Ham & Potato Alfredo

Update 3/3/14:  I made this recipe in the oven instead of the crockpot and we loved it even more this way!  It was more saucy and cooked perfectly!  I layered everything in a 9x13 pan just like the instructions say.  I also added the cheese before baking, but I covered it with foil.  I baked it at 375* for 1 hour.  This is a family favorite of ours! 

I've been on the search for new recipes the last several weeks.  Actually my goal is to come up with 2 (or maybe 3) months of meals with out me repeating the same things over and over.  I had some leftover ham in the freezer that was needing used, so I was on the hunt for a recipe that called for cubed ham.  I ran across this recipe for Ham & Potato Alfredo.  All the ingredients are things I eat (with the exception of the green bell pepper, but I'm trying to expand the list of food I like!)  It's also a crock pot meal and who doesn't love a good crock pot meal?!

Ingredients:

2 lb red medium-size red potatoes cut into bite sized pieces

1/3 c chopped green bell pepper

2 cups cooked ham, cubed 

1 jar Alfredo pasta sauce (I use Newmans alfredo sauce) 

1/2 c milk (2% works better than skim)

1/4 tsp pepper

1/3 c shredded Parmesan cheese

 

Instructions:

Spray your crockpot with cooking spray. Layer half each of the potatoes, bell pepper and ham in the crockpot.

        In a medium bowl, mix Alfredo, milk and pepper; spoon half of the mixture on top of the ham. Layer with the remaining potatoes, ham and bell pepper. Pour the remaining sauce mixture on top. (Do Not Stir)  Cover; cook on Low heat for 6-8 hours.

        About 5 minutes before serving, stir mixture gently. Then sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and replace lid until cheese has melted.

 

Kevin was anxious to try the new recipe, so it was dinner on Tuesday.  He ended up sleeping through dinner, so I tried it first.  I served it with cornbread and they complimented each other perfectly!  If I had the ingredients for a toss salad, that would have been a nice touch too - maybe next time.  But, there will definitely be a next time.  Kevin RAVED about the recipe.  He loved everything about it!  Next time you have some leftover ham, give this recipe a try!

P.S.  I used that Newman brand alfredo sauce.  The recipe calls for a 16oz jar of alfredo, and this was a 15oz jar.  I'd definitely recommend it though!

Thrift Finds

I don't know many people who enjoy thrifting quite as much as I do, so when my sis is in town, I love for her to go with me!  She has a great eye and usually spots things I over look.  I told her she had to put "thrifting with sis" on her to do list.  On Monday we braved the 150% humidity and we both found some great finds!  Here's what I got:

I'm hoping to wear these 3 shirts after I have the baby... ($2.50 each)

Motherhood Maternity dress ($2.50)

A few things for Hayden.  The overalls are adorable on him, but he isn't a fan.  Maybe he can wear them for Halloween?  ($2 per item)

A few cute tops for Allie.  ($2 each)

Some casual dresses for Allie.  ($2 each)  The first pink/stripy one had never been worn!

Only When I'm Pregnant - 34 Weeks

Yesterday I had my 34 week checkup.  Baby should weigh just over 5lbs.  My belly is still measuring small (31 weeks) but the doc isn't concerned.  The heartbeat was 135.  Not finding out the sex has made this quite an interesting waiting game!  As soon as I start leaning one way, something will make me change my mind.  I have a feeling I'm going to go into this delivery still having no clue - and I'm ok with that :)

My next appointment is 2 weeks away.  I have to get routine blood work and I'll have my first pelvic exam.  I'm usually dialated 1 cm by that appointment, so I hope the same is true the 3rd time around.  I'd LOVE to go into labor on my own this time, so let's pray that happens.  There are definitely advantages of getting induced, but we've never got to experience the excitement of calling people saying, "It's time!" (I'd love to call Kevin at work and say, "GET HOME NOW!" haha!)

Allie has really come around the last couple weeks.  She is slowly learning to be gentle and how to treat a baby.  (I think it's really helped my little niece, Eleanor, got here when she did!)  We are going to be setting up the nursery over the next month and I think I'll let Allie set her baby dolls in the swing and crib and diaper changing table so she will see what I'll be doing with our new baby.  As for Hayden and the cats, I think they will adjust very well to #3's arrival.

Lastly, I'm also considering doing some Christmas shopping now because I think it will be easier!  Lots of things to think about the next few weeks...

That's baby's butt sticking out of my belly.  S/he likes to move a lot once Hayden & Allie are asleep!

