Chaos Part 1

We have jokingly referred to our current living conditions as chaos.  We are about half way through our renovations and new construction so it is time to share with you what we are doing to our home.

In August we spent the first part of the month getting everything boxed up and out of our house.  When I say everything I mean everything.

Here is my kitchen as we are getting things packed and moved out.

I have to pack up all these dishes.

All of my gadgets.

This is 4 boxes of cookbooks!  You don't realize how much stuff you have until you have to pack.

A couple of weeks later most of the kitchen cabinets are removed, except the cabinet with the sink and dishwasher.  It was nice having the sink and dishwasher for about an extra 3 weeks.

Another view of the kitchen.  Get a good look at that wall because it won't be there for long.  We have big plans for the kitchen.  I can't wait to share them with you.

Our dining room with almost everything removed.  This room will just get a coat of paint and new flooring.

Our master bedroom with most things removed.  This room is getting a big make over. I didn't take a picture of our den with everything removed, but big changes are coming there too.

Our current living conditions are all behind this door.

This is my current kitchen and work area. So there have been lots of crock pot meals and no bake desserts for dinner with the Grobmyers these days. It hasn't been as bad and I had originally thought. I miss baking and being able to cook pasta but other than that it has given me a chance to try new things.

My cooking elf moved to the new kitchen with me.  I really need his help these days.  I found this little elf last October at Hobby Lobby and put him in my kitchen.  It wasn't until we were packing up that people even noticed him.  He is a good elf not like the elf on the shelf.

This is our new media room complete with our TV and Tivo. Can't miss those SEC football games.

And our current bedroom.

And my cubbyhole with computer and TV.

This is the old back of the house.  Big changes are coming back here.

On Tuesday, August 26 the first shovel of dirt was dug.  I remember the date because I was working the City Election and had to rely on pictures from my husband during the day to know what was going on.

I will end this chapter of our story here today.  I will continue the story soon.  I hope you enjoy seeing the changes that are taking place in our life.  This is also a great way for me to document these changes as well.

Slow Cooker Swiss Chicken

Another really simple crock pot recipe that was so good.  I am so glad I have been able to find these really simple, good recipes.  It isn't fun not having a kitchen when you enjoy cooking.  There will be pictures soon of my current cooking space.  Some of you won't believe it. Some of you might say but that is all the room I have now. No matter which you think there are big changes coming for Dinner with the Grobmyers.

It might not be real pretty but it sure was good.

I'm using more of that Miss St cheese today.  Crock pot liners, can't say enough good things about them. Now that I do not have a dish washer cleaning a messy crock pot is not on my list of things to do.

Smooth your liner inside.

Place your chicken in the bottom. The recipe says that they can be frozen or thawed.  I have never put frozen ones in the crockpot because I don't want all that extra juice in my recipe.  You know all that yucky juice that is on the chicken when it thaws.

If you are using block cheese cut your pieces.  You can use sliced Swiss cheese.

Place the cheese on and around the chicken.

Cover with a can of cream of mushroom soup.

Add 1/2- 1 cup of Italian flavored bread crumbs.  I didn't have the Italian bread crumbs so...

I sprinkled some Italian seasonings on top.

Melt 1/2 cup of butter

Pour on top of the chicken.

Cover and cook for 7-8 hours.

I have to share my new plates I found.  I thought they were really cute.  I found them at the Hallmark store.  They also had Auburn ones and I must admit they were pretty cute too for Auburn.  They had the trees that had been rolled on them.

Once again served with some rice and a veggie.

Slow Cooker Swiss Chicken Recipe

boneless skinless chicken breast
slices of Swiss cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2-1 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter

Crock Pot Praline Apple Crisp

It was time to add a little dessert to our meals.  So of course I found another crock pot recipe.  I am surprised how many crock pot desserts there are out there.  I'm not sure about baking a cake in the crock pot and I might try it before it is all over with.  Most recipes you find are cobblers or crisp but that is fine. The only thing missing from this dish tonight was maybe a little vanilla ice cream.

That would look good with some ice cream.  The sweet would have also cut the tartness of the apples too.

That is toffee pieces to go on top.

Start by cutting and coring about 6 Granny Smith apples.  You can peel the apples too.  My husband didn't like the peel being on the apples, so next time I will probably peel them.

Place the apples in the bottom and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Once again the liners are great. 

Start with 1/2 cup oats.  You can use old fashioned or quick.  I think I found the quick first.

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour

Slice 1/2 cup chilled butter

Then add that to the oats.

Cut the butter in.  I couldn't find my pastry cutter and I didn't get it mixed as well as I would have liked. 

Sprinkle on top of the apples.

Chop 1/2 cup pecans. Sprinkle on top of the apples.

This is the toffee chips.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the toffee chips on top. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

It's finished.

Now dig in.

Crock Pot Praline Apple Crisp Recipe

6 Granny Smith apples

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup oats

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup chilled butter

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup toffee bits

Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

Seems like we have eaten a lot of chicken and pork chops lately.  They have been the easiest to put in the crock pot.  I think  you will like this recipe.  I was not able to do one part of it because I do not have a cook top, but I will share with you what you can do to make a thicker gravy.

At least it is a colorful plate.  Basically my cooking consist of crock pot, steamer, and microwave.  It it can't be cooked in one of those things we haven't eaten it.  No baking or pasta for us right now and that has been so hard.

Probably everything you already have in the pantry except maybe the pork gravy packet.

In the bottom of the crock pot, add 2 cups or one small can of chicken broth.

One packet Lipton dry onion soup mix

Dry pork gravy packet

One can cream of chicken soup.  I happened to have the chicken and mushroom and used that.

Now it is ready to be mixed.

Whisk the gravy together.  You don't have to get all the lumps out because most of those will cook out.

Sprinkle the pork chops with garlic powder. I wouldn't add any salt to the chops because the gravy will have enough but you can pepper them.

Add the chops to the gravy.  Cover and cook for 6-8 hours.

They are ready.  In a small saucepan melt about 2 Tablespoons of butter and then add 3 Tablespoons flour.  Whisk until a thick paste forms. Then take about  two cups  gravy out of the crock pot and place in the saucepan.  Stir until thickened.  You can add back to the other gravy in the crock pot.  Now you have a thicker sauce for the pork chops and potatoes.

 The pork chops are so tender they just fall apart.

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

4 pork chops
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 envelope dry pork gravy mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder