New Pj's

Landon seems to grow out of his pj's faster than we can buy them. Even though he gets new pj's monthly he never ceases to show them off. He marches around the apartment and acts like a proud little man. He's a goofy kid!

CREPES WITH CREAM FILLING AND STRAWBERRY SAUCE

I love cream-filled crepes. Thursday before bed, Jesse came up with the brilliant idea of having crepes for Sunday dinner. I haven't stopped thinking about them ever since. These crepes turned out perfect. For a delicious variation, try making French toast with cinnamon-raisin bread. Use the cream in between two pieces of toast and then top it with the strawberry sauce. Now you have stuffed French toast and you didn't even have to go to IHOP!

CREPES

1 1/2 c. flour
1 T. sugar
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 c. milk
2 T. butter, melted
1/2 t. vanilla
2 eggs

Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spray a crepe pan or small skillet-the one you would fry eggs in. Heat the pan to medium. Use about 1/4 c. of batter for each crepe. Pour batter into pan smoothing it with the back of a spoon to cover holes. It will look like a very thin pancake. When the batter begins to look dry around the edges, use a fork to flip it over. Stack finished crepes between waxed paper. You can freeze them for up to two months. I like to make a double batch and then roll scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon in them for a yummy breakfast. These are definitely worth the time and effort

CREAM FILLING

1 c. heavy whipping cream
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla

Mix cream, set aside. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Fold into whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY SAUCE

1/2 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch (This is to thicken the sauce. In a pinch I've used flour but it turns the sauce cloudy instead of pretty and clear like a gel.)
3/4 c. water
1 T. lemon juice
1 t. strawberry extract
1/4 t. red food coloring
4 c. sliced strawberries (Buy these in bulk during the summer when they are on sale and then freeze in 1 cup portions to use all winter for smoothies and desserts.)

To assemble crepes, put cream in the center. Roll up and then top with strawberry sauce. Yum!

Date Night

No Baby!

Weekend after weekend Jesse and I are faced with the same question: "What do you want to do this weekend...?" We have lived in Flagstaff for just over 6 months now, and each weekend we stay home with Landon doing the same thing we do every weekend. Finally, we met a couple that offered to watch Landon. So for the first time in 7 or 8 months we went on a date without the kid. I'm not gonna lie, it was a little bit weird not having to worry about what Landon was doing or what he was getting into. It was even weird getting out of the car and not having to make sure we had everything we would need in case of a baby catastrophe. For 4 beautiful hours Jesse and I went to the movies and saw Avatar and enjoyed ourselves.

Chicken Divine

I normally clock out each day around 4:30 pm. So I prepare all my meals in the morning and just cook them when we're ready to eat dinner. But sometimes I have my days when I really don't feel like cooking a nice dinner with side dishes and such. So I have to throw my meals together. I like to just mix it all together, and that's that. Well, Chicken Divine is my throw together dish. I love cooking casseroles because there are hardly any rules. If you don't like something or want more of something, just do it. So I've put measurements for this recipe but do what ever you want. Make this the way you would want it.

Chiken Divne

Pre-heat oven to 350

2-3 Chicken breast
2 C. of Minute Rice
2 Cans of Cream of Chicken
1 Tspn of Curry powder
3 C. of frozen broccoli
2 1/2 C. of shredded cheese


Cook and dice chicken. In a 9"13 pan mix Chicken, Rice, Cream of Chicken, Curry powder, broccoli and cheese together. Add Between 2-3 cups of water. Cover with tin foil. Cook for 30 minutes then stir. If it looks dry, add more water. Cook an additonal 15 minutes uncovered. Salt and pepper to your taste.

Family Pictures

Landon was grumpy when we took these pictures. I had to stand behind the camera and basically head bang and make my hair go everywhere. That was the only thing that would make him smile. So, if you're wondering why he isn't looking at the camera, it's because he is looking at me acting ridiculous.

For Christmas my Mom and Dad gave us family pictures. These are the first family pictures we've ever had done by a professional. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Snow snow go AWAY

This is a picture of snow. A tree covered in snow

More snow

I don't know if I want to laugh or cry. It is snowing AGAIN...can you believe it? I was just talking to my landlord, and she said it is supposed to stop sometime tomorrow, but next week it is going to snow five days in a row. I am too scared to check the forecast, maybe I will have the courage to check tomorrow. She could be wrong, I hope. All I know is that next time I go grocery shopping I am going to get enough food to last us a month and just stay inside. Maybe by March the weather won't be so bad.

Our back yard.

This is the forest in the back of our apartment complex. Jesse and Penny take a lot a walks here.

Landon vs. Penny

Landon and Penny try hard to play nice. Sometimes Landon gets the short end of the stick.

Yummy Italian Chicken

The best meals can be made in a crock pot. When I first got married, my mom felt like she had failed me because I really didn't know how to cook much of anything. She set out on a mission to give variety to my recipe collection. The first recipe she taught me was Yummy Italian Chicken served over steamed rice. This quickly became one of the family favorites. The best part is, there is hardly any work involved!

Yummy Italian Chicken

1/4 C. butter
8 oz. of cream cheese
4-6 boneless,skinless chicken breasts
1-2 packets of dry Italian dressing
1 can of Cream of Mushroom
1 can of Cream of Chicken

Melt the butter in a crock pot; place chicken in melted butter and sprinkle with Italian dressing. Simmer on low 4-6 hours. Mix Cream cheese, Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken together and add to chicken; replace lid and allow time to warm. Serve over steamed rice, noodles or mashed potatoes.

Snow, Snow and more SNOW!

Our windows are at ground level. As you can see, we can't see.

Our car is in this picture somewhere. Can you find it?

This is the sidewalk Jesse spent 8 hours shoveling yesterday.

Well, this has been a fun week. It started snowing Monday and is expected to finally stop on Saturday. We have received about 5 ft. of snow. Flagstaff tried to prepare for the storm but unfortunately businesses all over had their roofs cave in. One of my favorite book stores, Bookmans, lost 75% of their roof and so did Joanna's. NAU and most everywhere else closed down yesterday and today. So what do you do when you can't even look out your window. Well, I cook, so these past few days have been full of good cooking and bad weather. Whoever thinks that all of Arizona is hot and sunny has obviously never heard of Flagstaff.

Hot Fudge

I LOVE homemade hot fudge. There could never be too much hot fudge on an ice cream sundae and in my book, death by chocolate would not be a bad way to go. When I was a little girl my mom would make us ice cream sundaes with this hot fudge recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

HOT FUDGE

1 cup of sugar
Dash of Salt
2 heaping TBSP of Cocoa

Stir-Fry in pan and heat on medium heat until mixture begins to melt

Add:
1/2 Cup milk (may need a little more)
2 TBSP of butter

Boil 2-3 minutes and stir.

Add:
1 TSP of Vanilla

Let cool

Landon's Favorite Toy

Landon loves to push this toy vacuum around the living room.

Penny

For a long time now Jesse and I have been discussing some possible hobbies that we can get involved in. After a lot of discussion we could only agree on one thing. We don't like any of the same things. So we decided to get individual hobbies and just support each other. A few days before Christmas, Jesse decided that his hobby is going to be a dog. So on Christmas eve he got in the car and drove to Idaho Falls and picked up a purebred Vizsla puppy, Penny. Penny is a beautiful puppy and she has a heart of gold. We don't always get along, though. I think she is a lazy terror who chews on everything. And she thinks I am a bossy fun-hater. But we have our moments. Every morning Jesse gets up at 6:30 am and takes her to the bathroom. Afterwards she will come snuggle in bed with me. Also, I never have to wonder where she because she is always right at my feet getting stepped on. Landon adores her; they really are best friends. Penny gets very concerned when he cries and while he takes his naps she will lay outside his door and chew on her bone and wait for him to wake up. Landon will play outside her kennel and keep her company while I clean or exercise.

Potato Salad So with 4 ft. of snow outside my window, I wanted to cook something that reminds me of picnics and summer. This is my favorite recipe for potato salad. There is nothing weird in it and it's fun and easy to make. POTATO SALAD 

Ingredients 

6 medium potatoes, cooked, peeled, and diced 

7 hard boiled eggs 

1 onion, chopped very well 

2 large pickles chopped 1- ½ teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise, or Kraft 

2 tablespoons vinegar 

2 tablespoon of pickle juice 

1 tablespoons sugar 

1 tablespoon 

mustard 

Instructions 

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, salt, pickle juice and pepper · Mix well 

Add potatoes, onions, pickles and eggs · Mix well Suggestions: I like to taste it to be sure the combination is just right. I also think that it tastes better if you let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

My mom has been on a cook frenzy and every time I talk to her she tells me all about these great meals she has been cooking. After hearing about all of these amazing, easy meals, I made a goal. I am going to make one new meal or dessert a week and that's not all. While I do this I am going to create a 30 day menu. So, for one month I have every meal planned. This will make my shopping list a breeze. So my first attempt at a meal was Jumbo Shells and Cheese. Here is a picture just in case you need a little encouragement to give this reciepe a shot.

Jumbo Shells & Cheese


This is an easy to put together dinner that can be made complete with a side salad and garlic bread. The recipe is from the box of American Beauty Jumbo Shells. Having it printed on the box makes it easy to shop for the ingredients at the store. This also makes a great freezer meal.

JUMBO SHELLS & CHEESE

1 pkg (12 oz.) jumbo shells
4 c. (2 lb. container) ricotta cheese
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 T. chopped fresh parsley
3/4 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
3 c. (28 oz. jar) spaghetti sauce



Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
In a large bowl, stir together cheese, eggs, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Spread 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in a 9 x 13 pan.
Fill each cooked shell with about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture. Layer in baking dish.
Pour remaining sauce over shells.
Sprinkle with additional Parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until bubbly.
YIELD: 8 - 10 servings. You can successfully cut this recipe in half or make the whole thing and freeze half for another dinner.

Hey all! So I've decided to give blogging a try again. I can't make any promises to keep up with it. But i figure if I take it seriously one month out of every year it is better than nothing. So, here is a picture for now. Landon's nap is right in the middle of our church time. This picture was taken the first day we switched to 11:00AM church. When we got home we tried to feed Landon lunch before putting him down for his nap. It didn't go over too well.