A Teaspoon of Home

October 7, 2016

Friday Faves: School Musicals, Conference and Baseball

So I have been directing elementary school musicals for almost a decade now. Our cast averages 150 students from grades 3 to 6 and we somehow manage to include every student at the school in the creation of props and scenery. I love watching kids blossom as they try something new and participate in something bigger than themselves.

Rehearsals are in full swing and I have never been more excited or impressed by the talented kids involved. I love seeing the kids become their true selves as they become someone they never thought possible.

This week we loved watching General Conference! Isn’t it amazing how simple yet profound each message is. It’s like you walk away from the biggest pep talk of your life and you go forth to conquer life. I love exposing my children to truth and the spirit that exudes our home because of it, even if they don’t grasp the profoundness of the messages.

We also celebrated the final game in our son’s t-ball season. There is nothing better than to see your children do something that they love! My little slugger loves anything baseball. Sandlot is his favorite show and daily he asks to go to the sandlot/baseball fields next door to hit balls and run the bases.

His favorite part of the whole thing was the big group cheer and of coarse the medal for participating. Sometimes I wish we got more medals in life.

Here are some of this week’s favorite finds:

I have seen this so many times on Pinterest, I decided to give it a try! It tasted as good as it looks and best thing is that I didn’t even need to use the crockpot. I bought a roasted chicken from Costco and shredded it and then just threw everything into a pot. It was so good! Seriously looking forward to an event where I have to bring soup because this will be a WOW!

http://therecipecritic.com/2014/11/slow-cooker-chicken-fajita-soup/

Does anyone else ever search for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe? I swear they are either amazing or hard and ok. I have one go to recipe that is always just how I like them but am constantly looking for something to top it. This will be my next attempt.

http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/02/the-best-soft-and-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Just saying mozzarella stuffed meatballs makes my mouth water. Then add it to a crockpot and you have the most delicious dinner around! Can’t wait to try this recipe for my carnivores.

http://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/2014/10/slow-cooker-mozzarella-stuffed-meatballs.html

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October 5, 2016

Breakfast for Dinner

This is never my first choice for meal preparation, but sometimes you just have to pull it out! Growing up I never had many breakfast dinners. In fact, when my husband says he’ll just eat a bowl of cereal (or three) for dinner I sort of look at him funny. So if you’re going to do it- do it well! This dinner is great because I always have leftovers and my kids and I will eat them for days!

So here is my favorite breakfast for dinner meal! The baguette french toast is so easy, but looks so sophisticated. I often will buy two loaves and save the extras in the freezer to toast for breakfasts. My kids love them and my husband can eat them in one bite.

The hearty hash brown omelette is one of my favorites! It is the perfect blend of flavors and is super filling too. I always have leftovers with this dish and my family loves reheating it for breakfast.

So, if you’re looking to simplify your meal prep, and make something the whole family will love, this is the meal for you!

Menu:

Baguette French Toast

Hearty Hash Brown Omelette

Click here for this week’s shopping list.

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October 4, 2016

Hearty Hash Brown Omelette

Hearty Hash Brown Omelette is the perfect mix of all of your favorite breakfast foods, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon together in one pan.

We’ve all made a breakfast casserole before with eggs, bread, and sausage but does anyone really, really like it? I can’t tell you how many of my friends and family say they have to choke it down. This hearty hash brown omelette is not that type of casserole!

Hearty Hash Brown Omelette

Ingredients

1 lb bacon
4 cups (24-oz bag) shredded frozen hash browns
1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2 c chopped red pepper
12 eggs
1/2 c milk
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
2 c grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

Cook bacon and crumble, set aside.
Brown hash browns, onions, and pepper until golden and underside is crisp.
Put in buttered 9x13 baking dish.
Blend eggs, milk, and seasonings and pour over the top.
Top with cheese and bacon.
Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
Uncover and bake 15 minutes more.
Let stand a few minutes before serving.

https://www.ateaspoonofhome.com/hearty-hash-brown-omelette/

This Hearty Hash Brown Omelette is a mix of everything about breakfast that you love! It is simple to make and feeds an army, literally. I love making this dish for blessing open houses because I can prepare it ahead of time and toss it in the oven. It is also a great dinner option because my children not only eat it for dinner, but devour it for breakfast too. Plus it tastes just as good heated up as it does fresh from the oven.

Give it a try-it will be added to your favorites in no time flat!

Click here for this week’s menu and shopping list.

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October 3, 2016

Baguette French Toast

Baguette French Toast is a sophisticated twist on a traditional breakfast food.

I was shocked when I saw this simple fun twist to a basic breakfast food. I’m always looking for fun ways to feed my family and sometimes it helps to make it a little fancy. This baguette French toast is a perfect switch up in your regular meal planning.

Baguette French Toast

Ingredients

1 baguette
4 eggs
1/2 c milk
1 T cinnamon
1 t vanilla

Instructions

Slice the baguette into 1/2-1 inch pieces.
Beat the egg mixture together.
Coat each side of the bread in the egg mixture.
Cook on medium heat and flip.
Serve with powdered sugar, berries, and cream.

https://www.ateaspoonofhome.com/baguette-french-toast/

I love how simple it is to make and how much my little family loves it! Sometimes I’ll buy two baguettes and freeze what we don’t eat because my kids love eating it for breakfast too.

My only advice is don’t wait too long to make it after buying the baguettes because they only stay soft for a day, maybe two. Last time I purchased baguettes for French toast I waited too long and had to saw through the bread which immediately crumbled. We made the most of it and took it to the duck park to share with our feathered friends but had to stomp on it to break it into smaller pieces.

I love decorating them with powdered sugar and fresh berries but you could be so creative and your family will think you are the best! So change up your dinner routine and add a little breakfast to the menu. I love this meal because I always have breakfast for the following day/days to come.

Give them a try! You will love this easy addition to your meal planning.

Click here for this week’s menu and shopping list.

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September 30, 2016

Friday Faves: Meet A Teaspoon of Home

Friday Faves: Meet A Teaspoon of Home, preschool, campaigning and the circus.

So I’ve decided to add an extra post on Friday’s. This will introduce you a bit to my little life and family, as well as share some great new recipe finds. I hope it will be a way for me to connect with my readers and serve as a little journal.

So my name is Emily Dunnigan and I am A Teaspoon of Home. I am a mother of two busy kids, a one year old and a three year old and love being at home creating memories with them. I was lucky enough to meet my amazing husband almost four years ago. We were set up and fell fast in love. He is the best decision I ever made and I am reminded of that on a daily basis; as he takes such great care of me and my babies.

I waited a long time to meet Mr. Right and so for the decade that I was searching for him I hosted weekly/monthly crepe parties and oodles of dinners and other events. I found that I was happiest when I could create things for others to enjoy. Since becoming a mom I try to do the same for my family. So I decided to create just that, a resource for meal making.

Weekly highlights:

*Sending my 3 year old to preschool for 6 hours this week without tears (from mom or son). I am loving his excitement to learn and be engaged. Plus I am moving mountains, well cleaning floors, ironing, laundry and many other things that haven’t been done in too long.