Crockpot Beans & Andouille Sausage

Image from pbs.org

If you would like to submit a recipe to share here on Jillry's personal blog, simply email me at JillryLove@gmail.com with your recipe and name for credit. Thanks!

Ingredients:

1 package Johnsonville Andouille Sausage (Too many people can't get the authentic stuff. You can also substitute kielbasa if the spicy stuff is too much for you.)
1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans diced tomatoes OR 1 can diced tomatoes and 1 can diced tomatoes with green chile.

Directions:

1. Dice up the sausage.
2. Dump the meat, beans, and tomatoes into the crock pot.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6.
4. Serve over rice and with a slice of cornbread.

Couldn't be easier! If you use the andouille sausage, you will not want for any extra spices and seasonings. Promise!

Submitted by Amy.

Easy Crockpot Chicken by Kate

This recipe is one I've already put in my "recipe regulars" book. A great quick chicken fix to use all week!

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breast
1 can of Rotel, loosely drained
1 can of mexican corn (or regular corn), also loosely drained
1 can of blackbeans, loosely drained

Directions:

Cook on low all day!

Shred and use for tacos, taco salad, or put it on a baked potato.

Submitted by Kate Szumski.

Crockpot Chipotle Chicken

Sadly, I did not get a photo worthy of posting for this delicious chicken dish I created. But I promise you its super tasty with a little bit of kick. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken breasts
1 can green chilis
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce**
1 tsp adobo sauce
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 cup salsa

**You can find green chili and the chipotles in adobo sauce in the mexican food aisle where you get your taco ingredients.

Directions:

Place the chipotle pepper, onions and salsa in a food processor and chop/blend for about ten seconds. Next, place everything on the ingredient list in the pot and turn on low for 6 hours. Take the chicken out and shred or cut into pieces. We used the chicken in a taco salad and it was DELICIOUS!

Save the juices that the chicken cooked in and you can use it for another dish later in the week. I'll post the dish I make later with it which includes ground meat, rice, corn, black beans & cheese!

Recipe created and submitted by me, Jill Corkern.

Crockpot Vegetable Stew

Image from recipebridge.com

If you would like to share a loved crockpot recipe of yours for our Christmas Crockpot Share, please send to JillryLove@gmail.com with your name for credit. Thank you!

Ingredients:

1 pack of stew meat
1 can of corn
2 cans of green beans
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of rotel tomatoes
1 bag of frozen baby lima beans
2 cans of chicken broth
3-4 potatoes cubed

Directions:

In a large crock pot, put stew meat, vegetables and chicken borth in crock pot. Season with onion flakes, onion powder and garlice powder.

Cook on low 6-8 hours. Enjoy!

Recipe submitted by Kelli Campo LaCroix.

Crockpot Slow Beef Stroganoff

Makes: 6 servings Ready in 4½ hours

Ingredients:

2 lb. boneless beef chuck steaks cut into one-inch pieces
1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
10 oz. Green Giant sliced mushrooms, drained
1 (4 tbsp.) envelope Lipton beefy onion soup mix
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves or 1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) container light sour cream
8 oz. your choice of pasta or egg noodles

Directions:

In slow cooker, toss beef with the flour. Stir in remaining ingredients except the sour cream. Cook covered on “low” 8 to 10 hours or “high” 4 to 6 hours until meat is tender. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions (I always cook mine in chicken broth). Stir in sour cream and noodles. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Submitted by Phyllis Adelle Sherer

Crockpot Maple Pecan Oatmeal

Image from seasonalgourmet.ca

Ingredients:

Serves 8

3 cups of milk
3 cups of water
4 gala apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups uncooked steel cut oats
4 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray
1/2 cup maple syrup
Pecans (or nut of choice) toasted and chopped

Directions:

1. Bring milk and water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
2. Coat slow cooker with cooking spray and then place hot milk mixture, apples, and next five ingredients in cooker. Cover and cook on low 7 hours or until tender.
3. Ladle oatmeal into individual bowls; top with maple syrup add nuts. (I added a little extra milk to moistened the cereal, up to you)

Submitted by Amanda Joy Henninger

Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

Image from Recipematcher.com

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 tablespoons butter
2 small cans cream of chicken soup
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 can chicken broth
water
1 package refrigerated biscuit dough (about 10 ounces)

Directions:

1. Cut chicken breast into bit sized pieces and set aside.

2. In a slightly greased crock pot or slow cooker, add ingredients consisting of chopped chicken, butter, cream of chicken soup and onion. Next pour chicken broth and water into crock pot to cover the ingredients. Cover the crockpot and cook 5 hours on low heat.

