Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Weekend Update

 The weather was perfect all weekend which made it extra special.  The problem is that it makes us all a little too eager for spring when it's only the end of February. 

On Friday night, our family went to serve food at the Haven of Mercy.  Then we went out to eat at Applebee's.  If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that Applebee's was dead to me back in the day.  I like it a little better now, so I tolerate it!  However, I think the prices go up every time we go, so I'm keeping my eye on you Applebee's. 

 Saturday, I got to visit with a friend for a little while. Then we took the kids to play outside. 
 Sunday, we went to church and lunch with family then played and rested.

I woke up Monday feeling like an elephant jumped up and down on my head all night.  I've been having headaches and allergy problems off and on, but good grief it got bad!  I went to school but had to leave early for a trip to the doctor.  Three days later, I'm still not feeling great! Ugh!

 My friend found Claire a Reese's shirt to match the one Parker wears every chance he gets!

We joke all the time about Parker and his Reese's shirt.  He just flat out loves it and would wear it every day if I would let him.  Even when it's dirty.  And stinky.  

They look cute in their matching shirts! 
(I rarely get to match them like I did all the time when they were little.  I'll take what I can get!)

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Chicken Alfredo Ravioi Bake





Pinterest came through again!
This recipe was really yummy, but it was R.I.C.H.! A little of this ravioli goes a long way.





Chicken Alfredo Ravioli Bake

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken diced

1 pound frozen cheese ravioli
3 packets alfredo sauce mix made according to directions (or 3 cups homemade or jarred)
1 cup mozzarella
garlic salt
pepper

Instructions

Brown off the diced chicken in a skillet, sprinkle with pepper and garlic salt.

Saute till cooked all the way through. Set aside.
Boil ravioli and drain.
Mix ravioli, chicken, sauce and mozzarella.
Place in 9x13 baking dish.
Bake at 350 till top is slightly browned (about 15 minutes).
Serve with salad or garlic bread.


I used two jars of alfredo sauce instead of the mix.  I also added some extra herbs for flavor and color.  It was really easy and delicious (and fattening, but let's not talk about that part).

Original Link: Life With the Crust Cut Off



Friday, February 21, 2014

Boy Scout Awards

Parker has been super busy with Boy Scouts lately.  He recently made his pinewood derby car and participated in the race.  He won first place in his den!



Last Saturday, we went to the Blue and Gold Banquet where Parker got to "cross over" officially into Boy Scouts.  He has completed all of the requirements for Cub Scouts, so he is now a Boy Scout.  We are very proud of him!





He received his arrow of light award. The arrow is the last award for Cub Scouts before crossing over to Boy Scouts.  It's a pretty big deal in the Boy Scout world.  He has looked forward to the arrow of light for years.  (I think mostly because he thought it was a sharp weapon!)

Way to go Parker!


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Valentine's Day

We had a fun Valentine's Day.  Since we were out of school for snow, we decided to go out to lunch and beat the crowds.  

My little Valentines

(Miley Cyrus pose ~ silly kids)
Don't judge me.  It wasn't all mine! Ha!
  Parker and Claire made each other Valentine cards.

We enjoyed just getting to be together for the day!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Cheesy Sausage Quiche



Years ago, my friends at church put together a little cookbook.  It has been used and loved well!


I have made lots of the recipes in this book many times, and this poor little book is really showing it!

One of my favorite recipes to make from this treasured book is Cheesy Sausage Quiche.
(Sidenote: See that lasagna recipe below the quiche? Oh honey, it's good.  The very best.)

Brian and I both love it, but the kids really just won't get on board.  Parker tolerates it, but Claire acts like I am asking her to eat live aardvark every time I serve it.  I just don't understand why they don't like it because they both love omelets, and it's very similar.  

Salad is usually the best side dish for this, but last time I made it I served salad AND carrots.  CARROTS?!?! How could I make them eat quiche and carrots in the same meal? I'm just horrible. Horrible. 

If you want the recipe, you can probably click on the picture and make it bigger, or just let me know.  I always use regular breakfast sausage instead of sausage links.  Sometimes I leave out the green pepper to try to make the little picky people happier.  I always add more cheese.  Because more cheese is always good.  Amen.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

More Snow!!!

