Category: Just Me Blogging

Future Plans and Next Steps

by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Just Me Blogging

I hope you all have enjoyed my variety of recipes I have been sharing the past few weeks. With the holidays quickly approaching, I thought what better time than now to share some homemade favorites!

The past few months have felt a little stagnant, but also a little transitional. We have been venturing out to church more and more which has been so refreshing for the heart and the spirit. Matthew seems to enjoy church. He gets a little shy with strange danger when we first arrive, but once he hears the congregation singing, he starts singing along too. He’s very into making the ooo sound during the song All in All.

Speaking of Matthew, this kid is keeping us busy, busy, busy! He started walking right after turning 9 months. He is into everything and thinks he can push and or fit his way through any small opening. He is determined! This stage right now is such at an exhausting stage, but also a very fun one šŸ™‚

My husband and I have started the buying a house process. We have applied for pre-approval and have started touring houses. Iā€™m so excited! I love living with family, but Iā€™m excited to have space again. Iā€™m excited to decorate and run my own household and be a stay-at-home mom in my own home!

Charles and I have a few ideas of what we want in a home including:

  • Land (preferably at least an acre)
  • Live in a township that allows chickens and maybe even a goat! I want to get my own eggs and my own goat milk.
  • 2-to-3-bedroom home. We need at least a 2 bedroom home for Matthew, but if we can swing it, I wouldnā€™t mind a 3 bedroom.
  • 1-2 bathroom. Iā€™d love to have at least a bath and a half but only if we can swing it.
  • Ideal location. We want to live somewhere thatā€™s a good way for Charles to commute to work but not too far from family.
  • Distant neighbors. Weā€™d prefer to not be too close to neighbors and would like more of a country feel.
  • Farm house, Traditonal or Ranch is the style home we are looking for.
  • Ground floor laundry room would be nice.
  • Garage, doesn’t have to be attached but nice to store our car through the rain and the snow.
  • Basement would be nice in case of bad weather and for storage.
  • Dining room thats either seperate from the kitchen, or a large enough kitchen that can have a dining room table.

I’m looking into ways I can earn an income from home through my writing. I’m bouncing around a few ideas such as audio books, Kindle eBooks and even submitting my work to magazines and newspapers. Things are still in the air at the moment, but I will keep you posted on what may lay ahead.

Kaylee ā¤

Recipe Reshare: Tortilla Pizza Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Okay, so this recipe was a simple idea from my momma that I couldnā€™t help but share. 

If you were a 90ā€™s kid, you probably grew up with these things called lunchables. One of my favorite lunchables was the kind with the mini pizzas. This recipe is very similar to that as you only need 4 ingredients.

WHAT YOU NEEDā€¦

  • Tortilla Shell
  • Marinara Sauce 
  • Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar or parmesan)
  • Pepperonis

First, lay out a tortilla on a plate.

Next spread a few spoonfuls of sauce across the tortilla.

Then, sprinkle cheese over the sauce. 

Finally, place pepperonis on tortilla. 

Once your pizza is complete you can either cut it up like a pizza, or roll it up like a wrap. 

TIP: This is a fun and easy recipe to make with kids! 

Enjoy!

Recipe Reshare: Chickpea Pasta Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Chickpea pasta is something I just thought of and wasnā€™t sure if it was a real thing. So, I went to Google to see if anyone else has combined chickpeas and pasta, and sure enough itā€™s a real thing! I scanned through a variety of different recipes then decided to make my own! 

Check out my Chickpea Pasta recipe below! ā¬‡ļøā¬‡ļøā¬‡ļø

INGREDIENTS

  • Penne pasta 
  • Chickpeas (1 can) 
  • Olive Oil 
  • Tomatoes (1)
  • Black olives (small can) 
  • Pepperonis (10-20) 
  • Italian Seasoning 
  • Minced Garlic 
  • Parmesan Cheese 

First, boil a pot of water. Depending on how many noodles you want to make will depend on how much water you choose to boil. 

Next, pour penne pasta into boiling water. Stir occasionally until noodles are soft and tender. 

Chop tomatoes, black olives, and pepperonis. 

Next, drain noodles and place in a bowl. 

Drain canned chickpeas, and combine in bowl of noodles. 

Then add olive oil, chopped pepperonis, olives, and tomatoes.

Season to taste with minced garlic, Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. 

Enjoy!

Recipe Reshare: Roasted Chickpea Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Roasted Chickpeas is one of my new favorite little snacks. They are not only a great source of protein, but also help curve that craving for a salty snack. 

WHAT YOU NEEDā€¦

1. 2 Cans of Chickpeas (I buy mine at Walmart) 

2. Olive Oil

3. 8 x 8 size Pan (or something similar) 

4. Cajun Spice 

5. Garlic Salt 

6. Paper Towels 

WHAT YOU DOā€¦.

First, preheat the oven to 350Ā°.

Next, place a double layer of paper towel on the counter. 

Open the cans of chickpeas and drain the water. 

Gently dump the chickpeas onto the paper towel. 

Spread the chickpeas out evenly on the paper towel.

Place another paper towel over the chickpeas to soak up the remaining water. The chickpeas have to be as dry as possible so that they are crunchy once they are cooked. 

Once dry, place the chickpeas in the pan. 

Drizzle olive oil across the top of the chick peas, just enough that all the chick peas have oil. 

Place in oven and cook for 20-25 minutes.

Once done, pull out of the oven and sprinkle cajun and garlic salt on the chickpeas immediately.

Note: If you prefer to use other spices on the chickpeas that is fine too! Chickpeas taste great on salads, as a side or even as a little snack! 

Let cool and enjoy! 

Recipe Reshare: Breakfast Bruschetta Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Bruschetta is one of my favorite meals to make. I often make Bruschetta as an hors dā€™oeuvre for a holiday meal. However, sometimes I also make bruschetta as a breakfast meal. Check out my newest creation: Breakfast Bruschetta. 

WHAT YOU NEED (FEEDS 4) 

4 slices of White Bread 

4 Eggs 

8 Sausage Patties 

Cooking Spray 

Tomato (2 Medium or Large)

Onion (1/2 a red onion)

Olive Oil (1/4 cup)

Garlic (minced, 2 tablespoons)

Cilantro (1 teaspoon)

Basil (1 teaspoon)

Red Pepper Flakes (2 teaspoons)

WHAT YOU DO 

First, make the bruschetta. Finely chop tomatoes, onion and garlic. Mix these three ingredients together and add the seasonings cilantro, basil, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Set bruschetta aside. 

Next, spray cooking spray on a large skillet. Place on burner at a medium heat. Place sausage patties on skillet. Flip patties every three minutes. Cook until dark brown/black. 

While sausage is cooking, toast 4 pieces of bread in a toaster at medium heat. Place toast on a plate and set aside. 

Finally, place a medium size skillet on a burner. Spray with cooking spray and turn burner on to medium heat. Cook four eggs over medium. 

Once all food is cooked, place one piece of toast on each plate. Place 2 sausage patties on each plate. Place one over medium egg on each slice of toast. Scoop bruschetta evenly over each plate and enjoy!

Reblog: Go Back to School and Get a Bachelorā€™s Degree āœ”ļø

by Kaylee, posted in Goals, Just Me Blogging

This post was written in April of 2019.

Guess what!?!?ā€¦ I finally did it! I graduated college and received my Bachelorā€™s degree! I now hold an Associateā€™s degree in General Studies, an Associateā€™s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelorā€™s degree in Child and Family Development.

It has taken me 7 years total to complete my college journey. I spent 3 years at community college, took a gap year and 3 years at a university. To be honest, I thought I was going to be in collegeā€¦ FOREVER. And I canā€™t tell you how thankful I am to be done. 

I went through a lot of changes through these last 7 years. I fell in love, got engaged and got married. I worked numerous jobs including receptionist, food service, and lead teacher. I also received scholarships, rewards, deanā€™s list recognition, and participated in student organizations. I endured a lot of hardships including depression, anxiety, financial challenges, miscarriages, surgery, and grief. Lastly, I made long lasting friendships, received so much love and support from family, learned life long lessons and received a wonderful education. 

So many times I wanted quit. So many times I wanted to throw it all away. So many times I thought it was too hard and I just wasnā€™t made for college. But I didnā€™t quit. I didnā€™t give up. I kept pushing forward and I reached my goal. It wasā€™t easyā€¦ but I did it. 

As many of you know, due to this whole coronavirus pandemic, many graduation ceremonies were cancelled or postponedā€¦ including mine. On my graduation day, I proudly put on my cap and gown, and drove to see my family. I sat in the car and they saw me from a distance. Iā€™m thankful they were able to see me on my graduation day. 

When we got home, my hubby took pictures and made me a wonderful graduation dinner. Though this day wasnā€™t anything like I had expected, and I was slightly bummed I wasnā€™t able to participate in a ceremony with my class; Iā€™m still thankful I was able to celebrate and make the most out of this day. 

So itā€™s official. I did it. I still canā€™t believe it. Iā€™m officially a college graduate! šŸŽ“

Recipe Reshare: Taco Baked Potato Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Ready, Set, Hereā€™s another yummy recipe! 

TACO BAKED POTATO (SERVES 2) 
INGREDIENTS 

Skillet 

Cooking Spray 

Sauce Pan 

Water 

Medium Bowl 

Potato Masher 

2 Potatoes 

Shredded Cheddar Cheese 

Butter 

Sour Cream 

1/2 lb. of Ground Beef 

Taco Saesoning 

Lettuce 

Diced Tomatoes 

Black Olives 

JalapeƱos (optional) 

WHAT YOU DOā€¦

First, spray sauce pan with cooking spray and place on burner over medium heat. Place unthawed ground beef in sauce pan. Let cook until browned. Mix in taco seasoning. 

Next, place two potatoes in sauce pan, and add water 1/2 to 2/3 of the way full. Place on high heat and boil potatoes for 20 minutes. Check potatoes to see if they are softened. If still not softened, put in boiling water for an additional 15-20 minutes. 

Once potatoes are soft, cut in half with a knife and place in a bowl. Mash potatoes with a fork, knife or potato masher inside of bowl. 

Next, add two teaspoons of butter and spread evenly over potatoes. Then add taco meat, lettuce, black olives, diced tomatoes, jalapeƱos, and cheddar cheese. 

Top with sour cream and enjoy!

Recipe Reshare: Greek Omelet with a Side of Ham

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Good morning and happy November! I donā€™t know about you, but it sure takes me a moment to get used to day lights savings time every year. Regardless, I absolutely love November. It is one of my favorites, for many reasons. I love November because it is Fall, and Fall is my favorite season. My boyfriend, now husband started dating in November. We were also married two years later in November, and I always look forward to Thanksgiving. Itā€™s such a festive holiday that can be spent as an intimate family gathering to an extravagant family affair. 

Since it is officially November, and becoming the cooking/baking season, I thought I would take this month to share many of my homemade recipes. 

Today, I will be sharing my Greek Omelette with a Side of Ham recipe! 

WHAT YOU NEEDā€¦

Medium frying pan 

Aluminum foil 

Oil or cooking spray 

2 eggs 

4lb ham pre-sliced 

Shredded cheddar cheese 

Feta cheese crumbles 

Pitted kalamata olives 

Fresh spinach 

Red onion 

Black pepper 

Basil 

Hummus (optional) 

Avocado (optional) 

Small 8Ɨ8 pan 

WHAT YOU DOā€¦

1. First remove ham from wrapping and place in a 8Ɨ8 pan. Add a little water to the bottom of the pan to ensure it stays juicy. Place aluminum foil over top of ham and around edges of pan creating a tent. Preheat oven to 375Ā° and cook for 20 minutes. 

* Disclaimer, I bought my ham from my local grocery store, and it was fully cooked and unthawed. I would recommend following the instructions on the ham you purchase for the best result. 

2. Once ham is almost finished cooking, place frying pan on a burner and spray with oil or cooking spray. Turn burner on to a medium heat. 

3. Crack two eggs and break the yolks by whisking with a fork. You can do this in a bowl, and then pour the eggs into the frying pan or crack eggs directly into frying pan. Allow eggs to cook as flat and level to the bottom of the pan as possible, creating a circle shape. 

4. Chop omelette ingredients including, kalamata olives, spinach leaves, and red onion. 

5. Once eggs look mostly cooked, start placing spatula underneath the edges of the eggs. Doing this will make it easier to fold the omelette. Place spinach, kalamata olives, onion, and cheddar cheese on one side of the eggs. Let sit for 30 seconds or until there is no more runny egg.

6. Check on ham in the oven around this time as it should be finished cooking. Remove from oven, and pull back foil so it can cool. 

7. Once eggs look cooked, fold the side of the eggs without ingredients, over the side with ingredients, creating a half circle/ shape of the omelette. Let sit for another minute, turn off heat and sprinkle black pepper, basil and feta cheese crumbles. 

8. Slide omelette gently on to plate (this step can be tricky). Next take two or tree slices of ham and place them on the plate.

9. For a little more flavor, feel free to add some hummus or avacado on top.

Recipe Reshare: Deep Fried Pickles Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Hi friends! So, if you havenā€™t figured it out by now, I really like fried food. Itā€™s not good for me, and I often end up regretting it since I donā€™t have a gall bladder, but itā€™s a guilty pleasure of mine. Recently, I learned how to fry pickles. Oh my gosh, let me tell youā€¦ they are the bomb dignity! 

So, if you are looking for an easy and yummy snackā€¦ try these! 

WHAT YOU NEED

1. FRYING PAN 
2. OLIVE OIL (Iā€™VE TRIED COCONUT OIL AND IT DOESNā€™T WORK) 
3. PICKLES (I PREFER DILL PICKLE CHIPS) 
4. FLOUR (I USED WHEAT FLOUR) 
5. GARLIC SALT 
6. BLACK PEPPER 
7. BASIL
8. OREGANO 
9. RANCH (OPTIONAL) 

First, place the frying pan on the stove. Add about 3 tbsp of olive oil, at least enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Put on medium heat. 

Next place flour in a bowl (about 2 cups depending on how many pickles you plan to make). 

Coat pickles with flour and place in hot oil. Wait about 30 seconds to a minute and then flip them over. Repeat this process with each pickle until pickles are crisp and ready to be placed on a plate. 

Once finished cooking pickles, place on a plate. Sprinkle garlic salt, black pepper, basil, and oregano as much as desired. Add a side of ranch dressing or other dipping sauce for the best pallet experience. 

Enjoy!

Recipe Reshare: Deep Fried Oreos

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Okay, so I had no idea deep fried Oreos were even an option, until my mom mentioned something about carnival food. When she mentioned deep fried Oreos, I immediately searched the internet for different recipes. After pulling various ingredients and tips from different recipes, I think I was able to come up with the perfect recipe. 

WHAT YOU NEED 

Oreos (I used Oreo Thins but regular Oreos will work too) 

Oil (olive oil, coconut oil or vegetable oil works) 

Pancake Mix (Any brand will do, I used about 2 cups) 

Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)

Egg (1)

Milk (1 cup, or as much as you need to make the batter smooth and thin).

Powdered Sugar (a couple tsp)

WHAT YOU DO

First, mix the pancake batter, vanilla extract, egg and milk into a medium size bowl. 

Next, place oil in a frying pan on a medium heat. Place enough oil to completely cover the bottom of the pan. 

Once oil is heated in the pan, take your Oreos and dip them into the pancake batter. Then place Oreos in oil. After about a minute, flip Oreo to cook other side. Continue this process until you have enough Oreos of your choice. 

Lastly, place Oreos on a plate and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. 

Friends, Iā€™m not going to sugar coat it šŸ˜‚. These Oreos are yummy but super rich and unhealthy. So donā€™t eat them all in one setting. Enjoy!

Recipe Reshare: Stir Fry Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

Homemade stir-fry is one of my favorite meals to make, because itā€™s so easy. Like many of the recipes I have shared, part of what makes it easy is that you can generally use vegetables and spices you already have at home. 

INGREDIENTS 

Olive Oil (4 tablespoons)

Brown Sugar (1/3 Cup) 

Thai or Asian Noodles (Ramen Noodles work too) 

Soy Sauce (2 tablespoons) 

Garlic (1/2 a clove) 

Ground Ginger (3 Dashes) 

Black Pepper (3 Dashes)

Oregano (3 Dashes)

Basil (3 Dashes)

Any Veggies of your choice! Ex: Celery, mushrooms, onion, peppers, carrots, broccoli, fresh cilantro etc. 

WHAT YOU DOā€¦

1. First, fill a medium size saucepan of 2/3 of water and bring it to a boil. Once water is boiling, add noodles of your choice. My favorite kind of noodles to use are the Thai brand stir-fry noodles that can be found at Walmart. 

2. Next, pull out a cutting board and chop any veggies you would like to include in the dish. 

3. Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a frying pan and place on medium heat. 

4. Add chopped up vegetables, and brown sugar to frying pan. Cook until veggies begin to turn brown and dark.

5. Once noodles are soft, remove from heat and drain noodles. Place noodles in a bowl. 

6. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over noodles. Remove sautĆ©ed veggies from heat and place over noodles. Add additional spices including oregano, garlic, basil, ground ginger and black pepper. Add soy sauce, stir noodles and enjoy. šŸ’•

Recipe Reshare: Fried Chicken Drummies Recipe

by Kaylee, posted in Just Me Blogging, Recipes

This past fall, my husband and I were given an air fryer for our anniversary. I had no idea what I was missing out on. If you donā€™t have an air fryer, you should really get one. If you like crispy french fries, yummy chicken wings, or fried picklesā€¦ get you an air fryer. 

Anyway, the whole point of this post wasnā€™t to talk about how much I love my air fryer. I actually wanted to talk about how I make fried chickenā€¦ in the air fryer. So my air fryer is relatively small as it only feeds 1-2 people. But there are a variety of different air fryers if you choose to buy one. 

Here is how I made my Fried Chicken Drummiesā€¦

WHAT YOU NEEDā€¦

  • 4 Drumsticks, raw and thawed 
  • Air fryer
  • Chilli Powder 
  • Red Pepper Flakes 
  • Garlic Salt 
  • Basil 
  • Oregano 
  • Black Pepper 
  • Ranch 

WHAT YOU DO

First read the directions to your air fryer and set it up the way that it says. For my air fryer, it instructs me to plug it in and make sure there are no objects around it. Next it recommends I preheat the air fryer to 350Ā° for 5 minutes. 

Next I place 2 ā€“ 4 chicken drmsticks in the air fryer and cook them for 10 minutes. 

After 10 minutes, I pull the drummies out and rotate them using a set of tongs. I then place them in the air fryer for another 10 minutes. 

I repeat this process again a third time. 

After the chicken has cooked for a total of 30 minutes, I rotate the chicken for the last time. I then sprinkle chilli powder, red pepper flakes, garlic salt, basil, oregano, black pepper and season to taste.

I then cook the chicken drummies for an additional 8 minutes, 

Once the chicken drummies are done, I pour myself a side of ranch dressing and enjoy my homemade spicy dry rub fried chicken.