Friday, June 29, 2012

Oh How Pinteresting

I completely forgot about the Pinterest linky party that The Vintage Apple hosts on Wednesdays.  Well, since I can't blog about last nights flop of a meal,  {yep.  No one liked it.  I think it was the Pineapples.  Not sure, though.}  I will fill space with my Pinterest finds for the week.  




Check out the other great Pinteresting threads at:









She is also hosting a giveaway.  One lucky reader gets a $30.00 Amazon Gift card!  Who couldn't use that?  I know, I could!  



Just look at this dresser.  I love all the plans over at Ana White and the gals at Shanty 2 Chic always come through with awesomeness!









How cute is this? An adorable mat made from an inexpensive rubber mat.







Better than take out Crab Rangoons? YUM! I have to try this.







Orangecicle Cocktails sound wonderful on these hot Texas days!




And just because it has been so hot, I'll leave you with a funny:

Source: someecards.com via Dana on Pinterest


I hope everyone has a great Weekend! If you're celebrating the Fourth this weekend, be safe! We'll be waiting for the 4th celebration here in town. Complete with fireworks and a fly-over. How fun! Stay cool!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Sugar Scrub




Folks, it's another scorcher here in Texas.  Yesterday afternoon, our little thermometer on the front porch read 115˚.  We aren't doing too much in the fun department these days.  Just like hot dog up there, we are sticking close to the AC.

I am taking advantage of the crock pot today.  Some awesome concoction with chicken, rum, pineapples, and you guessed it: lime juice.  I'll post the recipe next week. So, stay tuned.

I have to tell you a funny about last night's meal.  I had enough forethought about me to go ahead and cook the meatballs mid-morning, thinking that would be a good way to keep from heating up the house in the late afternoon.  All I had to do once Maintenance Man got home was take them out of the fridge, add marinara; ok spaghetti, sauce, and serve.  One thing....when it's this hot in Texas and there is any moisture at all in the air, what happens?  Yup, mold.  Our lovely loaf of Italian bread had mold growing on the top.  YUCKKKO.  In the garbage.  So, next best thing?  Hot Dog buns!  Ha!

They were very tasty.  We served the meatballs on buns, topped with Parmesan (stinky) cheese and some grated mozzarella.  Well, of course, all of us except the 5 year old.  He ate plain meatballs.

Ok, now I know you're wondering what all this has to do with sugar scrub.  When it's this hot outside, I start noticing things.  Weird things.  Like how, after 12+ years in the nursing field, the lack of water in my diet, and now baking/cooking all the time, and washing pots, my hands look like I'm 90.


I can't believe I'm even going to show you this.  But, here is a picture of my hand from this morning.
Wow!  Whose hand is that?  Not good.

But, there is a very simple, and I do mean simple, solution to this:


I used the Lavendar Silk version of the Dawn Hand Renewal dish soap.  You can tell if you click the link, there are many flavors scents/colors to choose from.  I, for one, have a soft-spot for purple.  Thinking back, and looking at the picture, probably not the wisest of choices.

Anyway... what you'll need to do is fill your jar 3/4 of the way with white sugar.



Start pouring in the dish soap.


Continue pouring until the soap starts sinking to the bottom of the jar.  Stir, stir, stir like the wind, Bullseye.

It will eventually mix all together.


Kind of looks like silly putty to me.  I guess I'll need a better color next time.  But, it smells wonderful.

Oh yeah, and it works!


The minute I had that lovely compound, I plopped some right on my hand. I wet it with just some warm water and scrubbed until I didn't feel the grittiness of the sugar, then rinsed.

Again:


After just one application!  My hands feel silky soft now.  I think I'm going to just set that jar by my kitchen sink and swipe some every couple of days.

Now, this opens up a whole window of opportunities.  Brown sugar; epsom salt, vitamin E oils, hmmmm.  I just may find a use for the other 3 jars that came in that package of Mason jars.


Freedom Friday #8Terrific Tuesday #22

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Grilled Baby Back Ribs

Well, I have to admit that we have already strayed from the menu.

It was 106˚ degrees in Texas yesterday.

