Try this yummy dip!

Spicy Bean Dip

1 Can       Pinto Beans
1 Can       Great Northern Beans
1 Can       Corn
1 Can       Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
1 Can       Diced Tomatoes
1 Pkg       Taco Seasoning


Mix everything together in a saucepan.  Heat on medium heat until hot. You could also do this in a crockpot with equally as good results. Serve with any kind of tortilla chips.


*You may replace the Feista Nacho Cheese Soup with regular for a milder flavor.  

Too Many Broken Crayons?

If crayons at your house are anything like they are at mine, chances are, you have a ton of little broken ones kicking around.  Instead of throwing them out and buying a new box, here is a good way to make them usable again.  Sort them all into same color piles, different shades and such is ok.  Grease the bottom of some muffin tins and put the piles into each of the cups.  Melt them on low until they are all melted.  Let cool and remove from pan.  You may need to wipe the grease off with a paper towel.  Now you have very unique crayons that your children will be overly excited to use.  You will have all the colors with different shades and maybe glitter in a round fun crayon.  If you want to throw in a variety of colors to make them rainbow that would be just as much fun I am sure.  

Healthy Caramel Recipe

2 c.         Evaporated Cane Juice
2 c.         Cream or Evaporated Milk
1 cube     Margarine (not butter)
3/4 c.      Agave
      Mix everything except 1 cup of milk or cream in your saucepan.  Bring to a boil and add the other cup of milk or cream.  Bring to a boil and boil until caramel colored.  Pour out into prepared pan and let cool for 3 hours.
* You can add nuts or anything else that sounds good.  I usually spray my dish and sprinkle nuts, etc., on the bottom, but you can sprinkle yours on the top.  The agave makes this a little softer than corn syrup. This starts out as a light tan color, it is done when it is thicker and a deep tan, almost brown.  (Because everyone has a different idea of caramel color, that is how I judged it to be the right color.)

I have decided that reading a small, fun story every morning helps me in my day.  I will post everyone story that I  find enjoyable here to share will all you.

 Unconditional Love
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco."Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

The Concert

I was sent this story this morning, and I am passing it on to you to read.


The Concert
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,"Don't quit . . . keep playing." Then, leaning over , Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child,and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic," Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly note worthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music.  However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.  The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully.  You may hear the voice of the  Master, whispering in your ear," Don't quit . . . Keep playing."May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips  the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always!and remember," Don't quit . . . Keep playing."

My Handmade Soaps

The time is drawing near. I am getting much closer to making my own soaps, and hopefully soon, candles. I am researching an all natural, herbal hair shampoo. My hair has fallen out so bad this last year and I am afraid I will lose more if I don't do something about it right now. This too will become part of my soap line if it turns out well...if not, then it will stay at my home :)

I have just about got all the materials and whatnot needed to start my soaps. I am getting really excited about it, strange I know, but I get to make my own scents, colors, and all sorts. Not to mention any small amount of money I make selling will be helpful. I will be listing most, if not all my soaps on Creative Creations, not sure if I will do any on Etsy or not. If you have any good ideas on scents you would like to see, please I am open to any suggestions (email me at arvi5214@hotmail.com). Keep checking back, I will keep my blog updated. Can't wait to hear what scents you have in mind.

Adorable little girlie bobby socks

I just got my darling little girl socks finished up. They have a really cute and dainty crocheted edge. I will do custom orders, they are listed in both my shops. My little girls think they are the cutest things in the world, for now anyway.

Delicious Banana Nut Bread.

Healthy Banana Nut Bread

1/4 c. shortening

½ c. maple syrup or honey

2 eggs

1 3/4 c. flour (add more if needed)*

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 c. mashed ripe bananas (2 – 3 )

Nuts (optional, as much or little as you like)

Cream shortening and honey or maple, then add eggs. Combine all dry

ingredients and add alternately with mashed bananas to creamed mixture. Pour into 1

greased bread pan. Bake at 350* for 50 – 55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before

removing from pan.

*You can use fresh ground wheat or fresh ground sprouted wheat in place of the flour and it turns out just as good. A delicious snack you can feel good about eating.

Cute Newborn hats

I got some of my newborn baby caps finished and they turned out very cute. I had to hide them from my little girl who wants them for her dolls. They will be listed on my Etsy Shop and Creative Creations. Very excited about making some more. They are relatively easy and you can adjust and make additions. So many variations with one simple pattern. Figuring out the right pattern and stitches was the hard part, but that is done. Please check them out and let me know what you think.

