We had one of the best days ever at Disneyland today. No lines!, the kids were able to sit with the driver of the Monorail, and Irelyn was in part of a show. They dressed her as Frosty!
At our local Costco this weekend they are having the road show for Jose's Coffee. You get a 3lb bag for less than $10. And the coffee is really good! They have so many flavors to choose from, including Merrimint and Nutty Doodle, and they will let you sample all of them too. Get to it!
I went to the mall around 8:30am. I got some good deals for myself, bought 2 Christmas presents, and just browsed. I definitely didn't think it was very crowded this year..or maybe my timing was good. The early birds were probably already gone and the late people weren't there yet. Either way, it was another fun day of shopping with my mom and daughter.
Did you get any great deals?
This dip reminds me of the Holidays... or maybe it just reminds of family. It's really a Super Bowl type food but it is just soooooo good!
Chili Dip
1 can chili- no beans
8 oz. cream cheese
Cook over low hear until cheese melts.
Serve hot with Fritos.
Seriously- it is delish!
on Tackle It Tuesday! The pressure is just too much.
Old Navy opens at 3am this Friday! What? That is insane. Now, I have been dragged by my mom on several early morning shopping sprees. Growing up, I was usually the only one that went shopping with my Mom on the day after Thanksgiving. I've won prizes, got coupons, stuffed animals, free coffee- all for being up at a ridiculous hour and standing in line. I can remember only missing one year of shopping and that was the year Irelyn was born. I have one memory that stands out the most and that is being in line at the South Coast Plaza Disney Store at 5am. If you were one of the first 50 people in line you would receive a little stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear dressed in a Holiday sweater. Seriously?? Apparently we really needed it and my Mom left me to stand in line while she went to Macy's. And to this day, when I take that Winnie the Pooh out the box...I remember :)
My BFF and I, I mean my crockpot, like these recipes.
Check it out
WAHM crock pot recipes
This is one of my absolute favorite recipes. I have made them for several different people- picky eaters(me), kids, adults...and everyone always loves them! They can seem time consuming to begin with but once you get the hang of it they take no time at all.
Rachel Ray's Crunchy, Oven baked chicken toes(http://www.foodnetwork.com/)
Ingredients
1 cup corn flakes
1 cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice - the SECRET ingredient
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenders, 2 packages, cut into 2-inch pieces by GH (Grown-up Helpers)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup honey mustard (recommended: Gulden's)
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Directions
-Have your GH (Grown-up Helper) turn the oven on to 375 degrees F.
-In a pie pan or other shallow, large dish, pour out the corn flakes. Crush the cereal up with your hands. Mix in bread crumbs, sugar, salt, pepper, and allspice - your SECRET ingredient. Do not tell anybody what your secret ingredient is - ever! If they ask how you make your special chicken toes, tell them about everything EXCEPT the secret.
-Drizzle about 3 tablespoons vegetable oil evenly over the breading, tossing and turning it to mix the oil all through the bread crumbs and crushed-up corn flakes. Have the GH pour the oil out slowly. A vegetable oil bottle has a big opening so, 3 tablespoons will pour out pretty quickly, probably by the time you can count to 5, so watch the GH closely and count really loudly!
-Have your GH cut the chicken fingers into toes, 2-inch pieces. Turn the chicken in flour, eggs and then in the special crunchy breading. Arrange the chicken toes on a nonstick baking sheet. Make your GH go and wash their hands. Place the chicken toes in the oven and cook 15 minutes or until crisp and brown all over.
-Mix together honey mustard and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Serve hot chicken toes with honey mustard and barbecue sauce for dipping.
Here is how you play- pick the 7th album and the 7th picture in your files. I tag- Heather and Becky. :)
While digging through old boxes this weekend I came across this picture. From my Dad's side of the family. If you can't read the words below (you should be able to click on it to make it bigger) it says
left picture- Oliver Lee and Martha Ann Grissom. My great grandparents taken in Riverside, CA 1922
right picture- William Franklin and Amanda Grey Grissom. My great great grandparents. This lady is half Indian.
Some of our favorites
Playhouse Disney
Starfall
Daisy Meadows
Barbie games
DLTK Kids
Disney Channel
PBS Kids
What are some of your favorites?
This is my own Chicken Noodle Soup recipe. It is so easy, quick and everyone seems to like it.
3 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/3 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves
(I use my zyliss chopper for the above and it is done in seconds)
32 oz chicken broth
2 chicken breasts
1 lb. rotini pasta
salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot, add 1-2 T. olive oil. Saute carrots, onion, celery and garlic over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Don't let it burn. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let simmer while you cook 2 chicken breasts on a microwave safe dish in the microwave for 4-5 minutes. (This is such an easy way to cook it) Remove chicken from micro and let cool. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a separate pot according to package directions. After chicken has cooled slightly, shred with 2 forks or with your fingers directly into the soup. After draining pasta, add as much or as little pasta as you like. Season with salt and pepper.
I love this meal because it is so versatile. I can make a huge pot or a small pot. You can add red pepper flakes if you like spice. My husband likes to add hot sauce to it. And it is really delicous the next day.
Have you ever had an appliance, gadget, camera or something else in your house break and you didn't have the manual? Did you know there is a website just for this? There are over 5,500 brands listed and you can download the manuals free. Genius!!!
Safe Manuals
Tip- (from the Disneyland website)
Calling all Disneyland® Resort Theme Park Guests! If you're age 10 or older, you can receive a special offer to see Walt Disney Pictures' new animated movie, The Princess and the Frog, opening December 11, 2009. Here's how:
Guests age 10 or older entering a Disneyland® Resort Theme Park from October 5 through November 22 can present their valid Theme Park ticket or Annual Passport at one of the merchandise locations listed below to receive a special card.
The card provides details on how to obtain a certificate good for up to $8.00 toward the purchase of one child's movie ticket with the purchase of an adult movie ticket to see The Princess and the Frog at participating theaters from December 11 through December 31, 2009.
Show your Theme Park ticket or Annual Passport to pick up your offer card at:
• Disneyland® Park: The Emporium, Disney Showcase, Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet
• Disney's California Adventure® Park: Greetings from California, Engine-Ears Toys
• Disneyland® Hotel: Disney's Fantasia Shop, Donald's Gifts & Sundries
• Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa: Acorn Gifts & Goods
• Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel: Mickey In Paradise
• Downtown Disney® District: World of Disney® Store
I am actually done with Christmas shopping! This is absolutely unheard of for me. I still have the adults in my life to shop for but all of the kids are done. Target came out with their toy book and it was full of coupons and great deals. I suggest you check it out.
Tip- Tomorrow(Saturday) scarves at Old Navy are only $1
This is soooooo good!! (from my crockpot cookbook)
Chicken Noodle Soup with Sweet Potatoes
6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces (We prefer chicken breasts so I substituted and used 3 breasts)
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. marjoram
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1 14 1/2 oz can chicken broth
8 oz. egg noodles, cooked
Combine all ingredients except the egg noodles in the Crock pot. Cover; cook on low for 8 to 10- hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in cooked egg noodles before serving.
Deal Catcher
Tip- This is a great website for finding deals and coupons. Especially with the Holidays right around the corner. My favorite is the grocery coupon category. You can even search for coupons within your zip code. Check the grocery store ads on Tuesdays to see what is on sale this week and you can save even more when you buy it on sale and use a coupon!
National Blog Posting Month is here again! Last year I made it- I posted every day for the whole month of November. This year, I'm going to try to make the majority of posts about a "deal or tip of the day" Since I love to shop... I might as well put it to some use :)
Here is tip #1- if you clog your garbage disposal drain with potato peelings, stick a large plastic straw(like one from Baja Fresh) into the draining hole that is inside your disposal. Stick it in as far as it will go and move it around. Do this several times. Then take a cup full of water and pour it into the straw to see if any water will go in. Do this a few times and shake the straw as you pour. Then run lots of water and turn on your disposal- the drain should unclog itself. And NEVER put potato peelings into the disposal! (Everyone knows this but I still forget)
