Have A Cozy Family Dinner With Marie Callender's Pot Pies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PotPiePlease #CollectiveBias

We had snow here at home in the Seattle area this weekend, something we don't usually get a lot of. With snow comes the cold weather, and my family really loves warm, comforting meals like Marie Callender's Pot Pies. I feel good serving these pot pies because they are delicious, and Marie Callender's taste like homemade.

The holidays are such a busy time for us all, and dinner time can be especially hectic. It's nice to know that all I have to do is pop one of the new family sized chicken pot pies in the oven and we'll have a wholesome family meal.

Marie Callender's pot pies are made with a homemade gravy mixed with vegetables and all white meat chicken in a golden flakey crust that's made from scratch.

Chicken pot pie has always been my favorite comfort food. And I always buy the Marie Callender brand, not just because it's so delicious, but because my connection goes back many years.

Growing up in California, we were lucky enough to have a Marie Callender's restaurant right in our neighborhood. For many years, my family and I ate there at least once a week. Lunch or dinner, a piece of pie and coffee, and we ordered all of our Thanksgiving pies from the restaurant. So many happy memories there.

And I love that I can still have the same great tasting Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pies at home, whenever I want.

The new family size has six servings, which is perfect for us. My grandchildren are notoriously picky eaters, and end up asking for different things to eat for dinner. My daughter and I try to discourage that because we don't want to set up that pattern, and who has time for that anyway?

Fortunately, the kids love this chicken pot pie, so there was no asking for something different. And with the recent snow and cold weather, pot pies are the perfect comfort food to warm us up.

I bought my chicken pot pie at Walmart when I was doing some grocery shopping. I always find the Walmart Bakery so tempting, with all the breads, pies, and other goodies.

I picked up a bag of these Ciabatta Rolls to go with dinner, and they were so good.

My grandson Jayden recently turned eight years old, and his appetite seems to be getting bigger everyday. Just like when my kids were little, it makes me happy to see him eat up a wholesome and yummy dinner.

With all the time we save by serving Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie, we have more time to talk about his day at school, or do homework, or for him to play before dinnertime.

You can find Marie Callender's Family Size Chicken Pot Pie in the freezer section of your local Walmart.

I thought they would be with the regular sized pot pies, but they weren't. They were located in the family meals section, so be sure to look around if you don't easily find them.

I always keep individual pot pies in the freezer at home. Sometimes I'll have one for lunch, or the kids will want them for dinner on a night when their mom and dad have an evening out, and I'm watching them.

With the busy holiday season already here, I'll be picking up more of the family sized pot pies very soon. By having handy meals on hand like Marie Callender's Pot Pies, my family and I can have less stress about getting dinner on the table, and more fun enjoying the holidays together.

You can visit Marie Callender's Meals to learn more about their product, and visit Pot Pies Please for more great recipes. You can also find Marie Callender's on Facebook.

With all the cold weather we are having, do you have a favorite comfort food dinner? Leave me a comment, I would love to know.

Christmas Butter Cookies

Last week I started getting into the Christmas spirit, and decided to make some Christmas cookies. We always had butter cookies during the holidays when I was a kid. I wish that I had my mom's recipe for them, they were always so rich and delicious, and decorated with sprinkles just like these.

This recipe is actually fairly easy, and I think the cookies turn out best when the dough is refrigerated over night. You can add whatever kind of sprinkles you like of course, but the red and green are very festive.

These cookies hold up well if you'd like to give them as a gift, too. That is if you have any left over, which I didn't because my grandchildren thought they were perfect with a glass of milk on a cold afternoon.

I ate my fair share too, because they just tasted so good. For me, Christmas is about food, and treats and sharing them with friends and family. And cookies are so easy to make and give, and who doesn't love receive homemade goodies?

Recipe for Christmas Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

8 ounces unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
2 cups all-purpose flour
Sprinkles for decorating

Directions:

Beat the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.
Mix in the egg yolk until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl at least once,
Add the flour and mix just until incorporated.
Scrape onto a lightly floured board and knead a few times.
Turn onto a sheet of waxed paper and roll into a log, wrap and refrigerate, or over night.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Before baking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice the dough into slices about 1/8-inch thick and place them on the baking sheet. Shake on sprinkles.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges.

Makes approximately 32 cookies.
 

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Do you love a good Twitter Party?  You know we do and we’re excited to host a party that is sure to be fun, talking about our beloved four-legged family members and the new Purina ONE Smartblends dog food!  On Wednesday, December 3rd at 1:00 pm ET, please join us for the #OneSmartDifference Twitter Party where we’ll be discussing the 28-Day Challenge, and giving you a chance to win prizes!

We've had our Boston Terrier/French Bulldog named Chewy for a few years now, and he's brought so much joy to our family. We thought we were a one dog family, but that has changed. We have recently taken in a relative's dog for awhile, as they go though a life transition. This dog is over nine years old, and we want to help him be the healthiest and happiest dog possible. And what dog food we feed him is where it all starts.  We accepted the 28-Day Challenge and started feeding him the Purina ONE Smartblend: Vibrant Maturity 7+ Senior Formula.  Be sure and join me for the #OneSmartDifference Twitter Party where we will be talking all about our dogs and what is important to their health and learn more about the 28-Day Challenge from Purina ONE.

Join me and RSVP for the #OneSmartDifference Twitter Party on SoFabChats!

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TIP:  How to join a Twitter Party – sign in! Before party starts, click on the green “Sign In On Twitter” bar at the top of the page!

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Cooking One Of My Favorite Holiday Party Recipes, Mexican Meatball Soup

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SeasonedGreetings #CollectiveBias

I don't know about you, but I feel like this fall season is going by so quickly. I'm already pulling out some of my favorite holiday party recipes and getting ready to make lots of delicious party food for my friends and family.

One of my all-time favorite recipes is this Mexican Meatball Soup. This soup, along with cheese enchiladas, has become the traditional menu that we make every year for my son-in-law's birthday, which is on Christmas Eve.

My son-in-law, Jacob, has two brothers with birthdays also near Christmas, and so as a child, he never had a birthday party. In our family, my own children always had parties, so when he married my daughter, we started having a birthday party for him every year.

This weekend I decided to make some Mexican Meatball Soup for dinner. It's been so cold, and the thought of this yummy soup simmering on the stove sounded good.

One of the key ingredients to making the soup, especially the meatballs, is Tabasco. It enhances the flavor of all the ingredients, and gives it the perfect kick of spice that makes this soup tastes so delicious.

While I was shopping at Safeway, I picked up three kinds of our favorite Tabasco flavors, Original Red, Chipotle, and Jalapeño. It isn't just a condiment, but adds great flavor to stews, burgers, chili, meatloaf, and more.

The first step in making this soup, is to make the meatballs. I used to fry them, but now I just pop them in the oven for about 12 minutes, and it's so much easier.

To a pound of lean ground beef, add an egg, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, catsup, oregano, and salt and pepper. And for that extra special flavor, add Tabasco. I usually add 3 tablespoons and it's just the right amount. But you can add more or less, to suit your taste buds.

Mix up the meat into 1-inch round balls and pop in the oven. I have a hard time resisting eating a few when they are done, and have to remind myself they are for the soup. They are good!

Chop zucchini, carrots, and onions and put into a Dutch oven or large soup pot. Add garlic. Cook for about 8 minutes , then add salt, pepper and taco seasoning.

The Tabasco and taco seasoning add great flavor to this soup, without making it too spicy. I always use the Original Red flavor when I make this recipe, but I think the Chipotle or Jalapeño flavor would work well, too. I'm a big fan of all the flavors, and so is my family.

After the vegetables have cooked and slightly softened, add the beef broth, a can of corn, a can of diced tomatoes, 1 cup of cooked rice, and the meatballs. Then add 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons Tabasco, and then let the soup simmer for 30 minutes.

I have made this soup with and without the rice, and it's great either way. But the rice does make the soup stretch even further, something I learned one year when we had more birthday party guests than we expected.

And I always have the Tabasco on hand when serving the soup, for those who might want to add more.

I found Tabasco in the condiments and sauces aisle at my local Safeway. They were even on sale, which made me pretty happy because I love saving money when I can.

I really love cooking, especially during the holidays. And I'm always looking for ways to make my recipes taste extra special, and using Tabasco does that.

I'm looking forward to making my Mexican Meatball Soup and enchiladas again this year for my son-in-law's birthday, and having the whole family gathered to celebrate.

What dishes do you serve every year during the holidays and have become a tradition in your house?
Leave me a comment, I would love to know!

Recipe for Mexican Meatball Soup

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup onions, chopped small
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup catsup
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons Tabasco Original Red flavor


2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 small zucchini, peeled and chopped into small cubes
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 cups beef broth
1 15-ounce can tomatoes
1 15-ounce can corn
1 cup cooked rice
2 tablespoons Tabasco
shredded cheddar cheese for top if desired

Directions:

Mix together meatball ingredients in a bowl. Shape meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on an oiled cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes, turning them once after 6 minutes. Set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, heat oil. Add the onion, zucchini, carrots, and garlic. Stir and cook for about 8 minutes, or until vegetables have slightly softened. Add taco seasoning and salt and pepper, stir.
Add beef broth, meatballs, tomatoes, corn, rice, and Tabasco. Stir together, let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
Taste, and add more salt, pepper, or Tabasco if desired.

Top with cheese, if desired.

Makes 6-8 servings.

K'NEX 70 Model Building Set Review and Giveaway

                         I was provided with these products for my review. All opinions are mine alone.

Build anything you can imagine with the 70 Model Building Set! Includes instructions/ideas for 70 unique models using all Classic K'NEX pieces. Build cars, planes, sea creatures, and more. Loaded with over 700 K'NEX rods and connectors! Parts can be stored in the convenient storage treasure chest. Perfect for builders ages 7+. 

Features:

• Includes instructions/ideas for 70 unique models
• 705 Pieces
• Convenient storage treasure chest
• Ages 7+
• Made in the USA

My grandson Jayden is seven years and loves to build things. He has played with K'NEX toys before and enjoyed them.

But he absolutely LOVED playing with this set. I was so amazed by the creative things he made, and  playing with the set really sparked his imagination. He played for two hours straight, and it was so great to see him so involved in using his creativity,

While kids play so many video games today, K'NEX is a wonderful way to inspire kids to use their imaginations in a more authentic way. Your kids will love playing with the K'NEX 70 Building Set, and you will love seeing them have fun with it.

Defeat the zombies and save your brains...on the Pirate Seas! This buildable replica of the Pirate Seas level in Plants vs. Zombies 2 includes special "rumble grid" action - turn on the battery-powered motor to make the zombies move down the rows towards the plants, just like they do in the game! Includes 1 Pirate Zombie figure, 1 Pirate Conehead Zombie figure and 1 Pirate Captain Zombie figure. Battle the zombies with the 2 included plants: shoot coconut ammo from a Coconut Cannon or launch a cabbage with a Cabbage-pult. Easy to follow building instructions included. For ages 7+. 

Features:

• Buildable level from Plants vs. Zombies 2: Pirate Seas
• 3 zombie figures: Pirate, Pirate Conehead, Pirate Captain
• Coconut Cannon with shooting action
• Cabbage-pult with launching action
• Easy to follow building instructions included
• Ages 7+
• Batteries not included

What can I say about seven year old boys and zombies? They love zombies!! My grandson invited a buddy over to play with this the first time we opened it up. They were beyond excited to play with this.

It was easy to put together, and the boys just took off into playing with it with gusto. They especially loved how the battery-operated motor make the zombies move and helps create great ways to fight. It was great to see them using their imaginations to create scenes and dialog for their play.

Plants vs. Zombies is hours of fun for kids, and will keep them entertained while using their imaginations.

Both K'NEX 70 Model Building Set and Plants vs. Zombies would make great Christmas gifts for kids ages 7+, and I highly recommend the K'NEX company as a place to shop for fun, imaginative toys.

You can see all of their products on the K'NEX website, here.

I'm so happy to let you know that K'NEX is giving away one K'NEX 70 Model Building Set to one of our readers. Be sure to enter this giveaway for your chance to win this great toy, just in time for the holidays.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts Nov. 19, 2014 and ends on Dec. 1, 2014 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 72 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize. I was sent a product to review for this post.