What's For Dinner, New Obsession, and My Calendar

Today is Thursday and that means it's soup night. Don't you just love soup when it's cold?

I saved my chicken caucus and made my own chicken stock. That's right I got three meals from my 4.99 rotisserie chicken. WoooHooo

I know you are wondering what I put into my stock.

Here is what I do:

Place Chicken Caucus in the pot

Cut the following into big chunks: carrots, celery, garlic

Onions cut in half with their skin on. (This helps give the stock it's nice color.

If I have broccoli or cauliflower on hand I will cut up the stems into big pieces and throw into the pot

Couple Peppercorns

Some salt

Any fresh herbs that I have on hand I throw into the pot.

1 Bay Leaf

Cover everything in the pot with water.

Bring to a boil

Turn down the flame to low and cook for another hour.

I took all the vegetables out of the stock and let the stock cook down for 30 minutes.

I strained the stock to get everything that might have been left behind.

Today I decided to make some super simple Tuscan White Bean Soup.

Image from Food Network

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter


1 tablespoon olive oil


2 shallots, chopped


1 sage leaf


2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed


4 cups low-sodium chicken broth


4 cloves garlic, cut in 1/2


1/2 cup cream  I didn't have so I used Light Sour Cream


1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper




Directions
Place a medium, heavy soup pot over medium heat. Add the butter, olive oil, and shallot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sage and beans and stir to combine. Add the stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the garlic and simmer until the garlic is softened, about 10 minutes. Pour the soup into a large bowl. Carefully ladle 1/3 to 1/2 of the soup into a blender and puree until smooth. Be careful to hold the top of the blender tightly, as hot liquids expand when they are blended. Pour the blended soup back into the soup pan. Puree the remaining soup. Once all the soup is blended and back in the soup pan, add the cream and the pepper Keep warm, covered, over very low heat.

I will be serving this with my homemade Oatmeal Bread.

Since the fall I have had this sudden obsession with Western/Country.

I am not just talking about some stuff. I have started decorating some of the house with the theme.  I have been cooking with Country/Western flair (Pioneer Woman Cookbook).

I recently saw this magazine so I had to buy it.

I just love the magazine and I already think that I might be close to becoming a cowgirl...I mean look at that dog he is the spitting image of Bing!!

Now today I made it official, I am a real cowgirl!! (No, I didn't buy land in Texas or a horse).

That's right BOOTS!!! These boots are made for walking and that's what I'm gonna do...

Today the kids and I stopped at a Thrift shop for woman's clothing. Once I am inside there I forget that it's a thrift shop.

I don't EVER buy shoes from a thrift store but I saw these and thought I really would love these. Plus cowboy boots can be pretty expensive and hard to break in.

I have already put in my shoes pads and I am set.

These babies were $20.00 with 15% off so I paid $17.00. Can I get an Amen?!!?

I love the detail and can't wait to wear them tomorrow!!!

Next I have to get myself a cowboy hat. Just kidding.. Maybe I'll buy Tommy some chaps!!! LOL!!!!!

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When 2011 rolled in I had to figure out what kind of calendar I wanted to use for my everyday purpose.

I wanted a calendar that gives me a lot of space for my daily list, thoughts, and ideas.

I couldn't find anything that I liked so I thought hey how about just a notebook.

I decided that I could add in my own dates, but it had to be durable.

Here is what I came up with.

Boring and Ugly right?

So I decided to spice it up!!!

I covered with some paper that I bought for 10 cents.

I added some ribbon and lace that I had around the house.

I found Imagine in my scrap booking collection.

I liked it but I didn't love it. I felt that it needed something else.

I looked around the house and came up with this...

Now I Love it!! It gave it the little spice that it needed!!

I added some bling, because you know me I love me some bling bling!!!

Imagine is my theme this year!!!! Well at least until this book is filled!!!

I even covered the inside of the book!!!

Gonna sign off to go saddle up my horse. hahah!!!



Exercise Partner and Chicken Spaghetti

Good Morning, hopefully you are waking up to too much snow this morning.

We got about 5-6 inches. I am hoping that I will be able to use a snowman kit today!!!

Back in December I started exercising just so I feel better through out the day. I didn't join a gym, I just use DVD tapes.

As soon as I started exercising someone I know asked if she could exercise with me. I thought hey Great!!!

So here is my exercise buddy...

Ballerina exercises with me every time I exercise. We give each other positive encouragement to keep up the good work. She always asks me to exercise even though sometimes I am too tired!! She is a great exercise buddy. She really does get into it.

Not only do I have an exercise partner but I also have a cheering section!!

(If you don't have a cheering section you just think about getting one for yourself)

Don't they look like a wild cheering squad!!

