Christmas Home Tour

Welcome to our 2018 Holiday Home Tour!  I have finished decorating and I am so excited to share it all with you!  Christmas is such a special time that it is appropriate to deck the halls to your heart's content!  



This year I have gone in deep with the red and black buffalo check and that sweet red truck with the tree in the back!  Pine trees are a theme this year as well as galvanized metal! 


 The foyer greets you with bright reds and garland strung up the stairs with pine cones, little red birds and beautiful buffalo checked bows!



Wreaths have always been one of my favorite ways to add a bit of the season through out the house.





Take a tour in the video below!  Christmas is one of my favorite seasons and decorating to celebrate the holiday is a beautiful way to welcome family and friends!


                                     

 Thank you so much for visiting today!  I encourage you to not worry so much about checking "To Dos"  off your lists and spend as much time as possible making memories with your families!  


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Christmas Time is Here!

Hello Friends!

Christmas time is upon us and December is flying by!  How lucky are we that we can jump into the hustle and bustle of our days. Preparing for this special time with friends and family!  Through these busy days in December, I remind myself to be in the moment with my children and in the moment with my family.  These days are fleeting and it’s so important to choose the memory and not the “To Do”.  The house will get decorated, the cookies will get baked and the presents will get wrapped. Take the time to be present and enjoy this time with those you love!

Here is a little simple decorating motivation to create a beautiful back drop for your holiday!  



Here is a little simple decorating motivation to create a beautiful back drop for your holiday!  


Thank you so much for visiting today!  I would love for you to join our family over on YouTube click HERE to SUBSCRIBE!

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Halloween DIY



So about a week before Halloween we start decorating our front yard.  This year my hubby made me a very spooky flat stand up coffin!   He cut it out of plywood, painted it black and stood it up in our front yard.


(It's the little things folks!)  My project today is to make a spooky graveyard wreath to hand on top. (See above!)


Lucky for me I just watched a YouTube video last week on the DIY Mommy channel where she made a spooky Halloween wreath from all Dollar Tree products.  So off I went to the Dollar Tree to gather some supplies to make one of my own!  For all the details watch the video below!


                                         

Thank you so much for visiting today.  Be sure to leave me a comment down below and tell me how you plan to spend your Halloween!  Please don't forget to subscribe, I put out new videos each week about all things home!
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5 Day Meal Plan Grocery Haul & Recipes



I have been thinking of all the ways we can create a less stressful home for ourselves.  With children that time of day when everyone is home from school, hungry with little time to to eat and get back out the door to after school activities.  This time of day was always the most stressful for me especially when I had not planned what to feed everyone for dinner.  I soon learned that the only sure way to make these after school bewitching hours easier was to plan, and by plan I mean meal plan.  Taking a few minutes at the start of each week and create a meal plan and grocery list saves me time and energy everyday.



Today I am sharing with you a 5 day dinner plan to help ease your family into their evening, well fed and less stressed.  Each week I plan 5 weeknight meals keeping one night free for leftovers and one night free for dinner out.  



I've included a grocery list for you to bring to the store to make everything on our meal plan.  And most importantly the recipes are included to easy make everything on our meal plan.


To get our meal planning week kicked off I share the step by step recipe for my favorite vegetable soup and cheesy bread, one of the meal options for the week.



All the detail can be found in the video below:


                                  

Click HERE To download your own free Meal Plan & Grocery List Printable.  The recipes for the meal options in the 5 Day Meal plan can be downloaded HERE

Thank you so much for visiting today and please leave me a comment and let me know if you try any of the recipes in the 5 Day Meal Plan!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE


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5 New Freezer Meals

Today I am back with more freezer meal recipes and some tips on how prep and freeze these meals to get the most out of all you hard work! 






 If you are new here I am so glad that you found me!  Please Subscribe!  I put out videos every week about all things home!  





