Happies and Crappies

Linking up with The Vintage Modern Wife for the latest edition of Happies and Crappies. 




Happies:

-This week my friend Shantel let me borrow the latest season of True Blood! I can't wait to have kid free time to sit down and watch it!

-It's the weekend and I'm helping to host a baby shower for my bestie. Then I'm having a party at my house in the evening. It's going to be a busy day but I'm looking forward to it!

-Zach only has 9 1/2 days of school left (after today) and I am looking forward to Summer break!

Crappies:

I have two memorial services coming up and they ended up being on the same day in different states.
My heart is broken for my family and friends who have lost their loved ones way too soon. And I wish I could be there to help celebrate the amazing life of a very kindhearted man.

Chicken nuggets {Foodie}

So, I've never been to a Chick-fil-A.... we don't even have one in my state, or in my surrounding states.... And I never thought I might be missing out until I came across a pin on Pinterest for copycat Chick-fil-A nuggets. I thought I'd try them out and they were so amazing that now I am questioning everything. What else at Chick-fil-A might I be missing out on???

 Here is the recipe that I found on Love, Pomegranate House

• 6 boneless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces


• 2 cups flour


• 1/4 cup powdered sugar


• 1 tbsp salt


• 1 tbsp pepper


• 1 tsp paprika


• canola oil
  
  -- Sauce Ingredients--


• 1/2 cup mayonnaise


• 2 tsp mustard


• 2 Tbsp honey


• 1 tsp lemon juice


• 1 Tbsp BBQ sauce

1. In a large pot, heat 1-inch of oil to 375 degrees F.


2. In a gallon-sized close-able plastic bag, combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, pepper, and paprika. Shake to combine ingredients.


3. Place bite-sized chicken into the plastic bag and shake to coat with breading.


4. Using tongs, remove chicken from the bag and place into heated oil, cooking only 10-15 at a time. Cook for 5 minutes.


5. Remove nuggets when golden brown and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain.


6. Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and serve with hot nuggets.

These were for real so amazing. I love chicken nuggets. And until a few months ago when I saw the pink stuff that the golden arches puts in theirs I ate them regularly. So I am super happy to have this yummy recipe. And the honey mustard? Well, let me just tell you that honey mustard is a favorite of mine and this is the best I've ever had. Now, go make these!

Things we will do this Summer

The last few Summers I have been making a "Summer bucket list" for me and the kids to do during the summer. (Here is 2012) Before, when I was working I would try to get out and do things on the weekend, but frankly, I was lazy, there were groceries to get and a house to clean and it was so much nicer to do what I wanted on my days off and ultimately, Zachary benefited the least.

It makes me so grateful for Travis that he works as hard as he does so that I am able to stay home with our kids and raise them. I love having the extra time to actually sit down and play with my kids.  *And I have no judgement to those people who do work, I am talking about my own personal circumstances*

Here are 40/50 of our bucket list items:

1. Camp on the beach
2. Make Sun tea
3. Make my own skirt
4. Mini golf
5. Have a picnic
6. Make home made bubbles
7. Build a sandcastle
8. Find a lake to go to
9. Go huckleberry picking
10. learn to can foods
11. go to and swim in the ocean
12. Go to the zoo
13. tie a note to a balloon and send it off
14. ride a horse on the beach
15. make ice cream from scratch
16. learn to identify 10 constellations
17. have a water balloon fight
18. BBQ with friends
19. Go to a farmer's market
20. make flavored water
21. Go fishing
22. Make an indoor teepee
23. Do the Dirty Dash
24. Lay out in the sun... A LOT!
25. melt crayons
26. fly a kite
27. sleep in a tent
28. go to a baseball game
29. go to the splash pad
30. Date night with my hubs
31. Do a scavenger hunt
32. Homemade Popsicles
33. Play in the sprinkler
34. Take a road trip
35. Story time at the library
36. Eat snow cones
37. Sidewalk chalk
38. Make homemade Play-Doh
39. Go to Silverwood
40. lots of drawing on our chalkboard wall
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.

As you can see my list goes to 50 but I've only filled out 40. Why is that? you ask? Well I came across this a couple of weeks ago and I plan to have it printed out and write everything from our list onto it, and have 10 spaces to add as we think of other fun things to do! The Crafting Chicks rock! And this printable is great! I can't wait to get it up and start on our bucket list!

What is on your Summer bucket list?

