The UnOrdinary Mom

Mexican Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

2013-11-21T14:44:00.000-06:00

A couple of years ago at our annual Christmas Dinner at church, I sank my teeth into one of the best desserts I ever had. It remains one of my favorites. I finally found out who made it and Sis Mable gave me her recipe. Every time I make it, it doesn't last long. It's especially popular around the holidays.

Ingredients for the Cake:

2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
1 20oz. Can of Crushed Pineapple
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/3 Cup Oil

Ingredients for the Icing:

8oz. Block of Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Butter
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla

Directions:

Mix all the dry ingredients first, then add the wet ingredients. Do not drain the can of pineapple. Pour into a pan with butter or Pam sprayed on it.

Put into preheated oven at 350. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

In the meantime, bring your butter and cream cheese to room temp. Then add the sugar and vanilla and mix well. After you have let the cake cool, put the icing on top.

It is rich and devine!

Get in my belly!!!

Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls

2013-10-30T19:53:00.001-05:00

I don't have many good or 'precious' memories as a child, but one of the ones I do have has stayed with me every year Halloween comes around. My parents had divorced when I was around 3 and my dad got me every other weekend. At that time, we stayed with my grandparents and they pretty much raised me more than anyone else. My grandmother and great-grand mother were great cooks and my grandmother was always telling me I needed to come in the kitchen and learn how to cook, because one day, I would be cooking for my family. Of course, I ignored her and I guess thought she would always be there and cook for me. Oh, how children think!
My grandparents thought Halloween was 'of the devil' and trick-or-treating was not allowed. There could have been pins in my candy! Oh Lordy, the horrors!
But, that was really ok, because once a year at Halloween my grandmother would make her popcorn balls. Just. For. Me! Oh, the taste and the smell. It was heaven to me!!
Eventually, her arthritis (she called it Arthur) kept her from doing cooking like that. And, I grew up into that early adulthood of stupid, as I call it. But, every year at Halloween, I remember. And it's a Precious Memory. I now do this tradition with my littles and they love it too. I pray their memory of it will be just as precious.
I would like to share it with you, too!

Old Fashioned Popcorn Balls

Ingredients

1/2 C Sugar
1/4 C Butter
1/2 C Light Karo Syrup (corn syrup)
8 C Popped Popcorn

Directions

Melt the butter in the pan. Add the sugar and corn syrup and stir constantly. Bring to a boil and set your timer for 2 minutes (stirring constantly!! ha) .

Remove from heat. Right now you could add food coloring if you wanted.
Immediately pour over the popcorn (I used 1 bag) and stir well until completely covered.
Spray your hands with Pam and form into balls and put on wax paper.

After they set, I wrap each one in plastic wrap.

Another Get In My Belly and Precious Memories!

Homemade Caramel

2013-10-30T19:23:00.001-05:00

As I was giving myself my daily dose of Pinterest, I came across this easy and delicious homemade caramel recipe from Pretty Providence. I just tried it tonight with the kids and poured it over some popped popcorn and it's heaven! This is so easy, I no longer have an excuse to buy the store version!

Homemade Caramel

Ingredients:
1 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C Butter (1 stick)
1 C Light corn syrup (or as I call it Karo)
1 Can Sweentened Condensed Milk

Directions

Melt the butter in a medium-low heat and add all the other ingredients in one at a time, constantly stirring. (The constant stirring will be constant throughout the entire process! ha)

Once the caramel comes to a boil..and you're still stirring!...set your timer and cook for 2 minutes. Yes, still stir!

I first poured the caramel into my Ball jar (about a cup) and then poured the rest over 2 packages of popcorn. So, it makes quite a bit!

Texas Cobbler

2013-08-13T13:31:00.004-05:00

It's been a while since I've been on here!!! I'm so sorry..kids, kids and kids' schedules! Ha. I just had to post this though, it turned out so delish!
I actually came across this on facebook and typed it up and put it away in my recipe's. I came across it this week and decided to try it and I'm so glad I did. It truly is the best I've ever had or made. Please try this recipe...you won't be disappointed!

