The Mummy Pumpkin

Son # 4 lovingly referred to this as his ‘Mommy’ pumpkin. I, of course, was tickled pink. It took some practice, but this year he’s having no trouble pronouncing the word ‘mummy’. I’m thinking to celebrate we will be seeing multiple Mommy, err Mummy, themed crafts this October.

When I found this easy, fun pumpkin craft on Martha Stewart’s website I knew we had to do it. I love carving pumpkins with the older boys (I spend a shameless amount of time scouring the web for the lates and greatest pumpkin template for them to choose from), but I wanted something different to do with the youngest son. Let’s save carving, you know pumpkin guts, tools, knives and all that, for at least a few more years. Please? That and if he needs a quick sensory lesson he can always stick his hand in his brothers’ pumpkins. Which he did…repeatedly.

While my version may not be as pristine, or authentic looking as Martha’s, it did the trick. I used what I had on hand in the house so it was budget friendly, and it was a quick craft to fit in before nap time.

The Mummy Pumpkin

• roll of gauze
• googly eyes
• black cardstock
• glue gun

Directions

1. Starting at any point on the pumpkin glue a starting edge to the pumpkin.
2. From their wrap the gauze around the pumpkin, continuing until you feel like it’s sufficiently covered.
3. When satisfied with the ‘look’, cut the gauze and hot glue down the end piece.
4. Glue two googly eyes on.
5. Cut a mouth out of the black cardstock and glue on.
6. Voila, you now have a pumpkin mummy.

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Famous Football Party Stromboli

Football season is underway again, and for our house, that means so are the game-time snacks and treats.  All of my guys love the game. They also ALL love food. So this is the perfect union of two of their favorite things. The amount of testosterone in my house on game-day is scary. However, on game day, I’m just ‘one of the guys’.

One of the easiest, and tastiest things we enjoy chowing down on between downs is homemade stromboli. What game-day experience would be complete without man-food? This is MAN-FOOD at it’s finest. It’s also ‘Mom’ food. It’s easy and quick to prepare so I don’t have to miss the game to slave away in the kitchen. It’s even easy to serve and eat, which is another plus since it means all four boys are allowed to eat on the couch. No griping about missing parts of the game? No giant mess to clean up after four boys? Famous Football Party Stromboli for the win!

This is literally the perfect party food. Make a little, make a ton. It’s simple, and totally satisfying. Feel free to chase it with a swig of beer in between bouts of screaming at the tv.

Famous Football Party Stromboli

recipe adapted from Liv Life Too

• 1 16 oz loaf of bread dough, thawed according to package directions or homemade pizza dough
• 1/4 lb thinly sliced ham
• 1/4 lb pepperoni (hard salami)
• 1/4 lb salami (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried basil, divided
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano, divided
• 1/4 lb thinly sliced provolone cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tsp cornmeal (optional)

Directions

1. Place bread dough on lightly greased baking sheet.  Pat into a 15 x 10” rectangle.
2. Arrange ham slices lengthwise down center; place pepperoni on top, then salami.  Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon basil and ¼ teaspoon oregano.
3. Arrange provolone cheese over herbs and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle with remaining herbs.
4. Moisten all edges of dough with water; bring each long edge of dough to center. Press edges together securely to seal.  Seal ends.
5. Brush dough with 1 Tablespoon butter; sprinkle with cornmeal and carefully invert so that the seam side is down.  Brush top with remaining butter.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until browned.
7. Remove from oven and place on a cutting board.  Let cool for 5 minutes.
8. Cut horizontally into slices with a serrated (bread) knife.  For smaller portions, first cut vertically down the center, them into horizontal slices.

Korean Beef

I always have ground beef on hand. I get the best bang for my buck on lean ground beef by purchasing it in bulk at Costco. I come home and package it in meal sized portions, and then store it in the freezer. Knowing I’ve always got ground beef on-hand ready to defrost for supper, I’m always on the lookout for something ‘new’ to do with it. When I found this Six Sisters’ recipe and tried it, it was amazing! Simple, easy, and satisfying anytime I’m craving those ‘Asian’ food flavors. Save money, and forgo ordering out. Make your own meal, at home, tonight and still get your fix.

Korean Beef

•  1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 tsp garlic, minced
• 1/2 -1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 bunch green onions, diced
• basmati rice, cooked according to package directions

Directions

1.  Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown the ground beef, with the garlic, in the sesame oil.
2. Drain most of the fat.
3. Add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, pepper, and crushed red peppers.
4. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with green onions.