Lots of Girly-ness going on

Thanks to my awesome friend, Holly, and her idea, I have been sewing non-stop since last Wednesday-ish. JoAnn's has become my favorite store and I have used up every coupon that I have possibly been able to find. But the result is 6 more finished rag blankets...5 of which are baby blankets and 1 of which is a little shy of a twin blanket (which has been sold to a cousin in Colorado, if the snow clears so we can drive there).

So here is my posts with all the finished products.

This is the same style and color of blanket as the last post, but it is just larger.

I LOVE doing this and I currently have 3 orders for blankets when I get home after Christmas. Just remember that even though all my current pictures are of girl rag blankets, I can do SO much more :)

Purple and Green "Peace" Blanket

I am totally LOVING these rag blankets. I think, unless I get an order for something different, I am going to be sticking with making these for awhile. They are so fast and so easy...not to mention forgiving if you make a mistake.

My awesome friend, Holly, and I are trying an experiment. She makes and sells girls' hairbows. She wants to try to sell a blanket and some hairbows as a set. So, I have agreed to make several "unique" baby girl blankets for her. I have had a lot of fun so far, and I have only finished one ;-). The following "Peace" blanket is the first of 4 or 5 I am making for her. (Note: The background color is a really pretty dark purple...the picture makes it look blue.)


I totally LOVE the colors and the way it turned out. Click here to see Holly's awesome bows that she makes. She only has a few on her website, but she is totally awesome and creative and can make anytime of hairbow.

The Ariana Triology

Several months ago, I posted a question on Facebook asking my friends for recommendations on good books to read. One of my friends told me that I really needed to read The Ariana Trilogy by Rachel Ann Nunes, an LDS author. I really trust and admire this friend and her judgment, so I began searching for it. I posted it on my wish list on Amazon, but I just couldn't afford to buy it at the time. Two or three weeks ago, I was shopping at my all-time favorite store in Idaho Falls, Book City, which is the used book store. Finally, after months of searching, I found a copy.

At the time that my friend recommended this book to me, my life was pretty good. I had some struggles here and there and definite lack of sleep issues due to having a newborn baby. Anyway, now that I found the book and read the book, I pretty much cried through the entire thing. Yes, I am a sentimental emotional fool. However, that being said, I was totally drawn into the story line and plot with the characters.

The basic overview of the story is as follows. Ariana, the main character lives in Paris. Through her childhood and teenage years, she deals with feelings of being inferior and unloved by her parents. Her twin brother is tragically killed and she rebels into a life of partying...drinking, drugs, etc. She ends up married and expecting a baby. The story goes on...I don't want to give it away. She experiences many many hardships and challenges. She introduced to the missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who teach her of Christ's Atonement and unending love for each of us. She also learns of eternal families. She turns her life around and serves the Lord. Though she faces many trials and struggles through the remainder of the book, she is able to endure them with hope and faith because of her beliefs.

Now, I think everyone that follows this blog knows that I am LDS, so the teachings and messages of the scriptures presented in this novel are my beliefs and I know them. For this reason, I really hesitated with posting a review for this book because I don't in any way want any of my friends to feel like I am pushing my beliefs on them. I love and respect each of you and your own individual beliefs. I just wanted to put that out there. Ok, now that I got the disclaimer out of the way, I will continue.

As I mentioned above, I cried through much of the 600-pages of this book. I have had so many struggles and challenges in my life that, I could just relate to and feel Ariana's pain and sorrows. I completely felt that I could be the main character in this fictional book. Granted, I have never struggled with drug or alcohol abuse or multiple marriages, but so many of Ariana's other struggles parallel my life. Though the book "reopened" some wounds and pains in my life, it truly leaves a strong message of hope, faith, and love. I finished reading feeling uplifted and at peace.

A wonderful read.

My Christmas Angels

This book was a free "purchase" that I read on my Kindle app. I really don't know how long it is (page-wise) in reality, but it truly was a short book. If I didn't take any breaks for RJ and church and stuff, I probably would have had it read in 45 minutes to an hour. That being said, I found this book to be truly inspiring and uplifting.

It is about a single father struggling with unemployment and being evicted from his apartment while trying to provide for his 6-year old little girl. The little girl becomes comatose and hospitalized. The father turns his attention to serving others.

I think that in this economy, it is a story that we either all can relate to or one that we know people in similar situations. I know that when struggles are present in my life, serving others brings happiness, peace, and hope that nothing else will.

This was a great little read and perfect for the Spirit of Christmas.

Chicken Curry

Another Crockpot recipe. It has been awhile, I know. I just have been unmotivated to post recipes lately and I have been unmotivated to cook much. I have been using the "tried and proven" recipes instead of new ones. This past Sunday, I finally decided to try a new crockpot recipe. The added bonus was that it was a curry recipe. My husband LOVES curry but I have never had it too much, so I am always a little nervous to try cooking with it since he has had really REALLY good curry in his past. FINALLY, I got brave and tried it out. Even I admit, it was pretty yummy.

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts (I used 2)
1 small onion, chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
2/3 Cup orange juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 tsp curry powder
2 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp cold water
rice

Optional Toppings:
sliced green onion
shredded coconut
peanuts
raisins

1) Spray or line slow cooker. Place chicken into slow cooker. Top with onions and sweet potatoes.
2) Combine OJ, garlic, bouillon, salt, pepper, and curry powder. Pour over chicken and vegetables. (After pouring it in, I realized I needed a little more liquid, so I added a little water, too.)
3) Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours. (Either remove chicken or shred it. I tried to remove it before thickening my sauce and the chicken just fell apart. Therefore, I just left in the sauce and shredded it, and then proceeded with step 4)
4) Turn slow cooker to high. Dissolve corn starch in water. Stir into the slow cooker. Cover and cook an additional 15-20 minutes.
5) While sauce finishes, cook rice.
6) Serve chicken and sauce over rice. Top with the desired listed toppings or any other of choice.

Enjoy!

Cheeseburger Pasta

We are huge fans of pasta and casseroles at our house. They may not be the healthiest food option, but they are cheap, fast, easy, and make more than one meal. In addition to these advantages, my 3 year old LOVES pasta and casserole, so making them ensures that he eats.

This one is a fast and simple dish. According to the cookbook that I took it out of, it serves 6 to 8. I doubled the sauce and pasta part of the recipe and filled a 9x13 casserole dish, so I am not sure what the book constitutes a serving. Just an FYI.

This casserole is a variation of homemade Hamburger Helper, so even if it is unhealthy, I know that it has a TON less salt then the store bought kind and probably a lot more flavor. This is just my rant. I have actually never bought or used a Hamburger Helper, so I don't really know if it is healthy at all or not. I will just be quiet and post the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground hamburger, or turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
8 oz dried bow tie pasta (or your favorite of choice)
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1-8 oz can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp yellow mustard
1 Cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup chopped tomato (optional)
pickles (optional)

1) Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and Rinse.
2) While the pasta cooks, brown the meat and onion in a skillet. When done, drain any excess fat. Add the cheese soup, tomato sauce, and mustard to the beef. Mix over heat until the mixture is creamy.
3) Mix together the sauce and the drained pasta and pour into a 2 quart casserole dish.
4) Bake, covered, at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove and top with shredded cheese. Bake an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese melts.
5) Serve, topped with tomato and pickles if desired.

Yum!

Gingerbread Softies

If you like gingerbread or ginger snaps or anything ginger, this cookies are fabulous! If you do not like ginger, then I guarantee that you won't like this cookie.

I stole this recipe from a friend's post on facebook. The outside of the cookie is firm and the inside is so soft and full of flavor. So, another huge plus...SOFT. I really do not like hard cookies.

Here is what you need.
-2 Cups Sugar, plus more for dipping
-1 1/2 Cups Shortening
-2 Eggs
-1/2 Cup Molasses
-4 Cups Flour
-4 tsp Baking Soda
-2 tsp cinnamon
-2 tsp ginger
-1/2 tsp ground cloves
-1/2 tsp salt

1) Cream together sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat until the mixture is thick. Add molasses and stir until well combined.
2) Sift together (I just dumped them into my mixer) the dry ingredients and them to the creamed molasses mixture. Mix until well blended.
3) Shape into 1'' balls and roll around in some sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet.
4) Bake at 350 for 7-10 minutes. Remove them before they start to brown. (I baked mine for only the 7 minutes and they are the perfect softness, in my opinion.)

Enjoy!

Boy Rag Blanket-Strips

So, I have officially decided that all things "ragged" are my favorite blankets to currently sew. This is my third finished one. I LOVE it! Awhile back, a friend posted on her blog a strip rag blanket. Before that, I had only seen them in block form. Anyway, I had to give it a try. From start (cutting fabric) to finish (all the snipping), I think that it only took me around 2 or 3 hours. Then of course I had to wash and dry it, but that doesn't count in my "completion" time.

Here is the over all picture of the finished blanket.

Here is the close-up photo.


This one is going to a neighbor that recently had a baby boy this past week. This family also showed a very generous and outpouring of love and support when Ryan passed away. I feel very honored and blessed to have them as neighbors and that I can show my appreciation in this small way.

John Deere Rag Blanket

Seriously, I LOVE making these blankets. So fast and easy! I started this one this morning about 9 and I had it completely done and in the washer by 230 this afternoon. Anyway, I love anything John Deere. It is my upbringing. You can take the girl away from her tractors, but you can't take the tractor out of the girl (or something like that).

This blanket was a special service project blanket. My great friend Holly in Utah requested it for Sub For Santa basket that she is putting together. So, it is a wonderful cause and I was happy to help.

I used the same pattern for both the front and back. Only the front has the "rag" look though. I LOVE the way it turned out.

Girl Plaid Rag Blanket

I have been wanting to make a rag blanket forever. I really like the "rag" look, and they have always looked SO simple. Well, quite a few months ago, I cut out some square blocks and never got around to sewing what I really wanted to make. Since I have been bored out of my mind the last few weeks, I decided to sit down and try my hand at making the rag baby blanket finally.
Here it is!

I LOVE the way it turned out. Not to mention that it was SO easy to make. I had a good majority of it done in one afternoon WITH 3 children running around (I was watching my neighbor kids). I think that this may be my new favorite blanket. I am so going to try to different styles and layouts for sewing the rag blanket.

Chicken with black beans and rice

Lately, I have been going through one of my cookbooks. All the recipes are supposed to be one-dish meals and able to be made in 30 minutes or less with the exception of the crockpot recipes. I have had fun trying new things from a new cookbook again.

This recipe was extremely simple but extremely delicious. Though we did not eat it this way, I think that it would be fabulous served on tortillas making it a chicken, rice, and bean taco.

Here's is what you need.
1 pound chicken breasts, cubed
2 tbsp oil
1 package Spanish rice mix (I think if you have a homemade version, it would be great too)
1 3/4 Cup Water
1-15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-14.5 oz can diced tomato, undrained
Sour cream (optional)
Sliced green onion (optional)
Lime wedges (optional)

1) Brown the chicken in 1 Tbsp of oil. Remove chicken from skillet.
2) Add the last 1 tbsp oil and rice mix. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in rice seasoning mix, water, beans, and tomatoes. Add the chicken. Bring to boil. Simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and chicken is done.
3) If desired, serve with sour cream, green onion, and lime wedges.

We also served ours with cheese on top.

Service Project Blanket

Last month, the ladies in my church held a Service Auction. We were all supposed to bring items or write down a service that could be auctioned off with our "fake" money. Items included things like cleaning, cooking, babysitting, home decorating, etc. Originally, I had planned on having a finished baby blanket to take in, but with the chaos of my life surrounding Ryan's passing, I just didn't have time to get one made. So, I wrote down as my service that I would help teach someone how to make a blanket or I would make a blanket. Granted there were limitations. I told them that it would be a "block" blanket and simple because I am not a good seamstress.

Anyway, the lady that "purchased" my service had a little girl about 7 months ago. She wanted a warmer blanket for her daughter for the winter months. Another on of my specifications was that it would be a flannel blanket, so this worked out. She called me last week to place her "order." She said that she liked light blue and black. Therefore, away I went to the fabric store with the wheels turning in my head. Here's the finished product.


I did a reversible with the same pattern on both sides. I just switched the main colors around. I think it turn out really cute. I haven't gave it to the lady yet, so I hope that she likes it.

Cinnamon Halloween Wreaths

Last Saturday, I had two wonderul friends that willingly watched RJ ALL day for me. They did this so I could go play all day at a craft fair with another friend. Anyway, as a "thank you," I decided to make these cinnamon wreaths for them. I attempted to decorate them with little pumpkins on them; I am not good at free hand drawing though. So, I just used my basic cinnamon roll recipe, added some cinnamon chips too, and then shaped a "wreath" instead of cutting the rolls.

The important thing is that they taste yummy not looks, right? At least I hope; I actually didn't taste them either.

Sauteed Sweet Chicken with Tomato Chutney and Rice

Long title even though that is the shortened version. Basically, this recipe is a honey glazed chicken served with white rice and a tomato chutney. For those that may be unfamiliar (as I was) with chutney, it is basically a condiment or sauce used in Southern Asian cuisines mostly. When I first saw this recipe, I skipped over it because I didn't know what chutney was. The next time I saw the recipe, I read it through, and I liked all the ingredients, so we gave it a try. It is definitely a keeper in our house now.

2-14 ounce cans Chicken Broth (use one can if halving the rice)
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Cups white rice (use less if feeding 2 people...we had rice coming out our ears)
6 plum tomatoes, quartered (I bought a package of grape tomatoes and used them)
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1 Serrano or jalapeno pepper, half the seeds removed and chopped
2 shallots (I didn't use)
2 garlic gloves (I used powder)
salt and pepper
3 Tbsp sherry vinegar (I used regular..it was all I had)
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 Cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3 scallions (I used regular onion for these and shallots)
1/4 Cup fresh parsley, chopped (I used equivalent in dried)
1 Tbsp Honey (I used more)
4 Chicken breasts

1) Bring the chicken broth and drizzle of olive oil to boil in a pot. Add the rice, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook until the rice is done.
2) While the rice cooks, heat a medium sized skillet over high heat with a Tbsp of oil. Add the tomatoes, cumin, coriander, Serrano peppers, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, and 1 cup of water. Turn down the heat to medium low and simmer about 10 minutes or until water evaporates.
3) While the chutney cooks, combine 2 tbsp of olive oil, cilantro, scallions, parsley, honey, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Add the chicken breast and coat each side of each chicken breast with the honey mixture. Add the coated chicken to a heated skillet and cook about 5 minutes per side or until it is done.
4) Serve rice and chicken topped with the tomato chutney sauce.

