Friday, April 29, 2011

Devastation

Please check out my post at Bitten by the Disney Bug about the devastation that we are facing in the south from the tornadoes and storms that came through Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

Devastation

Please pray for everyone who was affected by these storms.

Amanda

Friday, April 22, 2011

Five Question Friday ~ 4.22.11


1. What is your favorite Easter tradition?
My favorite Easter tradition is going to my grandparents house right after church and having lunch with my family. We always do an Easter egg hunt for the kids and just enjoy relaxing and spending time together!

2. Are you a "shower" or a "long, hot bath" kind of person?
I am most definitely a shower person. I very, very, very rarely take a bath - I think I've had 1 in the last 10 years or so.

3. Can you parallel park and if so when is the last time you did it?
Yes, but not very well. I can't remember the last time I did it though.

4. What is your favorite Easter candy?
Cadbury eggs - by far! I love them :) I also like Peeps!

5. Easter: do you go all out with the Easter Bunny or focus on the religious part of the holiday?
We do both. The Easter bunny leaves a basket of small goodies and some candy, then we go to church where my husband and I sing in the Easter Cantata. This year I want to do something a little different with my son to help him better understand what Easter is and why we celebrate it so after lunch at my grandparents house I plan on making Resurrection Rolls with him.
 
Check out My Little Life for more Five Question Friday posts!
 
Amanda

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Fiesta Chicken - in the Crockpot!


The heating element in our oven broke, so we are unable to use it until we can get a replacement. For me, this is very hard because I like to make casserole or bake things in the oven for dinner - not to mention my serious withdrawals from desserts (cookies, brownies, cakes!). So I am trying to find new recipes to utilize my crockpot.

I found this recipe somewhere (can't remember where now!) a few weeks ago and have been meaning to try it out. Well, I finally did it yesterday. I was able to throw everything in there in the morning and it was ready to go  at dinnertime - I love those kinds of meals. Here is the recipe:

Fiesta Chicken
2 or 3 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1 can corn - drained
1 can black beans - drained
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup of salsa (any kind you like)
2 T taco seasoning
2 cups white rice
Shredded cheese/sour cream - any other toppings you like

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot (mine were frozen and did fine). Put cream of chicken soup, corn, black beans, salsa and taco seasoning on top. Cook in crockpot for 3-4 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low. The chicken should be very tender and should shred easily when you stir everything together.

Cook the rice as directed on the box. Put rice in a bowl, Fiesta chicken on top of it and add any toppings you like and enjoy!

This was super easy and delicious! Everyone in my family enjoyed it and it made enough for us to eat another night as well! We will definitely be making this more often.

I apologize for not having any pictures - I completely forgot to use my camera on it because it was on the charger. I hope to have some pics for the next recipe I do!

What good recipes do you have for skillet or crockpot dinners?

Amanda

Friday, April 15, 2011

Five Question Friday ~ 4.15.11


I'm back with another edition of Five Question Friday! I am really excited to be a part of this blog hop and am loving getting to meet new people through it! I hope you are enjoying learning more about me as well!

Here are this week's questions:

1. What is your favorite sign of spring?
My favorite sign of spring would have to be the beautiful flowers that are in bloom everywhere. I love going to the local Botanical Gardens and seeing all the flowers and plants that come to life in the spring!

 
2. What was your best birthday ever?
My best birthday ever would have to be when I was about 11 or 12 (can't remember the exact one). I had it at Skate Station and all my friends and family were there. The best thing about the birthday was the gift that my parents gave me - my pink ice ring! I loved that thing and even wore it on my pinky until it didn't fit anymore!

 
3. What is your favorite dessert?
This is a tough one for me - I love basically anything that has chocolate or sugar in it :) But, my ultimate favorite dessert would probably be Tiramisu - it's just the best thing ever!

 
4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket?
I have never had to use an excuse, thank goodness! I have been pulled over 4 times and never gotten a ticket! The first time was like 2 weeks after I got my license, so he let me go with a written warning. The second time I had just had my car put in my name and he let me go because of that (He was a state trooper!). The third time it was pouring down rain and I was going down a local road way too fast, but the cop got another call when he was checking my information, so he had to leave really fast (I was VERY lucky with that one) and the last time I got pulled over for "impeading traffic". Apparently if you drive in the left hand lane in rush house traffic at the speed limit, but the cop wants to go faster, he will pull you over! Thankfully he didn't give me a ticket though!

 
5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times?
I set my alarm for 45 minutes to 1 hour before I "have" to get up so I can "start" waking up. This always helps me and then I am able to get up when it's time!

If you want to check out a lot more Five Question Friday posts, check out My Little Life!

Amanda

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Crossing things off



We had such a great time at Disney World this year! We did several new things that we haven't done before and learned a lot. There were also a few things I was able to cross off my Disney Bucket List(s)!

Here is a list of what I am now able to cross of my lists:

* Eating a Kitchen Sink from Beaches & Cream!
* Watching Illuminations @ Epcot
* Seeing the Beauty and the Beast Live show
* Buying a Christmas Ornament from the Christmas Shop in Downtown Disney
* Going to a Braves game at the Wide World of Sports
* Having a family picture made in front of Cinderella's Castle, Mickey's Scocerer hat, Tree of Life, and Spaceship Earth

I am so excited to be able to cross these things off my list and hopefully our next trip will result in even more to cross off!!!

Don't forget to check out my other new blog: Bitten by the Disney Bug for all things Disney!!

Amanda

Wordless Wednesday

My nephew, Brennen enjoying icing at Nicholas' birthday party!

Amanda

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

2 New Recipes!

I haven't had a whole lot of time to try out new recipes, but this past week I was able to get back in the routine of it. I made 2 new recipes and they both turned out fantastic! Unfortunately, my camera is acting up and I was unable to get any pictures of these yummy meals.

The first recipe is one I got from the Kraft Foods website. I had a coupon to try out the new flavored Philadelphia cream cheese so I went in search of a good recipe. We love Mexican type foods in my house, so I choose the Santa Fe cream cheese and this recipe sounded perfect for us!

Santa Fe Chicken Casserole
3 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained (I actually used Rotel and it was perfect!)
2 green onions, sliced (I omitted this because we do not like green onions in my house)
1 tub (10 oz.) Philadelphia Santa Fe Blend Cooking Creme
3 flour tortillas (6 inch)
3/4 cup Kraft Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add 3/4 cup cooking creme; mix lightly.

Spoon1/3 of the chicken mixture into 9-inch pie plate (I actually used a round Pyrex casserole dish); top with 1 tortilla, half the remaining chicken mixture and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Cover with second tortilla, remaining chicken mixture, 1/4 cup shredded cheese and remaining tortilla. Top with remaining cooking creme and shredded cheese; cover.

Bake 20 minutes or until heated through; uncover. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.

______________________________________________________________________________

This next recipe was suggested to me from my good friend, Mel. We both have similar tastes when it comes to food, so I knew it would be good. Plus, the recipe is from The Pioneer Woman and I LOVE all the recipes I have tried from her! The only thing I would do differently next time is make a little bit less for us because it made a big casserole dish and we couldn't eat it all - even after leftovers!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake
1 1/4 lb. ground chuck
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
Black pepper
8 oz egg noodles
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions (we left these out!)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground chuck in a large skillet. Drain fat, then add tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Stir, then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of black pepper (I didn't use any because I don't like pepper). Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir.

To assemble, add half the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the shredded cheese. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes or until all cheese is melted.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as our family did!

Amanda

Monday, April 11, 2011

Check out my other blog!

I have decided to start a new blog that is all about Disney! I have recently become obsessed with all things Disney, so I figured I would write about it. Please check it out, let me know what you think and if there is anything you would like me to discuss!

Bitten by the Disney Bug!

