French Toast Bake

My kids just love it when I make them French Toast for breakfast. I'm not sure if it's the toast or the syrup they love more but hey they eat it up! I try and make a large batch for leftovers or freezer cooking style but I never end up with leftovers!
For a change I decided to do a French Toast Bake instead of the norm...

                                            I buy day old bread:either Italian, or French Loaves

                                                My nice organic delivered milk and cream

                                                                 Topping is the best part

                                             1/2 plain and the other 1/2 with fresh Blueberries

                                                                  Yummy! Eat that up!

French Toast Bake:
Courtesy Pioneer Woman
Bread Loaf (french bread, Italian, whichever you choose)
8 Large Eggs
2 C. Milk
1/2 c. Cream
3/4 c. Sugar
2 Tbs Vanilla

Topping:
1/2 c. Flour
1/2 c. Firmly packed Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Salt
1 stick cold butter cut into pieces
Fresh fruit optional

Grease pan with butter. Tear bread into chunks into pan.
Mix eggs, milk, cream, sugar and vanilla. Pour over bread. Cover tightly store in fridge for an hour or overnight.
In Separate bowl mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter pieces. Store in fridge. When ready preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sprinkle fruit first then topping. Bake 45 min. for softer bread pudding texture. 1 hour for firmer, less liquid texture.
Top with butter and maple syrup.

Enjoy!

xoxo
-N

1 Year Anniversary!!

I'm pleased to announce that HR Mom...Craft in the City (and numerous other names) has reached it's 1 year Anniversary!
I never thought I would get to this milestone! I almost gave up several times. I had 3 followers for the longest time and I'm  at 13 now. I hope to double that and continue writing for years.

Thank you for making my blog a success! To many more!  Have a great day!

xoxo
-N

I'm a Winner!!

I'm finally a winner! I have entered a few giveaways in blog land for different things, books, the Silhouette machine, food kits and spray paint.
Yes you read that right I entered a giveaway for Krylon Spray Paint and I WON!
I will soon have 18 cans of all different colors of spray paint mailed to me.

I'm so excited. When I read Mandi's Blog giveaway winner I actually screamed out loud! I never win anything! Should I play the lotto this week?
I am plotting all my projects in my head already. I have to paint new things for my bedroom and front living room. I'm slowly in the process of making my formal living room (never used) into a formal dining room! I love dinner parties and I would love to have a table that stays pretty all the time!
So, Thank you to Mandi and Krylon for the gift!

xoxo
-N

Daily Workout

8/24/11
 Cardio:
60 minutes on Stair/elliptical thingy Level 4 on Cardio (Resistance went up to 50, it was slow moving!)

I like the calories I burn on this machine and I feel like it's going to give me nicer legs. I know my legs are pretty muscular but what women likes big thighs? I was walking around in a tank and underwear last week and T say, "mom, you have big legs"...I laughed but told him, "I dare you to punch my leg as hard as you can, cause it will break" So he puts a fist and winds it up and punches my leg. His hand didn't break but it hurt. Wouldn't it have been really cool if his hand broke on my thigh? Can you imagine the conversation at school?
"Hey man, how'd you break your hand?" T: "my mom's thigh" WHAT?!
Back to the point, I hope I get better legs from this machine. Today I left soaking wet in sweat from the top of my shirt to the bottom of my shorts! So, I couldn't stay for Abs or stretching, no one wants to be near that!

8/23/11
Cardio:
 50 minutes level 2 stair/elliptical thingy on Weight loss challenge
15 minutes on stationary bike level 9 for a minute then lvl 3( just wanted to read)

Legs:
Leg Press 90lbs 3 sets of 15
calf's 90 lbs 3 sets of 15
Leg extensions both ways 3 sets of 15 50 lbs
Hip abduction/adduction 3 sets of 15 50 lbs (this is supposed to take the inner thigh away..doesn't work so far)

Great workout week! I do miss running and so far this week I have spent 3 hours each day looking up races, my past race results...basically anything race related. I may have to run this week.

xoxo
-N

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Now that I have my mornings and afternoons free, I have no excuse not to try new things and blog about it. So I started my week off with making Homemade Oreo cookies. Yes, Oreos! And they actually do taste like the real deal.
They looked so good my husband couldn't even wait until after dinner to try one, he had one while making dinner!

