• Life

    GoodnessKnows Snack Squares {Product Review}

    November 14, 2015 - By 

    Influenster recently sent me a complimentary box that included GoodnessKnows Snack Squares. They currently have 3 flavors; cranberry almond dark chocolate, apple peanut almond dark chocolate, and peach cherry almond dark chocolate. I got to try the apple variety, which contains 4 square bites of dried apples, crisp rice, toasted oats, and almonds with a dark chocolate coating on the bottom. While I’m not a huge fan of dark chocolate, I found this dark chocolate on these squares to very tasty and not too overbearing or sweet; a great way to get in a little bit of that healthier dark…

  • Life

    Exciting News!!

    November 13, 2015 - By 

    It’s the time of year when seniors in high school apply for college. Drew applied at the end of the September and has been anxiously logging in everyday to check his application status. Over the last month or 2 many of Drew’s friends have been getting accepted. One of our friends, who’s a professor at Auburn, warned us based on Drew’s scores, he probably wouldn’t get accepted till after the New Year. Well, yesterday Drew was home sick and he got a text from one of his good friends, JR, saying he had logged in on his phone (at school)…

  • Dinner - Recipes

    Sausage and Rice Stuffed Peppers

    November 11, 2015 - By 

    I don’t know about you, but I occasionally get a serious hankering for stuffed peppers. Lately I’ve been wanting to try something a little different. I found a recipe by Martha Stewart and I while I’m not a huge fan of hers, I decided to give it a try with a few alterations. This turned out so good. I like cutting the peppers down so that you don’t have as much pepper to eat in one sitting. Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 3 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings…

  • Travel

    Fort Lauderdale Riverfront Cruise

    November 10, 2015 - By 

    After spending the night in Fort Lauderdale at the Comfort Suites Airport & Cruise Port, we grabbed a quick breakfast snack from the hotel and then headed down to the river to inquire about a Fort Lauderdale Riverfront Cruise. Here’s a few pics from the drive. Since we were there in January during peak season, we were lucky to get a spot on the next cruise. After Rob purchased the tickets [23/adult, $13 children (4-16)], we had a few minutes to kill before getting on so we walked around before boarding. The cruise lasted about an hour and took us…

  • Recipes

    Crockpot Meatballs with Ragú #simmeredintradition #ad

    November 8, 2015 - By 

    Being married to an Italian decedent, I’ve heard stories of Rob’s great grandparents who came over “on the boat” from Italy to New York. With little money and lots of hope, the one thing they were armed with was tons of delicious recipes passed down from their family. This is much like the story of Assunta Cantisano, Ragú’s originator, who left Naples, Italy to immigrate to America in the early 1900’s. After arriving in the U.S. and getting settled in Rochester, New York, she planted a garden and began using those fresh vegetables to make her family’s pasta sauce. With…

  • Chicken - Recipes

    Spicy Chicken Veggie Soup

    November 5, 2015 - By 

    In the morning before I left for work, I threw the raw chicken (each chicken breast cut into 4 or 5 big chunks to help them cook quicker) along with the chicken broth, carrots, onions, and garlic. I allowed that to cook for about 4 hours on high. When I came home and lunch, I pulled the chicken it, which by the way was fully cooked and cut it into small bite-size pieces. Then I threw in the everything else except the zucchini and squash because I didn’t want them to get soggy. I bumped the crockpot down to low…

  • Travel

    Alabama Coast Top Casual Seafood Restaurants #StayAlBeaches

    November 4, 2015 - By 

    When I’m planning a trip, I always like to have a list of great restaurants so that when we’re starving and don’t want to think about where to eat we cazzn just refer to the list. When you travel to the coast, if you’re like me you have to have some seafood. Lots of seafood! Today I’m sharing with you some awesome casual seafood restaurants in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area. When we travel to Gulf Shores for a soccer tourney, one of our team’s favorite place to go after a game LuLu’s. Fun atmosphere and a with a large…

  • 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…