Happy New Year

Well, here we are on the eve of another brand spanking new year! Wow the time is going so fast, seems it was just summer! Hope that everyone enjoys a very happy, and safe New Year’s Eve, and may tomorrow start a wonderful, fulfilling year for everyone.

The Christmas Hangover

The old Christmas hangover is upon us! Late Christmas night and early the day after. Everyone’s exhausted from running around like chickens with their heads cot off! Everyone is over stuffed from all of the wonderful food. Everyone’s over loaded on sweets, and treats. It feels like the season has been 3 months long.

Now, it’s on to the New Year. In a few days it will be New Years Eve and we’ll be planning the next year of  occasions. All of the birthdays, the other fun holidays. Another year to look forward to all of these fun times again. And then, it will be fall and we’ll do it all over again! Happy Christmas hangover, get ready for a brand new year!

Merry Christmas

                           It’s the best time of year! Wishing everyone a perfect holiday season!

Owning A Home Business

One of the best things I have ever done was starting my own business, working from home. It was a huge decision, and it didn't come easy, that is for sure! I thought long and hard. And my husband was a champ, he never discouraged me, or told me that I couldn’t. I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe one thing, lol!

If you’ve ever wanted to, or even thought about it, really give it some serious thought. It’s something that really anyone can do these days. With so many options out there, there really is something for just about everybody!

Do a lot of research! Don’t jump in to the first,  or easiest thing to come along. Don’t let anyone talk you in to anything. Don’t over think. Be positive and inquire, a lot!

Good luck!! 🍀👍🙌

Encourage Each Other

This right here! It’s so true, it seems like there are many more critics than encourager's anymore. It feels so good to encourage people, let’s all keep on 🙌

Good Advice

👇👇👇👇👇👇

Crazy December

Well it's finally here, the craziest month of the year! 😁🎂🎄🎅
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love, love the end of the year. Thanksgiving, then Michael's birthday on December first, then...Christmas!

I'm so looking forward to Christmas with all of the family this year. I'll be missing our daughter, son in law, and the grand though, for sure!

The traditions are always one of the best parts.  What are your family traditions, if any? Ours are simple, mainly coffee and cinnamon rolls early Christmas morning, exchanging gifts, just relaxing with each other a bit before the hectic of the day begins, lol! Enjoy every little minute this year!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
~PM

The Big Eleven

How can my baby be 11? Holy smokes! Time sure does fly by faster and faster, it seems.
Wishing the happiest birthday ever to the sweetest, most loving, respectful and kind boy!

Too Much Fun and Food

Oh my! What a Thanksgiving week it's been.
So..Hubby got sick the night before. Thanksgiving he woke up feeling like death!  Missed everything.

We continued on to our family time, great food and too much fun! We both have really great families.
First we ate at my sisters house, then we had our second dinner at my mother in laws. It was quite a ton of food! Too bad hubby had to miss it all 😢

We made our thanksgiving dinner on Friday. Ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole. Oh, and pumpkin pie, of course! After a few days of shoveling ham in our faces, I made a big pot of white beans with the left over ham and bone. Oh they were so good! One of my favorite things to do with left over ham.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving as much as I did!
~PM

This is the best recipe!! It’s a must try, it’s basic, you can add to it. 

It’s a bit chili here today so...white chicken chili it is!! 

Ingredients

• 4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, drained
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilis, with liquids from chilis
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 
  

A few different ways to prepare this. I love the crockpot method! 

Instructions

Stovetop White Chicken Chili Recipe

• Add chicken to a 4-quart, heavy bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add chicken stock and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Shred chicken with two forks and then add back to the liquid.
• Add garlic and onion to stockpot, white beans, green chilis, dried oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh oregano. Stir until well-combined. Taste for flavor and adjust to your preference.
• Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe

• Add chicken, chicken stock, garlic, onion, chilis, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper to a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook for 8 hours on low. Shred chicken with two forks and stir in white beans and fresh oregano and cook for another 10 minutes. Serve.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

• Add the chicken, chicken stock, garlic, onions, beans, chilis, oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper to your Instant Pot and secure the lid with the vent closed. 
• Set you Instant Pot to High pressure for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then, using a pot holder, carefully use the quick release. Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and shred the chicken using two forks. Stir to combine all of the ingredients and serve.

It Is Time

It’s here!! Thanksgiving week. We wait patiently (well not me) all year. Because...Thanksgiving means that Christmas is right around the corner!! I’m so excited, I can’t wait. Every year. I’m  big old kid still. I love, love Christmas time! 🙌🌲
This week, though, we’ll concentrate on Thanksgiving. Plus, we have Michaels birthday on the first. We always try to wait and start the Christmas festivities until after his big day. But he’s all about “let’s get it going” this year!
We may have to decorate early this year.
Happy Holidays! 🙌

New Week

Start the week off right. 

