tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1420547595385962232024-03-13T02:25:28.682-04:00Graciously GrowingBlossoming into the fullness of life that Christ has purchased for me, and things I've learned along the way.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-59824975988252067402015-01-02T14:56:00.000-05:002015-01-02T15:03:47.679-05:00Sloppy Joes II RecipeTransparency Alert: I LOVE sloppy joes. The sloppier, the better. Yes, I did enjoy the school cafeteria. Don't judge me.
But it's time to grow up a bit! Here's an excellent recipe for Sloppy Joes from All Recipes without the canned sloppiness. You could call these gourmet, if you like. I do.
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-58522531426526121852015-01-02T14:36:00.000-05:002015-01-02T14:36:08.270-05:00Darn* Delicious's One Pot Pasta Recipe
Photo Courtesy of Damn Delicious
There are a lot of recipes on Pinterest. A. LOT. And most of them that I've tried are pretty disappointing. It should be a rule that if you're going to "pin" a high class food photo to your recipe, that it should TASTE like something at a high class restaurant. But there are no rules on Pinterest, so the false advertising continues.
The photo for this one-potLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-21513837283492106202015-01-02T14:06:00.002-05:002015-01-02T14:24:09.745-05:00Ian Knauer's Meatloaf RecipeWho is Ian Knauer? I haven't the slightest idea, but he's put together a fabulous meatloaf recipe that is truly delicious! Most folks balk at the thought of meatloaf. They shun the jolting memories of a hunk of meat covered in sugary ketchup. No longer, my friends, no longer must you run. This recipe is fit for a crowd, considering it calls for just over two pounds of meat! However, if Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-69190926271454144862014-07-01T16:57:00.002-04:002014-07-01T16:57:20.399-04:00Farm LifeI've never lived on a farm. I've never even spent the night on a farm. I've probably spent less than 6 straight hours on ANY given farm. But I'm pretty sure I live the farm life.
How so?
Well, each day I rise to the squawk of a rooster. She's only 7 months old, but she'll let you know it's time to get up. Sometimes the sun isn't even out, but she's busy at her morning duties.
Then my Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-648467555800182062014-06-25T21:15:00.000-04:002015-01-02T14:24:20.574-05:00 Chocolate Chip Cookies {Cake} Recipe
This is the second time I've used Sally's recipe and honestly, the results are so perfect and consistent that I can't help but blast it from the rooftops,
BEST. CHOCOLATE. CHIP. COOKIE. EVER.
No really. Seriously, why aren't you getting out the ingredients right now?! The first time I used her recipe, I made two 9" round cookie cakes in pie pans. They were dense and delicious. I Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-81060016794769613942014-06-17T22:44:00.001-04:002014-06-17T22:44:27.681-04:00Giving Credit Where Credit is DueGood game, Satan. You really know how to bring it. Some days I wish I could fight dirty like you, but that's just not how my team plays.
Satan is a formidable opponent. Surprisingly, I didn't realize this until the last month. I've often erred on the side of caution, reserving very little credit for Satan doing much of anything.....because I'm supposed to believe that my God is bigger than Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-52834038109610433992014-05-13T22:09:00.003-04:002015-01-02T14:24:37.336-05:00Chicken Parmesan RecipeFound this recipe on AllRecipes.com! It's rare that a dish gets a solid five stars after so many reviews, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I think the author measures out a bit more ingredients than are required, so I changed it a bit to avoid waste.
Despite being labor intensive, this recipe is a keeper. I made everything during nap time and then refrigerated the dish until dinner. Even though Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-33593947694799922202014-05-05T15:25:00.001-04:002014-05-05T15:25:08.377-04:00Freezer Mashed PotatoesI LOVE real mashed taters. It's true. They are amazing. But I have always hated the effort. Lazy, I know.
I've made this recipe a few times for others and am finally getting around to making a BIG amount to freeze later. Usually I half or even third the original recipe when making it, but this time I went all out with 11 small-medium potatoes. To save even more time, I don't cube them, I just Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-59359472675292961082014-04-21T13:56:00.002-04:002014-04-21T13:56:10.601-04:00I've Been Doing It Wrong All My Life!
Sally's Ingredients
I needed to whip up some cookie cakes for this weekend. Of course, one of my pet peeves about cookies is when they aren't soft. Cookies should ALWAYS be soft. ALWAYS. Most times, I can create a soft cookie, but chocolate chip cookies have always defied my best attempts. No matter what I add, I can't get it right.
But, I needed to get over that fear, so I decided I would Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-68680210393327870542014-03-30T15:52:00.001-04:002015-01-02T14:24:53.095-05:00Crock Pot Hibachi Chicken & White Sauce RecipesThis isn't a common recipe on the web. Sure, there are lots of recipes for Hibachi, but VERY FEW for crockpots. So I wasn't really sure what I was going to get when I dumped all the ingredients into a gallon ziplock the night before. Here's the original recipe from Designed by Dawn Nicole. Here's my version.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (breasts work too), trimmed Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-74043676975570328672014-03-27T16:44:00.001-04:002014-03-27T16:44:34.574-04:00DIY Ruler Growth ChartIt seems like these are all the rage! They are all over the blogosphere and honestly, I can see why. THEY ARE SO EASY! No really. E.A.S.Y. And they can be done over time without a lot of supplies, so you don't have to worry about your project junking up the dining room or garage or wherever you get your craft on.
Supplies
6'x6"x1" Board. You can find these at ANY home improvement store. Look Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-772408514546516772014-03-19T16:48:00.001-04:002015-01-02T14:25:09.369-05:00Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin Recipe
This recipe from AllRecipes.com was nothing short of AH-Mazing! We used the 2-pack of tenderloins from Costco and planned to have a good amount of leftovers....but that didn't happen. It went well with some mashed potatoes and broccoli (with cheese, because we are cheese lovers).
Ingredients:
2lb pork tenderloin
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1c water
3/4c red wine (or 1 mini bottle)
3Tbs Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-47330058281121625442014-03-19T15:07:00.000-04:002014-03-19T15:07:02.474-04:00Toddler Neck Pillows PatternLast week as we drove my family back to the airport, Sophia did something that she rarely does. It's so rare, that I've never considered how I could improve the process....She fell asleep. In the car. What?!
We've all seen pictures of toddlers and children with their heads slumped forward while sleeping in carseats. I know I personally would get a ridiculous crick in my neck, but kids don't seemLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-24759336667982773422014-03-16T17:05:00.000-04:002014-03-18T17:06:17.315-04:00Reversible Car Seat Ponchos
Sophia isn't a fan of posing...
These have been a lifesaver during our unusually cold and LONG winter! I'd read all of the warnings before on how dangerous it is to put kiddos in their carseats with puffy winter coats. Here's a link for more information just in case you haven't heard/seen the possible effects if you're involved in an accident. Blankets are great, except that if your child can Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-54832152442156143592014-02-01T17:44:00.000-05:002014-03-19T18:54:27.367-04:00Curb Appeal: Porch Complete
Our front porch is finally complete! Check out this post from last March if you're just joining us! We started the project in October 2013 and had high hopes that it would be finished within 3-4 weeks. Sadly, our amazing JELD-WEN Craftsman 6-Light Camber Top door was on back-order from the manufacturer, so we had to wait....and wait....and wait. In the mean time, ourLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-10202389671738676152014-01-30T14:23:00.000-05:002014-03-19T14:24:51.459-04:00Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe: Perfect. Every. Time.My stepmom, Marti, has the best recipe for cut-out sugar cookies. The BEST. She said that it was given to her when her kids were younger and she needed something tried and true. After years of making these cookies, the recipe remains the same! These cookies freeze well and look amazing with Royal Icing. They are soft and chewy even after you've had them out for a week.....if they last that long Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-5400976080924001942014-01-21T20:54:00.000-05:002015-01-02T14:25:26.472-05:00Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole RecipeChicken Broccoli Rice Casserole by Money Saving Mom has a few more steps than I like in preparing a freezer meal, but I LOVE that Crystal's recipe makes 4 batches. That's right, I said FOUR! One for you and three to give away!
Her recipe calls for cooked amounts of food, which wasn't very helpful to someone like me who doesn't know a whole lot about how much raw is required to make cooked Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-41209994100116519432014-01-21T20:43:00.001-05:002015-01-02T14:25:39.372-05:00Crock Pot Mongolian Beef RecipeThis recipe by Who Needs a Cape was SO simple to assemble and did not require any prep beyond opening containers. In short, this is my kind of recipe! I made two bags since you'll use a full jar of hoisin sauce with a double recipe. For this meal, I only defrosted and cooked one of the bags.
I followed the recipe with only one substitution (shallots in place of onions), and the crockpot was Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-71201556046588757972014-01-16T17:26:00.002-05:002015-01-02T14:26:00.419-05:00Pioneer Woman's Hamburger Soup RecipeThis recipe was GREAT. Despite the time it took to chop everything, it was easy to throw together for the actual cooking part. It helped that I could chop throughout the day as time permitted. It made a ton! The wonderful thing about cooked soup is that it is perfect for freezing. I was able to make two gallon freezer bags (with 4 cups each) in addition to what we ate for dinner that night. ThoseLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-433746718610431702014-01-16T17:06:00.000-05:002015-01-02T14:26:25.085-05:00Pioneer Woman's Bowtie Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Source: Pioneer Woman
I've heard about this pioneer gal for some time. Seems like she's got some fabulous recipes out there, so I thought I'd click over to her site and take a look. I really enjoy her writing style and her attitude toward food prep. She appears confident but not obsessive, which I would love to become!....both parts....confident in cooking and no longer obsessive about Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-16860725596562538002014-01-01T16:37:00.000-05:002014-01-06T16:39:43.004-05:00Affordable Care Act and Free Breastpumps: 8 Questions to Ask
So you've heard the buzz since 2012, but still aren't sure how the Affordable Care Act covers your breast pumping supplies. You're not alone. The requirement for all private insurance carriers (excluding Medicaid and WIC) went into effect August 2012. Although it sounds simple, each insurance company is allowed to tailor its contracts to cover breast pumping at 100% with certain LIMITATIONS. InLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-2157367364902791722013-11-26T16:14:00.001-05:002013-12-03T20:18:26.861-05:00The Difference 3 Weeks Can Make
"Abigail is so feisty! During her diaper change, she put her legs out in a plank position, and her stomach was rock hard! I don't remember Sophia being this way!" -Brian
He's right. Sophia and Abigail are VERY different babies. So different that it's almost night and day.... but that would make total sense based on their gestational ages at birth.
Sophia was born at 36.5 weeks.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-88067687846748133432013-11-20T23:07:00.000-05:002014-01-10T23:12:32.645-05:00Abigail's BirthWe made it to 39 weeks with just a handful of contractions since we stopped the medication at 37 weeks. The day we went into labor, I hadn't had any contractions at all!
It was a Sunday night, November 17th. Brian had just left with Sophia to pick up our weekly pizza for an easy dinner. I was upstairs cleaning scrubbing baseboards.....feverishly. I'd started to have these shocking pains that Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-18163685949417757072013-11-07T14:00:00.001-05:002013-11-07T14:00:38.384-05:00God Meant It for Good (...and the Importance of Child-Proofing)I admit that I've heard and said such a phrase countless times, usually following a trial where the outcome (and even the trial itself) seems pleasant, or good, to me. But what about all the trials and consequences that don't seem or feel "good"? Are they not also under the sovereignty and direction of God?
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.
Romans 8:28 Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-142054759538596223.post-28137171475537705072013-09-20T13:51:00.003-04:002013-11-25T18:50:15.331-05:00Having a Plan: Pregnancy UpdateOne thing I know incredibly well about myself is that I like to have a plan: a plan to clean, a plan for meals, a plan for sewing....I even have a plan for my closet (it's organized in ROYGBIV). Plans make me feel prepared and safe. They reinforce the fact that I've thought through things that could become problems down the road and I've given specific thought toward how to remedy said problems. Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638971624709137376noreply@blogger.com1