Menu for 7/28/14-8/3/14

A day late, I'm so sorry about that, but our weekend was packed with activities and by the time I got home last night and put Bailey in bed (and then went back in to hold her because the thunder scared her) I was just too exhausted to turn the computer on.

I'm so excited to say that Bailey has been much more tolerant of pulling her hair back the past couple of weeks.

Chicken and Tortellini Soup

Ah, comfort food.

Comfort food is different for everyone. It's usually the foods that you remember from childhood. Meals that your mother made for you, especially the kinds of meals that didn't make it into regular rotation on the menu.

Crock Pot Italian Chicken and Pasta (updated)

Don't worry, I haven't changed the recipe a bit. It's just that the photographs for the original post were so blurry that I wanted to give this recipe a second go. It is one of my favorite recipes. I make it once a month and I wouldn't change a thing.

Lazy Baked Ziti

If you have all day to work on dinner (making homemade sauce and such) I would recommend going with Pioneer Woman's version of Baked Ziti. However, if you don't have the time for all that (or if you're feeling particularly lazy) this is a great alternative.

Menu for 7/21/14-7/27/14

I would like to begin with an apology. I am so sorry that there was no new recipe last week. I had planned on posting the crock pot beef and broccoli recipe but it did not turn out at all like I had hoped. The recipe needs some tweaking before sharing. This week should include an update to one of my earliest posted recipes and three new recipes.

Updates

In case you haven't noticed there are a few updates to the page. I've added some new features to help readers navigate the page and to highlight some of the most popular posts.

There's a search bar at the top left corner where you can type in what you're looking for and get a list of matches or near matches. Also, along the top of the page under the blog title is a sort of index to guide you to a particular type of recipe. For example you can click chicken and you'll get a list of all of the dishes that include or feature chicken.

Menu for 7/14/14-7/20/14

Maybe it's because of the heat or lack of sleep but I've felt like every day of this week has been incredibly long! It's like bedtime can never come soon enough but then when it does finally come I'm suddenly wide awake and can't get any rest.

It has been a good week though. We've had some extra cute moments from Bailey. I've just started a new challenge called 100 Days of Happy. The idea is that you capture one image of happiness every day. It can be food that made you happy or your pets, sports or video games, movies or television, crafts or hobbies, or music. You get the idea. For me it will likely be a lot of Bailey.

Garlicky Pasta with Tuscan Chicken

You know those recipes you see and you keep going back and thinking One day I'll have the courage and energy to try that one? This is one of those recipes.

I read the ingredients list and thought it sounded like a meal that I used to order at Olive Garden. Garlic and herb chicken with broccoli. Lightly breaded chicken served over pasta, tossed in a light garlic, white wine, and Parmesan sauce with crisp broccoli.

Wish Come True: The Best Hamburger Seasoning

Yes, that's right. I couldn't take it any more and had to try the burger seasoning that boasts so shamelessly to be the best and guess what! It was pretty darn good. Maybe not my favorite burger seasoning because it was super spicy and I happen to have a recipe that I use regularly that I love, but man was there plenty of flavor!

Menu for 7/7/14-7/13/14

Besides being sick, last week wasn't too bad. We babysat Li'l P for a few hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. I got the kitchen and living room nice and clean. Our laundry, which is usually an all-day chore, was washed and put away before nap time on Thursday. I got to do the grocery shopping without little hands interfering (cutting my shopping time in half) and Aaron got to spend all day at home with us Friday. I love long weekends.

Skillet Enchilada Pasta

A skillet meal! You know what that means... easy to cook, easy to eat, and easy to clean!

I am all about skillet meals on busy nights. Any recipe that says "One-Pan" in the title usually leaps to the top of my try it list. What's easier than throwing everything in the pan and letting it simmer for a few minutes?

Wishlist Wednesday July 2014

Welcome to Wishlist Wednesday! I have some awesome wishes to share this month. There is a summer theme since we're finally really into summer. Let's jump right in!

A Wish for Something Pretty:

Tiny Dangles Silver Skeleton Key Earrings from For You By Q on Etsy.

I have this friend, Suzanne, from high school and she makes the most darling jewelry. She has a booth at the Market Square Farmer's Market here in town, but she also sells her stuff on Etsy. She also makes clothes. She sews and knits and crochets. Her stuff is all very unique and I would seriously buy most of it if I had the money. Check out her Etsy shop. It's worth a look.