Happy Taste Buds = Buffalo Chicken Dip

Looking for a quick, easy and very versatile recipe?? Look no further! This yummy dip can be used as an appetizer, a main dish or as an afternoon snack! I had made this for several office gatherings and every time at least one person asks for the recipe so I though I should share with the world! Enjoy!! 

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients: 

1

 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast

 (or use a rotisserie Chicken...much faster and easier!)

1 Bottle of Franks Red Hot sauce (12 oz.) - you can use less if you don't want it too spicy. 
8 oz container of cream cheese
1 cup Mexican cheese blend 
1 cup Ranch dressing.
1 bag tortilla chips and/or veggies for dipping 

Instructions

1. Poach about 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast in chicken stock and water.
              Or you can use Rotisserie Chicken...much faster :) 

2. Using 2 forks, gently thread chicken into small chunks. 

3. In a bowl, combine shredded chicken with Franks Red Hot sauce, to taste. In the one I made

for our meeting

, I used the whole bottle

 ...I would use maybe half of the regular sized bottle.

4. Let the chicken soak in the hot sauce until ready to use. I soaked for about 10 minutes.  

5. Spread one 8 oz container of cream cheese into the bottom of an un-greased baking pan or casserole dish.

6. Top with buffalo chicken mix

7. Sprinkle on the cup of cheese. 

8. Finish it off by drizzling on 1 cup of Ranch dressing. I used Kraft "Anything" Ranch Dressing. 

9. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until dip is melted and bubbling.

10. Serve with chips and veggies for dipping!

When Worry Creeps In...

I struggle with worrying... I find things to worry about. I obsessively plan, prepare and when I've done all I can do...I worry that I didn't do enough or didn't do it right. I think it has something to do with "control"...I think that if I am prepared as much as possible and worrying about the rest...then I have done all that I can do...if I'm not worried then anything that goes wrong just must be my fault. 

WRONG!!! 

I fight this "worry battle" every day. Trusting God's sovereignty. Praying instead of worrying. Resting in Him. 

Trusting in God's sovereignty means trusting in His infinite rule, His authority, His power over all of creation. He rules over ALL the universe. Nothing happens outside of his ultimate sovereignty. 

Psalm 103:15-19 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; And its place acknowledges it no longer. 17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant, And who remember His precepts to do them. 19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all.

His sovereignty rules over all. 

I don't have to worry because God's got this! "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together!" (Colossians 1:17) 

Today, my precious husband and many youth left for summer camp in Andrews, NC. It was hard to miss the news over the weekend that a youth pastor from Indiana and his pregnant wife were killed returning from a youth camp. I literally could not even think about it without being sick to my stomach. I was so tempted to worry about the safety of our youth and of my husband but in the midst of it I heard a small voice that said "pray."

I can't count the many number of prayers over the last few days that I have whispered to calm my worry, to affirm my trust in God's sovereignty. And in the midst of it all, again and again, God brings a peace in my soul that calms my worries and fears. 

Please pray with me for everyone going to camp! 

Fall 2013 Must Watch Shows

I must admit...I watch too many shows! I used to only have one favorite show that I just had to watch every week...now I have several. If only they all didn't air during the same season, I think I could manage. Thank goodness for the internet where I can watch my shows anytime because I always miss them when they actually air!

Here are my top 3 shows that I most definitely will be watching come September:

1. Parenthood - If you haven't ever seen this show...WATCH IT! Get Netflix, buy every season, find a way to watch it! Trust me, you will fall in love with every character and feel like you actually know them personally. I have been watching it since it first came on and can't get enough of it! Season 5 begins Sept. 26 and you won't want to miss it. 
 

 2. Nashville- This show will be airing it's 2nd season in September so go right now and catch up on the first if you've never seen it. This show has incredible music, great story lines and engaging characters! Can't wait til this one start again! 

3. Chicago Fire- Although I am sure this isn't exactly what real fire fighting life is like...it sure makes good TV! Tune in for some Fire House drama and action! This show is going in to it's second season and I can't wait! 

