Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! From my chick to you and yours.

More fun food

I have seen so many fun Halloween ideas this year. They just seem to keep coming. If we had more time I would make some of these, found on some of my favorite blogs.

1. Candy Corn Cupcakes from Our Best Bites
2. Shrunken Heads from Our Best Bites
3. Brain Cupcakes from Annie's Eats
4. Spider web cake from Armelle the blog
5. Crunchy Doughnut Eyeballs from Armelle the blog
6. Candy Corn Cookies from Bake at 350

Payless Shoes

I might go take a look at these boots.

Today and tomorrow only you can get 50% off your entire purchase at Payless Shoes. Click Here to print out the coupon or get the texting information.

Thanks Slave to Save!

Fast and Delicious Sugar Cookies

As you can tell my little helper also enjoys these cookies. She couldn't even wait for me to take a picture.

I don't make sugar cookies very often because they are so much more work than a drop cookie. This recipe is really fast because it doesn't need to refrigerate before you cut out the cookies. So when you want to make sugar cookies you don't have to wait that extra hour or whatever.

These cookies don't have a ton of flavor by themselves but once you add frosting they are amazing. So soft and yummy. They almost taste like those vending machine cookies that are so soft and have tons of frosting, you know what I'm talking about.

Works for me! For more Works for me Wednesday visit We are That family.

Fast Sugar Cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 3 t. vanilla
• 7 cups flour
• 2 t. baking soda
• 4 t. cream of tarter

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs, milk and vanilla. Sift dry ingredents together and add to mixture. Foll out 1/4" and cut into shapers. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes.

Cute Cards

I love the look of this card. I'm thinking you could make some really cute cards with different fabrics. I'll have to give it a try. To find a step by step tutorial on these cards click here.

Menu Plan Monday 11th Week

My husband and I both got sick last week so the menu plan took a back seat. So this week I'll be doing a few of the same dinners since we didn't get to them.

Monday: Tacos
Tuesday: Sloppy Joes
Wednesday: Ward Trunk or Treat chili cook off
Thursday: Baked salmon with Southeast Asian marinade
Friday: Halloween Party
Saturday: Homemade Pan Pizza
Sunday:Spaghetti

For more Menu Plan Monday visit Organize Junkie.

Library Book Sale

The Salt Lake County Library System is having a book sale. The sale is tomorrow and Saturday only from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It will be held at the Recreation Center next door to the Millcreek library (2230 E. Evergreen Ave., 3435 South). For more information click Here. Remember they will not accept credit cards, cash and checks only.

Diaper Rash Dilemma

So a couple of weeks ago Addie had a diaper rash that would not die. No matter how often I changed her diaper, smooched on cream, let it air dry, it just kept living strong. It got to the point she would cry in pain when changing her diaper. Then I saw a comment on line that said to sprinkle some baking soda into the bath to clear up diaper rash. I tried it that day and the next day her rash was gone! Brilliant. I've tried it one other time since with the same results. After I wash her I just sprinkle a little into the water and let her play as usual. She now wants it in every bath, she thinks it makes "bapples"(bubbles).

Works for me. Click Here for more Works for me Wednesdays.

Favorite Thing

As we were driving home tonight we saw a full rainbow. I don't remember the last time I saw a full rainbow. Of course I didn't have my camera and by the time we got home it wasn't as bright, but still lovely.
I'm linking this post to The Finer Things Friday.

Menu Plan Monday 10th Week

Photo from EatingWell.com

This past week I tried this recipe for No-Bake Mac and Cheese. It is a healthier version with broccoli, no butter and only 1 cup of cheese. But I still loved it. I love Mac and Cheese and so does Addie in any form. I think this will be a keeper.

No-Bake Mac and Cheese
From Eatingwell.com

• 8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles, (2 cups)
• 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped broccoli
• 1 3/4 cups low-fat milk, divided
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 3/4 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for 4 minutes. Add frozen broccoli and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pasta and broccoli are just tender, 4 to 5 minutes more.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 cups milk in another large pot over medium-high heat until just simmering. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup milk, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Add the flour mixture to the simmering milk; return to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in Cheddar, Parmesan and mustard until the cheese is melted.
3. Drain the pasta and broccoli and add to the cheese sauce. Return to the heat and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat, until heated through, about 1 minute.

Now to the menu plan this week. Sorry I don't have many links to recipes this week, most of the recipes are pretty basic.

Monday: BBQ Chicken Salad

Tuesday:Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese

Thursday: Tacos

Friday:Date Night, resuming our quest for the best fish tacos in Salt Lake.

Saturday: Halloween Party with Friends

Sunday: Steak, request made by Reed.

For more menu plans visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Cheap Halloween Decor

I love this picture. Doesn't it look old and spooky.

I saw this post and got inspired to do some cheap Halloween decorating. This is one of my favorite ideas. Just get some black frames and print out Boo in different fonts. This project cost me $3. I just got the frames from the dollar store, one of them wasn't black so I just painted it.
Have fun.

For more frugal ideas visit Life as Mom.

Halloween Witch

Look at this cute Halloween Witch sign I got to make. I can't take any credit for it because I was just given the stuff and told what to do. But I think it's pretty cute.

Delicious Chocolate Cake

Some call this a sheet cake, others call it brownies. I call it good. I love this cake. One thing I really love about this cake is how easy it is; you don't even need a mixer to make it. The cinnamon adds a nice flavor or you can leave it out. You can also substitute half of the butter in the cake for applesauce. It really is a delicious cake, or soft brownie, however you see it.

1 cup butter
1 cup water
4 Tablespoons cocoa
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first three ingredients and cook over low heat or in microwave until butter is melted. Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl and add the cocoa mixture. Beat well, add the eggs, milk and vanilla and beat again until well blended. Poor in a greased jelly roll pan and bake for 30 minutes.

While still warm frost with the frosting below.

1/2 cup butter
3 Tablespoons cocoa
1 pound powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter and cocoa in microwave or small pan over low heat. Add to the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Add milk and vanilla and beat well until smooth. Frost as soon as it comes from the oven, it will form a glaze.

Another great recipe is my new favorite cookie!

For more recipes visit Life as Mom.

Wish we were still Here...

Click Here for more Wordless Wednesdays.

Monster in the Mirror

If you have a toddler they may love watching this video. My little Addie doesn't watch TV but she can not get enough of this Sesame Street video. Whenever she is being grumpy or mad I just turn on this video and let her watch it a few times. Once she hears the music she starts to sing and dance along, forgetting about everything else.

Works for me. For more works for me Wednesday visit We are that Family.

Menu Plan Monday, 9th Week

We are home from our cruise and slowly getting back to normal. Addie had a blast staying with Grandma and Grandpa, and probably didn't even notice we were gone. I was also able to relax and have a ton of fun; I only had to call once a day to make sure she was okay.
This weeks menu is pretty simple, I don't really feel like making big dinners yet. Fall weather is in full swing which means SOUP!

Monday: Pizza Night with family

Tuesday: Activity night, dinner is included

Wednesday: No-Bake Macaroni and Cheese with Orange Glazed Carrots

Thursday:Minestrone Soup and Bread

Friday: Baked Potato with Chili

Saturday:Mexican Beans and Rice with Southwestern Calico Corn

Sunday: Homemade Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese


For more Menu Plan Mondays visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Scary Food

I don't like Rachel Ray the person but I do love some of the Halloween food ideas found in her October Magazine. I will be making some of these this month!Buried alive muffins

Severed Hand Toast

Hash Brains

Meatloaf cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting