"I Found This...IT'S MINE!"

No, that quote is not from one of my students, it's from my husband.
When I told him I'd be sharing this recipe he kindly reminded, "and don't you take the credit for this one...I found it."  So here it is...Matt's Casserole.

This yummy casserole has many of "Matt's Favorites" in it (those of you that know him can attest to his limited palate, so the fact that we found something that didn't need to be altered is a miracle!)
Additionally, when you know these 2 ingredients are involved...you know its going to be GOOD!

You will need:

1 packet of Shake and Bake (any flavor)

1 box of Chicken Rice-A-Roni (made it once with the cheesy kind and it was horrible, don't substitute!)

2 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts 

1 cup of milk

1 cup of shredded cheese (YOUR CHOICE!)

First, prepare the Rice-A-Roni according to the microwave directions in a large casserole dish.  Before cooking the rice cut up your 2 Chicken Breasts into cubes and plop them into the casserole dish.  Yes...put them in there raw...I know it's weird but just do it. Also, preheat the oven at 350 (Sorry for not having a picture of this step...didn't think of putting this on the blog until Step 2!)

After the Rice/Chicken Mixture is done in the Microwave mix in 1 cup of milk, top with cheese and then sprinkle the shake and bake on top.

Pop it in the oven for 15 minutes, prepare a vegetable side if you wish and dinner is ready!  It's so good, and really easy! Enjoy! 

EASY CLEAN UP!

These things will change your life...4 packs available at Sams for $12.  Use them on EVERYTHING (except your skin of course, but if it was safe I'd totally do it)!

Dirty Microwave? Try this concoction..

Add 1/2 white vinegar to 2 cups of warm water

Let it run for 5 minutes, then wipe the inside using the Vinegar and Water mixture

All Clean!
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Last but not least, one I tried for the first time this weekend.  I had a few cookie sheets that had seen better days.  Then I stumbled across this tip on Pinterest.  Here's the link to making your old baking sheets come to life!

Tip: I used a Brillo Pad in addition to the baking soda and peroxide, it worked wonders!

Happy Cleaning!

LOVE MY CROCK POT!

Meat has never been more tender, soup has never been more flavorful and dinner has never been easier...my Crock Pot is my BFF! Get ready ladies, this is not your Grandma's Slow Cooker, there are hundreds of sites devoted to easy and delicious recipes that your whole family will love.

Here's my baby!  Perfect for traveling to parties too!

The Crock Pot is perfect for the "domestically challenged" because you really cannot screw it up.  The key is to get all of your goodies in the Pot right before you leave for work (Sometimes if I have room in the fridge I will prep it the night before so I can just pop it in the base and go).  The typical work day is 8 hours so setting your Pot on low before you leave will ensure your house will be smelling wonderfully as you walk in tired from a long day at work.  Is there really anything worse than being tired and having to whip up dinner for 2, 4, 6 or in some families 8? No there is NOT! Let your Crock Pot save the day!

Usually I get my recipes from Pinterest but if you're not signed up the absolute best site for Crock Pot Cooking is Crockin' Girls I'll leave you with some of my favorite links to get you going...

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken  A favorite for any night of the week in my house, perfect for tacos, quesadillas, on top of a salad or even a panini!

French Dip Sandwiches   Amazing Flavor and SO EASY

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli   Perfect over rice

Happy Crockin' !

(Funny Story: Thank goodness I preview before I publish these posts...there were a few sentences recommending you use your Cock Pot...dear heavens.)

Narrowing It Down

Picking paint to me is like going to the Dentist - Love the outcome, hate what you have to go through to get there.  Walking into Sherwin Williams and seeing this...

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...gives me instant anxiety.

But check it out ladies and gents!  A site I stumbled upon DesignSeeds gives you lovely color combinations to inspire room design, wedding color themes, showers and birthdays too!  Way less intimidating than the 5 billion choices at Sherwin Williams!

Here's the palette I'm working with for a friends baby shower in March.  They're having a girl and naming her Lily, these colors just scream in my brain when I hear that name:

Choosing a color palatte has never been so sweet...

Easy Monkey Bread

Warning: This recipe is full of sugar, calories, fat and deliciousness!

Every Christmas morning my husband and I visit our friends, The DeMarcos.  Not sure when we actually started this tradition, but it has to be at least 4 years or so.  Mrs. D always has warm Monkey Bread waiting for us when we arrive...something I look forward to more than presents!  This year I planned to make my own (INSERT EPIC FAIL, thanks Pinterest).  After ChristmasMonkeyBreadGate 2011, I tried again on New Years Eve...SUCCESS!  The recipe below called for making your own dough (YEAH RIGHT!) so I "Sandra Lee'ed" it up and chose Pillsbury Biscuits.  Here's the how to:


You will need:
2 cans of Pillsbury Biscuits
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt


Follow this process  ArtistanBreadInFive.com 


Here's my final product, hope yours is just as yummy!

Where Did This All Come From?

You know the feeling right?  You're in your early 20s.  Life is good.  No responsibilities. Part-time job, college, nights that turn into early mornings...  Then, out of nowhere, everything changes (and frankly, you're OK with that!).  The transition from my 20s into my 30s is fast approaching, the 21 year old me is long gone and the new me is here with passions I never thought I'd have.  Like spending 2 hours in Hobby Lobby "just looking around", dying to make that new wreath I saw on Pinterest, or planning Christmas Breakfast for months (only to have it be the ultimate fail).  So here I am, on the verge of 30, my life beginning with my new husband (speaking of things I never thought I'd have again...funny how things work out) and thrown into domestic life without a handbook...making it up as I go!

So ladies raise your freshly brewed, favorite K-cup in that favorite mug of yours and make a toast:
Here's to the domestically challenged and making life just a little simpler!