Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
December 17, 2019 • Cooking
Hey Y'all, How's it going?
Well for me and my house we are struggling with these short days of cold weather and limited daylight, but we are spending a lot of time inside and that has been really nice. We live in NC and the weather really hasn't been too bad so far, but the weather will get colder in January.
When I was growing up my Mom made all of our meals from scratch and never did we go out and eat. She would stretch food over many meals and leftover night was a real thing in our house.
My Momma had a knack for making an amazing meal for our family of 5, with very little groceries in the kitchen. One-pot meals were her specialty and they never failed to be the soooo good.
As I was thinking about this soup it made me think back to the times when she would use a whole chicken she cut up herself. I will not be cutting a whole chicken, but you are more than welcome too.
My Momma taught me how to cook at a very early age and she always was giving me tips and tricks for shortcuts or substitutions.
I would give anything in this world to have my Momma here now.
I am going to use a rotisserie chicken from the store(gasp) for my soup like I said If you want to cut up a whole chicken, have fun.
I am taking the easier way, but still just as delicious.
My Momma taught me how to cook at a very early age and she always was giving me tips and tricks for shortcuts or substitutions.
I would give anything in this world to have my Momma here now.
I am going to use a rotisserie chicken from the store(gasp) for my soup like I said If you want to cut up a whole chicken, have fun.
I am taking the easier way, but still just as delicious.
If you don't have all of these spices and herbs on hand, do not go out and buy them. This soup will be great with whatever you have.
Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced thin
1 cup celery, sliced thin
1 cup yellow onion, diced small
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons parsley chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
64 oz.(8 cups) chicken broth
12 ounces wide egg noodle
2 cups shredded rotisseries chicken
- Add the olive oil to a large stockpot and heat over medium heat.
- Add the carrots, celery, onion, and saute for about 6 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the garlic powder, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and pepper, and bring to a boil.
- Allow it all to boil for about 12 minutes
- Add the egg noodles and for another 12 minutes or until the noodles are soft. You may need to add more broth as the noodles will absorb the moisture.
- Add the chicken and parsley and boil until chicken is warm and incorporated into the soup. Taste and see what it needs more of.
- Add more salt or spices if needed. Remove the bay leaves and enjoy!
Wintertime is a time to slow down and relax, and I hope you enjoy these cold months as much as I do.
Cheers!
Ghostface Brewing
December 6, 2019 • Foodie Friday
Welcome to Friday and that means it is time to share a chef, restaurant or a fellow foodie who is leaving their mark.
Today, this Foodie Friday is spotlighting Ghostface Brewing
Ghostface Brewing is located in my hometown of Mooresville, NC and is nestled in a residential area it gives a vibe of an old pub.
Ghostface offers several beers on tap and food is cooked to order in house, by Davidson Pizza Company.
We started with a Pilsner Beer and a Pink Kitty
They also have flights and wine.
Davidson Pizza Company offers a wide selection of pizzas, Strombolis, Calzones, Salads, and appetizers
The Godfather is full of Italian Meats
Chicken Wings were perfect with blue cheese and ranch dressing
Stop by Ghostface and see what you are missing.
It has quickly, became a local favorite.
I just couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy this Cheesecake Creme Brulee and it was perfect.
Ghostface has a nice patio area, which is perfect in the summer.
Also, check out an offspring of Ghostface Brewing the Beer Lab.
Ghostface Brewing
427 E. Statesville Ave
Mooresville, NC 28115
704-799-7433
Happy Friday!
Baked Mac & Cheese-the last recipe you will ever need.
December 4, 2019 • Cooking
I want to share our favorite Baked Mac & Cheese with you.
This is a simple and delicious dish and really easy to prepare, even on a weeknight.
Also, if you are in the mood for sharing, this is the perfect dish for a potluck.
Baked Mac & Cheese
1 package(7oz) elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter, divided
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 package(8oz) cream cheese, cubed
2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Cook macaroni according to package directions.
Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan.
Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat; add cheeses, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Drain macaroni; add to the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to a greased shallow 3 qt baking dish. Melt the remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs and parsley. Sprinkle over macaroni.
Bake uncovered, at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 6-8 servings
I hope you enjoy this recipe and it becomes a family favorite.
How to Host a Stress Free Holiday Open House
December 3, 2019 • Lifestyle
The holidays are perfect for hosting a holiday open house.
It gives you a chance to open your home, without the stress of a huge dinner party.
Here is what you need to host an open house
that will become a tradition.
~Set The Date~
Send out invitations thru the mail or social media but, make sure you give your guests plenty of time to put it on their calendar.
