Cooking/Freezing/Repeat

Good afternoon Folks!

Last week I had mentioned the Freezer Meals, well I am back! The planning, preparing and freezing feels like it has taken over my life!  It has been so much work that I can honestly say that I am burnt out!  I did however convince the hubby to buy a new freezer..so I must push thru the exhaustion and keep cooking/freezing.  My goal is to have 30 breakfast, 30 lunches and 30 dinner meals.  So far, I have met my breakfast goal, have about 8 dinners but still need so much more.  Truthfully it feels a bit daunting, but one day at a time...

I have been asked by many why? It all started this summer, while both of our kiddos were out of the house..I took a hiatus from cooking.  We ate cereal, soup and sandwiches for most of the summer. It was fabulous!  Fast forward, both of our kiddos are back home, we are all running in different directions.  Cereal and soup just doesn't cut it with 2 teenagers.

It is important to me as a mom to spend one meal a day with my family.  Dinner is a time for us to come together and discuss our day, plan for the upcoming days but most importantly it is when I as a mom get to take in everything that my lovies are doing.  I love listening to them chat.  I would rather listen to them than spend an hour cooking.  I remembered that I used to prepare freezer meals years ago and decided to get back to it.  I can feel good knowing that I am able to prepare meals that are home cooked with as much care as possible while still spending much needed time with them.  Soon they will both be out of the house and it will be back to soup and sandwiches.

These breakfast bowls were really fairly easy to make.  Here is the direct link for the recipe.
http://happymoneysaver.com/breakfast-bowl-recipe/

I used 15 large eggs, 5 pounds of potato's and 1 pound of sausage along with a cup of shredded Cheese to create 12 bowls.

The family helped to make the waffles.  Here is the recipe that we used:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/233920/tender-and-easy-buttermilk-waffles/

I did double the recipe, we made a few more..but you know we had to sample..just had to make sure that our daughter (the Waffle Princess) approved.  *wink* 

 Are you tired yet?  Me too!

Thursday evening, I boiled an entire bag of boneless, skinless chicken.  With it, I was able to make 2 Enchilada Casseroles.

Here is the delicious recipe that I used:
http://happymoneysaver.com/make-ahead-chicken-enchilada-casserole/

I saved half of the shredded chicken to whip up this delicious concoction....can I just say..FABULOUS!  Let me properly introduce you to Baked Chicken Pesto Alfredo.

I used Two Boxes of Penne Pasta, about a pound of chicken, a bushel of fresh spinach and my own Italian Bread Crumbs and Pesto Sauce..yuppers..I went all out!  Being that we live 12 miles from a grocery store, a gal has to be able to think fast!

Here is my Italian Bread Crumb Recipe:
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Parsley
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Oregano
1/4 tsp Basil

Toast 2 slices of Texas Toast-( had some on hand since I was also making French Toast to freeze), add all of the spices and toast to a chopper and give it a good spin,  VIOLA!  Instant Italian bread crumbs that you can feel good about.  Since I was doubling the recipe, I doubled this recipe too.

If you would like to purchase a mini chopper, here is a direct link.
 Mini Chopper


Here is the direct link to the Chicken Recipe:
http://happymoneysaver.com/baked-chicken-pesto-alfredo-freezer-meal/

Back to searching for new recipes, shopping and preparing.  

NEW Soaps & Gift Sets

Good morning and Happy Wednesday!  How have you all been?  I am running at full SPEED!  Not only am I whipping up NEW products but I am also working in the kitchen....yes the KitChen.. cooking that is.  I had this idea to create Freezer Meals and have started the process...lots of cooking is going on but I think it will be worth it in the end, especially during the first few weeks of school.  It is always an adjustment.    

