Hey everyone...

I started this blog years ago with the desire to occasionally share some different crafty things.  I obviously haven't posted a ton, but want to jump back into posting more...

With that being said...what would y'all like to learn out?  DIY crafts, cooking, making your own iced coffee (yes, I've mastered this, just ask my family lol), making your own coffee syrups, wood signs,  instapot, gardening (not that I have a green thumb, but I'm learning), painting, Bible Journaling, decorating...ANYTHING??  Post a comment on what you are interested in and I'll get to work!!! 

Looking forward to sharing life with y'all....
xoxo
Lisa

Crockpot Chicken legs!!!

Cooking for a family of 5 can be difficult...but it is especially challenging when you have picky eaters!!!  Well...this kid-friendly meal will not only make your kids ask for seconds (even thirds), but it won't hurt your wallet in the process!!  It is fast and easy...and who doesn't like crockpot dinners!!!

I found a similar recipe online but added to it...it turned out great!!

Crockpot Chicken Legs

2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dry chopped onions
1 tsp. thyme leaves
1 tsp. garlic salt

4 lbs. chicken drumsticks, skinned

1/2 water plus 1/2 c. chicken broth

foil for crumpling up in crockpot

Mix the spice ingredients together in a small bowl. Rub on the chicken legs.  Heat skillet with a small amount of vegetable oil.  While oil/skillet is heating, add 1/2 cup water and chicken broth to crockpot and crumple up foil to cover the bottom of the crockpot.   Now...Brown all sides of the chicken legs in your hot skillet...do not cook them just brown the outside.  Set on top of foil.  Now here is the tricky part...if you have a new crockpot...put on WARM for 6-8 hours...if you have an older crockpot then put on LOW for 6-8 hours. 

If you want to add BBQ sauce you can do that during the last hour of cooking...I left them plain since my oldest dislikes almost every sauce.   Haha.

The chicken legs will be juicy and will literally fall off the bone!!  The kids loved them...so did Matt and I!!  I made some mashed potatoes and corn to accompany the legs...yummy!!!  And for dessert, some simple 3 ingredient Peanut butter cookies drizzled with chocolate!!!

I did have about 5 legs left over...so I pulled the meat off the bone and bagged it up...I will use it to make chicken noodle soup later this week!!

Hope your family enjoys as much as we did...and feel free to spice up the legs in your favorite seasoning!!  I think next time, I'm going to use my favorite mesquite seasoning...mmmm mmm good!!!!

Happy cooking!!!

Blog post from my iPhone!!!

Wow! My life just became so much easier!!! Now I can blog on my iPhone!!!! Man technology has its perks!!! Well, since I can blog soooo much faster...I will start adding some DIY posts as promised!! Stayed tuned for some fun posts!!!

Craft on...
Lisa

Pina Colada Cake Pops with Toasted Coconut...Yeah Baby!!

Alright...You've asked and now I am delivering! These tasty treats are PERFECT for the summer (well, heck in my book they are good anytime)! These do take A LOT of work and a little practice!

I LOVE all things Pina Colada flavored...I was actually inspired to make these for my mom, who is graduating in June with her MASTERS!!!! Yeah Mom!! Way to go!!!

Ok...let's get down to business!!

You will need to purchase the following:

*One bow of vanilla cake mix
*One container of vanilla frosting
*Coconut flavoring
*Rum flavoring
*Candy sticks (available at Michael's)
*Coconut flakes
*White Wilton Candy Melts (available at Michael's)
*A Styrofoam Ring (available at the Dollar Tree)

Ok...let's get started!!

Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box, add a tablespoon or two (depending on how strong you want the flavor) of both the rum and coconut flavoring and mix. Bake the cake according to the instructions on the box. I know...hard stuff right! lol That's the easy part...

Take the container of frosting and add in a teaspoon of the rum and coconut flavorings and mix, set aside, until cake is ready!

Once cake is cooked and COMPLETELY cooled...take off any rough or burnt corners. Break the cake into a few piece and put the cake in a big bowl. Here comes the fun and VERY messy part...add the entire container of frosting and jump in with your hands...yep! Mix it up baby!! Mix the cake and the frosting until you get a gooey mixture of cake and frosting.

Now, wash your sticky hands and put the bowl in the freezer until the mixture is hard. Then take a small ice cream scooper and make as many balls as you can...move fast as to not let the cake get warm in your hands. Place on a cookie sheet and place back in your freezer for another hour or so...I know, the waiting stinks!

While you're waiting...toast your coconut. Once cooled, place it in a ziplock bag and take a rolling pin and smash it up...just roll over it a few times until you get it as fine as you can!

Once the cake balls are firm, melt the candy for one minute in the microwave (I put it in a big coffee cup). Once you have a smooth texture, it's ready to use. Follow the package directions if you need help. Now...take the cake balls out of the freezer and take your candy sticks and dip them in the chocolate candy about 1/2 and inch. Take the dipped part of the stick and place it in the cake ball. Continue to do this to all of them. Now you should have a cookie sheet full of cake balls with sticks sticking up in the air! lol

Now...back in the freezer they go! Yep...Time to hurry up and wait! lol Give it about 15 minutes. Warm the chocolate candy back up...now take the cake pop and dip it into the candy...gently but firmly tap the cake pop on the side of the cup until it stops dripping. Dip it into the toasted coconut and stand it into the Styrofoam ring to dry...only takes a minute or two.

Once you have finished this...Put them in a decorative container and enjoy!!! I like to put mine back in the freezer and let them harden...I think they taste better frozen...but hey...these are yours...so eat them how you want!! lol

Well...there you have it...Pina Coloda Cake Pops...I told you it's a lot of work...but it's sooooo worth it!!! These things are AMAZING!! I love them!! I'm making about 200 of them for my mom's graduation party!!! So, if you are getting your "Masters" degree...talk someone into baking up some yummy cake pops for you!!!

Tell me how they turn out for you!!

Love,
Lisa

Welcome!

Welcome! My name is Lisa Marie! I have been married for ten years to an amazing man, Matthew, whom I love more today then yesterday! He is my best friend, my biggest supporter and the love of my life! I am also blessed to be a mommy of three adorable girls!

My oldest, Abby, is an indepentent, sassy little cutie! She is Six going on Sixteen! She is such a joy and blessing! She is so helpful and loving!

Next in line is my four year old, middle daughter, Emma! Emma will steal your heart by her amazing smile! Emma was diagnosed with Cystic Fribrosis in January 2008. She is one of the toughest kids I have ever seen! I wish I could be as strong as she is!! lol

My youngest, and most challenging is my two year old, Ayva! Ayva moves to the beat of her own drum! She is a walking tornado! However, she is so cute and spontaneous, that you just have to smile and laugh when she smacks Abby, runs and pulls Emma's hair and then spills her glass of milk...all within 2.5 minutes! lol (Trust me, it's really happened! And whoever said "Don't cry of spilled milk" wasn't a mother of multiple children)

As all of you know, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all things craft related! I am what some call a "Crafting Addict"...I have come to realized, that "Crafting" isn't a hobby, it's a "Lifestyle"! I have had several request for different recipes or "how to's" on different craft related items...So I will try my best to give you some helpful tips for creating some yummy treats or cute little goodies for your friend, family and even yourself!!

Here is my disclaimer: I don't claim to be the best, I don't claim to know-it-all, I'm just a simple mom having fun with the gifts God has given me!!

One important thing: Since making bows is my lifeline and a means to supply much needed income for my family, I will not give ANY tips on making bows, so please respect this request.

So...If you have ideas, or want to know how to do something...feel to let me know, and I will do my best to create a blog to help you out!!

Here's to happy creating!!

Love,

Lisa