Simple Mother’s Day Meal Idea

Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday. It’s possible to make this day special no matter the situation you find yourself in. If you are looking for inspiration keep reading. I’m all about finding ways to make celebrating easy but look exceptional. One way I’ve found to do that is Charcuterie Board Meals. My family loves charcuterie board dinners. Or lunches. You could even make a dessert style charcuterie board! Let your imagination soar as you make your grocery list and tailor it to your taste buds. Here are a few ideas to add to your grocery list.

  1. Cured meats. (my family loves roast beef, summer sausage and pepperoni)
  2. Cheese. (We are simple, Colby Cheese for the win! And lots of it!)
  3. Olives.
  4. Nuts.
  5. Dried Fruit.
  6. Crackers or baguette bread. (At least 2 types of crackers)
  7. Jelly, honey, mustard or jam.
  8. Pickles
  9. Cookies or chocolate pieces
  10. Guacamole, salsa and pita chips
  11. Hard boiled eggs

There are so many ways you could enjoy this easy meal, too. Outside on the patio, on a hike, as a picnic. It’s very transportable. Be sure to include the kids in the making and clean up process. Enjoy and Happy Mother’s Day!

Resurrection Rolls & an Easter Invite

Hello Friends!

Easter is my very favorite holiday, so I am preparing to celebrate Easter in my house come rain or shine! I’m determined, with a little bit of planning ahead, we can make this an enjoyable Easter. We’ve already dyed the Easter eggs. My husband came home to glitter all over the kitchen table. He said something about never using glitter again…we’ll see about that, but I’m in agreement with him. The glitter was probably a bad idea that seemed great at the time. It’s too bad I didn’t grab a picture of the glorious art and science projects our kids were doing while coloring eggs.

Come Sunday, you have two options as I see it. You can do away with the fancy dress clothes. Or wear them! You do you! I’m excited to dress my kids and I in our very BEST and comfiest clothes and Sunday morning we’re having cinnamon rolls. I’m actually really excited for this slow Easter morning. In Easter’s past, we have been involved in some sort of an Easter program. Which would mean we’d be up before the sun rose and tired after church. This Sunday, let’s all enjoy the slow morning. I’ll make cinnamon rolls and scrambled cheesy eggs for my family while I brew myself some coffee. Our church is having a wonderful service online. We’d love to have you “join us” in attending the service!

We’ll have an Easter egg hunt in our backyard and wave at the neighbors. We’ll have the crockpot simmering as we plan on enjoying each other’s company. It will be an Easter I’ll never forget.

If you’ve never had resurrection rolls, these are an easy treat that I’ve been making since childhood. They are gooey, easy and so good. Just grab marshmallows, butter, sugar, cinnamon and crescent roll dough at your weekly store grocery shopping trip.

Resurrection Rolls Recipe– I guarantee your whole family will enjoy making and eating these.

Enjoy the rest of your week, friends. We are thankful for you. We are thankful for a Risen Savior!

Happy Easter,

-Michelle Phillips

Thanksgiving Prep – Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Who else loves gathering around a table with family and friends to enjoy wonderful food? I know I’m not alone in basking in the warmth a meal with loved ones can bring. I’m convinced a beautiful table, rich conversation and mouth watering food can brighten anyone’s day! As I start to *think* about what I’d like to prepare, this simple quick bread comes to mind. I use to make it weekly. It’s easy and so good! Add some real butter and you’ve got yourself a real winner.

It’s always fun to listen to others’ Thanksgiving plans. So many unique traditions are held, there’s no ‘right way’ to usher in the Thanksgiving feast. Whether you enjoy a Taco bar, and forget the Turkey, or play a solid game of tackle football before your meal. Every family celebrates in their own unique way.

In Omaha, the weather is getting cooler. We’ve pulled up the garden and prepped it for winter. In years past, it’s always been difficult to say goodbye to warm months and come to grips with winter making her grand entrance. It’s different for me this year. I’m embracing the seasonal change without a grumpy attitude and looking forward to hunkering down with my family these next few months. My son says I’m getting older, I think getting older might also mean you learn to make the best of everything. Like arming yourself for winter with new soup recipes, board games, puzzles and indoor projects to last the next four months. Whatever the case, I’m ready to share this warm quick bread that you can easily bake and serve to eat during a card game. My kids love to play Sleeping Queens. It’s a great card game and Amazon carrys it. You definitely need to add it to your game closet. 🙂

The Amazing Cinnamon Bread (that’s what I call it anyway!)

CINNAMON BREAD (makes 2 loaves)
Batter:
1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda
Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
2/3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon  (I do add more cinnamon and sugar as I feel is needed. It’s called cooking with love. )

Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs.  Add milk, flour, and baking soda.  Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan).  Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan.  Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping.  Swirl with a knife.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min.  or until toothpick tester come clean.   Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

I have also made this bread in muffin tins which made it a little easier to freeze and take out as needed.
ENJOY!!!

~Michelle Phillips

Easy Tamale Pie Recipe

If you’ve ever needed a hearty, family approved recipe. This is it. All my picky eaters liked this and it was even delicious as leftovers. Just make sure you cover the casserole well as it sits in the frig until it’s all eaten. I love recipes that don’t call for many ingredients. This is big flavor with not a lot of work!

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef

2 (8.5 oz) boxes dry corn muffin mix

1 can sliced olives (may be omitted)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 jar (16 oz) enchilada sauce

2 large eggs

2/3 cup milk

1/2 shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 onion diced (may be omitted)

Preparation:

  1. preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large frying pan, cook and stir ground beef. Add in onions, olives, salt, chili powder, and oregano. After the meat is cooked and onions are browned add enchilada sauce.
  3. In a large bowl mix both packages of cornbread mix with the eggs and milk. Makes sure it’s free from lumps.
  4. Finally, pour all your corn muffin mix batter over your seasoned beef. Spread the corn muffin mix into an even layer and top with cheeses. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Insert a toothpick to the corn bread layer and if it comes out clean, it’s done!
  5. Optional. top with sour cream and enjoy!

I’d love to hear if you made this recipe!

Easy Tamale Pie Recipe.
I took this picture as I ate it for lunch the next day! It’s equally awesome as leftovers.