Taco Braid

Have I ever mentioned how much I love delicious, easy recipes???

I do.

And this is one.

Taco Braid
Ingredients

• Lean ground beef (80/20)*
• 2 cans crescent rolls
• Mexican blend cheese
• taco seasoning

*You can use as little as 1 lb and probably as much as you want.  I used about 1.5 lbs.

1. Brown ground beef and drain.  Then add taco seasoning as you would when making tacos.

2.  While taco meat simmers, lay out your crescent rolls, (large ends are placed on the inside) and press together.

3. Fill in the center with the taco meat.

4. Sprinkle with the cheese.  (Another great thing about this recipe...how much you use is TOTALLY up to you.  The original recipe doesn't even put cheese on the inside.  I thought that was nonsense.)

5. Fold in the ends, and bake at 350* for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Then sprinkle more cheese on top, and bake until melted.

I think I was too excited about eating this to take a picture once it was baked and the cheese was melted.  Plus, someone was home from work and wanted to eat so....

I made a packet of the Knorr Spanish Rice sides with this, and it was great!  You can also serve with taco toppings: salsa, sour cream, taco sauce, lettuce, etc.  Scott put salsa, taco sauce, and the rice all on top of this, and he loved it!  I tried it as is, and I loved it that way, too!  Make it your own! :)  You can have it as an appetizer, a side, or a main dish.  It's great for pot lucks, too!  You could cut slices and then cut them in half by going straight down the middle!

I made this taco braid on the tray from my Celebrating Home hospitality set in the Simply Summer stoneware pattern.  This used to be a piece that only hostesses could get after two friends booked parties.  In our Fall/Winter 2014 catalog, we have them available in two stoneware patterns: Berry and Sonoma Villa.

3-Piece Berry Hospitality set (bowl, tray, stand)

3-Piece Sonoma Villa Hospitality Set (bowl, tray, stand)

Stuff & Things: Random Thoughts

Here are some random thoughts:

1.  Water is a catch 22.  I get that we're supposed to drink a lot of water each day, and I mean, A LOT.  It's good for you, but seriously, having to pee 100 times a day is REALLY annoying.  And, of course, we all know that waiting too long to go is not good for you either.

2. Ok, this one is also about water.  Scott and I bought the variety pack of Propel powder packets the other day.  Since I have been trying to drink water with my lunch AND dinner AND throughout the day, I've been getting pretty tired of the lack of flavor in my life.  I really do like these things, and it's a nice way to change up the whole water thing without adding calories to my day.  And at least, there's a variety of these to keep that from getting boring.

3. My first day back to school is August 25th.  The kids come on August 27th.  Next week, I will have a series of school-related posts.  (One of them will be my classroom set-up!)

4. Have you heard of/tried Vinted.com?  It's a pretty cool website where you can sell your clothes and accessories.  The prices are similar to yard sale prices (at least MINE are).  Buyers pay the shipping, so once you sell something, you ship it off.  Once they get their item(s), you get paid.  You can also buy items from others, or you can swap things!  I did manage to sell a Thirty-One purse, wallet, & key chain.  And I've had lots of people mark my items as favorites.  I haven't had a ton of luck, though.

5. My parents' and their neighbors are having a yard sale this weekend.  I've been trying to purge all sort of things around here: clothes I'm not wearing (because they don't fit or I don't like them any more), appliances, and other items we're not using.  I have stuff on eBay, Amazon, Vinted, and a bunch of local yard sale groups on Facebook.  I just hope I can get rid of a lot on Saturday!  I'm tired of our house being cluttered!  I'm even going to set up a table with my Celebrating Home stuff.  I have items that aren't in our current catalog and aren't ones I want to keep that I can sell on the spot, and I also plan to try to get some leads on parties and fundraisers.

6. Finally, the above just reminded me.....Celebrating Home offers AMAZING fundraisers.  We have two that yield up to 50% profit for your organization!  You don't have to live near me for me to help you or your organization with a fundraiser.  I would simply have forms shipped to you.  There's also an online component, and once I receive all of your orders, everything will be shipped to the location you specify sorted for each seller.  It's SO easy!  If you need to raise money for ANYTHING: personal, trips, schools, sports, dance, gymnastics, day care, medical bills, charity....ETC (the possibilities are endless!), contact me, and I can share more information with you!

So what Stuff & Things are on your mind today?
 

I Need Your Help!

As much as I love that spring brings some great things: warmer weather, the end of the school year, green grass, beautiful flowers, etc., I always find that I get super busy this time of year!

Last year, I ended up taking a blogging hiatus around the same time.  I actually wanted to, and I needed it.  This time, my hiatus has been unintentional.  I'm behind on just about everything.

Here's what's been going on lately:

via

1. Scott and I had an impromptu getaway last weekend.  A casino opened up in Maryland (not far from the PA border).  I'm not much of a gambler, but it was the perfect idea!  We had a great time!  Our room was beautiful!  We got to sleep in a King-size bed, gamble a little, relax, and eat.  It felt like we were so far away from home, but we were only about an hour away.  It's the perfect idea.  And no, I didn't get any pictures.

2.  I'm working really hard to improve my Celebrating Home business!  I want to promote to Director (one of the leadership positions in the company), and I'm also trying to earn enough points for Scott and me to both go!  Most of the time, I find myself working on my business online, and the next thing I know, I haven't gotten anything else done, and it's time to sleep.

3. Four other teachers and I are singing at our elementary school's PTO Talent Show in May.  It's been fun getting to sing before work.  It puts me in a much better mood.  We're singing "Reflection" from Mulan and "Lollipop" by The Chordettes.

4.  Ok, so this post is called "I Need Your Help!"  Let me tell you why.  First of all, Celebrating Home just released an amazing new product called the Oh La Lamp.

The company has given us a challenge to sell 25 by April 30th.  Not only does this help my business financially, but by reaching this goal, I will earn 1000 points toward that cruise I mentioned above! 

As you can see from the picture, we have three styles: Madison, Emma, and Isabella.  The lamps use a 15 watt night light bulb that you can pick up pretty much anywhere.  The fragrance comes from our Aroma Crystals.  These crystals are NOT wax, so they do not melt.  You just pour them in the lamp, and the light makes them pretty and helps to emit fragrance for 30 days.  When you're done, you simply pour the crystals into the garbage and replace with a new jar.  No fuss!  No mess!  Just long lasting, beautiful fragrance. 

We have 23 scents from which to choose, AND you can even mix and match scents for your own fragrance "recipe"!

I just need 14 more people to order their Ooh La Lamps and crystals to help me reach my goal!!  You can help me by clicking here.  This will take you directly to my party page that features the Ooh La Lamps and Aroma Crystals!  You can order and pay online, and everything will ship right to your door!  PLUS when you order an Ooh La Lamp and a jar of crystals, I will throw in a second jar of Aroma Crystals ABSOLUTELY FREE!  Also, when you order, you can enter my Giveaway below.  As a token of thanks, everyone who orders can enter to win a $5 Gift Card to Starbucks!

Will you please help me??
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pork & Sauerkraut

One of my family's New Year's Day traditions is having pork, hotdogs, and sauerkraut.  My grandparents were always the ones who cooked and brought it to my mom and dad's house for dinner until a few years ago. 

Now let me tell you.  I hate sauerkraut.  I really do.  But, oddly enough, I like the flavoring that it gives to the pork.

I'm a complicated person.

So anyway, Scott does like sauerkraut, and he had about half a jar left it the fridge.  Last Monday, I had a Celebrating Home party to do.  I knew that I needed to get home, eat, and head out for a 45 minute trip to the party location.  Scott was working nights, so the only way this could really happen was to let something cook all day.

Along with that sauerkraut, we had some porkchops in the freezer.  I was struck with the brilliant idea to make pork, hotdogs, and sauerkraut.

Cue my Bean Pot.  (Just so you know, if you click on that link, it will take you to this cute Christmasy Bean Pot that's on sale right now for $23...orignally $46....that's HALF OFF!!!)

This was so easy, it's almost embarrassing to post.

Bean Pot Pork & Sauerkraut
Ingredients:

• 2-4 boneless pork chops (I used 3.)
• sauerkraut
• hotdogs
• salt & pepper (to taste)

1. Place porkchops in the bean pot and empty the sauerkraut on top.  (P.S. My porkchops were frozen.)  Put hot dogs on top.

