Chicken Pot Pie

Jarrod always raves about my chicken pot pie with our friends and family. So much, in fact, that they began to request it when they would come over. Which I would then promptly smack him, because, seriously folks, this recipe is nothing fancy. It is so simple and uncomplicated. It does taste good, but I think he exaggerates just a tad. And I fear all the hype will lead to disappointment. But, to please the masses, I am sharing the recipe I use.

First, gather all your needed ingredients. Fairly simple, right?

Mix the chicken, cream of chicken soup, flour, broth and veggies together in a medium-sized bowl. Whew...that was tough.

Sprinkle a little pepper on top and mix. This is just to help give it a little extra kick of flavor. You could add other spices to your liking as well. Get creative!

Place one of the pie shells in a greased pie pan and pour the mixture on top.

Now here comes the hard part...place the other pie shell on top, crimp the edges and cut vent holes on top. Ok, ok...so it isn't that hard.

Put it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes at 400° F. Once that is done...

...cover the edges with aluminum foil or a pie shield. I don't own a pie shield, so I had to go the ghetto way.

Place back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes.

And voila! Chicken Pot Pie. See? Super, super easy. Nothing to it.

You may wish to make yours a little more golden than what I have pictured, but it was late at night and I was ready for bed. So, this is what I got.


Here is the recipe written out. Enjoy!

• 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
• 1 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 1 1/2 cup cubed cooked chicken (I use a 10 oz. can of chicken)
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• Flour (about 3 to 4 tablespoons)
• 2 Pillsbury pie shells
• Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400° F. Mix the soup, vegetables, chicken, broth, flour and pepper in a large bowl. The mixture should be somewhat thick (add a little more flour if it is too thin). Layer one pie shell on bottom of a greased pie pan. Pour mixture into pie shell. Cover with additional pie shell and crimp edges. Slice a few vent holes in the top. Bake for 40 minutes until golden. Cover pie edge with aluminum foil or a pie shield if it begins to brown too quickly.

Red River Rivalry Fun

Yesterday Jarrod sprung the idea to have friends over for the Texas vs. Oklahoma game this weekend. Now, usually this wouldn't be an issue, but I am a bit of a planner. And a perfectionist. So, immediately I began working on a menu of food items and stressing over the cleanliness of the house. I'm dramatic like that (as you can imagine, I drive my super laid back husband insane). Where did I turn for help in these dire circumstances? Pinterest, of course!

Here are the scrumptious foods we plan on consuming this weekend:

Source: kayotic.nl via Kimberly on Pinterest

I think queso is a must for any get together. True yumminess.

Source: aisletoaloha.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Jalapeno poppers - who doesn't love cresent rolls, bacon and cream cheese? And then a little spice added in?! I think this is one of my favorite things on the menu. I just hope it turns out as delicious as I am imagining it.

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

If you have queso, you must have guacamole. It's a rule.

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

I actually saw this Rootbeer Pulled Pork recipe on Facebook first, but searched for it on Pinterest. It looks amazing, no?

Source: penniesonaplatter.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

I am debating making these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies for dessert. In the spirit of fall and all. Mmm...pumpkin.

So, that is what we are planning on for our get together this weekend! I am really excited!

Recipe Share

I have been striving to cook more meals at home lately. However, growing up in a non-cooking home, I don't have a ton of skill in the kitchen. It can be a bit of a challenge sometimes. So, I have been scouring the internet for some recipes that are both easy and not extremely time-consuming. And, if they require any sort of baking, then all the better! Here are a few that I have tried over the past few weeks that you may wish to try as well!

via

First was this brownie/oreo/chocolate chip cookie concoction. Ok, ok, so this isn't technically a "meal," but I found the recipe on Pinterest and immediately wanted to make it the next time we had people over to the house. Y'all know how I love to bake. I didn't want to make them for just me and Jarrod, though...I needed to make others suffer by consuming this yumminess! So this past weekend became the perfect occasion, as my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were visiting from out of town. Unfortunately, though, it didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. The cookie portion was dry and the brownie was a little under cooked. Disappointing, to say the least. With that said, Jarrod went out the next day and bought some pumpkin ice cream (I know, right?!?!) to put on top and it tasted a lot better. So, it wasn't perfect, but in the end it turned out okay. I guess you can't win them all, right?

Let's eat!

