Digi Day

It's been a long time. I know. Forgive me. Posting will be sparse for a few more weeks. I wanted to get up some digi pages though. Somehow I've been able to keep up with my scrapbooking in all the chaos that has been my life. It's a good life though, I won't complain. I do miss this though, this blog, the readers. Can't wait to get back to a routine but glad for a Summer of business. Being busy means we are building memories. Can't complain there.

Okay, here goes...

 Love these cute kiddos. Can't believe Back to School is right around the corner. Kit by Fancy Pants Designs. Full Credits Here.

 I love how this turned out. Can you believe how big this girl is? This is a template from the Photoshop Friday Series. I've told you about them. Good deal. Seriously. Full Credits Here.

 We vacationed this year in Heber. It was such a fun trip. Photos by Aunt Carla. Full Credits Here.

 I love this layout. This is our final photo from our home in Missouri. This was such an emotional day. This kit is by Echo Park. It's a cute one. Full Credits Here.

 Cute girl. Cute photos! Full Credits Here.

 I LOVE this layout. I'm still just digging on Grey. Love it. The girl makes it of course. ;) Is my one year old stinkin' adorable or what?! I love these misting masks by Splendid Fiin too. Take any plain paper and make it awesome. Full Credits Here.

 This is another Photoshop Friday template. I love this one so much I've used it twice! Full Credits Here.

Somehow my shadows changed in my resizing. I need to fix this before printing. Full Credits Here.

Alrighty, now that I've bombarded you with my pages. I guess if you're still reading you need an award!

Or a big hug and thanks.

:)

We'll be back soon with some regular posting. Hoping your Summer has been as wonderful as mine!

Love, Monica



Guest Post-Apple Dew Dumplings

My good friend, Candis, was so sweet to guest post for us today.  I'm really excited to try this recipe.  It looks absolutely delicious!  Candis is awesome at everything she does.  A very talented woman!  So happy to have her as my friend.  :o)

Apple Dew Dumplings

2 Granny Smith Apples

2 Cans Refrigerator Crescent Rolls

2 Cubes Butter

1 1/2 Cups Sugar

1 Tsp Vanilla

12 oz. Mountain Dew

Cinnamon

 

Core, peel and slice the apples into 8 pieces. Roll each apple wedge into a crescent roll, from the long end of the triangle to the point, and place them in a 9x13 pan.

In a saucepan, melt the butter and add the sugar, stirring until it's almost dissolved. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp vanilla. Pour this yummy mixture over the rolls (they'll look like they're swimming in it). Then pour the Mountain Dew around the outside of the pan. Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with cinnamon.

 

Bake at 350* for 40 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with the sauce in the pan.

French Bread

I love making bread.  I've tried making french bread before, and it didn't work out too well for me.  I thought i'd try a different recipe last night and it turned out beautifully!!  It tasted just like I think french bread should taste, and it looked great too.  I ended up slicing it up and making grilled cheese sandwiches with it.  My familia LOVED it!

French Bread
2 ¼ c. warm water
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp oil
5 ½ -6 cups flour


In your mixing bowl add your sugar, and yeast.  Pour your warm water over the top and let it sit until it's nice and bubbly.  Then turn on your mixer and add your salt, oil and 3 cups of flour.  Mix well.  Add in 2 1/2 -3 c. flour.  You don't want to add too much.  I used 5 1/2 and it was perfect.   You want it to come off the sides of your bowl but not too sticky to the touch.  Knead for 3 minutes and then let it rest for 10 minutes.  Turn your mixer on for 10 seconds and let it sit for another 10 minutes.  Do this again, totaling 5 times.  Turn dough onto a lightly flour surface and cut in half.  Roll one piece into a 9x13 rectangle.  Roll dough up, starting at long end.  Place seam down on a BIG pan that's been sprinkled lightly with corn meal.  Do the same with the other loaf.  Cover with a towel and let them sit for a half hour.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Brush each loaf with an egg wash. (1 egg, 1 Tbsp water whisked together).  Bake for 30 minutes.


Source-Mel's Kitchen Cafe


Enjoy!  


Love, Erica*

Menu Monday

Hi...I'm back!  :o)   Gotta love the busyness of summer.  I've been reading, crocheting, trying to figure out my new sewing machine, playing with the kiddos, and just enjoying life.

