Spring Has Sprung!

With Easter quickly approaching, I've got crafting and activities on the brain. There are countless goodies, crafts and activities you can do with your kids to celebrate spring and Jesus' resurrection. Like what? You ask...well, here are my favorites for ringing in springtime!

First thing's first...my favorite thing to do when a holiday is approaching is to display an appropriately themed wreath on my front door. Since my Valentine's day heart-covered wreath is still hanging, I'd say it's time to switch it up. Here are a few I spotted in Pinterest and that are easy to whip up:

                         
So...may I state the obvious?? These are all adorable choices and are ridiculously easy to make! Sure, you can buy a pre-made wreath but you will not only save money with a DIY version, it's also a fun way to include your kids and create something you can proudly hang, even personalizing if you'd like! The first and second are foam based wreaths wrapped in fabric and decorated with fabric and button flowers. The third is a grapevine wreath covered in silk flowers and tied in a bow. So easy, it's silly!!

Next up...crafts! There are so many fun crafts you can make with and for your kids to hand out to friends at school or include in Easter baskets. I always think simple is best and for little ones, as choosing something too complicated can be overwhelming so here are a few kid-friendly crafting ideas:

    
A Peep topiary livens a dark space. You can use a can, jar or clay pot for the base. Fill it with newspaper then the top with moss or Easter basket grass and use a wooden dowel and circle template to place the Peeps. The second is a construction paper bunny fashioned with a stapler, like an envelope then filled with candy. The last one uses fabric swatches tied with ribbon to house candy and small toys. Be creative!

Of course, I saved the best for last...goodies!!! No holiday (or party, or meeting...) is complete without the snacks!! Here are a few I intend to try:

          
These look amazing and let's not forget...easy! The first is a bird's nest made with Chinese noodles coated in melted chocolate and decorate with speckled chocolate eggs (my absolute FAVORITE Easter candy!) The second is an egg-shaped cake pop which requires a little time and patience but is worth the outcome. Simply prepare a boxed cake mix according to the package directions, let cool then crumble and mix with a can of frosting. Shape into eggs and refrigerate until firm. Pop a stick in each one and dunk in melted chocolate and decorate. The last is an Easter cupcake (whatever recipe you like best) covered in icing, toasted coconut and a chocolate bunny. Yummy!!
I hope I gave you some ideas that you'll have fun with this year. Happy Easter!
What are your favorites???

Chicken Pot Pie

The other night, as my hubby and I were enjoying some couch-potato time, we happened upon a KFC commercial featuring a chicken pot pie. As we watched (and drooled...) I said..."Let's go to KFC this week! I need that!!!" Oooops. What I meant was "I'm going to make that this week!!" And I did. It's no surprise that these days, with little ones, I'm short on time, patience and creativity. It took this commercial to give me a little motivation. After perusing my favorite mealtime site, Pinterest, I decided the easiest way to tackle this dish would be a semi-homemade version. (as if there's any other way, come on!) So I headed to my favorite shopping paradise, Target, and loaded up on ingredients. I decided I would use chicken, peas, carrots, corn and potatoes. Other great add-ins would be onions, green beans or squash. This is a great way to use up leftovers and/or to sneak veggies in for otherwise picky eaters...not that I know anything about this...
I also bought a two-pack of Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts, which you could do homemade instead but please, someone tell me the point in that!! (By the way, I found that the double-crust was a little rich...you could totally just do one on top...) What's going to bind this together is a can of cream of chicken soup. Yes, there are healthier ways to do it such as a homemade gravy or sauce and if that's in your agenda, more power to you! I'm sticking with the can. So here it is...no reason to hit the drive-thru tonight!

Chicken Pot Pie
1 pkg. refrigerated pie crusts- comes with two
1 pound cooked, chopped chicken breasts
1 cup each peeled and cooked potatoes, carrots, corn and peas
1 can cream of chicken soup

Cook chicken, carrots and potatoes. I used frozen corn and peas and tossed everything in a bowl, coating with the soup. Pour into a pie pan with one crust on bottom and one on top, pinching edges closed and cutting top to vent. Bake at 400 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until evenly browned. Remember, everything is cooked inside so were just baking the crust and heating through. So easy and quick!!! As usual, I suggest doubling and freezing a pie for later or even just freezing the filling...makes it a breeze next time. This bad boy is so hearty you won't even need a side. Enjoy!!

                                                     The filling....very freezer friendly!!

                                                                  Ready to bake!!!

                                                                  Mmmmmm......

Easy Peas-y

Here's a super simple recipe that is tasty and fast. It's a great dish because it yields so much, lending to a great freeze-half-for-later situation and also because it's yummy and very kid friendly, an absolute MUST in my home!!!

Easy Peas-y Casserole:
16 oz. egg noodles, cooked
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or cubed
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (save a little for sprinkling over top..)
2 cups peas (can be canned or frozen..)

Mix all ingredients in large bowl then transfer to 9X13 baking pan or two 8X8 baking pans (if you plan to save half), sprinkling top with cheese. Bake in a 400 degree oven until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through, about twenty minutes. Enjoy!

Do Blondes Have More Fun???

I don't know the answer to that but I can tell you that blondies are just as delicious as the original brownie. And they may be more fun because they are loaded with mini m&ms. Now, I will admit that I am partial to brownies and not just because I happen to be a brunette but because I'm obsessed with chocolate and will take it in any form. Rich, fudgy brownies are tough to compete with but these blondies will hit the spot if you're looking for a little something sweet, but not too heavy.

Blondies:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup mini m&ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and mix all ingredients. Coat 8X8 baking pan with cooking spray and press dough into pan. Bake 20-30 minutes or until just set. Cut into squares and enjoy!!!

A Food Journey

I am on a food journey, one that has twists and turns, ups and downs and everything in-between. From making a weekly menu and grocery planning to days of aimless shopping and drive-thru dinners, I'm trying, one day at a time, to get back on track. For good. I'm sick of the grocery trips spent trying to entertain two high-energy kids. Sick of trying to come up with something different and sick, sick, sick of the monotony of standing in the kitchen and chopping. And browning. And baking. But once again, I'm going to try and get out of this rut. My family deserves to eat healthy, delicious meals and frankly, I deserve a little time to make that happen! So here's my menu for the next few days and yes, it involves a lot of chicken. My next round, I'll try and be a bit more inventive!

Sunday: Baked Chicken Flautas\Mexican Rice
Monday: Creamy Chicken and Penne with Garlic Bread
Tuesday: Crispy Chicken\Green Beans and Rice
Wednesday: Dinner out
Thursday: Chopped Chicken Salad with Bread
Friday: Sandwiches/Fruit
Dessert: Homemade Blondies (Recipe to follow in another post...)
What are you making this week??

Valentine's Day: A Love Story

Once upon a time, there was a couple who doted on one another, went on adventurous dates every weekend and looked forward to Valentine's Day. My memory is a little fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure they bought each other gifts and treats, and there were usually flowers involved. Fast forward ten years and picture this: dishes in the sink, laundry piled up and sticky handed children waiting to be loved on, dressed and fed. All memories of Valentine's Days past have all but vanished. They've been replaced with days making all things heart-shaped, creating homemade valentines, and coming up with ways to surprise the kids in the morning with a little something from cupid. Yes, our holiday has taken a sharp turn, veering toward a no-man's land of all things children, but you know something?? I wouldn't have it any other way!

Diamonds? Flowers? Lingerie? I'll take a pass and instead happily decorate our home with the red and pink artwork fashioned by little dimpled hands, make heart-shaped pancakes, cookies and sandwiches and then when the kids are in bed, enjoy a little treat and maybe even a movie in bed with my honey. Kids change things and take our lives in a new direction where there's just no looking back. Ever. No more sleeping in, popping out for a late-night movie or having a spontaneous weekend trip just because. Yes, our lives are teetering on the verge of insanity but having my own family has created a richness in my life that words cannot define. Only mommies understand. They have that same frazzled, yet blissful look in their eyes. So whatever you do to celebrate this year, just remember, there's no comparing to years gone by, only moving ahead and enjoying what's right before us. So hit the dollar store, stock up on goodies and let the kiddos at it! Happy Valentine's Day!

What do you do to celebrate??

                                                                  Treats for my kiddos! 

Better Than Crack (Yes, Crack!) Brownies

I recently had the privilege at MOPS to learn from and be inspired by a food blogger. She made us a few dishes to try but the best part for me?? Dessert. She made us brownies, which really, doesn't do them justice. They were chewy, chocolaty, crunchy and peanut buttery squares of deliciousness. Now, I cannot personally attest to whether or not they are actually better than crack but my guess? They probably are! With a simple boxed brownie mix or a recipe of your own, you can easily create them in just thirty minutes or so. You can also adapt these and play with them, adding your own ingredients or whatever you have on hand. Here's the recipe, see for yourself:


1 box brownie mix plus ingredients
OR
Make your favorite brownie mix, like mine:
3/4 cup of flour
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 oz chopped chocolate, melted (whatever you prefer..I used semi-sweet chocolate chips...)
Topping:
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips (choose your favorite, I used the semi-sweet again..)
1 cup crispy rice cereal
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and mix brownie ingredients, pouring into a greased 8X8X2 inch pan. Bake until just done in the center, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips over low heat until melted. Remove from heat and stir in one cup crispy rice cereal. Pour mixture over top of the brownies and refrigerate until cooled (if you can wait that long...) Cut into squares and enjoy!!!
                                                     
Adapted from http://adventuresinthekitchen.com/2011/03/decadent-dark-chocolate-peanut-butter-crunch-brownies/