Walking Taco Casserole

This is what we had for dinner tonight and it was a big hit and SUPER easy! The kids ate their's plain, hubby put taco sauce and refried beans on his, and I added sour cream and lettuce and taco sauce to mine. Yum! (*the only thing I changed on this recipe was that I drained my hamburger after cooking, before topping the chips with it...that way, chips dont get soggy!)

 

 

Here is where I found the recipe:

 http://growingtofour.blogspot.com/2012/07/walking-taco-casserole.html

My most recent creation...

My first ever Smash Cake Outfit! You can't see in the pic, but there is a little monster on the butt of it! I received a custom order request for this and was quite nervous, but I think it came out good! However, I now see why these things sell for so much...they are a pain and use more fabric than I thought! lol (not my child, the customer's, and yes it's ok i post this lol)

 

Dinner 2/12/2013

New dinner recipes tonight and it was YUMMY! Grilled roast beef, bacon, and provolone sandwiches and loaded ranch potato wedges!

 

 

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

I made this yesterday, and it worked GREAT! Did 2 more loads with this method today and still impressed! And it averages out to only costing 14cents per load!!!

1 TBS Washing Soda
½ tsp Regular Dish Washing Detergent (no more than ½ tsp)
1 TBS Lemon Juice or Citrus Enzyme Cleaner
White Vinegar

Put the Washing Soda in the open soap compartment. Put the liquid dish soap in the closing soap compartment (and close it). Put the lemon juice directly in the bottom of the dishwasher. Put the white vinegar in the rinse aid compartment. Run load like normal.

I don't have any vinegar so I didn't use any, but it still works great! 

FOUND ON: http://missy-what2do.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-dishwasher-detergent-that-wont.html

"Quick Baguettes"

Homemade baguette! Well, I didn't really get my shaped like a baguette, lol, but it was still super yummy! Crispy outside and super soft inside! Made 2 loaves for less than $2! Recipe below! 

 

 

 

 



Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (not hot, just a nice warm environment for yeast)
• 2 packages active dry yeast (about 4 1/2 tsp.)
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar
• 3 1/4 cup flour (all-purpose provides fluffiest results, and a bigger rise, but you can use any ratio of all-purpose and whole wheat flours, I've even used entirely whole wheat flour and it was still good-just smaller).
• 2 tsp. salt
• Optional: 1 tbsp. butter, melted, to brush on bread.

Preparation:

• Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit 5 minutes until foamy. (If it does not become foamy your yeast is dead and your bread will not work).
• In a large bowl mix flour and salt.
• Gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour, and stop when it forms a ball. (This would be easier with a stand mixer dough hook.)
• Knead for 5 minutes, using additional flour if needed.
• Cut the dough in half and shape into 2 baguettes: to make them pretty, " ...roll each half of dough into a rectangle and roll up lengthwise. Pinch the edges to seal and place on lightly greased cookie sheet (or silpat) with seam down."
• Loosely cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes (if using whole wheat flour you may want to give it 1 hour).
• Once risen, use a sharp knife to make a slash down the middle of each baguette.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Fill a 2nd cookie sheet with water and place it on the bottom rack of the oven.
• Once preheated, place the cookie sheet with the baguettes on the middle rack and bake 7 minutes.
• Brush the partially baked bread with butter, if desired. (I made a melted garlic/italian seasoning butter and drizzled it over it)
• Bake an additional 8 minutes, or until golden brown. 

RECIPE FROM: http://cookingactress.blogspot.com/2012/08/quick-baguettes.html 

 

Chili Dog Casserole

This is what I made for lunch today and the kiddos greatly approved! 

Chili Dog Casserole
2 (15 oz) cans chili with beans (I used Hormel)
1 (16 oz) package hotdogs
8 inch flour tortillas
1 (8 oz) package Cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spread 1 can of chili and beans in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Roll up a hotdog inside each tortilla and place in baking dish, seam side down, on top of chili and beans. Top with remaining can of chili and beans, and sprinkle with cheese.

Cover baking dish with aluminum foil, and bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.

My kids loved these but only gave it 4 out of 5 stars--they said they prefer mommy's chili over Hormel! lol Yay me! Served with tator tots for a quick, easy, yummy lunch!

(recipe found on http://thatchbo.blogspot.com/2010/06/chili-dog-casserole.html)

I'm Baaaack!

Well, I started this blog a looooong time ago...then let it go...then forgot about it! LOL Anyway....I've deleted everything that was on it and decided to start over. It WAS about my business (Ton of Love Creations --www.facebook.com/tonoflovecreations) --oh, yes, I just gave myself a plug! LOL But...now that I'm back up and running, I think I will take it a little further. I will still post things I've made for my business on here, but also crafts I've done with my kids, food recipes, cleaning recipes, organizational tips, and anything else my little heart desires! Feedback and suggestions are always appreciated! Now...let's hope this takes off the way I planned this time! My kiddos will be helping me out on this blogging journey so that should be some added fun! Have a great day!