Crock Pot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

I found this recipe from the Little Spice Jar Blog!  Awesome recipes and kitchen ideas!  The original post can be found HERE   
  
  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup onions, chopped
  • 3/4 cup celery, chopped
  • 3/4 cup carrots, chopped
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp dry parsley
  • S/P
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water (or additional chicken broth)
  • 2 tablespoons  Mrs. Dash’s Original 
  •  6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk 
  • salt and pepper 

Ranch Chicken Taco Meat:

2-3 Lbs of Chicken
1 packet of Ranch Dressing 
Homemade Ranch Video:  HERE
1 packet of taco seasoning (Homemade Recipe Below)
1 can chicken broth
Mix Ranch and Taco packets with can of chicken broth.  Pour over chicken in crock pot and cook on High for 4 hours.  When done remove chicken to shred to be used in tacos or for sandwiches.

Taco Seasoning Mix

4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes



Chicken Tetrazzini

16oz pkg linguine pasta
3-4 cups of cooked shredded chicken
1 cup of frozen peas
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
2 14oz cans chicken broth
1 cup fat free half and half
6 tbsp flour
6 tbsp butter
1/2 cup Romano cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 cup shredded Italian cheese 
s/p to taste
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp minced onion
10-12 crushed Ritz crackers
Cook pasta according to pkg directions.  Melt butter in a large sauce pan.  Add flour and mix well to make a roux.  Slowly add broth mix well.Add S/P,  pepper flakes & minced onion.  Remove from heat and add half & Half.  In large bowl mix pasta, peas, mushrooms, chicken, Romano cheese, and fresh parsley.  Cover in prepared sauce and mix to combine.  Pour into prepared dish and cover with cheese and crushed Ritz.  Cook for 35 min in a 375 oven or cover and freeze.



Nacho Casserole

1.5lbs ground meat
2 cups salsa
1 can black beans
1 cup frozen yellow corn
1/2 small onion chopped
3 cups tortilla chips crushed
1 16oz container sour cream
1 can sliced or chopped olives
1 cup grape tomatoes sliced
1 cup of Mexican cheese blend
In a large pan cook ground meat and onion until done.  Stir in salsa and cook for 20 minutes.  Add black beans and corn and cook through.  In a 9x13 place crushed chips in bottom of pan, cover with meat mixture.  Spread sour cream on top of meat.  Sprinkle tomatoes and olives on top and cover with cheese.  Cover with foil and bake @ 375 for 35 minutes.  



Penne Melanzana
1 small eggplant chopped
1 zucchini chopped
1 small onion chopped
3 cloves mince garlic
1 14oz can of fire roasted tomatoes
1 14oz can of tomato sauce
s/p
1 tsp basil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
10oz cooked penne
Shredded Italian cheese
Cook pasta according to pkg instructions.  In a large pan cook eggplant , zucchini and onion until soft.  Remove from pan  and brown ground meat until cooked through.  Add veggies back into the pan with the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and spices.  Cook until heated through remove from heat.  Add pasta & 1 cup of cheese to pan and combine well.  Place mixture in prepared pan, cover with remaining cheese.  Cover with foil and bake in a 375 oven for 35 minutes.  

Thank you so much for visiting!  Leave me a comment down below and let me know if you try any of these recipes, I'd love to know what you think!  

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Fall DIY and Home Decor Chanllenge



I am participating in the DIY Mommy's Fall DIY and Home Decor Challenge!  I am so excited to be teaming up with Christina for this challenge where we share our fall decor and the DIY's we have created along the way!  Today, I am sharing how I have used some seasonal greens and flowers to bring a little of fall inside.



Wreaths are truly my favorite way to bring a little of the season inside.  I found this white washed wreath at Michael's along with the adorable freckled white pumpkins.  I added some lambs ear and frosted greens from Hobby Lobby and a cream and tan bow.  Although these may be nontraditional fall colors, this wreath help celebrate the season!


A green iridescent pumpkin from Big Lots adds some fall charm to the whitewashed tray on the coffee table.

                               

Thank you so much for visiting today!  If this is your first time here, Welcome!  I am so happy you found me and I hope you will SUBSCRIBE and become a part of our YouTube community!
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2018 Fall Home Tour

I know that technically it is still summer but to me Fall begins with the new school year!  I have been looking forward to cooler days and autumn leaves so much that I felt it was time to bring a little fall into the house!  This year I have decided on a non traditional color theme of white, green, tan and gray and to my surprise, I had more options out in the stores then I thought I would have.  




I was able to find so many beautiful items that fit in beautifully in my fall color theme!  All of the items pictured above I found at Big Lots!  I just discovered Big Lots last year and have been over whelmed by the quality, selection and most importantly the prices!


Even the smallest touches make a big impact like these tiny green and white pumpkins I found at Marshall's.  They look perfect resting in these Rae Dunn flower pots.


These colors went so well with the new furniture in the family room and also throughout the kitchen.



 The foyer is one of my favorite places to decorate for any holiday.  Decorating here can give visitors an immediate sense of your whole home.

For my whole 2018 Fall Home Tour, watch the video below.  Thank you so much for visiting today, if you are new here, Welcome!  You can subscribe to the My Bashful Life YouTube channel HERE


                             



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Fall Freezer Meals



I know that technically it is still summer but for me fall begins with the new school year and I am so excited to share these fall freezer meals with all of you!  It's so good to know that your freezer is full of good food ready to feed the family even if you are too tired to cook after a very day.  I am sharing 5 recipes that are simple and delicious! 



 Two meals use your crock pot and it can not get easier then that!  Thank you so much for watching!  If you are new here, please take a moment to SUBSCRIBE, I put out new videos every week about all things home and I would love to have you back as part of our YouTube family!



Find all the recipes from today's video below!



Recipes 
*********
Crock-pot Hawaiian Chicken
3 lbs of chicken breast
2 chopped red bell peppers
1 chopped onion
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 small cans crushed pineapple
1 bottle Chili Sauce
1 tablespoon corn starch
water
Place chicken in cold crock pot cover with chopped peppers, onion and garlic.  In a bowl mix chili sauce, brown sugar and pineapple and pour over chicken, pepper and onions.  Set on High and cook for 4-5 hours.  Once cooked, remove chicken to shred and add a slurry of the corn starch and water to the crock pot and mix to help thicken the sauce.  Return shredded chicken back to crock pot and cook for another 15-20 mins.

Crock-pot Chicken Chili
2 lbs chicken breast'
1 chopped onion
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 can of chicken broth 
     or 2 depending how you prefer your chili
1 can Northern beans drained
1 can black beans drained
2 cans sliced green chiles
1 15oz can of corn
S/P
1 tsp cumin
1/2 oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp dried cilantro
1/4 -1/3 cup half and half
4oz softened cream cheese
1 tablespoon corn starch
water
Place all but last 4 ingredients in cold crock pot, mix well.  Set on high and cook for 4 hours.  At end of cooking time remove chicken to shred.  Add a slurry of cornstarch and water to crock pot to help thicken and add the cream cheese and half and half mix well.  Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot, mix and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.



Ravioli Lasagna
1lb sweet Italian sausage
one half onion minced
one half zucchini minced
one half green pepper minced
2 jars of spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup white wine
2 bags of frozen cheese ravioli
2 bags shredded Italian cheese blend

Brown sausage in pan, add minced veggies and cook together until veggies are soft.  Add white wine and simmer for 2 minutes.  Add the the jarred sauce and simmer fro 30 minutes.  In two med aluminum baking pans, scoop one cup of sauce.  Line up frozen raviolis and cover with addition sauce and shredded cheese.  Add another layer of raviolis, sauce and cheese.  Repeat for 3 total layers.  Cover with cheese and sprinkle dried parsley.  Cover with Foil and put i freezer or bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-3 minutes.  To bake from freezer remove the night before and bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until done.  

Creamy Spinach Casserole
1lb of penne pasta
1 1/2 lb cooked shredded chicken
1 cup sour cream
4-6oz cream cheese
1 pkg Ranch dip mix
7 oz frozen thawed spinach
1/4 cup half and half
2 cups shredded Italian cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions.  In a large mixing bowl combine the sour cream, cream cheese and half and half.  Mix in packet of Ranch dressing mix, 1/2 cups cheese.  Combine with the shredded chicken and about 2/3 of cooked pasta.  Pour out into med size baking dishes and top with remaining cheese.  Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 30 mins and either serve or let cool and freeze.



Chicken Pot Pie
Pillsbury pie crust
frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
1 1/2lbs shredded chicken
1/3 cup flour
1 chopped onion
4 stalks celery
s/p
garlic powder
1/3 cup pf butter
in a large sauce pan saute the onions and celery in butter until veggies are soft.  Add flour and stir until well combined.  Slowly add the chicken broth and milk and cook until thickens.  Season with s/p and garlic powder to taste.  Add the shredded chicken and about 12oz of frozen mixed veggies and combine well.  Take off heat and let cool 10 mins.  Meanwhile roll out a pie crust to fit into your pie plate or pan.  Fill with chicken mixture and top with 2nd pie crust/  Seal edges and make slits.  At this point you can wrap in foil and freeze or brush top with beaten egg and bake in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes or until crust is brown.  To bake from frozen remove from freezer and bake at 375 degrees uncovered for 30 mins then cover with foil and bake an additional 30 mins.


                                



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Linking with these wonderful blogs:  Funtastic Friday
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Day In the Life #11 Costco Haul / Erin Condren Unboxing / DIY / Recipe!



Hey Everybody, It's Mickey!  Today is Saturday July 21st and I'm sharing our July Costco haul, an Erin Condren Life Planner unboxing and a great dinner recipe!  I must be crazy to head out to Costco and Target on a Saturday but I am ready to go in my mostly from Target out fit of the day!


My shoes, jeans and ruffle top are all from Target and my Cardigan is from Ann Taylor!


Our July Costco haul is full of some long time favorites like the packaged Rotisserie Chicken that I buy every time I see it,  it's always a time saver especially in the Chicken Alfredo Casserole I'm sharing below!


It's has been a while since I received a box from Erin Condren!  I was so excited to come home to some happy mail on my front porch!  I ordered a 18 month Hourly Life Planner in the Metallic Painted Petals, so beautiful!  I also ordered a notebook with their new zippered Planner Folio!  I can't wait to share with you all how I use and organize my planner in upcoming videos!  If you would like to save $10 on your own Life Planner, Click Here



My project for the day is getting Boo's bedroom back together.  She moved into this room after one of her brothers left for college and never had the chance to make it her own.  She loves pale blue and gray so we painted and bought some new bedding and curtains to make it a little more hers.  I'm sure pictures will follow once we have everything in its place.



So I promised a great recipe using the rotisserie chicken from Costco.  This is the easiest recipe and the results are creamy, cheesy and delicious!  

For all the ingredients and step by step be sure to watch:


                               

Chicken Alfredo Casserole **************************** 1 1/2 lbs cooked cubed chicken 12oz cooked broccoli 3 cups dry pasta 1-2 jars Alfredo Sauce 1/2 Romano Cheese 2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend s/p tsp garlic powder tsp Mrs Dash Tsp minced onion tsp Italian seasoning Crushed Ritz crackers Dried Parsley Cook pasta and broccoli according to package directions. In a large bowl combine cooked chicken, pasta and broccoli. Add Alfredo sauce 1 cup of shredded cheese and 1/4 cup Romano cheese. Mix well. Add seasonings and transfer into a greased 9x13 pan. Top casserole with remaining cheeses and crushed Ritz crackers and sprinkle with parsley. Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.


So thank you so much for spending some time with me today!  If you are new here I would love for you to subscribe and follow along with me!  Be sure to leave me a comment below with any questions or to just say HELLO!

Joining in with these lovely blogs this week:  Ducks In A Row

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Decorate and Clean With ME



I have been on a quest to lighten and simplify our home and our foyer is the first room that you see upon entering our home. I have always loved the chalk painted cabinet in this space and I wanted to make some changes in the foyer to highlight this piece.
The first thing on my list was to change the skirt on the small table below the mirror. You would not believe that this table originally lived its life as a fish stand for our fish tank years ago! A little bit of paint and some fabric can do amazing things!


To see this sewing free tutorial be sure to watch the video below.



                                

With a few more simple changes, our foyer has become a bright welcoming space to come home to and to welcome family and friends!


Thank you so much for spending some time with me today!  If you are new here I am so happy that you found me!  Please take a minute to Subscribe and leave me a comment down below!



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