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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Dutchoven Peach Cobbler (a recipe that turned into a photo overload)


A few weekends ago, we went up to the mountain for the first overnighter of the summer! It was LONG overdue! Let me get something straight... we used to spend every weekend on Kolob mountain. I'm not exaturating. In fact, 4 days after I was released from the hospital, after an emergency c-section... guess where we ventured off to? You guessed it.
We love Kolob. If you can't tell.
But back to the subject...
After a long day of fishing
We sat down to an amazing dinner of pork chops, dutch oven potatoes and our favorite baked beans.
These guys are great cooks!
BUT.... thats not what this post was about either :)
It is about the cobbler. The hot, yummy, moist, sweet, peachy cobbler.
It was really that good. And super duper easy!

1 box Yellow Cake mix
2 cups Sprite (or any lemon lime soda)
2 big cans of canned peaches (you can drain the juice or not, if you do, your cobbler will be a little dryer)
1 stick cold margarine

Dump your peaches in the bottom of the dutch oven. Mix the sprite and cake mix together and pour on top of the peaches, spead it evenly. Dot the top with slices of butter.
Now the cooking part is a little forign to me still, the guys did that part.What they told me they did was placed the dutchoven on hot briquettes (about 15-20) and then added 12-15 briquettes to the lid. After 10 minutes the rotated the dutchoven about 1/3 turn and rearranged the top briquettes. Then cooked for another 20 minuted, checking often until cake was set.
Serve with ice cream, or whipped cream, or plain!
then have your husband do the clean up! Because he is sweet like that :)
Nothing hotter than a man doing the dishes! ;)


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Simple Pot Sticker Dinner

Remember when I was talking about these pot stickers from costco? Yup, I am still addicted! But this time I wanted to share a different way to use them instead of eating them plain! This is the way my husband grew up eating them so he loves it when I make this!
You just need 3 things...
12 pot sticker dumplings
1 bag stir fry veggies
1 cup uncooked rice

Cook rice and pot stickers according to packages. When the pot stickers are done cooking, add the bag of veggies to the pan and cook until they are thawed. If you want, you can drizzle with some kind of chinese sauce, like sweet and sour, or teriyaki.


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Easy Kung Pao Chicken

Chinese food is a big deal at our house! PF Changs is my newest vice, but sice the closest one is 2 hours from where we are, I have to make do with what we've got! This recipe did NOT dissapoint! I am in love! I was a little worried because Kung Pao Chicken is my husband's favorite chinese dish, but he loved it too! And, it was EASY! I was suprised at how easy it was!! This will definetly make the menu for many weeks to come!

EASY Kung Pao Chicken
2 chicken breasts cut into 1 inch chunks
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 tablespoon green onions (chopped)
1 medium zucchini (diced)
1 bell pepper (diced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon powdered ginger
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts (optional)

Toss chicken chunks in cornstarch and set aside. Heat oils in a wok to medium and add chicken. Cook chicken until no longer pink (about 7-10 minutes) Remove chicken from wok.
Add zucchini, onion, bell pepper, red pepper flakes, and ginger to the wok, saute for 7-10 minutes. Add garlic and chicken to pan.
In a bowl, mix rice wine vinegar, soy, and sugar, and mix well. Add to wok and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add peanuts (optional)
Serve over rice.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Winner of the Rusted Chain Giveaway!

And the lucky winner is...

Pam from Over the Big Moon!
Congrats! Contact me at bs.stratton(at)hotmail.com
and we will get you set up with your prize!

Menu Monday

Tuesday: Taco Salad
Thursday: Fajitas and spanish rice
Friday: Date Night
Sunday: Pepperjack chicken pizza (rollover from last week)

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug!

I was CRAVING chocolate chip cookies last night! I mean, I needed one. But just one. I found this recipe and it was perfect! It was kind of more like a half baked cookie, but it tasted wonderful! This will definetly happen again!

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup
created by Melissa at No. 2 Pencil

1 Tablespoon Butter (I used margarine)
1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar
1 Tablespoon of firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar
3 Drops of Vanilla Extract (or a lot more if you are clumsy like me!)
Small Pinch of Kosher Salt
1 Egg Yolk (discard the egg white) (or make an egg white omlet to justify having a cooking for dinner)
Scant 1/4 of All Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (I did't use that many)

Start by melting your butter in the microwave. Add sugars, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine. Separate your egg and add the yolk only to your cup. Stir to combine. Add flour, then stir again. Add the chocolate chips, and give a final stir. Cook in microwave 40-60 seconds, start checking for doneness at 40 seconds. Mine takes 50 (60) seconds.

Serve warm. With ice cream. :)

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

What I love Wednesday!

Did anyone else have these at their high school vending machines? I remember sneaking our of 11th grade science to buy these with my friends! I still love the strawberry ones! I buy the mixed fruit kind for my little boy, and ever once in awhile, I'll steal a strawberry!

I bought these at target the other day and am already obsessed! I had seen them in the grocery store for awhile, but I'm so glad I decided to grab some! They are so yummy! And the perfect snack!

This is the new welcome mat for our porch! Is it sad that it took up almost 2 years to buy a mat? I love the color! It adds so much to our boring front step! I got it at target for around $12.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Grilled Zucchini

I'm all about outdoor cooking in the summer. Fast, easy, cheap outdoor cooking... ahh. Music to my ears. Our garden (like everyone else's) has been producing mounds of zucchini!
this was what I picked in ONE day from just 2 plants.
So anyways, I am always looking for new ways to cook it, this recipe is our favorite, but it's always nice to change it up!

Grilled Zucchini
5 medium size zucchini
3 TBS olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Preheat your outdoor grill to Med-High heat. Slice your zucchini into sticks, about 1/2-3/4 inch thick. toss in olice oil and sprinkle with S&P. Place skin side down on grill and allow to cook for 5 minutes before turning over and repeating on the other side. Continue to flip until the zucchini is soft.

Monday, June 18, 2012

{Giveaway} from The Rusted Chain!

I have a soft spot for hand stamped jewelry! I think it is so fun and personal!
The Rusted Chain has been SO kind to offer a $25 gift card for me to giveaway to one of my readers!
They have the cutest products! It was hard to narrow down... but here are some of my personal favorites...
Aren't they all adorable!
The Rusted Chain is worn by many celebs also! Including Tori Spelling, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Jill Connick, and many more! They have beaufiful pieces, and what makes them even more special is that they can be personalized with the names of the ones you love, or phrases that mean something to you! No more generic stremline jewelry! These are one of a kind pieces!

There are 3 ways to enter, choose one, or all 3!
1. Like the Rusted Chain and LLS on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you did.
2. Share this giveaway on your facebook timeline. be sure to leave a comment and let me know.
3. Leave a comment on this post letting my know what YOU would have stamped on your piece!
The winner will be drawn Monday June 25, 2012!
Good Luck! I wish I could win this one!

Menu Monday

Monday:  Enchilada casserole
Friday: Kung Pao Chicken
Saturday: Pepperjack Chicken Pizza
Sunday: Roast Beef and Baked Potatoes

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Saturday, June 16, 2012

{EASY & CHEAP} Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken

You will be floored at how easy (and cheap) this recipe is! Being the spontaneous person I am, I invited some friends over for dinner last night... with nothing on the menu. Oh I just love making things difficult for myself. ;) I knew I didn't have time to sit and make a huge complicated meal, so I threw this together, and it was a hit! Bonus, I had time to clean instead ov slaving in the kitchen!

Easy and Cheap Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken
14 chicken drumsticks (skins removed)
1 bottle Kraft Honey Mustard BBQ sauce
(That's it. Told ya it was easy!)

Place all the drumsticks in a large dish and cover with the BBQ Sauce. Marinade in the fridge for 1-4 hours.
Preheat your outdoor grill to medium heat. Grill drumsticks for 45 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
Seriously... how easy was that? And here's the kicker... I payed $4 for the entire package of chicken... and $1 for the BBQ sauce, making this ENTIRE dish only $5! 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Creamy Mushroom Pork Stroganoff

I love finding ways to use leftovers! I have to admit, I am the worst about wasting food. I love to cook, so most of the time, I just stick the leftovers in the fridge, with every intention of eating them, only to toss them a week later. This was a fantastic way to use the leftove pork chops from sunday! And it only took like 10 minutes to make!
2 leftover pork chops (or you could use shredded pork)
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tsp worsteshire sauce
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper (1/4 tsp if you are using fine pepper)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
In a skillet, brown mushrooms in a bit of oil. Remove mushrooms and set aside. Combine cream of mushroom soup and sour cream and bring to a simmer. Add spices and pork. Heat through and add mushrooms. Serve ofer egg noodles.


