Weekend bucket list (I live in the short term)

I'm going to start a "Weekend Bucket List". These are all the things I would like to accomplish before my weekend dies (that would be the thrill kill, AKA Mondays). Since my weekend starts Thursday nights (love that) I will start then. Let's see just how much I can do in the weekend and I will try to update as I go along. I am interested in just how much I can accomplish and the reasons why some of them never get done.

WEEKEND BUCKET LIST 12/13/2012 - 12/16/2012

(1) Finish G's pajama bottoms(since I only started them 3 weeks ago)
(2) Make cookie dough (needs to be done by Sunday since we are having a decorating party then)
(3) Make icing for cookies (see #2 reason)
(4) Make teacher gifts (usually a coffee mug with homemade cocoa or cookies)
(5) Make gifts for co-workers (probably cookies)(too many people and not enough time...maybe I'll bring in some cake dip on the last day)
(6) Finish G's crochet hat (I'm almost done)
(7) Complete gingerbread house (thanks mom)
(8) Meal plan for the week (this should be fun since I have minimal strict organizational skill)
(9) clean house (must accomplish)
(10) Pictures for Christmas cards
(11) make Christmas cards
(12) Mail Christmas cards (10-12 should be lumped together but this looks more dramatic)

My goal is to complete 60%, but we will see;)

UPDATE!!! I finished about 50% of my goals which for me isn't too bad and the weekend was very productive. We had a cookie decorating party (pictures to follow) and the house is still standing and clean (thanks to wonderful husband). I'm now back at work and plan to make some new posts. I have a few new recipes I tried out, but as you can see above there are no crafts done :( I am off for the next 2 weeks from the place that funds my habits and pays my bills (AKA Work) and can't wait to spend time with my family.

Beans under pressure - 15 Bean Soup (Pressure Cooker recipe)

After work I raced home to make dinner. This is a usual day, but I've been wanting to try out my pressure cooker and make some bean soup. My mom got one this past year and gave one to everyone she knew for their birthdays. She swears by them. So I knock the dust off and let's see how "magical" this thing is.

15 Bean Soup (Pressure Cooker recipe)

You will need

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 stalks celery
2 carrots
1 medium onion
1 lb. bag 15 bean soup mix (with flavor packet)
1 ham hock or bone
8 cups water
salt & pepper (to taste)

Turn pressure cooker to brown (if you have a fancy electric one as shown above). Heat olive oil and add cut up veggies.

Cook veggies until starting to turn brown (about 10 minutes).

(SO I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I WAS CHASING AFTER A 3 YEAR OLD)

Rinse and pick over beans to make sure there are no stones (ouch) or weird looking ones and add to pressure cooker (without flavor packet).

Add water and ham hock as well. Bring to simmer for 10 mintues.

Apply and lock lid and turn up to high pressure for 10 minutes (the pressure always scares me a bit since I've heard horror stories about old cookers lids blowing off. I usually stand back and my husband looks at me like I'm weird). Any way...once completed turn back to low pressure for 20 minutes. At the end of this cycle DON'T RELEASE PRESSURE!! I know you will be tempted, but DON'T DO IT!!! Allow to release "naturally" (can take up to 30 minutes).

TA DA!!! This is what you are left with...delicious bean soup. Now remove the ham hock and pull off the cooked meat and add to the pot. I also add the flavor packet and salt and pepper at this time.

Well it wasn't the fastest meal for a busy week night, but definately quicker than soaking the beans for 24 hours or overnight, rinsing, boiling and cooking for hours on end. Hope you enjoy!!

The 3 "C"s

The 3 "C"s - Cooking, Crafting & Cleaning. Two are quasi related, the other - huh? These are the three things that make up my life when I'm off work. I have 2 wonderful children (who often like helping with all 3 C's) and a great husband who puts up with my addictions (that being crafting and cooking - mostly baking). I work full time in the medical field. I help my husband with advertising and book keeping for his business. My kids keep me busy when they are at home and I must say I love my life. So when I have off time (that usually means after the kids and hubby go to bed) I craft, but like the name of my blog I usually craft today and clean tomorrow (when ever that may be).

I hope if you plan to follow me you enjoy my posts. I plan to post recipes, craft ideas (and fails - yep a lot of those) and maybe a few about cleaning :) If you respond I would appreciate only words of kindness and respect.

Thanks for stopping by and check back frequenty for new ideas!


Catherine