In The Kitchen: Week 4: Veggie Pizza

I'm sort-of cheating on this one. You see, I technically skipped week 3, so I made the loaded potato soup early on in the week, and then made this later on in the week. (Hey, I made this darned New Year's resolution and I'm stickin to it!!)

This is a favorite for get-together's in my family, so of course I whipped it up for the shower today!

Veggie Pizza
Ingredients
   -2 packages refrigerated Pillsbury crescent rolls
   -2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
   -1 c. mayonnaise 
   -1 pkg. Hidden Valley ranch dressing powder mix
   -1 c. fresh broccoli, chopped
   -1 c. fresh cauliflower, chopped
   -1 c. carrots, shredded or chopped
   -1 c. cherry tomatoes, sliced
   -1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions  
Roll out the crescent rolls onto a baking sheet (I always use a Pampered Chef baking stone, but I'm sure any cookie shoot would work fine!). Pinch all the seams together and form a "crust". Bake according to the directions on the package. Let cool once finished baking(I use this time for veggie chopping).


Mix together, cream cheese, mayonnaise and ranch dressing mix. Spread "sauce" onto crust, and top with veggies and cheese. Cut into squares and serve. See, I told you it was simple!  Feel free to use whatever veggies you like (I've had it with peppers, pea pods, even different cheeses!) 

Salt Lake on the Brain

Once upon a time, a good friend of mine packed up herself, her little boy and her boyfriend and moved to Salt Lake City. We all thought she was crazy, crazy in love! A few years later, boyfriend proposed and they were married in a helicopter over the Vegas strip! I promise, this is RIGHT up Jenn's alley! Well, I've been lucky enough to visit her a few times since she's moved out there, and let me tell you... it's gorgeous!

It's snowy here today, but nothing like the snowy mountains of SLC. And today,  I've got Salt lake on the brain. Jenn taught me to snowboard, or should I say Jenn strapped boots and a board on me and said "Ok follow me!" and now I love it!

I haven't gotten the chance to go out this year, and I'm a little sad. So I'm sharing pictures today to cheer me up a little!

Here's Jenn & I on our way to Sundance last year. I know I know, I have the prettiest friends! Wait til you see her son, he's a doll! 

And this is Caleb! We were trying to teach him to ice skate on this particular night. He decided being carried was a lot easier!

 

Ok. Enough reminiscing.... 

Hi Jenn - I miss you! I'm sorry I didn't make it out for Sundance this year... but soon hopefully! Maybe even in time to do a lil boarding, eh eh??

T-1 to Papaya's shower

The noodle has a nickname. She's not even here yet, and my niece is called Papaya by nearly half of our family friends! It started as a joke when I threatened mama-to-be that they didn't choose a name soon I was going to name her, and it was going to be something outrageous and CelebriTot-inspired!

That's where Papaya Rose came in. It was either that or Boisenberry Blou! We started referring to Courtney's bump as Papaya as a joke, and now it's kind of stuck! You have to admit, there could be worse nicknames though!

Anyways, Papaya's shower is tomorrow! I have LOVED planning this, like seriously I've had so much fun. I wanted to share some of the goodies with you.

Candy bar! We sort of lucked out, and with the Valentines day right around the corner we found TONS of options of things that match the shower colors - pink, dark pink/red, and a springy green (these colors, and brown, are the colors of the nursery!)

These are part of the favors - aren't these little jars ADORABLE?! We filled them with 3 shades of pink M&M's and tied a green ribbon around the top.

Jones Soda's that will be going in a bucket full of ice - I can't remember the exact flavors- I want to say .

we got Cream Soda (clear/white), FuFu Berry (pink) and Apple (green).

I just wanted to give ya'll a sneak peek! I've got a TON to do today, and will be taking lots of pictures tomorrow so I will definately have a lot to share! EEeeee -I can't wait! I am so excited there will be a little one in the family!

Here's a cute picture of the parents-to-be from a few years ago. Aren't they so cute?! Since I've never "introduced" them on my blog; that's my brother, Brandin and his my sister-in-law, Courtney.... they're so excited for lil noodle to get here!

Saying ByeBye to the Friendship Stars

I have this little problem of getting myself into WAY too many things at once! I've always been this way, and I don't see it changing anytime soon! I'm not one of those people who can lay around on a couch all day, I HAVE to be doing something otherwise I get really anxious.

I finished up one of the projects for charities earlier this week -

My friendship stars for Cancer is Sew Done that I wrote about here. These lil cuties are getting sent off in the morning!

Now I'm off to finish up sewing the knickknacks on my apron for the Martini Madness Apron swap. This thing has been stressin me out for sure! I will post pictures soon. A few of the girls had added pictures of theirs to the Martini Madness blog, and let me tell you... I wouldn't be upset if I received any of those!

I better get to work now!

In The Kitchen: Week 3: Loaded Potato Soup

This should probably be titled something more along the lines of week 3 and a half, since I cooked nothing last week! Oops. Baby steps, people, baby steps!

Last night after work I really just needed some comfort food. With the Colt's making it to the Super Bowl, my job has been hectic. Every bar and restaurant in the state now wants blue-white-alcohol-induced posters and banners! Chrischris & I decided to make an O'Charley's-esque Loaded Potato Soup. Let e rephrase, I decided to, he got dragged into dicing potatoes and frying bacon.

The recipe came from this gem. My mom has this thing chock full of handwritten recipes from great grandmas, aunts, cousins, friends and a fair stash of 'just-printed-off' newbies that are sticking out the side. It's my favorite!

Loaded Potato Soup
Ingredients
   -3 lbs red potatoes
   -1/4 c. margarine, melted
   -1/4 c. flour
   -8 c. half-and-half (the half gallon size carton)
   -32oz. block Velvetta cheese, melted
   -Cracked black pepper, to taste
   -Garlic powder, to taste
   -1/2 pound bacon, fried crisply
   -1/2 c. fresh chives chopped
   -1 pkg shredded cheddar cheese

Directions  
Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2" cubes. Place in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Let the potatoes boil for about 10 minutes (they will be about 3/4 of the way cooked).


In a separate pot (This is the pot all of your soup will be made in), combine melted margarine and flour, mixing til smooth. Place over low heat and gradually add half-and-half, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until smooth and liquid begins to thicken.


Dice Velvetta into 1" cubes and add to half-and-half mixture. Stir well and let the cheese melt down. Drain potatoes and add them to this pot as well. You can now stir in your garlic powder and black pepper.


Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 


Serve soup in bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese and chives.


This is one of our favorite soup recipes - the best part is that it has the chili factor, and tastes even better the next day!