Texas Cobbler

Ingredients

4 tbsp. unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces, and 8 tbsp. butter melted and cooled
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 Tsp. Grated Lemon Zest
15 Ounces or 3 Cups Fruit
1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 Tsp. Salt
1 1/2 Cups Milk

Directions

Adjust your oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat to 350 degrees. Place 4 tbsp. cut-up butter in 13 x 9 baking dish and put in oven. Heat until butter is melted, about 8-10 minutes...DO NOT LET IT BURN!
If you use fresh fruit do the following:

Pulse 1/4 cup sugar and lemon zest in food processor until combined, about 5 pulses. Mash fruit and 1 tbsp. lemon sugar together in bowl until berries are coarsely mashed.

I didn't feel like doing all that, so I used a 15 oz can of blueberries and put the lemon sugar on top when I put the berries in the baking dish.
Combine flour, remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Whisk in milk and 8 tbsp. melted, cooled butter until smooth. Remove baking dish from oven and pour batter into it.
Dollop the fruit mixture evenly over the batter, sprinkle with remaining lemon sugar and bake until golden brown and the edges are crisp, about 40-50 minutes. Let cobbler cool so you won't burn your tongue off (ha) and I added ice cream.

Listen...I'm telling you, it's awesome. You may want to not do the whole lemon zest thing, but trust me...DO IT!!! It just gives it this zing a ling. I mean....dude. Yeah, I said it..dude!

Get In My Dang Belly!!!

Mother's Day Questionnaire Printables

2013-04-12T11:39:00.002-05:00

I am getting ready for Mother's Day at church and found some really cute printables for Mother's Day. Click on the links to download them for your own personal use.

UCreateWithKids
All About Mom Questionnaire

One Happy Momma

Mom Questionnaire

The Crafting Chicks

Mom Questionnaire

Texas Sheet Cake (The Pioneer Woman's Recipe)

2013-04-11T13:47:00.002-05:00

If you don't know who Ree Drummond, aka..The Pioneer Woman, you need to!!! You will be addicted to her! She's amazing!
I came across her Texas Sheet Cake and thought I'd give it a try. It turned out moist, very chocolaty and rich and a smooth, delicious layer of icing. It's called a Texas Sheet Cake because it's B I G! I cooked mine on a 13 x 18" sheet pan and the cake and icing filled it up perfectly. If you use a smaller pan, you won't need all of it. The frosting will start setting about a half hour after you pour it on the cake, but if you want it to set firmly, give it a couple of hours.

Heads Up!!! Before you even start making this cake...Read the directions! I, of course, didn't and put all my dry ingredients together and had to dump it all out! That is also why I am putting the directions first!

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.

Melt butter in a saucepan and add cocoa. Stir together. Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In a small bowl, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture.
Pour into 13 x 18″ sheet cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (if using a 10 x 15″ jelly roll pan, you may need to bake 22 to 23 minutes). NOTE: I greased my pan, but the Pioneer Woman’s recipe doesn’t say to do that, so I guess that’s optional.

While cake is baking, make the icing. If using nuts, chop them finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.
Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together until nice and smooth. Add the nuts, stir together, and pour over warm cake..You could also leave the nuts out of the frosting mixture and sprinkle them on top of the icing instead.
If you made your cake in a 13 x 18″ pan, pour on all the frosting–you may need to spread it a little so it covers the entire cake; if your cake is in a 10 x 15″ pan, just pour enough frosting on to cover the surface of the cake without going over the edges of the pan. You’ll probably have about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of frosting left over.

You can let the frosting cool and set before cutting into squares if you want, or cut into squares while it’s still warm and dig in! The frosting will start setting in about a half hour, but it needs between 1 and 2 hours to set more firmly; at 2 hours, it should be nice and firm.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
4 heaping Tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
2 sticks butter
1 cup boiling water
½ cup buttermilk (Or use this tip to make a buttermilk substitute: Place 1/2 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. Add enough regular milk to bring the liquid up to the 1/2 cup line. Let stand for 5 minutes, then use in the recipe.)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

FROSTING:

1 3/4 sticks butter
4 heaping Tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
6 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound (minus 1/2 cup) powdered sugar (about 3 to 3 1/4 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts, optional (Jane did not use nuts in her frosting and it was great…so if you don’t like nuts, leave them out!)

Now..Get In My Belly!!!

Crockpot Apple Butter

2013-01-09T10:31:00.000-06:00

I know this is late, but I made gifts for Christmas this year...apple butter and fudge. After researching apple butter recipes from all over the web, including Pinterest, I came up with my own version and it was utterly divine.The following is what I used for mine. Tweak it all to your taste buds and enjoy!

Ingredients:
20-40 Apples (I used 21 in the following pics, but you can fill the crock pot all the way to the top)
1/2 Cup Apple Cider
1/2 Stick Butter (of course!)
3 Cups Sugar
2 Tbsp Cinnamon
1/4 Tsp Allspice
1/4 Tsp Nutmeg
1/4 Tsp Ginger
Couple of Dashes Salt

Directions:
I do this around 9pm at night. Peel and cut up all the apples and put in the crock pot. (This takes quite a while so I got my kids involved!) Then add all your ingredients. Put the lid on and set on high for 1 hour. TASTE!!!! Then add what you need to add to get that divine feeling in your taste buds. I used gala apples and red delicious apples and found that the sugar and spices were different. After you've got it tasting like you want, put the lid back on, set to low and go to bed..you've done a good job!

When you wake up, stir and TASTE! Add anything if needed. Around 10 or 11am, take the lid off and set on high for 1 hour. The color of the apples will look like their burnt and carmelized..that's good!

After an hour, you can either eat like it is or like I did, put in a food processor or Magic Bullet and voila! 20 apples makes approximately 2 pints. Also, I found when I smoothed it out, the color lightened up. Hmm...I bought little plastic canning jars from Walmart that held about 8 ounces and gave as gifts. They have ran out and I've been requested to make more..so this time I'll fill the crock pot up!

Beware...It's wonderful and if you give it to a neighbor, they may show up at your house a lot! (It won't allow me to upload pics for some reason! Sorry!)

Another Get In My Belly!!

A New Year and New Endeavors!

2013-01-03T11:52:00.000-06:00

I apologize for not having many posts in the last few months! As everyone knows, the holiday season takes much of your time, especially with a toddler. I had a great Holiday season, but I'm sorta glad it's over!
I had started making candies and fudges and designing clothes and accessories last year and this year I had many return customers. It helped with buying Christmas. I'm really hoping that it grows this year.
I started making scarves and found out that Yard Bee's Yarn is by far the softest and best. (You can find it mostly at Hobby Lobby). The Soft Secret is my customers favorite. Here's some pics of the scarves I've been making..and still am!

Now I'm trying hats:

For the lime one, I found bulky yarn at Walmart that is super soft and is perfect for these hats.
I'm having fun and hopefully these will start selling too.
My next endeavor is engraving necklaces!! I'm super excited about that!
Well, my friends..I pray that our Heavenly Father blesses you this new year of 2013.

Christmas Pictures Idea

2012-12-03T10:15:00.001-06:00

I really love Pinterest...I mean, addictively so. And, really, who doesn't. This brings me to Christmas pictures. As y'all know, I have 3 kids and every year I always do pictures and I don't want your run-of-the-mill pictures. Even if I mail them way after Christmas...
Pinterest has tons of ideas, as does Google and Bing. Just get your imagination going, and if you don't have an imagination...use everyone else's!
The one I'm loving most right now is babies and Christmas lights. I used my Samsung Galaxy 3 and used a filter app. So, I gave little dude a warm bath and had the house warm so he wouldn't get a chill. I laid belly-down on the floor and had everyone turn off all the lights then immediately turn on a simple 100-light strand and just waited to see what he would do. Thank goodness he cooperated...Here's what I got:

Then my amazing husband brought home a super expensive and super amazing professional camera...OMG..I took 700 pictures in 4 hours..my arm is hurting today, but so worth it. The quality of this camera is simply amazing. Here are some I took just sitting on the floor and letting my other 2 kiddos do their own thing, which it turned out better than I could have done:

Oh, they are so beautiful..I am so blessed! Good luck with all your pictures and have a wonderful Christmas!