                       (note you will not use Marshmallow creme..Don't know why I go that out)

                                             Mix some of the dry ingredients in mixing bowl

                    Mix in butter and the egg. Mixture should come clean off mixing bowl forming a ball.

                                        Small scoops placed on a parchment lined cookie sheet

                                                                     Slightly flatten

                              I obviously don't have an Oreo stamp, so they don't look identical

                                                   Mix remaining ingredients for the middle

                                                                      Pipe in the icing

                                                                           Smoooosh

                                                   Tada! Homemade Oreo Cookies!
They do taste the best warm served with milk. Great for dessert or after school snack.

Homemade Oreos
Adapted from Retro Desserts, Wayne Brachman and Smitten Kitchen

For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar (see note at bottom)
1/2 cup plus 2 tbs (1 1/4 sticks) room-temp, unsalted butter
1 Large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room temp unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  In a mixing bowl mix thoroughly flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt and sugar. While on low speed, add butter and then the egg. Continue mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
 Take rounded teaspoons or scoop of batter and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hand, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
 To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
  To assemble cookies, in a pastry back with 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon size blobs of cream into the center of a cookie. Place another cookie equal in size to the top. Lightly press to work filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue process until all the cookies have been sandwiched.

*Note: If you want your cookies closer to the original, you can take out a full half cup of the sugar. If you want to make the cookie itself, go ahead and use the full amount.

Enjoy!
xoxo
-N

How to be a Reply Commenter

I just learned a new trick for blogging! I love learning new blog tricks. When you leave a comment on someone's blog which we all love to read. The blog owner can not reply unless you have it set up to do so. Sister this is for you...do it!
Thank you to The House of Smith she has a tutorial to show you how.

Thanks HOS!

xoxo
-N

8/22/11

I took a few days off from working out and almost skipped today too, but I forced myself to go to the gym. One of our rec centers has this machine called TRUE. I freakin' love it! The only problem is I'm so used to burning 120 cal. per mile and the miles add up when you run fast. This machines mileage is slow and so I'm not burning my usual 400-500 cal per workout. So I may have to use this only once per week.


I did an impromptu run on Friday right before picking up the kids from school. 2 mile trail run up at Daniel's Park. This is my first run since my 1/2, It was a rough start but found myself running a 7:30 min. mile which is so much faster then I was months ago. I tired out quickly though. It was also 83 degree's out and I didn't want to run with my water. I was already carrying my ipod and keys. I may go back to running mid week.

Cardio:
True 30 minutes of total body workout Level 2
True 20 min. Level 3 rolling hills

Arms:
2 sets of 15 of 50 lb over shoulder press
Lots of arm press at 50 lbs
3 sets of 15 biceps and triceps, curls

Abs:
2 sets of 15 Crazy Ivan's each side
60 reverse crunches
Stretching

Until tomorrow!
xoxo
-N

It's what I love!

If you follow my blog or just stop by often (that's great too) you know that I write about anything and everything. I don't have a specific blog category. Is that bad?
I think my blog covers:
-Food
-Family
-Books
-Shopping
-Goals/Personal life
????
I just love so many things that I cannot just choose one. I could start multiple blogs but that seems like way to much work!
So love it or leave it, I'm going to write what my heart desires. That's why it's Craft in the City! The reason I bring this up is because I think I am going to write more about fitness.
It's been asked several times this year, "Why are you not in culinary school, if you love to bake so much?" or "Why are you not a personal Trainer, you would be so good at it. I totally see you doing PT?" My girlfriend told me this morning that she would hire me to be her personal trainer cause she hates the ones at the gym.  I just shrug my shoulders and say "I don't know".
 I truly believe that I need to fulfill what GOD put me here to do and I just haven't heard him tell me either one of these is my calling.
So back to the matter at hand..(hey, that's a snoop dog song) I am just going to do some small posts on my fitness routines along with my other daily rants. I have been around the fitness realm for a very long time and I dated a few weight lifters so if you do have a question feel free to ask!
 I do hope you will enjoy my new posts. Feel free to give me your opinions, thoughts and such anytime!
I posted my first one below!

xoxo
-N

Day 1 and 2

The first blog entry for my fitness journey if you will.

