Thrifty Thursday

I haven't had a chance lately to thrift shop or garage sale... *sniff sniff*. This Saturday, weather permitting, I plan to hit some garage sales AND thrift shops.....I'm just itchin' to find some treasures!

In lieu of that, I've been internet treasure hunting. I love to look around on etsy.com, but this week I found a great little three piece outfit on EBay! I is just perfect for me...my love of capris, coffee and style!!! I plan on wearing this on my flight to Mississippi in May! Only $20....I think it is WELL worth it.

Here's a little formula can altered with some retro scrapbook paper and trim. I use this at the parent sign in/sign out station for the daycare. I just LOVE this paper!

PaperCrafting Wednesday

One of my daycare mommies is having a baby girl May 27th. She is having a baby shower this Saturday, so what better excuse than to craft up some girly projects?!

I found the cupcake card on a friend's blog, and just had to make it! I'm so into cupcakes....just like a lot of you are.
I also made a pouch to carry a diaper or two and travel size wipes, a taggie blankie, and a soft baby cube with jingle bells inside. I think the pink and green color combinations turned out very nice. I think people get awfully tired of the stereotypical pink for girls, blue for boys.....don't you agree?

LemonPepper Shrimp Linguini

LemonPepper Shrimp Linguini

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package linguine pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup white wine
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
salt to taste
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

DIRECTIONS
*Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine, and cook for 9 to 13 minutes or until al dente; drain.

*Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, and saute garlic about 1 minute. Mix in chicken broth, wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is reduced by about 1/2.

*Mix shrimp, butter, parsley, and basil into the saucepan. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, until shrimp is opaque. Stir in the cooked linguine, and continue cooking 2 minutes, until well coated.

Yet another recipe....tried, tested and approved! YUM!!

recipe and picture from allrecipes.com

This Moment, Your Life

PaperCrafting Wednesday

Since it's Earth Day on this particular Wednesday, I'm trying not to use any paper. Easier said than done......I keep reaching for notepads, or print something off on my printer. What would we do without the gift of paper?!

Just a thought for the day.

Spring is in the Air

Pancakes for Parents

Mmmmmm, smell those pancakes? I held our annual "Pancakes with Parents" breakfast today at the daycare. We do this every year on the Tuesday during "Week of the Young Child". This year we also have some artwork on display at the local bank. (I'll post those pics tomorrow for you).

The turnout for breakfast was awesome, ten children and six parents. It is a special treat for these working families to be able to share a breakfast, like this, together on a weekday. These little ones are like family to me and having their parent's allow me to be a part of their lives is a blessing!

Alli's in the Kitchen with Grandma..

....Alli's in the kitchen, I kno-o-o-ow. Alli' in the kitchen with Graaaaaandma..!

Sunday morning my little Alli stopped in for a little visit. (she lives right next door) I was baking for the week ahead, and well, needless to say, she LOVES to help! Just look at her, only three years old, and cooking like a pro! I put all the ingredients into the bowl, she stirred it up, and before I realized it....she was pouring it into the pan!

She did an awesome job! I need to let her spread her wings a little more in the kitchen by the looks of it! After this, she insisted on washing the dishes, and who was I to say no to that offer!? Just like her Grandpa says, she's a water bug.

Gotta love those grandbabies!!!

A Tisket, A Tasket...

......PeeWee's in a basket!

This is the daycare cat, PeeWee. The kids spotted him while they were eating lunch and couldn't stop giggling. We had been wondering all morning where he was!

Easter Celebration at the Daycare

These are the pre-party preps...say that three times real fast!! The kids will soon be coloring 5 dozen eggs....including the lil' 19month olds!! I will be giving them a little cup of water and a plastic egg in their high-chairs, genius don't you think?!

Off to the party! Check back later for some fun pictures of the egg coloring extavaganza!

Here we are coloring! There HAS got to be a less messy way. I definitely have to research it for next year!

Viola!! The finished product. The little egg faces are so funny.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Feathered Friends

Last evening, as I was tucking our chickens in for the night, I heard some wonderful music. I looked up in the trees to see who was singing to me, and it was a pair of beautiful robins! I stood there for probably five minutes to listen and watch these beautys.......now that is relaxing.

We have crested chickens and one crested rooster. Here is one of the little ladies, the boss was already roosted for the night. I'll get a picture of him soon, he is the most beautiful rooster I've seen in a while! His long flowing tail feathers, and proud crest are so shiny, it's just wonderful.

Crispy Orange Beef

You have GOT to try this recipe! I found it yesterday on Allrecipes.com and we will definitely use this again!! It get an A++

Crispy Orange Beef

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds beef top sirloin, thinly sliced
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons orange zest
3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
8 broccoli florets, lightly steamed or blanched
2 cups oil for frying

DIRECTIONS
*Lay beef strips out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow to dry in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, rice vinegar, orange juice concentrate, salt and soy sauce. Set aside.

*Meanwhile, combine rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Add more water at the end if necessary.

*Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Toss dried beef in cornstarch to coat. Fry in the hot oil in small batches until crispy and golden brown; set aside. Drain all of the oil from the wok except about 1 tablespoon.

*Add orange zest, ginger and garlic to the remaining oil, and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok, bring to a boil, and cook until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.

*Add beef, and heat through, stirring to coat. Serve immediately over steamed rice, and garnish with broccoli.

TeaTime

I have started a new daily tradition for myself: TeaTime!!!

Every afternoon (and sometimes after dinner too) I make myself a

cup of Victorian Tea and let myself go to a peaceful state of mind.

It is so lovely. It's taken me so long to learn to let go, relax, and do

things that are just for me!

Being a wife, mother, grandmother, and daycare provider, I always put

everyones needs before mine. It's OK to find a few moments in each day for ourselves.

It's been said many times.....if we don't take care of ourselves first, then we're

no good to anyone else. How true!

Victorian Tea

2/3 water

1/3 milk

dash of sugar, dash of vanilla

Heat this all up, and add your tea bag.

Picture: allposters.com