Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Hey there, it's been a while!
I think all of us girls can agree that December and January FLEW by!
So... the blog got neglected.
But! I have quite a few recipes lined up to be shared!
Let's hope I get around to it ;)
I'm due to have my first baby in about 3 weeks so it's been a little crazy over here, but I'm living up eating what I want until our sweet pea arrives ;)
Then, the New Year's "goal" kicks in.
So until then, I'll probably be making these bad boys quite a few more times!
I went to Ikea the other day.
As I stood in line I smelled the cinnamon rolls and suddenly I was craving cinnamon rolls... go figure.
I mean, they're only a dollar.
So, I got one. And, was seriously unimpressed.
Such a let down.
That craving has stayed alive since then... therefore crescent roll cinnamon rolls that only take like 15 minutes!
Score.

Side note: My measurements are incredibly lame for this because it totally just kinda happened tonight. But, I think it'll be pretty hard to mess up so just go with it.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Pillsbury crescent rolls
• A little less than half a stick melted butter
• Brown Sugar
• White granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Cream Cheese frosting (homemade or from a can. Whatever floats your boat)

Directions:

1) Pre-heat your oven to 375. Then roll out your dough. I put mine on parchment paper because it makes clean up SO much easier. Then I went over it with my rolling pin once. Make sure to close the holes from seams. It avoids a huge mess.

2) Spread your melted butter evenly on the dough. I used a rubber spatula and avoided getting too close to the edge.

3) Sprinkle a VERY generous amount of brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon on top of the butter. I may have been more generous than necessary but I sure didn't want a lame Ikea cinnamon roll...

4) Roll up your dough starting at the top. Unless you want like 4 superrrrrr fat cinnamon rolls. Cut them up about an inch thick.Then put them in a cupcake tin sprayed with nonstick spray.

5) Bake them for about 10 minutes and they're done! Pretty simple for such a yummy treat!

6) Of course, you can't forget the icing. I had a can of store bought cream cheese frosting that wasn't going to be used any time soon. I don't like store bought frosting... but I actually didn't mind it on these! Next time, I'll still probably make my own though. I microwaved two spoonfuls for about 10 seconds then drizzled it over each roll. So, SO yum!

Now go ahead and make your own!

It's worth it, I promise! :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy 

DIY Chicken Wire Christmas Card Holder

I love this thing!

I mean don't get me wrong, hanging Christmas cards on your fridge is totally fine, but this pretty thing makes receiving cards that much more fun!

Plus, our fridge is currently covered in ultrasounds of our tiny girl.

Also, this was SO easy to make!

Like, 3 steps easy.

So awesome.

I took this picture when I made it in November. 

We have since gotten some actual cards and I love displaying them!

Also, I attached the winter garland with velcro so I can just take it off after the holidays and keep this up year round for important mail, wedding announcements, coupons, etc...

Yay!

Supplies:

1) Picture frame. Size and color of your choice. I got mine from hobby lobby, because coupons, and spray painted it white.

2) Chicken Wire. Again I found this at hobby lobby and it happened to be the perfect size for my frame but it's also found at all home improvement stores!

3) Hot glue gun

4) Decorating materials of your choice

5) Hanging materials. I attached (well, my husband did) a little wall hanging hook. Most frames already have this but if not you can buy them at hobby lobby, or Michaels.

6) Clothespins. I found these cute Christmas ones in the dollar section at Michaels.

Directions:

1) Spray paint frame if needed and let dry completely first.

Then place your chicken wire into your frame. If you bought more than needed cut it with a wire cutter so it will fit your frame. Once you fit it properly go to town with hot glue. A staple gun would probably work here but I don't have one and hot glue worked perfectly for me. I just hot glued the edges to the frame!

2) Once your hot glue is dry... you're really already done!

I decided to make it festive so I took two garland picks found at hobby lobby, hot glued them together (I love hot glue), then made a little boy for the middle. I hot glued a piece of velcro onto the garland and onto the frame and Ta-Da! Festive. 

3) Hang on your wall and attach all your Christmas cards with your clothespins! 

Andddd... done!

Merry Christmas friends!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

The Best Crockpot Seasoning: McCormick Grill Mates

I LOVE these!

I'm sure they are wonderful for the grill...

But they are so perfect for a crockpot meal.

There are so many different flavor options and they are on sale so often!

Switch up the meats and veggies you put in and the possibilities are endless.

