Papa's Sisters

Hi everyone! I know, I know... I said I would update more frequently. Life has just gotten so busy lately - in a good way! We are still staying with my inlaws, but will be all moved into our new place in a week and a half. By then, my schedule will have slowed down quite a bit and I will have more time to post. I have gained a couple new freelance writing clients and have several vendor events booked for June for Five to Accessorize. I am so excited! 

For those of you who don't know, my sister and I have always talked about going into business together. Since we now live so far away from each other, it's been quite difficult to accomplish that goal. When I started my Paparazzi Accessories business, I quickly saw that this would be perfect for us to do together! Since our inventory is constantly changing, we have created a facebook group here. Please feel free to request to join! ALL adult items are just $5, and children's items are $1!!

I have been staying busy with the kids I care for and we have gotten to do a lot of fun things lately, including the Nasa Space Center. Once their mom gets out for summer break, I won't have them quite as much and will devote more of my focus onto writing and booking jewelry parties. This summer is looking to be a great one!

James has been working an insane amount of hours lately. He told me he will have over 90 hours logged for this week after his shift tonight. I am so thankful for him-- but will be glad when he finally gets his 3 day break starting tomorrow!

Well, I think that's about it as far as updates go. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

 ♥ Amber

Homemade Fabric Softener

Many of you know that I make my own laundry detergent. I also make my own fabric softener (thanks to my sis, Jennifier, who gave me the recipe!). I've been meaning to post this for quite some time now. It is SUPER simple!

Needed:

2 cups of your favorite scented conditioner (I use Sweetpea & Violet)

3 cups of white vinegar

6 cups of hot water

a container to mix and store it in (I use a tea/beverage pitcher, shown above)

You simply mix all of the ingredients together, stirring for about one minute or until all conditioner is dissolved. (Don't shake!) Use 1/4 cup per load and it works great! 

I've never done the math myself, but have heard that this comes out to be about $.08 per load. Not a bad deal!

♥ Amber

Rejoicing with others

We all want something. Whether it's big, small, or life changing, there's something that your heart desires. When you hear of someone else getting that very thing that you long for, it can make your heart sink down into your stomach. Of course you are happy for them, but at the same time it is as if you are mourning for that very thing that you lack. I'm reminded this morning that God told us in Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." 

God's promises will only come in HIS perfect timing. In the meantime, reach out and share in the emotions of others! 

Long Overdue Update & Moving

Hey y'all! It sure has been a while since my last post. Life has been crazy hectic and busy lately. I'll give a quick overview:

* I have been getting many "Congratulations on your new house!" messages lately. We are not buying a house. We are waiting until next year, because the builder we chose ended up being extremely shady and "withheld the truth" from us on several occasions. We don't want to be rushed & would rather have a pleasant experience buying our first home. Apparently word had gotten out that we were going to be buying (news sure does travel fast..) and I just wanted to clarify. We are waiting! :D

* I just got my inventory in and all items are available to purchase from my online store. Local customers can save on shipping by picking it up or I can even deliver. Just let me know what pieces so I can take them out of the shop before it's gone!

* I will hold off on meal plans for now; we are currently staying with James's parents because our lease was up and our new apartment won't be available until June. I do plan to get back to posting recipes soon, though.

All of our belongings are in boxes and either in the garage or in a covered trailer-- for those of you who know me, know my OCD is not very happy. :) I am thankful we are not in a hotel and that my inlaws are so great. With that said, I will be one happy lady when all of the boxes are unpacked in our new home!

Well, that's about all that's going on here. It's almost time for supper-- smoked pork chops, collard greens, corn, fried cornbread.. oh my!!

Hope everyone's week has been fantastic!

 ♥ Amber

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Good morning, everyone! I hope everyone's day is off to a wonderful start! As promised, here is the Homemade Chicken Pot Pie recipe that I use (which I got from my mother in law). It is so yummy! I'll get right to it.

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken

1 can cream of celery

2 regular cans of mixed veggies/Veg-all OR 1 large (28 oz) can

1 1/4 - 2 cups* chicken broth (**see tip below)

salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup OR 1 stick of butter

1 cup milk

1 cup self-rising flour

Step One:

Preheat oven to 350

Boil & shred chicken breast 

**Keep water to use as chicken broth

Step Two:

Mix together chicken, cream of chicken, cream of celery, mixed veggies/Veg-All, chicken broth, salt & pepper. (I do not drain veggies. The recipe called for 1 1/2 - 2 cups broth, but I use closer to 1 1/4.) Pour into greased casserole dish.

