My fam damily

My fam damily

Monday, December 16, 2013

Herb roasted turkey

This was my first turkey EVER!  I was so nervous but it turned out perfect, so moist & not dry at all!  It had wonderful flavor too :)  I will definitely make this again!

12 lb whole turkey (Mine was 20 I just had to cook a little longer)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups chicken broth or stock

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven  to 325 degrees.  Clean turkey (discard giblets and organs), and place in roasting pan with a lid.  (I did mine in a roaster)

2.  In a small bowl, combine olive oil, melted butter, and seasonings.  Using a basting brush, apply the mixture to the outside of the uncooked turkey.  Poor chicken broth in the bottom of the roasting pan and cover.  (I also injected mine with the mixture)

3.  Bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until the internal temp of the thickest part of the thigh measures 180 degrees F.  Remove bird from oven and allow to stand for about 30 minutes before carving.  (Since I had an extra 8 lbs on my turkey, I cooked an extra hour and just kept checking the temp til it hit 180)

I found the original recipe on allrecipes.com but after reading reviews, changed it a little to my liking.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Red Hair Ideas

This is my current hair.  I love the red!  It is fun and actually doesn't fade all gross and orange like some reds do.  My stylist said to keep it from fading to orange you got to go with a violet red.  I have 3 different reds in my hair to create the dimension and it also helps when it starts to fade.  I have a very bright red, then a deeper red and an almost black red.  I included some pics of straightened and curled so you get the idea :)



Daily humor


Monday, December 2, 2013

Christmas Card Photo Ideas 2013

 I didn't plan ahead so I did not get any professional photos for our Christmas cards.  So I had to make due with my handy tripod, camera and pretty fireplace for a background :)  I think it turned out pretty good!

I purchased all of our AWESOME shirts here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TshirtMarket?ref=l2-shopheader-name

The top picture makes me laugh every time I see it.  My youngest one, Eli, would not smile for any of the pics.  My cousin was sitting on the couch watching us and tried to get him to smile and that was Eli's response!  I think it makes for a perfect, classic family Christmas photo :)  Needless to say, it went on our Christmas card!

Turkey Veggie Tray

 Found this cute idea on Pinterest!  This was an easy project, cutting up the veggies was really the hardest part lol.  And it's a fun project for the kiddos to help out with!  Mine got a kick out of it!

Here's what we used:
1 bag celery
2 bags of the cut up broccoli & cauliflower
1 bag mini carrots
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
2 cucumbers
1 cheese ball

For the face I just used pieces of an olive for the eyes, and a red bell pepper for the head, and the yellow bell pepper for the beak.  
I also put some ranch on the side for those that prefer that over the cheese ball and a bowl of olives on the side too :)

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake





This was my first year having Thanksgiving at my house.  I was a bit nervous about the whole thing, what if the turkey was dry?  What if I didn't make enough food for everyone?  Or burned something?  But I am so proud of myself because everything turned out amazing!

I had never made a cheese cake.  Or a pumpkin pie.  Or home made pie crust.  BUT I did all of that in this one delicious recipe (Well, 2 actually.  Crust and the pie).  Every body loved it!  It is definitely a keeper and the pie crust was awesome!  

I found both recipes on www.allrecipes.com :)

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake:
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
2.  In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  Blend in eggs one at a time.  Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
3.  Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended.  Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
4.  Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set.  Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.  Cover with whipped topping before serving.


Pie crust:
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 

Directions:
1.  Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter or margarine, and cinnamon until well blended.  Press mixture into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate.
2.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 7 minutes.  Cool.  If the recipe calls for unbaked pie shell, just chill for one hour.  

Monday, November 25, 2013

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Daily Humor


:)

Jambalaya

My husband and I love cajun food!  I found this recipe a few years ago on www.allrecipes.com and was so glad I did!  You can easily double this recipe, which I always do when I make it because it goes so fast!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lb smoked sausage (or andouille if you can find it, we can't this far north!), cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery
salt to taste
1/2 tsp cajun seasoning, or to taste
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 cups chicken broth
3 bay leaves
1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp (30-40 per lb)

Directions:
1.  Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.  Stir in the sausage, and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery; season with salt and cajun seasoning.  Cook and stir until the vegetable are soft, 6-8 minutes.
2.  Stir in the rice until evenly coated in the veggie mixture, then pour in the tomatoes with juice, garlic, chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme leaves.  Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
3.  After 20 minutes, stir in the shrimp and cook 10 minutes uncovered until the shrimp turn pink and are no longer translucent in the center.
4.  Remove the pot from the heat and let stand 5 minutes.  Discard the bay leaves before serving.

Makes 8 servings.


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Christmas Card Ideas

Here are a few of my favorites from last year that we used on our Christmas card!




Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Baked Ham & Cheese on King's Hawaiian Rolls


This is a favorite in my house!  It makes a delicious and easy lunch or dinner, and is great for picky little eaters!  The King's Hawaiian sweet rolls add great flavor and are a fun twist to the traditional grilled ham & cheese sandwich.  

All you need is:

1 pkg King's Hawaiian rolls
1/2 lb cheese of choice (cheddar, provolone and swiss are all yummy and popular choices), you can adjust to your preference of cheesiness.  I didn't use the entire amount for mine.
1/2 lb sliced deli ham or turkey (I did a mix of both)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes 

Enjoy!


Crock Pot Apple Crisp





Ingredients


4-6 apples cored, sliced and peeled (optional)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions

1.  Spray the inside of the crock pot and put the apples inside.
2.  In a medium bowl, put the melted butter, mix in the oats, flour, sugars, cinnamon, pecans and water.
3.  Spoon mixture over the apples.
4.  Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
5.  Serve warm and enjoy!


