The BEST 7 Layer Dip

The last few weeks I have been craving a 7 layer dip!! Normally I only have it when Im at a get together and someone has brought one or made one. This past year I only had it about 3 times!!! lol So I was definitely craving it.....I know its supposed to be SUPER easy to make, but I had never actually made one myself. So after reading a few recipes, I realized they were all about the same. :) A neighbor had invited us over for Game night and thought this would be Perfect to make! Here is what I did! Hope you enjoy it as much as We did!!

Here are my 7 layers:

*1 Can refried beans

*Sour cream/cream cheese/packet taco seasoning (mix all 3 in a bowl then spread for 2nd layer)

*Guacamole

*Salsa

*Jalapenos

*Lettuce

*Shredded Cheese

Cover and chill until ready to serve! Its THAT SIMPLE!! <3

Crock Pot Broccoli and Cheese Soup!! Mmmm

I first have to say that I HATE the winter!!! There are only two good things about Winter time, getting to wear my UGGs and eating a nice warm bowl of soup!! :) Although my husband isn't a fan of soups and chowders, I LOVE them.  So every now and then i just have to make some, and he always likes it, just think he doesn't get filled up when eating it. lol Tonight was my first attempt at Broccoli and Cheese soup. Originally I was going to just make it on the stove top, but forgot I had a few errands to run this morning, and figured the crock pot would be perfect! :) All I had to to when I got home was make some corn muffins to go along with it. This was per my daughters request. lol  She has been asking for corn muffins all week!! Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I enjoyed making it!

What you will need:
*2 heads of broccoli
*2 large carrots
*2 potatoes
*4 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar
*1 onion
*Celery (optional) I don't care for it, so I used some celery salt instead
*2 tbsp butter
*2 tsp garlic
*1 can Cream of Chicken
*4 cups Chicken broth
*2 tsp Corn Starch
*Salt and pepper to taste

I took the butter and melted it in a saucepan along with the carrots, potatoes and onions. Just saute it for a bit til tender. Then combine ALL ingredients into crock pot (Except Cheese). Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add cheese last 30 min. Keep a little aside to garnish :)

Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice......

Ive had my crockpot for almost 3 years now, and have only Now begun to really use it. Most of the time when I decide I want to use it, I dont have all my ingredients and then its too late, since crockpot recipes take 6 plus hours!! :)  BUT...today I was on it....and found an Amazing recipe on Pintrest for Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken....I added a few different items to make it my own and it was a HUGE hit!! :)

For the Chicken you will need:

*3-4 skinless chicken breast

*1 lime

*1 jalapeno

*1 24oz jar of Salsa

* 1/2 cup of cilantro

*2 tsp of garlic

*green olives (optional)

*1 packet taco seasoning

Simply throw everything into the crockpot and mix. Set on Low for 6-8 hours. It will litterally just fall apart when done!

For the Rice you will need:

*White rice

*1/4 cup Cilantro

*1 lime

Add Cilantro and lime juice to already cooked white rice. Toss together and serve with chicken!

My Husband couldnt get enough of this!!! He was in LOVE!! Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

New Years Eve Tree??? I think YES....!

Why not transform your Christmas tree into a New Years Eve tree!?!? This year, since we were having a black and white themed party, I decided to do my tree up to match. It was So simple and inexpensive.

Cheap...easy Halloween costume....

My 2 year old was not a fan of wearing masks, or a lot of makeup for Halloween. So it was hard to find something for him to be. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the Best! I decided he would be a Bum. Simply took an old pair of his jeans, an old dirty beanie, and mix match shoes....then I used some of my bronzer on his face to look like dirt......tore a some cardboard and made him a a sign to tie around his neck. He looked soo cute and was a Big hit on Halloween with all the neighbors.

First time using Chalkboard paint.....

So, I keep seeing all these things you can make and do with chalkboard paint. I bought some months ago, and just havent quite decided what to do first with it. My husband and I decided to have a New Years Ever party at our house this year and the theme is black and white! :) Immediately I decide I want to attempt wine classes and beer glasses dipped in chalkbourd paint, that way each quest could have their own glass to personalize! This was NOT as easy as it looked, but not bad for my first attempt! Here's how it went......

First I went to the local Dollar Store and picked up a few different glasses.

Gather materials...Chalkboard paint, painters tape, small bowl and Cardboard or wax paper.

I found it easier to just dip the bottoms of the glasses into the paint then to use an actual paint brush.  Now, these did take almost 24 hours to dry! But once all was said and done, they turned out pretty good and were a Big hit at out party! :)

The Finished Product <3

Dinosaurs!!!

My son recently turned 3!! I cant believe how fast the time has gone by! At his request, we had a Dinosaur theme party and invited just a few close friends and family. I LOVE planning parties and decorating for parties, just wish things didnt cost soo much. I try to do alot of the decorations and food myself to cut down on cost. Here are a few pictures of how the day went....

To cut down on some of the cost, I gathered up my sons Dinosaur toys and displayed them throught out the party area, as Decor :)  VERY simple as soo cute!! The kids Loved it!!

A few Dinosaur party game ideas:

*Dino Pinata

*Paint your own 'Dino' egg. (hard boil some eggs prior to party and have the kids color and decorate them)

*Dig for bones (take a small box or or plastic tub, fill with sand. hide a few toy dinosaurs or toy bones so the kids can dig for them)

*Pin the tail on the Dinosaur



Winter Days...

So...every winter the kids hope and pray that it will snow enough to make a Snowman.....I on the other hand could definately go without the snow! :) But, needless to say most of the time there is always that one day when we finally get a little snow fall, and then there I am running around trying to find "Snowman Supplies" for the kids. Here is a cute decorative way to display our Snowman supplies from now on, while we are waiting in the perfect snowy day!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do....it was super easy to do and very inexpensive......

So I simply took an old glass vase I had and filled it up with our 'Snowman Supplies". A scarf, some black buttons, a plastic Carrot, a hat and a plastic pipe :) Too Easy!!!!