Poor thing doesn't even have a real Mother

And on a completely unrelated note...

Samm asked me to take a picture of her tonight and then asked "Mom, am I so beautiful?"

"Hello, look at those eyes!"

After this I promise I'm done...at least for a while!

Here is my last great suggestion for Christmas. Actually it's kind of a whole bunch of suggestions wrapped up into one. Go to Sew, mama, sew and check out the handmade holidays link on her sidebar.

Now I promise not to mention Christmas again for at least a couple of months.

psst. I wouldn't mind getting these as a gift either!

Here's one idea

While I was searching for twirly skirt tutorials the other night I came across a cute little blog called Meridian Ariel. She had a great gift idea that would be perfect for Christmas or Birthdays that I wanted to share with you.

Orange vanilla sugar scrub

ingredients:
1 cup demerera (raw cane) sugar
2-3 tablespoons almond oil
1 teaspoon vanilla flavouring
1 teaspoon orange (or any other flavour) essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl (plastic will absorb the oil) until you have a nice slightly slushy consistency and then scoop it into a jar. (Hers came from Ikea, but you could also use a small jam jar.)

Isn't that so cute!!!! I love using sugar scrub in the shower.

Checkin' it twice

• To do lists
• Grocery lists
• What my little bit of money can buy lists
• Wish lists
• pros and cons lists
• Project lists
• Possible vacation activities lists

I can't help myself. I love to make lists. It helps me to feel just a little bit organized in my world of chaos.

Do you know what my very favorite list to make is??? If you paid attention to the title of this post you should know. Yes, that's right. It's my yearly Christmas list. The one where I write down everyone that I will be buying gifts for. I love it!

I know it seems quite a bit early to be thinking of that, but I was so inspired by everyone who handmade all their gifts last year that I decided to do the same for 2009. Did I forget to mention that I am a terrible procrastinator?!!! It is for that very reason my list has already been created. By the way, if anyone in mine or Josh's family wants to know who they have this year just email me. I wrote down the names from last year and then rotated everyone down one. This way we can always know ahead of time who we will have and you won't have a repeat name.

Anyway, back to my ramble. I am so excited for Christmas this year. Not only because making gifts year round means I should be done by October (just in time to make Halloween costumes) but because I actually get to spend Christmas with my entire family for the first time in a very long time. And that makes me quadruply excited.

So, I have already thought of a few ideas for the adults on my list and for the kids, but I sure could use a few more. Please share any of the clever things you made last year?

Obviously I can't make every gift for my kids. Well, I could but they probably wouldn't enjoy Christmas that much. So, I've also decided to do year round clearance shopping. I made my first purchase today. $25 marked down from $70. Not bad eh?

Crock pot extravaganza week day 6

Here is your last recipe of the week. (I'll be resting tomorrow!) I don't have anything cute or clever to go with it, but I do have a new niece and she is rather cute. Thanks again to everyone who sent me recipes. I am really excited to try a bunch more.

Keith's Dr. Pepper Chicken:
8-10 boneless chicken breast halves
1 green bell pepper; diced
1 yellow onion; diced
1 (20oz) can pineapple tidbits
1 (12oz) can Dr. Pepper
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
1 C. medium pace picante sauce
3/4 C. brown sugar
4 cloves garlic; minced
2 tsp. ground black pepper

Arrange chicken in the bottom of crock pot. Drain pineapple reserving juice. Sprinkle bell pepper, onions and pineapple evenly over meat. In a large bowl stir together the remaining ingredients including the reserved pineapple juice and pour over meat. Cook in crock pot on low for 4-6 hrs, or as long as desired.

Crock pot extravaganza week day 5

If you haven't checked out the crock pot lady yet from Wednesday's post you really should. I would never have thought of this.

Today I have a couple pork dinner ideas for you courtesy of my Aunt Maria. She suggests cooking some pork chops with golden mushroom soup on low for 6-8 hours. You can also add potatoes, onions, and mushrooms to the mix if you want a complete meal.

Her other great idea is to cook boneless pork ribs with some liquid smoke for also 6-8 hours and then pull the pork. The meat can be eaten as is or made into pork burritos with onions and pineapple. Yummy!

crock pot extravaganza week day 4

I'm cold. I want spring. Today's recipe from Jeanette makes me think of warm summer days. So does this cute little hat. (click on the word this.) Lets all make one together!

1 pkg boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 bottle Head Country BBQ sauce

1 can Pineapple rings cut into chunks


cook on low for about 6-8 hours and serve on top of rice

Crock pot extravaganza week day3

Yesterday my friend Lisa was making cheese fondue for dinner and I was jealous. Then I started wondering if it's possible to make fondue in a crock pot. Well, according to this lady you can. Her recipe is for chocolate not cheese. But hey, that's even better.

Today's recipe comes from my sister Jenn, and I can testify that this dish is delicious!

Angel chicken:
3 chicken breasts
1/4 C. butter
1 pkg. Italian dressing mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 C. Chicken broth
4 oz. cream cheese

Hot cooked angel hair pasta

Cut chicken into strips or chunks. Place in crockpot. Melt butter and cream cheese. Mix together with remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken. Cook on low 4 to 5 hours. Serve over hot pasta.
Enjoy!

Crock pot extravaganza week day 2

If you need a fun activity to do with your kids while your dinner is cooking itself you should definitly check this out.

GOLDEN GLOW PORK CHOPS: (Sent in by Natalie)
5-6 pork chops

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

1 (29 oz.) can peach halves

1/4 c. vinegar

Salt & pepper


Lightly brown pork chops on both sides in skillet or crock pot with browning unit. Pour off excess fat. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, tomato sauce, vinegar and 1/4 cup syrup from peaches. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper and arrange in crock pot. Place drained peaches on top. Pour tomato mixture over all. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. This is also delicious with pineapple chunks and juice substituted for peaches and juice.

Crock pot extravaganza week day 1

Thank you everyone that sent in recipes. And for those of you who didn't..Shame on you. Just kidding, there is still plenty of time and I would love to get them from you. email your recipes to sally.rollins@gmail.com

ps. If you want to hear me brag about myself go here

This recipe was sent in by Becky and I am heading to the store today to get the ingredients. It sounds delicious! Thanks Becky

Ingredients:
2 pounds dry pinto beans1
lg. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 4 ounce cans chopped chilies
1 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
4 pounds pork roast
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoon cumin

Directions:
Place beans, roast and all other ingredients in crock pot. Cover with water and simmer covered until beans are tender and meat falls off bone (10 hours on low). Remove all bone and fat from meat. Return to beans and cook uncovered until thick.

Serve over corn chips with grated cheese, chopped onion, chopped tomato, chopped olives, chopped avocado, sour cream and taco sauce