Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

12- 15 Appetizer Servings

1 1/4 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (About 4 Breasts)

1 (1 Pound) Package Sliced Bacon

2/3 Cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees F.

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in the mixture. Coat a large sheet pan with foil. Place a rack on top of the sheet pan, and coat rack with cooking spray. Place chicken wraps on the rack. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Aprons and Favorite Recipes

The next couple of months we will be doing a few projects that would make great Christmas gifts. This month will be aprons.

For this hostess apron you will need:
2/3 yard for the main fabric
fat quarter for the pockets
3/4 yrd for the waist band and tie
interfacing for the waist band
1 package of double fold bias tape (or you can make your own)



For our recipe swap we will be bringing our favorite recipe. Bring your most requested item or call you mother-in-law for hers.

We'll see you October 1st at 7:30 pm.

french flea market apron

adult size:

fabric A (bottom ruffle - blue in photo) 1/2 yd

fabric B (middle ruffle - green in photo) 1/4 yd

fabric C (top panel - pink in photo) 2/3 yd

fabric D (waistband/tie - polka dot in photo) 1/2 yd

child size:

A - 1/2 yd  **smaller girls sz 3-6 could do 1/3 yd

B - 1/4 yd

C - fat quarter

D - 1/3 yd

Chicken Poppers

chicken breasts or tenders
diced green chiles
sliced cheddar cheese

Grill chicken. Place green chiles on top of chicken. Place cheese on chiles and let the cheese melt.

Limeaid

32 oz of freash squeezed lime juice (if you use the bottled kind-don't bother to make it because it its just not the same!!)

6 QTS cold water & ice

6 cups of sugar- give or take depending on how tart you want it

stir stir stir!!

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Cranberry Sauce

2-3 lb pork roast tenderloin
6 tablespoons butter - divided
1/2 onion - finely chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 can chicken broth (7 oz)
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions
1. Melt 2 Tbs butter in heavy large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper.
3. Sear pork on all sides, about 2 minutes.
4. Place pork in crock pot and cook on high with 2 cups of water for 1 1/2-2 hrs.
5. Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 tablespoon butter in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add onion and rosemary; sauté until onion softens, about 3 minutes.
7. Add broth, cranberry sauce and vinegar and whisk until cranberry sauce melts, about 2 minutes.
8. Boil until sauce has reduced enough to coat spoon thickly, about 6 minutes (could take longer).
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Slice pork and serve with sauce.

Shrek Margaritas

Shrek Margaritas

1/2 small can white grape juice concentrate
1/4 lime including rhine
1/2 orange peeled
1/4 pineapple
ice
couple handfuls of raw spinach

Blend well in a blender

My children absoutely love this drink. They ask for it all the time!
Don't be scared of the Spinach you can not taste

Burned Flowers

I am not sure if that is "the name" of these little flowers (or big) but I thought it's fun!  I came across these on Saturday and made one for Emma, they are sooo easy and cute.

Materials Needed

Clip 

Hand needle

Thread

Button or bead

9 circles of fabric 

(at least I used 9, the largest ones were about 4" in diameter and the smallest about 1 1/2 inch)  see you all tomorrow!

rolled roses

supplies:

20" by 3" strip of fabric, button, needle & thread, clip  

Corkscrew hair bows

I know how to make the corkscrew hair bows. They are simple and fun
You need:
crossgrain ribbon of your choice
thread
needle
1/4" dowels...about 9 inches long (I have some but not enough if everyone wanted to make them)
wooden clothes pins (Once again I do have some)

ButtonFlowerPin

I found this crocheted flower that is really cute and easy to make
ButtonFlowerPin

Does anyone know how?

Does anyone know how to make these darling curly ribbon hair bows? I REALLY want to learn how!


Are there any other hair accessories you guys are wanting to learn how to make? I saw the cutest feathered headband the other day - wouldn't that but fun to make for ourselves?

Ribbon Flower

Maria said she'd teach us how to make these cute ribbon flowers. I'm not sure exactly what you need so correct me if I'm wrong.

2-3 coordinating ribbons
matching button
hot glue?
hair clip

Felted Flower

This one would look so cute on all of us so if you don't have any little girls, come learn how to make cute hair accessories for yourself!

Felted Flower
-Felted wool (or regular felt)
-thread
-needle
-headband or clippie (whatever you want to attach the flower to)

Fabric Flowers

Sanetta found tutorials on these fabric flowers and shared the links with me. So cute.

