Pinterest is turning me into a cook!

I totally can not stop laughing when I look at the title(If you know me then you know what I mean)

It's no secret that I am totally in LOVE with Pinterest! I mean what's not to love about a site where you can find the most awesome ideas for anything you can imagine and you can organize them so they are easy to find!

It is also no secret that I have never been much of a cook(TheHandyman totally did not marry me for my cooking). However, Pinterest is in the process of changing that thanks to the fantastic recipes I am finding there.

I wanted to share a few that I tried out on the family recently. Some in the family are extremely picky but I have been able to cook meals that each and every person has enjoyed. This makes me very happy!! 

*Click the names below the photos for the recipes/how-to

~ 1st Place ~

Chicken Squares from Plain Chicken

 Oh My Heavens this babies are YUMMYLICIOUS!! The topping of crushed croutons is the perfect balance to the soft bread and creamy chicken inside.
I added a little minced garlic and Lawry's Seasoning Salt to my chicken mixture for a little added spice.

If you have not checked our the recipes over at Plain Chicken then you need to go there now. Fabulous, Simple, and Oh-So-Good!

~ 2nd Place ~

Bacon Ranch Crock-Pot Chicken

This recipe basically fights for 1st Place in our house. When I make there it is gone in a flash. I have learned to double the recipe so that TheHandyman and I can enjoy it for leftovers the next day.

*I have also used the Spicy Ranch Mix and it is awesome as well!

When I found this recipe from Kelly's Healthified Kitchen I thought I could die on the spot. I have a major weakness for anything "alfredo" but since I am attempting to eat healthier I have been staying away from it. Now, thanks to Kelly, I can have it without feeling guilty! I may be in love with her thanks to this. hahaa

~ 3rd Place ~

Joyful Momma's Kitchen: White Chicken Enchiladas

I kept seeing this bad boy on Pinterest like 500Billion times - literally, so I figured I might as well try it and see what all the fuss was about. Well let me tell you - I totally added a Pin to bring the total 500Billionand1! It is THAT good and even better the next day after the sauce as set.

Thanks to Lexi over at Joyful Momma's Kitchen for this fabulous recipe! I can't wait to share this one with my MIL. :)

So there you have it. My families top 3 recipes(so far) found on Pinterest.

Yes, I am aware they are all chicken and yes we do eat things besides chicken.

In fact here are a few things I will be trying out soon and I will let you know how they turn out :)

Thanks for stopping by today. I am attempting to get back to posting more as I have been majorly slack the past few months. Also if you have any fave recipes I would love for you to share them with me. 

Stay Sweet :)

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Family, Friends, Love, and Laughter.

Be Blessed and know that our Lord is with you on this Thanksgiving and each day throughout the year!

Channeling Popeye

Since it is the day after Thanksgiving and I am sure most of you are still feeling like you just stepped away from the table and that 3rd piece of pecan pie, I thought this would be the perfect day to post about my new obsession.

 ----------------------------------------

I have a confession to make. I am an extremely picker eater have very sensitive taste buds! Yes, Yes I know this is hard for my family and close friends to believe. *So laughing here* I admit I have always been picky. I am pretty sure I was born that way otherwise how would I just all of a sudden be picky? I guess you could call me D.W. :)

The ONE thing that seems to make people look at me funny when eating out is that I do not eat lettuce or anything leafy for that matter. I can't really tell you why but I do not like it AT ALL! My Mom always says "There is no taste to it." Hmm helloo yes there is and it is g.r.o.s.s!

How does all this relate to Popeye as the title says you may be asking yourself? Well last month I made a vow to get healthy. I have been very unhealthy for way too long and now that I am closing in on the big 40 I knew I had to do something about it.

Since I not the best eater I decided there had to be some way to get the good stuff without actually having to bite into it. I know I could simply smother the lettuce and other green stuff with salad dressing but since I really only like Ranch and Bleu Cheese I know that would not be helpful in my quest to healthiness.
I started looking around online and I have found the solution to my problem --- I now DRINK my greens!!

Whhaatttt??? Yep you are reading that correctly. I am drinking the good stuff now and it is in the form of a smoothie! What's not to L~O~V~E about getting the vitamins and nutrients you need via a freaking Smoothie? I say it is a win-win situation!

Here is the original recipe I found on Pinterest: Green Smoothie for Weight Loss.

Yes it is bright green but it is ohh soo yummmy and I am in love with it!

I changed up the original recipe slightly after a few taste tests to find what works best for my uber sensitive taste buds(snort) and here is what I have most mornings now.

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup pineapples
• 2 handfuls spinach
• ice and water 

Mine is not as green because of the strawberries but it is so good! I still will not eat spinach in a salad but I will drink one of these babies each and every morning!

Notes:
~ There are many variations you can do with the fruits as long as you have the spinach and the banana as a base.
~ You can use two bananas if you want but I am not a huge banana fan so I only use one.
~ I use fresh bananas but frozen strawberries and pineapple.
~ The color will not always be bright green as you can see in my photo above. The color depends on the fruits you use.

I dare you to try your own version! You may be surprised at how much you like it and your body will thank you!

Fun at the Fair

One of my favorite things about the Fall is going to the Cumming Country Fair & Festival. This is a good old-fashioned fair that is in my hometown so it gives me a good reason to visit and have extra fun at the same time.

Here are some of my favorite moments from our trip.

The girl that's "flying" makes me SMILE!

Eli watching from safety while Emma and Andrea rode the Cyclone.

Round and Round we are going to gooooooo!

UpSide Down and loving it!

Eli and Andi on the Sky Buckets

I so love my beautiful sidekick!

Em and Oscar the Robot doing a little dance.

No Fair is complete without a visit to the Barn!

This little guy was like a statue -- soo cute.

We even ran into Wilbur while we were there ~~ LOVE!!

Eli and Andi with her fish, prizes, and a snack. All in all it was a fabulously fun time for her first trip to the Fair!!

It was the perfect day to enjoy the fair and believe a great time was had by all!

If you have never been to a real country fair then you totally need to find one near you. Trust me it is a great way to spend an afternoon!

I hope everyone is having a great Fall!

Scott Antique Market -- Visit #2

This past Sunday The HandyMan and I took a drive down to The Scott Antique Market.
We were able to wander around between the two buildings and while there were more than a few vendors who left earlier in the day we still had lots of awesome items to check out. I wish I had had some extra cash on me as I found some pieces I would have LOVED to have brought home with us.

Keeping scrolling to see some of the things I want ;)

1. I could totally use this as shoe storage.
2. I think this would be AWESOME painted and hanging over a bed!
3. I want one of these to use as wood storage in the winter.

1. I am in luuv with this huge storage piece.
2. These chairs were only $25 and I hope they are there next month cause I will have some cashola with me!
3. This sign was so cool - would love it in the yard.

1. This E would be perfect in the rooms of both kids.
2. I just liked these industrial lamps :)
3. But this lamp rocked my world -- at $450 it was a few lightyears out of my range.

1.I want to put my bed inside this green house -- seriously!!
2. This bed actually scares me for some reason - I think it would make me claustrophobic.

1. This Brady Bunch sofa was TDF plus it had one that matched it to make a corner unit :)
2. I have no use for these cars but I thought they were adorable.

And for the final Pièce de résistance 

Look who I ran into -- Beyonce's brother  John Paul McClucken!! He was all "buy me and take me home Woman. I will so fit in the back of your truck!!" but I was all "I err left my wallet at home today but maybe I will see you again next trip ~~ SORRY!" He forgave me but was still kinda pouty about as I walked away. :/

Overall it was a great trip and I will Never go again without having some extra cash in my pocket!!

Happy Saturday :) :)

PS: If you did not click on Beyonce above then you need to click right --> here -- trust me on this!!

Saturday Share -- Flower Tree

I came across something that totally made my day the other evening. I was driving along and noticed some dainty orange flowers growing in the crook of a tree. They looked so pretty and out of the ordinary that I simply had to snap a few photos to share one with you today.

What have you seen that it out of the ordinary lately?

On another note: I am taking TheHandyMan down to The Scott Antique Market tomorrow and I am soooo excited!! I can't wait to see what goodies and oddities are there this month.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday.

Inside S'Mores

Do you like S'mores but not the mess or the bugs that generally go with camping outside this time of year?
If so I have just the thing for you -- Inside S'Mores. Oh My Heavens are these babies delicious and sooo simple it is crazy!

What you need:

Milk Chocolate Chips

Mini Marshmallows

Crescent Rolls in a Tube

Roll Marshmallows and Chocolate Chips inside Crescent Rolls

*Tip put as MUCH as you can. Don't skimp on the goodies -- trust me on this.

Bake according to directions.

- About 11 mins at 395 degrees

ENJOY!!

It doesn't get much easier than this for a fun quick snack.
Makes me want to go camping..once it is cooler that is :)

Anyone else is ready for fall?