BRANSON -ALL DAY EVERY DAY

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS PLACE -  BEST TWO WEBSITES ARE http://choosebranson.com/ AND http://www.bransontourisminformation.com/   WHERE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A FREE GUIDE TO ALL THE LOCAL SECRETS

Couponing

Trying to get motivated and figure out this couponing deal...... So far averaging a savings of over 50%
My best deal yet was 33 trial size degree deoderant, 1 reach floss, 3 nivea body wash and 4 tgifridays for one all for just $6.77 :)
Last week saved $78 at Walgreens - thank you http://thekrazycouponlady.com/ for all your helpful hints

toddler scared of scotch tape

dancing baby

My favorite "hide the veggies" recipe or Runzas

Getting kids, especially K, to eat certain vegetables is not always easy..... LOVE love this recipe, I came up with when craving Runzas (its a nebraska thing, that most people dont know even exists)......
Start with 1 lb ground beef - put in skillet with about 1/2 cup water and 1/2 - 1 packet dry beefy onion soup mix. Mush it all up, doesn't look appetizing, but just trust me :)  I use my mix-n-chop from pampered chef.  Let me tell you this is my absolute favorite kitchen "toy"

Cook until browned.  Throw in 1/2 onion chopped and

are you ready  1/4-1/2 head of CABBAGE finely chopped, as fine as the onions

Season it up really good, I use garlic powder and pepper.  Let it cook until cabbage and onions are tender.  Drain all the juices off.  Turn the heat off. Then throw in a whole bag of shredded cheese (I never claimed to be a healthy cook lol)  Give it a stir.

Roll out grands biscuits into about a 5-6 inch circle.

Then put a spoonful of the meat stuff in there

Fold over and pinch the edges to seal - it will be a half moon shape.  Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until nice and brown.

All I can say is YUM!  Not the prettiest meal I've ever made, but SO good!

FREEBIE FRIDAY!

Well, its not Free but pretty close!  80% off already discounted restaurant certificates!  Use code "TOUCHDOWN" at checkout.  I got $90 worth to use as gifts and only paid $7.20

apple pecan bread pudding with homemade caramel sauce

APPLE PECAN BREAD PUDDING
CUBE OR TEAR A LOAF OF FRENCH BREAD INTO A WELL GREASED 9X13 PAN
TOP WITH 3 APPLES CORED, PEELED AND CHOPPED - I USE GRANNY SMITH, THE TARTNESS SETS OFF THE SWEETNESS OF EVERYTHING ELSE
SPRINKLE WITH CHOPPED PECANS (ABOUT 3 OZ)
IN BOWL, BEAT 3 EGGS.  ADD 1 CAN SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK, 1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR, 1/4 CUP BUTTER MELTED, 1 TSP CINNAMON, 1 TSP VANILLA, AND 1 3/4 CUP HOT WATER.  MIX WELL
 POUR OVER BREAD MIXTURE AND LET SET 15 MINUTES
BAKE AT 350 FOR 45 MIN - 1 HOUR OR UNTIL KNIFE INSERTED COMES OUT CLEAN.
TOP WITH HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE - SERVE WARM.

Tortellini toss

Ok so it looks and TASTES much better in reality -
One bag frozen cheese tortellini, cook according to package directions.  Rinse with cold water
Toss with 1 cup creamy italian, 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 1/2 bell pepper diced, and a handful of grape tomatoes.  Chill for about 30 minutes......  Super easy and super yummy..... Would go great with grilled chicken

Free Stuff Friday (and coupons)

Hey ya'll - As a single mom, I am all about some free stuff so thought I would start sharing on "Free stuff Fridays!"

Get FREE chips and queso from Chili's - MY FAVORITE!!!
And from one of my all time favorite brands Pampered Chef is donating one meal to the homeless for every single cookbook that is downloaded.  Click here to get yours FREE and for anyone that loves kitchen stuff as much as I do, click here to order ALL your Pampered Chef goodies!

Rolo Bars

I had went to the store with the intention of buying ingredients for a recipe I had found but forgot a few things, so improvised and here is what I came up with:

Preheat oven to 350

Melt one stick of butter in a 9x13 cake pan

Top with 3 cups graham cracker crumbs (2 packages, I used the food processer to crush them)

Pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk ovenly over cracker mixture

Top with 1 bag rolos , 1/2 - 1 cup chocolate chips and 3-4 oz chopped pecans

Bake for 15 minutes. (edges will be brown)

Cut into squares and ENJOY! 

Old video

Also this weekend, my sister shared with me an adorable video that she had saved - taken November 2004 - the quality is not the best but I still <3 it!

Quick trip to my parents house

This weekend I took the kids to Arkansas to my parents house.  My sister and sweet niece and nephew were also there.  We enjoyed the short time together and the kids got a chance to swim each evening.  Talen and I came back today and Klarissa is staying for a few days.
short video clip


Also, we went and got the kids' pictures done - these were also for Talen's one year pictures (yes, I know I'm behind on these ) Here are a few of my favorites:

While we were there, my mom gave me an awesome cookbook that I can't wait to try out - perfect for a busy mom:  5 ingredients, 10 minute prep, 20 minutes to table - I flipped through it and there are tons of yummy looking recipes - I see LOTS of new meals in the near future

random

My little boy, Talen, has always always been obsessed with MY laptop.  He is constantly posting random stuff on my facebook, or just pounding the keys; which has a time or two almost froze it completely up.  So, we got him his own and he absolutely loves it!  It says ages 3-6 but for now he just likes hearing the music and talking and carrying it around..... Super cute

Also, one more thought - I AM SO THANKFUL THAT I HAVE TWO WONDERFUL KIDS AND KLARISSA IS THE BEST BIG SISTER EVER! She is absolutely amazing with him and he adores her