Welcome Home...

to my Brandon!


The hubs has been gone for a few weeks for work, with no communication, might I add. Talk about a long time! Yesterday on the way to church I got the phone call I had been waiting for. I picked up, and screamed, "Braaandooon!" He said, "Maaaandaa! What are you doing you big dummy?" and that was all it took for the tears of joy to start!
Man, what we all take for granted everyday...


Friday night and Saturday was spent doing anything and everything I could do to prepare for his homecoming. Best way to a man's heart? THE BELLY. I baked three trays of chicken breast. Then I prepped some meals and stuck them in the freezer so they are ready to bake, whenever he wants them!

I prepped mom's famous 'No Fuss Lasagna'

No Fuss Lasagna
{Mom's specialty!}

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1 (26 oz.) prepared spaghetti sauce
1 (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz.) ctn of Ricotta cheese
1 egg beaten
1/4 c. parmesean cheese
1 tsp. basil
6 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 c. mozzarella shredded cheese

Directions:
1. Brown ground beef (drain).
2. Add spaghetti sauce and tomatoes. Stir and sit to the side.
3. Combine ricotta cheese, egg, parmesean cheese, and basil.
4. Spread 2 cups of beef sauce over the bottom of 11x7 inch baking dish.
5. Place 3 noodles in single layers over beef mixture.
6. Spoon cheese on top of noodles, sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
7. Top with 2 cups of beef mixture then arrange remaining noodles in single layers.
8. Top with remaining beef mixture, spread evenly to cover noodles.
9. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Cover lightly with foil.
10. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

Along with her Chicken Tetrazzini

{Recipes may be coming, depending on if the Queen will let me share ;)}


Then of course I had to make something for that sweet tooth of his. His favorite thing? Reese peanut butter cups, so naturally I did a spin off. I made mini brownie batter peanut butter cupcakes WITH homemade peanut butter icing. I know right, I really made all that!

Preparing...

De-lish!

He loved them! Here are the recipes!

Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 package of chewy fudge brownie mix
1 package of {Reese} peanut butter chips OR 24 miniature peanut butter cups

Directions:
{For mini cupcakes}
1. Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies.
2. Fill the cups half full with brownie batter.
3. Place 3-4 peanut butter chips in the center of the batter.
4. Fill the cups almost to the top.
4. Bake at 350 for 14-16 minutes.

{For normal size cupcakes}
1. Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies.
2. Fill the cups half full with brownie batter.
3. Place 1 miniature peanut butter cup until the batter meets the top edge of the peanut butter cup.
4. Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.

Peanut Butter Icing

Ingredients:
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp milk, or as needed
2 cups confectioners' or icing sugar

Directions:
1. Beat butter and peanut butter in an electric mixer.
2. Slowly mix in the sugar, and when it thickens and gets dry, add the milk a little at a time until all of the sugar is mixed in and the frosting is thick and spreadable.
3. Beat for at least 3 minutes for it to get good and fluffy.
4. Spread or pip lavishly over the cupcakes.


Along with all the cooking, I cleaned the house from top to bottom, washed all the laundry, washed both the cars {inside and out}, filled up the tanks, did my grocery shopping, found the banner I made from his last deployment and hung it up!

You can't really see, but it says;
Welcome Home You Big Dummy!

I was one busy wife!


So, what did Jaxon do the whole weekend?

Napping while I ate lunch...

Napping while I made cupcakes...

Napping while I was cooking...

Napping while I was cleaning...

Well, you get the picture. Tough life being a pup!


I often wondered what Jaxon thought. If he was randomly whining because he missed Brandon, if he knew he would be back? Talk about excited! I didn't think he was ever going to calm down when he saw him!


So glad to have my Brandon home again, we sure did miss him!