Well, that, my friends, is hot.

In my opinion, too hot to cook.

So, I opted to make a frozen pizza instead of Biscuit Taco Bake.  (I might add, that my pizza wasn't too frozen from being in the refrigerator freezer outside). It's just that dang hot!

We did have a wonderful weekend.  Not as hot, comparatively speaking.

So, I decided to grill.  No, I decided to have my husband grill.  Good little Maintenance Man.




Grilled Baby Back Ribs


Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cumin, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
Rub both sides of the ribs with the mixture. 
Like Paula Deen says "don't be afraid to rub your meat, y'all". 
Refrigerate overnight.
Heat grill to med-hot.
Place ribs on grill, making sure to keep the heat on one side and the meat on the other side.  This keeps the meat from cooking too quickly and drying out. 

My husband turns his about every 20-30 minutes, cooking for about 3 hours, until no longer pink. 

Now, we're from Texas, y'all, so we do NOT put barbecue sauce on our ribs.   But, this is where you could brush with barbecue sauce (bottled or home made) for the last 10 minutes of grilling. 

The measurements listed above is enough rub for 3 Spare Ribs, so I had way too much rub left over.

I put the leftovers in an airtight container for later use.

I saw something on Pinterest the other day. (I know you're surprised at my being on that site).  Cute litte glass jars filled with barbecue rub, wrapped with a cute litte ribbon and sealed with a cute little note. How CUTE!!

Oh..if you're on my Christmas list, disregard that last paragraph.

:o) 

Freedom Friday #8Patriotic Potluck Weekend #24Church Supper #45TWC #94

Salsa Lime Crock-pot Chicken

Remember Friday, when I told you I had chicken in the crock-pot? 

This chicken was so good, and so easy.  Don't you just love meals that you can prepare in the crock-pot, then basically forget about them?  I do, too!



Salsa Lime Crock-Pot Chicken


Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 Tablespoons lime juice
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 cup salsa
flour tortillas
lettuce
cheese
sour cream
...whatever other taco sides you might want. The possibilities are endless. 

Directions:

Place chicken in bottom of crock-pot. 
In a small bowl, mix lime juice with chili powder.
Pour juice over chicken.
Cook on low for 4 hours.
After 4 hours, remove the chicken and shred.
Place the chicken back into the pot and add the salsa. I added a smidge more lime juice here as well.   Let cook for about an hour longer. 
Serve on flour tortillas with your taco sides. 


MMM!  I don't know what it is about lime that just screams summer, but these tacos were great. And, not too hot; not even for maintenance man. 


Linking up: Toot Your Horn Tuesday #1Freedom Fridays #8Patriotic Potluck Weekend #24Church Supper #45




 Love Bakes  Good Cakes

Monday, June 25, 2012

Menu Monday 6/25-7/1

It's Back!  Menu Monday.  Yay!!  I know you missed it last week. 

I actually have my menu planned through next week (forgetting that next Wednesday is the 4th), so I'll just go through Monday.  I'm hoping to be gone on the 4th.  


I'm not sure if I really forgot; or if I just can't believe that this year is slipping away from me.

Monday:

Spaghetti and meat sauce
garlic bread 
green beans

Tuesday:

Taco Biscuit Bake

Wednesday:

Meatball Subs (I'm going to attempt these; wish me luck)

Thursday:

Pineapple Rum Chicken
Coconut Rice

Friday:

TBD

Saturday:

German Tacos

Sunday:

TBD

Monday:

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Rice

I really enjoy making my menus again.  It helps in so many ways.  While I like the fact that it cuts down on the food bill; I love that I don't have to panic at five o'clock when I realize I have nothing set out.  

Friday, June 22, 2012

Spicy Shredded Pork- PW Style


I have to preface this whole post by saying that I knew better.  Anything with the word 'spicy' in the title isn't for my husband.  

I even left out the word 'spicy' when he asked me 'what's for dinner?'  

"Oh honey, we're having shredded pork.  Doesn't that sound yummy?"

But, when it came down to it; the recipe was way too spicy for my Maintenance Man and the 5 year old.  

