Foodie Friday: Goulash

Have you ever had those days where you don't want to cook anything fancy and you don't seem to have much in your cupboards?  Well, I have those all the time it seems like.  Then, a blog I follow, One Crazy Cookie posted a recipe that reminded me of one my mom made growing up.  There's nothing better than a meal that brings back good childhood memories.  My mom didn't cook too many things from scratch since she worked full time and had a long commute to and from work.  But this was one of my favorites.  Want to know the best part?  It's super easy!!!!!!  You can add different things to your family's tastes.

(sorry for the oh-so-fantastic pictures, my digital camera's battery is dead so I have to use my cell phone and I am by far not a pro picture taker, and then this was taken when we did the leftovers)

1 lb hamburger

2 cans tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes (with green chilies to add some flavor)

1 1/2 cup elbow macaroni

1 can corn

1 sm. can mushrooms

1 packet ranch seasonings

minced onions. 

Cook macaroni.  Combine ranch packet, onions, and hamburger, brown it. Drain hamburger and add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and corn.

Add drained macaroni and stir. Heat until it warmed through.

You can omit the corn and mushrooms, and even the ranch and onions but they add awesome flavor.  If you don't want the tomato taste to be too sharp, add some sugar (about 3-4 Tbsp) to neutralize the acidity of the tomato sauce.  Also, if you want to spice it up, try some rotel tomatoes, or you can used Italian diced tomatoes and add other seasonings.  Play around with the recipe until you find what you like.  I love that it can be so simple and versatile.  Pretty much anything goes.  Also, some shredded cheese on top would be scrumptious.  Adding some zucchini or other veggies would be wonderful so when your garden is overflowing with zucchini plants, add them in (and send a few of those zucchinis my way because I love them, but have no gardening talent whatsoever) My kids wolfed this down and willingly ate it for leftovers the next two days.  I had planned on freezing the rest but they loved it so much I didn't have any left to freeze.

You can find this awesome post linked up to the following Fantastic Parties:

DIY Thursday: Snowman fingerprint ornament

Hey Tiffany here! Last year I was searching the internet for homemade ornaments using fingerprints and I came across a tutortial on how to make fingerprint snowmen. I thought it was really cute idea so I decided to make my own. I ended up making an ornament for our tree, and then one for each set of grandparents using my then 3 year old fingerprints. These are really easy to make and the kids love to lend their fingers!

I ended up using an ornament that I already had, but one the tutorial I saw they had used a big clear ornament and had filled it with pretend snow. I used my daughter's middle finger to get the biggest fingerprints. You just place three prints one on top of the other. I made three snowmen and then rubbed some white paint along the bottom of the ornament to form the "ground". I also sprinkled some glitter over the top of the top just for fun and to add some sparkle. Once the paint is completely dry  I used a small brush and painted on the black hats and noses. I used a sharpie to make the eyes and buttons. To complete the ornament I tied on some red ribbon. The grandparents LOVED it and I have to say that I love mine as well :)

You can find this awesome post linked up to the following Fantastic Parties:

Wild Card Wednesday: Elf on the shelf

Elf On The Shelf

Tis the Season for our friend Chippy the Elf to come and visit us.
He is always watching to see who is naughty or nice.
When my kids got up one morning there was our elf sitting on the table with his favorite things to eat.

Chippy brought us his favorite foods. snownuts and hot chocolate with marshmallows.

We had so much fun at our North Pole breakfast and I hope all of you get your elf soon.
Santa told me they are all in the mail on their way.

You can find this awesome post linked up to the following Fantastic Parties:

Sweet Tooth Tuesday: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bread

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bread

Fall is my favorite time of year!  This last week we got a little teaser of fall with some nice cool, rainy weather.  It get me all in the mood for hoodies, jeans and pumpkin flavored stuff. (not to mention that hoodies would be more comfortable to wear now that I don't fit into any of my clothes......a few more weeks to go until our newest addition gets here!)  I have had this recipe saved for awhile and have just been waiting for a good time to make.  So I figured now was as good as ever.  I love how this combined pumpkin and cream cheese....two things that are perfect together!  It's like eating pumpkin bread and cheesecake in one bite =)

INGREDIENTS

• FILLING:
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• BREAD:
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1 cup canola oil
• 1 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup chocoalte chips (optional, but oh so yummy!!!)

DIRECTIONS

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg and milk; set aside.

•  In a large bowl, beat the sugar, pumpkin, oil, water and eggs. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips.

• Pour half of the batter into three greased and floured 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans. Spoon filling over batter. 

• Cover filling completely with remaining batter.

• Bake at 350° for 65-70 minutes (for larger loaves, if using mini-loaf pans like I like to, the cook time is closer to 30 minutes, but use the toothpick method) or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap in foil; refrigerate until serving. Yield: 3 loaves (16 slices each).

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Munchkin Monday: Snowman Ornament

My snowman melted so I hung it on  my tree :) 

This ornament is super duper easy to make so call the kids over to help you make one for all the grandparents or as cute to put onto wrapped presents for a little tag buddy. 

All you need is: white, black, and orange Sculpty, wax paper or parchment paper and thin ribbon

When using Sculpty you can't use it on food surfaces so make sure your kids are rolling their ornaments and clay onto the wax paper. 

Get a section of white roll it into a round ball and then flatten into a circle

take small sections of black and make your coal for the smile and your eyes and press into the white circle lastly make a small flat triangle for your carrot and put your nose on. You can now take a toothpick and add small details. There you are done with your melted snowman :) Make a small hole near the top of the head. Cook in your oven at 275 degrees for 15 min. Once your little guy cools tie a short loop of ribbon on and you are DONE! Yep they are that easy to make and super cute and fun. 

You can find this awesome post linked up to the following Fantastic Parties: