8 Months

Josh and I

In 8 months Josh and I will be saying our I Do's from this exact spot! Better attire though! Happy 8 months till one of the best days of my life Josh!

Confirmed!

Today my not so little little brother got confirmed! Sponsored by the one and only Josh!

Josh and Nathaniel (John)

I am so proud of you Nathaniel for making this adult decision to be confirmed! Congratulations on your confirmation!!!!

BFF's

You know how back in elementary and middle school you had that one person who you considered your BFF (best friend forever). You each had the heart necklace that was split in half, one part saying best and the other saying friends. Well I was blessed with more then one BFF. A heart necklace couldn't break into enough pieces to give each one of them one. They each are special in their own way and each have taught me something different about life.

Missing a few special people!

You know someone is special when they know your strengths AND your weaknesses. When you can tell them how you really feel about a situation and you know it won't ruin your friendship. When they know your deepest darkest secrets and still that does not scare them away. When you all go to separate colleges but still manage to be friends after 4.5 years. When one is in need of strength you help provide that. When one needs ears to listen you sit patiently and listen to what they have to get off their chest. When you don't need to sugar coat an explanation because they already understand. When they ask you your opinion you give them YOUR opinion, you don't worry about hurting their feelings. And when you just love each other because that is what BFF's do!

So who are your special people?

Tasteful Tuesday: Burgers

Monday night I made the ultimate bacon cheeseburger. I am not a big burger person, but this sure filled the craving I had!

Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger

3lbs of ground round (1/2lb per person, I bought the pre-made patties, but you can make your own with less meat)

A block of cheese, sliced (about 3 slices per burger)

1 lb of bacon

1 package of buns

And any toppings that you wish to top your burger!

1. If you did not buy pre-made patties here is where you will make your hamburger patties. You will need two patties per burger, so if you are having four people for dinner you need 8 patties.
2. Take one patty and lay about three slices of cheese in the center of the patty. Take another patty and place it over the top. Press the edges of the two patties together. Make sure to seal it up good otherwise while you are cooking it all the cheese will melt out from the inside.
3. Cook the pound of bacon.
4. Place all the burgers on the grill or if you have a broiler you can use that too. Pan frying also works. I used a George Foreman Grill to cook both the bacon and the burgers. Make sure to cook the burgers thoroughly.
5. Serve!
I also got a bag of french fries to go along with the burgers and don't forget all the toppings!!!

Happy Friday!

Today was a nice and relaxing day...took a friend to the doctor and then out to breakfast and then just sat down with a good book and listened to the wind howl! Have a great dinner planned tonight with a few special people!

Happy Friday!

Opps! Tasteful Tuesday on Wednesday!!

Sorry! Was super busy yesterday and never posted my Tasteful Tuesday post! I did make dinner Monday night (Valentine's day) and surprisingly it was just Josh and I (mom and dad went out and Nathaniel was at a friends). I made a very classic chicken pot pie! Proteins, carbs, and veggies all in one! All I needed to add was fruit.

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

1 box of refrigerated pie crust, softened

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup onion (I sprinkled in onion powder)

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup milk

2 1/2  shredded cooked chicken 

one bag of frozen mixed veggies

3 potatoes (I precooked them)

1. Cook chicken and then cut or shredded into small pieces (your hands work best for this so let the chicken cool)

2. Heat over to 425 F. Make the pie crusts as directed on the package in a 9 inch glass pie pan

3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion (if using) and cook 2 mins, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper until well blended. Gradually stir in broth and milk, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thickened.

4. Stir in chicken and veggies. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edges and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust

5. Bake 30-40 mins or until crust is golden brown. During last 15-20 mins of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Let send 5 mins before serving!

Hope you enjoy!!!

Have you been following my blog posts? Let me know if you have tried some of my recipes that I have posted or if you have suggestions on things to cook up!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is just a normal day around here. Running errands, cleaning, chatting with friends, saying an extra pray for a friend and her family, and planning dinner tonight. But today is St. Valentine's day. It is a made up holiday and it helps boost the economy through chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. But it is away to express love. It reminds us of the ones we love dearly, but I believe we should express our love for them, not just on February 14th, but every single day of the year.

Don't get me wrong, Josh and I do celebrate just like everyone else. I actually just got some flowers and chocolates and don't forget about the card! But we also express that feeling every other day as well by doing something special for each other that just shouldn't be done on one day.

So go out and show someone special that you care. Make a phone call, send an email, text message or even a card! But don't let that crazy busy life of yours forget to let that special person know you care year round!