Enjoy!

Chicken Ole

I am back and at it again. Sorry for the delay in posting. This Chicken recipe is a wonderful crockpot meal. As it is written, it needs more prep work then most slow cooker recipes, but I think that it could also be a great recipe for using left over chicken up. I did not have left over chicken, so I had to thaw and cook chicken first, hence the more prep work. I considered just using raw chicken, but I didn't want to do that knowing that the casserole as a whole did not cook very long. Anyway, that is my jabbering about it. We LOVED it and we definitely will be having it again.

Here are the ingredients:

1 Can Cream of Mushroom (omit if you don't like)
1 Can Cream of Chicken (use 2 if you don't like cream of mushroom)
1 Cup sour cream
2 Tbsp grated onion
1 1/2 Cup grated cheese
12 flour tortillas, shredded into bite size pieces (I used maybe 3 or 4, but I use the HUGE tortillas)
3-4 Cups cubed cooked chicken
7 oz of salsa (I used more)
1/2 Cup grated cheese

1) Mix soups, sour cream, onion, and 1.5 cups of cheese in a bowl.
2) Place 1/3 of each of the following in layers in slow cooker: torn tortillas, soup mixture, chicken, and salsa. Repeat the layer 2 more times.
3) Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours (I used warm because my low is way too high)
4) Gently stir and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Cover until cheese melts.
5) Serve with lettuce and tortilla chips (if desired).

Carrot Cookies

Carrots and LOTS of them is what I was faced with recently. We decided to pull ALL of our carrots from the garden at once. We ended up with about 500 or 600 carrots. I was faced with the dilemma of what to do with them. Dale doesn't liked cooked carrots, so canning them was not an option. So, I froze some for soups and stews. I gave some away. However, I still had a lot of carrots. I turned to my trusty cook books and Internet, and decided to try this cookie recipe.

Supposedly you bake the cookies, make frosting, and then sandwich them together like an oreo. For me though, that was WAY too much sugar. I did end up just frosting the tops of the cookies (in the picture), but I think next time I am going to either drizzle the frosting in a "s" or "z" form or leave it off completely. I just really liked the cookie itself. So, after you bake them, taste them and decide for yourself which way you prefer.

Here is what you need:
6 Tbsp veg oil
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1 Egg
1/4 Cup sour cream
1/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 Cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 Cup shredded/grated carrots
1/4 Cup coconut, optional

~frosting~
3 Tbsp soft butter
5 oz cream cheese
2/3 Cup powdered sugar
splash vanilla or orange extract
splash of milk (maybe depending on if your frosting is too thick)

1) Mix oil, brown sugar, egg, sour cream, and vanilla.
2) Add in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger and mix until well blended.
3) Add in carrots and coconut.
4) Drop by 1 Tbsp drops onto a greased cookie. Bake 14-18 minutes or until brown.
5) Cool.
6) Mix frosting ingredients and frost/sandwich the cooled cookies.

*Notes: I doubled the recipe. I had to add a little bit more flour then what was called for. I had WAY too much frosting by doubling, so next time I will double the cookies and keep the frosting single recipe, if I even use the frosting. I only had to bake my cookies 12 minutes...14 was too long and made them too brown. I added a bit more cinnamon...base it on your own taste buds. :)

Great Listen

Another big interest and hobby of mine is music. I used to dream of playing the piano fabulously and singing wonderfully. Well, I never made it very far in either respect, but I LOVE any great music. With all the challenges, stress, and depression that I have been experiencing lately, I could not have come upon this song from a friend's blog at a more opportune time. When I listened to it yesterday, it was like the cloud over my life lifted and disappeared and the sun shone again.

Since listening to this song, I have looked up and listened to several of her other songs. Each of them just leave me feeling so uplifted and happy.

I LOVE LOVE it!!!

Bierrocks

These are probably the only "German" dish that existed in my home growing up. I admit, that though I have strong German veins running through almost all sides of my family lines, German cuisine died out by the time it reached my family.

Bierrocks are the exception. I was raised wtih them; I LOVE them; my family now LOVES them...including my 3 year-old. It is one dish that I am sure my family has "Americanized" though. I know there are several variations of them. The following "recipe" is the version that I was raised with complete with my homemade dough recipe that I use. Note: If making completely from scratch, by yourself, this is a very time-consuming meal.

DOUGH:
1 Egg + enough water to equal 1 1/3 Cups
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Margarine or butter, softened
4 Cups (roughly) Flour
2 tsp yeast

FILLING:
1 lb ground meat (hamburger, sausage, ground pork, etc...your choice)
Small head of cabbage, chopped (or half a large...the cabbage and meat should be about equal portion once cooked)
1 small onion diced or chopped
Cheese

1) In a large bowl or kitchen aid with dough hook, mix all the dough ingredients until the dough is soft and easy to work with. Cover and allow to raise about 1 hour or until doubled in size. If mixing by hand, knead the dough about 10 minutes before letting raise. (I use the dough setting on my braed machine...allows my hands to be free to cook the meat and chop the cabbage.)
2) In a large skillet (I use my electric skillet because I double the quantities and need LOTS of space), cook and crumble meat. Drain. Add chopped cabbage and onions. Cover and allow to cook until the onions and cabbage are tender.
3) When the dough is ready, pinch off dough balls about the size of a small tomato or slightly larger than a golf ball. On a floured surface, use a rolling pin and roll out the dough balls out into a circle. (They don't need to be real thick because the dough will raise more in the oven, but too thin will cause them to break when folding.)
4) Place rolled dough on a greased cookie sheet. Fill 1/2 of it with a spoon full of meat mixture. Sprinkle with a little cheese. Fold the top over and pinch closed.
5) Repeat 3 & 4 until the cookie sheet is full. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. (While the first pan is baking, I keep the process going and have a second pan ready by the time the first pan comes out.)

I really don't have a serving amount. I double the recipe and then have about 50 that I can freeze and reheat later. Serving size will depend on the size that you roll your dough. We serve ours with ketchup and either fresh veggies or French Fries. I also realize that I made this sound really complicated, but they really are super easy to make just time consuming. I am usually in my kitchen for 4 hours cooking...but that includes making dough and working alone. :)

Cheats:
-If you do not want to use this dough recipe, you can by the frozen dough balls. Just allow them to thaw per package directions, and then roll out and fill with the meat mixture. You may also have to melt a couple tablespoons of butter or margarine and brush the tops of the meat packets before baking to ensure that they brown. The dough recipe that I use has enough butter in the recipe that this step is unnecessary.
-I use my dough setting on the bread machine. When it gets down to 30 minutes, I start the meat mixture. While the cabbage is finishing cooking, the dough usually gets done, and I start rolling the dough circles out.
-If you happen are able to have 2 people, it is super fast and easy to have one person rolling dough and the other person filling the packets and folding them over.
-If you run out of meat before dough, the dough can be filled with fruits for "turnovers" or just baked as a dinner roll.
-If you have more meat and the dough is gone, just save the meat. It is tasty alone too.

Variations:
-Cabbage can be ommitted and saurkraut used in its place.
-Cabbage can be reduced by half and saurkraut can be used to make up the difference.
-Onions and cheese can be ommitted.

Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Anyone who either grows zucchini or lives by someone that grows zucchini knows that there is always WAY too much zucchini to try to eat. The stuff multiplies with a blink of an eye (so it seems). So, I am always looking for new recipes to try that use zucchini. One of my friends sent me this recipe for a zucchini cookie. So, of course, I had to give it a try.