Freezer Meals put on the back burner..check check! On to the NEW product!  I had an idea to whip up soap using the loaf method.  As I was going thru the cupboards in my Craft Studio, I stumbled upon a bag of dried herbs..hmm..I knew that I was onto something.  The first loaf that I made was Fresh Mint Herbal Buttermilk..have you ever smelled Fresh Mint?  I tell ya, it is delightful!  I poured the soap in layers, the first layer has glycerin soap, dried Chamomile, Lavender, Spearmint, Rosemary and Juniper.  As soon as it set, I poured the buttermilk soap along with a sprinkling of more of the dried herbs.   I continued on until I reached the top of the loaf.  As the soap was setting, (it takes a couple of days) I went to work on whipping up lotion, sugar scrub, European Spa Bath Salts and bubble bath.  Viola!  A new Gift Set!

The soap fresh out of the mold and hand cut, doesn't it look scrumptious?

The NEW Gift Set all packaged up and ready to go home with someone.

Since I made a few of each product, I thought a Spa Bath Set would be perfect.  European Bath Salts and the Champagne Bubble Bath..what's not to love?

I was on a Roll!  I also whipped up a separate batch with my Rosemary Mint and Goats Milk Soap..ooh laaa laaaa!

The New Gift Sets have not made their way online but I am happy to say that they are here in the shop, the Rosemary Goats Milk Soap has almost sold out!  We have one bar left and one Gift Set.

I have another NEW Loaf that is setting up as we speak, can't wait to share it with you all!  Catch ya all later!

Soap Soap and MORE SOAP!

Good afternoon!

As the summer months are winding down I can't help  but feel a little excited as the New School Year is coming up!  It is the beginning of new grades, activities and friends.  It sure is an exciting time for teachers/school officials and students as they gear up for another jam packed school year.

Here on the Soapy front, I have been getting ready too..but not to go back to teaching instead I am getting ready for the upcoming holidays.  I am in full "List Making" mode, checking my supplies and thinking of new Gift Sets.  I can't wait to start creating, it is all so much fun!

I have also been working on NEW Soaps.
The Newest Ride On Motorcycle Soaps are rockin cool!  Fragranced with our Ed Hardy For Men these soap are sure to please.

The Sweet Baseball Soaps were beyond fun to create!  I posted my very first video on FaceBook asking my wonderful friends to help with the scent.  They were so wonderful, they came up with all sorts of neat ideas, Dirt, Popcorn, Hot Dog, Citrus were a few.  I took all of their advice and whipped some up in Cotton Candy, Popcorn and Energy-a citrus blend.  I also followed up with another video sharing the results, what fun!  I will definitely create more videos, what a fabulous way to share with others.  

I have also whipped up these super neat Gardening Gift Sets. Folks just love them!  They include All Natural Bug Spray, Waterless Hand Cleaner, Cuticle Cream and Shea Butter Soap.  Each set has it's own fragrance-Lemongrass Verbena, Wild Berry Tulips, Lavender and Citrus & Sage and they all come nestled in a Terra Cotta pot, how perfect is that?   

 One of my good friends requested train soaps for her grandsons 2nd birthday.  I was more than happy to create them for her, she chose Grape Soda for the fragrance..they smelled good enough to eat!

Here's a sneak peak at one of the newest Pamper My Hands Gift Sets.  It includes a delicious Vanilla Bean Hand Polish, Goats Milk & Honey Lotion and Cuticle Cream.

 Stay tuned for more unique soaps and Gift Sets.  Until next time...

Sprucing UP

Hello Hello!

So what have you all been up to this summer?  Here in my neck of the woods I have been enjoying the longer days.  It has been a whirlwind of a summer with both of our kiddos being gone at the same time.  They are out enjoying different activities, I sure miss them but have taken this time to work on Sprucing UP, the shop that is.

Let's take a walk in shall we?  I love looking in from the door way.  My lil' shop is small but so colorful.  The bursts of color make me oh so happy!

 We now have a place for customers to pull up a seat, browse thru the NEW Bulk ordering book or sit for a chat.  The Bulk Ordering Book is a process, more soaps are always being added.  And for those of you not in Alamosa, everything in the book is ONLINE..yes my friends! We are everywhere. :-)

 I decided to add the Blue Pineapple Shawl to the store inventory,  I even made my very first Shawl Pin to go with it.

