SAW IT. PINNED IT. DID IT.- Texas Chili

Hi Friends! I am not sure I know I don't like this cold weather when we were just having Spring like weather a few days ago. When we have cold weather I love eating and making soup. I think soup is something extremely easy to make and it last for more than one meal which both is a win win in my book.

In my hometown in Indiana the first full weekend of October there is a festival held called the Apple Festival. There are rides, craft booths, and of course awesome food. One of the major things people go for are the taco in a bags and the cinnamon rolls. When I found this one chili recipe on Pinterest I knew I had to make it. It was an added bonus that once I tasted it, it tasted like the yummy goodness of the taco in a bag.

I grew up with elbow macaroni or spaghetti in my chili. My father in law calls it redneck chili and my husband always wanted me to try it without the noodles. When he always tried to convince me to take the noodles out I thought he was crazy and lost his mind. I don't want to tell him this but after trying this recipe he might have been right...just a little is all tho.

Source: sunkissedblondeambition.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

The above picture drew me in and then once I read the recipe it really spoke to me. That day I went out and got all the ingredients to make this Texas chili and let it simmer for a few hours on the stove. It did not dissapoint! 

Ingredients

1 lbs hamburger

1/2 white onion chopped

1 can tomatoes

1 can ranch style beans with jalepaneos

1 large can of tomatoe juice

1 fajita packet

chili powder

garlic powder

crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Chop onion and throw in your dutch oven while browning your hamburger. Once brown drain grease if needed. Add a dash of the fajita packet and stir together really well. Add beans and tomatoes without draining any juice off. Add in a dash of crushed red pepper flakes, 1TBS of chili powder and 1tsp of garlic powder. Pour in the tomatoe juice (I just eyeball this and don't measure I just make sure the juice covers all the ingredients with some leftover on top). Let it warm up then taste and see if you need to add any other seasoning. I end up usually adding another dash from the fajita packet. I also like to top mine with fritos, shredded cheese, and ranch. 

**I used tomatoe juice, garlic and red pepper flakes that the orignal pin did not call for.

I hope you guys enjoyed this recipe. Please let me know if you end up making it! Now go and link up with Katie and Steph! 

Oh How Pinteresting Valentine Addition

Hump day already!?!? I am linking up with Michelle over at The Vintage Apple for Oh How Pinteresting. With Valentines Day being weeks away I thought we would make this a Valentine Addition. Some of these pins are really cute and I can't believe I've never thought of something like this. It's even got me thinking I may make my oldest Valentines for school this year!

Source: shakentogetherlife.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: luulla.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: asmallsnippet.blogspot.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: supermommoments.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: Uploaded by user via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: craftsunleashed.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: allfreecrafts.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: lilluna.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

So tell me those were not totally adorable. I really love the Love and Kisses pillow. Which pin was your favorite!?!?! P.S. I've got a some more ad spots available if anyone is interested. I am interested in swapping different sizes too! The Houston and Tulsa size get social media shoutouts, a feature, and participation in the monthly giveaway! I'd love to have you on my sidebar!!  **I'd like you to be or become a follower if you want to swap but not a deal breaker if you opt not too. 

iPad2 Giveaway Event {Bloggers Wanted}

It's a MPM Birthday Celebration Event

Hosted by Mom Powered Media

Prizes: iPad 2 with Wi-Fi 16GB in Black

Event dates: 2/4 - 3/4

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

Be sure to say that Country Roots City Living sent you!! :)

Bloggers Wanted ~ Cook n Grow Event

Cook n' Grow Event

Hosted by: Mom to Bed by 8

Prize Package includes: Little Tikes Cook n' Grow Kitchen + Amazon Gift Card

Event dates: 2/1 - 2/15

Free Blogger Event: Sign Up HERE

Please say that Country Roots City Living referred you!!

Meal Planning plus Taco Cupcake Recipe

Did your Monday go well? Here in Oklahoma we are having Spring like weather so I had all of our windows open yesterday. Today we are suppose to have more Spring like weather with storms which totally freaks me out living in Oklahoma! I am scared of tornadoes anyhow and then the chance of having them makes for a nervous Nellie! 

Anyhow when we lived in Indiana I had gotten to the point where I was couponing a lot and I would do our grocery shopping and meal planning for two weeks at a time. Of course we would have to run into the store to get milk and maybe an extra bread but always had a large items taken care of. I was not one of those extreme couponers that you see on TV but I feel that I did well for our family and always looked for the bargains. This past weekend I was making out our weekly menu for suppers and I went ahead and made out this week and next weeks menu AND I got all the grocery items when I went on Sunday. 

This is what I have planned out for just this week.

Sunday-Chili

Monday-Baked Chicken breast w/corn, mac and cheese, and rolls

Tuesday-Leftover Chili

Wednesday-Breakfast which hopefully I can talk the husband in making his famous French Toast!

Thursday-Cheeseburger and Fries

Friday-Pizza

Saturday-Free Panda Express

I am not sure if I have told you guys but I write weekly for a magazine called Kokoa Magazine. Have you heard of them? If not you should totally check them out and sign up for their weekly newsletter. The newsletter comes out every Sunday and then the website is updated about two times a week and the magazine comes out every two months. I just started writing for them at the start of the year and I absolutely love it! I send in recipes that are easy to make and easy to pronounce. There are other things in the magazine such as fashion, photography, advice column ect. The advice column is totally anonymous when written into. You can submit any question into the advice column. To write into it simply email linstimeout@yahoo.com. Back to my recipes, I am not sure if y'all have noticed but I am in love with making different items into cupcakes. I think it looks fun, easy to make, and kid friendly. 

Taco Cupcakes

Ingredients

Won Ton Wrappers

1lbs ground beef

I can black beans

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Taco Sauce

Queso Cheese

Taco Packet

**Sour Cream-Optional

**Guacamole-Optional

Directions

Brown your beef and drain off your grease. Add beef back into the pan and follow directions on taco packet. Add the black beans drained into your beef mixture. Once that has simmered for about five minutes you will be able to begin to assemble your cupcakes. In a cupcake pan be sure to grease it really well. Take one won ton wrapper and stuff in each cupcake pocket. Then add a small spoonful of your beef mixture, and then you can scoop a small spoonful of your queso in each pocket followed by the rest of the ingredients minus the sour cream and guacamole. Once you have one layer of each ingredient in each of the cupcake pockets you will want to take a second won ton wrapper and place on top of each mixture lightly press down. You will then start the entire process over with the beef mixture all the way to your taco sauce. You can also substitute the taco sauce for salsa. Heat your oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 8-10 minutes. You want the won tons to start to lightly brown. Let cool for about five minutes before taking them out of the pan. I like to use a fork or spoon to get under each wrapper to help grab the entire taco cupcake onto the plate.

All ingredients I mentioned above are what we normally use for our tacos. You can add pico, onions, or tomatoes. The possibilities are endless. This is just a new fresh twist on a middle of the week meal. 

What are your go to recipes during the week? Do you change them up like I did for the tacos? 

Weekend Update

Hey all you lovley people! I am linking up with Sami and Leann for Weekend Update. I hope you come and join in on the fun!

 Our weekend was so low key and I loved every second of it. My kitchen is closed on Friday and Saturday nights so normally on Fridays we will order a pizza sometimes we will make our own personal size pizzas too. So I guess my kitchen is partially open when we do that. Anyway we decided to order pizza from Papa Johns and I am not sure if it was the pizza or the antibiotic my doctor put me on but I got so sick. I woke up Saturday feeling better.

I also want to add on Friday I went to the doctor and I can start tappering off from my sexy little boot. Everything is healing pretty good. There is one small part where the screws were put into the bone that is not grown all the way back yet. Also my body decided it didn't like one of the stitches that the doctor sewed me up with on the inside of my foot so I was lucky enough for her to pull it out, let me tell you that felt good. Just kidding! HA HA

Saturday it was chilly around here and kind of gloomy. Brayden and I went and took back some of his pants that I thought was going to fit once hemmed but once I tried them on him again and started looking at it there was no way it was going to work. We then grabbed some supper and took it home and just hung out and played video games as a family. I had been wanting some Panda Express the past few days so I picked that up for supper I was so disappointed because they got our order wrong and there was a hair in our food. Needless to say I called them back and we have a free dinner coming when we would like.

Sunday morning I was getting ready to go grocery shopping and both boys were in the bathroom with me while I was getting ready. Gannon was playing a game and needed help so he sat right on Brayden's lap for him to help play the game with him. It was such a sweet moment. Once Brayden did something that he really thought was good Gannon would give him a high five! Speaking of grocery shopping I did my meal planning for the next two weeks. I will share that with you tomorrow. 

I woke up Sunday morning and weighed myself and I am happy to report that I am down a total of 37lbs. Of course that called for a selfie which I of course also posted on instagram. If you are not following me come find me @linsw00. Looking at this picture I notice my boobs are shrinking and I couldn't be more excited about that! I had it dead set in my head I wanted a boob reduction but at this rate heck I might not need one! 

Later on in the day Brayden was acting like he didn't feel good. So I came in to his room to talk to him to see what was wrong and he had fallen asleep. Of course I had to take a cute little picture of this little man. I think he looks so adorable right here. He is saying his ear hurts so I am just kind of waiting to see if any other symptom pops up. He has always had issues with his ears so when he starts complaining I watch him like a mad woman. 

I also forgot that I took this picture. This was taken right before my surgery but I tried on Lauren Conrad jeans in at Kohls and I LOVE them. I didn't end up getting them because they don't carry the petite in the store and I've yet to order them but they were so comfortable. They fit true to size and they are not the butt crack kind which is always a bonus in my book! 

Lastly I want to congratulate the winner of the January giveaway Rebekah Hearn! You'll be getting an email from me shortly!

What did you do this weekend?? 

Sunday Social

Today I am linking up with Neely for Sunday Social! I hope you join in on the fun!! Happy Sunday Y'all!! 

What is your ideal way to relax: sitting at home watching a movie with the family

Where is your favorite place to be: besides being anywhere with the family, I love to be in my hometown at my house I grew up in. My other fave place is in Spain or in FL at my mamaw and papaw's house they had. 

Who do you consider your biggest roll model? My parents. They have always taught me to to stay true to who I am, stay strong, and not to follow the "in crowd". 

What does your life look like in 3 years? I'd love to have another child on the way and that one be a girl!?!?

If you could go back and change one decision what would it be? I've got no regrets and nothing I would want to change. Everything happens or a reason and everything ends up being a lesson learned. 

What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far? Aside from graduating college and getting married it would have to be my two kiddos. They are my world and what keeps me going daily. I love the relationship that I have with both of them and hope that we always stay as close as we are now!  :)

Miracle...Power of Prayer

Hey dolls! It is Friday! This week flew by here at our house and I couldn't be happier for the weekend. I love when we get to spend family time doing what we want when we want not punching no time clock! I want to thank everyone for the kind comments that made my heart so full and my eyes swell with tears. I have the best followers!

I wanted to update on my best friend Lynn and her son Peyton. If you have not read the cancer sucks post go ahead and read it, I'll wait. Peyton had an MRI done on Wednesday and they did not get the results until Thursday. Lynn was praying that the tumor either shrunk or stayed the same. I am so excited to say the tumor has SHRUNK!!!!!!!! THIS IS A MIRACLE y'all! I really think it is the power of prayer! There are so many people that have them on their prayer list at church and then just finding them from Facebook and following the story and praying. Remember I set up that email address to send just thinking of you emails or what not remember it is peytonangels@gmail.com  please please send her  an email because this is sooooo fantastic.

I've also got some other fantastic news (isn't it great when you get good news all Friday)? In that cancer sucks post I also spoke of John, Lynn's boyfriend who has stepped up to be the father of Peyton and Stillman. It just goes to show what kind of man John is and I am so thankful and glad that he is in the lives of my friend and her two boys. I've never met him yet but I can not wait to finally meet him in March. On Christmas day John asked Lynn to marry him! They are getting married tomorrow and I know she is going to be the most beautiful bride ever! So you can also use that email above and send congrats to them too! :)

Lynn-I love you to death doll! We have been friends since early elementary and I am so glad that you came into my life and we reconnected during our adult years. There is not one day that does not go by that I do not think of you. I feel so lucky and blessed that you are in my life and I know that we can always count on each other. Even though I can not be there tomorrow for your big day I will be thinking about you the entire day. I know that you will text me pictures and you will be so beautiful. You are beautiful inside and out and I am so glad that you and John are going to make your precious family united tomorrow. I can't wait to see you when I come home in March and hear all about your special day! Love you doll!!

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Now I would like to introduce you to one of my sponsors, BreAnna. She is so totally awesome and sweet and I hope you guys hop on over and check out her amazing blog!

Bonjour. Je m'appelle BreAnna. Parlez vous francais? Non?

Hah. Kidding, you thought I spoke fluent French didn't you? Anyways...

I'm Bre, or BreAnna, whatever. I'm the mastermind behind Peacoats & Plaid. 

One could describe my "blog aesthetic" as a hodge podge of vintage, thrift, diy/craftiness. 

With a little bit of baby and humor thrown in here and there. 

I gotta show my little Bean off. She's too cute.

So, if any of the above strike your fancy, come give me a holler. You know you want to...

I'm in awe daily...

I wanted to talk about our oldest Brayden a little bit today. You may remember the last time I talked about just him we were living in Houston and he was having a rough time at school and was being bullied. I've also spoke about him being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. If you are new around here the please take a moment and read the back story here and here.

After the whole bullying post we decided to take Brayden out of the Houston school a few days earlier than we had originally planned. Y'all I am not being a drama queen here but it was bad it was so so bad. He would cry every night, it was hard to get him to go to school, he became extremely defensive, I was a hot mess while he was at school. As a mom I wanted to put him in a bubble and protect him while he was at school.

Once we moved to Oklahoma and got him in school here he had some outburst which was to be expected. Luckily he has kick ass teachers that have helped to show him his new school is a safe place. He needed not only for us to tell him but also to start to feel comfortable in his new school with the teachers, staff, and other students. Once he first started he would talk about the Houston experience a lot but everyone just told him he would never have to go back there again. Once meeting his teachers and some of the staff I knew he would be okay plus we are in a much smaller school than the other one.  What really hit me and has stuck with me was when his teacher teacher Mrs. C. told me about him loved him and she was going to keep him safe and he wouldn't have to worry anymore about being bullied (we had only been at the school for approx two weeks when all this was said). At that moment when she was telling me this my eyes were swelling with tears of joy and I could tell she really meant it. At that moment I knew she was a special person and I've been correct in which we have developed a wonderful friendship in and out of school. I also knew that God had a plan for us and we had to hit a little bit of rough pavement before getting where we needed to go. In the end it has made all of us as a family stronger and bonded us even closer than we were.

I am happy to report that Brayden brought home a fantastic report card last week. His report card was the best it has ever been. He is excelling in school and really trying hard. On Tuesday his homeroom teacher sent home a note that he was selected as "Student of the Week", we had a blast filling out his "All About Me Board" together. I really enjoyed listening to his answers that he had to fill in. As of right now when he grows up he wants to be in the military and be a pilot. We had fun picking out what pictures were going to go on his board and why he was choosing them. Of course the pictures always came with a story that he would tell us asking us if we remembered when. The kid has a crazy memory, he will remember things from who got what for a particular birthday when he was two or something crazy like that. 

With him having the ADHD sometimes the concentration is hard and he will have to work harder than others at some things. What I really don't like is that he needs to be on medicine to concentrate. We tried this summer with no medicine but that was horrible not only for us but for him too. He never could just "relax". I hate that we have to test different medicines to see if they will work for him and different combinations. What keeps it in perspective for me is that we need to do this so he can be successful in school and any other activities that he wants to participate in.

He makes me so proud because he does try when we ask him to. He is so stinking smart if he would just get the mental block out of the way. He knows things that most 8 year old wouldn't know and half  the time I am not for sure and I have to either ask Todd or look it up! HA HA I love that he has such a huge heart and is so caring and puts others first. He is an excellent big brother and is always making sure Gannon is okay and protected. He will bring a surprise home from school for Gannon sometimes and he makes sure that he always tells him goodnight with a kiss and a "I Love You". It melts me when I see them love on each other. I am so thankful everyday that I was chosen to be his mom and I love him to the moon and back a zillion times over! :)

Pinteresting Wednesday

Today I am linking up with Michelle for OHP. These are a few pins I've been pinning this week and some I have had for awhile. I don't know about you but I'd love to go to the beach right about now. I am far from being a cold weather girl!

Source: chichime.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: blushingandsweet.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: myhomeideas.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: houzz.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: thecollegiategoodlife.tumblr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest</

Source: imgfave.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

The Facts of Lins

Today I am linking up with Whitney to give facts about ourselves. I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more of what makes me tick and my weird ways. I hope we can still be friends after! 

Fact: My husband I were set up and met on a Thursday. I told my friend that was setting us up if he was weird or a clinger then I was leaving to go watch Friends...I never watched that episode of Friends. 

Fact: I have three dogs; 2 Golden's and one chocolate lab. I want another dog and I would like a Great Dane. I love big dogs!

Fact: I was adopted at birth and I am an only child. In return I am spoiled and a daddy's girl. My mom is my best friend too!

Fact: When I go back to my hometown my best friend and I act like we are in H.S. again and get a little wild. We've also been bff since day 1 of kindergarten.
Fact: It really annoys me when I can hear people chew their food.
Fact: I broke my first bone (my foot) at the age of 29 and walked on it for 9 months.
Fact: I never had a cavity until I was 29 and I skipped the cavity and went straight to a root canal.
Fact: I'm the happiest when I am surrounded by my family.
Fact: When I am your friend I am your friend for life and you can always count on me.
Fact: You hurt my family or my friends we have a problem. I will always have their back and go to bat for them.
Fact: I have two boys and I want to try for a third child. I've always wanted a big family since I am an only child. I hope when we try for the third child it will be a girl because there is a lot of penis in my house. Two of my dogs are even males.
Fact: I'm a SAHM, I've always told my husband I am allergic to a 9-5 job. He listens and spoils me! :)

So there are a few tidbits about me. Now tell me some facts about you! :)

P.S. I am now accepting Feb sponsors.
P.P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway today is the last day for it!

Low Key

Hey Loves! I am doing something new today and linking up with Sami! I am one of her newest followers and I thought this might be a little fun to mix things up a little bit!! 

You know what I am not a fan of? That is the title. I am so not creative when coming up with a title and most of the time it is clearly not catchy at all. When I got and read other blogs and their titles I always think back to myself "why didn't I think of something like that"? Clearly I suck! HA HA 

This weekend was pretty low key. My parents went back to Indiana on Thursday since I am able to now walk in my boot and I can take it off to drive. They did give me a few days to get used to it to make sure I dind't have any issues. Since they have left it has been very quiet around here. Everyone is sad that mamaw and papaw left..my dogs included! Friday night we decided to make personal pizzas. That has been a big hit as of late, there are no good pizza places here in Okie. We watched some TV as a family and then called it an early night. We are pretty exciting huh? 

Saturday we had some gorg weather. The kids played outside in the afternoon and I played with my camera taking adorbable pictures of them of course! I had a blast watching them play together. It is so funy watching Gannon mimic every move that Brayden makes. He really looks up to his big brother. Once we were done playing outside we decided to get cleaned up and go to supper. Saturday was my night off from cooking so Todd took us to a Mexican resturaunt to eat. I also decided after supper that the kids needed a bean bag chair or a game chair of some sort so off to Target we went. It was a bust we didn't find what we were looking for so once we got home I got to looking on the internet. Now I am not sure which one to get them because I don't want the bean bags to go flat and I don't want to spend tons of money on a game chair. Oh we also went to this fantastic little ice cream/coffee shop call Scoops and Ginds. It was so cute and everything was made pretty fresh. The ice cream was delish and their hot chocolate was to die for. My Iphone is on its last leg so I did not get to take any pictures. Don't worry we will be going back and then I will take a bunch of pictures to show off. 

Sunday was another nice day, it was not as warm as the day before but still warm enough to play outside. Todd washed and waxed my car and did a few other things to it that I clearly have no idea because I far from being a car person. Give me a car that works, has gas, and gets me where I need to go and I am happy. Todd also washed and waxed his truck too. I made a meatloaf for supper and decided to have a new take on it. I made them into a cupcake pan and they actually turned out really good. The husband raved about it and wanted some for his lunch so it looks like it was a win win. 

What did you do this weekend? 

P.S. Don't forget about my January Sponsor giveaway, it ends on Wednesday! 

Sunday Social

Hey Friends! I am linking up with Neely today for Sunday Social!! 

Top 3 Favorite Kinds of Food: Pizza, Tacos, and Italian

First 3 Things you do in the morning: Brush teeth, check email, and go potty! :)

Last 3 Things you do at night: wash face, check email, and either read or watch DVR shows

3 TV shows you NEVER miss: Hart of Dixie, Real Housewives of anything, Millionaire Matchmaker (I love my reality trash shows! HA HA) 

3 Places you want to visit: Go back to Southern Spain, Austrailia, Hawaii

3 People you can always count on: Obviously my parents, husband, and Aunt T but my bff LB-we have been friends since first day of Kindergarten, so you can imagine how much we have been through marriages, babies, divorces, family members passing, birthdays, tattoos and the list goes on and on!  Lacey-We met when I moved to Texas so our friendship is still newer but she has never let me down and has always been there when I needed her. Katy-We just met this past October but we are fastly becoming extremely close and I cherish all of our chats together. She knows how to calm me down when I start to get a little hyper on things!

The day we got tattoos together

 Dinner together w/wine consumption

Senior year Bert and Ernie

One of our fun nights together

Dont forget to enter my January Sponsor giveaway! 

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January Sponsor Giveaway

I wanted to kick off this long weekend with an awesome giveaway from some of my sponsors this month!!! There are tons of great prizes and 1 winner will take all!! I am very excited to start my year out with these ladies, they are absolutely the sweetest and I am honored they are on my side bar! 

Also be sure to come back on Monday because I want to talk about Dance Moms. Do you all watch that show? I DVR it and was able to watch it at 2AM this morning when my 2 yr old wanted to be a party animal and all I can say is OH MY WORD!!!

Ashlee w/ A Step In The Right Direction

Jessica w/ The Jessica Blog

Lacey w/ And They Call Me Mommy

Kathy w/Sparkles and A Stove

Stacy w/Glued To My Crafts

BreAnna w/Peacoats & Plaid

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