Ricotta Mozzarella Stuffed Shells in 30 minutes

This is WAY easier than it sounds or looks. I got the original from Moms who Think. But I changed it.
15 jumbo shells, uncooked
1 10-oz. package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 tsp Cilantro
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 14 1/2-oz. cans crushed tomatoes

Get your pan of water with a tad of salt and oil. Bring to Boil

While you are waiting for it to boil... Have a dance party!

and then find a fancy or old oven safe pan and line with foil. Who wants to save on dish duty?

mix together the ingredients

now stir. Be sure to turn your head and sneeze in your sleeve. The pepper is potent!

Stir some more and taste it. I added more seasonings. 

add some tomatos into your pan and then some more basil

and don't give in too much to the cute ones wanting a taste. Unless they beg. 

add the remaining broccoli

now your jumbo shells should be done. 

Rinse with COLD water. 

Scoop the yummy filling into each shell. Its a bit messy. 

and now you can give into the little beggar

Place the shells in the pan. Add the rest of the tomatoes over the shells. So pretty. 

Now cover those pretty shells with foil. Bake at 375*

Sprinkle more cheese and ENJOY!!

Baby Caterpillar Tutorial

I know this is supposed to be something that was made by me but I just couldn't help myself. Its a baby caterpillar for a baby! Check it out on Ruffles and stuff.

Movie Night Invite with the Hubbs *CAUTION*

I know this is not a traditional post. So please don't judge me. But I have been inspired by Cher at Love actually, I wanted to do something creative. So I made this for the hubbs and I for this weekend. He had a short day on Friday so I surprised him with this in the car that he found as he left for work. Then he had all day to think about it and the "dessert" of his choice. (wink, wink)

I met him at work and we left to have lunch and a movie downtown. This was really fun for a few reasons:

1-it took something ordinary and make it fun.
2-an afternoon date was cheaper for both eating out and the movie.
3-I was able to find a sitter much easier than on a weekend or evening.

Hershey Kiss Flower in 5 minutes

I had 20 minutes. In 20 minutes I was going Visiting Teaching. And I still had to get dressed. So I made this lil' gem. A Hersjey Kiss Flower... WITHOUT CELLOPHANE
Materials needed: Bag of kisses, 3 sticks, glue gun, pom poms (I think tissue paper would work too), ribbon

Glue your stick down to a piece of cardboard. In this case an empty cereal box remnant

Cut your ribbon. Since I couldn't fine ANY of my SIX pairs of scissors, i used what was on hand. 

This is the center of your flower. I only had orange poms so I added a green button. So life like huh?

Now glue your kiss to the box like this. Do it six times

Arrange in a circle

Add your pom or whatever you want to for the middle. And.... 

There you go. A tasty treat. 

Saving money

Recently I was asked "How do you do it with just ONE Car?" Actually, I was asked this every day for about a week. It was weird. But it got me thinking. And since I can, I am going to talk about it here.

I choose to have one car. It is very rarely hard since I stay at home. Meaning: I have no job outside of the home to go to.

"What about errands?" Well, i have a toddler. It is SO MUCH easier to go without her. When the Hubbs is home. And therefore the car.

"How do you stay busy?" I read. I write. I clean. I make really delicious food. I write thank you cards. I call friends. I ponder. I meditate. I work out. I do yoga. I go to the pool. I go on walks. It really is endless.

"Why do you choose to have one car?" Well, most families in the world at large have one or none at all. Besides, I enjoy not having to pay for another car and the insurance and the gas and the maintenance. That all adds up. I would rather go on cruise.

So, with that little soap box done with... this post is about saving money.

There are several ways to save money. And most you have heard of or are already doing. One of the most effective ways that I have found is to coupon. Yes, it can be a little time consuming to start with but it really gets so much easier.

Another way is to write companies. That's right folks. Love your shampoo? Have a favorite cereal? Terrible experience at a restaurant? Email them. Let them know. I have gotten many a free products/gift cards just for my input.

I think the best one I have ever heard was of my friend who went to Disneyworld. They go every year. One year the Wild Kingdom was lacking in the Wild department. He made a slide show and sent it to them, not expecting anything in return. Guess what... the entire family was asked to come back. All expense paid. They met with him about his experience and went over the things he had sent them.

Moral of the post: You matter. So does your money. And it can get you free stuff.