Epicurean Style

Rescue My Appliances

You want a kitchen makeover?  Kitchen Aid is getting you started with a new set of appliances in their giveaway "Rescue My Appliances".  You don't have to be a blogger all you have to do is take a picture of your kitchen and then go to Kitchen Aid and submit the picture (You have from Now until Nov. 2, 2010, to enter).  

From November 3rd to November 17th there will be public voting so everyone has a chance to rally their friends and family to vote for their submission. Also, for each vote someone casts, they have a chance to win other great KitchenAid prizes. 

Just thought you might like a chance to win this awesome deal.  I know my kitchen could use it.  

   

Fun Activities for Kids

I found these cute coloring pages and thought you might like them.  Jackson and Bennett have really enjoyed coloring some of these fun festive Halloween pictures.  They kept the boys busy while I got dinner ready and anything just a little different or out of the ordinary is great.  Click here to see the Coloring Pages

Happy October.

With today being the first day of all of the fun holiday months we have ahead, we decided to do a craft.  We picked these little masks up at Joann's for a $1.00.  Check out Michaels, Joann's or your local craft store, they almost always have a $1.00 section with fun small projects.  It gives you something different from your daily routine without breaking the bank.  :)  Happy October!

 

Quick Fix. {tutorial-ish}

You know those shirts that get stains on them or end up with little holes or something wacky like that?  Or maybe you are just wanting to take a shirt and rev it up a little, give it a boutique look or a more unique look... 

Such an easy task since ruffles are ALL the rage. 

I had a full tutorial for this little project, but a little monkey got his hands on the camera and deleted most of the images.  I guess kids are good at things like that, but luckily since this is pretty easy, I think you will be able to pull this off without much guidance. 

All you have to do it make ruffles and then start layering them from the bottom (of the shirt) up.  For advice on ruffling go here.

Sew them on like so...

Interesting

I am not sure why this is so interesting to me, but it is. 

(click on it to see it better) 

 
 

Create Your Own Pop-Up Books {review}

I was excited when Growing Tree Toys asked if I would be interested in reviewing this great pop-up book kit, but when I actually got this kit in my hands…I was floored by how awesome it is!

First, I love how educational this toy is withOUT trying too hard.  Sometimes I want to let Jackson sit down and be creative and have fun, without him thinking he HAS to learn something.  So its great when learning just happens.  I don’t have to push it on him and he asks questions and I know he is thinking (and learning how to put a story together draw pictures etc).     

Second, it has got to be of the most fun toys/projects ideas.  Jackson and I sat down a few days ago popped open the kit and I was in awe by the detail…all the pop-ups included, TWO books to work on, markers, and stickers.  All you have to do is add a story and art.  We are still working on our first book and we have spent a good hour using the kit.  Not a frustrating hour, but rather a very entertaining hour of coloring, writing a story, and starting to draw pictures and make pop-ups. 

Third, $19.95 for this great kit.  Seriously, you can't beat that for all the fun and learning that is going to take place.  Plus, it will be a keepsake that will capture the child's imagination and artwork at whatever age your give it to them.  

I am thrilled by this kit and would recommend it to anyone with a child or looking for a fun and unique gift for a child (the only warning I would give is the younger they are the more hands on the parents will have to be).   Growing Tree Toys has a great selection of educational toys--this toys comes from a line of toys called Creativity For Kids.

Gain winners.

 

 

congratulations to our winners.

Jenna Wood

LAMusing

(Please email me at epicureanstyle [at] gmail [dot] com in the next 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn)

Stacks of Chili

This may not look delicious, but we really enjoy it.  I am actually quite pleased by how well both Bennett and Jackson eat this meal and it has quite a few decent things in it--corn, beef, beans....

Anyway, my kids devoured this last night and this takes about 5 minutes flat of prep time.  Use on one of those nights you are running in every direction and don't feel like you have time to make dinner.  It may not look like the prettiest thing you have every made, but it is warm and it tastes good.

Stacks of Chili

Using a baking Sheet layer the following...

1 large tortilla

1/2 can of chili ( I love the stagg chili brand)

1/2 can kidney beans, drained

1/2 can of corn, drained

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Sliced Olives

Repeat those layers.

Loosely cover with Foil and Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Serve with Salsa and Sour Cream.

Halloween.

I just got this

and this

in the mail...not sure which Bennett will be yet, but they are both really cute on him. 

dang.

I am starting to think that my beautiful Wedgwood Bone China Cereal Bowls may have been a mistake.  I love them, Oh I love them, but when my husband dropped one this morning and it shattered...I think a little piece of my heart broke too.  dang. 

I am thinking that I should have gone with the Corelle Plates and bowls that my Mom had all of our growing up years.  I've never seen one of those things break before.  I am pretty sure they don't (okay so I am sure they do, but my Mom, in all of her married life and raising five kids on them, has never had one break). When Jackson was little and we would do the dishes at my parents home, we would let him bang on the plates with a fork/spoon while we were loading the dishwasher (that's pretty child proof, if you ask me).

Maybe I'll just buy my husband his own set of Corelle bowls for his cereal in the morning.  ha. ....So I won't really and I know we have gone a LONG time since our last incident, but oh my heart breaks. 

I know i will get over it, it is just a bowl.  but, dang.