Chicken and noodles and cheese… OH MY!

Good evening, y'all. Welcome back.

This particular past Sunday was bittersweet. I had a really great time at the Miss Fort Worth Scholarship Org Christmas Party at Baseball Diamonds at Texas Rangers Ballpark, however, I was unable to attend a memorial service for one of Miss Texas' own: Bruce Wallace.

For those of you who do not know Bruce Wallace (which many of you reading this do since you are a competitor or involved in the organization), he was involved with the Miss Texas Organization for 30 years. He was a mentor and an overall great friend. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, and he planned events at VA Hospitals. You could always count on Bruce to make you feel like a million bucks even when you were not feeling worth a dollar. He is someone I will continue to have so much respect and gratitude for. I'll miss his sweet comments on my Facebook posts and whenever I saw him in person. May his soul live in peace with our Holy Father. You will be missed here in the physical world. <3

Bruce Wallace and Miss Texas 2013, Ivana Hall.

Saturday evening I had the opportunity to go to Hulen Mall in Fort Worth to work with Toys for Tots. Miss Fort Worth, Destiny Velez, got to stand outside of the Sears Automotive and wave and wish people driving by a Merry Christmas. I'm not sure the exact total raised for the weekend-long fundraiser, but I'll be sure to let y'all know the amount as soon as I hear! It was such a blessing to see people pay their respects to the marines and army men and women. It was freezing, but it was hard to complain when you know the cause. I wish I could have devoted more time this year to Toys for Tots, but next year I'm coming back full force!

Miss Forth Worth, Destiny Velez, and Miss North Texas 2014, Logan McCormick taking a quick break to pose with a marine while working with the Toys for Tots at Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, Texas.

Miss North Texas 2014, Logan McCormick; Miss Forth Worth 2014, Destiny Velez; and Miss North Texas' Outstanding Teen 2014, Meagan Hullett posing with marines at the end of the event on Saturday, December 15, 2013.

Now everyone knows that us McCormick's LOVE food. We are not biased. For the Miss Fort Worth/Miss North Texas Christmas Party at Baseball Diamonds last night, I made cheesy chicken spaghetti! I made two tin containers of it and came home with NOTHING. I was asked for the recipe by multiple people, so I wanted to share it with you as well! Keep in mind, this recipe made two tin containers full (which that was just so they wouldn't be too heavy, they could have easily fit into one) and could easily feed 12-15 people.

"Oh my GOSH! What is your recipe?" Cheesy Chicken Sketti:

Ingredients:
4-5 chicken boneless, skinless chicken breast
Chicken Broth 
*(this is optional. I used this to boil the chicken in, so if you do use this, get enough to fully cover the chicken breasts when boiling!)
32 oz of spaghetti noodles (I almost used the whole box. All but a handful is left.)
1.5 cans of cream of mushroom
1.5 cans of cream of chicken
1.5 cans of fiesta nacho cheese soup
1 small block of velveta cheese (*I used market pantry mild cheddar! And only used 1/2 the block!)
1 can mild rotel with green chiles (drained)
1 can original rotel with green chiles (drained)

Instructions:
1. Boil your chicken in your choice of liquid. I used chicken broth. If you have never boiled chicken before, follow the link below. Yesterday was the first time I have ever boiled chicken and it may be my go to method from now on! Once the chicken is cooked and no longer pink, move to a large bowl and shred.
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/handling-meat/how-to-boil-chicken/
2. Boil noodles until done and then move to bowl with chicken.
3. Mix together Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Fiesta Nacho Cheese, Rotel, and Velveeta over medium heat in a sauce pan until cheeses are melted and mix together smoothly. Should be very creamy!
4. Once all cheeses are melted together, mix the sauce in with the noodles and chicken.
5. CONGRATULATIONS! You've just made Lolo's "Oh my GOSH! What is your recipe?" Cheesy Chicken Sketti.

*Additional notes, although this recipe doesn't call for oven use, I put mine in the oven on 200F for about 5 minutes and then let it sit in there for about 10-15 on warm while I glued my false eyelashes on and put on my make up. I'm telling you y'all, it's so good that Miss Shelli (my director) almost paid me to take the leftovers home. Try it! You and your family and friends will love you forever. Just remember to give your girl some credit! :)

I felt so grateful to be a titleholder last night. I went home with a leopard print onesie, a leopard print purse, and many Christmas ornaments and a gorgeous scarf from Destiny. So thankful for my MFWSO family.

Today was my last final at school, and although I'm thankful for it be over I am more ready for it to start up again. I had a revelation in the middle of this semester about what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. I found myself and what I feel like I've been called upon to do. With that being said, if you are a senior in high school or just beginning college, please focus on your studies and take school seriously. Your education is a major factor in your life and future, and you need to give it your all. I've realized it later than necessary, but I'm coming back full force. :)

Time to cuddle up with my puppies and drink some coffee before bed. (Don't worry, it's decaf. If it was regular I'd be running a half marathon.)… Maybe I need to do that. Hello, cardio being done for the rest of the 2013 year!

I hope you each have a Merry Christmas if I don't talk to you before then. May God watch over each of you who will be traveling, and may you each have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our gracious Father. Never ever forget what Christmas Day is all about!

In Him, 
Logan McCormick

Miss North Texas 2014