To be honest, I’m a bit numb from everything. God is still good! So, so good!!! But, if I pay too much attention to this crazy world, I get overwhelmed and confused, and scared.. and well, it’s still ALL of the emotions. So, I started asking what can I do with all of these feels? If you feel like me in the beginning of this new year, stick around we are going to talk about Planning for emergencies and it’s not as difficult as you think. But, first a little bit more about why I”m focusing on this right now.
Have you been struggling with your thankfulness list this Thanksgiving?
If so, I want you to know, you are not alone! I know in my heart that I have so much to be thankful for. I know that I am blessed And God is still good. But, geez, 2020! right?
I’ve been a bit melancholy about the whole thankfulness topic. Which really isn’t like me. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Holidays and practices. But, it’s been tuff for me to process all of what 2020 has been like. How about you?
It’s a lot. But, then, I saw this ornament from bykyleighrose on Etsy. And I just couldn’t get this statement out of my mind!
The long-awaited moment has arrived, to finally share my Instant Pot Creamy Mac N Cheese with you all!
Sharing this recipe has been on my list for a while. I’ve made this Instant Pot Creamy Mac N Cheese a hundred times. And released the recipe as a class-exclusive when I was hosting in-person Instant Pot instruction classes. But, I can’t keep it a secret any longer 🙂
This Instant Pot Creamy Mac N Cheese is a favorite. Not just for our boys (even my husband loves it) our friends and their kids, but for those I’ve shared this recipe with already… I’m being told it has quickly become a favorite go-to meal for them as well!
So, I just needed to share it with you all!
This Instant Pot Creamy Mac N Cheese is all the things Mac and Cheese NEEDS to be! And trust me, you are going to want to make this!
It’s creamy!! and it’s the perfect amount of gooey- goodness, So simple to make and we ALWAYS have the ingredients in our pantry and fridge for any time we need to make it.
Whenever we have extra kids for a play date, or if my husband and I want to make something special that maybe the boys don’t like, or on a date night (man, those are rare these days) when I need to make something for the boys to eat before we leave… guaranteed it’s going to be Instant Pot Creamy Mac N Cheese on the menu! 🙂
I also, keep this recipe in mind whenever I need an extra side to a meal I’m making.. like when my husband decides to BBQ and I didn’t really have a plan… It’s Mac N Cheese to the rescue 🙂
so, without further ado.. here you go!
Instant Pot Mac N Cheese
all you will need is: 1 lb Macaroni Noodles 4 cups Water 1 tsp Dried Mustard 1 tsp Salt (more to taste)
half a stick of butter 2 cups of shredded cheese ( or more to taste, who measures cheese??!!) 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream or half and half
Dump noodles, water, mustard, and salt into the pot, stir together. Place lid on Instant Pot, make sure the valve is set to seal. Select manual ( or pressure cook) for 4 minutes
After cooking is done, let the pot naturally release pressure for a few minutes, then open the valve, if it starts to spray water, close the valve and let it sit for a couple more minutes.
once opened, stir the butter, cheese, and cream into noodles, and serve!
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This Creamy Mac N Cheese will surely become a go-to meal for you in your house. It's creamy, gooey, and oh so simple to make! enjoy! ~ Loveandscribbles.com
pour noodles, water, mustard, and salt in the liner of your instant pot. Stir and place on the lid. Make sure the valve is set to SEAL.
Press the button that says either manual or pressure cook and set to 4 minutes the pot will heat up (about 15 minutes or so) then cook for the 4 minutes. Allow Pressure to Release manually for at least 5 minutes. (water could spurt out of the valve if you release to soon. be careful) Once you release all pressure, open the lid, mix in butter, milk, and cheese and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
I really hope you enjoy this recipe! It is very much loved around this home and with our friends and family! Perhaps it will become a favorite in your home as well.
