A cup of Macaroni and Cheese

I'm a macaroni and cheese girl.  I love it, but I have to tell you that the powdery cheese kind of freaks me out and I'm still working to make mac-n-cheese in the crockpot work out because that would be a collision of two wonderful worlds.  In the mean time, I came across a recipe on Pinterest (of course) for a cup of mac-n-cheese.  It worked out perfectly for my lunch for just me (of course I could do two cups if the Mr. wanted mac-n-cheese as well.  I ate mine today with a half of a turkey bacon sandwich and a teeny apple.  Perfect lunch for a cool day!

Without further adieu, the recipe:
Instant Mug o’ Mac & Cheese in the Microwave
from babble
1/3 cup pasta
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup 1% milk (we always have 2%)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1.Combine the pasta and water in a large mug or bowl.
2. Microwave on high for two minutes, then stir. A lot of times the water will overflow while it heats up. It is OK if this happens. If you don’t want it to overflow just make this in a very large microwaveable bowl. (I placed my mug in a bowl to catch the water, then put the water back in afer each two minutes..your pasta will need it)
3. Repeat this for at least 2 to 4 more minutes, stirring at each 2-minute interval. The water should absorb completely and the pasta will be cooked through. If the pasta needs another minute it is okay to add one more teaspoon of water and microwave for another minute. (Mine cooked in about 5 minutes and I had to add an extra TBS of water).
4.Remove it from the microwave and stir in the milk and cheese. Microwave for another minute.
5. Stir the cheese thoroughly into the pasta and eat up!

*Total Carboyhydrates 18g
(You may notice that I am going back to some recipes and adding in the total carbohydrates.  As a diabetic this is what I have to count in order to know how much insulin to give.  I have been re-figuring out total carbohydrates with each recipe each time I make it..total waste of time, so I'm going to start posting them to stop reinventing the wheel.  If you can use them, great! Remember though that these are just close.  If you don't care about total carbohydrates, just ignore them. )

Rip 'em up, Tear 'em Up, Sic 'em!

Life is busy.  I feel like that would be an understatement for most people, but life is busy.  This means that time with friends has to be intentionally planned.  Luckily I have amazing college friends who take the time to plan out weekends even though we each live in a different big city in Texas. 
Well this past weekend was one such occasion full of shopping, eating, laughing and a little Baylor football.

The shopping was ever so successful, but unfortunately the game was not for our Baylor Bears.  We were immersed in a sea of burnt orange in Texas' giant stadium and although neither team actually had a defense, I guess theirs was just a little more present that ours was.  The game went down literally to the last minute with a final score of 56-50, which tells you that both teams had good offenses.  Oh well! We still had fun! Sic 'em!

Christmas Cards Planning

Although I love the holiday season, I am not one who likes to rush it.  That being said, there are some things you have to plan ahead for one of which being presents so that you can spread out the spending, the other being Christmas Cards.  If you wait too late for Christmas Cards you end up with New Year's cards.
Tiny Prints has a great selection of Christmas cards this year.
The obsessive puppy momma in me loves this one

And this card is wonderful.  I love this Christmas carol, it captures the reason for the season and I love the beautiful simplicity

I love the simplicity of this one too

I guess the picture we decide to use will determine the card we pick.  What do you think?

Check out more of their Christmas cards options here.  There are pages and pages of a variety of beautiful cards that are simple on the front and have beautiful, colorful patterns on the back.
As you are planning your Christmas cards, be sure to check out Tiny Prints' Special Offer page at http://www.tinyprints.com/promo/tiny-prints-coupon-codes-promotions.htm.  I mean who doesn't love a good discount!
Let the planning begin!


*This post is sponsored by Tiny Prints

Family!

I've been blessed with an amazing family and have the opportunity this Fall to spend quite a few weekends with them!
1.  Back in September, I went to Beeville with my parents to see my cousin, Graham, play some high school football!  We had a blast visiting and getting to watch him play.  Graham will continue the cousin tradition next year of becoming a Baylor Bear.  Sic 'em!

  

2. Home! I still call Longview home...I did live there for the first 18 years of my life.  Due to a crazy summer (thank you grad school...), we hadn't gotten to visit Longview since May.  At the end of September we went home for the weekend to visit, shop (me), spend some time on the land (Cody) and eat! : )  

3.  Central Texas:  This weekend we started off at our deer lease.  Then we headed on to my aunt Jo's house in Riesel where we had a family reunion and got to see most of my side of the family.  Cody headed back out to the deer lease, while I headed to my Mamaw's and got to have a little sleepover!

I love all of the quality family time that we've gotten lately! Now if I can just push through these next few weeks of grad school, we can make it to Thanksgiving and some more family time!

Pumpkin Choclate "Cupcakes"

Typically you probably think of cupcakes as having icing and these do not, but do not discount them yet..they're good and easy to make, so everybody wins!

Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes
from Nomadic Nom Nom

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 15oz can of pumpkin pure
6 oz mini chocolate chips

Directions
1. Mix together the three ingredients (cake mix, pumpkin and chocolate chips..reserving some of the mini chocolate chips for the top of the cupcakes).
2. Bake at 350 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

The cupcakes are a little denser than a typical cupcake, but oh so good! : )

Easy Cobbler

I love it when sweets taste good and aren't too bad for you either.  On top of all of that, this recipe was super quick.

Easy Berry Cobbler
from Living a Changed Life

Ingredients
1 box cake mix (I just used yellow cake)
1 can sprite zero
1 bag frozen mixed berries

Directions
1. Cover the bottom of a 9x11 cake pan with the berries.

2.  Pour the cake mix on top making sure that it is evenly spread out.

3.  Pour Sprite slowly over the mixture (do not mix in though..or it will mess with the crust).

4. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees

and serve with ice cream..possibly low fat? Or forget it go for Bluebell homemade vanilla because it it amazing...

Turkey Cucumber Wraps

Remember that one time that I had a blog that was abandoned for a month..whoops..

This is a quick "recipe" if you can even call it that, that I found on Pinterest.
Turkey Cucumber Wraps

Ingredients
Laughing Cow Cheese
Ranch Dip Mix
Chopped Cucumber
Tortillas
Turkey

Directions
1. Place laughing cow cheese in a bowl and whip until smooth.  Add in ranch dip mix (I eyeballed it to see what I thought looked like a good mix) and cucumber and stir well.
2.  Place a spoonful on the mixture in the middle of the tortillas and spread to even out.
3. Add in turkey, roll up and cut in half.
Its a perfect refreshing lunch : )

*Total carbohydrates depends on the size of the tortilla.  Approximately 19g.