Bubble Station

My first finished project for the Summer. I wanted an inexpensive fun activity for the little one's. Who doesn't love bubbles? Using my baby Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot, I took the Backyard Bubbles SVG file and decorated a 1 gallon drink dispenser with some transparent adhesive vinyl. I filled the dispenser with bubble refills from Dollar Tree (four bottles filled it to the top). I purchased the variety pack of wands from Michael's (using a 50% off coupon). It's too bad we are experiencing rain this week. Oh well, I'm sure we will have plenty of time to play around with it.

Thanks for KeepinUpwKaren, until next time!
~K 

Super Easy Potato & Clam Chowder

The recipe.com daily recipe for February 9th caught my attention. It was entitled "We Love Comfort Food" and featured a recipe for 30-Minute Clam Chowder which uses Betty Crocker® au gratin potatoes. I decided to try it over the weekend and with a few slight modifications, I was pleasantly surprised with how simple it was and how great it tasted.  My modified recipe is below. Enjoy!

Super Easy Potato & Clam Chowder

4 cups hot water

1 box (4.7 oz) Betty Crocker® au gratin potatoes
a dash of Kosher salt
a dash of pepper
1 1/2 cups Steamed corn  (I used Birds Eye Steamfresh Super Sweet Corn)
3 cups milk
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
2 cans (6 1/2 ounces each) minced clams, undrained

1. Heat water, potatoes, and salt to boiling in 3-quart saucepan. Boil 20 minutes; drain and then dice potatoes.

2. Return potatoes to saucepan, stir in Sauce Mix, and remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

3. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender and sauce has thickened.

Makes 4 servings

Thanks for KeepinUpwKaren, until next time!
~K

Super Quick Veggie Soup

When the temperature drops, there is nothing better than a bowl of hot soup. My friend Anna Maria shared this recipe with me many years ago when we were having a toddler pay-date at her home. It is one of my all-time favorites. When I make this at home, I have to make two pots. The first with ground beef (or ground turkey) and the other with Bocca Crumble's since DH does not eat red meat. The recipe is below. Enjoy!

Super Quick Veggie Soup

Ingredients:
1lb ground beef / ground turkey / or meatless crumbles
1 46oz bottle V8 juice
1 package Liption Onion Soup mix
1 16oz package frozen mixed veggies

Directions:
In a large pot, brown ground beef (season to taste) – do not drain. Add V8 juice, soup mix, veggies, and salt and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

The longer you simmer, the better it tastes!

Add some pasta to the soup for a hearty meal.

This soup goes great with grilled cheese sandwiches

This comes out great every time!!!!

Thanks for KeepinUpwKaren, until next time!
~K

KK's Sautéed Green Beans

Who doesn't love the sautéed green beans from their local Chinese restaurant? I could eat them all-day.  I decided to take a shot at them at home and they came out perfect on the first try!! Try these easy steps and be sure to let me know what you think.

Sautéed Green Beans
(serves 4)

Ingredients

1 12oz Pack of Birds Eye Steam Fresh Whole Green Beans

Quart sized bowl filled with ice and water
2-3 teaspoons Dry Minced Onions
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper

Directions

Cook beans in the microwave according to the package directions.  Carefully remove from the microwave and open bag. Transfer the beans to ice water to cool and then drain (be sure to remove any ice).

Over medium heat, melt butter in a sauté pan, add the minced onions, and stir.  Once the onions are soft, add the beans, tossing often. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Thanks for KeepinUpwKaren, until next time!
~K

KK's Zumba Fitness 2 House Party

Thanks to Majesco Entertainment and House Party, I was able to convert out garage into a fitness studio and the ladies came over for an afternoon of fitness, food, and fun.

 The Zumba 2 Party Pack

 It's time to Zumba

 Lot's of freebies and coupons were in the party pack. The magazine was a hit and the Zumba bands were given to those who arrived early.

 It's a finess party so I tried to provide healthy food.

White Chicken Chilli

Thanks for KeepinUpwKaren! Until next time!!

~K

Making Strides to end Breast Cancer - Atlanta, GA - October 29, 2011

Hopeology (n.) 1.The science of fighting cancer 2. A selfless act in which living caring individuals participate in fundraising and volunteer efforts to combat cancer through research, education and prevention. 3. The act of supporting all efforts to find a cure.

Please consider making a donation and supporting me for this worthy cause
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=23108392&pg=personal&fr_id=36158&fl=en_US&et=oKdLVsSnyEwIBckhhBiyWQ&s_tafId=803121

2.5 million breast cancer survivors are alive today in part due to money raised through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Please help me increase that number by donating to my fundraising efforts today! Together we'll create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.

Donate Now
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=23108392&pg=personal&fr_id=36158&fl=en_US&et=oKdLVsSnyEwIBckhhBiyWQ&s_tafId=803121 .

Thanks for KeepinupwKaren and making an impact!

~K

Guess who's student of the day today???

I'd like to congratulate my son.  I just received a call from his school counselor (ok, my husband) to inform me that Champ was selected to be today's Student of the Day.  What an accomplishment considering he's only been at this school for five weeks!!

I think this is becoming a tradition. In Elementary School, he was always Student of the Month before Thanksgiving Break and last year he was awarded the School's Chararacter Education Award by the School District.  What an honor it is to be his mom!

Champ will be rewarded with a FREE slushie at lunchtime and he had the honor of having this announced during the morning announcements.

I feel so proud to be his mother, I wish I could run over to have lunch with him, but I am told that mom's cannot have lunch with their middle-schoolers, darn!

Thanks for KeepinUpWKaren, until next time!

~K