The holidays can be extremely busy.
*Also, make sure to note on the invite if children are invited.
These cards from Zazzle are perfect for the holidays.
These cards from Zazzle are perfect for the holidays.
~Prep~
Plan the food and drink menu. Think about foods that do not need to be heated. Snack trays, nuts, chips things like that are good sitting out. Make sure it isn't anything to difficult to hold as your guest may be standing while eating.
You can use disposable dishes if you would like but, to really set the tone as classy, I will be using small appetizer plates.
~Set The Scene~
Candles, music, twinkling lights are a great way to set the mood and tone of the open house. Set up chairs into small conversation areas around your home. This keeps the flow moving and gives people a chance to get to know each other.
When I host a party in the winter, I like to light a fire in the fire pit on the back porch and make sure my outside lights are on. If someone wants to walk outside, it just makes for a nice touch instead of total darkness.
Make this easy simmer pot to give your home a yummy smell
1 whole orange
1/2 cup cranberries
1 tbsp. whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
a pinch of nutmeg
Combine ingredients with water and simmer on low throughout the party
Give your guest small favors such as homemade cookies, an ornament or small Christmas tree or poinsettia.
Have Fun! Give yourself time to freshen up and get ready for your guest. Mingle and spend time with your family and friends.
Cheers to enjoying the holidays!
When I host a party in the winter, I like to light a fire in the fire pit on the back porch and make sure my outside lights are on. If someone wants to walk outside, it just makes for a nice touch instead of total darkness.
Make this easy simmer pot to give your home a yummy smell
1 whole orange
1/2 cup cranberries
1 tbsp. whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
a pinch of nutmeg
Combine ingredients with water and simmer on low throughout the party
Give your guest small favors such as homemade cookies, an ornament or small Christmas tree or poinsettia.
Have Fun! Give yourself time to freshen up and get ready for your guest. Mingle and spend time with your family and friends.
Cheers to enjoying the holidays!
Foodie Friday-Middle James Brewing
November 22, 2019 • Foodie Friday
Happy Friday! Today, I want to share with you a brewery that also has a fantastic menu. Middle James Brewing is located in Pineville, NC and it is a relaxed and family-friendly place to grab a beer, some great food, and watch the game.
They have a full menu of appetizers, salads, burgers, and wraps, and kid meals and pair that with a beer from the vast beer options for the perfect meal.
This Beer Cheese Dip was so good served with the warm pretzels
Who else likes Poutine? Trust me y'all I'm a Southern girl and I've just about eaten my weight in collards and fried chicken but, this is not a food I am head over heels in love with, yet! But I did try it and it was good. This poutine has beer gravy on it so, maybe that's the key for me to eat it. It was delicious.
The Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Salad were perfect and my love of radishes is in my wheelhouse of southern foods, I grew up on.
A simple salad with a mix of greens, broccoli, and chicken with a creamy ranch dressing. Yummy!!
I enjoyed all this delicious food with a
Fly Kid Kolsch and it was perfect.
Stop by and visit Middle James Brewing any day of the week for football, music bingo, dinner specials or live music.
Middle James Brewing
400 North Polk St.
Pineville, NC 28134
704-889-6522
Until next time!!
Make your life easier with online grocery shopping
October 8, 2019 • Out & About
We are all very busy with life and kids and all that other blah, blah, blah. The last place I want to go to is to the grocery store.
I also, am not one to stay on task very well(shocker).
So, I may go into the store for milk and bread and come out with an extension cord and wine, it happens to us all.
So, I may go into the store for milk and bread and come out with an extension cord and wine, it happens to us all.
My life has been a roller coaster ride lately and I have started embracing anything that makes it easier and less stressful.
We were not meant to go to work, pay bills and I am adding grocery shopping to that list too.
Run your life, don't let it run you!!
I am going to repeat that, just because I need to hear it again,
Run your life, don't let it run you!!
Run your life, don't let it run you!!
I am going to repeat that, just because I need to hear it again,
Run your life, don't let it run you!!
Here are some benefits that I enjoy about grocery shopping online-
1. Convience- shopping online saves me time and to me that is the biggest benefit.
2. Quality-All the products I have gotten have always been really fresh, even my veggies are nice. Some people are weird about having another person pick out their veggies, I am not that person.
3.Shopping List- I know this could fall under convience but, I like to keep my grocery list running all week as I run out of things and plan my menu, I can just add too it. Then hit the submit button when ready.
