Friday, October 18, 2013

Hubby's Frozen Pina Colada


My husband has got to make the best frozen Pina Coladas I have ever tasted! They are one of my favorite drinks; although, I prefer them with no alcohol!

These drinks are perfect for the pool side or for a "safe" get-together. Cool, refreshing, and oh so yummy! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!






Ingredients:

1 cup of Pina Colada Drink Mix (Any will do)

6-8 scoops of Blue Bell Homeade Vanilla Ice Cream

2 cups of Crushed Ice

Slice of Pineapple (Optional)

Cherry (Optional)


Directions:

1)  In a blender, combine the drink mix, the ice cream, and the crushed ice;

2)  Blend until smooth;

3)  Garnish with pineapple and cherry, if desired.

That's it!  If it's a bit too thick, you can add extra liquid.  If it's too thin, add a bit more ice cream.

Enjoy!


(Photo courtesy of http://yahoo.com)


Dirt Cake


Yes, you read it right! I said "Dirt Cake"! I'm sure many of you have heard of it and have already tried it! And...if you have, you know how yummy it is! I won't say it's necessarily good for you, but you're tummy will love it!
 
This is one of my daughter's favorite desserts! And what's really fun is that you can easily incorporate it into any type of party setting - birthdays or especially Halloween! Just add some Nutter Butter Cookies and with Chocolate icing, write "RIP" on them, and voila! You have little tombstones sitting in your pudding cups!

So how do you make it? Easy as "pie"!
 

Ingredients:
 
2 small boxes of Instant Chocolate Pudding (You can use Vanilla if you prefer)
 
1 package of Oreo Cookies
 
1 small container of Cool Whip
 
Gummy Worms (Optional)
 
Plastic Cups (Optional)
 
 
Directions:
 
1)  Chop Oreos really fine in a blender: (Like dirt!)
 
2)  Mix pudding according to package instructions;
 
3)  Fold Cool Whip into pudding;
 
4)  Serve in cups and sprinkle heavily with Oreos, and add gummy worms cuz the kiddos love 'em!
 
(Some recipes vary as some like to layer the pudding with the oreos.  Your choice, of course!)
 
Enjoy!
 
 
(Photo courtesy of Yahoo)
 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Crockpot Fajita Tacos

I've actually been making these fajita tacos for years.  My friend, Sherri, introduced them to me long ago.  Thank you for that, Sherri!  They've always remained a family favorite!

I've just made one small change - I now cook my chicken in the crockpot instead of boiling it on the stove top.  The chicken is so much more moist and tender, and it shreds so much easier.

And simple...these are so simple and so delicious! 

Serve with a side of Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, and Guacamole, or just gobble 'em up all by themselves!





Ingredients:

3-4 Boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Taco Bell Fajita Seasoning Packet (You might like 2 if you want more flavor)

Wheat Tortillas

Grated Cheese

Lettuce

Tomato

Avocado (Optional)

Light Sour Cream (Optional)

Guacamole (Optional)


Directions:

Place chicken in crockpot;

Pour Fajita seasoning in a small bowl;

Fill packet with water twice and mix well;  (This way you get all of the seasoning out of your packet)

Pour over chicken;

Cook on low for 4-6 hours; (Depending on your crockpot)

When done, shred chicken;

On a wheat tortilla - add chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and any other toppings you might like;

Fold or roll tortilla, and savor these delicious tacos!






Friday, September 13, 2013

Devilled Chicken

OMGoodness!  If you have not tried this one - do it now! 
 
I found this recipe on All Recipes.com, and it's got to be one of the best I've tried! 
 
Once again, I changed it up just a bit, but my family absolutely loved it!  My hubby stood up, rubbed his belly, and said "Eeelicious!"  *smile*
 
My youngest daughter is already asking for it again, and I just fixed it this past week!
 
It's kind of like "Devilled Eggs" meats "Chicken"!  And so the story begins...
 




Ingredients:

3-4 Chicken Breasts

½ cup of Mayonnaise

2-3 T. Yellow Mustard

2-3 drops Tabasco Sauce

Bread Crumbs

Parmesan Cheese

Mrs. Dash Original

Black Pepper

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees;

Cut chicken breasts into filets or cutlets;

In a shallow bowl or on a plate, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and Tabasco sauce;

In a deeper bowl, combine your bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, Mrs. Dash, and Black Pepper;

Coat both sides of your chicken with the mayo/mustard mixture;

Then coat with bread crumb mixture;

Place on sprayed cookie sheet covered with foil;

Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, depending on your oven;

Eat up and enjoy!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Goin' To Louisiana

Well actually, my Carlie just got back from Louisiana!  It was her first trip out of the great state of Texas! 

I told her Momma that they should go and visit the Robertson's from Duck Dynasty, but she said it was a bit too far from where they were!  Heck!  I'd find a way to get there!  Gotta' love that family!

Now Carlie Pooh, you just have 49 more states to go my sweet baby!  *smile*

Back To School Blues

No, not Bree - me!  I've got the "back to school" blues!  As many of you know, I take care of Bree while Mommy has to work.  So, needless to say, I'm missin' my little buddy today! 

She was all excited this morning to be going into First Grade!  Nana's the one who's having a rough day!  Bree's a little trooper!

Praying that all the babies - big and small - are having a great day at school today!  And praying for the safety for all of the kiddos, the teachers, staff, and parents who are always at the schools! 

Hope it's a great year!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Fashion Show


Can anyone say, "Fashion Show"?  Yep!  That's what we had at Nana's house this past week!  And...it was "Teen Beach Movie" inspired!  The grand-girls love, love, love that movie!  And why not?  It's Disney, of course!
 
