Milestone Celebration

WOW! I hit 1,000 views! How the heck did that happen?! For funsies I'm going to dedicate a blog to a reader and whatever they want. I'll say a few things about you, how we know each other, maybe (probably) a few pictures, and some other fun stuff! So leave me a comment on here or on Facebook and let me know if you want to be included in the drawing to have your very own blog post!

Thanks for reading the random crap I write! It makes it all worth it and way more fun!

Broccoli and Chicken Baked Potato

Today I made a healthier spin on a baked potato. Since I normally cover mine in butter, cheese, and sour cream almost anything is healthier. I stole this idea from a Denny's advertisement. It was very good! I sliced and cooked the potatoes in my frying pan, but dry, and I cooked the chicken in there, too. I steamed the broccoli in the microwave. After everything was cooked i just piled it up like a normal baked potato. It was better than I thought and freakishly filling! Enjoy! 

Peep-corn

What's Easter without Peeps?!? Seriously, there's no such thing! At least when it comes to the treats. Here's a creative way to enjoy your Easter Peeps: in popcorn!

Pop your popcorn brown paper bag style! Be sure to pick out all the leftover kernels so you don't kill yourself later. I slowly poured the popcorn from the bag into different bowls. 

Put your Peeps in a pot. They will look really sad, but do not give in to their cute faces! Just add some butter and stir a lot so it doesn't burn. Once their faces melt you won't feel sad for them anymore. Pour on the popcorn, mix, and dump on parchment paper. 

I took the time to make the mess 3 times to get all the different colors, but this was very time consuming so unless it's for a party, don't waste the energy. But it looks impressive and fun! And if you start with yellow and go darker you might not have to do dishes (there's a little blue in my pink mix). 

Once you let it cool a bit go through and brake them all apart into smaller pieces; it will be like mini popcorn balls. Then you can dump them all in a bowl and enjoy! We ate all of this in one sitting... 

Harry Potter

A while back a posted a blog asking what my readers wanted to see. That was a whole month ago and I'm still trying to go through all the ideas! I still have a few more coming. Feel free to add any comments to that blog about what you want to read.

My friend Jes has a blog IDK MY BFF Jes that's super fun. She requested anything Harry Potter. This was hard for a reason: I couldn't narrow it down! ANYTHING Harry Potter!? What do I do? Pick a favorite character? A favorite part? Talk about how addicted I got to the Lego Harry Potter game? Show off my many shirts that are reverences? Why I both love and hate the movies?

I decided that instead of getting specific I would keep this first one general. Why do I love Harry Potter? Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets came out while I was in High School. Does that make me old? I was waiting to be picked up by a friend and to kill time I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the first time. I was never a big reader before, only books that were school assignments before this point.

Here's what happened: I fell in love with books! I fell in love with reading! I read through as many books as I could and in between releases I read anything. Sadly in those days I was dumb enough to get books from libraries so all of my favorite books from those days I don't own. A few big ones that stand out are the Vampire Chronicles and Mists of Avalon, I'm sure there's more but like I said: I got them from libraries.

Harry Potter gave me something no other book could do: it gave me a love of reading that has followed me through my entire life. That love of reading has turned into a love of writing that has turned into my college degree choice that is shaping my future. I can pin-point all of those choices back to picking up that book and reading it on a couch on my front porch waiting for a movie showtime.

And more than that the story of Harry Potter is amazing! No one can argue that. If you think you can I am willing to bet you've only seen the movies and never read the books.

Here you go, Jes and all other readers, why do I love Harry Potter? Because it changed my life!

Frito Pie

I feel a little weird writing a blog on how to make Frito Pie. I've had this my whole childhood! When I made it for Matt he had never had one before so today when I made it for dinner I decided to make a blog to share the news of the Frito Pie. Frito Pies are a Southern thing and something you can find at almost any rodeo or fair. In fact, I have a vivid memory of getting a Frito Pie at a rodeo as a kid that was served in the Fritos bag, cut open on the side, with chili dumped right in the bag. It was fantastic!

Pretty much you make some chili, any kind you want and pour it on Fritos. I like putting my cheese on the chips first so it gets all melty and sticks to the chips better. 

I love Frito Pies cause they're easy, fast, and cheap. You can eat with a fork or get really messy and eat with your fingers; which is my favorite. I loved it as a kid and I love it now so I feel comfortable saying anyone would like it. Matt and I have also had Extreme Frito Pie where we make it the base of nachos and add lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and other fun things. This would also make it go further and obviously make it more healthy as well. Enjoy! 

St. Patty's Day - Fun With Food Coloring

It's hard to make a holiday like St. Patrick's Day special for children, or anyone, if you aren't Irish or a drinker. There's one sure way to make it special and it's super easy and cheap: food coloring! I really enjoy what a few drops of food coloring can do to a treat or meal. Today I made my cream cheese for bagels green, milk, and my waffles! Trust me, kids will really love it and it's so simple! 