8/16/2011
Cardio:
30 min. on some weird new elliptical machine
30 min. hill intervals on treadmill level 7, 3.4-3.8 mph

Abs:
3 sets of 40 Russian Twists, 12 lb ball
3 sets of 20 Crazy Ivan's, 12 lb ball
2 sets of 30 Crunches

Stretching

8/17/2011
Weights: Legs
3 sets of 30 lbs Leg Extensions
3 sets of 50 lbs Back Leg Ext.
3 sets inner/outer thigh sex machine at 40 lbs (don't know the name)
3 sets of 90 lbs Leg Press
3 sets of 70 lbs Leg Curl

Cardio:
Sit down Bike 50 min. Level 6, Hill Intervals

I'm dying to know how much strength I can gain by the end of the year. I went easy on the legs due to the running on Sat. plus yesterday I had some major knee pain on the elliptical.

Hope you enjoy my new fitness posts!
xoxo
-N

Stay at home Mom..Job Description

I always get asked Do you work?... do I work? Uh yes, I work 24 hours a day.
I am an alarm clock, personal clothing consultant, a cook, a teacher, a nanny, a nurse, a security officer, a photographer, a jungle gym, a comforter, housekeeper, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager,personal driver, CEO (my hubby's phone says Manager of the Casa), and psychologist!
I don't get holidays, sick pay, lunch breaks or days off. I work through the night. I am on call all hours and… get paid with hugs & kisses...And then I get up & go to the "job" all over again.
Take a look below at what us SAHM should be making courtesy of Salary.com

This is hand's down the best "job" I've ever had and wouldn't give it up for anything!
I love the support my husband gives me to stay home as well. I dread the day he tells me I have to get a "real" job. Until then I will fulfill my duties with a smile on my face and thank GOD for everything he's provided us!

xoxo
N

The Stay-at-Home Mom's Salary
Mom Job Title	Mom's Work Week (hours)	Mom's Salary (dollars)
Housekeeper	22.1	$10,980
Day Care Center Teacher	15.7	$10,817
Cook	13.6	$10,862
Computer Operator	9.1	$7,151
Laundry Machine Operator	6.7	$3,133
Janitor	6.3	$3,713
Facilities manager	5.8	$11,508
Van Driver	4.2	$3,334
CEO	4.2	$35,971
Psychologist	3.9	$7,176
Total Hours	91.6	$104,646
Mom Base Pay	40	$45,697
Mom Overtime Hours	51.6	$88,424
Total Mom Salary	91.6	$134,121
Average Hours of Sleep	6.7

