Easy Cheeseburger Bake

*Warning, if you're looking for a healthy dinner, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a quick, easy, yummy dinner this is totally your go to guy!*

Ingredients:

2 cans of crescent rolls (when I'm not 9 months pregnant and exhausted I make my own)
2 lbs of ground turkey (or beef)
1 lb Velveeta
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Salt and pepper or whatever seasonings you love ( I use Tony Cacherie to season the meat and garlic and salt to season it all a little more)

Directions:

1. Grease a 9x13 baking dish
2. Spread one roll of crescent rolls across bottom of baking dish. Bake according to crescent roll instructions. (I bake mine until it's golden brown) Remove from oven.
 3. While the crescent roll crust is cooking, cook your ground meat. I season mine with Tony Cacherie while I'm cooking it. :) Drain if you have fat.
4. When your meat is cooked, add velveeta and can of mushroom soup. Stir until everything is perfectly mixed to together and cheese is melted. This is when I add a little salt, black pepper, and some garlic powder.
5. When all mixed, pour over crust.
6. Then add the second roll of crescent rolls and bake following the instructions on the package. You want the top a golden brown.

Voila... when that crescent roll topping is golden brown you're done. This is by no means a healthy meal but it is quick, easy, and sooo yummy!

Slow cooker Enchilada Chicken and Refried Beans (without the refry)

I'm 7 months pregnant today! Hooray! Can you tell I'm excited? ;)

Lately I've been starting to think about what my family could eat when this new little angel is born. My eldest is gone and this will be the first time I don't have her help which is sad, but okay. My 11 year old is really growing up fast and can handle quite a bit in the kitchen which is awesome and my sweet husband... well he is really great at buying us burgers when need be. (His steak is totally awesome. You just typically won't find him outside grilling during February in Idaho. Not that he wouldn't if I asked him. He's just that sweet!)

Anywho... I plan on making some meals and freezing them in advance but our freezer apace is limited so I need some alternative plans. God-willing I will be feeling great after this baby and she will be a sweet, content soul. (which I really think she is. After having 2 high needs babies I'm in prayer I'm right about this one! lol)

I began trying to come up with meals that took minimal work so that if I was feeling bad my 11 yr. old could take care of dinner all by herself. So far so good... and the above dinner is one of them. I'm excited to share it with you!

Enchilada Chicken 

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
Taco Seasoning (I used homemade, but you can  use store bought :)
A little salt
1 regular size can of Enchilada Sauce (I had a recipe on Pinterest for homemade enchilada sauce but it's no longer available :/ so I used canned.)

Directions: 

1. Season chicken with taco seasoning & a little salt
2. Place in slow cooker
3. Pour enchilada sauce over chicken
4. Cook on high 6 hrs. or on low for 8-10 (chicken will be 180deg. when cooked)

*seriously, how easy is that! Now walk away and do what you need to do. Dinner is taken care of :)*

 

Slow Cooker Refried Beans (Without the Refry)

I got this yummy recipe from Six Sisters Blog. For the recipe click HERE 

I prepared mine a little different. I didn't add the peppers or cumin and I cut up my onion really small and mashed it with the beans. I have sensitive palates in this house... lots of kiddos. Yummy!

When everything is done, top with your favorite cheese. I used a blend of white cheddar and colby jack. On the side we had organic blue corn chips and some sour cream and Sunshine and I garnished ours with green onions. So good! The girls and I ate it just the way you see it on the plate, but hubby made soft tacos out of it. :D It's perfect for everyone!

And so easy that my sweet 11 year old can make this without breaking a sweat. Can't beat that!!

The Return of Tinsel McBiggles

This morning was filled with smiling faces (although sick and congested) as the little girls watched Tinsel hang from red garland. On his first night back he was apparently having a fun time while we slept. There was some debate today as to whether he stopped where he was because he heard one of the girls coming down the stairs or just because he thought it would be a comfy place to stay for the day. Either way.. he was a happy site to see!

Welcome back Tinsel! We can't wit to see where you'll be tomorrow morning!

