Graduation Day!

We are so proud of Ben and all his hard work! We were so grateful to have both sets of parents and Ben's siblings there (minus Josh who is in the army). It was fun sharing the special day with Chandler and Marcia too.

Way to go BEN and CHANDLER! :) You did it!

E's 1st Birthday

pre-party excitement

let the party begin

Some of the Car Party decor: rusteze motor oil rootbeer, nuts and bolts, spare tires, etc. This was all set up outside with the banner etc but it got to cold after eating pizza so we moved the party inside. Bummed i didnt get a picture of the party set up... next time.
For car party ideas go to: http://www.karaspartyideas.com for free printables and other party ideas

 most of the birthday gang

 grandma Kristen

uncle Ty

Opening gifts

 blowing out the candle

 messy easton

 easton's new ride

We felted blessed to share this special day with all of our family (minus grandpa gary - we missed you-feel better soon!). Following the party we ended the evening at the park to play til dark with cousins Sadie and Claire. 

Thank you for making this day so memorable for Easton family and friends!

Love you all!

Rolls, Mac n Cheese, Sugar Cookies & MORE

Ben's grandma's recipe book has so many treasured favorites, so I shared a few with you. These are all super easy and quick to whip up start to finish. Enjoy!

Bread Machine Rolls

Fast/Easy Sugar Cookies

Easy Mac and Cheese - The best!

Bread Machine Rolls – Makes 15 circle rolls, or 16 crescents

1 c warm water

2 Tbsp. tub margarine

1 egg

3 ¼ c. “better for bread” flour (can’t substitute all purpose) ( you can sub. half wheat for half the white)

¼ c sugar

1 tsp salts 

3 tsp yeast

Put  in bread machine in order listed except yeast. Make a well in the top of ingredients, put yeast in the well. Set machine for dough cycle. When finished, shape into dinner rolls or crescent rolls. Put on greased cookie pan(crescents) or in 9x13pan for dinner rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled.

Bake at 375 for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Butter the tops.

Sugar Cookies

3 c flour

1 Tbsp Baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk

3/4 c butter softened

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla or lemon extract

Preheat oven to 350. combine dry ingredients and set aside. beat condensed milk, butter, eggs, and extract. then add dry ingredients and mix well. divide into thirds and roll out on floured board to 1/4 inch thick. cut out with cookie cutters and put on greased cookie sheet. Don't over work the dough. they are good with lemon extract in the dough and frosted with lemon glaze, or vanilla extract in the dough and frosted with regular icing.

You don't have to let the dough refrigerate! I can have a batch made, baked and frosted in under 2 hours!! :)

Easy mac and cheese


2 1/2 c noodles (uncooked)
1/4 c flour
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 c milk
1/4 c margarine or butter
2 c shredded cheese

cook noodles until soft. In a microwaveable bowl whisk together flour salt pepper and milk. add margarine. microwave for 5 minutes, stopping and stirring often. stir in cheese and microwave until cheese is melted and stirred in. pour over the cooked noodles.



These are not from Ben's family cookbook but they looked yummy.
recipe from http://recipesquickandeasy.blogspot.com

Windy City Crescent Rolls

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 2 tubes Pillsbury (or whatever brand) crescent rolls, 8 ct
• 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
• 4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 oz fresh baby spinach (about half of a pre-washed bag), chopped
• 2 oz black olives, finely diced (*this ingredient is optional)
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• dash salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Begin by chopping the spinach and olives and putting them in a large mixing bowl. Add the feta, mozzarella, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Toss thoroughly and set bowl aside.

Chicken veggie Curry - Crock pot

We tried this last night and just loved it! Thanks for sharing a family favorite Krislyn :)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons red Thai curry paste

1 yellow onion, sliced with the grain

2 chicken breasts

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups broccoli florets (frozen)

1 1/2 cups chopped carrots (frozen)

1 teaspoon dried basil

3 cloves garlic, minced

Zest of 1/2 lime

1 1/4 cups coconut milk

1/4 cup chicken stock

One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes

Lime wedges, for squeezing

Cook 1 tablespoon of the oil, the curry paste and onions in a large saute pan over medium heat, stirring often and letting sizzle, 5 to 6 minutes. Put onion mixture and all other ingredients in the crock pot. 

I added the frozen veggies 2 hours after adding the other things. I'm sure if you added it right away it would be good too. We prefer crunchy veggies.

Shred chicken and serve over rice.

ENJOY!

Hope sunshine is headed your way!

What's new pussy cat!? whoa whoa whoa

1. Easton is 11 months and

• started walking 

• says Dadda, Momma, and Yea

• his theme song is "i get knocked down, and i get up again, you're never going to keep me down..." (minus the rest of those lyrics which are way different than what I'm used to singing)

2. Ben  

• started studying for his CPA exams. This is the beginning to a long road of studying in addition to school studies
•  plays lots of church ball these days with the stake ball tournament on the horizon

3. Manda

• is enjoying tutoring more these days

• has enjoyed all the family that has come to visit recently! Grandma Cindy, Melissa, and Liam all came last month

Liam and Easton love playing together

We miss you grandma Cindy!

We love you!! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Big "oh" boy!

Easty is 10 months and....

• eats everything and is particular at the same time (favorites are pickles, olives, onions, oranges, and tomatoes)

• gets around just about everywhere via walking holding onto things.  

• loves saying dada and waving at everyone

 He really is our big boy!  This Thursday we weaned him from his pacifier cold turkey! wish us luck to hold out and not give in. Actually just pray for our neighbors I feel terrible!

Spinach Artichoke Dip - Healthy

I saw this on abc today. It looks yummy - and healthy.. bonus :) I have yet to try it. 

Healthified Spinach Atrichoke Dip

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Updated: 11:39 am | Published: 11:23 am

• Video

• Healthified Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip
Makes 15 (1/4 cup) servings 

• 1 (15.5 ounce) can Cannellini Beans (white kidney beans); drained, rinsed and pureed 
• 1 (14 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts; drained and chopped
• 8 ounces frozen spinach; thawed, squeezed dry and chopped 
• 1 (6 ounce) container plain Greek yogurt 
• 3 cloves garlic; minced 
• 1/4 cup grated three cheese blend (such as Kraft Parmesan, Romano and Asiago blend)
• 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
• 2 tablespoons crumbled Feta cheese 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, combine pureed beans, artichoke hearts, spinach, yogurt, garlic, cheeses, salt and pepper. Scoop mixture into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve warm.

Nutritional Information (1/4 cup): Calories: 91, Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 1.5 mg, Sodium: 381 mg, Total Carbs: 8 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 1 g, Protein 6 g.

Easy Homemade Pita Chips
Makes 32 chips

• 4 large Pita bread rounds 
• olive oil spray
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a pizza cutter, cut each pita bread round into 8 pieces. Place on cookie sheet. Spray each "chip" liberally with olive oil. Sprinkle "chips" with seasoned salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned.