{Homemade} Chicken-Broccoli Bake

I've had broccoli for a while (or been eating it off and on for a while) and wanted to make something with it. So I came up with this dish by what I had in the kitchen. Man was this good! I made a side of cornbread which went great with this! I must say that EVERYTHING that I made was homemade from scratch. That is right, nothing was out of a box. Except the noodles in the chicken bake dish.

Chicken Broccoli Bake with Cornbread

6 chicken tenders (or chicken breasts, however much you want or have)
2 cans cream of chicken soup (small)
2 cans of water (from the soup can)
1 head of broccoli, chopped
1 medium can diced green chilies
1/2 box or pound of elbow noodles, whole wheat (you can use whatever noodles you want)
salt and pepper to taste
garlic salt to taste

Preheat oven to 375 F. The chicken tenders I used were frozen, so I took those out at the very end and topped them on the rest just before putting in the oven. First, open the cans of soup and empty in a 9x13 inch casserole dish. I used just under 2 cans of water, mix this in. Next, add green chilies. These were not spicy at all, but gave it a great flavor! Mix in the chopped broccoli. Again, add more if you want/have it. Next, I added the noodles, uncooked. The added water will help cook these through. Last, add chicken, raw. I suppose you could pre-cook the chicken and it would be fine. But this worked out just fine for me, and I checked to make sure the chicken was cooked through. Salt, pepper and garlic salt to season the chicken to taste. I didn't use much of any seasoning. I mixed the noodles down just under the surface of the liquids to help cook the noodles, and pushed down the chicken so it would help cook them too. Put in the oven for 50-60 minutes. I checked at 45 minutes and turned the chicken over to make sure it cooked thurough.

This turned out perfect! Seriously, the broccoli with the green chilies and soup mixture had such a great flavor, and the added noodles gave it some more filling. Of course the chicken was good too!

On to the Cornbread.

1 cup flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
**bonus: 2 tablespoons honey

Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine all the dry ingredients. Combine the egg, sour cream, milk and butter and stir into the dry ingredients. I didn't use an electric mixer, it was pretty simple to mix with very little effort. Add in honey at last, and by all means add a bit more if you like. I noticed that the 2  tablespoons I added didn't quite give it the "honey" flavor once baked, but you could tell it was there. Pour batter into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Ta-da!

This whole meal was GREAT. While it took a little time to make, a little longer than some of the dishes I've made, it was worth it. Really tasted like a great home cooked meal. And the left overs? Won't last long...as we're having this for lunch today as I speak.

Happy Weekend!

Can A Watermelon Really Fit In There?!

22 days and counting. Seriously?! The time feels like it is flying by, and I have to keep telling myself that when those days come that will never end!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks Today (3 weeks to go to due date!)
Size of baby: size of a Watermelon! (and weighs 6-8lbs and is 18-20 inches long) Ok, we can stop growing now, I want you to fit coming out!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Officially 20 lbs, yikes! Plus a little more, eek.
Maternity Clothes: Wearing maternity pants and shirts.
Gender: Baby Dewey is either a Girl or a Boy :)
Movement: Kicking & hiccups! Now I can start feeling when Baby is changing positions. And the kicking downward is uncomfortable!! Head is down.

Sleep: Starting to get less and less sleep, but still tired.
What I miss: Nothing really...my regular clothes?! Being able to bend over?!
Cravings: Food?! Fruit & Veggies...and cookies! Also, cheetos. However,the size of my meals is pretty small now.

Symptoms: Have some pretty strong heartburn/indigestion, hiccups for both baby and me. Can now tolerate dairy?! And some swelling in the feet. :(
Labor Symptoms: Have continued to have braxton hicks more regular now, but not painful and back pain.
Milestone: Another doctor appt this week, now going every week.
Best Moment this week: Still working on a name. I know I know, time is coming close. We may just have to wait to see Baby!

What I'm looking forward to: My belly growing (more)...though not sure how much bigger it can get...and to meet baby!

My work was so sweet and threw me a baby shower this week. It was a lot of fun! Sad that Josh couldn't make it, since it was in the middle of the day, but it was great. Baby and I sure were spoiled. We played a fun game, taste testing baby food and had to guess what it was. It was so funny seeing people's faces! Spinach is definitely not good pureed as baby food!

I couldn't show you too many pictures since some of the decor may give away the gender :) The cake was great, some sort of raspberry filling, YUM! Many thanks to EVERYONE for putting this together and making me feel loved :)

We're on baby watch now, being officially 37 weeks. Josh and I both think we'll go early, but who knows at this point. It's really just a guess. Still the same due date, Sept 17th so we'll see. My goal is to make it to atleast 38 weeks, which puts us at Sept 3rd. Then all is fair game as far as I'm concerned.

