Google says today is:
OK. So to commemorate this day, I made Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Filled Cupcakes. Yeah, they are cupcakes, but it’s still cake!!
I did try something new with the cake. This is just a box mix, but I saw a tip on how to make it more like a bakery cake. Instead of water, use milk, instead of oil use butter, and add an extra egg. It does make a difference.
So grab yourself a slice of cake and enjoy the day!!
I’ll be celebrating ALL day!!
Good Morning!! Yep…another week, the last week of January already, can you believe it? Now that it’s tax season, I’ll be volunteering at the library on Friday afternoons to help prepare tax returns. I found this organization that offers free tax preparation, and the training is free as well. I started my training last week, and it’s a great little group of ladies who will be working out of the library. It’s something I enjoy doing, and in turn helps people get their taxes done…and…I only have to walk across the street 🙂
Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
MOVIE I’D LIKE TO SEE:
Zootopia. This movie looks really cute and funny too.
LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK:
I did make the Chicken Parmesan Baked Penne, and it turned out really good. Here is the recipe.
Chicken Parmesan Baked Penne
1 lb. Penne Pasta
1 lb. Chicken – seasoned with Itailian Season
1 25 oz. Newman’s Own Tomato & Basil Sauce
½ cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 cups Shredded Itailian Cheese
Fresh Basil
Mix cooked Pasta and cooked Chicken with sauce.
Drizzle Olive Oil at the bottom of baking dish.
In baking dish, layer:
½ pasta mix
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup Itailian cheese
Sprinkle basil on top
Repeat.
Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
FAVORITE BLOG POST:
I found this story about a New Brunswick Jeep Club volunteering their time during the blizzard to get doctors and nurses to work at the local hospital. How cool is that? That’s how it should be…I got a jeep, there’s a blizzard…you need a ride to work…hey, I’ll drive you!! 😀
You can read the story here. Jeep Club Volunteers Drive Hospital Workers During Winter Storm
THIS I HAVE TO TRY:
I always come across these tips, and think now that’s clever. But then I forget about them. This I have to try, and now that they are posted on my blog, I can look back and try some of these, this one definitely. I hate cleaning the fridge!!
When things get gross, just rip out the liners and add new ones. Brilliant!!
FROM THE CAMERA:
More pics from the little trip to the beach with my daughter.
Yeah…about that…
OK…so technically she is not on the ice, she’s actually right at the edge, there’s sand under that snow.
I wonder how heavy one of those ice sheets are. The smooth edges and the shapes are amazing!!
QUOTES: 
Hello everyone…it’s a cold one again. Didn’t want to get from under my nice warm covers this morning!! We have the day off today from school, but of course I’ve got other things to do. I have some shelves I need to organize, and am working on our taxes, which is something I actually enjoy doing!! Enjoy your week!!
Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
Snow Squall? What the heck is a snow squall? I think they are starting to make things up now, lol. OK Google…what is a snow squall? A snowsquall is a sudden moderately heavy snow fall with blowing snow and strong, gusty surface winds. Huh…should be fun.
WHATS FEEDING MY BOOK ADDICTION:
Just finished Hide Your Heart by Tracey Alvarez. This one was pretty standard, she’s hiding out and healing from an abusive relationship. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t settle down, he’s not made that way…until he is. What I liked was story took place in New Zealand, so that was different. Also the main character was a former model, but now restores cars with her brother, and was quite the mechanic, and could wield a chain saw. The male main character was a photojournalist, which he explained as “Photographers capture nouns; photojournalists shoot verbs.” I need to find a good suspense to read, haven’t done that in awhile.
LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
RECIPE I WILL TRY THIS WEEK:
I will try this one this week, I bought the ingredients when I went shopping. I even have fresh basil to use…my boys will probably ask why there are leaves in the food 😐 Looks yummy. I am also trying a different sauce. I normally use Prego with all my Italian dishes, this time I bought a Newmann’s Own sauce. I really want to try the Bongiovi brand one of these days, I think Target sells it. Bongiovi as in Jon Bon Jovi!! I saw him and his dad on one of the cooking shows, the sauce is their family recipe. Anniehow…Chicken Parmesan Baked Penne is what’s on the menu this week.
FAVORITE BLOG POST:
This is incredible. This woman is beautifully strong. I couldn’t imagine being that flexible.
THIS I HAVE TO TRY:
If this works, it will be amazing. I love to make Deviled Eggs, but hate to peel them. Also, this would work great when I make soft boiled eggs, you could probably use warm water, so that they stay warm.
FROM THE CAMERA:
He is literally chillin’…I love the seagulls out here!!
