New Recipes

Its been awhile, since I last posted and I just noticed that my last post was my 100th!  How exciting.  Well, its exciting to me, haha. 

The past few weeks I have been hanging at home trying to start operation organization.  Its not as easy as it looks.  I'm weeding out a lot of junk, but with my three year old at my heels, things just seem to get messier.  But that's OK, there is nothing I can do about that! 

I did just recently host a couponing class.  There is this awesome group around the Orlando area called couponers united (fb link) that give you links to printable coupons, as well as deals in local grocery stores/drug stores so you can save money.  Also they are big on giving back to the community.  Which I think is awesome.  We all need to save money now a days and you can give away the items you spent so little on and really help a person in need and save money while doing it.  I never understand some of those extreme couponers who seem to hoard all the things they buy.  Maybe they give it away, but it dosen't look like it to me.  But that's just my view on it. 

Any who, I am way off topic now.  So whenever I have a get together at my place I have to make some yummy food.  Where do I go to find this yummy food??  Pinterest of course!  I made some goodies, that will definitely be made again!

 Pizza Stuffed mushrooms via how sweet it is

These were yummy and tasted like pizza.  Many variations you could do with it.  I did not add the onion and parm.  I used black olives, five cheese Italian cheese blend, pepperoni and green pepper.  I wonder how pineapple and ham would taste for a Hawaiian pizza mushroom!

Strawberry yogurt cake via a spicy perspective

I think the cake came out yummy!  I used betty crockers bottled glaze for the top, b/c when I make my own it comes out too translucent.  Try it for the summer, who doesn't love strawberries!?

Has anyone tried any new recipes I need to try out??

*Allie



Yummy Pot Roast

This is my absolute favorite pot roast recipe.  I have been using it for years, so I don't remember the source.  Some magazine.  I use the crock pot, so all I had to do was make my sides and dinner was done! 

Allie's Favorite Pot Roast

bottom roast (I used a roast a little over 2 lbs.)

2 cans of cream of whatever soup (I used celery and mushroom)

packet of Lipton's onion soup

carrots

potatoes

onions

salt and pepper

Throw the soup and Lipton's soup mix in the crock pot and mix.  Add potatoes, onions, carrots (chop however you like).  Now I also salt my roast on both sides and then throw it it.  I turn it around so it gets covered in the "gravy".  Put on low for 6-8 hours.  After its done its so tender you can just shred it and then your gravy is already done. 

For dinner I made buttered noodles for it.  Or you could make mashed potatoes, whatever you like!

Now for my side, this I found on pinterest and it smelled delicious!  It tasted delicious!  This one is def. a keeper!

Found over at kalyns kitchen.

Cheesy Zucchini and Squash

2 zucchini

2 yellow squash

2 T. fresh basil, chopped.

1 t. fresh thyme

2 green onion stalks, chopped

salt and pepper

garlic powder

1/2 c. white cheese + 1/2 c. white cheese (for topping)

1/2 c. parm cheese

Mix all together, except 1/2 c. cheese for topping.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  After the 25-30 minutes add the rest of the cheese and pop back in the oven for another 10 minutes, or until browned. 

So quick and easy and yummy!

Anyone making anything new for dinner??





Creamy Bacon and Potato Soup

I know weather is crazy lately.  We actually woke up to 46 degree weather, here in Florida.  I got a little excited and planned the menu, while it was 46 degrees and found a yummy soup recipe.  I should have known better, because by the time I made it, it was not cool anymore.  There was a nice breeze, but that was about it!  The soup was still yummy.  I had everything I needed for it except bacon.  I love bacon, every once in awhile, but bacon is freaking expensive!  So we never get it.  But I splurged, ha ha.  I found the recipe over at tidy mom.

I just made a few adjustments.

Bacon and Potato Soup

5 medium potatoes, cubed.  ( I baked mine in the oven before hand)

8 slices bacon, crumbled. (I made mine in the oven for 25 minutes)

2-3 or 4 depending on what you like of bacon grease ( I mixed it with oil)

1 onion. chopped.

