Penne Pasta Bake

This is a quick and easy recipe.  I make this at least once a month. It is a great freezer meal and provides lots of leftovers.  Hope you will give it a try soon.  You could use a low carb pasta if you are a Trim Healthy Mama!  We serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Enjoy! 

Easy Penne Pasta Bake:

1 lb Hamburger, Italian Style Cheese, Sour Cream, Pasta Sauce. Penne Pasta, Parmesan Cheese

Brown Hamburger, then add pasta sauce.

Cook Pasta

Drain Pasta, add meat/sauce mixture. sour cream, cheeses

Mix Well: Look at the creamy goodness!!!

Place into a 9X13 dish and sprinkle with cheese

Bake 350 until bubbly  30-40 min

Penne Pasta Bake:

1 box Penne Pasta

1 lb Hamburger

Italian Style Cheese

Sour Cream

Parmesan Cheese

Pasta Sauce

Learning

This past year I have been on a journey.  Learning about other styles of learning.  When we began homeschooling 5 years ago I bought the Abeka Academy DVDs. They were a great fit.  Our daughter loved watching and learning.  That lasted until about 1/2 way through Kindergarten.   When my preschool son began the videos he hated it.  Everyday was hard.  But we kept going.  After lots of research I began to learn more about classical education.   I loved the idea!    

Lately, we read lots, and lots of books.  I devour the Charlotte Mason blogs.  I am always on the lookout for books and book lists.  I let the kids read what they want ( within reason ). We still use the Abeka readers, arithmetic, history, science, and health. I don't have it all figured out but I have loosened up very much.  The kids are enjoying learning.  Our day is not perfect and we still have our moments. I just want to encourage moms!  You can home school and you can enjoy it!!

A book that was a real blessing was Debi Pearl's // Big Book Of Homeschooling //
I will try to share some books we have enjoyed.  In the meantime google classical reading list by grade.  You will find lots of great ideas.

A loss

Two weeks ago we experienced the loss of our 5th pregnancy.
We have been blessed with 3 children on earth and now (this was my second miscarriage) 2 waiting in heaven.

It was a tough few weeks. I am so thankful for my relationship with the Lord and wonderful friends and family. Cards, texts, meals, and a kind word have meant so very much. I also have to say I have the most sweet husband, his support and care is beyond what I deserve!

My tears are still fresh and I am continuing to heal.  Please pray for our family. For healing and wisdom. We want to please the Lord with our lives, no one else.

Heaven is sweeter everyday!
In Him,
Carla <><

Inspired to clean..and an update

Hello Blogger Friends,
I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted.  Life is busy and moving fast.
My three little ones keep me plenty busy. I just don't want to miss it.  Some days are a dream. Some days are really hard and I wonder if it is worth it.  I am trusting God's word and standing on His promise.
 Here is a pic of our family enjoying the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  

{Our family}

This past month I have been encouraged by Erin at Keeper of the Homestead to deep clean the house.

Her blog posts and videos are wonderful. My oven sparkles and this morning I was motivated to clean a dirty box fan.  See the  before and after pic below:

{Before-yuck}

{Before}

{After/during cleaning} 

{AFTER-much better}

I hope to stay a little more up to date...We will see ;)

Now, I am off to bake cookies with my kiddos.

Many Blessings,

Carla @ Hospitality at Heart

No Bake Energy Balls

No Bake Energy Ball

These are always in my freezer.  This is a great afternoon snack.

Very little sugar and lots of wholesome ingredients.

They are quick and easy to whip up.

Hope you enjoy!

Blessings,

Carla <><

Old Fashion Oats, Flax Seed, Shredded Coconut, Cinnamon, Honey, Chocolate Chips, Sea Salt, Peanut Butter, Vanilla

Place all ingredients into large bowl

Mix Well- Then refrigerate at least 30 min

Roll into balls.

Enjoy!

(I freeze them on the platter and then place in a plastic bag)

No Bake Energy Balls:

1 Cup Old Fashion Oats

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter

1/3 Cup Honey (local honey is best)

1/2 Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup Flax Seed (I use half ground/half whole)

2/3 Cup Shredded Unsweetened Coconut

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

{Makes about 14 balls}

Find other great blog post at:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2yGUWSumtYwCYqmBmlxyS3PXfuHj45D7m0wfgYb0Mn4xwYIlTtbLgtjqrb1jqTNEZ2xWUFjWct3WG-3M7CcZwMgU6Qi_EJL3K8SCWgGm3kvd9OmDHkPyCddaUsRcy3BtICw31Z4Ue9Ht/s1600/wwrevised2border.jpg

Easy Cheese Tortellini & Chicken Dish

{Easy Cheese Tortellini Chicken Dish}

It's HOT outside.  I mean HOT!

