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Almost Grandma’s Macaroni & Cheese

There are a list of things that I know I will never make as well as Grandma.  Believe me I’ve tired many times over to make oven fried chicken, gravy and of course every child’s favorite, Mac & Cheese.  My children’s response is always the same, “this is really good, but it’s just not quite like Grandmas.”  Today that changed.  I was jumping and cheering like a crazy woman, but I had finally done it!  After years of trying I finally made Mac & Cheese that my girls smiled and said, “it’s almost just like Grandma’s.”  Now you have to understand that Grandma doesn’t have a secret recipe tucked away in a secret cabinet with some kind of code to break, she just cooks and people love it.  She shares what she does and it always comes in measurements like a little of this or a little of that.  I am proud to share this delicious dish with all of you.  Here is Mac & Cheese to cheer about.

Almost Grandma’s Macaroni & Cheese
 
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This Mac & Cheese is sure to please the pickiest of families.
Author:
Recipe type: Side
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10-12

Ingredients
  • 16 oz. bag macaroni
  • 1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • ¼ – ½ cup milk
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
  1. Prepare macaroni according to package instructions. Be sure not to over cook.
  2. Drain macaroni and add back to pan. Add in butter and stir.
  3. Return pan to stove on low. Add cheese a little at a time, stirring as you add.
  4. Add ¼ cup milk and stir.
  5. If macaroni seems sticky add a little more milk until it is nice and smooth.
  6. Add salt & pepper.

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Chloe’s Menu

Making a menu can make a busy life so much easier.  I try to look at the activities that my week has in store and make things fit.  As we all know sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t.  I have found a great method of menu making and cooking that works great for our family.  My girls love to be in the kitchen and they love to plan a party.  They are putting those two loves together to make weekly menus.  Throughout the week the child in charge of making the menu is also in charge of helping with meal prep.  I love the smiles that come with the joy of planning and serving a meal to our family.  The girls get to set the table with their own flair and style.  We may have paper plates one night and fine china the next.  Here is Chloe’s menu with links to some of our family favorite recipes.

 

Monday

Chicken Pot Pie, Steamed Cauliflower & Broccoli  w/Cheese

Tuesday

Spaghetti & Homemade Meat Sauce, Salad & Garlic Bread

Wednesday

Hamburger & Hot Dog Cookout

Thursday

Steamed Cauliflower on a stick & Cheese Fondue

(This idea came to her after watching the Holiday episode of Holly Hobby multiple times.)

Friday

Sloppy Joes, Chips, Carrot Sticks

(We love Wildtree Sloppy Joe Seasoning)

Saturday

Pasta w/Butter Sauce, Brussel Sprouts

Sunday

Fajita Lunch at Nannies & Leftover Night

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Chloe’s Chicken Pot Pies

Chloe has been wanting to build a kid friendly Chicken Pot Pie, so last night she got her opportunity.  It was a hit at our table and there were smiles all around.  You can buy crust at the store, but we use Grandma’s Pie Crust Recipe.

Pot Pie

Chloe’s Chicken Pot Pies
 
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This is delicious and kid friendly.
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12

Ingredients
  • 1-2 lbs. bone in chicken with skin
  • 4½ cups water (divided)
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • 1 16 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables (corn, carrots, green beans and peas)
  • 1 16 z. bag frozen corn
  • 2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 -3 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • Your favorite pie crust recipe or crust from the store
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbsp. water

Instructions
  1. Boil 4 cups water, chicken, salt and pepper until chicken is fully cooked, about 20 minutes.
  2. Remove chicken to a plate and let cool. Keep broth on low heat.
  3. Meanwhile add frozen vegetables and potatoes to the chicken broth.
  4. Combine ½ cup water with cornstarch and when smooth add to broth.
  5. Remove skin from the chicken and debone it.
  6. Add chicken back to broth and stir well.
  7. Increase heat to medium and let come to a slight boil, stirring frequently.
  8. Remove from heat.
  9. Spray ramekins with nonstick spray and cut pie crust to fit inside ramekins and on top of Pot Pies.
  10. Place bottom crusts in ramekins and spoon mixture into crusts with a slotted spoon.
  11. Place top crust over filling and cut four small slits in top crust.
  12. Beat egg and 1 Tbsp. of water.
  13. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with salt.
  14. Bake @ ~425 for 15-20 minutes

