Recipes

Taco Soup-
2 chicken breasts, cut up small- you can use any type of meat or no meat
1 onion chopped
1 can Rotelle tomatoes (Mexican tomatoes)
1 can stewed tomatoes (i don't like chunky tomatoes so I used diced instead)
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can white beans
1 can corn
1 packet ranch dressing
1 packet taco seasoning
sides of sour cream, chips (we like Frito's), and grated cheese

1. Chop the onion and cook with the chicken breast, drain.
2. Add in the rest of the ingredients (the original recipe says to NOT drain the cans but rinsing the beans of the juice they are in helps reduce the "gassy" effects significantly!-so I rinse the 3 cans of beans and then add about a half can or so of water for the right consistency.
3. Add the corn in without draining it...
4. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for about 15-20 minutes. If you want to throw it all in crock pot and cook on low while gone for the day it tastes even better. The longer you cook it the more the flavors join together.
Top with the cheese, chips, sour cream! ENJOY!!

Easy Shepherd Pie
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups hot mashed potatoes - use instant or make fresh
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) Cream Cheese
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided into 1/2 cups
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup beef gravy

Heat Oven to 375
Brown meat in skillet, drain
MIX potatoes, cream cheese, 1/2 cup Cheddar and garlic until well blended.
COMBINE meat, vegetables and gravy; spoon into 9-inch square baking dish.
COVER with potato mixture and remaining Cheddar. Bake 20 min. or until heated through.


Campbell's Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Prep: 10 min -
Cook: 30 min
1 can Campbell's® Cream of Chicken Soup- you can also use Cream of Mushroom or Celery
1 pkg. (about 9 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cubed cooked chicken (frozen chicken breast chopped or Rotisserie chicken pulled)
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick)
PREHEAT oven to 400°F.
Mix soup, vegetables and chicken in 9" pie plate.
MIX milk, egg and baking mix. Pour over chicken mixture.
Bake 30 min. or until golden.
Makes 4 servings
This recipe created by Campbell's.

I have used this as a base for my recipe- instead of the Bisquick I use Puff Pastry sheets which make an awesome top. Instead of 9" pie plate I use smaller dishes to make individual cups of it and just cut the puff pastry sheets into about 4" squares.
You can use any veggies you want- frozen or canned- my kids like peas, carrots, potatoes, Lima beans, green beans.

If you use the puff pastry you won't need the egg and milk or Bisquick.
to freeze- put into individual cups place puff pastry over- cover and freeze- to eat take out, thaw and bake for about 45 minutes.
My girls have used the microwave and toaster oven to cook/reheat these.

Quick Eggplant Parmigiana
plain bread crumbs (recently i have been using panko they make it crispier)
grated Parmesan cheese
dried oregano (if you use Italian bread crumbs no need for this)
all-purpose flour
2 eggs lightly beaten
eggplant - (12 to 15 oz) trimmed, and sliced crosswise into 1/4" slices
1 cup light spaghetti sauce (I use jar spaghetti- any kind- any flavor)
2 oz finely-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Coat two 10- by 15-inch rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray or use wax paper for super easy clean up
Place the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and oregano in a shallow dish; mix well.
Place the flour in another shallow dish and place the eggs in a third shallow dish.
Dip the eggplant slices in the flour, then the eggs, then the bread crumb mixture, coating completely with each.
Arrange the eggplant in a single layer on the baking sheets.
Lightly coat the tops of the eggplant with nonstick cooking spray.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden.
Spoon the spaghetti sauce evenly over the eggplant slices, then sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Serve immediately.

ENJOY

I won

http://heckofabunch.blogspot.com/2009/08/resnackit-winner.html

http://www.resnackit.com/

I am so stinkin excited- I can't wait to start using this - I may have to order more. No More baggies in lunches.

and again... I WON-

Visit for another chance to win a beautiful piece of jewelry from www.cinnamonsticks.etsy.com http://priddycreations.blogspot.com/2009/08/we-have-winner.html

Book Review- Rick and Bubba Guide to Marriage

I am not a follower of Rick and Bubba-I had never heard of them before but loved the opportunity to read this book.
I would warn people they need to be open minded when reading this book. Lighten up a little.
I sometimes find myself with books that offer advice being ready to read "the secert" the one thing that will fix my marriage. The one thing I can show my spouse and say "See- this is what I am talking about" This book does offer insight through humor and sarcasm. I think maybe we do lack these things in our marriages and we take things seriously. Maybe that is the secret we need- Lighten up!

It's realistic - definetly recommended reading for any married couple. The chapter titles everyone knows exactly what they are talking about without even having to read-
"Lost keys", "Why is our stuff the first to go", "Love and credit cards".

I love that there is 2 bonuses that come with this book- the cd in the back "the best of rick and bubba" and the last few pages of the book are 2nd book- "the book of blame"

Rick and Bubba offer a way for couples to understand eahc other and also for us to laugh at the way it is.

6 months- wow!

Yes can you believe Aarom Stryker is already 6 months old.
He has been such a blessing in a house full of girls. He is loved on much.
He is just starting to find his voice and makes lots of noises.
Can't wait to see whats in store for us with this little man.

More Free stuff

Visit for another chance to win a beautiful piece of jewelry from Cinnamon Sticks http://priddycreations.blogspot.com/


Visit : Yourmamareviews
Free Stuff Alert
Bumkins is giving away a Waterproof Toddler Apron to one lucky reader.

Also enter at Bumkins
Bumkins is currently having a Back 2 School Blog tour, so check out their post for a chance to win $35 at Bumkins.com. They carry a huge variety of products, from cloth diapers to towels.

the blog also lists several sites to visit for reviews and more free stuff and giveaways.


onceuponablog.org

T Shirt Giveaway and new kids tees

I really like these tees- great verses and great designs. Read below about how you can enter to win one of the kids tees plus an adult tee.

Good Luck.

We are celebrating the launch of our newest line, WildOliveKids! And we want you to help spread the word about our new tees.Beginning today, through Wednesday, August 12th, you will have a chance to enter our giveaway for a prize of two kids tees and one adult tee of your choice. You can receive entries several different ways. The most important thing to remember, however, is to comment on OUR blog under the giveaway post, to let us know what you've done (see list below) and how many entries you should receive. Then be sure to visit the Blog on August 13th, when we announce our giveaway winner!
Blogs:
1 entry - Put one of our new buttons for Wild Olive Kids on your blog. (Codes for these buttons can be found on our Blog )
3 entries - Post to your blog about Wild Olive Kids and link back to our site, http://www.wildolivetees.com/.
5 entries - Do both.
Facebook:
1 entry - Update your status to say something about Wild Olive Kids, post a link, and become a fan, if you're not already: Wild Olive Tees
3 entries - Once the link has been posted, it will be added to your Boxes. Go to your Boxes, click on the pencil icon in the upper right corner and choose "Move to wall tab", which will move it to the left side of your profile's wall.
5 entries - Do both.
Twitter:
1 entry - Tweet about us, linking back to our site, http://www.wildolivetees.com/.
You can earn up to 11 entries for doing all of the above. Just be sure to let us know, and don't forget to give us a link back to your blog or Facebook profile!

Thanks for spreading the word about us and for "gettin' your verse on!"

Blessings,Wild Olive

Come on in, the water is great

Julia playing in the sand at Banks Lake and Moe swimming