August's Mid Month Update

(Written last night, Tuesday the 14th)
Outside my window . . .it's dark and kinda cool out.

I am thinking . . .that our dog is stressing me out.  He frustrates me, but I love him, and I just don't know what to do with him!  (He escaped his electric fence twice today and we had to turn up the shock on his collar and the fence and he's one depressed pup because he's confused about the boundaries in the yard changing, and of course I feel bad for him!)

I am thankful for . . ."me" time.  And I'm thankful my husband realizes I need it for my sanity :)

In the kitchen . . .there are corn bread crumbs all over my floor.  I had no energy to get on my hands and knees and clean it up tonight... maybe tomorrow I'll let TJ in to lick it all up for me - or maybe I'll just get the vacuum out... probably should stick with the vacuum idea...

I am wearing . . .pajamas and have been all day.  I knew I was going to be doing laundry and cleaning all day and I didn't think I'd see anyone soooo I opted for pjs... and of course I met 2 neighbors for the first time when they returned our dog.  Note to self:  Get dressed in the mornings!

I am creating . . .a baby to do list.  So far I have 24 items on it that need done/made/bought/cleaned before the baby gets here!  Eek!

I am going . . .to take Hayden to the Big Brother class at the Women's Hospital this week (Kevin's going too).  I think he'll love it!  Hopefully I'll remember my camera so I can take some pics!

I am wondering . . .if this baby will come early.  Not getting my hopes up, but I have had lots of early contractions.

I am reading . . .Radical by David Platt.  And, Wow, has it been eye opening!

I am hoping . . . My kids sleep till at least 7 am.  Momma. Needs. Sleep!

I am looking forward to . . . Kevin building our compost bin!  It's something I've wanted to have the last year but I didn't think I'd ever get Kevin on board.  HE came to me with the idea of wanting to build one so of course I was ALL for it!  We have the bin, and he's hoping this weekend to get it all put together!  Looks like maybe next year we'll be ready for that garden I've been wanting!

I am hearing . . . Nothing, and it's wonderful.  We had a loud/tearful day.  Most days my kids gets along great, but today they wouldn't stop picking on each other!

Around the house . . .the first word that came to my mind was "vacuum".  I need to vacuum.  Between the cornbread crumbs, the cat hair, and the general dirt that gets carried in, I'd die if anyone dropped in right now!

One of my favorite things . . . is taking pictures.  I'm throwing around the idea of taking Baby #3's newborn pics...

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .This is the last week my sis is in town (tear) so we'll be having family get togethers, she will be coming over a few mornings to help with nursery things, and I hope to check about half the things off my Baby To Do list!  I'd love to talk Kevin into repainting the nursery after the compost bin is built :)  What can I say, my to do list for him never ends!

My Sweet Hayden

Instagram photo of Hayden loving on Harry.

I was telling Kevin that one year from now our "little boy" will be getting ready to start kindergarten!  That's hard to imagine.  I was thinking about how sweet he is and how lucky I am to have him.  Here are some things he has done this last week...

• He LOVES going to get the mail for me.  I'll watch him at the door and he'll turn around about 5 times and give me a thumbs up or blow me a kiss.  He actually picked a flower {ok it was a weed} for me on Saturday when he went to the mail box. 
• While doing some shopping yesterday, he stopped me in my tracks and asked me if I wanted to dance with him.  I don't know where he's learned to slow dance, but he wants to put his hand in my hand and his other hand on my shoulder.  
• He is my biggest helper.  Whether I ask him to pick up toys, or get something for me, he's usually willing to help his momma.
• He is back to wearing his boots, jeans, and white tshirts every day.  He woke up one morning before I knew he was awake and dressed himself from head to toe - cowboy hat and all.  It was a cute surprise to start my day. 
• Maybe it's because he is 4, but he tells me everything and I love it.  I enjoy all those conversations and hope they continue!
• He copies everything I do.  If I'm making a list, he wants to too.  If I'm baking, he wants to help.  If I'm sewing, he wants to make something too.  

He is a momma's boy!

Rhett Walker Band

If you haven't heard of Rhett Walker Band I'd highly suggest taking a listen to them!  I fell in love with their song "When Mercy Found Me."  It's catchy and even my kids love it.  Their full CD is available on iTunes for only $7.99!

Pecan Pie Cake

I've been craving pecans lately - pecan bars, cookies with pecans, ice cream topped with pecans - so when I found this recipe for Pecan Pie Cake, on Pinterest, I was very anxious to try it!  I love pecan pie, and I love cake, so how could I not love Pecan Pie Cake?! 

