Mini Chicken Pot Pies ...

I'm finally succeeding in trying a new recipe weekly!

This week, I tried a recipe that I had seen a friend post on Instagram.  I have to say, I was happy with the result and the Hubs kept commenting on how good it was - double win!

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

What you'll need:

2 cans flaky layering biscuits

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cans cooked chicken (2 cups)

1 bag frozen mixed veggies

Cheddar Cheese

The Process: 

1. Mix soup, veggies, and chicken in a bowl and season to taste.

2. Flatten biscuits out and press each one into a spot in a muffin pan (be sure to spray pan first!).

4. Fill each biscuit with mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

6. Enjoy!

When I made these there was some filling leftover.  I'm freezing it to pull it out later and use for a quick meal - I'm thinking there's enough left for one package of biscuits.

Snowshoeing ...

Last year for the Hub's birthday I got him two pairs of snowshoes.  I figured it would be a fun winter activity for us to do.  Downfall to last winter, it was SO cold!  We never got out to use them, in fact only one pair was taken out one day and the Hubs took a lap around his house just to say he had used them.

So I vowed that this year we would use them!

Today, after being at school for almost 10 hours - we got home, let out the dogs {which I'm surprised they didn't have yellow eyes!}, and we headed out to the lake!  {I apologize for the quality of photos - they were just taken with my phone}

The pups LOVED it!  They only got tangled up a couple times, and only wiped out on the pure ice a time or two.

I think it's safe to say we will be doing this again - it was so nice and quiet, and we were the only ones out there!

Next time I told the Hubs we'll have to do it when it's light out - or perhaps as the sun is setting.  The sunsets on this lake are always breathtaking, and I'm sure being out there on the water would make it that much better!

Bo visits ...

We are watching the hub's parent's dog, Bo, for about two weeks. 

These two pups together are sooooo entertaining!  

They play hard ...

And sleep even harder! 

A Sprinkle for Cor {and Lillian!} ...

Today I helped host a Sprinkle shower for a sweet sweet friend of mine.  She has three little boys and is adding a girl into the mix, so we needed to get some pink, bows, and all things girly into her life!

Lots of little details went into the special event including these cute mason jar vases that Jesi {who hosted the shower with me} made.  They were so incredibly cute with the gold touches on the bottom. 

And I browsed pinterest for the little gifts for the the shower guests.  So simple yet so absolutely adorable!  {And if I was smart I would have remembered these from a shower I went to last year - but nope!}

We had a SPREAD of food {which I forgot to take a picture of before everyone dug in!} . French toast, bagels, fruit, cheesy potatoes, egg casseroles, quiche, punch, and Cor's favorites of course - donuts and potters cookies!  I think it's safe to say no one went home hungry! :) 

It was so fun to see Cor with PINK things - so often shes with dump trucks, tractors, and dirt - and now there's a new color taking over!

A highlight of the shower was pulling off a surprise guest.  Cor had no idea Katie was coming but we pulled it off!  And, it was so nice to finally meet Katie face to face! :)

And here is Cor with the hostesses of the shower - Jesi and Me :)

I am so happy for Cor and her growing family {now of 6!}.  I cannot wait to meet her in a few short weeks!

{and a BIG THANK YOU to my parents for letting us use their home for the shower!}

Slow Cooker Granola ...

I had a Granola recipe that I used and loved ... but it calls for almond flour and I'm currently fresh out!  So, I decided to try a different recipe after trying some granola a coworker had made - and to make it even better it uses the crock pot {my BFF!}.

Slow Cooker Granola 

What you'll need:

5 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

3/4 cup coconut oil

3/4 cup honey

2 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut

1 cup chopped nuts of choice {I ended up using sliced almonds}

1 to 2 cups dried fruit, chocolate chip, or mix in of choice {I picked up a trail mix from Aldi with dried fruit and small chocolate chunks, I just had to pick out the almonds - perfect!}

The Process:

1. In sauce pan melt oil, mix in honey

2. Mix the oats, flaxseed, coconut, and nuts together in crock pot

3. Add honey mixture, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir thoroughly.

4. Allow granola to cook 2-4 hours on Low, stir every 30 minutes to keep from burning. {my coworker said she cooked hers on High for an hour and just stirred it more often} (Leave cover slightly cracked to allow moisture to escape}

5. Allow to cool, then mix in dried fruit and/or chocolate chips.

6. Store refrigerated in air tight container for several weeks.

It is so yummy - and so easy!  I enjoyed some of it this morning mixed in with my yogurt :)

Enjoy!

Crock pot Potato Soup ...

I've been slacking with my goal of trying one new recipe a week.  So, today I decided to throw in something new.  One of my friends from work made this yummy soup last week {that I partook in during an evening watching our shows} so today I gave it a go!  And, to make matters even better its a crock pot recipe so no fuss at all!

Crock pot Potato Soup

What you'll need:

1 - 30 oz bag frozen diced hash browns

1 - 32 oz box chicken broth

1 - can cream of chicken soup (10 oz)

1 - package cream cheese (8 oz, not fat free)

3 oz bacon bits (I used some left over bacon we had and cut it up)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

The Process:

Put the potatoes in the crock pot.  Add in the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, and half the bacon bits.  Add salt and pepper.  Cook on low for 8 hours or until potatoes are tender.

