BBQ Chicken Crusted Smoked Cheddar Mac

1 lb mini farfalle pasta (use any pasta of choice)

5 Tablespoons butter
5 Tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
4 Cups milk, I used 2%
5 Cups shredded Tillamook smoked cheddar cheese (you could use any cheddar cheese)

2 Cups shredded BBQ Chicken HERE is the recipe
1 Cup shredded Tillamook smoked cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

2. Melt butter into a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute stirring. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Increase heat to medium high, stir continuously until liquid thickens and comes to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar cheese until smooth then add cooked pasta. Pour mixture into a large baking dish then top evenly with BBQ chicken. Sprinkle with additional cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

3. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and serve.

BBQ Ranch Chicken and Cheddar Pizza Roll-Ups

1 Roll Pillsbury Pizza dough in can (or use other pizza dough of choice)
1/4 Cup prepared ranch dressing
2 Cups prepared shredded BBQ Chicken
1/4 Cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 1/2 Cups shredded smoked cheddar cheese

Ranch Dressing for dipping

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Open can of dough and press into rectangle. Spread or drizzle ranch dressing evenly over dough then top with evenly with chicken, cilantro and cheddar cheese. Starting at long end roll dough into a log shape. Using a sharp knife, cut 1 inch pieces and place onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.

Adventure around Downtown KC

Ashlyn and I had another adventure Downtown Kansas City today. I had the afternoon off work so we headed Downtown to see what kind of trouble a niece/aunt could get themselves into....oops...I mean fun trouble! hehe

We first went to Crown Center...

Then walked "The Link" over to Union Station...

Passing through The Link...

We also saw Liberty Memorial...

Walking through The Link...Ash decided to climb on some of the beams and have a seat. lol

We finally made it outside to Union Station...(yes they have a big dinosaur exhibit here right now lol).


The huge clock outside of Union Station

Inside of Union Station....I LOVE this picture...it looks so old-school...but love it!

So serious...yet so beautiful!

Look at this gorgeous girl!!

I adore this picture!

Made a visit to the Amtrack part of Union Station...

Inside the waiting room...

Still inside the waiting room at Amtrack-Union Station...Love this!!


The ceiling of Union Station....love!

Love this big clock!




Inside Union Station





As we were headed home, we stopped by an old Train Depot and decided to take a few more pics. Surprise, huh? :)




She's so photogenic!

Memory of Mammaw

I have been thinking a lot about my Mammaw Ford this week. Tuesday was her birthday and if she were still with us, she would have been 86! I miss her soo much, its just not the same without her here with us...although I know she is in a much better place. She was such an amazing lady...I wish I could just be half the person she was. I'm so thankful for my heritage. Mammaw, I love you and I miss you sooo much! I can't wait to see you again one day and get that big sweet hug you used to give me all the time! I love you!

My sweet Mammaw sat and read her Bible EVERY morning...I will never forget her sitting in her little recliner chair after she had fixed a big made from scratch breakfast, she would sit there and sip her hot tea while she read God's word. :)

This was an older picture when she was in the hospital right before surgery.

Visiting Mammaw (this was taken several years ago)

Photo Shoot with Ashlyn!

It's been a busy week with my niece here....but we've had a lot of fun! Tonight after work, my niece Ashlyn and I decided to go out and take advantage of the sun being out...so we decided to do a quick photo shoot! I wanted to take her to "the beach" at the Lake by our house...granted its not THE real beach, but hey...it works right?! :) But when we got there the gate was already closed, so maybe we can do that another time. We ended up finding another cool place at the edge of the lake. So, hope you enjoy our results! :) Ashlyn is such a natural at posing for the camera...and not to mention the fact that she is absolutely beautiful!! But I'm a bit partial! ;) I Love You, Ash!!

She looks like a Star!! She's MY Star! :)


I love her beautiful smile!



I love this picture of her!

These next three pictures, I absolutely adore of her! They look so vintage-y! LOVE them!



So apparently she was having more fun than I thought...hehe :)






This is a typical picture of Ashlyn...she is always reading something! :)