 

Happy Watching! 
 

Summer Camp Must-Haves

It's time I got back to blogging...I took a long and necessary break but it's finally time I got started again. 

With our church's summer camp just days away I find myself scrambling to remember all the camp essentials for my husband. I have been to many summer camps in my short life so you think by now I would have my list mastered...not quite. I always find a new necessity every year that makes camp life a little easier. Although I won't be going to summer camp this year...I hope this helps you...and me for next year! Plus, I have a husband to pack for! 

In addition to the basics that I hope are easy to remember such as sleeping bags, pillows and clothes...here are a few things you won't want to forget to pack!

1. BUG Spray! - This stuff will not disappoint! Buy 2 bottles of it and use it! I took this to camp last year and I don't think I would have made it through the week without it.
 

2. Sunscreen- Another must have! Summer camp=outdoor camp. I am not a big fan of wearing sunscreen...mostly because I hate the smell and feeling it gives me all day, but this sunscreen I don't mind at all. Try it :) 

3. Flashlight - Late night bathroom trips? Early morning prayer? No electricity in the cabin? Can't find your cell phone? Trust me, you won't want to go to camp without a flashlight....at least not to the camps I have been to. This flashlight is my camp favorite although there are so many to choose from...it's lightweight, easy to carry and bright!! 

4. Towels - Lots and lots of towels...summer camp means water, mud, and sweat. You will need towels for swimming, tubing, white water rafting, and most importantly showering...and even more importantly for that time that you drop your clean towel in the mud or bathroom floor...gross. Towels are an easy thing to overlook the importance of or forget...don't do it. 


5. An Easy Container to take to the Shower/Bathroom- Don't get caught carrying several bottles of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a towel, clean clothes, etc. all to the bathroom in your hands... something won't make it there or back with you. This makes life easier! 
 

 6. Water Bottle!!! - When spending all that time outdoors at summer camp with the "cafeteria" or (whatever your camp calls the place to eat) far away...carrying a water bottle full of water will keep you hydrated and enjoying your time! Get two...just in case!

7. Battery Powered Alarm Clock- Sounds strange I know, but you never know if your cell phone battery is going to be charged, if you will have an outlet in your room, or what crazy time they schedule the youth leader meeting in the morning. You won't want to be last in line for the showers so use this!

8. Fan!- One thing is for sure when you go to summer camp...it's going to be hot, in most cases VERY hot. I can tolerate the heat during the day, but I WILL. NOT. MAKE. IT. if I don't have a fan at night. Depending on where you are going to camp, you can either take one that is battery powered or you can take on that needs to be plugged in. Whatever works best for you! In my mind, this is what I want to take:
 

Yes, it's an 18" Industrial Grade Heavy Duty Fan...but in reality this is what works:

There are other things I could have added to this list...but there are the most important! In my mind, it's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared! 

Happy Summer Camping! 

Buying our First House

Some of you many not already know this, but Brian and I are in the process of buying our first home...and we are ALMOST done! We should close next week!! ...The end is finally in sigh.

We started looking for houses in May of 2012. Renting in Lake Nona in Orlando is quite ridiculous $1000 for a one bedroom apartment...I don't think so. So we decided it was smart to buy...and if you aren't familiar with the area we live...it's about to explode with growth so it's not only nice to buy a home here but it's a incredible investment to own property here.

We offered on our soon-to-be new home in June of 2012 and have been waiting ever since...sometimes patiently...mostly not. We got out offer accepted on a short sale the same day we offered but had to wait about 6 months for the bank to approve. We finally had given up and asked for our deposit back...the next day...we had an approval letter from the bank for it to be sold as a short sale at the price we offered. I find that slightly ironic. ;)

Anyways, we started all the paperwork to close in mid-December and got everything together as fast as possible and it looks like we will be closing January 8th or 9th! We have waiting so long for this and can't wait to make this house our home!

We have lots of painting to do after we move in...but pictures will be coming after we are done!  :)

Christmas Party Madness

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...the time of year where everyone under the sun decides it's necessary to have a Christmas party...why? who knows...but seriously, it's madness.

I don't mean to sound like the Grinch...ask my husband...Christmas is literally my favorite time of the whole year! I absolutely love the decorations, the lights, the family time, the weather, and most of all celebrating the birth of our Savior....however this year the Christmas season has been particularly obnoxious. Why you may ask...because of one too many Christmas parties and because the one that I want to attend the most...my families annual Christmas Eve gathering...I won't be able to attend.

How many Christmas parties is too many? take a look at my calendar...11 and counting...


So if you are planning a Christmas Party for this year or in the future here are some tips to make yours one that doesn't end up on my "dread" list but the ONE that I actually want to attend.  (these are mostly to remind myself)

1. Don't ask people to bring a food dish...who wants to go to a party and feel obligated to bring something...maybe someone who doesn't have 11 other Christmas parties...but NOT me. 
2. Don't do any sort of gift exchange...someone will always get their feelings hurt plus who has extra money to spend on something that no one wants
3. Make it a come and go party...no one wants to feel trapped for hours at a party they probably didn't want to attend in the first place
4. If someone can't make it, don't change the date to a time that they can attend...it's likely they could have come on the original date but were giving an excuse not to come
5. Don't make the Christmas party about you...seriously I am so tired of "church" Christmas parties without a single mention of the real reason we can even celebrate
6. Do something for someone else...I don't need any Christmas parties to just eat and talk...do something for some one else...go caroling at a nursing home, bake cookies for your neighbors, wrap presents for a family in need...those are the Christmas parties that make a difference not just waste time

Ok...done with my Christmas party rant :) I love Christmas...so very much...but I don't like mindless parties that don't celebrate the reason why we even have a Christmas...Jesus.

Here are a few pics from some of the Christmas parties I attended and liked enough to take a picture :)

Disney World Christmas

Disney World Christmas

Disney World Christmas

Light Up Lake Hart

Light Up Lake Hart

Light Up Lake Hart

4 Things..

It's been almost a month since I last posted on my blog....yikes. Where did the time go?! I can't believe it's the middle of November...for lots of reasons...the main on being that is 85 degrees outside- YUCK!

I have to say I am counting down the days minutes and hours until Brian and I leave on our "journey to Texas" for Thanksgiving...I say journey because we are driving all 18 plus hours of the trip :) and when I say "we" I mean Brian...I plan to help if necessary hah

This blog of full of random things I feel like sharing:

1. I LOVE Texas- there are many, many reasons that I love Texas- the sports, the weather, the people, the southern-ness, the face that "everything is bigger in TX", the variety of landscapes, the political nature, etc.... but there is something I just can't explain with words that I love about Texas... that feeling it gives you to be in the best state in the world...I guess I have Texas in my blood! And of course, I mostly love Texas because that's where I grew up and where my parents live! If you have never been to Texas, you must go...and you probably won't want to leave!

2. You must listen to these two songs-

• Not For a Moment (After All)- Meredith Andrews
• God & King - Gateway Worship

Seriously, these two songs have been on repeat in my head for a while now and they lift my heart and speak to my soul! I love music and these are my two favorites right now!

3. I have the best mom in the world! Sorry, everybody! I only hope that I can be half of the woman that she is! She is always putting others before herself, she sends the sweetest messages, she gives the best gifts and she always loves :) I can't wait to see her over Thanksgiving week!

4. You must try this recipe!

Yum-Yum Artichoke Chicken

Ingredient List:

Boneless Chicken Breasts {4}
Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped {1-15 oz can}
Grated Parmesan Cheese {3/4 Cup}
Mayonnaise {3/4 Cup}
Garlic Powder{1 pinch}

What to do:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease baking dish.
Cut chicken breasts in half {down the center horizontally}. Place them in the greased baking dish.
Drain and chop artichoke hearts.
Mix 3/4 Cup grated parmesan cheese, chopped artichoke hearts, 3/4 Cup of mayonnaise, and a pinch of garlic powder in a bowl.
Coat the top of the chicken with the artichoke mixture.
Bake on 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.