Freezer Time Savers: Garlic Bread and Peach Crisp

Life is BUSY! Kids, schedules, sports, the list goes on... So I am all about doing quick and easy prep that will help my life be a little bit easier.

So I'm going to share with you some of my favorite Quick and Easy Tips that I do to make life easier when it comes to dinner time.

First up... Garlic Bread!

 Did you know that the .99 cent Store off of Olive Drive (Next to Big Lots) carries Pyrenees Bread? Yep! So swing by, head to the very back of the store and pick up some loaves! If you have an outside freezer I would grab like 5 loaves. If you just have your traditional side freezer-fridge then maybe just grab 1 for now.  

This is also where I buy alot of my disposable containers for my other freezer meals! Many times I can get 3 disposable containers for $1.00! Stock up, trust me it makes life a little easier!

YOU WILL NEED: 

• Freezer Bags
• Foil
• Butter
• Favorite Seasoning (I usually just use Garlic Salt) 
• I also like to add some Parmesan Cheese (totally optional- just use what you have)

Ok let's get started! It's pretty plain and simple and I'm sure you don't really need me to walk you through...but just in case...here you go.

1.  Slice your bread in the portions that your family will eat. So for my little Family of 4 (2 small kids) I cut the loaves in thirds.

2.    Lather both sides in butter, seasoning & parmesan Cheese.

3. Wrap them in individually in foil and put as many foil wrapped loaves in a large ziplock baggie as you can and label. DONE!

Now when you need to throw together a quick dinner. Maybe some canned Soup (that you've been cooking over the stove ALL day)  ;) and a Salad just heat up your oven to about 350. Grab your loaf out of the freezer, still completely wrapped in foil. Put the foil wrapped loaf on the rack of the oven and let heat up for about 15-20 min. You can also at that time, peel the foil back so it makes a little foil bed for your bread and turn your broiler on high for about 3-4 min.

Delicious and Quick!

 Next up... a Quick and Super Easy Dessert!

Again, as I've mentioned before in this blog. If you are looking for elegant, all day recipes this probably isn't the place. I am a super busy Mom and Wife like you all and I don't need 5 star restaurants meals. I need quick meals that fill my family's tummies! 

So when I was picking up Pyrenees bread at the .99 cent Store (different than the dollar tree).  I saw that they had Betty Crocker Oatmeal Mix. So I grabbed the bag and looked on back ( Since I'm the only one who would eat oatmeal cookies I thought I better check out on the back to see if there are some other ideas that my family might like) 

And what do you know... Peach Crisp! PERRRRFECT! So I grabbed a couple of bags. 

Then picked up the pie tins- 3 for .99 cents.

I knew my next stop was going to be Smart & Final so I picked up one of their HUGE containers of sliced peaches for about $4.00 along with my other groceries and I was all set to assemble!

1.  First off I drained my peaches of most of the liquid. I kept a little in there. 
2. Dispersed them into as many pie pans as I could. 
3. Then I followed the directions on the back of my Betty Crocker cookie mix bag. It was so simple- in a bowl I poured the cookie mix in. Cut in 1/2 Cup of cold butter.
4. I did add a little bit of cinnamon and sugar to the top of my peaches and then topped it with the Oatmeal mix.
5. Wrapped them in foil. And the best part these pie tins fit perfectly in my Freezer zip lock baggies! Label and I'm all set! Perfect dessert for unexpected guests. Or just when my family wants something sweet.
6. When you are ready to eat. Take it out of the ziplock baggie. If you are prepared ahead of time you can let it sit overnight in your fridge to thaw. But if not. Then just put the Peach Crisp (Still wrapped in foil) in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 25-30 min. ( I always line a cookie sheet with foil so I don't have a mess in my oven- just in case I filled one too full) Then take the foil off. See how it's doing, and put it back in the oven uncovered until it's all bubbly and yummy.

The most important part...(in my book)... when you are dishing out the Peach Crisp- while it's hot add a big scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. 

It's cheap, easy, yummy and a perfect dessert to bring with a meal for someone who just got out of the hospital. Or maybe for that friend who just got off work after a long day. Send her a quick message and say "I'm bringing your family dinner and dessert tonight. Just because."

What a blessing that would be to someone!

Enjoy Friends!

Goodwill Finds

Going into the Goodwill you have to have an open mind of possibilities... 

Here's what I came up with the last trip I made to the GW. 

Wood Box for $3.99...converted into a personalized Planter box for my porch.

Using left over paint and some greenery that I had this project was a great and cheap addition!

Here's what else I scored at the Goodwill that Day:

Freezing Herbs & Saving Thyme (I crack myself up)

Anything that will save me time, and also help me from dirtying my kitchen more than necessary I love! This isn't some new fancy method, I'm sure you've seen it all over the Pinterest boards. But it's something simple, easy and useful for my family so I thought you might enjoy as well.

We have a little container garden in our backyard that includes: Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Peppermint, Orange Mint, Parsley and Cilantro. I just absolutely LOVE having fresh herbs when I cook, and I think that is why I love this simple method so much.

So here you go- this is what I do to save me some time!

Once frozen, put them in a ziplock baggies and you are set!

When you are ready to sauté up some veges or cook some chicken you can cut a few steps out of the prep work!

Freeze your Mint too! HOWEVER instead of adding Olive Oil, you add the WATER! =) 

Perfect addition to your ice water or tea! 

There is No Gloom or Deep Darkness Where Evildoers may Hide Themselves

Why are there such bad people in this world...? With Cancer, Huntingtons Disease, and a million other life threatening diseases out there.... Isn't that enough bad in the world? Today at 11:58 our time I got an update on my phone that there were reports of an explosion at the Boston Marathon; a witness heard 2 loud booms near the finish line. Since that first update more and more footage and video have come in. It's just too disheartening to think that there are people in this world that get satisfaction in the results of hurting others and terrifying the rest of the world. But why? 

In times like these I find myself questioning... But strangely enough there is also a fire inside of me that starts to build. A fire that awakens my spirit that the best way to fight the bad is with good. What's the first thing you do in the darkness? Light a match. That match lights a candle. That candle lights a room. And soon a warmth and beautiful glow of light scare out the shadows. 

There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.  (Job 34:22)

But how do we reach those who smile at the darkness? In times when we are fueled with hurt and confused on where to begin,

God whispers His truth to us...

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  (Matthew 5:44)

But God, I have a hard time loving my neighbor that just took a life for no reason. A Mother, a Father, Son, daughter, friend loved one... that will never finish the race this side of heaven. But until my heart softens I can pray and know that God holds the key to the ultimate finish line. That justice will take place. I will pray to the ones who fulfilled this evil task...

My Prayer- {Whoever you are I pray that Satan would be stopped from blinding you of the truth. That you would turn away from these horrendous Satan prescribed glasses and see things in a new. I pray that God would work in each of you so a seed of hope would be planted deep down in your belly. So that you may be rooted in Christ. And at that time if you still choose evil over good...then your day of judgement and justice will come.}

I came across this verse today which reminds me not to fear those who laugh in the darkness. I will not allow them to have that power over me. They have no power over my Creator and my Creator will have the final word. 

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  (Matthew 10:28)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  (Romans 12:21)

So tonight as I pray for the individuals in Boston and their families I will let that fire inside me ignite and be reminded of the work my God has laid out for me and for you. 

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.  (Matthew 16:27)

Boston you are in our prayers...

Help give a little HOPE this Easter!

As most of you know I am part of the Action for Austin Foundation. A Foundation close friends of mine, Stephanie and Geoff Kallenberger and I created in honor of their son, Austin.

Austin was only here for a short period of time but due to his parents decision, his legacy lives on and is changing lives. Each holiday we provided gifts for NICU families. To help bring some hope. Because we believe "Hope Changes Things".

This Easter, Action for Austin has partnered up with "Joyful Seams" to bring some Easter Hope!

For $3.00, you can help bring a NICU family some Hope this Easter by donating. 

For every $3.00 donated a Yellow "Miracle" Easter Beanie will be purchased by Action for Austin and handed out to a NICU family.

Donations can be made online at Austin's website- AustinKallenberger.com

or you can Click HERE for a direct link.

Those of you in the Bakersfield area can come down to Spoiled Rotten (10014 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA) this Sunday, March 3rd for their Easter Festival, 10:00-4:00. Get your kids' photos taken with the Easter Bunny. And if you bring your Own camera they will allow you to take Bunny pictures for FREE!!!! Or if you want their photographer the cost is only $5.00! And stop by and see our booth- Action for Austin where you can help bring some hope to NICU families by donating $3.00 for a special NICU baby "Miracle" beanie! Come say Hi!=) 

You can also find us on Facebook - Action for Austin.

Click HERE!

Help Bring some HOPE this Easter!

To Learn more about Austin's story please visit:

AustinKallenberger.com

Faded Photographs...you should have seen it in color

 I just love and cherish old 
pictures...the stories in their eyes...the history... 

 I've been gathering some of our family's old photos 
for a while. Not quite sure 
how I wanted to display them. 
I think I finally got it figured out. 

"I said, Grandpa what’s this picture here 

It’s all black and white and ain’t real clear

Is that you there, he said, yeah I was eleven

Times were tough back in thirty-five

That’s me and Uncle Joe just tryin’ to survive 

A cotton farm in the Great Depression.

And if it looks like we were scared to death

Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other

You should have seen it in color

"

"This one here was taken overseas
In the middle of hell in nineteen forty-three
In the winter time you can almost see my breath
That was my tail gunner ole’ Johnny McGee
He was a high school teacher from New Orleans
And he had my back right through the day we left

And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color"

"A picture’s worth a thousand words 
But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered
You should have seen it in color"

"This one is my favorite one
This is me and grandma in the summer sun
All dressed up the day we said our vows
You can’t tell it here but it was hot that June
That rose was red and her eyes were blue
And just look at that smile I was so proud

That’s the story of my life
Right there in black and white

And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color"

"A picture’s worth a thousand words 

But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered

You should have seen it in color

You should have seen it in color"

I hope this inspires you to get out some old photos and remember where our stories begin. The above lyrics were written by Jamey Johnson.

"Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known." 
Ronald Reagan 

DIY Chalkboard

Here's my $3.75 Chalkboard for my Front Porch Redo!

Ok let's get started! This is a SUPER easy project!

Supplies:

• Picture Frame (You can pick these up super cheap usually at Yard Sales or at the Goodwill)
• 1 Can of Chalkboard Spray Paint (Pretty much every store carries it now: Michaels, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc..)

Step 1:

Find the frame you want. This particular frame was only $3.75 from the Goodwill. It's about 3ft tall and 18" wide.

Take a part your frame. Remove the glass, matting and photo and discard. But make sure you keep the backing of the photo! This is what we will be using as our chalkboard. 

Step 2:

Time to get spraying!

You will want to follow the directions on your spray can. I did 3-4 coats and let dry overnight.

Step 3:

Prep your Chalkboard! Take your chalkboard outside, this gets a little messy. Take a piece of chalk and rub it on your new chalkboard lengthwise (so instead of using the tip you would normally use to write with, use the long side). Cover every piece of the chalkboard and make up and down stokes. Use a cloth and rub the entire board to wipe off the chalk. Clean up, and you are ready to use!

Enjoy!