Kolby is 9 and had no problem with it.  He just kept drinking his V8 Fusion and adding more cheese. :)  My Maintenance Man must have a baby mouth.

How can one get through life; IN TEXAS, and not eat hot stuff?  

He did say that the chipotle added wonderful flavor; it was just too hot.  I know he liked it because he asked me to make a to-go plate so he could take it to a couple of guys at work.  Now, that's saying something. 

So, here goes: 



I followed Ree's recipe.  I call her Ree because we're tight like that. 

She has absolutely NO idea who I am.  So, I wonder, with that being said, if I should call her Mrs. Drummond?  Or perhaps HRH Pioneer Woman?  hmmmm.  

But, I digress.   

My changes were: 

My pork roast was only 3 pounds, I only used about 1/4 of a can of chipotles, and I used 3 TBS of brown sugar.  

As you can see, I served ours on buns, with Colby Jack cheese.  

These were soooo good!  I cannot wait to make them again.  I need to find a new way though; without the chipotle.  

Any suggestions?  How to keep the flavor, but take the 'hot' out?  

I'm scared about tonight's dish, too. I already have Salsa Lime Chicken in the crock pot.  

AHHH! I'll let ya know, Monday how that turned out.  

See y'all then.  Have a safe weekend!


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Versatile Blogger Award

I hate bombarding all of my readers with a second post in one day, but I just couldn't contain myself!! 





A great big THANK YOU to The Awkward Kitchenette for nominating me for this wonderful award. I am so honored to get recognized by such a wonderful lady!  

If you haven't checked her out, her blog the Awkward Kitchenette is full of mouth-watering recipes!  Click on over and check her out!

Now the 'rules' for this award are:

  1. Thank the Blogger who nominated you
  2. Include a link to their site
  3. Include the award image in your post
  4. Give 7 random facts about yourself
  5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award
  6. When nominating, include a link to their site
  7. Let the other bloggers know they've been nominated.  

Okay, on to number 4.  Hrm. 7 facts about me: 

1. I can wiggle my ears.  It's a gift, I know.  I guess it was passed down to my from my mother and from me to my son. Kolby is the only other one who can wiggle his ears. But, don't ask us to do it when we are smiling or laughing.  
2. I have an obsession with Dr Pepper.  I have tried to live without it; I can't...
3. I super big puffy heart to sit and play Mario with the boys.
4. I hated to cook until about 5 years ago.  In fact, as previously stated, I even told my husband when we met " I ain't no Betty Crocker"  LOL!! 
5. I can make a huge mess with paint.  In fact, if you look at my 'craft' clothes, you can tell all the colors I have painted since wearing them.
6. I cannot stand to wear makeup.
7.  I love to wear my old Cabela's ball cap on a daily basis.  


Now, I think #5 was even harder than #4. I struggle with nominating other bloggers.  Everyone out there is so wonderful.  But, I managed to narrow the list to 15.  Here they 
are, in no particular order:

  1. Jaime @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
  2. Daisy @ Lovely Memories
  3. Debra Ann @Granny's Southern Cooking
  4. Rina @ I Thee Cook
  5. Evelyn @ My Turn 4 Us
  6. Maria @ Sweet Yarns
  7. Jade @ An Organized Mess
  8. Marsha @ The Better Baker
  9. Flavors by Four
  10. Abby @ Only Impossible Until Done
  11. Amanda @ Life Experience Needed
  12. Jenny @ The NY Melrose Family
  13. Krista @ Everyday Moms Meals
  14. Imagic Reflections
  15. Alese @ 2 Crafty 4 My Skirt

Whew!  Congratulations, ladies!  I love all of you and all that you do!! 
Keep on Blogging! 

Lime Grilled Chicken


Summer is upon us.  Yesterday, in fact, was the official First Day of Summer!  We had a warm day. Highs in the 90's.  But, there was an awesome cool breeze blowing. 

That is not typical of a Texas June day.  We are usually hot and dry.  If any breeze is blowing, it usually feels like a hair dryer.  Miserable!

When maintenance man got home, I had some chicken marinating in the fridge for him to pop on the grill to take advantage of this wonderful afternoon.

We have used this marinade before...a lot of times.  When we find something good, we stick to it. 


I sincerely apologize for the blurriness of this picture. :(  

You'll need: 


3-4 pounds of chicken.  I use leg quarters any time we are grilling.
Some lime juice
Italian Dressing
Garlic Powder
Thyme
S&P to taste
That's it!  Very easy.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  In a small bowl, mix: 
1 cup lime juice (I used 1/2 cup ReaLime and then the juice of 4 fresh limes)
1 cup Italian dressing
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp garlic powder

Place chicken into a large Ziploc bag, pour the marinade in, seal the bag and toss to coat. 


Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.  I let mine sit for about 3 hours, turning about every 45 minutes.  Well, actually, every time the washer finished it's cycle, I got up and turned it too.  
Grill chicken over medium-low heat for 35-45 minutes or until juices run clear.


Lime Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

3-4 pound chicken
1 cup lime juice
1 cup Italian dressing
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

Salt and pepper chicken and place in a Ziploc baggie.  In a small bowl, mix together rest of ingredients. Pour marinade into Ziploc bag, seal and toss to coat.  Let marinade for at least 30 minutes.  Grill chicken on medium-low heat for 35-45 minutes, or until juices run clear.





Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Oh How Pinteresting

Oh no!  I'm sunk.  A link party dedicated totally to Pinterest?  Could there BE anything better? (said in my best Chandler Bing voice).






So, here are my Pinterest picks for this week:

My favorite category has to be Funny Stuff :)  :















                                                                     Source: someecards.com via Dana on Pinterest









                                                                  Source: fiftyshadesfans.blogspot.mx via Dana on Pinterest















                                                                              Source: Uploaded by user via Dana on Pinterest







Food!:


                                                                          Source: lilluna.com via Dana on Pinterest




                                                                  Source: mamafoodie.com via Dana on Pinterest







And, of course, DIYs!:





                                                                       Source: jadedblossom.com via Dana on Pinterest


                                                                         Source: annies-eats.com via Dana on Pinterest





Well, that's it. What have you been Pinning lately?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

York Peppermint Patty Brownies

I have a horrible weak spot for brownies.  A huge, never-ending weak spot for brownies.  I could eat brownies all day, every day.

Pinterest is a gross enabler.  It enables me to find yummy chocolate recipes.  It enables me to take ordinary chicken and make it fabulous!  I found this poem that sums up the whole Pinterest experience.  
Here it is, just in case you don't want to click off this wonderful recipe: 

"If Pinterest was real, the whole world would be shiny,
no thighs would touch, every waist would be tiny.
There’d be no time to sleep and no time to rest,
while we try 50 new ways to cook chicken breasts.
We’d use proper technique to chop all our onions,
our boyfriends would dress like urban Paul Bunyans,
the walls of our bedrooms say “Live, Laugh, Love,”
and our black sequin miniskirts fit like a glove.
We’d all follow strict workout plans to stay lean,
and use vinegar to keep our homes spotlessly clean.
We’d eat cookie-stuffed brownies and never gain weight,
we’d buy Chanel purses and never pay the rent late.
We could make macarons our very first try,
no dress is too fancy, no heel is too high.
Every outfit is stylish and perfectly posed,
every girl can french braid with her smoky eyes closed.
Makeup and hair tips are carefully taught,
and who needs an oven when you have a crockpot?
We’d make beautiful crafts to display on the shelf.
Like my necklace? Why thank you, I made it myself.
In Pinterest world everything’s pretty and nice,
but remember perfection always comes with a price:
manicures never chip and tights never run,
but in real life this world wouldn’t be any fun."
Winona Dimeo-Ediger- The Frisky.com

Did she nail it?  Oh, I think so!  Too funny, but so true.  
So, I was perusing the fabulous site we all call Pinterest, and came across this pin:





Doesn't that look wonderful?  I also have a weakness for York Peppermint Patties, so I knew I had to make these.  

Ok, let's get this thing started!  



