Tag Archives: Christian mom

Homemade Croutons

18 Apr

This is a public service announcement.

It seems for years we have been doing our salad injustice!  We take our beautiful fresh garden greens and top it with stale, artificial tasting, bagged croutons. Why?  Because we didn’t realize making our own was so easy!

I have always been a sorta like croutons kind of girl but once I started making my own, they have pretty much become more than just a salad topping.  My family will eat these for a snack, my daughter’s boyfriend asks to take some home whenever he comes for dinner, and friends and family are always wanting the recipe.

Because I consider you all friends…I want to share the recipe with you too!

Keep reading for the salad changing printable recipe.

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The stars of the show. 8 simple, mostly pantry staples.

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Get your butter, oil and spices in a 9×13 baking dish and place that in your pre-heated oven.

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Cube your baguette into bite size pieces.

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After about 30 minutes, this gloriousness happens! Crispy without the expensive dentist bill and so flavorful!

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Garden fresh salad topped right!

 

Click here for the printable recipe.

See, simple right?

Is there something you make homemade that is much better than store bought?  Please share a link or comment down below, I would love to check it out!

Thanks for visiting.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

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Simple Salisbury Steak

16 Apr

One of the greatest successes’ of motherhood has to be the moment when you serve a meal your whole family loves.  It’s a moment when the clouds part, the Hallelujah Chorus is cued, and for the next 30 minutes all is right with the world. You live for those blissful moments, am I right!?!

Anyway, that is what this recipe does for our family and I am pretty confident it could give a moment to you too!

Keep on reading for the printable recipe.

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The stars of the show. Ok, don’t let the gravy mixes get you nervous…sometimes mama needs a shortcut.

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Everything but the gravy gets thrown into bowl. Get your hands in there and give it a quick mix.

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I usually shape them into 4-5 patties. They will be thick but that just adds to the yumminess. I promise, they will NEVER know about the hidden mushrooms 🙂

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After browning the beef on both sides you will momentarily remove the patties from the pan so you can get the gravy started….Kinda makes it sound like a party!

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Once the gravy comes together, it is time to add the patties back in. This is where good things happen!

 

Here you have it!  We like to serve this with either mashed potatoes or rice.

Click here for the printable recipe

What recipe brings your whole family together? Please leave a link or comment below, I would love to check it out!

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Creamy Southwest Chicken Soup

13 Apr

I just love those mindless, economical, quick throw together dinners.  We had a (healthy…I sometimes get called out for the unhealthy recipes….balance, my friends, balance.) baked whole chicken for dinner last night and I used the carcass to whip up a yummy homemade broth for tonight’s dinner. You can definitely use store bought broth and it is just as good.  So if you are interested in not spending a large portion of your evening preparing dinner tonight keep reading for the printable recipe.

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Cast of characters. Mostly pantry staples.

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Dump all the ingredients in to the crock pot, give it a quick stir, and forget-about-it!

 

 

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Soup, glorious, soup! This cooked low and slow in my slow cooker for about 7 hours. Add a little garnish and VOILA! Simple, hearty, family favorite!

 

Click here for the printable recipe

What is your favorite mindless, quick, throw together dinners?  I am always looking for inspiration!

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Aldi Grocery Haul

12 Apr

 

I thought I would share something a little different.  I am always a little curious and a bit fascinated about how life is for others.  I think we learn new things and become inspired when other’s welcome us into snippets of their life. 

So today I am going to share with you our Aldi’s grocery haul.  This will feed our family of 5 for about 7-10 days. I love that I can feed my family fairly healthy and still stay in budget! 

If you’re interested in watching click Aldi Grocery Haul

If you shop at Aldi what are your favorite things to purchase from there?

Thanks for watching!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

Photo credit: Aldi and Google pictures

 

 

 

Lemon Pudding Cake

17 Mar

Just like a song, a certain food can transport you to a certain moment.  This cake makes me think of Easter of 2009…..my son was one and already a master climber (ask me about the loft incident sometime).  I had just cut the cake and placed it in the center of the table so I could serve my family. Fast forward about eight seconds later and here is my pantless, diapered bottom, sweet son, attacking the cake.  As any good mother would do, I first grabbed my camera before removing him from the cake.

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Oh, Jacob!

This cake looks like you spent hours in the kitchen but really this semi homemade cake is a cinch to make and people will love you forever if you make this for them…true story!

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This is all you need. Bake cake according to package directions.

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Grease cake pans.

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Evenly distribute batter between both pans ( a little over two cups per pan).

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Once cakes are completely cool ( 2-4 hours) mix pudding mix with 1 1/2 milk for about one minute or until thickened.

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Frost each layer with half of pudding mixture and stack.

 

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Frost with whipped topping and refrigerate at least four hours before serving.

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Moist, dense, decadence!

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Middle of the night refrigerator view….the struggle is real friends!

 

Click here for the printable recipe

 

I hope you enjoy the cake as much as we do. Thanks for visiting!
 
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

 

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Summer Vacation is Over…..

4 Aug

One of the reasons I love homeschooling is that it offers us limitless flexibility in our schedule.  I noticed a few weeks ago that my kids were starting to get restless-which means that they stop finding productive or fun things to do and instead come up with new and creative ways to annoy one another (anyone relate, lol?).  It was time.  Starting now also gives us an opportunity to get a head start and take some time off in the Fall and do some fun field trips with less of a crowd.

