Homemade Donuts

We had a great & rare surprise this past weekend...Brian didn't have to work. So, I decided to have a special breakfast on Saturday that consisted of something besides our traditional cereal. :) Brian is an awesome cook so any time he helps out in the kitchen I think it's a treat. Any way...we made homemade donuts & boy were they delicious!!!

This is about half of what we made :)
 

To make these fabulous guys all you need to do is take a can of biscuits (we used 2) & punch a hole in the middle of the biscuits by using a thimble. Pop the donuts into a Fry Daddy full of hot oil & let them do their thing. Once the donuts are nice & golden, take them out & cover them in your favorite topping. We used powered sugar & a cinnamon/sugar mix this time but I'd like to use icing & sprinkles next time too. The best part about making the donuts are turning the small pieces of dough you removed from the center of the donut into donut balls!!!

This was a fun & easy breakfast to start our Saturday off with. And I love how Logan can be involved by covering the donuts (and himself) in the toppings. :)

Taco Soup

Since it's absolutely frigid here in Evansville, I decided to make a nice pot of Taco Soup last night for dinner. It's an extremely quick, easy, & cheap dinner to make--plus it was a great way to warm up!! This entire pot of soup cost around $4 to make (not including the meat because we use deer meat).Here's the recipe I use but you can add or remove whatever you like to make it more of your own:

*1 1/2 lb. ground beef, browned (we use deer meat because that's what we have)
*2 cans of corn
*2 cans of beans (I use kidney beans)
*28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
*1 package of taco seasoning

Mix all ingredients into a pot & allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low until you're ready to serve. I like to add more water to my soup so it isn't so think but of course that's optional. The best part about this soup are the toppings: tortilla chips, shredded cheese, & sour cream. Yum, yum! Enjoy!!! :)

January Update

Outside my window . . . it's sunny but very cold

I am thinking . . . that I have an amazing 3 year-old little boy who teaches me something new every day. He's going to make a great big brother!!

I am thankful for . . . nap time :)

In the kitchen . . . there are clean counter tops & bottles drying (nesting has kicked in).

I am wearing . . . yoga pants & a t-shirt. It seems to be the most comfortable thing to wear these days.

I am creating . . .a list of things to take to the hospital in case things happen sooner than expected, like last time.

I am going . . .to become a better blogger this year.

I am wondering . . .why General feels the need to shed so much hair all over the house. It becomes frustrating!!

I am reading . . .'Reshaping It All' by Candace Cameron Bure

I am hoping . . . to relax for a bit before Logan gets up. I'm one tired momma these days.

I am looking forward to . . .my doctor appointment on Tuesday. I love getting updates on little Levi. :)

I am hearing . . . Law & Order SVU on the TV

Around the house . . .are signs that a new baby is on his way.

One of my favorite things . . .having dinner with friends, which we're doing tonight. I'm excited to finally have a chance to catch up!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .grocery shop, doctor's appointment, & work. It's an exciting life, I know.

Taco Pizza

Brian LOVES tacos & I swear he would eat them weekly if it were up to him. Since I do the majority of the cooking, I get tired of making what seems like the same 'ole things every month. Thanks to Pinterest (and www.realmomkitchen.com), I found a great way to quinch Brian's taco cravings while making something different. The best part about this recipe is you can put whatever you like on it!

1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
2 - 8 oz. cans crescent rolls
1 - 16 oz. refried beans
2-3 cups shredded cheese (I used Mexican cheese)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (I used Aldi's diced tomated w/green chiles for added spice)
1/4 cup sliced black olives (I left this out)
4 green onions, chopped

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Brown beef & drain. Add taco seasoning to the beef according to the package.
3. Unroll crescent rolls in rectangles. Place in 11 1/2 x 16 1/2 jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. Press dough over the bottom & 1/2 inch up the sides to form crust. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Microwave beans in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute. Carefully spread beans over warm crust creating a thin layer.
5. Top with cooked beef mixture, cheese, tomatoes, black olives, & green onions. Return to oven for 3-6 minutes until cheese is melted.

I also add a dollop of sour cream. This is a new favorite in our household!

July Update

Outside my window . . . it's sunny & will be VERY hot today

I am thinking . . . that I should start on the mound of laundry that's piled up in hopes of getting it all cleaned before I go back to work tomorrow

I am thankful for . . . Brian's job that allows me to stay home part-time

In the kitchen . . . there's a big bag from Kohl's waiting for me to sort through it. We went on a mini shopping spree last night. :)

I am wearing . . . soccer shorts & a t-shirt

I am creating . . .nothing at the moment

I am going . . .to read a little before Logan wakes up

I am wondering . . .how busy I'll be at work tomorrow after being off for 6 days

I am reading . . .the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy (again, actually!)

I am hoping . . . to cross everything off of my to-do list today

I am looking forward to . . . scrap booking this weekend w/my bestie!

I am hearing . . . silence  :)

Around the house . . .I see little reminders that a sweet boy loves to play w/his trucks & tractors

One of my favorite things . . .is enjoying a few minutes to myself each morning before anyone else gets up

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .work the rest of the week, go to church, & spend Sunday scrap booking w/my bestie (which is much over do!)

May Update

Outside my window . . . it's sunny, breezy, & in the 70s

I am thinking . . . about my sore throat :(

I am thankful for . . . my wonderful family

In the kitchen . . . there's a lot of yummy food calling my name

I am wearing . . . soccer shorts & a t-shirt

I am creating . . .a list of things to do when we go to STL in July

I am going . . .for a walk after dinner

I am wondering . . .how soon we need to book our hotel room for our mini vacation

I am reading . . . Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (this was from my April post but I just started it today)

I am hoping . . . my throat feels better before I return to work tomorrow

I am looking forward to . . . boating this weekend

I am hearing . . . the HVAC guys replacing our furnace & A/C units

Around the house . . .I see dog hair :(

One of my favorite things . . .is watching movies w/Logan

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .our plans are pretty low key until Saturday when we'll start our Memorial Day festivisties of boating & pool parties!

April Update

Since it's been a while since my last blog, I thought an update would be the best start to re-entering the blogging world.

Outside my window . . . it's sunny, breezy, & 70 degrees

I am thinking . . . about the fact that my son hasn't napped today & it's already 2:45 pm

I am thankful for . . . my flexible work schedule

In the kitchen . . . I have a ton of groceries to put away

I am wearing . . . soccer shorts & a t-shirt

I am creating . . . a big mess while cleaning but it'll look much better in the end

I am going . . .to the hospital this week to visit my BFF after she has her daughter tomorrow :)

I am wondering . . . how I'm going to get another trash bag in our dumpster

I am reading . . . Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I am hoping . . . to get most of my cleaning done today since I have to work tomorrow

I am looking forward to . . . the Eric Church concert on Thursday, the day off w/Brian & Logan on Friday, & Guns N Hoses on Saturday night

I am hearing . . . Logan play with his puzzles

Around the house . . . I see too many chores that need to be done

One of my favorite things . . . is to watch Logan play

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . work tomorrow, visit my BFF's baby on Wednesday, concert Thursday night, possibly take Logan to the zoo on Friday, & go to Guns N Hoses Saturday night