Frozen Roll Hack

Here's a super, simple way to make frozen rolls taste more like homemade.

Every time I make these, I get huge compliments.

 

The secret isn't anything fancy,

just butter.

I use Rhodes frozen dinner rolls, preparing them according to the directions on the package, except I add a little pat of butter to the top of each roll before I cover them with plastic wrap to rise.

 

They turn out beautifully with a buttery top crust.

{My stomach is growling!}

I hope your family loves this little trick as much as mine!

 What's your favorite food hack? 

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White Chicken Chili

Cold weather calls for soup!

Or in this case:

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI!

It's by far my family's FAVORITE this time of year.

This chili has won cook-off contests more than once.

 

This is how we do it:

It's super simple but has amazing results!

 

Here's how each step looks: 

 If you like your chili a little spicier, double the cayenne pepper.

 

For an extra dose of deliciousness, serve it in a bread bowl!

It's the perfect combination for a cold winter's night.

 

Nail Polish Shoe Redo

Here's a simple and inexpensive way to redo a well-worn pair of shoes with nail polish!

 I LOVE SHOES!

I know I 've said that before, but truth is truth.

 

This pair of heels is one of my absolute favorites.

I dig their retro/40's/pin-up vibe!

 

The problem?

I have worn them out.

Exhibit A: 

Waaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

 

Well, I had to do something about it!

I saw some nail polish at the store and thought,

"That's the same color as my shoes I can't wear any more. . . . . ."

LIGHT BULB!!

  

I started by peeling and scraping off the tattered heel over-lay.

 

Then I got out my polish!

This particular, shoe-saving color is from Carrie Underwood's Collection from Nicole by O.P.I.

It's called Backstage Pass {Product Code: NIU07}.

 

I taped off the edges, upper and lower, with regular masking tape

and started to paint with the nail polish.

 

I found that I had to work rather quickly because it dried so easily.

I recommend doing a few coats, letting it dry for 30 minutes between coats.

I let them dry over-night before removing the tape.

 

 Good as new and ready to rock! Woo-hoo!!

Friday Funnies: Maybeline?

Just keepin' it real, people.

Homemade Mac & Cheese

This is my grandma,

Aleen Hatch Scorse.

She was as talented as she was beautiful;

she was also a phenomenal pianist, very active,

and she could cook like nobody's business.

 

This is one of her recipes:

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese.

I've eaten this a hundred times in her kitchen

and I got to help her make it when I was older.

 

She never used a recipe so it took me a while to recreate it.

I don't use a recipe when I make it

so some of these measurements are approximate.

This is how the sauce steps look:

And here's how it goes into the pan:

 It comes out creamy, warm, and gooey. 

Absolutely, one of my favorite meals.

Ever.

Hot Cocoa Recipe AND Red Cup Living GIVEAWAY!

This is my absolute favorite time of year!

For me the best part of the Holidays is being with the people I love.

That's why teaming-up with Red Cup Living made so much sense!

 

Red Cup Living is a company founded by a husband and wife team trying to
rekindle their neighborhood’s sense of community by holding more gatherings.
Read more about their story here: http://redcupliving.com/#red-cup-story

And when people gather, we eat, drink, and be happy. =)
Just look at the options they give you:

I immediately spotted these su-WEET mugs!

It seriously looks just like a red Solo cup with a handle but it's actually durable AND reusable.

How stinkin' cute is that?! I dig them.

They made me want hot cocoa.

(AGAIN!)

 
This time I wanted my mom's hot cocoa.
She graciously texted me the recipe
(along with permission to share)
and I whipped up a batch to share with you.
So, here you go!

As soon as I put the first ingredients in the pan, a flood of memories rushed through my head:

the yellow leaves on the ground outside,

finally being tall enough to help my mom stir the cocoa,

scooping it out of the pan with an avocado-green Tupperware measuring cup,

drinking out of a mug I bought for my dad when I was in 2nd grade.

listening to my Grandma Scorse play the piano after dinner.

 

I love this stuff.

{print it here}

This is how we do it:

VARIATIONS:

1- If you prefer the taste of dark chocolate, reduce the second measurement of milk to 4 cups.

2- Add a 1/4 tsp of your favorite spice: cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or nutmeg.

3- I like mine extra creamy to I add whipped cream on top before I sprinkle with cinnamon.

I love this stuff.

 

You can add some extra holiday cheer with fun, reusable cups from Red Cup Living.

Four New Red Cup Living Products Available in Time for the Holidays!

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/9/prweb11153930.htm

They would be great stocking stuffers
or Secret Santa gifts at work.

 

Find and follow Red Cup Living here: 

• Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/redcupliving/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redcupliving
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/redcupliving
• “Cheers” Blog: http://redcupliving.com/#cheers-blog 

You can WIN some of these iconic gifts right here! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Secret for Wrinkle-Free Eyes

I currently work at a middle school (grades 6-8).

Last week, I was mistaken for a student.

I thought, "WHAT?!!

Do I look like I'm 12?!"

 

But people honestly don't believe me when I tell them how old I am.

I'm WAY closer to 40 than I like to admit.

And this is why,

MY SECRET WRINKLE WEAPON:

VASELINE!!

I've used this for over 20 years and nothing else.

It's great as a make-up remover, too!

I get the Wal-Mart version of original Vaseline for $2.00.

SCORE! 

After my morning shower, I put that slick stuff on the skin directly under my eye,

I mean, RIGHT under my lashes and on down to the socket bone.

I leave it there while I do my hair and brush teeth, about 20 minutes.

Then, I simply wipe it off with a tissue.

DO NOT RE-WASH.

If there's a slight residue remaining, just rub it in.

Make sure all the shine is gone before applying make-up.

 

And since I'm spilling my secrets anyway,

here are the TOP 10 ways I combat wrinkles.

1- Sleep on your back.

Sleeping on your stomach smashes the delicate under-eye skin in an unnatural way that can set-in over time.

 

2- Always wear sunscreen.

Most facial moisturizers {and even many foundations & powders} contain SPF 15 or higher. 

 

3- Wear your sunglasses.

Otherwise, you'll spend hours squinting, creating fine lines.

 

4- Apply make-up lightly, if at all.

Over-application of foundation can over-emphasize lines. I avoid foundation completely and use only powder, but not under my eyes.

 

5- Cover up for extended sun exposure.

I live in the Valley of the Sun so if I'm outside for longer than an hour, especially poolside, I wear a hat. I carry an umbrella out during my daily lunch duty to avoid sun exposure.

 

6- Drink more water.

I'm a huge proponent of water! It will help your skin retain moisture and elasticity.

 

7- Ditch bad habits.

Cigarette smoke ages skin because it's ingredients break down collagen. Alcohol has also been proven to increase the aging process by causing wrinkles, loss of collagen, elasticity, redness, dehydration and puffiness.

 

8- Be self-aware.

 We constantly make faces when we laugh, smile, and react to life. I tend to smile right up to my eyes so I try to remember to scale it back so reduce wrinkle potential.

 

9- Get some sleep.

Your body uses that time to repair and rejuvenate. Your skin in no exception.

 

10- Be happy.

Everyone looks younger when they smile.

 

 

How do you keep wrinkles from returning?

 

My Sweet Feet Secret

I don't know about you but my feet take a beating!

I ask them to take me everywhere and they do; they never get a break.

 

To add to my poor feet's woes is the fact that I live in Phoenix,

where Mother Nature has perpetual PMS.

It's friggin' hot here!!

This was yesterday. It's September for cryin' out loud!

 

What makes it even worse is my slight shoe fetish; I own over 40 pairs.

gasp!

I especially love heels.

I {HEART} SHOES!!

But I also {heart} my feet. =)

I don't like that sweaty, sticky, smelly,
"my foot is stuck to the inside of my shoe and I can no longer walk like normal person without some serious effort" feeling.
But I'm not a nylons type of girl.

I can't see ^^these babies^^ looking any better on my feet than the do in the store.

 The ones on the right look especially special. HA!

 

So here's how I keep my feet su-WEET!

Baby Powder!

 

I just sprinkle it in my shoes,

shake it around a bit,

and VIOLA!

I'm ready to roll! 

The powder keeps my feet dry no matter how sweaty the rest of me gets. It also completely eliminates that uncomfortable "stuck-to-the-shoe" feeling that happens after wearing them for 10 hours. I also use it when I wear flats; it's versatile like that. ;)

Yep, I {heart} my feet.

AND SHOES!!

Cheater Fry Bread

When I was a kid, my grandma used to make fry bread

{she called them Belly Sinkers}.

I LOVE THEM

but I cannot bake bread to save my life.

 

Enter: My Secret to Simple Fry Bread!

You're probably realizing that I'm more of

a homeFAKER

than a homeMAKER

but it works for me! =)

 

When my family wants belly sinkers,

we're ready for them NOW,

not after hours of making bread dough!

 

This is much faster than the traditional method

AND makes exactly as many as you want!

WIN-WIN!

 

So, here's how we do it.

You only need 2 ingredients:

Frozen rolls and Vegetable oil

 

First, pour some oil into a saucepan and

place on your stove over medium heat.

The one I used is a 4.5qt and I filled it 2/3 full.

 

Next, place 4 frozen rolls on a paper plate.

Put them in the microwave on high for 45 seconds.

(Any longer and they will start to cook!)

 

The rolls should be soft and squishy.

 

Using a rolling pin, flatten each roll.

These are about the size of a saucer. If you'd like larger

fry bread, buy Rhodes Texas size rolls.

 

Before putting dough into oil, test your oil readiness

by sprinkling a couple drops of water into the pan.

If it bubbles and pops, it's ready to cook!

 

Slide one flattened roll into the hot oil.

Let it fry for 30-45 seconds.

 

Flip it over using tongs to fry the other side.

 

Once done, place on paper-towel-covered plate

to absorb any excess oil.

 

Continue to add layers of paper towels

and fry bread until you've made enough.

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

 

Some of our favorites are

jam, syrup, honey, or powdered sugar.

These are also part of a main dish I make

called Navajo Tacos {recipe here}. =)

 

What will you put on yours?