Here is what you need.

2 sticks butter or margarine, softened
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1/4 Cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 Eggs
2 Cups shredded zucchini
2 Cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 Cup oats
1/2 Cup chocolate chips
1/2 Cup chopped walnuts, optional

1) Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Add zucchini and mix until well blended.
2) Add the flour and baking soda until well mixed. Add in the oats, chocolate chips, and nuts (if using). Mix everything well. (I left the nuts out. I had to had a little bit more flours and more chocolate chips to compensate for no nuts.)
3) Spray a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. Drop dough by tablespoons about 2 inches apart.
4) Bake 15 minutes. Cool.

Enjoy!

Great Read!

"I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer"
My friend Holly recently loaned me this book to read. I absolutely LOVED it. The author, Emily Watts, is a Latter-Day Saint author, and she uses humor to point out 31 "exercises" that are a "fitness program for the soul."

I highly recommend this read to anyone.

Scalloped Chicken and Potatoes

Another delicious crockpot meal. Sorry no picture.

Here is what you need.

1/4 Cup chopped green peppers
1/2 Cup chopped onion
1 1/2 Cups diced Velveeta cheese (I used regular shredded cheddar)
7-8 medium potatoes, sliced or cubed
salt and pepper
1 Regular can Cream of Celery (or cream soup of choice)
1 soup can of milk
3-4 chicken breasts

1) Line or spray slow cooker. Mix green peppers, onions, potatoes, and cheese (ONLY if using Velveeta; if using shredded, no cheese now) in the slow cooker.
2) Place chicken on top of potatoes.
3) Combine soup and milk and pour over chicken and potatoes. Salt and pepper to taste.
4) Cover and cook on low for 4 hours (This was my slow cooker...my low is similar to a medium heat though)
5) 10 or 15 minutes before serving shred/cut chicken breast and mix all together. Add shredded cheese (if using it) and cover. Let cheese melt. Mix and serve.

Enjoy!

We LOVED it!

Faith

*Note: I know pretty much the same people read my personal blog and this blog. But since this blog is supposed to be for my thoughts and hobbies, I thought that I would share this post here too. I originally posted it last week on my personal blog.

First of all, this is a post that will primarily be me rambling. I have had many thoughts the last couple days on the topics of Faith and Gratitude. Most are connected to each other but I know that there is no way that they will come out coherently and with easy flow on the blog.

Lately, I have been reading the conference talks from April...Yes, I know, I am behind, but with a newborn, I have just barely started having time. Anyway, on Saturday, I started reading Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk Face the Future with Faith. His talk as well as the past couple Sunday's church lessons and talks seem to have been directed right at me. So for a short precursor.

Those of you that I have actually read my blog may recall that last June I did a short little blurb on prayer. I just basically mentioned that prayer really does work and that I have always struggled with turning to prayer first. I always eventually turn to prayer but I struggle with praying when initially faced with a struggle or problem. Anyway, at that time I had been having some serious doubts and struggles in my life. Now, for the last several months, I have been struggling again. As usual, I don't give any details on the blog, but it has been rough. So, that is part of where my thoughts are stemming from. The other part I have also mentioned in various other posts. That part stems from the amount of death I have had to face/overcome in my life.

So, a few Sundays ago, in Relief Society at church we focused on and discussed the The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Yesterday at church, our bishop gave a very personal talk on recognizing God's Tender Mercies in our lives. Then in Relief Society our lesson was on Eternal Marriage. All of these combine with Elder Nelson's talk have struck to the core with me and are all connected.

Not in any order, I am going to give a brief background of each of these lessons/talks...the part of each that stood out to me the most. In our lesson on The Family: A Proclamation, the main point that I remember most is the discussion about how marriage and children are not the "main" trends in the world today. In our lesson on Eternal Marriage, two things stuck to me: 1) Those married in the temple have a better reason or more reasons to not let petty differences or disagreements end their marriage; and 2) Having a temple marriage does not ensure an "easy" marriage-All marriages require work. In our bishop's talk, he discussed openly the financial hardship and ruin that he and his family were facing last summer. Their may have been people in the ward that knew of this; I did not. Anyway, during this time in their lives, at a family home evening, they encouraged/challenged each other to keep a gratitude journal. So he said that throughout the day, instead of focusing on not having food or money for gas or other trials, they would write down the everything that they came across that they DID have and that they were grateful for...hence Recognizing God's Tender Mercies in our lives.

Finally, in Elder Nelson's talk, he discussed at least 3 ways that we should teach our families of faith. He then asked and stated, "Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-Day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord 'shall suffer persecution.' That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives. How you deal with life's trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth." A little later in his talk he commented on the blessings of the temple. He then quoted President Monson, " Though storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

As I sit here thinking as I type (not a good combination), I realize how truly jumbled this all is, and I realize that many of you will probably figure out some of the struggles that I have been having. Anyway, I will speak in general terms. Lately, and in general, I have been struggling hugely with the concept of marriage. I have had 3 really really close personal friends go through divorce, 2 Latter-day Saints and one non-member, all not married in the temple. And in the 6 years that Dale and I have been married, we have seen several friends' temple marriages end in divorce. I am not in any way judging or criticizing these friends. In most cases, I know the whole situation and I firmly support their decisions to divorce. However, seeing so many, has been a struggle for me. So I am very grateful for those lessons on The Family: A Proclamation and Eternal Marriage and their "positive reinforcement" that I need to hear right now.

Now, today, July 11th, marks 5 years since I got the oh so dreaded phone call that, not one but two, family members had been killed in a car crash. I would like to highlight that day, for the first time ever. It is a day I WILL never forget. It was a Tuesday. I had just started my 2nd block of summer courses in my first semester of my Master's degree program-the first block had ended in June. At the time I was also promoted to a Residential Supervisor at Ark Regional Services where I was working full time for the summer months. My morning class was an MBA computer technology type class. It was supposed to end by 915 but I had a meeting at 920 at work, so I was trying to leave class early, but the teacher was handing back an exam. I really wanted my test and score. So I waited and then had to rush to my meeting. I was thrilled with my exam; it was an A. Anyway, I finished my meeting went home and worked on homework and had lunch. At 1 PM, I went to work. About 30 minutes later, my grandmother called and said that my grandfather had a taken a turn for the worse but he was stabilized and they were moving him home on hospice. She told me that he probably wouldn't last long and that if I wanted to see him, I should really try to come down. I told her that even if I had to quit my job, I would be there that weekend. That conversation set off another serious of multiple calls to my dad and brother. I relayed everything my grandmother (my mom's mom, which is why she didn't call my dad directly) had told me. Through 2 or 3 phone calls (all of which I was working with a client), we decided that we would all meet up at my grandmother's on that Saturday. I called my grandmother back and told her our plans. All of this happened fairly quickly--within an hour at the most...Trust me, if you knew my dad, an hour is quick phone conversations. So by 230 at the latest, I was off the phone and working directly with my client. About 330, my phone would ring about every 20 to 30 minutes consistently. The caller ID said my dad's name and number. I would answer and there would be nothing on the other end.

By 5 PM, all 5 of my clients were home as well as my co-worker and we were eating dinner. Over dinner and between conversations with my clients, I was telling Anne, my co-worker about my grandfather and asking her if she could fill in last minute for me if something happened. All the while, my dang cell phone with my dad's number was ringing. Those of you that know me, know that I have been known to have a short temper in my past...especially with my dad. So after nearly 2 hours of his number calling me with nothing, I was TICKED to say the least. Anyway, we all finished dinner, and I left with one of my clients to do grocery shopping for the next week...not a short or easy task when shopping for the disabled and usually 8 people per meal. My client and I made it through the store, and we were all but done. I was signing my name on the store's copy of my grocery charge, when the dreaded phone call came. Jan, a great family friend, fellow church member from home, my parents' banker, called me. It was one of those phone calls that you knew something was wrong instinctively. For one, Jan would NEVER ever have a reason to call me. Seeing his number on my ID was a shock alone. His first and only words were, "Jennifer?" I knew then something was wrong. He was struggling so hard to just say my name. Well, then he proceeded to tell me that earlier that afternoon, my dad and brother were killed in an accident.

Remember I was in the grocery store check out. I managed to stay on my feet. But nothing could stop the tears that instantly flooded my face and my chin from quivering. You knew that everyone in the line knew that something was wrong though they didn't hear the conversation. I was then struck with the task of still carrying out my job's responsibilities; getting myself, my client, the company car, and the groceries back to the house in a SAFE manner. I remember every action: signing my name on the receipt, pushing the cart to the car, the bagger chasing me down because I forgot my receipt copy, loading the groceries, trying to call Dale while driving back, calling my boss, getting mad when neither answered and throwing my phone across the car, getting back to the house, Anne telling my to just go (not knowing what had happened just seeing my tears--assuming it was my grandfather), me leaving and going home to tell Dale and face my grandmother's over the phone. I remember it all, surprisingly, and yet I KNOW I was operating in shock. After a while, I finally quit crying...I just had no more tears. Both Dale and I quickly emailed our professors, then packed our bags. Dale drove. I knew I was in no condition. We made it back to my hometown about midnight...physically, emotionally, and for me, spiritually drained.

The next few days were a blur, but I remember them. Every detail. Every visit. Every conversation or phone call. Yes, I still had Dale, but I felt literally alone. My family was gone. Anyway, to finish the story, the next few days, I was faced with making dual funeral arrangements, typing obituaries, dealing with all the other stresses. On that Thursday, about a day and half later, I was printing the obituaries to be read at the funerals. My grandmother called to tell me that my grandpa had passed away on Wednesday, the previous day. More tears. Etc. You get the idea.

So, to tie this all together (maybe). Before leaving Laramie to head home, Dale and I had a "family" prayer. He prayed. That is all I remember. The next morning, we woke up at Jan's family house, I asked Dale and Jan to give me a blessing before Jan had to go to work. I don't remember the words of either prayer; I don't remember who anointed and who pronounced the blessing; I DO remember I felt peace and comfort after both. I admit that I did not immediately sit down as our good bishop directed yesterday and write down my blessings and gratitudes. I was by know means to that point yet. I just know that I wasn't angry or bitter. The only 2 "gratitudes" that I could come up with were 1) none of the 3 men in my life suffered...they all died quickly and 2) all of them could be reunited again.

Last Fall when our ward member, Nick, was injured and paralyzed, I wrote a blog about not asking Why when something happens. Over the years, I have been asked how I deal with everything, how can I be happy, how can I not be angry. I have been called strong, special, brave, and other such descriptions. Perhaps I am. I am not saying I am perfect. I have dealt with the sadness, the loneliness, the depression, the anger. I am here to say that I agree with my bishop. In times of trial or hardship, you will be better able to deal with the trial or hardship and have more faith, if you look first at the blessing or tender mercies of God in your life. As Elder Nelson said, it is the How we deal that develops our faith.

Here is what I know. I am not perfect. I have days when I just want to sit and cry. There isn't a day that I don't miss my family. But to answer the question of "how can I deal with it all," prayer and faith. The ONLY way that I have survived the last 6.5 years (going back to when my mom passed), is by faith. I have faith that my family is all in a better place, that performing the temple work in 2007 has made us an eternal family (as long as I am worthy), that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and that I am where I am supposed to be. Our future truly is "as bright as our faith."

I know I rambled. I know it probably makes no sense to anyone else. But these four near past lessons, have truly helped me overcome yet another HUGE struggle and obstacle in my life

Creamy Chicken and Asparagus on Toast

Ever had French Bread Pizza? We love it at our house. This is a "spin" on French bread pizza that I found in a Rachel Ray cookbook. We found it to be absolutely delicious and will definitely be having it again at our house. Here is what you need:

4 Tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp fresh Thyme leaves, chopped (I used dried)
3 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
6 Tbsp butter
4- 6 oz chicken breasts, cut into strips or cubes
1 French Baguette
1 Cup parsley, chopped (I used dried)
2 Tbsp Flour
1 1/2 Cups chicken broth or stock
1/4 Cup half and half
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1'' lengths
1 Cup grated cheese
4 slices ham, chopped

1) Preheat oven 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook until onions are brown, stirring frequently, about 5-8 minutes. Remove the onions.
2) Add the last 2 Tbsp of olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter to the skillet. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until fully cooked. While the chicken is cooking, cut the baguette into 4 parts and cut open. Place on a cookie sheet. Combine 5 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp parsley and a little salt and pepper. Spread evenly on the open baguette portions. Toast in heated oven until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and switch the broiler on.
3) To the cooked chicken, add the onions and chopped ham. Dust with the flour and continue cooking for a minute. Whisk in the broth and half & half and bring to a simmer. Add the asparagus and cook until tender and sauce is thick.
4) Divide the chicken mixture evenly into 4 parts and transfer each to the top of each portion of bread. Sprinkle with cheese and remaining parsley. Broil until cheese is melted.

Enjoy!
Note: I looked up the calories for this thing...there are 1100+ calories per serving. A bad meal if you are calorie counting. But a super yummy meal :)

Lazy Day Casserole

This is a great one for breakfast or for dinner. We enjoyed it for dinner. I admit that when I preview some recipes, I sometimes crinkle my nose at either the ingredients or method of preparation. THIS was one such recipe. The ingredients were fine, but I couldn't fathom using bread the way they called for it. That being said, I am glad I gave it it a try. This yummy breakfast/dinner dish will definitely be a keeper at our house (sorry no pics again).

Here is what you need:
1/2 pound day old French Bread, sliced (I got mine off the "discount" rack at walmart)
1 pound sausage, cooked and crumbled
8 Eggs
2 Cups milk
1/2 tsp pepper
8 oz sliced Swiss cheese (I used cheddar)
1/4 Cup fresh parsley (I used dried)

1) Preheat oven to 350. Spray down a 9x13 pan. Line the bottom of the pan with the bread slices.
2) Sprinkle cooked sausage over the bread.
3) Beat eggs, milk, and pepper together in a bowl. Pour over the sausage and bread. Using a spatula, press down the bread to absorb the egg mixture.
4) Top with cheese and parsley.
5) Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. (I think mine was about 40 minutes.)

Appx. 8 servings

Grilled Asparagus Medley

Summer time is finally here in Idaho. With summer, I LOVE foods that I can cook in a fire pit or BBQ grill. This is a wonderful, meatless, vegetable dish. We served it as a side dish with our steaks last night.