4. With lots of pick up times and delivery options available I can schedule pick up when I am ready.
Just pull up, alert them by app or phone and wait and within minutes my groceries are delivered to my car.
I like using Wal Mart because they are close to home and they do not charge a fee for the service.
Now, if you were in a rush or maybe just had a baby, sick or just don't want to leave home they offer have a delivery option.
I checked from my Wal Mart market to my house is $9.95 most days and two next week it is $7.95.
Not sure why the delivery cost is different, they only thing I can figure is maybe because it is so many days out.
So, give online shopping a try and I promise you it will be a game changer.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Dana~
Foodie Friday-Broccoli Salad
September 13, 2019 • Cooking, Foodie Friday
Hey, Y'all!! I really am still alive and kicking over here. We have been dealing with back to school and getting settled into that routine, which like always is a struggle for all of us.
Recently at work, we made this recipe for broccoli salad and I forgot how much, I love it.
I can remember my Mom making her version and it was always in a butter container(when people used every resource they had) in our fridge growing up.
Sometimes my Mom add different ingredients, depending who might be coming over for dinner. I always ate it all up, no matter how it was made and I miss it very much!
Here is a quick & easy salad that goes great as a snack or with a meal.
Here is a quick & easy salad that goes great as a snack or with a meal.
Broccoli Salad
5-6 broccoli florets
2/3 cups dried cranberries
1 cup crumbled bacon
Mix with 3/4 cup mayo
1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Mix all together in a big bowl, cover and put in the fridge over night to marinate.
Enjoy!!
Cleaning Wood Furniture
September 11, 2019 • Lifestyle
Many years ago Sonny & I gifted ourselves a very nice Adirondack furniture set for the fire pit area of our yard. The furniture was made by an older gentleman in our community and it is sturdy and very well built.
When Sonny put this furniture around our fire pit, he put the legs on small path stones and that has preserved the legs and the entire set for about 20 years now.
When Sonny put this furniture around our fire pit, he put the legs on small path stones and that has preserved the legs and the entire set for about 20 years now.
After sitting thru rain, winter and the blazing hot sun it became a bit gross looking though. I knew it was time for a good cleaning and restaining.
With Fall on the way I wanted to get this project off my to do list so, here is how it went.
It all started with my new Greenworks Electric Pressure washer(love it) and trust me nothing is safe when I have this baby in my hands.
It was on sale at Lowe's Hardware for about $159 and it is much easier to use than the gas types.
It comes with easy change tips for different jobs which makes this pressure washer very versatile.
This is what my Adirondack furniture looked like before the cleaning. I could not remember the last time this furniture had been clean.
I got this Rust-Oleum Deck & Patio from Lowe's Hardware.
The instructions say mix and spray and leave on for about 10 mins which I am sure works better if your
furniture doesn't look as bad as mine.
I used a scrubbing brush and then rinsed with the car was tip of my pressure washer.
The swingset was just as disgusting
Here is the chair after cleaning, it is still a little wet but,
I am going to let all the furniture dry before giving all of it stain protection.
Much better after a good bath.
How adorable it will be all fresh and clean with some cute Fall pillows and a fire going this Fall.
Hey it's me and let me tell you I was hot, dirty and wet and this was taken early and in the shade.
Cleaning furniture is no joke girls but,
but now it all looks so much better.
I think Sonny would be proud of how this turned out, we always enjoyed building a fire and having a cold beer or 12.
I even found a Coors Light(Sonny's fav beer) can in the ashes of the firepit and it made me think of him.
Now I just need to give it a few coats of stain and it will be beautiful for many more years.
Falls Coming,
Chicken Tenders in the air fryer vs stovetop
August 14, 2019 • Cooking
My kids love chicken, it is the meat of choice around our house. For many years I have fried the chicken tenders in oil on the stovetop(be careful with this method) but lately, I have been breading them and using the air fryer I got for Christmas. Does everyone else just love their air fryer? I sure love mine. No more smell of oil cooking in my house and the time standing over the stove watching the oil like a hawk. The kids can use it if they need a snack(chicken nuggets or popcorn shrimp without me being here to supervise. It's been our most used kitchen appliance lately.
I have used House Autry products as long as I can remember and they have always been the best.
I start with a pack of chicken tenders and follow my Moms recipe(it's in my head)
Sometimes I drench my chicken in buttermilk first but, I was out so I just used milk.
Set up like a little assembly line of milk, breading mix and the basket for your air fryer. I only put about 3 or 4 tenders in my air fryer at a time. Follow the temps for your fryer recommends as each one is different.
Read here when I posted about getting my air fryer and these wings I made.
My kids have a serious Ranch dressing addiction.
Everything gets dunked.
I like making chicken tenders in the air fryer better because, the breading makes this nice crispy outside(just like oil with the mess)
It takes less time than using the stove and it is a healthier option.
What have you made in the air fryer that has changed how you cook?
Did you used to make one thing using the oven or stovetop and have now changed to the air fryer?
Tell us about it in the comments below.
Until next time,
Motivational Monday- a 15 minute morning yoga routine
August 12, 2019 • Lifestyle
Happy Motivational Monday!
I am back and getting set in a routine with school and work back in full swing. Different studies have different results but, most say 66 days until something becomes habit.
Do whatever that one thing is that you have been avoiding for 66 days and it will now be a habit and muscle memory will take over from there. The best way to get to those 66 days were a new thing becomes a habit is to just start.
I am trying to add a new routine to my day, since my days can be long it made sense for me to try a yoga routine in the morning.
I have been on a night routine for about 6 months and I have noticed the difference.
I have been on a night routine for about 6 months and I have noticed the difference.
I found this yoga instructor here and she gives easy yoga instruction from basic to advanced.
She covers other things that go along with yoga, like gratitude and balance.
So take the time and turn that "thing" into a habit.
Maybe you want to start walking, yoga, meditating, saving money, journaling if you start now you can be well on your way in a few months.
Each journey starts with the first step.
Happy Motivational Monday,
The Chef's Table aboard Carnival Sunshine- A foodie in Paradise.
August 11, 2019 • Cooking, Foodie Friday, Travel
Hey, y'all!! I know I dropped off the face of the earth right after we got back from our cruise but, this girl has been busy!
First of all, you know how short our summer was and as soon as we returned from vacay it was back to work(insert frown here)
You know how much I love my job but, I was not ready to go to work honestly, I didn't want to leave the Bahamas.
But, the cruise was amazing and beautiful and more then I could have ever dreamed of and more.
I think I told y'all some time ago that I had booked myself to have dinner at the Chef's table and it was really exciting.
Let me just say it was one of the coolest things I have done lately.
I heard someone at dinner say, "The two most important people on the ship are the chef and the captain." I am going with the Chef as my fav.
The menu had food I had never tried but, that didn't stop me. I tried and loved everything.
Let's start with appetizers and a champagne toast in the galley of the Carnival Sunshine.
We enjoyed some delicious appetizers as we toured the kitchen
With over 2,000 guests onboard you can imagine how crazy this kitchen can get at times. It was like a ballet dance of trays of food, ovens cooking as hard as the could and everything coming together at just the perfect time. Sounds like my days sometimes.
After our kitchen tour, we moved up a few floors to a private dining room and the table was set for 12 people. I am glad they kept the group small because it gave you a chance to enjoy the evening and get to know others at the table and have one on one with the chef.
Spring Peas & Matcha Soup
We used the spring onion to mix the matcha into the soup
Berkshire Pork Belly with veil of yuzu mustard, crustacean essence
I have never eaten pork belly but, this may have been my favorite. It had so much good flavor.
Slow Cooked Crispy Lamb with roasted beet & port jus
Quail, Wild Mushrooms and Carnaroli with parmesan, pepper threads, roasted onion jus
I have also never eaten Quail and was a little nervous but, it didn't disappoint at all.
These courses brought lots of compliments to the chef from everyone at dinner. It was fun to try new foods and the service they showed us was out of this world.
As stuffed as we were, we still had to find some way to get dessert down too.
Citrus Cream with lime snow, elderflower caviar
Chocolate Hazelnut with basil moss, cocoa logs, chocolate soil
Special thanks to Executive Chef Ramesh Selvam and Carnival Sunshine for this amazing experience that I will always remember.
My kids are talking about going on another cruise and I know I will participate in the Chef's Table again.
Ok, here it is Carnival Sunshines Signature dessert recipe
Warm Chocolate Melting Cake
Yield 5 servings
Ingredients:
Chocolate Semi Sweet 3 oz
Sweet Chocolate 3 oz
Unsalted Butter 6 oz
Fresh Eggs 4 ea
(Make sure the eggs are at room temperature and chocolate is warm enough while making the mixture)
Flour 2 oz
Sugar 1.5 oz
Method:
Melt chocolate and butter
Mix the eggs and sugar and whisk for a few minutes, add the flour
Add the egg mixture to the melted chocolate and mix
Pour the mix in a greased mould
Bake in the oven at 320 F for 14 minutes
Serve with ice cream and a fruit garnish.
Enjoy!
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