Happy St. Patrick's Day

It is Leo's first St. Patrick's Day! Of course he had to wear his lucky bib to daycare today. Doesn't he have the most kissable cheeks? Today is also Leo's great-grandfather's birthday - Happy Birthday to Grandpa Irish!

Here are a few photos from this morning of our little leprechaun. 

I'm guessing he's thinking - Enough with the photo taking mom!

Breakfast Sandwiches

If your house is anything like mine in the morning, you are rushing to get out the door and to work on time. Actually, that better describes myself - not so much Jeff. Anyway, this leaves little time for a good/healthy breakfast. That's where my easy, quick breakfast sandwiches come in handy! I've seen a few tutorials on Pinterest and my cousin, Susan, said she did this and they turned out great - so I thought, why not give it a chance?!

When I make these sandwiches I do a big batch that lasts for a week or two. Usually between 10 and 12 sandwiches. It takes between 30 and 45 minutes to make all of the sandwiches but it is a real time-saver during the week.

Ingredients/supplies needed: eggs, English muffins, ham, cheese, wax paper and tape. Pretty easy and much cheaper than the store bought breakfast sandwiches.

I start by gathering all of my ingredients/supplies. I prep 10 pieces of ham - about 1/2 a slice of deli ham and 10 pieces of cheese.

Next, separate all of the English muffins to get two halves. Lay flat, with inside facing up, on a baking sheet. Pre-heat oven, using the broiler setting. Broil between 5 and 7 minutes, until toasted and golden brown. Set aside to cool. (I butter each side but it probably isn't necessary. I just think anything toasted needs butter.)

It's time to make all of the eggs. I use a small pan and make one egg at a time. Crack one egg and beat with a little milk. Make sure you spray your pan with non-stick spray for easy cooking. Season the egg to your liking while it is cooking. I use Nature's Seasoning - it is a staple at our house! It is great on anything and everything! Scramble your egg, trying to keep it in one piece. It will make assembling the sandwiches much easier. Repeat these steps until all your eggs are cooked.

Here are my completed eggs - 12 to be exact.

Now it is time to start assembling your sandwiches.

Layer one egg, one piece of ham and one piece of cheese between one English muffin.

There you have it - eleven breakfast sandwiches! I had twelve but I thought I deserved one right then and there for all my hard work.



Once all of your sandwiches are assembled, tear a piece of wax paper for each sandwich - about 13 - 14 inches long. Wrap up your sandwich so it is snug and tight. Use tape to secure.

Store your sandwiches in freezer safe bags or in a freezer safe container. Pop in the freezer.

Reheating Steps: Take a sandwich out of the freezer the night before and put it in the refrigerator. The next morning, microwave for 1 min 15 seconds or until heated through. Since I have a microwave at work, I grab a sandwich out of the freezer that morning and heat for 1 minute 30 seconds.

There you have it! Easy, healthy, YUMMY, breakfast sandwiches. Enjoy!

More Birthday Celebrations

The weekend of Easter we celebrated two very special birthdays - Jeff and Grandma Irish!

Friday, the 29th, was Jeff's 28th birthday and we spent it back in Grant County. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Platteville Country Club and then headed to Potosi to watch some March Madness basketball. I had Jeff's favorite, cookie cake, waiting for him at my parents' home. With that smile, it looks like it was a great birthday.

 

 

Saturday night was spent with the Irish family celebrating Grandma Irish's 80th! We had the Lancaster Country Club all to ourselves and it was great celebrating such a special woman in all of our lives.

 

Pretty cupcakes for a pretty lady.

 

 

I had to sit between these fools. :)

I told you she was a fool. Like how our outfits are opposite?

 

Trav's a lucky guy to get to hang with this beautiful girl.

Here is Grandma opening our gift to her....

She loved it! Travis, Bridget and I gave her a copy of the memory book I made of Dad. I had made Travis and Bridget one for Christmas and Grandma had asked me that week about getting one. I played it off and said we could look into getting her one....little did she know we already had one ready and waiting for her.

 
 Us kids with Grandma and Grandpa Irish.

 

My sister and I (aka - roommate). Fun fact - Bridget and I are the only girl grandchildren in the Irish family that have a sister. The rest of the girls are stuck with only brothers. I'm happy I was lucky enough to get a sister.

I love my Grandma! She is one of the sweetest ladies I know! Happy 80th to my wonderful Grandma Irish!



Gracie Turns Two!

At the end of March, Jordane, Cobus and I ventured down to Belmont to celebrate Gracie's 2nd birthday! The Eastlicks threw a great birthday party, with tons of pizza and cupcakes. Of course it was also a treat to spend the day with my besties and their babes.

The birthday girl!

 

These blocks were a huge hit with all the kids. Here is the fort Cobus and I built. He didn't want to stop playing. I believe Matt's mom found these blocks at a garage sale for a few dollars - awesome find!

 

 

Buzz and Woody cupcakes - YUM!

 

The birthday girl with mommy and daddy! She was more interested in playing than getting her photo taken. 

 

Cobus was more excited about Gracie's birthday present - I think it had something to do with Lightning McQueen.

As you can see, baby Eastlick #2 is growing fast. He or she will be here in June! It was a great Saturday spent with some wonderful friends!

 

Let's get this started!

Welcome to my blog, Nifty Nothings! I'm very new to blogging but thought this would be a great way to share family updates, recipes, projects and anything else I find interesting. Stay tuned for fun things to come!