{Crockpot Potato Soup}

Today was one of those, I'm sick and missing home- so of course, soup was the ONLY dinner option! So for dinner tonight, I made Crockpot Potato Soup, Beer Bread, and Chocolate Chip Cookies {hey now, a pregnant girl has to eat}

{Crockpot Potato Soup}

Ingredients:

1- 30 oz bag of frozen hashbrowns (Ore Ida)

3- 14 oz cans of chicken broth

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

1 pkg cream cheese (do not use low fat/fat free)

Combine everything except the cream cheese in the crockpot and cook for 6-8 hours on low heat. 

One hour before serving, add cream cheese- keep heated until melted. Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, etc. 

{Beer Bread}

Ingredients:

3 cups self rising flour

1/4 cup sugar

1- 12 ounce light beer

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine ingredients, place in greased bread pan. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!

Ice Sculptures in Anchorage

This past week, "S" and I went to lunch at Humpy's in downtown Anchorage and took a walk to look at the ice sculptures. Humpy's was a less than satisfying dining experience- though I'm told next time I have to order a burger. (I think I will wait until baby "S" makes his appearance to test that out). I did order their "Berry Crisp" which was featured in "Bon Appetit"- AMAZING! It was the perfect combination of sweet and tart. I would order it again in a heartbeat!

The ice sculptures featured downtown were really neat. "S" was amazed at all the different animals; there were trains, cars, and even some cute tea cups. My personal favorite was the heart shaped sculpture with a proposal etched it. {I hope she said yes!}

Pinterest Meals: day 2! && "Color Me Mine"

Meal #2: Chicken & Bowtie Pasta

Ingredients: 

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 (12 ounce) package bow tie pasta (farfalle)

1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth

1 head broccoli, cut into florets

2 cloves garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

2 (8 ounce) containers chive and onion cream cheese

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions: 

1. place chicken in a saucepan, and add water to cover. boil 20 minutes. allow to cool, then pull meat into shreds.

2. bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. drain. 

3. in a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine chicken broth, garlic, broccoli, salt and pepper. cover, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until broccoli is crisp-tender. stir in cream cheese until smooth. mix in chicken and pasta until evenly coated. garnish with Parmesan cheese. 

This meal was delicious! Definitely a new favorite! I only made half of the serving and I will have leftovers for lunch which is the best! 

Earlier today, my little girl "S" and I went to a local pottery painting spot called, "Color Me Mine" with a couple of friends. It was a fun outing, but was definitely more expensive than I was used to. The studio fees are reasonable, $6 for kids and $8 for adults, and they even give $2 off each studio fee for military families. But the pottery pieces were outrageous, to allow your child to pick out a fun item from the "Kids" section, plan to spend between $20 and $40 for a single piece. "S" had her mind set on a Tinkerbell jewelry container which cost a ridiculous $30. Definitely not an every week event, I would save this for special occasions. Pictures to come :)

Pinterest Meals: day 1!

This weeks focus: cook dinner each night inspired by a meal "pinned" on pinterest.

Meal 1: "Crock Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup"

Ingredients:

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped.
1/2 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1 lb Velveeta Cheese, cubed
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli

Directions:
1. Saute onion and green pepper in butter
2. Combine all ingredients on low in crockpot for 3-4 hours. Do not add salt.
_____
Mistake 1: I misread the ingredients and only added 1/2 cup of chopped onions instead of 1/2 of an entire onion. Which explained the slight lack in flavor. Silly Lady.

Despite my silly mistake, the soup turned out pretty delicious! On top of cooking a pretty good meal, I finished project 1 for Baby #2's nursery: airplane paintings.

Tomorrow's dinner: Chicken & Bowtie Pasta!

This week's adventure: "Color Me Mine" & a trip to the library!

deployment blues? no, thanks.

my husband "J" has been deployed for 10 weeks as of today... and those first 10 weeks have flown by. lately, I have noticed that I am not taking full advantage of all the opportunities deployment presents. the opportunity to rediscover old hobbies, improve aspects of your creative life, discover new passions- things that when your very best friend is around seem less important. I want to make the most of the time I have with my sweet little girl "S" and enjoy being a mommy of 1, before baby number 2 makes his appearance.

with that being said, here are my goals (and the focus of this blog):

1. get my passion for photography back and never again allow others to take that away from me.
2. learn to cook! (and bake) and become a better "meal planner"
3. master couponing. [I want to save $200+ every time I go to the store]
4. teach my little girl something new every week! [starting with learning letters]
5. explore a new place each week. [last week, anchorage museum. this week, color me mine!]
6. organize my home. [flylady?]
7. BE HAPPY! stop letting others impact the way I feel about myself, and my life.