My favorite moments of 2014: [January] Starting the year off by driving home from a long week in Texas after my Dad’s death. Family Ski Trip with Drew’s Boy Scout Trip in Gatlinburg, TN Day 1 & 2 Day 3 & 4 Another Scout Trip, but this time with the Cub Scout to the McWane Center in Birmingham, AL. Snowpocalypse ================ [February]
Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 tbs. dark brown sugar 3 tbs. red wine vinegar 3 tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tbs. minced garlic 1 diced small green bell pepper 1 diced small onion 1 cup beef broth 12 oz. elbow macaroni with ridges 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. Brown meat with onion and green pepper. 3. While the meat is browning cook the macaroni. 4. After meat is…
Family Friday {Christmas edition} Christmas came and went so fast. We enjoyed our normal breakfast of apple dumplins and sausage balls. Opened gifts and then, Rob started preparing our Christmas dinner of homemade meatballs, sauce, and pasta. We had a scaled down Christmas and I was happy that everyone was just as happy. Drew got a new phone. Alex got a bike. Rob got a toolbox and I got a Fitbit. Daisy is all over Christmas. She opened her own gifts and then proceeded to try and help all of us open ours. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with Rob’s…
I’ve tried my hand at Ravioli soup and finally after the 3rd try I think I nailed it! This is so easy. Done in less than 30 minutes as long as you don’t have to thaw the meat. A true crowd pleaser. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 tbs. olive oil 1 pound spicy Italian sausage 3 cloves minced garlic 1 diced onion 1/2 diced green peppers 2 cups chicken stock 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes Kosher salt and…
On this Christmas Eve, many of us are busy hustling around getting last minute shopping trips, wrapping gifts, and cooking. I’m guilty of all three, I’m afraid. I thought I throw together a few pics from the Auburn Christmas Parade from a few weeks ago. All three 4 of my family members were in the parade. Drew and Caitlyn are the AHS band so they marched and played. Rob and Alex were with the Cub Scouts. Since Alex is a Webelos II this year, he got to walk in front of the float. Does your city have a Christmas parade?
A few months ago, Rob and I were in Atlanta for a few days. He was at a work conference so I was on my own during the day. I was excited that we were staying in Midtown, because I knew I wasn’t far from Piedmont Park. Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA is the Central Park of Atlanta; just not nearly as big, it’s still a really cool place. It’s nestled just a couple miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The park runs along 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown Atlanta. 5 Things to See at Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA One…
A Sweet Holiday Side Dish Favorite Green beans don’t have to be just savory. When I set out to create a sweet twist for Rob’s Thanksgiving work lunch, I discovered that Southern candied green beans are that dish—comforting, festive, and shockingly crowd-pleasing. These are now my go-to for holidays, church dinners, or any day I want a side dish that surprises people in the best way. Servings: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 4 cans of green beans 1 cup of finely chopped yellow onion 5 pieces of bacon, chopped 1 tsp of minced garlic 1…
Planning for New Year Have you started thinking about the new year? I know Christmas is smack dab around the corner and this year has absolutely flown by! I just can’t believe it. So with all that being said, I’ve started thinking about the new year 2015. I created a printable sheet with 15 verbs to get me thinking about things I want to do in the new year. 15 things for 2015. Now these are not going to be my set of resolutions. That’s way too many. I just used this sheet as a tool to help me think…
This crockpot breakfast casserole is so easy. A little preparation the night before and the next morning you’ll wake up to a nice warm breakfast. Perfect for this holiday season! Servings: 8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 6-8 hours Ingredients: dozen eggs 1 lb. of sausage (I use HOT) 1 can of Rotel tomatoes 1 onion; finely chopped 4 cups of frozen hashbrowns 3 cups of shredded cheese (I used Mexican blend) Tabasco salt and pepper Directions: 1. Brown sausage and onions. As sausage is cooking chopped it up with a spatula. You want to sausage finely chopped. I…
Starting right after Thanksgiving, I really enjoy watching Christmas Movies. Thought I would share them with you along with great quotes from each movie. 10. Jack Frost (1998) This heart-warming movie with Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston is one that you just can’t go wrong with. Favorite Quote Jack: My balls are freezin’! I never thought I’d say THAT with a smile on my face. 9. Deck the Halls (2006) I was really excited when this movie came out because Ferris Bueller (my fav movie) aka Matthew Broderick is in the movie as Steve Finch along side Danny Devito. Devito,…
Welcome to Travel Tuesday! This week’s spot is Schlitterbahn. Another detour while traveling in Texas included a stop in New Braunfels, TX, which is about 50 south of Austin and about 30 miiles northwest of San Antonio. New Braunfels is the home of the “World’s Best Waterpark”, Schlitterbahn! Growing up in Texas, you would have thought I’d gone there. However, in many ways I was a bit of a sheltered child… 🙂 The park is divided into a 2 main sections; East and West. The main entrance is on the west side of the park, which is the original Schlitterbahn…
When Rob was in the hospital a few years ago, my neighbor was so sweet and brought us the best dinner. It was this amazing Poppy Seed Chicken casserole. I finally decided to make it myself and it has become one of my favorite dishes. It’s great to make ahead for those potluck dinners or a freeze ahead meal for those busy week nights. Looking for an easy dish to make ahead? Make this Poppy Seed Chicken for that busy weeknight ahead. Servings: 8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups cooked and diced chicken 2…
Do you have your Christmas meal planned out? Still looking for that perfect dressing? This Apple Cornbread Dressing is so flavorful. My favorite thing about it is that it never gets dry. The apple juice and butter keep it nice and moist. Servings: 10 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Ingredients: 1 (9×9 inch) pan cornbread, cooled and crumbled 1 (8 ounce) package herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped onion 2 cups chopped apples 1/2 cup chopped…
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! On of Rob’s favorite cookies are the Ranger Cookies. Coconut, oats, chocolate chips and the crunch from rice crispies make for a cookie that you canNOT just eat one of! Servings: 30 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, light or dark 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. salt 2 large eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup shredded coconut 1 cup chocolate chips 3…
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!I love cookies that are sweet and salty. Pretzels, peanut butter, and chocolate? Oh yeah!! Servings: 30ish? Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 package of almond chocolate bark 1/2 package of almond white chocolate bark 1 bag of waffle pretzels 1/2 jar of peanut butter
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!A coworker of mine made these, Oreo Balls, way back before they were all the rage all over the internet. Now everyone makes them, but I still love them. Makes: 25 Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 1 package Oreo cookies, crushed 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 package white almond bark 1 package chocolate almond bark Directions: 1. Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together. 2. Roll into walnut size balls. Chill for an hour. Melt approximately 3/4 package of both types of…
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! I love pralines, but often find them to be so sweet that one bite is plenty. When I found this recipe for Praline Cookies, I knew it had to jump to the top of my list. When I made them recently, I was not disappointed in the least! So good. Servings: 24 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup softened butter 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I used dark) 1 large egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup…
This Butterfinger Dip is so easy and so yummy. It will be gone before you know it. This is great served with graham cracker sticks or thick pretzels. I really like the Honey Wheat Braided Twist pretzels from Kroger with this dip. Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! Servings: 8 Prep Time: 5 minutes + 30 minutes to chill Cooking Time: none Ingredients: 1 8 oz. box of cream cheese 1/2 stick of butter 1/2 cup of powdered sugar 1/4 cup of brown sugar 1 tbs. vanilla 3/4 cup of crushed Butterfingers Serve with pretzels or graham cracker…
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}! Servings: 24 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 35 minutes Ingredients: 1 box of Devil’s Food Cake 2 eggs 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup water 1 bag of Reese’s Cups
Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas {Treats}!I decided to try something a little different for Day 6! These Chocolate Banana Bites are like a little bite of banana pudding covered in chocolate. So delicious! Servings: 30 Prep Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Ingredients: 2-3 bananas 1/2 package of almond chocolate bark 1/2 jar of peanut butter 1 box Mini ‘Nilla Wafers