*An hour before serving add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and the rest of the bacon bits.

Simple and easy, just the way I like it!

Date night ...

Last night we had a much needed date night! I can't remember the last time we took time for just the two of us. 

We started out with dinner at our favorite local Mexican restaurant - delish! Then we killed some time at a local bookstore {bookstores are our thing you know!} and ended the evening at the movies. 

We saw American Sniper and I highly recommend it. Yes, there were parts that were extremely hard to watch - but it was real life and it was so nicely done! 

We ended the night coming back to this goober. 

A wonderful night in deed!

Life lately ...

Last week was a busy one - what with getting back into the teaching routine after two weeks off {yet hooray for two extra snow days!}, both the hubs and I starting a grad class, and the hubs big production happening last Saturday. 

This years play was "Get Smart" - based on the hit TV show. I wasn't familiar with the original show but the students still rocked it and I loved the play!

It is always fun to be in the auditorium on show day/night. This is where the hubs got down on bended knee a little over two years ago. Yes we are teachers through and through and the proposal played out in an auditorium full of students, our family, and our closest friend. I might have been guilty of rewatching the proposal this weekend and tearing up. Such sweet sweet memories!

After the afternoon show {which our family attended} we headed over to the local pub to have a bite to eat and a little belated birthday celebration for the hubs with our family. 

Last week also brought in lots of grad work. From reading articles, watching video clips, and writing papers - both of us were thankful for a lazy pup who let us crank out some work while he snoozed by our sides. 

Speaking of the pup - we finally put on the holiday sweater we picked up on clearance for him over the weekend. Needless to say, the sweater is a little small - taking it off was a little entertaining! So here we documented the one and only time Otis will have on this green and white seater {Go Blue!}

We have learned that Otis isn't the cuddliest of dogs, unless he's in the mood. And lately he's in the mood! So, when he wants to cuddle the hubs and I try to call dibs - lately, I've been getting a lot of cuddles in. :) 

Mr. Otis is growing like a weed though - I walked out of the living room and he made his way onto the couch. He looked so very proud to make it there all by himself. 

And he enjoyed getting extra comfy. :)

I caught this beautiful sunset tonight. 

Here's to hoping warmer temps will be here over the weekend so we can get out on the lake with the pup. This is the first {and only} weekend in what seems like forever that we don't have anything planned - to say we are both excited is an understatement!!

Growing Otis ...

When we were at the vet 3 weeks ago this pup weighed 5.6 pounds --- today's visit at 11 weeks, he's a whopping 8.8 pounds ...

Slow down the growing buddy!

He looks SO big compared to when we first picked him up a little over three weeks ago ...

New Years ...

For the past 5 years we've celebrated New Years with our Utah Friends {who are infact no longer living in Utah but will probably still forever be called our Utah friends}.  We're pretty low key - just hanging out, usually enjoying some drinks - yummy food- and a little just dance.  In the past, we've always been up north at the Hub's parents to celebrate- but this year, we were at OUR house!

It was so nice to have them up with their pup, Rufio.  We introduced the dogs to each other while we were up north over Christmas and were so pleased that they got along. So, we told them to go ahead and bring him down for New Years! 

It might have taken the pups a little while to warm up to each other again ....

But then they were like BFFs.  It's funny to watch them run and play together - they surly don't realize the huge size difference! 

New Years day the men went fat bike riding while us girls sat around and talked, and the dogs rested.

After they left - Otis was cashed out for awhile cuddled up with one of his toys.  

We're so thankful that he's getting along with other dogs - we're trying our best to socialize him like crazy right now and clearly it's working!

Christmas ...

Being both school teachers, the hubs and I welcome the holiday break with open arms!  And, when it happens to fall that we have an entire 2 weeks off - well we are really overjoyed!

This year we were excited to spend time at our HOME just us {and our furry guy too of course!}.  However, the first week of our break was spent traveling to see family.

We started at the Hubs parents house and wrapped our our travel at my parents - then back down to home sweet home.  All in all, a great time - the only thing that could have made it better would be a little white stuff on the ground ... and of course seeing my brother and his family :)

And here is a recap of our travels {picture overload style!}

Christmas Eve with our little family of three

Otis and Bo {the hubs parents dog} really hit it off! 

Opening his doggy gift from the Hub's parents

It wouldn't be Christmas without some Lego!

Otis experienced his first dog sweater {something I swore I would never do!}

But really, he enjoyed it {and the extra bonus of keeping him a little cleaner in the rainy weather!} 

One tired out puppy after an afternoon of playing! 

Christmas Morning! 

And we transitioned over to my parents

Lots of family time - and lovin' for one spoiled puppy! 

This girl was the super puppy watcher! 

The hubs helping Easton with his first lego 

Another shot of the tired out pup! 

Nerf wars - they're a must! 

Some photo fun ...

And the tradition continues of decorating gingerbread houses with the nieces and nephew .. 

There you have it - our oh so fun packed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! :)