Foodie Friday: Enchilada stuffed mushrooms

Yum, Yum, Yum! I have been wanting stuffed mushrooms for a while and I finally looked up some recipes!
These were some of the first that I found and I decided to just try them.

 Here is the recipe I found over at Lauren's Latest:

Ingredients:
20-24 baby bella mushrooms
6 oz. softened cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmigianno regianno cheese
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
1 green onion, sliced
1 cup grated cheddar cheese, divided
salt & pepper, to taste
1 cup red enchilada sauce
any desired toppings: sour cream, salsa, cilantro, etc.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease baking dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
Remove stems from mushrooms and wipe caps with damp cloth to remove any dirt. Place into baking dish.
In a small bowl, stir cream cheese to soften. Pour in parmesan cheese, taco seasoning, green onion, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, salt and pepper. Spoon filling into cleaned mushrooms. Pour enchilada sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese. Bake 20 minutes until browned and bubbly. Serve hot.

For real, these were delicious. BUT... They were a bit too spicy for me so when I make them again I will be toning it down, for sure! Can't wait to find more stuffed mushroom recipes to try!

Memorial Day weekend is here! Have a safe weekend everyone!

Back in the day

Today is about linking up some of my favorite old posts.
Mine are all craft/recipe related, but here you go:


DIY Love blocks 

Honey Pecan Chicken

DIY Pom poms 

Zuppa Toscana Soup

DIY Growth charts

DIY Headband Holder

Happy Tuesday everyone!

What I'm stuggling with

Ever since I was a little girl, my siblings have called me "princess".
Not in a kind, loving way, but in a condescending , "you're a brat and always get what you want" sort of way. And I will admit, for a long time I brushed it off, I didn't let it bother me.

But here I am at 30 years old, with siblings that still call me princess- mainly behind my back.

And why do I even care!?! Why am I struggling with this?

I guess because I've always wanted one of those families that were close. My best friend has two sisters. They are close in age and they are close. I mean, like the best of friends. And since the 7th grade, I've been jealous of that. I know I will never have that kind of relationship with my own sisters and brother, but I'd be happy with even a quarter of it.

I know that we are all so different, and I think that is a big part of it. Not to mention that my oldest sister and I are FOURTEEN years apart. We see each other for our kids birthdays and holidays through out the year, but that is about it. We smile, hug and then be on our way. But I am aware of the awkwardness that surrounds us. They all say that I am our parents "favorite", that my kids are the "favorite" but it's time to call BS on that.

  

 

Summer @ 8 months

Another month has come and gone and you, sweet girl, are now 8 months old.

You are doing your own little crawl with one knee and one foot, but you are staying on your belly. Otherwise you are still rolling to get where ever you need.

You love taking showers with me.

You love being outside in the grass- which is new because neither of your brothers liked the grass!

You still just have the 2 bottom teeth, but the chewing is going crazy again so I'm thinking maybe your top teeth are on their way!

You don't use your bouncy chair or your swing anymore so we got you a jumparoo and you think it's pretty fun! But we have to watch out because Tyler likes it just as much and is playing with it whenever you are in it!

You are still waking up typically 2 times per night.
You are wearing mainly 6-9 mo clothes
You still love your Sophie giraffe
Your bald spot is completely gone (yay)

You are so fun, happy and I just can't get enough of you! 

Foodie Friday: Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole

A few weeks ago I was feeling extra adventurous and tried this Loaded Potato and Chicken Casserole that I came across on Pinterest.

Here is the recipe I used from Cook Lisa Cook:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 8-10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes  (I leave the skin on)
• 1/3 cup olive oil 
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 TBS. freshly ground pepper
• 1 TBS. paprika 
• 2 TBS. garlic powder 
• 6 TBS. hot sauce 

Topping

• 2 c. Fiesta Blend Cheese or a mix of Cheddar & Monterey Jack
• 1 c. crumbled bacon 
• 1 c diced green onion 

Preheat oven to 500F.  In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder & hot sauce.  Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat.  Carefully scoop the potatoes into a cooking spray coated 9 x 13 inch baking dish, leaving behind as much of the olive oil/hot sauce mix as possible.

Bake the potatoes for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and crispy & browned on the outside.  While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the leftover olive oil/hot sauce mix and stir to coat.  Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven and lower the oven temperature to 400F.

Top the cooked potatoes with the raw marinated chicken.  In a bowl mix together the cheese, bacon & green onion and top the raw chicken with the cheese mix.  Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is bubbly delicious.