How To Make Marbleized Ornaments

2012-10-26T12:49:00.000-05:00

My dearest friends..I hate to break the news to you, but Christmas is in 2 months!!! Aaahh! It's that time of year when October, November and December is really just one huge holiday filled with a lot of eating.
It seems every year our children gets older, the more expensive the 'toys' get. The toys for my little dude won't matter, because it's just another day to him. But, for the 2 older ones, it's anything that has a mini computer in it with buttons. My son wants the PSP and the girl is getting a cell phone. (Oh, Lord)
This time of year though, I always start trying to find presents that fill:

The thought put into the gift
The price

This year, since I've got my embroidery machine I still don't know how to use..I must find things to embroider. I will also be doing yummy gifts like homemade apple butter and special gifts like handmade marbleized ornaments. These ornaments are actually really easy to do. If you have a Cricut, or just go to Hobby Lobby or even Walmart, you can put initials on them to make them even more special and personalized. So, I thought I would share with you on how to do them so you can give a great gift that looks expensive and that looks like you put a lot of thought into it!
Here are the directions on how to do Marbleized Ornaments:
What you will need:

Acrylic Pain
Glass Craft Ornaments
Vinegar
Plastic/Styrofoam Cups
Nail Polish Remover

Directions:

Choose your acrylic paint colors. The inexpensive ones are fine.
Choose 2-3 contrasting colors. Get metallic colors to make it luminous.
Get the large or medium sized glass craft clear ornaments. Avoid the tiny ones, they don't turn out so good.
Cut ventilation holes into the sides of the plastic cup. They should be large enough to let air through but not where the paint will drip out. I use it to steady the ornament as I add paint.
Carefully remove the metal top and handle the bulb with care.
Rinse out the bulb with one part vinegar and three parts water. Rinse again with just water, and let completely dry by placing the bulb open side down in the cup.
Shake each paint tube well before opening.
Add your paint slowly so that it streams down the side of the bulb, but just enough so that the paint easily reaches the bottom. You will add 4-6 streams of paint around the ornament.
Start rotating the bulb around. After the bulb is coated, place the ornament open side down so that the excess paint can drip down into the cup.

Drying Process

After you have removed the extra paint from the bulb, the drying process begins. Most of the blending and swirling of the colors happens at this time. If you want vertical streaks, let the bulb dry open side down for 48-72 hours.
For the blended and swirling effect, turn the bulb on its side and allow it to sit for several hours at a time, then rotate again. Continue until you have the desired effect you are looking for.
Once you have finished, turn the bulb open side down into the cup and let dry the rest of the way for 48-72 hours. If you don't allow it to dry completely, it will settle in the bottom and not look very nice.
If you had any paint get on the outside of the ornament, just take it off with a little finger nail polish remover.
Add a ribbon or initials to finish and Voila!!

Tales of the Lost Diaper

2012-10-16T12:33:00.000-05:00

Well, my little man is now 18 months old and counting! I can't believe how time has flown and the time I do have doesn't ever seem to be enough. Ever have so much housework to do that it's overwhelming so you just sit down? Yeah...that's been my week so far. However, the toilets are now clean..yah me!
I have also found the joys and addiction of Instagram...OH MY GOODNESS! It's a picture book for adults! Sometimes I wonder if I need to close all my social 'apps' and logoff....
Anyhoo....back to the world of toddlerdom. My crackhead little boy constantly digs in his crack and has now found out he can take his diaper off with or without clothes on. The other day, he wakes up and I notice he feels ... well..lighter and not so wet (let's face it..diapers do NOT work at night!) I lay him down on his changing table, pull his pants off and ... NO DIAPER!! What the crap?! I put on a new diaper, quickly pull his pants up and put him down. Then, I go looking for the diaper. I mean, it couldn't have gone THAT far, could it?! Amazingly enough, he didn't pee anywhere and I found the diaper between the wall and toys.
Then the other day, while I am at my desk, he comes running up to me laughing, then runs off...laughing more. As a mother of a 3rd child can tell you, things don't bother you quite so much anymore and you think, whatever. I continue to play, I mean work.
Then it hits me....did I see a flash of butt? He comes back, laughing harder and I see the peepee. AAHHH! How long has he been running around ... and where is the diaper?
Off a hunting I go. I look...and look...and crap a cow look. I finally found the sucker 30 minutes later underneath the kitchen table! I pick it up and little turds fall everywhere. All while, of course...he's laughing and running around trying to take his peepee off.
You know..sometimes I don't think there's enough Prozac for a day like that one. So, now all of my facebook friends are telling me...It's potty training time. WHAT? How can that be..he's only 18 months old! Doesn't he need to be at least 2 years old? They tell me no..it is time young mommawalker. How the heck do you potty train an 18 month old, stubborn, strong-willed little toddler who speaks in kid-latin?
One of my friends and future teacher of my little pooper, tells me her daughter was like that, so while at that time, she was a stay-at-home mom, she just took her pants and diaper off and let her roam the house. She would follow her with the potty chair and within a week, she was potty trained. Hmm...sounds easy I guess. However, we just got in new carpet!
Please! I need any and all help!

Crockpot Chicken, Zataran's Yellow Rice & Cheese Soup

2012-09-26T10:21:00.001-05:00

Found another recipe on Pinterest that I thought I would try. I added black beans.

Ingredients:

4-6 Chicken Breasts

1 Can Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom

Onion

1 Box Zataran's Yellow Rice

1 Can Black Beans

1 Can Corn, Drained

1 Can Black Beans, Drained and Rinsed

Directions:

Put chicken and cream soup into crockpot and put your onions in. Set on low for 3-4 hours or hight 7-8 hours.

Close to when it's done or when your going to serve it, cook your rice and add to the pot. Add your can of drained corn and drained and rinsed black beans and your cheese. Stir and let 'marry' for about 5 minutes and enjoy!
I personally used a large can of the cream of chicken and I think if I cook it again, I will use cream of mushroom. It was too cream of chicken-y for my taste. I might even add a can of drained Rotel next time to give it a little kick. Let me know your variations..I would to try them, also!

Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup

2012-09-25T10:51:00.001-05:00

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for a gameday dinner and it was Amazing and super simple! Perfect for fall, too.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef (I used 2 lbs)

6 Slices of Bacon

Frozen Hashbrowns

1 Block Velvetta

1 Box Chicken Broth Stock

Onion

Optional (Block of Cream Cheese)

Directions:

Cook beef and drain well so you don't get all the grease. Cut up Velvetta in cubes and place in crockpot along with all the other ingredients. If you want it creamier, you can add a block of cream cheese, but I didn't this day. The onion gives it a wonderful taste, but since me and the boy don't like the texture, I shredded about 1/2 a small onion in it. Pour the entire chicken broth in. I cooked my bacon in the microwave and let it cook, then just broke off pieces. Cook on high for at least 2 hours and voila! You could also put some tortilla chips in the bottom of your bowl, then pour your soup on top (didn't think about this!)

Get in my belly!!!

Getting Ready For The Holidays!

2012-09-13T13:33:00.000-05:00

Fall is here! You know why? Because Starbucks is selling the Pumpkin Spice Latte!! Ha! Here in Arkansas, the weather is absolutely perfect! After 29 days of 100+ temps, I was actually getting mad at mother nature.
So, of course, this weather has me getting holiday prepared. I hate to put you in a panic, but Christmas is 15 weeks away! Holy cow! I also must the the McGinley Kid's Christmas Foundation ready, because the older my kiddos get, the more expensive their toys and gadgets.
Last year I started a Facebook page, Diva's Fudge-Me-Nots and Divalicious Candies...kinda silly name, but I love it. I love to cook, so I thought why not see if I could sell my yummies for extra Christmas monies? It took off and it completely paid for our kids' Christmas. This year, I hope it happens again! I've added more items that I can't wait to sell, they are going to be so good!

Apple Butter (Perfect for Naybors!)

Pumpkin Fudge
Fall Dip
Chocolate Chip Angel Food Cake
Apple Enchiladas

...and more!

Take a look and you too may help the 'Foundation'!

The Day the World Stopped Turning 9/11

2012-09-11T09:56:00.001-05:00

I'm getting coffee for my boss, David. The TV is on in the break room and I hear and feel something is wrong. A plane went into one of the Trade Center buildings. Brandon comes into the breakroom and at that time another plane goes into the 2nd building and he says, "Oh, no" very quietly because we both know that something is terribly wrong and I feel sick to my stomach. I go tell David. I am shaking and scared. The world around me stops. Brandon puts his arm around me. I still feel what I felt that day and will never forget. I still cry uncontrollably when I watch. I watch because I don't want to forget. Remember with me.

Kids and Growin Up

2012-09-08T09:20:00.003-05:00

This week my daughter participated in Fashions Night Out at our local mall, Park Plaza. I had sent in her picture and immediately got a response. She's 12 and 5'9"!! 2 inches taller than me..ugh!
We had to get there hours beforehand so she could get her outfit and get her hair and makeup done. Both Nana's came and it was a girl's fest! We had a blast, if not a sore back and feet!
She enjoyed herself so much and it's hard to see your little girl become a young woman. After the hair and makeup was done, all I could do was just stare at her in awe! She was just beautiful..and I didn't cry once!
Here's some pics of my angel.

I think I'm going to make her wear a shirt that says 'I'm 12 Pervert'!

Chicken & Black Bean Rice Casserole

2012-08-29T11:07:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago on Pinterest, I saw a dish similar to this and can't find it now. So, I tried to remember everything I saw and do my own! It turned out pretty good, but I will definetly put maybe a can of corn in it next time. It needed something else. Little dude liked it!

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Breasts, chopped

1 Can Black Beans

1 Large Can Cream of Chicken or Mushroom

1 Can Corn

2 Cups Cooked Rice

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese or your favorite

Seasonings

Directions:

Cook rice according to directions.

Heat up some olive oil and about 2 pats of butter in a skillet and cook chicken. Add salt, pepper and garlic.

Add beans and cream of chicken to chicken and bring to a boil while stirring. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in cheese

Add to rice in a casserole dish.

(I was running out of time for foosball practice, so I didn't do the next step)

Add more cheese (yes!) on top and cook for about 10-15 in a 350 oven.

Back To School Deals from Brad's Deals K-12

2012-08-22T11:36:00.002-05:00

I get an email from BradsDeals everyday and have found some amazing deals. Right now they have found the best deals online for kids school K-12. Go here for all their deals, including for college kids.

This Kids' Backpack, Lunchpack, and Nap Mat Value Bundle is $19.99 at Walmart.com. With $0.97 shipping, this bundle saves you $8 versus buying the included items separately. The backpack comes with a coordinating lunchpack that fits right inside its own pocket on the backpack. The nap mat rolls up for storage. There are two styles to choose from. Sales tax is charged in most states.

Perfect for back-to-school, the price on these Embroidered Lunch Coolers drops from $22.95 to $19.95 to $14.95 when you enter code BDLunch at Gifts for You Now. Plus, this code also provides shipping for $0.99 (it is normally $6.95). These insulated totes measure 8 1/2" W x 6 1/2" H x 6 1/2" D. Have 3 initials embroidered on the tote in your choice of 12 thread colors at no additional charge.

Baked Apple Pies

2012-08-21T10:36:00.002-05:00

You ever notice how when you are on a diet all you want are carbs and sweets?! Ugh. The other day I wanted a Rally's fried apple pie and I remembered a post that was along that line on Pinterest, but couldn't find it. So my willey little brain decided it was experimentation time with food. Turned out unbelievable yummy and all were eaten quickly. So here is my take on the baked apple pie.

Ingredients:
1 Can 24 oz Large Apple Pie Filling
Sugar
Cinnamon
Butter
Dough or Crescent Rolls

Directions:
Preheat oven according to the doughs instructions. Mine was 350.
Mix sugar and cinnamon to your taste

Melt 2 tbsp butter in microwave

Cut dough to accomadate a helping of your filling. I cut 3 sections.

Place about 3-4 of the apples on one side

Fold over and press sides down with a fork

Brush the melted butter over the top of the pie and sprinkle a generous helping of the sugar/cinnamon mixture on a greased pan.

Cook for about 15 minutes or until done.

Holy cow..this will be a new addiction and it's deserving of Get In My Belly!!!

Homemade Lasagna...The Easier Way

2012-08-20T10:55:00.001-05:00

I love lasagna and homemade is best. This is a homemade version that doesn't take hours. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare and the cook time is 1 hour. Make ahead and give yourself an awesome dinner!

Ingredients:

1 Large Container Ricotta Cheese (you can use low fat or skim)

3 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1 Large Jar of Your Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

1 1/2-2 Lb Ground Beef or Turkey, browned and drained

1-2 Cups Water

12 Lasagna Noodles, Uncooked

2 Tsp Italian Seasoning or Parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the parmesan cheese, italian seasoning or parsley, and egg until well blended; set aside.

After cooking and draining meat, pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce into skillet. Pour your water into the jar, shake and pour into skillet. (Adding water to the meat and sauce helps cook the traditional noodles during baking, so you don't have to cook them beforehand. Saves you about 15-20 minutes of prep time!)

Mix well and let simmer for just a few minutes. Place 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of your 13x9 baking dish, this way the noodles won't stick to the pan. (I obviously didn't read my instructions!)

Depending on the size of your baking dish, place 3-4 of the noodles on the bottom and put a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Add 1 cup or so of the meat mixture and repeat until you've used all your ingredients.

After you've finished, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top. I'll be honest...I used 4 cups of the mozzarella cheese on top! Yummy!

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil that you have sprayed with Pam so it won't stick to the cheese. Bake 45 minutes.

Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let stand about 15 minutes if you can stand it to make cutting into it easier...this NEVER happens. My family is already at the table ready to dig in.

Get In My Belly!!! Yummy!!!!

Homemade Ranch Dressing with Greek Yogurt

2012-08-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

After seeing posts and pins on Pinterest about the homemade ranch dressing, I thought I'd give it a try.

Ingredients:
Ranch Dressing Mix
Greek Plain Yogurt
Directions:
Mix well

As you can see, it's very simple and supposed to be better for you. I would rather make food so I know what's in it than buying it store bought if I can. And, with me training for a marathon and needing to get rid of 20 pounds, I thought this would be great. Welllll....
YUK!!! If you have never tried greek yogurt, it must be an aquired taste. It is now down the drain and I won't make it again. I do not like greek yogurt, Sam I am! But, if you do..it's a great alternative to the processed, don't-know-what's-in-it, store bought ranch dressing!

FREE Customizable Photo Calendar from Vistaprint!

2012-08-11T19:32:00.004-05:00

FREE Customizable Photo Calendar from Vistaprint! (Just Pay Shipping)

This is one of those offers that is great to do each year when it pops up. Right now, Vistaprint is offering a FREE Customizable Photo Calendar. You can upload your own pics for each month, choose your theme and totally customize it.

Shipping will start around $5.32. And, that is an awesome price to have a customized calendar full of memories of your family from the past year. Back to School time is a great time to get a new calendar too! There is so much to keep track of!

**This offer can end at any time.

American Eagle-Extra 40% Off Clearance

2012-08-11T10:30:00.002-05:00

American Eagle: Extra 40% Off Clearance Plus An Additional 15% Off!

American Eagle has taken 40% off their clearance items, plus you can score an additional 15% off! Use promo code 86277041 at checkout to score the additional 15% off.

Plus, if you have your Shoprunner account, you can get FREE 2-Day Shipping! So you won’t even have to pay for that.
The top pictured above is marked down to $9.99 with the additional 40% off the price is $7.00. Add the 15% off and the final price ends up being $5.95!
Sometimes it pays to wait to get your school shopping done. There could be some killer deals with this sale!
Please note, the additional 40% off clearance discount will be taken off AFTER you add the item(s) to your cart. Prices on the site do not reflect the 40% off discount.
**If you don’t have a Shoprunner account, you can sign up for a Free 30 Day Trial so you can snag this deal. Just remember to cancel after your trial so you aren’t charged.

The 16 Month Terrible Twos and A Shin Splint

2012-08-11T10:24:00.004-05:00

Good morning everyone! My weeks seem to have gotten busier and busier! And school starts on the 20th...basketball and football have already started..whew!
So far on the marathon training it has been great. Everyday gets easier and I love it now and can't wait til the next day so I can do it again. However, I think I may have a shin splint. When Thing 2 was a few months old I started running and felt an sharp pain in my shin area but just accounted it to getting older and pushing myself too hard. Then I just quit exercising, but the pain in my shin was still there and hasn't ever gone away. Last night, the pain was pretty bad and the Hubs suggested I do some research. So, I guess I will be making a doctors appointment, which I need to do anyway. I've also had these weird and extreme fatique days where I just want to sleep and I've never ever been like that. Anyway....now to the fun stuff.
Last night the kids spent the night with nana and the Hubs and I took Thing 2 to Logans Steakhouse. I must admit I had 3 rolls and don't regret it. Bread is my weakness and I love it. It was past little dude's bedtime, but we gave him a few sips of Coke and he ate french fries and bread rolls, so we thought he'd last a little while. WHAT WERE WE THINKING? We've been through this before and know better...yeah right. He threw a fit, so the Hubs took him outside to let him 'air' it out. He loves outside, by the way. The Hubs brings him back in and all heck broke loose. Since I'm 10 years older than when I had the last baby, I'm a little better and the fits don't affect me as much as they used to. So, I let him have my salad and make a mess. Worked for a little bit more, so we just decided to leave. Here comes the fun part...
Finally get him in the Hoe after he took off in the parking lot and he proceeds to let the demons loose!!! OH MY GOODNESS....it took both of us and almost 5 minutes to get him in the carseat! So....my fellow parents...PLEASE give me some ideas as to what to do! He is a very independent child and doesn't seem to listen at all...Ugh..HELP!!

Gearing Up For A Marathon-My First One

2012-08-06T20:21:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday, as I was getting irritated at my hiney hitting the back of my knees, I decided to take a walk. My neighbor, who runs and has been in 2 marathons stopped me and told me about the marathon coming up in October. She encouraged me to try to do it.
So...I've been needing a challenge to get my hiney off the couch, and I think this is it. So, I walked a mile my first 2 days, 2 miles my 3rd day and 3 miles my 4th day.
Last night, I downloaded Couch to 5K on my Android and started the 5 week running schedule and it's awesome. You can play your music and the voice comes over the music and tells you when to run and when to walk. I did 2 miles and I am starting to feel great and slightly addicted to this.
My hips have been hurting and causing the most pain, but my ligaments tore in my groin when I was pregnant with #3. Now, it's not so bad.
This week both of my older kids have sports activities every night, so it's going to be a challenge to get this done. I'm not a morning person, so we'll see.
I'll keep you updated! Maybe this will help someone else.