I am not one to prepare and plan ahead of time (you can read about that here), I am forever in a last minute hustle, I am getting better, but still. 

So after a week of preparations here we are at yet another first day of school! 

Introducing the 5th Grader!  She hopes to be an actress and singer one day.

Introducing the 5th Grader! She hopes to be an actress and singer one day.

 

Introducing the 2nd Grader, Jacob! He wants to be a Doctor when he grows up.

Introducing the 2nd Grader! He wants to be a Doctor when he grows up.

 

Hard at work! I love their eagerness and enthusiasm to learn!

Hard at work! I love their eagerness and enthusiasm to learn!

Who says you need to sit at a desk to learn?  The couch is perfect place to snuggle and read.

Who says you need to sit at a desk to learn? The couch is a perfect place to snuggle and read.

So, how do they REALLY feel about the first day of school?  Giddy with goofiness ;)  It's going to be a great year!

So, how do they REALLY feel about the first day of school? Giddy with goofiness 😉 It’s going to be a great year!

Three hours and then we were free to enjoy the beautiful summer day. We rounded off the day with breakfast for dinner and a trip through the sprinklers. A wonderful day indeed!

When does school start for you?  Any tips or tricks in making your day run smoother? I would love to hear from home and public school families….because both are awesome!  

Thanks for sharing in our day!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

I would love to see what you’re Pinning!  

 

“Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2014 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Frogs and snails and all the Wonderful Things Little Boys are Made of

5 Jul

With an extra goodnight kiss he will roll over and easily fall asleep just like most nights. I will retreat upstairs and watch the clock and time will pass all too quickly. I will sit and think of precious thoughts like sweet baby breath on my neck, those far too early mornings rocking a well fed baby watching the sun rise, and that one book I read 3,000 times…..and I will think how I would give anything to just do that one more time.

Babies don’t keep and neither do kids.  The years fly by, one quicker than the next and in the busyness you all of sudden think, “we are here, already?”.

I smile thinking of those first moments and years.

Tonight, in this dark room, I think of how he is now…smart and handsome as his daddy. Persistent, hard working, and loyal, character traits well beyond his years. He is a saver and a planner, so much so that his life is already planned.  He is funny and goofy and his laugh brightens a room faster than the summer sun. He is brave even when he doesn’t feel it and he is always observing on how he can be his very best. He is kind, thoughtful, and tender hearted to those who are hurting or lacking. He would give you his meal, his favorite toy, or the shoes on his feet-he sure teaches me what it means to have a servant’s heart.  He loves Jesus, soccer, chicken kabobs, chocolate fudge ice cream, his hero-daddy, his big sister’s, Ninja Turtles, but right now mostly his mama. 

He is getting so tall but he still fits in all the crooks and spaces of my lap and even though these snuggles are getting far and few between when he finds me he knows it is all his. His sweet head resting on my shoulder I close my eyes as I rest my head against his,breathing in the sweet smell of little boy. Fleeting but lost in the moment for this will soon be just a tender memory.

 Tonight as the clock quickly finds its way around a sweet little boy is dreaming sweet thoughts of presents and cake. For when he awakes he will be 7.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Come see what I am pinning!

Copyright © 2014 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Grace of God Brought us Here

24 May
11 years ago on a beautiful Colorado day I married my very best friend and the love of my life! I thought I couldn’t be any happier than I was at that moment but each year proves to be better than the last. We have been on such an adventure from births, deaths, illnesses, college, graduations, teenagers, moves, job changes, aging parents, and everything in between. With the constant changes of life the one thing that has remained is that we have clung to each other through all of it and have grown from a couple of crazy love-struck kids to a couple who are weathering the storms and enjoying every rainbow together. We have learned to appreciate that each day together is a gift. There is no one I would rather spend time with or journey this life with. I am so blessed to married to a man of honor and integrity! A man who puts his family first and works hard to give us a good life. He is a man that I adore, respect and love! Without the grace of God none of this would of been possible!  I thank God for sustaining us and for constantly working on my heart as a wife. Happy Anniversary, Sunshine! Thank you for choosing me!
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~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca
Come see what I am Pinning!

Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers

7 Aug

I know in a bid to make healthier food choices many people are jumping on the low carb wagon. I saw a similar recipe online and tweaked it to suit my families taste.  Keep reading to see their reaction and to get a printable recipe.

What you’ll need.
In a large skillet heat butter and oil.
Caramelize the veggies

Remove pepper shells from oven and pour out excess water in each shell.

 
Place a slice of Provolone cheese at the bottom of each pepper.
(One left cheese less for my son who sometimes doesn’t like cheese)
Fill each pepper with filling.

Top each with another slice of Provolone.

 Place in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes and voila! Cheesesteak
                    stuffed peppers. And the verdict is………………..

Thumbs up for the cheese less wonder.

And an ‘eh’ from the Broukie Bear. Hubby really liked it but he missed
the bread.  I really enjoyed it and I will be making this again!
*Prebaking the green peppers allows them the chance to become a little more tender but it also allows some of the moisture to cook out. This prevents it from being mushy and soggy.
*Salt draws moisture out of the onions and mushrooms and waiting to salt the veggies at the end of cooking allows the veggies to caramelize quicker.
I hope you enjoy!
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca
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Copyright © 2013 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

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