Bucket List Items

I started writing out my bucket list when I was 29. I was really, really not wanting to turn 30. I thought it was going to be the end of everything for me. I was already a women of faith but turning 30 made me step it up a bit. I wanted to feel closer to GOD and his country by doing thrilling, adventurous things. I found my list in my prayer journal last week and thought I should share it. Here is what I have on my list to do before I die. If I finish before I turn 40, I'll write a new list.
1. Skydive
2. White Water Raft.. Completed July 2011
3. Snowmobile....Completed 2010
4. Climb 14er's.... Mt. Bierstadt(more to go)
5. See all 50 States...Not much seen yet
6. Live in the Now
7. Read the entire Bible NIV in 1 year
8. Run a 1/2 marathon....  August 13, 2011
9. Hot air balloon ride
10. Swim with a dolphin
11. Zip line (preferably in another country but CO will work too)
12. Snowshoe
13. Ride in a helicopter
14. Learn to Sew (I want to sew a blanket)
15. Learn more sign language
16. Tour my favorite wine vineyards
17. Go on a Honeymoon
18. Go on a mission trip
19. Do work with the Peace Corp. or Big Sister program
TO See:
20. See the Grand Canyon
 b. Great Barrier Reef
 c. Acropolis & Athens-Greece
 d. The Vatican-Rome
 e. Coliseum-Rome
 f. Mt. Rushmore
 g. Empire State Building
 h. Statue of Liberty
Activities:
21. Mardi Gras in NOLA
22. Oktoberfest in Germany
23. Kentucky Derby
24. See my kids faces at Disney world
25. Learn to forgive.....Completed spring 2011 but can always keep learning
26. Do all lessons in "a course in miracles"
27. Scuba Dive...see a shipwreck
28. Shoot clay pigeons
29. Volunteer for a cause I believe in....Continuing but started 2010
30. Do what GOD put me here to do!

This list is always growing! I'm thankful I get the chance to do some/most of these things. My heavenly father put me here to do wonderful things and I hope I please him along my journey of adventures. Feel free to start your own bucket list and take my ideas.
Do any of you have a list? Post a link to your list so we can check it out!

xoxo
-N

1/2 Marathon results

As you all know I ran my 1st 1/2 marathon on Saturday morning. I ran from Georgetown to Idaho Springs, CO. Here's my experience.
 We arrived in Georgetown and it was about 40 degrees. I still couldn't believe I was about to run 13.1 miles. We emptied our bladders and joined the end of the line as the race started. My hand and toes went completely numb from it being so cold. We rounded the corner and completed our first mile. I was doing so good.
I ran through some beautiful mountains and watched the river flow. I prayed a lot to GOD for being with me and making me healthy enough to do what I love.
I came up on the Mile 9 marker and I couldn't believe I had run that far without walking, I had faith my training had paid off. Then not a few minutes later all the pain hit my body like a ton of bricks.
-my hips hurt to move them at all
-my toes had gone numb (it wasn't cold anymore)
-my knees felt like someone was throwing bricks at them
-my ankles felt like snapping in half
At this time I had to walk. When I felt a little surge I jogged. Mile 11 marker, I just wanted to finish, how come the miles seem to come slower! I thought of crying but didn't.
Mile 12 I thought I had nothing left in me but thought what's 1 more mile, do this! I have no idea where my burst of energy came from but I ran fast and hard to cross that finish line. As I crossed I wanted to die! First thing I said, "Why do people do this, this is miserable"! I had to sit down I felt like I was going to throw up. I sat for a while and ate a banana and drank water. I made it home and tried to nap but of course now I had some energy!
My legs hurt still and running for a couple hours is hard work. It really takes a toll on your body. I rather have speed and run shorter distances than run slow and long.
I do know now why people run that far. It's addicting. I can say I may do another one. But I really need to train more on my long runs. Just not sure if my body can keep up. I hear another goal brewing in my brain...
My results were posted and I finished in 2:40. That's 40 minutes longer than I had hoped but hey I finished right!!
I'll post pictures when I get them.
Thank you to everyone who showed there support whether through email, text, comments on here or facebook. I did think of my comments during my run and it kept me going, knowing people were supporting me!

xoxo
-N

Moss Letter

I am obsessed with using Google! Any of you use google images? I just love to see what other people are making to get ideas. Of course I follow a lot of blogs too and that's what inspires me most. So around blog land a few months ago I came across everything Moss, it's really in right now. So when I saw the initial moss letters I just had to!! I wasn't sure where I was going to put my "C" but I was so excited to start making it.

 Gold C from Hobby Lobby. I paid about $5 on sale. The moss was about $4, I used one sheet.

Final product!!
I love it! I looked at it like a million times the first 2 days I put it out. I just love how bright the green is against my maroon house. I wish I could get a good picture of my entire front entry but it's small quarters and two big pillars that it just won't work. So this is what you get, use your imagination here...