Another Great Product!

Due to my hands cracking and bleeding until they nearly fell off, I decided to branch out and try a new dishwashing soap. I had a favorite brand and that is what I got everytime. I decided that with the air drying my skin out so badly and having to wash dishes 3 times a day, not to mention all the other chores that require putting your hands in water, I need to give them all the help I could. I decided to try the Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay. What it says on the bottle I agree with wholeheartedly! It only took about 5 times washing dishes to notice softer and less dry hands. I got the Pomegranate Splash and I just love the scent, it is so refreshing. Give it a try if your hands are cracked, dry or bleeding and see it work wonders.

Cute Little Hat

Finally got my next project done. Took a while and some adjusting to get it how I wanted, but I am happy with the result. Very cute toddlers hat, which is listed in both my Etsy store and Creative Creations. I was able to get two hats out of one skein of yarn. It was alot of fun. I am working on some newborn "Bring Me Home" caps and so far they are turning out just as nice. I will be listed them on my stores so keep checking. I will also be updating here as well.

Here is the address to my Etsy shop: www.arvi5214.etsy.com

Healthy Apple Crisp

Delicious Healthy Apple Crisp

6-7 apples

3 c. oats

1/2 butter, melted

1 c. Crushed Corn Chex

1 c. Agave (divided 1/2)

Peel, core and slice apples. I usually cut them into quarters and each quarter into quarters. Place apples in large casserole dish or 2 small ones. Drizzle 1/2 cup agave over the apples. Mix oats, corn chex, butter and 1/2 c agave in a bowl. Sprinkle on top of apples. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Optional, you can add pretty much whatever else you want to the topping, such as nuts, coconut, toffee bits, what ever sounds good to you. You can also add pears or peaches to the apples. This is another gluten free recipe that I use all the time for surprise visitors when I don't really know preferences or dietary restrictions. There is no refined sugar in this recipe unless you add the coconut, or other things that might. Very delicious!

For a sweet topping I use:

Heavy Whipping Cream

Agave

Whip the cream until stiff peaks form, add agave to desired sweetness.

Honey Almond Granola

This granola never lasts around our house.

1 c. Chopped Almonds (you can use whatever kind suits you)

4 c. Crisp Rice Cereal

4 c. Oats

2 c. Coconut (Health Food stores may have the unsweeten kind)

1/2 c. Flax seeds (optional)

1 tsp Salt

1 1/4 c. Honey (can be switched with Agave or Real Maple Syrup)

1 1/2 Tbs. Molasses

3/4 c. Butter

1 1/2 Tbs Vanilla

Almond Extract to desired taste

Preheat oven to 350*. Mix first 5 ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside. In a sauce pan mix salt, honey, molasses, and butter. Cook on med heat till boiling stage. Remove from heat and mix in flavorings. Pour into the oat mixture and stir together. Pour mixture onto greases cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. *Note: You may need to turn your oven only to 325* to prevent overcooking.

MMMMM.... I can smell it already. I will be making me another batch this coming week for sure!

Is it Springtime Yet?

I miss Spring, I wish it was here. I ache to plant flowers and watch my trees bloom. I need warmth now. I have had my 3 months of cold weather. My yard is plain with no color and is begging for variety. My vegetable garden just waiting to be prepped and planted. Shopping for plants and tools and my, I had better stop. *Sigh* someday......

Free Samples

Free Samples

A fun site to browse through when you have too much time on your hands or if you just want to find some nice freebies.

Finally Finished!

I finally got my hand-embroidered pillowcases done. They took a while, but turned out really pretty. They are listed in my Creative Creations Store. (Link on the left side) Please check them out. Now to go out and shop for another set to embroidery, or maybe crochet a baby afghan. Guess I will decide when I go shopping.

Free Coffee is Always a Good Thing.

Delicious Peach Smoothie

Ready for a very refreshing smoothie? Although my children call them shakes, I think they are probably more of a smoothie. This is just an idea of what to go off, I really don't usually measure, I just add till it tastes good to me.

1 c. Frozen Peaches

1 tsp Vanilla

1 Tble Agave (you can use honey or maple syrup)

1 1/2 c. Milk (more if it is too thick)

Mix all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Very delicious and healthy. You can use this same basic recipe for any frozen fruit you would like to make into a smoothie.