Cranberry Salad

So every year, we divvy up dishes to bring to the Christmas meal. For the Handsome Husband's family I make Cranberry Salad. My mom makes this for our celebration, and Aunt Rita makes it for Thanksmus. No matter where we are, or who makes it, this a favorite treat to eat along side turkey. It also is a nice stand alone sweet treat for the holiday meal.

What you will need:

1 lb cranberries

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

6oz cherry jello

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups seedless white grapes

1 cup crushed pineapple

8oz cream cheese

1/2 pt whipping cream

1 cup min. marshmallows

kettle, spoon, 9x13 dish w/ lid, bowl, mixer

Let's begin!
In a LARGE kettle, add water, cranberries, and sugar.

Cook on high, stirring occasionally, and cook the berries until they pop. I made a video of the popping because if you've never done it... you just won't believe they actually burst. It reminds me of popping pop corn... don't remove from heat to soon or there won't be enough of them popped. :D

Add cherry jello and pour into a 9x12 inch glass dish. Put aside to cool.

While cooling cut grapes in half and chop nuts to desired size. Dump nuts, grapes, and pineapple into the glass dish. No need to stress about placing ingredients evenly because you can stir it in the glass dish to distribute things evenly. Place in refrigerator.

Topping:
In a large bowl mix softened cream cheese, whipping cream and marshmallows. It will not mix completely at first (see picture) and that's okay! Let sit over night in the fridge. This step is VERY important because it allows the marshmallows to get soggy resulting in them blending better.

Beat on high until blended, and spread over jelled mixture. I usually let it cool for at least an hour and then serve. *Sorry about the picture...the one I took somehow has disappeared... this is it though (2nd pic: Only difference is that there are nuts on top). Next time I make it I will take a pic again and update it.

Top 5 Reasons I Love Pinterest

5. I just found a ton of quality teachery blogs by clicking on pins.
4. You can make a virtual wishlist for Santa.
3. I spend hours drooling over  pictures of yummy fat-free recipes.
2. It makes me feel special because it is by invitation only. ;p
1. It is an entertaining black hole on the internet.


Woot! What's not to love.

Flavorful Pot Roast & So Much More

So today I made a pot roast with mashed potatoes and vegetable Normandy. (Sorry I didn't get a personal shot of dinner, but  the photo above closely resembles it.) It was probably the BEST dinner I have ever made. Oh my. I never liked roast but this recipe had me wishing it were cheaper.  here is the link: http://pinterest.com/pin/645550017/ I seriously, whole-heartedly recommend this dish!

On a second note, I <3 crock-pot liners! Clean up after the pot roast and gravy was super quick. If you've never used a liner... quick! run to the store and buy liners! They are wonderful.

On a third note, I am so super excited for tomorrow night. HH, PB, and I are going to a Bradley class to share our birth story. The instructor asked us to come tell about our experience and we gladly accepted. Best part will be to listen to HH tell the story. I feel so overwhelmed with love when he tells the story of the birth of our daughter. I never tire of hearing it. He is working on typing it out. My version is typed but needs editing. If you think this blog is full of run-on, fragments, and rambling, you should see my typed birth story. lol. I'll post both our stories later once they are finished. :)

On a fourth note, I go back to work soon. Keep me in your prayers.  I am struggling with the very idea of it. It will be a challenge at so many levels. Today when I got in the car, the radio was on Family Life radio and Dr. David Jeremiah spoke truth to my soul. Funny how sometimes messages feel like they are meant just for you... well this was for me. He reminded me that I am not on this earth to please others. Not on this earth to please family, bosses, or friends. I'm on this earth to please Jesus, and he has the power to handle the rest. Amen and AMEN! Now I have the challenge of living this out. It's one thing to know it and another to live it. So please pray with me and for my family as I live it through Christ's strength.
here's a link to my favorite radio preacher's site: http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx
His current topic is Christians have stress too! So true, but praise the Lord we have Him as well.

December Challenge: Day 2, 3, and 4.

December 2nd was a success! I made Chicken Bacon Ranch rollups! Handsome Husband loved them. here is a link: http://pinterest.com/pin/36380709459474209/

December 3rd we had left over chicken bacon ranch filling for lunch on hot rolls. And HH made breakfast dinner (omelets and sausage). YUM.

December 4th We had a large lunch with my father-in-law and Granny, so we opted for a light dinner of left over sausage and frozen veggies... I did however make cinnamon roll for HH to take to work. We each at 2 or more of those for dessert. YUM.

December Challenge: Home cooked meals

So in the month of December, it is my goal to make more meals at home. I printed a calendar off google and wrote in a menu filled with recipes off of my pinterest account. Now I just need to make meals at home. Dec 1st was a success. I made Skillet chicken and green beans served over wild grain rice. Helathy, easy, tasty. Only mistake was when I bought bony chicken breast. -_-! Here is a link to the pinterest and recipe: http://pinterest.com/pin/36380709459479216/

A Simple Trip to the Grocery Store

As a new mom, a simple trip to the grocery store is no longer within my grasp. Before "Momery", I would take a shower, fix my hair, apply makeup, and choose an outfit wisely (just in case I ran into that person in high school that always seemed to have one on up on me... I'd show them now). Then head to the store and casually peruse down every aisle with list and pen in hand. Next,  I would find item, compare prices, look for a low-fat option, and make a decision on the best product. Slowly and methodically I would saunter through the grocery store and  finally reach the check out line. After "Momery", I dress in a hat, t-shirt, and jeans. ( hopefully I've showered within the last 48 hours but *eeh* if I stop now I will never make it out the door) Before I can leave, I change pumpkin britches's diaper, nurse her, burp her, change her clothes( because she spit up) and rush to put her in the car seat. Only to find that PB is crying and she has another messy diaper. Change it, strap her in the car seat, load the car up and check the time. Think to myself: "*Whew* That took over an hour and PB will be hungry in just over 60 minutes... Do I really want to do this?... alas I must!" Drive to grocery store all the while praying she sleeps through the store. Get her out and the diaper bag (my new purse btw). Take a list and forget the pen. -_-! Rush down the aisles grabbing the first version of the product (for instance I paid double for canned soup b/c I wasn't weighting my options). Chant to the baby to stay asleep. Make it to the checkout and continue to pray she stays asleep (I don't want to be that chick with the crying baby... I mean if you know me then you know how red my face can get). Make it home and realize I've bought the wrong things.... "Oops this chicken has bones in it" ... "um I though this was a pot roast... but it says pork roast." *sigh* I strongly dislike grocery shopping with *JUST* PB and me... it is an adventure I don't want to make a habit of... so maybe Handsome Husband will watch PB, go with us, or better yet bring home groceries after work. I hope HH considers these options.... Although....when he called me today while I was at the store... I told him I was busy and then texted him why I couldn't chat. HH told me he was proud of me... so maybe trips to the store are worth it.