Here is what you need:
1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
1 each red, yellow, green pepper sliced (I used half of each since we are a small family)
1 Cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium onion, sliced
1 Can sliced olives, drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp parsley (I used more)
salt and pepper
lemon pepper
dill weed (I omitted, I didn't have it)

1) Combine all veggies in a disposable foil pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Add parsley, salt, pepper, lemon pepper, and other seasonings. Toss to coat and mix.
2) Cover and cook over medium heat on your grill, stirring occasionally, until veggies are done.
Enjoy!

NOTE: This is a recipe that you can easily add other veggies you like and omit the ones that you don't like. Same with seasonings.

Deviled Chicken Divan Casserole

Like Chicken? Like Broccoli? Like Mustard sauces? Then this is a GREAT recipe! My family (even my 2 year old) LOVED it.

4 Chicken Breast
1 Tbsp Thyme
1 Juice from Lemon
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 Cup chicken broth or stock
3 Tbsp Dijon mustard (I used stone ground)
3 Tbsp sour cream
20 oz frozen broccoli (I think fresh would work too)
Lemon peel
2 tsp Hot Sauce (more or less--suit your taste buds)
2 Cups shredded cheese (more or less if you want)

1) Cook Broccoli in boiling water with lemon peel until heated through...don't over cook. Drain when finished. Preheat broiler.
2) Season the chicken with thyme, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. (I just placed them on in my skillet together). Cook until chicken is done. Remove chicken from skillet and place in baking pan.
3) Turn up the heat on the skillet and chicken broth and mustard. Whisk well. Bring to a boil and then simmer. While simmering, add the sour cream and hot sauce and whisk. Cook about 2 minutes until sauce is blended and slightly thickened.
4) Place drained broccoli over the chicken in baking dish. Pour sauce over it. Spread with cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted.
Enjoy!

John Deere Girl Blanket

This was, by far, one of my favorite blankets to make just because it was John Deere. I had so much fun making this one for my friend Megan and her coming little girl. I have used this design before on a blanket for one of my nephews except I used blues and browns.
I LOVE it!

Family Favorite Casserole

...That is the official title anyway. I would have personally named it something like "homemade hamburger helper". But whatever, I don't pick the names; I just cook them and eat them. As usual Sundays and Thursdays are crockpot cooking days for our family due to our crazy schedules on those days. So, I found this recipe and gave it a try this past Thursday.


Here is what you need.

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (I used 3/4 to 1 lb since we have a small family)
1 onion (I used minced)
1 1/2 Cups diced potatoes (I used 3 medium)
1 1/2 Cups sliced carrots
1 1/2 Cups peas
1 1/2 Cups maccarroni (added at the end before serving)
1 Can cream of celery, chicken, OR mushroom soup
1/2 lb shredded cheese
2 Cups milk
-Seasonings to taste

1) Cook ground beef on stove until brown. Drain off grease.
2) Line or spray slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker except maccaroni.
3) Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4 hours. (I cooked mine on low for 1.5 hour and then high 2.5 hours--but I am home during the day and realized the carrots and potatoes were still crunchy)
4) 10 or 15 minutes before serving, cook maccaroni. Drain. Add it to the slow cooker and mix it in.
5) Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

We really really enjoyed this meal and I guarantee we will be having it again. I also love that it is a recipe that you can swap things...for example, don't like peas? throw in corn! or whatever:) I did use fresh carrots but I think that any frozen vegetable will work too.

Cream Cheese Cookies

These cookies are super easy to make, super yummy to eat, and super fast to whip out. The biggest disadvantage to them is that they are really a non-spreading cooking. So, my pictures are fairly accurate...mine only turn out about the size of half dollars. BUT I like them that way because they are fewer calories and more of a snack size for RJ (at least that is why I tell myself to make them smaller). The size and quantity of your cookie will depend on how you complete step 3 and 4 below. Here is what you need.


1/2 Cup shortening
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 Cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp orange, lemon, vanilla, or almond extract (I have used all but almond, and have liked them each time)
1 1/2 Cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
-chocolate chips or pieces to melt for topping, optional

1) Cream shortening and cream cheese until soft and blended.
2) Add sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk and extract. Beat together and then add flour and salt. Mix. (If batter is crumbly and won't form a ball, add a little milk. You don't want it too moist though).
3) Make dough into small balls. (Mine are usually ping pong to golf ball size). Place on greased cookie sheet.
4) With hands or a bottom of a glass, flatten cookies.
5) bake at 400 degrees about 6-8 minutes.

Optional: Melt chocolate and spread onto the cookies. I only do this if I am making them for other people as I am not a big chocolate fan, but they are good with or without chocolate.

Notes: When I flatten my cookies they are usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and take about 8 minutes to bake. Doing this usually yields about 15 cookies for me for a single batch. If you want more cookies, make smaller balls, flatten thinner, or double the recipe. To make larger diameter cookies, make bigger balls and flatten thinner. Be sure to adjust baking time, if needed. When baked, the tops do not brown, so be careful to not overcook them.

Enjoy!

Baby Seat Cover

Even before Ryan was born, I had been wanting to make a seat cover for his car seat. I kept seeing all my friends with these really cool covers that either tie, button, or Velcro around the seat handle. Well, I kept looking for either a pattern or one that I could copy. Then I had Ryan early so I had the newborn adjustment. I FINALLY got around to making one this past week. Considering I was never actually able to see one up close or find a pattern, I am really really pleased with the way it turned out. For this one I used a light flannel since summer is slowly approaching in Idaho.

Here is my finished product.

For now, I just have it tied on. I did sew a button hole and I have cute buttons, but I just haven't decided which way I like better yet.

Sesame Pork Ribs

Here is another simple, easy crockpot meal. It is technically "Chinese" food, but I LOVED it and I really dislike Chinese food. Regardless, it was a win-win for all of my family. Sorry, no picture again. I didn't think I was going to post this one, so we ate without taking a picture of our food.

Here is what you need.

1 medium onion, sliced (I used minced)
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/4 Cup honey
1/2 Cup ketchup
2 Tbsp white vinegar
3 Garlic cloves, minced (I used powder)
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
5 lbs country style pork ribs (I think any kind will do and I only used 2 really really LARGE ones since I only have 2 eaters in my house)
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp chopped green onion (optional)

1) Line or spray crockpot. Place sliced onions in the bottom. Then add the ribs.
2) Combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper in a bowl and mix well.
3) Pour sauce over ribs.
4) Cook on low for 5 or 6 hours. Sprinkle with Sesame seeds 10 or 15 minutes before serving.
5) Serve and Garnish with green onion (optional).
Enjoy!

***Note: If I were to cook more than my couple LARGE ribs or if I was going to be gone for 6 or 8 hours, I would double the sauce recipe. The given one was enough for what we did, but I personally don't think that it is enough for all day cooking or for a greater quantity of ribs. I guess it depends on how "saucy" your family is.

Also, if we have this again in the summer, I am going to make the sauce and try them on the BBQ grill :)

Southwest Chipotle Cheeseburgers

I found this hamburger "recipe" awhile back, but just finally got around to trying it last night. It was SO yummy and simple! I use "recipe" lightly because I never ever have followed a recipe for a hamburger. I mean, really, it is just a hamburger. Also, no picture. Sorry, but I figure that we all know what a hamburger looks like.

Here is what you need.

1 pound ground beef
2 garlic cloves or similar quantity in powder
1 onion, finely chopped (I used minced)
1/2 tsp liquid smoke (I didn't have this so I omitted it)
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp Hot Sauce (I admit, I am kind of a chicken...I only used 1 tsp..go with your taste buds)
3 Tbsp tomato paste (ketchup will work to if you don't want to open tomato paste)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp Southwest Chipotle seasoning (I use Tones from Sam's)

1) Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2) (Optional) Let sit for an hour to marinate. (I did this just because I had the time)
3) Form into hamburger patties. One pound of meat made 5 patties for my family, but that is just the size of burger we like.
4) Cook on a BBQ grill or in a skillet until meat is to your desired done-ness.
5) Top with cheese the last 2 or 3 minutes of cooking.
6) Serve with your favorite Hamburger toppings.

Enjoy!

Southwestern Flair

A.k.a. Shredded beef tacos

These are super yummy and super easy to make since it is a crockpot meal.

Here is what you need:

3 or 4 pound roast

1 package taco seasoning

1 small can diced green chilis

2 Cups water

1) Place all ingredients in a lightly greased or lined crockpot. Cook on low 9 hours.

2) Shred beef roast with forks and mix back in the crockpot to season it.

3) Serve on tortillas with cheese and other favorite taco toppings (lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc). Can also serve with rice.

Super delicious and oh so EASY!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Sorry, I don't have a picture for this one...We ate it all before I even had a chance to think about taking a picture. It really was super yummy though. Here is what you need:

4 medium potatoes, chicken breasts-(I used 3 small ones), 1 ham steak, cut into strips or cubes OR 1/2 package of cubed ham, salt, pepper, parsley, other seasonings you may want

1) Peel and dice potatoes. Place in pot and boil them until tender. Preheat oven broiler to High. 2) While potatoes are boiling, cook chicken. Once chicken is cooked, cut it into strips or cubes. 3) Add ham to the chicken and heat all together. Season with salt, pepper, parsley, or whatever your taste buds are. 4) Once the potatoes are tender, drain and mash. (I mashed mine with a mushroom sauce, but you can use milk, butter, sour cream, half and half, heavy cream---whatever or however you normally mash them.) 5)Place potatoes in a medium casserole. Top with ham and chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Place in oven 2 or 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. 6) Enjoy!

Serves 4.

Ok, I have tried edited this 20 different times and it still reverts to paragraph form instead of a list. I am so sorry it is hard to read.

Country Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Here is another GREAT crockpot meal. I made it today before church so we would have food when we got home. My 2 year-old son asked for and ate TWO servings! That is amazing for him. I highly recommend this dish if you want something different with ham or if you have leftover ham (though I didn't use leftovers). Here is what you need:

8 potatoes, thinly sliced or cubed (peeled optional)

1 onion, chopped (I used minced)

1 lb fully cooked ham (I bought one of the pre-packaged 1 lb cubed ham)

1 oz package country style gravy mix

10 3/4 oz can Cream of mushroom soup

2 Cups water

2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese (I probably used more...We LOVE cheese here)

#1) Combine potatoes, onion, and ham in a greased or lined crockpot.

#2) Combine gravy mix, water, and soup in a bowl. Whisk until combined and pour into the slower cooker. Mix together.

#3) Cook on low for 7-9 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

#4) Top with cheese during the last few minutes of cooking...long enough for the cheese to melt.

Serves approximately 10. (It only served 3 people, but we only eat 2 meals on Sunday and are always really hungry. But, I WILL double the recipe when I make it again.)

Banana Muffin

This is a really really basic and easy banana muffin recipe. We like it our house, but I think next time I may add some cinnamon chips to them.

Here is what you need:

1 Egg

1/3 Cup Milk

1/2 Cup Vegetable oil

2 or 3 medium bananas, mashed

2 Cups Flour

1/3 Cup brown sugar

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

#1) Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease or line 12 muffin cups.

#2) Beat egg. Stir in milk and bananas. Mix well. Add oil and sugar. Mix well.

#3) Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until flour is moistened. It is OK if the batter is lumpy!!!

#4) Fill muffin cups about 3/4 cups full. Bake about 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Argyle Baby Blanket

This is the most recent baby blanket that I have made. I finished it a couple weeks ago, but I had to wait to mail it and for my friend to receive it before posting pictures. This baby blanket has probably been the most creatively-challenging blanket that I have made. I had it all "visualized" but my visualization just was not becoming reality. Needless to say, the blanket did not turn out 100% perfect or 100% argyle, but I was happy with the end result and so was my friend, Liz. One side was blue diamonds on brown fabric and the other side was brown diamonds on blue fabric. I did all the top stitching with white thread, so I finished off the blanket with a white border to tie all the colors together.

Baked Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Tonight for dinner I made this yummy chicken enchilada casserole. I posted it A LONG time ago on my personal blog, but I thought I would share it again. This is my ALL TIME favorite recipe.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 small bag of taco/nacho Doritos
1 small chicken, cooked and shredded
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup (if you don't like mushroom, use 2 chicken soups)
1 Cup chicken broth
1 can green chilies
shredded cheese

#1) Spray a 9 x 13 pan. And preheat oven to 350.
#2) Crush chips and spread in the bottom of the pan.
#3) Spread shredded chicken over chips.
#4) Spread chilies over the chicken.
#5) Combine soups and broth in a bowl. Mix together. Pour over the chicken and chilies in the pan.
#6) Sprinkle cheese (desired amount) evenly over the soup mixture.
#7) Bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

TWEAKS...I did not have Doritos. I used regular tortilla chips. I also did not crush them; I just layered them in the bottom of the pan. I also used 2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded instead of a whole chicken. You can also use 2 cans of canned chicken breast. When combining the soups and broth, I added about a 1/4 cup taco seasoning (making up for not having Doritos). Add more or less depending on your families "spicy" taste.

Additional note--I also double the recipe and make 2 layers in the pan (like a lasagna). I have never had it this way, but I am POSITIVE that you can use cooked ground beef in place of the chicken and make a Beef Enchilada Casserole instead.

I served this with nice huge healthy salads and corn. Dale chose to use his casserole as a dip for additional tortilla chips. Either way, it was SOOO GOOD!

Johnny Carino's Bow Tie Festival

I have decided that this is probably my most recent FAVORITE recipe. Not only is it yummy, but it is another crock pot recipe :) It is pretty similar to the Italian Chicken one that I posted already, but I like this one A LOT better.

I got this recipe from a friend when a group of us was putting together a birthday dinner last week for our Church's Relief Society (ladies). She shared it on her blog so I decided to share it on my blog too :) I also stole the picture from her blog since I didn't have one.

Here is what you need:

• 4 chicken breasts (For my family, I would use 1 large or 2 or 3 small ones)
• 1 Jar 4 cheese Alfredo Sauce
• 1 Can cream of chicken
• 1 Can chicken broth
• 1 package Real bacon pieces (a small package)
• 1 package fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• 1/2 package dry Italian Dressing Mix (we used a whole one)
• 1 Cup Swiss cheese, cubed (I think shredded would work too)
• 2 Tbs butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine everything in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Shred chicken an hour before finished. Serve over cooked bow tie pasta.

We served ours with salads and french bread. It was DELICIOUS!

Mountain of Rocks

Last week, I was asked to make and decorate cupcakes for the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. The theme for the dinner was Resourcefulness, so we decided to take the theme down the camping/items found in nature avenue. We served Hawaiian Haystacks for the meal, which we conveniently renamed Mountain of Minerals. Each item of the haystack was named a mineral (gold=pineapple). So, for the dessert, I decorated the cupcakes as "mountain of rocks." I used cream cheese frosting colored brown and then dropped chocolate candy rocks on top. They were super easy to decorate, and I had a ton of fun. I think that they turned out GREAT.
The picture is not the greatest, unfortunately. However, the brown frosting did have "peaks" like mountains.

