Spicy Chicken Won Tons & How To Quickly Shred Chicken

Now I don't know about ya'll but in the Parris house WE LOVE OUR SPICES!!! The more flavor and the spicier the BETTER!!! But ya know the store bought items only satisfy for so long... I got to searching and came across these Buffalo Chicken Rolls on Pinterest (the original link for my  creation is listed below the original picture if you'd like to give it a try.) Personally I just do NOT care for Tabasco or regular hot sauce, not sure why just never have. BUT, my husband could LIVE off Tabasco so we decided to give them a try. That day we learned neither of us care for blue cheese!!! Oh well at least we tried right!? The recipe is wonderful just not quite our taste.

http://recipeaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/06/buffalo-chicken-rolls.html

Though I don't care for Tabasco I have grown QUITE fond of Taco Bell Hot Sauce and thought WHY NOT!? OH MY GOODNESS I found a new addiction!!! They're so simple, not too bad for you and GREAT for football finger foods! 

Let's get started!!!

Materials:

- Boneless/Skinless Chicken Tenders

- Your FAVORITE Hot Sauce

- A small container of water and a basting brush

(or you can use your fingers)

- Wonton Wrappers

(You can find these in usually around the produce section.)

- Two pans lined with wire racks

- Cooking Spray

If it's just going to be YOU enjoying these little gems you'll only need a couple of tenders. One tender, depending on the size can fill up four-five wontons.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and start your water. I don't bring mine to a boil first, I just let it all heat together. 

*Little tip: If you'll lay a wooden spoon over the pot whether it be boiling chicken or boiling noodles the wooden spoon will keep the water from boiling over* 

If you've never boiled chicken before what you want to watch for, about five minutes or so in, is the tender turning COMPLETELY WHITE!!! 

Attach the paddle hook in your stand mixer.

Once your chicken is COMPLETELY cooked take it straight from the hot water using TONGS into the mixing bowl, a fork will split the chicken tenders and you'll have to chase the falling pieces around the counter top lol.

Lower the paddle and start out on low and increase if you'd like. You can also leave the mixer on low it'll just take a few extra minutes. THIS IS THE BEST, QUICKEST, SIMPLEST WAY TO SHRED CHICKEN!!! 

As your chicken begins breaking down add the hot sauce until all pieces are fully coated.

*** If you don't have a stand mixer two forks, a bowl and a little patience works just fine too***

Set up your assembly area. The chicken filling, a small container of water with a basting brush(or you can use your fingers), wonton wrappers, two pans lined with wire racks and cooking spray.

Spray both racks thoroughly and set aside.

Lay out the wontons, using your tongs or a fork begin placing small portions of the mixture in the center of each wonton. Careful not to put too much, too much will keep you from closing the wrapper.

(A look at the open wontons.)

Using your basting brush, coat the top two sides of the wonton.

Fold the other side to meet the wet side, press to seal.

Continue the pattern placing each finished one in a 

uniform line on the wire racks.

Once the racks are both full, generously spray the tops of the wontons.

This creates the golden color and crispness.

Cook on 400 degrees for five minutes.

KEEP AN EYE ON THEM EVERYONE'S OVEN COOKS DIFFERENTLY!!!

Flip and repeat to the second side.

The second side may only take a minute or two!

My finished product =)

Spicy Chicken Won tons and Revenge...an off day WELL spent!!!

NO Bake Energy Bites

 We are BACK AT IT!!! Gym, cutting out the bad stuff, learning to add in the good stuff, WATER, WATER, WATER!!! SO many changes to adjust to BUT OH HOW IT WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE END!!!

Pinterest is one of my BEST friends! Yes a website! Have you tried it?! So many inspiring things from quotes to projects and so forth. Today's little recipe is one of the gems I found that I absolutely LOVE! I was hesitant at first but as of tonight I am a believer! I was SO hungry! I ate one of those little bites and was like oh that won't satisfy me I'll have soup(First time having Progresso soup too and OH MY I've found a new love!). But after a couple bites of my soup I had to push it aside couple even finish a can a soup thanks to that little bite! I say WE HAVE A WINNER!

(NO BAKE) Filling Little Energy Bites

- 1/2 cup chocolate chips

- 1/2 cup peanut butter

- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed

- 1/3 cup honey

- 1 cup oatmeal (dry)

- 1 tsp. vanilla

To start my process I started a HALF a pot of coffee lol. Start out mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl and the wet in a separate bowl. Combine the two and stir, stir, stir. With a cookie scooper, scoop a small portion into your palm(trust me you DO NOT want a HUGE ball of this, YOU COULDN'T EAT IT!). Roll the scoop until you have a solid ball. Continue until there is no "dough" left. Total makes about a dozen, minus the one I couldn't wait to try of course lol. VOILA! No Bake, Filling Energy Bites! Enjoy!

Molding Your Interests To Fit YOU!!!

