Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

thankful…26/30 & thankful…27/30

Super thankful for an evening of putting this gorgeous thing up with my littles and my mama.  I sure do love sitting in the living room with only the light of the tree on.  Makes this mama super happy!

Thankful today for a few things.  A husband that is willing to provide for his family by going out in the cold, on horrible roads, and make the roads safe for that mama taking her babies to daycare, for the elderly couple that have a dr. appointment and for all those travelers heading to work.  I’m thankful for a warm house to stay inside.  And I’m thankful for the beauty God gives us in the midst of a storm (even an ice storm).  As I went out this morning to take some pictures I was again in awe of His creation!
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Super Creamy Mac and Cheese

Is there anything that screams comfort food as much as creamy mac and cheese? This is one of my fav meals.  I love me some homemade mac and cheese!  If you make it, I will eat it. I mean seriously, pasta, cheese, a little milk, a little salt, what’s not to love?  And that “crusty” top, oh my goodness. Does anyone else love that crunchy topping?

I like adding some different ingredients into the mix – including bacon or shredded chicken. The reason I love this recipe so much is because its the perfect base mac and cheese to experiment with while being perfectly delicious on its own. I really hope you enjoy it!

Cook macaroni as normal and drain.  Sooo, I’m not a fan of doing dishes, so we want to dirty as little dishes as possible.  Leave the macaroni in the strainer and use the same pot to make your cheese sauce.  

First we are going to make a roux. A roux is a mixture of fat (usually butter) and flour that makes the base of the sauce. In this recipe we start by combining the butter and flour first. To do this, add butter into pot and melt over medium heat. Once melted, add flour. Continually whisk for a few minutes, until it looks like the picture below.
Now slowly add in the milk. The trick is to add the milk slowly, while stirring, to try and avoid clumping. Whisk constantly until the mixture thickens.
Next you add the cheese and spices.

Mix until cheeses are melted.

Turn around to grab the bench to stand on so you can get a better picture of you pot.  Oh, hey puppy.  

Add macaroni back to pot stir to mix it well.  Pour it into your greased pan.

This is where I like to get creative!  I had a bit of bacon left in the fridge, so I added it to the top.  I always sprinkle some cheese on top so my breadcrumbs will have something to stick to.

I also grabbed a small handful of Durkee french friend onions, crumbled them up and added those.  

Cover the top with either breadcrumbs, crunched up potato chips or panko crumbs (which is what I used here).

Add a few pats of butter to the top.  Pop it in the oven.

Ingredients

1/2 lb. Standard Macaroni
2 cups milk
1/2 t salt
1/2 t dry mustard
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t paprika
1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
4 oz. cream cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place a pot of salted water on to boil for pasta.
When water comes to boil add in pasta until just al dente.
Drain pasta from water and set aside.
To make the roux: Equal parts butter and flour to make a roux.
Let the roux cook for 1-2 min to cook out raw flour taste.  You’ll notice it start to smell “nutty”, that’s when it’s done.  Slowly whisk in milk to avoid any lumps.
Once you have the mixture to desired thickness add in cheese.
Gently fold in pasta to the sauce and place in oven safe dish. 

Add whatever toppings you want (bacon, chicken, french friend onions, different cheeses, etc.).
Add a few pats of button on top, if desired.  
Cook for about 20 minutes or until golden on top and bubbly.
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Convos With The Kids

I absolutely adore the convo’s I have with my littles.  Normally, they have me in stitches.  And Miss Jade, oh Miss Jade, always so innocent.  I want to remember every single thing about our conversations {and let you enjoy them too}.  That’s why I document them here  🙂  Someday, I’ll look back on these days and, with tears in my eyes, appreciate these times.

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Jade:  Hey Joey.  Are you putting your contacts in?
Joey:  Yep
Jade:  What if we were in a scary movie and when you put your contacts in, they turned into needles and poked your eyes?

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Joey:  Wow, the dogs snout smells horrible like onions.  I could almost taste them when I was kissing her.  Jade get down and smell it.
Jade:  No!
Joey:  Oh, wait.  Jade’s eating salsa.  Never mind.

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Jade:  But you yelled at me in front of everyone.
Me:  I never raised my voice once.
Jade:  You were yelling with your eyes.

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Jade:  What is a placenta?
Joey:  It’s what the fetus is attached to.
Jade:  Wait, isn’t that poop?
Joey:  No Jade, that’s feces.
Jade:  Oh, sometimes I get fetus and feces mixed up.

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Jade:  Sometimes I get confused when I see Chris Bosh and think it’s a velociraptor.

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Jade: I really hate learning the patriotic table
Me: Dying

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Me:  Where are my headache pills?
Joe:  In my glove-box
Me:  All you have in there is headache pills and tons of ammo
Joe:  Necessities

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Me: Jade, please don’t stare at that guy. We aren’t in Clearfield County anymore.
Jade: But he is brushing his beard with a toothbrush

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{Jade dropping phone…back flying off…battery sliding across floor}
Jade: SIGH…this is why I can’t have nice things
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