No Bake Cookies (my version)

I had a hankering to bake something last night but knew I probably wouldn't have all the ingredients to make anything.....because I had no eggs. I flipped thru my cookbook anyway and finally found something that doesn't take eggs, No Bake Cookies. As I looked thru the ingredients list I saw they needed cocoa, didn't have this either. I decided to go ahead and make them anyway and they would just be peanut butter no bake cookies. :) I was actually excited not to have to turn my oven on too because after making supper my kitchen was hot.

I gathered the ingredients and got to work. These are probably some of the easiest things to make and have a delicious outcome.

When it was all mixed I gathered some in a spoon, formed it into a ball and dropped it onto wax paper and waited for them to cool before eating. They taste just like regular no bake cookies but without the chocolate taste. Yum!

No Bake Cookies
Source: My local American Legion cookbook

Ingredients
2 cups Sugar
1/4 cup Cocoa (I excluded)
1/2 cup Chunky Peanut Butter
1/4 tbs Butter
1 tbs Vanilla
pinch of salt
1/2 cup Milk
3 cups Quick Oats

Directions
Mix in pan: Sugar, Cocoa, Milk & Butter. Set on medium heat and cook until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and cool for 1 minute. Add Vanilla, Salt, Peanut Butter and Oats. Stir well, let cool. Drop onto waxed paper and let set to dry.

No more Whale tub

It's finally sinking in that my baby girl is isn't such a baby anymore. Yes she's still considered an infant but she's growing so fast and learning so much. She's even outgrown her whale tub and is taking baths in the big tub now.

All Moved In

Two weeks ago we made the journey from our old home to our new home. We never realize how much crap stuff we have until we move.

Brandon took the day off of work Friday so we could get a good start and maybe not have to do much on Sunday. I'm not real sure why we thought we would get alot done with just the two of us while also taking care of Lily. We didn't get started until about 2:00 because the living room carpet didn't get layed until then and only one load of stuff got moved all day. This was our last night in the old house.

We woke up early Saturday and went and ate breakfast then got started loading the trailer up. Again, it was me, Brandon, and little Lily so I knew we wouldn't be able to get much done. We were able to get alot in the first load despite the nonstop rain and fussy Lily. After we got the trailer unloaded in the new house Brandon's step dad came in the afternoon to help Brandon go get the really heavy stuff that I couldn't lift. They came back and unloaded that stuff and then started finish the bathroom while my mother in law and I unpacked some stuff. A few hours later the bathroom was done and we were all exhausted. We decided to go get some pizza then come home and call it a night.

Sunday we got up and started at it again. We went back to the old house and got another load and when we came back Brandon's mom and my mom were waiting at the house for us. They helped unload the trailer while I watched Lily and soon my dad and brother arrived to help also. They put the washer and dryer in the basement while Brandon and his step dad went to the house to burn a bunch of stuff and bring back what we needed from outside. We all worked until about 6:00 then decided to go eat uptown before everyone headed home.

I am liking living in town so much better and having a nice finished home is so nice and much easier to live in. I still have alot to unpack and put away but when I get it done I'll post some pics.

Mexican Dorito Casserole

It's been forever since I've posted a recipe. Mainly because I haven't actually cooked in a fully functional kitchen in a year. Yes we lived in that house without a kitchen sink for a year! I don't know how we went that long honestly. Most of our meals were either done in the microwave or were light meals made with the stove and oven, or we just ate out. BTW, the dishes were done in the bathroom sink. It was awful. I was never able to make any casseroles or any of my good meal recipes. That my friends, has changed now!

I finally made a new recipe last night that I've been wanting to try out. I found it over at Jam Hands. It's called Mexican Dorito Casserole. It's very easy to make and was delicous! I think next time I make it I'll just get plain diced tomatoes instead of Ro-tel because it was a little spicy for us but otherwise it's a great mexican dish.