To make up for the sadness of the dessert, Jarrod and I made a quiche the next night. And it was super yummy. I found the recipe on one of my favorite blogs, The Glamorous Life of a Housewife. I had never made a quiche before, but I figured it couldn't be too hard. And I was right. My only suggestion would be to not add salt, like the recipe states. We used turkey bacon, which already had a salty flavor. I think next time I will just add a little more pepper.

via

I made this Weight Watcher's Bubble Up Enchilada recipe a couple of nights ago and it was delicious. I am not sure I would call it enchiladas, but I guess that is the best way to describe it. I found the recipe off a blog called Lucky in Love. I didn't make it exactly as it called for, as we used ground beef instead of ground turkey. We also added onions, but I add onions to everything. I think next time we make this we will add more vegetables. Maybe cilantro and peppers?

via

And last, but definitely not least, was this Hawaiian BBQ Chicken recipe. I love crockpot recipes, because they are so great for Monday nights while Jarrod is in class. I can cook everything all day while I am at work and keep it warm in the crockpot for when he gets home at night. So simple! We ate the chicken over rice instead of on a sandwich and it was really good.

What are some of your favorite recipes? Any good dishes for a beginner like me?

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

This weekend flew by, but then again, I guess every weekend does. Speaking of time flying by, can you believe it is almost October?! Where has this year gone?

Anyways, here is a little recap of what went on in the Sparks' household this weekend.

Jarrod and I went to a "pseudo" going away party for one of our good friends on Friday night. He will be working out of state for awhile, but will be coming back every so often in 2 week stretches. It was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone and having a good time. Good luck, Chris! We will miss you while you are gone!

Pretty friends at the going away party :)
Why do I look so tired?!

On Saturday, Jarrod's brother and sister flew in to stay with us for the weekend. I haven't seen his sister since May, so I was really looking forward to just hanging out with her. We all went out to eat at a local sushi restaurant and then came home and I made dessert. Which didn't turn out so well. Sadness.

By the way, you know you married into an awesome family when you make something that isn't particularly scrumptious, but they compliment it anyways.

The next day we got up and went to church, graduated from our Newlywed or Close class (we had been in the class for over a year...time to move to the next class!) and then Josh and Kristina left that evening to fly back home and Jarrod and I made a quiche for dinner. Which did turn out really well. Happiness.

Quiche!

Pssst...I made a couple of new dishes that turned out to be pretty good, so I plan on doing a full review in an upcoming post. Keep an eye out. :)

In other news...

As far as weight loss is concerned, I think I am back on track. Ever heard of Couch to 5k? It's a running program that helps people gradually build their endurance and train for a 5k. Although I am not planning on ever officially running a 5k, I figured it would be a good way to help speed up the weight loss process. Jarrod and I completed our first week (3 runs) and I actually enjoyed it! I downloaded the app on my smartphone, which was extremely helpful. It would beep when we needed to begin running and then beep when we needed to walk. This week we will step it up a notch and have to run for a longer period of time. Wish me luck!

We take Piper on our runs as well
and she is exhausted when we get home!

Weight Loss or the Lack Thereof

I have to be honest with y'all. I have been feeling a slight bit defeated as of late.

If you remember, I began counting calories a few weeks ago in preparation for our upcoming cruise. I wanted to shed a few pounds and tone up a bit before putting on a swimsuit. And I had also mentioned that I was on a good start, having lost two pounds within a week or so.

Well...I got on the scale yesterday morning, and...well...those two pounds are back. And I am really upset.

I know, I know...it is only two pounds. It probably is only water weight or whatever. But I still feel like I'm not getting anywhere and that I will never reach my goal.

Weight loss has always been a struggle of mine. And it doesn't help that after the wedding I began my journey towards the Marriage 10. I hate exercising and I have an incredible sweet tooth. Double whammy. But, with that said, I feel like I don't eat unhealthy. I don't eat fast food. I don't drink sodas. Shoot, every day at lunch I eat a Weight Watcher's Smart Ones frozen meal!

I am quickly beginning to realize that I am not that sixteen-year-old girl anymore. The girl who could eat cheeseburgers and chocolate chip cookies every other day and still fit into her size 4 jeans.

Nope. I have to come to terms that I am 28 23 years old and I need to be more proactive and smarter when it comes to my health. 

So, tell me...what do you do to stay in shape/lose weight? Any tips for me? Any healthy recipes that you care to share? Help me out!

Brownie Points for Me! (Mmm...brownies...)

Both the hubby and I have been complaining about our eating habits as of late. I blame myself, mostly, as I love to bake breads and sweets (shocking, I know). Every so often isn't so bad, but when it is almost every other week, it certainly adds up.

In an effort to shed some inches and lose a few pounds, I started exercising more and using a calorie counter on my phone. I had counted calories a few years back, and it really helped me watch what I ate and realize the foods I was putting in my body. And I actually lost weight pretty fast. I stopped doing it, though, for whatever reason, and the pounds started slowly showing back up when I got on the scale. I decided it was time to nip it in the bud, especially since Jarrod and I are planning on going on a cruise later this year.

What I would like to ask you, my imaginary friends, is why is it that the moment you go on a "diet" that all the bad foods show up everywhere?!

This morning at work there was a box of donuts and kolaches in the break room. I actually don't like donuts, but I love kolaches. It was so hard to eat my granola bar, knowing that true yumminess was just a few steps away.

Then, to make matters worse, my department ordered mexican food for a lunch meeting. They set up the table with all the food right outside my office. The smell of fajitas, tortillas, queso and chips quickly filled my cubicle. My frozen, 290 calorie chicken enchiladas paled in comparison.

It was torture. Yet, I prevailed and refrained from partaking in the deliciousness. And I am proud of myself.

As my reward I am going on a double date with some of our church friends to this restaurant tonight. Where I am sure I will max out the number of allotted calories for the day week. And I will enjoy every single bit of it.

I mean, after a day like today...I think I deserve it.

Ah, We Meet Again

Friends, I have great news...

I have mastered the art of the bundt pan.

If you recall, I had some trouble the last time I used a bundt pan. After that incident, I accepted the challenge and began preparing for the day the bundt pan and I would meet again. That day came Wednesday night.

I decided to make the chocolate chip banana bread again, since the buttermilk was about to go bad. I generously floured the pan and then once it came out of the oven I waited a good 30 minutes to let it cool. And it came out beautifully! I can't take all the credit for this success, though. Jarrod helped me remove the bread from the pan, as I was scared I would mess it up again. Sorry that a big chunk is missing. Jarrod couldn't wait till after I took the picture to eat some of it.

Ok, ok...neither could I.

Discipleship, Dinner and Dessert

Jarrod and I had my cousin, Brett, and his wife, Kim, over for dinner last night. They are currently raising their support for CRU (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) and wanted to meet with us to share what God has been doing this past year and what their plans are for the future. I have so much fun having friends and family over to our house. Not only do I get to use some of our wedding gifts, but I also get to visit and hear what is happening in their lives. It was so wonderful to hear Brett and Kim's stories and see their passion for ministry. If anyone is interested in learning more about CRU or feels led to help them raise their support, let me know or leave a comment.

For dinner, Jarrod helped me prepare a garlic-lime grilled chicken recipe that I had found off of The Pioneer Woman's blog. I had never made it before, but I had heard good things about her recipes, so I thought why not! And it turned out wonderful! We paired the chicken with corn relish, baked beans and crescent rolls. It was certainly yummy. And may I just say that it is so nice to have a husband that enjoys cooking. Not only is it a huge help, but I love just spending that time with him.

What dinner looked like last night!
Photo by The Pioneer Woman

As you all know, I will find any excuse to bake. So when I started making preparations for Brett and Kim to come over, I decided I wanted to make a dessert as well. More specifically this chocolate chip cookie recipe. I had made it once before and they were amazing. Unfortunately, though, there wasn't enough time and I had to scratch it from the menu. Sadness. But, seriously, you need to try them. Oh my goodness. They are incredible. Delicious. Mouthwatering. The best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. Maybe I will make them this weekend when my brother-in-law, Josh, comes to visit us. I better say goodbye to my waistline now.

Photo from the Bakerella blog

Goodbye, waistline.

Houston Restaurant Weeks

I have a confession: Jarrod and I love food.

That is why we are so excited that it's that time again! Houston's Restaurant Weeks is here!

Never heard of it? Let me explain. Houston Restaurant Weeks is an event that showcases and promotes restaurants in the Houston area while raising money for the Houston Food Bank. So, in short, you get to enjoy fine dining while giving back to your community. It is a win-win situation.

Tons of restaurants participate, which makes it so fun for date nights.

So, who wants to double date?