Got Balls?

I hated the idea of sausage balls as a kid--- and cheese balls too. I mean, who would want to eat a big ole ball of cheese or sausage?  Ugghh...

Well, somewhere along the way, I grew to love all cheeses... and eventually sausage (the hotter the better)--  Yeah, I am thrilled with loving all those calories... but it's the holiday season, right?

I had put it off as long as I could... sausage balls were made tonight.  However, I tried out a new recipe (found on Pinterest- of course, as Dave would say) that uses cream cheese (seriously? the devil you say) in addition to my favorite sharp cheddar cheese- damn you Pinterest!  The cream cheese is quite nice in the recipe and this will continue... next holiday season!

And since I live my life in "Seinfeld" and "SNL" references, I give you my recipe for Schweddy Sausage Balls....

1 lb hot sausage, uncooked
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups Bisquick
4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
cracked black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400
2.  Mix ingredients and form into walnut size balls.  There is simply NO easy way to form these balls-- be prepared to get your hands on those balls- I use foil on my baking sheet to keep the grease from ruining my bakeware!
3.  Bake for 18-21 minutes or until brown. 


Yes, Schweddy Sausage Balls are a Dave fave...even this new recipe--  in fact, I sent him north with a baggie filled when we first began dating... the way to a man's heart is through his tummy!  :)

Makes me wanna bite the nose!

Here is a very cute treat I created for my kiddos at school as a treat for Christmas!  It's super cute and super easy... however, if Dave had known THERE were powdered sugar donuts in the house, they would not have survived!  Alas, he did not know and they survived!

Snowmen

mini donuts
candy corn
black icing gel or chocolate chips


I used cupcake holders to keep this individual-- and
yes, I let Dave have the leftover donuts!  And yes, it's from Pinterest!

I think I have AoADD---

Adult onset Attention Deficit Disorder--- let's face it, I , Belinda Kinder Minnich, get distracted.  I can start a project, move rooms, and take up another entire project.  Then when I return to the other room, it's OH yeah, that's what I was doing- like just now, I got up to get a cup of coffee and ended up finishing rounding up laundry...  Alas, I feel so old and senile half the time, but is it senility or simply a new diagnosis of AoADD.... sounds like a winner to me!  Wonder if I can get a check for 
it?

So long story short.... I forget to blog when I am doing a recipe.  I take the pics to get ready, but then- SQUIRREL! Finally, I remember so here goes...


I LOVE chicken, but it would be the Dave's least favorite meat-  but he does love him some Italian.  I found this recipe and decided it could satisfy us both- and it did.  However, the first time I did the recipe (and followed the directions exactly)the chicken was too dried out and in turn the sauce didn't seem to help! So I the olive oil to the crock pot step!   Decide how much you would like to add or cut back.

Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

2-3 large skinless boneless chicken breasts
2 tbsp.  Italian seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil (or less)
4 tbsp. melted butter
1 small or medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 lb. of spaghetti   

1.  Place chicken pieces in crock pot and sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper over chicken along with 2 tbsp. melted butter and olive oil.  Cook on low 4-6 hours.

2.  Melt 2 tbsp. butter in a saucepan and sauté onion and garlic. Add Cream of Chicken Soup, cream cheese, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth. Add this mixture to crock pot and cook on low for an additional thirty minutes. 

3.  Prepare spaghetti according to package directions.  Add spaghetti to the crockpot.