Homemade Poptarts

I made homemade poptarts! Its still a little bit of a work in progress... but you can find the recipe here . I think I'll put about 1/4 cup of sugar in the dough next time, because I didn't frost them. I also tripled the recipe so I had enough to freeze. The original only makes enough for 5 or 6. So if you want to make them one morning for breakfast, then its perfect. But I wanted to freeze them and pop them in Matthew's lunches. Anyway, the recipe was SUPER easy to follow. Its just a basic pie crust recipe. I put Strawberry preserves in mine, but now I'm wanting to be creative. Chocolate fudge sauce...Nutella....cinnamon sugar... the possibilities are endless!

What I'll Be Selling

This could be the beginning of something beautiful.
...Or I could fail miserably. But I'm going to try it anyway!
First up: the snack bags (these were my first attempt, and I have waterproof fabric coming in, so the liner will not be cotton)

I'm working on making matching lunch boxes/bags and you can buy them separate or as a set. These ones are drawstring with yarn, but I could also put ribbon in place of the yarn, or velcro on the top instead.
The corners are rounded instead of square, so pesky little crumbs don't get stuck down there! And, of course, they are machine washable.

I'm also thinking of trying to make reusable trash bags/can for the car. It would hang on the backseat, and be stiff enough to stay open without struggling to get your garbage in there. And it would be easily removed, so you could empty it an a jiffy. And, like everything else, have a waterproof liner just in case!

Quick Chicken-Parmesan

So I made this "recipe" up a few nights ago, and have used it three times in the past week! Its quick, easy, and it makes my husband happy. So here ya go!
3 boneless chicken breasts
1/2c bread crumbs (I use crushed saltine crackers)
1c Parmesan cheese
1 1/2t onion flakes (or minced onions)
2t garlic powder
2t cumin
3t oregano
3t tarragon leaves
2 eggs
3-4T milk (I used lactose-free)
2T oil (for frying)

Mix together first six ingredients (all the dry ingredients) in small bowl with fork or fingers.
In separate bowl whisk together eggs and milk.
Cut up chicken breasts in small bite-sized pieces and place on plate.
Dip chicken first in egg, and then in crumb mixture, pressing the breading firmly into the chicken. Fry in skillet over medium heat, until a dark brown color and cooked through! I had to cut into a few pieces to make sure they were done all the way. As I'm sure most of you know, you'll need to adjust your heat to fit your stove. Also, I have to add a couple more tablespoons of oil partially through. Keep in mind you don't want to deep fry them! Just put enough oil in to barely cover the bottom of your skillet.
Serve with rice, and steamed vegetable of your choice! We actually had raw carrots with it tonight, because its what I had on hand.
And, as always, enjoy!

I forgot to add the Easter dress!

I used Simplicity Pattern #2425. I think I got it on sale for a $1 at the time. And the fabric? Also on sale for a $1 at Hancocks. So really, her Easter dress cost me $2. And you just can't beat that! Plus, its so freakin' cute, and I am so proud of myself!

Free Crochet Egg Pattern

Easter has inspired me! I'm nearly finished with Abby's Easter dress, I just need to hem it. Anyway... we have almost no decorations though, and this IS my favorite holiday. There are some really cute fabric Easter egg tutorials out there, but I have a TON of yarn to use up! So here we go...
I used a C hook, and just regular ol' Red Heart yarn.
I also use the "invisible decrease" stitch method. You can find it here
Using the "magic circle" (found here) single crochet 5 stitches.
Round 1: 2sc in each stitch around (10 st)
Round 2: *1sc in first st, 2 sc in next st-repeat from *around (15 st)
Round 3: *2sc in first two st, 2 sc in next st-repeat from * across (20 st)
Round 4:*3sc in first three st, 2 sc in next st-repeat from * across (25 st)
Round 5-10: sc in each st across (25 st)
Round 11: *sc in first three stitches, sc2tog-repeat from * across (20 st)
Round 12: *sc in first two st, sc2t0g-repeat from * across (15 st)
Round 13: *sc in first st, sc2tog-repeat from *across (10 st)
STUFF HERE! *It works better to use small pieces of stuffing instead of one large piece. This way your egg isn't so lumpy.
Round 14: sc in ea st across (10 st)
Round 15: sc2tog four times (6 st) I slip stitch into the first st again, and then finish off. Weave in the end. Tada!