Recipes

I am not a very strong cook.  I don't really like to cook even.  It'd be fine if I didn't then have to clean up the gigantic mess I ALWAYS manage to make.  I do however have a few tried and true favorites that I enjoy making.  I thought I'd post the recipes here so that I can just forward the link the next time someone asks for them.
No fancy photos.  Read the above statements.  I can barely managed finishing said items and cleaning before company arrives.  I certainly can't manage photos too.  Maybe one day I'll come back and add some.  When my ever faithful photographer is on hand. ;)


The first I can't take any credit for at all, but it is always a big hit so I'll share the link for the recipe.  It's Rachael Ray's Loaded Baked Potato Salad.  The recipe was made for a crowd.  Like a block party crowd. I usually half it for our crowds, and it works out well.  I also cheat and use already cooked bacon pieces.
The next few are all ones Erin shared with me first.


Red Salsa:
2 jalapenos
1 can of original rotel
2 cans of fire roasted garlic tomatoes
1-2 tbls of garlic salt

Boil peppers 5-10 mins until soft, remove stems and blend with all other ingredients.

Keeps fresh for 7 days.

I buy the 14.5 ounce cans of tomatoes.  You can use any kind of tomato.  If you're feeling fancy use fresh.  Again see the above statements about my level of fancy-ness.  The original recipe was for one big can of whole tomatoes.  This is just the best mix I've found.  Depending on how hot the peppers end up you can add more tomatoes or peppers.  I use the food processor to blend it up.

Frozen Pie
12 oz. of cool whip
1/2 can- to a can of sweetened condensed milk(I think you should just add this to your personal tastes-I did about a half of can)
1 frozen drink mix(partially thawed...not rock hard, but not liquid) whatever you like...my favorite is Strawberry Daiquiri, but we've had regular and peach margarita and pina colada.  They were all good. 
1 large graham cracker crust(usually it says something like 2 extra servings on it)


Use a hand mixer to blend all the ingredients, pour into pie crust, and freeze over night. 

Thanks to Jennifer and Nicole I've added more desserts I love for this summer out by the pool.  

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding and Fruit Pizza.  (Except I of course use packaged sugar cookie dough.)

I've recently discovered the blog Chef-in-training.  It tends to have pretty quick and easy recipes that work for me.

Okay I can't have a post with no photos at all.  Here's one of Kinley after finishing her 2nd huge slice of Coconut Cream Cake from the blog mentioned above.  She's pretty sad.

I can't believe I almost just forgot my most requested Buffalo dip.  

"The Dip"
2 packs cream cheese (I usually buy store brand 1/3 less fat kind)
6-8 oz shredded chicken (can use prepackaged already cooked kind or cook your own)
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese (6 oz gets mixed in 2 oz for top)
3/4 cup buffalo sauce (I use franks hot sauce)


Mix buffalo sauce and softened cream cheese, add chicken and cheddar cheese.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 15 minutes take out and sprinkle with last of cheese then put back in for 5-6 mins to melt cheese.  
Enjoy!

You people might have to start making your own now that I've shared my secrets.  ;)  Anybody else have any recommendations for quick, easy recipes for the summer?

The only birds I'm fond of:

The Peacocks.

They came to visit!  We loved every second of it.  There just weren't enough seconds for my taste.  We've got to make this happen more often.

Piled up watching Rio:

We shared one of our favorite spots:

And topped it off with lunch at an iconic Atlanta eatery.

We miss you guys already!

Recent Sewing

For a swap on my sewing forum.

Excuse the big gumball in her cheek.

Swap too.

A swimsuit.  A PURPLE swimsuit.  That won't show her bottom or ride up.  Very exciting.

Other stuff from another swap.

I've sewn more for swaps than my own kids.  Need to get busy.

Finally!

Kinley puts her face in!  With no tears!!!

School's out for summer!

Picked KB up from school for the last time until August.  Today was field day.  She was pretty excited.  Friday we're meeting at the park instead of a regular school day.  Should be interesting.

Tee Ball

I'm gonna be honest.  Getting two kiddos up and out of the house complete with all the attachments needed for an early morning tee ball game is not my cup of tea.  However, I can't help but have a good time once we get there.  It really is the most entertaining 60 minutes of our week.  It is hilarious.  And I'm totally proud of our little one.  When she tries hard, she does awesome.  Way better than I could do now, and she's only 4 years old.  Since her uniform, helmet, bat, cleats, etc are all about twice the size of her I think she does very well.  

We're so thankful that so many of our loved ones have made it out to watch her games.  She has loved every minute of it.  She really enjoys her cheering section.  Here's a few videos for those of you who have missed them.

Here she is warming up:

You can see how keeping an eye on what everyone else is doing slows her down.  LOL!  

A little hit and skipping down the base line to Andy:

A great hit:

I'm so thankful that she has clearly inherited Andy's athletic nature because this mama lacks any skill or grace in that area.  The best news is that all the hand eye coordination she's been building at tee ball has greatly improved her tennis abilities.  ;)

Relief

It's been a crazy last month or so for the Bell Family.  Kinley had a cough that started back the week of Sophie's birthday.  8 weeks the poor kid hacked.  She visited the doctor 3 times.  She had a fever of 102-103 for over a week.  We never got any answers beyond allergies.  She missed about 2 weeks of school.  It was pitiful.  In the middle of it all Sophie got an ear infection.  Which cleared up almost immediately once she had an antibiotic.  The very day after Kinley got better, we left the girls with Nana and Papa and headed to North Carolina for a wedding.  Of course as I was dropping them off, I started to break out in a rash.  14 days and 3 different doctors later, I am finally feeling better today.  Still no answer as to what caused this either, but we should hear something back next week.  

Random cuteness updates from the last month:

We made a trip to Yellow River Game Ranch with the Turners.  It was lots of fun.

The Easter Bunny left a sand box:

It's good times.  :)  So is the Rockin' Baby Mullet blowing in the wind.

Sophie is a mess:

She finally decided to start walking!!!

Excuse the messy playroom.  ;)

We broke out the sprinkler.

Which was a reward for trip number eleventeen to the pediatrician office.  Have I mentioned that we're looking for a new pediatrician?  I'm debating switching to McDonough Pediatrics after some recommendations.  I just can't decide.  We've loved our doctors for the last 4 years, but up until this point my kiddos have been healthy.  The way they managed Kinley's care this last month has left me very, very disappointed.  Sophie gets all the germs Kinley brings home already, so I have a feeling we'll be making more sick visits in the near future.  Decisions, decisions.

One final silly photo:

Sophie sporting some of Kinley's shoes.