Michigan Moms Club

This sounds yummy, I just might have to make it for breakfast tomorrow!

Cinnamon Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons margarine

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Measure flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla into large mixing bowl. Beat 3 minutes. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top.
3. Combine 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and butter, mixing until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over smoothed batter. Using knife, cut in a light swirling motion to give a marbled effect.
4. Bake for about 50 minutes. Test with toothpick. When inserted it should come out clean. Remove bread from pan to rack to cool.

What lengths would you go for Cosmetic Surgery Help? Would you travel across the country, if you knew the doctor was the best at what he does? What all would you have done?

If I could afford to have and cosmetic surgeries done, I would start at the top. My teeth would be the very first thing. I want a perfect smile! No more cracked or stained teeth! I would like to have laser eye surgery, so I can get rid of my glasses once and for all. More on the face, I would like to have my laugh lines filled in, and any other wrinkles.

Moving downward, I would like a slight breast reduction, and a lift to go with it. On to the belly, after having kids, and one of them being born via a c-section, I have that dreaded “shelf” as I like to call it. No matter what I do, it never goes away, so I would like a tummy tuck.

But alas, I know this won’t happen, as I just don’t have the money, but I can dream right?

Being a stay at home mom is something I didn’t think I would be doing with my life, but these last 14 years have been so rewarding. I have still provided income to our family budget by having a daycare in my home. It has been rewarding as well, but I don’t want to do this forever. Hubby and I have talked about different ways to have our own business. We have gone from him building guitars, and me doing all the paper work, to opening up a franchise. But what I would really like to do is open up a little bakery cafe. I love to bake, and would love for this to be my full time job!

I have so many ideas in my head for how I would decorate my little store right down to the restaurant chairs. I would like to have those cute cafe/ice cream shop style chairs and little tables.  Gingham curtains and table cloths.  Oh the things I want to do.

Now that I have all of these thoughts going through my head, I need to figure out how to make it a reality and not just a dream!  I have who I would like to help me out in this adventure, as long as she pulls her own weight.  Time to get this dream going!

Cinnamon-Chocolate Pudding

2 cups fat-free milk
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping

BEAT milk, pudding mix and cinnamon with whisk 2 min.

STIR in COOL WHIP.

SPOON into dessert dishes.

Viola, dessert is ready!

I would really like to get contacts, but not sure I can handle them anymore. So I am considering getting some prescription sunglasses. I want to still be able to see when I am out on the beach, but still have some sort of protection from the rays.

I found a few pair of serengeti sunglasses that I like, but will have to do some serious sweet talking to my hubby in order to get a pair. For now I will stick with what I have, and maybe just order some new frames for my regular eyeglasses. Like these:

I like that this site offers free UPS Shipping on orders over $29.95, that’s cool! Free is my favorite word! And they have 100% satisfaction guarantee statement. I would have to spend that kind of money on a pair of glasses and not like them, only to find out that I can’t exchange them.

Why not give this a try!

Baked Ziti with Fire Roasted Tomatoes

Prep Time: 30 min
Total Time: 55 min
Makes: 6 servings

2 1/2 cups uncooked ziti pasta (8 oz)
1/2 lb extra-lean (at least 90%) ground beef
1 large sweet onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen® organic tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen® organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon coarse (kosher or sea) salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)

Total Time: 25 min
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Cook and drain pasta as directed on box.
2. Meanwhile, spray 12×8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked.
3. Stir zucchini into beef mixture; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling. Add drained pasta; toss to coat. Spread in baking dish.
4. Cover dish tightly with foil; bake 20 minutes. Remove foil; sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered about 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

The snow is starting to go away. Spring is on the horizon! I am so ready for the nice, warm weather to arrive! I am thinking of planting a garden this year, but at my inlaws, as I don’t really have the room in my yard. I have been gathering some gardening tips as I don’t have that great of a green thumb. I am not all that good at keeping as plant alive, therefore I don’t have any indoor plants.

I planted a new rose bush last year, that was my Mother’s Day gift, only to have something get at it. It didn’t bloom well at all. The leaves had spots on them, and some had holes. I am going to try this rose spray to see if it will help this coming year.

But back to gardening. My hubby’s aunt is wanting to do this with me as well, so we are taking over a small portion of my father in laws back yard. She is a much better gardener, so I know ours will succeed! I am so excited to be doing this. I love home grown veggies. I have been learning how to can as well, so I will be doing this at the end of our garden season, so we can enjoy fresh canned veggies all year long.

So will you be planting a garden this year?

I am trying to plan our family vacation for this summer. Trent wants to go to an amusement park, but I would like to go to the coast. I have been looking at Ocean City Maryland vacation deals, to see what they have to offer.

After checking out their site I see that there are some amusement parks near by, so we just might have to give this one a try. The prices are reasonable, and so much nicer than hotels.  I like that they have a kitchen in the rooms, this way we can save money on food.

So if you are looking for a fun place to go this summer, head on over to this site and check out some deals!

Do you think your hubby or significant other will get you flowers for Valentine’s Day. Do you have a favorite kind of flower?

I love going to the florists to smell all the flowers. There are so many beautiful arrangements for you to choose from. My favorite flower is the rose. You can get them in so many different colors. I have even seen some purple ones, and that is my favorite color!

I have been leaving hints around the house for my hubby, hopefully he will get the hint as it has been a while since he bought me flowers!!  Do you leave hints for your guy?

Will it ever warm up again? I am so over winter! I want the sun and green grass! I hate when the winter blahs set in. I don’t want to do anything. I heard on the radio today that for the month of December the sun was out for a total of 40 minutes! That’s so not right!

Who’s ready to go on a cruise with me?