Recipes for the Freezer Meals

I have come to realize that when I posted my freezer meals, no recipes for the meals were included! I'm so sorry! So please refer back to this for pictures.

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

This meal became one of my favorites as an employee at Cracker Barrel. I decided that I needed to figure out the recipe to enjoy it at home.

2 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
2 cups frozen broccoli pieces (I prefer the tops only)
1 can cheddar cheese soup
2 T shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c crushed butter crackers or bread crumbs
2 tsp parmesan cheese
2 T butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an 8 in square dish, add chicken pieces, broccoli, cheddar cheese and soup. Stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, melt butter in microwave. Add crackers/crumbs and parmesan cheese. Toss until moistened.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Variation: Add leftover rice to chicken and broccoli mixture as shown in the picture.

Chicken Enchiladas

Growing up, we had two kinds of enchiladas. They were either chicken or beef. I preferred the beef with red sauce but was told they were too expensive. I grew to love creamy chicken enchiladas.

2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
1 small can green chilis
1/2 c cooked rice, optional
1 cup plus 3 T shredded cheese of your choice, I prefer Monterrey Jack
7-10 flour tortillas
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can of green chili enchilada sauce

In a small bowl, combine chicken soup and enchilada sauce. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together chicken, chilis, rice (if desired) and 1 cup cheese. Add 1-2 T of the soup mixture until the chicken mixture sticks together.

Add 1/4 c filling to each tortilla and roll. (I fold in each end first and then roll) Repeat until filling is gone. The amount of tortillas needed will vary based on the amount of the filling used per tortilla.

Pour 1/3 cup of the soup into the bottom of a greased 8 inch square pan. Add enchiladas. Top with remaining soup and sprinkle reserved cheese on top.

You can choose to freeze the meal at this point.

Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.

It's a small world after all!

I love reading through my stats to see the location of my readers. While most are from the United States, there are some from foreign countries. The latest are as follows:
Brazil
Germany
Italy
Jordan
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About me - Part 3

My title rhymes! Now back to my story.

I moved back in with my parents. I got the room that my mom's parents had been staying in while my grandpa was undergoing treatments at the University of Utah. I got a new job where I was making more money in order to have insurance and stability for this baby. I spent a lot of time pondering our future. Seth made it clear that he would not be around to help or support us. His parents were in denial about the whole situation. My parents were supportive but let me know that this baby was my responsibility.

My dad and I are very close. I think most fathers and daughters are. There is a special bond that we share even though my dad was often gone throughout my childhood. I didn't feel like it was fair for this baby to not have a dad. I believe that it was April when I made my decision to place Megan for adoption. I spent many hours at LDS Family Services for counseling and support groups. I filled out pages of paperwork that included my family and health history as well as what I knew about Seth. There came a day when I was able to search for Megan's family. I had made a few requests. I wanted the mom to stay at home and I wanted her to have an older brother. I also wanted a caring father. As word spread throughout my family and friends about my decision to place this baby, so many people had suggestions. I had two distant cousins call my mom and ask if they could adopt her. I was not very happy as this decision was mine. We also spoke with my former seminary teacher who previously adopted two boys. We ultimately decided that it wasn't a good idea as we didn't want our relationship to be damaged at all. My aunt had a friend that was already in the LDS Family Services system. We decided to add them to my stack even though I didn't know who they were. As I reviewed the families, I systematically set those aside that didn't fit my requirements. My aunts friend was set aside as they had a daughter and the mom worked part time. I finally settled on an adorable family. I worried though that they would not accept my daughter as they were all blond and she would be 1/4 Chinese. I brought my parents and grandma to LDS Family Services. All of them read the profile and looked at the few pictures we had. They agreed that this was to be Megan's family.

My mom crocheted a dress. I wrote a long letter. I introduced myself and explained my situation. I asked if they would like to become parents of my baby. We sent everything off right around Mother's Day. This was obviously a bittersweet time for me. I knew that I would make this family more complete with the gift of Megan. I also knew that it would be several years if ever before I would see her again. I knew in my heart that this decision was best for all those who were involved.

