Getting Crafty with the Kiddies

So during Mother's day weekend my family always has to celebrate not only that holiday, but my little sister's birthday as well. This year I decided I would be the one who would plan everything and make it fun for my sister. She was doing great in school, and at home as well, so she deserved to be spoiled a little. She is a very creative kid, so we decided on a arts and crafts party (how fun!)
I went on pinterest and searched as many ideas as I could, and I ended up finding two really fun ideas. One was a mason jar luminary, which I though would be great for the kids to give to their moms, and decorate masks. The mason jar luminaries were super easy to make.
All you are going to need is:

• mason jar
• mod podge (or make your own by using 50/50 of elmers glue and water)
• tissue paper (cut into different size pieces)
• paint brush
• battery operated tealight. (color changing ones are really cool to use, you can purchase it online on amazon or sometimes walmart)

All you do is:

• using the brush, paint the mod podge/ glue mixture on the jar 
• cover what you painted with the brush with tissue paper
• paint over with glue once again
• continue doing all these steps until the jar is covered.
• let it dry overnight 
• then watch your luminary lighten up the room :)

Overall the party was a success. We had lots of fun with the kids, even though it rained we made the best out of it :) Happy 11th Birthday Margarita!

Give me Ribs Baby!

This week we have (drumroll please!) Teriyaki Honey Glazed Baby Back Ribs! Just the name itself makes your mouth water (mines sure did.) My dad went to the grocery store this week and decided to get baby back ribs. My mom knows I like to get creative when it comes down to ribs, from smoking them in the oven and then my dad grills them, to just baking them and broiling them in the oven. Personally I am terrified of the grill (bad experience in the past,) but I decided I wanted to do something different, and teriyaki seemed like a pretty good idea. So let's begin shall we?

What you need:

• A rack of baby back ribs
• your favorite spices (my mom seasoned it the night before with garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper, and paprika)
• A large cookie sheet, or whatever pan is big enough 
• Teriyaki sauce (I used Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce) 
• Cornstarch 
• Brown Sugar
• Honey
• Aluminum Foil

The night before you plan on cooking the ribs, use your spices to make a dry rub and put it all over the ribs. Let it marinade over night.

The next day, preheat your oven to 325F, prepare your cookie sheet or pan and cover it with aluminum foil and place your ribs on the sheet or pan. Cover your ribs with foil nice and tight. Once your oven is nice and hot place your ribs in there and let it cook for 2 hours. (It does take a while, but hey you can't rush perfection right?) 

Now about 15 minutes before it's time to make your teriyaki and honey glaze. Take about 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Make sure you strain the cornstarch so you don't get any lumps. Cook it on low heat, and by the time the glaze is ready, so will your ribs!

Once the time is done remove your ribs and uncover.Preheat your oven on broil at 500F. Pour the glaze all over the ribs and make sure you get them covered allll over. Don't cover your ribs again, just place them in the oven for 5-6 minutes and VOILA! You have delicious tender, fall off the bone ribs!