Oriental Beef & Noodle Toss

I want to share a quick and super easy meal with y’all today. It’s one I kind of grew up on, and decided to try it out with my peeps the other night. It was a crowd pleaser. 3 out of 4 of us loved it. Hunter didn’t like it, but he doesn’t really count because he doesn’t like anything these days.

I have to warn you though…this is not one of those meals that’s going to take hours to prepare. So, for all my “one pot” meal friends out there…this one’s for you.

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Lb. lean ground beef

2 pkg. (3 oz. each) Oriental flavor instant ramen noodles {yes people, we’re going back to college days.}

2 cups water

1 red bell pepper – seeded and chopped

2 small heads broccoli – chopped into florets

1 cup chopped mushrooms

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

2 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onion

2 tsp. minced garlic

2-4 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce

** I couldn’t find the Oriental Ramen Noodles. I used the Beef flavor, and it worked just as well.

Heat oil in large saucepan. Brown ground beef. As the beef begins to brown, add vegetables and cook together until meat is done and veggies are tender. After they are cooked, add 1/2 –1 whole seasoning packet, and a couple of splashes of soy sauce…check taste.

Remove meat and veggies from pan and set aside in a bowl. Cover to keep warm.

In same saucepan, combine water, noodles {broken into several pieces}, ginger, and 1/2 to whole packet of the other seasoning packet {this is all about your taste preference}. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover, and simmer 3 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.

Return beef and veggies to skillet. Add garlic, salt/pepper and more soy sauce {to taste}. Heat through. Stir in green onions before serving.

It’s so light and really good. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Friday!!!

I Remember…

I remember the day. I was sitting in a 5th grade classroom completing my observation hours. My advisor walked in. She leaned over to me and said, “You may go home, the University is closed.” Confused, I asked why. She began to explain, but I swear to you her lips were moving, but no sound was coming out of her mouth…I was in complete shock.

I remember racing home trying to get in touch with my parents, and with Eric. We were dating at the time, and he was on a business trip  to Kansas City, MO.

I remember being scared.

I remember sitting on the floor of our apartment with my roommates watching the coverage.

I remember thinking of Eric’s family up north and being scared for them.

I remember the faces on TV, covered in ashes and soot. The heroes of the firefighters and police men of NYC. The courageous people of New York who fought to help one another.

I remember the flag being put in the rubble of what once was The World Trade Center.

I remember when for a moment, the world stopped.

I remember that after that moment, we as a nation joined as one. It didn’t matter what nationality or religion you were. It didn’t matter if you were a Republican or a Democrat, a Conservative or a Liberal. It didn’t matter what economic class you were in. For a moment, We the People joined as one. We held hands, we united, and we were determined to kick the enemies butt.

That moment ceased and just like that 11 years have gone by. But, I tell you, I still remember. I remember all those emotions that I felt and we as a nation felt. I remember how after that day, our country as we knew it changed. I remember.

And since that moment 11 years ago, we have fought against evil. Our brave and strong men and women of our military have fought long and hard to keep our nation safe, so we don’t have to fight a war on our ground. They put their lives on the line everyday to keep us safe, just as those heroes on 9/11 fought to help others to keep them safe.

To all those families who lost loved ones, and who’s whole world stopped on that moment and may or may not have completely started back, I will always remember the sacrifice you and your loved one made.

To all those heroes in New York, you are true super heroes. You are our Supermen {and women}. I will always remember seeing how hard you worked day in and day out and I thank you.

To all our military, I will always remember the countless hours, days, nights, months, and years that you have fought since to keep us safe on our soil. And I thank you.

It’s been 11 years. So many things in my life have changed, but that is one moment I will always remember…

and I will NEVER FORGET!!!

Comfort Food

For some reason, yesterday I was in need of some serious comfort food. You know that kind of food that your Mama always made you when you were sad or sick and somehow it just made things better. My Mama still makes comfort food for me. Not because I’m sick or sad, mostly because I actually come home for a visit and just need some Mama cooking. So, I’ve got a long list of what I consider comfort food.

Yesterday I was in the mood for some comfort food….just needed some to food to soothe my soul.

I even decided I was in need of a dessert. I try not to bake or make desserts around here very often. I love baking, but the problem is I’m the one who ends up eating all of it…not good – not good at all.

Hunter loves to help me bake in the kitchen. I think he just likes to help me so he can lick the batter off the mixer paddle. I’m not asking questions because I love that he helps me.

We made a Coca-Cola Cake. I don’t think I’ve had one in years. It was just as good as I remember. I actually like it warm, but it’s good either way.

Doesn’t it just look yummy? If you want to try it yourself {which I think you should} you can get the recipe HERE.

While the cake was helping with my need of some “comfort food”, I was still in need of something hearty. Something good and yummy for supper.

Nothing says comfort food in the winter to me as Chicken n’ dumplings and chicken pot pie. Both sounded really good to me yesterday, but I didn’t have the time to make them. I happened to be thumbing through the new Kraft Foods Magazine and came across a recipe for Skillet Chicken and Dumplings.

Well, as usual I made the recipe my own. It was pretty simple and very yummy.

Yup, it was all made in the skillet!

So, the next time you’re in need of some comfort food and don’t have a ton of time to stand over the stove, make dough, chop veggies, all that fun stuff. You should try this recipe. You can find it HERE.

I have to say both of them really helped last night in my need for comfort food. They may not have been my Mama’s cookin’ but they were good and hit the spot!

What are some of your favorite comfort foods???

Skillet Chicken & Dumplings

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite-sized pieces

14 oz. chicken broth

1/4 cup flour

4 oz. cream cheese

1 tsp. dried chives

1 cup frozen peas (thawed or slightly cooked)

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup Bisquick

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley

Heat oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken and carrots, cook and stir 4 minutes or until no longer pink and carrots are crisp tender.

Transfer to bowl.

Add flour to pan and mix with left-over oil drippings. Whisk in chicken broth until well blended. Cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Add cream cheese; cook and stir 3 minutes or until melted. Remove from heat; stir in chicken and vegetables.

In a bowl mix together, Bisquick, sour cream, and milk. Spoon into 6 mounds over mixture in skillet. Cook on medium-high heat 2 minutes. Cover and cook on low heat 15 minutes or until chicken is done and “dumplings” are done.

Top with parmesan cheese and parsley.

Coca-Cola Cake

2 cups self-rising flour

2 cups sugar

2 Tbsp. Cocoa

2 stick butter

1 cup coca-cola {don’t even think about using Pepsi}

1/2 cup buttermilk*

3 eggs

2 cups miniature marshmallows

Combine flour, sugar, and cocoa.

Bring butter and Coke to a boil…

…add to dry mixture. Add eggs, buttermilk, and marshmallows. This will be a thin batter. Pour in a greased/floured 13X9 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

2 Tbsp. Cocoa

6 Tbsp. Coke

1 Box confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1 cup  chopped nuts (optional)

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine butter, cocoa, and coke in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix in confectioner’s sugar and mix well. Add vanilla and nuts (if you want) . Spread over cake while it’s hot!

Thursday Thoughts

I promised y’all some thoughts for this Thursday, but it’s after 9:00 and my brain is slowly turning off…kind of like a dimmer light switch.

First…Can you believe it’s September?! I surely cannot. It’s crazy to me that things are about to gear up for birthdays {in our house} and the holidays. I am personally super excited about the upcoming turning of the seasons. I {heart} fall…just love it.

I love how the temperatures get cooler, the leaves begin to change, college football is in full-swing, and we get to wear our jeans.

There is nothing better to me than wearing a pair of light weight jeans and some sandals or flip flops. Just love it!

I love being able to play outside with the kids; heck, I like being able to walk to the mailbox without breaking out in a full-fledge sweat. I’ll let you in on a little secret…this southern girl sweats – I am not one to glisten or perspire, I sweat. But, that’s beside the point. The humidity that loves to set in down here in the south and torture us for months on end…yeah, I don’t miss it while it’s gone.

And now that September is upon us, so is the start of a new school year. I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for some schedules around here. I love having time off, but I think it’s in our human nature to thrive on schedules. I love them. I like having things to do and places to be.

