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.