• Cheesy Potato Soup - prepare in the crockpot and come home to a nice warm meal!
    Dinner - Recipes

    Cheesy Potato Soup {Crockpot}

    November 3, 2015 - By 

    The weather here is getting colder (at least a few days each week) and I love that because that means its soup weather. This Cheesy Potato Soup can be prepared in the crockpot and who doesn’t love that! Servings: 12 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 and half hours Ingredients: 5 pounds russet baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup butter 1 cup half and half 12 oz. bacon, cooked until crisp, drained on paper towels, and crumbled (easiest way to cook bacon here) 6 green onions, chopped Salt and freshly…

  • Life

    Memories of the Month {10.2015}

    October 31, 2015 - By 

    I can’t believe another month has FLOWN by. I guess that’s the story of my life. I feel like I’ve neglected my home away from home here, but it’s been a crazy, busy month. With Auburn Thunder Soccer league pictures to take, edit, and order on top of planning Drew’s Eagle Scout court of honor, I’m exhausted and stressed! Sunday is the court of honor and I’m so glad it’s almost here. It’s kind of like planning for a wedding, so many details and components to planning I’m just ready for it to be here. I have so many things…

  • Cookies - Dessert

    Butterscotch Apple Toffee Cookies

    October 22, 2015 - By 

    I’ve been wanting to try a pudding mix cookie. When I thought about mixing apples with a butterscotch flavor, I thought there was no better recipe to try it with. Cookies with pudding mix in the batter becoming quite soft and more cake like, so keep that in mind if you decide to do this recipe. Servings: 24 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 12 minutes Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups flour 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar 1 package of Instant Butterscotch Pudding 2 eggs 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1…

  • Travel

    Alabama Coast Activities for Guys #StayAlBeaches

    October 20, 2015 - By 

    Planning a mancation or Father-son trip to Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Here’s a list of fun activities for anyone of the male species. 1. Want to get away from it all and spend it on a green? Golfing is quite popular in the Gulf Shores/Orange beach area because there are countless golf courses. The options are unlimited when it comes to golfing in our great state of Alabama and there’s definitely not a shortage when your on the coast either. 2. Visit Fort Morgan & the U.S. Alabama are great spots to visit for those history/military buffs. 3. If fishing is…

  • Dinner - Pork - Recipes

    Low Fat Garlic Honey Marinade Recipe

    October 19, 2015 - By 

    This marinade is great for pork tenderloin, pork chops, chicken, or shrimp. Can’t wait to try it with shrimp! It is so easy just whip up the Low Fat Garlic Honey Marinade the night before and grill the next day. Servings: 1 cup (for 2 lbs. of meat) Prep Time: 5 minutes + marinade time Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 1/2 cup honey 2 tbs. paprika 1 tbs. olive oil 2 crushed garlic cloves 1/2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper 1/2 tsp. salt Directions: Combine in ingredients and place in ziplock bag. Marinade for 8…

  • Beef - Dinner - Mexican - Recipes

    One-Pot Southwest Skillet Beef & Rice

    October 14, 2015 - By 

    If you haven’t figured it out by now, I love Mexican food of all kinds. Mexican, Baja, Southwest, Santa Fe…I adore it all! This Southwest Skillet Beef & Rice is a meal I’ve made for years, but I decided to try it as a one-pot meal. I was so glad I did. So easy and just as delicious. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb. ground beef 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice 1 can of chopped tomatoes and green chilies 1 can black beans (drain and rinse) 1 large onion, diced 1/4…

  • Life

    Homecoming 2015

    October 12, 2015 - By 

    This past weekend was Homecoming. It was just Drew and me and home. Drew got dressed and we went over to the Baird’s house for pictures and then dinner. I prepared Buffalo Chicken Meatballs for an appetizer that I served with ranch, celery, and carrots. I’ll be posting that recipe soon. Anyway, I got lots of great pictures. The guys looking quite dapper. And lovely ladies… Drew & Caitlyn Kyle & Hannah Brannen & Lindsay The homecoming dance theme was Masquerade, so a few of the kids brought masks. We had lots of fun taking these pics. Two of these…

  • Travel

    4th of July Trip 2015

    October 10, 2015 - By 

    4th of July Trip in 2015 was full of hiking and site-seeing LaFayette, GA, Chattanooga, TN, and surrounding areas. Day 1 – a Stop in Rome, GA Day 2 – DeSoto State Park Hike – Fort Payne, AL Hike at Cloudland Canyon – Rising Fawn, GA Day 3 – Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga Point Park – Lookout Mountain, TN We stopped at the Incline Railway to watch it come up. They do get some lovely views from the windows on the top. Rock City – Lookout Mountain, GA Day 4 – 4th of July – Chickamauga & Chattanooga It is…

  • Appetizers & Snacks

    Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

    October 9, 2015 - By 

    It’s the time of year when pumpkin patches are visited, jack-o-lanterns are carved, and pumpkin seeds are toasted. My kids always enjoy collecting the seeds from the pumpkin, getting all that ooey-gooey inards off the seeds, and toasting them. These always turn out great. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Ingredients: Pumpkin seeds Cooking spray, olive oil, or butter Optional: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, or other seasoning of choice Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil. 2. Rinse pumpkin seeds. Remove all the pulp. Drain pumpkin seeds and…

  • Life

    Memories of the Month {9.2015}

    October 8, 2015 - By 

    Y’all I’m a bit aggravated. Fall is always a busy time in my household, but this year has been craaaaa-zy! I’m just trying to keep my head above water. October is here and September was a breeze compared to how busy I am now. Planning Drew’s Eagle Court of Honor, taking pictures for Auburn Thunder soccer league, editing, ordering, and getting those delivered by Oct. 31, handling several blog campaigns, are just a few things that I’ve got going on this month. Sooo, I’m aggravated because with all of that going on I’m having a difficult time keeping up with…

  • Travel

    5 Reasons to Travel Alabama Beaches #StayALBeaches

    October 7, 2015 - By 

    Remember last week, I was giving away an awesome beach Swag Bag from #StayALbeaches. Yesterday I posted a SnapChat video with the winner. Follow me on SnapChat @cameraNcookbook to see the winner. The winner was Maria B! Having traveled to many different coasts, I always enjoy the shining seas of our gorgeous country. However, there is no more gorgeous beaches than those right here in my very own home state of Alabama. There are many reasons why you should travel to the Alabama coast besides the fact they are beautiful… 1. Less crowded Both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are…

  • Beef - Dinner - Recipes

    Frito Pie

    October 6, 2015 - By 

    One of my favorite dishes that my Granddad made growing up is Frito Pie. I mean how can you turn down seasoned ground beef, cheese, and Fritos! This is one of those meals I also used to help Granddad make. This is a great meal to prepare with your kids, because it’s easy to prepare and it’s one everyone will love. Servings: 3-4 people Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 2-3 cups of Fritos 3 cups of Mexican shredded cheese 1 lb. of hamburger meat 1 small chopped onion 1 can of Texas style chili beans 2…

  • Life

    Fall Soup Season with Progresso #FallSoupSeason #giveaway #ad

    October 5, 2015 - By 

    The Winner of the $15 paypal giveaway is Katherine G from LaLaLandMommy.com! Fall is my favorite time of year. A few of my favorite things I love about Fall are: –Changing colors –Watching auburn football –Hot chocolate –Soccer –Cooler weather —Fall Soup Season with Progresso –Fall décor –Apple picking –Oversized fluffy sweaters –Hot apple cider –High school football games and marching bands –Roasting pumpkin seeds –Going to cut down firewood at Mr. Tony’s farm –Taking time to be thankful –Bonfires –Camping –Scarecrows –Visiting pumpkin patches Is fall your favorite season? I mean how can it not be! With the start…

  • Travel

    The Varsity – Atlanta

    October 4, 2015 - By 

    One of my all time favorite spots in Atlanta is The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant. Greasy burgers, chili dogs, mammoth onion rings, fresh cut fries…Can’t go wrong with a little heart attack on the plate every once in a while. Rob and I were in Atlanta a few weeks ago and stopped there for a late lunch/early dinner. Opening in the 1930’s, the Varsity has served the masses including many famous folks from Barrack Obama to Elvis Presley. When you walk up, you’ll hear them hollar, “What’ll Ya Have?” and when you step up the counter you better…

  • Travel

    4th of July in Chickamauga & Chattanooga

    September 30, 2015 - By 

    On the 4th of July, we drove through the area of the Chickamauga Battlefield. We first stopped at the visitor center where we were sent to a link on our iPhones that we could Bluetooth to our car to listen to a guided tour (Audio Tour). With the controversy that’s been going around as of late with the Confederate Flag, we saw many folks riding through the area showing their support of it. Wilder Brigade AKA Chimauga Tower (more info) provided beautiful views of the surrounding areas. After leaving the main battle field area, we stopped at Lee & Gordons…

  • Life

    Win an Alabama Beaches Swag Bag! #StayAlBeaches

    September 29, 2015 - By 

    Today I’m excited to be giving a way an awesome Swag Bag from Alabama Beaches! I can’t have a give away like this without saying that if you’ve never visited Alabama Coast, you need to add that to you travel list. You constantly hear about how great Florida beaches are and I agree there are some great beaches in Florida. However, I find Alabama’s beaches to be just as gorgeous with less crowds and a host of wonderful family activities. Lots of awesome stuff will be included in this swag bag prize. Beach towel, Tervis tumbler, a visor, beach tote,…

  • Dessert - Recipes - Sides

    Baked Cinnamon Apples

    September 28, 2015 - By 

    Cooler weather, leaves beginning to change, football… It is officially fall and I’m loving it! I love seeing the large bushels of apples at the market during this time of the year. This recipe is one of my favorite standbys. I used these Baked Cinnamon Apples as a side dish, a dessert (just add some whip cream or caramel sauce on top), or a warm afternoon snack! Servings: 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 3 peeled apples 1 stick of butter 1/2 cup of brown sugar 1 tsp. of cinnamon dash of all spice Directions: 1.…

  • Travel

    44th Annual National Shrimp Festival! #StayALBeaches

    September 21, 2015 - By 

    Just around the corner is the 44th Annual National Shrimp Festival, which is a great excuse to travel to Gulf Shores, Alabama. The National Shrimp Festival is October 8th – 11th. It’s free to get in thanks to Zatarain’s as well as a host of other sponsors. The festival takes place right in front of The Hangout at the end of Hwy. 59 in Gulf Shores. Not only is there 200 lbs. of fresh shrimp brought in daily, but there is also a great line up of entertainment, fine art, arts & crafts, as well as a Children’s Activity Village…

  • Travel

    James D. Martin Wildlife Park

    September 17, 2015 - By 

    A few weeks ago Rob and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. Alex had a soccer game in Gadsden, AL, so we decided to make a day of it and head on up there. When I was googling free things to do in or around Gadsden I found James D. Martin Wildlife Park, which said it was a walking trail behind Gadsden Mall that is open to the public. I googled the mall address [Gadsden Mall 1001 Rainbow Drive Gadsden, AL 35901] and typed it into the GPS. When you turn into the mall, just follow around the edge of…

  • Beef - Dinner - Recipes

    Philly Cheesesteak Roll-Ups

    September 10, 2015 - By 

    It’s been awhile since I’ve come up with a new variation to my yummy roll-ups. The other night I had a serious craving for Philly Cheesesteaks, but we didn’t have any buns. Then, it occurred to me that I could make Philly Cheesesteak Roll-Ups. These were so delicious and since it was soccer practice night I could have them ready for on the go. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 lb. steak (I used a cheaper cut, like Chuck Steak) Next time I’m going to use frozen thinly sliced steak similar to this: Philly…