I know I need to post a new entry here...I'm just having a hard time with what to talk about. Our weekend was pretty uneventful, so no luck there. Didn't get much accomplished around the ole homestead either. How about a recipe review...or two? Sounds good and domestic, huh? Ok, here goes...
Crockpot CREAMY ITALIAN CHICKEN
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
1/4 cup water 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces
drained hot cooked rice or noodles
Place chicken in slowcooker. Combine salad dressing mix and water; pour over chicken. cover and cook on low for 3 hours. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour over chicken. Cook 1 hour longer or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over rice or noodles
We just had this last night. It was really easy, and very good! Missy's a big fan of rice, so we served it over rice rather than noodles, but I'm sure it would be great either way. We will definitely keep this recipe in the rotation, but it is a meal that we would only cook on a weekend since the crockpot cook-time is relatively short. When we use the crockpot during the week, we are cooking for 8-10 hours, but this would be great for you busy moms who are at home.
That was fun...how about another one? Mmm, dessert!
Too Much Chocolate Cake
INGREDIENTS
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.
This cake is absolutely delicious. I'm not a huge chocolate fan (I know...I'm bizarre), but I decided that any good cook needs a go-to chocolatey dessert. This is definitely mine now. It is really easy...mix it all together and pour it in a pan! It also looks pretty if you use a scalloped bundt pan and dust with powdered sugar. Top with fresh berries and you have a lovely cake that will be a hit with all your guests!
Well, there you have it. Two tried and true recipes from my kitchen to yours. I hope you enjoy these! Maybe I'll do this every week or so. I love finding new recipes and testing them out. This way, my family can be the guinea pigs, and you all can reap the benefits.
Until next time...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Already behind...
Agh!!! I'm already a week behind. How does that happen? I have the best intentions... Anyway, on with the blog!
My office was closed on Good Friday, so I took that opportunity to hit the Flea Market at the Fairgrounds. The weather was gorgeous, so I was able to convince my baby brother (17 yr old, 6'3", 225 lb baby brother) to tag along and keep me company...and carry whatever treasures I happened to procure. Now if you have never been to the flea market, you simply must go. Trust me. It is amazing. Sometimes it does require a bit of vision (as in seeing what an item could be with a little TLC), but you can get some killer deals! Even baby brother was amazed. It's also a great place to work on your negotiation skills. We were wheelin' and dealin' left and right. There were lots of things I wanted, but I only came home with two things (self control is one of the fruits of the spirit after all)...both of which I went looking for, thank you very much! The first is a white vase for a floral arrangement in Missy's room. The second is a dresser for Sissy's room. We're going to use it as her changing table as well. It is exactly what I was looking for (well, at least it will be after we paint it) and I talked the guy down to $145 dollars. It is an older piece, so it is solid wood making this a great deal!!! Envy me...
Saturday was the church Easter egg hunt. Lots of fun times with friends from church. Missy was lovin' on anybody she could get close to. Sometimes the pure abandon with which my precious child loves others awes and amazes me. We found some eggs, had a picnic lunch with our home group and frolicked in a field (how in the heck do you make frolic past tense?). We got some great pics and had a blast!
He is Risen!!! Hallelujah! Easter Sunday dawned cold, but lovely. Missy was a vision in her Easter dress, Hubby was looking dapper, and I found something to stretch over my ever expanding form (can we get another Hallelujah?). We went to church and then started our holiday tour of the midstate. First we headed north to Mimi and Toph's house. Lunch was spectacular (we all ate until we were miserable), and we enjoyed spending time with my parents, brothers, grandparents, and Ansley's cousins. We also played a rousing game of Apples to Apples. It was highly entertaining and I won! Then we bid farewell to my family and headed south to visit Hubby's fam. At Nonni and Pop's house, we hunted easter eggs while it was still daylight and then we ate dinner (well, we made an effort...we were still stuffed from lunch). After dinner we capped off the evening with a visit to see J's baby horse. J is Uncle B's girlfriend and her family raises TN Walking Horses. There was a new baby colt and Missy has been dying to see it. Needless to say, the colt was a big hit with our animal loving girl, so it was a great way to end a great weekend!
I hope each of you had an equally amazing weekend to reflect on the awesome sacrifice that was made for us through our Savior's crucifixion, and the precious hope we have in our Risen King!
My office was closed on Good Friday, so I took that opportunity to hit the Flea Market at the Fairgrounds. The weather was gorgeous, so I was able to convince my baby brother (17 yr old, 6'3", 225 lb baby brother) to tag along and keep me company...and carry whatever treasures I happened to procure. Now if you have never been to the flea market, you simply must go. Trust me. It is amazing. Sometimes it does require a bit of vision (as in seeing what an item could be with a little TLC), but you can get some killer deals! Even baby brother was amazed. It's also a great place to work on your negotiation skills. We were wheelin' and dealin' left and right. There were lots of things I wanted, but I only came home with two things (self control is one of the fruits of the spirit after all)...both of which I went looking for, thank you very much! The first is a white vase for a floral arrangement in Missy's room. The second is a dresser for Sissy's room. We're going to use it as her changing table as well. It is exactly what I was looking for (well, at least it will be after we paint it) and I talked the guy down to $145 dollars. It is an older piece, so it is solid wood making this a great deal!!! Envy me...
Saturday was the church Easter egg hunt. Lots of fun times with friends from church. Missy was lovin' on anybody she could get close to. Sometimes the pure abandon with which my precious child loves others awes and amazes me. We found some eggs, had a picnic lunch with our home group and frolicked in a field (how in the heck do you make frolic past tense?). We got some great pics and had a blast!
