If you are on a diet, you might as well stop reading – these are NOT on your diet! They are WELL worth a cheat day though! Creamy, cheesy, and better than any I’ve had at a restaurant!

I have to give credit to my sister Stacie on these – this is actually her recipe. I also have to give her EXTRA credit because I believe cooking these enchiladas snagged me my husband! (So all you single ladies – be careful who you make these for!)

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 can chopped green chiles
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
• 8 oz cooked chicken, chopped (I use this pre-cooked bag – it’s already seasoned)
• 1 bag shredded Mexican cheese
• 10 flour tortillas

Please don’t disrespect these enchiladas by using low-fat cheese, wheat tortillas, etc. – you’ll regret it! You can always eat a salad the next night!

Start by sauteing the chopped onion in some butter or oil until they are soft and almost clear.

Next add in the green chiles and cook another minute or so.

Now add the chicken and cream cheese to the skillet.

While the cream cheese is cooking down, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Stir every now and then to work cream cheese into other ingredients until it looks like this:

Remove skillet from heat and spoon mixture down center of each tortilla.

Roll up tightly and place seam-side down in a greased 13×9 baking dish.

Repeat for the rest of the tortillas.

Now is when it gets serious! Pour half of the whipping cream over the enchiladas…

…then the ENTIRE bag of cheese, then the rest of the cream.

Now bake this beautiful thing at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Everyone I’ve ever served these to has said they are better than enchiladas from a Mexican restaurant! I can’t wait to hear how you all like them!

Thanks y’all!

  – Nikki

I posted a while back about my daughter’s room, but since then we have made some changes to make it more “grown-up,” and I wanted to share the changes with you…

Her wall slants upward toward the ceiling above her bed, and we originally had these pictures arranged there. She grew tired of this look, so we changed it…

These LED string lights were only $12 from amazon.com, and they look perfect! The glow from them is very relaxing, and the bulbs don’t get hot so there is no fire hazard. We just used clothespins to attach a few pictures to them. The string of lights is so long that we draped what was left under her chair, and it turned out really cool.

She also thought her nightstand and lamp looked too “young” for her…

…so we got this shelf from Target instead. The fur baskets and lamp also came from Target. Now she can hide her phone chargers, headphones, etc. in the baskets so her table doesn’t look so cluttered.

The last thing we changed was the curtains. These striped panels came from amazon.com, and they remind me of being in a Kate Spade store!

They are also black-out curtains, so when they are closed the sun can’t get in, keeping her room cooler in the summer. (In the Louisiana heat we need all the help we can get!)

Even though this vanity chair and jewelry holder were on the previous blog post, I love them so much I had to post them again! (Chair from T.J. Maxx, and jewelry holder is just a deer skull that we spray painted metallic gold. See earlier blog post “Allyson’s Room” for details.)

So parents of teenage daughters – don’t freak out when they want to re-do their room as often as they re-do their nail polish, because just a few small changes can make a room feel entirely different!

Thanks y’all!

 – Nikki

One of my husband’s favorite meals is Chicken Parmesan, but it’s SO messy to prepare with the breading and frying, not to mention time-consuming. This dish has all the flavor of Chicken Parmesan, with no frying and only one dish to clean – everything cooks in one skillet, even the pasta!

Here’s what you will need:

• 3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• 1 jar Marinara sauce (24 oz)
• 1 box Rigatoni pasta
• 2-3 tbs Italian dressing
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• a handful of parmesan cheese
• chopped fresh basil

Start off by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-size chunks while heating a greased skillet on medium heat. Toss the chicken pieces in the Italian dressing to coat them. 

Cook chicken pieces in skillet until they are cooked through, turning them over to make sure all sides get cooked. This should only take a few minutes since the pieces are so small.

The liquid will look sort of yellow – this is normal from the Italian dressing mixing with the chicken juices. When the chicken is completely cooked, add in the jar of marina sauce, then fill the same jar with water and pour in along with the pasta.

It will look very watery, but the pasta will absorb most of it. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked, stirring every now and then.

The water will be absorbed by the pasta, leaving just enough sauce behind. Now cover with both cheeses, but do not stir. Put the lid back on until the cheese melts, just a couple of minutes, then add the basil over the top.

That’s it! Easy to make, no frying, only one pan to wash, and it looks beautiful!

Thanks y’all!

– Nikki

 

Here is another EASY and HEALTHY summer recipe, using only FOUR ingredients! The pork chops bake in the oven, so you get a great-tasting meal without any grease. And they are super easy to prepare, so you can enjoy your summer evening instead of spending it in the kitchen.