First, combine 2/3 cup butter and 5 oz unsweetened baking chocolate and 1 tsp instant coffee in a 1-quart sauce pan.































Melt it over low heat; stirring constantly.

Hey, there, good looking!  Ahem...  





Next, you'll need 1 3/4 cup sugar in a mixing bowl

















2 teaspoons vanilla extract




















3 large eggs


















1 Cup flour; yup you read right.  I added my flour with the rest of the ingredients instead of at the end... 

Beat with electric mixer on high for 5 minutes.   


Beat in chocolate on low speed; scraping bowl occasionally. 


Line a muffin tin with 12 liners; add 1 heaping spoonful of the brownie batter.



Place a mini-York Peppermint Patty in the center and press it in.



Cover the peppermint patty with another tablespoon of batter. 


Bake at 350˚ for 30 minutes.  




York Peppermint Patty Brownies


Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter
5 oz unsweetened baking chocolate. cut into pieces
1 tsp instant coffee
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350˚
Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners
Melt butter, chocolate and instant coffee in 1 quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
Beat sugar, vanilla, eggs and flour in medium bowl with electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes.  Beat in chocolate mixture on low speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of batter into each liner.
Place York Peppermint Patty in the middle and press it in
Scoop another 1 tablespoon batter over the patty.
Bake for 30 minutes. 





Original idea found: Fearless Home Maker
Brownie recipe adapted from: Betty Crocker Cookbook




















Tip Junkie handmade projects

Made Monday #25
Church Supper #43
Whimsy Wednesday 16
Uncommonly Yours Linky Party #33
Show and Share #45
From Dream to Reality #21
Weekend Wrap Up Part
What's Shakin Link Party #14
Scrumptious Sunday Link Party #17
The Pinterest Challenge
Moms Test Meals #3 
toastie studio

Monday, June 18, 2012

Country Fried Steak

I was going to get back in to the habit of making today my Menu Monday post.  My menu is made, and hanging on the fridge.

I had the weekend all planned.  Honey-Mustard Grilled Pork Chops~ yum!  Maintenance Man saw that there was leftover hamburger meat in the fridge, so he made the executive decision to have hamburgers.......again.   I tell ya, I'm running out of ways to season them.  But, this time, I added some Worcestershire sauce and seasoned with Paula Deen's Season All.

Anyway...the pork chops got pushed back to Sunday (supposed to be Lime Grilled Chicken). However, God blessed Texas with some wonderful rain on Sunday afternoon, so no grilling at our house.  But thank You for the rain!

VERY long story short...my menu is all messed up.  I hope he is ready to do some week night grilling. :)



We did a great job sticking to the menu last week. :)


Country-Fried Steak

Ingredients:

1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds cubed steak
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup water

Salt and pepper your steak.  Dredge steak in flour. 
Brown steak in hot oil in batches in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
Remove steak from skillet, set aside.
Add onion to drippings in skillet; cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Return steak to skillet; add water and bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes or until tender.  

We, of course, served this with cream gravy and Creamy Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes. 

Delish!



Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

I want to give a shout out to all the Dads out there.  Especially my husband.  He makes me very proud. His love for his children really shows.

What a wonderful day!  I hope you don't forget to tell the special man in your life Happy Father's Day!  



Download Here







Friday, June 15, 2012

Chocolate Almond Pudding Pops

We are always looking for new summer recipes to keep us cool.  So, when my new Taste of Home magazine came and had this recipe, I knew we had to try it.   What made it even better?  I could adapt it to include things I already had in the house!  




Chocolate Almond Pudding Pops

Ingredients:

1 3.9oz pkg instant chocolate pudding
1 cup half n half
1 cup 2% milk
3 T powdered nonfat amaretto creamer
1/8 tsp almond extract.

Directions:


Whisk all ingredients together until creamy.  Pour into 8 ice pop molds or paper cups (3 oz each).  Top molds with holders or insert wooden sticks into cups.  Freeze for 4-6 hours or until solid.








If you noticed, the original recipe called for 1/2 cup sugar.  I didn't add any extra sugar to mine, and the boys didn't mind at all!  Enjoy!


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