Sister Dinner!

My little sister, Ella and I decided to make dinner together for the whole family. Except sadly, Dad didn't get to try it! We found two recipes on pinterest last night and after school today, she and I went to the grocery store and got our ingredients. I have to say, it was actually lots of fun shopping with her! Once we had our ingredients, we came home and started cooking! Ella grabbed a chair and stood on it so she could reach the counter!



We started making our "Spinach Rotallini" first, and combined all of the cheeses, vegetables, etc. that we needed and got our hands dirty!  We stuffed the chicken with all kinds of yummy cheeses and spinach. And then rolled it in bread crumbs!







After we popped the chicken in the oven, we started on the Mexican street corn. I measured out the corn, and she poured it in the pan. We added the herbs, sauces, and cheese and then mixed it all together. It tasted like the kind of spicy corn on the cob that you can get at fairs!



Ella and I were very proud of ourselves and excited to try it all! Mom loved it and so did we! Kian of course ate Mac 'n' Cheese.


I hope I can do more things like this with her in the future, because it was a great way to spend some quality time together, and have some fun!

Christmas Wish List 2014

Ok, here it is!  50 days early....


(I just really love santa's face in this picture...he looks so provocative and flirty. It's hilarious.)

-The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (movie)
- The Fault in Our Stars (movie)
- Divergent (movie)
- Classic Disney movies
- Anything Disney really
- Polaroid Camera
- Smash Book supplies!!!!!
- Slippers
- Books (love them)
- Shoes (need some new ones)
- Clothes
- Movie theater gift cards
-LEGO's (my job made me fall in love with them)
- A tablet ( I know that's a long shot, but I thought I'd list it any way!)
- Red Sox stuff

I'm a Younique Presenter!

As a college student, I needed a job that would be flexible. Something I could do while setting my own hours!  I found the greatest opportunity! Younique! Younique products are incredible (I've tried them myself)! Not only are they great quality, but they are also all-natural, gluten free, cruelty free, hypoallergenic, and carcinogen free! For someone like me, gluten in makeup products can really mess with my skin, but Younique has solved that problem for me!  If you are interested in learning more about their products or hosting a party, in your home or online, please contact me: I'd love to help you get some free products and half-priced products! That's the fun thing about hosting a Younique party, you get rewards!  

Here is a link to my Younique business page: https://www.youniqueproducts.com/KeeleyFarrell

Please take a look at these photos! Lots of great info!

Here I am with one eye done with the 3D fiber lashes and one with regular mascara.  I think you can guess which is which!  It's incredibly easy to apply and ACTUALLY WORKS.

I need your help!

Hi Everybody,

As some of you might know, I am raising money to go to Russia on a volunteer trip! I will be working with kids and teaching them English.  I am working part time at the LEGO store, and house sitting as often as possible, but I still need as much help as I can get!  Your donation of any amount would be greatly helpful and incredibly appreciated!  Please don't feel like you can't contribute if you don't have a large amount to give!  Any little bit helps!  Please, consider donating and spread the word!

Thank you!   XOXO -Keeley

Here is a link to my GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/78i29o

Silent Auction! (Please read!)

Hi, Everybody!

I am putting together a silent auction to raise money for my volunteer trip to Russia this fall.  I am going to be teaching English to children through a program called ILP!  The date of the auction is still to be determined, because I want to make sure I can get enough donations before I set a date.  I already have 5 people who have donated, and I am hoping to get the word out!  Whether it's an actual item, a gift card, a craft from an etsy shop, or a free consultation of some sort, I'd really appreciate any donation of any kind! I currently have an hour photography session, a couple of items from friends etsy shops, a sample of a nutritional system, a vinyl gift, a box of Mary Kay goodies, and some hair services! It's really just a hodge-podge of things, so don't feel like you need to have an expensive or remarkable item to donate.  Any little bit helps! Please contact me if you want to donate, know someone who might want to donate, or have any questions: 720-224-4720. Email: keeleybee18@gmail.com       Thank you!  I really appreciate it!

-Keeley Farrell

Recipe: Easy Mexican Casserole

For dinner tonight, we had this super easy casserole!  If your family likes tacos, they'll love this!  Give it a try! (I actually got a picture of this one before we ate it!)

Easy Mexican Casserole:

-1 pound ground beef
-3/4 cup of salsa
-1 (16 oz) can of chili beans (drained)
-3 cups of tortilla chips (crushed)
-1 cup of sour cream
-1 (2 oz) can of sliced olives (optional)
-1/2 cup of chopped green onion (optional)
-1/2 cup of chopped fresh tomato
-2 cups of shredded cheese (cheddar)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until no longer pink.  Stir in salsa, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Stir in beans, and heat through.

3) Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Spread crushed tortilla chips in dish, and then spoon beef mixture over chips.  Spread sour cream over beef, and sprinkle olives, green onion, and tomato over the sour cream.  Top with cheddar cheese.

4) Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Recipe: Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

I don't know what kind of magic is in the air, but lately it's been easy to cook for Kian and Ella.  Whenever I make dinner they actually eat without throwing fits about the food.  And tonight, Kian even said, "This smells good, and tastes good!"  And he ate ALL of it!  Maybe I should cook dinner every night?  Maybe...

 I wanted to share the recipe because we all really enjoyed it!  And it's pretty darn easy!

Meatballs and Tomato Sauce:

-1 pound of ground beef
- 1/3 cup of milk
- 2 slices of bread
- 1 tbs. of minced garlic
- 2 1/2 tbs. of minced onion
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbs. of parsley
- 1 tbs. of Italian Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3 tbs. of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of fresh tomato (diced)
- 2 tbs. of butter
- 1/4 of 28 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup of sour cream

1) In a small sauce pan, heat the milk.  Soak the bread in the milk, turning the slices over to absorb the milk.  Place the bread in a large bowl.  Add the meat, garlic, onion, eggs, parsley, Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt.  Using your hands, mix together the ingredients for about a minute. 

2) Using the sauce pan with the remaining milk, add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, butter, and sour cream.  If desired, add garlic and onion.  Let the sauce heat on low and stir occasionally.

3) Roll the meat mixture from the bowl into 1 1/2 in. balls.  In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat.  Once the pan is warm enough, add the meatballs.  Cook the meatballs on each side until you get your desired color. If you want them to be cooked through without any pink, it should take about 8-10 minutes. 

4) Once the meatballs are cooked to your liking, add the sauce and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes.  Stir occasionally to mix the meatballs and sauce properly.

5) Serve the meatballs over spaghetti or just by themselves.  Enjoy!

Recipe: Honey Baked Chicken

Let me start off by saying that it takes a miracle to get Kian and Ella to eat as much chicken as they did tonight! We didn't have a ton of ingredients to make anything fancy, so I looked up recipes that included honey and chicken.  I knew the kids would eat chicken if there was some honey on it!  I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and it was a big hit so I thought I'd share it!  Enjoy!

Honey Baked Chicken:
Ingredients
-1 (2-3 pound) whole chicken or 3 chicken breasts
-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-2 teaspoons salt
-1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1 egg yolk
-1 1/2 tablespoons honey (we used alfalfa)
-4 tablespoons margarine or butter

Directions
1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

2) Rub chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  In a small bowl, beat egg yolk with honey and butter, then brush the mixture over the chicken pieces.  Place chicken pieces, skin side down, in a lightly greased baking dish.

3) Bake at 325 degrees F for 45-60 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the juices are clear.  Baste with the remaining butter or margarine.  Just before serving, turn chicken over and bake for 10-15 minutes to cook the skin on the other side.

*Depending on how much chicken you decide to use, you may need to bake for a bit longer than 45-60 minutes.

Why Denver has the greatest QB in the the history of the Game

Peyton Manning.

People are crazy about him.
 
Not only because he holds the record for most touchdown passes in a single season, or because he's arguably had the greatest sports comeback of all time.  Those facts are certainly a large reason why people love him so much, but they're not the only reason.



Let me ask you, have you ever seen a more gracious loser in the NFL?  Or a more humble winner?  Have you ever seen him throw a fit over a call or argue with a ref in anger?  Have you ever seen him not congratulate the other team and coaches after a game, regardless of if he won or lost?



I can't say enough about this man and his family.  He was brought up by parents who taught him and brothers good values and proper morals.  His father, Archie Manning, was a remarkable example of what a courteous and respectful sportsman looks like.  It's no surprise that when Peyton Manning talks about his father, he gets choked up just about every time.  I 100% believe that his good values and high standards are a major reason why he has had such a successful career.  No question about it.



Manning threw 55 touchdown passes this season.  The most by any QB.  The records that this man has broken are remarkable.  He could literally be the most stuck-up, prideful, and self-center person on this planet.  But, he chooses to be the exact opposite.  And that is why people love him.

People don't root for him just because he's insanely talented.  No, they want to see him succeed because he truly deserves it.  We, by nature, want to see the good guy win.