Here is what you’ll need:

• 1 package boneless pork loin chops
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1-2 cups breadcrumbs (Panko is best for crispiness, but all I had were these Italian breadcrumbs – still crispy and delicious though!)
• 2 eggs

That’s it! Easy and cheap! You don’t even need any seasoning because the onion soup mix adds plenty of flavor.

First mix the breadcrumbs and the onion soup mix together in a shallow dish, and beat the eggs together in another shallow dish.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, or if you’re lazy like I am you can cover the sheet with foil so you don’t have to wash the baking sheet. Dip the pork chops in the eggs first, then in the breadcrumb mixture to coat them, then place on the baking sheet.

Now just bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how thick your chops are, turning over halfway through cooking. That’s it!

Even though there is no grease involved, they taste like they were fried, juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

The little dried onions in the soup mix add color and flavor to the pork chops. You can also use a packet of dry ranch dressing mix instead if you aren’t a fan of onion, or some grated Parmesan cheese for an Italian version.

Whip up some quick sides while the pork chops are baking, like cheesey mashed potatoes and crescent rolls, and you have a super easy (and super yummy!) summer meal.

Thanks y’all!

– Nikki

 

Yes, you read that right – only 3 ingredients! This chicken is super easy, super cheap, and super delicious! Spring is baseball season, which means long nights at the ballpark, which also means not much time to cook supper. This chicken bakes in the oven, so you can be washing dirty baseball uniforms (and dirty baseball players!) while it cooks.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Honey mustard
2. French fried onions
3. 3 boneless-skinless chicken breasts

That’s it! You don’t even need any seasonings – the honey mustard and onions are seasoned enough to give this chicken plenty of flavor.

First, cut each chicken breast into 3 pieces.

Next, pour the french fried onions into a ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin (or anything heavy). This step is also fun for the kids!

For less mess, cover a baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray. This leaves your baking sheet clean for one less dish to wash.

Grab 2 shallow dishes and put the crushed onions in one dish and the honey mustard in the other. (I like to save a little of the honey mustard for dipping, so I just use about half of the bottle.)

Dip each chicken piece in the honey mustard first, then roll in the crushed onions to coat. (If you are not a fan of honey mustard, don’t worry – you can’t really taste it once it’s cooked, it just keeps the chicken moist and juicy.)

Place chicken on the greased baking sheet in an even layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. It will be juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and much healthier (and easier) than frying!

Make some quick sides while it’s baking and you have a home-cooked meal instead of fast food on ballgame nights.

Thanks y’all!

  – Nikki

Who doesn’t love to watch “Fixer Upper” on HGTV? I am addicted to it, and get inspired to redecorate my home with every episode. One of the reasons I love the show is the relationship between Chip and Jo – they are a great team, and their love and respect for each other is apparent. So many TV shows focus on disagreements and rivalry, and it is refreshing to see two people actually working together. I also love Joanna’s style, and here are some easy and inexpensive ways to incorporate her style into your home…

1. Antique kitchen scales

In just about every episode, I see Joanna use an old kitchen scale to decorate. They are a great way to add color and character to your kitchen. (And come in handy if you actually need to weigh something!) You can find these in antique and junk stores for pretty cheap, or can buy them online. One of the antique stores in my area had about twenty of them in a variety of colors and sizes last week, all for under $15, and I had to stop myself from buying another one!

2. Adding dimension to your walls

When decorating your walls, look for pieces that will add dimension. Not everything on the wall has to be a picture or a mirror. This distressed metal piece ($30 at Hobby Lobby) hangs above our bed instead of a headboard. I included a close-up picture so you could see the details in color. This old mirror (free from an old house that was being torn down) hangs in our bathroom, giving character to the walls. You can add a hanger to the back of just about anything and turn it into a wall decoration.

3. Vintage signs

I’ve noticed Joanna using old signs in several homes, including her own. This picture doesn’t show the distressing very well, but I fell in love with this wooden “Grocery” sign and hung it in my kitchen.

4. Old wooden boxes

Visit any junk or antique store, and you will find dozens of old wooden boxes. Cigar boxes, tool boxes, old crates, wooden drawers… They come in all sizes and all colors. I have no idea what this small wooden box was originally used for, but it is now holding my son’s crayons on the desk. This blue one is an old toolbox, and I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with it yet, so for now it is resting in my kitchen window. The spaces inside are the perfect size for mason jars, so I may put some flowers in them, or put it outside and use as an herb planter. Old boxes are an easy way to add character to any room. You could use one to hold everything on your bathroom counter, to store your kids’ small toys or art supplies, or to hold kitchen spices or utensils.