I do have to say that Speed Racer did try to exercise last week but a certain dance expert told him he was doing it wrong!! LOL!!! I of course told Ballerina we can always do things our own way as long as we got moving. Then I started acting goofy!!





When we are done exercising we give each other hugs, high fives, and Girl Power!!

Boy, we both need a manicure!!

Monday night was pasta night and I still had half a rotisserie chicken in the fridge so when I saw the recipe for Chicken Spaghetti in "The Pioneer Woman" cookbook I declared this is what we will have for dinner!!!

Image from Pioneer Woman Website
Ingredients



■2 cups Cooked Chicken


■3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces


■2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup


■2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese


■¼ cups Finely Diced Green Pepper


■¼ cups Finely Diced Onion


■1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained


■2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot


■1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt


■⅛ teaspoons (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper


■Salt And Pepper, to taste


■1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese


Preparation Instructions


Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar. I skipped this step because I had the Rotisserie Chicken leftover. I just cooked my spaghetti in water.






Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).





Our Reviews:
 
I thought it was ok. I am not really into creamy food!! I would make it again if requested.
Tommy thought it was pretty good!!
Speed Racer ate his right up!!! (He pretty much eats anything when dessert is at stake).
Ballerina she ate out all of the peppers and declared she was done!!
 
If you like creamy things then you will love this recipe!!!
 
Yesterday I took the kids on a little field trip to the East Stroudsburg Airport. I know you a like I didn't know you have an airport!! Its really for parachuting, sightseeing, and junk cars.
 
Well needless to say Speed Racer was thrilled to pieces. He requested that he be able to take two people there. Pops and Uncle Dun buggy (Tommy's brother).
 
Here is what we saw...
 
 

The Plane

I have to get a car just like this!!!

I love the trash can top!!!

The kids wanted to know if this is Daddy's plane. I love that they think Tommy has a plane!!

This reminds me of me and Tommy. We both want an old fixer upper I want an old Waggoner/Cherokee and he wants an old red pick up truck.

 
  I can't wait to go back in the spring so we can walk around!!!
 
Happy Digging!!!!
 

Chicken Pot, Chicken Pot, Chicken Pot Pie and Snow

Looks like we are going to hit with some more SNOW!!

Lately, I think that I am losing it because I want it snow!! I want a lot of snow.

Maybe I'm not losing it, maybe I am a Stay at Home Mom with 4 year old twins.

When it snows we can go outside and play!!!

The kids play while I shovel. You know me I can't sit still!!!

Once my work is done then I play too!!!

This is what our last Snow Day looked like!!!

This Fire Truck has some good snow tires!!

Making Snow Angels even though the snow isn't deep enough.

;





You've heard of brown noser here you have a snow noser!!




I always have our hot cocoa ready!!! We are freezing when we come inside!!




 



Don't you just love all the new Peeps. I got these for 9 cents!!!

For Snack I made snow flakes out of a pita (since I didn't have tortillas). I melted some butter and sprinkled cinnamon sugar on the pita and cooked then for 4 minutes. Added some apples and whipped cream.

Love reading books to the kids. Here are the books we read. I just love the "Olivia and the Snow Day"

The kids went to town with snow flake stamps!!

I am all ready for this snow storm. I bought all the ingredients to make my homemade hot cocoa and marshmallows. (Stayed tuned for that.)

I bought some Borax (I know your wondering what are you going to do with Borax. (Stay Tuned)

We went to the library and got 10 books about Snow and Shrek 1, 2, and 3!! (Since I couldn't find Spider Man 2 and 3.

We are all set. I just need to go to the store for some onions!!! Maybe some flowers too!!!

On Sunday I made Chicken Pot Pie from half of the BJ's Rotisserie Chicken.

Of course the recipe is from "The Pioneer Woman Cookbook"

I think that Tommy and Speed Racer thought I was a Rock Star for making this!!!

Tommy said this is the best Chicken Pot Pie he ever had. That's ok I've never made chicken pot pie before!! I never really cared for it.

Speed Racer ate his in four minutes.

Ballerina... well let's just say that she's not a big dinner eater.

I liked the Pot Pie and will make it again!!

Don't you just love the heart I added!!!

Leftover Chicken Pot Pie

1 pie crust (1/2 of Perfect Pie Crust recipe) I used store made crust!!!

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1/2 cup finely diced carrot

1/2 cup finely diced celery

2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, light and dark, diced or shredded (or both!)

1/4 cup flour

2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth

splash of white wine (optional) I didn't have white wine so I used beer.

1 cup heavy cream I didn't have heavy cream so I used light sour cream

Frozen peas (optional)

Fresh thyme, chopped I didn't have thyme so I used ground sage

salt and pepper to taste



Preheat oven to 400 degrees.



