Tasty Thursday

Holding on to the last warm days, the hubster cooked out and made some Paula Deen Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese - amazing!

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (an 8-ounce box isn't quite 2 cups)
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pieces
• 2 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1.Prepare macaroni noodles according to directions, then drain.
2. Mix butter and cheese in saucepan until melted.
3. In crock pot, combine all ingredients, adding the macaroni last.  Stir and cook for 3 hours on low, stirring a few times throughout.

*If you're a garlic addict like I am, I always put garlic salt on mine too, but the hubster doesn't like it so we don't add it in when cooking.

**I've also used this recipe but swapping out the Cheddar with Pepper Jack cheese...really yummy too!


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Linking to
Fireflies and Jelly Beans
Stuff and Non Sense
At The Picket Fence
The Idea Room
A Glimpse Inside
Remodelaholic
My Repurposed Life
My Simple Home Life
Bacon Time

$1 Summer Movie Express

I'm always looking for inexpensive things to do with the kiddos. This summer select Regal Theaters are playing some G and PG rated movies, and it only costs $1 (tax included)! With 2 special needs kids and a 17 month old, I'm always nervous to take the boys out to the theater because prices are RIDICULOUS around here! I can stand to loose $3 though, so we gave it a try today. We went to see Shrek Forever After and they loved it! We had to leave a little early because the baby got fussy/tired, but were able to stay for about 1 1/2 hours of it. It was fantastic! Check out here to see if there's a theater near you. There's still a couple weeks left, and they play 2 different movies on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Simple Squash Recipe

I have a brown thumb and therefore didn't attempt to grow a garden this year, however my boss did and I'm reaping the benefits without the effort (bwahahaha)! Some of my favorite summer vegetables are summer squash and zucchini. Recently I've been eating what my mom calls "poor man's squash casserole." Not really sure what makes it any different from regular squash casserole, if there is a difference, but that's what I've grown up calling it. Recently, I've also discovered Ziploc Steamer bags, which make this a million times easier.

Picture from My Recipes...I eat it too quick to take pictures, and a post with no pictures is no fun!

To Make This I Use:

• squash and/or zucchini (I usually use 2 of each)
  



• butter (1 tbsp.)
  



• garlic salt (to taste)
  



• onion (1/4 medium sized)
  



• ritz crackers (8-10, crumbled)
  



• shredded cheddar cheese (a handful or so)
  



• steamer bag (optional)

1. Slice the squash, zucchini, and onion and place in steamer bag (or however you choose to cook it) with butter and garlic salt. Place steamer bag in microwave for 3 1/2 minutes.



2. Drain off the butter and place in a bowl.



3. Mix in cheese and top with crushed Ritz crackers.



4. Enjoy!

Sorry the measurements aren't exact! It always annoys me when recipes aren't exact, but now I totally understand why some people write it that way. I'm just so familiar with the recipe I don't measure anything. Really though, it'll taste good regardless of the proportions so don't worry!

It's such an easy and quick recipe, and even people who don't usually like squash have eaten and enjoyed it! The best part is it's very inexpensive, especially if you (or someone who loves you enough to give you their food) are growing the produce.

Five Favorite Finds

Schools out for summer, and the kiddos I watch get bored SO easily, so I'm featuring five of my favorite finds for summer activities that can be done around the house. Best of all, these are all pretty much free things you probably already have!
Paddleball by Pen n' Paperflowers - this post is actually about a beautiful red themed ball they threw, but this was one of the fabulous ideas shared...a balloon, popsicle sticks, and paper plates; GENIUS!
Cardboard Creations at ikat bag - several different ideas for building things with cardboard boxes
Pudding Pops from Our Best Bites - my kiddos are allergic to nuts so we kind of picked and chose from a couple recipes, and ended up making chocolate banana ones that were really good! We also just used small plastic cups and popsicle sticks since we didn't have molds, and they turned out just fine.
Car Wash found via a news link - doesn't this look like a lot of fun!?
Spy Training found at Chicken Babies - she had a spy themed party and shared lots of fun ideas, but my favorite was definitely the "laser" obstacle course.

Have you guys found other neat things? I'd love for you to share your ideas! I love the kiddos, but with 2 six year olds with special needs and a 16 month old, I'm going to need all the help I can get!

Five Favorite Finds

Hope you're having a great weekend so far! It's been a little rainy here, but it's been nice to be rained in and get some cleaning done around the house. My favorite things I've found this week are...

Spring Mossy Sign from The Idea Room- so cute and...Springy :)

Easy Magnetic Frames from Cross My Heart Designs, featured at Young and Crafty- I really want to make these!

Name Painting Tutorial at Lil Blue Boo - so stinkin' cute and a great tutorial that makes me think even I as a bad painter could do them

Tissue Paper Votives at Frugal Family Fun blog - this could be made in so many themes and for so many different occasions, and they look super easy and inexpensive to make

Alphabet Flash Card Printables at The Handmade Home - these could look beautiful in a nursery

and an extra freebie for the week 100 Free Things To Do With Kids from Digital Reflections