© 2015 Liv’s Photography
QUOTES:
Hey There…looks like winter has finally arrived. We had a little bit of snow on Saturday, and now it is fa-reezing!! Single digits with wind chills below zero. We might get more snow in the next couple of days!! 😀 Everyone is feeling better, now I feel like I can get my new year started!!
Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
WHAT I HAVE READ:
Underwood, Scotch, and Wry by Brian D. Meeks. This was one of those ones that Amazon advertised on my Kindle. I want to read more things out of the norm, and this was just that, but I liked it. Very dry, sarcastic, snarky humor throughout.
Arthur Byrne is a 50-ish year old Lit Professor, who doesn’t like anything, he says whatever he wants without apology. He likes to talk about literature and is a published author himself, of one book. He hasn’t written since, because he claims he has forgotten how. The Dean of the college wants to get rid of him, because she feels he doesn’t represent the fine reputation of the school. She has him to teach a class on Social Media, thinking he will totally fail, since he abhors technology. He does find himself in a compromising situation, which isn’t hard, since he does drink a lot. If only the depiction of campus life was embellished for entertainment’s sake, sadly I’m sure it was spot on. Beyond that, I enjoyed all the social media talk in this book, the character as a writer, and the relationships between him and his TA’s and how social media bridges the age gap, as they communicate through twitter.
LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
RECIPE I HAVE TRIED:
I did try the Classic Chicken and Noodle Casserole, and it was very good. I think I would add maybe a little more pepper to it. It’s good re-heated as well.
CLASSIC CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE
Serves 8
Ingredients
1 pound egg noodles
2-3 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 (14 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup *
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen peas and carrots
3/4 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/3 cup seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic salt
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
* I used cream of celery soup as I do not do mushrooms at all.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375∫ F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook egg noodles according to packaging directions, or until al dente.
3. Drain and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine soups and heavy cream and stir together to mix.
5. Add frozen vegetables, cheddar cheese, cubed chicken and egg noodles, and season with garlic salt and pepper.
6. Pour mixture into a large casserole dish and lightly tap it against the counter to remove air bubbles and smooth it out.
7. In a separate bowl, toss together breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of casserole.
8. Place baking dish in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and sauce is bubbly.
9. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with more cheese.
This is what I want to try next…Ice Cream Bread. Never thought you could bake ice cream, looks interesting!! Maybe when it warms up….like in the 30s, LOL.
FAVORITE BLOG POST:
I thought this was so clever. With all the cooking vidoes that you see, this is so creative, I would love to have one of these!!
FROM THE CAMERA:
This is my youngest son’s Ice Bear…I think he’s the only one enjoying this frigid weather.
QUOTES:
It’s always sad to hear when a musical legend passes away.
“Time may change me, but I can’t trace time.”
R.I.P
David Bowie
His music will live on…this one still streams on my Pandora
Happy New Year!! I rang in the new year with a horrible cough and cold, along with my kiddos. It has knocked me out for the past couple of days, so needless to say, we did not get back to school today. The bright side…at least we all had it together. It seems I am always hit with something like this right in the new year, while I am eager to get things done. Ugh!! The sinus pressure is the worst, it’s time to get the Sudafed coursing through my veins so I can function today…well what’s left of it 😐
Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
MOVIE REVIEW:
This is what the boys and I watched on New Years Eve. This was such a cute, clever movie with a good message to it.
LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:
RECIPE WOULD LIKE TO TRY:
I’m in need of some comfort food, and this looks so delicious right now!! Definitely going to try this once I venture out to the store for some real groceries.
Classic Chicken and Noodle Casserole
FAVORITE BLOG POST:
How an Introvert Makes a Phone Call
This is spot on!! I thought it was just one of my quirks. So glad I’m not alone!! I’m also one who puts too much thought into making a call, I always wonder what the other person might be doing at the time I want to call them. When I convince myself that they are probably busy and I probably shouldn’t bother them, I don’t make the call, LOL. One of the comments on this article was “I don’t get it. i just pick up the phone and dial. the rest comes naturally.” If only 😐
CLEANING TIP TO TRY:
Salt to Clean an Iron: Remove sticky residue on your iron with salt. Simply turn the iron onto the hottest setting without steam and run it over salt sprinkled on paper or a cotton towel. Has anyone tried this?
I knew there was an easier way. The last time I cleaned my iron, I used a straight razor and my ‘Ove’Glove with the iron on, to scrap off the yucky stuff. Not an easy task, going to try the above tip, since I noticed it needs to be cleaned again.
FROM THE CAMERA:
© 2015 Liv’s Photography
QUOTES:
Carrie Ann Alexis 