We're done!

It's official we are all moved out of the old house. It's cleaned and inspected and we passed unbelievably with flying colors and we do not owe a penny. I was sure that we would for the blinds alone what is it with kids and bends/breaking the blinds to move them out of the way to look outside, or is it just mine? After the girls went to bed John and I broke out the celebratory bubbly we've been saving for tonight. It was nice to sit back and relax. Tomorrow is soon enough to tackle all the boxes, bags, sacks, and assorted totes that we used to move. While I would love to tackle the front porch that can't be first on my priority.

Recipe share galore

Cherry Pie

Serves: 16

This tangy pie is a tasty reminder of summer all year long.

INGREDIENTS
2 (9" each) pie crusts (store bought or homemade)
2 (16 oz. each) cans tart cherries, packed in water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon margarine

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Drain 1-cup of liquid from the cherries and pour into a saucepan. Mix the cornstarch and sugar together, then stir into the liquid and add margarine. Bring to a boil over medium heat and stir, until thickened, for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in cherries.
3. Fit a 9" round pie pan with one crust, and pour cooled filling into crust-filled pan. Fit either lattice-worked top or full top over pie, using margarine or egg to seal edges while crimping together. (If using double crust, make five slits in top of crust for steam to escape.)
4. Bake about 60 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. If the crust begins to brown too quickly, cover around the edges with aluminum foil.

NUTRITION INFO (per 1/8 of pie slice)
Calories: 151.6
Fat: 5.9 g
Carbohydrates: 24.1 g
Protein: 1.2 g
--------------------------

Cantaloupe Crush

Snacks

Whether you're suffering from nausea, heartburn, or just in need of a cool and refreshing snack or breakfast idea, this is the perfect nutritious pick-me-up. Leftover shake can be frozen in pop molds or 5 ounce paper cups with popsicle sticks.


This is a SparkPeople.com Recipe (what's this)

Ingredients

1 cup cantaloupe cubes 1/3 cup pineapple chunks 1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 cup frozen or canned peaches 1 teaspoon sugar 3 ice cubes

Directions
Whirl all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
------------------------------------------------

Easy Zucchini Parmesan

Snacks Vegetarian Snack
Submitted by MATCM81

This quick and healthy snack tastes like a gormet side-dish, but just takes minutes to prepare! And as a bonus, it's an easy way to get the kids to eat their vegetables.

Recipe Added to SparkPeople.com (what's this)

Ingredients

Zucchini, 1 cup, sliced Parmesan Cheese, grated, 1 tbsp I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Original Buttery Spray, 10 sprays Non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, then coat with some non-stick cooking spray. Place the zucchini slices out on the pan, then spritz with them with the butter spray. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and then pop it in the oven. Broil for a few minutes - until the cheese starts to brown. Enjoy it while it's warm!
Make a larger batch for a delicious and healthy side dish for any meal! Your family will love it!

Number of Servings: 1
-----------------------------

Low-Carb Crustless Quiche

55 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

1 cup (not packed), non fat cottage cheese 2 cups egg substitute, liquid (Egg Beaters, or whites) 1/2 cup broccoli, cooked, chopped 1/2 cup ham, extra lean, (5% fat), diced 1/2 cup Cheddar or Colby Cheese, Low Fat, shredded Salt & Pepper, to taste Cooking Spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour into a pie dish sprayed with Pam or other cooking spray. Place on cookie sheet in oven. Bake approximately 45 minutes or until center is just set.
Makes 6 servings.
Variations:
Substitute different meats, cheese, and veggies such as:
turkey bacon, sausage
reduced fat swiss, mozzarella, or feta
spinach, peppers, onions, asparagus

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CHESSMANS2000.
Number of Servings: 6

April showers & April Flowers

The past couple of days there has been a break in the thunder and rain so we have taken the opportunity to dig up our current garden and plant it at the new house. I have to say it makes it look very cheerful and welcoming over there now. We transplanted two big rose bushes - we're really hoping that they make it, 5 hostas, and 4 pink snapdragons. We also bought two more rose bushes as well. Plus there's my pots of flowers that I haven't put into the flower beds yet.

Cause it's funny

What Theresa Means

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What John Means

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Genevieve Means

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you. You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy to party all night. Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What Gwendolyn Means

You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You are very charming... dangerously so. You have the potential to break a lot of hearts. You know how what you want, how to get it, and that you will get it. You have the power to rule the world. Let's hope you're a benevolent dictator! You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Best Ever Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter

2 1/8 cups sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas

Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1(8ounce)package cream cheese, softened
• 3 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• chopped walnuts

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 275°.

2. 2

   Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan.

3. 3

   In a small bowl, mix mashed banana with the lemon juice; set aside.

4. 4

   In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

5. 5

   In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy.

6. 6

   Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp vanilla.

7. 7

   Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.

8. 8

   Stir in banana mixture.

9. 9

   Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

10. 10

    Remove from oven and place directly into the freezer for 45 minutes.

11. 11

    This will make the cake very moist.

12. 12

    For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.

13. 13

    Beat in 1 tsp vanilla.

14. 14

    Add icing sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high speed until frosting is smooth.

15. 15

    Spread on cooled cake.

16. 16

    Sprinkle chopped walnuts over top of the frosting, if desired.

Lady Pandora's Box

Cause you know I had to share my cute baby. Especially since I was finally able to put a top knot and a
butterfly clippie in her hair.

Free items

Are they trash or treasure?
I have a metal storage shed that I have been trying to give away for the past week. And so far everyone that I have contact with seems to not want it. Or just plain not showing up when they say they would. It's been so frustrating. So do you think it's better to attach a price tag to something to to just try and give it away for free?