A Little Chicken Pot Pie Anyone?

Last night I decided to cut my chicken pot pie down to size and make them little or individual sized. It was the perfect size for my husband and I and maybe just a bit too much for the kids. But everyone agreed on the cuteness factor. They are pretty darn cute! I'm definitely a fan of little individual sized food. I think it's because of how it looks and makes you feel like this is all mine!

Serving them individually helped us control our portion too. As I said, it was the right amount for us. When I make chicken pot pie, we tend to go back for more and more. I also tried to lighten my recipe up a bit by using lighter versions of a couple ingredients. I couldn't lighten up the pie crust, though. Hey, it's one of the best parts of the pie!




Individual Chicken Pot Pies
5 or 6 chicken tenderloins, cooked and chopped
1 can 98% fat free Cream of Chicken
1 can mixed vegetables or 1 small bag frozen that have been thawed
3/4 c. light sour cream
2 Tbsp. water
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 refrigerated or homemade pie crust( I use refrigerated)

Mix first seven ingredients together. Divide mixture between 5 ramekins or pour into one pie plate. Roll out pie crust and cut crust with a round cutter(I used a large mug) that is a little bigger than the ramekin. Top ramekins with crusts, laying the edge slightly over the edge of the ramekin,flute edges , cut 4 slits in each crust to vent and make a small hole in center of crust. For one pie, lay crust over mixture, cut slits and hole in the center. You can brush the crusts with beaten egg for a shiny crust if you like or not at all. Put ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 for about 30 mins. or until crust is brown. For one large pie bake for about 45 mins.

Works For Me Wednesday- Holding Juice Boxes by the "Ears"

It's Works For Me Wednesday time at We Are That Family. I wanted to share a tip that I learned about a couple years ago that works for me. No, I'm not promoting Juicy Juice brand juice, but I am using it for my prop. When I was at the park with my kids a couple years ago, another lady was feeding her kids lunch and she told them to hold their juice boxes by the ears. So I payed attention as they held their juices by the two little flaps or "ears" that fold out on top of the box. This way they don't squeeze it out on themselves. "This woman is genius!", I thought to myself. She said she learned it from school when she used to be a teacher. I'd never heard of this before and thought it was great. I guess only a mom can get that excited about holding a juice box, but I did. So, for the times that we do actually have juice boxes at our house, which isn't a lot, I remind the kids to hold it by the ears and we don't have any messes.



Here is the juice box with its "ears" out. None of my kids were around to demonstrate when I had time to take the picture, but I think you get the idea. Try it and see what you think!

I HEART Card Kits!

Yes, I do like my card kits, very much! I ordered a couple of these Lisa Bearnson(of Creating Keepsakes) Card Kits last year off of QVC and have not been disappointed. They contain everything you need to make the card except adhesive. Very simple! I can put one of these cards together in like 5 minutes. All of them are cute, too! You know it's gonna be if it's by Lisa Bearnson. Love her stuff!

I used to be really into making all of my own cards, but I just don't have the time, or desire, to do that anymore. Maybe once in a while I will, but it's rare now. I would rather make crafts and cute things rather than thinking of a design and then stamping a card. I also have a Christmas card kit and have made quite a few from that kit, as well. These things have a TON of cards and designs. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with these kits. Some of the greetings are love, b'day, and congrats! By the way, there are way more designs than just the three I laid out for the picture. I think there are 12 or 13 designs.

This is a "friend" card already made up. Took like 3 minutes. Seriously.

This is the contents of the kit, which comes in a stylish little box you can use for storage afterwards. It has all the envelopes, as well.

Trent's Blue & Gold Banquet

Last weekend, Trent's cub scout pack had their Blue & Gold Banquet. The boys planned every aspect of the night. From the the theme, which was a talent night, to what the meal would be. They did a great job. The boys even took our orders and served us our meal of salad and pizza. What gentlemen!

In the picture above, Trent is telling everyone about the things he brought to display. He had just painted the fish that day at a friend's b'day party at a little shop called Corks and Canvas. Trent also brought his rock collection, pinewood derby car with stand, soccer trophy, accelerated reader award and R2-D2 and C-3PO. It just wouldn't be a display about Trent without some kind of Star Wars in it.

Trent's display.

Trent's talent for the banquet was a skit with his dad. They worked long and hard to memorize it. They did an awesome job performing Abbot & Costello's "Who's On First." It was hilarious! Everybody was rolling! Trent and Will were both really into it. He had his glove and baseball cap for props, too. I was amazed that he remembered all those lines, but he did!



To finish off the evening, everyone had dessert which was different cakes that the boys and their dads made together. Trent and Will made this delicious German Chocolate cake. Nope. No help from mom. They did all of it. It was pretty and tasted so, so good. Delish! We also tasted Pineapple Upside Down cake, Red Velvet cake with cream cheese icing, a chocolate sheet cake that was nicely decorated and a dinosaur cake. All the boys did a great job planning and presenting the Blue & Gold banquet. Thanks for a nice and fun evening!

Craft Challenge

Today is Heidi's monthly craft challenge at Blue Eyed Blessings. This month is all about the scalloped punch. You can find out all about it here and link up and join. I thought I would be able to get some new ideas ready to go, but it just wasn't happening. The past two weeks seem like they have been filled with Dr., dentist and then my youngest daughter's outpatient surgery yesterday, which went very well. Yea!! So, I thought I would link to some of the older things I've done with the scalloped punch. Check 'em out! I hope you'll be inspired to make some pretty things!

This is my scalloped punch. It is a Marvy Uchida brand.

CUTE DESK SET

The first post I want to link you to is a desk set that I made. I was very pleased with the outcome. My favorite part of it is the jumbo paper clip bookmark!

CUPCAKE KIT

Next, is a cupcake kit I made for a little Halloween gift. It has scalloped cupcake picks. You can see it here.

PARTY FAVORS

Check out these cute party favors I did for my mom and sister's birthday party. The scalloped punch make these nugget box favors stand out!

CANDY JAR GIFT WITH SCALLOPED LID

You can see my daughter's Valentine gift for her teacher here. It was a candy jar filled with goodies that we embellished by using a scalloped card on the lid. I made it using my friends Marvy Uchida Giga scalloped punch.

Snowy Excitement

Sunday morning we woke up to find what on the ground!!?? Yes! Snow! We might see the white stuff once a year here in Alabama, so, needless to say, the kids were super excited! Will told Laci to go and look out the window and all I heard was a big gasp. So funny! We all bundled up and went outside to enjoy the snow for a little while. We had so much fun throwing snow balls!
I think only in Alabama can you have 75 degrees and tornadoes one day and then wake up the next day to snow on the ground. So crazy!




Ivy didn't quite know what to think of this stuff. She just looked and felt. This child loves to be outside in any weather!

Sisterhood Award Winners

On Friday, I talked about receiving the the Sisterhood Award from Heidi and Katie, but didn't really have time to present the award to 10 fellow bloggers that show great attitude and/or gratitude. Well, today I'm going to award 10 others. And the winners are: (in no specific order)

1. Jessie @ Sprgtime- Literally, a sister(in-law). I love her posts about baby Dax and seeing what her family is up to. She's a great mom!

2.Tricia@ Craft Addict- She was one of my first blog buddies. I can always find some good craftiness on her blog. Check out her no sew applique shirt!

3. Rhonda @ Down Memory Lane- A recent blog buddy! She has a fun blog! Oh, I love the interview she gave her boys. Too funny!

4.Bethany @ Confession of a Mom of Four- Bethany has a great blog, too. I especially like her chore cards!

5.Wendy @ the Hopper Family- She's not my real sister, but definitely like a sister to me. I love seeing all her pictures of her cute family and keeping up with her through her blog!

6. Jaime @ Caddywumpus- Jaime has such a fun blog. She always has creative things on there. Check out her recent post on hair ties!

7. Lacy @ A Sparkle and a Smile- Great blog Lacy! I love her Valentine's she made for her son and her daughter's V-day party. The table looks sweet!

8. Hat Chick- It seems that I'm always laughing when I read her posts. I like to hear what she has to share. She's also makes a great apron. I know. She "crafted forward" one of them to me!

9. Shelley @ My Treasure Hunt- A recent blog I've been reading. Fun posts! You have to see her son's Dr. Seuss room.

10. Jessica @ The Pelkey's Place- I really like reading Jessica's posts. Been visiting there awhile now. She has been showing off her adorable, new little niece.

Thanks again to Heidi and Katie! Now here's what you do when you receive this.

1. Display this award on your blog.
2. Leave a comment to those you gave it to , letting them know they have it.
3. Link back to the person who gave it to you.
4. Pass it on to 10 or fewer bloggers who you think demonstrate great attitude and/or gratitude.