🙌

Holiday Recipes~Carmel Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Ingredients

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/4 cups chopped pecans
• 1 jar (12-1/4 ounces) fat-free caramel ice cream topping
• Additional fat-free caramel ice cream topping, optional

Directions

• 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate or cast iron skillet with pastry. Trim and flute edges. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg and vanilla until smooth. Spread into pastry shell; sprinkle with pecans.
• 2. In a small bowl, whisk remaining eggs; gradually whisk in caramel topping until blended. Pour slowly over pecans.
• 3. Bake 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned (loosely cover edges with foil after 20 minutes if pie browns too quickly). Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight before slicing. If desired, garnish with additional caramel ice cream topping.

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Farmasi 🙌

Fall

How oh how is it so? Welcome all things new. 

Farmasi Products

I was recently introduced to some really great products.  Not new, but new to me. They've actually been around for well over 50 years. The company is called Farmasi, the products are made by European standards and are fairly new in the US. I've been watching for a while and have seen nothing negative at all about any of the products, all good!
I'm excited to be connected with this company, and this great group of girls! I'll be sharing too. Happy Monday!

Fall 🍁

Happy Fall 

Here’s To New Projects!

Best Is Yet To Come

Ever have that feeling that things might just get really exciting? Things are changing, new challenges, moving forward. Life throws us some curves sometimes, but it also introduces us to new and better things every day.
Keep the faith and keep on moving 🙌

Same Old, Same Old

Am I the only one who constantly asks what do you guys want for dinner? I'm so tired of  the same old stuff! I have about a trillion recipes saved on Pinterest (well maybe not that many) but I still make the same old.
Recently I started picking one or two new recipes from my boards to make each week. It's going great! Surprisingly my guys like most of them so far. Excited to try more  non traditional things.
Happy cooking!

School Dayz...

Well, one month down and all is going swimmingly! So far so good.

It’s a bit different this year for me. My son will be 11 soon, he’s now in 5th grade. He’s so smart and independent, but he still has that little boy thing going on sometimes. Boy, I’m going to miss that, already do. 

He’s growing up so fast, seems like he’ll be starting high school soon! I’m definitely NOT ready for that! I guess as moms we really aren’t ready for those next big stages that seem to come regularly. 

Hold them close while you can, time sure does fly by! 💗

Grandsons ❤️

Wow how can this day be here already?! My grandson is starting kindergarten this week! Holy guacamole, where have the last 5 years gone? I’ve got an almost 11year old son, and a 5 year old grandson. I always remember my mom saying how kids grow so fast, pay attention. Boy was she right!

Mom Life

Happy weekend Mom’s 

Summer

Crazy that we’re halfway through already! I’m ready for my favorite cool season, enough of these 100+ days!

Healthy Tip

Be You

Home Office Tax Deductions

Here are a couple of worksheets to help you keep track of business expenses and write-offs. There are a lot of resources out there to help, it doesn't have to be hard or confusing.

Back To School

Well, it's almost that time! Back to school, again...

I love that time of year. Checking out the new class, kids, etc. It's exciting.
Not sure if my boy will be as excited as me though! He is just beginning a whole new year and I'm just returning to real life after summer vacation.

There is a lot to do, back to school shopping, supplies, hair cuts and clothes. I can't wait.
Happy almost back to school time moms!!

Parenting Pre-Teens

Well. This is a hard one! Where to even start? There is so much going on with pre-teen kids. Especially these days, things are so different now. It's been a long time since I've had a pre-teen in the house, our daughter is 26 now. Our son is almost 11, so I'm getting prepared lol! Advice?

I'm so looking forward to watching him grow, but at the same time, I'm sure going to miss hanging out with him like we do now. We do spend a lot of time together. But, I can already see the little changes starting like staying in his room more, getting that look like an almost eye roll, being so much less needy. It's kind of hard. It's also hard to remember when our daughter was 11 or 12, my 54-year-old brain has a hard time remembering sometimes! 😂

I think the biggest things we can do during pre-teen and puberty time is being patient, be understanding, always listen and have a sense of humor!

I think this one is a keeper! I'll save this in our favorite recipes here. Enjoy!   👩‍🍳🥗

Break Out

This makes so much sense. 

Break out!  

Great Advice

Blessed

When you have that moment that you feel so blessed, you can't even believe it.
How lucky am I? How did I get here? 
What did I do to deserve this life I have?!
Don't question!
If you feel this way, even for a moment, you know the answer.
Don't question, enjoy it while you can.
Every time.

