Food Fixing FRIDAY!

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:

• 16 oz (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp panko
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• olive oil spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray.

Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.

Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.

Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 8 - 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 4 - 5 minutes or until cooked though.

We are not big on store bought chicken nuggets, these are healthy, taste great and the kids love them!

Link up and find some more great recipes!

Raspberry Baby Review and Giveaway!

Something I never knew about with my first two kids...
Something I believe to be a necessity to breastfeeding...
Something that makes being a new mommy easier...
{Hooter Hiders}
I bought one when I had Makenzie and I love it! It is so easy to use and conveniently folds up small to fit in your diaper bag.
{I ended up giving mine to a friend}
With baby #4 on the way, I just had to have another one of these must-haves!
So, Tiffany over at Raspberry Baby sent me an adorable gender neutral one from her shop.
Take a peek at my sister-in-law modeling it...

Not all nursing covers are made the same. Some are not wide enough to completely 'cover up.' Raspberry Baby does a great of making a quality and adorable nursing cover that is sure to give any mom a peace of mind about breastfeeding.

Here are a few of my other favorites from Raspberry Baby...

Tiffany doesn't just make adorable nursing covers, she makes adorable Ring Slings for infants or toddlers. Everyone knows how nice it is to be able to use both of your hands, even if you do have children...so if you love baby wearing, what better way to do it?!

These come in adorable colors and patterns and fit infant up to toddlers!

Tiffany is a SAHM of 3 kids and a business owner that knows how moms love to be close to their babies. She makes products that make that easier and stylish!

She also makes Hot/Cold Therapy wraps that are great at relieving stress and pain and come in adorable fabrics! They are flexible which allows the wrap to mold around you.

Another bonus about these Therapy wraps is they smell great!

 

Tiffany has so graciously offered one of my readers a chance to win a $20.00 gift certificate to her shop!

{great for yourself or a gift}

Here is how you can enter...

Head over to Raspberry Baby and check out her great products. Leave me a comment letting me know your favorite product in her shop. {mandatory}

Want a few more entries?!

1 extra entry- Follow my blog or let me know you do
1 extra entry- 'Heart' Raspberry Baby on Etsy

1 extra entry- Follow me on twitter or let me know you do 

1 extra entry- Tweet about this giveaway

4 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link

  10 extra entries- Buy something from Raspberry Berry and let me know what you bought.

***Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled and leave me an e-mail, if you aren't on Blogger***

This giveaway will end Thursday October 6th and the winner will be chosen with random.org

Where am I?

I have had some planned posts here and there, but I have been MIA....

Wanna know why??

Well....

I am finishing up 200 programs for a wedding this weekend.

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I am working hard at promoting my Etsy shop and linking with some other sites....so business has been busy...

I know I have some great readers that have also been customers, so I say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you!!!

I have a FALL SALE going on for $5 off any purchase in my Etsy shop.

Any invitation, announcement, banner, thank you cards, custom work, treat bag tags or Bippity Boppity Make-up.

{Just use the code 'FALL11' at checkout to get $5 off}

*

I have also been busy switching my business website over to my new location. The domain will be the same (when I am done) but the website is being totally redone. Since I am not an expert at HTML, and I have taught myself everything I know about it....it is taking me f-o-r-e-v-e-r!

*

Not to mention Chase starts Soccer today and Abby is in dance once a week. This makes for a taxi mama. Life is busy....but FUN!

 

 

Food Fixing FRIDAY!

 There is a giveaway going on with today's Food Fixing Friday....

Itty Bitty Caramel Apples

 RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
4-inch lollipop sticks
Melon baller
Granny Smith OR Red Delicious apples (one apple makes about 8 mini apples)
3 oz. Peanut butter chips

2 tsp. shortening

Paper towels
Nonpareils OR sprinkles
Empty egg carton

1. Cut the lollipop sticks in half at an angle (the pointy end will go into the apple pieces easier).
2. Combine the peanut butter chips and shortening in a small bowl. (DO NOT use caramel. Due to the moisture of the exposed apple, it will NOT stick!!) Heat chips in the microwave 30 seconds at a time until melted. Set aside to cool down, about 10 minutes.
3. Scoop a ball out of the apple with the melon baller, exposing a section of apple peel. Work ONLY one ball at a time, to prevent the yucky browning. (you can dip them in lemon juice to prevent browning, if you are making a lot at a time)
4. Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of the ball.
5. Pat the apple dry with a paper towel.
6. Dip and swirl the mini apples in the melted chips, covering the exposed apple completely, leaving only the peel showing. Set aside standing on a plate for 5 minutes.
7. Roll the apple in sprinkles or nonpareils. Let stand for 15 minutes to harden.
8. Place the mini "Caramel " apples in an empty egg carton and place in the fridge.

 (I got this off a blog a year ago, but can't give credit where it is due, since I forgot where I got it. If it is from your blog, please let me know)

As for the giveaway...

One lucky reader, who links up, will win a set of 5 custom cards. (blank inside)

 All you have to do is link up and I will draw a winner with random.org. 

Now Link up to find some other great recipes!

Dancing Queen!

  

They are BFF's! They both just started dance class....

 ...and they love it!

(sorry for the bad pictures, but they were taken through glass)

 

Such a cute ballerina!

 Consensus is...she loves it and can't wait to go back tonight!

Hopefully she'll follow in my footsteps and take dance for many years.

Edition II of 'Best Friends"

If we're going to be best friends....

Back on this post you'll find the first post I wrote about 

'What you'll need to know, if we're going to be Best Friends!'

I will have long hair, till I go bald!


I love camping!

I would rather hang out with my family and friends, than go out and party

{those days are gone, though I do like to go out and have fun now and then}

I have lost over 15 friends (for different reason) since High School and I don't take death very well

I am a proud mini-van driver

I am a sucker for reality TV

I absolutely LOVE pasta! 

I am slightly OCD about cleaning

I LOVE scrap-booking, but can never find enough time to do it!

 I wish it was fall for 1/2 the year.

Christmas is my favorite holiday!

 {I get to spend tons of time with family, see the looks on my kids faces, when they open presents and decorate my home}

It is very hard to surprise me, but I do secretly love being surprised!

Dates in a Marriage..

There are dates in a marriage that you don't want to forget about...like your anniversary, the date you met, the date of your first kiss, the dates you have had children....etc.....

but what about those {dates} that you used to go on before you had children

(3...almost 4 in my case)

I mean, those are important too...right?!

It can be so hard to balance life with your families and children, that you often forget about taking time to go on dates...just the two of you. 

{Please don't tell me I am the only one in this boat}

My husband and I rarely have time to ourselves, unless it is after the kids go to bed, and then I am getting tired and ready for bed shortly after.

{lets face it, days get long and after work, I just want to relax and then 'hit the hay'}

I need those dates with just the two of us. Time to remember things that you love about your spouse and be able to talk without interruptions and be able to talk about things that aren't kid related.

 {even though you end up talking about the kids half the time anyway}

Time to hold hands and look them right in the eyes when they are talking. Time to act like you have that 'puppy love' all over again.

 When we do get out for a date night, it usually ends up being with friends. We hit up a movie and get some dinner, to catch up with friends. We get to talk with adults, which is nice, but it isn't 'alone' time. 

 You just need that now and then.

I think it helps for a great marriage. Communication is key and there isn't always a ton of communication time when the kids are around and always wanting your attention.

{I wouldn't trade my kids for the world, but getting a word in edgewise with 3 kids can be difficult}

  

Marriages are like a second job, they take work, but are well worth it! They take two people giving a 50/50 effort. They take communication, patience, honesty, faithfulness, understanding and LOVE!

I don't know about you ladies, but I am in dire need of a date night. I need some hubby time with no kids...some us time!

Here's my questions for you...

How do you ladies work date nights?!

How many 'date nights' do you go on a month?

Baby Names

I have never been one to keep things quiet and I am just needing some name ideas from you all.....

We will be finding out what we are having, but we are coming up with both girl names and boy names....

Here are our top runners...

GIRLS-

Tenley or Tynlee

Kiley or Kilee

BOYS-

Grant

Jax

Easton

Blake

Ty

The middle name for a boy will be DAVID (after my dad) and for a girl, we aren't quite set, although we both like BELLE.

What are your favorite names and do you like any of my choices?! (not that your vote really matters, but I would love your opinion)

I love you all, but you probably won't be the deciding factor of out baby's name ;)

ALSO...just for fun, take a vote on my sidebar and let me know if you think it will be a BOY or a GIRL...

Food Fixing FRIDAY!

Chicken and Mushroom Fettuccini

Ready In: 4 to 5 hours (LOW) or 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours (HIGH)
Yield: 6-8 servings Ingredients

1 1⁄2 pounds chicken breast tenders 2 packages (8 ounces each) cremini mushrooms, cut into thirds 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cut into chunks 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces 1 1⁄2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish 1 1⁄2 cups whole milk 1 package (1 pound) fettuccini

Directions

1. Spray inside of 5-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange chicken in single layer in bottom of CROCK-POT® slow cooker. Top with mushrooms. Sprinkle salt, black pepper and garlic powder over mushrooms.
2. Stir together cream cheese, butter, Parmesan cheese and milk in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until smooth and heated through. Pour over mushrooms, pushing down any that float to surface. Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours or on HIGH 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours. 

Now link up for some great recipes!

Curious Georgia Review

  

 

 Curious Georgia has the most adorable clothes and personalized things! I love boutique dresses, tie shirts, adorable patterned skirt, and personalized burp cloths!

  

Heather over at Curious Georgia has a great talent for making adorable things with very cute coordinating colors. Her style and talent make Curious Georgia a unique Etsy shop that has adorable and fun clothing and accessories!

 Take a look at some of her great products!

Her girlie clothes are fabulous!

 

Who doesn't love a fun summer dress?!

How about adorable personalized burp cloths with matching onesie!?

Ruffle pants?! You don't have to ask me twice!

Fall pictures are a must and she makes great coordinating products!

  

Heather sent me an adorable set for my soon-to-be nephew. It is adorable and I just love the monkeys on it!

The set included this adorable long sleeve shirt with {my favorite} a little tie on it!

 And this short sleeve shirt with a coordination fabric, with his initial on it

And a personalized burp cloth. {love these!}

Adorable right?!

My sister-in-law just loves them and can't wait to put them on him, when he is born!

I know it is scary to say this....but Christmas is only 3 1/2 months away! 

Head on over to Curious Georgia and check out her great products. She has a huge selection and also does custom work!

First Day of School

I am not sure how this time came so fast, but Chase was off to Kindergarten this morning.

I am one proud mama. He did great and left with a smile on his face. 

This is a big thing to a mama that stays home with her kids and her kids don't know much other than being around their mama.

What a 'big' boy!

Daddy stayed home to see Chase on and off the bus.

Bye mom, I am ready!

Our neighbors at the bus stop with Chase.

Not one tear, just all smiles!

After a 1/2 day of Kindergarten

Still smiling!

We brought the daycare crew to greet him!

 

He loves school and says he is going to go for 20 years! I will have to video tape that and play it for him in middle school when I am fighting with him to get out of bed to go to school.

For now, I will enjoy my 'big' boy, who makes me proud!