5.29.2009

Cookin' Schmookin'

I've been rambling on for weeks now about the bliss to behold that is summer. I've chattered about little tan lines on the backsides of the rascals, about sunkissed cheeks, and flip flops out the wazoo.


And today I did something about it.


The rascals and I headed to the water park. And it was summerliscious heaven. And because it was the right thing to do....I took pictures. But, they aren't very good. Because I haven't mastered the art of photog with Rosie.






Aren't they the cutest?


This next picture of me, taken by Sawyer, is not the cutest. By a long shot. But, I'm all about keeping it real....so here is me. In my new swimsuit. Dishing out cash for icees and ice cream sandwiches.




We were there for a couple of hours, and then we packed up our beach towels and goggles and headed for la casa. Because I didn't want Sawyer and me to turn into extra crispy fried chicken on our first day out in the sun.


Providence, I tell ya. Providence.


Because when I opened my front door, I smelled burnt cheese. And instantly remembered that I had set the crockpot before we headed for the pool just 3 hours earlier.


And then I walked to the crockpot and found this.



That would be the remains of this fabulous recipe that looked fool-proof. Obviously not. Me being the fool.


You see, I have all these friends that can cook. They are always raving about their fancy-schmancy new recipes that they have found and going on about their gourmet meals that simmer in their crockpots all ready to eat for when they come home from romps with their children.


So I decided to feed the family something other than mac-n-cheese tonight and branch out. After all, I was romping with the children today, so why not have dinner waiting for us when we returned home. Sounded brilliant.


Tiffani is always going on and on about this website, so since I heart Tiff so much, I thought I'd start there. I found a link for slow cooker recipes and one of the first ones that came up was this recipe for Slow Cooker Dump and Go Cheesy Chicken. The ingredients were family-friendly, and the directions were me-friendly.


So, I dumped in the ingredients, and I went. Just like the name of the dish instructs.


Look at this part:


Cook on High for about 6 hours.


That's right....it says to cook the stuff that I just dumped in the crock pot on HIGH and leave it for 6 HOURS.


So I timed out the whole thing. I turned it on HIGH at around noon, knowing that it SHOULD be ready for us to devour around 6:00. Things were moving along smoothly.


Back to walking in the door from the pool.


After only being gone 3 HOURS.


3 HOURS!


Wait. Did you forget what it looked like? Here's a refresher:



Yes. It's burnt. It's scorched. And it stinks.


I have no idea what went wrong. Maybe I just have a nuclear powered slow cooker. Who knows? I'm not sure why I even try, because Martha Stewart in no way, shape, or form lives here. But what I do know what the family is eating for dinner tonight.....


Mac-N-Cheese.


And the dog gets the cheesy chicken....maybe that's why they call it "Dump and Go."


UPDATE**So the husband is now playing Fire Marshall Bill and banning me from CrockPot Romping. I'm in turn subjecting him to meals of mac-n-cheese for the next eleventy hundred days. Take that, Bill.**

16 comments:

Mich said...

Oh come on...I've eaten your cookin' and you haven't killed me yet!!! That is funny. Foolproof recipe, huh? Truth is your kids are probably happy they are having mac-n-cheese again. Give Tate some bologna to go with it and you are good to go!

Cute bathing suit. Glad you had fun.

really.truly said...

That would happen to me! But, something is not right in river city....I'm so curious to know what went wrong. Please update if you figure it out!!

The pool side pictures....love 'em. You all are so cute. And I love your swimsuit!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That looks...
I'm not going to lie to you.
That looks nasty. I wonder what happened?!
At least you had fun with your boys and Rosie in your cute new suit.

Glo said...

Oh, I am so sorry about your crockpot dinner. I have had something like that happen to me too. It's no fun! As far as cleaning it up....the next time you can get those liners that they have at Wally World for crockpots. I bought some, but haven't used them yet. I am so excited about them.LOL By the way, your kids AND you are cutie patooties!!! Love your swimsuit. Very cute!

Carpool Queen said...

I've never cooked anything on high for 6 hours. I reserve HIGH for when I walk in at 4 and realize I forgot to turn it on in the morning.

This may or may not have happened more than once.

Jennifer said...

Looks like y'all had fun at the water park! Cute suit, btw. Darn that crockpot....you had good intentions!

Jackie said...

The name of the recipe sounds fabulous, enough so that even after seeing your picture, I'm still going to go check it out. :) But I'm thinkin' low might be the way to go with this one....hmmmm.

By the way - you look super cute, and I heart your new swimsuit.

Melissa Stover said...

what a fun day. and it would have been so nice to come home to the smell of supper ready and waiting. sorry it didn't turn out that way.

Jennifer said...

I give you an "A" for effort. At least ya tried...and nothing is better than mac-n-cheese!!

Kids pics are cute as always and your swimsuit is rockin. But you already know that and I'm "pretty"!! LOL!! Love Ya!!

Cathy said...

I would try LOW next time...and the look of that kind of made me throw up a little in my mouth. Just keepin' it real.;)

But you ROCK your new suit! That makes up for it, right?! Super cute...and if it's a skirtini I want to know where and how much...

DOn't think I've told you yet either that Sawyer was one of our TOP TOP names when we were deciding what Lincoln should be called. LOVE.it.

...oh and your boys are adorablicious (what? who says that's not a word?)

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

We will be at the fish fry on Sunday night, so I will get to meet you! Yea...Barb has said nice things about you!

My kids are freaking out since they have not been swimming yet this summer. We have a pool in our back yard, but have to get a new liner put in, so it will be mid-June before it is up and running...I have 2 very impatient kids when it comes to swimming right now! :)

Tiffani said...

yu to the uck!!

so sorry for your misadventure..but don't give up on the website just yet, okay?!

That suit is too cute and just makes me wish like everything I was laying beside you chatting, chatting, chatting and soakin' up the rays!!!

Sarah said...

Delighted to meet you! i just found your site via a friend and am enjoying splashin' around a bit. I love your title and the picture of those boys. As a mommy of two lil' warriors, I understand and rejoice with you. Lookin' forward to getting to know you a bit more.

Hugs from this mommy,
Sarah Dawn

Gretchen said...

But you look mahvelous.

Lori Motl said...

Amber, you rock for being there for Sunshine last night...even if she didn't know you were there...or know you for that matter (we'll have to remedy that soon). I love that you were there cheering her on. The wedding I was at was so sad. Intoxicated groom, angry crying bride. I was really wishing I was at the recital.

I just read this post for the second time. I was laughing even harder!

Unknown said...

great waterpark pictures. Looked like fun!