The second he came to Denver, the Broncos organization did a 180.  He has a presence. He has a vibe.  His teammates respect him and don't want to let him or the rest of the team down.  It is easy to listen to someone who is humble and hardworking.  This season was Manning's golden season, and yet, in every interview he did, he mentioned the team effort and not his own.  Is there a better leader in the NFL than Peyton Manning?

The answer is no.

 

These are the true reasons why Denver has the greatest QB in the history of football.  It's not just about the records.  It's about the fact that he has the greatest character most people have ever witnessed in a professional athlete, and I am proud to call him my quarterback.

Now, let's get that trophy.  Go Broncos!

Saving Mr. Banks movie review

 

Saving Mr. Banks is a must-see, and here's why:

This film was deeper and more emotional than I thought it was going to be. It was also more serious than I expected, which is in no way a bad thing.  The seriousness of the film was matched by incredible heart and paired with Disney magic!  The story of P.L. Travers and her relationship with her father is unforgettable. So much so, that I don't think it's possible to watch Mary Poppins the same way again. It will change your view of the story, but it does not take away the magic of the original film. 

The casting of this film was brilliant. Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney with complete perfection, making me feel like I actually knew the man. When you see the film, you will know what I mean. You'll feel like Walt is your close friend!

 Emma Thompson does a wonderful job playing Travers; exuding propriety and dripping with sarcasm.  By the end of the film, you will fall in love with her.

 The supporting actors of the film are remarkable as well. B.J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman play Dick and Bob Sherman, the composers of Mary Poppins. It's a fun walk down memory lane watching them come up with well-known songs from the film and you'll want to song along! Bradley Whitford does a delightful job playing Don DaGradi, the screen writer of Mary Poppins, and brings a lot of fun to the film. 

And then there is Colin Farrell's incredible portrayal of P.L. Travers' father.  I was blown away by Colin's acting in this film. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan, and I've always been impressed by his talents, but, this film in particular opened my eye to just how talented he really is. He will tug at your heart strings and make your cry (if you're not a robot).  His performance in this film should not be over-looked. 

So, what I'm saying is, stop what you're doing and go see this film right now! It's a beautiful film and if you're a Disney nut like me, you will be pleased with the amount of Disney history inside of the film! If you're a die-hard Mary Poppins fan, don't let this movie scare you. It will not change your feelings towards the original movie, it will only enhance them as you learn more about the real story!

This film is definitely worth the money and I'm ready to go see it a second time! 

Siesta Key Beach -Florida Vacation 2013

We took a day off from the parks, rented a car, and drove to Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota!  The kids really needed a day to just relax and run around in the sand and water!  And so did my Parents and I!  We were told by some family friends that the beach closest to our hotel wasn't the greatest, so we decided to drive a bit to get to Siesta Key.  It's one of the best beaches in the United States!  The sand is unbelievable! I hate sand...but this sand was SOFT!  And I mean really, really soft!  It was white and so smooth, I just wanted to bury my feet in it!  It was such a beautiful day when we went and the sun was nice and bright!  The kids brought their buckets and sand castle toys and were really excited.  Ella couldn't wait to look for shells and Kian wanted to catch a fish.  Which he did! A cute little minnow.  We snagged a good spot on the beach and got in the water! It was actually really warm.  I think it was about 60 degrees.  Maybe warmer.  But the water was nice and clear and you could see the fish at the bottom swimming around your feet!  It was so cool!  The kids found a crab in a spiral shell and carried him around for a while!  I'm not sure he appreciated it, but the kids just thought he was too cool to put down!  After a few hours, we grabbed a bit of gluten free food for me (because I wasn't able to find much for lunch where we stopped on our way to the beach) and headed back to the hotel.  It was really nice to be able to relax for a bit and not have an agenda.  That night we went to Downtown Disney which is really awesome!  We ate at the T-Rex Café which was so fun and yummy!  They have a meteor shower every 15 minutes where the lights turn orange and blue and all the dinosaurs start roaring and moving! The kids thought it was awesome! We got a really great seat near the ocean area and the mammoths!  The kids had a good time digging for "bones" while we waited for our seats.  After we ate, we went to look around at the stores.  There is a MASSIVE Disney store there and it is just adorable!  I could have spent 4 hours in there and not seen everything!  The kids wanted to go inside the LEGO store, and they met up with me after a while.  After a couple of hours, I got some Giradelli's Ice Cream while my Parents and the kiddos watched a concert/DJ play radio Disney songs and danced!  There were a bunch of cool, huge LEGO creations outside, like a dragon and prince, Toy Story, and more!  We had a really great time!
 

Ella's 6th Birthday Party!

