Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Picky Eater's Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Let me formally introduce you to a very yummy, very quick dish to make. We call her "The Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta!" We, meaning mi familia and Pinterest. ;) Now let me just tell you first off, my family is SUPER SUPER PICKY, so half of the ingredients in the original recipe, HERE are not in my version. If you make it the original way, invite me over so I can try out all of the fun yummy extras. 
I will call mine "The Picky Eater's Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta minus a few ingredients.
Here she is!
Yes I would prefer it with all of the bells and whistles or in this case onions and sun dried tomatoes, but this way is really still very delicious. 

This is how I did it:
Grocery List:
2 Boneless skinless chicken breast halves (in my case I just used three boneless skinless chicken breast thighs, cut into strips or small cubes)
1 box bow-tie pasta (I have also done it with 4 ounces linguine, both are good), cooked AL Dente
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning mix
2 tablespoons butter
1-2 cups heavy whipping cream (the first time I made it I used 1 but the second time I used two and prefer with 2 cups)
1/4 teaspoon salt (or a little less)
1/4 teaspoon dries basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

The 411
First, I placed the chicken and the Cajun seasoning in a bowl and tossed to coat.
Second, in a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken in butter or margarine until chicken is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Third, reduce heat, add heavy cream, basil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and heat through.
Finally, pour over hot noodles (whichever you chose) and toss with Parmesan Cheese and enjoy!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Our Home During Christmas

I don't know if you can tell that I kind of sort of like Christmas... Well in case you didn't figure it out thus far... I do... A LOT! If I could put up my Christmas stuff right after Halloween, I would. However, my husband's favorite Holiday is Thanksgiving and so I wait. We put our Christmas stuff up the weekend before Thanksgiving this year, because we weren't hosting Thanksgiving at our house and wouldn't have time to the weekend after. Here are some pictures!
It is a tradition for Trey Dog to put the star on the top!
PERFECTO!
Picking out his favorite ornaments.
We bought this tree two years ago when we were living in our teeny tiny rental house, so next year we will be doing a BIG REAL tree! No complaining from us though, we are blessed to even have a Christmas Tree.
That small section of lights went out on me and I just don't have the patience to find the one bulb that chooses to ruin it for the rest. :(


My little Chef helper enjoys taking dance breaks in between breading the pork chops.
Remember when Trey's ninja-go characters taped Jake to the wall and tried to force him back to the North Pole, HERE, well Jake wasn't gonna take it, so he got revenge!


I got this super cute printable, HERE. They seriously have the cutest printables, and they are FREE!
Trey and I LOVE our Christmas village that I got on our towns Swap N Shop page for $20!! It is so magical!

WARNING: Chocolate Addict! He cannot be tamed!

Bad Bad Elf!

With Love, Dez



Friday, December 6, 2013

Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I LOVE OUR TOWN DURING CHRISTMAS TIME! I LOVE MY BOYS! I LOVE OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING!
Yes I was just shouting at you. That is just how much I enjoy Christmas and celebrating Christ and His Birthday!
Our sweet little town has it's Christmas tree lighting the Friday before Thanksgiving each year and this year it was COLD and RAINING... I mean, FULL ON RAINING! On our way to the lighting the weather was perfect; cold, but no raining. As we pull in, and I mean literally park the car.... it begins to rain, like CATS AND DOGS! So we decide to sit it out for a minute, when we hear the countdown for the whole plaza to turn on their lights. We jump out of the car and are racing for the Plaza in the pouring rain! It was quite a memory.
Waiting in line to see Santa, who rode in on a Fire Truck. His reindeer need rest before the big day!

YAY
I swear Trey told Santa every single thing he has ever wanted!
After the Christmas Tree Lighting we had to warm up with some hot chocolate. Rainbow Marshmallows make you the best mom EVER!
A child's dream hot cocoa!
HEHE this is what you call a photo bomb!
 
With Love, Dez

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Jake the Elf on the Shelf

My hubby and I are having too much fun with our little Elf, Jake. Every night I am scouring Pinterest and Blogs for more unique ideas of where to put our little helper. Here is a recap of our first four nights/days with Jake. 

Day One: He arrived in the morning, as soon as this momma woke up! I sometimes get to sleep in on the weekends and since we were off on Friday, I got to sleep in! WOO-HOOO!!! Jake always arrives on our doorstep perched and hiding somewhere on our porch, with the Elf on the Shelf book laying on the door mat and a letter and treat from Santa with it. In his envelope was a letter from Santa with Jake's Adoption Certificate (you can get one for yourself, Here) and some Twizzlers. Jake was hiding on our window ledge. Trey was brushing his teeth, when the doorbell rang.... I yelled up to Trey that we were busy and needed him to get the door to see if it was his neighbor friend. Trey ran downstairs, toothbrush still in mouth and saw a surprise on the doorstep!Away went the toothbrush and Trey grabbed the book and envelope from Santa and asked about how Jake was going to get inside (since we can't touch him)? I told him Jake would come in when he was ready, he was enjoying the cold weather for now. A little later in the day when Trey was occupied with Dad playing a video game, Jake made himself comfortable with the Peppermint Marshmallows! 
Day two: Jake got a little lazy and threw himself in the tree after his long night back at the North Pole. (Sorry, I didn't snap a picture of that action.)

Day three: Jake had to redeem himself after his boring night two, so he decided to have some fun.... and by fun I mean...........
Zip-lining from the front door to the kitchen! DUH! What else would you do for fun?

Day four: Trey's Lego dudes were not excited about the commotion Jake was causing in our house and Trey's lack of excitement for them... so they took matters into their own sticky hands.

"Go back to the North Pole Jake! This is our home!!"
I am excited for the next 21 days of creative things this guy will come up with. Where have you been hiding your Elf?

With Love, Dez



Monday, December 2, 2013

HO HO HO!!! It is December! Go Check out this Giveaway!

I have been so busy, that I have not done any new blog posts, because I haven't had the time to a.) DIY much of anything b.) Take photos of what I have done c.) I have just been enjoying my family and decorating the house for Christmas..... Anyway, I have been reading these two ladies blogs for quite sometime now and I must say they are some of my favorites. Today (and the next three days) they have an awesome giveaway going on that you need to check out pronto! I promise you will get drawn into their blogs and quickly realize you have been there for hours! 
and 

Now, get out of here and go check out their blogs!!! Then do some Cyber Monday shopping, watch Home Alone with a cup of hot cocoa, followed by driving around looking at Christmas lights later tonight!!!

With Love, Dez

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Taco Soup

I was browsing around pinterest the other day and I found the above recipe. I decided to give it a whirl and it was super yummy! I can't wait to make it again on one of these cold nights with a fire going!
I browned my ground beef the night before, when I was cooking dinner and then just stored the ground beef in the fridge over night. I laid out my ingredients, which are as follows:
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
This made it really easy for me the next morning. I put the ground before in the bottom and all other ingredients on top and stirred, set on low and went to work! The original recipe calls for onions and two cans of peeled and diced tomatoes, I however skipped on onions and only put in one can of peeled and diced tomatoes. My hubs and Trey don't like onions and aren't big on tomatoes, so for our family I just made it work. Instead of onions, I added in some onion powder. 
Here she is! MMMMMMMM! I don't like sour cream and didn't need the added calories of Frito chips, so mine isn't as pretty. But oh man, was it delish!!!! And easy, which is even better for me!

I hope you try it on one of these cold fall nights, cozied up by the fire while watching It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!!!

With Love, Dez

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Cabinet Reorganization

When we moved into our house in July, I kind of just put things away as quickly as possible. Now that I am getting into the settling stage, I am starting to reorganize. Our kitchen isn't the biggest with the most storage, but it isn't the smallest either. Our cabinets go up really high, to where I need a chair or the counter to stand on in order to reach. It was very ugly before, take a look for yourself. 
Anyone else notice the second shelf from the top, just taking up space... I mean really.
So I moved out those lovely Wurstfest pitchers and started to put all of my cookbooks in there.
It is a little better, right?
I can never leave good enough alone, so I took the paper plates out and put them in the pantry and rearranged some bowls.
It is just visually more appealing to my eye. Of course after all of this rearranging and organizing, I ask my hubby to come take a look and he says, "What did you change?" AHHHHHHHH
As long as I can tell the difference, I am happy!

My little Christmas bowls are peeking out, waiting for their turn to take center stage! Almost little guys, almost!

I can't wait for the day, that I am brave enough and sure of the color to paint our kitchen cabinets. I have read soooooo many tutorials, but I am the biggest chicken. I think I will start in our bathroom first, just to make sure I know somewhat of what I am doing... One day, I will. I will keep you posted on my lack of decision making and extreme chicken-ism.

Until then, Dez


Monday, November 11, 2013

Happy Veterans Day and a Breath of Fresh Air!

Before I start this blog post, I want to thank all of the men and women in the armed forces! Happy Veterans Day to you all, past and present! And a big shout out to my honey, I am so honored to be your wife and I am so proudd of all of the accomplishments you have made in your life. I am grateful for you each and every day and I thank you for your selfless service to our beautiful country!!! I love you to the moon and back!
NOWWWWWWW lets get into it!
I have been dying to paint this ugly bookshelf in our guestroom and I finally got around to it this weekend. What a difference, right?
Even with my rainbow coordination, it just wasn't working. It was blah and groggy feeling. 
And it had stains randomly all over it. 
Out and ready to be sanded and painted! 
This is after a light coat of sanding and the first coat. 
After the second coat. 
And after the third and final coat!!! I could have done another coat to make it really white, with no imperfections, but my hubby said he liked the antique look with teeny bits of wood streaks peaking through. I don't mind it either. 
It's hard to see those streaks I am talking about, but they are there, I promise. 
And after some styling. I walk in this room and it feels like a ray of sunshine. I just LOVEEE it! I also feel like it makes the rainbow book coordination pop! 





I just love love love it so much!! 
This is the opposite side of the room. I would love to get my hands on this night stand, however, it is my sisters on loan (she doesn't currently have a place to store it)and she won't approve of any transformations.  
I found this free printable @ Shanty-2-chic and I love it! So do all of my guests that have stayed in this room.


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