Chicken Parmesan Pasta

I have GOT to go to the grocery store TO-day!  Anybody with me?!  I mean...Miles had pear juice and Owen had water with breakfast!  Not even any milk!  So I had to get a little creative with supper last night...

I had seen this recipe on pinterest that looked soooo good:



It is made with raw chicken and croutons.  I had already cooked up some chicken breasts over the weekend to have on hand this week (frozen chicken breasts, onion, garlic, tad bit of water and chicken boullion in crock pot for 4-6 hours= fall apart chicken great to throw into any recipe).  And I had some spaghetti sauce in fridge that I needed to use up, along with a bag of croutons in pantry (we're not really salad eaters).

So I tweeked the recipe some and here we go:

(I cooked this up in an 8x8 pan- I've learned that (for now) a 9x13 dish is too much for us.  8x8 is just right with just enough leftovers for the next day.)

cooked, shredded chicken (I used two chicken breasts and this was almost too much chicken)
pasta (I used rotini, you could use penne or whatever you have on hand; I also only used about half a box)
2 cups spaghetti sauce (make your own or use the jar)
1-2 Tbsp basil
1 garlic clove pressed
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups parmesan cheese
2 cups mozzarrella cheese
5 oz bag garlic croutons

Boil your pasta according to box.  Mix pasta, chicken, 1 cup parmesan, and sauce.  Put olive oil and garlic in bottom of dish and spread around to coat.  Pour pasta mix in.  Sprinkle with basil, rest of parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.  Spread croutons on top and press down.  You can sprinkle more cheese on top if you want.  Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.  Serve with garlic bread and maybe some green beans!  (I didn't have either---I'm telling you- I have got to get to the store today!!)

fyi--- croutons reheated are n.o.t. good- pasta is great next day- just leave the croutons off  =)

Here are two ways I love to make green beans that are sure to get eaten up!!

Quick Green Beans:
1 can green beans
1-2 Tbsp Cavendar's seasoning
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 Tbsp sugar

Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan.  Heat to boiling.  Cover and reduce heat.  Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes.

Great Green Beans:  (from Mississippi Magazine) (I usually half this!)
6 cans green beans, drained
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup crumbled bacon

Put green beans into a 9x13.  Melt butter, stir in brown sugar.  Pour over green beans.  Sprinkle with bacon.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Prepare to be thanked and asked to bring it to every function from now on.  =)


How do you make your green beans?  Do you ever tweek a recipe with stuff you have on hand at home?

***there's another great recipe on my pinterest page that calls for fresh green beans- we had them for Christmas eve dinner and they were fantastic!  Those may be on the menu for this week, in fact!

Updates on Life!

No...baby girl has no name yet...

With Miles and Owen- we just knew.  Their names fit.  We didn't really have any complications with them!  Sweet little girl though...and we can't think of anything really that we are just crazy about!  I know it will come...but a good friend told me of someone she knew who actually was allowed to bring their baby home from the hospital without a name!  I can't imagine!  I'm a lover of all things monogrammed- especially on little girls, and especially little bloomer diaper covers!

So I'm certain she will have a name...soon.

I've even tried to pass the task off to Miles, hoping that whatever he says will stick...but apparently Miles has learned Arabic somewhere in his daily living of life...and speaks in it when I ask him questions throughout the day.  (at the end of saying the blessing...you know that sweet little one "God our Father, God our Father, once again, once again"...well at the end, instead of saying "A-men" {long a}, he says "allah-men, allah-men". I had never thought anything of it until my dad said something after the blessing and snickering at our Father's day dinner!)

Speaking of Father's day--- how did you celebrate??  I wish, oh I wish, I had been better about taking pics that day!  Oh wait...it was our end of VBS program, Miles had an ultimate throwdown at church because he wasn't getting to go to VBS that day, Jared's stepmom went to hospital because of a stroke (she's doing much better and is home now, thankfully)...hmmm...and I don't exactly know where my camera is right now. But we still managed to have a good meal that evening- a man's meal-- wings, chips, beans...and we got to celebrate with my dad and Jared's stepdad- so it really did end up being a good day!  For gifts, each dad (including Jared) got a tape measure (cause what dad doesn't like a tape measure??) that had a tag on it:  "You really measure up!"  I thought it was cute!!!  Jared also got an apple TV- anyone else out there have one of those???  He hasn't shown me everything it can do yet- so I'm still waiting to be impressed!  HA!  We had a lovely date night Saturday night- complete with BBQ and ice cream!!  What could be better??


And we get to have another one this weekend!!  Our anniversary is Saturday- 6 blissful years!  We are celebrating on Friday night- headed to the B&B we went to on our wedding night!  I can't wait to just spend some "us" time together!  Life has slowed down this week from the craziness of soccer tryouts (I won't get started on that...and parents who think their kids are allstars...remind me of this when my kids are playing...no really)  but we are in desperate need of some time away from the house- even if it is just a little ways down the road!

This is the best pic that has both of us smiling in it that I have saved on the computer!

  It's amazing to think about all of the major life changes that have happened in the last 10 years!  Lord-willing- I pray that these ten years have seen the most changes that I will see in life!  Think about it- everyone goes through these:

living at home- under mom and dad's rules, cheering at football games, dreaming about what is to come over the next few years, then graduate from high school, go to college (in my case- move off, go to school with NO ONE you know) live with complete strangers who will become some of your dearest friends in life- no matter what, fall in love (in my case- with a blast from the past), make life-altering decisions (because let's face it- to get married or not to get married is a life-altering decision no matter who you are!  of course mine was a no-brainer!), graduate from college, get married, move away from mom and dad ("leave and cleave"- which I feel like we did really well!), become completely dependent on your polar opposite (paula abdul comes to mind), get a real job- that actually gets a paycheck and deposits money into a retirement account ("i thought I was only 22??"), buy our first house, decide that it's time for a baby (whaaaat??), move back home (literally for us- moved in with my parents for a year while waiting for our house in AL to sell), start a competitive soccer club (who knew?), buy our second home, decide it's time for a second baby, live life...oops-- we're pregnant again?! (Yes, Jared's boss told him he needed a hobby).

I mean...I'm seriously hoping that the next ten years aren't filled with that much change!  Don't get me wrong--- there's nothing I would change!  It all lead to this point in life!  And I love it!  But...I'm ready for some rhythm.  

family pic from last fall

Anyone with me??

**sorry for lack of pics on this one-- like I mentioned-- don't exactly know where the camera is--and I'm not too tech-savvy just yet on my Iphone.   I know it's easy-- just not there yet!

Some Summer Inspiration...

I have gotten back on a "blog-hopping" kick...found all sorts of inspiration for some much-needed help around this house in updating some decor and just finishing up some rooms and spots throughout the house!  I'm making myself a checklist...so hopefully that will help keep me on track!!  Here are some different blogs where I've gotten my "inspiration"!!

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com

http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/  ((((and I'm loving the John Wayne saying she has posted on the 18th....my mother in law is a HUGE fan of the Duke and has passed that love on to my 3 year old- I mean seriously- what kid wants to sit and watch old cowboy movies in black and white???  I'm NOT 3 and can hardly handle it!  I'm thinking I'm going to have to do something with that saying for our "man room"!))))

http://tocrave.blogspot.com

http://justsewsassy.com

http://findinghomeonline.com/blog

and that's just to get you started....they have all sorts of links to a bajillion other places...you're welcome...

ALSO!

If you're a foodie...I've come across a few new-to-me blogs---

www.sundaybaker.net

www.plainchicken.com

I like the Sunday Baker because she has two growing boys whom she is trying to keep fed with HEALTHY foods!!!  I'm constantly racking my brain on new ways to keep Miles from only having PBJ and trail mix (which I do keep pretty healthy)!   In fact...here are a few things I've recently tried to incorporate...besides chicken nuggets =)

Grilled PB and Apples:

wheat bread (this is what I grew up eating...check the label to make sure the 1ST ingredient is whole wheat flour--- nothing enriched-  means it's been processed more)

PB

apple

little bit of butter and brown sugar

cinnamon

Now...something you may not know about moi is that I am allergic to fresh fruit.  Yes, that is a real thing.  My mom found it here.  Which TOTALLY sucks because I love fruit...all types (not crazy about peaches though...and yes, I know I'm from the South and should anyway...)  And I especially love banana pudding, but have found that even that can make my mouth itch like crazy!!  (No, I'm not going to die or anything if I have fruit like people who have, say, peanut allergies or anything, it's just terribly annoying!!)  So, while you don't have to do this first step, I do.  And I must say- I really like it this way because I'm a sucker for something sweet...

I sliced up my apple, while my butter was melting, added some brown sugar to butter, and sauteed my apples for about 5 minutes, til they were tender.  Something about cooking them gets rid of whatever I'm allergic to.

Then I slather PB onto both sides of the bread, put the apples on the PB, sprinkle cinnamon, and put back in pan I sauteed apples in.  It soaks up the leftover brown sugar and butter and is DELISH!  And sorta healthy! Peanut butter, apples, wheat bread...yep- I'm thinking that covers a couple food groups anyway!  And simple enough for a quick lunch!  

English Muffin Pizzas

english muffins (duh) (and like I said before- we're using all whole wheat breads)

leftover spaghetti sauce (or you can open a new jar  =)

cheese (whatever you have)

I personally like to toast my english muffins in toaster first, but you can broil them in oven/toaster oven if you prefer.  Then spoon sauce on, sprinkle cheese, put under the broiler for a few minutes- and BAM you're done.  And this is sooo easy for little hands to help with!  

Few other things I've got on hand--

Homemade Mac and Cheese (really trying to stay away from the blue box that features toy story characters!), garden fresh tomatoes (when I can bum them off of someone-- same goes for any other type of veggies and fruit!), edamame (I think Miles likes to eat this just because it's fun to say...I like to get the already shelled {because you get a LOT more than the shelled} in the steamable bag- do it according to directions, then put on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper- bake those suckers on 375 for about 20 minutes {stir after 10 minutes)- DELISH)

.......anything you want to add to the mix here?!?!  Please share!!  

Now...while I semi-harped on eating healthy...here's a treat for ya...have you seen this blog??  I came across it looking for free fonts (which are fantastic), but her blog is soooo much fun to read...check out these- anything that combines brownies, oreos, and chocolate chips- well...you've got my attention!!  Check the recipe out here.

NOW---- go get to getting inspired!!!  

Do this to your bacon...

Well...I was off to a good start!

{{{keep scrolling if you want the bacon part}}}

Except my poppyseed chicken that I said I was going to make turned into chicken and noodles.  (fantastic)

Easy Creamy Chicken and Noodles
(sorry for the approximate measurements...that's just how I roll cook)

egg noodles (i use about half a bag)
chicken stock to boil noodles in (or do water and about 2 Tbsp chicken bullion cubes) (about 3 cups)
2 big cooked chicken breasts, diced or shredded
1 can cream of mushroom
1 cup milk
1 can mixed veggies (or you can do frozen, just add them in time for them to cook.  the canned you don't have to wait to thaw and cook, just warm)
cheese (if you want it- I added it, but would have been fine without it)

Boil noodles in chicken stock.  Drain.  Add chicken, cream of chicken, milk, veggies, cheese. Mix all together and let it sit until milk and cream of mushroom evaporate into noodles.  I let mine sit for about 20 minutes on low heat.

I loved that this was sooooo easy and delicious!  Now...part of it was that my cooked chicken breast was cooked good--- I had it in the freezer from when i had cooked several breasts in the crockpot a couple weeks back.  I cooked it in some broth, water, s/p, and a little garlic and onion.  I had let the chicken thaw all day, so it was ready to add into the creamy chicken and noodles.

Then...

the snow came.

Okay- if you read my blog and you're not from around these Southern parts...snow shuts us down for days.  Half and inch or 3 feet...seriously folks.  My mother-in-law said this one was a "2 loafer" (she heard it on the weather channel) {and if you need further explanation like I did...it means 2 loafs of bread}

So of course church was cancelled...meaning I didn't get my yummy red beans and rice this week!!  Hopefully we'll have it next week!  So once I left the schoolhouse (knowing we weren't going anywhere for 2 days) I did what every good Southern woman does...I went to the Kroger(s) for toilet paper and milk.  {we seriously did need both}  And it seriously snowed while I was in there!!!  I also made the decision while in there to pick up some bacon, eggs,  and orange juice--- we were having breakfast for dinner at the Darby's.

So.  Wednesday night we had pancakes, bacon, and eggs.  Let me give you a few helpful tips and hints...

1.)  pancakes- use Pioneer baking mix.  I use it for my biscuits and pancakes and LOVE it!!  There have been times I haven't gotten the pancakes just right...and I've tried a little bit of everything.

2.) Do this to your bacon:  mix about a 1/2 Tbsp. each mustard and honey, and about 1/2 c brown sugar in a plastic bag.  Put your bacon in there to coat it.  Place it on a wire cooling rack, then onto a cookie sheet (lined with parchment or foil for easier clean up).  Put in 400 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes---- DELISH!  Even the burnt parts are delicious because they're drizzled with honey!!  

Okay--- the rest of the week went as planned (except that darn roast...but now I can't even think of what we did instead!) Our date night at church was cancelled because of the snow, but Meme and Jimbo came through for us!  So we house-swapped!  They came down and kept the boys while we ordered a pizza and got a movie at the Redbox and went back to their house to watch it in the quiet!!  So nice!  

Next post will be this week's menu!  

menu for the week...2nd edition =)

Okay---so last week worked!

YAY for me!!!

Thursday was especially hard..........Jared was set to have a meeting...I wanted so badly NOT to cook...but I did it anyway!!!  So the whole week worked out!  YAY!

Well...except Friday I didn't do roast...I did the sandwiches because we decided to spend the night at the mall (which we have not done in FOR-EV-UH--- in fact...we may or may NOT have gotten lost going out there b/c it was raining and we haven't been on the interstate in forever....hmmm....)  So Saturday we just ate leftovers for lunch and then headed out that evening for bowling at Mexican (fajitas there were MUCH better than my sorry attempt on Monday!!)

So here's the game plan for this week...

tonight:  hmmm...I have cooked, shredded chicken breast in the fridge thawing...I'm thinking I'll do poppyseed chicken and some veggies...probably better hurry up and decide, huh?!  Hubby will be home in about an hour---and I still have to get dressed!  AH!!!  But it has been a great pajama/snow day!!
(oh--- and earlier today for lunch- me and Miles made our own pizzas!  fun---he didn't like his-- it didn't taste like the "real" thing!  oh well-- I ate mine up!)

Tuesday- hubs has a city meeting- and those last FOREVER so we will either do a veggie plate or might wait around at Meme's house and see what they're having for supper!!  hee hee!

Wednesday- church supper (and we're having the BEST red beans and rice and bread pudding you've ever put in your mouth...we have SUCH good chefs for our Wednesday night suppers!!)

Thursday- I WILL cook that roast this week!!!

Friday- potato soup- see this post for recipe (or I have a chicken chili recipe we might do...)

Saturday- probably leftovers/"fend for yourself"  =)

okay-- well there aren't too many all out meals I have to cook up this week...so I might throw in another one along the way---especially for Saturday...but lots to do between now and then!  Planning for little boy's 1st birthday celebration (think lumberjack), helping throw a shower for a dear friend (think little cowboy), attending a wedding shower, and lots of birthday presents!!  Gotta get that sewing machine going, folks!

What am I doing on here?!?!?

Hope you have a GREAT week!!!!  What's cooking at your house this week?!

menu for the week

Okay--- so far so good-- I've stayed on track with our meals so far...so I'll let you in on what we're having at the Darby's!!

Sunday night- we went to McAlisters- we go to church on Sunday nights at 6, so it's really too early to eat before, but too late to eat anything decent once we get home, so McAlisters it was!  And I didn't mind--- but that sweet tea kept me up until the wee hours of the night!!

Monday- beef fajitas, spanish rice, corn, and black beans- tried a recipe I found on allrecipes- they were pretty good- would have been better if I had bought a better cut of meat!  And I love black beans- throw a little bit of lime juice and cilantro on them- yum!!

Tuesday (tonight)- crock pot chicken and dumplings- haven't tried this recipe before, but found it on a community forum on babycenter

chicken breasts (i had 2 huge ones)
2 cans cream of chicken (didn't have time to make my own this morning)
1 cup chicken broth
about 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (more or less to taste)
s/p
refrigerator biscuits

Put chicken, soups, broth, and seasonings into crock pot.  Cook all day (6 hrs or so) on high.  Shred chicken.  (I just did this with forks right there in the pot).  Cut biscuits (or tear =) into bite-size pieces (I used 4 grands homestyle buttermilk- not flaky- that's what was on sale for 99cents--- and they weren't close to being expired- go figure!  should have stocked up- but I have been using "mary's" frozen biscuits- they are so good.  Or if I have time to make my own I use Pioneer's baking mix- they are soooo good- and I like them better than using bisquik! okay- off of my biscuit tangent...)  Leave this to cook in crockpot for 2 more hours on high.

Tasted good when I was tearing up the biscuits!  We'll have carrots and peas with this!  I'll let you know how it is!

{{{it was delicious!!  owen ate it right up!  and i think if miles had been a little more compliant, he would have loved it!  a little salty, so i won't add as much salt next time and will probably make my own broth and/or cream of chicken.  and i'll DEFINITELY add more than 4 grands biscuits!  =)}}}


Wednesday- church meal

Thursday- hmmm....I'm thinking we'll be having spaghetti- quick "go-to" meal!  I'm usually done by Thursday!

Friday- maybe a roast- I have one in the freezer I need to pull out!

Saturday- ham and swiss sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls and maybe potato salad??  We'll either have this for lunch or supper- depending on how our day goes!

Sunday- usually our out-to-eat day b/c Jared has soccer on Sunday afternoons, so he doesn't have time to come home from church then head back out for soccer!

So there it is folks!  I'll let you know how my meal planning went at the end of the week!  Sounds like a fool-proof plan, right?!  I also decided yesterday once I got home from the grocery store that I'm not going to go back for at least 2 weeks- except for milk b/c Owen is on whole milk now- no way we can go without milk for 2 weeks- much less 2 days right now between him and Miles!!  I'm determined to use EVERYTHING I have in the pantry!!

Playdough Fun!

Thought I'd share this fun recipe I had for homemade playdough!  It's so great!  We gave it away as Christmas gifts for Miles' little friends this year!  (idea from How Does She- love that site!)

yes, it's almost lunch and we are all still in our pjs!!

I had everything at the house except cream of tartar.  But trust me, you're going to need this.  I looked up why you need cream of tartar, and all I could really find is that it makes it more elastic-y and smooth.  And that makes sense, because I found a recipe that didn't have it in there and it didn't work.  It was more like playing with bread dough- and super sticky!

So here it is:

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup of water

1/4 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

4 drops of food coloring

Mix all ingredients over low heat, stirring constantly.  We stood there for about 5 minutes.  When it all formed together, I plopped it all in a ball and let it cool for about 10 minutes.  Then we kneaded it lots (partly because it was just fun!)  

When we gave it as gifts, we put some in leftover babyfood containers and small little plastic thingies that I had.  Then I made up some cute gifttags (or look up "free printables" and you'll find a PLETHORA of cute stuff out there!) and passed them out!  Miles' friends and our Sunday school kiddos got some as Christmas happies (we made green and red!)

HAPPY PLAYING!!!  

 a few pictures from us making ours back at Christmas time!  

me and my happy little helper!  and i know you're jealous of how good i look here...=)

and the other one!!

our red playdough...beginning stages!

 

had enough time to go get a bath, then come back and play for a few minutes!
And it's funny...he has those same pjs on today!!

Get a PEN!

Here's a potato soup recipe you are for sure going to want to write down!

It's okay...I'll give you time to go get a recipe card, index card, post it...whatever!  

Or hey-- just right click, save, and print this out so you have it! 

Isn't picnik just great?!?!  I made the recipe card just doodling around one day, then saved it.  I came back to it and added the text in just now!   (((and I just realized I forgot to fill in what the recipe IS!!)))  

We had this one Sunday after church.  It was super quick- even with the frozen potatoes!  Also- I have to give myself a pat on the back...I have done a GREAT job the past week or so of meal planning!  I have ALMOST  posted our meal plan up each week...but I am doomed for failure if I do that!  

Okay...maybe that was a little dramatic... 

So how about I back-track and tell you what we've already had?!?!  This girl is great about posting her meals each week

{{{{---oh-- that I aspire to be...}}}}

Okay- so I won't do a daily run through- just some highlights. 

Last night we had chili- YUM.  It's "Wendy's Top Secret Recipe" that I'm pretty sure was in the newspaper and my MIL passed it on to me.  I personally haven't ever had Wendy's chili- so I don't know if it really tastes like it- but it is GUUU--UUD.  We were celebrating my FIL's bday- so we did that and baked potatoes and we splurged on cupcakes!  Andrea's are just too good to try to make my own!  I told Jared once that I'll try many things- but fancy baking and cake decorating probably won't ever be one of them!  

We had BBQ last week-- crockpot, seasoned rub, Corky's bbq sauce- divine.  My mom found it for me on Kitchen Daily but I can't seem to find the exact recipe to link it...leave me a comment if you want me to get it to you!  It was delish.

And of course we've had a chicken dish-- but this one I can't decide if I like or not.  It's the 2nd time I've made it and I don't think it has enough flavor for me.  But it's one of my cousin's favorites- and she has great taste buds (lol- yes at myself)  

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (uncooked) 

-sliced mushrooms (8 oz square box or bag of fresh sliced; or, big jar of mushrooms....but i think the fresh r the best)

-swiss cheese

-1 can of cream of chicken soup

-1/2 cup of white wine (I may have added a tad bit more to make it a little more moist)

-pepperidge farm herb stuffing mix

-butter

-salt and pepper

*don't like mushrooms, so we omitted that*

*oh- and I made my own cream of chicken

And Owen is eating more and more...I kinda gave the babyfood-making a little hiatus.  He is getting lots more tub food than I thought I would do- but something had to give right now!  But he is eating so much of what we're eating and it's so easy to throw whatever into the mini food chopper and give that to him!  Plus he's eating lots of soft food- so that saves on lots of prep, too!  One of his favorites is chicken pot pie!  It's this girl's MIL's recipe I got from the church cookbook.  It is SOOOO stinking good and it makes up two pies, so I can either freeze it or take it to a friend!  (I took it to a neighbor last week- plus the best brownies you will ever put in your mouth!  I'll share that recipe later, too!)

Okay--- so chicken pot pie and brownies recipe- coming up with the next blog post!  Maybe I'll even get fancy and put them on those fancy recipe cards too!!  

So---what do YOU have cooking?!