Josh and I after the Seroogy's Valentine run

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Reconnected

Today I got reconnected with a few family members that I have not seen in well over 15 years, if not longer. It was a great time to sit down and talk and share lunch. I wish it could have been more than an hour long!

Not many people know this about me even though I am sure after all these years they can figure it out since I have a different last name then my mother. So here the story goes...When I was born my mom was not married to my biological father and a few years later they broke up. When I was 5 my mom married Eric (my dad!) and since then I have not seen my biological father's family besides my grandpa coming to my graduation party almost 5 years ago.

So about 6 months ago, through facebook, I reconnected with two of my aunts. We sent messages back and forth and about one month ago finally set a date to meet for lunch! So today I reconnected with my Aunt Stacy, Aunt Jean, Aunt Lynn and Nana Geri. Updated them with what was going on in my life (graduating school and planning a wedding) and listened to what was going on in theirs. I liked our time that we shared. I was nervous it was going to be awkward and weird since we have not seen each other in such a long time but we connected!

Now is there someone you have not talked to in a few years maybe do to a misunderstanding, or even in months because you just lost touch? Maybe now is the time to take the chance and reconnect with that person. Drop that grudge you have with them or just call to see what is going on in their life. Trust me, life is short and we don't want to live it without ever knowing.

Tasteful Tuesday: Super Easy!!!

After a crazy weekend of work and football I didn't really get a chance to sit down and find a recipe for last night so I made a simple meal. I mean it is super simple, yet delicious. Enjoy!!

Chicken Parmesan

4-6 Chicken Breast (or however many you need to feed your household)

1 jar (26oz) of  spaghetti sauce

Parmesan Cheese

Some Shake'n Bake if you desire

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Coat the chicken with Shake'N Bake. You don't have to do this step (also a calorie cutter if you do just plain chicken!)

3. Place in a large baking dish. Pour the jar of spaghetti sauce over the top.

4. Cover with foil and cook 45mins to one hour (make sure chicken is cooked through!)

5. About 5 mins before the timer goes off uncover the chicken and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top. Place back in the oven for the remaining 5 mins.

I also cook some noodles along with the meal and even garlic bread!

 

PACKERS!!!

I have been meaning to post on this subject, but have just been to busy celebrating!! Packers are world champions and have won Superbowl 45!

Clay Matthews and Aaron Rodgers

 

 

I am a native of the Green Bay area and have grown up watching Packers football. I have even been to a few games (wish I could go to more!). The last time something like this has happened I was in third grade and dreaming of Brett Favre (sorry for mentioning the name). Now a college graduate it has happened again. Having a small celebration with Josh and a friend and her fiance was just perfect! Stores reopened last night to sell merchandise and you would have thought today was the day after Thanksgiving with stores opening at 6am. Let me tell you the Wisconsin economy has really seen a boost in the past two weeks!

Donald Driver

The Packer airplane arrived home about 1:30pm and about 35,000 (Green Bay Press Gazette) fans lined the bus route that the Packers took back to the stadium. Tomorrow will be the big welcome home celebration at Lambeau Field. The players were trying to take it all in just like the fans.

It is days like today that make be proud to be from good old Titletown, USA!!!

Tasteful Tuesday

 In the midst of my Tasteful Tuesday blog post I began ready this book Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist. I was looking for a book to provide insight and strength and after reading the prologue I was hooked. I even found this quote that goes perfect with my Tasteful Tuesday blog post!

"When we stop everything else to gather around the table and eat a meal made by someone's hands, we honor our bodies and the God who created them. We honor the world he made and the beauty  of creation. And in  that moment we acknowledge  that even though life is fast and frantic, we're not machines and we do require nourishment, physically and otherwise." ~Shauna Niequist

Last night I made a different kind of meal. I made something that is not in the comfort zone of my family, but I thought it was good! Ham and egg enchiladas it was!

Ham and Egg Enchiladas

1/2 cup diced ham

2 tablespoons butter

8 eggs

8 7-8inch tortilla shells

cheese

enchilada sauce or taco sauce

Salsa, onions and peppers if you wish!

1. Grease a large skillet with the butter. Add in ham (and onions and peppers if you desire).

2. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl.

3. Add eggs to skillet and cook.

4. Once the eggs are cooked, but still soft, place about 1/3 cup of egg/ham mixture on tortilla shell. Sprinkle with cheese. Place in an 11x7 baking dish (crease face down).

5. Once all the tortillas are in the dish, drizzle the taco/enchilada sauce over the top. Add salsa if you desire. Sprinkle with cheese.

6. Cover with foil and place in a preheated oven (350 degrees) for about 20 mins.

Also makes a great breakfast or brunch dish!