Melt butter in a skillet or dutch oven. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until translucent (a couple of minutes.)

Add turkey and stir. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir. Cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.

Pour in chicken or turkey broth, stirring constantly. Splash in wine (you can leave this out if you’d like.) Pour in cream. (May add frozen peas at this point if you’d like.)

Bring to a slow boil and allow mixture to cook and thicken for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste (do not underseason), and fresh or dried thyme to taste. Do one final taste at the end and add what it needs.

Pour mixture into a casserole dish or deep pie pan.

Roll out crust so that it’s about 1 inch larger than the pan you’re using.

Place the crust on top of the pot pie mixture, and press crust into the sides of the dish. Cut vents in the top of the crust.

Bake for 30 minutes or until very golden and bubbly.

Allow to cool for a little bit before serving.

Serve with a large spoon.

I know that right now you are wondering what I did with the other half of the BJ's Rotisserie Chicken come back tomorrow to see what I did with it!!



Chili and Kiddies

Since the weekend was going to be so cold and snowy.  Saturday's menu schedule called for Comfort Food. I decided that I would make Chili from "The Pioneer Woman Cookbook."

I made the chili first thing in the morning because we had a busy day ahead of us and I was hoping to play with the kids in the snow.

Ballerina has dance class in the morning and for some reason Speed Racer and I were moving very slowly so Tommy took Ballerina to dance.

Speed Racer and I stayed home got ready for the day, packed up and our snacks and our lunch. (Remember January is a NO eat out month).

Speed Racer and I made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He washed the apples and cut them up. He packed everything up in our lunch bag cooler. It was so nice to have 1 on 1 time with him. He started out being SUPER cranky and whiny. I guess just spending some quiet time at home with one parent did wonders for him.

Once Tommy and Ballerina came home we loaded into the car and headed to Border's. Tommy has some gift cards that was burning a hole in his pocket. We spent some time there and then headed to BJ's to pick up a few things we needed for the house.

The kids had a birthday party so we were at the party for awhile!! It was fun!!

When we came home we went in the backyard to go sleigh riding. For some reason the kids think it's cool to go sleigh riding in the dark. We had so much fun!!! The kids and I took turn go down the little hill. Tommy stood at the bottom of the hill to make sure we didn't crash into any of the trees!!!

Once we were done playing outside we came in and enjoyed the chili that I had made earlier in the day.

Pioneer Woman Cookbook

Ingredients:

2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 tablespoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 pounds ground beef (I USED GROUND TURKEY)
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup masa (corn flour, found in Mexican food section of many supermarkets) (I COULDN'T FIND THIS SO I USED CORN STARCH)
Optional Ingredients:
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (I  DID NOT USE THIS)
1 can diced tomatoes and chilies (I use the Rotel brand)
For Serving:
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped onion
Fritos

Preparation:

Begin by measuring the spices: chopped garlic, oregano, cumin, cayenne, and chili powder.

Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook the meat until brown

Pour in the tomato sauce. Followed by the spices and the salt.

Stir together well, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add in ½ cup water at a time as needed.

After an hour, place the masa in a small bowl. Add ½ cup water and stir together with a fork.

Dump the masa mixture into the chili. (AGAIN I USED CORN STARCH)

Stir together well. Taste, adjust the seasonings, and add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans, jalapeño, and tomatoes if desired. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve with shredded cheddar, chopped onion, and Fritos.

Our Reviews:

Me- I thought this was the best chili I've had in a while.

Tommy- Awesome one of the best chili I've had. (I'm thinking really? what about the chili I made two weeks ago) LOL!!

Speed Racer he ate it and liked it even though it was spicy.

Ballerina enjoyed the chips that we served with the chili. She would not eat the chili.

We enjoyed the leftover today for lunch!! I will be making this again soon!! Next time I will make my guacamole!!!

The kids have a new obsession.

I'll give you a hint he is red and blue.

If you guessed Superman you are so WRONG!!

If you guessed Spiderman then you are so RIGHT!!!

S

Image by My Movie Wallpaper

Ballerina is so obsessed with him. Speed Racer is training to be Spiderman. He is trying to climb up walls and the stair banisters. When they play all they play is Spiderman.

Ballerina has been spelling her name and the name Olivia.

Speed Racer is into not wearing his shirt around the house because he can show off his muscles better!! (Oy Vey)

The kids are too funny!!! Everyday I sit here and laugh at them. Then I get yelled at for laughing at them! Oh well!!!



Dinner Schedule and New Cookbook

I hope that you all had a relaxing weekend and enjoyed all the snow!!

Before the New Year I decided that I would have a set schedule of meals for dinner.

