Sometimes the Simple Things are the Best

Indeed: sometimes the very simplest of dishes are the tastiest. Case in point is my wife's chicken and noodles. It's a family favorite. And mashed potatoes on the side. Oh yes...a match made in food heaven.

She's been making this hearty combination for several years. However, she's been adding something new lately. She adds a couple tablespoons of Watkins Chicken Soup and Gravy Base. And I kid you not, it has made a good thing even better.

Along with mashed potatoes, I like my chicken and noodles topped off with sweet corn (frozen or canned). Yum-O!

Wow! An Actual CRAFT Project

Yesterday was Hannah's 11th birthday party.

My latest craft project.
The Cricut and I had fun with this one!

Some scrapbook paper, cardstock, a few white buttons

and a little bit of pink thread turned into a fun project

And...(I didn't tell you, but last month, on the 22nd, was MY birthday) I used my new toy (cough, cough, I mean TOOL) to help me create a birthday card. Yep, I bought a Cricut and I LOVE it. What a fantastic little machine.

Hannah is a big, big fan on Hannah Montana and she was ECSTATIC when she tore the gift wrap off the Hanna Montana Back Stage Pass book from Disney. Wow...that girl was jumping up and down on the sofa like a kangaroo. She devoured every page.

Inside the book was a door hanger. I told my oldest son that I should have one like that for my cubicle at work. He rolled his eyes (he's 13, so that happens frequently these days) but he did assist me in the photo op. What do you think?






And a very yummy chocolate cake too:

Hannah's mom cut out a paper plate and decorated the top. Pretty nifty, huh?

I was good: only one piece of cake and one scoop of ice cream.

Hope you had a good weekend!

Son #1 Makes Principal's Honor Roll

Warning: Proud parents ahead. [And another food photo!!]

Woo Hoo! Kiddo #1 made the high honor roll for the second trimester:

Pre-Algebra: B
Band: A
Honors Language Arts: A
Art: A
Science: A
Honors Social Studies: A

Way to go dude!

Sausage on 1/2 (for Kiddo #2); Sausage, Green Pepper and Onion on the other 1/2.

In honor of his achievement, we had pizza from Michael's Italian Restaurant (our favorite -- thin crust with tangy sauce. Love. It.)

Nothin' says lovin'

Homemade pizza
Originally uploaded by crafty dad

...like somethin' from the oven.

Yummy. Yummy. Homemade pizzas on Sunday. Thanks Honey! You make the best-est pizzas in the universe.

Comfort Food

Beef and noodles with mashed potatoes.

Kitchen Table: Homework, Crafts and Legos

It's true: the kitchen is probably the most popular spot in the house. And the kitchen table, that trusty, multi-purpose surface is a wonderful thing. Tonight we had dinner, did homework, put a Foamies® witch together, drew some Star Wars characters and staged a few Lego photo shoots.

Here, take a look:

Here's the tail end of the homework session. My oldest son wrote a book review at school today and was rewarded with a craft project. So after doing sixty-one (61!) math problems, he was ready for something fun. And what is more fun than some Foamies® cutouts and some glue?


With the glue still sticky-wet, it was time to slide this spooky babe off the table to make room for the ever-popular Star Wars Lego projects. The boys love these things. We recently scored a major set of ships and characters from eBay. It was the pay lode. The best ever. (Until something new comes along, of course.)


I'm not a Star Wars aficionado, but I'm pretty sure this is C3P0 and.....I have no idea who (what) the other guy is. The boys are in bed, otherwise I'd check with them. And yes, another something-or-other ship. (Or $20 worth of plastic.) I'm just sayin!


I think we have a problem here. Like I said, I'm not a pro at this Star Wars stuff. But, I'm pretty sure this car is NOT part of the legend. I see this and think: Star Wars meets Bonnie and Clyde.