I received a letter back with a photo of their niece who was also adopted. She was Korean. I felt more at ease. We began to exchange letters on a regular basis. I usually had a letter waiting when I went to my weekly support meeting. I loved hearing about their son who was 5. I remember the mom telling me about all of his activities. She said that he bit a dill pickle and told her it tasted chemically. He chose big boy tomatoes for their garden. He worried that this baby was going to be bigger than him.

We chose to meet in June right around Father's Day. We compiled gifts for all three of them. My nerves and anxiety were through the roof. We brought my ultrasound video to share as well. The beginning of the meeting was just with the parents. We spent time talking to them. This father had so many traits like my own. Both were military as well. He apologize for staring at me and said that I reminded him of his sister. My fears were set aside as we got to know each other better. I felt more comfortable in my decision and knew Megan was a perfect fit.

Our letter writing resumed. As the time drew closer, I became more nervous about my decision. Was I doing the right thing? Would she resent me? Would I ever see her again? Could I do this on my own? There was a joint Relief Society/Priesthood meeting at church one Sunday. Someone from LDS Family services came and gave a presentation. As I watched the video, I began to cry uncontrollably and needed to leave. Reality was setting in and it was a lot to handle. I reached out to Seth for support but came up empty handed. I wanted so bad for him to come to his senses and realize that this baby was ours. I wanted him to change his mind and tell me that we could be a family.  He just wasn't ready to grow up and become a father. I realized that I couldn't do this alone. It wouldn't be fair to Megan. She deserved to have two parents who loved her.

My friend whisked me away to Mesquite for a girls weekend. Summer in the Nevada heat was a bit much for me. I enjoyed the water. Swimming helped take away the pressure and aches. I was able to focus on my future and be comforted in my decisions. We did some baby shopping. We bought lots of clothing and toys.

Randomness

The neighbors behind us are working on their deck. We have still to figure out what is going on. So far it looks like they will make someone walk the plank ;)

The weather has been fairly warm lately. I am excited to see that my bulb flowers are peaking through. I can't wait to see all of them in full bloom. The only problem is that I am highly allergic to any bulb flower and can touch them :(

Our project this week has been ceiling fan installations. We are thrilled to have one in the front room as we spend many hours in there looking at our beautiful mountain view. The huge windows make it pretty hot. This new fan will make it more pleasant.

Last but not least. There was a freak spring storm yesterday. Our power flickered several times and went out for a while. I was not happy to see our yard went from green to white. Thankfully it melted quickly. I can't complain about the moisture.

Update - Twins new bed!

I am finally feeling confident that there is a light at the end of this project tunnel. I know that a second coat is till needed. I also need to sew the blankets for each bed. The ceiling fan is up and the bed is usable! I hope that B and G like it as much as we do!

About me - Part 2

I was disappointed that I wasn't able to "go away" for college so I chose to live on campus. My college was less than 30 minutes from my parents home but I needed to get out. I moved into a co-ed dorm. The floors were gender exclusive but there were boys on the next floor up or down. I wasn't too interested in church or institute. I met some friends that had all attended high school together. We had lots of fun together and they were all LDS. I had a lot of fun with the group of girls that I shared my floor with. My first encounter with a college athlete did not end well. He pushed things beyond my comfort level and I got scared. I was afraid that I would get in trouble because I had invited him over and it was past curfew. When I shared my story, I found that I was not the only person who had this experience with this guy and he was eventually kicked off the basketball team and out of school. I spent more time playing than I did in class.

