Buffalo Chicken - Crockpot!

If you like spicy buffalo wings or franks buffalo wing sauce, this chicken is awesome and very versitile!

1. Frozen Chicken Breast (they said 3lbs, I just filled bottom of crockpot, we cant eat that much!)
2. 1 bottle of Franks Buffalo Sauce
3. 1 package Ranch Dip Mix
4. 2 Tbl butter


1) Put #1-3 on low 6-7hrs. (or less/more depending on how much chicken you use)
2) Using 2 forks, shred chicken and return to crockpot
3) Add butter and cook low 1 more hour.

You can serve this spicy chicken however but that night I made Buffalo Sandwiches.
Toasted Hoagie roll, chicken, pepperjack cheese and ranch.
(yep, not on my diet...oh well!)

I am hoping to try it on a homemade pizza sometime, that sounds good to me!

Loaded Potato Soup - Crockpot!

MMM this was good! I forgot to take a picture though...sorry!

You will need:
1. 6 Large peeled, cut potatoes.
2. 1/2 chopped onion
3. 1 Q chicken broth
4. 3 cloves mined garlic (read container of pre-minced garlic,I think its a couple tsp.)
5. 1/4 c. butter
6. 2 1/2 tsp salt
7. 1 tsp pepper (I used more)
8. 1c. half & half
9. 1c shredded cheddar cheese
10. 3T chives (or finely cut green onion)
11. 1c. sour cream (optional
12. 8 slices bacon pieces (I cheated and used the soft bacon bits)

1) Combine #1-7 in crockpot on high 4hrs or low 8hrs. (They added bacon at end, I added it here..more flavor)
2) Mash until potatoes are coarse and soup is slightly thickened (the more you mash the thicker it will get)
3) Stir in half and half, chives and cheese
4) Serve with sour cream (optional)

7 months

Here are a few pictures from her 7th month! (She will be 8 months in a few days and you know I will take new pictures!)

We are loving fall!

And look what she can do now! We are busy. All it took was one time and she hasnt stopped! I thought I had until at least Christmas before this started!

There are toys everywhere. Sounds of laughter and sqeels fill my home. I love being a mom!

Bacon-Ranch-Chicken....Crockpot!

I recently broke down and bought a new crockpot (I know, big slurge! lol) and have searched out some new Crock Pot recipes.

This recipe is credited to CrockPotGirls on Facebook. (Like them if you haven't already!) However I did make some changes and created my own variation.

You will need:
3 oz package bacon pieces (or cook your own for more flavor)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 pkg Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Powder
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup (Orginal recipe is 1 family size can, there is only a  few ounces different)
1-ish cups half & half (orginal is 1c sour cream)
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1) Combine first 5 ingredients in bowl to create creamy sauce.
2) Place thawed chicken in bottom of CrockPot
3) Pour sauce over chicken
4) Cook high 3.5 hrs. (Do not go over, it will dry it out!)

*The orginal recipe called for serving it over egg noodles. I am not a fan of egg noodles, so I made a Garlic Red Potato Mash instead and it was awesome together! Steve went back in for seconds, so I know it was a hit! I admit, not the most healthy or nutritious dinner,  but it sure was yummy!

Roasted Duck Recipe

Let me start off by saying I had no idea what I was doing! (Duck is not a normal dinner and a bit hard to research as well!) But I read what I could and took bits from different places to create my own way to roast this duck. My husband worked hard to get it and the last thing I wanted to do was ruin it!

* I demand that by the time it reaches the kitchen that it is clean and looks like a raw chicken. I do not play with feathers or body parts!

1) The duck was clean and dry. The roaster pan was ready (you dont want the duck sitting in the fat drippings so elevate it any way you can...a roaster pan ideally) I also privked it lightly all over, but for this duck I don't think it was really needed, although all websites insist on how fatty ducks are and this will help the fat drip off. This duck must have been skinny.

2) In a small bowl I made a dry rub. 1 or so tsp of each: Sea salt, pepper, garlic salt, Grill Mates Chicken Rub and just a dash of Paprika. Rub this all over the outside and what you can on the inside of the duck.

3) Roast for 1 hr on 375.

4)Melt 1/4c butter (yes, I made this the unhealthy way!) Pour over duck and return to oven for 45 min.

5) Repeat 1/4 c butter and return for 10-15 minutes.

6) Check temperature of the duck, it should be 165 degrees or higher.

*The skin turns out nice and crispy with lots of flavor! My husband was impressed and loved it! (I was impressed too!)

And the before picture. Opening Day of Duck Hunting.

So Berry Cute!

Nana Wendi sent me this!

The cutest strawberry I have ever seen. :o)

Our little diva is now crawling. Everywhere. Happy 7 months old too!

Grace Laughing at Papa

6 Months

I am super behind on my blog. I am busy! :)

Grace turned 6 months old on Septemeber 4th! As always, we take pictures and she is a ham!

She loves food! I make most of her baby food. Sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and all fruits are her favorite. She hates avacado and isnt too fond of sweet peas either (I dont blame her!) She is currently sooo close to crawling it is scary. She babbles all day long and loves our beagle.

1st Foods

We introduced Rice Cereal to Grace this week. She LOVES it! Her first bite she looked at us a bit weird, bu then opened up for more. Once she is adjusted to the cereal, we will add in a vegetable. yummm....

And Baby Makes Three

"A family is a little world created by love."

And how much I do love my little family!

First Trip to the Zoo

My dad couldn't help himself on my birthday this year...he bought me an annual zoo pass. So yesterday I used it for the first time. Grace, Grandpa and I had a blast at the zoo!

Grace looking at the sea lions swimming by. She did really well following the animals and watching them! I wasn't sure how a 4mo old would be interested, but she loved it!

Showing off the new hat and snow leopard she "had to have," said Grandpa.

Exhausted! Her favorites were the sea lions, puffin, camel and sharks. I can't wait to go back!

Steve the Knife Maker

Steve has been busy with his knife making! I am really impressed with the turnout of the knives, the designs he thinks up and the whole process.

They are for sale :)

He is making new ones all the time.

All knives come with custom made sheaths.

Here are just a few of the different types so far.

Knife below not available. In hands of a young birthday boy!

 The knife below is SOLD



Happy 4th of July!

Grace's first holiday that she didnt sleep right through. She was ultra patriotic in the adorable outfit she got from my family!

This makes me smile. She is usually such a photo-ham but she was just done here. It is a rare occurance for her to throw a major fit, so I had to document it. :)

* At her 4 mo checkup she was 12lbs.6oz and 25 3/4"!!
Thats the 91 percentile for babies in her age group for height! I think we have a basketball star in the making! :) Didnt take after momma at all!

4 Months

Our baby girl is already 4 months old!

She babbles and talks all the time.

She is reaching out and grabbing everything.

Momma is predicting that she will be left handed. She seems to favor that hand more.

We go this week to her 4 month check up. Im guessing about 25.5 in and 13 lbs. We'll see !!

Happy Birthday, Momma!

Momma turned 24! The family had a nice little bbq party for me to celebrate.

Crazy to think at my birthday last year we had just found out I was pregnant. Now look at that little peanut!

Best birthday yet!

3 months

Grace is already 3 months old! She finally fits into the cute Carhartt overalls that Papa bought her when he was in Montana last November. She is beyond adorable! Cant wait till I can catch a picture of them both wearing Carhartts! :D

On Mother's Day we Dedicated Grace to the Lord at our church. Essentially, Steve and I made a vow to raise her in a Christian home and do our very best to teach her the ways of the Lord. We are so blessed!

Grace sleeping in her new carseat (replacement from old one in the accident) and she just looks so big here! She is definately going to be taller than Momma!

And....Blue Elephant. This is her favorite friend. She can now reach out and grab him or hang on to him and bring him to her face to eat. She's advanced. :)

2 Months

Where is time going?! Grace is almost 2 months old and growing like crazy! I just went through and packed up the newborn clothes that no longer fit! I had no idea she woudl grow and change this fast.

Momma loves those bright blue eyes!

Im not sure which I love more - the flower headband or the cloth diaper cover. :D

We have her 2 month check-up (and all the shots..eek!) next Friday. So excited to see just how much she has grown!

All Smiles Around Here

There is no denying it now - Grace smiles all the time!

I had her on the counter here while I was cooking and couldn't help but snap a picture of her all giggles playing. She is such a happy baby!