Monday, June 11, 2012

The Dating Divas E-books {$20 Promo Code for one week!!}

Have you heard of the Dating Divas? If you haven't, you are missing out! They are amazing women who have even more creative ideas on how to 'date' your husband! I don't know about everyone else, but with a 2 year old, most of our dates consist of dinner and a trip to Walmart ;) Romantic, I know!
The Dating Divas have written two amazing e-books that are wonderful for busy wives, to help strengthen your marriage and jazz up those date nights!
The A to Z guide is a great book about strengthening your relationship, making time for eachother, and just being happy together. It really helped me stop and take a look at what I was bringing to our marriage. This is a great book for anyone to read, even if you have an amazing relationship already!

The Ultimate Date Night book has SO many amazing dates totally planned out for you! Plus, there are amazing printables, recipes, and ideas that go with each date! They have great dates for everything from a big get together with friends, to a night alone with your sweetheart!
They put so much time and thought into each date to make it a lot easier on us busy wives!
We have already used one date from the book! the "Road Trip Date" on Page 176! We headed down to Vegas for my birthday, it was so much fun to play the licence plate game, and do the couple's questionnaire that they provide! Here's a few photos from our trip!


But I haven't even told you the very best part!!

The Dating Divas have hooked Lovely Little Snippets readers up with a SWEET deal! When you buy both books (using the E-Book Bundle) cart option and code LOVELY, you get $20 off!
Hurry and order...code expires one week from today!

Do NOT pass up this deal! Both books are worth ever penny! You will not regret it! I have already used both books in my home and will continue to apply them to my marriage!

Menu Monday


Monday: I have a photoshoot, so grilled cheese will have to do.
Wednesday: Dinner with my family
Friday: Date Night
Saturday: Oven Tacos and spanich rice
Sunday: Roast Beef and baked potatoes

Friday, June 8, 2012

Trading Vows {$25 Giveaway!}

Have you heard of the company Trading Vows? I hadn't until recently, but now that I have, I am on their site all the time and I am in love with their products! They specialize in wedding products, but they have so much more than that! Like this cute bag that they sent me!! I received mine just in time to take in on a little family trip we took and I loved it! I have a recent obsession with navy stripes....
It was just big enough to keep some toys, snacks, water bottles and my HUGE camera! And it was so nice to have the zipper top so I knew nothing would fall out!
My sweet husband wasn't aware that he was being a bag model. ;) But we just hung the bag off the back of our stroller and it worked so well as a catch-all for anything we needed to bring!
It worked great as a travel bag too! It held all our movies snacks and toys! The zipper also made it so my little man couldn't 'help himself' ;)
I'm excited for this summer to try it out as a 'Lake bag'... it would be a beach bag, but we dont live anywhere near the beach. ;) Seriously, it will fit towels, sunscreen, toys, snacks, camera, and pretty much anything else you need for a day by the water!
......................................
Now get this, Trading Vows has generously offered all you LLS readers a chance to win a
 $25 gift card to their site!!
How nice is that!? All you have to do to enter is comment on this post with a link to the product you would buy if you won!
Giveaway closes 11:00 am Saturday June 30th
So enter now and hopefully you will win and be able to buy something super fun!
Thanks Trading Vows!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

recipe adapted from here

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 can pineapple chunks
1 cup baby carrots
2 cups teriyaki sauce
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup water
Place all ingredients in the slow cooker on low. Cook for 8 hours. Serve over hot rice.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

What I Love Wednesday

I got these fruit peels at Target on a whim one day, they were cheap and organic, which is always a good combination. Turns out, they are SO yummy too! I even snuck a few!
I have a project that I will post soon using this spray paint. I was a little skeptical at first, but I figured it was worth a try! I LOVE the results! Now I am scouring the house for more things I can paint with it!

These wipes are pretty much my best friend. I used Lysol wipes forever, but these ones are safe around little ones, which is wonderful with an almost-two-year-old. The lemongrass smells yummy too!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Menu Monday

Tuesday: Beef Enchiladas
Thursday: Happy 4th Anniversary! (I am recreating one of our first dates)
Bowtie Pasta with Pesto, Sauteed zucchini and Brownies
Friday: Date Night
Sunday: Beef Roast and Baked Potatoes

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Font Friday


I love this font! I have had it, and used it for a few years now! I just think it is so fun and cute!

Friday, June 1, 2012

{Winner Announced} My Memories Scrapbook Software

the winner of the My Memories Scrapbook Software is....
April!
send me an email at bs.stratton@hotmail.com to recieve your gift!

And don't forget that EVERYONE can use the promo code STMMMS84668 to get $10 off!