Top Ten Tuesday--Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
She's 3!
Top Ten Tuesday--Things I will do different next year.
This year has been crazy! A new baby, my daughter turned 3, two more nieces were born, stuck at the same job, deaths in the family to cancer...I could go on and on. I have been thinking a lot and these are the top ten things I will be doing differently next year. They are "resolutions" but just a mind set change for myself!
1. Positivity--so many times at church I have heard this preached, to be positive, God is looking out for you, etc etc etc. Right now we are in a message series and its amazing. I need to stay positive, and hopeful!
2. Excercise DAILY--I walk about 3 days a week now, but I want to run daily. I do 5K's about every other month, but I want to be in shape, running to be my hobby, and have something to show for it!
3. SAVE MONEY--Derek and I of course have a savings account, but I want to save for special things, family vacations, random big shopping sprees, or whatever we need at the time, and will not have to worry about it.
4. Dates with D--we do go out now, very rarely, but I want there to me more us time. Of course, having 2 kids doesnt allow for lots of alone time, and then I always feel guilty asking the parents or inlaws to watch them so we can go somewhere, but I know that time is needed between a husband and wife.
5. Special Kid Time--of course I got this idea from Jon and Kate Plus 8, (which may not be a great idea now) but they took thier kids on special trips. Derek took Ashlynn to see the Wiggles a couple of weeks ago, just the 2 of them, and she talks about it all the time! "Daddy took me mommy." She will remember that forever, and I want to create more memrories like that for her, and Braxton, when he is old enough!
6. Role Model-- I admit that I struggle at work, being professional all the time, and I do not enjoy what I do anymore, so it gets tough! Until God reveals another plan for my life, I want to be the role model that I need to be at the office.
7. More Involved at Church--I think that I need to begin volunteering at church. I am nto sure where yet, but I think that it is time.
8. Coupon-ing--is that a word?? I am beginning to learn how to do it, and its addicting! I want to learn more, and get really good at it!
9. Reconnect with friends--most of my close girlfriends are out of state, or a few hours away. I need that good support from girlfriends, who are close by. Maybe find a new group of friends?
10. Family Time--Derek works Monday-Thursday at night, so he is not home when me and the kids get there, so they really only see him Friday-Sunday, and some mornings. We take advantage of the weekends and spend them together, but I want to make the most of them...do new things...make lasting memories.
Top Ten Tuesday--Easy Recipes!
So most of these are not mine, but ones that I love! I thought I would share them, so us busy moms, single people, and even dads (haha) can make some easy dinners! Most are great for the fall wather too!
1. GG's Chicken--this is my grandmothers recipe, but O so yummy!
13x9 glass dish, sprayed
5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
melted butter over the chicken
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup on that
Sprinkle with crushed up cornflakes
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes!
2. Breakfast Casserole
1 pound of sausage
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup Bisquik
Shredded Cheese
2 eggs
Brown sausage, and put in dish
sprinkle cheese over sausage
combine milk, eggs, and bisquik in bowl, and pour over cheese
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes
3. Chili
Depending on how much you want to make, this is for 2 people
1 pound of ground chuck (turkey, beef, whatever you choose)
2 cans of mild chili beans
chili powder
red pepper
hot sauce (depending on how hot you want it)
Brown the meat, and combine with all in a crock pot for a couple hours, serve with cheese op top and crackers!
4. Chili Dog Nachos (OH MY)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chili-dog-nachos-recipe/index.html
5. Lasagna (my mother in law's recipe)
Ground Chuck
Ragu Sauce
Ricotta Cheese (add an egg to it for an easier spread)
Mozzerella Cheese
Lasagna Noodles
Combine meat with sauce, and place bottom layer in dish
top with noodles, uncooked
top with ricotta cheese, then sauce, then mozzerella, then noodles
repeat as necessary, depending on how big you want the dish
cover with foil
Bake at 375 degrees for an hour and a half (but check it at an hour)
6. Baked, stuffed pork chops (stolen from Rachel Ray), could also do with chicken!
8 thin cut pork chops
bread crumbs
3 eggs
flour
mozzerella slices
bring oil to hot in frying pan
take one chop, put cheese on top, and top with another chop
place in flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs
fry on one side for 3 minutes, then flip and fry on the other for 3 more
serve with rice and broccoli!
7. Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp spicy brown mustard
2 lbs of smoked, fully cooked kielbasa, cut into one inch pieces
combine sugar and mustard in crock pot, add kielbasa and coat to cover
cover with top and cook for 3 hours, until thoroughly heated
serves 12!
8. Crockpot Easy Beef Stew
4 medium red potatoes
1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat
1/3 cup flour
salt and pepper
14 oz can diced tomatoes undrained
2 cups water
3 cups brozen stir fry bell peppers and onions (or whatever else you want)
cut potatoes into quarters
mix flour salt and pepper and toss with beef to coat
add tomatoes and water, stir
cover crockpot for 7-8 hours
add veggies and cook for 30 more minutes
9. Brownie Pie (couldnt resist a dessert)
9" pie crust
1 cup choc. chips
15 oz pkg brownie mix
1/3 cup water
1 egg
1 oz square semisweet choc. melted
sprinkle chips over pie pan
beat together brownie mix, egg, water and melted choc in bowl, pour over pie crust
Bake at 375 for 40 minutes, allow an hour to cool
10. PB&J
Bread
PB
J
Im done typing!
ENJOY!!!
Top Ten Tuesday--Fall!
Fall is my favorite season! Here are the top ten things I look forward to.
1. Watching Ashlynn pick out a pumpkin.
2. A festival every Saturday in October.
3. The weather. When 60 is the high, it is HEAVEN!
4. Kettle corn! It's for sale everywhere you go!
5. Clothing--I LOVE wearing jeans, and long sleeve shirts. (Can you tell I hate the summer?!)
6. Leaves on the ground
7. New TV starts!
8. Windows open in the house.
9. COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Go Dawgs!
10. Lots of holidays to look forward to!
DORA Live
Then we went and got her a kids pack popcorn. She was so excited!
We were not allowed to take pictures of the stage, but I got one anyway.