1 celery stalk, chopped.

1 clove garlic, minced.

2/3 c. flour

6 c. chicken broth.

2 c. half and half.

1 t. salt

1 1/2 t. dried basil (this is a must)

1/4 t. black pepper

1/4 c. parsley (I did not use)

1/2 t. hot sauce

garnishes:  I used cheddar cheese/Colby mix, chopped green onions and left over bacon. 

Take your bacon grease and put it in a big sauce pot.  I used a mix of bacon grease and oil.  add onion.  Now I don't like crunchy celery so I added mine with the onion.  After the onion is translucent add your garlic and cook for a minute.  Add flour.  Now at this point, I added a little more bacon grease.  Cook that for a couple of minutes.  This is your roux, you don't want a flour taste.  Add your chicken broth and let it thicken, or get slightly bubbly.

Add half and half and rest of ingredients.  Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes. 

I cut my potatoes really big, so I mashed it a little bit in the soup. 

I thought the soup was yummy!  The dried basil really gave it that good taste!  Enjoy! 

Since I'm in the soup mode, I will be making a cream of mushroom soup today! 

*Allie 



Projects for May

While I should be studying for my algebra final, or writing my last paper for humanities, I am on here thinking and documenting my projects for May!  School is done next week, and while I should be solving algebraic equations, I am dreaming of starting OPERATION ORGANIZATION!  Yeah, that's right.  I am super excited for it.  I don't see it as a chore, I see it as a light at the end of the tunnel!  So I wanted to come on here and make a list of the projects I have lined up.  First thing come May, you better believe I will be getting these things done! 

via cornflower blue studio

What I like about this, is you can change it up every week.  When you have completed a goal you take it off and feel accomplished.  If you haven't completed a goal then you feel like  slacker and get it done!

Why label it a task?  Label it a goal, it has a nicer ring to it, don't ya think?  

via a bowl full of lemons

This I have been wanting to do for a long time, she has an awesome organized binder on her site.  I'm going to change mine up tho.  You know that junk drawer in your kitchen?  Manuals, to go menus, coupons.....you know what I'm sayin!  They get lost in that big mess.  So I want to organize mine.  So instead of taking everything out of that junk drawer, you have it all in one spot.  New bills that just come in the mail will also have a place in there.  Receipts that need to be shredded will find a home in this binder, as well as upcoming appointments!  I am super excited about this one!

I believe this can be found at downtownn.tumbler.com

I want to get into shape, not only to lose weight, but to keep it off and really incorporate exercise into my life.  My daughter and I joined the YMCA and so far we love it! I set up 6 months of life coach sessions, so I will come up with a workout plan and get started!  Cant wait to shed some of this weight!

So far this is what I am really excited for!  Does anyone have anything planned this summer?

*Allie 



Latelys.....

I figured since I haven't posted in awhile that I would do some latelys....

reading: So last lately I said I just bought the 2nd book of the unearthly series.  I just started reading like a week ago.  I started reading it because I am so over my algebra class that I sit in the back and read on my nook.  Well it got really good last night and I finished it a little after midnight!  Cried thru about half of it.  First book of a series that I have read that doesn't leave you with a horrible cliff hanger.  It left me with a peaceful mind.  and I dreamt of angel-bloods all night, haha.  I highly recommend the series, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand and then Hallowed

obsessing: I am not going to summer school again this summer, so I have labeled this summer OPERATION ORGANIZATION!  Yep, I am on an organization binge, I am decluttering our lives, I am reorganizing it and making our lives easier.  Well I am hoping too, at least.  I also want to do fun things with the family. 

listening to: bon iver.  I just got tickets to his concert here in Orlando, so I want to purchase his cd's so I can know all his songs and sing along, at the top of my lungs.  ok, well not the top of my lungs.  something tells me it wont be a loud show. lol

baking/making: I made a delicious pizza casserole late week, as well as a yummy chicken stew made in the crock pot.  The chicken stew is a weight watchers recipe and it was yummy, full of veggies and finished it with some greek yogurt.  a nice tangy taste.  I also doctored up some hashbrown casserole, I was eating that thing for two days, it was so yummy, even cold!  for Easter I made a jello/pretzel dessert.  It was yummy, but we were all so full no one really ate it.  so it was wasted, I will def. make it again, but cut it in half next time.

looking forward to: summer, our vacation, hopefully meeting Marianne finally!  lol.  Joining the ymca for Zoe and I, and getting organized!

 

want to accomplish: OPERATION ORGANIZATION!

 

watching: once upon a time and ringer.  Both are getting really good!  oh and June Pretty Little Liars starts up again!  yay!

missing: being bill free! :)

So what are you all up to?

 

 

*Allie

WITL day 5

Here is day 5!!

We started our day out by going out to breakfast at perkins.  Zoe didn't eat a thing, Richie and I however stuffed ourselves silly!

Then we headed to the verizon store.  Bought my mom her very own cell phone!

I had zoe in the cutest spring dress, but she refused to wear shoes.  I was tired and hungry, so I agreed to let her wear her elmo slippers.  Sometimes ya just gotta pick your battles! lol

10:30-1pm I was at work.  Then headed to boutique for a week.  It last for three days and its a big consignment shop.  They go to local churches and on the last day you can get stuff half off.  There are kids clothes, maternity clothes, toys, baby stuff, etc.  I am thinking of becoming a consigner for the next one. I have so many old clothes from zoe I should go thru and get rid of. Why not make money of it??

We gave my mom her cell and then we ate dinner at like 4 pm, lol.  I had to leave for the movies at 5:15.

Waiting for the hunger games with the ladies! 

Loved the movie!

Day 6:  I worked all day long.  Then came home and sat on the couch lol.  I was so freaking tired, work exhausted me! 

Talk to ya'll soon, hope your weekends are great!

*Allie 



WITL day 4

I'm late! 

Day 4:

10am- Poor Zoe has been stuck inside for weeks, since I wasnt feeling good, and then she wasnt feeling good.  She had been asking to go to the zoo forever.  So I figure ok, lets go to the zoo.  Cept I forgot it is spring break!  The place was packed!  I like going when noone is there.  I figured we could eat lunch there and relax.  Yeah, no.  The food area was packed, the line was out the door to even order food.  We stayed less then 2 hours.  I made Zoe walk the entire time, so she was kinda pooped.

This is when you first walk in, we made a wax mold of a "tiger" really its a cougar, but not according to zoe, lol.

They have a little petting zoo, zoe loves roosters and cock-a-doodle-doos all the time.  So as we were walking inside to buy feed the rooster cock-a-doodled-dooed at us.

Zoe and I in the honeycomb at the butterfly garden.

So since we couldnt eat lunch at the zoo, I figured lets go to Sanford.  You all have heard of Sanford right?  Its national news, the 17 year old boy who was killed for no reason....yep, that was in my favorite town.  I love sanford, I love the people, I love the area, so pretty there. 

This is the drive to downtown Sanford, its the St. Johns River.  A lot of people park out there and go fishin.

We had lunch at this little corner cafe.  Cafe Rouge.  I have been wanting to try it forever. Zoe had mcdonalds because she doesnt eat anything else!

I got the croque monsuir (I dont think thats how you spell it.)  It was ok, not a true croque.  Its supposed to have mustard on it.  but the bread was yummy!

We decided to walk up and hit some shops and get ice cream, make some wishes and peruse books!

This was birthday cake, vanilla ice cream with chocolate cake, chocolate frosting and sprinkles mixed in.  Yum!

Making wishes for everyone in our family.

I love bookstores like this!

After we came home, I headed off to the work then came home and watched my shows!

I'll do day five when I get home from work, I'm running late!

*Allie