Crock Pot Recipes...tried and true!

Gone are the days when I had the time to dice a gazillion veggies, chop a bunch of fresh herbs and spices...and spend hours in the kitchen making an amazing Pioneer Woman recipe.  Really, looking back, I'm not sure how I ever really had time for that....but I suppose I thought the meals were so yummy that it was worth it.

If we don't plan efficiently our 'dining' will consist of shoving down a bowl of cereal or yogurt in between our crazy evening schedule that looks something like this:

This week in the life the Brown Family.

Monday:  Josh meeting, Jessalyn One Voice practice

Tuesday:  Ethan soccer practice 3:15-4:30,  Jessalyn game 5:30...meaning pick Ethan up at 4:30 come home, bring Jessalyn at 5, come home, bring the rest of the family to the field at 5:30 to watch the game.  Then Josh had a meeting at 7:30.  

Wednesday:  Jessalyn piano lesson,  Ethan at a friends house after school,  Jessalyn game at 5:30, Pick up Ethan and friend at 5:15, bring Ethan (and friend), Luke and Owen to youth group with Josh from 5:30-6:30, then Josh has youth group from 6:30 - 8:30 and in between that Tru and I will be watching Jessalyn's game.  

Thursday:  A slow night....Ethan has a game at 5:00.

Friday:  Worship team practice at 5:30 for Josh and I.  

Add in there homework for Jessalyn, Ethan and Luke and dragging around a one year old... the time between 3pm and bedtime (hopefully around 9 or so) is quite intense.

And notice, dinner wasn't really in the schedule!

Because of this we have developed quite a relationship with our crock pot.  Finding something that ALL 7 of us like is a challenge as there are many different personalities and tastes in our family....but we are keeping track of the "keeper" crock pot recipes that make at least 6 out of 7 of us happy.  (The oddball gets cereal...or toast:)

(You were beginning to wonder if there were actually going to be recipes in this post, weren't you?)

This week's tried and true crock pot recipes:

Chicken and Wild Rice
Throw 4 chicken breasts in the crock (frozen is fine)
Cover it with one can of cream of mushroom soup.
You can also add a chopped onion in there too...if you don't have kids that will have a hissy fit about it.
crock on low for 7-8 hours

(I strongly suggest keeping an eye on any meal you cook for that long in your crock pot until you really get to know your own crock pot.  We have found that our crock cooks hot so we have to lessen the cooking time with almost everything.  I've learned that all crock pots are different)

Just before serving prepare a box uncle bens wild rice with seasoning package...this takes about 25 minutes (but it's easy!).  When the rice is finished, add it to the crock pot and your good to go.  I like to sort of shred the chicken in the pot...it's easier for my family, but you can definitely just serve each breast individiually.

(4 out of 5 of my kids LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe and it tastes even better for lunch the next day! ....we won't name the name of the crazy kid who won't eat this.)

Owen

Steak and Rice
Throw some steak tips in the crock (frozen is fine)
Cover with a can of beef gravy.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Easy as that.  Prepare some rice (not the flavored seasoning kind)...we use regular brown rice.  Serve steak tips over the rice.  Some bread and a veggie are a nice addition:)
(4 out of 5 of my kids love this one too!  Same crazy kid won't eat this either)

Mac and Cheese
I follow THIS MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE and miraculously ALL 7 of us like this one!!!

Italian Chicken Spaghetti
Throw 4 chicken breasts in the crock (frozen is fine)
mix a package of dry Italian seasoning mix with 1/4 cup of water and pour over chicken.
Sprinkle with some garlic

After cooking on low for 4 hours

Mix a package of softened cream cheese and a can of cream of chicken soup in a bowl and pour over the chicken.  This is when you can add some chopped mushrooms...if you don't have crazy kids.

Cook for an additional hour and serve over spaghetti (prepared as the package suggests).

The recipe suggests some parsley on top...I didn't bother:)

(4 out of 5 of my kids loved this too).