Yummy, Easy & Healthy Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

I'm always on the lookout for healthy and tasty meals for myself and my family. (Sadly I don't think my meat and potatoes Texan husband will catch on to this recipe, but the girls and I love it!! They're my taste testers ;) lol)

 I'm almost 6 months pregnant and anything healthy, low carb, and filling that looks like it might taste good catches my attention. If you can add easy and not time consuming, I'm all there!

This recipe fits that bill! I recently purchased Shosanna's Making Babies book and dvd set. In it I found a similar recipe to the one above. If you are pregnant or anywhere in your birthing years, I highly recommend that set. It's awesome! To purchase or for more info, click on the link below. I don't get paid for this. I just really enjoyed her book.

Making Babies Dvd/Book Set 

Ingredients: 

*this recipe is for 4 stuffed mushrooms. I made enough meat for 4 but only made 2 mushrooms... one for me that day and one leftover. I saved the meat and fed it to my youngest who loved it!*

•  1 lb. ground turkey (I don't use only white meat since it's so dry. If you do, you will need to add a little more oil while cooking)
• 1 onion chopped (I did mine finely chopped because I would be feeding it to my little one later)
• 4 Portobello Mushrooms
• Seasonings of choice (yet again, I'm pregnant so I kept it pretty simple... salt and garlic powder but you can use whatever you like)
• chopped garlic 
• 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice (I used mozzarella)
• chopped green onions (to taste)
• 1-2 tomatoes sliced

Directions:

1. Clean your mushrooms removing the insides which will leave you with a mushroom bowl. Set aside.
2. Brown meat in skillet in an oil of your choice (I used olive oil) 
3. When cooked, season and add onions and cook until tender. Remove from heat.
4. Preheat oven to 350 deg. F
5. Drizzle a little olive oil on mushrooms and sprinkle a little salt. Then begin filling mushrooms with meat. Add as much chopped garlic as you like. Next add two tomato slices and then the shredded cheese. 
6. Place in oven and bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
7. Sprinkle with as many green onions as you like.

Enjoy! It's simple, easy and even better... it's healthy for you!

EASY Homemade Hot Cocoa from Scratch!

It's that time of year ladies. You know, the one where you get that special craving for a good ol' cup of hot cocoa. If you're like me, you might actually get this craving off and on all year long too... just sayin. lol I'm one of those weirdo's that will eat ice cream during winter and drink cocoa in July if I feel the urge. :)

Anywho... Once upon a time (a few years ago) I decided to try my hand at making cocoa from scratch for our family. I knew it had to be better than that boxed/bagged stuff you get from the store. Don't get me wrong, when I was younger that bagged stuff was one of my Fall/Winter drinks of choice. Of course I didn't know what wonderful options waited for me. Now I do and I'm going to share one with you.

*The awesome thing is this... you can also make this hot cocoa with Zylitol and it will taste incredible!! So if you're diabetic, or pregnant like me and trying to avoid gestational diabetes, use Zylitol. You won't be disappointed!!)

I'm going to give you the recipe for a 1 cup serving. This recipe can totally be adjusted. Typically I make enough for 10 people at a time so we can all have some. (and a little left over ;) Before my family reached large family status, I usually made enough for 5 people. This is one of those moments in life that paying attention to your Math class when you were younger comes in handy. If you want enough for 3 people, multiply times 3. It's that simple. ;)

Time to put away that box stuff from the store. After trying this you will never go back!

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. Cocoa
2 Tbsp. Sugar (or Zylitol)
2 Tbsp. Water
1 cup Milk
1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Directions:

On low/med. heat mix cocoa, sugar, and water until mixed well. (I use medium heat (sometimes a tad bit higher since my stove is temperamental) and watch it closely, stirring constantly. I'm a slight bit impatient when I want my cocoa *snickers*) Add milk and vanilla stirring until mixed. Heat until you reach your desired temperature. This will not take long! :)

Enjoy!!

 

Waiting for the Return of Tinsel McBiggles

 

 Last year our family grew again, but only for a short time. A sweet little elf named Tinsel McBiggle's joined our family during the Christmas season.

