Pesto Pizza

As summer winds down I'm making a last ditch effort to preserve plenty of pesto.  Pine nuts are a toastin' and my blender whirls with the last bits of basil.  Somehow I keep using it instead of putting it in the freezer.  This pizza is one of my most recent self-sabotaging recipes :)  The pesto...the tomatoes...the shaved ham...darn you pesto for being so tasty!

1/2 batch of Pioneer Woman's pizza dough (or your favorite recipe)
1/4 pound deli honey ham, shaved
1/4 cup pesto
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (or 2 regular tomatoes, sliced)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (green can variety)
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (fresh)
black pepper to taste


1 - Preheat your oven to 400 degrees (or whatever your dough calls for)
2 - Stretch out your dough and top with pesto
3 - Sprinkle the grated (from a can) Parmesan cheese over the pesto
4 - Top with a zillion halved cherry tomatoes (or if you planned ahead and have a few nice sliced tomatoes, use those)
5 - Layer on the shaved ham

6 - Top with the mozzarella and fresh grated Parmesan
7 - Add a sprinkle of black pepper to taste
8 - Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the smell is making you drool

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,

Back to School

Back to school was always one of my favorite times of the year.  (I admittedly have alot of favorite times of the year.)  My favorite part?  Hands down - school supplies.  I could spend hours looking at school supplies.  I really should've been a teacher.  Mom...you were right... (I hate when that happens  heh heh)

Munchkin is officially officially a Preschooler this week :)  To honor one of my most favorite times of the year, here are some of my favorite back-to-school pins:

1  Be still my heart.  I need this wreath!  {source}
2  {Sigh} I would love to peek back in time to see this little schoolhouse full of children  {source}
3  A sweet teacher's first aid kit.  More evidence that I should've been a teacher!  {source}
4  Another beautiful wreath!  {source}
5  Thanks to Jamielyn for the awesome free printable  {source}
6  And to Melissa for this spectacular printable.  It's framed and waiting to be hung in our workspace  {source}
7  Such a cute favor for a back to school party  {source}
8  Oh how I love this!  Is it weird that I want one?  {source}

Fried Veggie Wontons

It all started with this post by Kevin and Amanda that I saw out on Pinterest.  Golden fried wonton wrapped around cheesy ranch-y yumminess?  Count me in!  I switched things up a bit based on our tastes and went sans chicken because I was serving them as an appetizer.  Below is my veggie version and here is the awesome post that inspired the dinner deliciousness.

 Fried Veggie Wontons


1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped (white onion would work just fine)
1/2 cup frozen sweet white corn kernels
1/4 cup banana peppers, chopped
1/4 cup scallions, sliced thin
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used a pre-grated taco blend)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil (plus additional for frying)
1 tablespoon (or 1/4 packet) of Chipotle Pepper dry rub/marinade
1/2 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dip dry mix
24 wonton wrappers


1 - Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat
2 - Once hot, add onions and saute 2-3 minutes
3 - Add red pepper and saute another 2-3 minutes
4 - Add banana pepper and corn; continue saute until onion is translucent
5 - Remove from heat and add sauteed veggies to a bowl
6 - Sprinkle cheese, chipotle pepper and ranch mixes over the veggies and mix well
7 - Add scallions and stir to combine
8 - Add approximately 1/2 inch of oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat
9 - Fill wontons by adding a teaspoon of the filling to the center of the wrapper
10 - Seal wontons by rubbing water onto 2 of the wonton wrapper sides and folding the other 2 sides over to form a triangle - press edges together to seal
11 - Fry wontons in small batches approximately 1 minute per side (or until golden brown)
12 - Move fried wontons to paper towel covered plate to cool and allow the excess oil to drain


Be sure to check out Kevin and Amanda's post for brilliant freezing instructions and beautiful step by step pictures!

I plan on trying out some sweet variations this weekend to use up the remaining wrappers :)

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,

Giddy Up

In preparation for the upcoming colder (ie: indoor play) months, I started planning out some dramatic play dress up for Munchkin.  First on my list was this ah-dorable cowboy vest from Dana at MADE.  Oh how I love working with felt!  This only took me about 30 minutes.  The only change I made was to add a little braided felt trim above the fringe.

I wasn't thinking that Munchkin has never (aside from Toy Story) seen a cowboy.  Initially when I showed him the vest, his response was, "Eh, you can wear it, Mommy.  I don't wanna be a cowboy."  Something tells me that he'll come around though.  And if not, maybe I'll just rebrand it as an Adventurer vest ;)

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,

Skillz

This week Munchkin has really mastered swinging on his own.  He's able to push off and keep himself going for as long as he likes.

So when we were out this afternoon, I excitedly said to him,  "Wow!  Look at how high you're going!"  His response to me was:

Yeah, I've got skills.

Um, excuse me my little 3 year old...skills you say?  Now, I must also mention that I was gently rocking back and forth on the swing beside my oh-so-humble son.  He then adds this to his previous statement:

You're not swinging high; you've only got little skills.  I have big skills.

Wow.  Clearly I did not bring my A game to the swingset this afternoon ;)

Hubber's Favorite Cookie

Hubs is not much for sweets.  His favorite foods consist of hamburgers, hoagies and steak.  But he does have a weakness for the peanut butter-chocolate combination.  These are his favorite cookies, adapted through 8 years of trial and tweaking.  They're a dense chewy cookie that (in my opinion) are best when ooey-gooey warm.

Chewy Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies


2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 bag mini reese cups, unwrapped and quartered


1 - Preheat oven to 375 F
2 - Cream together butter, peanut butter and sugars until smooth.  Try not to eat straight from the bowl.
3 - Beat in 1 egg at a time
4 - Mix in water, cornstarch & vanilla
5 - Add flour, baking soda & salt and mix until just combined
6 - Fold in semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips
7 - Form dough into balls using approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons dough per ball
8 - Press 3 Reese cup quarters into the top of each dough, flattening out the ball a bit

9 - Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges are golden
10 - Allow cookies to cool a few minutes before removing to cooling racks

Since today is our anniversary I thought I mix the Mister up a batch ;)

I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to Z, The Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring Creations, Romantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Marvelously Messy, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick, The Cottage Chick, Running with Glitter,