For other recipes please check out our recipes at loveandscribbles.com
It has been months since I have written anything…. I want to post more recipes, and ideas, and tips, and all the things… and EVERY time I sit down to do so, I can’t. Or won’t.
So, today, I am just going to post something.
I know everyone is talking about this year.. and how crazy it is and all the things. You probably don’t need another person talking about it. But, this is where we need to begin.
How are you all doing in 2020? It’s August already, almost halfway through actually!?! My heart and head feel stuck processing April still. and yet here we are pressing on.
I pray you have felt the Lord’s blessing, even in the midst of the unknown, and unchartered territory. HE is still good and faithful.
It’s also ok to feel overwhelmed and unsure. I don’t think the Lord would expect any different from us. He knows we are only human after all.
I would like to say, I’ll be back to share what this blog Is meant for soon. And I will certainly be trying to.
We are prepping for school right now, to start in just about 2 weeks. I always get myself a little buried under all the prep and organizing. I’d love to share some new things we are trying this year. I think we may have found some things that will be really helpful. wether you find yourself homeschooling, charter, or distance learning perhaps we can share ideas that can help us all!
We always tweak things a bit, to find what will work for us each year!
I have lots of recipes in the posting process. And hope to push them out to you all very soon.
For now, I just wanted to get “back in the saddle” sort of speak.
So, know that I’m praying for your families and am filled with Hope despite all things around us.
Here’s a list of Easy Easter Ideas at home for our families this year!
April doesn’ look like anything any of us had hoped for or planned on….
I know lots of us are super bummed… I have no problem admitting that this has been hard for me. One thing I’m determined to do, is to still make Easter special for our family.
I know it won’t look the same, there won’t be new outfits and fancy church services, Family BBqs or giant egg hunts BUT there are some pretty fantastic and creative ways to still celebrate the season and remember Jesus!
One thing that hasn’t changed (maybe the only thing) is that God loved us so much that HE gave HIS only Son Jesus so that anyone who believes would have Eternal Life! AND not only did HE die for our sins, He conquered death and the grave and gave us NEW RESURRECTED LIFE when he rose from the grave!!!
And THAT will always be a reason to celebrate!!!
I thought I’d share some Easy Easter Ideas
I’ve gathered a list, some we do every year, most are ideas I’m possibly trying this year. And most of them have been found on Pinterest. (I”ll share the original pin where I can)
Some of these links are a part of my affiliate with Amazon.com. Thank you for supporting Loveandscribbles by shopping through them!
The other day I came on social media and I said that if anything going on these crazy days has made you curious about natural remedies or hand made products for cleaning and such… that I would love to share with you. And I mentioned that my passion for these things has grown in recent years and it’s true. On my Website Loveandscribbles.com you can find tutorials for our homemade foaming soap and our natural laundry detergent. And it is also true that I love to share what I’ve learned about plants and whole foods and essential oils that can help with soooo many things!
But ever since I posted that story on Instagram I’ve been thinking about what I didn’t say! THis world is a crazy crazy place and right now, it’s sort of showing the truth of that in ways we have never seen before.
And whether you are scared of catching a virus or what overreacting people can do to others. If your concern is in germs or in government over- reach. Either way… there is something that I am more passionate about than any of these other things. And I’m sorry I failed to mention it before.
With the world around us changing drastically moment to moment. With Media hype and school closures and empty store shelves. What you really need (more than extra TP) is to know that JESUS LOVES YOU!
If you are scared, that’s ok! If you are nervous or even mad and just want to feel secure again.. I get that. Here’s the thing. Jesus has never failed and he never will!
When I am being truly honest, I have to admit that I’m a little nervous. We live in a crazy time right now and I don’t know what the future holds. But, I cannot even imagine going through all of this without knowing Jesus’ love for me and my family!
So, I wanted to write this to YOU. In case you don’t know the peace that Jesus can give you in the midst of this storm. Yes, I’ll share my recipe for germ killing hand soap, and I’ll even share the tp we have, if you need it… But Above all you have to know my Saviour! And I hope that if you don’t know HIM you would reach out and let’s talk about Him.
