Mashed Taters in the Crockpot

Good Morning!

How has everyone been doing with 'Be Flexible'?

Did anything happen this past weekend that you threw caution to the wind and opted for spontaneity instead?

There is still plenty of time to work on this weeks challenge.

In the mean time let me show you how to make one of the ultimate comfort foods.

Here is What You'll Need:

- 5 lbs of cubed Russet Potatoes

- 1/3 cup warm milk

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

- 1-1/4 cup sour cream

- 2 oz of cream cheese

- 1 stick of butter cut into small cubes

- 1 garlic clove minced

- not pictured - 1-1/2 cups chicken broth

Place your peeled/cubed potatoes into crock pot.

(remember to spray non-stick spray for easy clean-up later).

Add broth and butter and cook on high for 4-5 hours.

Now mash your potatoes!

Add remaining ingredients and continue mashing.

Serve up your warm, yummy mashed potatoes!

This made a LOT of mashed potatoes so I divided my recipe in half and froze the 2nd half for another day!

I hope you all are staying warm.

We had 65º weather on Friday and then SNOW on Saturday.

Brrr!

Not cool NC, not cool ;)

Have a blessed Monday!

Be...Flexible

At the beginning of the year I mentioned that I wanted to do a series on Friday's this year that focused on stepping out of our comfort zones and thinking more creatively.

It's been 6 weeks since I posed that challenge and I'm just now getting a chance to start it!

I am sorry about that.

However, with that being said our 'Be' challenge this week is....

BE Flexible.

Life happens.

And when it happens we have a couple of ways of reacting to it:

a.) Freak out

b.) Ignore it

c.) Roll with it

I think we all need to work on rolling with it a little more.

I haven't been as consistent posting lately.

I could be really hard on myself about that,

I could spew a line of excuses a mile long,

or I could just be honest.

My heart wasn't feeling the blog lately.

It needed a break.

Time to restore and refresh.

But I'm working on getting back.

I'm working on being flexible with my expectations of myself, of others, of days and weeks, and of life in general.

As organized as I love being, somethings pop up and change our plans.

Is there an area in your life where you need to learn to "Be Flexible"?

Maybe it's not a theoretical concept, maybe it's a literal.

Maybe some of us need to get out of our comfort zone and literally start being more physically flexible.

Yoga?

Pilates?

Basic Stretching?

This week I challenge you to work on being flexible.

If some engagement pops up that you didn't have planned on the calendar, instead of thinking..."Ugh, why now?"

Try to think of how spontaneity is the spice of life!

If dinner burns, don't get upset.

Order in or have a fend for yourself night (sandwiches, cereal, whatever is in the house).

The goal this week is to roll with the punches and see if removing a few restrictions in turn removes a little stress.

Besides we all know we could use a little less stress, right!

I hope you have a Blessed Friday! 

Valentine's Day Banner

It's really convenient when a holiday falls on my craft post day, because then I get to share what I've been up to lately!

We don't really celebrate Valentine's day in our house.
That being said I don't mind decorating a little bit for it.
This year I made a pretty Valentine's day Banner that anyone can whip up in less than half an hour!

You'll need 2 sheets of felt.

I chose red and pink.

Cut the sheets in half.

Line up the edges.

Sew them together.  

I did a 1/4" seam allowance, but you can do more if you like.

Now fold the felt over itself, line up your edges....

and sew again.

See how the first sewn portion forms the inner part of the heart?

Now create your pattern.

I opted to use pom poms.

Taking a needle and thread begin to pierce through each heart.

I liked to pierce the side, the center and the other side.

The pierce each pom pom.

Continue until all your hearts and poms are strung up.

Then hang!
It was just the perfect filler for that empty space this month.
I'm curious to see if I could make smaller hearts and turn them into 4 leave clovers for next month.
Hmmm....the wheels are turning, I guess we'll just have to see if the concept reaches fruition!

I hope you have a Blessed Thursday and a Happy Valentine's Day!

Reese's Pie

I have a taste treat for anyone who needs a Valentine's Day sweet!

Here is What You'll Need:

- 1 chocolate cookie pie crust

- large box of instant chocolate pudding

- 1-1/2 cups of milk

- 8 oz tub of cool whip

- 15 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

In a large bowl mix the pudding and milk.

Whisk in the cool whip.

Unwrap Peanut Butter Cups and cut into bite size pieces.

Fold Peanut Butter Cups into the pudding mix.

Spoon mixture into cookie crust.

Freeze for at least 3 hours.

Remove from freezer 15 minutes before serving.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a little bit of peanut butter and chocolate goodness!

I hope you all have a Blessed Tuesday!

Parmesan Meatloaf

I'm back.

Again.

Where have the days gone?

Are we seriously almost half way thru the month of February?

Today I'm going to share one of my favorite recipes!

Lately when have company over for dinner OR when someone we know has a baby, I make either my Chicken Enchiladas or this.... Parmesan Meatloaf!

Here Is What You'll Need:  

- 2 lbs hamburger

- 2 eggs

- 1/4 cup bread crumbs

- 1/2 teaspoon basil, thyme, and oregano

- 2 cloves minced garlic

-1 small onion finely chopped

- 1/2 teaspoon of salt

- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

- 1/2 pasta sauce

- 1/2 cup shredded italian cheese blend

Preheat oven to 350º

Lightly grease a loaf pan.

In a large bowl, add beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, salt & pepper, and parmesan cheese.

Gently mix ingredients with your hands.

Don't over handle.

Place in greased pan.

Top with pasta sauce.

Bake for an hour.

Remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Remove a 2nd time and allow to set for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Yet again I failed to get a finished photo....we scarfed it all down too fast!
I think most of you know what Meatloaf looks like so I'm not too concerned....but if not, shoot me a message and the next time I make this (which will be soon) I'll be sure to take a final picture!

I hope you had a Blessed Monday!