2014 Recap of the year that was

If you've been following my blog at all you already know that there is no way to sugar coat this, so I'm just going to say it. 2014 has been the worst year of my life. I'm over it. I'm tired of hearing people say, and seeing the facebook posts about how wonderful 2014 has been. It actually makes me want to punch the next person that says it. (But I won't really resort to violence) And knowing that just because we go to bed one night and wake up with it being a new year doesn't help. So now that I've brought us all down, let's take a look at what we did this year. (We really did try to make the best of it- it was just low key)

January- Watched the snow fall, built forts out of blankets and couch cushions daily.

February-  Zachary graduated from DARE, Summer was a cheeseball, our Seahawks won the SUPERBOWL, I turned 31, and Tyler was feeling lovey for Valentine's Day.



March- We celebrated St. Patrick's Day, I finished my first quilt, and had a little at home party for Travis' 30th birthday since mom and all three kids were super sick with colds!



April- We celebrated the birth of a new nephew, my mom had open heart surgery, we had a low key Easter, my family's life was flipped upside down when my mom suddenly passed away and we had very low key cupcakes for Zachary's 12th birthday.



May- We had a Memorial Day BBQ with friends, Zachary did Track & Field, Summer had her first "cone", we ran our annual 12k race, and celebrated my dad's birthday with a low key pie- that he made himself.



June- Zachary had his last day of 6th grade (and elementary school) and had a graduation ceremony, we went strawberry picking, I got a much needed hair cut and color, we got a new table, computer and car! Trav and I also enjoyed a much needed date night.



July- We started the month by heading to Montana for the 4th but half way there we had to turn around and come home because our dog was having an issue with her ear. We ended up taking her to the emergency vet in the middle of the night when we got home where she had surgery! We had to keep a close eye on her and stuck around the house the rest of the month. We played in the blow up pool, celebrated my Aunt's birthday, went to Silverwood and made crayon candles. (which was a fail, btw!)



August- We had some crazy storms that blew down a 150 year old tree at my parents house, flattening many others as well as tons of homes. We got a new swing set, played with Papa almost everyday, Trav and I had a date night, we made a ton of lumber out of just one of the trees that blew down, played outside a ton and finally made it to Montana to see my father in law. The boys went fishing and Tyler caught his very first fish, all on his own, but wouldn't touch it! And I got to see Bruno Mars!



September- We went for lots of runs with the new cart Papa found for us at a yard sale! Lots more playing outside, Summer turned 2, and Zachary started 7th grade!



October- Tyler started preschool, We had a joint "Farm" party for Tyler and Summer's birthdays, I tried to make a cow cake, Travis and I ran our first 1/2 marathon, we went to the pumpkin patch, saw Thomas the Train, went to our local "zoo" and saw lots of Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh my! And Tyler officially turned 4!



November- Tyler went to his friends "Cowgirl" party and rode a pony, Summer dressed like a fisherman with all of her girlie accessories, We made home made applesauce, Tyler's new bedroom was finished enough to move in, and we hosted Thanksgiving with mine and Travis' family combined.



December- We made a Christmas count down, saw Santa, and while the little two were very uncertain- no one cried! Tyler had his first Christmas program, we made gingerbread houses with family, Tyler fell on Christmas Eve and split his forehead open, ending with 8 stitches. Santa came and we enjoyed a nice Christmas at home.



New Year's Eve is just a day away and after the year we've had, we are staying home and keeping it.... you guessed it.... Low Key!

Mini Snickers Cheesecakes

It is officially Winter in my area- We've finally got snow over the weekend, and now it's super cold and everything is frozen so I think it is sticking  for a while. Before it got too cold I bundled up the kids to have a little play time out in the snow, sledding, going down the slide and a little shoveling. They were loving it! Typically this time of year we are already covered in snow and it was a little sad to have no snow for Christmas. But nothing else has gone according to my plans this year, so why not that too! Anyway, lets talk about these Mini Snickers Cheesecakes.

I found this recipe for Mini Snickers Cheesecakes on Pinterest, and since I've been on a bit of a cheesecake run this year I wanted to give them a try. They are supposed to make 32 and there is no way I want 32 of these little babies sitting around my house so I made them and took them to my sister in law's cookie exchange.

When you first are baking them they puff up a bit, but don't you worry, they'll go back down!

These cupcake size cheesecakes are perfect for a few delicious bites. But you know what else I did? Since I only have 2 cupcake pans that hold 12 each, I used my mini cupcake pan that holds 24 and I made a batch in those too. I didn't take a picture but they looked just like these, except that they were bite size. That almost could be more dangerous because you can just pop them in one at a time!