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Grandma’s Pie Crust

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Grandma’s Pie Crust
 
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This is Grandma approved Pie Crust
Author:
Recipe type: Pastry Dough
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1⅓ cup shortening
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 5 Tbsp. ice cold water
  • 1 tsp. vinegar

Instructions
  1. Cut together flour, shortening and salt.
  2. Add egg, water and vinegar.
  3. Knead dough until thoroughly mixed.
  4. Divide dough into fourths.
  5. Flour surface and roll pie crust to fit 9″ pie pan.
  6. Fill and top of bake and add filling later.
  7. Baking time will vary depending on if crust if filled or not.
  8. Bake until crust is golden brown.

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Let It Rain

It has been so dry in our area lately that it has really been almost scary.  Lately when we have had chances of rain it has managed to just miss us.  Late last night after a few rumbles of thunder the drops began to fall and joy filled my heart and the heart of my family.

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Spaghetti with Chicken & Cherry Tomatoes

Chickenpasta

 

Spaghetti with Chicken & Cherry Tomatoes
 
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This is quick and easy to make. Full of healthy benefits
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast tenderloins
  • 2 Cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small can mushrooms
  • ¼ small onion, sliced in rings
  • kosher salt
  • pepper
  • ½ lb spaghetti
  • parmesan to garnish

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400~
  2. Prepare spaghetti according to pkg directions.
  3. Heat 2 Tbsp oil in skillet on medium heat.
  4. Salt & pepper chicken and place in hot skillet. Pour mushrooms and onion over chicken. Cook chicken about 4-5 minutes per side, moving onion and mushrooms around the pan as you turn the chicken.
  5. While chicken is cooking place cheery tomatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper in a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
  6. Bake 10-15 minutes while chicken and spaghetti are cooking.
  7. Drain spaghetti and place in a serving bowl.
  8. Place chicken over pasta and pour onion, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes (including any tomato juice or oil in the dish) over the top.
  9. Garnish with parmesan and serve

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Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

no bake cookies

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 12

Ingredients
  • 2 C. sugar
  • 1 stick butter
  • 6 Tbsp cocoa
  • ½ C. milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 C. peanut butter
  • 3 C. oats

Instructions
  1. Combine sugar, butter, cocoa and milk in a heavy pot.
  2. Bring to a boil for 1 minute stirring occasionally.
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in vanilla, peanut butter and oats.
  5. Drop by spoonful’s on wax paper and let cool.

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Grilling with Weber

It is grilling season!  Families all around the country are firing up their grills.  Marinating steaks, chicken, pork chops and seasoning up burgers is a frequent occurance around the Martin house.  My dad recntly shared with us his love for several seasonings in the Weber grilling family.  Now we  are sharing his love of the flavors that the Weber seasoning brings to our table. These spices are especially handy when there is no time for marinating.  Our family recomends the flavors from Weber to anyone whose grill is a big part of their summer.

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Summer Time Orange Julius

Summer Time Orange Julius
 
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This creamy orange drink is sure to hit the spot on those warm summer evenings.
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
  • 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1orange sliced thin

Instructions
  1. Slice oranges and set aside.
  2. In a blender, blend all of the ingredients except for ice.
  3. Once blended add ice cubes a few at a time and continue blending until smooth.
  4. Garnish with orange slices and enjoy.

 

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65 Years of Hard Work Blessings and the Strong Bond of Love

This weekend our family celebrated  Ryan’s Grandparents 65 Anniversary.  It is hard to express the beauty that I see in them.  They love strong and hold tight to that bond.   I am so blessed to get to watch their true love in action.  They have seen and experienced so many things in their lifetime.  They know the true meaning of hard work and sacrifice, but they also fully understand the blessing that comes only from that endurance.  To me they are the “True American Dream”.  The only real way to describe their love is Christ like.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

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