Hello Sunday!
It's amazing to me how quickly the weekend can fly by!  I loved this weekend.  James and Grace I were able to spend lots of time together.  We went to a Hockey game on Friday which was really fun!  Then Saturday we went to Ikea and MOA.  What a blast!  James is working today tho, so the weekend feels like it's over.
The week of crock pot cooking was great!  Oh man did everything taste wonderful!  It's roast tonight and the house smells awesome!
I am in a scramble to find some recipes for next week.  I procrastinated lol!  But fear not, I'll have them planned in time!!
We went to a kitchen store at the mall, I was in heaven!  How fun those stores are.  I also decided I need a great kitchen knife.  I just use a steak knife for all my chopping right now.
Well, here's to Sunday!
Have a great week!

Happy Monday!
Mondays are fun because it's like a fresh start every 7 days.  This week I'm declaring it "Crock pot Week."  I am making meals in the crock every night.  Last night we did a whole chicken in the crock-pot with potatoes, onions, and carrots.  Grace even liked this.  Tonight it's Mexican chicken.  I have some fun meals planned and it's exciting to use the crock-pot for easy cooking.
It snowed for one of the first times this winter.  Well it's snowed before, but it hasn't accumulated until now.  I think Grace and I may go outside later and play:)
Grace has continued to crawl.  I practice walking with her but she has yet to want to do so on her own.  I don't want to rush her but she walks along furniture, climbs up everything she can climb on so I figure walking is in the near future.
Well I hope it's a fun week!  I'm really looking forward to my friends baby being born this week or next.  Also we are doing a family date to MOA this weekend and I am really excited for this.  It'll be Gracie's first trip there.
It looks like it's nap time here so I'll be going:)
Make it a fresh start today!

Wow!! Its been a few days and a few meals! Since we talked last I've celebrated my hubby's Birthday, rested my leg, and enjoyed some yummy meals!  I had a few meals planned out but we changed some up when J caught a cold.  I made him home made chicken noodle soup and biscuits.  They were so good!
Grace is starting to stand now.  It's so scary because she has no fear and stumbles a lot!  ( wonder where she gets her clumsy self from?!)  
It's almost baby time for my best friend! I have been planning some food and treats to bring her and we are having a super bowl party and I'm really excited to bring all the treats for this!
I have found a way to make a snack bowl out of chex mix so the bowl is edible!  I'll post pics when I make that.
I'm really excited we have a date...without the baby... this weekend!  It's gonna be so fun!  I will miss our princess but it's good to have some time away too.
Well tonights dinner is savory.  I'm making mini meat loafs.  It's really really cold outside so I thought I'd make something soul warming.  It looks easy and really yummy!
So here's to cooking tonight!!

Brrrrr!! It's feeling a lot more like winter!  I think they said its like a 60 degree difference from yesterday! So that means a warm comforting dinner for tonight!  On Tuesday night I made lasagna soup!  It was again a great meal if I may say so myself!  It's a lighter version of Lasagna and yet tastes just as hearty!  Tonight is a shrimp lasagna roll up.  Using lasagna noodles, shrimp and a white sauce.  It's J's birthday on Friday but we are having a birthday dinner tonight instead:)
I have to say that lately God has really been blessing our family and opening doors we hadn't even thought of.  I'll give more details soon once we know more!
I realized once again that I need my meals for next week! Yikes!! I think I'm going to attempt to plan out the rest of the month.  But I'd say in all, I'm accomplishing my goal of cooking healthier and more often.  Next month I'm going to attempt figuring out coupons!   I was inspired by the show 2 Broke girls.  My sister and I joke that they are alot like us, not broke, but creative and funny lol!
I also will be posting some more goals for next month.  I always want to be growing and changing, and not width wise!
Well its off to get the princess, she just woke up!
Happy Thursday everyone!

Good morning!! Its a great day!! Last nights dinner was awesome!  Firecracker chicken stir fry. Wow, I loved it and James thought it was the best meal so far!!  It was also very very easy.  We were going to have fish for dinner tonight, but we are still waiting for our fresh fish so that may be later this week.  Tonight's meal will be Lasagna soup.  That looks amazing so we will see what it turns out like!I am really excited because my friends baby is due real soon.  We are having a super bowl party with them after the baby arrives and I am going to bring all the food!  I have always wanted to do this!  I have already started planning which snacks and dips, and yummy foods I'll be bringing!  And even better our babies will be watching their first football game together!
I have been wondering if chefs, one who cook all day every day, ever get sick of it?  I can't imagine.  I love planning and cooking!  And I have been scrap booking the recipes.  My cookbook is coming together nicely.  It's also fun because will have tried every recipe in my book.  I suppose most cooks do when they write a cookbook.
This Friday is my Husbands birthday!  My sister and I are going to be making a cake for him.  I can't wait to post a pic.  We will be using fondant for the first time.  We decided that if we are going to open a cupcake/cake shop we better know how to use that right?!
Well, everyone, have a wonderful Tuesday!  I'm going to nap now as Grace has finally given into her sleep!

Fire Cracker Chicken Stir fry- Kraftfoods.com

what you need

1

Tbsp. oil

1

lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

3

cloves garlic, minced

1

 red pepper, cut into strips

1

cup snow peas

1

can  (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained

1/3

cup KRAFT Light Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing

1/4

tsp. crushed red pepper

2

cups hot cooked long-grain white rice

make it

HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook and stir 4 min. or until chicken is evenly browned.

ADD pepper strips and snow peas; cook 2 to 3 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and chicken is done. Add water chestnuts, dressing and crushed pepper; cook 2 min. or until heated through.

SERVE over rice.

It's Saturday!! Wow! It has been really fun this week to plan and cook all the meals!  Last night we had "Tasty Italian Chicken" courtesy of  Taste of home magazine.  It was amazing if I may say so myself!  I did cut my finger while dicing onions tho lol!   Grace pulled my pants down just was I was making a slice and oops!  Lol! The whole meal was under 300 calories a serving! We also watched the movie Bridesmaids. That was an awkward movie!!  But we watched to the end lol.
Tonight is a date night!! No cooking! We will go out to eat and do some shopping!  Well man shopping that is.  Dicks sporting goods is not my first choice of shopping, but Im betting I can find something pink and sparkly there for sure!!
Sundays dinner is "Fire Cracker Chicken Stir Fry" from the Kraft app on my phone.  It looks really good!  As for next week I have 4 recipes planned.  Still need to pick a few more and make my shopping list.  Maybe Grace will nap well today so I can get that done!
Well have a great weekend!! I'm getting back to my coffee!

Tasty Italian Chicken- Taste Of Home

• 6 Servings
• Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

102030

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1-1/8 teaspoons paprika, divided
• 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon reduced-sodium chicken bouillon granules
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1-1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins

Directions

• In a small saucepan, saute onion and 1/8 teaspoon paprika in 1 teaspoon oil until tender. Stir in the water, tomato paste, bay leaf, bouillon and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, oregano and remaining paprika. Add chicken; seal bag and shake to coat.
• In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook half of the chicken in 1 teaspoon oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm; repeat with remaining chicken and oil. Discard bay leaf. Serve sauce with chicken. Yield: 6 servings.

Hello Wednesday!!! It's national spaghetti day I heard!  That's one of my all time favorites, however we are not participating in the celebration tonight.  I have Chinese chicken and noodles on the menu.  I made it earlier today so J would have it ready when he got home.  Hopefully its a hit!  It was really easy and I think it tastes good! lol
I realized as I was cooking that I need to start looking ahead to next week for my next meal plan.  So cookbooks, pintrest, and magazines are in my future...as well as ANOTHER cup of coffee.  Oh how I love coffee!
On another note, G is sleeping thru the night now!  It's so weird to wake up and realize I've just slept 5 straight hours!!!  This may only last until the next tooth but I'll take it!!
I'm still feeling the pain in my leg.  I even wrote a poem about it, but trust me, its too silly to share!
Well I better see what Grace is putting in her mouth now!
Later!