This is super yummy...even without the chicken.  A great pasta sauce if you are sick of marinara.

Salsa Chicken
4 chicken breasts (frozen is fine)
Sprinkle a package of taco seasoning on top of the chicken
Combine one can of cream of chicken soup, one cup of salsa, 1/2 cup of sour cream and pour over the chicken.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours
Shred the chicken with two forks and serve on a tortilla shell.
(4 out of 5 of my kids enjoyed this one)

Meatball Subs
A bag of frozen meatballs combined with 2 jars of marinara sauce....plop it on some bread and sprinkle some cheese on it.

(I'm sure there is some way better way to do this...including making homemade meatballs and sauce...but this whole post is to avoid having to take ANY time preparing dinner...so I'll stick with SIMPLE during this phase of life!)

(4 out of 5 of my kids like this.  Are you seeing a pattern yet?)

Pulled Pork
A 3 - 4 lb "Pork butt"
Add a can of root beer.
Cook on low for 7-8 hours

When it's done, pull apart the pork with two forks (this can be easy...and can be difficult at times)

Add a jar of BBQ sauce and mix together.

Serve on some yummy bread!

Again, there are some super great YUMMY ways to make pulled pork amazing, but really...I don't have that kind of time:)  

(Yep..you guessed it....it's a NO GO for Owen.  I just keep reminding myself that Ethan was EXACTLY like this and has since grown out of this crazy food aversion stage of life!)

As I continue to find EASY crock pot recipes that a majority of our family enjoys, I will post them here to share.  I can't even begin to tell you how much easier it is for us to cook this way!  We still have the issue of finding the time to eat it, but even if we are all eating at 8pm, at least it's ready, I don't have to think about it, most of the mess is already cleaned up and we can just sit down and enjoy some yummy food after a crazy busy day for everyone!

To dress up or not dress up? The Halloween question.

That is the question.

Growing up, one of the favorite "holidays" in our household was Halloween.  What better time of year for my mom to use her most clever creativity to display for all the town to see and for her children and nieces and nephews to win ribbon after ribbon at costume competitions.  I remember many freezing cold nights waddling around in some crazy costume.  I loved it and hated it at the same time!  Most often the costumes were extremely uncomfortable and yet SUPER cute.  I was a Christmas tree, a snail, a crayon...etc.  My mom's costumes were the best.

Josh's family, however, was the complete opposite.  Josh has never dressed up for Halloween or gone trick or treating.  His family would celebrate "harvest" either on another night, or on Halloween night and play lots of fun silly games as a family.  They would usually do something special during that time, but just not trick or treating.

When Josh and I got married and started our own family, we both agreed to stay away from Halloween as we felt that it had too much history with the dark and demonic.  Our kids have never been trick or treating or dressed up on Halloween for a parade.  We typically have kept them out of school for the day of the Halloween parade as they don't have costumes.  Like Josh's family, we try to make them not feel like they are completely missing out on tons of fun and would spend the day at Funspot and/or watch a movie.

Our kids have had many awkward conversations with strangers (usually at stores) when asked "are you excited for Halloween?" or "what are you dressing up as?".  They usually just smile and say "I don't know".  It definitely had them asking "Why?" to us.  Our answer was plain and simple as we tried to explain the history of Halloween to them, and really, they seemed to understand and not really argue the issue too much.    It was a topic of discussion for a few weeks out of the year and then forgotten quickly.

Over the years though, October has brought the discussion between Josh and I.  We both really felt that it was important to really understand the history of Halloween, especially as our answers weren't really enough for the kids as they were getting older.

We started really questioning why we avoid this time of year...as if to be afraid of it.

In doing research on the origin of Halloween we have found nothing but conflicting history.  The story is different depending on region and religion.  A similar story, but yet one that that is not completely conclusive.

