Dinner Last Night

Last night Adam's evening appointment cancelled, so he was home at a reasonable hour, and the kids and I were too {since my car overheated, therefore cancelling all evening activities}.  On the upside, it offered us an unexpected free night.  Adam grabbed ingredients and made us Lobster Stuffed Pasta with a Vodka Cream Sauce, which was heavenly!  The best part of all -- every.single member of our family actually ate it!  I would say the kids didn't LOVE it, but they ate it without complaining, so that's a win in my book!  So, In the event you're looking for a new recipe, here it is...

1 package Lobster Ravioli {we get ours from Costco}
12 oz. Pasta Sauce
8 oz. Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 a bunch of fresh Basil {chopped}
3 Shallots {minced}
1/2 c. Vodka
1 tsp. Honey
1 c. Parmesan Cheese {shredded}
Salt & Pepper to taste
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+ Melt butter in saucepan {we used a cast iron skillet}, add shallots, salt & pepper.  Cook until shallots are translucent.

+ Add pasta sauce, bay leaf, basil, and honey to the pan.

+ Bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to low/medium for 20-30 minutes.

+ Remove the bay leaf.

+ Add heavy whipping cream and stir.  Bring the cream back to a low boil.

+ Cook ravioli with instructions on package {ours was 4 minutes after boil}

+Top ravioli with sauce and cheese as desired.  Add basil as a garnish.

*You could also serve this with regular pasta of your choice. 

This & That + my favorite Open-faced Hamburger Recipe

It's been forever since I did a little recap of the week...

True story in Iowa this week!

Did this:
Volunteered at the concessions stand with the kids
Got my hair did!
Kept my niece, Oaklyn, overnight
Watched my niece's last volleyball game
Let the kids each have a friend sleepover
Made Banana Nut Bread
Hosted {not really!} my parents
Took more of our kitchen cupboards down {yay!}
Pitched our screen door {that broke my new outdoor light, sigh}
Took the kids to a Trunk-or-Treat
Ran 10 miles
Sipped Moscow Mules on the deck with Adam
Caught a cold
Edited a senior session
Skipped church
Had family photos taken {!!!}

Instagrammed {@MurdocksMamaBlog} that:

Ate this: {Spoiler alert -- we ate to survive this week since I didn't feel 100%!}

M: Nachos from the concession stand & ice cream after the kids went to bed {true story!}

T: The best Mac & Cheese ever!

W: Adam got home early and made a super yummy cheesy egg, hamburger, & potato scramble!

T: Gas station food on the way to my hair appointment {just killin' in this week}

F: Pizza & Popcorn!
S: Open-faced Hamburgers -- my mama's recipe!
S: Pirates of the Ponderosa {our local marina} for lunch.  The kids ate popcorn for supper and Adam made me Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese
*This week has to be better, right?!  Haha!
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Open-faced hamburgers

1 lb. raw hamburger
1 egg
1 cup shredded cheese
ketchup
seasonings {onion powder, Lawry's seasoning, pepper} to taste

Mix it all together and form into patties.
Put the raw patty on top of a halved english muffin
& bake at 350* until baked to your desire.

Soup Sunday | Cheesy Potato & Hamburger Soup

Soup Sunday | Beef Tips & Rice {super easy!}

My sister in law shared this recipe with me and it's too good not to share!

*This is one of those rare recipes where leftovers are actually better than the day of!

Soup Sunday | Adam's Chili

*freezes so well, but also a crowd favorite so feel free to drop off at your friends' door steps!

Soup Sunday | Cheesy Potato Soup

* This is thick and hearty and pairs well with a big loaf of french bread

Favorite Things Party + Best Chocolate Fondue Recipe Ever!

Last week a few of my favorite gals came over for a Favorite Things party.  We hung out until after midnight, which is unheard of for me!  

If you haven't been to one yet, you basically just invite a few of your favorite people and everyone brings a favorite item {we had a $10 limit}.  Once you know how many people are coming, you have everyone bring that many of their favorite thing.  For example, I brought 5 prayer journals.  Each person went home with 5 of their friends' favorite things!  Super easy and tons of fun!  

One friend was sick and one was traveling, so I'm hoping to throw another party, Happy Hour style, this summer!  If you don't get to catch up with your girls as much as you would like, this is the perfect party for you.  Adam put the kids' down at 7, and the girls came over for fondue and an evening of chatting & sipping wine in lounge wear around the living room -- my perfect night! :) 

Here's the chocolate fondue recipe -- just in time for Valentine's Day! 

My favorite things to dip are Rice Krispy bars, pretzels, marshmallows, fruit, brownie bites, vanilla waffers, graham crackers, but the options are endless!  

Here's our favorite Fondue Pot, if you don't have one yet.  {ps...perfect wedding gift!}

Homemade Lip Scrub :: A Valentine's Gift

It's been so stinking cold in Iowa the past couple of weeks and it's done a number on my skin!  I thought it would be the perfect time to share my lip scrub recipe with you.  Jordyn and I made this and gave it to some of the special mama's {caregivers} in our life for Mother's Day, but it would be the perfect little Valentine's Gift for a teacher, sitter, friends, neighbors, etc. Let me know if you make it -- I would love to see what flavor combinations you use! :)

The scrub above is Pomegranate and here's the recipe...

2 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1/2 cap full of flavoring {found here}

3 drops of food coloring - optional! {I used pink}

*You can use any flavoring you want.

Also, we shared them in these little tins with a handwritten note. 

I use lip scrub about 1x per week and follow it up with chapstick, right before bed. :)