I got to see my sister last night!  It was so exciting.  I love her to pieces!  She looks great!  Can't wait til I can get a few days with her instead of a few hours.  Soon, I hope.

Here's my menu for the week...

Monday
Chicken Divan


Tuesday
Bacon, Ham and Ranch Wraps


Wednesday
Justy's night to cook!  I will be giving her one night a week to test her cooking skills.  This should be fun...and interesting!


Thursday
Tacos


Friday
Grab and Growl Night


Saturday
Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches


Sunday
Ranch Pork Chops and Taters

Have a great week!

Love, Erica*

Bagels-A Guest Post

So excited to have my friend, Kelsey, guest post for us today.  She is a great friend!  So talented in the kitchen.


Hey all! I'm really happy to be guest posting on such an awesome blog! It's a privelage and these girls thoroughly rock. I've brought with me a delicious homemade bagel recipe that I hope you try and enjoy. I always hear how intimidating bread recipes are to some people, but this one couldn't be easier. Trust me when I say this...I'm a ditzy blonde girl with the attention span of a sparrow, and if I can do it you certainly can too. At our house we eat a lot of homemade dishes, so when I found this recipe on Tasty Kitchen.  I got pretty excited. It was love at first bite and I was forced to decide never to search for another bagel recipe again. But besides the easy factor and the tastiness, there really is nothing like the satisfaction of making a whole meal from scratch, especially the part where you know exactly what's going into your family's bodies. Even though bagels aren't exactly super food, it's still better than buying processed stuff from the store.

⅔ cups Warm Water
½ Tablespoons Sugar
1-½ teaspoon Yeas
t2 cups All-purpose Flour
½ Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
¾ teaspoons Salt 

In the bottom of your mixer bowl, combine the water, sugar, and yeast and let the yeast develop for about 5 minutes. Add in flour, vegetable oil, and salt and mix with a dough hook (or by hand) until the dough is elastic and tough. You may need to add in a bit of extra water, but do it little by little. Let the dough sit and rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead. Cut into 6 equal pieces. Roll each individual piece into a “snake” long enough to wrap around your palm. Dip each end of the dough in water and press together in your palm, forming a circle. Place the formed bagels on a floured board and allow to rise another 20-30 minutes.

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy-bottomed pot. When the water is gently boiling, place 2-3 bagels into the water for 1 minute and then flip to boil on the other side for another minute. Remove the bagels, place them on paper towels to take off excess moisture, then place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bagels. Bake in the oven on 425ºF for 18 minutes, turning them over after 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Note: Substitute 1/2 cup wheat flour and 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for a wheat variation.

There you have it! We like to eat our bagels with original cream cheese, ham, cheese, and chicken...all dipped in ranch for dinner. Y-U-M. Try them out and you'll be happy you did!
Hope you enjoy, see you!
-Kelsey

Menu Monday

Another busy week ahead.  Gotta love summer!  Monica is on her way to her new home today.  So excited for her, and can't wait for her to get settled in.  She gets to come home to Idaho to visit soon!  Yay!!  Here my weekly menu...

Monday

Ham, Bacon, and Ranch Wheat Wraps

Tuesday

It's supposed to be chilly, so Justy has asked for Beef Stew

Wednesday

Chicken Burgers

Thursday

Tacos

Friday

Grab and Growl Night

Saturday

Grilled Hot dogs and Steaks and Dutch Oven Potatoes

Sunday
Meatloaf and AuGratin Potatoes

Have a happy week!

Love, Erica

Digi Day

Being a med student's wife I'm all about FREE. So how about a FREE class from Jessica Sprague? Woot! If you have been at all curious about taking a Photoshop class then here is your chance!

Here is your chance to dip your toes in the world of Photoshop. There are sooooo many wonderful beautiful projects you can create. Not only can you scrap gorgeous digi pages but you can photo edit, make posters, subway art, cards, etc. The possibilities are endless.

 Be careful though, it's addicting! ;)

Register HERE.

Okay, I do have a page for you this week. We have a new designer coming to JS.com. I can't really announce it, it's just not my place, BUT stay tuned because Monday is the big day. Her stuff is fun and gorgeous. *Sigh* I'm such a lucky girl to be on such an awesome creative team!

Stinkin' cute, right? :)

Full Credits Here.

Okay, I'm off to pack some more boxes. We are moving on Monday! Wish me luck! :)