On Our Table.. Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore!

Happy Monday! 
Our whole family LOVES Italian food! It's probably my favorite to cook as well... that and Latin food! Yummmm...

So, here we go. Today's "on our table" dish is Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore! Double yummm!...
I am SO in love with Gina Homolka over at skinnytaste.com. I LOVE her food! I love the concept that healthy food can be delicious, flavorful, and inspiring too! All of her recipes have nutritional info and WW Points Plus all figured out.
I've put it all in the crock pot according to her instructions (followed the method where I browned the chicken first and used boneless chicken thighs) and it already smells incredible!

 http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/06/crock-pot-chicken-cacciatore.html

Add fresh basil and some parm-reggiano and ...

Happy Eating!

Paper Letter Art Project

I am ALWAYS on the hunt for inexpensive projects to help keep out ever changing address feeling homey and personal to each family member. This last move has been focused mostly on the boys rooms. A. has graduated to bunk beds from his little toddler bed and it was definitely time to change up his decor. I wanted something that would grow with him as we phased out some of the toddler stuff and moved into the little boy phase. It's a work in progress. Anyway, I decided to give this project a try before trying the technique out on a larger scale and I have to say, I'm quite please with the results. Fast, cheap, and easy to customize, this project can be perfect in almost any room. So here's how to make it. The whole thing was done in about an hour including all the drying in between. Very easy!!

I purchased this cardboard letter from Hobby Lobby for about $2.50 (if you don't have one local I know that there are some tutorials on making your own...;). You could also do this with wooden letters with a flat front face. I then cut my scrapbook paper to fit nicely on the face of the letter. You could do the front of the letter only or any combo of sides. Totally up to you! Make sure that your paper is cut just smaller than your cardboard so that it sticks nicely on the edges.

After I knew that my paper letter was the correct size I painted my letter with a coordinating paint and let it dry. I did two coats but you may find that you need more or less than I did.

After the paint is dry (which happens quickly because the surface is a cardboard) apply Mod Podge generously to the front face of the letter with a sponge brush. Place paper onto the wet Mod Podge and press flat, eliminating any bubbles. I used my fingers for this part... very high tech, I know! Then I applied another layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper. For those who are unfamiliar with this product it goes on white. DONT FREAK OUT! It will dry clear. Fear not. I let that coat dry and then followed it with another coat to make sure the surface was nice and sealed and that I liked the look. I used matte Mod Podge but you can use any of the other finishes of this product depending on your desired final look.

And there you go! SO easy! Now find the perfect place for your new piece and ENJOY!

 

Nice to meet you... here, have a cookie!

Welcome to Crayons and Cookie Sheets! 
I've been racking my brain, trying to think of the very best way for us to meet. Then it hit me! I'll just do what I usually end up doing when I meet people. Bake them cookies!
I'm a wife and mother of two awesome little boys. I absolutely love to bake and craft. A blog seemed like a great way to combine all of that with my love of photography. How nice to be able to store all of my favorite things along with our military life adventures in one place. And what better way to begin a new friendship than with something sweet, buttery, and so delicious it is guaranteed to make you smile for ear to ear. These babies are perfection embodied in a sugar cookie! Can't you just smell them through the monitor? MMMMmmmm!

Dropped Cracked Sugar Cookies
Makes 24 medium sized cookies – from Savory Sweet Life
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 cup salted butter
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/3 cup coarse sugar crystals or regular granulated sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream together butter and sugar until it is nice and creamy.  Mix in 1 egg yolk at a time and vanilla extract.   Add flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, and salt until cookie dough is completely mixed.  Be sure to scrape down the bowl to be sure everything is mixed.  Using a medium scoop, form dough balls and roll them in sugar crystals.  Place cookie balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper 2 inches apart from one another.  Be sure not to flatten the dough.  Bake for 12-14 minutes until the surface of each cookies have a cracked like texture.  Remove from oven and allow cookies to remain on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. 

 

 Look good?

 They taste about 100 times better than they look! Seriously, go bake these! Thank you for stopping by and please come back soon! :)