While I'm at it.....

Since I'm on here I suppose I could post the awesome pictures that Wendy took of us.  I think we got some great shots to include in our Christmas Cards.  Thanks Wendy we LOVE them all!

Something I just have to Share!

I went to a party months ago and discovered this really  fabulous dip.  My lovely friend Suzie was gracious enough to share it with me and since I have had a MILLION requests for the recipe I am sharing it here mostly because I am too lazy to email  everyone that has asked.


Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip

Ingredients:
3 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 jar Marzetti's blue cheese or ranch dressing
1/4 cup Nance's buffalo wing sauce (mild)
1 8-oz.pkg. cream cheese softened
Tabasco or Frank’s Red Hot sauce (optional)
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. Boil chicken until tender (let cool), then shred or chop finely.
2. Mix together dressing and buffalo sauce.
3. Use hot sauce to fire it up to your desire.
4. Spread cream cheese in a 9x13 baking dish.
5. Mix chicken into dressing/buffalo sauce mixture.
6. Pour chicken/dressing/buffalo sauce mixture evenly over cream cheese.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. (Sprinkle a layer of the shredded cheese on the top and cook for the last three minutes if desired.)
8. Let cool and serve with celery sticks, chicken-flavored crackers, Tostitos Dips tortilla chips, etc.


I like to use Litehouse lite blue cheese dressing it makes me feel like I am saving some calories (I'm laughing even typing that)  I also couldn't find that brand of buffalo wing sauce so I use TexasPete Buffalo Wing Sauce and I of course found that at Walmart. One time I served it with homemade french bread cut into small pieces that was a really big hit too!


Sorry no picture it just doesn't photograph well.

Wordless Wednesday~Dirty Dash

Wordless Wednesday~Love the Beach

Mother of the Year

So I have been trying to be "Mother of the Year"  and therefore I have apparently fallen off the face of the blogging world... ahem....
We've been up to a lot around here over the past few months and our summer got stretched out this year because we start "traditional school" instead of my favorite "year round"!  Oh well I am going with the "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" motto.... again trying for Mother of the Year.
Here are some great photos taken by the ever lovely Wendy Atkins.  She did a fantastic job as always!

Wish I could take credit for these fabulous pictures.  I will however take credit for the materials(aka my children) in the photos.
Oh and Mama Kat this is for you!

Yummy Cinnamon Rolls

This is a new family favorite.  We have been enjoying them fresh a LOT.  A lot more than I care to admit. I was thrilled to discover that once baked they also freeze beautifully.  I sadly cannot take credit for the original recipe but I made some alterations that I will take credit for.

                                                                           Cinnamon Filling

2 cups warm water                                               1 cube butter (melted)

2 packages dry yeast (2 T.)                                   3 tablespoons cinnamon

2/3 cup oil                                                            1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

6 cups flour

Soften yeast in warm water then add eggs, oil, salt and sugar and mix well.  Add flour and mix well knead until smooth and elastic.  It will still be a little sticky.  (I use my kitchen aid mixer for the entire process with  great success).

Let dough rise until double and then roll on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch in thickness.  Spread melted butter over dough and then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar (mixed together) over entire surface.  Then start with the widest end and roll up tight.  Slice in 1 inch rolls and place on greased cookie sheet about 1/2 inch apart.  Makes about 18-20 rolls.  Let rise until double.  Then bake at 350 degrees until done.  I use a convection oven and it takes about 15-20 minutes.

Let cool for about 10 minutes then frost.

I use a cream cheese frosting

 1 package cream cheese

 1 cube butter

 about 1 bag of powdered sugar 

 1 tsp vanilla

 milk to smooth thick consistency

They are delicious and like I stated before they can also be frozen and enjoyed later.  I froze them frosting and all with great results I just thawed and warmed in the microwave.

Here is a sneak peek of what they look like rising.  To see the finished product you can visit my silly Vlog and see how delicious they truly appear!!

(I know this isn't a great shot I took it with my camera to entice my husband home one day teehee!)  It totally  worked!!!

Never Boring Here in the Spring

Well this past month has truly flown by.  We have had terrible cold spring weather.  I have pictures to prove it.  I ran the Salt Lake Half Marathon on April 16th if you are my friend on facebook you already know all the details but just to summarize I finished in under two hours which was my goal.  I am now doing the Insanity workouts (which means I am actually INSANE) working on my speed and endurance for my next race.  I will let you know how that turns out.  I would type more about that but my arms are too sore.....
On to the pictures!

This is not from January it is from April not even joking.  We also had a very similar storm to this last weekend!  Gotta love spring in Utah!

Then we had a few decent days I figured I should break out the camera for some good weather shots!

We spent Easter in Price with cousins and Grandma and Grandpa.....it snowed then too..... Are you sensing a theme here?  It snows here in the spring.  I know it could be worse I am not complaining okay I am complaining a little but really I am just sayin'!

My Easter pictures turn out the same every year.  Half crazed!  I think it is the silly kids I am working with.....

Seriously what are they looking at?  Love these crazy kids!