Fried Pickles Yes Please

Oh! Yum. You guys, if you haven’t had fried pickles, try them! Yu u uum! 

Perfect Fried Pickle Recipe 

Ingredients

• 16 oz. dill pickle slices
• ½ cup self rising flour
• 1/8 cup corn starch
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ cup cold beer pale ale works well
• 1 quart vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Dry each side of the pickles on paper towels, they’ll cling onto the batter this way.
2. Whisk the dry ingredients together, then add in the cold beer. Stir to combine, lumps in the batter are fine.
3. Place the batter in the fridge while the oil heats up.
4. Use an oil thermometer and heat 2 inches of oil in a dutch oven to 375 degrees. It’s important for the temperature to be exact. A deep fryer may also be used.
5. Once heated, fry the pickles in batches. Place about 8 pickles into the batter. Pick them up one at a time and use the rim of the bowl to rid each one of excess batter, you want a thin coating and need to be able to see the ridges in the pickle.
6. Use a spider strainer to carefully lower the pickles into the heated oil. Fry for about 1 ½ minutes, until golden. Use the spider strainer to remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all pickles are fried.
7. Serve with Ranch or Chipotle Ranch Dressing, ketchup, or sriracha mayo, or homemade Comeback Sauce

   
   

   Recipe Notes

Regular flour can be used instead of self-rising if needed.

---

Water may be used instead of beer if necessary.

Daily Care Tips

Good advice here 👇🏻👇🏻

Please Read

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Easy Minestrone Soup Recipe

Easy Minestrone Soup

1lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 stalk celery chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
4 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can white beans
Fresh spinach torn into pieces
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Small shell pasta

Brown ground beef. Add stock, veggies and remaining ingredients, except spinach and shells, to a large stock pot, add the beef and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Add shells and spinach and cook another 20 minutes until pasta and veggies are soft.
You can add anything to this basic recipe!

Encouraging Words

Use them and use them often. 

Home Offices

Do you have a home office used specifically for your business? I have the same offic I've used for years. And years! Time for a change...
Theme? I don't know.  Not really sure what to do. All of know is that I need to change it up. A lot! Lol! Open to ideas too.

Another Great Slow Cooker Recipe

You know I always love a good slow cooker recipe. Share them if you’ve got them! This was so good!! And it was a big hit with the guys. Surprisingly. Definitely worth a try! It goes a long way too. 🙌

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 5 medium potatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• salt and pepper
• 1 can chili beans, undrained
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can corn, drained
• ¼ cup water
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• Directions
1. Brown the ground beef.
2. Meanwhile, add the cut up potatoes, salt and pepper to the slow cooker.
3. Top with ground beef and spread into an even layer.
4. Add onions and garlic. Top with tomatoes, chili beans, corn and water.
5. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours until potatoes are tender.
6. Add shredded cheese and cover and heat until melted.
7. Serve.

Enjoy!! 

That Word

Little personal here. Menopause...ugh. We all dread hearing that word, men included I think! If you've been there, more power to ya! If not, don't panic!

All we ever heard growing up was horror stories about menopause. The hormone replacements, the hot flashes, the no sex drive, oh my! Well, thank goodness it's not the 60's anymore. Things have changed, for the better.

Don't worry about it, it happens, it's just another milestone in this big old journey we call life. Embrace the changes 🙌

P.S. Remind me of this...

Friday!

Happy Friday friends! 

I hope it's a perfectly wonderful weekend for you 🙌🙋🏼‍♀️😘

Weekend Time

It's Friday! What are your plans for the weekend? Does your family have certain things you do on weekends? Any special weekend traditions?
We don't really, other than baseball and BBQ!
Challenge...Find something new to do as a family. Ask the kids what they like.
You never know! Might be extra fun 😉

Little League Baseball

Where are all my little league moms?! Oh how I love these boys! We've had more fun the past 3 years playing ball than I thought possible. Michael has really lucked out with the best coaches and teammates. We've met some pretty great parents too!

If you've thought about signing your boy up, or if he shows any interest, do it! I highly recommend it.  It's also great for teaching them how to accept each other and to be fair, helpful, and work together as a team!

Here's to another great season...play ball! ⚾⚾⚾

Weekends

Happy Friday! Hope everyone has a great weekend. Looking forward to starting a new week with new goals.

Changes

Change is good. Never be afraid of it. Sometimes the best things happen with change, it can be a huge and wonderful thing. Don't hide.

Welcome! 💐

                 Welcome to my new blog!