2. Bake in oven on 170* for 8 hours.

 

3. Serve with mashed potatoes and bread. 

 

No, I didn't eat any of the hot dogs.  While I like pork cooked in sauerkraut, I don't like my hot dogs cooked in it.  I told you.  I'm complex.  ;) 

This was so good, but there were a couple of things that would have made it better: eating it with my family on New Year's Day and the bread that my Pappy always would bring to go with it.  It's store bought, but oh so much better than this stupid stuff on my plate.  :)

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

I just thought I'd steal this idea from Kristin since I wasn't sure what else I wanted to write about today.  :)

I went shopping.

I went to Maurice's.

I spent A LOT of money. 

BUT I got some great new things to wear for work.

And even though I'm not back to work yet, I couldn't resist trying out my new dress for church on Sunday.

Dress: Maurice's//Shoes: Shoedazzle.com//Necklace & Earrings: Penelope Ann

The picture is a little weird because I used the self timer on my camera instead of taking an even worse picture with my iPhone in the mirror.  Lucky for you, I cropped out the part where my husband's work clothes are piled on the living room floor.  :-p ;)

Too cute!

These plates are the Celebrating Home "Deal of the Day" for August 5th.

 

They can be used decoratively or practically...you know, as dishes.

 

Click here to snag these for $8.00 while supplies last!!

Are you looking for a tablet cover?

If you're in the market for a tablet cover OR looking for a gift for someone...I've got a great idea!

Each day during the month of August, Celebrating Home is offering a Deal of the Day.  It's a clearance sale to move merchandise that will not be featured in our Fall/Winter 2013 Celebrating Home or Penelope Ann Catalogs.

I couldn't resist sharing today's deal with my fellow bloggers because I'm sure many of you have tablets!

As you can see, there are three patterns.  You can get them plain for just $5 OR you can add personalized embroidery for $6 more.  I'm not a fan of monograms, so I would just personalize mine with the letter B.  That IS an option.  You don't have to enter your 3 initials.

Click here to be taken directly to the deal of the day.  You can also explore the current catalogs or the other sales!  Other "Deal of the Day" items that are still in stock are also pictured on the page the link directs you to.

Thank you for your help!!  Happy Shopping! :)

Dinner Time Tuesday: 1, 2, 3, 4 Mac 'n' Cheese

It's time for another Dinner Time Tuesday!  If you'd like to link up, just share a picture of something you had for dinner this week, and tell us what it is.  You can even share the recipe if you want!  Help us get some inspiration for something new to try in the kitchen.  :)

Now, I'm going to be honest.  The dinner I'm sharing today is weird. 

Celebrating Home Dinner Plate: Simply Summer $39

This would be meatballs and macaroni and cheese.  This is not a typical meal.  I actually made the mac 'n' cheese one day and the meatballs another.  I decided that rather than make more pasta and having spaghetti and meatballs, that I'd enjoy this macaroni and cheese again.

I'm sharing the recipe with you today.  It's so easy, you won't believe it's true.

1, 2, 3, 4 Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients

1 stick of melted butter
2 cups of uncooked pasta

3 cups shredded cheese*
4 cups milk

*You can use any kind of cheese that you like on your macaroni and cheese.  I had mozzarella and Kraft Mexican cheese on hand, so I used those.  I didn't love this with the mozzarella (BUT I liked it better reheated than I did the first time).  Cheddar is always a great choice!  :)

Throw all ingredients into a Bean Pot and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. 

Yes, that's all.

You can thank me later.

Don't have a Bean Pot?  I can help you with that.  I used this one for my macaroni and cheese.  It's the one I typically carry in my display when I do home parties.  (My other Bean Pot had left overs in it.)

Celebrating Home Veranda Home Bean Pot: $44

What's on your dinner table this week?

I love a good sale!

I love shopping.  I love getting new clothes, shoes, accessories....it doesn't matter.  Shopping is fun.  What I really love about shopping is getting a good deal.  I love to pay rock bottom prices for something, and I love to tell everyone about it!

So that's why I have to share this deal with you.  Many of you know that I am a Star Designer with an amazing company called Celebrating Home.  While I do work for a company, each Designer is essentially running her own business.  Not only do I sell these products, but I use them in my own home, kitchen, and to accessorize myself! 

What does that have to do with a great deal??

Celebrating Home has new items coming out in August, and there is an AMAZING clearance sale going on right now!  You can get up to 74% off some items!  Here are some examples:

All of these items were still available on Monday.  The even better news is that new items were added TODAY!!