A friend introduced me to Seth. He was a great guy. He used to whistle at me on campus. I fell for him, hard and fast. I spent all of my waking moments with him. One of my roommates slipped a note under my door. She said that I needed to be careful and remember who I was. I disregarded her warning as jealousy. I became ill that spring. I suffered from appendicitis as well as an ovarian cyst. Seth was by my side through it all. He even came to the hospital to stay with me at night after school and work. I remember that he got in trouble for coming on base without a military id. Back then, you could drive on base without an ID as long as there was a sticker on the car. They had asked him for ID at the gate and my dad had to explain the situation. I dropped out of school and moved home. I was anxious to spend time with Seth though. We usually slept at his apartment. We went to his parents house each Sunday for family dinner. I was much more interested in spending time with his family than with mine. My mom's dad had been diagnosed with cancer and I chose not to spend time with him. I think I only went to the hospital once or twice to visit him. I was so wrapped up in myself that I didn't realize that he was dying. Seth's parents chose to buy a house near the college and asked if I wanted to move into the basement.

I got pregnant in November of 1997. My dad's father had been hospitalized. I went with my dad to Idaho to be with my grandpa. He and I were always close and I felt like I needed to be with him. He was in the hospital. We spent our days at the hospital and nights at my grandparents house. We even spent Thanksgiving with some of my dad's family that I had never met. My grandpa seemed to be improving so my dad and I came home. As soon as we arrived, there was a phone call saying that my Grandpa had suffered a stroke and he would not make it. We packed up again and headed back to Idaho this time with my mom and brother. Our family had gathered for the last moments with my Grandpa. I spoke with my cousin and aunt often about my pregnancy worries. I knew that they would love and support me. My Grandpa took his last breath on December 1st. My mom, dad and I were all in the room with him. I went to notify the nurse that he had passed. We then began the funeral planning and packing up my grandparents house.

We came home and I took a test on December 9th. Seth was in disbelief. I went by myself to a pregnancy clinic for another test. It was confirmed that I was pregnant. I knew this was the worst time ever to tell my parents that I was going to have a baby. My dad's father had just passed away and my mom's father had been sent home with hospice care. Oh and Christmas was in a few short weeks. I called my mom and told her over the phone, the line became silent. I'm sure she had no idea how to respond. I honestly don't remember how I told my dad. When Seth told his parents, I was told that I needed to move out of the house because I wasn't following by church standards. (Seriously, if you put a 19 year old college couple in the same house...)  I moved home. We then made another trek. This time it was to Montana to spend the holidays with my mom's side of the family. I was under strict instructions to not share any news about my pregnancy in front of my mom's parents. They were dealing with enough and didn't need to know. My mom's dad passed away at the beginning of January of 1998.

About me - part 1

I'll be 36 in two short months. I have lived in 6 states and 2 countries. I'm on my second marriage and couldn't be happier.

My life began in Coos Bay Oregon. My parents had been trying for several years to have a baby. When I was born, they had been married for 5 years. My dad had his 10 year high school reunion that year. My dad was in the Coast Guard and gone a lot. I think we moved to Washington when I was a toddler. We were there for 2- 2 1/2 years. I don't remember much other than frequent trips to the beach.

We moved to California just before my 5th birthday. I started kindergarten that fall. My parents were happy to adopt a 6 month old baby boy in January. We stayed in our first home until I completed 2nd grade. We then moved to another base just about 35 minutes away. We were thankful to be in the same LDS stake. From what I remember, I began to struggle to find my place after this move. It was difficult being the new kid and from a military family. My 3rd grade teacher was wonderful but left to have a baby and I was left with a less than desirable substitute. She could never get my name right and just didn't seem to like me. My moods began to shift quickly. My mom's dad was supposed to baptize me and my dad was going to do the confirmation. I had a freak out moment and became terrified of the whole idea. My dad ended up baptizing me. I'm honestly not sure what happened to change my mind. My mom says that I became very moody and difficult to manage at the age of 8. I was blessed with a wonderful 4th grade teacher and began to make friends at school and on base. I still couldn't find my place and was often the subject of bullying. I am told that the bullying also carried over into my church meetings. 5th grade was not the best year. The substitute teacher from 3rd grade came back to be my full time teacher for 5th grade. I encountered the same issues as I had before. I began to realize that I found favor with boys and got more positive attention from them.

