Author: Melissa

not my brightest idea

So I got all inspired in September and decided to make my mother-in-law a quilt for Christmas.

And didn't start it.

Didn't start it.

Didn't… start… it….

And I still haven't started it.

…So guess what I'll be doing this week!!?!?

Uncategorized

try this: homemade calzones

My sister made these for us once and they have become one of my husband's favorites. So yummy. We love them with tons of sausage peppers and onions.

Ingredients: 

1 pkg of refrigerated pizza dough (Pillsbury or the like. Trader Joes has great dough too.)

2 cups of your favorite pizza or spaghetti sauce

2 cups of mozzerella cheese

All the toppings you love…pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, onions, sausage… whatever you have around the fridge.

Seasonings – oregano, basil, pepper, salt, garlic powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum
foil and spray with PAM.  Lay out pizza dough flat and cut in half. 
Place sauce in a line, cover with cheese.  Add your toppings and any
seasoning.  Fold the two halves into a two burrito shapes, making sure
to overlap the dough.  Spread a bit of butter on the dough and sprinkle garlic powder on the dough
after folding.

Place in the oven for 15-17 minutes or until the tops of the calzones are golden brown.  Remove and enjoy!

Uncategorized

happy vacation week

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Christmas and some good time to relax with friends and family. We're safely bundled into Grandma's house in Ohio, surrounded by new toys galore, playing Super Mario Bros on Wii, eating cookies and having massive Nerf Gun wars. (Seriously, when you give boys something like this, prepare for war.)

We've discovered that Ellie has a secret talent: Nerf Gun Assassin.  She is crazy-good at Nerf gun wars and is kicking her uncles' butts. She is a sneaky little thing with terrific aim. Don't say I didn't warn you.

*****

I've had a cold for over a week now. And I'm wondering if its still a cold. Maybe I have something else. Or maybe I'm just so worn out that I can't get over this cold – that seems to happen when I've been super busy. Maybe I should go to the doctor… because its not a trip to Ohio if I'm taking someone to the doctors office.

*****

I've been so busy with design work over the past two weeks. Check out my most recent designs for Xiaolin Mama and CityMama!

Uncategorized

inspiration – 12.27

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

How Deep the Father's Love for Us, Stuart Townend

peace on earth, good will to men

I can't stop listening to this song today.  It was written during the Civil War and is amazingly relevant today. Its a free download on Amazon.

I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth

I thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth
Peace on earth"

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth, good will to men

Uncategorized

try this: peanut butter blossoms

These are my husband's absolute favorite. Colin is a fan, too.

6a0120a4ea0523970b012876080bec970c-320wi Peanut Butter Blossoms

48 HERSHEY'S KISSES
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sugar

1. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended.
Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add
egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and
salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
2. Refrigerate dough for about 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar and place on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes.  While baking, remove wrappers from Hershey
Kisses.  After removing the cookies from the oven, immediately press a
hershey kiss into the center of each cookie.  Cool and enjoy!

Recipe origin: Mom. And the Hersheys Kiss package.

Uncategorized