 During his short stay with us he made quite a few friends! As you can see, one night Tinsel, a few friends of his, and Justin Bieber played a fun game of Uno. Looks like Justin was winning but Tinsel didn't seem to mind. :)

 

 

Time for a sweet snack and some reading about raising chickens. An elf after my own heart!

 

One night he apparently had a little too much fun and got tangled up in some lit garland in Mommy and Daddy's room.

Tinsel had tons of fun staying with our family! At night he would play around the house and each morning he would be in a different spot. The girls went to bed excited each night to wake up the next morning and see what Tinsel had been up to while they slept.

Tinsel is a funny little guy. On the morning above I was quite impressed with his acrobatic skill!

My absolute favorite two mornings were captured in the next two pictures though. On his two last days with us he worked his way to baby Jesus.

 

He snuck right up in there undetected. Personally I don't blame him. This was the last time we saw Tinsel. The girls woke up the next morning very sad that he was gone but their Daddy and I told them not to worry. He would be back next year. :)

 

Now it was time to celebrate baby Jesus' birthday!!

 

Soon our little elf friend will be back and we can't wait!!

3 Birthdays in 13 days :)

Yep, you read that right. :) We celebrated 3 birthday's in 13 days! This pregnant mama is tired from all the balloons I blew up! lol

The first birthday was our sweet 6 year old whom you can see a couple posts earlier. :) Then we moved on to our youngest who turned 1. Unlike most mom's who are sad about this time, I was ecstatic! Yes, I miss her being teeny tiny, but I love , love, love watching her grow and interact. It's such a huge blessing. My little Mackynzie is packed full of cuddling sweetness and that has only gotten sweeter over time!

 

Here are a few pictures of her special day. :)

She was a bit confused by her birthday tutu (lol) but had a blast inspecting her new toy from Grandma Debbie. 

Her favorite gift was a little baby doll. To us it was a cheap little baby, but to her it was amazing! You see it is the same baby except for eye color that her big 3 yr. old sister has. The same dolly that she hasn't been aloud to adorn with her sweet wet kisses. Check out the pure joy on her face in the next picture! It's priceless!!

 

I love that smile! 

It was a great day... filled with lots of cake...

 

and lovin...

 

and wet baby 'thank you' kisses...

 and more dolly lovin...

 

Some lessons in sharing with her big sisters.

and last but definitely not least... Mackynzie's birthday was filled with laughter!

lol.. laughing babies are awesome!

So... next we moved on to our final birthday in the 13 day spree.

My sweet spirit, Madison turned 11.

I find it interesting how it's much harder to catch an 11 yr. old girl on film, at least this modest one, than it is my little ones. They flock to the camera like it's a magnet. lol

My Madison is an owl lover and can tell you about many different kinds. When it comes to birthday's, typically I will do a theme decoration that each child loves. It's always a surprise and in a way it's a present of its own. Well, this sweet girl is blossoming into a young lady and it just didn't seem right to do an extremely kiddy theme. She's a smart, deep young lady who loves knowledge, culinary arts, reading and music. One of her most favorite subjects are owls so when my husband stumbled upon the little guy at Hobby Lobby (now named 'Twilight') I knew he would be a special gift for Maddie and I was right!

 

She loved him!

Now on a side note, I should probably warn you of the dangers of decorating in the color 'chocolate,' brown if you are a chocolate lover. (esp. if you are a pregnant chocolate lover like me!) Oh my... Hershey's and I bonded that night while I decorated. I think every woman should be warned of the side effects of decorating in this tempting color! ;)

Back to the birthday girl and not her mommy's love of chocolate. :)

One of my daughter's most favorite presents was her first ever pair of cowgirl boots that Grandma Debbie sent her! She has worn them almost everyday since.

 

It seems like it was just yesterday when God blessed me with my Madison. After 7 years that included 3 losses and unexplained infertility, this gift from God was born and my heart expanded 100 fold. When I hug her at night I am so aware of how time flies and how blessed I am for God to have entrusted some of His precious ones to me to care for and raise up for Him. (Maddie, when you read this, don't cry. Mommy loves you so much and I am so very proud of the young lady you are becoming!)

Thank you all for spending some time with us.

Kristy :)