3. To make dumplings, just roll your refrigerator biscuit dough out into small pancake sizes and cut into strips. Add dumplings to your crock pot, stir in well, turn heat to high and cook for an additional hour or until dumplings are tender and ready to eat.

Recipe submitted by Laura Barton Ziegler

Crockpot Steak & Gravy Recipe

Image from Foodnetwork.com

Hi and welcome to the second day of the Christmas Crockpot Recipe Share! If you would like to share a loved recipe of yours, please send to JillryLove@gmail.com with your name for credit. Thank you!


Ingredients:

2 pounds of round steak, cut in small strips
1/2 cup flour, salt and pepper to taste stirred in flour
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings
1 1/2 cups beef broth

Directions:

1. Place the flour/salt and pepper mixture in a large ziploc bag.
2. Put steak strips in the bag and shake to coat them with the flour mixture.
3. Brown the steak in the oil in a large skillet.
4. Place browned meat in the crock pot and place sliced onions and bell pepper on top of the meat.
5. Deglaze the skillet with the beef broth. (add a little red wine if you like)
6. Pour the liquid over the meat and vegetables and cook on high for 3 hours and on low for a couple more hours or until it's time for supper.

Make a pan of cornbread and some rice and you will have a hearty supper! Even in retirement, I love the crock pot. I put something in early in the morning and then spend my day having fun.

Recipe submitted by Dot Dickinson

Crockpot Corn Chowder Recipe

Image from Cooking.com


Hi and welcome to the first day of the Christmas Crockpot Recipe Share! If you would like to share a loved recipe of yours, please send to JillryLove@gmail.com with your name for credit. Thank you!


Ingredients:

2 cans of sweet corn
2 cans of cream corn
2 cans of evaporated milk
Bag of frozen Oreida shredded home fries
1/4 cup of chopped onions
1 package of pre cooked bacon crumbled
salt, pepper and worcestershire sauce to taste :)

Place all ingredients in crock pot and mix well. Cook for a few hours on high or cook all day on low.

Recipe submitted by Marianne McCarthy

Chicken Stew Recipe

After receiving a recipe for chicken stew from a friend (Hi Tiffany!) that called for a homemade roux - my worst enemy - I decided to create my own recipe. This one calls for a lot of ready made items that can help you make this slow cooked oldie a fast and easy goodie.














Ingredients

1 rotissere chicken - meat pulled off bone
2 packets of Louisiana Cajun brown gravy mix
1 32 oz carton chicken broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 soup cans full of water
1 8oz can diced stewed tomatoes (or something of the like, even rotel will do)
1 bag frozen seasoning mix (with the onions, bell pepper, celery)
salt & garlic powder
1 palm full of dried parsley
1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil

Heat oil in your dutch oven or large pot. Saute frozen seasoning mix until onions get brown on edges. Toss in the chicken and can of tomatoes, mix well. Next add the chicken broth and 2 packets of cajun gravy mix and bring to an easy boil.

In a separate bowl, mix the two cans of soup and two cans of water. Once the mixture in the pot starts to thicken up, add the soup mixture and stir all ingredients in pot well. At this point take a spoon to taste whether or not you would like to add salt. Add the dried parsley and a light layer of garlic powder to the stew and stir well.

Turn the pot on low and let simmer. In the meantime, get yourself a pot of rice going and by the time its done, your chicken stew will be too!

Way too easy, right? It really is... and its delicious! Enjoy. :)

Chicken & Dumplings Recipe

Hi everyone! A friend requested my recipe for this yummy comfort food (hi Kim!) and I must admit: I really don't have a recipe! So I'm going to try my best to give you a step by step. Here goes...


Ingredients


2 tbsp butter
Bisquick Mix
milk (I use skim)
1 rostissere chicken (Any flavoring will do. Smoked, lemon pepper, etc.)
1 bag frozen seasoning mix (onions, peppers, celery)
2 -32oz cartons chicken broth (I use low sodium)
milk (for bisquick mix)


You will also need:

cutting board
butter knife
spoon or spatula
large pot (dutch oven)
large spoon
large mixing bowl


Before doing anything, attack that rotissere chicken, pulling all chicken off the bone. Set aside.