If you haven't seen it yet, you really should watch it!  It's a take from the old Frankie and Annette beach movies! 
 
Here they are in their "beach" attire!  Posin' and "surfin"!
 
 
And here they are in their pj's for their "Pajama Party"!  Nana loves her girls!
 
 
All-in-all, we had a great time!  And...yep!  We watched Disney's Teen Beach Movie again - for probably the 50th time!  *smile*
 

 


 

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Santa Hat Brownies

Wouldn't these cute little brownies just be the hit of any party!  And you know they'll be delicious, too! 

Haven't tried them yet, but I bet the kiddos would love them for their Christmas party at school!

And they look easy enough!  Will you be trying these this Christmas?  Bet Santa would love it if you saved him one or two!  *smile*







Ingredients:

Brownie Mix

Cool Whip (I prefer light or fat-free)

Fresh Strawberries

Directions:

Bake brownies according to box instructions.

Once brownies are cool, add a touch of cool whip.

Top it with a strawberry, and add one more dollop of cool whip.

That's it!  Oh wait!  And don't forget to eat 'em up!  *smile*



(Courtesy of http://www.punchbowl.com/)

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Nana's Stir-Fry

Years back when I was still working outside the home, a friend of mine made this for me.  I loved it so much that I started making it myself.

Over the years, I've changed the recipe up a bit.  She used frozen veggies, while I love using fresh ones.  And with a few more changes here and there, I've revised this recipe to my own personal liking.

It's one of my personal favorites, and I never get tired of it!  And...it's pretty healthy for you, too! 

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!


Ingredients:

1 Lg. box of Zatarain’s Yellow Rice

2 T. of Olive Oil

2-3 Chicken Breasts (Cut into bite-size pieces)

1 Bunch of fresh broccoli

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Yellow Bell Pepper

1 pkg. of fresh sliced mushrooms

2 T. Minced Garlic

Teriyaki Sauce

Worcestershire Sauce


Directions:

1)  Cut raw chicken into bite size pieces – about the size of your thumb, then set aside;

2)  Cut vegetables into bite size pieces.  (You can leave the broccoli stems, if you like, or just use the crowns.)  Set veggies aside;

3)  Cook rice as directed on the box for the serving size you wish;

4)  Pour oil into skillet or wok, and mix in your garlic;

5)  When oil is hot, add chicken, and a bit of Soy and Worcestershire Sauce (Use to your liking);

6)  When chicken is no longer pink and lightly browned, remove from pan;

7)  Add veggies, mushrooms, and enough Teriyaki and Worcestershire Sauce to stir fry in.  Add a little water, if necessary;

8)  Add the chicken back to the pan, cover and simmer until veggies are tender.  (Unless you prefer them crisper.)  Serve over rice.

(Note:  I have also tried this recipe with a little brown sugar added; both are yummy!)

Friday, July 26, 2013

Play Date with Chuck E

Too cloudy for swimming?  Then go visit the nearest Chuck E. Cheese!

Bree had a "play date" with Mr. Cheese, himself, today!  Both she and her mother had lots of fun playing games and riding rides together! 

I think Janna had as much fun as Bree did before it was all over!  And...it was so much fun watching them! 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Moving Back Home

Jessica and her little family moved back home today.  While I'm so excited to have them living close to us again, I know it's hard on them. 

They didn't want to leave the beauty of the Hill Country, and I can't say I blame them.  That part of Texas is the best to me; I'd love to live there myself!

 But...I'm glad to have my youngest and her family back home!  I've missed them so much...

Friday, May 24, 2013

Graduating From Kindergarten


That's right!  My Bree Bree graduated from Kindergarten on Tuesday!  I can't believe just how fast this school year has gone by!  Seems like just yesterday that she walked through the door to her Kindergarten class! 
 
Now here she is with her principal receiving her little diploma!  She makes this Nana so proud!  All her Mommy and I hear is how sweet a little girl she is! 
 
Just wish we could take her and my Carlie Pooh to Neverland so they'd never grow up!
 
Life goes by way too fast!
 
 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Bourbon Chicken

Now here's a little recipe I've been wanting to try for awhile! I found this little jewel at All Recipes.com.

We have a restaurant here called "Golden Corral", and they serve Bourbon Chicken there. Let me tell you, that is some good chicken! Unfortunately, our nearest Golden Corral closed down.

So I've been bound and determined to get the recipe and give it a try.

 

Now I don't think my chicken taste just like theirs, but it is definitely good! And it's definitely worth a try! My family fell in love with it!

Hope you enjoy it, too!


Ingredients:

2 Boneless Chicken Breasts (Cut into bite-size pieces)

1-2 T. Olive Oil

1-2 T. Minced Garlic

¼ t. Ginger

¾ t. Red Pepper Flakes

¼ cup of Apple Juice

1/3 cup of Brown Sugar

2 T. Ketchup

1 T. Cider Vinegar

½ cup of Water

1 T. Cornstarch (If thick sauce is desired; my family prefers it)


Directions:

1)Heat oil in a large skillet;

2)Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned;

3)Remove chicken;

4)Add remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat until well blended and dissolved.

5)Add chicken back to the mixture, and bring to a hard boil;

6)Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes uncovered.

Serve over yellow or brown rice.

Enjoy!


Thursday, February 14, 2013

First Dance

Bree had her first dance at school last Friday night! Bet you'll never guess what kinda dance it was? Yep! It was a 50's Sock Hop! How did you ever guess that! *smile* 

She went with her Uncle, and she had a blast! Janna said she danced her little heart out. I showed her how to do the twist before she left, and Janna said she twisted all night!

So proud of my precious grandbaby!