Cream Cheese Chicken Soup

I have tried making this soup on the stove top and in the crock pot.  The stove top wins.  When I made it in the crock pot it wasn't as thick and creamy.  For my family I have to double this recipe.  Plus, I add extra potatoes to make it more filling.

Cream Cheese Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbs. margarine or butter
3 cups chicken broth
3 medium carrots, cut into small pieces
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups cubed chicken
2 tbs. minced parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 - 8oz. package of cream cheese






Directions:
In a large sauce pot, saute the onion and chicken in the margarine/butter.  Add the broth, carrots, and potatoes.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  Add the parsley, salt, and pepper.  Continue to cook on low.  Combine the flour and milk in a small bowl and add to the soup mixture.  Bring to a boil;  cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Reduce heat.  Add the cream cheese; cook and stir until melted.
Serves 6 to 8 people
Note:
When adding the cream cheese it helps to cut it into small pieces so that it melts evenly and doesn't leave chunks.  I use a butter knife and a glass of warm water to dip the knife into.  The warmth of the knife allows the cheese to be cut easily.  Works great...

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This chili is more like a Mexican White Chicken Chili but it isn't spicy.  I made it for a luncheon for work and it was everyone's favorite...

White Chicken Chili

When you serve this chili you can add shredded cheese to the top and/or sour cream.  Tortilla chips are great to dip in it as well.  This picture doesn't show the cheese melted but that is how everyone ate it.  The picture was actually taken of the chili when it was cold.  There is a slightly different look to it (darker color) when it is hot.
This was awesomely delicious!!!
On a side note...  This recipe can be doubled by using twice as much of everything.  It makes a lot as is but I was trying to feed about twenty people (or more).

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. uncooked chicken breast cut into 1-2 inch pieces
2 - 15 oz. cans of Northern Beans (I used the chili version) drained
1 - 15 oz. can of corn, drained
1 onion chopped ( I used a vidalia)
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 package taco seasoning (or 3 tbs. if you buy it in bulk)
1 -7 oz. can of chopped green chilies
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 - 14oz. can of chicken broth

Directions:
Place the chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.  Add beans, corn, and onion.  Combine the next five ingredients in a bowl and then pour over the top.  Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours  or 4 1/2 to 5 hours on high.
Before serving, stir well to break the chicken apart (it likes to clump when cooking it in a crockpot).
Serves approximately 8 to 10 people.

More Pantry Organization

I know I have already posted pantry organization but I have changed a few things since then.
I am starting a new job next week and my one goal was to paint my pantry door before I started.
I accomplished it!!!
Since my favorite color is red and I already painted the island that color I decided to continue the color to the pantry door.  I love the way it turned out.

This is the outside of the pantry door (obviously).  I wouldn't have thought that by painting it that it would make such a difference.  I was a little nervous because it went from white to such a bold color but I am so happy with the results.

If you look at my previous posts you will see that painting the door made such a huge difference. But a good one...

Now on to the inside of my pantry.  It isn't perfect or pretty or anything like that but it works quite well for my family.  I switched most of my storage containers to large glass mason jars.  I found that the plastic ones that I had pasta etc. in would have a funny smell after a while.  The jars work great.  They are fairly inexpensive too.  I think I only paid around $12.00 for six of them.  I purchased them at Walmart but I have seen them at Target too.  They hold about 8 cups of pasta or what ever you decide to put in them.  I have everything from pasta to coconut flakes in mine.  Near the bottom of my pantry I have two wire baskets that I purchased for about $10 a piece at Walmart.  They work well for holding canned goods.  They don't allow for the cans to be organized very well but they don't fall off the shelves anymore.  Plus, if you need something, you can pull the basket out and go through it on the counter.
Someday I would love to gut it out and build shelves of varying heights.  Only so I won't have to stack the flour / sugar containers.  The easier it is for me to retrieve the better...

Organizational Storage

I have one more storage idea that I am going to share with you.  I get a little excited every time I do something new.

I have had this calendar hanging on my wall for a couple years but I wanted something to put pens, paper, and dry erase markers in.  That's where the rod and buckets come in...
All purchased at Ikea.
1 Rod - $8.99
6 Hooks - $2.99 for a pack of 5 (I had an extra one from a previous storage project that I did.)
3 Utensil Caddies - $3.99 each.

I sort of messed up a little on the placement of my rod.  I didn't take into account that I should have placed the brackets a little further apart but everyone in the house has assured me that it still looks good.  If it weren't for the fact that I would have to patch the holes and repaint the spots that the current holes are at I would definitely change it. 

Kitchen Island Makeover

Several years ago I was given a kitchen island from my sister (which I am very thankful for) because she was remodeling her kitchen and no longer needed it.  I used it for a while as it was and decided that I wanted to update it.  Make it fit my style a little...

Before...
It was such a blessing to me.  I have a small kitchen and storage and workspace is so limited so this was just wonderful for me.  It makes my kitchen a bit crowded but it is so worth it.

Now on to the makeover...

I added a new butcher block top to it and added a little trim that was missing.  I put many coats of deep red paint on it in a high glass finish so that it was easy to clean.









I really wanted to replace the hinges on it too but I was in such a hurry getting in back in my kitchen that I didn't.  I still may though.  For now it is good enough.







When I was all finished I hung two rods and several hooks.  One on each side of the island...
I am currently not hanging anything on the hooks because the baby is at the age where he gets into everything and nothing would stay on them right now anyway.
I purchased the rods from Ikea.  They were $8.99 each and the hooks were $2.99 for a package of 5.  As I am sure you can tell from my previous posts, Ikea is my all time favorite store.

I figured it out...

Sometimes I can really be ditsy. It helps to access your posts by signing in to the correct email address.  Okay, now that I am signed in correctly and I post a few things. lol

I am having difficulties accessing my posts...

I have spent quite a bit of time this morning trying to access my posts.  Actually, I want to share some new stuff but apparently my computer has lost all my information. I'm just not sure what to do about it. So frustrating...

Baby's Room

A while back I shared my bedroom makeover and mentioned that I would be sharing the baby's room when I got it all done.  I finally completed it.  It's a very small room but I took a couple decent pictures to share with you.
I chose the colors grey, yellow, and an aqua/teal.  I painted the walls the same color grey as I have in my bedroom.  Then I purchased some bubble circles off a website that I found from Pinterest (www.tradingphrases.com).  I racked my brain trying to figure out how to make the circles on my own.  I just couldn't do it the way I imagined it to look.  Then I found these.  They are perfect!!!  Just as I imagined the walls to look.  The website allows you to pick the colors you want.  They were kind of pricey but well worth the cost.

I love this wall!  I found these letters at Hobby Lobby for a dollar a piece and couldn't resist buying them.  I painted them the teal color (Bahama Blue by Americana/DecoArt) and hung them with command poster tabs.

I decided to only put the circles on the top half of the room so that they would be a little harder for my little man to peel off.

The other wall (not shown) has a large closet which I put the circle around the opening.  Plus, I hung a cute sign (top sign) above the closet door.

Miscellaneous Landscaping Continued...

Yesterday I ran out of time to share all the pictures that I took of my yard so I am finishing up tonight.  Keep in mind that I am not a professional and most of the areas are a work in progress but I am still very proud of them.  My hope is that by sharing what I have done that someone may find inspiration with at least one little detail.

Hammock

This is my little retreat.  Of course I share it with my family but I call it mine.  I bought this hammock last year for myself for Mother's Day.
I had my husband put the poles in the ground and then I planted some clematis on the ends to grow up the poles but they didn't make it over the winter.
Oh, I just read that July 22nd is National Hammock Day!!!  That got me a little excited.  Now I have a reason to relax on it without feeling guilty.
 
Sign

I love this sign!!!  A local lady made it for me.  I had it propped on a shelf for years and decided to finally get after my husband to put it out.  He found the post to hang it on in the woods before we moved into the house we live in now and had it propped against the garage wall since then.  He finally did it...
With the special amount of encouragement (some would call it nagging) I convinced my husband to prepare the post and put my sign out.  We put it by the kids playhouse.  It didn't really look good with our house but since the kids have a log cabin as a playhouse (built by my husband) it looked awesome.  I will share pictures of the playhouse at some point too.  We still need to chink it and put a small deck on the front.  I plan to wait until those are done before I post pictures.


Volleyball Net / Badminton

This is a simple one to share with you.  Some of my kids are at the age now that they like to play badminton and volleyball.  Since they have friends over a lot we purchased a badminton set and put it up.  It was a cheap one but it was great for a start.  Needless to say, it didn't last long before the poles were broken.  I came up with the perfect solution.  We went to Menards and purchased some 4x4 posts.  Cemented them in the ground and bought some hooks.  Then I hooked carabiners to the net and hooks and it works absolutely perfect.
 
Pergola

Okay, this is the last picture I am going to be sharing with you today.
This is, once again, is new this year.  I purchased it in the winter when the stores first began setting out their summer stuff.  As you can see by the lack of landscaping, it was assembled in early spring before all the hostas etc. began to grow.
My gazebo finally broke this winter.  It lasted a long time (about 8 or 9 years).  So, I took that as my opportunity to get my pergola.  I have wanted one for a long time but just couldn't justify it on account of the fact that I had the gazebo.
Since the picture was taken, I have done a little bit of landscaping.  Not much because I want to put patio blocks under it and do not want to have to tear out all the plants that I would be planting.  For now all I have under it is an old rug and the furniture I had for the gazebo.  Next year will be the year that gets finished.  I try to only allow myself so many projects in one year and that one is one that did not make this year's to do list.

Miscellaneous Landscaping

I was going to do a posting for each area of my yard but thought I would do one post and share multiple areas at once.  My yard is still a work in progress but I have accomplished a lot in the last 6 years.  That is why I share what I do.  Plus inspiration can be found anywhere and I would love to think that I inspired at least one person.  Even if that inspiration was from something simple like a sign or a yard sculpture.

This is the front of the house.  I will be removing a couple of the bushes soon.  I really don't want to but the winters were really rough on them.  They are broken in the center and won't stay together anymore.  I have been tying them together but I think they are finally done for.
With this picture I mainly wanted to show off my fairy.  I bought her around 12 years ago (she comes in every winter) and I still think she is beautiful.  I also have a sign with the house numbers on.  I purchased that through a catalog called "Country Door".  It is very sturdy and I am sure will last for a very long time.

This is my patio off the back of the house.  I love this area.  This wasn't even here when we moved in.  We have since added on to it.  It could still stand to be a little bigger but that might be a project for next year.  I would love to add one of those outdoor brick grills too.  I was looking at "This Old House" magazine and saw one in there that would look great right around where the grill currently is.  Maybe someday...
Some new siding would be great too.  Oh and some rain gutters on the house.  I have all these ideas.  I am surprised my husband hasn't taken my computer, tablet, phone, and magazines away from me.  I think I would still find a way to get ideas. lol

This is new this year.  I purchased this arbor at Menards on clearance.  It was last years model.  I was eying it up last year but didn't want to spend $400.  My plan was to put a porch swing, that I have in our shed, on it but it ended up not fitting.  So I bought this bench.  I will probably end up moving the bench to another area and doing something different here.  I am so undecided.  I planted some morning glories at the base but they are still little.  This is the first time I have attempted growing morning glories so I really hope they grow.  I think I am going to have to let this sit this year and plan over the winter.

Here is my little shed.  Can you believe I got this on clearance too???  lol  No surprise there.  I can't remember what the price was anymore.  It was when I was working at the Home Depot and knew when things were going to be there lowest so I snatched it up.  Works perfect for storing the stuff that we don't want to store in the garage.  Off season stuff, etc...
The hostas that are planted along the side of the shed were all given to me.  The yard art (sculptures) were from the local art fairs.  I bought one last year and another one at the memorial weekend fair.  They had a large variety to choose from but I was trying to keep it simple.

I have so much more to share but I am running out of time for now.  My next posting will have more landscaping.  Nothing spectacular but stuff that might inspire someone.