Dallas has been in school for some time now, but Hunter’s been with me. It was time for him to get back to school. We made a difficult decision last year to switch preschools. We have been at one preschool for 4 years. I was very active there and loved the program and all the people, but the drive time had really worn me down. With drive time, I was only getting 2 hours to get things done…and you and I both know that is no time at all.

We also felt that Hunter needed a 4 day program, so we prayed about it, and made the decision to switch to a preschool closer to home. It also helped that I have a few friends who already go there. Hunter attended a camp there one week this summer and loved it. He started on Wednesday and he LOVES it. He does miss his friends from his old preschool, but he’s already made a couple of friends and talks and talks about all the things they do and what he’s learned. I am so excited he’s doing so well.

One thing I cannot believe is that he started his last-first day of preschool. Where in the world did time go? I cannot believe that after this year he will be in kindergarten. It just blows my mind.

Isn’t he just the cutest???

His big sister was so happy for him and had to get in one shot…

When we got to school, he went right in hung up his backpack and got right to work. I am one proud Mama!

This week not only brought new beginnings of a school year for Hunter, but it also brought the start of a new dance year for Dallas. She decided this year that she wanted to take jazz and tap. We went out earlier this week and got all new gear and she was ready to go. She was super excited to start today.

Well, I hope y’all have had a great week so far. Happy Thursday!

I would love to hear of how first day of school have gone for your little ones…

Have ya missed me???

Hey y’all! How in the heck are you? Have you missed me???

I have missed y’all and this blog.

I cannot believe it’s September already. What a fast summer.

I knew once Hunter got out of preschool in May, something was going to have to give and unfortunately it was my blog. There just wasn’t time to sit and type and think of fun things when I was trying to keep him busy and happy all.summer.long.

I don’t know about you, but it’s been a fast summer, and a very long August, but then again, August is always long for me. By the time August comes around many things start settling in…I’m tired of wearing a bathing suit everyday, I’m tired of fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants days and no schedules, and I’m tired of being “needed” all the time {all.day.long.}. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved having the summer with Hunter and enjoying time with him, but man, all he wants to do is play…play…play. And if I take time for myself and try to paint a bathroom per say, he tells on me to his daddy. {I may or may not have gotten busted one day for painting and not playing.}

Dallas was in school most of the summer, due to our year-round school calendar. She had the week of 4th of July off and then started first grade. She was in for 3 weeks and then “tracked out” for 3 weeks at the end of July. She’s had a little rough go at getting back in the groove since she tracked back in, but nothing like we’ve endured in the past. She cries in the morning not wanting to go to school, but I think some of that is partly because Hunter was still home.

But, H-man started preschool yesterday!

I digress a little. We’ll get back to school stuff. So, summer was busy with school for Dallas, swimming for Hunter, a few projects for me, a little travel, and lots of fun.

I’ve wanted to post about so many things, but just haven’t had the time. And, then the list of posts got to be so long, I kind of threw my hands in the air and got too overwhelmed with it.

Another thing that was holding me back was the fact that I just don’t love the look of my blog. I don’t love the layout, background, pictures, nothing…just not happy with it. I will admit, I don’t talk “html” so I don’t know a lot about all that stuff. I was too nervous to try and change anything afraid of messing it up. But, thanks to a friend, she talked me down off my cliff and explained a few things to me. She also got me “re-focused” if you will on why I started this blog {Thanks, Anne!}

So, over the next few weeks, hopefully we will be seeing some changes. I’m going to get new pictures {so excited to do this seeing we haven’t done family pictures in two years}, a new background, and possibly a new layout.

I’m even toying with the idea of joining the “social networking” with this little baby of mine. Still a bit nervous about this and again, not sure how to make a Facebook page or bring it to the Pinterest world. We’ll see…

I’m not saying I’ll post everyday, and in fact I can guarantee I won’t, but I’m hoping to make it a small priority in my week and share lots of stuff with you.

I’ve got some great trips to share, a couple of rom “make-overs”, a recipe or two, and I’m sure some funny kid stories. I will share all of them with you and play a game of “catch-up” from our summer shenanigans, but for starters I will start with a “Thursday Thoughts”…it’s been a while.

I won’t do it here because I need to go get in carpool and head out to dance, but check back later for some “thoughts” from me.

Hope y’all all had a fabulous summer and are as excited as I am to get fall started!