I love to cook but on these hot days we need a quick and easy meal that does not require heating up the house.  Look no further for tomorrow nights dinner.

This is a hit with everyone in my family and also gets rave reviews at potlucks.

Stay cool and enjoy

Blessings, Carla  <><

Cheese Tortellini, Roma Tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese, Spinach, and Garlic

2-3 Chicken Breast or 1 tube Italian Sauasage

Cubed and browned  

Cook Tortellini

Toss Chicken, Spinach, Tortellini, Tomatoes, Garlic, and Parmesan 

We add a little Olive Oil to make it all stick

Perfect Summer Supper!

Easy Cheese Tortellini and Chicken Dish:

1 Bag Cheese Tortellini

2-3 Chicken Breasts- cubed and browned

Spinach - as much as you like

3 Roma Tomatoes Cubed

Garlic (we use 2 cloves)

Parmesan Cheese -lots :)

Olive Oil

Find this post at :

Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Making homemade mashed potatoes are not hard!

They are very easy and can be made ahead and frozen for later.

Check out this simple recipe below.

Wash and Peel Potatoes

Cube Potatoes (this is help them cook faster)

Just cover potatoes with water

Boil until tender

Strain water

Add butter, sour cream, heavy cream or milk, and salt and pepper to taste

Just add until you get the taste you like

Mash and serve

Or place in an freezer safe container until ready to reheat

Enjoy!

{Homemade Mashed Potatoes}

Potatoes -washed and peeled

Butter

Sour Cream

Heavy Cream (or milk)

Salt and Pepper

*Great tip*

Did you know once you cover the potatoes with water they will stay fresh for a few hours

Make them up early to save a step later :)

Chicken and Wine Sauce {Slow-Cooker}

{Chicken in Wine Sauce}

It's no April Fools joke!! It's a blog post :)

This is one of my favorite slow-cooker meals.

We served this dish at our wedding. It is a true crowd pleaser.

The chicken turns out super tender. You can also add potatoes and carrots for a complete meal.

Hope you enjoy!

Blessings, 

Carla <><

Chicken Breasts, Cream of Celery, Cream of Chicken, White Wine

*If you don't feel comfortable using or buying wine you can use white cooking sherry*

Place chicken breasts into lightly greased crock-pot

Add Cream of Chicken, Cream of Celery, and Wine

Cover and Cook low 8 hrs. 

If you are home you can stir occasionally.   

This sauce is wonderful over mashed potatoes and baked potatoes.

Chicken and Wine Sauce:

4-5 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Can Cream of Chicken

1 Can Cream of Celery

1/2 Cup White Wine

1) Place Chicken in lightly greased slow-cooker

2) Add Soups and Wine (potatoes and carrots) *optional

3) Cook low 8 hrs

4) Enjoy!

Our Family

Just wanted to share our family picture.
Life is busy.  The blog is not important.  My family is.
I find it harder to keep up on the laundry and put dinner on the table these days. :)
So snapping pictures just is not going to happen.... I have recipes I would love to share..another day.
Many Blessings!
Carla <><

New Baby and a Full Life

New Baby and a Full Life

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Life has been full and flying by these past few months

My sister in law was married in October, Fall Parties, Holidays, and the birth of our newest family member.

Thank you so much for all who praying for me.  This was my first all natural labor and delivery and it was wonderful!!  I would NEVER have another baby any other way!

I hope to blog some recipes soon...but with homemaking, homeschooling, nursing a baby, and keeping up with life. Blogging is way low on the list.  I love it..I just don't have time for it :)

Enjoy the pictures!

Blessings

Carla <><

Big Brother

Big Sister

Wedding Day Fun

My dear friend Tiffany...all our children are very close in age :)

Her 4 and my 3 ;)  It is now 7 kids to 2 mommas!!

Our sweet baby boy

One month!! How time flies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

{Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies}

This recipe is one I always bring out this time of year.

These cookies are moist and cake like....they are PERFECT with a cup of coffee

They don't last long...That's why I didn't get a real cute picture.  They were gobbled up fast!

You will love this cookie and will pull out the recipe every fall.

Enjoy!

Carla <><

Mix Pumpkin, eggs, sugar, oil, milk, vanilla

Mix Well

 Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt

Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture

Add Chocolate Chips

Mix Well

Brew a pot of coffee and enjoy!!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1 1/2 Cups Pumpkin
1 1/2 White Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
3/4 Cup Veg Oil
1 1/2 tsp milk (I use buttermilk)
3 Cups Flour
3 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
 1 pkg chocolate chips

Mix Pumpkin, Sugar, Eggs, Vanilla, Oil, Buttermilk.
Sift Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt.
Mix together. Add Chocolate Chips
Drop by teaspoon on greased cookie sheet

Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 min on greased cookie sheet