Homecoming Corsage for Squid

Well, just when I thought Homecoming was over, the day before the dance my daughter decides that she is going to the dance with a group of girlfriends. Come to find out she had already bought a dress and everything! After inspection and her agreeing to wear a cover up over the strapless dress, I approved.

Great. Now I had spent so much effort on making sure Momo had a corsage ordered for his girlfriend, the tux, the "limo", and so forth I felt guilty that Squid wasn't going to get the same treatment (although she gave me no warning). It was too late to order a corsage so off to Joann's I went. In the wedding section I found a wrist garter that I turned into the base of a corsage. From there I added artifical roses and ribbons that matched her shoes. I finished in the knick of time and surprised her with it. I actually think this turned out better than the ones we bought that end up dying a few days later. She loved it and now has a keep sake too!

 

 

 

Sub Sandwiches for Momo- A Week's Worth At A Time

I think my son could live on Subway for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Well at least $5 each is not an option on this budget. Instead, I take a little time on Sunday afternoons to make a whole week's worth and freeze them at a fraction of the cost.

Sam's Club has a "sub kit" that has a varity of meats in it for less than $8 which makes about 24 sandwiches. I buy sliced cheese there too and then seperate them into zip lock bags in the fridge. I wouldn't recommend freezing sliced cheese because it falls apart, but I do freeze shredded cheese. I buy the sub rolls at HEB for about $2 a dozen. I also keep little cups with lids on hand for sauce. You can get these just about anywhere. My son likes the spicy mayonaise so I fill a week's worth up and keep them in the fridge too. The night before school, he sets a sandwich out to thaw. In the morning, he grabs the sandwich and a cup with the sauce in it. At lunch time he just puts them together. He loves them and it's alot cheaper than buying school lunch or Subway everyday. The cost comes out to be about 65 cents each.

Just put everything in an assembly line, double wrap with celephane and freeze. I don't put any sauce on them before freezing to avoid the "lunch box soggy affect". These don't get soggy at all.

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving- Airplanes and Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Oh my goodness! I knew that I had taken a little break, but didnt realize it has been nearly a month since I have been here. I have alot of catching up to do, so bear with me...

My parents flew into Houston for Thanksgiving last week. Yes- my parents. We shamed my Dad into getting on an airplane because my sister bought him a ticket. I would have to say for a guy that hates Texas, he had a great time and enjoyed the warm weather. Why does he hate Texas? Well, he was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia during the vietnam years. The weather was hot, humid, and full of bugs. Texas is close to Georgia, right? That was how long ago? Yeah. Similar reason why he doesn't ride in airplanes. He rode in planes then too. (military planes)...

Well, the day they flew back it was 81 degrees here and 31 in Idaho. I called him this morning for his birthday and he has caught a cold. He answered the phone with a "froggy throat". The price of being in better climate I guess. At least there were no bugs this time of year.

I hosted Thanksgiving dinner and my sister will host Christmas dinner. Great compromise I thought. She actually came up with a good idea that worked well on Thanksgiving. (yes I am acknowledging a great idea from my sister!). The stove is always busy on a holiday, so I made crockpot mashed potatoes.

Simple really.

Just peel and cut up your potatoes just like you would for the stove. Place them in the crockpot with butter, water, salt and pepper. Let cook on low, watching the water level just enough to keep the potatoes from drying out until it's time to whip them up.

Drain water, add milk, more butter if desired, and whip right in the crock and serve.

Worked out excellent...

Punk Rock Princess Tutu

My daughter enjoyed making this tutu for her little girl for Halloween. She made it by tying strips of tulle to a waistband made from elastic. The t-shirt was decorated with jewels and "punk" iron-on letters. She wore it over bright green leggings and topped it off with the 80's beads and pink sneakers. It was really cute!

 

 





OL Dinner- Super Mac n' Cheese

How much Macaroni and Cheese do you make for an Offensive Line?

Just make this recipe times 14 !!!

Thanks, Aunt Sissy for this recipe. It was a hit...

Super Mac n' Cheese
(6 servings)

• 2 cups uncooked macaroni
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 cups boiling water
• 3 Tbsp margarine, melted
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• Paprika

1. Cook macaroni and onion in boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain through colander.
2. In large saucepan combine margarine, flour and salt and pepper, stirring until bubbly. Gradually stir in 3/4 cup sour cream and 1 1/4 cups milk, stirring constantly until thickened. remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese. Add macaroni and onion.
3. Turn into medium casserole dish. Spread remaining sour cream and remaining cheese over top. Sprinkle with paprika.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.



OL Dinner- Ham & Swiss Sliders Won Hands Down



The Offensive Line Dinner menu included Ham & Swiss Sliders. They were definitely a hit with the guys. We made 100 sliders and only had about 8 left. However those didn't last long either. After the football game the next night, one of the players told Momo he was having a craving for more of those sliders. He asked if there were any left and if so, he would be over right after the game to pick some up. Now, Friday night lights aren't over until around midnight and this kid lives on the other side of The Woodlands!

With a sharpie marker I put the heating instructions on the lid of an aluminum pan and left the care package with 8 sliders in it at the front door with the porch light on. Not long after, here came headlights, and the package disappeared into the night...



Here is the recipe for a normal size group:

Ham and Swiss Sliders:

• 24 white dinner rolls
• 24 pieces honey ham
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup miracle whip

Poppy Seed Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

 Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and miracle whip. Spread onto both sides of the center of each roll. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss inside of each roll. Close rolls and place them into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet very close together.

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients. Pour evenly over all the sandwiches. You do not have to use all of the sauce. Just use enough to cover the tops. let sit 10 minutes or until butter sets slightly. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees fro 12-16 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes or until tops are slightly brown and crispy. Serve warm.

*Sandwiches can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.



OL Dinner- "The Wall" Rice Krispie Treat Cake

It was our turn to feed the Offensive Line this week for Group Dinner- 18 kids at least 6' 2" tall and 280 pounds each. They call themselves "The Wall" so I needed to incorporate that into the event somehow.

I took two days off work to prepare for this one. I asked Momo what he wanted on the menu so we made a list and went to work. Wednesday I went to Sam's Club, Wal Mart, and HEB to get everything I needed. I was proud of myself when I knew the plan was coming together. Then I just about killed him when he came home that evening and went into a total panic because he didn't think I bought enough food, "Mom, do you realize these guys like to eat?!" I told him to trust me and then I started to build "The Wall" for the cake.

I first made a simple batch of Rice Krispie treats from Coco Krispies to get the right color, placed them in the refrigerator so they weren't gooey to work with, and then used my pastry cutter to cut the sheet into "bricks". I used white frosting mortar and built a wall and stood it using small dowels. The guys loved it!



 



After I constructed the cake, then Momo wanted to know where all the treats were. After I told him that I was just making some to build the wall with, he informed me that the team was really looking forward to the treats because he told them that I was making them for dessert! Ughhh.. Off to making 3 more trays ...

Coco Krispie Treat Recipe:

• 1/4 cup margarine
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 5 cups Coco Krispies

Directions

1. Melt margarine in large sauce pan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted and well-blended. Cook 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
2. Add cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly and firmly in buttered 13 x 9 inch pan. Cut into 2 x 2 inch squares when cool.