Sunshine Cake

I wish I could take credit for this one. Of course I found it on Pinterest. I'm so proud of myself for actually trying something that I pinned. Later, I read that this is a Weight Watchers treat. Even better, now I don't feel so guilty. It's so simple to make and it tastes like summer. Unlike regular cake, this gets better with time. Store it in a sealed container and the pineapple seeps into the cake making it taste like candied sunshine, and it's low calorie!

**Sunshine Cake**

Ingredients

1 box Angel Food Cake mix
20 ounce can of crushed pineapple in it's own juice

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350
Mix the ingredients together and pour into 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes. 

Let cool before eating. I think next time I'll try baking it in my angel food cake pan. It's easier for me to cut using my electric knife. Enjoy!

Pinterest Round Up #4

Ok, ok, ok...so I've been slacking on my posts. It's partly because I've been so incredibly busy and partly because I'm so warn out from being busy that I don't feel like putting on my perky face and typing out bubbly words to all of you. Whining over. Time for the pins!

Favorite Pin #1

Park Güell 

Next month, K1 and I will be traveling to Spain. Even though this is a school tour, I'm such a planner that I've started researching all the places on the itinerary so I'll know what to expect. Note: I don't like surprises.

Favorite Pin #2

Butternut Squash Risotto

The weather is getting warmer (read: blasted hot even for Florida) and I am looking for alternatives to using the stove/oven to keep the heat down in the house. First step: create a crock pot/slow cooker board and pin like crazy. Next step: create a grilling board and pin even more.

Favorite Pin #3

Landscape Design

I want to say I'm environmentally conscious, but really I think I'm just lazy. I'm so over taking care of the yard. Now I'm looking for ways to landscape with materials that need little to no care. I don't want to mow, prune, water, or tend in any way...or at least as little as possible. It's too hot to be outside doing work. I'd rather be at the beach.

Favorite Pin #4

Book Pillows

How cute are these little pillows that look like books? I work in the English Department at USF, so I think these would be a hit with my crew. 

Favorite Pin #5

Tee to Tank Refashion

Summer is in full swing and I just love these refashioned tanks. They look super easy to make and would be a good way to get more use out of those t-shirts I haven't been wearing. I've been a follower of the Crafterhours blog for awhile now and this is just one more reason why I'm a reader.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Pinterest, too! Feel free to post your favorite pin as well. I'm always on the lookout for a good pin.

Pinterest Round Up #3

It was a slow week for pinning last week. I just didn't see a lot that interested me plus I was busy doing other things - like actually making the things I had previously pinned. I kid you not! You'll see more of that later this week. So, on with the show. Don't forget that you can click on the link under the pin to go directly to it.

Favorite Pin #1

Crocheted headband

How cute is this little headband!?! Unfortunately the page is in Japanese and the translation isn't great. I think I could figure out how to crochet this on my own just with the photo. It looks simple enough. Maybe I'll post the pattern when I come up with it. Would you be interested in that?

Favorite Pin #2

Setting a table

When I saw this, I realized that I haven't taught my girls how to properly set a table. So much to remember, so little time.

Favorite Pin #3

Magic Carpet Cleaner

Summer is the perfect time to get to those little projects that I have been avoiding. Although we have replaced our carpet with wood flooring in the main area of the house, we left it in the bedrooms. It really needs to go, but until then it's time to clean it up. You can find this and more over at the Lizzie Writes blog.

Favorite Pin #4

Homemade Peppermint Patties

I've really been into making food in order to cut out all the preservatives found in store bought food. I'd like to say that is why I pinned this, but in reality, I just really like chocolate and mint. Christy, over at My Invisible Crown, has a ton of recipes that are easy to make and look amazing. Yep, she just gained another follower.

Ok, time to go find some more good stuff to pin!

Ranch Chicken Enchiladas

The Recipe Critic

I made a pact with myself to actually try the pins I find on Pinterest. The whole idea is to find and try new things, right? This recipe looks amazing. How could it go wrong? I dunno, my stuff never turns out as visually pleasing.

The chicken was actually pretty tasty. You cook it in the spices in a slow cooker an then it shreds perfectly. I will never buy canned chicken again! So why does mine not look as pretty? Um, well, not having enough of the ingredients might be one reason. Oops. Oh well, it still tasted good so this one is a keeper. It's easy to make and the ranch gives it a little kick - just enough to keep it from being like a traditional enchilada. Want to try it?

Ranch Chicken Enchiladas
from the Recipe Critic

Ingredients:
3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 package chicken taco seasoning
1 package ranch dry salad dressing
1/2 cup bottled ranch
1/2 cup salsa
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can chicken broth
1 package white flour tortillas

1.   Cook and shred the chicken.  I cooked mine in the slow cooker with the ranch packet and taco seasoning packages in the chicken broth.  The chicken just peeled apart.  I cooked it on low for about 3-4 hours.
2. Mix the 1/2 cup of ranch and 1/2 salsa in a bowl.  Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and spread a very thin layer of the mixture on the bottom.
3. Start assembling the enchiladas by putting 2 Tbs of the ranch and salsa mixture on the bottom of tortilla.  Then put the shredded chicken on top of that.  Sprinkle with cheese and roll it up.
4. Line up the enchiladas in the 9x13 pan and sprinkle heavily with the cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and enchiladas are heated through.
5. Drizzle the top with ranch and enjoy!

Dryer Sheets

Who would have thought that dryer sheets could be used for other things other than IN the dryer? Not this girl. In fact, when I got my new dryer, I started cutting my sheets into thirds - now they last almost forever. 

CouponCloset

The only thing the full sheet gained me was build up on my lint screen which decreased the efficiency of my dryer. My clothes still come out wrinkle and static free, so why mess up my machine? Besides, I have other things that I can use those sheets for. Be sure to check out the links with the photos for even more tips.

So, what else can you do with dryer sheets? Keep dust from settling on baseboards, blinds, electronics and lamps around the house by wiping with a dryer sheet. Also helps repel pet hair! 

Apartment Therapy

Tired of taking Fluffies love to work with you? Use a dryer sheet to wipe it away. Works on furniture and bedding, too!

Real Simple

Ok, crafters, these are for you. Stabilize embroidery  by placing clean, used sheet behind t-shirt or sweatshirt when you cross-stitch or embroider designs on them. Less expensive than buying stabilizer!

FaveQuilts

Run your sewing needle through a new sheet and the needle will glide smoothly though fabric. Keeps thread from tangling, too.

Real Simple

Clean your iron by running it over a dryer sheet on a cool setting. 

Real Simple

 I love the way my clothes smell right out of the dryer. Keep that same fresh scent longer by placing a sheet in your drawers. Works well in gym bags, suitcases, and smelly sneakers, too.

A Nut in a Nutshell

 With a small amount of water on a dryer sheet, easily scrub that soap scum off of glass shower doors. Keeps it from coming back, too!

Homespiration

This is just the tip of the iceburg. There are so many ways to stretch your dollar and decrease your cleaning time with new and used dryer sheets. What other ways do you use dryer sheets?