Snowflakes and Valentines

I can hardly believe just a week ago everything here was covered in snow.  Here in the South, we do not see much snow, so when we had about nine inches of it we were snowed in--and the kids loved it!  Owen has seen snow before, but not to this extent.  Addyson has not really seen a good snow and had never played in it before.  They would have lived outside if I had let them.

The snow was a time of several firsts. Owen built his first snowman and named her Snowball. Both Owen and Addyson made their first snow angels and went sledding for the first time.  Addyson walked in the snow for the first time. Owen and I had our first snowball fight.  Addy was hit in the face with a snowball by daddy.  Both saw snow more than two inches deep for the first time.

We were not prepared in the least as far as snow toys go.  My husband went looking at several stores for sleds or anything that could be used as one.  Everyone was sold out.  Instead, we improvised by getting a lid from a storage bin, putting a trash bag around it, and attaching a strap.  I wish you could have heard the squeals of delight and seen the smiles on their faces.  I admit I was just slightly jealous since I was a little too big for the "sled."

Due to the snow, Owen missed three days of school.  In class those days the kids were going to work on Valentine's Day crafts and such during the week and then have the class Valentine's Day party on Friday, so I was a little disappointed for him.  He, however, probably would have chosen to play in the snow anyway if given a choice, so he was happy.  

On day two, we all were starting to get cabin fever a bit.  We took a drive to get out of the house for a little bit.  It was beautiful and abnormally quiet.  I love how the snow makes everything look so clean and softened, before the snow plows come through that is.  There is also a beautiful calm when you walk outside.  Everything was muffled and peaceful, especially since most people did not venture out during the peak of the snow.

By day three, I was over the beauty of the snow and ready for it to be gone.  I love my children, but it is tough on everyone's nerves to be cooped up in a house for almost a week with nowhere to go and the weather not pleasant enough to be outside for long.  This is one of the many times I am thankful I live in the South.  The snow comes quickly, but thankfully also leaves quickly.

By Monday I was definitely ready for school to start back, but school was out for President's Day.  So when Tuesday rolled around, I was beyond thrilled.  Thankfully, Owen was excited to go back to school by then.  His class had their Valentine's party, so I went to that to help a little and to watch.  I completely forgot to take pictures until it was almost over.  He loved giving out his valentines and eating all the goodies at the party.  However, he wanted to go home about as soon as I arrived.  I think he partially missed all the time he had been able to spend with Mommy and Daddy.  When we did leave, he was so proud to carry out all of his valentines, until he slipped on some ice and they flew everywhere.

Now that a week has passed, I already have those moments when I wish I could keep him at home for the day.  I often look back and realize just how much time flies and how precious and treasured each and every moment is with my kids.  Sure, there are days I can hardly wait for bedtime, but more often I can hardly wait for them to wake up in the morning so I can talk to them, play with them, laugh with them, just spend time with them.  Three years ago, just a couple of weeks before Valentine's Day, I found out I was pregnant with my second (and last) child.  That valentine gift made our little family complete.  As Valentine's Day comes and goes, I count myself loved, fortunate, and blessed indeed.  

Zesty Chicken Pot Pie

This chicken pot pie recipe is one of those go-to recipes any time I am in the mood for some comfort food.  Almost every time I make this for someone, they want the recipe so I figure I will share it with everyone now.  

My sister-in-law first introduced me to this pot pie several years ago.  Ever since then, this is the only chicken pot pie I make.  I warn you, once you eat this one you will never want another kind of chicken pot pie again!

I usually get an already-cooked rotisserie chicken from my local grocery store.  The chicken has enough meat on it to make two pies (three if it is really large).  I make one to cook for supper that night and another one to freeze for later.  

You can change this recipe in order to accommodate different tastes and diets.  You could substitute turkey for the chicken.  There are also several options for the crust in order for it to be gluten-free.  Pillsbury has gluten-free dough you can find here that seems to get good reviews.  Other gluten-free pie crust suggestions can be found here.