Turn stove burner to medium and place large pot over it. Drop the butter into pot and when it melts add the bag of seasoning mix.

While seasonings are cooking, mix 4 1/2 cups of Bisquick mix with 1 1/3 cups of milk. Stir the mixture with a spoon or spatula until it sticks together, making a large clump. On your cutting board, sprinkle a little Bisquick mix and spread it over the board. This is just to keep your dough from sticking to the board. You may also want to dust your own hands with Bisquick to keep the mix from sticking to you. (I do!)

Take half of the dough and place it on the board, spreading it out, making it about 1/2" thin. Then take your butter knife and slice into the dough like you would a batch of brownies, making dumplings. I make mine anywhere from 1" to 2" in a rectangle shape. This makes pretty big dumpings. You can pile the dumplings up on the corner of your board and grab the other half of the dough, repeating this process.

Check on your seasonings next. The onions/peppers/celery should be translucent. At this point I toss in a palmful of kosher salt (you can use regular table salt), pepper, garlic powder, onion powder & cayenne (a little dab will do! You can always add more later). Next pour both cartons of chicken broth into the pot along with the chicken you pulled apart earlier.

Bring mixture to a boil. Your burner should be on around 5-6, not a hard boil. Start dropping the dumplings one by one in the pot. Every half a dozen dumplings you toss in, take your big spoon and sort of press them into the broth mixture, continuing to pile the dumplings and press down with the spoon. Once all the dumplings are in, take the spoon and stir the pot in one graceful bottom to top motion (folding), careful not to break up the dumplings.

Let simmer for about 5 more minutes on low, folding the chicken & dumplings every thirty seconds or so. By this time the liquid should be thicker. At this point take a spoon and taste the liquid to see if you need any more seasoning.

And you're done! Enjoy!

Broccoli Rice Casserole

This recipe was shared by a Jillry friend, Janae Verrett - thanks for sharing this scrumptious recipe perfect for the holidays! Enjoy. :)



















Ingredients

2 (10 ounce) packages of frozen, chopped broccoli
2 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of minced onion
1/4 cup of minced celery
1 can of Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can of Campbell's condensed cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon of tonys, or your favorite
Cajun/Creole seasoning, or to taste, optional
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, optional
2 cups of cooked rice
1 cup shredded Cheddar, Montery Jack cheese, or any combination, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 9 inch baking dish. Place broccoli in a microwave safe bowl, add about 1 tablespoon of water, cover and microwave about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and roughly chop, if needed. Can also parboil or steam broccoli just until barely fork tender but with a bit of bite, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Melt butter in a skillet and saute the onion and celery over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the two cans of soup and mix until well blended; add the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, rice and chopped broccoli. Stir gently until combined, taste and adjust seasonings. Turn out into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle remaining cheese on top and return to the oven uncovered, for about 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.

I usually double or tripple for the holidays :)

Jillry Event Calendar

Here's a run down of events from now until the holidays. All of these events are posted on Facebook - just search for their title (shown below) to RSVP and learn more. OR feel free to email me at JillryLove@gmail.com Hope to see you!


Event Title: Online Christmas Trunk Show
Date: November 9th & 10th
Where: www.facebook.com/JillryLove

Event Title: 1st Annual Christmas Fling
Date: November 14th
Where: Denham Springs
**This event is open to public but is held at a friend's home in Denham every year. Please contact me at JillryLove@gmail.com for directions. There will be other vendors there so its a great one-stop-shop event for all your Christmas needs.
Vendors: Jillry, Thirty One Gifts, DC Candles, Avon, Custom Candy Wreaths and more!

Event Title: Christmas Sidewalk Sale
Date: November 18th
Where: Cer' Care la Pace - in Sullivan Hardware Shopping Center on Sullivan Rd. in Central
Vendors: Jillry and Susie Q Accessories

Event Title: Christmas Fling
Date: November 20th
Where: Baker, on Kleinpeter Dr.
Vendors: Jillry, Susie Q Accessories, Scentsy

Trunk Show Shopping Guide

Hi ladies,

For those of you that are new to shopping in a Jillry Online Trunk Show, here's a run-down of what to expect:

~ Loads of new jewelry will be posted throughout each day starting Tuesday, November 9th & ending on Wednesday November 10th in a photo folder labeled TRUNK SHOW. If you see a piece of jewelry that you would like to purchase, simply leave a comment under the photo to claim it as yours. "Mine", "I want this", "for me please" - anything of the sort will do. First come, first served, so the person who comments first receives the item.