5. Clocks

I’m sure you’ve noticed the huge clock on Joanna’s wall, but small clocks like these add character as well, and are much cheaper. This one was $6 at an outlet store. They are great to add to nightstands and bookshelves to give dimension.

6. Flowers and greenery

Fresh flowers and plants are wonderful, but fake ones can be just as charming. Joanna has several you can order from her website magnoliamarket.com, or you can pick up some at a craft store. Being from Louisiana, the cotton stems are my favorite.

7. Pretty soaps

Watch any episode of “Fixer Upper” and you’ll see a pretty bottle of hand soap at the kitchen sink. For just a few dollars (these were $3 at T.J. Maxx) you can make your kitchen or bathroom look much fancier just by using cute soap.

Of course you can always use french doors, custom furniture, unique light fixtures, sliding barn doors, wooden beams and shiplap to incorporate Joanna’s style into your home, but if you are on a tight budget like myself, these are some inexpensive ideas. Happy decorating!

Thanks y’all!

  – Nikki

If you’re looking for a recipe that is easy and inexpensive, this is NOT it! But please don’t let that scare you away, because this looks and tastes SO good that it is worth it!

I originally found this recipe in a Williams-Sonoma catalog, and adjusted it to fit my family’s taste. Living in Louisiana, this dish is on the menu at just about every restaurant down here, and I’ve tried just about every version of it. This version is BY FAR my favorite!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup white grits, uncooked
• 1 tsp Tabasco sauce
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tbs butter
• 2 tbs flour
• 1/3 cup chicken stock
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 lb bag frozen shrimp, already cooked and peeled, thawed
• 3-4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled with grease reserved
• 1/3 lb sliced mushrooms (I use portabello for the color and taste)
• 1 diced red bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 2 diced plum tomatoes

Make your grits according to the instructions on the package, then stir in 4 tbs butter, both cheeses, and salt and pepper to taste. I think adding both kinds of cheese is what makes this dish taste so good. (And the bacon grease, of course!) Cover to keep warm and set aside.

Pat shrimp dry with paper towels, then toss in a bowl with the flour seasoned with salt, pepper and Tony’s seasoning. Warm 2-3 tbs of the reserved bacon grease in a skillet, then brown the shrimp in the grease. This only takes a minute or two since they are already cooked. Remove shrimp to a plate, then add bell pepper, garlic and mushrooms to the same skillet. (You may have to add another spoonful of bacon grease if the shrimp soaked it up.) Once the vegetables start to become tender, add the shrimp back in, along with the bacon, green onions, tomatoes, chicken stock, lemon juice and Tabasco. Stir everything together and let simmer a few minutes, until everything is heated through, then serve on top of the warm grits.

 This is one of my favorite things to eat, and it is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. It looks so pretty with all of the colors from the vegetables, and tastes just as good as it looks!

 

Love chicken and dumplings, but hate the mess that comes with making them? Then this is the recipe for you! It tastes just as good as the real thing, but no flour all over your kitchen counters and no slaving in the kitchen for hours.

Here is what you’ll need:

• 3-4 cups cooked shredded chicken (I buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it)
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups chicken stock (or broth, whatever you have)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400. Melt the butter in a saucepan or in the microwave and pour into a 13×9 baking dish. Spread the chicken pieces evenly on top of the melted butter.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and milk, with as much salt and pepper as you’d like, then slowly pour over the chicken. You don’t want the chicken mixed in with this flour mixture – you want to layer it as best you can.

In another bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup and chicken stock, and then slowly pour on top. Again, try to layer this as best you can. It won’t come out right if it gets too mixed up.

It should look something like this – mostly liquid. Now bake at 400 for about 45 minutes, or until the top starts to turn golden brown.

When it’s done it will look like this – the flour mixture will turn into the dumpling layer. Let rest a few minutes before serving, to allow it to set up.

This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, and the kids will love it too!

 

Now to the fun part – another GIVEAWAY!

This week I’m giving away a Yeti Rambler with lid and a gift card to Starbucks – two of my favorite things! These cups are awesome – they will keep your coffee hot all day, or keep your cold drinks cold all day. I usually still have ice in mine the next day!

There are two ways to enter:

1. Follow my blog – you have to have a WordPress account to follow, but if you don’t have one already it’s free and takes about 30 seconds to set up.
2. Leave a comment on the blog – again, you have to have a WordPress account to leave a comment. (Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest comments do not count – must be on the actual blog site.)

You will get two entries if you do both. The winner will be picked at random on Thursday, April 7th, and notified by the next day. Good luck!

Thanks y’all!

– Nikki

**Giveaway is closed – Congratulations to winner Jennifer Thompson!**

 

This…is…GOOD. Seriously good. Even the kids love it, which is hard to accomplish.

