Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Doesn't that look yummy? Let me tell you from experience it is DELICIOUS! I think that this may be my new favorite dessert! This photo and recipe were found at Taste of Home.

Ingredients:

1 fudge brownie mix

1 pkg. (10 oz) peanut butter chips

2 pkgs. (13 oz each) miniature peanut better cups

4 cups cold 2% milk

2 pkgs. (5.1 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup creamy peanut butter

4 teaspoons vanilla

3 cartons (8 oz each) frozen whipped topping, thawed (I only used 2)

Directions:

1. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions; stir in peanut butter chips. Bake in a greased 13x9 pan at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Let cool; cut into 3/4-in. pieces.

2. Cut peanut butter cups in half (when I do this again I am just going to crumble them) and set aside 1/3 cup for garnish. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Fold in 1-1/2 cartons whipped topping.

3.  Place a third of the brownies in a 5-qt. glass triffle bowl; top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top. Repeat layers twice. Cover with the remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups. Refrigerate until child.

*I did not use the whole pan of brownies and when I added the brownies I crumbled them somewhat.

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

These are a HUGE hit in my house! I found this recipe Mel's KitchenCafe.

* Makes 6 wraps*

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked rice, warm
1 cup chicken, shredded (cooked)
1 can black beans, rinsed
4 green onions
2 green or red peppers
1/4 cup cilantro
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheese
sour cream
burrito-sized tortillas

Mix rice together with chili powder, cumin, and garlic salt. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and sour cream. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-in. border around edges, then arrange chicken and rice mixture down the center of each tortilla. (We like to put sour cream in our wraps) Roll stuffed tortillas, leading edges open. Spray the tortillas all over with cooking spray.

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Arrange wraps seam-side down, in pan and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps.

Teacher Gifts

I found this cute gift idea at...no where else, but pinterest! (I am addicted, I know!) The idea can be found here. I had the boys help me make up these cute gifts for their teachers and one for their principal. 

If you go to the site you will see that I expanded on the idea a little bit. Instead of using a clear plastic bag to put the stuff in I got these great 31 bags (they were having a special and I got them for $1...you can't even by a gift bag for $1!) that can be used over and over again. Then we filled the bag with peppermint patties, mint gum, mint tick tacs, and mint lifesavers. I printed out the following poem and had the boys sign their name:

Thanks for your commit-"mint" to help me learn. 

Thanks for your encourage-"mint" to always do my best. 

Thanks for your involve-"mint" in my life. 

Thanks for your invest-"mint" of time and energy    

to make school such a great place to be. 

Thanks for making each day an enjoy-"mint". 

Thanks for helping to create a nice environ-"mint"

for me to learn and grow.

Everything you have done has really “mint” a lot to me!!!

We then included a Christmas card with a fun gift card in it for them to enjoy!

Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken

I found this awesome recipe here. This was even a hit with my kiddos! I made a few changes to the recipe, if you want to see the original one go here. I served this over rice and let the kids top it with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese.

1-1/2 lbs. chicken breast
14.4 oz. can diced tomatoes w/ chipotle chilies
15 oz. can black beans
1/4 cup cilantro
14.4 oz. chicken stock
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. salt

Combine chicken stock, beans, tomatoes, cilantro, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper in crock pot. Season chicken with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Remove chicken shred and return to crock pot.

DIY Ruffle Scarf

I found this fun DIY Ruffle Scarf on Pinterest. There are a couple different once posted on pinterest, but here is the one that I followed.

Here is the finished project. I plan to gather the scarf with a fun pin.

What you will need:

t-shirt (XL or 2-XL)

paper plate (9 in.)

scissors

Trace the paper plate on your t-shirt and cut out.

Stack all circles on top of each other.

Cut your circles into spirals. The thicker your spirals the shorter your scarf will be.

Separate your spirals and find the center. If you want you can use one of the spirals to gather the scarf or you can use a fun pin or whatever your heart desires. :)

HAPPY SCARF MAKING!

Long time...

It has been over 1 month since my last post and I apologize for that. I can't believe it has been that long! I just don't know where the time has gone! It seems like only the other day I did a post, but apparently NOT!

With the busy holiday season just around the corner I have been busy making plans and have been finding lots of fun DIY projects on pinterest that I want to try in the new year. Do you have any fun projects of recipes to share?

Granola

18 oz. box of Wheaties
9 cups quick oats
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup coconut
3/4 cup wheatgerm
1 1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1.  Combine the Wheaties, quick oats, almonds, coconut, and wheatgerm
2.  Mix together and heat oil and honey. DO NOT BOIL! When hot, add vanilla.
3.  Pour over the other ingredients and mix well.
4.  Bake in a large roasting pan @ 300 for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

DIY Christmas Ornaments

I found this fun project on pinterest. Not only is it fun, but it is also super easy. Here is the actual blog with the directions that I followed for this project.

This is the finished project

You will need the following items:

It is very important that you use the correct Pledge Floor Finish w/ future shine. It has a blue lid. According to the blog with the directions this is the only one that they know works. Another kind may work, but I don't know. I also read that Mop and Glow works too, but I used the Pledge.

Take your clear ornaments...

Remove the top...

Put some of the Pledge in the ornament and swirl it around and then turn it upside down so that the excess drains out.

Next add the glitter of your choosing (I chose to do blue and purple and I chose Martha Stewart Glitter). I found it helpful to use a funnel. Put in extra so that it coats well. Then dump out the leftover to be used for the next one. 

When finished put the top back on the ornament and then you are ready to decorate! :)

Teacher Survival Kit

With the start of a new school year this year I decided that I wanted to make something special for my kids teachers. I got both my boys (kindergarten and 2nd grade) to help out. I found this idea on pinterest and adapted it to the way I wanted it.

This is hard to read...her is what it says...

Animal cookies for when your classroom seems like a zoo

Band-Aids for when things get a little rough

Chewing Gum to help you stick to it

Crayons to color your day bright and cheerful

Candle for when you are up late grading papers

Eraser to remind you everyone makes mistakes

Lifesavers For when you've had one of those days

Mounds Bar for the mounds of confidence you give your students

Paperclips to hold it all together

Pencil to "write your wrongs”

Rubber band to remind you to be flexible

Shiny Penny to remind you that each will shine in his or her own special way

Starburst to give you a "burst" of energy when you need it

Tissues to wipe away the tears...yours and theirs

Toothpick to help you "pick" out the good qualities in others and yourself,

And a prayer for you to say at the start of each day

The above is a prayer I found online for teachers that I included inside the box.

Both Teachers LOVED this idea!

Creamy Italian Crock-pot Chicken

1 pkg. dry Italian dressing
1-1/2 lbs. chicken breast
1 pkg. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken
1/4 cup water

1. Place chicken in crock-pot.
2. Mix water and seasoning, pour over chicken.
3. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8 hours.
4. Add cream cheese and shred chicken.
5. Serve over noodles or rice.

Menu Plan Monday...on Tuesday

I am participating in the Organized Junkie Menu Plan Monday. You can read all about Menu Plan Monday here. This is my first time doing this, but I thought that it would be fun. This week is kind of crazy for me, so I am not trying any new recipes. I am just going with some old standbys. Be sure to check out Menu Plan Monday as there are a lot of different sites that share their menus for the week.

Better late then never right? Last night was a little crazy with it being Halloween and everything and I just didn't get around to getting this post done. Here it is now though...

My Weekly Menu:

Monday- Creamy Italian Chicken w/Rice (I made some adjustments to this recipe. Will update the recipe soon with my adjustments.)

Tuesday- Chili w/Rice

Wednesday- Crispy South West Chicken Wraps (this is a new recipe)

Thursday- Creamy Chicken Pockets (this is a new recipe)

Friday to Sunday- Visiting Family :)

I also made some super yummy Black Bean Veggie Burgers to have for lunch throughout the week with a Chipotle Ranch dressing.

Black Bean Veggie Burger

I found this yummy recipe at allrecipes.com

Ingredients:
1 (16 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 onion
3 gloves garlic
1 egg
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Preheat over to 375 and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.

In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.

Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

Place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

~ I like to eat these on a tomato basil wrap with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle ranch dressing.

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

1 chipotle chile w/ adobo sauce
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt

Place all ingredients in a blender; cover then blend until smooth. Use immediately or refrigerate in a covered container. Dressing may be kept, refrigerated, for up to one week.

Parmesan Rosemary Pinwheels

Don't they look yummy? These are a super easy, yummy appetizer that goes with just about anything.

Ingredients:

1 can Pillsbury crescent rolls

1/2 cup cream cheese

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon rosemary herb mix or 4 teaspoons fresh rosemary

1. Preheat oven to 375. Separate dough into 4 rectables. Press seams to seal.

2. Place cream cheese in small bowl. Add parmesan cheese and rosemary. 

3. Mix well. Spread each rectangle with 2 tablespoons of cheese mixture.

4. Starting at short sides, roll up each rectangle, pinch edges to seal. Cut each roll crosswise into 6 slices for a total of 24 slices, cut side down. 

5. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

I was given this recipe years ago when I attended a Pampered Chef party.

Creamy Italian Chicken

I found this recipe at Crock Pot Girls.

You will need the following ingredients:

4 Chicken Breasts (can be frozen)

1- 8oz. package Cream Cheese

1/2 stick of butter (I did not use this, I just sprayed crock pot with Pam)

1 package Dry Good Seasons Italian Dressing

Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

I served this chicken over rice. This was a hit with my family!

Menu Plan Monday

I am participating in the Organized Junkie Menu Plan Monday. You can read all about Menu Plan Monday here. This is my first time doing this, but I thought that it would be fun. This week is kind of crazy for me, so I am not trying any new recipes. I am just going with some old standbys. Be sure to check out Menu Plan Monday as there are a lot of different sites that share their menus for the week.

My Weekly Menu:

Monday- Pork, Saur Kraut, Mash Potatoes, and Green Beans. (add chicken bouillon and garlic powder to green beans)

Tuesday- Beef Tips over Noodles

Wednesday- Messy Lasagna (all the ingredients as regular lasagna excepts instead of layering it with lasagna noodles I use a different kind of pasta and just mix it altogether.)

Thursday- Meat Loaf and Scalloped Potatoes

Friday- Out

Saturday- Leftovers

Sunday- Pizza

An UNORGANIZED Week!

This blog is title "My Organized Life...or Not" The "or Not" is in the title for a very good reason. There are times when my life is not organized, times where it is anything BUT organized and this is one of those weeks!

I spent the weekend away on a girls weekend and didn't get home until Sunday evening. Sunday afternoons are usually my time in which I meal plan, clothes plan, make my grocery list, go the the store, look over my week, get papers ready for school, and whatever odds and ends need to be put together. Since I was not home to do that this week it didn't happen.

Because when I got home Wednesday evening doing work was the last thing on my mind. I mean I was sleep deprived after all since I just spent the last 2 nights with girlfriends! However, I did regret the fact that I did NO organizing come Monday morning when it was time for breakfast...NO MILK!!! Ever since my feet hit the ground running Monday morning I have just felt out of sync and not organized.

I still feel like I could use more sleep! I did make a yummy Creamy Italian Chicken this evening for dinner that I would like to share with you all, but like my last sentence just stated I need sleep! So, you will need to wait a little longer for that recipe. :) My hope is to share that with you all either tomorrow or Friday.

Happy Organizing!

DIY Canvas Silhouettes

I found this idea on pinterest this summer and thought that it sounded like a fun idea. The idea came from here.

Supplies needed:

11x14  canvas

paint- 2 colors (I used white and blue)

paint brush

camera

Steps:

1. Paint the canvas all white and let it dry for a day.

2. Take a photo of my subject and print out an 8x10 size photo and cut it out.

3. Tape the photo lightly to the canvas.

4. Paint the canvas blue. (Be careful around the edges, so that the paint doesn't get underneath. I got better with each canvas that I did.)

5. Pull photo off of canvas.

Stuffed Taco Shells

I found this recipe for Taco Stuffed Shells here.

Ingredients:

1-lb. ground beef

1 pkg. taco seasoning

4 oz. cream cheese

12 large pasta shells

1 cup salsa

1 cup taco sauce

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips

3 green onions

1 cup sour cream

** Instead of large pasta shells I used 1 box of medium shells. Instead of the 2 different cheeses I used a taco blend shredded cheese. I did not use the green onions.

Step 1:

Cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and allow to cool. While burger is cooking cook the pasta shells according to package. (My recipe then says to drain pasta and toss well with butter. I DID NOT toss with butter.)

Step 2: 

Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Step 3:

Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.

**I did not want to take the time to do step 3, so instead this is what I did...

In a bowl I mixed my pasta shells with my meat mixture until the pasta was well coated. Place the mixture in the baking dish and cover with taco sauce.

Step 4:

Cover and bake in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes.

Step 5:

After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips and shredded cheese on top. 

Cook for about 15 more minutes. Serve with sour cream, additional salsa, black olives or whatever you think goes with tacos.

T-Shirt Scarf

Yesterday at my MOMS group a friend of mine had on a t-shirt scarf that she had made. It was so cute and sounded easy enough that I thought I would give it a shot. I went to Michaels today and got some different color t-shirts for $2.50 a piece.

All you need is your t-shirt, a ruler (not a must but helpful), and a pair of scissors or a rotary cutter. I used an adult small t-shirt. If I do it again I would probably by an adult medium or large t-shirt just so that my scarf was a little longer.

First you need to cut off the shirt right below the armpits and cut the seam off of the bottom of the shirt. Then cut the shirt into 1" strips.

Each strip will look something like this.

After all of your strips are cut take each one and stretch it out.

I took one of the strips and cut it apart to wrap around all of the strips and knotted it to keep them all together.