Chili Cheese Dip

 Chili Cheese Dip

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1-2 cups of chili
• 16 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 bag of tortilla chips

Directions

1. Spread cream cheese on the bottom of a microwave-safe dish. Spread a layer of chili over the cream cheese. Finish with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese melts. Serve with tortilla chips.

Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom Renovation

BEFORE:

It went from this-

old, pinkish indoor/outdoor carpet, old vanity, mirror, and funky trim

Why people put carpet in a bathroom is beyond me. 

 Honestly, the vanity and mirror were fine for us, but we wanted an update. Something more modern. PLUS, it's nice to have a vanity with no drawers now (Riley would pull everything out of them anyway, so they were completely pointless to have).

 Check out the hot mustard yellow linoleum that we found underneath the carpet. That's not all though folks, we also found a puke green and powder blue to add to the eclectic mix of flooring.

AFTER:

New floor, new trim, new mirror and vanity

All chrome fixture and lighting

 Clean lines, dark wood, granite counter top

We are still going to pull the towel hangers out of the wall and put up a two small floating shelves to help with storage. But that's for another time....

 

We still have to paint (a soft cocoa color) and add the small details that make a room special, but the major stuff is DONE! We've learned a lot through this process and look forward to our next project.  A big thanks goes out to our friends who helped us out. We couldn't be happier with it!! 

Chocolate Cookies

These cookies are the shit. For real, would I ever lie to you about a cookie? My aunt makes these every-single-time she knows she will see me because she KNOWS how much I (and everyone else) loves them! They never get old.

Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients
4 cups of flour
5 teaspoons of baking powder
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2 cups of Hershey powdered cocoa
2 cups of Crisco
1/2 box of raisins (15 oz)
12 oz chocolate chips
3 cups of walnuts
1 cup of milk

Mix ingredients all together and form little balls
Put on greased cookie sheet
350 degrees for 12 minutes
cookies will come out soft

Frosting for cookies
Mix powdered sugar with milk and add a little vanilla. Pour over top of cookies, let harded and serve.

A typical day....

Just a typical day.....

 ...it's amazing how much they make me smile.....

Panera Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Panera Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
from http://www.cdkitchen.com

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1/2 pound fresh broccoli
1 cup carrots, julienned
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese

PREPARATION:

Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half (this is called making a roux). Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes. 

Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. The soup should be thickened by now. Pour in batches into blender and puree. Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg and serve.

Beef tips and gravy over noodles

Winter keeps hanging on....here is a traditional "comfort food" recipe that is super quick and easy to make. I tried it for the first time this week and was amazed at how fast it came together!

Beef Tips and Gravy over Noodles
(from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (.75 ounce) packet dry brown gravy mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup of mushrooms

Directions

1. In a large skillet heat oil over high heat. Saute the onion until almost translucent.
2. Add the stew meat and cook on high heat until meat is browned on all sides; about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Pour 2 cups water, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Stir in garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
4. Meanwhile combine the gravy mix with 1 cup water. Mix thoroughly and stir into the meat mixture. Bring to a boil stirring frequently until slightly thickened.

Serve with warm biscuits, noodles, or mashed potatoes! So yummy!!

Valentine's Day- Weekend Projects

This may be a totally ambitious post, and I do realize Valentine's Day is only a few days away....but the hubby is working a super long day today (Saturday), it's snowy and cold out, and it gives me an excuse to head out to Target to buy some of these colorful and fun supplies. The girls will LOVE creating these projects. 

I'm thinking of attaching the crayon hearts to the valentine's McKenzie will hand out at school this coming week. How fun would they be instead of traditional candy!? And of course, the chocolate covered pretzels would be for her wonderful teachers that work with her each week. They deserve a reward for doing all that they do with those kids! She has learned so much this year. I can only imagine what she'll be doing and saying by the end of June.  

The other ideas are just cute and fun. Who wouldn't love waking up to cute heart notes all over your door reminding you of how amazing you are!?

 I blame all of this insanity inspiration on Pinterest. Really, I have no self control when I'm on there!

What are you doing to celebrate Valentine's Day with your kids and family?

January Update

My Mom said to me,   "Remember these moments because they won't last forever..." and she couldn't be more right. January flew by. I'm not really sure where it went, or what we did, but I know it went quick.  We seemed to be busy every-single-day.  If it wasn't playing outside, dealing with Diva attitudes, traveling to visit family, wiping snotty noses, or dealing with the plague we were just spending some quality family time together.

 Here are some of the highlights of the month. 

Riley

First ponytail (and PINK bow)

 Sleepy time on Gamma

Hi Mom! I know how to take pictures on your  i-phone!

I'm a pretty good supervisor if I do say so myself (painting)

Ah! I'm the queen of the mountain! 

McKenzie

Snow day Fun!

Yes, I have a hoodie and hat on blowing bubbles outside, because I live in Upstate, NY and it can be 60 degrees one day, and -10 the next with ten feet of snow.

Little Miss Diva (the attitude went with it)

 Daddy-daughter time

 I'm a superhero! Just kidding, it's only me Mommy!

Ballet and Tap Lessons

Beating the winter blues...cook off time!

It's a Cook Off!

In order to break up this long Upstate, NY winter we are hosting a comfort food cook off. (I know this has been the mildest of winters, but still, who doesn't love a cook off?)

There are three categories, chili, chicken riggies, and pulled pork. YUMMY! Although I am pretty sure I will blow everyone else out of the water when it comes to my chicken riggies, it will be nice to see how others make these meals, or how they use them as sides.

Did you know you could make chili stuffed peppers? Or pulled pork fajitas, or chicken riggie pizza? So different, but could be absolutely delicious! SO, I am on a hunt for new creative ways to use these three ingredients in meals (other than the most obvious choices) any ideas?