Open for Business

I'm trying a new thing.  I'm offering my crafty/baking services for a reasonable price.  The teachers at William's school have been keeping me busy making treats for their own kids' classes.  I would love to extend the offer to anyone else who would like a little special something for you, a friend, or an entire class.  Here's a list of some stuff I'm offering.

 Treats

 Cake Pops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1.00 a piece

 Mini Cupcake Bites . . . . . . . . . . . $0.50 a piece

 Rice Crispy Treat Pop . . . . . . . . . $0.75 a piece (chocolate dipped $1.00 a piece)

*photo from craftjr.com

Cookie Pops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.75 a piece

Carmel Corn Balls . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.75 a piece

 Bird Nest Cookies .  . . . . . . . . . . .$5.00 a dozen

Jelly Sandwich Cookies . . . . . . . . $8.00 a dozen

*photo from recipenut.com

 Fudge (with or without walnuts) . . .$5.00 a dozen (1 1/2 in. squares)

*photo from freechocolate.info

 Chocolate Dipped Pretzels . . . . . . $3.00 a dozen 

*photo from makeandtakes.com

 Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods . . .$0.50 a piece

*photo from bigmamashomekitchen.blogspot.com

 Paper Crafts

Personalized Cupcake picks . . . . . . . . .$1.00 a dozen

photo from creativepartybuzz.com

Personalized Birthday Banner . . . . . . . $12.00

Personalized Name Banner . . . . . . $10.00

Personalized Party Hats . . . . . . . $3.00 a piece

I don't know about shipping prices.  I'm not even sure how I'm going to do it yet.  So basically if you're in the Central Pennsylvania area, I'll deliver right to you, otherwise, I'll do my best.  I'm not expecting a booming business, just throwing it out there.

*I had to find photos online until I can replace them with my own.  I picked photos that are pretty close to what I can do.

Touch a Truck and Special Olympics

Last week we finally had a sunny Saturday to play.  I packed up the kids and headed out to the community even,"Touch a Truck" day.  For one day our local fire department hosts a barbeque and a lot full of every sort of truck from fire trucks to monster trucks.  Even the Hershey Kiss-Mobile made an appearance.  William got a fireman hat and wore it the rest of the day.

 

After William had his fill of climbing on all of the trucks, we headed to the Navy base where Sean was volunteering at the Central Pennsylvania Adult Special Olympics.  We had a great time dancing with the athletes and watching Sean pinning on ribbons.  Charlotte was quite the attraction.  Several "Special Olympians" wanted to take her picture.  She was her usual sweet self and charmed everyone.  It was a great day.

May

Hooray!  It's May!

Likes

The trees are fully leaved.  I love it when the trees get thick enough to block the view of the busy street down the hill from my front door.  I also love that they block most of the sound from said street.  Much nicer views!

Sunny days, warm weather, what's not to love!?

Mother's Day!  Now that William is old enough to actually understand what Mother's Day is, it is now one of my favorite days.  He said he was going to sing in Sacrament Meeting to me and that he was going to give me "a beautiful surprise."  When I asked what it was, he said, "It's a secret.  But I'll give you a clue:  it has a stem."  What a sweetie! 

May sweeps.  This is when my favorite TV shows pull out all the stops to "sweep" their ratings.  It makes for some good TV.

Memorial Day!  The official kick off to summer.  Barbeques, corn on the cob, watermelon, bring it on!

Dislikes

Wind!  Yucky, yucky wind!  I guess it can be windy year round but today is particularly windy.  Of course it's also trash day so there is garbage and recycling blowing all around.  We live on the corner townhouse so everyone's trash blows down to our yard.  Boo wind!  Boo lidless trash cans!

Preschool ends.  I'll miss picking up William and talking about what he's learning in school.  I'll miss him singing his little songs that he learns. *sigh*  No more preschool until September!

Bugs!  The bugs are back.  I found a giant spider in William's bathroom last night.  Ewwww!  Hate the bugs!

Recipe of the Month

Spicy Chipotle Chicken Salad

This is a good one from the fabulous website, Our Best Bites.  I've mixed it up a bit and made a super slacker version of their Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad.  Here's what you'll need:

1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 15 oz can of black beans
1 11 oz can of Mexicorn

Throw all of these into a colander and rinse all of the "can juice" out.  Then throw them in a big bowl along with:

4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce (I use 1 1/2 bags of baby Romaine)
2 cups chopped grilled chicken (I use either a box of Short Cuts grilled chicken, or shredded rotisserie chicken)
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

Mix it up real good and set aside.  Now for the dressing.  You'll need:

2/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup Ranch dressing
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 chipotle chile, finely chopped (from a can of chipotle chilies in adobo sauce.  Found in the mexican food section at the grocery store)
1 1/2 tsp adobo sauce from canned chipotle chilies.
1 tsp chili powder
juice from 1 lime
1/4 tsp salt

Mix these all together really well and pour over the salad.  Mix it all together now.  It makes about 4-6 servings, but we never have leftovers.  It's super spicy*, and super good.  My all time favorite salad.  Muy delicioso!

*To cut the spiciness, omit the chopped chili pepper.  To add more heat, add more adobo sauce.