Thanks so much!
Amanda

Menu Plan Monday ~ April 11th



Last week was a little bit hectic and we didn't entirely stick to our menu. My sister had her baby late Tuesday night, so we were up at the hospital Tuesday and Wednesday night spending time with them! I will have a post up soon with some pictures of the beautiful baby girl! We are hoping to stay on track better this week though!

Here is my menu for this week:

Monday - Santa Fe Chicken Casserole

Tuesday - Mexican Pie

Wednesday - Easy Beef Stroganoff

Thursday - Parmesan Style Baked Chicken w/Pasta (thanks to Mel for this idea!)

Friday - Stuffed Pizza Sticks

Saturday - Blue Devil Market Day @ Moody Elementary School

Sunday - Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

If you need more ideas, head over to OrgJunkie for tons more recipes and menus!

Amanda

Friday, April 8, 2011

Five Question Friday ~ 4.8.11


I loved being apart of the Five Question Friday group last week, so I am going to continue doing it! Here are the questions for this week:

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I wish I were more outgoing and not so shy. Even on the Internet, I am too shy to introduce myself to wonderful bloggers who I wish I could "meet". I have always had a hard time introducing myself and putting myself out there. I wish I had more confidence in myself to be able to do these things!

2. Write about a time when you got lost.
This was actually not too long ago - about a year or so. I was returning from a doctor's appointment from downtown and *thought* I knew a different way to get home. Apparently, my brain tricked me. I ended up going through these windy roads with houses everywhere. I had NO idea where I was. Thankfully, I had my beloved GPS in the car, so I pulled over at a Stop sign and plugged it in. I was surrounded by houses and trees, so it took forever to get a signal. When it finally did I was just up the road from where I thought I would be - ha! I actually did know where I was going, kinda :)
 

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?
Without a doubt - 5 star hotel. I am definitely not a woodsy/outdoors person. I would much rather be in a nice warm, comfortable bed with electricity!

4. Have you donated blood?
Yes, I have a few times. I have O- blood type, so I need to do it more often.

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?
I have a basic budget set up, but sometimes it doesn't work out :)
 
Don't forget to check out My Little Life for more fun answers to this weeks questions!
 
Amanda

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Beauty and the Beast

One of the things I was most excited to see during this Disney trip was the Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage show at Hollywood Studios. I have heard so many great things about it and couldn't wait to see it!

Belle!



We went to Hollywood Studios on our last day and were able to get great seats right up front! I have always loved the story of Belle and the Beast and they told it perfectly! It highlighted all of the important parts of the storyline. The actors and actresses did a great job of playing their roles.

Beauty and the Beast


Chip, Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Cogsworth

The show was so lively and entertaining. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good live performance! The actress playing Belle did such a fabulous job and looked beautiful!


Beautiful and colorful costumes!


Also, at the beginning of the show they pick one special little girl to receive a rose from the Beast after he is transformed back to his human self. The girl that was picked from our show was (if you are looking at the stage, sitting in the audience) on the right side towards the front. I'm not sure how they pick the girl, but it wouldn't hurt to try and sit there if you have a little one who would like this special opportunity!

Belle and her Prince!
Amanda

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

My baby is 3!!


**Ok, so I am really late posting this one, but I have had a lot going on lately! His actual birthday was on March 25th and we celebrated that Sunday - I will have a post of his party up soon!**

I still remember the day that I had Little N. It was a very long day. I went in the night before to be induced. By the next night at 5 he still wasn't here and I wasn't progressing very well. My blood pressure kept messing up, so the doctor decided that I should have a c-section. By 7:46 Little N finally made his debut!

A lot of people told me horror stories about their c-section recovery and how difficult and painful it was for them. Thankfully, I had a great recovery. I had minimal pain and no problems or difficulty. Actually, after hearing some stories about natural child birth - I'm kind of glad I had a c-section.