This pie is really easy to assemble and tastes absolutely delicious.  Just don't blame me if you can never again eat grandma's chicken pot pie after this!

{Ready to mix--looks so pretty!}

Zesty Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

1-1/2 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese (12 oz.), cubed

1/2 cup chicken broth

3 cups chopped chicken

2 pkg. (10 oz. each) frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, green beans,peas), thawed

1 env. (0.7 oz) Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix

1 ready-to-use refrigerated pie crust (1/2 of 14.1-oz pkg)

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. Cook cream cheese and broth in large saucepan on low heat until cream cheese is completely melted, stirring frequently with whisk.  Stir in chicken, vegetables, and dressing mix.

Spoon into 9-inch pie plate.  Cover with pie crust; seal and flute edge.  Cut several slits in crust to allow steam to escape.  Place pie plate on baking sheet.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Make Ahead Directions

Prepare as directed except for baking.  Wrap securely; freeze.  When ready to bake, unwrap.  Place strips of foil around edge to prevent over-browning.  Bake frozen pie in 425°F oven for 1 hour 10 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe Credit: Kraft Recipes

Last-Minute Valentine Ideas

I know I'm cutting it a little close, but I wanted to share some cute non-food valentines I found.  I love chocolate, but I am not a huge fan of giving a lot of it to my kids, so these valentines are great alternatives to the typical candy valentines.  Your kids can even help you put some of these together for their friends!

I made the Glow Stick Valentines for my son last year and the Bubble Valentine's for my daughter--their friends loved them!  I printed the glow stick valentines onto the back side of some Valentine-themed paper to give it a little more pizzazz.  This year I made my son's valentines myself, but these valentine ideas are great if you do not want to design your own but still want something cute and unique.

1. You're Over the Rainbow Loom Bracelet Valentine

2. Bubble Valentine's Cards

3. Valentine's Day Bag Toppers

4. Play-Doh Valentines

5. Glow Stick Valentines

6. Dollar Store Kazoo Valentines

7. Printable Valentine Puppets

Airplane Valentine

Like most people, I love chocolate.  However, I do not always want my children eating chocolate and other sweets.  I know there are other parents out there who also try to limit their kids' sweets intake.  That's why I like to send non-food valentines with my kids to school.

Last year, my son gave some cute glow stick valentines.  This year, I wanted to do something about airplanes after I saw some cute gliders that kids can make and fly themselves.  I did not see any printables I liked, so I made some for him.  I didn't want them to be too girly, so I didn't make them all pink and red.  However, they can still be used for either a girl or a boy.

I had some leftover paper from his valentines last year that I was able to use for the top of the bags.  The valentines are simple yet fun, and they do not take long to put together.  My son can hardly wait to give them out to all his friends!

Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Recently, I was out having coffee with a friend when she told me about some delicious muffins she had made.  She said the texture and taste was like a regular muffin, but these had no flour.  No flour! I had to make them myself just to see.  She was right!  They are super moist, protein-packed, and definitely yummy.  You could even add some chia seeds for a little more protein.

These are also great to make ahead and just pull out as needed for a delicious, fairly healthy breakfast.  You can customize them to fit your tastes.  Either top with or mix in some of your favorite toppings.  I added chocolate chips as a mix-in, but you could do whatever you wanted.  Some possible mix-ins would be nuts, coconut, blueberries, dried cranberries, whatever suits your taste buds.  Enjoy!

Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 medium ripe bananas

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp honey (or syrup), more or less to taste

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

optional toppings (chocolate chips / coconut / etc)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.  Line cupcake pan with liners or coat with cooking spray.  Blend all ingredients (except toppings) in a food processor.  Stir in mix-ins, unless using as a topping, and pour mixture into muffin cups.  If using toppings, pour mixture from processor into muffin cups and add toppings.  Bake 15 minutes.  Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.  Serve warm.