Stripe Baby Blanket

So, I have decided that since all my friends and family are having little boys, I need to get more creative with my blankets. Not more creative in the sense of difficulty but just in style. In effort to "expand" my style but still keep simplicity, I made this baby blanket for my friend Stacey and her little boy. It is a reversible blanket again, but I only used 2 colors and just cut the fabric into strips instead of my usual blocks. I really like how simple it was to make, and I think it turned out really cute.
The biggest change/challenge for me that I encountered while sewing this blanket was the binding/border. I am a fan of simple, so I usually just leave one side of the blanket an inch or so bigger than the other side and just fold it over. However, that wouldn't have worked with this blanket, so I had to make my own border. That is a 1st for me. I was very happy with the end result.

No Brainer Bread Sticks

Here is the bread sticks recipe that I ALWAYS use. I have decided to share it since I talk about it a lot.

Again, it is super easy.

1 Tbsp yeast

1.5 Cups Warm Water

2 Tbsp Sugar

1.5 tsp Salt

3-4 Cup Flour

-Dissolve yeast in the water. Add sugar and salt and mix. Add flour until a soft dough forms (I usually have to use about 3.5 Cups here). Dough should not be too sicky but not flaky either.

-Lightly dust counter with flour. Dump out dough. Knead for 3 minutes. (I usually use about 1/4 to 1/2 Cup additional flour here)

-Pinch off some dough and shape into a bread stick. (I roll it between my hands like a worm). Place onto a greased cookie sheet.

-Raise for 10-15 minutes and Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

-Melt about 2 Tbsp of butter and brush on top of bread sticks. Sprinkle tops with desired seasoning. (I use Parmesan, Garlic, and a little seasoning salt) Go with your taste. Easy to be experimental and creative here :-)

-Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a nice golden brown.

Enjoy warm or cold!

Note: I melt about 2 Tbsp of butter and spread it in the bottom of the cookie sheet and then place the bread sticks in it. Yes, it is unhealthy, but I think the bread tastes better this way :-) Also, I can never make the same sized or shaped bread stick. I haven't mastered that yet.

Crockpot Italian Chicken

Another YUMMY crockpot meal. It is SO easy to make too :-)

Here is all you need:

Chicken (I use 2 large breasts or 3 small and then break them up once cooked-use more or less depending on your family)

1 Can Cream of Chicken

1 Can Cream of Celery

1 Cup Water

1 zesty Italian packet (the dry salad dressing ones)

4 oz. Cream Cheese

-Place everything in the crockpot except for the cream cheese. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. An hour before serving, add cream cheese. Before serving, stir everything and break up the chicken.

-Cook pasta. I use bow-tie, but any kind will work. Drain the pasta and add to the crockpot. Mix and Serve!

I also serve mine topped with Parmesan and garlic with bread sticks and salad as a side.

--Sorry, the photo is so crappy.

Chili Verde

So, I admit, I copied this from a friend's blog. She calls it Chili Verde, but if you were to actually order Chili Verde from a restaurant, there is ALOT more to it. Anyway, this is another crockpot meal. It is super yummy and super easy.

1-3 to 5 lb pork loin
1-can diced tomatoes

1-can Rotel (mild, original, or hot--your taste)

1-small can diced green chilies

Put everything in the crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred pork loin before serving and mix it all together. Serve on tortillas with cheese, sour cream, and/or guacamole. Serve with rice or another side of choice, if you desire.

Super yummy and easy burrito. My 2 year-old even LOVED this. :-)

-- from http://craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com.

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

The other night for Family Home Evening I made these no-bake peanut butter cookies. They took me a total of 5 minutes to make...seriously. So, if you LOVE peanut butter, I highly recommend these cookies.1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup light corn syrup

1 Cup peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)

2 Cups rice crispies cereal

Heat sugar and syrup in a saucepan until smooth and boiling. Stir constantly. Remove from heat and mix in peanut butter. Stir until mixture is smooth. Add the rice crispies and stir (again). Drop by tablespoons onto wax paper and let cool.

Enjoy!

Square Block Blanket

This blanket pattern is by far the easiest that I ever do. It is just using square blocks and sewing them together. Once the front is done, I sew a solid piece of fabric to it for the back, and then I use yarn and tie it.

Though simple, this blanket was probably the most challenging due to the fabric type. It is the really soft "minky" type fabric. It always just wanted to slide all over. Anyway, despite this fact, I LOVE this blanket! I think the colors are awesome (the pics do not do the colors justice) and the dinosaurs are cute!

(the blanket front)

(supposed to show the colors on both front and back)

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This turned out SO good! It is definitely going to be a keeper. It is also so GREAT because if you don't like a certain ingredient, it can easily be left out.

(before picture without the top layer of tortillas)

Note: I use crockpot liners in ALL my crockpot recipes. I HIGHLY recommend them if you don't use them. They are 1.8o something for a box of 4 liners (kinda pricey), but SO worth having NO clean-up.


1 onion, chopped (or minced)
1 garlic clove, minced (I used garlic powder)
1 Tbsp oil
10 oz Can enchilada sauce (your choice: mild, medium, hot)
8 oz can tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste
8 corn tortillas (I think flour will work, but I used corn)
3 chicken breast, cooked and cubed (I used 2. Can also use canned chicken)
15 oz can Ranch style beans, drained (I used chili beans)
11 oz can Mexicorn, drained
3/4 lb shredded cheese
2 1/4 can sliced black olives, drained

1) Saute onion and garlic with oil in a pan. Stir in enchilada sauce and tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
2) Place 2 tortillas in bottom of crockpot. Layer 1/3 chicken, 1/3 sauce mixture, 1/3 beans, 1/3 corn, 1/3 olives. and 1/3 cheese. Repeat the layers 2 more times.
3) Top with 2 additional tortillas. (Mine top ones turned out really crusty, so next time I am going to either leave them off or add a little of the sauce to the top of them)
4) Cook on low for 6-8 hours. (My crockpot has high, low, and warm settings. So my low is kind of a medium. Therefore, I cook it on low for about 3 hours and warm for about 2 hours--Just know how your crockpot cooks)

Makes approximately 4-6 servings.

Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, tortilla chips, or Doritos. All your choice!

Enjoy!

Basic Biscuits

I made these biscuits awhile back for dinner and again for breakfast a few days later. I have since been asked for the recipe. They are just a basic baking powder biscuits and are super easy to make.
1/3 Cup shortening

1 3/4 Cup Flour

2 1/2 tsp Baking powder

3/4 tsp Salt (varies by taste)

3/4 Cup Milk

1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2) Mix dry ingredients together. Cut shortening into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender (or forks). Mixture should look like fine crumbs. Add milk and mix. If the dough is sticky, add slightly more flour. If the dough is flaky or floury, add a splash more milk. Should be moist but not sticky.

3) Sprinkle flour on counter. Place dough on counter and knead about 10 times.

4) Roll out dough into a rectangle til about 1/2 inch thick. Cut biscuits out. (I use a circle cookie cutter, but can use a biscuit cutter or a glass turned upside down.) You may have to dip the cutter in flour. Place the biscuits on a sprayed (PAM) cookie sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.

5) Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about 12 biscuits-varies depending on the size of cutter you use.

Enjoy!