Christmas Tradition

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

They are so easy. I don't make the bread, although I will try sometime...I just get the Rhodes(I think thats the brand) frozen white bread loaves. It comes with 3. Then I knead the dough out...and rolling pin it...till its as flat as I can get it. Then you put butter then brown sugar and cinnamon...then roll and slice! One loaf makes about 16 rolls, so I use half and freeze the other half(un-sliced) Pictured above, is them the night before...before they rose....

Next morning, this is what you get...pop them in the oven for about 12-15 mins..

Make icing with milk and powdered sugar...

Below: and this is what you get! Yummy cheap rolls!

Crunchy Whole-Grain Chicken Bites

So, all I can say is YUMMMY! These were very easy and yet super good. I am always hesitant to try new things, but this one I took a chance and will definatly be making it again! Not so into the slaw, but thats just me. I'll make the chicken and probably the sauce without the slaw next time.

This is actually a Pampered Chef recipe. If you are interested in it. Let me know, I just don't feel the need to post the ingredients and details right now, plus I have a baby that needs to go down for a nap. These however did remind me of a resaurant's crunchy chicken bites!

4th of July

I've always wanted to make one of these Flag Cakes, and this past Sunday was the perfect opportunity! I think it came out rather nice!

Our Independence Day was pretty fun. We got up and went to church and then had a late lunch BBQ at our friends house. Just hung out and waited for the festivities to start on base...but of course it rained, and hailed for that matter...so we hung around at the BBQ longer and then come 9pm we decided to pack up and head to base for the fireworks...and it was still raining...so we did indeed watch fireworks from the car! They were very awesome though! Hope everyone had a great 4th!

Honey-Sauced Chicken Wings

I have been wanting to find a recipe for wings for awhile now. Nick loves wings, more like HOT wings but I figured I'd start small. Haha. I'm not a big wing eater, I don't like chicken with bones. Call me weird I know. I did however have some of these and the sweet flavor was very yummy! I think next potluck at church we have I might just make a batch of these! Very easy, since its a Crock Pot recipe! Which might I add, are my very favorite!


~2-3lbs chicken wings
~1 tsp salt
~1/2 tsp black pepper
~1 cup honey
~1/2 cup soy sauce
~1/4 cup chopped onion
~1/4 cup ketchup
~2 tbsp veg oil
~2 cloves of garlic (I used poweder instead)
~1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
~toasted sesame seeds, optional. (I obviously didn't use these, it would have made the pic better though!


Preheat broiler. Cut off and discard chicken wing tips. Cut each wing at joint to make two sections. Spring wing parts with salt and pepper. Place on broiler pan. Broil 4-5 inches from heat 20 mins or until wings are brown, turning once. Transfer to Crock Pot.

For sauce. Combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in bow. Pour over wings.

Cover and cook on LOW 4-5 hrs or on HIGH 2-2 1/2 hrs. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired.


Side Note:
I do not have a broiler, so I just baked them in the oven for 15-20 minutes before putting them in the Crock Pot & I also baked them for about 10 minutes AFTER they were done in the Crock Pot just in case they were a little soggy I guess.


They turned out great and Nick loved them. Now I need to find a HOT wing recipe just for Nick! Anyone have one?!

Sunday Dinner

So yesterday we had our friends Mike and Emily and Baylie over for dinner. I made Italian Beef in the crock pot. It turned out oh so yummy. Emily made some awesome chocolate chip cookies and I tried, for the first time, this Apple Crisp Dessert thing. Thanks Arlene for for giving me the recipe!!


Only thing that I don't like is its SO yummy that I want to eat it all! Haha. So I gave some of it to my friend Holly just to get some out of the house!


Nick and I are trying to somewhat eat better. Not give up things really, but eat the better things I guess. Not sure if that makes sense. Lol. For instance, instead of getting the regular Peanut Butter we now get the all natural stuff. Thats what I mean as in eating better. Lol. We've been going to Spin Class every day well, M-Th anyhow. Trying to get in shape and healthy!


So yes. I was very proud of how it turned out!! Nick was too! And also Emily and Mike. Baylie wasn't too sure.


Well thats all for now!

Yummy Casserole

I tried this tonight, and Nick and I both really liked it.


Chicken Broccoli Casserole: Serves 8-10

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced{I only used 4, since it was just us, and I cubed them instead of keeping them in strips, but I still used all the other ingredients}
• 1/2 cup[1 stick] of butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups half & half cream
• 1[14 oz] can chicken broth
• 1[8oz] package shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1[5oz] package of fresh grated parmesan cheese{I forgot to get the fresh stuff, I just use the grated stuff, and it was good still}
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes or 3 tablespoons fresh chopped onion {we don't really like onions, so I just used onion powder, its all I had}
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2[10oz] boxes frozen broccoli florets, slightly cooked
• 1[7oz] package vermicelli{thin spaghetti} pasta

1. Preheat oven, 350 {175 for us in Italy! lol}
2. Wash chicken and dry well with paper towels. Melt butter in large saucepan or roasting pan and add flour.
3. Add half and half cream and stir constantly over medium-low heat until thick. Add chicken broth, half cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp pepper, mustard, parsley, onion, and 2 tsps salt.
4. Heat on low until cheeses melt. Remove from heat and add mayonnaise. Add broccoli and chicken slices to sauce.
5. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and pour into 10 x 15 inch glass dish. {This will not fit in a 9 x 13 pan}
6. Spread sauce and chicken mixture over spaghetti and sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Cook for 40 minutes

I really liked it. We didn't have anything else with it, I'm not sure what you would put with it.

I always forget to take a picture, plus this probably wouldn't be a great picture, once you dish it out, its all mixed together. Haha.

Let me know if you try it!

Turkey Tostada Bake

YUM! I am not sure how many have had this but I wanted to share..

This is one of Nicks fave dishes. I don't have a picture, even though I meant to take one!

Its so easy and doesn't last long here!

*1lb ground turkey
*1 cup of salsa
*1 can of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
*1/4 cup of shredded cheese

*HEAT oven to 400 degree's
*Brown turkey && drain.
*Stir in salsa
*Press cresent roll dough on bottom and rim in baking dish-I use an 8x8 glass dish.
*Spread turkey mixture evenly over crust
*Sprinkle with cheese.
**Bake for 20 mins or until crust is brown.

~I add corn when I add the salsa and I also don't measure the salsa I just put it what looks good, Nick really likes salsa so....that helps. The corn gives it a nice oomph and we are cheese lovers...so we put lots on top! Before and after the oven melts it!