Crockpot Grinders (Pinterest)

This week's project from Pinterest is another recipe.

My friends, Pinterest is an amazing place to find some amazing recipes.  Seriously, I'm in heaven.

This recipe, called Crockpot Grinders, links back to Big Red Kitchen.  (Click the link for the full recipe.)

Of course, I made some changes.  I didn't use any peppers.  I don't really like them and Mister doesn't mind adding his later.  Also, I used provolone, cheddar, and Swiss cheese.  In place of the peppers, I used marinated artichoke hearts.  

After assembling the sandwiches, I had some cheese left over and I just laid it on top of the bread so it could melt over the top.  

This is what I ended up with:

All I can say is, Try this!  It is so simple and sooooo amazing!  Fantastic.  

It's going on my favorites list for sure!

I'm linking up here.

I'm a little bit crazy!

Remember that ambition I oftentimes surprise myself with?  I did it again.

I just posted an audition for American Crafter over at Nap Time Crafters!





And here:




Whoa.

September means Fall, right?

Who cares if it was almost 80 degrees today.

I felt a small breeze run its fingers over my bare arms and bare feet as I watered my beloved pumpkin and sunflower and I swear I felt a slight chill and crispness in that breeze.  

Fall is knocking at the door.

I admit I am sad to say goodbye to summer.  I love the warmth.  

I don't like being cold.

Fall has its good sides, though.  

Things like less humidity, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, colorful leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, L's birthday, warm blankets to cuddle up under...

just to name a few.  =)

And, one of the best things?

Hot Caramel Apple Cider with whipped cream melting in.

I couldn't wait any longer.  Tonight, I cranked up the air conditioning, turned up the ceiling fan, and cuddled up under my blanket with a mug of apple cider.  

Nice to see you, Fall.

Hoo Are You #54

Here are my answers to this week's questions!

1.  Do you prefer sweet or salty foods?
My instinct is to say that I prefer sweet food, but I have to say that I like a good combination of both...like chocolate covered pretzels, soft caramel corn, peanut M&Ms...mmmmmmmmmmmm.


2.  Name your 3 BEST personality traits.
a.  I am pretty good at laughing at myself.  I laugh at my own jokes all the time.
b.  I am a very loyal friend.
c.  I am an optimist.


3.  Name your 3 WORST personality traits.
a.  I procrastinate much too much.
b.  I just might be a little too stubborn.
c.  I have a very hard time with change, and that includes when my schedule or routine has to change.


4.  Do you collect anything?
I collect Disney, specifically Happy Meal toys.  I haven't collected any in a while, though.


5.  What is your favorite season of the year?
Hmmmm....Spring is so nice when all the flowers start to bloom and the whether starts to warm up.  The air is always happy in Spring.  But, I also love Summer and the warm nights and the sunshine and the fireflies and playing in the pool.  But, Fall brings pumpkins and that yummy crispness in the air that invites sweaters and warm socks and Winter has Christmas and sledding and hot chocolate.  


I guess I like them all!  

30 Day Photo Fun Party (day 12)

Today's Theme:  "Something from Childhood"

My sisters and I used to spend hours listening to the Peter Pan soundtrack (on a record!).  My sister, Erin, would always pretend that she was Peter Pan, which was fine by me because I wanted to be Wendy.  Our baby sister, Jeigh, would be the baby, Michael, because she was really young and not really interested in our game.  

We used to dance around the room singing and acting out the scenes.  It was a good time.  

Erin, I'm pretty sure this is why I smile and think of you when I hear "Never Smile at a Crocodile."

I love that I have such good memories of my sisters.  They have always been my best friends.

A Good Book

I have been something of a slacker this week when it comes to housework and crafting.  

I've been a bit distracted.

I've been reading this:

Which is, by the way, a fantastic book.  It has a good story to tell and left me feeling a need to be a better person in many ways I didn't expect.  

I did, however, feel a little bit of mom guilt for letting so much slide while I read my book.  

That is, until I walked into the living room and saw this:

Yeah, amid the clutter and the unfolded laundry, my girls pulled out their books and spent time reading, 

 Looking at pictures...

Imagining life as a princess... 

Exercising their minds.

It occurred to me that being creative doesn't mean just crafting.

Being a good mom doesn't mean just cleaning and feeding and meeting basic needs.

Being creative can come in the form of expanding your perspective, escaping to new places through intricate stories.  It means playing with kids, reading them books, teaching them to love learning and creating...it means an endless amount of imaginative and fun things!

How exciting!!!!

So, I feel justified in my love of reading and in taking an occasional week out of my life to immerse myself in a book.  And, I hope you will patiently excuse me during those weeks if the blogging slows a bit.  

I'm just letting my creativity refresh a bit.

P.S.  I feel that this would be a good place to tell those of you who share my love of reading and, perhaps, my sister's love of writing to head over to her blog, WriterBrained.  Jeigh is writing a novel and has started a blog to share what she is learning in the process.  It is entertaining and educational and I think her book is amazing!  (Yeah, you heard that, I've read it.)  She is what I like to call my book pusher; if she says a book is good, she is right.  So, head on over there, give her some love and a hug from me, and enjoy!

30 Day Photo Fun Party (day 10)

Today's Theme is "View from the Front Door."

Once again, I had to take 2 pictures.  I really like the view from my front door.

It is very green here in West Virigina with lots and lots of trees.

At the bottom of the picture you can see Mister's blueberry bush and the girls' flowers.  

That poor tree in front was devoured by caterpillars this year.  We're not sure yet if it will make a comeback or not.  Poor tree.

Come join the fun!