Fabric Flower 1
fabric
scissors
small piece of felt in a coordinating color
needle and coordinating thread
hair clip or headband to attach the flower to
button to be covered and small amount of fabric to cover it (or any button you choose)
fabric glue (optional)

I'll bring the template but if you want to view the tutorial click here.

Fabric Flower 2
2- 3" x 3" fabric squares
Wonder Under
Iron
Marking pen
scissors
sewing machine
hair clip to attach flower to

Same thing. I'll bring the template but click here if you want to view the tutorial for yourself.


As far as hair clips go, I believe these metal single prong clips to be the best. Don't buy the double pronged ones because they don't slip into a ponytail very well. You can buy them for way cheep at any Sally beauty supply store. Bring a glue gun if you want to cover it with a ribbon before you put the flower on.


If you want to put your flower on a nylon headband for a baby I'm sure we can figure it out. I think all you need is a pair of white knee high and a hot glue gun.

August = Hair Accesories, Meat & Drinks

Our next get together will be Thursday, August 27th, 8 pm at Avimore. In honor of the kids return to school we will be making hair accessories to match all our girls' darling school outfits. Please post pictures of the flower, felt, button, ribbon, fabric, etc hair clips/bands that you know how to make along with a supplies list. I would love to have 5 or more different tutorials going on that night.

For our recipe swap, let's do drinks and meats. Last names A-M bring pork, beef, chicken, or fish, N-Z bring drinks. I will be bringing a recipe for Cranberry/Balsamic Vinegar Pork that Deven will be making :) (we call him the meat man here at my house).

McKayla and Bree modeling the outfits I made them last week. McKayla has declared this to be the clothes she will wear on the first day of school. I already made her a matching two sided headband (uses scrap fabric and 3 inches of elastic) but I'm planning on making some of your cute creations to match as well.

Oh, BTW Craft Warehouse is having that same buy 2 yards get one free sale again. I believe it lasts through the end of August. Should we make aprons in September? :) Happy shopping.

Jessica's Pillowcase Dress/shirt

Here's mine. Super cute! I originally was making it for Victoria, but made it Anne's size. So now Anne gets the outfit and Victoria gets to use the shirt as a dress.

Beer Bread

Beer Bread

3 cups Flour- sifted *must*-

3 tsp. baking powder-omit if using self rising flour-

1 tsp. salt -omit if using self rising flour-

2 tsp. dry active yeast

1 (12oz) can beer -or any carbonated drink, I like ginger ale better-

1/2 cup melted butter -I use less, maybe 1/4 cup-

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients and then add the beer. Pour into a greased loaf pan and cover with the melted butter. Bake for 1 hour and remove and let it coll for 15 minutes

Quick, Easy, and super good!

Potatoe Rolls

1 1/2 c mashed potatoes (I use instant)
2 c. warm water
3/4 c. butter
3 tbsp. yeast
3 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
6 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients. Divide dough into fourths; knead for 3 minutes adding flour. Let rest for 15 mins. Roll out into circle and cut into triangle shapes. Rolld dough into crescents. Place on greased cookie sheet; let rise until double (30-45 mins). Bake at 375 for 10-15 mins.

Romano's Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread

This is an attempt to imitate the excellent bread that is served in the Macaroni Grill Restaurant.


2½ hours | 2¼ hours prep

2 loaves

* 1 tablespoon yeast
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1 cup warm water
* 2 1/2 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons rosemary
* 2 tablespoons butter

1. Place yeast, sugar and water in large bowl or food processor and allow mixture to become bubbly.
2. Mix in 1 T butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour.
3. Add one tablespoon of the fresh chopped rosemary.
4. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or in food processor about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Add more flour if necessary.
6. Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel.
7. Let dough rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled.
8. Punch down dough and divide in half.
9. Let dough rest about 5 minutes.
10. Spray baking pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray.
11. Shape the dough into 2 small rounded oval loaves.
12. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tablespoon of rosemary over the loaves and press lightly into the surface.
13. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
14. Preheat oven to 375°F.
15. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
16. Carefully remove from oven, brush with remaining butter (and salt if desired.).

Orange Rolls

1 1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shortening or butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp yeast, dissolved in 1/3 cup warm water
2 well beaten eggs
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 Tbsp grated orange peel
5 cups flour

Scald milk & shortening or butter together and let cool.

Combine milk with sugar, salt, yeast mixture, eggs, juice and beat well. Add flour and orange peel at once and stir to mix. Rest for 10 minutes.

Knead again 5-10 minutes. Let rise 1 hour.

Roll out and shape into knots or crescents

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Frost when cooled.

