'Maters

The container gardening didn't really work out for us last year, but we decided to give it another go this year since we actually have a yard that we can plant in. We have a couple of tomato plants that have really taken off in the past few weeks. It is such a novelty to me to have fresh vegetables growing right in my own backyard, especially since nothing really grows in that hard-packed San Diego soil.

Yummy cherry tomatoes (above) have made for delicious summer snacking. These ones (below) look like they're about ready to go. That's a snow pea in the foreground.



This plant (a.k.a "The Beast") may very well take over our entire back yard soon:

A Layer of Beef Sauteed with Peas and Onions: A Yummy Trifle

Okay, so no beef and onions in this one (that is a reference to Friends where Rachel makes a half trifle, half shepherds pie). This trifle is made from a layer of angel food cake (fat free), a layer of vanilla pudding (also fat free), a layer of strawberries, and a layer of cool whip (fat free!), then repeat and top with some pretty strawberries. It is SO delicious and so far as desserts go, relatively healthy as well.

Onesies, Round 2

A giraffe and a whale for Baby Sheldon:



Judging by their reaction, I'm pretty sure they loved them. I am completely addicted to making these things. :-)

Crafty Cards

I made some really easy but very cute cards last night using this template. All you have to do is print out the cards on a regular 8.5"x11.5" sheet of paper, fold it in half, cut it in half, and then add your favorite buttons and bam! you have your very own homemade cards. I was lucky enough to find some flower buttons on clearance the other day (score!). Thanks to Homemade by Jill for sharing the template.

A Gift for Truman

I was once again inspired by my new favorite blog, Homemade By Jill, to create this super cute necktie onesie. I decided to make it for Brooke and Joe's newest addition, Truman.


I think that this idea is especially cute because his daddy's a lawyer.

I was on a roll after the first one, so I decided to make another. At first I was going to make an elephant, but then it told me that it wanted to be a sea turtle:


I hope you like them Brooke and Joe. They're coming your way!

♥Amy

7-Up Cake

One of my personal goals in life has been to make Martha Stewart herself want to bow down to my domestic diva-ness. I think that I may have come one step closer with this 7-up cake. The recipe was taken from one of my new favorite blog reads, Homemade By Jill.

Recipe:
3/4 lb. butter, softened
3 cups sugar
5 eggs
3 cups flour
2 tablespoons lemon extract
3/4 cup 7-up soda

Glaze:
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon milk.

1. Cream the butter and sugar.
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
3. Add flour and lemon extract
4. Fold in 7-Up
5. Pour in to well greased 12 cup bundt tube or pan
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 75 minutes
7. Mix lemon glaze ingredients together and drizzle on when the cake is completely cooled.

And Voila!

Mmmmm... Chili

Tonight Brett & I decided to have chili one last night before the weather gets warm and we will want to avoid hot and hearty food in all its forms. This is by far the best vegetarian chili recipe I have ever found, and I thought it was too good not to share. For those of you who are fans of meat, this also makes a great base that you could add meat into.

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tbsp. minced jalapeño pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15 oz. can chili beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup canned corn
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper and garlic. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Spoon vegetables into slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours. Garnish with cheese and sour cream, if desired.

Here is the delicious end result:

NOTE: I got a little over excited (or maybe just distracted) and dumped the veggies right into the crock pot without cooking them in the skillet first. While it isn't preferred, I just wanted to let you know that if you do it this way the chili will still turn out just fine. :-)