Marinated Chicken Wings

Hi there!  We're so glad you stopped by! This recipe has been in our family for as long as I can remember.  I believe it came from my Great Aunt Jan (so I can't take credit for this deliciousness!) I am not a huge wing fan - but these are seriously amazing and they're too good to NOT share!     MARINATED CHICKEN WINGS 

What you'll need: 

5lbs chicken wings

1 C. Soy Sauce

1 C. Sugar

1/2 C. orange juice (I use Tang) 

1 Tsp Garlic Powder

1 Tsp Ground ginger

You can marinate overnight (I don't, and they're just as flavorful)  

Preheat over to 350. 

Mix all ingredients (except wings) in a bowl.  

Put wings on the bottom of a roaster pan.  

Pour the marinate mixture over the wings. 

Bake uncovered for 2 hours.  Turn the wings and mix marinade every 1/2 hour.

I like serving these with chicken flavored rice pilaf.

These are perfect to bring along to a potluck, holiday get-together, or to snack on while watching Sunday football! 

Enjoy!

 

Fresh Apple Cobbler

HI there!  We're so glad you stopped by!  My husband had a day off this week, and I have been dying to take our kids to the apple orchard.  A few friends had referred us to go to Apple Jacks in Delano, MN. We had a blast! 

  Once we got home I wanted to make a dessert with apples, obviously.    I threw a bunch of stuff together, and about 20 minutes into the baking process I was starting to lose confidence as it wasn't starting to 'harden' like I thought it should.   When it was finished I handed it to my food critic, my husband, for the verdict.   He ate it all, and then came back for another dish!  I actually got a text from him this morning saying "I'm flying through work today so I can get home and eat some apple cobbler."   If HE thinks it's amazing, you will too!  I present to you...... My fresh apple cobbler!  

   What you'll need:  5 apples, peeled, thinly sliced, and cut into 1" pieces (I used Sweet 16 apples)  2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tablespoon vanilla  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspon ground nutmeg 1 7oz package Apple Cinnamon muffin mix (I used Jiffy)  1 stick butter, melted   Preheat oven to 375.  Spray 8x8 square or 9x9 pie pan with cooking spray Mix apples, lemon juice, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.  Put in the pan.   Mix the melted butter with the muffin mix.  Pour over the apple mixture.   Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.     It's going to be gooey - that's what makes it so fantastic!  Serve warm with ice cream or cool whip!

Taco Soup

Hi there!  We're so glad you stopped by!  Our chicken fiesta soup has been a huge success - and I have been asked to come up with more crockpot recipes, so I present to you:  Taco Soup!!    This is SO quick and SO easy to make.  I'd make this for dinner every night if I could.    What you'll need:  1 lb ground beef 1 pkg dry ranch dressing 1 pkg taco seasoning 1 can tomato sauce 1 can corn, drained 1 can diced tomatoes, drained 1 can black beans, drained 1 4oz can green chilies, drained 2 C. water   In a skillet, ground your hamburger.  Mix in the ranch and taco seasoning mixes, cook for another minute.  Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.  Cook on low for about 6 hours.  Serve with tortilla chip strips, sour cream, cheese, and any of your favorite taco toppings!  

  If you are feeding more than 4 adults you'll probably want to double the recipe.  Between three adults and two kids we didn't have any leftovers.     ENJOY! 

DIY wall decor!

Hi there!  We're so glad you stopped by!!  It has been a while since my last post.  I haven't forgetten about you, I promise!  My family and I have been having a very busy Summer!  I have a lot of awesome things in the works that I cannot wait to share with you!  But, in the mean time.... I wanted to post a few things that were ridiculously easy to throw together.  A while back I wrote a blog post and added it to pinterest.... About an hour later I thought "People aren't going to like these..." and I took the post down.  Well, little did I know, the photos were still up on the website and I have been getting a huge response from people!  So.... I decided I will repost them and explain (very briefly) how I made them!    My daughter, Presley, turned 3 in March.  I had a rainbow/hot air balloon themed birthday party for her. 

I made the hot air balloons out of paper lanterns, Chinese to-go containers, burlap, twine, and scrapbooking embellishments.    

Above the food table, I hung a rainbow made out of glittery tulle.   After the party I needed something to do with all of my leftover materials.  I had to justify spending $80 on fabric that I hung on the wall for 3 hours.   I made a tutu for my daughter, but I still had a bunch leftover.  So I decided to hang the hot air balloons in her room and then make a wreath for her bedroom door.    

No sewing required.  I got a foam wreath from the dollar store, then I cut the tulle into strips, and tied them around the wreath.  You can make the tutu the same way.  I used an elastic headband to put around my daughters waist.    