Ahh the alluring seduction of spirits. Growing up no one around me really took part in alcohol. Pawpaw had a couple of friends who made their own wines and would bring as gifts. But, even now I can probably still look under the stove and find those bottles nestled away, just as he left them. Even though I wasn't really exposed to the lifestyle of drinking I was taught the benefits, the downfalls and the consequences of doing so and intrigued. Now before you get the wrong idea NO I do not go out partying and getting drunk! I've NEVER been drunk but I do see no problem in enjoying a drink or three every once in a while lol.

One thing though that I have ALWAYS found beautiful was wine. All aspects the beginning, the creation, the aging process. Just every little part that takes that special little bunch of grapes and transforms them into something that MILLIONS love and cherish but think nothing of the processes that bring them their little bottle of joy, that to me, is AMAZING! Even though I don't have a taste for wine myself, I do partake in the beauty and occasionally give it another try ;) who knows I may grow to love it!

I've bought little wine and vino style decor before but none of it seemed to fit ME! All the stereotypical wine items and the whole "I'm a wino!" "I love wine OH I MUST BE ITALIAN" it just doesn't appeal to me! It's sickening to watch people grasp on to something they THINK is THE way to be! WHY?! Why not take part of something that draws you in and teach it how to mesh in YOUR world! Don't mold yourself around what TV or what your friends tell you is right! 

My family has always been a farming family. We always have a corn field, and a watermelon and cantaloupe patch along with the regular garden of various veggies. Over the years the equipment wears and tears and pieces get left laying around. After Pawpaw passed away I found this rake head laying out by his shop and I knew I HAD to have it!!!

Rustic Wine Rack

Materials:

- The Head of a Rake

- Paint / Clear Coat

- Ribbon

 

I chose to keep the natural worn beauty Nanny and Pawpaw left it with and seal it DIRT AND ALL!!! Now if you're doing this project you can always buy a new rake head or sand and reshape your used one BUT the sentimental aspects of mine are too great to let go!

I placed three brinks to balance the rake on and began with prongs pointing up, coated that side carefully not to drop it in the grass. Spray the other side and let it dry COMPLETELY!!! I let it sit a couple of hours just to be sure!

Now to add a cute little ribbon to hide that ugly little nail and WE'RE done!

However the below picture was taken the day I finished this project and I stupidly hung it where a cabinet door would open and SMASH it fell. Those pretty little thrift store glasses are no more! BUT...

I DID find a permanent and SAFER home for my little heriloom!

Back On The Map...Tackling Tiny Spaces

It's been OVER A WEEK!!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?!?! I have been SUBMERGED in games, movies and work lol. I have been in SUCH a movie and gaming mood lately. I'm telling ya'll by the end of this year I'm going to have seen so many movies and bumped my gamer score up so much it AIN'T EVEN FUNNY! (Gotta show a little of that Alabama raising lol) BUT, I have made time for some crafting and OF COURSE so definite hubby spoiling ;) 

We have MORE than been outgrowing our apartment! So in the mean time of looking for our first HOUSE EEEEEEP!!! I have been going through and cleaning out the no longer useful and making things a WEEEE bit more tiny space friendly.

Last year we searched and searched for a new shower curtain and FELL IN LOVE with this one!

And so began the corresponding decor...

So cozy and comfy! BUT that little white cabinet only holds so much!

So...let the craftiness begin! ;)

I settled on this little wonder(OH HOW I LOVE RUBBER MAID STORAGES)

But White, Black and Random Ugly Colors just WERE NOT an option!!!

I just can't stand the plain look! If they're hidden in a closet sure go for plain and boring(if you can stand it lol) So I decided to try my hand at redoing it.

MATERIALS:

- Paint of Your Choice

- Stencil MAKE SURE IT WILL FIT IN THE SPACE YOU PLAN ON PUTTING THE DESIGN! OR IF YOU'RE GOOD AT FREE HAND GO FOR IT!!!

Line up the stencil and tape in place

(Yes I did use Alabama Duct Tape HATE ON IT HONEY ROLL TIDE!!!)

I didn't use a specific pattern I just randomly painted which colors looked best to me.

Take off the stencil VERY carefully!!!

Replace the stencil, making sure you line it up properly.

Paint the remainder of space available.

Once again CAREFULLY remove the stencil and VOILA!!! 

DONE?! ARE YOU KIDDING NO!!! JUST GETTING STARTED!!! =D

I went all out and continued the painting ...

The Top

The Front, the Sides, the INSIDE!

EVERY little spot you're little heart likes!

And here we have my finished product...for now!!!

Remember it's just paint! Who knows maybe we'll have a redo later on...

Rammer Jammer Roll Tide Wreath

In THIS house we are ALL Alabama ALL the time! Win or Lose we always stand behind our boys! To honor our favorite team I decided to tackle my FIRST! Ribbon Wreath! ...HERE WE GO!!!

So we begin...

