Banana Muffins :)

Aiden & I made these yesterday & added 2 of our favorite things chocolate chips & coconut!! These muffins are so good! I'm sure they would be really good with out or add-ins as well but we like to add to things around here :)  Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• Chocolate Chips (optional) we used prob about 1/2 cup
• Coconut (optional) we used prob about 1/2 cup for this too :)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
2. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. Scoop into muffin pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven. Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes, and large muffins for 25 to 30 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.
4. Enjoy -Candice-

This recipe made a dozen muffins but as you can see we have been enjoying them :)

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Call me a slacker!

I have been slacking at my blog posting :( I'm sorry! Things have just seemed to get pretty Crazy around here lately! Aiden has T-ball on Monday the hubs has Softball on Tuesday & Thursday. Aiden has Gymnastics on Thursday School M,W,F & his Awana on Sunday evening! Yep that's my life lately go go go!! & it is taking it's toll on me!! I am one tired momma!! I am ready for the end of May for all of it to end!

 I had a Dr apt last week I was 34 weeks & had dilated to 1 1/2 cm YAY!! I have been having quite a few contractions on & off & just feeling run down! Yet I have the urge to purge! Lol I have been cleaning organizing making trips to good will I just need to get things in order!

 I feel like I have procrastinated with having things ready this pregnancy we just started hanging things up in Carsen's room finally did one load of laundry for him & put it away I have to still have the hubs bring more of the baby clothes down to wash! Pack my bag, ugh it never ends!

We officially moved Brycen into Aiden's room he has been sleeping through the night & napping on his bunk he's doing great :) One less thing to stress over now we need to convert the crib back lol!! But were getting there slowly!!

I go back to the Dr May 2 I will be 36 weeks & am hoping to have progressed more so that Carsen will be here at 37 weeks just like his big brothers! I am just dragging & Have no energy to run & chase Brycen :( So fingers crossed!!! I am hoping to go May 9th or that weekend maybe Mother's Day?? How cool would that be??

Today Aiden & I made Chocolate chip banana muffins & we added some coconut we love coconut in this house :) I'll post the recipe later or tomorrow!! & I will really try to be like my old self & post everyday or at least every other. -Candice-

Let's Catch Up!

So it's been over a week since my last post sorry! It has been a crazy week with Aiden on Spring Break!  I have to keep that boy busy b/c busy is what he likes to be. We went to one of Brandon's softball games last Tuesday & Brycen played in the mud he was covered but he had a blast, he however rode home in his diaper lol!

We went to the park a couple of times last week & got lunch one day, we dyed Easter Eggs & made sugar cookies & decorated for Easter. We spent lot's of time outside playing in the yard Aiden riding his bike & Brycen trying to ride a skateboard it was pretty funny! We took the boy's to an Easter Egg hunt held by his preschool's church, the boy's had so much fun & the both did really good!!

The hubby & I made Easter dinner together & had a couple friends over to eat with us it was so nice we basically made Thanksgiving all over! But I love eating like that so it was perfect!! I love that I have a husband who enjoys cooking & that we can tag team & do it together!!

We had a great Easter for the most part but we did have some meltdowns from the boy's. (too much excitment & maybe sugar overload) Yes they got way more candy than they truly needed, but I think the Easter Bunny was being smart, I mean the boy's have a pregnant mom so if the Easter Bunny didn't get alot of candy the boy's would have ended up with none b/c mom prob would have ate it all. That Easter Bunny is smart I tell you!

Here are some pics of our past week to catch you up on our life :) -Candice-

Playing in the mud at softball true Boy!

 Our Easter eggs we made :)

 Our Easter cookies we decorated

At our favoriate park after our lunch date :)

 Helping Brycen at the Egg hunt

Aiden on the move!

Spring Break! & A Fab chicken recipie

Aiden is on Spring break from preschool, run for your life just kidding! But the boy's are ganging up on me already pulling out every truck & ball possible & running yelling through the house Brycen ha already fell 3-4 times! They are insane!

I have a Dr. apt today at 1 I will be 32 weeks Wednesday, this weekend I have been so sore & having some sharp pains in my lady area :( also some bad back pain so I think I will as the Dr to check to see if something is going on down there. I had pre-term labor with both boy's dilating to 2cm at 33 weeks & delivering them both at 37 so I'm wondering if were already starting the process we shall see.

Well anyways last night I made this amazing chicken recipe from pinterest of course it was so good we will def be eating this again soon!!! thanks http://cassiecraves.blogspot.com

Here it is:

Jalapeno Popper Stuffed ChickenSource: adapted from Allrecipes

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
4 strips of bacon, diced
4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs (I used regular bread crumbs and seasoned them with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder)
1/4 cup vegetable oil

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

2. Stir together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and jalapenos in a small bowl.

3. Cut a pocket horizontally through the thickest side of each chicken breast, and fill with 1/4 of the cheese mixture. Secure with toothpicks.

4. Roll the chicken breasts in bread crumbs to coat. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook chicken breasts until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 8 minutes per side. If your chicken breasts are thick, like mine were, they can be finished in a 350-degree oven. YUMMY!!! ENJOY!!! -Candice-

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

 I made this for dinner Wednesday it was good!

 

Thanks http://crockingirls.com/

 

1 & 1/4 pound cubed beef stew meat
2 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (98% fat free for a healthier choice)
1 chopped onion
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 c. water (or a little more if you want saucy).
I use beef broth or red wine or a mixture of both
Dash of garlic salt
8 oz cream cheese (cut up)
Egg noodles or Amish noodles  

Directions:

1. In slow cooker, combine uncooked meat and all ingredients EXCEPT cream cheese and noodles.
2. Cook on low setting for 8 hrs or high for about 5 hrs.
3. Approx. 15-20 min before serving, add the cream cheese; stir occasionally until melted.
4. Approx. 10 minutes before serving, add uncooked noodles, push down in sauce to get lightly coated; replace lid, but stir occasionally until noodles are soft and ready to eat.

*A small can of mushrooms or fresh mushrooms is a good addition.
**You can serve with sour cream or not if you wish.
Enjoy!!! -Candice-

Whatever your name is!

So my husband is playing softball again this yr he usually does a spring & fall league. As if we are not busy enough! This week he had 2 games one on Tuesday & one on Thursday, he playing for his work so he is on base b/c he's a Marine. Well we live a 1/2 from base so instead of him coming home driving back & coming back home he's been staying at work till his game & then comes home. Helping to save on gas $$ since it's almost $4.00 a gallon now UGH!

So this means preggo mommy has both the boy's from sun up to sun down! Let me tell you those boy's need their time with daddy to run around & such b/c this week has been insane! Their energy levels have been through the roof & I try to do as much as possible with them we take walks, go to the park. Go to the store and walk around I mean were pretty much going all the time Aiden also has his T-ball, gymnastics & preschool. So I am so worn out! I am tired & sore & having tons of painful braxton hicks contractions, sciatic pain, but I do my best to keep going with the boy's!

Yesterday they were little terrors! We had gymnastics from 9:30-10:30 we were half way to base so after I thought let me manage my time wisely & go get groceries after this way I didn't have to go today & waste more gas! Well backfire! Usually the boy's are so good out not yesterday! Aiden was climbing from the front to the back of cart hanging on then hes shaking the cart pulling it as I'm trying to push! Brycen was trying to climb out of the front so I figure ok I'll put him in the big part with the food! MISTAKE there went my groceries one by one as he threw them out! I was so flustered & when I get flustered I can't think! So I end up calling the wrong kid by wrong name eventually I end up saying Whatever Your Name Is! LOL!!

I was trying to be really good & really budget & use my coupons well I pretty much stuck to my budget but was hoping to spend less but I just could not think! I do believe I will go back to grocery shopping on the weekends by MYSELF!! The boy's will stay home with daddy so I can think! It can be my down time!

Today starts Aiden's spring break from preschool! Oh boy! He's already saying what are we doing today, where are we going?? Well I do have to go to Walmart not very exciting for them :( but I am thinking we will stop at the pet store so they can look at the animals they love that! May try to hit up the park it's really nice out again if I can find my darn sprinkler I may let them run around out front in that for a bit. We will see but we will be doing something b/c otherwise mommy will be losing her mind! Hope everyone has a nice Friday & great weekend :) -Candice-

Tuesday Tuesday!!

Well it's Tuesday supposed to be BUM day, BUT... Aiden has a dentist appointment, he's actually excited??? Craziness although I must say his dentist is pretty awesome & so is the place, plus the kid knows he gets a surprise after his cleaning!

2 years ago Aiden had to have a tooth pulled due to a collision with him & our 70lb Boxer they were running chasing each other & collided. Boy was that a scary time! So first Aiden asked mom are they going to pull a tooth? When I told him no your just getting your teeth cleaned is when the excitement started lol!! Glad he's to the point that he truly understands things!

 Aiden  is my easy child! He truly truly is I never realized how easy he was till Brycen came along! Lol that boy well he may be the death of me! He is a trouble maker & wants everything his way!  Middle child syndrome?? Could be maybe he know all along he was going to be a middle child! Oh well!

Later after Aiden's appointment we are off to a lunch date with some fabulous ladies & then we are going to an antique shop I guess you'd say, I really need a chair or 2 for my front porch!! I would love to sit on my porch in the am & drink my coffee :) I want something different so why I'm going to look at a shop. The amazing Liz Marie from  http://www.lizmarieblog.com/  is going with me I need her expertise on furniture! She is AMAZING to say the least!! Have you seen her amazing stuff?? If not please check out her blog she rocks!!! I wish I had her talent!

So anyways that is what we have in store for us today, hopefully Brycen cooperates through all of this we shall see!! Oh & I have to do a mommy brag real quick sorry.. Aiden had his first T-ball practice yesterday he LOVED it!! He did very well too he really was focused unlike last year at soccer haha he is older but I also think he is more of a baseball fan & may be also why it hold his attention better. Well that's it for now. Have a great day :) -Candice-

Blueberry/Cream Cheese Danish OK!!!

So since my hubby has been off of work due to his nose surgery, I was having fun  making nice breakfast's for us everyday! We love breakfast it is our favorite meal!!

So of course I was pinteresting & I saw some recipe's for danishes we love danish!! So i decided to make my own. & It's really easy!! Here's how:

Ingredients:
1 tube Pillsbury crescent rolls
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup fresh blueberries (or whichever fruit you would like)

To make the icing:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla. Set aside.
Pop open crescent roll dough and unroll, leaving crescents in rectangles. On an ungreased baking sheet or  lay the crescent roll rectangles together, lining them up width wise. Dough should be almost the entire length of a half sheet pan.Press edges together to even out edges and seal any holes. Cut 1/2 inch diagonal strips up each side of the dough. Carefully spread cream cheese filling down the center of the dough to be about 2-3 inches wide. Top with fresh fruit. Fold 1/2 inch dough pieces up over filling alternating sides to get a braided pattern. You may have excess dough once you reach the end of the danish, so fold them in as best as you can. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until filling is set and crescent dough is golden in color. Cool before removing from baking sheet.
Once danish has cooled, remove to serving platter. In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar, vanilla and cream to create icing. You may need to add more cream to get the desired consistency. Drizzle icing over danish. Cut into pieces and serve.
End result deliciousness :) Enjoy -Candice-

 

Homemade Gronola Bars!!

I made these Sunday night with Aiden so he could take them to preschool on Monday for his snack day!! He was super excited 1- b/c we made them together 2- They have chocolate chips in them & 3-he gets to be line leader today since he brought snack :) Oh the little things that make kids happy!!

I hope the kids & teachers enjoyed them. The hubby & I sure did they are super easy & super good! I think I will be making another batch today to have for snack for us. Thanks to:http://www.laurenslatest.com/ for sharing this recipie :) Hope you enjoy these -Candice-


Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Directions:
In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn’t small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don’t seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have made them too thin or you didn’t pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they’ll become super hard!} The next time you make them, try reducing the butter to 3 tablespoons and really packing them down.