Moo La La Boutique Consignment Sale

Has it really been 7 months since my last post? Yikes! I've been pretty busy. Decided to start working part time, then found out we were expecting baby #2 and then she decided to make her entrance into the world 11 weeks early. It's been a whirlwind! But I promise to post more.

Speaking of babies... have you ever gone to a seasonal consignment sale or been a consignor at one? I highly recommend it! It's the best way to buy brand name clothing at a discount, or sell your brand name clothing for more than yard sale prices! The first time I decided to sell, I made over $300. And let's be honest, who couldn't use the extra money?

I've shopped and sold at a few other consignment sales in the area, but Moo La La is by far my favorite. They have a sale coming up September 6th-8th and still have a few consignor spots left if you want to sell your children's clothing that they've outgrown. Definitely put it on your calendar to stop by for great savings on your little one's wardrobe!

 

Moo La La Boutique

839 Tri City Center Drive, Redlands

 

When: September 6-8, 2013

Notes: Check their website for hours, special preview dates, etc.



Cinnamon Honey Butter

This stuff is smooth, creamy, buttery, deliciousness. I seriously want to eat it on everything! But my favorite is eating it with 7 Up Biscuits. It's also so easy that you can whip it up in 5 minutes. Another fun idea is to put it in mini jelly jars and give as gifts!

CINNAMON HONEY BUTTER
Serves: 2 mini jelly jars
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter softened
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions
1 In medium bowl, combine ingredients. Beat on medium until fluffy.

7 Up Biscuits

Are you one of those people who busts open a can of biscuits and throw them in the oven? Yah, I was too. Those days are long gone thanks to this amazing new recipe. Just a few ingredients and you'll have fluffy, buttery, delicious biscuits fresh from the oven. Try it with the Cinnamon Honey Butter recipe I posted! You'll be in Heaven.
Original Recipe from: Six Sister's Stuff

7 UP BISCUITS
Serves: 9
Cook Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7-Up
1/4 cu butter

Directions
1 Cut sour cream into biscuit mix. Add 7-Up and mix. (It makes a very soft, sticky dough).
2 Sprinkle extra bisquick on board and pat dough out. Don't knead it or roll it, just pat it.
3 Melt butter in a 9x9 pan.
4 cut biscuits into 9 circles. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Keep an eye on the biscuits to make sure they don't burn.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta

Cheddar. Bacon. Ranch. Chicken. Pasta.
All in one dish? Seriously? This is the definition of comfort food. This recipe makes quite a bit- enough to feed me, 3 men, a hungry 5 year old and still have leftovers!

I think this would be even better with mushrooms!
Original recipe found at Cassie Craves

CHEDDAR BACON RANCH CHICKEN PASTA
Cook Time:
Serves: 6

Ingredients
1 lb. mostaccioli or other short pasta
6 strips of bacon, diced
1 Tbsp. butter
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized pieces
2 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1 packet ranch dressing mix
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. diced green onions
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions
1 Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pot.
2 Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels and dice. Drain all but one Tbsp. of bacon drippings from the pan.
3 Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink and slightly browned.
4 Sprinkle the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Stir in the milk and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in the cheddar cheese and half of the diced bacon. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted.
5 Add cooked pasta to the chicken/cheese sauce. Serve with more crumbled bacon and diced onions on top.

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Last year, I asked my 4 year old to tell me what Christmas is. Of course, his reply involved Santa and getting presents. It was the perfect opportunity to teach him that Christmas isn't just about getting presents, but also giving them. So, for every day in December, we did a Random Act of Christmas Kindess for someone. Every day we decided how we could make someone's day a little happier. We picked up trash, we gave treats to our postman, and LC's idea- we left quarters at the local laundromat. The idea went so well, that throughout the year he would often say "Let's do something nice for someone today". December is only a few days away, and I can't wait to get started!

I'll be updating this post and include what we've been doing in hopes that it may inspire some of you to spread a little Christmas cheer!

If you decide to do this with your little ones (or even on your own) please comment below with your Random Acts of Christmas Kindness ideas!

Dec 1: Donate non-perishable food to a local food drive.

Dec 2: Drop some money in the Salvation Army bucket.

Dec 3: Donate clothing to the needy.

Dec 4: Make Daddy his favorite dessert.

Dec 5: Adopt two angels off the trees at LC's school.

Dec 6: Landon's Kindergarten class went on a field trip a local nursing home to sing songs and deliver cards.

Dec 7: Donate money to Ronald McDonald House.

Dec 8: Donate cat and dog food to a local animal rescue.

Dec 9: Pick up trash at a local park.

Dec 10: Adopt-a-soldier and send a care package to him.

Dec 11: Landon helped his friend when she fell down and held the door open for us when we went to dinner.

Dec 12: Deliver cookies to the county library.

Dec 13: Buy Starbucks for someone behind us in line.

Dec 14: Host a North Pole Party for all of his buddies

Dec 15: Deliver cookies to the local fire station

Dec 16:  Cook a special breakfat for Daddy

Dec 17: Bring flowers to a friend

Dec 18: Drop off donuts for the ladies who work hard in the office at his school

Dec 19: Give a present to his teacher and Room Mom for all of their hard work

Dec 20: Bring treats to a friend at work

Dec 21: Donate Toys to the Spark of Love Toy Drive

Dec 22: Sponsored a Foster Child for Christmas and bought her a gift

French Dip Crescents

If you love traditional french dip sandwiches, you'll love these little French Dip Crescents. Not only are they yummy, they are easy! Get the kiddos involved to help you make them! These would also make a perfect appetizer for a Holiday Party!

FRENCH DIP CRESCENTS
Serves: 2-4
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
Package of refrigerated crescent dough (8 pieces)
1/2 lb. deli roast beef
4 pieces swiss or provolone cheese, sliced
Packet of Au Jus Mix

Directions
1 Unroll and separate crescent dough
2  place a 1/2 slice of cheese and a slice of roast beef on each piece of dough.
3 roll starting at the wide end first.
4 Place on cookie sheet and bake according to directions on crescent dough package. (Approx. 11-13 minutes at 375 degrees)
5 Prepare Au Jus according to directions on packet.

Spicy Dragon Noodles

Prior to making these, I read that they're addicting. Now I know why. I honestly ate 2 servings without a second thought! They are that good! The nice thing about this recipe is that you can adjust the spicy levels from having a little kick to "My insides are on fire"! This recipe is for somewhere in between. Just add or take away a little bit of sriracha to adjust to your liking!

SPICY DRAGON NOODLES
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2-4

Ingredients
2 chicken thighs cut into bite sized chunks
oz. chow mein noodles
2 eggs, scrambled
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
3/4 Tbsp. Sriracha (rooster sauce)
1 handful fresh cilantro
2 green onions, chopped

Directions
1 Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray and add chicken. Cook until no longer pink and set aside.
2 While chicken is cooking, cook noodles according to package directions. Drain.
3 Melt butter in small pan, add crushed red pepper and eggs. Cook until done.
4 For the sauce, mix together brown sugar, soy sauce and sriracha.
5 Mix chicken, noodles, eggs, sauce and green onions together. Toss until evenly coated with sauce.
6 Serve with fresh cilantro sprinkled on top.