Regardless of the history though, on thing that God has been laying on both of our hearts is the fact that we want to be a "light" in our community and really try to be this on a daily basis.  We are active in our community in many area's.  With that in mind, we found it quite silly to be shutting off our lights and "hiding" on the one night of the year when they entire community comes knocking at our door!

In addition to this, people consider Halloween a demonic holiday.  And yes, this is true for many, but why should we as Christians hide from this and allow this to continue to be a demonic day?  As Christians, we do not need to be afraid of this.

Coming to this conclusion has been a process over a few years.  Last year was the first year that we kept our lights on and actually had candy to give to any trick or treaters that might show up.  We had one...and the kids were super excited to hand out some candy.  (and I was excited to have left overs:)  But, we felt better about things already and felt like we weren't shutting ourselves off, even if nobody came here.

This year, we decided to go ahead and let the kids dress up for the parade at school.  We will definitely have some great candy to share at our house and plan to join much of our community and attend Meredith's "Trick or Eat"..which is an awesome community fundraiser to raise money for the "Got Lunch" program.  This will be another opportunity for our kids to wear their costumes.  Will our hearts be thinking about death and demons during this time?  No.  Will we be actively involved and opening our doors to the community?  Yes.

Of course, this all is a matter and decision that we have made as a family over time.  We are not judging other families who continue to choose not to participate in the activities of this season.

Ultimately, we know many friends and family (and teachers) who have known our family for years and who know that we have not participated in Halloween.  I hope that this explains our "change of heart" in a way that makes it clear that we aren't just 'getting lax' or giving in to the desires of our kids, etc.

...and with this change, comes a VERY excited NANA who now get's to bust out her mad costume designing skills for her grandkids.  As much as she respected our family's decision over the years, a big part of her wanted to secretly dress my kids up and take them trick or treating.  She didn't do this.  I don't think:)

...and for fun, here's a little of my mom's handy work:)


 

Ok! Ok!

The challenge is on.  A challenge to post on the blog at least once a week.  I really don't have anything specific to blog about right now, but I suppose a little family update won't hurt!

Our family is back in full swing of the fall season..back to school and sports.  We are actually taking it 'easy' this season with only Jessalyn and Ethan playing soccer.  Luke and Owen are skipping out on a sport until basketball season.

The start of school has been a pretty seamless transition.  Jessalyn has been enjoying 6th grade very  much.  She loves her teachers (has one for math and science and another for reading and social studies).  Both of her teachers are energetic and fun which fits her personality well.

Ethan seems to really like his 4th grade class.  He had a great time during the "hawk watch" where they get to go out and watch and research the different types of hawks in our area.  He is enjoys having a few of his good buddies (including neighbor Owen for the first time ever) in his class.  He's loving soccer and has scored two goals so far (in 3 games).

Luke is not as much of a fan of school at all, but is doing very well in 2nd grade.  He really would rather stay home and be near less people and not have to be social, but somehow he manages to pull of being one of the sweetest and kindest kids in the class (according to his teachers).  In his class they get these cool, colorful, smooth stones for good behavior and he comes home with pockets full on some days.  We are using them to fill up a clear glass vase that sits on the piano.  I wonder how long it will take him to fill it up?!

Owen's first day of kindergarten was funny.  While many of the kids were attached to parents legs and scared and nervous, Owen was like "see ya" and ran on the playground like he owned the place.  It definitely helps that he has grown up in and out of this school with all his older siblings..and it helps that many people know him as well.  He is LOVING school and hates that he only gets to go for a half day.  He counts down the minutes every morning and eagerly heads out the door to get there.  I haven't heard any bad reports on behavior...and I was a little worried as he can be a very silly boy.  So far so good...I think!

Truett get's to be home with me by himself for the afternoons.  It's very quiet.  There are days when we get to get down on the floor and play and other days when we get to snuggle on the couch and nap together.  Other days he gets to do the napping and I get to do things like fold laundry, clean the bathroom and/or cook dinner in complete peace and quiet.  I can't handle the quiet for too long...but those few hours in the afternoon are quite enjoyable!

Josh has been working hard at the Church.  While his schedule is most definitely more flexible, and I can have him whenever I need him (mostly)...we still find that our schedule is equally as crazy.  I honestly can't remember the last time he took a full day off for just him.  Sure, he's not out busting his butt on trucks, but it seems like every single day of the week and most evenings, he is busy with something Church related.  It's a lifestyle job for sure and one that we are definitely called too and one that we are enjoying.  We feel like we are right where we are supposed to be and are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing.  It's funny because we have felt this same feeling since we've lived here in Meredith and also funny to see how that 'call' has changed and developed into where we are now.  We are looking forward to seeing how it will continue to develop!

I am just doing the usual..trying to keep up with my crazy family.  We have been doing well with a nice morning routine that allows us to all be ready for the day in time for school without (much) stress and hurry.  I get most of my household chores done before breakfast it seems!  It is still a challenge to fit everything that I want into a day though and it took me a while to figure out exactly why.  I realized that this is how I feel every other year, when I have a half day kindergartener.  That half day drop off really does split the day up just enough that it seems like time goes by SUPER fast.  It's hard to get into a project and feel like I have enough uninterrupted time to get it done.  I'll figure it out though, as I adjust to this specific schedule.  I'm grateful that Josh is able to do the morning drop off..and can do mid day and afternoon as well if I needed him too.  We are eating almost exclusively out of the crock pot these days..which we all LOVE.  I have taken on a few photo shoots for people but really have to keep that to a minimum as my time is quite limited. It seems that I only really have time for 3 or 4 photo shoots per season.

I think that's about it for an update on me and my immediate family:)  We truly are enjoying life with all of it's craziness!  

Playing Catch Up

We've made it through the busiest part of summer.  Between the last week of June and now, I have spent FIVE weeks away from home!  It has been a crazy summer for sure but most definitely an awesome one.  

We finished up our time at Mechanic Falls with a week of Camp MACC.  We had yet another great week there.  Josh was the Bible teacher for the week as well as helping to lead worship and helping to coordinate whenever he could.  The campers were awesome, the staff was awesome, the week was awesome.  The kids were very sad to have to leave camp after living there for 3 straight weeks.  We left knowing that we were moving right onto 5 days at Soulfest...and knowing that we will come back to camp at least one more time this summer.  

We came home with 2 days to unpack and repack and then we were headed off to Soulfest.  These two days were not spent without some "Nana time" though:)  The kids were able to spend the night...giving the kids and Nana some much needed time together.  This also gave me some time to rethink and regather to get ready for another week away.  Owen was sick during this time at Nanas...with a fever and sore throat.  

We got to Soulfest on Tuesday and set up our tent and had a nice afternoon with the excitement of all the concerts coming that week.  Unfortunately, Truett developed a fever almost instantly on Tuesday evening and spent the night battling that.  He slept through it mostly, but I didn't sleep well trying to keep him cool during the night.  He woke up on the morning of his first birthday with a fever and feeling miserable.  Poor guy.  He spent the day with a fever and serious excessive drooling.  By the evening he seemed a little better and by the next morning was feeling back to normal.  The drooling lasted a good couple days though!  

We did give him his birthday gifts even though he was sicky.  He loves his stacking toy and his new friend "Scout"...who says Truett's name:)  

The "Soulfest Fever" (as we like to call it) made its rounds...hitting Ethan next, then Jessalyn and then Luke.  It made for a difficult time there for sure.  I'm trying to figure out if it's camping with 5 kids that put me over the edge, or the 95 degree heat, or the fact that someone was sick every day or the fact that I ripped a contact and didn't have a replacement, or the fact that we had just come off from 4 weeks away from home...but honestly, this was the most difficult Soulfest to date.   The kids were great and even when they were sick they wanted to be there.  The concerts were awesome and the weather was perfect considering it didn't rain at all...which is unheard of.  Our camp site was awesome as well.  I guess it was just a combination of things...but I'll be the first to say that I'm SOOOO glad to be home!  

I did more picture taking with  my phone than with my actual camera....but I'll share a bunch from both.  

The kids and I had fun finding letters with things at camp to spell their names.  I haven't finished each kid yet, but I think I want one of these for each of them...but using all letters from camp.  Then I want to frame them to hang in our cottage.  

Ethan

Truett

Owen

Tired boys on the way home from camp.  Jessalyn wanted to ride in the van with the teenagers:)

Truett and Luke.  Tru's last day of his first year:)

All packed...not including the double stroller, chairs, tent, easy up tent....yikes.

"hotel Brownifornia"

Camp's all set up...time to relax.

Good morning birthday boy!  ...sicky boy:(

Some slapjack

Somebody stole my chair!

Just reminiscing:)

Tru's first day and first bday!

Tru at Soulfest 4 days old and a year later

Silly

Me and my boys

Sick Luke

Sick Jessalyn

Tired Owen

More sick Luke...ice cold wash clothes on the head were helpful to fevers in 95 degrees.

Bathtime for the boys!

Playing with cousin Zach.

Sleeping through Lecrae!

Cupcakes for everyone to celebrate Truett's birthday.

Tru opening his gifts from us...

He loves this stacker toy

Ooohh..what's this??

It's Scout!

But I think I like this toy better:)

Owen saying "listen Tru..he say's your name!!"...and Tru saying "but this little yellow ball rattles!"

Did that dog just say my name??...weird.

A drooling feverish mess.

Trying to have fun.

Owen likes it too.

Nana came over when we got home to give Truett a present from her.  This sweet new shiny red radio flyer bike!  He loves it.

That just about sums up what we've been up to:)  After posting all of those pics, I'm too tired to proof read this...so it is what it is:)  Typos and all.  

Nothing in particular.

We are nearing the end of our stay here at camp...of course, until we come back in August for Family Camp!  It's hard to believe that it has only been 3 weeks.  It seems like we've been here forever.  The time here has been awesome.  The weather has been perfect.  We've only seen small amounts of rain and this has usually been in the night.  Today is the first day of rain in the forecast and the first day that I've had to pull out the jeans and sweatshirt!  Truett is taking a little nap here next to me so I thought it would be a good time to blog...about nothing really:)

Truett is getting better and better at walking.  He still does his fair share of crawling, but most of the time he chooses to stand up first and take a few steps before getting back down to what is much quicker at the moment.  He's been a happy boy for the most part..until the last few days while he's trying to cut an eye tooth.

The kids are enjoying the Camp MACC week with the addition of Leah, Riley and Brian here.  Camp MACC is a much more "low key" camp.  Don't get me wrong, they still have tons of fun and play tons of crazy games, but it's just different especially compared to the week before with 50 junior campers running around!

I have remained consistent with INSANITY.  I get up every morning before breakfast and get the workout in.  I LOVE it.  I don't love that first step out of bed, but as soon as I get going it's all good.  I finished the 'recovery week'..which really isn't much "recovery".  I get a day of rest and start the second half of the program which I hear is KILLER.  I'm ready:)  I'm waiting until I get home to take my 30 day picture so it will match the rest of them from P90X on.  We'll see how I do in the second phase of INSANITY and then I'll think about getting INSANITY ASYLUM.

As much as I am having a great time here, I really am starting to miss my friends at home!  I feel like I haven't been to church in forever.  It will be good to be home, even if only for a few days before we head to Soulfest!

A bunch of random pics...





Peek-a-boo frisbee




My twins




A favorite place.  (Ethan took this pic)


Luke swimming


Owen


Ethan jumping


Luke jumping








Mr long limbs


Jessalyn's turn


Silly Owen