Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice

My Kids gave me a cool little tin full of Campbell's Soup recipes for Christmas this year. We have been going through them and finding some really easy to make recipes. So far every one we have tried have been amazing. I think this one so far has been my favorite. I am a sucker for anything made in a slow cooker. One reason is it makes the house smell amazing. The other reason is meat is always so tender and full of flavor. This recipe is no different.

This is all you will need....

2 Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup

1 1/2 Cups of Water

4 large Carrots, thickly sliced (about 3 cups)

1 Package of Seasoned long-grain wild rice (we used Uncle Ben’s )

8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Here is what you do.....

Stir the soup, water, carrots, rice w/ seasoning packet, in a 3 1/2 quart slow cooker. Add the chicken and turn to coat with the soup mixture.

Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is cooked through. If you cook on HIGH it will be done in 4 to 5 hours.

This would be a perfect Sunday Dinner. Just fill up the slow cooker and come home from Church to a wonderful meal. I know you will love this one. This one is on the short list of the best slow cooker recipes I have tried.

Fruit Cocktail Bars

 

This is one of my favorite treats. I made a batch on Sunday and thought I would share. The first time I made these tasty little treats for Brandon I didn't tell him that they had fruit in them. I knew that if he had any clue that they had a can of fruit in the recipe he would turn and run. He loved them and had ate half a cookie sheet of them before I told him what they were called. Amazingly enough he still loves them.

Here is what you are going to need...

2 eggs

1 1/2 Cups of Sugar

1 Can of Fruit Cocktail (16oz) undrained Side note: the one time that the recipe didn't work was the only time I had Brandon help me. He Drained the Fruit Cocktail and they turned out dry and not so good. So make sure you don't drain off the juice.or have your husband help.

2 1/4 Cups of Flour

1 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/3 Cups Coconut (don't mix in)

1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts (don’t mix in)

Put all of the ingredients, except the Coconut and Nuts, together in a mixing bowl. Start the mixer at slow speed to blend and then increase to medium speed for several minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 15x10 inch pan. Sprinkle with Coconut and Chopped Nuts. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

While they are in the oven it is time to make the glaze that will go on top. Here is what you need...

3/4 Cups of Sugar

1/2 Cups Butter

1/4 Cups Evaporated Milk

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Combine the ingredient and boil for 2 min, stirring constantly. Beat with your spoon until slightly thickened. Drizzle and spread over bars.

You will love this one, and I promise that your husband and kids will never know they are getting a healthy helping of fruit!

Our Story Part 1

I thought it would be kind of fun to tell you our story. Many of you have had a front row seat. Our friends and family have been there through all of the fun and trials that have brought us to where we are today. Brandon and I have shared our story with many people over the past few years. Our lives in a lot of ways have seamed like a Lifetime Movie, and those close to us can attest to this. We have had incredible Spiritual highs and unbelievable discouraging lows.

We share our story to hopefully help others who may be living through troubling times see that the light at the end of the tunnel is not always a train. (That is a quote from my husband by the way!) Trials bring us to our knees, and help to find strength beyond our own. It is when we hit our lowest of lows that we find our Savior is there to pick us up.

All good stories start with once upon a time..... So....

Once upon a time.... Just kidding. When I was in high school I was on the Drill Team. We were really good by the way. Three State Championships and one lousy Second Place. I am not bitter just stating the facts. To be that good it took a lot of practice, determination, and hard work. We practiced at least three hours a day, with double days twice a week. It was a big part of my High School life, the other part was spent with great friends. I was lucky enough to have the greatest friends in the world. They were always there for me in good times and bad, and were a great example to me.

Drill Team taught me a lot. I think that Dance and Sports for that matter teach us all we need to know about being successful in life. Nothing comes easy, and there is no shortcut you can take to get you to where you want to be. If you want something bad enough you must fight, push and do all you can to achieve it. Drill Team taught me one things that I think has in a lot of ways shaped me as a person. It is all about ATTITUDE! When we were about to take the floor every time we danced we would say a prayer, and do a cheer. The cheer was “Attitude Ladies!” Then when we were on the floor we didn't just dance we had the Attitude! We even had shirts that said “We don’t need your Attitude, we’ve got our own!”

For me life is all about Attitude. I love the quote, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”. That is really the theme I have taken in my life. I always try to have a positive attitude, and a good outlook on life. This way of thinking makes life much easier. I have had a few pity parties but they are awfully lonely. So I try hard to always be optimistic.

So now you know where my Attitude comes from. I tell this simply so as I tell you my story you will understand why I am the way I am. I hope to tell you a little more each day.....OK maybe just as often as I have time to set down and spill out my feelings.

I am way too tired to keep this up so.... Good Night!

Our Story Part 2