Last week in Awana, we talked to the 3rd – 5th graders about the gift of JOY that Jesus gives us. And we talked about how that doesn’t mean we walk around with a plastered fake smile on our face reciting “everything’s OK” it means that even when things are wrong… Jesus’ joy is there for us. Confidence in knowing HE holds our future.
The boys learned last year in VBS that even “when life is crazy, God IS GOOD!” and when “Life changes, GOD IS GOOD!”
And for my sisters and brothers in Christ, I pray you seek out ways to show Christ’s love to those around you. That you remember that your HOPE is secure in Christ and HE has a plan! And it’s ok to be nervous or concerned but FEAR doesn’t come from Christ. Use the love and sound mind HE gave us to think of others and provide for our families.
Praying for you all as I write this. I’m praying that instead of sitting in fear and dread you will find the One who loves you more than anything!! He gave HIS life for you and HE’s got all of us in HIS hand!
Praying you all have everything you truly need and that anything you have extra.. You will share with a neighbor. Praying for protection. Pray for our country and leaders. That they only have the power that God has given to them and use it for good and not evil.
I LOVE New Years. I know that there isn’t any magic to the changing of the calender year. But there is something so refreshing about looking ahead. and even with putting things away that are behind us!
It is easy for me to write lists, goals, plans, hopes for the new year. It is exciting to me.
I like to write out goals for each one of the kids as well as personal ones for me, and even some goals for Ryan and myself too.
We will be adding things like project we would like to do around our home. And even adventures we hope to have as a family.
If you are like me, then you don’t find it hard to quickly come up with a long list of things you would like to change or at the very least improve in the new year.
But the other day I was flipping through a Real Simple Magazine and came across this picture. It’s the title of an article (and honestly I can’t remember what the article actually said.) The title is what stopped me in my tracks.
The tag line said, “It’s the time of year to take stock of what you’re already doing right. “
Wow! In the midst of all the plans, goals, and changes… why not stop and think about the things that DON’T need changing.
Here’s my list of things that don’t need to change in 2020
1.We have been more intentional about more fun family time this year. The boys’ ages help with this being more enjoyable for everyone. We have all loved the evenings of playing video games altogether. Movie nights, watching football while eating nachos, board games.
Please note all of these are activities enjoyed in our home and cost little to no money!! comfy, no pressure, cheap, and a blast!! We will for sure continue these things in the new year.
2. Bread making!! Bread making was a goal I set for my self for 2019 and I have accomplished it! I make 99% of the bread products we eat now. And I love Baking bread! I have found it to be therapeutic, a creative outlet, and just plain delicious.
3. Homeschool. I have always struggled to say I enjoy homeschooling. My confidence in being able to teach and my doubts about if it’s really the best choice for us have been stumbling blocks for me. But I am leaving 2019 knowing that it’s what works for us!!! And in fact, I have found a way to enjoy it, would even miss it, if we were to stop!!! That’s a huge realization for me. Now, this doesn’ t mean it’s easy… and there are still lots of tuff days trying to work well together but it’s a calling I feel willing to claim and will carry it proudly into 2020. And I also hope to share more of that journey here on loveandscribbles.
4. Instant pot classes. I’m so glad I started hosting Instant Pot classes. It’s a wonderful time. Just talking about my favorite appliance, demonstrating some of my recipes, and helping people! I’m looking forward to scheduling more in 2020. Let me know if you have a ministry or group that would love to have a class in our area!
5. Relationships! I am glad for every relationship I’ve invested in this past year. Not once do I regret a time of connecting with someone. The thing about friendship and general kindness is this: The more you try to bless someone else,(with that being your honest intention) the more of a blessing you end up getting yourself in return. It’s a win-win really. I go into 2020 with hope for connections and community, for our whole family!
** 1 Bonus thing I’d like to add to this list.
6. I love having this space here on loveandscribbles. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to share things like recipes and tips. Instant pot, essential oils, home life, boymom life… and I’m praying for how the Lord will use it in the coming year. I am confident that He has more planned then I’ve even embraced yet. And I hope to be braver, true, honest and helpful in the New Year. But for sure, No matter what’s ahead, this blog is coming with me into 2020. And I’m excited about that!
Also, praying for how things like Instagram fit into this whole purpose. so, if you’d like to come along, please join me and Deannalove_and_scribbles.
So that’s 5 things that don’t need to change in 2020 and I’m bringing with me into the New Year! And now to find my journal and write some new goals to bring with me too!! yay!!!
What would you put on your list of things that you are already doing right?
Happy Happy New Year,
Deanna Grace
1 Samual 12:24 ” Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”
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We have 3 growing boys in our house and growing appetites! Meat Loaf and potatoes have become a staple for us. And our 7 year old even calls it his ” Favorite Dinner ever”.
This Instant Pot meatloaf and potatoes are of course easy (our favorite thing about the Instant pot), cooked in one pot and done without heating up the house with a hot oven on for an hour! (we only turn on the broiler for a few minutes to caramelize the top at the end. But, more on that later!)
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The boys love to help mix this all together. We have begun to have more enjoyable times working in the kitchen together recently, I can actually give them simple jobs to do without freaking out! 🙂 (yay! Mom win)
We have these kids’ kitchen tools for them to use!!
anyways,
Instant Pot Meatloaf and potatoes
Is there anything more comfort food than that?
Here’s how we make our Instant Pot Meatloaf and potatoes
skip to the bottom for a printable version of the recipe
Start by peeling and chopping your potatoes. We love this automatic peeler!!
Add 1 and 1/2 cups of water to the instant pot, and place the trivet down too ( this prevents any potatoes sticking to the bottom and causing the burn notice.)
pour the potatoes into the pot.
Next, mix all of the meatloaf ingredients together..
My family enjoys this Instant Pot Sun-dried tomatoes and creamy basil chicken dinner over noodles, But it’s also yummy over rice (which you could do in the same pot as the chicken!!)
sun-dried tomatoes, basil, cream cheese, chicken breast? Does it get any better? oh wait, all made in the Instant Pot, in just a few minutes!!!!!
Are you looking for easy, family friendly recipes, you can just throw together in a few minutes on those busy nights? This is sure to please!
Make this for your family and I’m sure they will agree with mine that this Instant Pot Sun-dried tomatoes and creamy chicken is just plain delicious.
Instant Pot Sun-dried Tomatoes and Creamy Basil Chicken
Want to try more of our Instant Pot Recipes? check out our list here at https://www.loveandscribbles.com/?wpupg_grid=our-recipes
Print Recipe
Instant Pot Sun-dried tomatoes and creamy chicken
creamy chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and basil, served over buttered noodles or rice! yum!
Place frozen chicken in Instant pot, pour all ingredients except cream cheese over chicken. place lid on pot and set valve to seal. * If you want to make rice with this, now is the time to prepare it and stick it on top of the rice, see instructions below.
set Instant pot to manual 18 minutes. let Naturally Release to 5-10 minutes. meanwhile, make noodles. .
release remaining pressure and mix in the cream cheese. breaking up the chicken a bit. Serve over noodles or rice.
(if making brown rice with this meal, increase time to 23 minutes)
Recipe Notes
To make brown rice with this meal, you just need an oven safe bowl that fits inside your pot. mix in 1 & 1/2 cups of brown rice, 3 & 1/3 cups water or broth, 1 TB butter. stir, and place a trivet on top of chicken in Instant Pot, bowl on top of trivet, then cook, increasing time to 23 minutes. NPR for 5 -10 minutes before opening the lid.
If you want to try any of our other Instant Pot Recipes check out our list here at https://www.loveandscribbles.com/?wpupg_grid=our-recipes
