December 30, 2009

Ultimate Recipe Swap (New Years eve)


Basic Little Smokies

  • 1 package of Lit'l Smokie sausages (1 lb. in the meat section vaccum sealed)
  • 1 can of chili sauce (12 oz. can)
  • 1 small jar grape jelly (10 oz.)
Directions:
If you make these on top of the stove, then heat and stir the chili and grape jelly until it's mixed well and warm. Add the sausages. Let heat for about 30 minutes on low heat. Serve warm.
Using the crock pot, put everything in and stir. Set to low heat and warm for an hour or two. Stir now and then to make sure all the sausages are evenly coated. Serve right out of the crock pot.
We'll have some cinnamon rolls, and shrimps as well. New Years Day we'll have our traditional Pork roast, saurkraut, and mashed potatoes.

Visit www.LifeasMOM.com
For more ideas.

Goals for January

I can't believe that its almost January 2010! 2009 seemed to fly on by for me!

Here are some of my monthly goals for January!

  • Drink more water.
  • Spend more time studying.
  • Get to my class.
  • Start organizing different areas of the house.
  • Take out 2 times at the most.
  • Try whole grain or multi-grain pasta on the family.
  • Get our son's room organized and figure out some storage plans.
  • Try cooking some more healthy recipes.
  • Try some new recipes.
  • Enjoy the snow with the little guy.
  • Get into the dentist office.
This is what I can think of for now. Good luck with your goals this month coming up.

December 29, 2009

Menu Plan last one of 2009!!

Ok so there was a mix up at the Dentist today so I am re-scheduled for March 9th. That means I'm going to need a menu plan for this week instead of leaving my sweetie and baby bear on their own to eat odds and ends and the stuffed shells in the freezer. So lets see what I can come up with.

Monday- home from vaca we got Wendy's.
Tuesday- Hot dogs and mac and cheese
Wednesday-
Thursday- Bacon brown sugar lil smokies,
Friday- Traditional Pork roast, saurkraut, and mashed potatoes
Saturday-
Sunday- Meatloaf, twice baked taters, and green beans

I'll update when I finishing figuring out everything and read some menu plans for inspiration :)

December 25, 2009

Christmas Rush, and odds with ends..


So I just wanted to stop in and say I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and as things wind down tonight, take time to thank God for his Son.. Jesus.

I am off to finish packing and cleaning up, we last minute decided to take a mini vacation to Easton tomorrow morning.. so we'll be gone until Monday! Then Tuesday I have to have 2 teeth extracted.. :( It might be a couple days before you hear from me. Happy New Year!

December 22, 2009

Give-a-way


Over at 5dollardinners.com there is a great give away for cook books!! Check it out and enter to win! Good luck!

December 20, 2009

Menu Plan


Menu Plan-
Sunday- Roasted Chicken, Mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.

Monday- Chicken and biscuits


Tuesday- Alfredo chicken with pasta and broccoli


Wednesday- I am thinking we'll get a pizza or chinese :)


Thursday- Christmas eve dinner Mr. Bear's Father's side of the family. That means dinner at Grandma's house. Turkey, stuffing, ham, mashed, sweet, gravy, and rolls.. whatever else. I am making sweet potatoes, and stripped delight.


Friday- Christmas @ home. No more rushing around for us anymore. If you want to see us, feel free to stop in anytime before 3. I am making breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, monkey bread, cinnamin rolls, bacon. After 3 we'll go to Mr. Bear's mom's house for snacks. Then back home so Mr. Bear can work 3rd shift :( Saturday- Possibly my Father's house for leftovers.. or who knows. Leftovers of our own from Grandma's Christmas eve.

Merry Christmas everyone, hope you have a blessed holiday season!

December 19, 2009

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies


Peanut butter cup cookies Ingredients * 36 reese's miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped * 1/2 cup peanut butter * 1/2 cup butter * 1/2 cup sugar * 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed * 1 large egg, beaten * 1/2 teaspoon vanilla * 1 1/4 cups flour * 3/4 teaspoon baking soda * 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions 1. Cream peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. 2. Add egg, vanilla, flour, baking soda and salt' mix well. 3. Roll into 1-inch balls (I use small cookie scoop) and place in miniature muffin tins with or without papers. 4. Bake 8-10 minutes at 375°F. 5. When tins are removed from oven, immediately press 1 peanut butter cup into the center of the cookie. 6. Allow to cool completely before removing cookies from the tin.

Holly Jollies


Holly Jollies

For Each Batch (about 36 mini muffin sized holly jollies):

1 Package Almond Bark (white or chocolate)

36 mini muffin papers

2 Cups of one or more of the following (get creative!)

  • Salted Peanuts
  • Rice Krispie Cereal
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Raisins
  • Other salted nuts
  • Your favorite dried fruit, chopped to the size of raisins

Line a mini muffin tin with mini muffin papers. Place almond bark in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for a minute and a half; stir. Return to microwave and microwave for about thirty seconds at a time, stirring each time, until bark is smooth and creamy.* Remove from microwave and stir in two cups of your choice of add in. Spoon into mini muffin papers and allow to sit until cool and hardened. You can put them in the refrigerator to speed up the process if you like.

I got this great idea from www.southernplate.com

For mine I just did a test run for this year and made a small amount with white chocolate bakers chocolate and dried cranberries, then a batch with semi-sweet chocolate mixed with a symphony bar, then added some party peanuts.


December 18, 2009

Shopping Score!


I was reading The Domestic Contessa when I came across a deal she had listed, and I thought I would give it a try since I never get a chance to do the deals or keep them all organized. So here is what I got today at WalMart for 4.24 plus tax!

4 Glade candle tins - 2.25 each
4 Glade refills - 2.25 each
4 Snuggle dryer sheets- 1.87 each
2 Blistex lip balms- 1.12 each

4 Tin coupons found inside the tin for 1.50 off each
4 Free refills when you buy a tin
4 Snuggle dryer sheet coupons 2.00 but they adjusted them to 1.87 I am not sure on the policy and neither was the cashier so I didn't mind.
1 1.00 off 2 blistex coupons.

What a deal! I think I might be getting into this more so I can use what we need and donate to the food pantry that burnt down today from where I am originally from.

December 17, 2009

Christmas Cookie List

I plan to start making cookies today for Christmas. I usually make a ton of cookies and hand them out with everyone's gifts. I love to bake and cook, I just hate hate hate the mess.. LOL.
So here is my list of cookies that I will be making this year

  • - Reindeer sugar cookies
  • - Chocolate Chip cookies
  • - Holly Jolly chocolate with nuts and cranberries
  • - No bakes
  • - Peanut butter blossoms with kisses
  • - Peanut butter blossoms with peanut butter cups
  • - Chocolate brownie cookies
  • - M&M cookies

I think that is all, not sure yet though.

I guess I better get started! Happy holiday baking!

December 13, 2009

Ranch House Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

6 pork chops, 1/2 inch thick
1 packet dry Ranch Dressing Seasoning (I used half)
10 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup (Added a half of a can of water)

4 lbs peeled, cubed potatoes
5 Tablespoons real butter
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
6 cloves roasted garlic (leaving out and adding a bit of garlic powder)
1- 1 1/2 Cups warm skim milk (any milk will do)
1 Tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, or to taste

Place pork chops, Ranch seasoning and soup into a medium sized crock pot over high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6 hours.

Place potatoes into a large pot of cold water. Place onto stove top over high heat and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling, cook for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and transfer to the work bowl of a stand or electric mixer. Mix on low until potatoes are mashed then add butter, Parmesan, garlic, milk, salt and pepper. Season to taste if needed. For thinner mashed potatoes add more milk, slowly until your desired consistency.
Scoop mashed potatoes onto serving plates and top with pork chops and soup gravy from crock pot.

I found this recipe at http://realmomkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/03/ranch-house-crock-pot-pork-chops-with.html

I will be back tonight with the verdict. I just wanted to get this up so I didn't forget.

Verdict: I thought it was great. The pork was very tender. Mr. Bear also really enjoyed it. Excellent flavors complimenting eachother. Definitely adding it to our rotation.

December 12, 2009

Menu Plan


Here is our menu plan for the next week!