Kinda close right? I hope you like it! Overall the cost was a bit more then I wanted to spend but moss isn't cheap and the dollar store moss is to dark. My best friend liked it so much I am going to make her one, she has one empty front porch that I'm hoping to mount her initial on her wall. Maybe as a surprise?! Her birthday is next week.
I hope you like this project! Anyone else make this or something like it?

xoxo
-N

Happy Birthday TC!

8 Years ago (yesterday) I gave birth early to the most precious baby boy! Well precious for the first week at least. Lil' TC was born premature and was in NICU for about a week. He was 5 lbs 7 oz. and 19 inches long. He had little hair that was a bit dark and the most precious blue eyes I had seen in a long time.

He cried little and ate little, he was hard to nurse. When we were finally allowed to take him home to our apartment, he cried................and cried and cried. To find out months later when the crying just wouldn't stop from either of us that he had colic. I told myself that I was never having any more babies because colic will kill a mother! There is no cure and it's not fun. Here is a tip for any mom's with colicky babies, put chamomile tea in the babies bottle and it will help relieve the gas in the tummy and calm them. I kept TC in his car seat a lot, it seemed to be the only place he was happy. Our most favorite thing to do was put his car seat in front of the stereo speaker and listen to music. He was pretty fond of "We will rock you" and to this day it's his favorite song. I'm just remembering these things as I type. I love it!

TC has blessed me with something new everyday for the last 8 years with his crying, giggling, his fear of anything bug related, that he accepted the Lord into his life, his ability to play any sport and be great at it, his hate for school work, his loving kisses and hugs everyday and many more. I cannot wait to have more blessings from him for years to come.
You were the best thing God had planned for me, even though I was not planning you at age 23!

I love you TC! Happy 8th Birthday!

This birthday post is a day late because I took him to Pirate's Cove all day yesterday with friends then he wanted to go to Cici's pizza for dinner. By the time we all got home we were tired, full and ready for bed! Tanner has chosen to have a birthday party with friends in a few weeks, so come back for pictures on that.

xoxo
-N

August Goals

Summer vacation is coming to a close. It's a bittersweet moment for me. I enjoy being with my kids and having fun things to do with them but I also haven't had a day off all summer! I am ready for a break. I started a To Do list yesterday and realized I have a lot of organizing and purging of stuff I need to do. Since I won't have kids all day, I should get a lot done.

Personal:
Run a 1/2 marathon
Start a new weight training class
Fix up basement
Purge old magazines (find crafts to do as well)
Prepare to consign old clothes, kid toys

Kids:
Continue Bible verse teaching
Start a new sport

Books:
Book Club Book
Blogger book
Purpose driven life

Kitchen:
Granola bars
Homemade Oreos

Craft:
Make wine cork picture

xoxo
-N

July Overview

July was long and very hot here! My July Goals were limited due to having the kids here and wanting to be entertained all day. So here is what I accomplished.

Personal:

Continue Training
White Water Raft..see post for Details
Volunteer at the church

Reading:
Purpose driven life
Finish bible study book
Book Club Book...not liking it, so put it down
Blogger review book...took a break

Kids:
Homework 4 days per week
Be more strict with reading every night...did a few nights
Teach them scripture verses...tried a few, ongoing
Attend VBS

Kitchen:
Make something with Oats

I think I did pretty good this month. Let's bring on August!

xoxo
-N

Spruce up your outside front entry

I'm always trying to come up with ideas to spruce up my front entry. Or you can call it curb appeal. We just don't have the best entry to do much so I had to come up with something. I've always been wanting the tin stars I see everywhere, but was thinking of putting them in the backyard. They are usually really expensive so I've never bought them. Until now!
I was at Joann fabrics and they had them 50% off, but only the smaller ones, so I grabbed 2 praying my husband would like them. Here's what I came up with.

What do you think? I don't like Texas or anything about it, so I hope that's not what you think when you see this! It's a start right?!

xoxo
-N