Giving myself a break....

As I find myself still recovering from this flu that had overtaken me before Christmas, I find myself choosing things that save me loads of time and energy! Something that I don't need to make special trips to the store for, this recipe I'm going to share for an example, I only needed to get beef stew meat from the store. But if you plan ahead and have some waiting in the freezer, this recipe will be even more effortless!

 

One go-to recipe I always reach for when I'm looking for something easy and comforting is my CrockPot Beef Stroganoff! Its yummy and really easy to do so I thought I would share the recipe with you all and hopefully you enjoy it as well!

 

 

 

 

Vixen's CrockPot Beef Stroganoff

 

Makes about 6 servings

(Tips are included at the bottom of the recipe, marked with an (*)

 

Ingredients 

• 2-3 lbs. stew beef, cubed (vary the amount based on how meaty you and your family enjoy foods)
• 1 onion, quartered and sliced
• 1 Family sized can of cream of mushroom soup (you can always sub it with two 10-3/4 oz cans if that's what you have on hand)
• 2 T. Worcestershire Sauce (you can eyeball this measurement too)
• 2 cups Sour Cream
• 1 bag of egg noodles (the size, wide or medium, is really just a personal choice)

 

Instructions

 

Place beef in the slow cooker, sprinkle onions over top; set aside. In a medium bowl combine the soup and the Worcestershire sauce,(or you can combine them in a gallon sized Ziploc bag and save yourself a dish to wash!). Pour soup mixture over the beef and onions; stir to mix thoroughly. Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours or 4-5 hours on high. When you are about 30 minutes from meal time I would start the water to boil for your noodles, once its at a roiling boil, drop the noodles in, give it a little stir and they should be good to go. Once you've set the noodles to boil, add the sour cream to the crockpot, mix it in well and let heat through. When your noodles are done, drain them, add a little butter if you'd like, ladle the stroganoff over them and you are all set! Id recommend this meal in bowls or in oversized mugs! Enjoy!

 

* Sometimes I add a little garlic, either sliced or crushed, just to add a little extra something.Or if your family likes mushrooms, I've been known to add a can or two of drained sliced mushrooms every once in awhile.

 

* Another little tip I like to share is, use slow cooker liners! Its saves on clean up. and even makes putting left-overs away easier. You just lift the liner out and pour the contents into the Tupperware or whatever vessel you are storing your left-overs in. Then throw the liner away, and your crockpot is pristine, ready for another round of yummy foods!



 

I hope you all like this recipe as much as I do. And if using a CrockPot is intimidating, give it a try with a simple recipe like this. I don't like anything that is too complicated. I'm just a simple girl at heart I guess. I'm going to try and add some more recipes here for you to try, and I'm going to do my best at including pictures. I'm actually making a new one today, so we'll see how it goes. If it goes well I'll share that one too!

 

I hope y'all have a great weekend and get to relax and do something that you enjoy! 

Warmest wishes,

V

 



Happy New Year!

As one year closes and another begins its easy to find a few moments to reflect on the year that's past and look forward to the year ahead. I, at the moment feel a little conflicted. I'm in an unique position where the year ahead holds many many possibilities for me, all of which I'm grateful for. But also tonight my heart is heavy, a dear teacher that held a very special place in my heart. He was too swiftly taken from this world. I just pray his family can find some comfort and healing for their heavy and wounded hearts soon.

 

I hope you all are spending the holiday evening in a place and with people you want to be surrounded by! Please be safe out there!

 

With love and sparklers,

 Vixen

Aim a little higher....

As just about everyone else in the world, I have been watching the Olympics. For me the Olympics is a time to be inspired by normal people living their dreams. It shows me what someone can do with dedication, drive, and passion. It makes me want to dig a little deeper in the things I do in my life. It makes me want to better myself. Its almost like 4 years worth of New Years Day resolutions are packed into a two week period! Hahaha, I know that sounds silly but that's how it makes me feel! I wonder if other people feel the same way. I see how my country reacts to our athletes, how much we support them, and how emotional we become about their fates. I know all around the world people are so dedicated to people who inspire them, and how much we root for them to win. I feel like the Olympics bring out the best in the world, not just in athletic ability but in Goodwill.

Now, a little change of subject.... I love all things Disney. Its a fact. I'm kind of an addict. But I'm okay with it! Hahaha Well I was strolling the web and came across the cutest movie night idea! And the best part is that if you already have the Disney movie you wont have to spend any extra money than you normally would with a little planning. I am looking forward to taking this idea and running with it. So this mom, wanted to get her kids excited to go to a Disney park so she made a countdown board and also (here comes the genius people) made movie night flyer's and also made a dinner menu based on the movie!!!! 

