Tasty Tuesday

Ham and Cheese Yummies

1-2 packages Pillsbury flaky croissants
1 package sliced American cheese
1 package deli sliced smoked ham

Open croissants. DON'T tear into triangles. Two triangles make a rectangle shape. When you unroll the dough there will be 4 rectangles. On each rectangle mash the perforated lines together and spread the dough out just a bit. On one end, place a slice of cheese. Top with ham. I use 2-3 pieces, kinda mounded. Fold the empty side of the rectangle over the ham and pinch edges together, enclosing the hame and cheese. Bake in oven at 375 for 11-15 minutes. Ovens vary, so just watch for the croissant to be golden brown and not doughy.


I know this 'recipe' is all too basic, but you can get as fancy as you wish. This is simple enough for a Saturday lunch at home with the familyor a quick meal before soccer as the kiddos are doing homework. Its even good for new take on a sandwich for a kid's lunch at school. Just don't pack it when its warm, or it gets soggy in its steam. Wait until it is room temperature to pack it.

Try mesquite turkey, your favorite cheese and a slice of tomato. Add bell peppers, pickles, Swiss cheese, or pepper jack. Use deli sliced roast beef and a drop of your favorite sauce. The possibilities are endless. My kids have fun with this and they always eat better when it is something they have created!

Tasty Tuesday

Chicken in Southwestern Cream Sauce

6 chicken breasts
1 jar of your favorite salsa (I use mild Pace thick and chunky)
1 can sweet corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pkg cream cheese

Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour salsa, corn and black beans on top. Cook for 6-7 hours on low. Throw in the cream cheese an hour before dinner time. Mix cream cheese until smooth before serving. We had Spanish rice on the side and a salad.

Tasty Tuesdays

Creamy Tortellini Soup

4 and 1/2 cups water
1 can vegetable broth
2 packets McCormick alfredo mix

mix these items in a slow cooker. whisk until smooth

add:
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 and 1/2 cup mushrooms

mix and let simmer for 5-6 hours

add 2 cups dry cheese tortellini (I used the frozen ones, and dumped in a little more than 2 cups ) to the crock pot, let cook for 45 min-1 hour.

Add:
1- 12 oz can evaporated milk
6 cups torn fresh baby spinach leaves
sprinkle individual servings with shredded parmesan cheese.

This was a delicious meal. It was a teensy bit spicy for my kids to eat. Price kinda wrinkles his nose at mushrooms, but Jon and I really enjoyed it. Fortunately, my in laws took the kids to eat dinner, so Jon brought home a bottle of red wine and we dined on the creamy tortellini soup alone....ahhhh. Might also be good with french bread loaf for dipping.

What's that I hear?....Nothing!!

I was changing sheets and folding laundry on Friday. I could hear Maggie Beth in her room digging through her beaded necklaces and talking to her babies. I kept about my merry way, enjoying the smell of a pumpkin spice candle and Clorox (the smell of order and bliss in my opinion). Suddenly I heard the sound that pierces every mothers heart: silence. I quickly dropped what I was doing to find my dear daughter elbow deep in the toilet. She had unraveled the entire roll of toilet paper and put it in the potty! To my horror, the toilet paper had absorbed most of the water in the bowl. I fetched a plastic bag and began removing the toilet paper by the handful. I even had to reach down into the neck of the toilet to pull out globs of wet mushy toilet paper. My gag reflex is very sensitive when it comes to the toilet (flashbacks of pregnancy with Price). All this time Maggie Beth is right by my side saying "what happened?" When I felt the job was sufficient enough to try to flush the remaining mess, I held the plunger in one hand and crossed my fingers with the other. Luckily, it all went down okay and things were back in working order. I addressed Maggie Beth in a firm voice and said something like "We don't put that much toilet paper in the potty. It makes big mess and can break the potty." Maggie Beth is very sensitive to discipline; especially with me. First the alligator tears began to well up in her eyes, then her bottom lip began to protrude, then finally an audible cry. I said what do you say? "sorry" as she rubbed her chest in a circle (sign language for sorry). I picked her up and said "I forgive you."

Some may think I should have followed up with a time out, but I felt she had understood her wrong doing. I am trying to parent with my spirit. Not that it gives my kids an out, but I try not to think too much about what the parenting book says, or what my friends would/or think I should do, but tap into the Holy Spirit and let him help me evaluate my kid's heart and actions and let him lead me. I want to make a connection with their heart when I discipline and not just make the flesh obey in the moment. More on that another day....

Tasty Tuesdays

Tasty Tuesday's will be coming back for a few weeks. I have family tested a few new finds and would love to share them.

Reminder: I am a crockpot, simple casserole kind of girl. You won't find any fancy dishes around here. Honestly, I look at the ingredient list and if I deem it too long, then I move on...I mean, who has time to hunt down crazy items in the grocery store or 'specialty market'? Simple, yummy and kid friendly are what appeal to me!

Starting next week, I will post a recipe every Tuesday. I would love to have your feedback.

Happy fall friends!

Seriously?!

One cannot say for sure what the weather will hold in Oklahoma. Record lows in January. Record snowfall in February. Crazy wind and hail in April/May along with tornados (May 24th). Rediculous heat in July and August. Earthquakes in November and more tornados! The extremes are wild around here ya'll! This chart explains it well.......