I just fell in love!

So I'm in the process of redecorating my bedroom and I was browsing around on the blogs that I read and came across a giveaway on The Shabby Chic Cottage  and I fell in love with an item on the website that they were featuring!

My must have item from redletterwords.com!

 Not only does it match how my room will soon look, but the words on it are exactly what I need to look at for an affirmation.  Do yourself a favor and wander over to Red Letter Words. I'm sure you will find something you love, too!  It took me all of about, 2 minutes to stumble across this!  What goodies have you found online recently?

Meatless Monday Recipe

It's Meatless Monday! As per usual, I am going to give you an awesome meatless recipe!  This is actually a breakfast dish, but it is so good, I am willing to eat it anytime!  This recipe is for Aebleskivers, but we call them Munkers.  It is a Scandinavian version of a pancake, except they are round-ish, hallow balls and taste more like Swedish pancakes and are to die for!  I was introduced to these by my husband's family and now, I can't get enough of them and neither can our kids! You will need a special pan, called an Aebleskiver pan, which you can buy on Amazon.com for about $13.  Enjoy!

An aebleskiver pan

Aebleskivers (Munkers)

by Mary @ ellie-ellis.blogspot.com

3 Eggs

4 tbsp melted butter

3/4 cup flour

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Crisco

All of the needed ingredients.

Beat all liquids (except for the vanilla) together.  Mix all solids & combine the liquids. Stir in vanilla.

How the mixture should look.

Heat pan to medium heat for 5 minutes.  Fill each cup in pan with 1 tsp of Crisco each.  

Pour 1 tbsp of batter into each cup.

Turn with fork or cocktail pick as batter cooks. Will form a round, hollow ball 

I find a cocktail pick like this works best!

Just poke and carefully turn!

Finish with sprinkled powder sugar when serving.  Serve with syrup, honey or jelly.  We like to eat them with syrup around here! Enjoy!

It's a free for all!

Hey everyone! TGIF! As a matter of fact, it's Freebie Friday!  Head over to my freebie page and download my Mom's Weekly Cleaning Schedule for free!  This will help you keep an organized house, while still maintaining your ever busy life.  Email me at ellieellisshop@gmail.com if you would like more information on how I can make you a customized schedule.  Enjoy and I hope everyone has a great and relaxing weekend!

New project!

So I am starting a new project today! I am going to make some wall art.  Let me say first that I am absolutely horrible at drawing! So, I am making mural-type wall art with Styrofoam and scrapbook paper.  If anyone has any suggestions on doing this, please let me know. And wish me luck!  Will be back later today to post a recipe, but I have to run to Target and craft store now. :)

School's Out

Happy President's Day!  My son is out of school today and it's going to be a busy day!  I am trying to make my meal plan for the week.  Any suggestions?  We are attempting to have iCarly's spaghetti tacos this week.  My son is so excited, hubby is refusing to eat them (having fish tacos, instead) and I'm a little nervous about this!  Ah, the things we do for our kids!  Give me some fun, kid friendly suggestions, please!

Recipe of the Week

I missed posting on Meatless Monday, so I will add one of my delicious meals that I made last week!

Asian Glazed Chicken Legs

Serves 5

10 chicken legs (remove skin for healthier option) 

Olive Oil Cooking Spray

1 C water

1/2 TBSP Sriracha hot chili sauce, adjust to taste (found in Asian food aisle)

1/2 C balsamic vinegar

1/2 C soy sauce (low sodium version for healthier option)

4 tsp sugar (use agave nectar for healthier option)

3 large garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

2 TBSP fresh chives, chopped

Sesame seeds, optional

In large skillet, apply cooking spray and heat over high heat.  Brown chicken for 3-4 minutes.  Add water, chili sauce, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic and ginger and continue cooking on high until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer on low, covered for about 20 minutes.  Remove lid and bring heat back up to allow sauce to reduce, about 8-10 minutes or until it becomes a thick glaze, while turning chicken occasionally, to prevent chicken from drying out.  Make sure the glaze does not burn on the bottom!  Transfer chicken to a plate and pour glaze over the legs.  Sprinkle the chives and sesame over the top and serve.  Best with a side of Jasmine rice and steamed broccoli.  Enjoy!

Busy life!

So, I've been slacking.  I've been trying to update daily, but life had other plans for me this week.  My mom is slowly losing her battle to cancer.  She has been fighting it for 2 years now and it has spread to her brain.  She is deteriorating fast, and as sad as it is to say it, I hope she goes soon so she can be free of the pain.  I know the hardest part for her is that she won't be here to watch her grandchildren grow, but what better view is there than watching them from Heaven?  I am looking forward to her being my children's guardian angel!

A little background about me. I live in a suburb of Chicago and my parents and rest of my family live about an hour away.  I had to drive into the city on Tuesday to pick up my brother, who lives in Southern Illinois, from Union Station and take him to my parents' house.  All the while, I have a teething child!  Then, my husband left to NJ for a couple days for work.  These are the days that I wish I had a nanny, chauffeur and maid!  Thank God that I've been reading this amazing book, The Stay at Home Survival Guide by Melissa Stanton on my Kindle.  This is actually helping me stay sane after the kiddies go to bed!  I highly recommend this book to any mom that is a SAHM or contemplating on leaving the workforce to stay home with the kids.  Great insight and you'll say, "wow, I feel the same exact way!"

Anywho, I'm done babbling now, and I will attempt to continue posting daily! 

Latest project

So I am loving my latest project!  I created a divorce party invitation with a "free bird" theme.  All people that end crappy marriages NEED a divorce party!  I have great ideas for one, if you are ever interested!

Not much else is new today, besides the fact that I am over being freezing cold! C'mon Spring, get here already! Oh well, off to make fajitas!

This month's deal!

Receive 15% off at my Etsy shop when you enter the coupon code WELCOME15 !  What a great deal, as I have just started posting my custom made printable invitations! Here's one of my save the date announcements available:

Offer good through February 28, 2011. Enjoy!

Meatless Mondays!

 So I was in the process of switching to a vegetarian lifestyle...easier said than done.  Especially, if you are in a meat-loving Italian family!  So instead, I got my husband on board for Meatless Monday dinners, which is where we have 1 night, every week, where our dinner is meat free!

I did some research and came across an awesome blog dedicated to what else, MEATLESS MONDAYS!


A quick and easy meal that my family (including my super-picky 7 years old son) absolutely loves are Portabella Pizzas.  Here is my recipe to share and hopefully get you started on a Meatless Monday theme, as well:

Portabella Pizzas

Serves 4

4 large portabella mushroom caps, cleaned and stems removed

small can of pizza sauce

2 cup package of mozzarella cheese, shredded

Garlic powder, to taste

Italian seasoning, to taste

olive oil cooking spray

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place cleaned mushroom caps on baking sheet lined with foil and bake about 7 minutes.  Wipe any juice on top of mushroom cap with paper towel, after pulling mushrooms out of oven.

Spray both sides of the mushrooms with cooking spray.  Place back on baking sheet, gill side up.  Cover with desired amount of garlic powder and pizza sauce.  Then top with desired amount of cheese.  Sprinkle on Italian seasoning, to taste.  Place in oven and bake for 6-8 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted.  Broil for a minute or two, if you like a browned "well done" top on the cheese.  Serve immediately. Best eaten with a knife and fork.

Mmmm, so delicious and easy!

My creative outlet!

Since I've been couped up in the house this winter, I needed to find a way to allow my creative juices to flow.  I thought it would be fun to share my ideas and love for food and wine and whatever else comes to me, in a blog.
Here goes nothing! Hope you enjoy it and check back often!