 The Lotion Shelves are popular, folks like coming in to sniff and sample the lotions.  Different scents are always on the horizon,  The Lotion Bars were my first Lotion products to create and have been a hit ever since!

 The Bottles of Bubbly, Bath Fizzies, Salts and Novelty soaps are sure to please.  We have something for everyone on your list!

 On to the Bar Soaps and Summer Section. The Gardening Gift Sets make fabulous Gifts.  They include:  our All Natural Bug Spray, All Natural Hand Cleaner, Shea Butter Soap With Pumice, Cuticle Cream and the Terra Cotta Pot.  ALL of these goodies for $20.00..what a Deal!

 Besides whipping up product, I do enjoy knitting and crocheting.  I must say I have an addiction to scarf making.  I like that they are easy to carry with me and work up quickly.

 YARN YARN YARN  Here at LeeAnn's we carry an assortment, we do have NEW Novelty yarn on order, can't wait till it gets here!

And there we have it!  What do you think?  Most of the items are listed online.  I have two Etsy Shops, one for all of the Bath & Beauty Products and one for the yarn/packaging supplies

Bath & Beauty products can be found here

Yarn & Packaging Supplies can be found here

Until we chat again, hoping that your summer is Sensational!

Family

Good afternoon!

The school year has finally ended, our son has graduated from high school and our daughter is moving on to the next grade.

As we were busy preparing for Cristopher's graduation, I couldn't help but feel a little blue.  It seems like he was a baby for what seemed like forever and then BAM!  He was in and out of high school in a blink.  His class song was "Don't Blink"..so true!  It's like one minute you are in the thick of chasing your little ones around, trying to keep up with them to hoping and praying that they make good decisions and waiting for them to get home.  I find myself counting down the minutes until my kiddos are home with us.

I know that soon they will move out and forward with their lives, but I just want to hold on to them for just a minute longer.

What a little peanut my Cristopher was, he was so attached to me.

Goodness! Isn't he just handsome?  

Our Celine is growing growing growing..she is such a sweet angel, always ready to give one of her famous hugs.  This was taken a few years ago..she is now a full grown beautiful teenager.  

All dolled up and ready to take on the world!

 Our latest family photo, seeing our kiddos taller than us is unbelievable.  I am so proud of them, they are delightful and such a blessing.  We are such a close family that I know I must let them go but some days are just rough.

 OH those years in Boy Scouts..over 10 years of events came to an end almost 2 years ago..

Work/Life/Balance

Hello hello!  I can't believe that it is Mid May and that end the of the school year is right around the corner.

When I think of the days and weeks that have flown by I can't help but feel just a tad nervous.  How could the world be moving so fast?

I have always been what you can call a worker bee,..I like being busy!  I thrive on the hustle and bustle of things..I work better when I am juggling..with all of that being said I can't help but thinking am I missing something else?

I think all of this started after Mother's Day, I took the weekend OFF! Can you all believe that?  I took a break from Etsy, from the shop,..from the emails and from the constant hustle and bustle of it all..it was bliss but then towards Sunday evening I was starting to feel a bit restless and then the overwhelming feeling hit..I had ALOT to catch up on!  Orders needed to be filled, emails needed responding to, my weekly household chores needed to get done and grocery shopping needed to happen.

In between getting ready for the week on Monday I was practicing my speech.  I had been asked back in April to share my success story at a luncheon..while I agreed and thought I would be OK..I knew that it was going to be tough..I like working behind the scenes, organizing is one of my strongest qualities but standing up in front of a group of folks is not only terrifying but makes me physically sick. I started typing up my speech the Friday before..wouldn't you know it, I broke out in hives just thinking of it all?

