Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings

This is a fairly simple Chicken and Dumplings recipe that I recently tried.  They turned out very good, so here is the recipe:

Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients 

Chicken (whole chicken or 4 boneless breasts)

Can biscuits 1 – 2 cans

Chicken Broth (32 oz)

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

Salt and pepper to taste

Flour (optional)

Directions

Cook chicken in about 5 cups of water until tender (about 20 - 30 mins for breast and be careful not to overcook). Once chicken is done keep broth, shred chicken and set aside.  Next put chicken broth and cream of chicken soup in a large stockpot and bring for a gentle boil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Also may add chicken bouillon cubes if needed.  Lower heat and tear biscuits in half and drop them into the broth (this makes thick dumplings, if you prefer thinner ones see below).  Gently push the dumplings down into the broth, do not stir.  Cook about 10 minutes.  If more broth is needed add amount desired.  Add shredded chicken and simmer until ready to serve. 

If you prefer thinner dumplings, use Pillsbury layers biscuits.  First combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.  Next tear the biscuits into three layers.  Dip each layer into the flour and coat both sides.  Next tear each layer into three pieces and drop into broth.  Cook about 10 minutes and do not stir.  I have tried this and it works well I just prefer large plump dumplings so I used the other method, which is pictured below. 

This is especially good on a cold winter day!! 

Before Dumplings Added

Dumplings Just Added

Final Product

First attempt at DIY Wreath making......

I saw a cute little wreath on pinterest that I decided to try and make.  It can be for Christmas but can be used at other times of year as well.  Total cost for everything was about $11.  This is a picture of the wreath from pinterest.

 

This is the website the wreath was originally posted on.

 
Here is my attempt.

Items needed are:

• Yarn (I had a lot leftover)

• Glue (I used both fabric glue and a hot glue gun)

• One of the round wreath forms you can get at craft stores (an interesting thing I read was that you can buy the black round tubing at lowe's for about $0.97 and then glue the ends together and it works as well as the ones you buy at the craft stores for $5 or $6.  I have not tried this yet)

• Sheets of felt.  I used two colors and only used one sheet of each color for this wreath.  

• Buttons (3-4) or Bells, etc.

• Scissors

• Ribbon for hanging (optional).

Basically just start by wrapping the wreath form with the yarn.  I wrapped it pretty tight so the white couldn't be seen

Next I worked on the flowers.  I made three: one large, one medium and one small.  I cut them freehand so they are not exactly even but I like that look.  I used two colors for the flowers.  I used the fabric glue to put the two pieces of felt together to make the flower petals.

I then put the flowers together with a hot glue gun.  I finished them with a button in the center.  Again using the hot glue gun I glued the flowers to the wreath.  I started with the larger one at the bottom and glued them up the right side decreasing in size. 

I added a ribbon to the top for hanging but I haven't decided if I like it better with or without the ribbon.  I'm leaning towards without the ribbon. 

Good Luck!!

Perfectly Thin(ner) Photos, Problem Solving and AWESOME shoes

I read an article in US weekly today that had three tips to look thinner in pictures.  I thought it was a some good information that is easy to do. 

1.  Place your hands on your hips.  This is supposed to make your waist look smaller.  

Not that Blake needs to look thinner but you get the point

2. Keep your chin slightly up.  It will make your neck look longer.

I have noticed that in most of Marilyn's pictures she does keep her head up

3.  Do not stand directly facing the camera.  Tilt to one side (it suggests 30 degrees).  Standing straight ahead tends to make you look wide. 

On another note there are some videos on YouTube called Quick and Simple Life Hacks.  The user is HouseholdHacker.  These are fantastic.  There are just little hints for problem solving.  For example, using coca cola to clean a window or using a baggie full of vinegar to clean a shower head.  These are easy and the ones I have tried actually work.  You should check them out. 


Lastly, I ran across the most AWESOME pair of  shoes I have ever seen and here they are!!  Enjoy

Christian Louboutin Daffodile

 ~ADJ

Holiday Party Attire

This time of year is so exciting and offers many opportunities to be a social butterfly.  There are Christmas Parties at least every weekend in December and here are a few looks to get you through the season. Sequins are a must for holiday parties!!


Basic outfit with a sequin skirt and some strappy heels to dress it up.

NY & Co. Sequin Pencil Skirt in Dull Gold

NY & Co.

Chelsea Box Pleat Trimmed Cardigan in Black

Jessica Simpson Barbara Black Leather Sandals

Classic sequin dress.  The shoes are suggestions but you could really wear about any color shoe with this dress to make it extra dressy or to dress it down a little. 

Loft Sequin Front Shift Dress in Black

Jessica Simpson Everre Tarnish Gold Pumps

Christian Louboutin Bianca

 

More of a casual look with a basic sequin tank top and the Steve Madden booties just pull the outfit together. 

Loft Sequin Lace Front Shell

New York & Co. Manhattan Jacket in Black

Julie Boot Cut Pants in LOFT Scuba in Tango Red

Christian Louboutin Bibi

Steve Madden Vippper Bootie

Pretty and girly dress perfect for a work party. 

Simply Dresses

Short Sleeveless Sequin Dress in Gold

Steve Madden Partty-R

Christian Louboutin Jenny

 















This dress is fancy and could be worn to a formal holiday party. 

Simply Dresses

Short Sleeveless Dress in Black/Tan

Manolo Blahnik

Caucedo in black

I love this look.  It is a classic look for the holiday season and these shoes just add a pop to the outfit. 

Yves Saint Laurent

Tribute Mirrored Leather Sandals

Simply Dresses

Short Cap Sleeve Sequin Black Dress

Happy Holidays!!!

~ADJ

Best Mac n' Cheese Recipe

I LOVE macaroni and cheese.  I have tried a LOT of it in restaurants and several different recipes.  This is by far the best recipe I have ever found so I thought I would share so everyone can  enjoy it.  This came from Martha Stewart Living Radio Thanksgiving Hotline Recipes 2010 and the author of this recipe is Art Smith. 

Ingredients

1 lb penne or elbow macaroni

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for buttering casserole

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups milk, heated

2 cups (8oz) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups (8oz) finely chopped American cheese

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Hot pepper sauce

¼ cup (1oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the penne and cook until al dente.  Drain Well.
2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a deep 4-quart casserole.
3. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour.  Gradually whisk in the milk.  Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and 1 cup of the American cheese.  Season to taste with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. 
5. Combine the remaining cheddar and American cheeses.  Spread one third of the penne over the bottom of the casserole dish.  Top with half of the shredded cheese and a third of the sauce.  Repeat, using another third of the penne with the remaining cheese and half of the sauce.  Finish with the remaining penne and sauce.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
6. Bake until bubbly and golden brown around the edges, about 30 minutes.

ENJOY!!!

~ADJ

Online Shopping Savings, Good Blogs and Giveaways!!

This time of year I always get tons of coupons so I thought I'd share them so everyone can get a few discounts.

Bath and Body Works

$10 off purchase of $30 or more Code F126719  Exp 12/24/12

20% off ENTIRE purchase Code GIFT20 Exp 2/15/13

$10 off purchase of $30 or more AND Free shipping over $50  Code F126445 Exp 12/9/12

20% off ENTIRE purchase AND Free shipping over $50 Code F126446 Valid 12/10/12 – 12/24/12

Timberland

20% off and free shipping with purchase of $100 or more Code HOLIDAY12  Exp1/7/13

Mattel

$15 off purchase of $100 or more Code GIFTOFPLAY Exp 1/31/13

Maurices

Take $20 off purchase of $100 or more Code MERRY2012 Exp 1/6/13

Aeropostale

Take $10 off purchase of $100 or more Code HOLIDAY2012 Exp 1/7/13

Christopher and Banks
cj banks

40% off one full priced item  Code HOLIDAY Exp 1/15/13

Victoria's Secret

Free Scarf with Sweater Purchase Code FA1232461 Exp 12/4/12

Free Slippers with PJ’s Code FA1232449 Exp 12/4/12

Free Shipping and Handling with $100 purchase Code FA1232425 Exp 1/9/13

Free panty + $10 off with regular bra purchase Code FA1232485 Exp 12/12/12

New York & Company

$70 off purchase of $150 or more Code 2531 Exp 12/13/12

$40 off purchase of $100 or more Code 2542 Exp 12/13/12

These are a few blogs I like to visit that have great deals, savings and coupons ideas:

Money Saving Mom

This one has lots of great information.

She has been doing a weekly deal from dayspring and the two I saw have been really cute.  This week is a coffee mug for $3 which is a good deal the only thing is shipping is >$6.

The Frugal Girls

Hip 2 Save
This one has ways to use rebates and discounts to get many things for very little money:)

I will share more blogs as I come across them.  Happy Shopping and Saving!!!!

One last thing, I am sure most of you have heard of Oprah's Favorite things.  In her magazine she has the 12 Days of Giveaways.  This is where you can enter daily for 12 days to win all the items on her favorite things list for this year.  There are 12 winners so its worth an entry.  This year it started on 11/26/12 so 2 days have already passed but if you start today you can enter for 10 days.  There is no purchase necessary.

http://www.oprah.com/packages/12day-holiday-giveoway-sweepstakes.html


Good Luck!!!

Welcome to the Blog World

I decided to create a simple blog to communicate deals and coupons, to exchange yummy recipes and to discuss interesting things I come across.  I often stumble upon things online or in magazines that I would want someone to share with me so this is a platform for me to do just that.  Please feel free to post suggestions or ideas because I am very new to the blog world and I don't want this to be the most boring one around. 

ADJ