He is Risen!!! Hallelujah! Easter Sunday dawned cold, but lovely. Missy was a vision in her Easter dress, Hubby was looking dapper, and I found something to stretch over my ever expanding form (can we get another Hallelujah?). We went to church and then started our holiday tour of the midstate. First we headed north to Mimi and Toph's house. Lunch was spectacular (we all ate until we were miserable), and we enjoyed spending time with my parents, brothers, grandparents, and Ansley's cousins. We also played a rousing game of Apples to Apples. It was highly entertaining and I won! Then we bid farewell to my family and headed south to visit Hubby's fam. At Nonni and Pop's house, we hunted easter eggs while it was still daylight and then we ate dinner (well, we made an effort...we were still stuffed from lunch). After dinner we capped off the evening with a visit to see J's baby horse. J is Uncle B's girlfriend and her family raises TN Walking Horses. There was a new baby colt and Missy has been dying to see it. Needless to say, the colt was a big hit with our animal loving girl, so it was a great way to end a great weekend!
I hope each of you had an equally amazing weekend to reflect on the awesome sacrifice that was made for us through our Savior's crucifixion, and the precious hope we have in our Risen King!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Take two...
So, obviously my first attempt at blogging didn't take since it's been 9 months since my last/first entry. So let's try this again...
A lot has transpired over the past 9 months. Hubby has leapt headlong into his own practice. Starting a new business is a slow process, so not getting paid has been a huge adjustment for us, but we have faith that God will provide for all of our needs. Thanks to a budgeting study we recently did with our home group from church, we are still able to manage with my salary and what we have in savings. But, if you know anyone who needs an attorney, point them in our direction!!!
Another huge (and I do mean huge!) development is the impending arrival of our newest daughter. That's right folks, Missy is going to be a big sister and she couldn't be more excited! Let's hope she stays that way when Sissy actually arrives. So we have been hard at work getting the nursery ready and picking up some items we didn't have or need with Missy (swing, pack-n-play, tandem stroller). Time is quickly running out on our days of being a family of three. There is a bittersweet feeling to realize that it won't be just the three of us anymore, but I know that the lifetime of joy that we will all share will quickly drown out any sadness my hormones can conjure up. We can't wait to meet you, Sissy! Only 7 more weeks to go!
Ok, guys and gals, keep your eyes peeled for another entry shortly. I am going to try really hard to keep up with this blog. I've been inspired by the blogs of friends who will someday be able to look back and remember all the mundane (amazing), boring (spectacular), day-to-day (magical) details of their days with their precious babies. Keep me honest, ya'll! If you see me slacking off, remind me. I want to capture all the wonder of this time with the tiny princesses and share it with you!
May God bless you as He has blessed us...beyond belief!
A lot has transpired over the past 9 months. Hubby has leapt headlong into his own practice. Starting a new business is a slow process, so not getting paid has been a huge adjustment for us, but we have faith that God will provide for all of our needs. Thanks to a budgeting study we recently did with our home group from church, we are still able to manage with my salary and what we have in savings. But, if you know anyone who needs an attorney, point them in our direction!!!
Another huge (and I do mean huge!) development is the impending arrival of our newest daughter. That's right folks, Missy is going to be a big sister and she couldn't be more excited! Let's hope she stays that way when Sissy actually arrives. So we have been hard at work getting the nursery ready and picking up some items we didn't have or need with Missy (swing, pack-n-play, tandem stroller). Time is quickly running out on our days of being a family of three. There is a bittersweet feeling to realize that it won't be just the three of us anymore, but I know that the lifetime of joy that we will all share will quickly drown out any sadness my hormones can conjure up. We can't wait to meet you, Sissy! Only 7 more weeks to go!
Ok, guys and gals, keep your eyes peeled for another entry shortly. I am going to try really hard to keep up with this blog. I've been inspired by the blogs of friends who will someday be able to look back and remember all the mundane (amazing), boring (spectacular), day-to-day (magical) details of their days with their precious babies. Keep me honest, ya'll! If you see me slacking off, remind me. I want to capture all the wonder of this time with the tiny princesses and share it with you!
May God bless you as He has blessed us...beyond belief!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
663 days
That's how long I've been a mother. Somewhere along the way, my precious daughter named me Mama. I think it's important to point out that I never wanted to be a "Mama". Of course I wanted to have children, but I wished to be Mommy because it just seemed more...more me. What a joke. I have come to realize that I have absolutely no control. Over anything. When Missy started talking, Mama is what she said. Now, when I hear her calling for me, my heart is so full, that the thought of being anything other than Mama is so sad...that is the core of who I now am. Of course I am still a wife, daughter, sister, friend, etc. But becoming Mama was the biggest catalyst for change in my life. And changed I am.
It's truly amazing to me that God knows your heart's true desires. He put every aspect of my daughter together to form the most perfect child I could ever imagine. I am so enamored with her that it is so hard to even put into words. Her tiny-toothed little smile never fails to cheer up the darkest days. Her belly laughs are like healing music. Her eyes are like perfect swirling oceans. Her hands and feet are so perfectly chubby and baby-like (Oh, how I dread the day they are skinny, big-kid feet). I cannot stop myself from playing with her beautiful strawberry curls, much to her chagrin. My child is kind and loving and beautiful and smart and funny and independent and daring and wild and sweet. If I sound like a love-sick fool, I am.
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