Slow Cooker Challenge: Week 1

I knew trying to find a recipe I waned to try for the slow cooker would be difficult but I didn't think it would be this hard. I am kind of a picky eater, at least compared to most average Americans. My mom was not fond of certain foods and I therefore I am pretty biased too. I almost never use red meat (poor Justin) or fish, and try to use fresh ingredients as often as possible. I was browsing Pinterest one night and found a recipe for slow cooker macaroni and cheese. This is the recipe I used and here is my version.

1 1/2 Cup Milk

1 12oz Can Evaporated milk

1/4 Cup Butter (half a stick melted and brought to room temp)

3 Large eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

3 Cups shredded Fontina cheese (I used Cheddar)

1/2 Lb. Elbow macaroni (boiled for 5 mins only)

1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese

pepper and other spices

I started by shredding the cheese, I bypassed the grater and went right for the food processor (my favorite kitchen gadget)

Spray the slow cooker or grease with olive oil then mix butter, eggs, milk, salt and evaporated milk and whisk till smooth.

Add the cheese (not Parmesan) and the noodles and mix to combine.

Top with Parmesan cheese and pepper (and other spices if you want) Cook on high for 30 mins. Switch to low and cook another 2-2 1/2 hours. The original recipe says that it should only sit on warm for 30 mins, I have no idea why but I'd follow it anyway.

When it was finished mine had quite a bit of oil or grease sitting on the top so I grabbed a paper towel and mopped all of the excess up. After that I browned about 1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs with a touch of olive oil and spread over the top of the macaroni.

My macaroni didn't quite look like the picture I had with the recipe. It made 4 really good sized portions, good for having people over! Justin said he'd give it an 8-9 out of 10, and then said he might want to change it to a 10 out of 10. Needless to say Justin put his stamp of approval on the recipe. I would give it a 7-8, I felt like it should have been more creamy. My favorite part was the really cheesy parts. Although I liked it I would probably still go with Kraft (even though it's terrible for you) because the prep and cook time is a lot more convenient.  All in all I would have to say another slow cooker success!

January Craft: Memory Box

One of my goals for this year was to complete one creative/crafty project a month for the entire year. The project doesn't have to be big, time-consuming, or even expensive. I was having a really hard time deciding on what I would do this month. Originally I wanted to complete a sewing project, I even got out my fabric stash and stared at it for quite some time. My project finally came to me, a shadow box frame with memories from our honeymoon to Mexico.

Here are the supplies I used: A shadowbox frame, pictures, coins, cruise cards, a map of Puerto Vallarta, stamps, ink, scissors, sand, glass bottle, and double-sided tape.

Here is the finished project that I'm going to hang up in the bathroom, where the sand from our other destinations is displayed. I used the double-sided tape to attach everything to the frame backing. Just when I started to debate about putting the glass in the frame (if I did the bottle of sand wouldn't have fit) I stepped on it... and it shattered, so I decided I wasn't going to use the glass after all. This came together quickly and was relatively inexpensive since I received the frame as a gift for the wedding. I had hoped this resolution would keep my creativity alive in such a busy world. I can't wait to find inspiration for February!

UP NEXT: SLOW COOKER CHALLENGE WEEK 1

Slow Cooker Success!

The Slow Cooker and I have a love-hate relationship so far. I would LOVE to use it more, but I HATE that nothing has turned out they way I wanted... until now! I was determined to get something right in the slow cooker, and decided on pulled pork sandwiches and homemade fries. There are a ridiculous amount of pulled pork recipes out there but after a lot of searching I found one simple enough for me. I found mine on foodnetwork.com my go-to site for recipes.

Pulled Pork

4lbs boneless pork shoulder (although mine said boneless, I found one while shredding the pork)

Spice rub (I used paprika, pepper, garlic, salt, use any rub you have)

Sliced onion (I used 1/2 red onion)

Enough water to cover pork

Allow 7-8 hours to cook on LOW (mine cooked for 7.5)

Oven Fries
1 russet potato per person
1-2 T olive oil (I never measure)
salt, pepper, garlic powder
cook in 400 degree oven, flipping once until golden brown.

WARNING: once you make these fries you will never be able to go back to frozen fries, so be prepared.

Put the lid on the slow cooker and DON'T PEEK! at least not for the first couple of hours, so you don't lose heat.

About 35-40 mins before you want to eat wash and cut the russet potatoes into wedges. Toss with olive oil and spices and place on foil lined baking sheet in 400 degree oven.

After 15 mins be sure to flip the fries otherwise they'll stick to the foil. Return to the oven and cook until as brown & crunchy as you like. Try to time the fries to come out right before you want to eat, they are best when hot out of the oven!

Fish out all of the pork from the juice, get rid of the fat and slightly shred the meat.

 (mine pretty much fell apart with little to no effort) Add your favorite BBQ sauce, toast buns, and top with cheese.

I totally forgot to take a picture before digging in, at least you know that means it tastes AWESOME!

This recipe is 100% Husband Approved, Justin couldn't wait till the pork was on a sandwich to try a bite.