FROSTING
2 cups powdered sugar
6 Tbsp soft butter
Orange juice

THE Jello Salad

Jello Salad

1 small pkg jello- any flavor
1 small pkg tapioca pudding- cook-n-serve
1 small pkg vanilla pudding- cook-n-serve
3 cups of water
1 small tub cool whip
fruit if desired- fresh or frozen

In a sauce pan combine jello, tapioca, and vanilla pudding with the water. Stir continually and watch for it to come to a rolling boil. let in boil for 3 minutes. take off heat and let sit for 3 hours. -It doesn't matter if it is on the counter or in the fridge- add your tub of cool whip and mix thoroughly. Once blended add in your fruit and stick in fridge to set up again. (usually take 15-30 minutes to fully set.)
Enjoy!
*I usually use raspberry or strawberry jello, but my mom has used orange and lime and both have tasted really good.

Better than Tide!

Miss Teeter was so awesome and came to our enrichment and taught us how to make Laundrey detergent

Here is what you need- all purchasable at Winco (in Laundry Isle)...

1 bar of Soap (you can use whatever but Miss Teeter uses Fels-Naptha because it is made for treating laundry stains)

1 Cup Washing Soda- Arm and Hammer brand

1/2 Cup Borax (20-Mule team brand)

3 Gallons Water

5 Gallon Bucket

Step One:  use a regular cheese grater and grate your soap (then throw in the dishwasher and you have a very clean grater!) Next heat up 4 cups of water in a large sauce pan(it will become very volumous so use a huge pot) until it is almost boiling.  Add the grated soap and stir until it is dissolved, keeping below the boiling point.

Step Two: Put 3 Gallons of hot tap water into the 5 gallon bucket.  Then mix in the hot soapy water from step one.  Stir for 1 minute.  Add 1 Cup of washing soda and stir for another minute, then add 1/2 cup borax and stir for another minute.  Let the mixture sit overnight, uncovered.

That is it you are done.  You should have now a bucket of gelatinous slime that iis a paler shad of soap you used before.  You will need about 1/2 cup per load and this bucket should last for about 96 loads!!!  about $10 per year!!!!  Also Miss Teeter said that she bought all she would need for a year and put it all in a extra 5 gal bucket and set it in her food storage- great idea!

An idea for the future...

I ran across this blog and loved the shirt. And it looks super easy to do.

Check it out. Enchantresses 3

Pillow case dress/shirt in July

OKAY everyone....On July 28th we are making pillowcase dress/shirt and ruffle pants. Here are the fabric requirements for our fun project.
Pants
6-18 months................. 1/2 yard
18-14 months-3T .......3/4 yard
4T-8..............................1 yard

Ruffle
All sizes 1/3 yard

Pillowcase Dress/Shirt

The amount of fabric will vary according to the length that you want your dress/shirt. So get out your measuring tapes and measure your girls from shoulder to where you want the dress/shirt to end then add 3 inches.
Here are inches converted into yardage
9 in = 1/4 yard
13.5 in = 3/8 yd
18 in = 1/2 yd
22.5 in = 5/8 yd
27 in = 3/4 yd
31.5 in = 7/8 yd
36 in = 1 yd
By the required amount
All fabric needs to be at least 44/45in wide

If you want to add a band to the bottom of your dress/ shirt buy 1/2 yard of a coordinating fabric
Notions:
1 in wide elastic for waistband
2 yd ribbon for dress/shirt tie
Matching thread

If you have any questions please post them and I will respond

Another Flirty Skirt....

Here is the little skirt I made for Bentlee! Kim, thanks for being patient enought to teach all of us. What a fun night! Looking forward to next time!

Kari's Flirty Skirt

Thanks Kim for teaching us how to make these cute flirty skirts. I actually ended up shortening my top layer so you can see more of the orange. I think it turned out so cute.
Thanks Jessica for sticking around to show me how to make the fabric flowers again.

I had so much fun that on Saturday Carissa and I got brave and decided to try and make another skirt. This is what I ended up with. I think it turned out cute!

I'm really excited to do this each month! Thanks for inviting us to be a part of it all!

Summer Salads and Breads

Jocelyn has so graciously volunteered to teach us how to make a pillowcase dress/shirt and pant with ruffle. Both are beginner sewing projects and so cute!



As for food. We'll be doing salads and breads. Bring salads if your last name begins with A-M and a bread/roll item if your name begins with N-Z. I can't wait to taste what you all with be bringing.

Jessica's Flirty Skirts!

I finished mine! They are so cute! I LOVE THEM!!!

So I want to see all the other creations!

Thanks for teaching us. I can't wait until next month.

Flirty Skirts

Kim taught us how to make these Flirty Skirts - she found this pattern for these multilayered skirts at Quilt Expressions. Needs 1/2 yard for top fabric. 1/2 yard for bottom fabric, 3/4 inch elastic and thread to match fabrics.

Corn Salsa

4 cups corn or 1 pkg frozen corn
1/4 cup yellow peppers, diced & roasted
1/4 cup yellow peppers, diced and raw
1/4 cup red peppers, diced & roasted
1/4 cup red peppers, diced & raw
1/8 cup onion
1 TB parsley
1 TB chives
1 TB cilantro
lemon juice
lime juice
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve - tastes great with lime tortilla chips!

Brownie Trifle

1 of your favorite boxed or homemade fudge brownie recipes
12 oz cool whip
1 large pkg of instant chocolate pudding
Fruit of choice (we used strawberries and blueberries)

Prepare brownie mix according to the recipe. Bake in a 9 x13 pan. Cool: break into small pieces.
Prepare chocolate pudding according to the recipe. Let is set up.
Place a third of the brownie pieces in an even layer in the bottom of a bigger casserole dish or a trifle bowl. Pour pudding mixture over brownies; Spread Cool Whip on top of pudding. Place cut up fruit over the Cool Whip. Repeat all steps beginning with the brownie pieces 2 more times. Chill and Serve.

Cheese Ball

2-8 oz softened cream cheese
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup red bell-pepper, chopped
1 TB grated onion
1 1/2 tsp season salt
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix all ingredients except for pecans. Form into a ball, roll in chopped pecans. Refrigerate until firm.

Keylime Tarts

Makes 24 Tarts

24 Lemon or Lime Cookies*
16 Ounces Cream Cheese, Softened
2 Eggs
1 Cup Sugar
4 Tablespoons Lime Juice
2 Teaspoons Lime Zest
Fresh Sweetened Whipped Cream
Mint Leaves or Lime Slices for Garnish

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees F.

Fill 2 (12 Muffin) muffin tins with foil or paper cups, and spray with cooking spray. Place one cookie in the bottom of each cup, flat side down.

Prepare filling. Beat together cream cheese, eggs, sugar, lime juice and zest until well mixed. Distribute into the cups. Bake for 12 minutes or until filling is set. Remove tarts to cool. Once tarts are completely cool, top with whipped cream and garnish.

*I found Famous Amos Lemon Cookies at Walmart and they worked great. If you can’t find lemon or lime cookies, Nilla wafers would also work!

Mint Brownies

Make brownie mix according to directions (use a mix that can go in a 9x13 pan). Bake in a cookie sheet for about 20 minutes. Cool completely.

Mint Layer:
3-4 TB milk
3-3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup butter softened
1 tsp mint extract
Green food coloring

Combine ingredients and spread over brownie mix. Chill.

Chocolate Layer: (I just use a chocolate milk frosting mix.)
4 TB butter
8 oz milk chocolate chips

Melt and spread over mint layer. Chill.

Peanut Butter Popcorn

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter

Heat sugar and corn syrup to a full boil. Take off heat and add vanilla and peanut butter. Pour over 6 cups of popped popcorn and 1 cup peanuts (optional).

And so it begins...

It all began at a baby shower at Chelsea's. She served these amazing eclairs. I couldn't get enough of them. After convincing her to give a us a tutorial at Brittany's house we decided to make a girls night of it!

Cream Puffs
2 (3.5 oz) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs

1. Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
3. In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball.
Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should be dry.
5. When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells.
6. Optional: Top with melted chocolate or chocolate icing.

Then I convinced Jessica to teach us how to make some fabric flowers. SO CUTE and super easy too! For a free tutorial on how to make these flowers go to Flower from Anna's Garden
We had so much fun that night we decided to make this into a monthly gig. We'll have a recipe exchange and post the recipe's on this blog and learn a new craft or do a sewing project. June = appetizers, desserts, and the flirty skirt.

Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

2 Kiwis, peeled & diced
2 Golden delicious apples, peeled & diced
8 oz Raspberries
1 lb. strawberries sliced
2 TB. White Sugar
1 TB brown sugar
3 TB Fruit Preserves, any flavor

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
Cover and chill in fridge for at least 15 min.

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas - I usually use more than 10
butter flavored cooking spray
cinnamon & sugar mixture

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tortillas into wedges and arrange an even layer on a baking sheet. Coat them with the butter spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Spray them once more with the butter spray. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes. Repeat until all the wedges are cooked. Let them cool for 15 minutes then serve with fruit salsa