Recipes

I've been meaning to post some of my favorite recipes on here for a while now. I am not totally fond of cooking, and do so more out of necessity, but I do like to eat good food. So, when I find a simple recipe that we like, we have it fairly often. Plus, eating in is much more affordable, and usually better for us- however, I make no claims that the "easy" recipes we like are at all healthy. We do change things up with the "regulars" occasionally. I've started a link list on our blog to the recipes that we've tried and liked, that I've gotten online. I do not like things that have too many ingredients or things that I can't easily find in the grocery store. I really like the Rachael Ray show on the days that I'm off and I get lots of ideas! I will also share a few "family" recipes here that always go over well.

The BEST Chicken Enchiladas you will ever eat (and also one of the easiest recipes I've seen)- I promise you!!!
We call them Chicken Aunt-chiladas (because the recipe came from my Aunt Becky.
Ingredients:
2 T. butter
1 Onion
3/4 c. cooked chicken (or more...)
2T. diced green chiles (we use a can of tomatos and chiles, drained)
3 oz. cream cheese, diced (we routinely use low fat and more than 3oz.)
flour tortillas
1/3 c. heavy cream (we use half-n-half)
shredded cheese (your choice on variety)

Heat butter in skillet an add onion. Cook over low heat stirring occasionally. Do not let onion get brown! Add chicken, chilies (tomatos) , and cream cheese. Preheat oven to 375. Spray bottom of 9x9 dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon filling into tortillas and roll with seem side down in dish. Moisten tops with cream. Sprinkle on cheese and bake uncovered for 20 mins. Serves 2, but we often double recipe and have left overs! Reheats well!!


Chicken Pot Pie- from my mom (better than Cracker Barrel's or Bob's!!!)
Ingredients:
1/3 c. margarine
1/3 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt (omit if using self rising flour)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 3/4 c. chicken broth (we use chicken bouillion cubes often)
2/3 c. milk
2 c. cooked diced chicken
1 pkg. (10oz.) frozen veggies
1 pkg. ready-made pie crusts

Heat magarine over low heat until melted. Blend in flour and onion, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in broth and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in chicken and frozen veggies. Reserve. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly spray pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Place one crust in bottom of plate and fill with mixture. Top with second crust. Cut slits in top crust for venting. Crimp edges of crust. Use aluminum foil or a pie crust guard around crust to keep from over cooking. Place in oven for 30-35 minutes. (We routinely use pre-cooked, cubed chicken and it saves a lot of time.) Enjoy!

Lots of happenings

So a lot has happened since the last time I blogged. I have been battling a cold that seems to want to stay forever. I'm going on week four, my second antibiotic, three trips to the doctor, a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia, and I still haven't beat it completely. Luckily, Morganne seemed to get the cough a bit, but not as severe and it never warranted a trip to the doc for her.
Justin and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary on January 21st!!!! Can't believe it's been three years already, and oh how our lives have changed. We did splurge and went out to dinner for our anniversary this year. Mo went to the grandparents and we went to Chili's because we had a gift card there. Nothing fancy, but it was nice getting out. Unfortunately, I was still sick at that time so I was tired and went to bed as soon as we got home.
Justin hurt his shoulder, but is now feeling better. We are thinking he had a pinched nerve or something. Went about five days without being able to lift it two inches without severe pain shooting down his arm. I think it was in response to falling the weekend prior at a paintball outing he went to for a bachelor party. Who knows.
In the middle of all of this our very dear friends Nicci and Kevin got married, and I was blessed to be a bridesmaid. It was the same weekend we did, just 3 years later. Go January weddings! I do believe ours was a bit warmer however, though at least we both had sunny days! It was a very long, but fun weekend. Started with the bachelorette party Thursday night, rehearsal dinner (catered by Derek and Asher Catering!!!) and spent the night at her house, then a LONG day of getting ready before the wedding and reception. Needless to say I've been trying to catch up on sleep all week. It was a lot of fun though and I can honestly say that Nicci was probably the prettiest bride I think I've ever seen. She could have been in one of those Vintage bride magazines. Her dress was beautiful and was totally "her". Nicci and I have been friends since first grade in Mrs. Adams class. We've played softball, did 4-H, went on mission trips, and now were in each others weddings. Not many people are blessed to have a close friend for so long. It was also a lot of fun because all but one other bridesmaid went to high school together with us and are also close friends. So it was a huge week long party really were everyone got along well. You will probably recognise the people in the photos. They are the group of friends that we hang out with the most. We are so happy for Nicci and Kevin and so excited that it's finally their turn! They have supported all of us for the past few years and it was so much fun seeing their special day. Now for them to start having kids..... just kidding, no pressure Nic! Anyhow, check out the beautiful bride below....
Also, her photographer has a blog too and has posted a few pics so far, I can't wait to see the entire album. Awesome photographer...www.megelaineimages.blogspot.com

The bachelorette party with a few "special" gifts for Nicci to share with Kevin alone...

The rehearsal dinner was absolutely fabulous! Derek did an awesome job and got tons of compliments. I'd recommend him anytime!

Staying up until 1:30am and then getting up at 6am is hard on the body. Hair appointments at 8:15, to the church by 2pm, pictures at 3pm, wedding at 5:30pm, and then reception until 11pm. What a long day. But oh the memories....

Don' worry, it turned out very nice!

Nicoletta's finished hair do. Nice job Cassie!

Isn't she beautiful!

Sister Leslie, was a perfect Matron of Honor. They are very blessed to have such a close relationship. They were both beautiful for the day.

Wow! Check out those muscles!!! She and Kevin are one "fit" couple. Oh she makes me laugh...

It was a weekend of missing the little ones too. We enjoyed our time with friends and being a part of the special day, but motherhood adds a whole other element. So, as soon as the wedding was over we reunited with our kids and enjoyed their company. We took a picture with the whole "Bible study group" with Nicci and Kevin. I can't wait to see how it turned out.

The reception was great. Enjoyed by all.

Aren't they gorgeous!

The Daddy/Daughter dance. I love this picture. David can always make Nicci laugh. Oh the memories...

A perfect match!

Go Kelli, Go Nicci, Go Kelli, Go Nicci!!

Ok, and I'll share a few pictures of Morganne I've taken recently. She's getting so big. It's so hard to think that she is almost 11 months old. Now that the wedding is over, we will start to plan her first birthday party. It almost makes me sad... Where did this year go! She never ceases to make us smile and laugh. She is learning more and more each day is seems and she is so close to saying her first few words. Still not crawling, but that doesn't stop her from moving anywhere. Oh we love her so much!


I love this picture. Ripken is just so good with her. He sat here for minutes while we left her on top of him. She thought it was hysterical!