My little baby sister is 6.  I can believe how fast she and Kian are growing up. They need to slow down!!  Ella's birthday is the 26th of November, so we usually do a little family celebration at Thanksgiving with some other cousins who have upcoming birthdays.

Amelia and Ella celebrating their B-Days at Thanksgiving!

     My parents flew me out for Thanksgiving, which I was so thankful for, because I needed a break from my apartment and I really missed my little lovies! And my parents too, of course!  I was excited to be able to be there for Ella's party, and when my Mom told me she wanted a Harry Potter themed party, I immediately got a thousand times more excited.  Naturally.  But poor Elle Bell got the stomach flu on Thanksgiving!  Of all days to throw up...poor girl.  Her party was scheduled for the next day.  But thankfully it was the 24 hour kind of flu, so we were able to reschedule the party for Saturday before I had to fly back to Rexburg.  My Mom and I had worked really hard on the decorations and I really didn't want to miss it.  We were only expecting about 6 kids to show up because we had to change the date, but we ended up having 10!  It was really fun, and I'm so glad that Ella was feeling better so that she could enjoy it all. 

My Mom and I found a ton of awesome ideas on Pinterest for the party, and on Wednesday, we started shopping like fiends.  The first thing I started making were the pom pom balls.  I made ten of them in the colors of each Hogwarts house.  My Mom and I also made these really cool wands from chopsticks, hot glue, beads, and spray paint.  They were easy to make and ended up looking really cool!  We tied a label on them with the type of wood, size, and core like from the books.  I also made house ties in the colors of each house to pin on the kids after we sorted them. We also prepared some cups with food dye and made potions!  We let the food dye dry over night and the kids came up and poured in sprite and added pop rocks!  It was pretty cool! They loved it!  We also made a snitch from a Styrofoam ball. We painted it and glued gold paper to tooth picks and stuck them in the side of the ball to make wings.  And then we glittered the crap out of it!

For food, my Mom made this awesome Basilisk calzone that smelled super yummy (if only I could have had some).  She made some chocolate frogs too and lighting scar cupcakes.  We also had some Bertie Botts beans!  We decided to use the cauldron from Halloween to make butterbeer too, and just poured in some cream soda and mixed it with Vanilla ice cream.  It was so good! 

We ended up borrowing a sorting hat from a church friend and decorated the place with my Harry Potter stuff. I had a time turner, light-up wand, chocolate frog box and a wizard trading card.  I took some red lipstick and wrote "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened...enemies of the heir beware" on the bathroom mirror too!  We also framed a photo from the movies and put it on the island in the kitchen.  In the front room, right as the kids entered, we had a suitcase filled with round, black glasses that I made out of pipe cleaners!  I also made a sign that said "Platform 9 3/4" that I stuck next to the suitcase.  It looked really cute.  We bought a big, thick poster at Wal-Mart (our least favorite store, haha) and made a Sirius Black "Have You Seen This Wizard" sign and had the kids pose in it!  It was so awesome how it turned out, and the kids had a lot of fun making faces! 

We definitely did A LOT to make this party a success, but it was so FUN!  And it was SO worth it.

My Platform sign!

The bathroom mirror :)

The calzone! It had olives for eyes and a peperoni tongue!

She had so much fun opening presents.

The sorting hat and ties (which I made with felt and glue)!  To sort the kids, I went into another room and my Mom put her phone on speaker phone and I called her and told the kids which house they were sorted into!  It was really cute, they had to sit on the chair at the front of the room and state their full name.  It was adorable watching them try to remember their middle names! Haha.

Eli posing as Sirius Black!

She got some awesome gifts!

Our potion station!  We found this decal at Joanne's Fabrics for 70% off.  It was perfect!

Our poster

 

Heidi and Kylie with the snitch!

The island

Livi Lou posing as Sirius Black.  Isn't she menacing??

Making some potions!  We used these cool, medieval-style, silver mugs that we had totally forgotten that we had! 

Aiden posing.

The chocolate frogs!  We used a mold and chocolate chips.  They were yummy!

Testing out their wands.

The wands we made.  I wish I had gotten a closer picture of them to show the detail!

Gryffindor and Hufflepuff pom poms and candles!

Ravenclaw pom poms.

Ella making her Sirius Black face!

The front room.

She found the snitch!  The kids searched for the snitch outside in the green belt.  They were running all over the place!

Potions and Slytherin pom poms! (and spongebob...lol)

Reed posing.

 

The table, minus the basilisk calzone.  The pom pom balls turned out great! Gryffindor!  This was before we turned on the cool candles.

 

The party was so much fun and the kids had a great time!