Sunday- Ranch house pork chops(I keep bumping this), mashed potatoes, and green beans. I will recipe review on this one if I remember.

Monday- Ham and cheese pizza. New recipe for us, hope its good! I will likely add some bacon too since I have a bit left over.

Tuesday- Hamburger helper with corn. Class for me and the kiddo, and a Christmas concert.

Wednesday- Salmon cakes with mac and cheese. This too had been bumped all over.

Thursday- I am experimenting with Chicken, pesto, and pasta. I don't have a recipe yet, so I might be winging it.

Friday- Sloppy joes with fried potatoes and corn on the cob.

Saturday- Whole roasted chicken, sweet potatoes, noodles, and peas. I am going to look for a roasted chicken recipe too.

I might start my cookies this week also.

December 06, 2009

Menu Plan


Here's this weeks plan:

Sunday- Out for dinner with Grandma and the kiddo after the Christmas movie.
Monday- Still planning.. kiddo isn't home.
Tuesday- Frozen pizza and salads
Wednesday- Ranch house pork chops, with mashed potatoes and green beans
Thursday- Bisquick chicken fingers with velveeta mac and cheese.
Friday- Cheese filled ravioli with meatballs and sauce

Weekly Wrap Up!

So we're back to school this week which always keeps us busy. Little bear was a little hard getting back into the swing of things. We've been doing a little Christmas decorating and shopping for our family, also I have been getting ready for my Christmas treats baking and such. I found some really easy and cheaper treats for this year that I can't wait to try out and share. On Monday little bear got to see Santa at the mall and informed him that he wants hot wheels, a robot, and games to play with Mama and Daddy, thank the Lord all 3 are possible during our financial issues right now. Not much luck on the job front except Mr. Bear started his new part time job tonight. I hope it went well for him. We had our first real snow fall yesterday morning and little bear couldn't wait to get into it. We unfortunately only got about an inch. However little bear and his buddies did have a good time playing in the snow. I also enjoyed the time with my friend and her kiddos. They played outside, then came in for hot cocoa, marshmellows, and writing to Santa. They are such good kiddos. Today we went to the movie theater with little bear for the first time, he did so good. I was a bit nervous, but he was such a good kid. He loved Polar Express, and his pop corn. A huge Thank You goes out to the donations from our local clubs and theater for making it possible for the kids to go have fun, and not charge. I know its not easy to do in these times, but it was a great thing to do. So that wraps up our week, no deer though. Bummer. 18 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!! =)

December 01, 2009

December Goals



Here are some December Goals I'd like to share with you.

-Have Sleepy Bear over night trained with few accidents.
-Stay on cooking routine
-Continue to go to my classes weekly.
-Quiet time for homework
-Finish clearing out our freezer
-Do my traditional bake-a-thon.
-Get Christmas cards out to everyone.
-Playdates for the kiddo.
-Better sleep routine.
-Save.every.last.penny.I.can.!!
-Enjoy the holidays with my family!
-Attend church.
-Read
-Ideas for our bedroom, turning it into our retreat. =)

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta



So we had this a few weeks ago and I am just getting around to writing a review. My sweetie really enjoyed this, sleepy bear liked it too. I thought it was just ok.. I am not into casserole type dishes all that much though. It went well with steamed broccoli.

Here's the recipe and changes I made.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

2 cups cooked, diced chicken
6 oz deli ham, diced ( I used leftover ham steaks that I made extra for this recipe)
2 cans cream of chicken soup (one can)
8 oz sour cream
2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (I mixed cheddar and mozzerella, I bought cheese for this and I am still looking around the house for it. No clue where I put it, kinda gross eh?)
cooked pasta (I used a bag of egg noodles)
milk (I used this to thin out the sauce)

Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan until cheese is melted, smooth, and creamy. Serve over whatever pasta you like. I used penne and tossed the pasta and the sauce together. You can just spoon it over the past if you like.

I diced the chicken and browned it in butter, s&p. While that was cooking I cooked the egg noodles. Drained the noodles, mixed the soup, sour cream, and milk together. Added the chicken, and ham diced up to the noodles, poured the sauce over then added the cheese and mixed together.

If you try this let me know how it went :)

Happy December!


Happy December everyone!