NAILED IT!

My daughter and I decided to pick up this easy and fun looking gingerbread house kit from Target.  Little did I know, this thing turned out to be a nightmare!  The roof kept sliding off and the walls kept falling in.  After the 3rd time it fell apart, I looked at the directions again.  Turns out, I was supposed to let the pieces dry for 15 mins before trying to decorate.  Opps.  Well, here you have it, my first "Nailed It!" pic!

xo
Nicole

YEY!!!!  I am announcing that I've opened my Etsy shop!

Check out my Etsy shop here!

I'm so excited that Ive finally opened it!  Currently I am only selling jewelry, but I think in the future I will be selling some other things!  I can't wait to see where that takes me!  I have so many crafts that I love to do and I'd love to share them with all of you!

Here are some of the fun things you'll find there!

Yummy Chicken Pot Pie

Hey everyone!  I think I've finally done it!  I've mastered the homemade chicken pot pie.  It's so easy but it takes a little bit of time.  I always rushed it and it came out runny...not this time...I finally got it!! 
I found this recipe from Sunny Anderson on Food Network but have made some changes to it.  I definitely enjoy my version better.

(pic is from Food Networks website, I didn't take pics this time, but I will next time!)

So here it is:  

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (about 10 tenders or breast cut up)
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 1 Tablespoon poultry seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 bag Freshlike frozen vegetables for soup
• 2 cloves garlic,  minced 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 store bought pie crust, unbaked and thawed if frozen
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 package chicken flavored concentrated stock (like Knorr Homestyle Stock)

Directions

Special equipment: 10-inch cast-iron pan (8" works too or even a large oven safe skillet)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Generously sprinkle the chicken tenders with paprika, poultry seasoning, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Heat a 10-inch cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil begins to swirl, add the seasoned chicken and saute until cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate with tongs, leaving the oil in the pan. Rest the chicken for a few minutes, and then chop into 1/2-inch cubes.
To the same pan, add the onions and garlic. Once onions are translucent, add frozen vegetables and cook until they are tender.  Sprinkle in the flour and stir until the flour dissolves into the vegetables and juices. Slowly add the chicken stock 1/4 cup at a time, stir and wait for it to absorb then add 1/4 cup more.  Continue until you've used all 1 1/2 cups and continue stirring until thickened. Once the liquid has thickened. Season with salt and pepper again, to taste.  Simmer on medium-low for about 15 mins so the sauce is nice and thick.  
Return the chicken to the pan and stir to combine.  Remove skillet from heat.  Unfold the pie crust and place over the top of the filling, tucking the excess edges inside the pan, press against the side as best as you can so the filling doesn't leak out. Brush the crust evenly with the beaten egg. Using a knife, gently cut 3 vents in the top of the crust. Place in the oven and bake until the crust is golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. 
 Let the pot pie rest for 5 mins before serving.  ENJOY!!!

WELCOME!!

Well, here it is, my first blog.  I am currently supposed to be studying for school, but instead I decided to take a few minutes to clear my mind and start this whole blog thing.  So, Ive never blogged before, but I feel like I have so many interests and ideas that this would be the best place to start.  I read a lot of blogs and some of these women completely grab me and pull me in for hours.  I read every post and their writing is so perfect and expressive.  I hope to be that type of blogger eventually, so for now, you get this haha!

I've been told that I have no filter and sometimes I say things that come to my mind without thinking about them.  I guess that's a little bit of sarcasm and a little bit of my husband rubbing off on me.

So here is a little bit about me...

I am a wife to my hubby, who I will refer to as J and I have two little ones, Boogie (almost 5 year old daughter) and Buddy (1 year old son).  I am staying at home right now trying to attempt to be the perfect homemaker and stay at home mom, but sometimes I totally feel like I'm failing at that!  I have my son with me all day while my daughter is at school and I am going to school at night for nursing.  It is so much work, I never realized how hard this would be, but I'm just going to keep truckin' along! 

I love LOVE LOVE Pinterest and I love to make crafts and recipes that I find on that site.  Im sure you will see MANY posts of crafts Im trying out.  Some are amazing and some are total "pinstrosities!"  Once I get around to it, I will post pics of the projects that Ive done so you all can check them out!  

I made some amazing chicken and pea risotto last night and let me tell you, it was AMAZING!  I will post the recipe soon!  I cant wait for tomorrow night cause Im going to be deep frying those bad boys into delicious risotto balls!!  My mouth is already watering!  My jeans as begging me not to though!  Its all good, as long as I don't eat 12 (we all know I will eat like 8 though!). 

I will post the recipe and how to for the Arancini balls AKA Risotto balls tomorrow!

Thanks for reading :)

Nicole