I have days where I feel great, and days that I just feel huge and miserable. My feet really do bother me, swelling. I get uncomfortable sitting for too long, so work is kinda rough there.

As my doctor put it to me at my appointment on Wednesday, "Here's to an UNeventful week!".

36 weeks = 9 months = three quarters of a year

Look who's large and ...in charge?! Ok, maybe not the latter half of that because essentially baby is in charge of when the debut is, but definitely feeling large. I've had many people tell me I'm beautiful, and I really do think I look fairly good for being {9 Months Pregnant}, but still I can feel large can't I?! If you stop and think about it, which obviously I have, I've been pregnant for three quarters (3/4) yes that is 75% of an entire year. When you put it that way, it sure sounds like a long time. But, it does take time to grow a person, thank you very much!

Image via Baby Center

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 36 Weeks Today (4 weeks to go to due date, that's less than 30 days!)
Size of baby: size of a Crenshaw Melon! (and weighs just over 6lbs and is 18 inches long) Ok, we can stop growing now, I want you to fit coming out!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Officially 20 lbs, yikes! Plus a little more, eek.
Maternity Clothes: Wearing maternity pants and shirts.
Gender: Baby Dewey is either a Girl or a Boy :)
Movement: Kicking & hiccups! Now I can start feeling when Baby is changing positions. And the kicking downward is uncomfortable!! Head is down.

Sleep: Starting to get less and less sleep, but still tired.
What I miss: Nothing really...my regular clothes?! Being able to bend over?!
Cravings: Food?! Fruit & Veggies...and cookies! Also, cheetos.

Symptoms: Have some pretty strong heartburn/indigestion, hiccups for both baby and me. Can now tolerate dairy?! And some swelling in the feet. :(
Labor Symptoms: Have continued to have braxton hicks more regular now, but not painful and back pain.
Milestone: Another doctor appt this week, now going every week.
Best Moment this week: Still working on a name. I know I know, time is coming close. We may just have to wait to see Baby!

What I'm looking forward to: My belly growing (more)...though not sure how much bigger it can get...and to meet baby!

After my last ultrasound yesterday, I will know on Wednesday, my next appt, if my due date has changed much. The doctor said Baby looks good and is growing well. Let's just hope for a smaller Baby so we can fit coming out of mommy!

As I'm writing this up, Baby is dancing away in my belly. Shifting side to side and poking out legs and hands, I think. I do know the head is down, thanks to a final ultrasound yesterday. Getting ready for the big day.

On close watch these last few weeks. Josh has not allowed me to do the grocery shopping anymore, atleast not carry anything. What a sweatheart! Also, Lucy has not left my side while I'm home. She will follow me EVERYWHERE, even the bathroom if I leave a room for more than 20 seconds. I think she's keeping an eye on me too. If only she were able to drive me to the hospital if I need it, then we'd be set :)

My energy levels flucuate from day to day, so some days I get more done than others.

I'm really enjoying these last few weeks having Baby in my belly. Such a bonding time. I mean the whole pregnancy has been a bonding time, but just talking to Baby and feeling Baby move and talking about different things. I refer to myself as mommy, of course I've done this with Lucy too, and to Josh as daddy, but again we did this with Lucy. I know it will be different when we get to see Baby and become parents

Tuna Noodle Casserole...with a twist!

With some inspiration to make this dish more than just tuna and noodles, comes this version of Tuna Noodle Casserole. This was great and added so much more flavor to the dish than just tuna with noodles. Give it a try and add your own "stuff" to make it your own!

Tuna Noodle Casserole

1 lb of rotini noodles (or whatever your noodle of choice is)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 stalks of celery diced up
2 quarter inch thick slices of onion diced up (add more onion if you like, I am not a huge fan)
2 cans tuna, drained
1/3 -1/2 cup bread crumbs for topping

Cook noodles, and drain of water. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour noodles into a large bowl. Add both soups, diced celery, onion and tuna and mix together. Pour into large casserole dish. I used two round pans since I didn't have a large casserole dish clean. Put in oven for 10-20 minutes or until bread crumbs on top are crispy to your liking.

Optional: add cheese to top to let melt/crisp up in oven, add in peas or other vegetable.

This was great and added so much more to the meal than just tuna with noodles. Definitely a good combo!

Maple Chocolate Chip Bars

I know it's been a while since I've posted any cooking or food. When you're 9 months pregnant and it's 112+ degrees outside, the creativity to come up with something to cook isn't always there. A lot of what I've made lately has been regular stuff and has been last minute. However, tonight after I got home from work I wanted cookies...after dinner of course :) I made a little twist to the recipe and actually made bars instead of cookies. Who says you can't have dessert first?!

Also, I'm linking up with my good friend and fellow blogger {bouffe e bambini} for her linky party the handmade hog. She hosts this almost weekly, if not more often, and I've been wanting to link up for a while!

Enjoy!

Maple Chocolate Chip Bars
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups flour
12 oz chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixer (this is the method I used) cream together sugars and shortening. Next, add eggs, vanilla and maple extracts. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer. The batter will be pretty sticky. Mine stuck to the mixer paddle. Add in chocolate chips.

From here, you could make cookies on a cookie sheet if you prefer. I thought bars sounded better. I spread the batter into a 9x13 ( i think that is the size?!) casserole pan/enchilada pan/cake pan. Get the idea? Put in the oven for about 15 minutes, check after 10-12 minutes to make sure not to burn, after all every oven is different.

Man oh man were these good! I bet they would be good with some ice cream on top too :)

My Beautiful Momma :)

Here's a big Happy Birthday to my wonderful Momma. She's my best friend and SUCH a big influence on my life. I look to her for guidance, advice and great conversation. She's an amazing role model and exactly what I want to be when I grow up.

{Happy Birthday Mom!}

Open your ears, let some music in & rock your Sunday!

 Sharing some music love on this beautiful Sunday in August. Enjoy!

 One of the Foo Fighter's new songs "Walk" is a great new song with a great beat. I really enjoy it!

I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?

Lee Brice "Love like crazy". I have really loved this song since it came out. I like the message it gives. Now it has a bit more meaning to me...

Upon losing my grandma earlier this year and recently losing my grandpa, this year has been tough to say the least, and that is an understatement. My grandparents have been such a huge influence and two people I really look up to in life. They were ones that worked hard for what they had and were very down to earth people, my kind of people. They were a couple that was married the longest time I've ever known someone to be married...ironically 58 years they were married before they parted ways on this earth. Listen closely in this song..."They've been together 58 years now...ain't that crazy". Hits home pretty dead on.

And another one just for fun. I'm not a huge OneRepublic fan, but this is a good and catchy song. "Good Life". Pretty enjoyable beat.

Happy Sunday to all :)

Happy Birthday to my Dad :)

Happy Birthday to my Dad! Such a wonderful role model and all around fun guy, I love you! He cares so much about family and those close to him, and it shows. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love and miss you so much!!!

I don't have as many pictures of us, looks like I need some more!

{disclaimer to those that may be confused: this is technically my step-dad, not my real dad. He's still my Dad :)}

Eight & 1/2 down, 5 to go!

I find it pretty hard to comprehend that in a short 5 weeks, just over a month to go, A MONTH, we will have a little mini-us here. Someone that demands to be taken care of and cared for and needs our attention all the time. How exciting! Just thinking about seeing this Baby and how it resembles me and Josh is amazing to me. What kind of personality will Baby have? What kind of silly quirks? Most of all, I already love this little person so much and can't wait to meet Baby. 


We share our daily kicks; Baby kicks me, I push back (gently of course). We give each other hiccups and I talk to Baby about lots of things. I say good morning and goodnight. We talk about how we're not ready to come out yet, it's too early, but in 3 weeks Baby can start getting ready. I haven't even washed all the clothes yet, I'm not quite ready! I tell Baby about all the people that love you and think about you and can't wait to meet you. And, we're still working on names *sigh*.

 I know, I know...finally some pictures to go along with the post. I'm trying here!

The heat is officially getting to me. It's getting pretty rough to sleep at night and not cool down. Poor Josh is freezing while I sweat to death. Almost done with the hottest part of the year here in Phoenix and baby is almost here. We didn't plan when to be pregnant very well :) I've been feeling baby move around alot still. Pushing outward, especially on my belly button, which is now flat, as well as "head banging" down in my pelvis. This child will be a wild one! Still have some things to get done around the house for Baby's arrival. 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 35 Weeks Today (5 weeks to go to due date!)
Size of baby: size of a Honeydew! (and weighs almost 5lbs and is 17 inches long)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Officially 20 lbs, yikes!
Maternity Clothes: Wearing maternity pants and shirts.
Gender: Baby Dewey is either a Girl or a Boy :)
Movement: Kicking & hiccups! Now I can start feeling when Baby is changing positions. And the kicking downward is uncomfortable!! Head is down.

Sleep: Starting to get less and less sleep, but still tired.
What I miss: Nothing really...my regular clothes?! Being able to bend over?!
Cravings: Food?! Fruit & Veggies...and cookies. Also, cheetos.

Symptoms: Have some pretty strong heartburn/indigestion, hiccups for both baby and me. Can now tolerate dairy?! And some swelling in the feet. :(
Labor Symptoms: Have continued to have first braxton hicks.
Milestone: Another doctor appt this week, now going every week.
Best Moment this week: We put up some decor in baby's room and I'm getting ready to wash all the clothes and blankets. Also, I made a blanket for baby, BUT can't show it to you because it will reveal the gender :).

What I'm looking forward to: My belly growing (more)...though not sure how much bigger it can get...and to meet baby!