Family Friday- Ladies Day with the Mooney Ladies

After years of talking about having a ladies day, we FINALLY did it! They men of the Mooney side have been having a Guys day out for years now, and us women always talked about doing it. But like always, we would always forget or get too busy. Then another guy’s day would happen and it would remind us that we have forgotten once again to plan a ladies day. But this year was different! Alison was on top of it and planned it out. She did an amazing job with giving us many different choices. But, Mother Nature knew that we were trying to plan something, she threw a wrench into our plans and decided for rain to be in the forecast. Since our plans were to be outside, Alison asked Lisa to help out with the plan and change the area to the Sacramento area. Lisa did a great job and gave us lots of options. We picked an Escape room with lunch after. 

So I normally am not the driver in my family, so it took me a bit to find the place. But I found it. As I was parking, Lisa, Auntie Vicki and Jeanette were walking by. Perfect timing! I joined them and we made our way to the Sacramento Escape Room. Alison joined us and we waited to be check in. They like to start all the different teams at the same time so we waited for a few minutes. Fine with me since I was KID FREE! We were trying to escape the Séance Room. 

You have 1 hour to escape.... Seems easy, but it’s not! There were 5 of us, and it took about 30 minutes just to get into the next room. We had a blast working together, and doing something completely out of our normal. We were so close to escaping. We want to do it again! Maybe next time against the guys! I felt that the experience was pretty amazing and so detailed! You get up to 5 clues to help you escape. There is a time clock in the room so you know how much time you have left. I would give it 5 out of 5. 

After our Escape Room, We walked around for a while and looked for a good lunch spot. A hostess at another restaurant recommended this place called The Porch Restaurant and Bar. Just perfect for the 5 of us. We sat outside and the weather was great at the time. We ordered drinks- I had a mimosa. Then we ordered lunch. There were so many great items on the menu. I went with the Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork on top. It was pretty good. By the time lunch was over, the rain has really started to come down. We moved inside to ride out the Storm. We sat inside for at least an hour. 

It was so great to meet up with the ladies and have some girl time. As women, we never make time for ourselves. There is always someone who needs help with something, laundry needs to be done- an actually put away- No my strongest suite, a diaper to be changed, dinner to be made or about a million other things to be done. But we FINALLY made time for us. And it was nice. Rob was off that weekend so he has all 3 kids! I think he was happy for me to go since he knows that I always put myself last. I mean, I did get a few calls from him to see when we would be done, but overall he was great! 

We are already talking about our next Ladies Day plans. I don't think we have to only do it once a year.... Did I hear wine tasting and spa days?!?! 

Until next time! 

Sara;)

Keto Wednesday- Enchilada Soup

Keto Wednesday- Enchilada Soup

I love finding something that my whole family loves and it is Keto friendly at the same time. This Enchilada Soup is a staple in the Barrington household! Everyone loves it and I can easily add side dishes to give everyone else carbs. Plus, its pretty easy to make so I make a big batch so I can take it to work and we can have it again another night.

Here's what you need:
Dutch oven or large pot OR Crock Pot (I'll give directions at the end)
4-6 chicken breasts
4 cans of red mild enchilada sauce (normal size)
7 cups total of chicken broth
1 onion- chopped
salt
pepper
cumin
garlic powder
butter
toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, sliced olives

How to make it:
Take the chicken- thawed or frozen- (I normally use thawed or fresh- it's just faster) and put it the Dutch oven. Pour 1 can of enchilada sauce and 3 cups of chicken broth and cook for about 45 minutes thawed or 2 hours frozen. I like to flip the chicken every 15 minutes to make sure they are cooking evenly.

Cook your chicken

Add 3 cups of chicken broth

Add 1 can of mild red enchilada sauce

After they are cooked, shred chicken. I have to best little secret to easy chicken shredding- use your KITCHEN AID!! I know, it sounds crazy but it's a life saver! Just put the cooked chicken into the Kitchen Aid Bowl and use the paddle on a medium low setting. Don't over do it! You don't want chicken dust.

Once your chicken is shredded,  dump out the sauce you cooked your chicken in and put the chicken back into the pot. Add the other 3 cans of red enchilada sauce and 4 cups of chicken broth. Cook on simmer.

In a different pot, add butter and melt. Add your chopped onion and cook until soft. Once the onions are soft and translucent, add into pot with soup.

At this point, I add salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powder to taste. I don't always measure everything, just go by taste. I normal use a good amount of cumin in the soup.

Let all this simmer for about 30-60 minutes- stirring every 20ish minutes.

When done, laddle into bowl and add toppings. I like sour cream, shredded cheese and sliced black olives. This is usually how my kids want it too. They sometimes will add tortilla chips to dip into their soup. This past time I made white rice and added that in to their bowls before I added in the soup make it hardier. They loved it.

This is my left over lunch at work.

If you want to make in in the Crock Pot, its even easier! If I plan it out well enough, this is the way I like to make it! I add chicken, 3 cans of red mild enchilada sauce, 4 cups chicken broth, chopped onions, salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powder all in and cook for about 8 hours on high. Once done, I pull the chicken out and put into KITCHEN AID and shred chicken. I don't dump out anything, I just put the chicken back in and stir.

Volia! You just made dinner that everyone will love!

Please let me know if you make and how everyone likes it!

Watch out for more Keto recipes from me on Wednesdays! 

Don't forget to help a sister out - Like, Share and comment! 

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Until next time!

Sara ;)

FYI- I don't know the nutrition facts. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

Maker Monday- Mermaids

Maker Monday- Mermaids

This Monday will be all about Mermaids! I love the ocean and everything about it so making ocean inspired crafts was top on my list! I offer a lot of mermaid items my Etsy shop- Sara Nicole Designs

When I do craft shows or shop pop ups, I bring items that are one of a kind and that are not listed in my shop. Many of them are mermaid items life bracelets and necklaces.

Mermaid hair clips set of 3 - pink - purple - teal
$6 for a set of 3
Link to shop:    https://etsy.me/30tE2d1

Mermaid scale earrings 
$5 a pair
Link to shop: http://etsy.me/1U4CFcW
These are perfect for anyone who loves mermaid! Pick from 8 different colors!

Colors available: 
Red
Orange
Yellow
Blue
Dark Purple
Purple
Light Pink
White

Earring base:
Bronze color
Silver color
No Edge

Mermaid sequin bow -baby bow - mermaid baby bow

$8.00

Link to shop: https://tinyurl.com/yymsjpqg

Mermaid sequin headband are perfect for your newborn baby! Comes in 2 colors and headband is 15 inches. The headband doesn't stretch much.

Colors: Pink Sequin Bow
           Purple Sequin Bow

If you are mermaid lover like me, head over to Sara Nicole Designs and check out what I've got! 

Until Next time!

Sara;)

Mother's Day 2019 Recap

Hey Everyone! I had a great Mother's Day this past Sunday. I got to go grocery shopping by myself. I treated myself to a non Keto Starbucks. The kids were mostly good- only a few meltdowns. My mom came over and I made us all dinner. I know what your thinking... "Why were you not being pampered by your Husband?" Well I'm not his mother and he had to leave out of town for a business trip for work. I may be the mother to his kids, but he pampers me many other times during the year, so I'm ok with that.

Before I get into how we spent Mother's Day 2019, I just want to take a minute to talk about the most important woman in my life... my mom. My mother has been an amazing mother to me. She has always been selfless by putting me first. Being a single mother, she had to work extra hard just to provide for us. She didn't get child support from my father, who was never in the picture. And she never complained that she had to do it all. I had everything I ever needed and she did it all! She is such a strong women for that and I am so thankful for everything she did for me! 

My mom walking me down the aisle at my Wedding! Love her!

I wouldn’t be the woman, the mom, the wife I am today without her. She has shown me, my family, and my friends who are like family unconditional love. She is always first to offer help with anything. I am so honored to be her daughter. Thanks Mom! I love you!

Now onto how I spent my Mother’s Day. As a mother with 3 kids, I am always happy to go to the grocery store by myself. Just sippin my coffee while I shop is like a little piece of Heaven to me. So my husband watched the kids while I shopped. He knows if I take the kids, I will forget half of everything on my list. I asked my Mom to come over for dinner. we love spending time with Mom Mom.

For mother's Day, I just got my mom a few little things. Here's what I got her:

I made Salmon, veggies, rice and shrimp kebobs. I baked the Salmon in the oven. I prep my salmon by melting a stick of butter and mixing lemon juice and pouring that on top. Then I top it with lots of minced garlic, salt, pepper and basil. Bake it for 40 minutes at 400. It always turns out great! I took the easy way with the rice and made 
Rice-a-roni. I grilled the zucchini and shrimp kebobs on the grill. The Kebobs were a little too spicy for our liking, but everything else turned out great. 

Even though my 3 kids drive me crazy most days, I am so grateful they are mine. I love watching them grow every day into little independent people. As much as I want them to grow up so they can tell me what hurts, or explain what they mean, I really just want them to stay little. Stay innocent. But they can’t. So I will help them when they need help, I will teach them when they want to learn from me, I will comfort them when they are hurt, and I will hold their hand until they are ready to be free. I will always be there, whenever they need me. I have had many jobs in my life, but the best job is being a mother. I love them today, I’ll love them tomorrow and I’ll love them forever.  

Until next time....

Sara ;)