Serve with extra hot sauce and/or ranch dressing. (I didn't do this)

My potatoes got a little extra cooked because I wasn't paying attention so they sure don't look the prettiest but they tasted good. They were a little too spicey for my family and if I were going to make this recipe again I would tone down the hot sauce! Otherwise they did have a good flavor!

10 things that make me happy

Because my family is the "obvious" of what makes me happy- I am zeroing in on the "things" that make me happy- and theirs plenty of them.

1. Iced coffee after a long night or on a hot day, or anytime, really.
2. Being wrapped in my husband's hug
3. BIG hugs and snuggles for the littles
4. A home made cheeseburger and corn on the cob on a hot summer day
5. Flip flops and sun tan lines
6. Turning up my favorite song on the radio
7. Snuggling in bed with a good book
8. Cuddling on the couch with my kids and a movie
9. The smell of freshly cut grass
10. Lounging at the lake, under the sun on a hot day

Does life get better than those things?

Linking up with Story of My Life for Blog everyday in May

Foodie Friday: Baked Spaghetti in Garlic Bread

This Baked Spaghetti in Garlic bread is so delicious! Another great Pinterest find! This recipe was from Rhodes site, but originally comes from Plain Chicken, which I have made many of her recipes before, and once again, I wasn't let down!

And it was pretty easy to make!

Here's how:

• 1 Loaf Rhodes Bread Dough or 12 Rhodes Dinner Rolls, thawed to room temperature


• 6 oz spaghetti, cooked


• 1 cup thick spaghetti sauce


• 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 –inch cubes


• 1 egg white


• Parmesan cheese


• Parsley flakes

1. Roll out the loaf into a 12x16 rectangle. cover with towel for 10-15 minutes
2. Cook spaghetti according to package. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce ( I also added cooked meatballs)
3. Add spaghetti to dough in a 4 in. strip down the dough. Top with mozzarella cheese.
4. Make cuts 1 1/2 in.apart on long sides of dough.
5. Begin braiding down dough, Cris-crossing as you go, folding in the end pieces
6. Lift braid with both hands and place on greased cookie sheet
7. Brush braid with egg whites and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley. (I also added garlic powder too!)
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown
9. Serve and enjoy!

 

A moment in my day

Yesterday was beautiful in Spokane, as have been the last several days, and we couldn't help but just be outside all afternoon and evening! Travis' sister had come over and she was able to get a family picture of us, which I don't have many as a family of 5. I love these faces!

This is one of the sweetest pictures I have seen in a long time. You can't tell they are related, can ya?

Zach never lets me get a good picture of him anymore, but this one is great.

My sweet little lady, enjoying the grass

Tyler being a great helper and "mowing" the lawn

The next week looks to be in the low 80's and I am loving these abnormally high temps! Today should be another day like yesterday!

Day 6: I'm afraid

My biggest fear, that one thing that I am afraid of more than anything, is losing my family.

And because I lost my first husband, I can say that it makes me cherish every second that I have with my family even more. It makes me love every moment that I get to have with my husband and kids. Every diaper change. Every middle of the night nursing session. Every weekend and school day off. I won't take a single moment for granted.

So grateful for these guys!

 

Also, don't forget that tomorrow is the Do-Over Link up! I hope you'll join in!

What do I do?

I planned to jump on the Blog everyday in May bandwagon from day one but knew I wouldn't be able to use all the prompts because I had other things planned, but here is my first day .... I hope you'll join in!





If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

I am a mom.
a wife. 
a crafter.
a milk supplier.
a DIYer.
a goodnight cuddler.
a cook in training.
a point and shoot photographer.
a book reader.
a home work helper.
a scrapbooker.


There are so many thing that "I do" that I couldn't possibly name them all. But I am grateful for everything I get to do!

Foodie Friday: Croque Monsieurs

Sometimes I am so grateful for Pinterest and the new recipes it has brought into my life!
This one in particular is so amazing, though it's not one we'll eat regularly and after you see it, and the ingredients, you'll probably understand why!

I found these Croque Monsieurs on Savury and Sweet and they were delicious!

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter


• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour


• 2 cups hot milk


• 1 teaspoon kosher salt


• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


• Pinch nutmeg


• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (5 cups)


• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan


• 8 croissants


• Dijon


• 8 ounces honey ham, sliced but not paper thin

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter–flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened. Off the heat add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.

Halve and toast the croissants, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 4 minutes. Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.

Lightly brush half the croissant with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot.