Salsa Sloppy Joes

Another great one. I think I got this from Taste of Home or Simple and Delicious cooking magazines, highly recommend.  I made this for our nephew and his ex-gf when they had their last baby. She wasn't nursing, so the spiciness was fine.  Not too spicy.   It was a great hit! Quick and easy.

Salsa Sloppy Joes

1 lb ground beef (I only use ground turkey now)
1 jar (11 oz) salsa (I used Pace Picante Mild)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 small can tomato soup, undiluted
8 hamburger buns, split

In a large skillet, cook meat over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in rest of ingredients except buns. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through. Spoon 1/2 cup mixture onto each bun. Serves 8.

__________________

Bekah's Pasta

Got this off internet somewhere, can't remember. 

Bekah's Pasta

1 box of pasta-cooked and drained
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 jar of salsa
1 can cream soup (whatever you want)
2 cooked and cubed chicken breasts
2 cups lowfat cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350. Mix beans, corn, salsa, and cream soup. Add pasta and chicken. Put in greased 9x13 pan. Bake until cooked through. Add cheese. Bake until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

Lovely quote

Jordan's new hair cut

Here is Jordan's new hair cut.  He is bald like his Daddy (well fuzzy, I should say).  I think he looks so cute and grown up.  Looks like his cousin Izaiah.

Costa Vida Chicken

This is a great chicken recipe.  I love crockpot recipes.  


Costa Vida Chicken


1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 lbs.  skinless, boneless chicken breast (this recipe can be easily halved but make a full 
batch and freeze the leftovers for another meal.)


Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Jordan in his new fish hat

mayasmommie on Cloth Diaper Nation crocheted it for him.  I LOVE it!  Had to bribe him with a ring pop, LOL.  He didn't want to pose at all.  He is sitting on my mother-in-law's lap.

Pina Colada-non alcoholic

Pina Colada


1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 tsp coconut extract
1 cup skim milk
1 cup crushed ice-optional

Blend and serve cold.  Makes 2 1/2 cups.

Apple Cream Cheese Pie

Apple Cream Cheese Pie
4m: Simple and Delicious Magazine

1-8 oz pkg cream cheese-softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1- 8 oz Cool whip-thawed
1 graham cracker crust
1 3/4 cup apple pie filling
dash cinnamon

In large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.  Add vanilla.  Fold in cool whip.  Pour into crust.  Top with pie filling; sprinkle with cinnamon.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.  Serves 6-8.

Life

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Oreo Cookies

Check out the recipe for these at
http://crystalscraftspot.blogspot.com/2010/01/oreo-cookies.html 


OMG!  These look so good.  Check out her blog for great craft ideas and recipes.

A few things I found on flickr I liked.

I love these superhero necklaces and really need to get me one.  I love the heart card, calendar journal, and the red mosaic.

Individual scalloped potatoes

Check out this fantastic recipe at the blog below.

http://noragriffin.typepad.com/cook/2009/09/scalloped-potatoes.html

Brownie Goodie Bars

Brownie  Goodie  Bars
4m:  Betty Crocker

1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
3/4 cup salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
3 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)
2. Make and bake brownies as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan, using water, oil and eggs. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. Frost brownies with frosting. Sprinkle with peanuts; refrigerate while making cereal mixture.
4. Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly. Pour over cereal in bowl, stirring until evenly coated. Spread over frosted brownies. Cool completely before cutting, about 1 hour. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store tightly covered at room temperature.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions for 13x9-inch pan on brownie mix box 

New Motto

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.


This is my "motto for the year".  My word for the year is "growth".  I want to grow spiritually, physically (lose weight and get healthy), and emotionally.

Pink Popcorn from Utah

I love the pink popcorn that I can only find in Utah.  I searched online and found this recipe.  It is supposed to taste like it.  Haven't tried it yet, but will this weekend.


Pink Popcorn

In a glass bowl combine the following:
2 cups mini marshmallows.
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-2 tablespoons water
One small package of strawberry Jello, add less if desired.

Melt in microwave for thirty-seconds, take out stir, repeat for an additional 30 seconds.
Pour over popped popcorn (one cup kernels), stir and Enjoy!

Tamale Pie

Tamale Pie
From:http://whatilovewhatido.blogspot.com/

1 lb. lean ground beef
¼ lb. bulk pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 16 oz. can of whole tomatoes
1 16 oz. can of whole kernel corn, drained
1 16 oz. can pitted black olive, drained, save a few for the top
1 ½-3 t. chili powder (depending on how hot you like it)
1 tsp. salt
1 c. cornmeal
1 c. milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook and stir pork, hamburger, onion, and garlic until meat is browned. Add tomatoes, corn olives, chili powder, and salt. Heat thoroughly. Pour into a two quart casserole or a square baking pan.

Mix cornmeal, eggs, and milk; pour over the meat mixture. Top with the cheese. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown. Garnish with sour cream and remaining olives.

Kiera with her cousin Vanessa

Here's a pic of Jordan

Jordan's wearing Daddy's Ducks hat and climbing on the sofa.  :)

January 12, 2010

Today (January 12, 2010)

I am loving... naps
sweet baby kisses from Jordan
Burn Notice and Numb3rs

I wish...  that I could be more organized
that I could stay focused
that my package from etsy would get here

I dislike... doing dishes
cleaning toilets
headaches, which I have at the moment

Favorites at Home... ice cold water, loving this at the moment
napping kids
new hair dye

Thinking About...  moving
my Mom visiting me and the kids
Weight Watchers

Craving... Lasagna with ricotta, not cottage cheese
apple pinwheels I saw in a magazine (crescent rolls like cinnamon rolls with finely diced apples and a sauce on top)
ice cream sandwich cake

 Orange Cranberry Granola

SERVES 8 , 1/2 cup serving

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/3 cup wheat bran
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions

1. 1

   Pre-heat oven to 275. Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

2. 2

   Combine rolled oats through walnuts in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. 3

   Over lower heat combine honey through vanilla. Simmer till honey is disolved.

4. 4

   Pour honey mixture over rolled oat mixture. Mix by hand or wooden spoon. Poru into pan. Breaking up large clumps, but leaving small clusters.

5. 5

   Bake for 30 minutes Remove from oven and mix in dried cranberries. Bake an additional 15 minutes Watching close so it does not burn.

My first mosaic using pics from the last year

m

January 11, 2010

Today (January 11, 2010)

I am loving...  the sound of ocean waves on the sound machine in my room
Tim Tam Chocolate Cream cookies from Pepperidge Farm
ice water

I wish...  I hated sweets
my ankle wasn't messed up
I could sleep more at night

I dislike... not sleeping
horror films (gory ones)
my children fighting

Favorites at Home... when my kids tell me they love me
spending time with the family
Brita water pitcher

Thinking About...  moving
my Mom visiting me and the kids
Weight Watchers

Craving...  iced tea with lemon and Splenda

pumpkin fudge
these brownies I saw with a chocolate layer and a chocolate chip cookie layer

Great quote

Live with intention

live with intention.
walk to the edge.
listen hard.
practice wellness.
play with abandon.
laugh.
choose with no regret.
continue to learn.
appreciate your friends.
do what you love.
live as if this is all there is.
(mary anne radmacher)

Simple Woman's Daybook Jan 4, 2009

Outside my window…it's not too cold.  No snow.

I am thinking…about my word for the year, growth.

I am thankful for…my oldest son's grandparents.  They took him to cut his hair and he stayed overnight.

From the kitchen...hot cocoa with mini marshmallows.

I am creating…a handmade cookbook.

I am reading ... The Last Lecture.  Very inspiring.  I am almost done.

I am hoping...for less stress in my life.  

I am hearing…the clock ticking.

A few plans for the rest of the week... tackling cleaning out the refrigerator, menu planning, and sorting laundry and other clothing to donate or give away.

I am praying... that my Aunt Konnie starts to feel better.  When she was visiting family in LV she landed in the hospital.


Picture thought...Here is a pic of the family minus my oldest who was visiting his Dad.

Saw this on another blog and thought I would share

Today (January 4, 2010)


I am loving...  reading blogs and getting some great ideas and book lists
ice cold water from Brita filter in fridge
my raspberry shea butter body wash

I wish...  that I could snap my fingers and lose this excess weight
that my dh's check situation would be fixed and we would actually have some $
that I was visiting my family in Las Vegas

I dislike...  crowds
cigarette smoke, especially right by the exits
people that lie

Favorites at Home...  my crockpot
my books/journals
my family

Thinking About...  moving
making a collage
going back to school eventually

Craving...  Chocolate Orange Cream candies
My Mom's Spaghetti and Meatballs
My Mom's Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

Orange Crush Cake

Found this recipe on a digi scrapbook site.  It is ww friendly and looks awesome.  Will definitely try out since my fave flavor is orange.

Orange Crush Cake

Dh and I

This is the most recent pic of us.  :)

52 books in 52 weeks week one

I am participating in reading 52 books in 52 weeks for the first time.  I LOVE to read.   I can usually read 3-4 or more books a week.  This week alone, I have already read 4.  I am starting tonight with The Help by Kathyrn Stockett.  It has gotten great reviews and I can't wait to start it.

New Year Goals

1.  work on getting myself healthy physically, as well as spiritually. (eat better, lose weight, eat less fast food, read Bible daily, go to meetings Thursday and Sunday, prepare for meetings, and go out in the ministry)
2.  get myself organized
3.  MOVE!  Looking at Provo, Utah