I advanced to junior high and discovered that it was more difficult to find friends there. My relationship with my mom worsened due to my moodiness. We moved back to our original base and I finished 7th grade at a middle school. I knew no one and it was a difficult transition. My interest in boys grew as my relationships with girls continued to fail.  I felt more comfortable in male company as I was never ridiculed or bullied by them. Little did I know, I was suffering in a different way. I chose to be with boys but was losing my virtue in the process.

High school was another difficult adjustment. I was trying to fit in with those girls from church but never did as they were a tightknit group. They had all known each other for years and I was an outsider. There was only one other military girl in our ward that was my age. She too had lived there for several years and fit in. I got involved in clubs and choir at school. I also found boys again. This time they were older and it made me feel special. I struggled to find female companionship. My mom and I were still on the rocks. She wanted the best for me. I am sure it was difficult for her to stand on the sidelines to watch my trials. I finally found a good group of girlfriends my junior year that carried into my senior year. None of them were members but all were "good" girls that were not involved in any less than desireable activities. We spent lots of time just hanging out. My senior year, I found a guy that I really liked. It was interesting to me that this genuine relationship didn't come with the physical relationships like in the past. He was from the area that I had spent my  late elementary school years. We were also on the same stake committee that planned activities for all of the young men and young women. We talked on the phone and often went to dances together.

My dad retired from the Coast Guard when I graduated from high school. My parents chose to make the move to Utah. I had applied for college at BYU - Idaho which was then Ricks College. I was denied and chose to settle on Weber State University.

CARAFE Water cup with two-compartment pill box inside the cap Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

My mother in law is in fair health and often needs a reminder to take her medications. When my husband and I lived with his parents, his father went out of town for business and we were left to care for my mother in law. Something like the CARAFE Water cup with two-compartment pill box inside the cap is the perfect solution for her. The bottom cup can be filled with and the lid compartment can be filled with nightly medications. This is an easy two in one design that is ideal for anyone who takes night time medications. It could also be used for a pain reliever for those who deal with nightly aches and pains.


For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

SPORT All-terrain, lightweight sporty cane with precision handle and tip Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I am a tall person at 5 ft 10 inches. Most items made are for someone of average height between 5 ft 7 or 8 inches tall. I chose to review the SPORT All-terrain, lightweight sporty cane with precision handle and tip because it offered different height options. I like the large curved handle at the top as well as the large tip at the bottom. Each of these details assist with stability. The lightweight design makes it easy to use without feeling cumbersome with added weight.


For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sabi's New HOLSTER grande pill box REVIEW

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I like to be prepared.  I was excited to use the HOLSTER grande pill box to store three days worth of my necessary medications in my 72 hour emergency bag.  The compact design fits nicely in my backpack as every inch counts. I do wish that each section was accessible independent of each other. The open design of the pill holder that slides into the holster makes me nervous when I pull it out that the pills will fall out. The top "hidden" compartment flips open quite easily and dumps out my pills. Overall, it is a good idea that with a few modifications could be exceptional.

For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

WEDDING DREAMS - A Motivational Photography Book - EBook Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I have a few friends that will be getting married this summer. So with all of the wedding talk, I chose to review WEDDING DREAMS - A Motivational Photography Book. I loved the photos and inspirational sayings throughout. It made me nostalgic for my own special day almost four years ago. This book is a wonderful way to reflect.  

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

TRIPOD store + go travel container Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I like to be prepared. My friends and family often say that I carry a "Mary Poppins" bag. I was excited to use this product to store three common OTC pain relievers in my purse. Each has it's own compartment and the entire pill case fits nicely in my makeup bag. I do wish that each section was accessible independent of each other as I worry each time I open to the back section that the front two sections will dump out. Overall, it is a good idea that with a few modifications could be exceptional.

For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

FOLIO strap + go weekly travel pill box Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I chose to review the FOLIO strap + go weekly travel pill box because I take several medications on a daily basis and have some needed in the morning and some at night. This organizer made it easier to separate out my dosages. I like that the pill compartments are curved to ensure it was easy to remove the pills. I also like the discreet slim design which makes it easier to take to work in my purse. I did however have issue with the open compartments. Often my pills would spill into another day as I took them out. I also worried about all of them falling out every time I opened it for use since all 14 compartments were exposed even when I was only using one. Overall, it is a good idea that with a few tweeks could be exceptional.