The kids are always so excited for Friday nights because they know that they are having pizza.  I thought that if they knew that on Monday they were having pasta they would be excited and maybe eat their dinner.

Just because it's Monday and it's pasta night that does not mean spaghetti and red sauce oh no!!!! That would be so boring for me!!!!

Our Meal Schedule:

Monday is Pasta night.

Tuesday is Sandwich night.

Wednesday is Burger night.

Thursday is Soup or Salad night.

Friday is Pizza night.

Saturday is Comfort Food night.

Sunday is Rotisserie Chicken night. (This means I go to BJ's and pick up an already cooked chicken and make something.

We've done this for one week and it has gone wonderfully!!! I like this because it helps me plan meals ahead of time. I have our whole January menu planned already. When I see a recipe or someone is asking for something I put it on the calendar.

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I recently got a new cookbook for the holidays from my not so Secret Santa Gav.

I was sooo excited to get this cookbook because I have been wanting it for a few months since I found this lady's blog.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I simply LOVE LOVE her blog!!!!

Ree grew up in a Golf Course Community, went to school in California, and was getting ready to move to Chicago to begin her career. One night she went to a local dive bar and met and fell in love with a real life cowboy.  How cool is that? She blogs about her life as a cowboy's wife.

I love this cookbook!!! I have already made two recipes from the book and all this week I will be cooking from this book!!!

This cookbook rocks in my eyes!!!!

I'll share the recipes I've made from here and give you the reviews from me, hubby, and the kiddies!!!

Crafty Christmas Part 2

Sometime in December I posted  that I felt like the crazy Aunt from "A Christmas Story" who made Ralphie the pink rabbit PJ's. I told you that I would share with you what I made for the sweet little kiddies in our life.

So here is goes....

Last year during the after Christmas sale at Target there was a snowman kit on clearance. The kit was opened and I think some parts were missing. All spring and summer long I thought about this great kit and sometime around Halloween I decided to make the kit for us, our nieces, and cousin.

While making the snowman kit I realized that this is not just a gift for the kids but also for their parents. I am very big on family focused activities so I thought that this would be a great gift for the WHOLE family.

I made the hat and scarf all by myself. The eyes are googly eyes-I didn't realized that they made those eyes that big. Pictured here is an actual carrot but in the kits I made for everyone I made a carrot from felt. The mouth is rocks from the yard. I had the kids paint the rocks. After they painted the rocks I spent two hours recovering my dining room chairs. (Such as life) I added the buttons for some color. I did add a corn cob pipe too, I just need to find mine.

The scarf is made from fleece. A week after I made the scarves Old Navy had their fleece scarves on sale for $1.00. Oh well...I enjoyed making them!!!

I think I need to touch up the mouth!!!

I am so PROUD of the hats I made!! I think for a novice sewer I did a pretty good job.

I packaged the kits in a coffee tin that I painted white and added a snowman face. Of course I forgot to take a picture of that. I will be making one soon for my family!!!

In the package was also a sled, hat and gloves. There was also a little gift for the parents too. (They need to warm up after playing in the snow) I also gave this gift to some other family members.

Hot Chocolate, Wafers, and Homemade Marshmallows.

I have gotten so many compliments about the Hot Chocolate I thought I would share the recipe.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 Cups of Sugar

2 1/4 Cups of Cocoa (I used Hershey's- is there any other chocolate?)

1 Tablespoon of Table Salt

In a large bowl combine all ingredients; Whisk together well.

Funnel into an air tight container - How is that for quick and simple!

For individual hot chocolate servings:

Fill a microwavable mug with one cup of whole milk. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and stir. If needed, microwave at additional 15 second intervals, until desired temperature is reached. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, stir to dissolve, and top with homemade marshmallows.

For a larger batch of hot chocolate:

Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat; taking care not to let the milk boil as it warms. Stir in 2 tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk. Top with homemade marshmallows.

I really enjoyed making holiday gifts. I know that it's nice to get gifts and gift cards but I think it's great to get gifts made with LOVE!!!

If you are interested in any of these kits please let me know I would be more then happy to make you one!!!

I can't wait to use our snowman kit!!



I plan to make more marshmallows this coming week so I will make a tutorial for you and then share the recipe!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!

Image Reuters

I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season.

I had plans on several posts but December was a CRAZY month!!

I decided that this year I would try not to make Resolutions but set goals for myself every month.

My Goals for January:

1. No eating out for the month. (I noticed over the past couple of months we were eating out or ordering in at least once a week-it adds up!!!)

2. Simplify and Organize the house.

3. Get the addition ready for priming and painting.

4. Find free things to do with the kids.

5. Work out 3-4 times a week.

6. Only spend money on what we need!!!!

7. Find more time to play.

Did you make any resolutions?

Here's to Happy New Year!!!