of coasters to match the placemats that I made her for Christmas. (I wanted to do more for her birthday and Mother's Day, but I was at a loss and didn't know what to make or buy for her. )

They were supposed to be delivered to her house on Thursday, but didn't get to her until Saturday (05/17). I haven't heard from her yet, so I'm not sure what she thought of them. The response to the photo on facebook has been great though!

Feature Friday: Lava Designs by Mia

This week in our Feature Friday post, I am bringing to the lovely and talented Mia S. and her shop Lava Designs by Mia. She makes some very beautiful jewelry and it's very creative and unique.

Mia has also generously included a giveaway for store credit. You have through Monday to enter and a winner will be chosen Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in the morning. This store credit will expire on July 31, 2014.

Now let's get to know her in her own words:

My name is Mia and I am a working wife and mom with a passion for beads, bead weaving and making jewelry. I am the designer and driving force behind Lava Designs by Mia but there is no possible way that I would be able to do any of it without the support and love of my family.

Lava Designs is about love: love for God, love for family, love for beads and designing jewelry. The ultimate goals of Lava Designs are to fully rely on God, to glorify and honor Him with the talent and passion he has given me and to be a good steward of His blessings.

Over 20 years ago I took a beading class with a friend who invited me along at the last minute. That day I learned the net stitch and there was no turning back. I had fallen in love with designing and, "Oh! the beads!!!"

I took a break while our two sons were young but about two years ago, I dove back in with passion and a vision. This last year I have been working really hard to make my dream of being a WAHM become a reality.

PGS loves this baseball bracelet picture!

Later this year, I will be opening shops on Etsy and Storenvy. I am excited and I have a plan to expand my business; but, in the meantime, you can order from my ready to ship (RTS) album on Facebook or message me to place a custom order.

There are some exciting things going on in the Studio this month:

• Thursday, May 15th - Monday, May 19th Lava Designs by Mia will be participating in a 20-Vendor Memorial Day auction and giveaway. This amazing event will be hosted by AKM Vinyl Designs.
• I have also teamed up with the New Mexico Muscular Dystrophy Association (NMMDA) for the 2014 Lock-Up. My goal is to raise $1,600 in bail money (but I am praying for more) to help send two children to MDA Summer Camp. Even if I don't make my bail goal every amount helps and I know that I was called to help bring this blessing. All custom orders and RTS sales placed before the 22nd will have 15% of the purchase price donated to post my bail. Please check our facebook page between Monday, May 19th and Wednesday, May 21st for an auction that will benefit the NMMDA. If you are interested in making a direct donation on behalf of Lava Designs please click on this link.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LavaDesignsByMia

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#happyhandmade week 63: my favorites

I'm changing it up this Monday and bringing you my favorites from the #happyhandmade link up over on the Daft Crafts blog. It's week sixty-three of #happyhandmade and please go check it out! Our baseball coasters and our blue & yellow rose coasters are included in the amazing handmade products.

You're only asked to share a minimum of three items from the link up, but I couldn't choose just three! In no particular order, here are my favorites:

Harry Potter hoop art from Gipson Wands

This cute blue-haired dollie from The Mollie Shop (sold via Lu & Ed) - I recently won the red-haired buddy of this guy in a giveaway from Lu & Ed; and PGS absolutely loves it. Sadly, he's already packed away for our upcoming move into a new house.

Adorable cloth elephant from PeeWeePrincess

Summer bucket list from Bugaboo Bear Designs

Amigurumi mermaid from Kits

Go check out all these awesome products and more over on the Daft Crafts link up, and then share your favorites with everyone! 

Feature Friday: EkayG Crafts

This week, I'm bringing EkayG Crafts to you and the amazing WAHM behind it: Erin! Let's get to know her in her own words:

The amazing racetrack rug!

I began crocheting in college when I could no longer play basketball due to an injury. It seems like a strange transition, but it was so relaxing for me, and really helped to take my mind off how much I missed playing ball.

Two very sweet loveys available

My business really grew when I began making toys for kids, inspired by my own children and the things they love. The race track rug is one of my most popular items. The pattern by Cynthia Rae, was something I wanted to make for my own son one year for Christmas. When I posted pictures of it, many people wanted one. Now I am usually booked for Christmas by October with those orders.

A zippered owl wristlet

The name "EkayG" comes from my initials, and my middle name is Kay. I wanted a title which lets my customers know my products are made with love and heart. I really enjoy creating their orders, and am so grateful to be able to do so!

EkayG will offer 15% all purchases in the Etsy shop from Friday May 9th though Sunday May 11, 11:59 pm using the code FEATUREFRIDAY15.

Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/EkayG

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EkayGCrafts

Instagram - http://instagram.com/ekaygcrafts

Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/EkayGCrafts

Twitter - https://twitter.com/EkayGCrafts

Recipe Wednesday: Bagels

I don't remember having any cravings while pregnant with my first child, PGS, but this time, I can't get enough of bagels and cream cheese (and sweets in general)! I don't remember how much I paid for any of the ingredients that I used in this recipe, but I can almost guarantee that it did not cost me more than $2.99 to make six bagels. And that's how much I normally pay per bag of bagels from the bakery section.

HOMEMADE PLAIN BAGELS

Original found here

Ingredients

4 cups bread flour

1 Tbs sugar

1 ¹/₂ tsp salt

1 Tbs melted coconut oil

2 ¹/₂ tsp active dry yeast

1 ¹/₂ cups warm water

Directions

1. Add yeast and warm water to mixing bowl. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl - dough should feel stiff, but add the extra water if it's really stiff, or you cannot get all the dry flour incorporated.

