Gobble...Flobble

   vs.        

It's close, right?!

I have no crafting ability but I will try my hardest to teach the kids in my ASP different crafts.

We made turkeys today in honor of Thanksgiving.  I asked them today what was Thanksgiving.  I heard, a day where you eat lots of food, when you get presents and you are thankful for them, a day to eat turkey.  Oh kids, they just keep me laughing.

So this craft, I found on Pinterest at Our best bites.  You can get the full directions from their site.

So this is what I used.  I couldn't find candy corn today.  They must have already pulled them from the shelves.  I think they are seasonal.  Sometimes you can find the generic ones but couldn't find anything.  So I thought, we could use pretzels for the feathers but that didn't work and we used chocolate chips.

So I followed the directions step by step but crafting is not my field.  I want to be creative so bad that I try really hard.  My best crafting project is coloring and even then sometimes my kids ask why I color something a certain way. 

My little kids were the ones that crafted with me today, so they are pretty easy to satisfy and don't judge my crafting skills too much.  They were really patient and we all had a blast making our turkeys.

One of my kids and her finished project.  She was so proud of her turkey.  She did a great job.  Hers looked so much better than mine.  Mine looks a little cock-eyed.

I pray that one day, my crafting fingers come alive and the passion for craft becomes visable in the work I do.

The kids had so much fun they wanted to make them next week.  I wonder if it's because I let them eat some of the candy while we were making them.  Can't say no to the chocolate.

Gobble, gobble!



Crockpot Chicken Chili

For bible study, I always like to sign up to bring a dish for 1. It's means I have to come, no backing out and 2. I always like to find and try new recipes and they are my testers.

I use to make things for work but sometimes people start to take you for granted and something fun that I liked to do just because turned into a pain.  What do I mean?  Well I would make different dishes and everyone would like them and then start requesting items or asking why I didn't bring breakfast or lunch in because they were waiting.  Or people would want to know why I didn't provide drinks to go with the item and if I ask for someone to bring drinks, you thought I had asked for them to handmake it.  Then people would go on "diets" and be upset that you didn't make a specialized dish for them.  Hogwash!!  Yes, I should continue to do what I like to do and bless them but I will say, I have to do it on my on timing so I won't get caught up in my emotions of their actions.

It was chili month at bible study and I had signed up to bring "White Chicken Chili".  I have never made it nor had it so off to look for recipes.  After looking at all the recipes, I realized that I wasn't too fond of white beans.  I'm not too fond of beans in general but definitely not white beans.  Thanks to Chipotle, I really like black beans and came across a recipe using black beans.  Then to my surprise, I came across one for the....Crockpot!  Yes!!  So I was going to make white chicken chili w/black beans.  It didn't dawn on me to call it "Chicken Chili" until I mentioned to someone what I was making.  I know, I'm a little slow.  I've been having alot of those moments lately.

So I made this for the bible study and brought leftovers to work to eat.  One of my co-workers asked if she could have some (which I was thinking, it was just some that I had bought) and then another co-worker heard her ask and she asked if she could have some.  Always excited for people to try what I make I said sure.  They warmed it up and had some.  Then they asked if they could have it all because it was soo good.  Of course I said sure.  They've been asking for it all the time now.

You can find the original recipe that what Mel calls the "Easiest Dinner Ever"  on her blog.  

Crockpot Chicken Chili

What you need:

Most important: 1 crockpot liner!

1 Bag of boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins (used frozen)

1 Can of black beans (drained & rinsed)

1 Can of corn (drained)

1 Can of  rotel (I used mild, I'm a wuss)

1-10oz Sante Fe Blend Cooking Creme

Directions:

Put items in the crock in order of list. 

I put it on in the morning on low and after an 8 hour shift at work, Bam! It was done.  After stirring chii, it was perfect.  I did not shred or cut chicken.  They were already in perfect pieces.  If you turn it off and let it set for 30-45 mins, chili will thicken a little.

The recipe calls for you to put it over rice but you great with or without rice.

**A couple of suggestions:

I used Bush's Seasoned black beans which is alot better.

The recipe calls for 8oz of plain cream cheese.  I did try but it was NOT good.

Chocolate Wasted

So for the past week, I've been battling sinus'.  My doctor wouldn't give me anything so I've been doing what I can.  Last weekend was my first free weekend in a while, so I had planned on getting medicated and not leaving the house, well except for my hair appt on Saturday, until I got the text, "GNO my house" from my friend Pam.

Well I just couldn't turn down this invitation, if you don't know Pam, she is a wonderful friend, a Super-duper social worker, and a pretty fun chick, I would say myself.  Go check her page out.  She will have more details about our great evening.  Hey anyone that says I can come with my snot rags and all is A-O-K in my book.

She tells me that the night was a Pinterest inspired girl's night.  Everything that we were making from food to craft came from pinterest.  Game on!  If you haven't heard of pinterest before, it's very addicting.  More addicting than facebook in my opinion.  It's a virtual pin board. Check it out and follow me.  Let me know and I will follow back.

Thought I would lead with this video!

So I helped make the dinner which was Gnocchi Mac and Cheese.  I've never had Gnocchi before but I would give it two thumbs up.  Pictures were taken by my friend Pam and from her page.

We had some yummy veggies to go with it.

Then I helped make this great dessert...Chocolate Chip Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar.  Which was so simple, even for me.  It was chocolate chip cookie down, layered with oreo's and chocolate brownie mix. 

      

We totally got chocolate wasted on this wonderful dessert.  I tried so hard to eat all mine but I think I still had a few bites left.  When oreo's are cooked, it has a different texture that is Ooolala!

Megs said as we started eating, I hope no one is diabetic?! Of course, me, I'm taking pre-diabete pills does that count?!  I really am but nothing was going to stop me from trying this warm and chocolately dessert. 

You better believe that while I was at Pam's house.  My sinsus' had cleared up a little and I was not sneezing, nor had watery eyes, and best of all I could taste.

Our craft of the night were Chi-Chi gloves.  We were suppose to make bath fizzles but citric acid was pretty hard to find.  We had a great time making them.  I am pretty slow at crafts, so of course, I needed help with mine right off and I was paying attention. 

I can't wait for our next P.I.G's Night (Pinterest Inspired Girls Night).  I am currently working on the craft that I would like to present when it's my turn to host.  I need that much time to practice. 

Overall it was a great time to be had by all of us.  I stayed the night.  I had just a chocolate hang over that I went to my hair appt. and slept the whole time while she was doing my hair.  It was definitely a much needed time.

Came across this linky party on 12-13-11, glad to see that there are other addicts out there.