It isn’t hard to make, but you have to make sure to get the good ingredients, not the cheap stuff. The good ingredients are what makes this common meal taste uncommonly good.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 4-6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• 28 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes (or 2-14 oz cans) – PLEASE don’t disrespect the chicken by buying regular tomatoes! Spring for the fire-roasted ones and you can thank me later!
• 1 small chopped yellow onion
• 2-3 cloves minced garlic
• fresh basil leaves (I think I used 4)
• Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 ball fresh whole-milk mozzarella  – This is another ingredient you need to splurge on. The cheap processed stuff doesn’t melt right and won’t taste as good. It’s in the deli case at my grocery store, not with the regular cheeses.
• 2 eggs, mixed with a little milk for breading purposes
• grated Parmesan cheese
• flour

Coat 2 separate skillets with oil (I used olive oil for veggies and canola oil for chicken) and heat both over medium heat. In the veggie skillet, saute the onion and garlic with a little salt and pepper until they are tender and slightly golden.

While the veggies are going, set up a breading station for the chicken in 3 shallow dishes.

Dish 1 – flour, seasoned with salt and pepper. Dish 2 – egg and milk mixture. Dish 3 – breadcrumbs mixed with a handful of Parmesan cheese. Dredge the chicken breasts IN ORDER in these dishes, then fry in the other skillet you’ve been heating up.

(If you’re nervous about having 2 skillets going at once and having to keep an eye on them both, you can fry the chicken breasts first and transfer them to a warm oven until you’re ready for them.)

While the chicken is going, add the can(s) of fire-roasted tomatoes to the onion and garlic pan, then stir in the chopped basil leaves.

Now it’s time to preheat the oven to 350 and grease a casserole dish. Place the cooked chicken in an even layer in the bottom of the dish, then pour the tomato mixture over the top. Slice the mozzarella ball and place the slices over the chicken pieces.

The mozzarella is a little hard to cut, but it helps if you put it in the freezer a few minutes first to firm it up.

Bake at 350 just until the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes.

If you have too much tomato “sauce”, you can boil some pasta and serve the extra over it as a side dish. And if you have too much mozzarella, you can bread it and fry in the leftover oil for homemade mozzarella sticks.

This is not hard to make, but if you use the fire-roasted tomatoes and the fresh mozzarella, you will impress whoever you’re cooking for! They will think you slaved in the kitchen all day!

Now for the fun part – a GIVEAWAY!!! Up for grabs is (1) my favorite large-size coffee cup (well, not MINE, but a new one just like it), (2) k-cups in 2 different coffee flavors (Southern Bread Pudding and Caramel Truffle Sundae – YUM!), (3) a set of 3 Pioneer Woman dish towels, and (4) a pretty green mason jar that you can use as a vase, a storage container, a drinking glass, or anything else you can think of!

All you have to do to enter is to follow my blog – that’s it! You have to have a WordPress account to follow it, but it’s free and takes about 30 seconds to set one up if you don’t already have one. The winner will be picked at random on March 31 and notified by the next day. Good luck, and thanks for reading!

Thanks y’all!

–  Nikki

**Giveaway is closed – Congratulations to winner Ashley Smith!**

 

What do you do when you’re stuck indoors in a Louisiana flood? Decorate for Easter!

“He is not here, for He has risen!” Matthew 28:6

This time of year my bank account is still trying to catch up from Christmas and BOTH of my kids’ January birthdays, so I have to keep it cheap when decorating my home for Easter. One of my favorite places to go is World Market. I have one about an hour away from my town, but if there isn’t one close to you, not to worry – they have a website: http://www.worldmarket.com.

These giant cardboard eggs come in a set of 3 at World Market, and they are so cute! They also open, so you can put candy in them. I usually use them as a centerpiece on my breakfast table in a basket with some straw, but this year I just set them out on my coffee table.

This cute little bunny dish also came from World Market, and although it is meant to hold eggs, I filled mine with Easter m&m’s, because who wouldn’t rather have m&m’s?!? I cross stitched the “Easter Blessings” picture, and the “Happy Easter” picture was a free printable I found on Pinterest (eighteen25.com). You could also just Google Easter printables and print out any you’d like for free, then just grab a cheap frame from the store.

This lantern stays out year-round at my house, so to make it more festive I filled it with plastic eggs we’ve accumulated over the years.

Everything I decorated with was either free or less than $10, which made my bank account breathe a sigh of relief. Happy Easter everyone, and remember why we celebrate this holiday!

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.” John 11:25-26

Thanks y’all!

– Nikki