BERRY POPPYSEED SALAD

I love changing my salads up. Salads can get boring if you are eating the same one every single day. I usually add a few new things each time. Change up the dressings as well as the toppings. Mix dressings, don’t be afraid to try something out of the box. One of my favorite dressings is a mix of Cesar and Italian. If you don’t like a particular topping or dressing in a recipe you can always omit or substitute it something you love.

This recipe will make enough for your entire family.

• 1/2 Romaine Lettuce
• 1/2 Red Leaf Lettuce
• 1/2 Green leaf Lettuce
• 1 bunch Arugula Lettuce
• 1 cup Mesclun Lettuce
• 1 cup Baby Spinach
• 1/2 cup Strawberries
• 1/2 cup Raspberries
• 1/4 cup Blueberries
• 1/4 cup Nuts (I used peanuts)
• 2 tbs Craisins

Drizzle with Briannas Poppyseed dressing.

You can always buy a bagged salad if you’re in a time crunch, I personally just love the freshness of chopping up my own. I usually buy it the first part of the week, mix them together and keep it as a base in my fridge. For this recipe I would get a bag of Romaine, a bag of any type of spring mix and a bag of spinach (if not included)

What are your favorite toppings on a salad? Maybe it’s something I have yet to try, I’d love to hear. Would you like more Salad recipes? Let me know

Taco Soup

My son requested this tonight, he is normally not a soup fan. So I jumped at the chance to make something simple that the entire family would eat without a fight!

I first had this soup at my cousin Amy’s house. She is someone I have always looked up to. She is an amazing nurse, has four adorable kids and her husband (my actual cousin) is an inspiring teacher. After I had tasted this I immediately knew I needed the recipe. Little did I know it was going to be one of the easiest most delicious recipes I’d ever come across.

This is perfect for the days you don’t have a lot of time, if you have unexpected guests for lunch or dinner, or just because it’s a Tuesday and you need something for “Taco Tuesdays”! This is kid friendly and easy enough you could teach your older children to make it themselves. As a part-time working mom of 3, I am starting to teach my oldest (9) how to start making a few meals. This being one of the first she can master.

You just need these few simple ingredients

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 1 can corn
• 1 can tomatoes
• 1 can broth (I use chicken)
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans

Brown ground beef with taco seasoning. Put all can foods in a large pot. Do not drain any of them. Add ground beef and bring to a boil.

Serve with additional toppings of your choice. Our favorites are cheese, sour cream, green onions and tortilla chips.  When I am feeling something sassy I add Jalapenos for a kick.

Thats it, it’s just that simple!

What is your favorite fast go-to meal when you have no time?

Is it ok to discipline a total strangers child?

We were enjoying our day with family and friends, feeding the local ducks and riding bikes at the park.
Later at the Splash pad, a little girl in stripes came up and was clearly dumping a big gulp size cup full of water on my 3 year olds head. Watching and waiting for his reaction I was surprised he just brushed it off and went on trying to play. After the 3rd time of dumping the water over his head our friend’s daughter, T moved closer to scope out the situation. She stuck up for him, telling her to please stop. As she was mid-sentence the little girl in stripes took that full cup and hit both of T’s legs. T just looked up at me, as I started walking fast to get there. The little girl in stripes did not notice me coming up from behind to protect the kids. All while walking up there I searched for her mother. Nowhere to be seen. To me, a 5-6 year old girl shouldn’t be left alone especially if she is a bully. I walked up next her and touched her arm as not to frighten her, she looked at me as I was blurting out “that is not nice, there is no need to hit these kids.” She looked at me and told me she didn’t do it as all the others were shouting what she had done. I told her I watched it myself and that she was not allowed to do that again! She ran about 10 feet turned and stuck her tough out at me and kept running till I couldn’t see her anymore.
This left me questioning, is it ok to discipline total strangers kids? What if you don’t see their parents or the person responsible anywhere?
What would you do?

Sad days of lost childhood.

We had all of my nieces and nephews over for a slumber party. We hardly get to see them because our family is so spread out over the US. We have to cherish the time we have and not waste one minute on stupid electronic devices! I told them first thing as they started pulling out iPads, iPhones and Nintendo devices (I’m old school like that) that at my house these things were NOT allowed. They were to set them down and put their things in their rooms and return out side.

It was a hot but beautiful day. We had just returned from picking a friends bounce house/water slide. As It was being place on the trailer I thought. Maybe he will let us borrow it for a few hrs and then we could dry it out and return it to him that night. Yes!!! One super engaging thing to do and we can cool off while being active and having fun playing with all ages! While we were setting up for some pool time, I had to find the teens something to use as suits. I looked through all my “skinny” clothes and what do you know, they fit them like little models! Then…. I realized how fat I let myself get! Ugh! That is another story!

This was the moment I realized I need to put the phone down And soak up the memories. (No pun intended)
We played and played and actually all enjoyed the day. Even the Disneyland bummer (He stayed at his hotel because he didn’t want to walk around Disneyland) stayed out there the entire time! He shut it down! He even helped roll the bouncer up and put it away, anyone who has never tried it before… Consult a dr. I swear it is one of the hardest things we have ever done! So proud our little stud got it bagged and on the truck.

I walked in after cleaning up to see more little faces stuck to their phones and game devices. I just walked next to the couch and said. “You know the rules, we don’t come in until the sun goes down!”

We headed out into the sunset and I told them we were going to play Night Games!!! I was so excited, these are my fondest memories of growing up! Kids could be kids, run, play, laugh, socialize and build up not only athletics but most importantly self confidence, trust and self reliance as well! Where did the good days go where this was the norm to “What are night games?”

My heart sank, as I asked each one of the kids, not one knew what they were. Well, dang it they will be learning from one of the best! Me!

We started with Sardines. Sardines or Ghost in the Graveyard is basically the same thing. One player who is “it” hides while everyone counts. Then they are off looking for the Sardine (We figured this name was far less frightening than the other.) When you find the Sardine you hid with them, like Sardines in a can. Last person to find them is it.

I have tons more and I also don’t remember all of the ones we use to play, I wish I did. Those kids didn’t want to stop for one second! They wanted to keep going, let it be know I could do it until the sun came up. But alas we did have very small children who needed to sleep sometime.
I have some fun things planed for the next time they come to stay! No electronic devices, they can check it before bed.

How could people not want a big family? I love being around fun people, people I love, enjoy my time with, that love my children. It’s always a fun time getting everyone together! I can’t wait until next year!

What are some of the things you did as a child during summer? Most fondest memories?
So get out there and do some of those! And take a few pictures, but mostly get in there and enjoy it and soak up the memories!

New Photography Backdrops

I am crafty, but sometimes I fail at it. I had 3 cutting boards that were full wood planks pieces together. I through out 2 of them. Today as I pulled the last one out to trash it I thought, “I wonder if I could put a little paint on this and make a photo prop. I am always looking for new Sweet Pea Capri photo ideas.
Here are my results. You let me know if it was a “flop” or a “nailed it!” Moment.

Family Budget

I have been slacking on bills and my finances for almost 6 years!  I was never a rich little girl by any means, so I had to learn fast how to work and save.  I did pretty good at saving tips from my Cosmetology job, $20 or more were my life savers. I would pay the bills with my income, and then save everything else. I would also use my savings for going out, entertainment. I didn’t have a boatload of cash but I did have enough for spur of the moment concerts or just a random movie, girls night out.

After getting married I found the joys of two pay checks, among other things.  We had nearly 2,000 extra after bills were paid.  I literally didn’t know what to do with myself.  So naturally we went test driving the newest model that we were both eyeing.  A Mobster car, Chrysler 300.  We even took the new car over the weekend to see if we loved it! {Best dealership ever} We talked about it and decided that we were going to just save up our money until we found the right fit for us.

Little did we know not even a few months later My husband got a job offer of his dreams in his hometown. We talked, he talked, he tried to get me excited to move there… didn’t work. But I being a good wife couldn’t beat down his dreams.. but maybe I should have, with a big fat baseball bat. Finding somewhere to live here that wasn’t creepy was difficult and we literally only had a few days to find something, anything! We found a cute house that worked out for us for FREE {yes my husband is that good!} They let us move in for a little while till they could get the place sold. It was a huge blessing in disguise.

I left to visit my Parents after we got some of our stuff unpacked. I got sick, deathly ill, I couldn’t even make it off the couch.  I couldn’t  drive 3 hours home.  After almost a month of waiting , and pampering, I finally went to the Dr.  and the first thing out of her mouth, “Congratulations, you are pregnant!”  I started to cry, I wanted kids, but we just moved.  I wanted to wait a year before I even thought about having a baby.  We were on Birth Control so we could be settled and I could be working somewhere I loved. I was in the middle of setting up my final class to become a Redken Color Expert Educator and be able to fly around the world teaching everyone their wonderful color products, I was so excited!  Anyone who knows Cosmetology knows it is a hard thing to just uproot and start over again.  How was I going to work if I was this sick, how was I going to finish my training in NY? I had no friends and family support around me. I can say I got a little depressed… just a lot maybe.

So long story short, hard pregnancy, hard to work around husbands Dream Jobs hours left me jobless.  I have been trying to earn money here and there. Odd jobs, cutting, coloring, waxing family and friends hair.  Small towns, are covered in hair stylist.  Not an easy road to go down when you are new and know no one!  Plans are still to hopefully get a cute shop set up in the basement and everyone will just fight over who gets to see me. I am so much fun you know. And maybe I’ll be the most famous Hair Stylist this place has ever seen, in like EVER! {excuse me, I needed an ego boost!}

On to the new realization, we are a one income family with random income at random times. I needed to stop the dreaming of the salon days and extra money and get to work on what we need to do here and now! We have 2 little humans, 2 fur babies and one giant baby and one me… so I have a lot of work ahead.
I made a financial sheet, Family Budget Sheet to start doing our finances again. For some reason I’m better than “The Man”… my man.

We have a “Date night” and sit down and go over everything together, maybe get some yummy dirty drinks and then get to work. It only takes a few min. and Wala you can finish it off with a movie or just sleep. I like sleep!

I am sharing my printable I made for my family {minus our family name, add your own} I have an LDS one for keeping track of our tithing. And for my non-LDS friends, make the tithing out to me.. Just a thought.  I couldn’t leave you all out so I made one for you too!

Family {LDS} Budget Printable

Family Budget Printable

Let me know if you have any suggestions and how they work for you!  I love sharing things that help make life less chaotic, enjoy!

 

Chicken Pot Pie & Freezer Meal In One

Thick and Hearty Chicken Pot Pie.

I was trying to make my Grandmothers Chicken Pot Pie when I stumbled upon this…  My family loves it!  I didn’t say that it was better than my Grandmas, {others might have} I will say this, I am no longer searching for the secret {that she can’t remember} to her Kids, Grandkids, and Great Grandkids most requested meal.

I am sure this is going to start a Cook Off with my family, bring it on!  Everyone meet up at my place for a Bake off!  Family, food, and parties are the best things ever invented!  Heck, maybe we will have a block party while we are at it!

• 2 boxes of Cheap Pie Crusts {trust me, the dollar store brand is better}
• Chicken, 2 boneless chicken breast cubed.
• 1 Can Cream of Celery soup
• 1/4 Cube of Butter
• 4 Tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Garlic salt
• 1 Tbsp Onion Flakes
• Frozen Mixed Veggies to your liking (I used 1/2 the small bag)
• 1/4 C  Almond Milk/Milk
• 6 Baby Potatoes, I like Red Potatoes

1. Chop and boil Potatoes with skins on, just add a pinch of Garlic Salt.
2. Coat large frying pan in a Tbsp Coconut Oil.  Add diced Chicken, dash of Garlic Salt, Chives {love Chives} then grill until almost cooked through.
3. Set oven for 45o° place the Pie Crust in the pan.  {Then take your anger out on it for the day… stab it, poke it… just make sure it knows you’re the boss and you expect to not see one bubble, not one!} Place the bottom shell in the oven and bake for 5 min.
4. Make a White Sauce. Mine was 1/4 cube of REAL Butter, while slowly adding little bits of Flour thicken it up.  Use your Best Whisker Ever {If you can’t find one, I will find one for you!  Yes, they are that AMAZING!  I just want to pass them out as I randomly skip down the lane, like flowers!  Day dreaming…}
5. We are now going to add the Cream of Celery Soup to the White Sauce.  Mix until smooth, it will be really thick.  Pour in tiny amounts of Almond Milk or Milk while continuing to stir.  Make it more of a creamy soup consistency.
6. Pour your Chicken directly out of the frying pan into the large soup pot. Add Water to the frying pan and scrape and mix all of the Chicken goodness {broth} out of pan. Pour it into the soup pot along with the Frozen Veggies, Potatoes and Seasonings.
7. Pour filling into your heated pie shell, spread it evenly.
8. Place your crust on top and add fun designs.  {I have barnyard cookie cutters so I like to have fun with the kids and make Chickens, initials.. whatever you want to do, food should be fun!}
9. Place in the center of the preheated oven 45o° bake for 20 min.  After the 20 min. place a protective layer of tinfoil around the edges of the Pie Crust. Continue to bake it for 15- 20 more min. until golden brown.

 

BONUS FREEZER MEAL 

 

This recipe will make two regular sized pies. I like to make my extra pie into a Freezer Meal. Place everything together, do NOT bake. The pie filling will already be cooked. You will just be reheating and cooking the crust later. Place it in a tin pie pan, piece together as before. Remember to add your ventilation marks now, trying to do it when it’s frozen is a beast! Cover it up with either a lid or foil and place in the freezer. Pull it out at lunch time, place it in the oven on Time-Delayed.  Tada, you are making dinner as you are relaxing at the pool soaking up sunshine, reading a great book and drinking Otai.  

 

Otai, The Perfect Summer Drink

 

If you never have tried this, now is the time! It is my single most favorite meal in a drink. {Sorry smoothie stores, I would much rather have this in a New York minute!}

I know you are thinking this looks interesting, and it is. Not only is it beautiful it is downright AMAZING! I got the recipe from my cousin who served a mission in New Zealand. If I could have this everyday of my life I would!

• 1 Can Coconut Cream
• 1 Can Coconut Milk
• Water, and sugar to taste
• 1 Small Apple
• 1 Cup Watermelon
• 1 Cup Fresh Pineapple
• 1 Kiwi
• 1 Mango
• 1/2 Cup of shredded Coconut

Mix everything together in a large pitcher and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. I like to push mine to the back of the fridge and leave it overnight so it gets really cold!

This is the perfect drink for the summer, you might have a new addiction, You can thank me later!

Have you ever had Otai Before? How do you make it?

 

Pioneer Peach Cobbler

My family has been making this recipe for decades, passed down from.. who knows, I even asked My Grams! I was going to make it on Father’s Day but after thinking about it and talking with my mom we both decided to make it after the phone call. All of these things are always on hand in most households so whipping up a batch in a few seconds is nothing. It is one of those perfect recipes when people “just pop by”.

My kids helped me throw it together {which always helps me keep tabs on them} and my husband was happy to come home to a warm meal and dessert! Win win.

Pioneer Peach Cobbler / Gram Putnams Peach Cobbler

• 1 stick of Butter {Coconut Oil}
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Cup Milk {Almond Milk}
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1 Quart Peaches {2 cans}
• Optional: 1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract &/or Cinnamon

Melt the butter in a large cake pan. {I place mine in the oven while mixing my cake ingredients} Mix Flour, Sugar, Milk, Baking Powder & Salt in a mixing bowl. Mix well and then pour it on top of the melted butter. Do Not mix. Pour the undrained Peaches on top of the cake mix. Do Not stir. Place in preheated oven at 350° for 1 hour or until golden in color.

Add Ice cream or frozen Greek Yogurt for an extra treat.

Happy Poor Man {mostly} chemical free Peach Cobbler making to you! I am going to try subbing out Coconut Oil for the butter and Almond Milk for the milk. {I’m lactose intolerant} Also canned Peaches would be healthier or ripe would even be better! Let me know if you make it, and how you liked it. Especially if you substitute anything out to make it Healthier.

This is my mom’s Peach Cobbler, she was smart enough to take a “before they devoured it” photo. We always share food pictures.

Free recipe card printable.

Starting Over.

I am so humbled and so excited to be able to for the first time in my life.. to BLOG openly (as openly as I feel) about my life. To introduce myself to some people who do not know me. My name is Wynter. I was stalked and raped when I was just 11 years old. It happened in my own home, while my family was sleeping. I’ll spare you details, for it is not fun. Years went by so fast and in such a blur. I was on 48 Hours. I was still in shock and being able to function perfectly was not at all easy. I don’t like having pity parties, although I seem to have those a lot more than I would like to admit. Life was horrible in my childhood after this, everything else spiraled out of control for not only me, but also my family. You mention it, I am almost 100% sure I know the feeling. Thoughts of suicide started right after the bullying. Bulimia, anorexia over exercising, self harm..
One of my best friends spread rumors while I was whisked away in hiding for a few weeks. They were trying to find that sick predator who did this. They finally did, we have been fighting a battle for to long. I received the remarkable heavenly sent news that he was now there for LIFE! Not only will he never be able to come after me again, nor my family. He can never ever be around another child! I feel like I was victorious in my, almost life long battle against evil! Good, light and Happiness will always win dark and evil!
I’d love to meet new people who are experiencing similar things or have questions, please talk freely. The best way to win this war an Child abuse is to be a voice and have the knowledge of what is happening and how you, yourself can stand up, move on and grow forth your light! Thank you friends! Life is tough, but it really does get better. After the darkest storms come the most beautiful rainbows!
This photo was taken only a few min. After I heard the verdict! Can you tell I didn’t care that the hair ties were out and the mirror was streaked? Nothing was ruining my day!!!