Red, White, and Blue Decoration

I was thinking really hard on what I wanted to put in these little hanging pots.  I have finally made a decision.
I spent a lot of time scouring Pinterest in search of something that would work for me.  I thought about putting patriotic ornaments in them (I couldn't find any I liked). Then I thought about using colored sand but that would be too messy and I wanted something that I could reuse next year.  So I decided on glass stones and flags.
Patriotic Decor

I used:
1 bag of blue stones
1 bag of white stones
1 bag of red stones
1 package of mini flags

These stones weren't that cheap so I used them sparingly.  Two of the colors were about $3.00 each and the other one was $4.00.  I probably could have gotten them cheaper if I really wanted to look around but I had already looked at the dollar store and at Walmart and wasn't please with their selections.  I purchased them at Hobby Lobby...
I have 2 of these holders so I divided the stones equally between the two and placed two flags in each.  When the breeze comes through the window they twirl and the flags move ever so slightly.  I think I made an excellent choice for my decor.

Bedroom Remodel Chevron Stripes

Sometimes a simple remodel is in order...
A couple months ago I took, what I would call, a big leap and added a wall in my bedroom to create a baby's room.  I have a fairly big bedroom. It's not really wide but it is really long.  I figured when the baby is out of my room I would have a nice walk in closet.  Or a craft room if I choose...
I am just sharing the main wall with you today.  I will share more with you later.  When I finish the baby's room I will share that too.  I am planning on using the colors yellow, grey, and teal in the babies room (kind of to keep with the colors that I went with in my room).  I am not sure in what way but I am thinking I would like to do circles on the walls.  Not sure on curtains or any of that at this point either.

Before

When I decided on the colors for the redo, I pulled them from the comforter that I purchased (shown in picture).  I always felt that grey and yellow were a good color combination.
I removed the wallpaper, cleaned, and primed all of the walls.  I then painted the ceiling white and the walls a grey that was suppose to match the grey in the bedding.  It ended up looking a little more blue than I liked but since I purchased two gallons of the paint I was sticking with it.  I highly recommend that you purchase a few color samples before buying the paint.  I really wish I would have!!!  Oh well, it still looks nice.
 After the wall paint dried for a couple days,  I used painters tape to create the chevron stripes.  I was stressing over it a lot because I was afraid to mess up.  I didn't though and I am so happy with it.

After

This picture was taken right after I finished painting and before I even decided on what I was going to do about lamp shades etc.  I have since made that decision.  I ended up going with white lamp shades and I spray painted some picture frames that I had the same yellow as in the comforter.  Then I hung them on the solid color wall to the left of the bed.  I am still contemplating on whether I should take the ceiling fan down and paint that.  Maybe just the blades...

Dresser Redo

It has been one busy morning already.  I got up, got the kids up for school, made lunches, and got the kids off to school.  As if that wasn't enough, I loaded the dishwasher up the rest of way, ran that, made laundry detergent, got a load of laundry going, and made breakfast.  Now I am going to sit for a few minutes and share one of my latest projects.
I bought this desk last year (around late fall) for $10.00 off of a resale site and have been itching to re-paint it.  At first I was all perfect and started patching holes and scratches, gluing loose draws, and sanding it.  Then, I realized where this desk was going when it is finished so I stopped being perfect.  As soon as summer vacation arrives I am going to do a thorough job of cleaning my son's room and replace the desk he has in there with this one.  I have to wait until then because we have an exchange student that will be leaving us in a few weeks.  No use starting until there is less stuff in the room.
Before

This is what it looked like when I bought it.  Complete with a pencil sharpener.  Which does work...
I would say not bad for ten dollars.  Solid wood and sturdy.











After

You are probably thinking, "Why orange???"
Well, about a year ago (maybe longer) I purchased a super cute table off the same resale site and patched, sanded, and primed it.  Then I went on Facebook and took a vote as to what accent color I should paint it.  Orange won...  Since this desk is going in the same room and I already had the paint, I decided to paint it the same color.
I can't wait to put it in the room.  Right now my son has this cheap computer desk that shakes bad when he clicks on the mouse while playing his online games.  You can hear it through the floor to the living room.  It is so annoying!!!

