Redneck Saturday.

 Loving today...
Lazy mornings, sleeping in, coffee and games, a dear friend from Philly sleeping in our guest room, freezing nights, warmer days, and cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Not healthy.

But uber easy.

Want the recipe?  These rolls are our Christmas morning and company tradition because they are virtually no work as you prep them the night before...and they are delish.  Much cheating involved...but they taste like the real thing.  And, as stated before, not healthy at all - but fun for a special treat.

Overnight Cinnamon Rolls:

Grease 13x9 pan.
Place 24 frozen bread rolls into your pan.  (Hence, the large cheat).
Mix together 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 Tblsp milk.
Pour over frozen rolls.  Add pecans if desired.
Over all of this - pour 1 package of dry vanilla pudding - NOT the instant kind.  (Weird, I know...)
Cover and let rise overnight.
In the morning, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serve upside down.

You're welcome, and I'm sorry.
You'll thank me later.

Also loving my girls roaming free whilst we played outside all the live long morning and early afternoon.

 Lunch - fireside - included.
We had to show our friend a good old fashioned Maine kind of day.
Redneck style.
My Dad would be proud.

Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Another company dish that is delish...and this one is healthy.
Want the recipe?  I always double the batch...

2 medium onions - chopped coarsely
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
Saute together in a big stock pot.

Then add:
7 14 oz. reduced sodium (organic is always good) cans of chicken broth
8 cups chopped, cooked chicken
2 10 oz. packages of frozen, sweet whole kernal corn
2  4 oz. cans of diced green chili peppers
4 14 1/2 cans Mexican style (or italian style OR fire roasted if you like the heat) stewed tomatoes

Bring to boiling, let simmer - covered for 15 minutes.
Set out a bowl of jack cheese.
Inhale.
Super delish served with warm rolls.
Served over an open fire....with your chickens watching you eat your...er...chicken stew....entirely optional.
And a little weird.

 Immediately follow with some epic smores creations...

 Finger licking entirely acceptable in the great out of doors...

Chubby cheeks - an uber delicious bonus.

We highly recommend slabbing a big 'ole dose of peanut butter onto your cracker - which gives your chocolate an exceptional place to adhere too, might I add - and set that right on one of your fire ring rocks whilst thou cookest's thine mallow...thus allowing your chocolate to get just a wee bit drippy and full of melty goodness.  Top with your other cracker.

Inhale.
God's gift to the Universe.

And if you really want to be naughty, might I suggest TWO marshmallows and an entire HALF of a chocolate bar....  Makes all the goodness that much more delish!  Cinnamon graham crackers add a few more well worth it calories to the mix, as well.  Just sayin.'

 Follow up with some chicken love...

 And some apologies for eating...um...chicken in front of them...

And then...maybe...a literal game of "Chicken" as you each race to the bottom of the hill.
The girls won this time.
Methinks I shall have no eggs for days.

 Follow this up with the annual torching of the Christmas tree.

 Causing your neighbors to wonder if your house is on fire...

 And possibly making your friend "from away" wonder if you ever really get out much...

Observe a moment of silence in appreciation for what a nice little Christmas tree she was...
And trompse inside for naptime.
All ages welcome.

 My four children - all together.
How precious.

Evidence of a day well spent.
And thus endeth a Redneck Saturday...

Happy Weekend, friends!