Crock Pot chicken enchilada soup

It doesn't get easier. Actually, going to a restaurant is easier... but let's not go there. This recipe is delicious, crowd pleasing, and sustaining. Did I mention, easy?? Here it is:

Throw the following into a crock pot-

4 frozen chicken breasts

2 cans green enchilada sauce

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cans diced green chilis

-Cook on high for 4 hours

-Shred breasts in pot

Add 1/2 c sour cream before serving. 

Top with chips, cheese, green onions, etc. 

Serves 6

 

Bed, made.

Carson has always made a game of making his bed. This picture is just a classic example of what a "made bed" looks like. He has always loved stuffed animals and has to sleep with at least a dozen every night. And since he does not want them lonely while he is at school, he involves them in some sort of activity, like a soccer match or game of red-rover. 

Parenting is tough, especially when trying to encourage cleanliness and organization. However, sometimes choosing battles is a no-brainer. 

 

Burn Camp 5K

A last minute addition to our weekend ended up being a high-point for April! Bj loves spending a week each summer with children who survive the physical and emotional effects of burns. This fundraiser has been on his radar and a last minute change in our scheduling allowed our entire family to participate! (Even though Ash and Cars were confused and only ran half of the race) It was fun to participate in this event and rub shoulders with everyday heros who change lives. They also included a raffle and silent auction where we were able to get Aj and Carson a "Flash" and Iron-Man" cape/mask motif, and a water bottle for Ash. 

 

 

St. George

Feb 7-9, 2017

 

PTC with a twist

I guess they aren't Parent Teacher Conferences anymore, they're "Student Led Conferences", but to say, "let's go to SLC's" just sounds odd... 

 

Valentine's Day

2-14-17

 

 

Allergic?!

2-17-17

 

Hide and Seek

2-20-17

 

I hope it snows

2-23-17

 

YW winter retreat

February 24-25, 2017

Yellow Sage Ward

 

Stuffed Meatloaf and Failed Hollandaise

Stuffed Meatloaf-

Since Carson has the meatloaf thing down, we decided to mix things up a little bit tonight and do stuffed meatloaf.  It is easier than it sounds. We basically mix all the ingredients for Aunt Laurie's Meatloaf recipe (White Way to Cook) in a gallon size Ziplock bag then squish it evenly to all four sides of the bag, expelling all of the air as we go. Once we have a shrink-wrapped slab of meat, we open the bag, then peel the two sides open so now it is an open faced slab of meat lying on a wrapper. Next we lay down a layer of bacon and cheese then roll it up like cinnamon rolls. Place the seam side down and bake as the recipe instructs. 

The next part of the meal prep brought a dramatic turn of events. I picked up some frozen veggie/potato cakes from IKEA and thought they may be emphasized with a spoonful of hollandaise sauce. This tricky sauce has never given me trouble until today. When I was whipping the egg/lemon juice mixture as I was adding the melted butter, my whisk broke. If it was a regular whisk this would be no big deal. But since I was using an electric whisk, when one wire snapped off, the 300 RPM motor continued to whip melted butter, egg yolks and lemon juice all over my kitchen, and myself. 

(All the yellow is egg/butter. I hope it comes out!!)

Distraught with additional clean-up, I did not remove the sauce from the heat soon enough and within 10 seconds, my beautifully creamed sauce had separated and poached the yolk. 

 Dang. 

Now, not only did I have to spend an hour cleaning up sporadic splatter, but I would have to forgo the sauce. 

As an after thought, I remembered a simple fairly fail proof white sauce, that my grandma White taught me how to make, that I decided would be an equally suitable substitution. 

Cream sauce:

1/4 c butter

1/4 c flour

1 c milk

S&P

Melt butter in sauce pan, whisk in flour, add milk stirring regularly over medium heat until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste. To make cheesy, add 1/2 c shredded cheese. 

The Meatloaf turned out perfectly. 

The veggie cakes... 50/50 liked/hated. Aj and I really liked it, the sauce definitely contributed. Ash and cars were dry heaving after one bite. 

 Oh, family dinners. 

(Carsons place settings tonight cracked me up!)
 

One cute comment worth mentioning: Aj randomly said, "Mom, I'm glad you can cook.  Did you know some people really, just can't cook? Well I am really glad you can".  

If that's not a compliment from my 15 year old, I don't know what is. 

 

 

 

Musicial Bones

He manages his ukulele quite well, and has been loving his electric Uke since Christmas, but has recently decided he wants to learn how to play the guitar and piano as well. He does not want a teacher, quite, but has consulted the educational stylings of professor YouTube and has found his own version of success. I hope the determination this young man has stays with him throughout his life. 

He never ceases to amaze. 

 

Pokémon

Not totally obsessed, but a hobbiest for sure. Carson has loved any kind of lego since he was old enough to stick things in his mouth. When he got a set of Pokémon micro-legos, he was over the moon. He has taken his time assembling them and is about 2/3 completed with the characters that came in his set. Today he attempted a time lapse, but ended up filming it in real time.... not very entertaining as a spectator event. But the finished products are fun to look at! Keep it up cars!

 

Jambalaya

 
 

I may have spelled Jambalaya wrong...but I cooked it right! A crowd pleaser, even for my picky eaters, and a mom pleaser on a busy school night. This recipe is not a "fully-homemade" meal, as it uses a boxed mix, but that Zatarain's sure knows Cajun. We have tried this dish at dine in restaurants and even the local Popeye's, but nothing even comes close! We can choose our level of heat based on the ingredients we add, so everyone enjoys their meal. There may be a wrong way to make this (like adding shrimp... blech!...) but I haven't had bad luck yet. These are my basic steps for this quick-prep family fave:

Buy Zatarain's boxed Jambalaya rice mix (not a fan of the pasta version, but I know others who love it, so be aware of the option)

Put in pan according to directions (I like the family size that calls for 3.5c. Water)

Layer 3 whole raw carrots, cut bite-sized(or an equivalent of the snack sized staples)

4 ribs of celery (cut about the same size as the carrots)

3 boiled and cubed breasts of chicken

Then add your sausage of choice- this batch has 3 hot links (by hilshire farms). If you want it mild, don't even use sausage. We take that option fairly often. 

Add an extra half cup of water to the pot to help steam the veggies. 

Cook on high until boiling then cover and simmer for 25 min. 

Enjoy!

13!

This smiley new teen had one heck of a celebration.  The partying started Friday afternoon with 16 young ladies, an aunt, a grandma, a mom, and 40 miles to our destination.  The clubhouse at Maple Ridge was prepped and ready for this load of estrogen.  With two pots of soup, ample rolls, cupcake cones, play dough ice cream, and 10 pre-planned games, this building was about to get rocking.  Ashlyn has been planning this "Farewell to childhood" since last July.  With dozens of invitation prototypes, and weather dependent scenarios, she had it all figured out two weeks before the big day.  I simply followed orders and helped carry out her plans.  It could not have happened without Aunt Jamie and Grandma Kash. 

(Photo's from Left to right, not mentioning Ash: Jordyn, Summer's gift, Avari, Hailey, Eiley, Janica, Daniella, Kenzie, Emerie, Gracie, Kaylee and Calla, Izzy, Jordyn, Brynn, Tesla, Kadi)
After the clubhouse festivities, the crowd headed down the road to grandma's primed basement, piles of blankets, more sweets and treats, and the movie, "Finding Dory".  Each girl claimed a piece of carpet and either fell asleep, quietly chatted in Jamie's room, or stayed up to watch the show.  The photo below is at 8:30 Saturday morning before I went upstairs to make the requested "Cinnamon-Roll Pancakes" (Which were a big hit!)

Sunday Ashlyn was excited to wear her new dress(from grandma), scarf (from Izzy), and jewelry (from Avari) to church and was even tempted to wear the ensemble to dinner at Grandma's.

Monday, the actual Birthday, Ash woke up to cinnamon french toast (this girl really likes her cinnamon covered carbs) and two gifts that included a Fitbit (the kind she can swim with) and the outfit with the floral leggings... the other outfits and desk she received after school, before we went to her favorite, Olive Garden and their Chicken Alfredo, for dinner.  (We did check her out for lunch at Cafe Rio, she loves to get their chicken quesadillas...with chicken on the side.)

We absolutely adore this spunky teen and are constantly impressed with the young woman she is choosing to become.  Here are some of her current trends:

Favorite home cooked meal: Fettucini Alfredo
Favorite Eat-out meal: Breadsticks from Olive Garden
Favorite subject in school: Math
Favorite after school activity: Netflix
Favorite movie: Cars 1 and 2
Important worldly items: Golden Pineapple (new bday gift) & iphone, and laptop
Favorite article of clothing: plaid shirts
When she grows up she wants to be a Vet
There are no boys on her radar, but admits that eventually she may.
She likes horses and turtles and planning the future re-decorating of her room.
Her favorite book is Heartland (which happens to be her favorite TV show)
She equally enjoys the company of her family to her friends.
She does not like lengthy statements about herself.... and is ready for this interview to end.
You can go now,
I love you Ashlyn Grace White.

Selfie Scavenger Hunt

Ya gotta love those willing to sacrifice their dignity for the sake of the enjoyment of others. 

This YW activity was a blast and will not soon be forgotten by these sweet girls. (Or their leaders who dressed up for them)

Off Track

This kid. 

He is perfectly content sitting at home with a book, a blanket, and his dog. Although I have promised the much anticipated outing of, get this, the massage chair at RCWilley, that will be a fraction of this off track time. We have enjoyed playing games, especially our new favorite, mancala, (that we got from our family in Guam that contains beautiful coral and shells from local beaches) watching movies, and even getting up early to take AJ and Ash to school in the mornings. Every day may not be an adventure, but it sure is enjoyed. A week and a half left of freedom!

A family that plays together

Cousins

It seems like only yesterday that Kellie and I were waiting for these month-apart cousins to be born. Even though they have only lived in the same state for three-ish years of their lives, they remain close and thoroughly enjoy each other's company any chance they are given. Now that the Pitts family is stationed in Guam we are soaking up as much time together as possible. A great thing about this duo, is sometimes it is actually a trio and Ashlyn is on Kyra's other arm. I love watching them interact and enjoy life together. 

GG