If you're looking for items to decorate your home, for some jewelry for yourself, or any gifts, you can click here to be taken to the sale page.  You can order there, and Celebrating Home will deliver right to your door!

I would really appreciate my blogging friends' help with my business!  Happy shopping! :)

Summer Style

Summer really makes me happy. 

My friend Joan and her baby, Abby, came to visit me on Monday.  We had lunch, and went shopping, and I scored some great stuff at Old Navy. 

Naturally, I couldn't wait to wear it.  (Is anyone else like this??  When I buy something new, I need to wear it as soon as possible.  I wore this Tuesday.)

Tank tops, Skirt, Flip flops: Old Navy // "Let's Dance Necklace": Penelope Ann

What you can't see from this picture is that there is a nude color tank under the teal one.  The layering worked well. 

If you like the necklace or want to see more jewelry, handbags, accessories, or home décor, be sure to take part in my blog party!  (This necklace is just $19.75 with a $55 order!)

Right now, this outfit is my summer favorite.  Do you have a go-to summer outfit?

Dinner Time Tuesday: Salsa Chicken

Hey y'all!  It's Dinner Time Tuesday.  I'm super excited to share this delicious recipe with you today!  I used my Bean Pot for this.  Have you joined my Blog Party yet?  You can get yourself a Bean Pot (and maybe even win one)!

Remember the rules:
1. Follow me via GFC or Bloglovin'
2. Grab the button to use in your post.
3. Snap a picture and tell us what you had for dinner and/or share a recipe.
4. Link up below from now until Sunday night at 11:59 PM EST.

This recipe is so easy and so yummy.  You're going to love it!

Salsa Chicken
Ingredients

• 1-2 lbs. chicken breast tenders*
• 1 can rinsed black beans
• 2 c. chunky salsa
• 1 bag frozen corn (10-12 oz.)

*Or 6-9 chicken thighs or drumsticks (use 1 to 1 1/2 c. salsa)

1. Put your chicken in the Bean Pot.  (Chicken CAN be frozen)
2. Top with black beans, salsa, and corn.
3.  Cook at 300* for 6-7 hours.**

**Cooking times can vary greatly.  One variable is if your chicken is thawed or frozen.  I thawed my chicken a bit in the microwave, but parts were still frozen.  The original suggestions for cooking were 250* for 6-9 hours or 350* for 4-5.  Mine was just a little overcooked, but it was still super yummy.  Mine ended up cooking for 7 hours at 300*.

 

The chicken is super tender and juicy.  It pulled apart really easily, which isn't necessary, but it was a bonus!

Anything good cooking in your kitchen this week?  Remember, you have until Sunday night to link up!

It's a Party!!

Hello, Blog Friends! 

Do you like free merchandise??  Do you like WINNING contests??  Then please read on....

Many of you know that I am a designer with a company called Celebrating Home.  Celebrating Home is an amazing company with products for home décor, decorative Stoneware items for cooking, and accessories like jewelry and handbags for YOU with Penelope Ann!  I've shared many of recipes for my Bean Pot.  See my Celebrating Home tab for my recipes.

Source

Not only do I think you would all love a Bean Pot in one pattern or another, I also need your help.  My business has been down lately, and I have a personal goal to reach $1000 in sales during the week of July 7-13.  By reaching this goal, I will achieve special recognition at a national Celebrating Home rally that I will be attending in July!  So starting today, I am having a Blog Party Mystery Hostess Event!

What does that mean to you?

It means that you can win the hostess benefits of having a Celebrating Home party.

How??

All you need to do is visit http://www.celebratinghome.com/parties/BlogParty519744 from now until July 8, 2013 and place an order.  I will be notified with only your name and the items you've ordered.  If you place an order, you will be entered into the mystery hostess drawing.  The party will close on July 8th, and I will contact the winner no later than July 10th. 

Our hostesses ALWAYS earn 20% free merchandise.  So the more orders I receive, the more FREE merchandise YOU can win!  There are also hostess-exclusive items you will be eligible to add to your purchase.  The mystery hostess will also receive our July hostess promotion from Penelope Ann: My Main Squeeze handbag.  (IF we reach $300 in sales!)

I want to thank you in advance for your help, and I wish you luck in winning the drawing!!!

Happy shopping!