Dawn Cockell

Party Decorations DIY

Party Decorations DIY My mom turned 60 years old in August. I love a good party so we gave her a small, family only, birthday party at my house. When we built our house a couple of years ago, a large porch was a necessity. I wanted a place to host parties outdoors - rain or shine. I decided to do a party decorations DIY post because hosting a party is so easy and fun. It really does not have to be stressful and does not have to be costly. The Food Of course we asked my mom what ... Read More

Easy Baked Chicken

Easy Baked Chicken As most of you know by now, my husband and I love to cook. During the week, I do most of the cooking because I am at home and Christopher doesn't get off of work until later. So, it is only fair that I start supper. During the week, I like to be in and out of the kitchen (especially during the summer) so that we can spend time outdoors before bedtime. This recipe for easy baked chicken is one of my go to suppers because it is quick and easy. This recipe for easy baked ... Read More

Clean Eating does NOT have to be BORING

Clean Eating does NOT have to be BORING!!     Clean eating does NOT have to be boring...you just have to know the right things to cook and how to read labels. Over the years I've become more and more educated on how to read labels and what I should and should NOT eat. Of course, we are all human and all like to splurge and eat "the good stuff" occasionally. It is all about balance...eating right MOST of the time. When working out...it is especially good to fuel your body ... Read More

Healthy Smoothies I Cannot Live Without

Healthy Smoothies Health and Fitness have been a part of my life for at least 10 years now. I have been drinking a meal replacement shake or smoothie as I call them for that long as well. I've tried a ton of different shakes including Herbalife, Vega One, Lean One and so many more. As far as workouts go...I've always worked out consistently but never really stuck to an exact workout or meal plan. I've had every workout video you could imagine. Dieting has never been something I've done but ... Read More

Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe

Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe Lemon icebox pie is one of my favorite pies. I grew up eating this. My mom would often make it during the summer time. Therefore, for me, it is a summertime kind of dessert. I feel as though it is "light and airy" and a perfect warm weather dessert. Most lemon icebox pie recipes are pretty similar...lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk are the two major ingredients in pretty much all recipes. I came across Joanna Gaines lemon pie recipe a couple of years ago. ... Read More

Easy Sausage Balls

Easy Sausage Balls Sausage Balls are a great easy appetizer to take to parties but also to have around the house for breakfast. I pretty much only make these around the holidays. However, I decided to make these to take with us on our recent trip to Grand Cayman. They are easy to put in a zip lock bag and carry with you. Also, turns out that they were great for us because food is SO expensive in Grand Cayman. We went to the grocery store and bought fruit and eggs and had sausage balls, fruit, ... Read More

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Cookies are my weakness....I LOVE COOKIES. If I ever crave anything...it is a cookie. My husband and I have this ongoing joke about what our "game show favorite items are." The other night I was craving these cookies...probably because when January came around I removed all the left over "sweet" items from the holidays and went back to limiting sweets. Anyway, I told my husband that my favorite game show cookie is a no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie. It is a ... Read More

Easy Divinity Recipe

Easy Divinity Recipe I have been making divinity by this recipe for almost 10 years now. Everyone always told me "divinity is hard to make." I've been told that I shouldn't make it on a rainy day...the weather has never affected the divinity. I got the recipe out of a church cookbook. The first time I made it with no problem. I have continued to make it year after year with no issues. One year...I even burned a mixer up, went to the store and bought a new one (during mixing) and came ... Read More

Dirty Rice Recipe

Dirty Rice Recipe Y'all...I seriously love dirty rice!! When my husband and I first got married I would occasionally buy the kind in the box and cook for lunch and at times for supper. However, over the past several years I have tried to steer clear of anything that comes in a box and buy "clean eating type things." Of course, we try to make sure we eat clean at least 80% of the time and those other times we allow ourselves to eat with in reason. Anyway...back to dirty rice. About a month ... Read More

Taco Soup Recipe

Taco Soup Recipe This taco soup recipe is my husband's favorite. I have another recipe for a creamy taco soup. I love each of them for different reasons. My husband will always choose this particular recipe while I will cook whichever one I am feeling that day. You will find that this taco soup recipe is so incredible easy and can be done in one pot. Who doesn't love a one pot kind of dish?! Ingredients 1 pound of hamburger meat 1 onion 1 can of Rotel 2 cans of diced ... Read More