pinterest love

Weeks later, I am still suffering from a serious addiction to Pinterest.  I have searched through recipes, birthday party ideas, clothing that I love, cute hair cuts...you name it!!  I made a vow last week that if I was going to spend so much time combing through all the wonderful things, I was going to have to put some of them into effect.

I am very happy to report that I did just that.  This week my family tried a few new recipes.  Recipe #1 was an artichoke pasta recipe.  I wasn't overly fond of it and already deleted it from my board.  It wasn't terrible, just not worth fixing again.

Quit the contrary for this recipe.  One evening I made this roasted sausage and veggie recipe and it was so delish.  It was a crazy night at our house and dinner was a little on the fly.  With this casserole, I was able to get it ready with little prep work, toss in in the oven, and then we could pretty much eat when we had a minute.  I think I might have had two such minutes because I am pretty sure I ate twice.  Shh, please don't tell!!

Next on my list of goodies to make are these yummy looking pizza bites.  I think my kids will rave about these.  What a great after school snack or school lunch.  A little ranch dressing and I think we will be all over these babies!!!

A roast has been cooking in the oven all afternoon.  I can't wait to walk through the doors when we get home from school.  I think these potatoes will make an amazing side dish instead of just regular mashed potatoes.  {Besides, I am not much of a gravy girl...just can't make brown gravy well!}

Calleigh has decided to have her upcoming birthday party at the house.  When it comes to extravagant birthday parties, I fail miserably.  I am hoping that Pinterest will give me just the motivation and inspiration to make her last "little girl" birthday party a blast.  This will her last year before she "officially" becomes a TEENAGER!!  A whole other post....

As for now, I will be scowering Pinterest for great girl birthday party ideas...then for the follow through of actually preparing them.

Be blessed...

cold day, warm tummy

I know that I am no Betty Crocker, Julia Childs, or Pioneer Woman, but I know good eatin' when it touches my taste buds.  And this my dear friends is one of our family favorites. 

I am so thankful that my kids are pretty good great eaters.  Most anything that I fix, they will eat.  Yeah for mom!!!  This week they requested this soup for dinner so I thought I would pass along the recipe to you.  Maybe your munchkins will enjoy too.  If not, I know you will absolutely L.O.V.E. it!!  Let me know if you try and tell me what you think.  I might even come over for dinner so I can eat it too!!!

In a large soup pot combine italian sausage and onions to cook thoroughly.

Add thinly sliced potatoes.

Playing peek-a-boo with the potatos is entirely optional. 

Cover potatoes with chicken broth.  Add red pepper flakes.

Cook on low heat until potatoes are soft.

Add bacon bits/bacon pieces and kale (torn into pieces).

Add 1 cup of whipping cream.

(I told you this was going to be good!!!)

Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes...long enough to cook some cornbread.

enjoy!!!

introducing....

I know my blog is not indicative of the fact that I enjoy cooking. This post wouldn't show it either.  But, I really do!!  Without a doubt, I love to eat.  Therefore, I must cook.  I plan to post some of most favorite recipes, just can't seem to find the time to get it all done.  But for now, I want to introduce you to another amazing cook.  She was my Home Economics teacher in high school.  At that point in my life I can't say that I actually learned to cook from her, but I won't tell her that.  Please don't you tell her either.  She has cooked for my family for many years.  She is an avid collector of cookbooks.  She subscribes to a million and one cooking magazines.  Her TV is always tuned to The Food Network.  She is my mother...and she is an amazing cook (I think I already said that, but it's true).

She just started blogging, but already has two awesome recipes posted.  I think know you would love them both.  The Apricot Preserve Cake is one of my all time favorite desserts in the whole world.  I know our moms always preached that we could not have dessert for breakfast, but this is an exception to the rule.  When I make this cake, I eat if for breakfast, lunch and dinner.   It is that yummy!!!  I would never have more than one piece though.  hehehe!!!

Enjoy!!  Eat something yummy for me today.

christmas buzz

It is definitely buzzing in our world.  We made it home safe and sound from our Las Vegas get-away.  It was so great to have our entire family back in the safety of our little house.  We are back in our own beds, back to our busy schedules, and most importantly back together.   Vacations are always fun, but it really makes me realize how very much I love home.

This week has been buzzing in the Kirkland house.  Our church is having a Christmas progressive dinner tonight, and our house is one of the stops.  We had mountain of laundry to get washed, a gingerbread house to be constructed (photos to come), dinner menu to be planned, and presents to be wrapped.  All in preparation for the progressive dinner.  It looks as if we are going to make it!!  As much as I would love for my house to be spotless, it isn't.  Never!!!  Carson kept wishing our house cleaner would come so he would not have to do some cleaning on his own.  Didn't happen!!! Sorry, Bubba!!  But, that is what I love about my church family.  I can be who I am...and they love me anyway.  Just like our Heavenly Father!!!  Praise the Lord, because I am a mess.

The menu tonight for the Kirkland's stop of the progressive dinner is....BEEF, of course!!!  We are serving beef fondue.  My mouth is watering thinking of eating this yummy stuff.  We are preparing bite size pieces of deep fried steak which can then be dipped in any of the 9 sauces that we have prepared purchased.  We will also be serving a selection of olives and Hot Crackers which were purchased homemade.  I have to admit though...they are super easy!!! And...super delicious.  My kids even love 'em.  I might reduce the amount of red pepper if my kids are going to be munching on them.

Christmas is in the air at school also.  Christmas parties.  Excitement of a two week holiday.  Semester tests.  Christmas play and concert.  So much going on....I can hardly keep up.  Knowing that I have a two week holiday lying two days in front of me keeps me smilin'.  I can hardly contain my excitement.  Better get back to the work that I am supposed to be doing right now.

Have a blessed week!!