Mexican Dorito Casserole
Source: Jam Hands

Ingredients
2 c. shredded cooked chicken (I cut up 4 pieces)

1 c. shredded cheese (I used the mexican kind)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes (canned tomatoes with jalepenos-mild)
1/2 packet taco seasoning (I used a whole packet)
Bag of doritos (we used the cheese ones)

Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 350-f degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except doritos.
3. In a greased 2 qt baking dish, put a layer of crushed doritos (about 2 cups), then a layer of the chicken mixture. Repeat once more, ending with a layer of chicken mixture. Top with more shredded cheese, cover, and bake for 30-35 minutes, till bubbling hot.

Silly Girl

I had the diapers sitting next to Lily on the floor and next thing I know she had them all out. She was having so much fun I couldn't take them away right then so I snapped a few pics of her. She always knows when she's being a silly girl.

Couponing Buzz

All I've been seeing lately on the internet and Facebook is couponing. Everyone keeps talking about the "Extreme Couponing" show and how much they saved while at the store using their coupons. I get why people do it, as I use them myself. BUT, the thing that errks me a little is this: Coupons have always been around! Everyone acts like it's the new thing and they just started coming out. I remember going to the grocery store with my mom when I was little and she used them. I would actually get a little embarrassed and irritated that we had to take up more time in the line so my mom could give the cashier her coupons. I was a horrible daughter, I know. :)

Do you use coupons?

Awesome Shopping Friday

We now have a couple "County garage sales" on Facebook that are close to me. Last week I had found a lady selling a Chicco infant car seat with one new base and one used one for only $85. It immediately struck my eye (since I had wanted a Chicco when we had Lily but couldn't afford one.) Better yet, it didn't expire until 2014 so we can use it for our next kid!! I immediately contacted her and we set up a time for me to pick it up on Friday.

I also found another lady on the same site that had a lot of girl clothes leftover from a rummage sale. She said I could come on Friday and look at them also.

Friday came and I packed the diaper bag, got Lily in her car seat and we hit the road. First of course we went and picked up the car seat, which I loved at first sight!! :)

Then it was time to go look thru clothes.

We spent probably 45 minutes there because this girl had so many clothes. She ended not having alot of 6-9 mth that would work but I got alot of 12 mth so it was a successful trip. She also makes hair accessories so I got Lily a little zebra korker and me a headband.

I had read on Craigslist about a big garage sale in our town that was supposed to have a lot of little girl things also so I decided to head out there on the way home. I must've been way too late because she didn't have hardly any clothes left. I only ended up getting two 18mth onsies and a couple crib sheets.

On the way back thru town I drove by the new house and I saw our neighbor was having a garage sale too so I stopped to see what she had. I hit the jackpot here!!

I got a brand new small blow up pool for $5 and a huge bulletin board with a good frame on it for $2. I plan to do something neat with this.

She also had a minty green bumbo seat for $7. I had wanted this one for my shower but didn't get one so my aunt gave me her blue one to use. I'm going to take the blue one to my moms and keep the new one at our house.

I also got a really nice space saver high chair for $10!! We don't have a high chair at all right now and the dining area in the new house isn't very big so this will help us tremendously.

I love finding good deals!1

My Mother's Day

Yesterday I woke up to a very happy Lily! She actually let us get her out of bed and give her a bath before wanting a bottle. This never happens! After we were all ready, we headed to my parents. My dad made rip tibs, sweet potatoes, and we had salad. It was all so delicious!!

Later on my mom and I took Lily to see my grandparents (L's greatgrandparents.) My grandma has been a sewer for like..ever so I was anxious to go and get some fabric scraps from her. We mingled with them for a while and left about 4:00.

As soon as we got back I got everything packed up and Lily in her seat so we could head to Brandon's parents. We ate supper there and left about 7:00 so we could get home and have some time to relax before heading to bed.

My 1st Mother's Day was ok with a few ups and downs throughout the day but I still feel extremely blessed to have my little girl here with me. Even if she is fighting a nap right now. :)