Easy creamy chicken slow cooker recipe

So I can't find my mom's recipe anywhere online but here's a similar recipe and photo:


1.5lb chicken cubed and into bottom of crock pot
whisk together 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/4 cup Italian dressing (I used Caesar bc I didn't have italian on hand since moving), 1/4 cup dry white wine, 1 can cream of mushroom soup. after combined and smooth, pour on top of chicken and cook on high 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

EASY!
Make spaghetti or any noodles and dish onto plates and top with chicken and sauce from crockpot. even my kiddos loved it, which is saying something!

Traditions

LOVED this post from Erstwhile dear on Holiday Traditions

7th Anniversary

So I have been seeing these commercials for Forever Mark rings and about promising Forever....found this refreshing. What if all marriages really were committed to Forever, till death do us part. Everyone says it in their vows, but how many of us keep this promise? The answer is discouraging and disheartening. But it starts with me and you. On my anniversary I recommitted in my heart to being in this marriage forever and ever. And I'm thankful that I know my husband feels that way too. I think our world would change if everyone would really make this commitment.

With that said, no, I didn't get a diamond ring on our anniversary.
This is more what our night looked like. Monday night half-priced ribs, garlic mashed potatoes and coleslaw. And it was PERFECT.

A little news................

Goodbye and Hello

Well, things have been very busy around here and they are about to get even busier!
Here's a little recap and update:

March was a spring break trip to Arkansas with most of the Jones sibs and also an initial contact on a possible job opportunity for Joe out of state.
April brought Easter, a visit to this new church's Good Friday service, news that we were pregnant and then very soon after confirmation that we miscarried.
May brought an interview at the Indiana church, good times with family, house searching, lots of praying and trusting the Lord in these various ups and downs.
June brought us to the point of listing our home - having a showing everyday during the first week of listing - then a lull and a lot of fear in me, then a trip to Taylor University for summer camp and then the right family came through the house while we were gone and put in an offer. So we went under contract on our IL house while out of state (in IN), came home and put in an offer on a home in Indiana while back in Illinois (oh the irony!) :) And went under contract on that home.
July brought inspections in both homes, a reunion with my closest college friends, a little vacay with Joe for my birthday and celebrations with family for said birthday. I TURNED 30...............ahhhhhh.
No really it's not that bad, I'm just being dramatic.

Through this whole process, the good, the bad, the ugly, I have just had to come back time and time again to the faithfulness of the Lord in providing for us every step of the way through comfort during pain, clarity and wisdom in decision making, opening doors for buying and selling within days of each other, in giving real peace in the midst of big and hard choices for our future. He's been there and guiding us every step of the way. Why do I ever doubt? What a great reminder for me as we move forward and take yet another leap of faith.
I'm  not a big blogger, I just do some now and then and try to keep up with friends through it, so I know I won't be  missed, but I am definitely going on a hiatus through this season of moving out and moving in but I will try to keep up with instagram and facebook, so you won't miss me too much  ;)

Pray for us if you think of it as we transition jobs and houses and all of that. We will miss our little home on Illinois St and our church and family and friends and yet we are so excited for this new opportunity and the new people we will meet and serve alongside at the church.

10 Steps to becoming a Morning Person

A good read and good tips at huffington post
Now I actually need to stick to them!

Rise and Shine: 10 Steps to Becoming a Morning Person

BEST pasta salad ever.

Just had this pasta salad at a birthday party and it was AMAZING. you don't even want to know how much I had.....
I'm going to make it for the next party I attend or maybe just make myself a bowl of it asap?!

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped pecans $
• 1/2 (16-oz.) package farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
• 1 pound fresh broccoli $
• 1 cup mayonnaise $
• 1/3 cup sugar $
• 1/3 cup diced red onion
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved $
• 8 cooked bacon slices, crumbled $

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
2. 2. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
3. 3. Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets from stems, and separate florets into small pieces using tip of a paring knife. Peel away tough outer layer of stems, and finely chop stems.
4. 4. Whisk together mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add broccoli, hot cooked pasta, and grapes, and stir to coat. Cover and chill 3 hours. Stir bacon and pecans into salad just before serving.

Southern Living 
SEPTEMBER 2011

Library Love

We LOVE our Library - here's a couple pics - a new bouncy book we found and some pics of Noah in storytime. So thankful for all that they provide to the community for free! We love going there!

Put on That Swimsuit

A good read over at The Mom Creative

Put on that Swimsuit

This Guy.

Happy Father's Day to the teacher of all of life's essentials: camping, dirt biking, fishing, nature walking, rock skipping, hockey watching (and playing), wrestling and fort building.
But most of all the teacher to our family of following Christ's example, reading to us from His word and loving us selflessly. We are so blessed.

Hilarious.

Had to share this post from Scary Mommy.......it's just too funny.

Quite Possibly The Best Letter From Overnight Camp, Ever

397 COMMENTS

BY LIESL TESTWUIDE

Last year, my eight year-old son went to summer camp. It was the first time he had been away from home for more than a night. An hour after I dropped him off, I missed him. By the time I went to bed, I found myself wandering into his bedroom, just to feel close to him.

As the days passed, I wrote to him daily. Each hour dragged as I’d wait for the mailman, hoping for just one letter from him. By that point I missed him so much, I began to imagine what he might write.

I fantasized I would receive a letter something like this:

Dear Mom,

Thank you so much for letting me go to camp. I have learned so many cool things, like how to take a fish off the hook, tie sailing knots, and how to groom a horse. Thanks for packing sun screen. I’ve been out on the lake a lot, so it’s really come in handy. You think of everything! I’ve been drinking tons of water since it’s so hot. See? I do listen to all your good advice.

The other boys in my cabin are really smart and nice. I’m making  lifelong friends I will cherish forever. We’ve had fun learning camp songs, playing cards, and catching frogs in our free time. During quiet time, I read the book you sent along. What a great selection! 

Like you suggested, I’m trying a lot of new foods. You were right, the oatmeal at breakfast isn’t bad if I add raisins. And don’t worry, Mom, I’m using all the manners you’ve taught me over the years.

We’re camping under the stars tonight. I hope to see fireflies.

I love you,

W

xxoo

P.S. Tell my brothers I miss them! 

The next day I received an actual letter from him. It was just slightly different from what I imagined:

 This year I’m sending a whole book of stamps to camp with him.

Can’t wait to see what he writes!

About the Author...

Liesl, publisher of the website Hairpin Turns Ahead, uses humor and humility to write about navigating life’s twists, turns, and inevitable changes.  A divorced mom of three, she has come to accept that even though her white-picket-fence dream life blew up in her face, it was probably the best thing to have happened.  Follow Liesl on Facebook, Pinterest,and Twitter.

Ballet

We LOVED the park district ballet classes we have taken. Ms. Katrina is awesome and Lucy loves the little girls in her classes too. Going to miss it this summer but hopefully there will be more classes to come in the fall! Seriously, when it comes to dancing Lucy is all in, no nerves - just all joy. It is so fun to watch and it makes me so happy to see her doing something that makes her so very happy.

Lately.....

Bike rides, walks to parks, store, library, playing with friends and just spending lots of hours outside. We greatly missed the sunshine and warmth so we are taking FULL advantage now!
Next place to hit - the pool! Will be the first summer with both walking at the pool - wish me luck!

Newest little man!

Don and Sara had their newest little man - Luke Matthias Jones - born a month early on Saturday, 5/24. 6lbs 12 oz, he is a peanut. Praising God that he is here and healthy!

Surprise Baby Shower!

Two good friends planned an amazing surprise shower for Sara - a month before she was due - but only days before she actually gave birth! What a special time to celebrate this new little one! R & M did such a great job planning the evening - everything was lovely and all I had to do was get Sara there at the right time and bring the lollipop centerpieces (thank you pinterest!) Here are a few pics from the evening:
(Thanks Roe!)