Happy Tuesday!
Well its another beautiful day!  I spent the day resting my back and playing with Grace.  We cleaned a little house...ok we picked up her toys, but trust me that's a big chore! I had some yummy coffee and made coffee cake in a cup.  It wasn't very good, but if you want to try it the recipe can be found on pintrest.  It's my grandma's birthday so we are at my parents house tonight, therefore I won't be making a dinner tonight:)  Last nights meal turned out ok.  James really liked it, but I'd add tomatoes or peppers.
My sister and I made grandma a cake.  It's pretty cool.  I think some day we may open a cupcake/cake shop.  We love decorating them!  Ill post a picture of the cake later tonight.  We decided that some day we will start selling them for sure.
I decided that I want to make a cook book.  I am scrap booking my recipes.  It's fun and it will help me fulfill my dream of writing a book!
Well, it's off to party with grandma!!
Oh and here's Gracie!

P.S.  Kay, if there are typo's its from the pain meds! lol
Here's the Cake:

Later Monday night

So dinner turned out ok.  It was really white.  I will add peppers for color and flavor next time.  But it was good.  The real test will be when James eats it.  Hes always VERY honest and I appreciate it!  For now, I have wine, Kit kat bar ( found the hubby's ice fishing snacks:) and blogging!  Grace should, or hopefully will be going to bed soon... I am praying!
Today I found a way to organize my recipes I've found in magazines.  I've always wanted towrite a cook book and so I've started scrap booking recipe pages and put them in a 3 ring binder.  I've only done 2 but it took me all day:) ( ok really only like the 30 min that grace napped)  But it's fun and I can maybe trim down my magazine piles!  Im a cooking magazine fan!  My best friend is having a baby soon so I hope I can come up with some meals from the magazines to bring over for her family!
Well its bed time for baby!!!

 

Its Monday! I hope everyone had a great New Years!  I sure did:) Today started off at the dr for myself.  I had some pretty bothersome pain from scoliosis.  I am home now and feeling better thanks to some meds.
  I was successful in planning the meals for the week and only spent $35 for everything!  James was happy about that.  Tonight's meal is crock pot chicken and rice.  (recipe from pintrest, my new favorite site!)  Ill post the recipe below.
Grace is cutting a second tooth which means tears and grummpies, and grace is fussy too lol! Last night grace learned that splashing in the tub is the funniest thing ever.  She was belly laughing!  Once I learn how to post videos I'll be posting it, its pretty funny!
Well I hope you all have an awesome Monday!  Ill let you know how dinner turns out later!



Crock Pot Chicken and Rice:
2-4 frozen chicken breast
1 (8oz) package cream cheese softened
1 can cream of chicken soup
Italian dressing seasoning
rice

stir cream cheese, soup and seasoning together in crock pot, put the frozen chicken in and cook 4-6 hours.  Pour over rice

Happy New Year!

Its a new year! I decided to do something new and start a blog.  This will be a fun adventure for myself and any of you that are following me.  Before I get started lets have some back ground.... I am a stay home mom.  My baby girl, Grace, is 8moths old.  I have an AMAZING husband, James.  He is truly our hero! I enjoy writing, cooking, crafting and parenting!
My goals for this blog:
1.  To share the adventures of being a wife and mother
2.  To share my recipes and craft ideas
3.  To have some short term challenges that any of you can partake in with me:)

So lets get started!
My first goal for this next week is to plan a dinner for everyday and cook for my hubby every day:) Easy enough right? Well i made a list of recipes and now I need to make my grocery list.  I plan on sharing the recipes and how they turn out!  I'll give a final list soon with what I'm preparing.  Happy Newyears day!!!