My best friend

Yesterday, Max and I spent the whole day doing laundry at our friends Grace and Kevin's house, and then we ate dinner and spent some time hanging out with them. It was fantastic. And it made me realize how blessed I am to have a friend like Grace in my life.

I honestly don't have too many people around that I would call friends, and I'm ok with that. But if I didn't have Grace as that one really good friend, I would not be ok with it at all. She goes above and beyond to be a good friend to me, and she is one of few that are accepting of my life as a mom. Sadly, I have lost friends because of differences in lifestyle after Max arrived, but that was definitely not the case with Grace. Even though she and her husband don't have children (yet), she loves Max and loves hanging out with both Max and I, which is good because he is always with me :) Everyone needs a friend like Grace. Seriously.

So, Grace, if you are reading this, thank you so much. For knowing how to install the carseat. For always welcoming our whole family at your house. For always knowing when Maxi B's cupcakes are necessary ;) Thank you thank you thank you for always always being a wonderfully supportive and fantastic friend. I love you!

Oh, and here are pictures, as usual :) #1 is Max with his "Aunt Grace" eating fries at the WFU game we went to a few weeks ago and #2 is Max helping me with the laundry I mentioned above

Chicken Taco Chili

My favorite kind of recipes are the ones you just throw in the crockpot and leave. This is one of those :)

My amazing future sister in law told me about this recipe. I found it online, but changed it up a little...

Ingredients:
2 cans of black beans
1 can of kidney beans
8oz can of tomato sauce
2 cans of Rotel
16oz of frozen corn
1 small onion, chopped (or to taste)
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 packet of taco seasoning
2-3 chicken breasts

Directions:
Put all ingredients EXCEPT for the chicken in the crockpot and mix together. Put the chicken breasts on top. Cook in the crockpot on low for 8 hours or on high for 6 hours. 30 minutes before serving pull chicken out and shred, then put it back in the crockpot for the remainder of the time. Serve with cheese on top and tortilla chips on the side if you like!

So good y'all...enjoy!

French Breakfast Muffins

I don't even think these should be considered a breakfast item. More like a fantastic dessert that you could eat 10 of in one sitting without thinking twice. Seriously. So good.

I found the recipe through foodgawker.com (which, if you haven't already fallen in love with, you should definitely check it out). I added more cinnamon to the topping than it called for because it just because it seemed like too much sugar and not enough cinnamon. I also decided that to just roll the entire muffin in butter then in the cinnamon sugar mixture instead of just putting it on the top. What can I say? I have a major sweet tooth :)

I'm pretty sure there is no possible way you could mess this recipe up if you tried.

PLEASE make these...you will not regret it ;)

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/french-breakfast-muffins/detail.aspx

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Yes, that is a mouth-full of a recipe name. Pun intended :)

I usually burn or under-cook everything I bake, and I also tend to accidentally leave ingredients out. I didn't even own a regular muffin tin until less than a week ago. I am bound and determined, however, to change all of that. Starting with these muffins.

I have never made muffins from scratch before...but after making these delicious beauties I will hesitate to make muffins from a mix again! I found the recipe on Pinterest, and not only is it healthy...the end product is a moist, filling and completely spectacular muffin. You should definitely try it out! Even my hubby, who isn't much of a peanut butter OR banana fan (yes, he is one of the pickiest eaters I know) likes them! I have just been eating them as-is, but they would also be good with a little smear of peanut butter on top. Enjoy!