Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

October 23, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I got this Easy Taco Soup recipe from my cousin. It’s really easy, and really tasty. I took it to church for a dinner, and everyone that I talked to, that had some, said it was really good. My family loved it!

I love that the majority of the ingredients are from the pantry. I like to cook several pounds of hamburger at one time, and package in meal size bags for the freezer. If you have cooked hamburger already, this is a super easy dump recipe!

Easy Taco Soup Recipe

1 lb hamburger fried and drained

2 16 ounce jars of mild salsa

32 ounces beef broth,

1 can whole corn drained

Tortilla chips

Mexican Cheese

Mix together and simmer 20 minutes.

Serve topped with lightly crushed tortilla chips or nacho chips and Mexican cheese.

Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. Like beans in your taco soup? Add a can of your favorite beans, drained.

Same Kind of Different As Me – Movie Review & Ticket Giveaway

October 12, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

As a mom, I am always on the looking for good movies with a good message to share with my family. I love sharing good movies with you, also. That’s why I have done numerous movie reviews in the past.

This time I am sharing about a movie that I haven’t even seen yet. The Same Kind of Different as Me opens in theaters on October 20, 2017. The Same Kind of Different as me is from Paramount Pictures/ PureFlix. My family and I have loved every PureFlix movie so far. I highly recommend them all. That’s why I am so excited about sharing this new movie with you.

The Same Kind of Different as Me is a drama starring Greg Kinnear, Renée Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou, and Jon Voight. It is rated PG-13, so has a higher rating than most of the movies I recommend for the family. This movie earned it’s rating for thematic elements including some violence and language.

Same Kind of Different as Me

“Nobody can help everybody, but everybody can help somebody.” Words of wisdom from a homeless drifter; words that never would be shared with the world if not for a wayward husband, a forgiving wife, and an unforgettable true story that brought the three of them together.
With more money than they could ever possibly need, Ron and Debbie Hall have everything they could ever want … except for a loving marriage. When Ron’s unfaithfulness is brought to light, Debbie invites him to stay—as long as he remains truthful and does what she asks of him. But when her request includes serving the homeless at an inner-city rescue mission, Ron would prefer to write a large check instead. Guided by her faith and spurred on by the dream of a homeless man she senses will change their city, Debbie befriends a disenfranchised man named Denver. More surprisingly, so does Ron. Despite vast differences, their lives begin to intersect and they all are changed … forever.

Watch the official Same Kind of Different as Me movie trailer:

The Same Kind of Different as Me movie has several themes running through out it: Serving, Marriage, Faith, Unity, Reconciliation, Friendship, Purpose. All great themes for a family movie. It think it’s going to be awesome to see them all together in one movie. Check out this behind the scenes video.

In addition to the trailer, and the behind the scenes video, I was able to watch an exclusive sneak peek of Same Kind of Different as Me. I loved the scene where Debbie took women from the rescue mission back to her hair salon for makeovers. It’s a very touching scene of helping others feel like they are worth something again.

I am really looking forward to going to the theater to see Same Kind of Different as Me with my family.

Same Kind of Different as Me Fandango Movie Ticket Giveaway

I’m excited to be able to offer the chance for one of you to win 2 Fandango Same Kind of Different as Me movie tickets! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Be sure to read the terms and conditions on the form!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” My opinions are my own.

I Quit

October 9, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I quit my new job today. The one I’ve had for 3 weeks. The one I got after having not having worked full time in 32 years.

I went to work to start replacing my husbands income. He has literally become allergic to his work. Literally. So we are trying to figure out ways to replace his income so he can quit his job before he gets any sicker.

I got hired for a second shift work at home job. It has been awful for my family, though. I did not think that it would be that hard on my family. I knew it would be an adjustment for everyone. But it was much, much harder on them than I thought it would be.

I always put my family first. It’s who I am. I can not, and will not sacrifice my family for money. No amount of money is worth putting my family through a hard time.

I asked for a shift change, but I would have had to work two more weeks before being able to ask for a switch, and then there is no guarantee.

So after much prayer, thought, and discussion with my husband, I decided to quit. And, no, my husband did not tell, ask, or force me to quit. It was totally my decision.

I will be going back to work full time when my family situation changes. I.E. when my youngest son graduates high school.

So I quit my job today. And I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Chocolate Marble Loaf Recipe

September 29, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

*The Chocolate Marble Loaf Recipe post contains affiliate links

I’ve been making this Chocolate Marble Loaf recipe longer than I’ve had kids.

And I’ve have kids forever. Ok, I’ve had kids for 37 years, and some days, that’s forever! lol

Anyway, this makes an excellent cake. Very moist and flavorful. No frosting needed.

Chocolate Marble Loaf Recipe

1 3/4 all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2/3 cups milk
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons hot water

Preheat oven to 350* Grease and lightly flour a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Combine flour, baking powder and salt.