I found this recipe here:  http://myroyalkitchen.com/2013/10/crockpot-apple-crisp/

Monday, November 11, 2013

Monday Humor :)


I hope everyone survived their Monday!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Wonton taco bites


I made these for a football party and they were sooooo good!  And easy!

All you need is:

1 package of the won ton wrappers
1 lb of hamburger (I used 1.5)
1 package seasoning
1-2 cups of cheese, depending on how cheesy you like em

Step 1:  Cook 1 lb ground beef, season with taco seasoning.
Step 2:  Use non-stick spray on muffin tin and place wonton wrappers in tin.
Step 3:  Fill uncooked wontons with beef, top with shredded cheese.
Step 4:  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

Enjoy!

I found this great recipe here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnerobot/3431227193

Friday, November 8, 2013

Bedroom Update

I'm proud to say I finally got my room 95% done!  I found a lot of the decor at Hobby Lobby, I love that store!!
 I'm really diggin the chevron print these days.  The gray looks so cute with the light blue!
 I LOVE our bedding and I was stoked to find the bird wall art at Hobby Lobby, because it matches perfect! And please, pay no attention to the pink tint on the pillow cases... I dyed my hair red and it bled onto those :/
 I'm still trying to figure out what to do around the bottom of my bed so my tubs aren't visible.  Any ideas?  I might just attempt to make my own bed skirting, I think gray chevron print would go perfect!  I also need to put a picture in that frame on the wall haha.  But I don't have an 8x10 laying around so oh well it'll happen lol.
 I found this at Gordman's and I love it :)  Love the saying
I found that chevron laundry hamper at Walmart!  I still need to get pics in the 2 frames, I have plenty 4x6 just gotta pick out which ones to put in them and I've been busy!  I might put up some curtains I am still not sure.  What do you think?  

Daily Humor



My weakness is shopping in the baby section and seeing all the cute little tiny outfits awwwww.
Then my son will have a night where he hardly sleeps and that snaps me right out of it haha!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Bathroom Rules


Lol how many of you deal with any of this on a daily basis?  I know I do!!  It's like kids have radar, as soon as I close the bathroom door one of them is outside it with a question or something lol.  I think the funniest was when my daughter was reading to me for her homework, I said I'd be right back I needed to use the restroom.  Sit down and suddenly hear her reading outside the door hahahaha!!!  
Oh, kids.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Monday, November 4, 2013

Happy Halloween!

Well, I know this is a few days late, but I hope every one had a Happy Halloween!!  I know we did!  We went to a church trunk or treat, then stopped by a friend's so she could see their great costumes and then we went to my son's friend's house and we all went trick or treating around his neighborhood.  The kids got a lot of candy, I really don't think they'll be able to eat it all and I am trying not to help them ;)




Saturday, November 2, 2013

Creamy Crock Pot Chicken

This is delish!  I served this wrapped in tortilla, you could also put it over rice.

For this delicious meal you will need:
3 lbs chicken breast
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained!)
1 package cream cheese (do not use fat free)
1 can rotel original
1 can corn (drained)

It is so easy, just put the chicken in then put everything else on top, cook on low for 6 hours, shred with a fork and dinner is ready!

This makes a LOT!  My family of four each had one stuffed burrito and we all could have easily had another if we wanted.  But we were full after the first lol, it is very filling :)



I know, the crock pot liner doesn't make for very pretty pictures, but it sure does make clean up so easy!


Daily Humor


Friday, November 1, 2013

Chevron shelf

This shelf is just a cheap Walmart shelf, but I put some cute shelf liner onto the backing :)  Being my first time it is certainly not perfect, it has wrinkles lol.  Ohh well.  I'm using it in my guest room/office to store craft items so I'm sure it will be full soon anyway ;)

You can find the super cute shelf liner here: https://amzn.to/2Yh2Be9

Fall weather outfit


I think the cold weather is here to stay.
I've been trying to find cute ways to stay warm and also be comfy.
Instead of the same ol' sweats and hoodie look
I got the boots from Deb, sweater is from maurice's and gray jeggings are from zumiez :)

Halloween outside decor

I didn't really go all out this year on the outside but here is the finished product :) some things I've had for a few things, some are new. I love Halloween! 

Child art wall display :)


This was so easy to do!

I just found the saying on amazon, for a great price!  And then used the wire that you use on the back of picture frames.  I got 2 packs for less than $2 each at Hobby Lobby and they came with the little screws and just wrapped the wire around those.

And then I just use clothes to hang up the art work :)



Little monkey costume

I found this costume on amazon.com and man oh man I LOVE it!  I could seriously just watch him waddle around in this all day hehehe.  So stinkin cute!!

Here is the link where you can purchase the costume :)


It is perfect for cold weather, you can easily put a coat underneath as I did.  He was warm and the head piece kept his ears covered too.  The texture of the "hair" on the costume is great too, it doesn't just look like a think fuzzy sweatshirt like some cheap costumes do.



I love the tail :)

E-A-T Wooden Letters DIY

I found these HUGE letters at Hobby Lobby.  
I've wanted to make these for soooo long and have a kitchen where I could use them.
So here is what you need:

Wooden letters
2 different colors of paint.  
Candles just the clear white kind
Sandpaper


It was actually really easy.  Just paint the letters with your base color.  I chose a light blue.
Wait for it to dry.
Once dry, rub the letters with the candle.  I used the long skinny kind.  This just helps protect the base paint so when you start sanding it doesn't rub away that color too.
Then paint your top color.  Let dry.
Once dry, start sanding.  This is to however your liking for that aged/worn look.  I think I went a little sanding happy and over did it a little lol.  You can do just the edges or an all over like I did.  That part is all up to you!


Fun and easy!  Now I need to come up with more words to do he he!

What do you think?