Recipe: Chick-faux-la

Let me start by saying no one loves Chick-fil-a more than the Lyon family here. There have even been weeks in the past where our family has eaten lunch there 5 days out of 7. Besides the fact that such a habit can b rough on the weekly budget there are other factors to consider such as how unhealthy that can be and it's not always the most convenient option. So, I started looking for other options. I found a few different copy cat recipes online and after trying a few out I created my own version. I'll admit it's not a dead ringer for CFA but, in my opinion, it's a tasty second place and even better, it's really easy to make. 

First step, cut your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into nuggets, strips or just fillet if you're a sandwich fan. Place in a large freezer bag with a zipper. (I used the 2.5 gal) for every two ounces of chicken use 1/4 cup of dill pickle juice. We love Claussen's, especially the hearty garlic. Let the chicken sit in the pickle juice in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Next, drain pickle juice from the bag. Mix I beaten egg with 2 Tbsp buttermilk or cream. Pour into bag and massage chicken to work the egg and buttermilk in. Wait 5-10 minutes and drain again. 

 While your chicken is soaking in the egg/buttermilk mixture mix together your dry ingredients:

- 1/4 cup flour

- 1 Tbsp paprika

- 1 tsp each salt and pepper

- 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Stir those together. Once you've drained the egg/ buttermilk from the bag,  pour in your dry ingredients. Work into chicken one last time. Fry chicken in oil or lard ( we use peanut oil) until done. Usually 3-4 minutes.  

Enjoy! 

Note: when we make this, we usually make tons extra so that I can flash freeze a bunch to have on hand. For frozen nuggets and strip bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes. For fillet breasts, bake for 15-17 minutes. 

Another note: please excuse my crummy phone pictures. They'll get better as I blog more. 

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Meet Ellie Kate

Photo by Kristina Maor Photography

Everyone meet Ellie Kathryn Lyon! She was born on September 4, 2012 at 5:46pm. She was 9 lbs. even and 20.5 inches long. When she was born I didn't think she looked like she could be 9 lbs. but she was! She's such a good, easy going baby. We all love her very much and are so excited to have her in our family. Her big sister is especially fond of her. Watching Maggie meet Ellie Kate for the first time was one of the sweetest sights I have ever seen and I will remember it forever. I wish we had gotten it all on video but due to lots of stuff going on all at the same time when Maggie first came in we missed our chance.

Our first couple of weeks at home have been great! We had a few bumps in the road at first but we have managed to work through them and our now figuring out our new normal. I am happy to report that Maggie still loves her baby sister who she calls "Ellie Cake". She hasn't asked us when she is leaving or tried to send her away. She loves to help me out with her when she can especially when it's time to give Ellie Kate a bath. I'm excited to have her learn to help out more and more and watch her grow. Being a mommy to these two girls is such a blessing and I love watching them grow and learn even though sometimes it goes a little too quickly.

Pinterest Attempt: Frosty Recipe

When I was pregnant with Maggie I had massive Frosty cravings and would ask Will to run to Wendy's to get one for me at late hours. Most of the time he would go for me but at least half the time he went the machine would be down. Fast forward to this pregnancy. The Frosty cravings hit but not nearly as strongly as last time but that didn't stop me from pinning this recipe for a Wendy's Frosty copycat. I thought if nothing else it would be a fun project for Maggie and I later on.

 

Well, now that football season is starting back up I was trying to come up with something fun that Maggie and I could do while her daddy watched the games. I remembered this recipe and we decided to give it a try.

 

Here is all you need. (Not pictures, ice cubes.) 

 

Get your vanilla, pudding mix, cool whip and milk together...

 

 Grab a really cute, REALLY enthusiastic helper....

 

Place about 8 ice cubes as well as the other four ingredients into your blender...

 



 

and let it blend.

 

(Please excuse the blender in the garage. I make smoothies in the mornings and don't want to wake the entire house.)

 

 

Enjoy!

 

In reality you put this in the freezer, stir it ever now and then until it gets to the same consistency of a Frosty.

 

In conclusion it was a fun, tasty treat for Maggie and I to make but doesn't really taste at all like a Wendy's Frosty. It does need a little something to sweeten it up a bit. I may try it again with chocolate milk or maybe some powdered sugar.

Pinterest Attempt: Maternity Hospital Gown

A few months ago I was on Pinterest and came across a pin for "designer maternity hospital gowns" and I immediately fell in love with them. I did not, however, fall in love with the prices I was finding! They ranged anywhere from $50-$70! For something that was going to end up with some sort of gunk on it either from delivery or a new baby! (Sorry but it's the truth.) While the price turned me off to the idea of purchasing a gown it didn't turn me off to the idea all together. I searched a bit more and came across a tutorial on how to make one for myself.

After finding my fabric and matching ribbon I set out to make the gown. I did have to make a few alterations to the pattern but nothing major or difficult. I will say that the hardest part of making this gown was not having my serger. (It's at the shop being serviced as I type.) But I didn't want to put off making the gown due to Ellie's fast approaching due date. I'm really happy with how the gown turned out.

My favorite feature is the nursing capabilities. I remember with Maggie that the hospital gowns were not quite as modest or discrete as I would liked to have been.

So, instead of spending anywhere from $50-$70 I spent a little over $20 and have a custom hospital gown. I'm really happy with how it came out! I can't wait to wear it when Ellie makes her big debut! 

First Haircut

Almost everywhere we go someone comments on Maggie's curls. I really do think they are beautiful even if I do have mom goggles on. However each morning was turning into a battle when brushing her hair because her ends were still little fine baby hairs. They were wispy and would tangle easily. I decided that the best solution would be to trim the little wispy ends. Will was due for a trim as well so we all went together to the salon to get everyone clipped.

Maggie waited her turn and was really excited to have her "cut hair" but even more than that. She was excited for the chance to earn a lollipop.

Here she is while waiting for her name to be called

The stylist sprayed her hair down before brushing out tangles and every time she sprayed the water Maggie said "Eww stinky."

Once her hair was sectioned off and the trimming started Maggie looked in the mirror and said to her stylist "Are you sure this is going to be okay?" We would reassure her and tell her it was fine. A few minutes would pass and she would ask again. I have no idea where she came up with that but she was cracking us up.

She did great and earned her lollipop. The whole time she was in the chair she had us laughing. This kid is definitely one of a kind. Also, I'm happy to report that while we have still battled a couple of times when combing out hair in the mornings it's gotten much better and not nearly as bad as before. 

My First Pinterest Project Review

I've managed to complete a few Pinterest projects and recipes but I think that this one is my favorite so far. When we found out that we were expecting a new baby Maggie was still in her crib but getting close to making the move to a big bed. Instead of changing her nursery into her big girl room we decided to start from scratch it was was our office. I started looking at different ideas for this room and wanted to have run getting it all together for Maggie. One thing that I really needed to do was come up with a solution for her books. The little cubby shelf they were on was now too small for them. In the process of searching for ideas for her room I stumbled upon this photo on Pinterest. I fell in love with it because I thought it would take up less time than a traditional book shelf.



I think they are already a little full

 I found fabric that coordinated with her new bedding which I also made and set out to make the shelves/slings.

The sewing portion of the project took no time at all. I did make a few changes to the measurements just to fit them on our wall a little better but other than that I followed the tutorial completely. If she adds any more books to her library I'm going to have to add another shelf.