Once again...

Once again it's Sunday and the weekend has come and gone. Tomorrow is Monday and the rush of the work week and school week will begin for most. It's so easy to get caught up in the rush and not eat a balanced meal for supper.  You can still have that great meal with the help of a crockpot. You can use a soup recipe and let it cook in the crockpot during the day and when you get home not only will your home smell delicious you will be ready to serve supper and move on to other tasks that demand your attention. I find that cooking less complicated recipes during the week helps me stay on top of house chores and allows for more family time. You can easily crockpot pinto beans, vegetable soup. beef stew, homemade chicken noodle soup, and the list is endless. The crockpot can be your friend!! So go ahead and take a look at your recipe books or google "crockpot recipes" and get a head start on your cooking!

Chicken Stuffing Balls

These are a nice way to have a little bit of chicken and eat it with your fingers. Also great for the kiddies to handle!

1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup water
1 (16 oz.) pkg. Chicken Flavor Stuffing Mix
1 cup Shredded Swiss Cheese

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Next, in a large bowl, mix the egg, butter, and water.  Add the stuffing mix and cheese stirring together until well mixed.  Shape into 1 inch balls. Put on greased baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until done.
These make great appetizers as well.

A Perfect After School Treat!

Hey Y'all! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. My week is jam-packed with activities all week long. I'm dealing with one cranky kingergartener and loads of chores!! Anna is adjusting well, but completely worn out! My husband is training for a new position at work, so to say our week is busy, is really an understatement! I thought I would share this recipe so that you might whip it up for an after school treat or special dessert after supper! It is delicious! If you like orange dreamsicles then you will love this for sure...ENJOY!! If you try it, lemme know!

Marbled Orange Fudge

1 & 1/2 teaspoons, plus 3/4 butter (do not substitute) divided
3 cups sugar
3/4 whipping cream
1 package (10-1 ounces) vanilla or white chips
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme
3 teaspoons orange extract
12 drops yellow food coloring
5 drops red food coloring

Grease a 13 in. x 9 in. x 2 in. pan with 1 & 1/2 teaspoons butter.  Combine the sugar, cream, and remaing butter in a heavy saucepan.  Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved.  Let come to a boil, cook and stir for 4 minutes.  Remove pot from heat and stir in the chips and marshmallow creme until mixture is smooth. 
Remove 1 cup and put to the side.  Add orange extract and food colorings to remaining mixture; stir until blended.  Pour into the prepared pan.  Drop the reserved marshmallow mixture by tablespoonfuls over top.  Use a knife to cut through mixture and swirl.  Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate until set.  Cut into squares to serve. 
Yields: 2 & 1/2 pounds

Ah...the weekend is here...but gone in a jiffy!!

It's finally the weekend and after having a yard sale today the family was happy to have a sandwich and chips for supper! So much work to those things..and this time not enough pay! And so of course, I've promised better for tomorrow. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. It's breakfast and off to church for us and back to chow down on dinner. I usually try and crock-pot dinner and have left-overs for supper. This gives me time to relax and get ready for the busy week ahead. Tomorrow after church we'll have stew beef in the crock-pot waiting on us and add a couple of veggies like green beans and corn and dinner is in the bag! My husband and I, cross our fingers that the kids lay down for a nap or at least use their "inside voices." When the supper bell rings, I'll be ready with left-overs and once again supper is in the bag! I don't proclaim to cook from scratch, but I do love to serve up good food. When I can I'll make a pan of biscuits to go along with our meal, and when I can't that little white squishy fellow does a good job too!! Enjoy your Sunday and prepare for the week ahead. I will be posting some of my favorite recipes throughout the week. They'll range from appetizers to desserts! I look forward to sharing them with you!

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

3 large chicken breasts (6 halves)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 pt. sour cream
1 tube Ritz crackers,
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
2 tsp. Poppy seed

Cook chicken; cut in small pieces. Arrange in 9 x 13 inch buttered casserole dish.  Mix soup with sour cream. Pour over chicken.  Crush crackers and add poppy seed.  Sprinkle this over the top.  Pour melted butter over that.  Cook 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

A side of green beans and mashed potatoes would make a harty meal. This is a family favorite at our house!

Start the day off right!

Tomorrow will mark the beginning of school for many children. It's important to start their day off right with a balanced breakfast! If you're in a time crunch like most parents will be, a bowl of cereal, glass of juice and slice of toast will do the job. If you have more time a scrambled egg (cook them until done!), 2 slices of bacon and a cup of milk will be greatly appreciated. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! It's hard to focus when your tummy is growling like a bear!! Help them get the most out of their school day by starting it off right!

I love me some cheese fries!

I really love going to those restaurants and ordering those delicious, but sinful calorie-packed fries covered in cheese. And let's not forget the scallions and greasy bacon and then drenched in ranch dressing!! Yes, it's all wonderful, but not really affordable for most families. When we order an appetizer, it's a splurge. We are a family of five and the average meal out at a sit-down restaurant will at the least cost $38.00 and at the most $45.00. You can have the cheese fries at home and not have to tip the waitress! As a mom, I do appreciate a hug or kiss for a job well done!! Follow the recipe below for cheese fries at home...you could call it cheese fries on a shoe-string!
Prepare fries according to package.
Rinse and Chop scallions--as many as you desire--
Prepare bacon in microwave, cool, and crumble
In the last five minutes of cooking time, top with cheese ( I like to use mozzeralla and mexican mix, colby also works well.) Add scallions and bacon on top of cheese and place in oven for remaining five minutes. You want the cheese to melt throughout so you may have to adjust time according to your oven. Remove and use spatula to place on plate with ranch dressing on the side. Have the cola ready because you know you're gonna taste them before they're cool enough to eat!! I speak from experience.