For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

FOLIO grande extra large strap + go weekly travel pill box Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
I chose to review the FOLIO grande extra large strap + go weekly travel pill box because I take several medications on a daily basis and have some needed in the morning and some at night. This organizer made it easier to separate out my dosages. I like that the pill compartments are curved to ensure it was easy to remove the pills. I also like the discreet design. I did however have issue with the open compartments. Often my pills would spill into another day as I took them out. I also worried about all of them falling out every time I opened it for use since all 14 compartments were exposed even when I was only using one. Overall, it is a good idea that with a few tweeks could be exceptional.

For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

CHOP Minimal effort pill cutter Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
One of my daily medications needs to be cut in half. I have always broken it in two with my fingers along the little score in the pill. I often get two different sizes and sometimes they crumble. The CHOP minimal effort pill cutter by Sabi has changed that for me. I use it about once a week and cut the pills that I need. No more mess. Well worth it for anyone who has pills that need to be cut.

For more information check out the following links:
Website: http://www.sabi.com
Blog: blog.sabi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sabibrand
Twitter: @sabi_brand

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

It's all built

After 3 long days of extremely hard work, the beds are built and stacked. There was much remeasuring and recutting as well as having to unassemble the top bunk. It's finally done though. With paint, we are right around $300 in materials. Labor was free, kind of. (All of our body aches will catch up soon.) Our next step is to putty all of the screw holes, knots, and gaps.

Beltlock Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
http://www.beltlock.ie/

I applied to review the Beltlock because I have nieces and nephews that like to unbuckle their seatbelt while we're driving. I figure that this is an excellent solution. The cute sleeve packaging gave great instructions for installation and use. I tried it on my seatbelt first and my husband had to let me out of the car. He found it to be quite amusing. Using a key to release is the logical option as keys are needed for the car. I feel that the Beltlock is a necessity for anyone who drives with small children in their car.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review of The 39 Day Lifescape - Become a Better You

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
My life over the past six months has been pretty hectic. My husband lost his job of 5 years. He also was told that back surgery is a necessity and received a possible diagnosis of MS. We have only been in our home for a year and these realities hit me like a ton of bricks. I became the primary income. I have never had to rely on myself this way before. In my life as a single young adult, my parents were quick to help and bail me out. My ex-husband didn't even want me to work. Now, in my late 30s, I felt like I needed to "grow up." It was a harsh life lesson and I often feel completely overwhelmed. This book "The 39 Day Lifescape - Become a Better You" gave me daily steps to focus on myself. It helped me take a breath before starting the more difficult tasks that I face. I plan on using it over and over. It doesn't stop at 39 days. These reminders are a wonderful guide to get through everyday life. This is a definite must read!


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Pine Bros Softish Throat Drops Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

When I saw that this review was available, I jumped at it. I will admit that I was interested because I had seen commercials with Martha Stewart endorsing these throat drops. I received a large shipment of the honey Pine Bros Softish Throat Drops. I shared them with family and friends and waited for a response. Everyone said that they did not like them and couldn't handle the taste. When I tried one for myself, I agreed. Maybe we're all used to throat drops that have more sugar than healing power or they could be an acquired taste.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Another freezer meal - Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

I found this recipe on pinterest and have adapted it for my use.

For the sauce: I added 2 slices of the swiss cheese as well as 2 T of parmesan cheese. I made sure that my milk was warm NOT COLD before adding to the sauce.
For the topping: I used half butter and half olive oil. I also added 1 T of parmesan cheese
For the meat: I used sliced ham that was leftover from a previous meal. I also just cooked several chicken breasts to use for the chicken layer.

 I think I used 6-7 breasts of chicken for these two pans. The ham was 4 slices each and were chopped coarsely.

 One package of cheese did both pans.

 The sauce is a standard white sauce with pepper, mustard, lemon juice and cheeses added.

 Topping! Bread crumbs, parsley, parmesan cheese, olive oil and butter.

Look at all those layers of deliciousness!

Twins room - update

As amateur builders, Rich and I have learned that the easiest of instructions can be deceptive. We found the directions on the site listed in the previous post. They were not clear. The cut list was wrong. We have been to the local hardware several times. We have spent about $200 now and still haven't purchased the finishing supplies or paint.

Here is our progress after 2 long days:

The bottom bunk is built but needs some bolts to make it more secure. The top bunk is still in the works.

Prescription discount review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

My husband and I do not have health coverage. We do take several prescription medications and any sort of prescription discount helps us out. I was excited for the opportunity to try a discount plan since one of my husbands medications is $80 and any lower price is a huge relief. I was pleasantly surprised with the result and look forward to future use.

 I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

For the twins room

Our journey to find the best bed for the twins began on pinterest. They previously had bunk beds but hated them stating that it was too hot and uncomfortable. We decided to buy a twin over full bed for the twins room to aid in it being a part time guest room as well. We already have a full mattress and will be buying a new twin.

I found several options that I liked, but there were a few issues. The bed itself was pricey ( $500-$1500) and to ship it was unbelievable.



I then took to pinterest to find a solution. I searched several sites and came upon one called thedesignconfidential.com. I loved that the plans and the directions seemed easy enough. I was more excited to see that the bed would cost about $150 in materials.



We have now bought all of the wood and screws. They cost $147. Today, we went to my brother in laws house for the kreg jig and miter saw. Tomorrow, my husband and father in law will make the cuts and hopefully start the build. We are hoping for my dad's help on Friday. Don't worry! I will include pictures of the whole process.


+++UPDATE+++
I have reviewed the plans for this bed as well as the reviews. The cut list states that the bed cleats are to be 76 inches in length but the directions indicate 78 inches. The same issue occurs with the guard rail. The cut list says 51 inches but the directions show 53 inches. We will err on the side of caution and use the larger measurements as it is possible to trim wood but impossible to add ;) Also, you will need 2 more of the 2x6s at 8 ft and 1 more of the 2x3 at 8 ft.

My rant for the day:

 Okay here's the deal. The whales that are currently in captivity cannot be returned to the wild due to medical issues and some were born in captivity. I do agree that no new whales (and dolphins) should be taken for entertainment purposes. As for those that are already in facilities such as Sea World, they need to be kept there. The Blackfish movie is not a true account per say. These animals are wild, always have been. If people let their guards down, that is their own stupidity. It is the same thing that happened with Roy from Sigfreid and Roy that was attacked by a tiger. Comfort with a wild animal should never outweigh safety concerns.

Here is the story that made me upset 

Missy Mila Review and GIVEAWAY

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 My 5 year old niece is at our house about twice a month. We don't have any toys for her because there are twin boys here ;) I saw this movie as a perfect opportunity for something special for Miss L. She loved these shows. The stories are quite cute and great interpretations of old classics.

If you'd like your own copy, leave a comment below to enter my giveaway for Missy Mila Volume 2.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

+++Giveaway is now closed+++

Money Making Mamas: Ditch Your Boss, Stay Home & Make Decent Income Working Online - Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I work a full time job. My obvious dream is to work from home to be with my kids. I have ventured into the blogging and review world to see if this can allow me to quit my job. I am still new to this idea and the book Money Making Mamas has provided excellent insight. I never thought about writing as an income. I enjoy blogging and am an avid journal writer. I have written a few stories and were told they were good. I appreciated that Lisa Kroulik explained different options for income instead of focusing on only one idea. This book will be my guide as I continue to look into options for working from home.

I would definitely recommend Money Making Mamas to all of my friends and family members. Do you want a copy?

