Thursday, December 9, 2010

Chicken Enchiladas

I love this recipe! It is great as leftovers as well. So if you are looking for a non-holiday meal, this could be for you.

Ingredients:

Chicken breast cooked and chopped (you can even use the canned chicken if you are short on time)
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 (8oz) pkg of sour cream
about 1/2 cup milk
3-4 cups shredded cheese of your choice
10-12 Flour tortillas (depends on what brand you buy and how big you make them)




Grease a 9X13 pan. Heat oven to 350F. 


Mix the sour cream, cream of chicken, and milk to make the "sauce." 


Spread some sauce on the bottom of the pan. 

I then shred the meat and add some seasoning (whatever sounds good and I have on hand). I'll add some seasoning salt and Cavender's seasoning if nothing else. 


Make the enchilada by spreading on the sauce, adding some shredded cheese and chicken. I set up my assembly line first. You will be messy once you start! 



Roll and insert in pan. 


Keep in mind you will need sauce to cover the top of the enchiladas to keep them moist. 


I cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. The remove foil, add some shredded cheese to the top and cook another 5 minutes. 


Here is where I am a bad, bad blogger...
I forgot to take finished pictures :( Apparently I was hungry when I made these. 
If you makes these and take a picture, be a doll and share so we can all see. 

Enjoy!!

Baby Update: Week 35

Wow! It has a been a while since I have done a baby update. I think part of this is because I felt like I was continuously posting the same thing week after week. Well, with 5 weeks to go, I think I will be more apt to continue my little updates. If nothing else, it will be fun for me to look back on later. 


How far along: 35 weeks

Size of baby:  around 5.25 pounds... honeydew melon

Weight gain: 3 pounds since last visit (11/22/10) The doctor said to just keep an eye on it and that 5 pounds would be a big gain. My argument is that it was Thanksgiving (we had Thanksgiving 4 different times...) and then we had Eric's birthday week (ate out a bit) and then were out of town last weekend. So... I will keep an eye on it. I am trying not to let the actual number on the scale freak me out.... it is some. I never thought I would be this big even though I know it is mostly baby. :(

Maternity clothes: Are you kidding?? If it isn't maternity, I'm not wearing it. I was so grateful to go to Destination Maternity in Dallas, TX this weekend though. I had a great girl named Kat help me. She even gave me a stellar coupon that saved me $30! So, I came out of there with some great nursing tops, a pair of comfy pants, my first nursing bra, and a great bathrobe and nightgown. 

Movement: Her kicks are harder. I'm so glad she isn't stretching all the way out (like my niece did) and kicking me in the ribs-yet! Daddy has been able to see some of her bigger kicks and movements. He thinks it is pretty neat. I love seeing his expression when he sees her. 

Sleep: Well, I was able to talk Mr. M into swapping me sides of the bed! This helps with laying on my left side. It also makes me closer to the bathroom. I used to love having a tall bed, now I hate it. Takes too much effort to get into it, especially at 11:30pm, 1:18am, and 4:16am. Yes, I got up three times last night. I miss being able to sleep comfortably. 

Symptoms:  Other than my feet swelling, not much of anything else. OH the heartburn is still KILLER!! 

Cravings: This week I really wanted Hawaiian Pizza from Cavanaugh Pizza in Fort Smith. Mr. M was gracious enough to take me there Monday before getting our Christmas cards and braving Wal-Mart. 

Best moment this week: Getting to spend time with my sisters and cousins in Texas. Two of the cousins are pregnant as well. Being able to listen to my sister and cousin (who each have two kids) tell me what to expect is great. 

What I am looking forward to: After going to my appointment on Tuesday, I feel better about a few things and more relaxed. I am looking forward to making it through Christmas and all the blessings that go with it. I look forward to being able to spend some more time reading which helps me feel more prepared. I am excited that both my Bestie and my Aunt will be here around Christmas. 


Dr. Appointments: I know I will have another Ultrasound, once it gets closer, to check the weight and a few other things. I was a little saddened that my last visit was the last "easy one" as the doctor put it. He will start checking my cervix now. I go back in two weeks and then I go EVERY week. Yes, it is getting closer!