Landscaping with Old Wheelbarrow

I can't believe a whole month has gone by without me posting anything.  Talk about a busy month...
I have been a bit preoccupied with getting the yard in order and working on so many projects (that I plan to share with you) that I haven't had a lot of down time to post.  That will change within the next few weeks though.
I am including a picture of some of my landscaping.  I have a lot more I plan to share but thought I would include this one just because it is always nice to have at least one picture to look at in a post.  Very few people like to read a post without having a picture.
When we moved into this house about 6 years ago this area was just grass and weeds.  I had this wheel barrow that I found about 20 years ago half buried in the ground and wanted to incorporate it into my landscaping.  It has some holes in it but I put some landscape fabric under the dirt so it would not fall through.  I always plant wave petunias in it because they fill out so nicely and are fairly inexpensive.  Plus I let the kids pick the colors so they are different every year.  I think I may have spent $14 total for the flowers.  The rest of the flowers and hostas were given to me or I transplanted from other areas in the yard.
I freshen up the mulch every year (I prefer the red shredded mulch).  There is a few trees that drop all these tiny leaves which you can see in the picture.  Doesn't make for the best picture but I still think it looks pretty.  Normally we have landscape lights around here but my husband has been working so much he hasn't had time to get them out yet.

Freezer Crockpot Pineapple Chicken Burritos

This is by far the best crock-pot recipe I have made.  And I have made quite a few.  Plus there was enough food to feed my entire family until they were full.  That doesn't happen with the crock-pot meals very often.

Pineapple Chicken Burritos

Ingredients:

3 boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup medium salsa
5-6 large tortilla shells
1 (10 ounce) can green enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked rice








Directions:

•  Placed the chicken, pineapple, beans, and salsa in a gallon size freezer bag.  Zip closed and place in freezer.  When ready to use thaw in the fridge for 24 hours.
• Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.  Remove the chicken and shred.  Mix the chicken back into the crock-pot with the rest of the ingredients.
• Mix in the cooked rice.  I used instant white rice but you can use any type you prefer.
• Fill the tortilla shells.  Place in a 9x13 pan.  Pour 1 can of green enchilada sauce over the burritos.
• Top with 1 cup of shredded cheese and place under the broiler on the middle rack until the cheese is melted.  About 5 minutes...

These can be served with or without the lettuce, tomato, onion, and sour cream.  I added all that and a little taco sauce to mine.

I also doubled my recipe.  That's how I was able to feed so many until they were full.  I figured that if I had too much to feed everyone at dinner, then my husband could take it in his lunch.  All together I made about 12 to 14 burritos.  The other pan I used holds a few more than the one pictured here.

Pigs in a Blanket

This recipe I have had around for 10 years or longer.  My family loves it so much that, when I make them, they never last.  Even when I think I have made enough that they should last, they don't.  This recipe is time consuming so I don't make them very often.

I should also mention that I make the dough in the bread machine.  I am a little too lazy to do it any other way.

Pigs in a Blanket (with Hot Dogs)

Ingredients

For dough:
1 cup water
2 tablespoons margarine
1 egg
3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons active dry yeast

To finish:
2 packages of hot dogs
American sliced cheese
Margarine for topping



Directions:

• Place all dough ingredients in bread machine pan in the order listed.  Press select until you have it on the dough setting.  Press start.
• Grease cookie sheet (I use a Pampered Chef stone so I don't grease mine).  Divide dough into 10 to 12 balls.
• Slice each hot dog long way down the entire length of the hot dog.  Do not cut all the way through.  Slice cheese into strips and place inside the slit of the hot dog.
• Roll the dough balls out flat on a floured surface.  Place one cheese filled hot dog on each rolled out dough.  Wet the edge of the dough with water so that it will stick.  Roll the hot dog up and fold the edges under.  Place on cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and top with margarine.  They taste best if served warm.  If by some chance you do have left overs, they do reheat well.

Freezer Crockpot Honey Bourbon Chicken

Another one of the awesome freezer crock-pot meals...    I get so excited about the food that sometimes I forget to take pictures.  That's why I only have one to share with you today.

Crock-pot Bourbon Chicken

Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken strips
Salt & pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1-2 tablespoons cornstarch
Sesame Seeds (optional)
1/4 cup Bourbon (optional)



Instructions:

• Salt and pepper the chicken.  Place in a gallon-size freezer bag.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, onion, bourbon (if you are using it).  Add to freezer bag and seal.
• When you are ready to use thaw in fridge overnight.  Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on low 3-4 hours.  Remove chicken and slice into strips.
• Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water.  Pour into crock pot and mix.  If the sauce does not thicken, add one more tablespoon cornstarch and water.
• Place chicken back in crock pot and stir around to coat.
• Serve over rice, sprinkle with sesame seeds.

I left out the bourbon when I made this.  Not because I am against alcohol.  I am without a doubt not. lol.  It was because I didn't have it handy.  I didn't want to go buy it for just one recipe.  Though I should have because I plan to make this again and again.  Another thing I did not add was the sesame seeds.  I have those, I just forgot...

Fabric Softener

I saw this on Facebook and thought, "What a great idea!".  I get so sick of buying dryer sheets all winter long (During the summer I use the line to dry my clothes so I use the liquid during that time.)  I would rather spend the little bit of money I save from not buying the sheets all the time on something fun for the kids or something nice for my home.

All you need is:
1 package of sponges
A tight sealing container
Liquid fabric softener (your preference)
Tap water

Cut the sponges in half and place in container.  Pour in 1 cup of fabric softener and 2 cups of water.  Seal tight and give it a little shake to mix it up a little.

When you are ready to dry your clothes take a sponge out and give it a little squeeze to release some of the extra softener and toss in the dryer.  This can be a little messy to use but goes a long way.  I recommend having a towel handy or paper towel to wipe your hands on.

Super simple... 

Freezer Crockpot Savory Pepper Steak

When this says pepper it means red/green pepper not as in salt and pepper.  I thought I would clarify that because I was expecting it to be a little spicy which it is not.
This is a versatile meal.  You can serve it over rice or noodles.  I chose rice this time but next time I am going with noodles, just for something a little different.

Savory Pepper Steak

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds round steak, cut into 1/2 inch strips
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 small onion
4-5 garlic cloves
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 (16 ounce) can Italian style tomatoes
1 tablespoon beef bouilon
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon steak seasoning
1 tablespoon steak sauce




Directions:

Toss steak in salt, pepper, and flour and add to gallon size freezer bag.  In a medium bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients, add to bag.  Close, label bag, and place in freezer.  When ready to use, thaw in fridge overnight.  Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on low for 8 hours.

Freezer Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken

This is a super yummy meal.  Not quite like you would get if you went to a Chinese restaurant but still very good.  I only took one picture of this one and it turned out a little blurry but it gives you an idea of what it looks like...

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients:

3 large chicken breasts, cubed
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 can tomato sauce
6 Truvia packets
1 can diced pineapple








Directions:
Combine all ingredients (except pineapple) in a gallon size freezer bag.  Label the bag with date, name, and how long to cook.  I know I say that in every post but I do it just in case there is someone that didn't see the other meals that I made.  When you are ready to cook it, take it out of the freezer the night before and thaw.
Place the contents of the bag in the crock-pot and cook on low for six hours.  About an hour before it it done add the pineapple.
It is best served over rice but you could use brown rice or white rice.

Now here's my helpful hint for clean up...
Use slow cooker liners.  They make clean up so easy.  When you get to the bottom of the crock-pot just lift the bag out and dump remaining contents in a container or toss in the trash.  There is a little sauce in the bottom of the crock-pot but no scrubbing involved.  A little soap and water and you are done.  I am so glad someone came up with them.  They are awesome!!!

I am Looking For Helpful Hints...

I really could use a few suggestions if anyone has any.  I would like to change up the blog a little but since this is still fairly new to me (I think I started this in October or November last year), I don't know how to.  I am just bored of the way it looks and I want something different...
In the mean time, when I get a few moments, I will just start to play with it.  I figure, what's the worst that can happen?

Crockpot Freezer Salsa Chicken

This is another one of the freezer crock-pot meals that I made a while back.  I am just having a hard time finding time to post this stuff.  I was going to take the time yesterday but since the weather was so nice I decided to clean the oven and steam clean the downstairs carpets.  It was the first time the temperature rose above 60 this season.  I opened a lot of windows and really took advantage of it...

Crock-pot Salsa Chicken

Ingredients:
3 or 4 large chicken breast
1 container of salsa
1 can tomato sauce
2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag.  Label the bag with date, name, and how long to cook.  If you really want, you can also add what you would serve it with.  I haven't done that but since these recipes were new to me, it would have been helpful.
When you are ready to cook it, take it out of the freezer the night before so that it has time to thaw.  Empty the entire bag in the crock-pot and cook on low for 8 hours.  When it is cooked, take the chicken out of the crock-pot and shred.  You don't even have to remove it from the crock-pot but it makes the process easier.  Then put the shredded chicken back in the crock-pot and serve.
Most of my children weren't home at the time I made this so it went a long way.  We were able to get several different meals out of it.  The first meal we served it on tortilla shells with cheese, tomato, lettuce, etc.  The second meal I created a salad and put that on top.  Another option is to serve it on dinner rolls or mini sub buns.  It would make awesome sandwiches.

Mason Jar Bathroom Storage

I REALLY want to remodel my bathroom but since that is not an option for me right now I have to live with what I have.  But I can do some cheap and easy organization.  I was getting a little frustrated the other day and decided I needed to do something to cheer myself up a little.  I have all these ideas pinned on my boards on Pinterest and seem to put a lot of them off.  Mostly I think they will be too time consuming and most of the time they aren't.  I am just a procrastinator.

Here is the project that I made the other day.  The painting took the longest but even that didn't take very long.

Mason Jar Storage

What you need:
5 jam size mason jars
5 hose clamps
(they need to be at least 2 1/2 inches)
1x4 about 18 inches long
Sandpaper, primer, and paint
5 screws to attach the clamps on the 1x4
2 screws to attach the board to the wall

What to do:
Sand, prime, and paint the board.  I didn't paint the back of my board because it is going against the wall but you can if you want.
I measured where I wanted the clamps to go and used self tapping screws to attach the clamps to the board.  I counted over 11 notches on the hose (from the left) as my guide to where I wanted to screw it on.  That way they were all the same.  Once I had the clamps on I screwed the board to the wall.  I placed the screws behind where the jars would be so they couldn't be seen as well.
Once the board was attached to the walls I placed the jars in and tightened the clamps with a flat screw driver.
I used this for tooth brushes but you could use this for Q-tips, cotton balls, or hair accessories.  This could even be used for other rooms in the house (kitchen, laundry room, bedrooms, etc).

This is my before picture.  As you can see, it can get kind of disgusting.

Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

A friend of mine posted this recipe on Facebook because she said it was so good.  I have to agree.  I loved it!!!  It was so easy to make too.

Crock-pot Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 small onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup chicken broth, approximately
3 cans of cream of chicken soup
2 bags of frozen mixed vegetables
A few pats of butter - optional
2 rolls of Pillsbury biscuits (more depending on how many you want to feed)






Directions:
Layer in crock-pot.  Cook on low for about 4-5 hours. When chicken is fully cooked, remove from crock-pot and shred.  Return to crock-pot.
The recipe calls for cutting biscuits into pieces and placing them on top for the last hour.  My friend recommended that I bake the biscuits separately because she tried it that way and didn't like it.  I may try it in the crock-pot next time just to see if I like it.  Once the biscuits are cooked (if baking separately), break in half and scoop the mixture over the top.
This one is a keeper too.  There are very few recipes that I have tried that I didn't want to make again.

This picture is of the food in the crock-pot (obviously).  I wanted to show you what it looks like all cooked but I wasn't thinking and forgot to take a picture until it was half gone.  I was so excited about eating that taking a picture was the last thing on my mind. lol
Now I will tell you how I changed the recipe a little.  I used canned veggies because I wanted to use them up before I got into the frozen ones.  I like frozen veggies better but my mom passed the canned ones on to me because she was cleaning out her pantry.  I waited until everything cooked about 3 hours before I added the canned veggies.  I didn't want them to get all mushy from over cooking.
The only other thing I did differently was that I used 2 cans of cream of chicken soup and 1 can of cream of celery.  I normally wouldn't substitute them but I was, once again, trying to use what I had in the house.
The rest of the recipe is the same.
I had a picture of the biscuits too but since those were already half gone I didn't think you really wanted to see them.  I'm sure you know what they look like anyway.