The recipe calls for several ingredients I don't normally have on hand (dark brown sugar, dark Karo syrup, 3 cups of pecans {that's a lot} and buttermilk).  The cake is quite a diva (if cakes can be divas?).  It's very tedious to make.  My favorite cakes are where I can throw all the ingredients in my Kitchen Aid, turn it on, pour it in a pan, and it's ready to bake.  I followed this recipe to a T - making the filling the night before, separating the eggs, beating the eggs whites until stiff peaks form - you get the idea, it's not just something you throw together! 

Despite the extra work, the results of this cake were DELICIOUS!  It really tasted like a pecan pie - ooey and gooey and nutty and sweet!  It was a very heavy and rich cake, but everyone that tried it really enjoyed it!  (In fact, I think one of my cousins went for seconds, then thirds!) :) 

The cake is not made for traveling.  My sister and I were discussing ways to make it more travel-friendly (like by putting it in a 9x13 pan).  I would just hate to make it again and it not turn out edible because it isn't a cheap cake to make!  If you want a crowd pleaser, and don't mind taking the time to make it, I'd absolutely recommend it!!! 

Allie's 2nd Birthday

One week ago we celebrated Allie's 2nd Birthday. We started the day with sticky buns for breakfast, then church, then Gattitown for lunch, then home so Allie could nap and I could prepare for her party. That evening we had a little get together with our family. The birthday girl had a great day and just to prove it, here are lots of pictures :)

 Eating sticky buns is serious business!!!  She enjoyed her "You are speical today" plate!

 AdOrAbLe IU cheer outfit from my BF Whitney Knight :)

 Hayden helped Kevin clean up the trash w/o being asked!

 Funny glasses from Gattitown.

 Allie snuck a cheeseball before dinner was ready...

Allie's sprinkle cake (made by me - and I'm still finding sprinkles throughout the house!)

 Favorite Birthday Picture :)

Allie was a little pictured out after cake and presents!

Tyler, Tabitha, Addison, and Eleanor were at the party too, but we didn't get a group shot with them!

I'm Baaaaack!

I'm typing from our brand new laptop - and seriously I felt like this day would never come!  My brother in law helped us select the perfect computer - and Asus - which I'd never heard of, and I really seem to like it so far!  I have several new recipes to post, tons of new pictures to upload, and many other ideas to blog about!  I hope if you're reading this now, you'll continue to check out my blog in the coming days,weeks, and months because I'm ready to get back in to the swing of things! :)

Only When I'm Pregnant - 33 Weeks

Let's start with some good news... Last week I ordered our new laptop! The bad news is its not here yet, but it should be here by the end of the week, which means by next week, you an expect regular consistent blog postings from me!  I'm probably the only one excited about that, but I have missed blogging!

About being pregnant, I think I'm growing by the day... Which means baby is growing!  His/her kicks and movements are becoming uncomfortable.  I'm also getting up to pee about once a night.  I also have a mild case of pregnancy insomnia, so my wonderful nights of 8 solid hours of sleep have sadly come to and end.  I also have an internal alarm clock that goes off @ 5:30 each morning and I'm not able to go back to sleep.  Most days I try to get a little 30-60 min nap while Allie sleeps.  Hayden is so good and sits right next to me and watches tv while i snooze.
I've eaten tons of raspberries lately (paired with some marshmallow cream fruit dip).  I had a cold the last 2 weeks, complete with pink eye, sinus headaches, sore thriat, ear aches.  I lost my ability to tadte and smell so i ate no fun foods.  Kevin did get me Panera chicken noodle soup for a coupke meals and although i couldnt taste it, it was fantastic!  Now that may taste is back, so is my appetite!
I'm still not feeling 100% about the sex of the baby.  I wanted to have a couple new things for this baby for its newborn photo shoot and my super sweet friend, Deanna, posted a picture of knitted pumpkin hats she making.  (they are raising money to fund the adoption of their new baby girl).  I was thrilled to buy one and happy to suppoirt her.  I got that this week and I can't wait to see how it looks on our little pumpkin! :)
We had an appointment and ultrasound last week and 7 days ago the baby weighed 4lb 3oz, which was 50th percent for weight, which is perfect!  The heartbeat was 138. That's the lowest it's ever been during an appointment. Next week will start 2 week appointments ad the beginning of September I'll be going weekly!  Wow this has gone fast!  I'm hoping in the next 2 weeks to get the baby's room together (with the help of my sis while she is home!)