Homemade Halloween

I always try to hand make some part of my kids costumes, Liam's first year I didn't do anything to his costume, and It was cute, because he was, but I could have made it so much better. His 2nd year I had to do a lot of sewing to fit my little boy in his Frankenstein costume, before I tacked in the sides and sewed a piece of cardboard into the top, it looked a hot mess on him. Last year was Rosie's 1st Halloween, she was a kitty cat (The catwoman to Liam's batman if you will!) and It also needed some help in the sewing department. Well instead of fixing store bought costumes this year, My kiddos are getting the full on Cosplay costuming! Liam's favorite thing is Adventure time right now, he loves himself some Finn and Jake! And since Rosie really is to young to care, she'll be Princess bubblegum. She likes My Little pony, but really I couldn't think of a way to do that, that I'd like to see on her. Since next year she'll be able to pick her own costume, I may not get them to match again anytime soon, so this year I'm going all out. I Have already started on Liam's Finn hat from this pattern on Ravelry ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/finn-hat-adventure-time-crochet-pattern ) and I plan on winging a crochet Pebbles hat/wig for Rosie. I'll also be knitting a Finn backpack for Liam, and using some clothes he already has for the shirt and shorts. I'll be sewing a dress for my little PB. I can't wait to share the whole process with you guys! Stay tuned for progress shots of both hats!

Cheap-o Breakfast

I made this recipe for the fam this morning. I really like it because it's so quick and it's made of stuff that i already have on hand most days. They are also great to just throw in the car and go. I plan on making them the morning before our trip to Highpoint near Christmas. It's not really a muffin, but it's in a muffin tin. It's so simple I really hope someone tries it!

Sausage Biscuit-Muffins

4 Turkey sausage patties (i use turkey because of quest for health, you can use pork)

1/2 shredded cheese (We use sharp cheddar, but again do what you like)

2 1/4 cup bisquick

2/3 cup milk

Just mix up your bisquick and milk like the box says and then add your cheese. Now distribute the bisquick/cheese mixture evenly between 12 cups of a regular sized muffin tin. I quartered 4 regular sized sausage patties, and then poked a quarter into each cup of dough. Bake for 12 - 15 mins. Let cool for about a minute after you take them out. Then serve and enjoy.

I love how quick these make up because I can do it while feeding the baby and it doesn't take all my attention away from the fam on a saturday morning. I like giving them a home cooked meal, but I like spending time with them so much more.

But... I don't eat pumpkin...

The husband and I have gone on a bit of a health kick lately. I say kick only because it's not even been two weeks since we started, but I'm hoping this will be long term. We sat down a week and a half ago and made the decision to cut red meat and pork out of our diet (...tear, goodbye pork) and to eat only whole grains. We chose these things because it's what we are worst at getting right and what we hope to ingrain in our children. I'm cutting a lot of sugar out of my diet in the hopes of finally ridding myself of two babies worth of baby weight.

So you may ask your self "Doesn't everyone know you as the girl who bakes delicious albeit not so good for you treats?" ...yes, don't rub it in. Since sugar is a no go now, I can't bake yummy things full of it for my family. I can however bake them for other people!! I love loopholes. i still get to do what I love and I promise not to lick the spoon.

Today I decided to slip into this with a little ease by baking a pumpkin roll (or three) for a lovely lady at Will's work. I don't really eat pumpkin. It's a mental thing, ever since I was little and scooped out my first slimy pumpkin guts I was pretty sure pumpkin and I would have a strained relationship. I do like the smell however, so a pumpkin spice cake is fun to make, not to eat... like play doh! (which also smells strangely delicious, only me?) So I drug up my favorite recipe from all recipes, and got to work. No pictures for this one since I was lazy and kinda just wanted to bake. Next recipe I promise will have lots of fun pictures... promise!

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin pie filling
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• (filling)
• 1 pk. cream cheese
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla flavoring

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs on high for 5 minutes. Gradually beat in white sugar until thick and lemon-colored. Add pumpkin and lemon juice.

In another bowl combine flour and baking powder; fold into the pumpkin mixture.

Grease a 15x10x1 inch baking pan; Spread batter into pan

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Immediately turn out onto a linen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Roll cake up in the towel, Cool.

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, butter, and vanilla until fluffy.

Carefully unroll the cake. Spread filling over cake to within 1 inch of edges. Roll up again. Cover and chill until serving. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar, if desired.

I know these have nuts a lot of the time, but our friend doesn't dig them, so I left them out, I also prefer to buy pumpkin pie filling instead of just pureed pumpkin, I try not to waste my spices and I have never had a complaint out of this amended recipe. Here is the original http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-roll-cake/detail.aspx"> Pumpkin Roll Cake It has served me well over the past couple of years and I hope you guys enjoy it! Now instead of milk and cookies, I'll be going to get a bottle of water and a saltine before I go to bed ... Hooray!

Blog talk

This blog is going to be my food/craft blog. Get ready blogosphere, The lady of the house is here!