I found a frame at a garage sale.  I spray painted it, painted a cardboard letter with acrylic paint, and put a piece of scrapbook paper on the front.  Tah-da!  DIY Wall decor... for $2!  

I made this last Christmas.  I covered the front of (already painted) black letters with mod podge, sprinkled red glitter over the top, and shook off the excess glitter.  I had this candle ring with red beads laying around the house, so I used that for the "O".  

Easy Bridal Shower Ideas

Hi there!  We are so glad you stopped by. A few weeks ago, Tiffany and I hosted a bridal shower, for my soon-to-be niece. We had so much fun planning it and coming up with ideas. The day of the shower, it was just Tiffany and I for a few hours, having mom/daughter time doing what we love.  Decorating! I wanted to share a few things with you, that we did. 

As the guests arrived, they were greeted by our "Bridal Veil" door decoration. It is super easy to make.   All it is, is tulle and fake flowers.  I made a bow, tied some long pieces of tulle to the bow and add the flowers. I ran a piece of wire behind all of it and attached it, with the wire, to our door knocker.

When you entered the front door, I had tulle with lights wrapped on the inside, going up the stairs.   This my friends, was a 2 person job.....for me. I made a bow for each post, just like I did for the front door, added the flowers and wired it to the post.

Here is a close up of the post.   Notice my little helper on the top step, Isabelle.  By the look on her face, I would say she has a definite opinion. She's so serious!

My nephew and niece-to-be are having a country/elegant themed wedding, so I wanted to incorporate that in to the decorations. My inspiration piece, a chalk board.

Tiffany is the artist.  She did the lettering and border, free-hand!   

The decorating of this basket is nothing special, just a tulle bow.  But what it is for, is what I love.   When I host a bridal shower, I like to put thank you cards and the envelopes in a basket, tied with a bow and pass it around to all the guests, while the bride opens her presents.  Each guests addresses the envelope to themselves. Think about the time you save for this bride.  All the envelopes are addressed and ready to go.  No searching for addresses.  The brides have enough to do right before the wedding.  This is my little way of helping her out.

When I think country, I think burlap and mason jars.  This is also super easy.  Wrap the burlap around the jar and hot glue it.  Tie a bow around it, add some flowers, a chalk board pick, and you're done. Tiffany also did the lettering on these little chalkboards.

The chalkboard picks have the first letter of the bride and groom's name, and in the middle, the first letter of their last name.

For the utensils, just add one more mason jar with burlap and a bow.

I saw a picture of a wedding dress cake on Pinterest and thought, "That is genius, We can do that"!   But inside, I was thinking, can we? Tiffany baked the cupcakes the day before the shower and the morning of the shower, we set them up and she frosted them.

Once Tiffany finished frosting it, we added pearls and a pin. It's that easy.   And, who doesn't like cupcakes?  Plus, there is not cutting a cake.  It's a win-win!

Here is the table all ready for the guests. Let the shower begin! Thank you so much for stopping by.  It means the world to us.

The Nightstand and the Porch

Hi there!  We are SO glad you stopped by. I have to tell you, I have THE smallest porch in the history of The Porch! It can be a huge challenge to decorate it.   I suppose I should be thankful; because it is so small - it's easy to decorate, right? As I started thinking about what I wanted to do for my summer porch, I decided on my starting piece.   The Nightstand.

Let's just take a little look-see at what this little lady looked like before I brought out the paint brush. I have had this piece for so long, I don't even remember where, or when, I got it. 

Look at that!   Sponge paint hearts and all.  I have to admit I was a sponge painting addict.  If it had a flat surface, I went after it with a sponge.

Oh, and a little fingernail polish.

This was so easy to change.  One coat of paint and new hardware.  I had the paint on hand. The hardware I found at Menards.   I went to Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart and finally Menards.   They had the best selection and the most in stock items. When I want it, I want it.  I don't want to have to order online, so this was a plus to find it in the store. I like the clean, simple look.  

Here is what my porch looked like after taking down my winter decor.

Here is what it looks like for summer. Side note: I'm not loving that stick wreath on the wall but I have this Momma Bird that built a nest in it before I could take it down.  She comes every spring - and builds her nest.   I can't decide if I'm mad at her or if I'm in love with her for picking our porch to birth her babies. Thank you so much for stopping by.  It truly means the world to us.

Party Dip

Hi there!  We're so glad you stopped by!  With the summer rapidly approaching that means Graduation parties, BBQs, camping, and many other get-togethers that would require bringing a dish to pass.  This one is my go-to!  I can't tell you how many times people have asked me for this recipe.   

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: 

16oz cream cheese, softened

1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix 

2oz chopped black olives

2 jalapeno peppers, seeds removed and chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

2/3 C. cheddar cheese

In a large mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients together with an electric mixer, and serve with Wheat Thins.