~ Sounds easy right? You only need one ability to shop the show: speed. Yes, you heard me. I lovingly call my Jillry fans that shop my Trunk Shows "vultures". So if you see something you want, comment to claim before its gone. I will have duplicates of some items and if you see something you like and missed out on it, simply ask if I can make or order another of the piece. Never hurts to ask!

~ At the end of the day on Wednesday, the Trunk Show will officially end. When you are ready to check out, simply post a comment to the Jillry Fan Page wall with your email address. Feel free to comment to check out anytime before the show's end if you would like to beat the rush. I send invoices in order of comments received.

~ Payment: I accept Paypal. Once you a ready to check out, I will send an invoice to your email address. If you do not have a Paypal account you can still pay your invoice with a debit or credit card. This is a safe and secure process that I have been using for 10+ years. PLEASE NOTE: Payment must be received within 72 hours of invoice. If payment is not received, your items will be relisted.

~ Shipping: Shipping starts at $2.25 and rarely do I ship a package over $3. Packages are priced by weight and shipped via First Class USPS. These shows can get really big and out of hand and its just little ole me running the business. I'm the jewelry designer, photographer, photo editor, communications and packing department. Add a sweet newborn on top of that. :) That said, please allow 2-3 days after payment is made for your order to be processed and shipped. However, the longer you wait to check out the further along in the line you'll be and it may take up to 4 days before your order is shipped. Purchases are shipped in the order in which they are paid for. Thank you in advance for your patience! xo

~ Please be fair. If you do not plan to pay for the items you comment on, do not comment. Not only does this throw my inventory log off, it takes that item away from a fan who really wanted it in their jewelry box.

Questions? Just ask! Look, I have to be a stickler on payment policies, fairness and such but please know that these shows are all about having fun. I'm a friendly jewelry addict turned designer from the south that loves getting to know her fans. I've made some of the best girlfriends through these shows. Without my fans I wouldn't be able to do what I love for a living and believe me, I'm aware of that! So please, don't think I'm a stuffy business woman - consider me just another jewelry lover like yourself. And, thank you. :)

****I throw these shows once a month and give plenty of notice before. I will also give everyone a heads up 10 - 20 minutes or so before posting jewelry so everyone can be ready to comment.***

Love and hugs,

xo Jill Corkern
Creator of Jillry

Five Dollar Friday

Its been a while since my last FDF and I know we've got some new ladies in the mix so here's a little know-how on Five Dollar Friday shopping on Facebook with Jillry.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THIS: See something you like and just comment on it. A simple "MINE!" or "I want" under the photo of the item will do... Here are some details:

* At some point on Friday I will post photos of my $5 jewelry items. I will post the link to the folder several times a day so you won't miss out. BUT it must be said that the sooner you see the folder & comment, the better. (I lovingly call some of my Jillry shoppers "vultures". Hehe.)

















* The description of each item will be under the photo. This includes details on the jewelry item as well as how many of each item I have.

* Before posting the folder of goodies I'll post a status update that gives you a heads up for fair shopping. All items are sold as first come, first served.

* At the end of Friday or when you are ready to check out, simply post to my wall. I will then contact you if you are a newbie OR send you an invoice if you know the drill. If you have a Paypal account you can simply leave your email associated with that account and I'll invoice you.

* Payment: I prefer payment by Paypal but will accept check by mail. Paypal is a secure and easy transaction made with a debit or credit card. http://www.paypal.com/

* Payment policy: Payment MUST be made within 72 hours of the sale. If payment is not received by then your items will be restocked.

* Shipping: Please allow 2-3 days for your items to ship. In most cases your order will ship within a day but I'm working on a totally different schedule now with a newborn at home with me and full time business so I'm just testing things out. :) Shipping starts at $2.25 for the first item, adding $.25 (or less) per additional item. Packages are weighed for postage costs and I rarely ship a package that posts over $3, even with larger orders.


















* Your order will be packaged with care in a padded bubble mailer and will ship via First Class via USPS.

* Please be fair. Do not comment on an item unless you plan to purchase. Commenting on an item and then skipping out not only throws off my log, its also not fair to other shoppers who do follow through with their purchase who wanted that item.

Thanks in advance for your patience on my current shipping time and for your cooperation. Feel free to email me with questions at JillryLove@gmail.com or at my personal Facebook: www.facebook.com/JillLamonteCorkern

Happy shopping!

Beau Isaac's Birth Story

Beau Isaac on his birth day.

Riding down a dark country road that leads us to J's parents's house, the vehicle suddenly slows. I clench my jaw as another contraction comes around.

"Babe, they're two and a half minutes apart. Maybe we should go faster," I say. We're dropping the Mini Monster off before heading to the hospital. We thought we'd have plenty of time to make the five minute drive to his parents when we were leaving the house... until I noticed the time separating each contraction. Oops.

"I would but I'm watching for deer crossing, Babe," he said apologetically. Sure enough, we see a small deer tiptoeing out the woods at the edge of the road. J slows and let's it cross the street. We stare at each other eerily. I'm adding "Sixth Sense: Animal Predictor" to J's list of attributes.

Let's back up. The above happened early Monday morning. My water broke 13 days early at 1:00am. My due date was August 28th. I had been telling J and my Mom for weeks that Beau was coming early, I just had this very strong feeling about it. When I started getting contractions at 11pm on Saturday night I looked down at my belly and rubbed it. "I think Mama was right. I'll see you soon little Beau."

All day Sunday the Baberhusband and I literally sat our butts on the couch and timed contractions. We finally got bored and tired around 10pm on Sunday and headed to bed for some shut eye. At that point my contractions were 7 minutes apart. Three hours later my water breaking awakened me. "Jason," I coaxed him awake with a very loud whisper. "Hey babe? Don't freak out, but, I'm pretty sure my water just broke."

I got a sleepy look and J's head rolled back to the pillow... and suddenly jerked back up. "What? Your water broke??" Annddd we were up throwing over night bags in the car and on our way.

When we got to the hospital and pulled up to the curb, the security guard met us and asked if I needed a wheelchair. Like a child excited for a ride in one of those things I say yes, bare down for another contraction and think "This is it." Strange how nervous I was at the beginning of my pregnancy and for years before that... of labor, of delivering a baby. And now all I could do was smile like a fool in between my grimaces. I couldn't wait to meet the little monster who hiccuped three times a day and held his own kickboxing classes in my tummy for the past 9 months. Soon my husband and I would go from "we" to "three".

Before I was even in my laboring room both sets of parents had made it to the hospital. Upon checking how far along I was the nurses decided we needed to get an epidural running asap. This made my heart race: was I really that close? The nurses cooed at me and told me how rare it was these days for a woman to go into labor on her own, without inducing and progress this steadily. I was secretly a little proud...

Towards the end of my pregnancy my doctor predicted Beau to be a large baby. At my 36 week appointment she said "We've got a big ole butt in there," and sent me to get a sonogram to estimate his weight. And at 36 weeks Beau's weight was estimated to be 8lbs, 4oz. An average child's weight at that week: 6lbs. Plus, babies gain a 1/2 lb each week in the last month of pregnancy so you do the math. Needless to say, I was thrilled that I would have a chance to deliver him instead of going in for the c-section she expected me to have at 39 weeks.

After seeing my doctor at 7 am and making the decision to "truck on through" for a regular delivery, J and I held hands and settled in for what we hoped to be just a few more hours. We tried for a cat nap shortly after her visit, but my shakes were getting worse and the epidural began fading to the point where I could feel my contractions again. Not one to be brave, I told the nurses. After a quick Mommy-check we found I had a fever, one that I would keep for days after delivery. This was draining the effectiveness of my epidural.

After 3 hours of very real contractions and being stalled at 8 cm my doctor came in to make a decision. When she pulled up a chair to talk to me and J my heart sank a little. I knew what she was going to say. Beau was sunny side up (which explained the rib pains, little booger, hehe) and while she would stand by my decision to try to deliver him naturally you could tell she was opting for a c-section. (My doc had been very laid back through my entire pregnancy, never pushing a decision on me. At this point I needed her to make one for me.)

