Chicken Squares

I tried this recipe last night. So easy and so good. I didn't use pimento (not even sure what that is) and substituted parsley flakes for chives and they still turned out tasty. If you like crescent rolls (and who doesn't:)) this will be a winner.


8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 c cooked chopped or shredded chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 TB chives
1 TB chopped pimento (I buy it in a jar-usually found near can veggies I think)
3 TB butter, melted
1/4 tsp. salt
2 TB milk
2 cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
3/4 c. seasoned croutons, crushed
Preheat to 350. In bowl blend cream cheese and about 2 TB melted butter. (save 1 TB for later). Add the chicken, salt, pepper, pimento, chives, & milk. Mix well. Seperate crescent dough into rectangles (by pressing two triangles together in the middle). Spoon mixture in the center of the dough. Pull the four corners of the rectangles up to create a little pouch and seal the edges. Brush with melted butter and dip into croutons crumbs. Bake for 20-25 minutes. (should make 6-8 total)

The Power of a Middle Name

Never in all of my life did I think I would pull out the middle name approach to discipline. But I find myself doing it over and over. Right in this small window of time(which I know is rapidly closing) I can use a good stern "Kate Elizabeth!" to make my daughter sit up and take notice. This use of her middle name and maybe the tone of my voice makes her immediately look at me and stop what she's doing. Oh I am enjoying this brief "power" over her as I know that this will soon not be enough.The other night while I was giving Kate and Carson a bath I even pulled out "the look." Every parent knows that sideways look that says, "Don't even think about it!" As Kate raised a stacking cup to hit her brother over the head I pulled out "the look". And it worked.No words, just "the look". I thought to myself, "Good grief! I really am a Mom!"

Yummy Dinner Recipe

A couple of posts back I asked for some dinner recipes and have since then found a few of my own. I found this one on Kelly's Korner blog and we tried it last night. It was so delicious and easy (very important) I had to post it.


Santa Fe Chicken Bread Bowls

2 (11-oz.) cans Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crusty French Loaf
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 (16-oz.) can chili beans, drained
1 (11-oz.) can Green Giant® Super Sweet Yellow and White Corn, drained
1 (10-oz.) can Old El Paso® Red Enchilada Sauce
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup ketchup
1 (1-oz.) pkg. Old El Paso® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
2 oz. (1/2 cup) shredded Cheddar cheese, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Remove dough from cans. Cut each loaf into 3 pieces; shape each into ball, placing seam at bottom so dough is smooth on top. Place dough balls, seam side down, on sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F. for 22 to 26 minutes or until golden brown.


2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, bell pepper and onion; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center, stirring occasionally.


3. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 7 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.


4. With sharp knife, cut small portion off top of each loaf. Lightly press center of bread down to form bowls. Place each bread bowl on individual serving plate. Spoon about 1 cup chicken mixture into each. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Place top of each bread bowl next to filled bread bowl.

Close Very Close

He's ALMOST there! It's so awesome to see him just on the brink of this important milestone. I love seeing him try to figure it all out. Kate was trying to give him crawling lessons last night. We are all watching and waiting......

Rice Krispies T Shirt

As every Mom with a toddler knows, they want to do things all on their own. Although this is enriching and very essential to them it can also end up with some messy results. Case in point, Saturday night when I let Kate feed herself a bowl of Rice Krispies for the very first time. More krispies ended up on her than in her mouth but she loved it and it proved to be quite hilarious.


Don't you just love Kate's new Rice Krispies T Shirt?

Unauthorized Use

I'm pretty sure the manufacturers did not have this riding style in mind but this is Kate's new favorite way to ride. She wants Carson in the driver seat and will try to pick him up by herself to put him in there. Jared started this new way to ride and is kind of sorry he did. Because after Kate and Carson are in their places the new way to ride involves pushing them around and around. So it's tiring for us but Kate and Carson laugh their heads off so it is definitely worth it. Oh the things we do for these kids!

TuTu Cute

I recently made this tutu for Kate. It involved no sewing and took me about an hour. It was SUPER easy and so much fun! I see more tutus in her future! Click here to see a short video on how to make one for the little girl in your life. :)