As some of you know last February I did a February Photo Challenge (one picture a day for the whole month) I wanted to keep my tradition alive although I needed something that involved less time since the baby is on the way, but still challenged me. My February Challenge this year is to cook 1 Slow Cooker meal a week, and blog about it step-by-step. So here's to February, hopefully I will improve my relationship with my slow cooker and eat some good food!

Baby Update!

 Here we are in the home stretch of waiting for this little guy to arrive. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that he will be here in about 2 months (or less!) I have been watching my belly grow for quite some time, although most people couldn't tell until late October. Here are the pictures I've taken of my growing bump so far. I haven't been consistent about taking them although I wish I had been.

Now here are some questions answered.

How far along are you?  I am currently 30weeks and 6days along (probably more spesific than you needed, right?) or about 7 and  half months.

How do you feel? Good, other than some uncomfortable stretching around my ribs

Do you have a name picked out? No, We have a few we like and are waiting till we meet this little guy to decide on one.

Do you have everything ready? Not yet, although I would like to be totally ready.

When are you due again? March 16th

Are you excited? of course! I can't wait for him to be here!

Here I am today!

Today I had another doctors appointment and the baby is looking good! He has a strong heartbeat and really likes to wiggle around. The doctor said he has flipped head down now which is good, and it means more kicks to my ribs are on the way!

Holiday Crazy

This holiday season has been quite busy for Justin and I. We drove down to California to spend Christmas with our families. My Family flew to California, and Justin's Mom, Step-dad, and siblings live there. We also have 3 sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends galore to visit while we're in town. I wish I had pictures of everything that went on, but I spent time enjoying the moments instead.

Justin gathered together my brothers and cousins, and created his own backyard football team. It was Justin and the younger kids vs. the bigger kids. They had tons of fun in the huddle trying to decide who to pass to next. They only had one minor injury and Dr. Justin was there to get things all fixed up.

Justin also found some time to tell stories to the kids, they all had fun telling their own stories too. When my aunt Jill saw this gathering she said "It's too bad they don't like him at all." They all love Justin (with the exception of Sydney...) and it's easy to see why I fell in love with him too.

We had a baby shower a few days before Christmas since we had the whole family together, which doesn't happen often. Everyone was so generous and we came home with a car packed to the gills with clothes and toys for our little guy.

The decorations were so simple and so cute! my mom and aunt made the blocks from boxes and scrapbook paper. The Pooh bear on the motorcycle was made by my mother-in-law Laurie-ann. It's made from a bottle, burp cloth, blanket, mittens, and diapers.

Somewhere in the Christmas crazyness we found time to take family pictures with both families. The pictures with the Hart family were taken at Craig Park in Fullerton by John Fredette (Justin's uncle, and the same photographer who did our engagement pictures) see his other awesome pictures or more from us at http://www.photography.johnfredette.com/

The pictures with the Croft family were taken at La Mirada Regional Park, by Forest Ferkin (The same photographer who did our wedding photos)

Christmas was a busy time but we enjoyed spending time with both families and our friends too. We hope you enjoyed your holidays as much as we did!

Christmas is Coming!!!

Early this month we took a trip to temple square to see the lights. There were so many people there, and tons of lights. It really helped to kick-start our Holiday spirit!

Justin and I also decided to get a real Christmas tree this year!!! After getting it home we realized there were a few branches in the way of it fitting in the stand. Justin decided to grab our saw (attached to a leatherman) and hack off the branches in the kitchen. My job was to put the lights on the tree. Together we put on the ornaments.

Of course we could not get through a holiday without a DIY project. At the top I made a Christmas candy wreath, it was easy although time-consuming. I also made a simple advent calendar to countdown the days till Christmas. Last but not least I transformed a tablecloth into our tree skirt.

We also made Gingerbread houses with the Abbotts, it was so much fun especially since I have never done that before. We had no rules and tons of different candy supplies, and then let our imaginations roam free.

We hope you are enjoying your holidays as much as we are. We also cant wait to visit California and all of our family and friends there!

A Birthday & Thanksgiving

MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I have been a total blog slacker, and I'm here to catch-up. This year I turned 21! which is exciting although it doesn't matter as much as it does in the regular world. To celebrate my birthday we went out to dinner with Justin's family to a chinese restraunt called Jasmine. The food there was great and chinese is my favorite!

Justin ordered the caterpillar roll (not made with actual caterpillar)

My baby bump (about 22 weeks)

On my actual birthday justin brought home these! a dozen red roses. He also got me an early birthday present this summer, my very own screen printing maciene. I can't wait to use it! (any project ideas?)

THANKSGIVING!

Despite the cold on Thanksgiving morning we ventured out for the anual Turkey Bowl. Although I had no clue who was winning it was fun to watch, and Justin escaped with only a bruised knee and foot. Then we headed to Kim and Kathy's house for dinner and to break in their new ping pong table. (Kim's early Christmas present)

Talena trying a bite of cranberry sauce, I missed her sour face wich was hillarious!

The boys were so excited to have so many football games to watch in one day.

My contribution to Thanksgiving was a pumkin cheesecake, it was delicious.

(will post recipie later)

Hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving as much as we did, we can't wait until Christmas!