Day 2: Log Cabin Pretzel House

This year we decided to try something different after many years of failed gingerbread houses. We saw this cute log cabin house on Pinterest and decided to make it! So, we gathered pretzel rods, pretzel sticks, candies to go on it, icing, and a hot glue gun.... Yes a hot glue gun like I said before many failed gingerbread houses so we used a hot glue gun to attach the pieces. I started with the front of the house. I glued the rods together and let them cool before I cut out the window and the area for the door. It's easier to have the pretzels glued together to cut. I used the thinner sticks to make the top part of the house. It was easier then making the front. I didn't add any windows to the sides because my daughter, Khloe was ready to decorate. I used six rods on the front and sides. You can make them any size you want tho. The roof was just a lot of glue. I may have overkilled it with the hot glue but the beauty of it is you can cover it with frosting. After it was set I let Khloe go crazy decorating she had fun making and eating the frosting and toppings. :) this will definetly be our go to house for the holidays it's cute and way easier then a gingerbread house. It is still standing in one piece in our kitchen on display!!! I look forward to posting more of our crafts and fun things we do. And keeping close with my best friend! ;) 

Day 1 Crispy Cheesy Chicken and Loaded Potato Skins

I was inspired to start this project by the Julie/Julia Project. It Is nearing my 30th birthday and I recently moved away from my friends and family. I thought this would give me something to do in my spare time and force me to work on all those craft projects I want to do but haven't found the time yet. It also gives me a chance to stay in touch with my best friend!

So here it goes....
I was walking through Safeway the other day and my boyfriend and I saw these new Kraft Fresh Packs in the meat/cheese aisle. Essentially they are just cheese, breadcrumbs, and some spices. I figured I could I could easily make those with stuff I already had at home. I defrosted the frozen chicken we always have on hand. (I Love chicken!!) Prepared a mix of spices that I thought would be tasty.I used garlic salt, onion powder, s/p, paprika and some ground mustard, mixed it with the breadcrumbs and added some shredded cheddar cheese. Then I coated the chicken in this mixture. I pan fried the chicken just to brown it and added some crispyness to it and then baked it in the oven for 30 minutes at 375. Easy peesy and it turned out delicious. Adding different spices is where you can get really creative or use a different type of cheese.

To go with the chicken I made some loaded potato skins. I microwaved the potatoes in my potato bag for 10 minutes. (That's a post for another day!) I cut the potatoes in half and then into fourths. I scooped out the insides, put melted butter on the all over the potato then filled it with shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits. I popped them in the oven to melt the cheese and topped them with a little sour cream.

 These were definitely swoon worthy!! As my boyfriend would say I'm a big fan of anything white (I'm from the midwest I can't help it!!) So most likely I will share alot of foods I make that are with white foods.They were also a trial run as we are having a neighborhood house party next weekend and I'm making these!!

So there you have it. That was my adventures in cooking for one evening. I've really been trying to be a very creative cook and only use what I have on hand so this could be fun!

Happy cooking and crafting til next time!!

Natalie