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Archive for February, 2014
Slow Cooked White Chicken Chili
Hello Friends and Happy Slow Cooker Saturday!
This was my first attempt at making chili using chicken instead of ground beef or ground turkey, and using white beans instead of red kidney or black beans…the verdict is FAIL!
Personally, I like my foods spicy especially chili, but this recipe although was good, was too bland for even my men. I added hot sauce but it still didn’t jazz it up, so if you like chili with no kick, this one is for you!
Ingredients:
- 4 medium frozen chicken breasts
- 1/2 bag small white beans
- 1 large can of diced tomatoes
- 1 package Chili Seasoning
- 1 cup of water
Rinse the beans under cold water and drain, mix Chili Seasoning into a cup of water.
Coat Crock Pot with Cooking Spray
Add frozen chicken breasts and beans
Pour in Chili Seasoning Mix
I added more water to cover the beans so they wouldn’t burn. This may have watered down the seasoning causing it to taste bland. I should have used two packages of Chili Seasoning.
Pour in diced tomatoes
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
It looked better than it tasted…but hey, I tried!
Have you ever made White Chicken Chili, how did you make it?
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
Weekend Wind-Down Party #5
Hello Friends & Welcome to the Weekend Wind-Down Party #5
Has all this snow and cold weather gotten you down…do you just wanna strangle that Punxsutawney Phil – what the heck does a groundhog know about the weather anyway.
How was your Superbowl Sunday, did your team win? The Seahawks dominated that game!
Didn’t you love the half time show with Bruno Mars! – that boy can dance!
Which were your favorite commercials, mine were the “Doritos” and “Cheerios“, both with cute kids and family fun. What was up with the Maserati commercial, I liked it, but who was their target audience, the fans in the private Box Seats? Oh well, now we have Valentines Day to look forward to – chocolate and wine – both of my favorites.
Last Friday was another great #WWDParty, thank you to all who linked up and shared, and welcome to those linking up today for the first time.
Please remember to link back to the #WWDParty to be considered as a “Featured Blogger”
This week’s features are also posted on our Pinterest Board.
Mums Make Lists
Little Prairie Baby
Kirsten Womack
My Paper Craze
Year Round Giving
Apron Strings and Other Things
Whitney Nic James
2 Crochet Hooks
Please feel free to copy and paste this “I Was Featured Button” to your blog.
The party rules are as follows, so sit back, get comfortable, pour yourself a glass of wine or water and share, share, share!
Oh, and don’t forget after sharing your post, go visit others as well as your hosts because we’d love to meet you.
Annette (This Simple Home) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Google+/Pinterest
Antionette (De Divah Deals) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Google+/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram
Danielle (My Snippets of Inspiration) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Google+/Pinterest/LinkedIn
Kay (A Ranch Mom) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter
Nicole M. (Mendez Manor) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Google+/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram
Nicole R. (A Living Sacrifice) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/LinkedIn
Sarah (Mustard Seed Mommy…ME!) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Google+/Pinterest/Instagram
Teresa (Moms Who Save) – Blog/Facebook/Twitter/Google+/Pinterest/Instagram/Website
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
Go Red For Women Day
10 Ways to Go Red This February
Know your Risks ~ Live Healthy ~ Get Involved ~ Share Your Story
via YouTube
Wear Your Red and Post Your Pictures (here)
Use the hashtag #GoRedChallenge on Twitter or Instagram
As an ex-smoker since 2009, I would appreciate if you would VOTE on my submission (click here) – Thank you!
#GoRedChallenge
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
Thankful Thursday – Savvy Social Media Workshop
Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday!
Today I begin by saying, “Thank You” to The Money School of Delaware for inviting me to be part of last week’s Savvy Social Media Workshop (#SavvySocialMedia). As you know, passion is the driving force behind blogging, it is what makes us strive to be the best bloggers we can be. When you are recognized for doing such it is truly a blessing and for that I am thankful!
I work full time outside of the home but I consider blogging as my “side gig”, one that I am looking to monetize so that it becomes my “side income” one that will take me into my retirement years. If you read Michelle Singletary’s commentary last week, the topic was “For many, side income gives peace of mind”. (Read it here)
The Social Media Workshop was a perfect example of this as it was geared towards entrepreneurs, non-profits and small business owners. The main point being how social media plays an important role in the success of a side gig which can ultimately give you peace of mind.
Amy Cherry, News Reporter and Anchor for 1150 WDEL AM spoke to the audience on how to contact and work with the media when requesting coverage for a project or event. She also provided tips on the best ways to photograph and video these events as well as why it’s important to always be interview-ready when the contact is made.
Randi Penfil from Constant Contact used a fantastic PowerPoint presentation to emphasis the importance of a successful email marketing campaign. Discussing the evolution of initial email writing which once was plain text to today’s glossy Newsletters and pdf files. She also pointed out the “do’s and don’ts” of email marketing and offered to work with them in getting started.
Carl Immediato, grandson of the owner of Three Little Bakers once a staple in the state of Delaware, grew up believing that one day he too would follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Unfortunately when the theatre closed he needed to step out and do something differently and is now an Independent Associate with Talk Fusion. Carl showed us how using video can make a personal statement which can better brand your business.
I was the final speaker of the day and my topic was “How To Monetize Your Blog”. Most of us realize that money can be made blogging other than having a product or service to sell, i.e. Etsy or eBay. A blog can be monetized with Affiliate Marketing, Banner or PPC/CPA ads, Sponsored Posts/Reviews, Direct Advertising, Consulting, Speaking Engagements, and/or Teaching.
Adhering to the 3-P’s, the 3-C’s and ABC as I wrote in a previous post (here), being a successful blogger and making money doing so is quite possible. It takes passion, patience, perseverance and hard work, but it is definitely doable and has provided many with “a peace of mind”.
This was yet another great event sponsored by The Money School of Delaware, a non-profit that I am proud to be associated with.
This week as in every week I am always thankful for my family, friends and my faith. Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
Weekend Wear
Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday
Saturday our youngest son, al-Malik celebrated his 18th birthday, it was both exciting yet bittersweet. I can still remember the night I gave birth to him, 2 weeks early and all the pain he caused me during delivery. Now, he’s a senior in High School and soon will be leaving the nest…perhaps…maybe…let’s pray on it!
Anywho, hubby and I decided to spend the day together before taking him out to dinner later in the evening. My husband doesn’t usually like to go shopping with me, so it was definitely a treat, he even took these pictures. After all the snow and cold it turned out to be a nice winter Saturday so a sweater and ski vest was all that was needed.
My BFF commented that I looked like I was at a ski resort – I wish it were true because I’ve never been to one. #bucketlist
These are my favorite boots, not just because of the leopard print but because they are very warm so I don’t need to wear socks.
Polka Dot Jeans – JC Penney | Handbag – Mark by Avon
We went to Red Lobster which was Malik’s favorite when he was a little guy, and seeing him across the table now as a big guy was amazing. #blessed
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
Texting Tuesday in the Cold
Hello Friends and Happy Texting Tuesday
I recently read an article about touch screen gloves by The North Face company that allows users to use their Smartphones to text in the cold weather without having to remove them. Being the frugal fashionista that I am, I doubt if I’ll ever purchase a pair considering the $45 cost and the fact that I really do not need them. I don’t live in New York City or Philadelphia, my commute is in the car which of course is a no texting while driving zone, so for the short amount of time I do spend outdoors, I think my fingers can handle it.
Today’s dress for less outfit is accented by a pink suede jacket from GW Boutique (Goodwill) and faux suede loafers from Wally World (Walmart) that I DIY studded.
Pink is obviously one of my favorite colors as evidenced by my OtterBox cell phone shell.
Slacks and scarf are closet staples and polka dot top is also thrifted from GW Boutique.
What do you think, would you purchase a pair of the touchscreen gloves or do you already have a pair?
Today I am linking up with Thrifters Anonymous.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
Church Sign
Get your praise on before you get your play on #SuperBowlSunday!
When Your Baby Turns 18!
Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!
Eighteen years ago today, I gave birth to my 2nd son, al-Malik Glorian Blake and now I sit here wondering – WHERE DID THE TIME GO?????
People would often say, “cherish the moments because they go by fast”. I remember when I just wanted him to sleep through the night…to learn how to walk…to learn how to talk…to learn how to feed himself…to be potty trained…to start school…to get his driver’s license and after all that happened…this is him today ~ an 18 year old mini man!
HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY SON!
The Day We Met
Senior in High School
Friends on Freshman Football Field
First Formal Dance
Officially a licensed driver!
Border’s Book Signing with Spike Lee
Summers in Orlando – Cypress Harbour
King of the Crab Legs
Seafood Smile
Birthday King at 8
Happy and Toothless at 7
Where did the time go?