My cooking adventures ~ Bacon cheddar chowder

Its the weekend and I thought I would share this yummy chowder recipe, it is sooo good! I made it this past week and my kids raved about it and said it was the best soup ever.

Ingredients:

1 12 oz pkg bacon, chopped

2-3 celery ribs, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 onion, diced

1 garlic glove minced

6-8 potatoes, peeled and cubed

32 oz chicken broth

3 tbsp. butter

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cup whole milk

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

Place bacon in a large soup pot and cook until crisp. Remove bacon and drain off bacon grease 

except for 1/4 cup leave in pot.
Add celery,carrot,onion,garlic and potatoes to the bacon grease and cook on low for about 15 min. Add chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are softened, stirring occasionally.
Place butter in saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour. Add milk slowly, while whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue stirring until mixture thickens.
Stir cream mixture into the potato mixture. Stir in cheese and bacon. Salt and pepper to taste.

Inside my makeup drawer and my faves

I thought I would share a peek into my makeup drawer... I have a lot of products in there but only a few are my fave that I use on a daily basis... so I thought I would share my fave products I can't live without!

First off I start with Garnier Skin renew bb cream, I have tried other bb creams but this one is my fave I don't even have to use a foundation with it... but I do use a 2-in-1 concealer and highlighter under my eyes.  For my powder, bronzer and blush I use Physicians formula. For my eyes I got Urban decay naked 2, naked 3 and the basics and I'm addicted its the only shadow I use now. Any one who loves eyeliner as much as I do needs to try Lorac front of the line pro, you can get it at ulta for around $25, I love, love, love it! I love how skinny the tip is and how effortless and easy it goes on, I don't like most liquid eyeliners so that says a lot. last but not least is Mascara... currently I'm using Benefits they're real and CK One and both are great.

DIY Makeup brush jar

DIY makeup brush jar... the possibilities are endless. All it takes is a jar and some spray paint.... and like I said the possibilities are endless because there are so many different colors you can choose from there is even glitter paint... you can add ribbon or bows for even more decoration. It didn't cost me anything I already had the supplies at home and its a simple project.

Healthy Super Bowl appetizer

Yippie the Seattle Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl.... AGAIN!!!! If you can't tell I'm super excited!! I'm already planning what I'm going to make for the family to snack on while we are watching the game.... so this weekend I tried this healthy dip and it was a hit!

Ingredients:

2 cans white beans
1/2 jar of the roasted red peppers
2-3 gloves roasted garlic
1 tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper

Instructions:

First I roasted my garlic in the oven for about 30 min, then I added everything to my food processor and gave it a whirl until everything was mixed well, scoop it all into a container and put in refrigerator and let it sit for a few hrs or overnight. Serve with corn chips or pita crackers

This has been a great week for me, I already can cross some things off on my to do list for the year. Got my yearly check-up out of the way, got my hair cut and it feels wonderful! I've decided I'm getting my haircut a lot more often! Started back at the gym and it actually feels good to have sore abs. Hopefully this next week will be another good week, going to work on some more goals :) God is good! Go seahawks!!

Back yard chicken coop

This year for Christmas I got spoiled!! My parents, my sister and brother in law surprised me with this chicken coop. I have been wanting one for a few years now and now I finally have the best one ever, and they made it them selves. Spring can't come soon enough so I can get my chicks.

My cooking adventures ~ Blueberry Cobbler

Yesterday was my Husbands birthday and we aren't a big cake eating family, so instead of cake I made one of our families fave blueberry cobbler. Yummy!! This last summer I also made it to take camping in jars and it was a big hit. I will share my recipe and how I made it in the jars as well.

Blueberry filling Ingredients:

1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup water
4 cups blueberries.

Instructions:
In a sauce pan combine sugar, cornstarch and water. Stir in 4 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly.

Topping Ingredients;

1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
3 tbsp. butter
1 beaten egg
3 tbsp. milk

Instructions:

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder. Cut in butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine egg and milk. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moisten.

Transfer filling into a 8x8x2 inch baking dish. drop filling into 6 mounds atop hot filling. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 -25 minutes.

Jar instructions:

I made exactly the same recipe. Then instead of a baking dish I split the filling into 8 oz jars and then put a scoop of the topping on top of the filling. Put the jars on a cookie sheet and then bake.

My cooking adventures ~ Baked Chicken

My family and I eat a lot of chicken, I'm always looking for different  new recipes because some times we just get burned out on chicken. Yesterday I tried a new recipe and it didn't disappoint me, it was very yummy and kept the chicken moist. I will defiantly be making it again so I wanted to share the recipe.

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup melted butter
1 oz packet ranch seasoning mix
1 cup crushed corn flakes
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9x13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.

Combine the ranch seasoning mix, the crushed corn flakes, and the parmesan cheese into a large freezer bag. Shake well to mix all together.

Dip each chicken breast into the melted butter, and then drop into the bag. Seal the bag shut and then shake well to coat with the seasoning mix. Lay Chicken into the baking dish and repeat with all the chicken.

Bake chicken for 40-45 minutes.

I paired it with a salad and it was very good!!

My crafty side ~ Garden herd marker

I'm in love with my mint marker, so much that this spring I'm going to be making more for all my different herbs that I grow! I love growing herbs they are so pretty in my flower beds and of course I use them for all sorts of things in the kitchen.

These DIY wooden spoon herb markers are so easy. I don't even think I need to give directions, it's kinda self explanatory.

You will need:
wooden spoon
paint
paint brush
stencil

Yummy to my tummy~ Cinnabon clones

Every one LOVES my cinnamon rolls and I'm always getting asked for the recipe,so here it is! They are sooo good and addicting! 

Cinnabon Clone

Ingredients:

I cup of warm milk (110 degrees)

2 eggs, room temperature

1/3 cup butter melted

4 ½ cups bread flour

½ cups sugar

2 ½ tsps. Fast rising yeast

 Cinnamon

Brown sugar

½ cup butter

Note: This recipe is used with a bread machine

Directions:

Place ingredients in bread machine. Select dough cycle; press start.

After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 min.

Roll dough out into a long rectangle. Spread the ½ cup butter, sprinkle about a cup of brown sugar evenly over dough, sprinkle cinnamon to your liking evenly over dough. Roll up dough and cut into rolls. Place rolls onto a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake rolls in oven till golden brown about 15 min.

Frosting

3 oz cream cheese, softened

¼ cup butter, softened

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

½ tsp vanilla

Spread frosting on warm rolls.

Saving cents!!

I just wanted to share a couple great buys that I got today! I love,love, love saving money!

Ok, the first deal is a money maker but you need to have the safeway app and the ibotta app. This week on my Safeway app under personalized deals you can get 1 free Green Giant frozen vegetable steamers, and then with your Ibotta app if you buy any brand of frozen vegetables you get 25 cents! You don't have to spend any money and you make a quarter! Awesome!!

This week Fred Meyers has All Laundry detergent on sale with  in store coupon 2/ $5.00,

if you have the Fred Meyers app you can load a $1.00 off All coupon to your rewards card, Making it only $1.50 For a bottle of All laundry detergent.

My Crafty side~ Vintage chalk board

If you know me I love vintage and I decorate my home with a vintage rustic feel. I had been wanting a unique vintage chalkboard and now I have the perfect one and I LOVE it!!! Best of all it was free! I made it with things I already had laying around and it was so easy!

1 vintage cabinet door
paint
chalkboard paint
sandpaper


I wasn't exactly sure what color I wanted it so I just played around with the colors. I painted it three different colors, first white,then black and the final coat of paint is the rustic red. After the paint was dry I took some sandpaper to it to give it the old rustic look with all the layers of paint. Finally I painted the chalkboard part and that was all it took! Super easy!!

Disneyland tips for first timers

I remember the first time my family and I  went to Disneyland, my Husband and I were so overwhelmed with everything so  I thought I would give some advice and be able to answer any questions I could for any "first timers".

First thing is when you get to Disneyland and are going through the gates don't forget to get a map of the park and a entertainment schedule. They will help you tremendously finding your way around.

If you head to the city hall you can get a 1st visit button or a Happy Birthday button and they are free and a awesome souvenir.

One thing I see a lot is people don't know that you need to get a fastpass to watch the World of color. I highly recommend seeing the World of color! It is our favorite show and is spectacular! You need to get your fast passes early in the day at California adventures near grizzly river run. You can also get fastpasses for the more popular rides in the parks. The fastpass kiosk are near the attraction and you just return at the time your fastpass says.

The cost of things at Disneyland can really add up especially with a family, some things I do to cut back on cost is I carry a light weight backpack and throw a few bottles of water and a few snacks in there for the kids. One awesome tip I have is most every where they sell fountain soda you can ask for ice water and it is FREE!

I do carry a light weight backpack so we have something to throw our coats and stuff in through out the day but sometimes it does get to be a little much and we will rent a locker for a small fee. They have lockers in both parks and also outside of the park as well. Just remember to return and get your things at the end of the day.

The first time we went to Disneyland we had no idea about Downtown Disney until the very last night, We were bummed out because there is also a lot to do there as well. There is fun restaurants like the Rain Forest Cafe, House of blues, ESPN zone. There is a awesome lego store, huge World of Disney store, Ridemakerz and build a bear. So much to do there and also gives you a break from the parks. We always have a dinner one of the nights at the Rain Forest Cafe it's a fun experience for the kids.

Another thing is if you want a family picture there are photographers all through out the parks that will take your picture.

We like to spend as much time in the park as possible and don't leave the park during the day unless we are going to dinner in Down Town Disney. We eat our lunches in the parks and our favorite spot is at the Pacific Wharf in California Adventures, we love the Pacific Wharf Cafe and the Lucky Fortune Cookery.

A few last things, make sure you all have a good pair of walking shoes, by the end of the day you will have tired feet. Most importantly take you time, enjoy yourself and the magic of Disney.

P.S. Cars land is spectacular! When you enter it's feels like you stepped inside the movie. 

Cents of Happiness: It's a new year

Cents of Happiness: It's a new year: Its a new year! So I'm back to blogging! I will have new post this week that I'm working on. If you have any suggestions on a blog p...

It's a new year

Its a new year! So I'm back to blogging! I will have new post this week that I'm working on. If you have any suggestions on a blog post let me know. I hope every one had a wonderful holiday season and has a great 2015!!