Sex on the Beach Jell-O Shots!

*Disclaimer: I started this post in June but never published it, so ignore the summer gushing!*

Summer is finally here! What better to celebrate with than some delectably wiggly and jiggly Jell-O shots?! If you love Sex on the Beach, you're gonna adore these shots! The recipe is perfect for your next little beach party or backyard cookout with friends.

What You'll Need:

Orange Jell-O mix, cranberry Jell-O mix, boiling water, vodka, peach schnapps

In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together orange and cranberry Jell-O mixes

Stir in boiling water; stir until mixes dissolve

Stir in vodka and peach schnapps

Transfer liquid to small cups... be sure to continuously stir mixture in bowl between pours, as the alcohol will settle and your last shots will be suuuuuuper strong!

Refrigerate until solid!

Ingredients:

• 3oz orange Jell-O
• 3oz cranberry Jell-O
• 12oz boiling water
• 6oz vodka
• 6oz peach schnapps

Directions:

1. Combine orange and cranberry Jell-O mixes in microwave-safe bowl
2. Stir in boiling water until Jell-O dissolves
3. Stir in vodka and peach schnapps
4. Transfer liquid to small cups; be sure to continuously stir so that the alcohol doesn't concentrate at the bottom, causing way too strong shots at the end
5. Chill until solid

For those new to Jell-O shots, the easiest way to cleanly remove the shot from the cup is to wedge your tongue between the Jell-O and the wall of the cup, twist the cup so your tongue pulls all the sides away, then it should easily come out into your mouth!

Canoeing Adventures in Grayling

Last weekend our canoe ended up in more trees than I can count on both hands. I was in front and can’t tell you how tangled I got. We repeatedly made the mistake of paddling even harder whenever it looked like we were going to run into something, trying to right ourselves, when it actually just pushed us into the obstacles at a faster rate, thus shoving me deep into tree after tree after tree. I had all sorts of leaves and bark and branches down my bathing suit, my floppy hat was whisked off by branches numerous times, and at one point even Michael took some branches to the face.

After canoeing, at the Ogemaw County fair monster truck mud bogs

He’d get mad because as we swiftly headed toward another tree, I would resign to our fate and duck to protect myself rather than try to prevent what was about to happen. But each time, I knew there was no stopping us! Then we’re sideways in the river, trying to straighten out, suddenly floating backwards, etc. It was a mess. As funny as it was, we were both getting frustrated, but managed to keep our cool with each other. I kept telling him I love him so that when my directions unintentionally came out a little bossy, he wouldn't think I was getting mad at him.

With open arms, we welcomed the break about halfway through the trip. We all pulled up to a picnic area on shore and had some snacks while we chilled for a bit. It must have been good for us because Michael and I were the first pushed off from shore, and unlike the first leg of the trip, we were in front the entire time and even managed to leave everyone else in our wake! Where before we were second-to-last so that Nic and Tonya (last) could help us out of trees and off of logs, this time we cruised down the river with precision, leaving Mom and Dad, Nic and Tonya, and Lucie in her kayak all behind.

We managed to master the art of turning by inserting the paddle into the water and pushing backward, which also helped in slowing down when we started to head in a direction we wanted to avoid. Our only blunder during the entire second leg was when we came to the end of the trip and wanted to row up to shore. There were several kayaks on shore, blocking our way, so we ended up going a little further than we wanted and I had to hop out and try to pull the canoe slightly up-stream. Then we sat and waited a good TEN MINUTES for everyone else to arrive – that’s how smoothly things went!

It was great fun and quite the adventure, but Michael and I decided that next time we’ll take kayaks!

Beer Crockpot Chicken

Got a cookout to go to? Then I've got a recipe that's sure to find a cozy place in the hearts of all of your friends! Guests at our event just raaaaaved about how moist and delicious these drumsticks were! The meat was literally falling off the bone. I made two crockpots full (double recipe) and didn't have a single piece of chicken left over!

Play around a little bit - try it with different pieces of chicken, different beers, different spices. It's up to you! Here's what I did...

What You'll Need:

Chicken, can of beer, garlic powder, basil, paprika, black pepper, kosher salt

Pour beer and spices into crockpot

Place chicken in crockpot (meat down if you're making drumsticks)

Sloooooooow cook

Mmm mmm mmm! Can you believe my dad eats all that and stays thin??

Ingredients:

• 4-6 chicken breasts or 7-9 drumsticks
• 1 can of beer of your choice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

1. Pour beer and spices into crockpot
2. Place chicken in crockpot (meat down if making drumsticks)
3. If frozen, cook on high 4-5 hours or low 8-10 hours
4. If fresh, cook on high 3-4 hours or low 7-8 hours

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Oh boy, do I love these! They're like baked potatoes with a little bit of crispiness, and the perfect side to almost any meal. And if you use the spices I do, I'm not lying when I say they taste quite a bit like potato wedges from KFC!

What You'll Need:

Potatoes (any kind/size will do), garlic salt, pepper, dill, olive oil

Scrub your potatoes (leave skin on) and boil them until they're very tender when pierced with a fork

Spread a thin layer of olive oil on baking sheet

Place potatoes on baking sheet and smash with potato masher/glass/etc

Not too flat - you want them to have a little bulk to 'em!

Drizzle a little olive oil on each potato and spread it around with a pastry/kitchen brush

Sprinkle with garlic salt, pepper, and dill

Pop in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes at 425°

Tadaaaaaa! I can't believe it, but I think I love these more than mashed potatoes!

We enjoyed with Parmesan Crusted Chicken (recipe coming soon!) and a dollop of sour cream!

Ingredients (all are subjective depending on amount you need and taste you want):

• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic salt
• Pepper
• Dill

Directions:

1. Scrub potatoes, leaving skin on
2. Boil until very tender
3. Line baking sheet with foil and drizzle olive oil; coat sheet
4. Place potatoes on baking sheet and smash with a spatula or bottom of glass (not too flat!)
5. Drizzle with olive oil; spread with pastry brush
6. Sprinkle pepper, garlic salt, and dill on each potato
7. Bake for 20 minutes at 425° or until crispy on the bottom

Easy Weeknight Grilled Chicken & Garlic Spaghetti

This quick little recipe was put together by Yours Truly, and is perfect if you're looking for a good, week-night meal that doesn't take all evening to make. I used Tyson® Grilled & Ready chicken breast strips, which are the ultimate time-saver in this recipe. No defrosting, no nothing! The most time-consuming part of the whole recipe is waiting for the water to boil!

I was fortunate to have all of the ingredients in my kitchen already, which is how I came up with the recipe. You know those nights - tired, hungry, close to pay day so funds are a bit low. You go looking through all of your cupboards trying to find stuff that'll go good together. It's true what they say - necessity is the mother of invention!

What You'll Need:

Spaghetti noodles (we use whole grain), tomato sauce, Tyson® Grilled & Ready chicken breast strips, minced garlic, vegetable oil, water (not pictured - ignore the messy counter!)

Start by defrosting/warming up your chicken in a skillet over medium heat

While that's going, get your noodles a-cookin' and let them boil until they're aaaalmost done

Once the chicken has started to brown, remove it from the skillet and set aside

Drain your noodles and put them in the skillet with the vegetable oil and garlic

Stir until coated evenly

Cook 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat

Stir in tomato sauce and water

Cover

Reduce to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes

Stir in chicken

Increase heat to medium

Cover and cook for about 3 minutes

I added a little parmesan to mine, and enjoyed it with a glass of wine!

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti noodles (how much depends on your sauce:noodle preference)
• 1 can tomato sauce
• Tyson® Grilled & Ready chicken breast strips (amount is up to you)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 3 tsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Boil water for noodles; boil noodles about 5 minutes
2. Defrost/warm up chicken in a skillet over medium heat
3. Once chicken has started to brown, remove it from the skillet and set aside
4. Drain noodles; put into skillet with vegetable oil and garlic; stir until coated evenly
5. Cook 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat
6. Stir in tomato sauce and water; cover
7. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 10 minutes
8. Stir in chicken
9. Increase heat to medium; cover
10. Cook for about 3 minutes

Wheek! Wheek!

I know, I know - I've been seriously slacking here! Time sure flies when you're having fun! Life here in Old Ypsi has been busy, busy, busy, and Spring has only just sprung.

Big news in the Clayton-Olsson household: We're parents! To furbabies, of course ;) On March 15th we brought Lemmiwinks (sometimes Lemmy or Winksy) home, and then on May 4th we adopted Charlie.

Sharing a snuggle sack

Aren't they absolutely PRECIOUS?! If you've never had a guinea pig, I highly recommend them! We can't have dogs here so that's what led us to our decision to get pigs, and I don't regret it one bit. My obsession with dogs has even been curbed quite a bit.

Piggies are so funny, social, loving, and snuggly! And you don't have to take them out to potty! They're very low maintenance (especially if you use fleece bedding) and aren't odorous like some other small mammals. They're just to die for. Mike and I were both new to the guinea pig world and now we're so hooked on our little guys. They bring so much joy to our home and lives every single day.

I've been researching like crazy since before we brought Lemmy home and you wouldn't believe how cavy savvy I've become. I'm a crazy piggy lady!!

Chicken Parmesan Casserole from EmilyBites.com

This lovely recipe is a wonderful adaptation by EmilyBites.com. The original recipe is from Food.com, but I like Emily's much better! And it's only 8 Weight Watchers+ points per serving! I highly recommend checking out EmilyBites.com for more great, healthier recipes that don't skimp on the flavor!

EmilyBites.com

• 2 lbs raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ t crushed red pepper flakes (or more to taste if you want it hot)
• ¼ cup fresh basil, finely chopped (I used the kind from the spice aisle as that was what I had on hand)
• 2 cups marinara/pasta sauce
• 1 ½ cups 2% reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, divided (I used the kind from the shaker lol)
• 3.5 oz garlic croutons, roughly crushed, leaving some larger pieces

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Spread the cubed pieces of chicken across the bottom of the baking dish in a single layer.
3. Sprinkle the minced garlic, red pepper flakes and basil evenly over the chicken.
4. Spread the sauce evenly across the top.
5. On top of the sauce layer, sprinkle ¾ cup of the Mozzarella and one ounce of the Parmesan evenly across the dish.
6. Sprinkle the crushed croutons across the top and follow with the remaining cheese.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Sooooo simple! The only thing I'd do differently is actually put the cubed pieces of raw chicken in a bowl, sprinkle the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and basil, then mix it all together. That'll coat the chicken with the spices a lot better, for me at least.

And I love how the croutons give your bites that delicious taste of having used breaded chicken, without the calories!

Re-Energized!

I know I've been pretty aloof an inattentive lately. I have been cooking, I just really haven't been taking the time to photograph the recipes I've tried or getting on the computer at home. But with the recent popularity of some of my recipes, that's all going to change! I'm back!

So! While I'm working on some deliciously simple recipes to share with all of you, check out what I've been doing while I was away - I got an Etsy shop up and running! I only have two items listed, but hopefully I'll find the time to get the ball rolling a little faster very soon! Check it out here!

Post-It Note Stands:

Silver and gray quatrefoil with purple flower

Color burst with orange flower

Stay tuned............