At this point I was weak from the fever and pain; I broke down into tears. All I wanted was for Beau to be delivered safely, without him experiencing any trauma. Worried about the baby, we opted for a c-section. How soon? my husband asked her. She stated that we would prep right away but that we had 5 people waiting for a section in front of us. What?! There was a waiting line for c-sections? She laughed and told us that the hospital was a mad-house this night, that they were basically full to the brim with deliveries. We asked if there was a full moon out. :)

An hour and a half later I was being wheeled into surgery. While they prepped me I worried about Jason waiting for me outside of the room.

"Hey Doc?" I asked and she responded, coming into view. "My husband... he's not curious about what's going on down there so can we..." Before it was even out of my mouth she and the nurses were laughing and promised they would prevent him from any necessary distress and/or fainting.

Soon they were ready and he walked in, all Daddy-cuteness in his white scrubs head-to-toe. They sat him down beside me and he immediately grabbed my hand. The only part of him not covered up were his eyes. "Your eyes are killing me right now," I told him, catching a sob in my throat, the tears just cascading down my face. I will remember the way his eyes looked in that moment for the rest of my life.

What seemed like minutes and yet hours later, Beau Isaac was born. I heard him before I saw him and that sweet little mewing off his set me off into another round of sobbing. He was the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. And boy was he big! That was in my tummy?? J stayed by my side and comforted me until the nurses asked if he wanted to come over to where Beau was being taken care of. I assured him I was fine and off he went. Seconds later J was at my side again. Did I want to hold him? Still dizzy with the shakes, I sadly declined. I looked at J's eyes and saw the question before he asked it. Yes, I told him, hold your son. I'm fine.

And another moment later J had our little monkey in front of my face, all 8lbs 15.2oz, 21 3/4" of him. I rubbed his little face with my fingers and kissed my husband before they wheeled me into recovery. "I'll see you soon," my husband said and we exchanged I-love-yous.































Beau being a relaxed lil baby right after delivery.














Jason watching Beau being bathed and fed after delivery. I love the look on his face in this photo.

Three hours later I was wheeled out of recovery into our room. I was told I'd be in recovery for only an hour so I didn't believe my mom when she rushed up to me, a little freaked out that I was in there for so long.

I do recall being in recovery, going in and out of consciousness while the nurses came in waking me to do the touch-and-pinch test. "Does this feel like a touch or a pinch?" After a few times of being woken up for these I realized the sooner those touches felt like pinches the sooner I would be released and would see my baby and husband. I remember trying my hardest to hold my eyes open when she came in and hoping each and every time that the touches would feel like pinches. It didn't even occur to me to fib a little. (Even heavily medicated I'm a rule-follower. *snicker*)

The hours after delivery seemed to fly by. Eventually the shakes wore off and I was able to hold and cuddle my sweet Beau Beau. Oh how he smelled and looked! We heard our family saying "He's got Jill's lips!" and "He's got Jason's eyes!" but all I knew was that he was adorable, the perfect mix of both Jason and I. Would he have our shared sense of humor? J's height? My facial expressions? Would he grow up to be spontaneous like his Daddy? Would he possess his Mama's love for cooking? I saw our lives flash before my eyes of him all grown up as Jason joked beside me about our little linebacker. "Stay little," I whispered to him and kissed his bitty cheek.































Beau Isaac Corkern
Born August 16, 2010
Weight: 8lbs, 15.2 oz
Height: 21 3/4"
With steel blue eyes, blond hair, his daddy's eyes and his mama's lips.
We love you, Baby Beau. Thank you for changing our lives forever.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Even though Beau was taken from me by c-section, I'm so glad I was able to experience labor. It truly is an amazing thing to go through. I had told J before that I had hoped to have a good story to tell Beau when he was older of his birth day. This Mama is happy she got her story. :)

Our First Days with Beau

While I want badly to start working on my very own "Baby Story" or birth story, I'll have to start with just a few tidbits as my fingers are still very sore and swollen. Just a few minutes of typing and I'm done.

This is not only for me and my online journal, but a present of sorts for the love of my life and now father of my child. Baber, I don't think I could ever repay you for the amount of love and care you have given to me and our little Beau in this past week. I know how much you love my blog posts and well, its been a while... Here's a little token of Mommy-appreciation.

I love you, BaberDaddy.

Our First Days with Beau

People ask if I cried in delivery when I first saw Beau and I said no... The second I heard his bitty voice I cried. Due to a last minute c-section I heard our little guy annouce his arrival before I saw him and that precious mewing of his set me off.

Babe, seeing your face question mine in the delivery room when the nurse asked if you wanted to hold the baby made me realize how lucky I am to have such a selfless, thoughtful man in my life. You knew I couldn't quite hold him just yet and still you made sure I was okay before you stepped in. It may have seemed a small gesture to you but to me, in that shaky moment, it meant the world.

Later that night, holding Beau with J at my side and watching his eyes move from my face to J's face, recognizing our voices as we murmured to him was the most intense, joyful moment I've ever had in my life. That was when it felt real for me, when it set in. We are parents. I am a Mommy.

People tell us "Beau looks just like his Mommy!" or "Beau looks just like his Daddy!" While I'm pretty sure our little guy is the perfect mix of us both, I secretly melt when I hear he looks like his Daddy. When I'm holding him and he furrows his brows or puckers his lips, I see so much of Jason in him and it kills me every time. I imagine what he will look like when he gets older. I know he'll be just as handsome as his Daddy.


















I'm a wreck. I can't see the computer screen.

I cry all the time now but they are nothing but happy tears. The smallest things set me off and I just let them fall. The icing on the cake? Looking up from watery eyes and seeing my husband smiling at me, or hearing him say "You're a mess," before he kisses me on the forehead. Which of course, we all know just makes the tears fall harder.

Did I mention that I'm a wreck? Someone give me a tissue. Shoot, just give me the box.

Something I noticed yesterday and just had to laugh: I love how J and I talk to each other through the baby: "Daddy takes good care of us doesn't he? He does cuz he loves us." ... with Jason sitting right there within earshot, grinning his face off. Funny how a baby brings another way of communication into the mix. :)

Little baby noises. Need I say more?

The way Beau smells right after bathtime. *sigh* There's nothing quite like it.

I catch my husband using Beau's name in the silliest ways. This morning he was singing to our little monkey: Beau Beau Beau Beau Beau Beau Beaaau... in the tune of the Jeopardy melody. I snickered to myself for a minute in the hall before walking into the den and asking if our baby was going to be on the gameshow.

Right now my husband is napping, the first nap he's taken all week. I don't know how he's done it. He changes just as many diapers and gives just as many bottles, along with taking care of all the household chores and taking care of me... I would have crashed long before now if I were him.

Again, I appreciate everything you do for us babe. I hope you liked my "tidbits" of our first days with Beau. I'm so lucky to have you by my side.

xoxo

BaberMama

CELEBRATE WITH JILLRY

Is it really true? That this month marks ONE YEAR that Jillry has been a full time business for me? *squeal* Yes, yes its true...

As most of you know I've been addicted to beads and creating jewelry for close to 15 years now but it wasn't until this time last year that I decided to make it a dream come true, a real live CAREER for myself. You can read about the beginning of my journey here.

I have lots in store to celebrate with you but unfortunately we will have to postpone the festivities until Baby Beau makes his big debut. But fear not! He will be here before you know it and Jillry will be in full swing again.

When will Beau arrive? Well, my due date is August 28th so hopefully any day now. (Eek! Right around the corner!)

When will Jillry reopen? If everything goes as planned, Jillry will reopen in late September. Who knows, I just may be back before. As you've seen I can't even make myself stop with these sore swollen fingers and a concerned hubby pointing his stop-working-now finger at me. I LOVE what I do and I love sharing my days with you, my amazing fans and customers online each day. Staying away is taking not only my job away from me but my friends, fun and social life away as well! (You forget - I have only walls and the Mini Monster to talk to all day...)

Without further adieu, here are some fun things to expect from Jillry at my return in celebration of my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!






I love nothing more than seeing the photos you post of yourselves on my walls daily, sporting my newest Jillry creations and treasures. I know, vain, right? So why not make it less about me and more about YOU?

Starting NOW I will be accepting photo entries for this contest. Take a photo of yourself in your favorite piece(s) of Jillry and submit them either by wall post, personal message to www.facebook.com/JillLamonteCorkern or by email: JillryLove@gmail.com.

What for? For FREE JILLRY of course! The winner wins $50 in FREE JILLRY and FREE SHIPPING for the remainder of the year. (Up to six orders starting September through December.)

Your photos will be posted on the blog no later than September 6th so we can begin the judging process. The judges will be YOU and YOUR FRIENDS so winning can be easy and totally up to you! I will have a poll set up for you on my blog and you can send your friends the link to vote. There are other ways to win, of course:

*Suggest Jillry to your friends on Facebook! Make sure they post your name to my wall in order for you to get an extra entry. You get an extra entry for each new fan that posts their name to my wall.