Money Making Mamas is normally $3.99. From March 17 to 23, it will be part of Kindle Countdown Deals. The price starts at 0.99 on Monday, March 17 and increases to $1.99 on the 19th and $2.99 on the 21st. The price returns to normal at 11 p.m. PST on March 23

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Freezer meals for 2

My husband and I both work full time and are busy at home as well. I got lazy and bought some freezer meals. We liked a few but the others were gross. I decided that I needed to dedicate a few hours and stock the freezer with dinners. I got 10 meals done. Since there are only 2 of us, there were 2 of the broccoli cheddar chicken, poppy seed chicken and lasagna. I also made some ham, corn chowder, enchiladas, and chili. I'm set on food for a while. It will be nice to not have to stress about dinners!

Tips to start:

• When making your meals, consider doubling the batch and freezing one.
• The dollar store has foil pans. Some even have lids. I chose 8 in square but there are larger sizes available.
• Be sure to label each lid.
• These meals cook best if they are taken out of the freezer in advance and are able to thaw before cooking.
• Cook times: 45 minutes if thawed, 1 hr to 1/12 hours if still frozen
• Cooking temp: 350 degrees

Here are a few of the meals:

 Broccoli Cheddar Chicken

This meal became one of my favorites as an employee at Cracker Barrel. I decided that I needed to figure out the recipe to enjoy it at home.

2 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
2 cups frozen broccoli pieces (I prefer the florets only)
1 can cheddar cheese soup
2 T shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c crushed butter crackers or bread crumbs
2 tsp parmesan cheese
2 T butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In an 8 in square dish, add chicken pieces, broccoli, cheddar cheese and soup. Stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, melt butter in microwave. Add crackers/crumbs and parmesan cheese. Toss until moistened.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Variation: Add leftover rice to chicken and broccoli mixture as shown in the picture. 

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked (leftovers from a Rotisserie chicken work great!)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can diced green chilis
1 can green enchilada sauce (optional)
8 oz shredded pepper jack cheese (regular Monterey jack can be used as well)
10 tortillas

Combine chicken soup and green enchilada sauce and set aside. If you choose to omit the enchilada sauce, you will want to thin the soup with either chicken broth or milk.
In a medium bowl, shred chicken breasts. Add green chilis and cheese. Mix well. Add 2-3 T of sauce mixture so that filling ingredients bind together.
Microwave tortillas for 15-20 seconds. (I find they are easier to work with and less likely to tear when warm).
Evenly distribute filling between all 10 tortillas. To roll, I tuck in the ends before rolling up.
Add sauce to coat bottom of pan, place all enchiladas. If there is any filling mixture left, I add it to the remaining sauce to pour over the top. 

Faux Lasagna

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

1 lb ground beef, crumbled and cooked

1 bag of pasta (I chose penne but the options are endless)

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

2 T. Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Cook pasta for 2-3 minutes less than indicated on the package. In a bowl, combine sauce and meat. In a separate bowl, combine cheeses and Italian seasoning.

In a pan, cover bottom with thin layer of sauce. Add pasta and then top with 1/3 cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining sauce and cheese

 

Poppy Seed Chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c sour cream
4 chicken breasts
1 roll Ritz crackers
3/4 cube butter
1 1/3 T poppy seeds

Boil chicken breasts for about 25 minutes. In a bowl, mix together soup and sour cream. Spread 1/3 in bottom of 9 x13 pan. Arrange chicken in pan. Spread remaining sauce on top.

Melt butter. Crush crackers. Mix butter, crackers, and poppy seeds. Sprinkle on top of chicken and sauce

Serve with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes

Corn Chowder

3 cans whole kernal corn, drained or 1 bag frozen corn
3 cans creamed corn
2 cans diced potatoes, drained
1 lb bacon, cooked to crisp
2 can evaporated milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Option 1 - Stove top
Combine all ingredients in large pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer about 20 minutes

Option 2 - Crock pot
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on high for 1 hr and low for 2 hrs.


Option 3 - Combine all ingredients in a gallon ziploc bag and freeze immediately.

The longer you cook this the better it gets!! Enjoy!

Variations:
You can substitute smoked sausage or ham for the bacon.
Fresh potatoes can be used. I suggest cutting into pieces and boiling them for 10-15 minutes before adding to chowder.