Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Wacky Brain Wednesday!

Here I am rambling on a Wednesday!

1. I am really not in love with this cold weather. I don’t mind winter because I really love snow. But this face numbing, toe freezing, dangerous cold is just not up my alley. Getting out to do anything just isn’t on my list of to dos.
2. The one glimmer of goodness from all this COLD weather is that it seems that on the weekends it decides to warm up. Last weekend it warmed up enough that after Charlot’s party we let her get her new trike out and take it for a spin. My parents gave it to her for her birthday and she had been ok with riding it inside but it was time for some open road action. Here are a few pics from her ride.





 
3. I have been on a huge Mexican food kick here lately; I think this has to do with the weather as well. I must be dreaming of warm summer days and icy margaritas. This has been our line up over the past couple weeks. Beef Empanadas, Ranch Chicken Enchiladas, Creamy Chicken Tacos, and now I really want to make these Chopped Chicken Taco Salad’s I found on Pintrest. It is a good thing the hubs loves Mexican food.
4. It seriously seems like January has flown by, I am not certain where it went??? But February does mean Valentine’s Day. Oh how I love a good holiday. I think I am going to do a 14 days of valentine’s for the hubs (I’ll do a separate post on it). I have a fun idea for Charlot to take to day care. But I would really like to put together something unique for a few special people that we don’t see as much as we would like but I am struggling with this. Suggestions would be wonderful.
5. The sorority I was in during college based a lot of their beliefs and practices off the book of Ruth which I always found wonderful. Over the past week I have reread it and have been studying it. Ruth is one of the shorter books of the bible, with such a great story, so if you are looking for a quick read and pick it up check it out!
Have an amazing rest of your week!!!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Tomato Soup…with Bacon and Garlic Croutons!


 On an oh so cold day like today all I really want is to curl up with a nice warm cup of soup. And a ooey gooey grilled cheese! This soup fits this bill perfectly. This is actually a soup that my big bro prepared for the hubs and I one night a few weeks ago. Now this is kind of a rare thing, he normally eats as many meals as possible at our momma’s house (I can’t say I blame him) and when she is out of town I can normally count on setting an extra place for him at our table. Well while my parents were gone a few weeks ago and he offered to come over and cook one night I was all in.

My photography skills were lacking that night so please ignore!

This soup has a creamy tomatoeyness(I know it isn’t a word) but not too heavy or acidic and it has bacon in it where can you go wrong. The big bro has discovered Pintrest lately and found the recipe for the soup there. HERE is the link to the website for the soup make it soon!

Enjoying the fruits of his labor!
Thanks big bro for the great meal! Come over anytime and cook!!!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Coloring Birthday Party!!!


For the first two birthday parties of my child’s life I was unsuccessful at getting pictures taken of all the details and fun of the party. So this year I was determined!!! And it actually happened!!! HOORAY! Plus I am getting it blogged in a reasonable amount of time too, wow I am worn out.


This year we decided to go with a coloring themed party. It was so much fun to plan this one! I mean who doesn’t love to color. I went with really bright colors for everything. We had color pages, colors and M and M’s on each table. Each kiddo that came got to take home a goodie bag with colors, a coloring book, M and M cookies, silly putty and fruities. Each adult got some M and M cookies to take home as well.

Enjoy all the pics from the party! And if you need a theme for your kiddo’s next big birthday coloring is super fun and pretty easy!


























Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Ranch Chicken Enchiladas and Spanish Rice and Beans…



Last night I did a little meal delivery to a family in town that is going through some not so fun times. The momma of this family is battling cancer, and she is determined to win. But knowing that getting dinner on the table for me is sometimes a struggle I couldn’t imagine how hard it maybe for her. So a dinner was planned. If being raised in a small town taught me one thing it was that you take care of each other. It was awesome to visit with this family last night and hear how strong this lady is. I have know her all my life and I have always known she is strong but man alive she is prepared and ready for this battle, one that I know she can win!


If you need a meal to take to someone this one is perfect! It is pretty quick and easy as well as kid friendly. I strongly encourage you try to do this for a friend, a new mom, a family who has lost a loved one, pretty much anyone who could use a pick me up. Trust me it is an awesome feeling to know you helped someone out with something as simple as a meal.

These recipes are for two pans of Enchiladas and a double batch of rice.

Ranch Chicken Enchiladas

6 chicken breasts

2 packets of chicken taco seasoning

2 packets of ranch seasoning

2 cups of chicken broth

8 oz of bottled ranch dressing plus more for drizzling

8 oz of jarred salsa

16 tortillas

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Place chicken breasts in the crock pot sprinkle ranch and taco seasoning over and add the broth. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until shreddable (is that a word???). I did this Monday night while I was fixing supper and then just warmed the chicken back up last night before I started to assemble.

Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix ranch dressing and salsa set aside. Alright let’s get these made! Spread a little of the salsa ranch sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Grab a tortilla spread a spoon full of sauce on the tortilla, next add some chicken (this chicken should be enough for 16 tortillas), sprinkle some cheese on top and finally roll it up. Repeat with the other tortillas, total of 8 per pan. When your pan is full spread some more sauce on top and cover it with cheese. Cover with aluminum foil (I spray the back of my foil with Pam so the cheese doesn’t stick)

Back for 25-30 minutes covered and 5 uncovered. When it comes out of the oven drizzle with ranch dressing. Delish!

Spanish Rice and Beans

3 cups of long grain rice

¼ cup orzo pasta

3 cups of chicken broth

3 cups of water

1 onion diced

1 can of diced tomatoes (I use the cilantro lime flavored ones (I can only find these at my local store))

1 tbsp cumin

3 dashes of hot sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can of black beans rinsed and drained

Grab a skillet and sauté your onion in a bit of EVOO. When it is soft add the orzo and let it toast for a few minutes, then add in the rice. Stir this all around to get the rice and pasta sort of coated with the oil. Pour in the broth and water. Add the tomatoes and seasonings. Cover and let cook over medium for 20 minutes, just keep an eye on it at the end and add more broth or water if you need. When the rice is done and all liquid absorbed stir in the beans. Cover for a few minutes and allow it to sit on the stove with no heat on. Then uncover and ENJOY!

I hope you all enjoy these recipes! And if you have time just say an extra prayer for all the individuals and their families that are in a battle with that dirty word CANCER.





Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Blog Oh How I have missed you! And She is 3...


Well hello blog! How have you been we haven’t seen each other in a while! But guess what I am back in the saddle! I hope all of you devoted readers (My parents) had a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful new year!


Since I last blogged I now have a three year old in my house! That’s right a one-two-three! Everyone says this but it is very very very true I cannot believe how incredibly fast the past three years have flown by. I wouldn’t change a minute of it for anything!

Charlot you are the light of Mommy and Daddy’s life, you bring a smile to our face each and every day! I want you to know just how special you are. Our life would not be a joyful or fulfilled without you in it! Love you to the moon and back a million zillion times. And as you and I tell each other each night you are my heart!

This one doesn't really go with her birthday pictures but I love her and Pap's tea parties!
On Sunday her actual birthday the hubs asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she told us she wanted to color (YES! Coloring is the theme of her birthday party!). After church we headed to KC to go the Crayola Store at Crown Center! If you have never been take your kiddos, it is so much fun. After coloring and picking out some goodies, she needed some ice cream! It was a beautiful day so we spent some time checking out all the fountains in the area and watching the ice skaters. Momma needed to a little shopping at Sam’s for the big birthday party (which is this weekend!) she and daddy enjoyed all the samples while I shopped. Then a quick stop to visit with the Hubs grandparents, followed by dinner at Applebee’s! They even sang to her and gave her some more ice cream!









It was such a fun day totally focused on our sweet baby! Happy Birthday to my Sweet Charlot!