Step Three:

Combine melted butter, milk, and flour. Mix well & pour over the top of the chicken mixture. (Note: not every inch needs to be covered)

Step Four:

Bake on 350 for about an hour or until top is golden brown. Let cool & enjoy!

When this was cooling, I decided to go ahead and run to the grocery store. Apparently I left the lid to this Pyrex casserole dish a little too close to the counter's ledge & this is what I came home to find:

Nice, huh? Cash knew he was in trouble immediately when I picked it off the floor. This is my favorite and most used Pyrex dish! Oh well, at least he didn't get the Chicken Pot Pie! :-P

Have a great day, y'all!

♥ Amber

Meal Plan April 7th - 13th, 2013

Good morning, y'all! I meant to get this week's meal plan up yesterday, but it was quite a busy day! I will be so happy when we have officially closed on our house-- I may never want to move again! :-P

I'll get right into it. Here's this week's plan!

Sunday- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Monday- Leftovers

Tuesday- Chili Cheese Dogs & Pop Chips (Have you ever had pop chips? I tried them for the first time recently & love them! They happen to be on sale this week, so I incorporated them into the menu.)

Wednesday- Pork chops, Mac & Cheese, Veggie (I'm thinking cabbage or glazed carrots)

Thursday- Smoked Sausage, Slow-Cooked Lima Beans, Homemade Cornbread

Friday- Burritos

Saturday- Breakfast or leftovers

Sunday & Thursday's meals were moved from last week's menu to this weeks. We ended up eating at my inlaws' twice, and James took me to Cracker Barrel another night. We've lived here for over a year, and this was the first time we'd been! I used to wish we lived closer to one.. and now that we do, I don't take advantage. It sure was good & worth the wait! ;)

I just put the chicken on to boil for the chicken pot pie, so I will post the recipe along with pictures tomorrow. It makes quite a bit, and since James is working nights again tonight and tomorrow, I figured it'd be a good two-day meal. (Link added here.)

Once I have that done, I need to go grocery shopping. I don't have too much to buy for this week, since we are utilizing our stocked freezer. I've found some pretty good deals, so I plan to add a little more to the freezer for the future weeks. 

Well, I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

♥ Amber

Homemade Lasagna

Good morning, everyone! I promised to share this lasagna recipe if it turned out share-worthy. I made it last night for dinner, and it was delicious! So, here it is. :)

Homemade Lasagna

Ingredients:

-1 lb Ground beef (or ground deer, which is what I used) 

-6 Lasagna/Lasagne Noodles (both terms mean the same thing)- Get the kind that says "No boiling required" so that you don't have to add an unnecessary step

-1 bottle Prego's Tomato Basil Garlic pasta sauce (or your own preferred sauce)

-Ricotta, Shredded Mozarella & Parmesan Cheeses

-Italian Seasoning

**Note: I didn't measure Italian Seasoning or cheeses. I kind of "eyeballed" it. Use your judgement. :) I can say that I still have everything that I need to make another lasagna, minus the pasta sauce (our freezer is currently stocked with frozen deer meats)**

Step 1: Brown & Drain meat while oven is preheating to 375 degrees

Step 2: Stir in pasta sauce and about 1 tsp Italian Seasoning & add 1/3 meat mixture to bottom of a lightly greased casserole dish

Step 3: Carefully spread the Ricotta Cheese on 3 noodles, place side-by-side on top of meat, and sprinkle with Mozzarella Cheese

Step 4: Add another layer of 1/3 meat mixture & repeat Step 3

Step 5: Pour remaining 1/3 meat mixture on top & sprinkle with Mozarella

Step 6: Cover with two layers aluminum foil & bake on 375 for 40-45 minutes. Uncover & cook an additional 7-10 minutes.

Top with Parmesan Cheese & enjoy with a side of garlic bread (I made my own). Yum!

If you try this recipe, please comment below to let me know how it turned out!

Happy Friday, y'all!

♥ Amber