Freezer Crockpot Pork Carnitas

Okay, here is the second post the I promised for today.  It was so tasty!!!  The only thing I think was missing was a little guacamole.   My own personal preference...

Crock-pot Pork Carnitas

Ingredients:
2 pounds pork tenderloin roast
1 medium onion, diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1 (10 ounce) can Ro-Tel
Tortillas
Toppings - cheese, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, etc...

I only made the 2 pounds but I really should have made more.  It was that good...


Instructions:
Place the roast and onion in gallon-sized freezer bag.  Sprinkle in cumin, then add salsa & Ro-tel.  Zip closed and place in freezer.  When ready to use, thaw in fridge for 24 hours.  Empty contents into crock-pot and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours.
Once cooked, remove roast from crock-pot and shred.
Drain juice out of crock-pot, reserving some in a small bowl.  Leave onions and tomatoes in crock-pot.  Add meat back in the crock-pot and stir.  Add some more of the reserved juice back in.  Or in my case, I just left a little in the crock-pot.
Serve on tortillas with desired toppings.

Crockpot Chicken Marsala

Since my life is so busy I don't find time to blog every day.  So... I am going to try to play catch up today.  I have two meals that I will be sharing with you.  I only took one picture of this one but the next one I have several pictures to share.

Crock-pot Chicken Marsala

It is very important to get sweet Marsala wine for this recipe not the dry Marsala.  I made the mistake and bought the wrong one and I just didn't care for it as much as I would with the sweet kind.  It was still good, just not as good.  This recipe came from www.bettycrocker.com in case anyone wants to look up the nutritional information.

Prep time:  10 minutes
Total time:  5 1/2 hours approximately
Serves:  8

Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cans of sliced mushrooms, drained (6 to 8 ounce each)
1 cup sweet Marsala wine
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions:
Spray  a 4-5 quart crock-pot with cooking spray or use slow cooker liners (I always use these.  They make clean up so easy).  Place garlic and oil in the crock-pot.  Sprinkle chicken with the salt and pepper.  Place the chicken in the crock-pot over the garlic.  Place the mushrooms over the chicken; pour wine over the top.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Remove the chicken from the crock-pot; place on a plate and keep warm.  In a small bowl, mix the water and the cornstarch until smooth.  Stir it into the liquid in the crock-pot.  Increase the heat to high, cover, and cook about 10 more minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened.
Return chicken to the crock-pot.  Cover; cook on high for an additional 5 minutes to warm the chicken back up.
I served this over bow tie noodles (farfalle) but you could also serve it over rice.  When serving, spoon the mushroom mixture over the chicken.  Sprinkle with parsley.

Oreo Truffles on a Stick

Normally when I make these Oreo Truffles (or as my children call them, Oreo Balls), I don't use a stick.  I bought the sticks on clearance so I already had them in the house.  I have to admit that they make handling the truffles so much easier.

Oreo Truffles

These are super simple to make and only have 3 ingredients.

1 package of regular Oreo cookies
(store brand works just as well)
1 - 8oz. package of cream cheese
1/2 package (about 6 squares) of vanilla almond bark

Place the cookies in a plastic Ziploc type bag and break into little pieces.  In a mixer combine the broken cookies with the cream cheese.  When you are done there shouldn't be any visible cream cheese.  Set aside.







 In a small sauce pan, melt almond bark (chocolate) on stove over low heat.  It is very important that you keep the heat on low or the bark will not melt properly.  This does take a long time so feel free to do something else while it melts.  Just remember to stir it occasionally.  When the bark is completely melted, take a spoonful of cookie mixture and roll into a ball.  If you are using a stick, insert the stick.   Since I used the stick I took a spoonful of white chocolate and drizzled it over the truffle, continuing until the entire truffle was covered.

Carefully transfer to a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.  Let cool...
Store in refrigerator.
It's that easy!!!