We got to do these great foot baths with these two items - I'm hoping to order some tonight as gifts, they were lovely!
Arbonne invigorating sea salt scrub and unwind bath salts: 




Thankful for these ladies and for our friendship - even from no kids to lots of kiddos - what a blessing!!

GREEN Smoothie?!?

I cannot believe I jumped on this band wagon. I've always been anti-health nut stuff and this green smoothie craze.....but our local grocery store has a juice bar/smoothie, etc. and I actually tried a sample and LIKED it. WITH KALE IN IT. Yeah so I started changing my mind on all this and walked slowly by the juice bar and memorized the ingredients in some of the smoothies and then bought them and made my own the next day. And I also referenced some blogposts I'd seen about what those ladies throw in their smoothies and so I went for it. AND LIKED IT. seriously this is baffling to me.

I put in kale, dark green romaine, some fresh pineapple & a little of the juice, a whole mango & juice and I little milk just to keep it liquidy and a little creamy.
Welp, will probably do it again tomorrow and maybe this time try banana and pineapple with my greens - woot!

Rimmel

Loving my last Rimmel finds at walgreens!
A pink lipstick and 2 bottles of nail polish (buy one get one half off so I spent $2.25 total on those?!)
It literally dries in 60 seconds - I was amazed. Having kids makes it impossible for me to paint my nails and not mess them up - so this is a lifesaver as far as my nails are concerned! And I could even paint Lucy's since she can't keep her hands still for longer than 60 seconds, yay!

RIMMEL Kate Moss Rosetto #08

 source


RIMMEL 410 I Lilac You
source

Six biblical truths for toddlers

 Another great blog post from Melissa at Your Mom Has a Blog!
Here's the list of 6 - go to her blog for the details. It's a great read for anyone with kids!

1.  The Bible is God’s special book.  

2.  You and I are sinners.  

3.  Jesus died on a cross and came back to life.  

4.  The Bible is one big story. 

5.  Heaven is for real.  

6.  God keeps His promises. 




source

Books on my list!

Need these books ASAP!! Let's be honest - this whole mothering and house wife-ing thing is no joke. I can use all the encouragement, advice and help I can get! All good book suggestions welcome!




Read the bio here
Video intro to book and free study guide here




source & to order




loved fit to burst so want to get her other book - here

Four Cheese & Bacon Mac-n-cheese

LOVE this mac and cheese from Family Circle Magazine - posted this recipe in a random post around 4 years ago? So thought it was time to post again. This is a family favorite around here. Try it - you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients

• 1 box (1 pound) cavatappi
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 tablespoon  unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 2 cups  2 percent milk
• 1/2 teaspoon  onion flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon  salt
• 1/4 teaspoon  pepper
• 1/2 pound  sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup  shredded colby-Jack cheese (4 ounces)
• 1 cup  shredded mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
• 8 slices Kraft Deli Deluxe American cheese (6 ounces)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 3-quart broiler-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling.

2. Cook cavatappi 8 minutes in boiling water, then drain. Meanwhile, in medium-size saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6 minutes. Transfer to paper towels. Carefully pour off drippings, returning 2 tablespoons to pan. Add butter.

3. Whisk in flour until smooth. In a thin stream, whisk in milk. Stir in onion flakes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. In large bowl, toss together cheddar, colby-Jack and mozzarella.

4. Remove milk mixture from heat; whisk in American cheese and 1-1/4 cups of the cheddar mixture. Toss bacon pieces with remaining shredded cheese.

5. In pasta pot, combine cooked pasta and cheese sauce. Pour half into prepared dish. Sprinkle with a generous cup of the bacon-cheese mixture. Repeat layering.

6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil and broil 3 minutes, until top is lightly browned. Cool slightly before serving.

Recipe and photo from Family Circle