Website Wednesday: Crock pot paradise

A slow cooker .... a crock pot .... whatever you shall call it, it's a genius invention! And that is exactly why crock pots are being featured today on Website Wednesday.

I was at work the other day and popping up on my Twitter feed I saw @crockpotgirls  is currently hosting a 30 Day Crock Pot Challenge. 

Intrigued by the Twitter post, I had to check it out. Sending me to their Facebook page, I had the chance to learn about all the rules: 

Rise to the 30 Day Crock Pot Challenge! Crock at least one dish every day for 30 days straight! 

Choose if you will make breakfast, lunch ,dinner or dessert on any day. 

1 - Post what you are crocking every day (here or on the Crock Pot Girl main FB page). We'll keep track and announce everyone who completes the challenge!

2 - If you are piling up with leftovers, I suggest that you make a dessert that day instead, a soup that you can freeze, or breakfast! 

3 - The crock pot just HAS TO BE CROCKING EACH AND EVERY DAY. 

4 - Repeat meals are permitted, as we all know, families have their favorites!

My personal opinion?? I think this challenge absolutely rocks!! I am a frequent crock pot cooker: just made roast beer on Monday, can make a mean pulled pork sandwich, and have yet to dabble with soups (although I think my first take will be a corn and chicken chowder yummmm yum!) I'm really looking forward to the day I get my own place so I can cook out of the little mini crock pots. Dinner for one, thank you very much :) 

While I know most of us missed the challenge, I think this could be something fun to try out yourself. It doesn't have to be 30 days straight, but maybe challenge yourself to cook a meal once a week in that crock pot you HAD to have on your bridal shower/wedding gifts. Try new meals, make your boyfriends/husbands/wives/girlfriends be your tester.

RECIPES 

Being that she is the crock pot queen, here are some of Jenn Bare's crock pot recipes that I thought sound delicious. I also promised my bestie Ashley Raffle that I would give her some new ideas. Bon appetite!!

Appetizer: Crock Pot Cheesy New Orleans Shrimp Dip

Breakfast: Crock Pot Blueberry French Toast

Main course: Crock Pot Fajitas 

Are you now drooling? No worries, her site is full of drinks, desserts, main dishes and much more. Enjoy! 

Monday Madness: Life is full of madness

I love how it’s time to post for Monday Madness and that is what my life has been all about lately – MADNESS. Pure madness. (This video goes out to you S.G.)

While life in general is a little crazy right now (which I am not going to get into), I had a bit of a curve ball to my Monday (well technically my Sunday, your Monday.) It was a day filled with appointments and plans, but a call at 7 a.m.  from my sister which has me playing Aunt Amanda the babysitter/caregiver/servant because Maxie is sick today.

Jack (L) and Max (R) -- I love these hambones! 

What started out as an okay start had us hit a bit of a speed bump this afternoon with Max getting sick, throwing up all over, me cleaning up both him, my car AND the driveway.  But so far, we’re ok again, him demanding more food because he’s hungry and me being told he’s ready for dinner (it was 2 p.m. when he asked for this.) He is back to his bossy 3-year-old self again so that is a good sign. Annndddd.... he's out for the count. Poor baby! :(

For my Monday Madness report, I tip my cap to single moms and dads all over the world; in particular my sister who is raising three beautiful kids.

Juggling work, schedules, sports teams, illnesses – I’ve seen you do it all, Missy, and I hope I am HALF the mom to my kids as you are to Jack, Max and Quincy.  Bless the hearts of parents, day care workers, school nurses and all other individuals who tend to children on a daily basis. These last seven months I have been more involved in my nephews’ and niece’s life more than ever, and it really has me appreciating parenthood and a real wake up call to the MADNESS of what being a parent is all about. 

Carrie Underwood blew me away

Last Wednesday night I had the opportunity to see Carrie Underwood in concert at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with my mom. I am happy to say that her "Blown Away" tour blew me away!!

My mom and I headed downtown early so we didn't have to deal with much of the after-work traffic. We cruised right down and made reservations at Broad St. Bullies Pub for dinner. Not going to make this into a food review but my take on Broad St. Bullies Pub: I was not impressed. I dealt with a sassy hostess the second we got there.  Our waitress was good, but the food was only ok. We got our appetizer with no silverware or plates, and we were basically finished by the time it arrived. My mom and I both got the Pattison Ave. burger. Our buns were not tossed at all so we had a burger on a bun that was SOAKED in butter. Pretty gross - easy to say I will not be going back there for food, drinks sure.

But on to the fun -- so after dinner we headed into Wells Fargo and before we knew it, it was show time. Hunter Hayes was the opener. The spicy little (yes, he's only 5'6") southern boy made teenage girls SCREAM their brains out with excitement. I only knew his song "Wanted" which he performed amazingly. While all of his songs were good, a song that stood out to me was "Everybody's Got Somebody But Me." 

Then it was on to the real star, Carrie Underwood.

She warned us right from the start of her show that if we have anywhere to be we most likely won't be getting there on time because she has a lot to sing and perform. Boy was she right. Carrie sang for nearly two hours and I am AMAZED at how she can belt out songs like this day in and day out.

She played old songs, she played new songs. She had the crowd energetic the whole time and she looked stunning with every wardrobe change. Granted, I didn't know every song of hers but I stood on my feet the whole time and had a blast dancing! I waited all night to hear "Blown Away" which she used as her finale song. (Obvi, this is what the tour is based off of)

I was able to grab a few photos and took a few videos. I hope you all enjoy :)

Sorry, I had to. This sweatshirt was tears!