MATERIALS:

***ALL RIBBON IS NOT  WIRED***

2 - 2" Thick Rolls of Your Teams Ribbon

2 - 1" Rolls Black Ribbon

2 - Polka Rolls of Ribbon

2 - 1" Rolls of Team Ribbon

1 - 2" Roll of Black Silk Ribbon for Hanging

1 - Pool Noodle (Yes I know it's odd but IT WORKS GREAT FOR CHEAP)

Tape 

AT LEAST TWO Boxes of Straight Pins

I began by cutting off about 10" of the noodle then fold and tape.

Now the OH SO fun task of prepping the ribbon pieces OH THE JOYS!!!

I used the cardboard piece off of the pin box to measure. It came out to about 4" pieces.

Now for the pinning! I tried a couple of different ways BUT I found by laying the piece pretty side down and pinning two pins through one end then folding the other end around to meet the first and secure under the loop works THE BEST.

First I tried randomly pinning ... it didn't work out well! Ninja did get a little interested though! lol

The Collage pinning worked a THOUSAND TIMES BETTER!

Day 2 ... If you would like to tackle this in a few hours GOOD LUCK! It is VERY time consuming!!!

Day 3... ALMOST THERE!!! Now when you have about 6" left of pool noodle visible you can STOP!!! Grab your Silk Ribbon unroll the WHOLE roll. Beginning on the outside and working your way inwards wrap the ribbon around and around until the exposed spot is cover. 

Meet the remainder at the distance above the wreath that works best for your door and tie in a double knot. Then make a bow.

WE'VE FINISHED!!!

Thanks for following. Hope you enjoyed!

Ahh SO Simple Yet SUCH An Impact!

I'm sure we've all been there, you know when you first get your own place and you're still slowly accumulating things you need. WELL, there for the LONGEST I only had a few select knives(Don't get me wrong they were GOOD knives just scare in variety). I was CONSTANTLY washing and REwashing my few knives depending on what all I was preparing and for somethings my few knives just did NOT cut it ;) 

We searched for weeks for a GREAT set for GREAT price. Then BAM we found it! I LOVE the knives but the block...Plain wood with a label ... I. DON'T. THINK. SO! Lord knows I don't like BORING!!!

The Beginning...BLAH

 First to take off that little label. It didn't take much effort just a small straight edge and POP! 

Then a nice thick coat of my FAVORITE Caffe Cream Acrylic Paint

While the paint is still wet I replaced the label. No glue needed the paint adheres fine!

(though I REALLY wanted to do a design or a monogram. CRUSE MY CHICKEN SCRATCH HANDWRITING lol)

Now to just give a quick spray of clear coat to seal it all together!

Wait, Wait, WAIT!!! Until you are SURE it's completely dry! You DO NOT want paint let alone clear con-sealant on your knives!!!

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

DONE!!! 

Now just replace your knives and set it up Pretty Pretty!!! 

***BONUS***

I also did the same with my yard sale coffee cup holder plus so Dollar Tree cups!

GOOD BYE BAG OF BAGGIES...

We ALL know at least one person(admit it you ARE THE person) to have a BAG full of other BAGS in your house! Yeah they're useful for everything from sorting ornaments for storage, to scooping litter, lining trashcans, these little annoying things are great for SO many things! BUT the storage of these things are what's a PAIN! I mean yes I did break down and buy one of those little metal bag holders to secure inside my cabinet in the kitchen but WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE HOUSE?! For awhile I was just stuffing my bags into the cleaning products caddy but it was messy and MORE annoying than the bag of bags.

So, I got to thinking and found that some people were using the sanitary wipes container to hold theirs. I gave it a try and it worked for a while but just stuffing them into the holder was AWFUL! You go to pull one and get THREE WHAT?! So got to researching more OCD ways of storing these things and found how to better store these. Hope you enjoy!

HOW TO ROLL BAGS TO COME OUT LIKE WIPES!

Grab Your Recently Emptied Container and a MessLoad of Bags

(As always my crafting includes a good cup of coffee...and my nosey cat)

Flatten Out A Bag

Fold The Bag In Half

Line Up All Of The Bags. You Need Them To Overlap About 2-3 Inches Every Time With Each "Handles End" Pointing In The Same Direction!

Begin with the "Handles End" and START ROLLING STEADILY

Continue Rolling KEEP THE ROLL STEADY but somewhat LOOSE! Remember it has to fit in the container and be easily pulled out like wipes. 

By Now you SHOULD have something resembling this.

Now you can place the roll in the container.

 Replace the lid. Pull handles from the middle up to the holder and close the Lid

NOW IT'S TIME TO DECORATE!!!

Materials: Mod Podge, One Large Piece of Scrapbook Paper, a Brush and a Marker

Place the container on the scrapbook paper and make a mark. Trim off the extra and sit aside. (You'll need it) Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge around the container and steadily apply the paper. Mod Podge doesn't dry slowly so if it isn't perfect don't worry you can easily slide it around.

PRETTY!!!

Not Pretty BOO!!! This is where the extra piece comes in. Trim the extra piece to fit with empty section.

TADA!!!

NOW all you need is a label! Ignore the chicken scratch! You could always print a label instead!

THAT'S IT!!! Hope ya'll enjoyed!