Tuesday morning came all to fast, I was trying desperately to keep it together.  The time came for me to give my speech, I walked up and then poof!  Everything I wanted to say was jumbled in my mind..I started off by reading my speech but knew that was not the direction to go..so I started talking..I forgot half of what I wanted to say..I skimmed over details and just flew by the seat of my pants.. as I finished talking I couldn't help but feel like I was missing something..I had forgotten so many details..that night as I tossed and turned I kept re-hashing what I should have said..if only  I would have said this..and that..and and and...do you every do that?

I finally decided that I did OK, while I did not give an exceptional speech, I was OK..not perfect but just OK.  I can live with that.

I felt like that little mouse in the book, "If you give a mouse a cookie" the part that I love the most is..if you give a mouse a cookie then he is going to want a glass of milk to go with it..then he's going to want...

In preparing for my speech, I pulled a few stats together. I had over 437 sales online in ONE year!

I started asking myself, "do I have a work life balance?"  I had heard about this awhile back, while it stuck in my mind, I had never really given it much thought..but while I was enjoying my days off with my family I had time to think about it, no I do not live a perfectly balanced life.  I do the best that I can..yes I do work quite a bit, yes I do spend time with my family..yes I do spend time with my husband but it is certainly not balanced.  Some days I work longer hours, working late into the evenings, or in the wee hours of the morning, then there are other days when I am in full mommy mode.  I am in the thick of running kiddos back and forth to events...our daughter has had a minimum of 3 after school events for the last 3 weeks.  While my family is and will always been my first priority, my business is such a huge part of my life.

I guess what I am wondering is, is it really possible to have such a thing as a Work/Life/Balance? hmmm?  I would love to hear what others think.

New Adventures!

Good afternoon All!

As I am working on my newest Etsy adventure, I thought to myself how truly wonderful it all is.  I get to work/create items that I love all from the comfort of my own studio and my little but comfy shop, is there anything better?  I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the direction that my life has taken.  While having one's own business is life consuming I wouldn't want it any other way.  I truly get up every day and rush to get the day started.

Last year I had an idea to create Bulk Party Favor Listings on Etsy.  That seems to be the direction that my wonderful customers are taking me and I couldn't be happier.  Not only do I love planning parties and events, I get to be a part of someone else's special occasion.

I went to work creating a spreadsheet filled with pricing, shipping info and all of the listing details.  Then I set to work listing, I am embarrassed to say that I only listed 5 or so items then the Holiday Rush hit!  And boy did I run with it, while I filled orders I had placed this idea on the back burner.

Fast forward to March and the thought resurfaced.  However I wanted to really display my photo's in a different style.  I started by downloading a few picture editor programs and experimenting..it dawned on me that I had a computer program already installed that I was familiar with...helllllooooo LeeAnn!  I re-vamped my old spreadsheet to accommodate the new Shipping fee's and also added in New favors that hadn't made it to the list and away I went creating!

The first Photo/listing I created were the Alligator and Turtle Favors..now doesn't this just sound like fun?  I think it is the old preschool teacher in me thinking about themes that I know children and adults alike will love.

 Then it was on to the Bee Happy Bee's.  I am getting ready to make custom baby shower favors with these sweet little bee's. Can you see it now?  A Mommy to Bee Shower?  Precious!

 Of course we all need a "Chill Pill" every once in awhile, who doesn't?

 Dino's!!!  Oh my gosh!  I remember when the children in my class went on a Dinosaur adventure complete with paleontologist lights!  The fun we had!  Most definitely good times.  

Last year I made Baby showers with these sweet little monkeys.  They were for a gal that was having twins..the label read..."Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monica's Not Having One But Two".  Can you imagine?  How cute is that?

I am still working deligently on all of  my listings and hope to have them all listed online by mid May.  I then plan on using all my photo's to create a book so that my customers here at the shop can order their own custom favors.

If you would like to order favors/products for your special occasion they can be found here.  Or you can just stop on in at 511 Main St. Suite # 1, Alamosa CO 

Until next time!