I still can't praise God enough for even making it this far! I was so scared in the beginning. God keeps reminding me who is in control and I am thankful that I can rest assured in that!  

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

I love Christmas cookies!!
I collect cookie cutters so that would make sense! 
Every year I make some with family or friends. 
I have a few tips and an amazing recipe to help you with your cookie making. 

Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe: 
1 c. shortening
1/2 c. butter or margarine (1 stick)
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
5 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
Chill dough for one hour.
Cook At 400 for 6-8 minutes.

Now for the tips...
Tip #1- Don't make your dough too thin or too thick when you roll it out. 
Tip #2- I roll my dough out on parchment paper. Cut out my cookies and peel off the extra dough... NO more slanted gingerbread men from moving them from table to pan! 


My mother-in-law and niece cutting out their cookies on parchment paper. 

A little collage of some cookie making fun! 

I either do decorating icing to decorate them and leave them to set overnight or I do sprinkles before I bake the cookies. Whatever suits you and yours. 

Hope you enjoy your cookie making season! 
I will be linking with:






Thursday, December 2, 2010

Christmas Cookie Exchange

I LOVE CHRISTMAS COOKIES!
Well, any cut out cookies really!
Want proof?
I collect cookie cutters!
This all started when Mr. M and I went to Branson, MO for our honeymoon.
I fell in love with all the cookie cutters!
This picture doesn't reflect ALL of them...this was only one box after I unpacked from remodeling our kitchen.
Mr. M even made me a rack to hang them all on! 


So, why am I going on and on about cookies? 
Well, over at Pleasant Home they are having a Christmas Cookie Exchange. 


I will be taking part and I hope you do too!  

They have a linky party next Friday so get those recipe's and posts ready.

I am having a cookie party with Meagan from A Life Full of Love and Laughter on Wednesday.
We will definitely have some cute cookies to share and post!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

New Camera & Prego Sweet Tooth

I was so pleased to pick up my new camera (Nikon s8100) from the post office yesterday! Here is the pathetic little story that goes with that.
You see, I have been tracking this puppy since it left the warehouse. Postal services work crazy hours! Most of the check in or check out times were like 3am! Anyways, when I saw it made it to my local post office, I called and asked them to not deliver it. I wanted to go pick it up...so on my planning hour Tuesday, I went and got my new toy!!
Here is a nice little video highlighting all the little perks.


I just love it already!
Here is a picture of my lovely prego sweet tooth indulgence last night. Taken with my camera without making ANY edits!


There is vanilla ice cream with HOT fudge sauce under my mountain of whipped cream! MMM! Sad thing is that I didn't even finish it... as is the case lately, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. 

As I enter my 34th week of pregnancy, I am starting to understand the phrase "uncomfortable!" Whether its having to keep my feet up almost all the time or they swell, having a hard time getting in and out of bed, feeling my stomach stretch which makes it sore, having to go to the bathroom multiple times (fun when you are trying to Christmas shop), and all the other stuff...clothes too small....stretch marks....
I know it will all be worth it or at least that is what I keep getting told and keep trying to tell myself. 
Mr. M informed me last night that "this doesn't last forever." He then received the look and I asked if he had any other sympathetic words. He replies "I'm sorry."

We started on the promised Apple Butter Recipe last night. We will finish tonight. Hopefully I will be able to post tomorrow. 
Tonight we are also taking our family Christmas card picture. Magnificent puppy is at the groomers today. He is getting a big boy Schnauzer hair cut! I didn't really want the traditional schnauzer cut when he was a puppy, but now we are sick of the mop bucket head!
For those of you on Facebook, check out Snuggle Pups Dog Groomers. My dear puppy may be on there today! 

Happy Hump Day!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Patiently Waiting...

I have about 5 posts ready to write with this small little thing holding me up....

and right now we are waiting for it to make its way to my front porch.

You see, without having this little camera, I am unable to take pictures and make pretty blog posts!

What posts do I have coming? Well...

  1. Finished Nursery pictures
  2. Adorable embellished burp cloths
  3. Prego brain has made my brain go mushy...
  4. Apple butter tutorial as Christmas gift
  5. Cute Diaper clutch
In the meantime, I will be enjoying the week off of work. Enjoying my Aunt G that made the long trip from California (and almost gave my grandma a heart attach when she saw her drive up-SURPRISE!)! 
Since Miss Jorja is due in 51 days (but who knows how soon she could arrive), I am determined to get as much of my Christmas projects done and shopping completed as soon as possible. Yesterday, I was able to get my nephews crossed off my list. I know what I am doing for my nieces. They just require a Wal-Mart trip which we know isn't happening for a while! 

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving week! We have so much to be grateful for! 

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Blog Makeover Giveaway

So, if you look at my actual blog instead of using Google Reader or iGoogle, you may notice that my blog keeps changing clothes. Well, backgrounds/templates. When I saw that Miranda over at Little Sailor Designs was doing  a giveaway, I just had to enter.

You see, I don't like things to stay the same for very long. Whether its the stuff on my kitchen counter, my furniture, or my blog design, I just don't like it to always stay the same. Then you get into changing the backgrounds or begging the hubby to move just one more piece of furniture. At times, neither the template or the hubby wants to cooperate. So, having someone else do the designing is OK with me!!

This is how awesome Miranda is, she just makes you post about the giveaway and then comment with the link to your post. So, wish me luck and go enter for yourself! She does a fantastic job!!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Dear Dad,

For those of you who don't know, my dad passed away two years ago (11/14/08). I was in the middle of teaching my first semester. He passed away from congestive hear failure. He was only 56 years old. This year it didn't hit me until today. If you have dealt with grief, you understand what that means. I had a dream about him last night which didn't help. So, as my way of coping today, I am going to write him a letter and get it off my chest. I realize this post has nothing to do with craftiness, mommy stories, or cooking but it is for me.

Dear Daddy,
It really sucks! I am 8 months pregnant with my daughter and you aren't here to experience any of it. I thought it would be ok, I thought "Dad wasn't the grandpa type." Well, that is fine and dandy until you have a dream about your dad helping you put a bassinet together for his grand-daughter and see how excited he was. You don't think about it until you think about how this little girl will never know but one grandpa. Who is great, but still, just one. Dad, its not fair! I want you here to give me a hard time. I want you here to pick on me. I want you here so I can call you and tell you all about what is going on so you can tell your dad so he knows because he can't here me on the phone.
Even though you would be 3000 miles away, you could still be a part of Jorja's life. You would still be there to tell me the funny stories about how I hit you with my glass bottle and you told everyone at the office that mom was the one who gave you the black eye.
I know you think it was ok to leave because you knew I married a man who would carry on in your pestering, annoying, funny way. And even though he is filling those those shoes with no problem, he still isn't you. He has too much of Grandpa's sensibleness in him. On most days I appreciate that, but when I am missing you, it doesn't help.
I want to see your face light up when you see Jorja for the first time. I want you to be able to hold her and talk to her. I want you to tell her funny and embarrassing stories about her mommy.
I want to be able to whine to you about how swollen my feet are and how much my back hurts all the while you give me a hard time about it.
I don't know why this couldn't have hit me over the weekend or even Monday. Especially when Eric took me for a ride in the truck. The truck that Grandpa bought brand new, gave to you, that you gave to us. The truck that my husband has worked his heart out on. The truck that you won't get to see restored. The truck that will never mean as much to anyone as it does to me. The truck that my kids won't think much of because they won't get it.
I miss you dad!


I am frustrated and sad and lonely today. I am mad that it is bugging me this much. I am able to be ok at the end of this because I know this was God's plan. I don't even come close to understanding the why of it but I know that God is here with me. He is holding me up when I could just crawl in a ball and give up for a while today. He is reminding me how much he loves me and he is My ABBA Father!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Updated To Do List... again!

We have made it to 59 days and my completed list has grown compared to my last update
Completed: 
  • Sew pink and denim quilt- Completed 10/17/10
  • Sew crib sheet using this tutorial- Completed 8/10/10
  • Sew crib bumper pad-Still working on this- I have one of the six pieces sewn.
  • Sew crib quilt using my own pattern- Completed 9/5/10
  • Sew crib bed skirt using this tutorial- well, with the help of... Completed 8/11/10
  • Sew changing pad cover using this tutorial-Already received several so not making any
  • Make foam cubes- Not gonna happen! 
  • Register at Babies R Us and Blessed Baby- Completed
  • Clean out nursery closet- Completed 8/7/10
  • Rearrange my room to move treadmill out of nursery - Completed courtesy of my awesome sister. See this post!
  • Get changing table from my sister- Completed
  • Wash extra car seat base- Completed Thanks to Mr. M
  • Figure out how to get odd odor out of the wardrobe- Aired it out, seems to be ok now.
  • Get sister's hand me down clothes once we know gender Completed
  • Make "It's A...." record sheet really liking this idea- Completed 
  • Make room in kitchen for bottles, etc- Completed
  •  Have SIL make "Every good and perfect gift comes from above" vinyl into a wall plaque- Completed 10/24 
  • Have a place for kid books- Bookshelves are made and painted, ready to be hung up. 10/18-24 Hung up 10/25/10. See this post. 
  • Hang shelves, pictures, etc in nursery- Corner shelves hung 10-24. Everything else 10/25/10. See this post.
  • Make thank you cards to match the Peter Rabbit theme- Completed
  •  Decide on what to put in picture frames (family pix, quote, scripture, etc). Made a bow holder and leaving the other for a picture- Completed
  • Rehang painted closet door (a Mr. M project)- Completed
  • Move hubby's clothes to my closet- Completed 11/?/10
  • Organize baby stuff after baby shower (shower Nov. 6)- Completed 11/6-7/10 
  • Finish decorating nursery- Mostly completed, it's just upkeep now. 
  • Make some burp rags- Going to make them with Beatrix Potter characters on them (love my embroidery machine)!- Did some super cute ones with ribbon, embroidery and applique but no Peter Rabbit...still adorable! 
  • Write a bazillion thank you notes   Completed! 
  • Take breast feeding class- took a class at Blessed Baby! Got a coupon for $20 off a Medela pump, a $5 gift card to the store, a binkie, and some great tips. So, I got my Medela pump that night too!!
  • Buy a rocking chair for nursery- Got an awesome deal on the rocker-recliner from Ashley furniture. I am loving it. It is "me sized" as my husband would say! What do you think? Do you like it??

Still to do: 
  • Make a few wet bags for those messy times. 
  • Make diaper/wipes clutch
I am stuck on this one but won't pay $25 for it :(

  • Move kids books from living room to nursery
  • Wash all baby clothes- started by washing bedding last night...
  • Re-read Babywise
  • Read Birthwise
  • Read breast feeding book- Started 10/24
  • Create nursing corner with basket of necessities
  • Pack and repack hospital bag
  • Bake muffins, pancakes, and other frozen goods for baby arrival (thanks Laptop to Lullabies)
  • Choose pediatrician
  • Fix window in nursery (a Mr. M project)
  • Send Sarah scrapbook stuff (Gender party papers/card, more ultrasound pictures, etc)
  • Take Oli to the groomer close to the due date so he will be handsome when his little sister comes home ;)
I am sure there are more things I should add. Experienced moms, please add to my list....

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Beatrix Potter Baby Shower for Jorja


Yesterday was our Baby Shower for Baby Jorja!!
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Isn't the diaper wreath adorable?? My sister made it!
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We had the Peter Rabbit Theme.
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With an adorable cake and yummy candy bar.
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Yummy punch and snacks...
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enjoyed by all.
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Hosted by my amazing sister and sister-in-law!
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I needed some helpers to unwrap gifts...
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for baby girl.
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Some adorable things...
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Some soft things...
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Some things Daddy picked out...
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Some useful things...
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and some memorable things!
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We are verrrrrry blessed!
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And can't wait for Jorja to arrive!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Week 30 Update and Ultrasound Picture

Let me brag a little about the new ultrasound machines! They are amazing. To see my sweet little girl this clear is amazing. The actual picture is much better but this was a picture of the picture. My scanner wouldn't work to scan it. Sooo...
This is baby Jorja Lee!!

(I debated about putting her actual name on her but I know there will be some embroidered stuff that will have her name on it, so oh well.)

This was at my 30 week appointment. She measured 3 pounds and 1 ounce. It was so cute to see her and her little lips move. Her Daddy was very excited (but don't' tell him I told you)!

Both Grandma's and my sister were there and they really enjoyed it. My MIL was saying how it makes you impatient for the next 10 weeks to go by so we can hold her. I agree, almost. I have some more work to get done first!

So, this Saturday is my Baby Shower!!

Isn't this invite too cute. I love Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter!!

My awesome sister and sister-in-law are going to do a book raffle! I am so excited about this. They sent out a card that says to bring any kinda of book instead of a card to be entered in a raffle. The prize will be one for the actual lady that wins, not one that goes back to the mom. I love that it can be a baby book, a mommy book, or any other book. If you can't tell by now, I LOVE BOOKS!!

I will have pictures to share after this weekend.

Sadly, my camera died (it will NOT turn on or anything) and I am looking for another one. We are just a little busy this week though but hopefully soon!
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Beatrix Potter Nursery Progress

Two summers ago, I fell in love with Beatrix Potter fabric at my local quilt store. I bought the kit to make a quilt. Mr. M and I decided Beatrix Potter/ Peter Rabbit would be great for a nursery because we could reuse the bedding for a boy or girl. I realize this nursery is not entirely Beatrix Potter but it has been customized to our little girl. More of the personal details will come out when the room is completely done.

I was very excited to get a lot done on the nursery last night!! My SIL and hubby worked their tails off for me. I was more of an assistant.
Keep in mind that this is NOT the finished product. We still have a lot of little things to do but I couldn't help but show you how far we have come!!
This is the crib wall with the Beatrix Potter prints. I love how the brown ribbon just makes it richer. It also ties in with my changing table. Both of these boxes will disappear soon!
Here is a closer picture of the prints. Notice the HUGE monkey? I won him this weekend at our local "Gerber Mom to Be Day." I also won a Pack N' Play that was full of Gerber goodies (food, onesies, receiving blanket, sippy cups, binkies, etc). It was all monkey themed!
This is prolly one of my favorite things in the room. My Aunt G gave me one of these dolls every year for my birthday until I moved away and she couldn't find them anymore. I love that they go with the other stuff in the room!
Here is a picture of the book wall and the changing table wall. I can't believe how much I love the book wall. It far exceeds my expectations. Mr. M cut out the wood and put it together, I sanded and painted it. Ok, he helped with painting it too. Gotta love it.
My rocking chair will also sit in this corner so some of the book was will be covered. 
 These books are either mine from my childhood or hand me downs from my SIL. Part of the baby shower is a Book Raffle. Each person has the option of bringing ANY book for me or baby instead of a card. They are then entered into a raffle for a prize for them, not one that they would give back to me, like diapers, but an actual girly prize! Needless to say, I will get some more books but that will be perfect because this momma likes to read and I plan to pass that on to Baby!!
Here is a close up of the decoration above the changing table. I was laughing with Mr. M had to go get longer screws to hang the shelf "because it wasn't falling on his baby." There was some mention of doing lag bolts instead but he came to his senses :) 
Notice the pink Sock Monkey? Mr. M had a sock monkey when he was little and he decided Baby M must have one too! So, after looking all over the internet, I finally found one at Cracker Barrel of all places!
 This is the frame that my SIL painted!! Mr. M liked the sign that said "My prince did come...His name is Daddy" where we registered. But, the colors didn't go and it had glitter on it. I'm not a huge glitter fan. So, We got this picture from for $3 at Hobby Lobby and she worked her magic!
 This wardrobe is very special to me! It was my dad's when he was a baby and then they used it for me. When my dad passed away, this was one thing that made the trek back from California to be mine. I spent A LOT of time stripping it, sanding it, and trying to stain it, but ultimately painted it white. It was the beginning of the white in the nursery.
The basket of loot on the top of the wardrobe was from the Mom to Be day. 
The wall hanging is another masterpiece of my SIL's. She cut out a piece of foam board and matched the scallops on the wardrobe. She painted it and then put my vinyl lettering on it. I got the vinyl on clearance in Michael's for $7 over a year ago. It says "Every good and perfect gift comes from above." I couldn't agree more! 
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