Last Wednesday, we got out early from school because more snow was in the forecast.  Sure enough, it started snowing in the afternoon.  We loved watching it come down and wondered just how much we would get.


 Then we woke up to this! We ended up with at least 7 inches! I'm pretty sure this is the biggest snow our kids have ever seen. 
 We made chocolate chip muffins in honor of our snow day. 
 Then we all had a lot of fun playing in the snow.


 Snowball fights!
 I had fun taking pictures of our house in the snow.  The snow is most exciting for me when nobody has walked on it yet.  I know that's probably a little weird (because I am definitely weird), but I've always been that way since I was a little girl.  I loved to play in the snow, but I hated to mess it up!  

This time we had so much that none of the grass showed through.  I always tell Brian that it isn't a REAL snow unless you can't see any grass AT ALL! 
 I used the Waterlogue app to turn our house picture into a watercolor.  Wonder how it would look if I printed it?!
 So what's a person to do when your sled breaks, and it's the biggest snow of the year? Use plastic bags of course! You might be a redneck if....your kids use garbage bags as a sled!
 Max loved the snow too.  Mostly he just enjoyed being outside playing with us.  It was so deep that it came up to the top of his legs.  When he finally came inside, I had to use a hair dryer to get all the frozen snowballs off of his fur.  They were everywhere!!!
 Snow angels!
 We also made snow cream. There was certainly no shortage of snow!

 One last picture...my little watercolor Max. 
The snow was nice while it lasted, but I'm ready for spring.  Bring on the warmer weather!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Our Valentine Star

Claire has been SO EXCITED for weeks about her school program.  She has listened to the music cd over and over.  She has practiced her lines AND everybody else's lines over and over.  She has rehearsed the choreography over and over.  She has prayed there would be no snow day, delay, or early dismissal on program day. Over and over. Bless her heart, she was so excited.

Then yesterday, on the eleventh day of February two thousand fourteen, the year of our Lord, program day finally arrived.  She eagerly got dressed, big Valentine bow and all.  She was more than ready!
 
I was especially blessed because I got to see the school performance during the day and the evening performance.  I am thrilled to announce that Miss Claire Murray is a true natural.  She delivered her lines perfectly.  She stood tall and sang every word.  Of course, she was the most beautiful actress on the stage, said her unbiased mother.  
 
It turns out practicing everybody else's lines came in handy because she got to say extra lines for someone who wasn't able to be there in the evening performance.  



  Grandma came to watch her perform.
Way to go Claire! We are so proud of you!!!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Suasage Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce



Lately, I've been trying to choose one new recipe a week.  My Pinterest addiction aids my search for yummy new things to try.  I've also pulled out some older recipes that I haven't made in a while too. 

A couple of weeks ago, I made a Sausage Tortellini recipe.  

*Disclaimer~ I always modify ingredients to fit our tastes.  Also, I am NOT in any way a food photographer as evidenced by these pictures.  I just snapped a few with my phone to give you an idea.
 
 
Check out that fancy salad bowl.  Only the best around here folks.



Sausage Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce (my adapted recipe)

1 pound breakfast sausage
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 bag frozen cheese tortellini, prepared.
Salt & pepper (a pinch or two)
Garlic (to taste)

In a large skillet, cook sausage until browned.  Add all ingredients except tortellini. Mix together and simmer for about 10 minutes.  Stir in tortellini.  Serve!

Obviously, this is super easy.  The original recipe called for sausage links, and I substituted the breakfast sausage.  It also called for tomato sauce, but I just added in a can of spaghetti sauce.  I also added a little crushed red pepper.  We all liked it!


Original Link: Sausage Tortellini

Monday, February 10, 2014

Luke Bryan Concert

I was really excited to get to go to a Luke Bryan concert in Knoxville.  I've seen him in concert before, but a little extra Luke Bryan never hurt anyone!

Wendy, Me, Megan, Emilee
Lee Brice opened for him.  I really enjoyed hearing him too.
 Then Mr. Luke himself came up on a truck.  

The rest is history!



 
We had so much fun!!!