Wednesday, December 28, 2016

What I Wore 2016 Year In Review

To keep myself accountable to getting dressed as a stay/work at home mom, I join a blog called The Pleated Poppy.  I enjoy watching for what she wears each day  Since Novembers 'No Pants November' with Christina at Our Wood Home, I've pretty much continued to wear skirts/dresses most days. I quickly came to the realization this was going to be a LOT harder then I thought!

Going to go through some of my favorites from 2016....





















Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Currently 12/27

I've have been doing a "Currently" post for quite awhile now.  It is fun for me to think about my week. To open up, and show bits and pieces of my daily thoughts, and life.

Last post of 2016 and it feels a bit strange.  This year has really flown by!!!!  

Making memories...This week is going to all be about making memories.  A lot has gone on in the last week.  Ezra's 1st Middle School band and choir concert.  My new stove finally coming.  Winter break starting with a snow storm, cookie making and a sick kid.  Mini family vacation.

He seems to be enjoying percussion this year.

Not a great picture of me but....
look how grownup he is starting to look, where did my little boy go?!?!?!?

MY STOVE!!!!  Now to paint walls again and decide what for sure we want above the stove.  One thing we go know, there is going to be a light!!!!

Out with the old, in with the new :D

New Years Eve PJ material. 
Each year the kids sew new PJs for New Years Eve.


Sugar cookie decorating.  Poor Zeke didn't get to help since he wasn't feeling good :(

Snowmen!  Friday's snowstorm was perfect for snowmen.

The awe of walking into the waterpark again.

We love Three Bears Lodge!  
It's perfect for our families ages, not too big or overwhelming.  
So much fun to have older kids and go now also.  
They really enjoyed the slides, wave pool 
(yes a couple small injuries), lazy river, etc.

Looking forward to 2016 Year In Review next week!  I tend to forget all we have done over the year until I do a Year In Review and our families 2016 book.

Hope you had a blessed 2016, I know we sure did!!!!!

-Rachel

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Crockpot Meals

Thanksgiving day my oven died on my stove.  My hubby had been wanting to get me a new stove for awhile but, frugal me kept saying my $50 stove from a garage sale 10 years ago was still working fine.  OK so I was probably the only one that could make it work correctly but when buy something new when mine was still truckin' along, right?!?!  

Well, the week after Thanksgiving we purchased a new stove but it wasn't available for delivery until yesterday.  Never did I think about how much I use my oven.  Thankfully the cooktop still worked fine, otherwise I would of really been stressing about the weeks of waiting.  Even still, my Crock Pots got their workouts!!!!!  



Few of our favorite Crock Pot Meals:

* Chili & Corn Bread


Slow Cooker Cornbread Recipe

Ideal slow cooker size:  6 quart
Cooking time:  1 1/2 hours-2 hours
1 cup yellow corn meal
1 cup flour
1/4 cup white sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
1.  In a bowl whisk together the corn
meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 
2.  Add in the milk, egg, oil and
stir until combined.  Do not overmix.
3.  Line the hot spot of your slow cooker with a double layer of foil.  Cut out a piece of parchment paper that will fit in the bottom of your slow cooker.  Place the parchment
paper in the bottom of the crock.  Spray the sides of the slow cooker with some non-stick cooking spray.
4.  Pour the batter into the bottom of the slow cooker.
5.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 90 minutes-2 hours.  Use a toothpick to check for doneness.  Insert the toothpick into the middle of the cornbread.  If it comes out clean, it’s done.  Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes.

* Dinner Rolls 

Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

2 teaspoons active-dry yeast
2 cup warm water
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 Tablespoons white sugar
1 Tablespoon salt
5 ½ cups all-purpose flour


  1. Pour the warm water (make sure the water is warm to the touch) into the bowl of a standing mixer or large mixing bowl; sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let this mixture stand for approximately 5 minutes, or until the yeast has dissolved.
  2. Add the sugar, salt, melted butter and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
  3. Add the remaining 4½ cups of flour. Stir the entire mixture for a few minutes.
  4. Using the dough hook attachment on a standing mixer, knead the dough for a few minutes. Or knead the dough by hand on a flat surface that has been sprinkled with flour. If the dough is sticky, add extra flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it is no longer sticky. The dough has been thoroughly kneaded when it is smooth, feels slightly tacky, forms a ball without sagging, and springs back when poked. There is no need to let the bread rise. It will rise and bake all at once, during the slow cooking process.
  5. Shape the dough ball into into buns and placed in slow cooker that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and cover with the lid.
  6. Set your slow cooker to HIGH and bake for approximately 1-2 ½ hours. Baking times will vary. I checked my buns around the 1 hour mark, then 30 minutes later, then every 15 minutes until it is done. A finished loaf will have an internal temperature of approximately 190°F to 200°F.




* Baking Powder Biscuits 
              -with ground beef gravy

Baking Power Biscuits


2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 

1 tablespoon sugar, if desired
3
teaspoons baking powder
1
teaspoon salt
1/2
cup shortening
3/4
cup milk

1. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in milk until dough leaves side of bowl (dough will be soft and sticky).

  • 2.  On lightly floured surface, gently roll dough in flour to coat. Knead lightly 10 times. Roll or pat 1/2 inch thick. Place into greased slow cooker.
  • 3. Cook for an hour to 1.5 hours depending on your slow cooker and how thick your dough ends up being.



* Chewy Brownies

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing insert
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Kosher salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
Vanilla ice cream, for serving


1.  Line the insert of a 4- or 6-quart slow cooker with a large piece of foil, then generously butter the foil.
2.  Whisk together the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, flour, eggs, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Fold in the chocolate chunks. Scrape the batter out into the prepared insert in an even layer. 
3.  Cover and cook on low for 3 hours; the cake should be set around the edges and gooey in the center.
4.  Serve the cake warm, scooped into a bowl and topped with ice cream.
* Chicken Tacos

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1/2 jar medium salsa
1 can beans (pinto or black beans)

1.  Add all to the crockpot, cover and let cook for 4+ hours on low
2.  After cooked take chicken breasts out and shred.
3.  Place back in the slow cooker.
4.  Spoon onto flour tortillas and top with lettuce, cheese or your favorite taco fixings.

* Stringy Beef

Sirloin Roast
Seasonings
Beef Broth

1.  Cover and leave by for 6+ hours
2.  Take roast out, shred and then put back into broth
3.  Serve on buns.

Just a few of our favorites. 


Out with the old, in with the new!
Even better, I now have a convection oven!!!!!
First thing I made....HOMEMADE PIZZA!!!!  The kids were sure happy with that.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

What I Wore 12/14 & 12/21

To keep myself accountable to getting dressed as a stay/work at home mom, I join a blog called The Pleated Poppy.  I enjoy watching for what she wears each day  Since Novembers 'No Pants November' with Christina at Our Wood Home, I've pretty much continued to wear skirts/dresses most days. I quickly came to the realization this was going to be a LOT harder then I thought!

From the last couple weeks!

Errands and concert

Home church due to cold

Church

Bible Study

Crazy day....this is what I look like on any given day after being in and out of the cold!  Slippers, crazy hair, a bit ruffled around the edged.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Currently 12/12

I've have been doing a "Currently" post for quite awhile now.  It is fun for me to think about my week. To open up, and show bits and pieces of my daily thoughts, and life.

Few days late this week but figured better late then never!

Feeling...Like I'm always a day late and a dollar short lately.  Trying to slow down a little and make memories.  Winter tends to make me do that a bit more cause I really DON'T want to go do anything.  Saturday night, hubby and I took time to watch a movie and have hot chocolate.



Enjoying....Our family pictures, so many good ones!  Here are the family shots...






Can she be any cuter??!?!?!?!

My handsome guy

Listening...I can listen to this guy all day.  Here he is practicing for a bells song for band.



Stay warm and safe. We are having cold temps and dumping of snow this weekend!

-Rachel




Friday, December 9, 2016

Winter Decor: House Tour

It's Chilly out, bring on the winter decor!



Winter Village on top of piano this year.

China Hutch

One of favorites to put in the entry way
Brrrr


Wednesday, December 7, 2016

What I Wore

To keep myself accountable to getting dressed as a stay/work at home mom, I join a blog called The Pleated Poppy.  I enjoy watching for what she wears each day  Since Novembers 'No Pants November' with Christina at Our Wood Home, I've pretty much continued to wear skirts/dresses most days. I quickly came to the realization this was going to be a LOT harder then I thought!



I haven't been very good about remembering to take pictures over the last few weeks.