Top: beginning to mix ingredients
Bottom: mixed ingredients

2. Knead dough for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is uniform and smooth. Cut into 8 equal portions and let rest for 15 minutes.

3. Take one of the dough balls and roll into a "snake" that is a little wider than both of your hands; then loop to make a circle and squish the overlapping ends to make a complete circle. Let rest for 20 minutes. Repeat for each remaining dough ball.

4. Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet, two if you don't want your bagels to touch while baking. Bring a pot of water to boil.

Boiling bagels

5. Boil each bagel for about a minute, turn over and boil for another minute. Take them out a let dry for a minute and then place them on your oiled baking tray. Repeat until all the bagels are boiled.

This method of cinnamon sugar coating didn't work too well,
so I sprinkled more cinnamon sugar on top after boiling all 8

5.1 Optional: You can add any toppings you like to these. To make sesame, onions, poppy seed, caraway etc. bagels: just have a dry plate ready with the seed or spice topping spread out on it. After the bagels have come out of the boiling water, place them face down onto the topping, and then place the topping side up onto the baking tray.

6. Bake for 10 minutes and flip the bagels over. Bake for another ten minutes and place on a cooling rack when finished.

7. Let them cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Four cinnamon sugar bagels and four plain

Normally, PGS does not eat bagels, but for whatever reason, he asked for one of the plain ones when they had cooled enough to eat. He didn't want anything on it, but he happily ate a little more than half of a bagel before deciding he'd had enough. That sounds like a glowing recommendation of this recipe! To me, they were as good as any plain bagel. As of the time of writing this entry, I haven't tried the cinnamon sugar ones that I made yet.

#100itemcraftstashchallenge: Projects 41-44

This week I am bringing to you two more projects completed for the newbie we're expecting in August! I made two newborn sized diapers with the Babyville Boutique NB pattern (this pattern doesn't have an umbilical snap down and according to online reviews I've read, it runs a little big for NB). If you're new to sewing diapers and don't have YouTube handy next to your sewing machine, then I recommend the BBV book in the above link.

(No, I am not paid by BBV to promote their products. I just recommend it because for me, it was quite helpful way back in 2012 while first learning how to make a cloth diaper, since I had the pictures handy to look at, but did not have a computer right next to my sewing machine.)

Newborn diapers!

I used some solid red PUL that I had on hand and some more of that bright yellow wicking fabric that I used for PGS' dinosaur tail in February. While I'm not worried about how the wicking fabric will do as a diaper inner fabric, I am never ever going to use it again! Ugh, I cannot sew it very well since it's a fabric that I rarely use. While these two NB diapers may look all cute and tiny in pictures, they are full of flaws! Or...maybe I'm just hypercritical of my work. Either way, there is messed up stitching all over this adorable little diapers. Good thing they're only for my little one and then will probably be repurposed into stuffed animal diapers for PGS and Baby S. #2. (PGS already thinks that the tiny diapers are meant for his stuffed animals.)

And...I also completed two one size diapers for PGS. He's not quite ready for potty training, so I've been slowly adding to the OS stash of diapers since we have a second child on the way. He has a big fascination with pirates, so pirate diapers were just right for him. I used the bubble dot minky for the inner fabric because who wouldn't love soft fabric against the bum?!

OS diapers!

The pattern I use for OS diapers is one that I drafted myself pulling my favorite features from multiple patterns.

Feature Friday: Chalk It Up Kids

PGS' chalk sets on our back patio
(I drew the line, not him)

This week is a special feature of the WAHM business: Chalk It Up Kids. Yesterday was the 1^st birthday of the shop! It's so exciting when your shop makes it the first year. Congratulations to the WAHM behind CIUK, Kayla.  There were so many awesome prizes available; were you one of the lucky winners?

Pretty packaging on the chalk sets

Chalk It Up Kids offers vibrant chalk products in 11 awesome colors and they even have Glow colors! (The glow chalk works best when charged underneath a black light.) CIUK's products are allergy and gluten free.

There are currently over 100 different chalk shapes and that number is growing weekly! If you are planning a party and want an awesome party favor to match your theme, send CIUK a message and they will work with you to see if they can figure something out.

PGS drawing on his play table with
one of his jelly bean chalk pieces

For Easter, we bought two sets of the dinosaur chalk and one Easter chalk set. The dinosaurs were Ice Blue, Red, Orange and Green and the Easter set was bought as stated in the description. I think the ice blue looks really pretty in person. I have no idea about the color on a chalkboard or sidewalk yet though because my son has only played with his ice blue chalk pieces. PGS refuses to color on the sidewalk with his chalk, but uses it on his play table and plastic toys instead. Oh, well, at least he's only chosen to color on easily cleaned off surfaces. 

Every Monday on their facebook page, there is a chance to win a small bag of Oops! chalk. Oops chalk means that things don't go as planned - sometimes a mold does work, or a piece breaks...perhaps a color didn't come out like expected! It's perfect for kids who aren't fussy about the way their chalk looks, just that it works!

CIUK has generously included a $10 store credit giveaway this weekend! One lucky winner will receive $10 in store credit to use and it expires one year from the end of the giveaway.

Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChalkItUpKids

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChalkItUpKids

Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/ChalkItUpKids

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