For the crust:
2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tbsp.  butter, melted
3 tbsp. sugar

For the filling:
2 lbs. cream cheese, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 large eggs, at room temperature

For the topping:
caramel sauce
chocolate sauce
Snickers bars, cut up into small pieces

Preheat the oven to 325˚ F.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.  In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar.  Stir together with a fork until well blended and all the dry ingredients are moistened. Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner.  (I used one of those wooden tart pressers) Bake until set, 5 minutes.  Set aside.

To make the cheesecake, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth.  Mix in the salt and vanilla.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

To assemble, spoon 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner.

Bake until the filling is set, about 22 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking.  Let them cool completely and then transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

When you are ready to eat, just drizzle cheesecakes with caramel and chocolate syrup and top with cut up pieces of Snickers.

They were a total hit and I loved them so much that I made them for dessert when we went to my husband's aunt's house for Christmas eve dinner. I guess I have a new favorite!

I have to say that these are so unbelievably easy to make. Almost too easy! The biggest thing is giving yourself enough time for them to sit in the fridge for 4 hours before eating! But you don't regret it.... Well.... Actually, you might if you love cheesecake!

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to drop in and say a quick hello.  I'm doing lots of baking today to get ready for tonight and tomorrow. And I'm looking forward to relaxing with family and friends tonight. Tyler is beyond excited for Santa to come and I can't wait to see his reactions tomorrow morning.

I hope that everyone has a great day tomorrow and gets to enjoy great family and food!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Crockpot Chicken Taquitos

Happy Friday, guys! Can you believe we have less than a week until Christmas? It was just Halloween then Thanksgiving flew by, and now Christmas is upon us and here in Eastern Washington we have no snow on the ground which makes it even harder to believe.

This time of year, when it's chilly outside, I love making easy crockpot meals. I love putting something together like these Chicken Taquitos, that is so easy, yet delicious. Especially because it gives me so much more time with my family. I love to cook, but I don't like spending all day in the kitchen, and no time with my kiddos!

Add everything to the crockpot-

Put a 1/4 c. into the tortilla

Sprinkle with cheese

Roll up nice and tight, then bake

 

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts


• 1 teaspoon chili powder


• 1 teaspoon garlic powder


• 1 teaspoon cumin


• salt/pepper


• 8 ounces cream cheese


• ⅓ cup water


• ½ cup shredded Mexican blend cheese


• 12 6 inch corn or flour tortillas


• optional: cilantro, salsa, sour cream, or other toppings as desired

 

1. 
   
   Put chicken, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper to taste, cream cheese, and water to crock pot. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours


2. 
   
   Shortly before serving shred chicken with two forks. Cook about 15 minutes longer.


3. 
   
   Preheat oven to 400. Place ¼ cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla.


4. 
   
   Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Roll tightly and place on a greased baking sheet.


5. 
   
   Bake 10 minutes, until tortillas are slightly browned and shredded cheese is melted.

You could certainly dip these babies into a lot of things, but we dipped ours into a little bit of ranch dip and it was yummy.

Also, I only had 10 tortillas and mine were way too full. I think I could have easily 15 or maybe a couple more and had them more of the right size, because ours were heaping!

Have any family over in the next few days? Make these up because everyone will enjoy them!

How to display your Christmas Cards

Hi everyone. Christmas is fast approaching and if you are like me, you are probably starting to get flooded with everyone's holiday cards and pictures. I was feeling pretty productive when I got my holiday cards made and in had before Thanksgiving, but I have yet to mail them! I'm hoping I'll get them out this week!

I have a quick and easy way for you to display all those Christmas cards this year.

I had to grab a few thing from the store, and here is what I needed:

Laundry clips- .97 cents for 100 at Walmart

red paint- .50

ribbon- $1 each. I grabbed 2 but you could easily just do one

Paint your clips and let dry.

Next I wrapped the ribbon around one of my kitchen cupboards and tied it off.

And then take your card or picture and using the clip, clip it right on the ribbon.

That easy!

This little project took me about 15 minutes to complete from start to finish and that includes waiting for the paint to dry!

So what are you waiting for? Hang up those cards!

Deviled Ham Dip

Several years ago I went to a party at a friends house and she was serving this Deviled Ham dip. I thought it looked pretty gross and wasn't going to touch it. But then I realized everyone else seemed to love it so I decided I would give it a try and I thought it was delicious!

After that, it seemed like every time we had a family event, I would always make it. My sister would typically ask me before hand if I was going to bring it, which I wasn't but now am. Then she would tell me that she tried to make it and it just doesn't taste the same.  So this year for Thanksgiving I whipped it up in the morning before everyone came over for dinner. Yum! After I eat it I remember why I don't make it often- because I will sit and eat the entire bowl along with a box of Wheat Thins!

1 can of Deviled Ham (You'll find this next to the canned chicken)

1 8 oz package of cream cheese

1/2 cup of mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. onion salt

Mix everything together and chill until it's time to eat. (At least an hour)

I always eat this delicious dip with Wheat Thins- they are my favorite!