macaroni and cheese recipe

I was shocked last week. 

Many of you actually asked for my recipe for the Macaroni and Cheese!

Well I couldn't let you down, now could I?

I got this recipe from my brother who basically told me what to add and taught me how to make the rue. Thanks Micah for this amazing recipe! And he likes to add a little smidgen of blue cheese as well.  Yum-0!

{a little disclaimer}

I don't pretend to be a professional in the kitchen nor do I know how to write up recipes. So I apologize if this is hard to follow. 

Sharp cheddar, shredded
Colby Jack, shredded
milk, 2% or whole
diced pancetta
onion, diced (I use about 1/4 of a small one)
elbow macaroni noodles
butter
flour
bread crumbs
a little mild cheddar for the topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a small sauce pan melt some butter. Saute some onions (my husband doesn't like very much) and your pancetta in the pan. Set aside when done.
In a large saucepan, your going to want to start a rue: melt 3TBS butter over medium heat then blend in the 3TBS flour, mustard powder, and pepper until smooth. Slowly stir in the milk, whisking out any lumps. Add your cheese and stir constantly until the sauce is thick and smooth. I use sharp cheddar and colby jack. And I sprinkle a little mild cheddar over the top before baking. After your cheese sauce is at the desired thickness and yummyness add the pancetta mixture. You really don't need to add salt because the pancetta adds enough.
Rinse noodles then drain, and stir them into the cheese sauce. Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish. Sprinkle Panko crumbs over the top. I sometimes use crushed potato chips if I don't have any panko.
Cover the dish, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly.

I feel bad - I don't have correct measurements on this. When I make it I just add as much milk and cheese as I think is needed. I would guess at least 8oz of each cheese would do. I use 2% milk but I believe whole milk would probably make it better. You know, in a low fat kinda way. Lol.
Please email me if you have any questions - mcaulays {at} hotmail {dot} com

Let me know if any of you try it at home.  And don't forget to invite me!

via

ENJOY,


p.s.  I am going to start working on my weight loss again.  I figured I better hustle and get this recipe out before then!

wordless wednesday {holding hands}

I hope they stay this close forever

With a flick of my wrist...

I will brush the judgement off my shoulders.

I am constantly worried about what others think of me. Always have been. But its so much worse since having kids. It's ridiculous really.

When my children act out in public I feel all eyes are on me.

When my child takes a toy from another I feel like the parent is appalled and judging my child.

I know I need to relax a little and maybe let some of that craziness go but that's a lot harder then it sounds.

I wrote a post about when Lila pushed another kid down about a year ago and, no lie, we avoided that family for a long time. {click here to read it} I was so scared about what her mother thought of Lila and I. I realize now that it was stupid and that the other mother understood what it was like but it still bothered me tremendously.

So today is the day that I brush all that built up judgement off my shoulders and take a step back.

My kids aren't perfect and neither am I.

So deal with it ;)

follow the leader

::Walking around the Rhododendron Gardens:: 

the HC

Every year my siblings and I take our mother up to the Hood Canal

aka Hoodsport, Washington to spend a weekend together.

We all cram ourselves into the small cabin to eat, drink and relax.

We always plan it around moms birthday so we can all celebrate together.

Its gorgeous out there. No lie.

We will be heading up next month for our 6th year in a row.

Hey Micah and Tracy, its 6 right? I have lost track.

Here are some pictures from the past two years.

April can't come fast enough for me!









Trading places

     A question commonly asked is:
If you could live in someones shoes for 24 hours who would it be?

I think it would be pretty damn cool to be Martha Stewart.

I would get to live in her AMAZING home and craft my heart out.

Were you thinking that I should have picked someone more historical or something?

Well then you ask yourself this question and post all about who you would pick!

Link up in the comments.

I can't wait to see who you guys come up with!

5 things I do right

Its so easy to get down on yourself. I do it often.
Instead of beating myself up about all the bad things, I decided to write about some things that I am pretty good at.

• I make pretty good the best macaroni and cheese
• I put a lot of character and effort into reading our bedtime stories
• I am great at playing tag and hide and seek with my kids
• I am absolutely 100% in love with my husband and children
• Snuggles are what I do best

I think we all could use a self esteem boost...
what are your 5 things?

I did this back in April of 2010 too. Check it out here.

p.s. I started a twitter account. Follow me!

What I learned last week

I had a few learning experiences this past week.

Things to remember :

•Always keep a back up snuggle in the car because you never know when one will get dropped in a mud puddle. 

•Even though I love the dentist doesn't mean that my kids will as well.
   

•When your 1 year old is teething-straying away from routine will end up biting you in the ass.  

            

        Tell me, did you learn anything new?

Dont call me Mom today

Today I don't want to play Mom.

I hate to say it but I am not in the mood to deal with a screaming

 toddler who keeps saying she doesn't like me when she gets in trouble.

I don't want to hear the crying and the whining coming from a teething baby.

I don't want to deal with my hungry kids attacking me in the kitchen

 when I am trying to make a meal.

I want to skip out on playing barbies and doing puzzles.

Don't want to wipe butts and change diapers.

I want to grab my coffee and find a spot to hide.  Alone.

Please tell me I am not the only one who has felt this way...

pumped up kicks

A song that always gets my feet moving!

What is your song of the day?

Link up with Amber here

and then go blog hop around!

I just have to share my newest find!

Check out this amazing shelf I found on Etsy! Made by TRwoodworks

I totally want to buy one. It comes in many different colors but this Springy Green is wonderful.
Perfect for St. Pattys day today :)

Don't you just love Etsy?!

Random Wednesday

•Severe thunder storm warnings have been issued all around the Portland area.  I love a good thunder storm!  We just had a huge crack of thunder a few minutes ago.  It literally sounded like two semi's running into each other on my front porch.  It was crazy!  My dog (a springer spaniel/border collie mix) isn't enjoying it much.  He shakes uncontrollably and gets as close to me as possible during these.  Its cute, my daughter has him wrapped up in a blanket with her stuffed animals in a circle around him.  Its her way of protecting him.  60 mile an hour winds are expected as well.  I hope we don't lose power!

•My daughter goes to a co-op preschool.  I love the fact that I have a huge say in what goes on in her schooling but its kind of a pain in the butt because I have to volunteer two times a month.  While that's not too bad normally today really kicked my butt.  I had an awful headache and it only got worse with all the kids around.  They were unusually unruly as well...I wonder if they could sense the storm too!?

•The time change has thrown me under the bus.  I want to sleep but I can't.  How are you guys doing with the time change?  I don't think its ever effected me this much before!

•I signed up for a Pinterest account.  I LOVE IT.  Seriously, get one if you don't have one already. 

•My neighbors kids moved back in next door to us.  I am not happy about it one bit.  They are in their very early 20's, have two kids, unemployed and are severely annoying.  They sit around on their porch and invite their friends over at all hours of the night.  They are loud, smoke, drink and listen to the most horrible rap ever.  Unfortunately their driveway is literally just a few feet from our kids bedrooms so when they pull up 'bumping' their music they wake up the kids.  I am so annoyed.  And to top it all off, they have a rat dog who runs around without a leash and takes a crap in every ones yard.  I am about to start throwing the poo back over to their house!  {exhale, Lindsey}  It might be time to walk over and say something to them.  But it hasn't helped in the past...

Venting always makes me feel better, thanks for listening!

Have a fantabulous Wednesday, 

all dressed up

My two beautiful kids all dressed up for their Uncle's wedding!

More pictures of the special day coming soon.

Sniff, sniff {UPDATE}

I have my brothers wedding this weekend that I need to healthy for so I can dance the night away...
I have my kids that need me feeling well so I can play, play and play some more...
I have a house that needs to be cleaned, laundry to be done, and dishes to be put away...

via

Darn this cold bug. 
GO AWAY!

{UPDATE}
I went and bought some nasal spray to help relieve some of the pressure after I wrote this post. I found Afrin Severe Congestion. It works like a charm!
I am already at hour #4 post spray and its still going strong.
Oh...Afrin, how I love thee!

No Reply

I love to reply to comments when I receive them on my blog!

If someone asks a question or writes something witty and funny I like to tell them how much I love their sense of humor and how much I appreciate the comment love. 
It gives you a chance to really get to know each other and to connect with other bloggers, don't you agree?
Nothing frustrates me more then to hit reply only to find sorry, noreply-comment@blogger.com. 
So please, connect an email address to your blogger account so that people can reply to your comments that your so kind enough to write!  Everyone will appreciate it!
If your nervous about your privacy then set up a different email address that you use only for blogging.
      
{Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy}

Here is some simple steps to set it up if you haven't already:

:: Go to Dashboard

:: You should see your profile on the left hand side

:: Click Edit Profile

:: Under Privacy, go to the 3rd choice down from the top

:: Check the box that says "Show my email address"

:: Further down, under Identity: Email Address, Type in your email address.

:: Click save and you're done!

catching up

via

Today is my day to catch up on all the wonderful blogs that I follow.  I have posted but haven't had the time to read or comment back at all.  Oh I am so horrible!

I fell asleep on the couch last night at 7pm.  Finally crawled into bed at 8 and then slept till 6:30am.  WOW.  I obviously was in need of a little sleep.  And let me tell you...it felt amazing!!

Yesterday my sister and I put together a bridal shower for our soon to be sister in law.  It turned out great!  We had it at a well known mexican restaurant and we had yummy taquitos, dips, chips, salsa and quesadillas for everyone to eat.  The margaritas were flowing and I think everyone had a fun time. 
I am so excited to be able to really call you my sister, Amy.  Can't wait for next weekend!

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday :)

tile coasters {tutorial}

 I am hosting a bridal shower with my sister for my soon to be sister in law on Sunday.  Instead of going out and and buying something generic my sister and I decided on making some handmade drink coasters for the guests that win games.  I found many many many tutorials on tile coasters so I thought I would give it a shot.  It was so easy and fun to make! I used lee la la's tutorial as a guide. 

While I didn't think about posting this to the blog till after they were made, I will still write a simple tutorial on how to make them.  Minus the "how to" pictures.  Sorry!

Here's what you need:
•  tiles
•  a roll of self adhesive foam board
•  modge podge
•  scrapbook paper
•   acrylic finishing spray
{all items can be found at your local craft store besides the tiles}

Cut your paper and cork board to fit your tiles.  I cut mine to 4x4.
Using a foam brush, apply a small amount of modge podge to the clean tile and gently place your paper piece to fit on top.  I noticed that with the heavier paper you had to really press down to make sure the edges were sealed and there are no bubbles.
Once dry apply a few coats of modge podge over the whole tile.  Let dry completely. 
Take to a well ventilated area and spray the acrylic finisher on the tile to make it waterproof.  I sprayed them a few times to make sure I got an even coat on top.
Once dry, add the cork to the bottoms of the tiles.
Boom.  Your done!  

The one thing I would change would be to get different tiles.  I bought the cheapest and most simple tiles at Home Depot.  I would most likely buy ones with rounded edges instead. 

Oh well...there is always next time!

You have yourself a great little gift to give as a housewarming present, a christmas gift or a shower gift! 

take a listen

I'm linking up with Amber at Goodnight Moon.

So go there and do it too!

She asks us to pick a song.

Just one song.

This is mine.

Its one of my favorites and I could listen to it all day long...

enjoy

p.s. If you want to be included in Paying it Forward then click here. There are a few spots left!!

pay it forward *gift giving*



source


I was lucky enough to be one of the first 5 commenter's on Danielle's blog Positively Positive! and now I get to return the favor!

Here's how it works

•Be one of the first five people to comment on this post
•You will receive something handmade from me within the next few months
•Post about Pay it Forward on your blog/social media site of choice, and send something handmade to the first five people who comment on your post before 2011 is over. Keep the craftiness going!
•You can send anything, big or small, it just must be handmade.
•If you want, do a follow up post and share what you get! Let's see all the crafty goodness :)

I am also participating in FTLOB's Handmade Trade. So hurry on over if you want to do this too!


I have been wanting to make all sorts of things and this gives me the perfect excuse to make them all!

So who is down to pay it forward with me? Comment below :)