new recipes

I thought I'd share a few recipes that I have made over the past few months.

I found all of these on Pinterest ... they are tried, tested, and APPROVED!

Crock Pot Italian Chicken

(via Pinterest via homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com via Olivia)

 THIS IS DELICIOUS AND SO EASY! - especially for pasta and crock pot lovers.  Four chicken breasts, one packet Zesty Italian dressing seasoning, one 8 oz. cream cheese (softened), two cans cream of chicken soup.   Cook on low for 4 hours. If sauce is too thick, add a little milk. Serve over pasta.   Great for Sunday lunch!

Calzones

Roll pizza dough (refrigerated kind, packet kind, or homemade) into a rectangle the length of your baking sheet. It can be wider than the sheet because you will be folding the sides in. Place the dough on the baking sheet and let the sides hang off.  Put sauce on the center half of the dough.

(via Pinterest via http://www.squidoo.com/homemade-calzone via Olivia)

Just like pizza, add your toppings (our favorites are pepperoni, beef, onions, bell peppers). Calzones can be a good way to use up leftovers. Any small amounts of meat, cheese and vegetables can be put into the calzone.  Then add cheese.

Cut the dough on the sides at about 3/4 inch intervals. Don't cut all the way to the filling.

Then wrap.

 Start at the bottom and alternating sides, overlap the strips of dough onto the filling in a lattice pattern. You can stretch the pieces to fit all the way over the filling.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

(via Pinterest via www.chefmommy-brandao.blogspot.com via Olivia)

4 1/2 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 package of Rice-a-Roni long grain and wild rice 

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup butter

2 cups half and half 

1 cup grated carrots 

1 cup diced celery

Directions:  Combine broth, water, carrots, celery, chicken and rice (along with seasoning packet) in a large slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. Take out chicken and shred with two forks and then add back into slow cooker. In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, and flour. In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour mixture by tablespoon to form a roux. Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth. Stir cream mixture into slow cooker and then let cook on low for 15 more minutes. 

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

(via Pinterest via www.sweetandsavoryfood.com via Olivia)

 

pork butt (whatever size needed for your family)

1 can Diet Pepsi

1/2 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce

Lawry's Seasoning Salt

 

Generally coat pork butt with Lawry's seasoning salt.  Place in crock pot and pour in soda and barbecue sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. If you have a larger piece of meat, it will probably take longer. After 4 hours or so, take two forks and shred the meat into bite size chunks. Let it sit in the juice to soak up all that flavor. It can stay on warm in crock pot while serving, and can easily be reheated the next day. Serve on a bun or roll and add more barbecue sauce if needed.

ENJOY!

decorating for fall {inside}

 I love decorating for the different seasons and occasions.

Chris thinks I'm crazy ... oh well.

I decorated for fall last week, since Thursday was the official beginning.

And because Christmas is less than 100 days away ... it will soon be time for all that.

I found a lot of inspiration on Pinterest.  

This is the mantle in our den:

 Lentils, black beans, and kidney beans in a vase with a candle

 This idea was from Pinterest - love that the "picture" becomes 3D.

 Found this mirror at a thrift store, hot glued a piece of burlap to cover the mirror, and then glued on the leaf.  Hopefully I will be able to easily remove afterward.

 Mantle in our living room:

The wreath is another Pinterest idea!  A quick and easy project.

 Kitchen table.  Wreath-from-last-year-turned-candle-ring.

 Wanted to show this sweet flower arrangement in the kitchen.  Last Thursday, after decorating, I was hosting a ladies group from church.  My kind mother-in-law came over to help me put the finishing touches on our meal and she surprised me with these flowers.  Thanks, Teresa!  (the bag in the background is Chris' Pizza Doritos - you tried them? - reminds me of Pizzeria chips)

 Little painted pumpkins.  Once again -- Pinterest.  I used fake pumpkins, so I can use them again next year, if I'd like.  Easy and inexpensive ... but the striped and argyle pumpkins were a little tedious and time-consuming getting the lines straight.  The pedestal bowl is a thrift store find.  It is wood, but I wanted it painted.  Chris didn't want me to paint it - he told me I was covering up the beautiful wood.  So, I told him if I ever wanted a wooden bowl again, I'd just have him sand off all the paint.  :)

Happy fall!

Pinterest

I discovered Pinterest several months ago, but never spent much time perusing through the boards.  But now, I've dove head-first into the fun.  I love the concept of sharing and keeping up with ideas.  It saves me from printing, clipping, and putting into my "Idea book."  I just 'pin' my ideas on my boards organized by categories.  Here are a few pins that I love.

I love a good quote.  Words that make you think.  Good stuff!

Source: None via Olivia on Pinterest

I want to try to make one of these stands from burner covers.

Source: decorganizecrafts.blogspot.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Next week, I hope to put some fall plants and flowers in my pots.
Love these colors and arrangement.

Source: bhg.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Three cheese chicken penne
I can't wait to try this recipe.  I love pasta.

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Olivia on Pinterest

I want to paint pumpkins!

Source: frugalflourish.blogspot.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Have you discovered Pinterest?