In another bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla and bit until fluffy.

Add dry ingredients and milk alternately to butter – sugar mixture. Beating well after each addition.

In another bowl, combine the cocoa, oil, baking soda and 2 tablespoons hot water. Stir in 1/3 of the batter.

Spoon light and dark batters alternately into loaf pan.

Zig Zag spatula through batter.

Bake for 45- 50 minutes or until done. Cool 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

This will make 12 slices, of course that depends on how thick you slice it. This is delicious served warm.

This cake is awesome by it self. Every slice looks different. For a fancier, and even more delicious desert, drizzle with homemade chocolate sauce and top with whipped cream. Too bad I didn’t have either of those on hand today. We just ate it plain, and no one complained. They all wanted seconds.

This recipe makes one loaf. Today, I doubled the recipe, which is why there are two in the pictures. I wrapped one for the freezer.

Now when someone comes over, I can pull out a delicious cake. Just defrost for a few minutes, slice and serve.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

In the Kitchen with Linda

September 25, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Dinners my first week back to work went pretty well. I used the slow cooker a lot. We did get pizza one night over the weekend, though.

Working 12:30 to 9 pm makes getting dinner for the family challenging. I do as much as I can ahead of time. Like today, I made the rice this morning when I put the rest of the meal in the slow cooker. The slow cooker has always been my friend, but now we are tight. BFF’s. lol

I was off Saturday night, so I made a Bacon Wrapped Venison tenderloin, alfredo noodles, and broccoli. Yum! The family was happy.

While I was in the kitchen making that, I did a mini- freezer session. I made one meal of sweet & sour chicken (which I used tonight lol) one pack of Ranch chicken breasts, one pack of plain chicken breasts, and one pack of sliced onions & green peppers.

I need to plan & allot the time this weekend to get some more meals in the freezer.

I’m still open to easy dinner ideas that my family will love! Share with me, please!

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Monday – chicken or turkey – Slow cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken, rice, green beans

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Spaghetti with venison meat sauce

Wednesday – Taco Night- Venison fajitas in the slow cooker

Thursday – pork or venison – Sausage Pasta Skillet Dinner, Broccoli

Friday – venison – Roast with potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker

Saturday – quick & easy- Cookout – hamburgers, potato salad, carrots, celery, chips

Sunday – Leftovers, sandwiches, or make your own

In the Kitchen with Linda – & a Life Update

September 11, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

It seems like forever since I’ve shared an In the Kitchen with Linda post. I have indeed been in the kitchen. My family sees to that. lol

I do cook different during the summer months. So I haven’t spent as much time in the kitchen as I do the other months of the year.

Back in January, I shared What Do I Want My Second Act to Look Like? I recently decided to get back into the work force after not working for 32 years. Oh, I was a consultant for a kitchen wares company a couple of different times. I am currently an ambassador for a health and wellness company, as well as working for this blog and on social media. But it’s been 32 years since I have had a regular, full time, work schedule.

I have accepted a job as a customer service representative. I will be working full time from home answering calls. This is for a legit company that I had to do the same pre-employment checks as if I was working on-site for a company. Drug test, background check, etc. (Yes, I passed both. lol)

It’s going to be an adjustment for my husband and our one remaining under 18, homeschooling, son. I will be working afternoons & evenings. We are still homeschooling. I will still have plenty of time to homeschool him. He mostly works independently anyway.

What does this life update have to do with being in the kitchen?

Well, I now need your help! What are some quick and easy, nutritious meals that my meat and potatoes husband and prefers fast food teenager will like?

I’ve got the meat and potatoes in the slow cooker covered. And the fries and chicken strips in the oven covered. lol

So please share your ideas for meals that can either be made ahead, put in the slow cooker, or would be super easy for my husband & son to put together.

A big thank you for sharing ideas with me!

Say Yes to The Cake!

August 28, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

We humans celebrate with food. Think about it.

Can you name any celebrations that don’t include food? Whether they are religious holidays, community events, birthdays, anniversaries, sporting events, and any manner of parties. Food is not only included, but is an integral part of the celebration.

Say Yes to The Cake!

Let’s focus in on family celebrations for a minute. How many birthdays have we refused to eat the cake? Are our kids going to remember how much fun they had with us or are they going to remember that mom never ate their birthday cake with them?

Yes, of course we need to focus on our health and what we eat. I’m not saying eat cake every day. Just as a celebration with your family. Most hostesses will honor your request for just a small piece of cake. Sometimes, though, we all will run in to a hostess that will give us a large piece of cake anyway.
Here’s my solution. Eat a bite or two. Celebrate. Comment to the hostess, or to your kids, how great the cake is. Then throw the rest of the cake away. We needn’t feel guilty for throwing away something we didn’t ask for.
I recommend celebrating all occasions with your kids. They will be grown and gone before you know it.

Celebrate with them! Have fun!

Say yes to the cake!

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