Sharing Saturday

So Andy's been working down on the farm all week so I'm sharing Farm Related things! I found some great things on Etsy!

How great is this shirt? I'm getting one for Andy. It has the ears of corn, the kernels and the silo in the background. But then the shirt has a diagram showing how corn is used in everything from office supplies to beer. Pretty cool huh? Check out the other cool shirts the store has to offer here!

Then what about these milk jug push pins? Crazy cute.

Hayride scented candles. Are you kidding me? Gotta get one. Although Andy probably will have enough of the smell of hay this summer. I'm one of those geeky people who say aw look how I show you that I'm proud.

This is so cool. I love vintage. Love it. This is a pillow made from a burlap vintage feed sack. Who ever thought that the feed sack would end up so pretty on someones couch?

I think I need me some cowgirl boots. I can't walk the walk without the right shoes! :) I don't really talk the talk either but I am a sucker for a new pair of shoes! I'm sure I could go on 'virtual shopping' all day! I actually found some cute stuff. I will admit I was skeptical. I'm not really a country girl. I just happened to fall in love with a country boy so I'm trying! But I suppose we could have a country touch or two in our home. :) Have a good weekend!

Friendly Fridays - All Thingz Related

You just HAVE to meet these gals! They are just too creative, not to mention so sweet! I just love, love, LOVE their projects! My favorite? The book wreath - seriously need to make one. Like today. :)

We are Bridgette and Rebekah from All Thingz Related! We are thrilled to be here! Thank you Amanda for having us!

If you've never stopped by All Thingz Related, we encourage you to do so! We've both been crafting and creating for a while and together we decided to start our own blog, even though we live over 700 miles apart! Our first post was back in January and we've been loving every minute of blogging!

We thought that we would showcase a few of each other's favorite projects!

REBEKAH: Some of my favorite projects that Bridgette has made are her unique Painted Number Balls...

her Summer Night... Light (I want one of these!) ...

and her gorgeous Easter Table setting...

BRIDGETTE: Rebekah has so many great projects, but some that are my favorites are her Magnetic Recipe Stand. I am so PROUD to look at it everyday!

Her Favorit Book Wreath... Because it is the prettiest book wreath that I've ever seen!

And her most recent post...and a BIG hit...A Nest For My Nest! Her idea to make clay eggs is amazing!

Creating is our joy and passion and we hope that you can see that each and every time you visit us!

And be sure you do come visit! We are hosting an All Thingz Related Blog Party, starting next Tuesday, April 6, where you link up YOUR projects and we will highlight Our Favorite Thingz that you have made!

Thanks Bridgette and Rebekkah! These projects are great! Make sure you go and visit them! I will be sure to submit something to their Blog Party! How fun!

April Fools!

Mmm. Yummy. Grilled Cheese for dinner. NOT!

I saw this on Family Fun's website and just HAD to make it! We (obviously) made ours tonight which was great because I will be working tomorrow so Grandma will be picking up Josh from school and taking him out for dinner. And Josh can never have too many tricks! I just made a box cake - I made it in a loaf pan. Cut it into slices. Toasted them in the oven. Tinted our frosting (mostly yellow with a little red) and cut into sandwiches. Super easy. Super fun.

Chicken and Chips on a stick

So this is def. not the healthiest recipe out there. But, if you have kids it will be one of the quickest eaten meals! Experiment with different chips - BBQ, Sour Cream & Onion, Doritos, any kind will do!

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves cut into cubes

1 egg

2 tbsp. milk

2 cups crushed potato chips

lollipop sticks available at craft stores or party stores (Our Wal-Mart had some in the craft/cake decorating aisle)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheet.

2. Crush potato chips on a plate. In a bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Dip a chicken cube in the milk and roll in the chips. Spread on baking sheet.

3. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and skewer on a lollipop stick.

4. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces - honey mustard, ranch or ketchup.

SUCCSESS

I just HAD to blog about our dinner tonight - it was a complete succsess. What did we have? Meatball sandwhiches (or pizza sandwhiches as I had to tell Josh otherwise he wasn't going to eat it!). Not exciting right? But oh, how wrong you are! It was meatball sandwhiches on homemade whole-wheat flax seed added buns with homemade sauce. And in that sauce were tomatoes (duh.), carrots, celery, green pepper, parsley and onions. And he ate it. He said, and I quote: "This pizza sauce sure is good."

HAHAHAHA child it is just veggies thrown in the food processor!!! Here's another quote : "that was the deliciousest sandwhich I ever had."

Point mommy & team veggies.

I wish I had taken a picture but they got eaten before I could. Yum. And I have TONS of sauce leftover for the week and I had enough dough left from the buns to make a loaf of bread. And my house smells so good. Ahh such a good night.

Caramelized Banana Loaf Cake

Josh had so much fun helping me make this cake! I think that mashing the bananas was his favorite! Go to www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipes/sweet-spot-dessert-recipes/Caramelized-Banana-Loaf-Cake for step by step picture directions!

Ingredients:

3-4 large bananas

3/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp unsalted butter cut in 1 piece

1 large egg plus 1 large egg white

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1. Preheat the oven to 325. Grease a loaf pan. Cut the ends off of 3 bananas to fit crosswise in the pans. Peel and cut longwise in half.

2. In a skillet bring 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tbsp water to a boil. When the water has evaporated and the mixture starts turning brown remove from heat and stir in butter. Add the bananas cut side down in mixture and heat on low heat for 1 minute. Transfer bananas cut side down to bottom of loaf pan and drizzle with remaining caramel.

3. In a medium bowl, mash up banana to make 1 cup. Add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Beat in the egg, egg white and vanilla.

4. In a large bowl whisk the flour with the baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add the banana mixture and oil. Whisk until blended. Pour over bananas. Bake until toothpick comes out clean about 55 minutes. LET COOL FOR 10-15 MINUTES!!! Invert on a plate and let cool completely.

Yummy!

THIS WEEK...

Sorry if you all have felt neglected this week! Life has been a little crazy! The store is open (www.shopikeandella.com) and been doing great, I got promoted at work so I've been working much more, Josh is on Spring Break, I'm working on the Autism Fundraiser (if you would like to make something to donate to our Etsy store -100% of procedes will be going to the Autism Society!), and the weather has finally been nice so the hubs has been working his tail off! WHEW! :)

But neglected no more! We are going to start having themed days here.

Mmm Mmm Mondays - check each Monday for a yummy recipe!

Tutorial Tuesdays

Wild Card Wednesdays - you will have to come see to find out!

Trash to Treasure Thursdays - I think I'm really a hippie at heart!

Friendly Fridays - Guest bloggers, lots of link-y love (If your interested in guest blogging let me know! I've got a few people set up already!)

Sharing Saturdays - the 'must make' things I've found this week

Family Sundays - family activities

So this week make sure to check back each day!

later today I'm posting the how to make a caramelized banana loaf!

Tuesday - Picture chart - we use these a lot for special needs children but all children (and parents!) could use them to help make morning / bedtime routines easier!

Wednesday - Napkins

Thursday - Use up those old dryer sheets in this project!

Friday - I've got a guest blogger - you will just love her. I do!

Saturday - My theme this week is Tractors/Farm.

Sunday - An idea to help teach your kids to try to always think positive!

I hope to see you later this week! :) Talk to you soon!