I'm the Winner!

My sister, Jaelanne, has a blog on food and nutrition that she posts various foodie things on. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts with an associates in applied science and a culinary degree from Paris. She specialized in culinary nutrition and that is what her blog focuses on. She calls herself a "culinary nutritionist" and helps people who need to change how they eat for whatever their reasons are.

A while ago on her blog she had a challenge. She had reached 1,000 viewers and so had a drawing. I guessed her favorite meal of the day (breakfast) and was entered and won a nut crusher!

She has a fun blog and will post on any suggestion or question you have about food and nutrition! Go check her out! 

Balloon Bracelets

This fun craft idea is less than $5 to make and good for younger kids around 8 or 10 years old, at least that's the age that I made them with. 

Make these colorful elastic bracelets out of cut up balloon animal bracelets. 

I cut off each end- the one with the edge and the closed off end. 

Then I cut them into fourths. 

Cut a piece of elastic to be a little bigger than you want- wrap it around your wrist and have it overlap but 1-2 inches.

Tape one end to the table and have the other end loose to add balloon pieces to.

Add balloon pieces onto one end scrunching them up as you go.

Tie elastic together and trim the edges. 

Then shift the balloon pieces around to cover up the knot. 

Spread out all the pieces to make them even. 

This takes a little longer for children to do and could be frustrating, 

but they all liked the finished product! 

Enjoy!

Brown Bag Popcorn

I'm being completely serious here! Ever want a snack of popcorn but not want a whole bag? Or you don't want to eat all the unhealthiness that is added into bagged popcorn? Maybe you just don't like a lot of butter or salt, or want to try your own seasonings. Whatever your reason, this is an awesome and fast way to make  fresh and healthy popcorn. And the best part is you don't have to spend money on an air popper or make a huge mess on your stove. All you need is a brown paper lunch bag and whatever kernels you want.

Pour a little bit in the bottom of the bag, no need to measure, just remember that it takes up a lot more room after it's popped! I try to not cover the bottom completely. Fold the top down twice and put it in your microwave. The time will be different each time, but it will be around 2 minutes, maybe a TINY bit more. Just stay in the kitchen and listen to it pop. 

The popcorn is way better than you would think! I used to think I needed all the extras for popcorn to taste good, but I really enjoy hot, fresh, plain popcorn. I bet you will, too! Enjoy! 

Happy Monthaversary!

A month ago today I wrote my lame first blog introducing myself. Since then I have made 31 posts, received 24 comments, had 606 blog views, and I'm not sure how to tell how many times things have been posted on Pinterest but I know I've seen a few on there. That's really exciting!

It's been a fun month! Thank you for reading and sharing and especially for commenting. Feedback is the all time best part! If not I'm just talking to myself.

I appreciate everyone who has given me ideas for blogs and they are all in the making if not already done. I should finish the rest of my suggestions in the next week including the story of Matt and I, Harry Potter things, St. Patty's Day house decorations, and some crafts.

On top of those suggestions I have another James Bond review of Goldfinger, a post on Gilgamesh, a book review of The Night Circus which was amazing, and a few fun treats and food posts.

Wow, that's a busy week!

Thank you, again, for reading! If no one ever read I would be discouraged and never write. And I really enjoy the writing part!

If you feel like interacting with this post tell me a favorite or least favorite thing about my blog. Or something you wish I did differently. Or a post you want to see in the future. Or just tell me my blog is lame and I should stop all together; a month is enough!

I found out recently that I don't know how people can get notifications when I reply to their comments, but I want you to know what I do write back to every comment on here.

Thanks, again!
Sarah

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Today we'll be making chicken cordon bleu casserole. Matt and I really love chicken cordon blue, but I've really only ever had the pre-made stuff in the freezer section. I found this recipe for a casserole so I just had to try it! It seems so much simpler than stuffing your own chicken and trying to get the beading to work out without covering your pan in the cheese that leaked out! 

What you will need is:

3-4 chopped chicken breast

Up to 2 cups fresh broccoli chopped.

About 2 cups chopped ham.

Chicken stuffing, already fixed.

6 thin slices of swiss cheese.

Cream of chicken soup.

Big-o-mixing bowl.

In your big-o-mixing bowl empty the can of cream of chicken soup. Then add in your chicken, ham, and broccoli  The really great part of this recipe is that nothing has to be exact. If you like ham more than chicken than put more ham. Or if you really love broccoli than put in 3 cups instead. Go to the deli section to buy your ham and just get one really thick slice to cut up, how ever much that is you should use! It's really simple, and I promise you can't mess it up. 

After you mix all those together, dump them in a baking dish. I used a stoneware from The Pampered Chef here, but I've also just used a 9x13 glass pan, too. 

Add caption

Put the sliced cheese on top of the mixture. I like a lot of cheese so I double sliced it everywhere. 

Afterwards add your stuffing on top. Stuffing kind of sticks together so It's a little hard to spread it out, but make it even on top. While it's cooking it will crisp up a lot so make sure you like where it is when you put it in the oven. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. While that's happening you can clean up all these dishes! 

Look how golden brown and crispy it is! And it smells great! Trust me. Or just make it yourself and smell it. That actually sounds like a much better idea. 

See all the yummy gooey layers?

It tastes so great! And with your bread, green veggies, and protein you're set! One dish meal that can be made in advance and put in the oven when you need it. 

Enjoy! 

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 (6 oz) pkg. chicken flavored stuffing mix
1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup 
1 tablespoon prepared, Dijon mustard
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces (I boiled mine)
3 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 cups cooked, chopped ham
6 slices of extra thin Swiss cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375ºF.  Prepare stuffing as directed on package.  Mix soup and mustard in medium bowl; stir in chicken, broccoli and ham. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with cheese slices and stuffing.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until heated through.

Easter Decorations

I was excited this year to pull out my box of Easter decorations! There are no how-to's or instructions in this blog. Just me showing off what I have.

I really enjoy Easter for a couple of reasons. The first is the obvious religious side of Easter. It's nice to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior in a holiday that everyone can enjoy and be a part of no matter what your religion. Ham is really yummy and I enjoy eating and making it. Anything being turned into an egg shape is cute and bunnies are freaking adorable! And also, after Christmas and Valentine's Day I am over the color red and the cold darkness of winter. Spring and Easter bring so much color and warmth, I really like it.

When I was a child I had a tea set collection. A lot of people added to it as gifts. I have very few of them left, but obviously this one was a keeper! I added it to my Easter decorations last year instead of keeping it in storage. I think it's super cute and a nice addition. 

This cute carrot dish says "Bunny Treats" at the top. I got it on sale at Hallmark last year when the season was over. And of course I added little egg shaped candies to it! 

Here's the centerpiece on my table: My trifle bowl from The Pampered Chef filled with Easter eggs left over from last year. 

One of the first wreaths I ever made! I got the idea here and then played with it a bit because it needed to have bunnies on it! 

Close up of a bunny and carrot. 

I'm excited to add more decorations to my collection this year! I already have a few crafts picked out to do!

What's your favorite part of Easter?

Pinterest Fail

Who here doesn't like Pinterest!?

THEN GET OUT!!

Just kidding. But, seriously, everybody loves Pinterest. In one form or another. Even if you're Matt, my husband, and claim to hate it just out of manliness. Guess what? He still loves the stuff I make from Pinterest. If you take out the middle man, even Matt loves Pinterest. And if that's true than EVERYONE loves Pinterest! And don't try to deny it!

Every love relationship pisses you off every now and then. Stupid fights happen over who loves who more, and bigger fights happen over who gets control of the TV tonight. But the worst fight is when Pinterst shows you something amazing, in such a good looking picture, and you get burnt (sometimes literally). Sure, I should be blaming the original blogs here, and don't worry, they'll get there up and comings in the end.

I had an amazing night planned where I would make an entire meal, from start to finish, in mugs! I know, right!?! It was going to be awesome! And it started out great! We had meatloaf in a mug as our main dish. I already posted a blog with that recipe here, you should go try it! But things got a little crazy. I made Mac and Cheese in a mug. I should have taken a picture of what my microwave looked like when I first opened it, but I freaked out a little instead. Here's what the mugs looked like:

Nasty overflowing awkward gross mess. No fun. The original recipe is here in my Pinterest board. I haven't deleted it, yet.

Moving on to dinner we made a chocolate caramel mug cake. Sounds amazing, right!? And it really should have been. Here's the problem; I'm pretty sure the blogger did not make it the way she said she did because there was about 2 times, if not more, the batter than there should have been! My very recently cleaned microwave was now having cake better dumped in it and cooking to the tray. I kept having to open the microwave and scoop out the spilling over batter. Obviously it didn't cook evenly, all the caramel fell to the bottom, and all the sea salt found each other in this crazy scary bite that happened towards the bottom.

We did eat some of it, but it was not that good and we ended up just eating the plain caramels.

Not a good night for Pinterest recipes. But here's my promise to you: I will make these recipes work and post a blog with an actual recipe that has been tried and eaten! I think that's the problem, I think people post a blog with a recipe even if it sucks just because they got a good picture out of it. I'm going to start be completely cutting the cake recipe in half and see what happens. And the Mac and Cheese will be trial and error. See you soon, caramel cake and mac and cheese, you'd better behave next time!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss, or Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904. He was an amazing artist with an even greater imagination. His work touched probably all of our childhoods. Without any children of his own, he dedicated his life to make everyone else's children happy. There's nothing I can say that would be an appropriate tribute. So look through these photos and quotes and think back on how you were affected as a child by Dr. Seuss!

Happy 

Birthday

Dr. Seuss!