Mmm Mmm Mondays #6

Dinner done, dishes done, sweet pea's bath done, sweet pea to bed done, toys cleaned up done. I finally have a chance to sit down and write this weeks Mmm Mmm Monday post. I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here it was freezing today, and we even had a little bit of snow. Nothing too crazy, but it was a nice dusting. Sweet pea liked looking out the window as it was coming down. Here are a few pics that I snapped this afternoon while it was coming down pretty hard.

As we were looking at the snow I thought to myself, "self what should we make for dinner tonight since it is so cold outside?" and my self replied "Oh definitely some kind of comfort food and something warm". So after some thinking I chose to make Chicken and Dumplings.

Now, my aunt really makes the best chicken and dumplings, but I think mine come in at a pretty close second. I was always intimidated by hers and knew for sure that they would be so hard to make, but I was pleasantly wrong. Once I tried, and with a little bit of help and encouragement from my aunt, I finally made them on my own. I was very proud of myself the first time I made them and even more proud to show my hubby what I had accomplished. I felt like a true southern cook at that moment (even thought I still have a long way to go)!

So without further ado, here is my recipe for Chicken and Dumplings.

Chicken and Dumplings

You will need:

1 medium sized whole chicken or 3 good sized breasts

1 tbsp butter

2 cups bisquick

2/3 milk

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup cold water

8 oz chicken broth (1 can)

salt and pepper to taste

Season your chicken with salt and pepper, and then place into boiling water. If you are using a whole chicken it will need to cook for approximately 1 hour or until chicken can be easily pulled away from the bone. If you are using chicken breasts they typically cook for about 30 mins, but cook time will vary depending on the size of breasts your using.

While your chicken is boiling, you can put together your dumpling mixture and thickening agent. First, place bisquick and milk in a bowl and stir until fully mixed.

You should end up with a dough mixture like this.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth.

Once your chicken is done, remove it from the water and let it cool. If there is still a lot of water left in the pot you may want to pour some out until its only about less than 1/2 way full. If not your soup will be too runny. I unfortunately had this happen tonight, but they still turned out OK. Once your chicken is cool, shred and then return to the pot.

You will then add your butter, salt and pepper and stir.

Once you've added those ingredients you add in your chicken broth. I said to use one can for measurement reasons, but your can really use as much as you want according to your taste, but just be careful not to use too much or your soup will become too liquidity.

Once you have added your broth go ahead and stir in the flour mixture that you made earlier and return to a boil.

Let soup boil for about a minute or so and then drop tsp of your baking mix into the boiling mixture. Repeat this process until all dumplings have been dropped.

Reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 10 mins. I always turn my dumplings after about 5 minutes so they get really good and cooked. Cover and then continue cooking for about 10 more minutes. Once they are done, they should look something like this.

Serve them up with your favorite side of choice (biscuit, green beans, etc...) and ENJOY! I decided to skip the side item tonight to save my calories for the large bowl of cookies and ice cream that I just indulged in. YUM!

Hubby's rating: 5

I hope if you decide to try this recipe you will come back and let me know how you liked it, or if you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. It's gonna be a cold one again tomorrow, so I foresee some leftovers in my future. Hope you all have a good night and stay warm out there. Goodnight!!

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Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays

Christmas Wrap Up

These past 2 weeks have flown by and I can't believe that another Christmas has come and gone. There is always so much preparation and excitment leading up to the big day and then it's just over in a flash! To be honest I am kinda relieved and sad at the same time that it is over. Sad because I love spending so much time with my family and relieved because now my house is back in order and I can finally RELAX, which I have been doing a lot of since I am suffering from a severe head cold and bronchitis this week. (No bueno!)

Instead of sharing a bunch of individual posts I thought I would just give you one big run down of how my Christmas week played out.

Monday I got together with my best girlfriends for our Annual Christmas Poker Party where we drink a little wine, have some snacks, and play a fun silly little game of poker. It's funny because everyone is always so afraid to bet very much so the game always goes on forever and then eventually we all get bored and just cash in the chips we have left and call it a night. We are definitely NOT professionals!! It's just fun to get out of the house and have a little mommy time with some of my favorite people.

Wednesday Sweet pea and I went over to my mom's house where we had a cookie making party. We made 5 different kinds of cookies that day. Needless to say mom and I were pretty pooped when it was all said and done. I don't know how there are people out there that make like 20 different kinds of cookies every year. They must spread it out over a couple of days or something. Sweet pea had fun playing with the sugar cookie dough that we gave her, and I think she may have even snuck a few tastes in.

The highlight of the day though was watching her ice the cookie and then eat it. She was just picking it up and licking the icing off. It was too funny! She has unfortunately inherited her momma's sweet tooth. Whoops!

Friday sweet pea and I went to church with my mom and dad for the Christmas Eve Eve service. It was a really pretty service and I finally got to see the new sanctuary that the church built. Sweet pea was not amused at being dropped off at the children's center because when we got back to pick her up she was crying and they said she had been on and off during the entire service. I was glad that they didn't page me and I was able to enjoy myself.

Sweet pea with her Nana

I just love this little coat that my cousin gave us and I tried to get a decent picture of her in it, but she wasn't having it, so this will have to do.

Christmas Eve we went to my aunts house (my mom's sister) and my mom's whole side of the family came over for lunch. My aunt made 3 different kinds of soups and then we had a bunch of desserts. Sweet pea of course was showered with gifts which was so nice of everyone. She is blessed to have so many people in her life that love her so much! It was nice to see everyone because this was technically not the year that we have Christmas with them. (We switch years with my mom and dad's family)

We then went over to my mom and dad's and opened presents with them and my sister, her husband and nephew. Sweet pea again got way too much stuff, but was so excited about her baby doll that aunt Sarah got her. She immediately wanted to take it out of the package and then proceeded to use the box as a bed for the baby. It was hilarious! I got some Best Buy giftcards which I am super pumped about, because I am saving up to buy a new digital camera. Hopefully I will have enough to get it very soon. By the time we got to my sister in laws house on Christmas Eve we were all worn out so we went to bed so that Santa could come and visit.

LOVE my little family :)

Christmas morning we all woke up together and opened presents at my sister in laws. It was ridiculuos how many presents there were. We were some very blessed people that day, and everyone received some really nice things. Sweet pea loves the stroller that Santa brought and pushes everything around in it. This was also the year of books for her and she got some really nice ones to add to her bookshelf at home. I think we had almost read every single book in her room, so it was nice that she got some new ones.

My sister in law got her this Little People princess castle and she loves it. We left it at her house so she can play with it when she is over there. I just love this picture for some reason.

This is the aftermath of what my house looked like once we got home and took everything out of their boxes. I am still trying to find places for things.

Christmas seems to always get me in the organizing mood, so I think my New Year's Resolution will be to get my house more organized and keep it that way. I got a sewing machine from my hubby and I am super excited to start using it, so I forsee a lot of projects in 2012.

Well the Oklahoma game just started so I think I am gonna jump off here and watch a little bit with my hubby before I head to bed. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Years Eve, and I will see ya'll in 2012!!

Postponed

Edition #6 of Mmm Mmm Mondays will be postponed until next week, as I am fighting off acute bronchitis. Plus do to the holidays I don't actually have a recipe to share.

Hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas, and I hope to see you sometime soon!!

Mmm Mmm Mondays #5

I can't believe that Christmas is almost here. You wait and wait all year for it to get here and then BAM! it's over in a flash. I have been so busy trying to get the rest of my shopping and wrapping done that I haven't given myself any time to just enjoy the Holiday. I vow to have my shopping done by December 1st next year, so that I can take the time to really enjoy the spirit and activities of Christmas.

I know I promised a delicious Holiday party treat this post, but unfortuantely life happens and so I don't have one for you today. I do have another very delicious recipe to share however, and it is actually not from pinterest, but from my very own kitchen. Hubby loves Mexican food so I decided to try some slow cooker pork tacos. Here is how to make them.

Crockpot Shredded Pork Tacos

You will need:
2 lb pork roast
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 red onion
1 cup water
1 pkg tortillas

(All ingrediants are not pictured)

Sesaon the pork with all 3 spices and garlic, and place in crock pot. Pour 1 cup water over your meat. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours. (May take longer depending on the size of your meat)

About 15 mintues before your meat is done, chop some red onion and sautee in a skillet with some olive oil until tender.

Once your meat is done take it out if the crock pot and place on a cutting board. Shred the whole roast and place in a bowl. (You can also leave it on the cutting board if you are going to eat it right away)

Heat your tortillas in the microwave for about 15 seconds. We used flour tortillas, but you can use corn if you prefer the taste. Place a scoop of pork into your tortilla and then top with some of the red onion. Then you can add whatever else you like in your taco. We added cheese and sour cream, and hubby even added a little hot sauce to his. (I told you he likes his food spicy!)

I am not a big onion person so I opted for just the cheese and sour cream. I also made us a little Spanish rice to go with our tacos.

This dish is really simple and if your looking for something different for dinner tonight, I would highly recommend this. If your looking to add a little more flavor to the pork, you could add some peppers in adobo sauce found in the latin aisle of the supermarket. I think I am going to try adding those next time I make this dish.

Hubby's rating:4

I am not sure I will be posting anymore before Christmas, so I hope everyone has a Wonderful Holiday filled with lots of family, love and laughter.

Merry Christmas!

Snowman Wreath Tutorial

I am totally on a roll with 3 posts in one day. One reason I am doing this is because I know that next week is going to be so hectic. I still have to finish my Christmas shopping, we have family coming into town and I of course have to get together with my girls for our Annual Christmas poker party. (yes you read that right, and no I am not good at poker!)

Anyway, last year for Christmas my mother in law gave me the Southern Living Cookbook that is sold at Dillard's every year. I honestly didn't look at it much and then just added it to the shelf with the others. This year however I decided to pull it out and boy am I glad I did. It has so many wonderful recipes inside as well as holiday entertaining ideas and much, much more. I suggest if you don't have one already you go out and buy one this year!

As I was flipping through the pages I came across the picture below. I thought it was the cutest idea ever and thought of my mom right away. She is a collector of snowmen and this was the prefect one to add to her collection. Mom's birthday is December 4th so I knew I had to make her one of these.

Since she doesn't have a wall at her house like the one in the picture, I decided to make a smaller version so she could hang it on her door. I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased 3 wreaths in different sizes, some ribbon and a piece of black felt for the hat. (I purchased the felt that is sorta stiff already so it would hold up better.

I used twine to tie the wreaths together in a snowman shape. I would have rather used floral wire so you wouldn't see the attachment as much, but I didn't have any at the time.

I then cut a hat shape out of the felt and attached it to the wreath with a hot glue gun. I cut a piece of ribbon long enough to tie around the snowman's neck to look like the scarf in the picture above.

And there you have it, your very own snowman wreath. It was so simple to make and literally took me like 10 minutes to put together. I hung him on my door to see what he looked like, but since then he has moved to his new home. My mom has actually added some sprigs of pine and berries to him and it looks really cute. I will try to take a picture next time I am over there so you can see.

I had planned on making myself one as well, but not sure I will get around to it this year, but we shall see. Hope you all have a wonderful evening. Until next time, BYE!

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At the Picket Fence

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree.....

We finally put our tree up last Friday, which was the latest we have ever put one up. We have had a lot going on this month it seems and have not gotten ourselves quite into the Christmas spirit this year. Better late than never though. I decided to take some pics today of the tree since it is kinda dark outside and I knew the lights would show up a little better in the pics.

Here is the tree with the living room lights on. If the tree looks like it's leaning than your eyes are not deceiving you. We had a minor accident the first night we put the tree up. The next morning we found it on the ground, but all ornaments were intact which was good. Only problem was we have carpet in our living room and water got spilled all over from the tree stand so the carpet was wet for a few days. Hubby leaned it towards the wall when he picked it up in case it decided to fall again. We think the trunk is too skinny for our tree stand and that's why it fell over.

I made a book page garland for the tree this year, and I absolutely LOVE it!! We have sort of a candy/gingerbread theme on our tree, so we have a lot of candy cane and gingerbread ornaments.

This ornament was given to us by my parents the first Christmas hubby and I were married.

I decided to start the tradition of giving sweet pea an ornament every year, so when she gets older and has a tree of her own she will have some sweet memories to add to it. This is the one I gave her last year for her first Christmas.

We of course have to add OU to the tree since hubby and his family are die hard Sooners fans. I think we have at least 4 OU ornaments on the tree but this is my favorite out of the bunch.

This is one of the few that hubby made when he was little. His mom gave them to us a few years ago and I love adding then to the tree!

M.A. Hadley Pottery is made right here in Louisville, so when I found a couple of ornaments at a local Peddlers Mall for only $3 a piece I snatched them right up. I love horses and since I live in Kentucky (and Louisville) it is very fitting. I bought a pig as well.

Here is where I am displaying my cards this year. I better get some more clothes pins because I am about to run out. I love getting cards in the mail!

Another view of the tree.

I found this tree skirt at Hobby Lobby and got it monogrammed at a local shop last year. It reminds me of one I have seen in Pottery Barn, and was about a 1/4 of the cost.

This cutie was given to me by my sweet sister in law a couple years ago. She found it at a craft fair. I love things made from vintage chenille.


Here is some of the other decor in my home all lit up.



Sweet pea's tree. Hope you have a great day!

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