Isn't that the cutest idea?! I think its such a cute thing to do. And like I said with a little planning ahead as to what you'd like to make for dinner it wouldn't cost you anymore that usual to feed yourself and your family! This idea would make any night special. I always say its about the little things in life and this is one way to take the ordinary and transform it into the extraordinary!

Disney Movie Night Idea

If you click on the link above it will zip you right over to where she has alot more movie/menu ideas!

So tonight as I sign off with menu ideas and Disney movies on the brain, I'll leave you with some Disney photos to transport you to the Happiest Place on Earth until you can travel there in person!

May your life always be sprinkled with a little magic,

V

As summer draws to a close...

Hey All!

I am back once again! It has been such a busy summer! The time has simply flown by with plenty of time spent traveling and also with friends and family, the best time spent of all!

For those of you who know me, know that I am a lover of all things food and cooking related. For those of you who aren't as close... now you know a way to my heart! I think cooking is a great way to show someone you care and a wholesome way to spend the time. I love spending time poring over cookbooks and finding something new to try.

There are a few cookbook lines that I always have a hard time passing by in stores. They snag me every time and I need to look through them! Hahaha. I cant help it but Gooseberry Patch is the cutest brand! And I really love that a lot of the recipes are sent in by normal people just like me. There is something that I really appreciate about a recipe that has been around for generations. A recipe which has survived through the great times life takes people through and through the tougher times as well. If you have some time and would love to browse a great line of books that are cute and give such good ideas, go ahead and click the name above and it will shoot you off to their website. You'll love it!

I love the fall season we are slowly creeping towards. The weather starts to cool and harvest starts and produce is abundant. To me, those are all good things! I like to utilize and enjoy all parts of the fall season, it always seems so fleeting that I want to grab it and hold onto it for as long as possible. As fall draws closer, I'm going to try and share some simple recipes that hopefully help you enjoy the bounty of the season that much more!

Alright loves I need to get some sleep, I wish you all sweet dreams and a great week to come! See you all soon!

V

The winds of change...

Hey guys! Its been a really long time since I've been able to share whats been going on in my life with you guys. Almost a year in fact! But I'm back. Hopefully we can grow together. One update is that, my most recent twist at being a housewife is that.... I'm not a wife anymore! That's okay. Its the biggest twist of all right?! Anyway I'm very glad to be back with you all and I will be getting back into the swing of blogging regularly with you all! Thanks again for your patience and I will see you all again soon!

Missed you bunches!

V

I am longing for fall

I've been longing for fall, which is pretty comical because I've been sick for the majority of this month and have barely left my house a handful of times. So to say I've endured the heat isn't exactly true! Ha! However it seems the older I get the more I long for fall and spring. When I was a kid it was all about summer and winter! Now as time passes I seem to appreciate the shorter seasons of fall and spring. They seem fleeting which is probably why I want to cling to them!

Since I can't feel fall where I am because we are still having 100 degree weather here, I've been coming across some beautiful fall/harvest time recipes online. My new obession is Pinterest. Which is AMAZING. Its where you can "pin" just about anything you want. I have found so many recipes I want to try, blogs I want to read, and I've seen soo many beautiful photos of places I want to visit! The site is by invite only though, BUT, I can send you an invite if you'd like one. Just comment below with your email and that you want a pinterest invite and I will send one your way!

One special dish I made to share around Thanksgiving were Caramels! They were delicious homemade, and I've had requests to continue making them. However this year I think I might switch it up. I found a recipe for Apple Cider Caramels at an amazing blog. Just click the name of the recipe and it should take you right to it! Simple huh?

Don't those look amazing?! That is for sure going to be made this year! I can't wait!

Another crazy thing I've come across is the Starbucks secret menu!!!! I knew some places had secret menus but I had no idea Starbucks was one of them! Now I feel deprived, like I've missed out on this for so long! Hahaha! Anyway I thought Id let you guys in on the secret so I'll add it below!

Alright loves! Its time for me to take some more medicine but I want to leave with you with a few fall inspired photos!

Wishing you cool breezes with no sniffles and smells of spice in your kitchen!

Love,

V

time marches doesn't it?

Its been so long since Ive been able to get on here. When I left you I had just been married and was sick..... Well as it turns out I am sick again! Man! But since then We've moved and have been preparing for deployment. And as you know life never stops because your busy! But I wanted to touch base and hopefully get back to seeing you more and more on here. I hope this blog post finds you safe and healthy and happy!

With sniffles and smiles

Vixen