**Email your friends about Jillry and the photo contest. Simply copy me: JillryLove@gmail.com and you win an extra entry.

PHOTO EXAMPLES: Check out my wall photos to see some of the current fan photos posted.

I think I saw some of your ears perk up. Its no secret you guys like FDF - who wouldn't love a chance to snag a variety of handmade beaded and metal earrings at just FIVE DOLLARS EACH?? This will be a pretty big FDF since its in celebration of my one year anniversary. And what great timing - you can stock up early on Christmas gifts! Think stocking stuffers, teacher gifts and affordable gifts for your co-workers.

This Five Dollar Friday is set up tentatively for September 10th so mark your calendars!






My most favorite event EVER to share with you. I usually hold my trunk shows once a month but by the time this show comes around two months will have gone by without one. *sob* So yeah, its gonna be a big one ladies...

What to expect: TONS of brand new pieces. My fingers will be back to normal and beading away so you will see LOTS of one of a kind handmade beaded jewelry: sets, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Fleur de lis jewelry, metal jewelry, Saints & LSU jewelry. Cuffs and bangles. Keychains: fleur de lis, religious, teacher and pink ribbon themed. Lots of affordable pieces perfect for teacher and Christmas gifts.

This show is scheduled for the week of October 4th-8th. Again, mark your calendars!

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Here's a recap:

Fan Photo Contest - Going on NOW! Judging begins September 6th and will last two weeks. Date of winner annoucement TBD.

Five Dollar Friday - September 10th (tentative)

Trunk Show - October 4th - 8th

That's all for now. I know its a lot of information to take in but I will be posting reminders on my Facebook Fan Page along the way so you don't miss out on these celebrations!

I will also be posting the dates and locations of the local shows I'll be shortly.

Thanks, as always, for your love & support!

xo Jill

Crockpot Mexican Chicken Spaghetti

Well here it is, the concoction I made up last night! I must admit I'm still not sure if the name is right... after reading the basic recipe below, please scroll down to see some different variations of this recipe which of course, deserve totally different names. :)

Enjoy!

Ingredients

3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large block Velvetta cheese
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I tried the basic off brand and it was great and saved me a buck!)
1 can mexican rotel tomatoes with green chilis
splash of milk

Put all ingredients except the milk into the crockpot and turn on low for 5 hours. After cooking, take the chicken out and shred with a fork and knife. You can probably do this in the pot but I did mine on a plate. Return chicken to pot.

When its time to eat, if you feel the sauce is too thick just add splashes of milk until you get the consistency you want.

This is a really rich dish! I served the sauce over Ronzoni Wheat Noodles to balance out the, err, "bad" - like cheese can ever really be bad? Pfft!


DIFFERENT VARIATIONS

South of the Border Chicken Pasta (thanks Erica!) - Add a can of rinsed black beans, an extra can of rotel & the juice of one lime. Same cook time.

Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta - Add 2 heaping tsps of dried basil & one cup of milk to the thick sauce and stir well. Upon serving, toss a handful of croutons & mozzarella cheese on top of your pasta before adding the sauce. Same cook time.

Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy, Potatoes & Onions

This recipe is a regular at our house and one both my husband and I thoroughly enjoy. I hope you do too!

Ingredients

4-6 boneless chops (you can use bone-in but I prefer without because they end up so tender they fall apart)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I use the Healthy Choice for less fat & sodium)
2 packets onion soup mix
4-5 med/large baking potatoes, cubed
1 large yellow onion, cubed
1 carton white mushrooms
1 can of water using cream of mushroom can

Pour soup, soup mix & can of water into the crockpot & stir well. Add chops and turn on low heat. After about 5 hours on low heat, add all the veggies: mushrooms, onions, & potatoes. Let cook on low for another 2 hours.

We eat this exactly as it is and when I'm feeling like a fatty, I LOVE to take a piece of fresh white bread and sop up the remaining gravy. Delicious!

Total cook time: 7 hours on low. (Can cook anywhere from 6-8, I know not everyone is home all day to babysit. As long as veggies get one hour of cook time on high or 2 hours on low you're good to go.)

Feeds 4-6, depending on how hungry the men in your house are. ;)