Fast forward 3 years later and my little baby is no longer a baby. He has almost completely mastered potty training (yay!), talks in full sentences and knows what he wants - and lets you know what he wants!

It's a little bittersweet for me. I LOVE watching him learn new things and my favorite thing to hear is, "Mommy, look I did it by myself!". But a part of me wishes I still had that tiny baby to hold, cuddle and take care of.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday, April 4, 2011

Braves game on a Disney trip?


Big N and I love to go watch the Braves play. We aren't huge fanatics - but we enjoy the games and they are the closest team to us, just a short 2 1/2 hour drive away. We have been to one game every season for the past 4 or 5 years - with the exception of 2010 because I had back surgery in June.

We always make a weekend of it and do other fun things around Atlanta. Last year we took a mini-trip to Atlanta in August with Little N for the first time, but didn't go to a game.

When Michelle and I were planning our Disney trip, we were looking into other things that were going on around the area the time we would be down there. It just so happens that the Braves would be playing down in Orlando at the ESPN's Wide World of Sports the same time we would be there. Since we had been to a few games with Michelle and Brian before, we thought this would be a fun thing to do with the kids!

Such a neat place!

Michelle and I decided to get tickets and keep it a surprise from the guys! We didn't tell them until the trip down to Orlando - which I think drove me crazier than anyone. I am NOT good at wanting to keep secrets when it involves giving to someone else. I will do it, but it drives me crazy the whole time!

Love this Mickey statue :) and the boy in the shades!


The day of the game it was super hot and sunny! I didn't have any sunglasses or a hat, so I went to buy me (my VERY first hat) and Little N a hat as well. We had really good seats and were excited about the game! Throughout the game, we took the little ones down into the walkways where there was a breeze and it was a little cooler - towards the end we ended up staying down there while the guys watched the game and the kids napped in our laps.


Michelle (R) and I (L) - how do I look in my Braves hat?

Around the 2nd or 3rd inning, a foul ball was hit into the press box that was just up from us. Big N happened to be standing up holding Little N at the time and the lady in the press box threw it down to him to keep! We were super excited about this great souvenir!! A little while later people were lining up between innings a few rows behind us with pens and things for someone to sign. We asked the people in front of us and realized it was actually Bobby Cox sitting back there! The man in front of us asked if we wanted the ball signed and took it up there for Bobby Cox to sign. We were grateful to him for doing that for us - it was so sweet!

Braves vs Astros - March 21, 2011


So we got the best souvenir in the park - a game ball signed by Bobby Cox!! I know Little N doesn't realize that this is special yet, but one day he will :)

Oh . . and the Braves won so that made it an even better day! Go Braves!!

Amanda

Menu Plan Monday ~ 4/4/2011


I can't believe I missed 2 weeks of Menu Plan Monday. One week because we were at Disney (fabulous!) and the other because we had basically just gotten back from our vacation, had a birthday party and I was too exhausted to think! But I am back on track now with my menu planning.

I actually have a few new things we are trying out this week and I am so excited about them!

Here is my menu for the week:

Monday - Working @ Melanie's

Tuesday - Not sure yet - I will be an aunt again this day!!

Wednesday - Santa Fe Chicken Casserole

Thursday - Sour Cream Noodle Bake (thanks to Mel for the idea!)

Friday - Fish Sticks, Broccoli & Cheese, Lima beans

Saturday - Stuffed Pizza Sticks

Sunday - Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Don't forget to head over to OrgJunkie and check out hundreds more menu's and recipes!

Amanda

Friday, April 1, 2011

A Whole Lotta Ice Cream!

Every since I saw a show about Disney and the infamous "Kitchen Sink" years ago, I have been dying to go and get one. Well, my dream finally came true!

The Kitchen Sink is exactly what it sounds like: 10 scoops of ice cream, an entire can of whipped cream, a whole jar of cherries and every topping you can imagine: candy bars, peanut butter, hot fudge, brownies, sprinkles, etc. All of this is piled into a kitchen sink bowl.



You can get this yummy treat at Beaches & Cream located at The Beach Club (which has an awesome pool BTW). We went there for one night after dinner a little bit later so we weren't as full. We didn't have to wait very long for a table, about 30 or 40 minutes, which wasn't too bad considering it's a small place and we needed a booth to fit us all in.

Before - can't wait to dive in!


When they get ready to bring out your Kitchen Sink - they go all out. They turn down the lights and having these flashing lights (similar to police car lights) in the ceiling. They announce to everyone that your table ordered the Kitchen Sink and yell what all is in it. They take the sink around so others can look at it and then you get your treat!

On the menu it says it serves 4 people - but those must be some very hungry people. Like I said, we had 4 adults (2 men, 2 women) and 2 toddlers (one of whom loves anything sweet!) and we couldn't even finish it all!

After - we just couldn't eat it all :)


I am so excited that we were able to order this and try it out. It was delicious and definitely worth doing at least once! The price seems a little high at first, but we split the cost and it ended up being a little less than $5 per person - which isn't bad when you think about what all we got to eat! My favorite part of it was the strawberry & coffee ice cream. hot fudge, brownie and those yummy cherries!

Little N decided he wasn't quite finished eating!


The next time you are at Disney World - head over to Beaches & Cream and try out the famous Kitchen Sink and let me know what your favorite part of it was :)

Amanda

Disney Bucket List: Memories

This is the final list of my Disney World Bucket List(s) and probably the list that is the most special to me. These are the things that I want to do that will create memories that will last a lifetime for myself and my family!

We took Little N last year to Disney World for his birthday and we are going again for his birthday this year. I would love to have this become a tradition and take him every year. What memories he would have when he is older!

* Go to Disneyland Paris
* Go on a Disney cruise
* Enjoy a Disney trip with my family (Big N, Little N, my mom, sisters, BILs, and nephew and niece)
* Get a picture of Big N, Little N and I with the Fab 5
* Get a picture of Big N, Little N and I in front of Cinderella's Castle, Mickey's Sorcerer hat, Spaceship Earth, and the Tree of Life.
* Have Mickey leave birthday surprises for Little N in our room every day!
* Find as many Hidden Mickey's as we can
* Find all 325 animals that are carved on the Tree of Life

Disney cruise

The Fab 5: Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Donald!

What special memories have you made at Disney World?


Here is a map to find all my Disney Bucket List(s):
Bucket List: Disney World Style
Disney Bucket List: Food/Character Dining
Disney Bucket List: Resorts
Disney Bucket List: Rides/Shows/Shopping
Disney Bucket List: Events

Amanda

Five Question Friday ~ 4.1.11


This is my first time joining in on the blog hop over at My Little Life and I am so excited! I have been looking for something to post on Fridays that will allow you to get to know me a little better and this is just perfect! If you have any questions you think I should answer or you are just curious about - let me know!

1. Have you ever had surgery?
    
Yes - several! I have had 3 knee surgeries (2 laparoscopic and 1 to cut out a cyst on the side of my knee), a c-section, and in June 2010 I had major back surgery to replace 2 vertebrae and fix a herniated disc. I've also had 5 or 6 blocks done on my back, but I don't really count those as surgery since I didn't have to be cut open :)

2. Ever ride in an ambulance?
 
Nope

3. How are you in a medical emergency? Panicked? Calm?
 
Thankfully, I've never experienced a true medical emergency, but I think I would probably be a little bit panicked. I hope I would know what to do, but I'm just not sure why worrisome side would allow me to stay very calm.

4. Do you have a garden? Flowers or veggies?
 
No :( We really wanted to start a vegetable garden last year, but never got around to it. One day I would love to have a nice one, plus a beautiful flower garden in front, but I definitely don't have a green thumb - so that might not be a good idea for all the plants!

5. When did you move out of your parents house?
 
I moved out when Big N and I bought our first house in August 2005 - so I would have been 22.

Amanda