I've done smoky applewood with shredded pork, Brown Sugar Bourbon with little steaks, Island wood fire grill with pork chops, Baja Citrus with chicken... seriously there are so many ways to use these handy things.

This time I'm going to show you what I did with the Zesty herb packet (my favorite one), russet potatoes, and green beans.

No matter which packet I use, I do the same thing, just with different veggies and meats to keep it interesting ;)

Ingredients:

1) 1 packet of McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning

2) Your choice of meat (this time I did 5 frozen chicken tenders)

3) Veggies of your choice (I did the frozen green beans from costco and added potatoes as a starch because I LOVE potatoes in the crockpot!)

4) Water

5) Vegetable, canola, or olive oil

Directions:

1) Place your meat in first, then layer whatever veggies or starch you want on top.

2) Mix together seasoning packet, about 1/4 cup oil, then fill the rest to the 1 cup line with water

(make sure to mix it good, I also add a shake or two of salt and pepper)

3) Pour mixture evenly over the top of everything in crockpot

5) Cook on low for at least 4 hours. I like letting it go a little longer so the flavors really soak into everything. I stir it a few times periodically while it's cooking so nothing burns on the sides and it all has it's turn to soak in the seasoning. Yum!

And that's all! Serve it up and enjoy!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos

We've all said it before, but I'll just go ahead and say it again!

Who doesn't love their crockpot??

It makes life on the go SO easy!

This 5 ingredient shredded chicken was so flavorful and easy to do.

Another trial turned success!

We sure love tacos over here!

Ingredients:

1) 5-6 chicken tenders or 3-4 breasts

2) 1 cut up bell pepper of your choice

3) 1/2 cup chopped white onion

4) 1-2 chopped cloves garlic

5) 1 full jar of salsa verde

Directions:

1) Place chicken in bottom of crockpot. On top of that add onion, garlic, and bell pepper

2) Pour jar of salsa verde on top of everything and cook on low for about 4 hours.

3) Remove chicken and bell peppers and strain excess liquid. (Unless you like soggy tacos.) Put chicken in a bowl and shred. Then add to a taco shell with your favorite toppings!

(we make our taco shells over here by cooking corn tortillas in vegetable oil and then sprinkle with salt. Yum!)

Ta-da! That's all friends!

Go ahead and get ready for taco Tuesday next week ;)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Be Merry Canvas

Yay! Another Christmas craft!

Because doing things your self, gives the best feeling of accomplishment :)

This simple little canvas art sign was so easy to do and turned out super cute!

I love the way is spruces up my shelves.

Not to mention, I think it costed all of $5-$7 to make and I just saw a very similar one for sale on an etsy shop for $30!

Seriously, just do it your self ;)

Materials:

1) Canvas

2) Wooden deer cutout (found at Michael's craft store)

3) Painters tape

4) Glitter (your choice of color)

5) Craft paint (your choice of color)

6) Paintbrushes

7) Hot glue gun. (or tacky glue, probably even super glue)

8) Paint pen

Directions:

1) Evenly place your tape on your canvas. I wanted thicker stripes so I did my tape 2 wide. Then paint the white part your color of choice. While it is drying, paint and glitter your deer cutout. I did two coats of gold paint and on the last coat I sprinkled my glitter while it was still wet.

2) Remove the tape and use white paint to fix any uneven areas.

3) Hot glue your deer cutout onto the center or the canvas

4) Use a paint pen to write "Be Merry" or whatever other Christmas saying you choose :)

And... Done!

Simple as that!

Yay Christmas!

and Thanksgiving... I've been craving mashed potatoes the past two weeks!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Seriously these are SO easy!

And not to mention really good ;)

They're so easy that I didn't even have to take step by step pictures this time.

We're having soup tonight (recipe to come soon) but even though I've been excited about it all day, I suddenly want one of these ;)

Ingredients:

• 4-5 cooked and chopped chicken tenders
• BBQ Sauce (I like sweet baby ray's)
• Tomato
• Onion
• Avocado
• Cheddar Cheese
•  Hamburger Buns

Directions

1. Cook Chicken in a skillet. Once it's done add about 1/2 cup BBQ sauce. A little more or less depending how much you like BBQ.
2. Put bottom bun on baking sheet and layer chicken, onion, tomato, avocado, then cheese.
3. Put top bun on baking sheet but not on top of the sandwich.
4. Stick under the broiler until cheese is melted and top bun is golden brown.
5. Serve with corn on the cob (or anything else) and you're good to go!

ps I always add a little more sauce after it has been in the oven

Enjoy! :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy