4th of July Menu...It's here...I think!

The July 4th menu has been decided.  Well, dessert has been decided!  I am going back and forth between our usual hamburgers and hot dogs.  The hot dogs would have to be chili slaw dogs...give them a chance...REALLY good! Instead of our ""usual" I might go with chicken kabobs or some kind of speciality sandwich.  If I can find some fresh zucchini and squash for a good deal I will make a vegetable medley...squash, zucchini, onion, peppers, and mushrooms...seasoned to your liking!  I have put them on the grill in a foil packet (with some butter in it) or as a stir fry.  Check back with me on what we had for the 4th...it might be something totally different!

Banana Split Brownie Pizza

1 (20 oz.) box fudge brownie mix

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved

2 tbl.sugar

2 bananas, sliced and tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning

1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

1 cup blueberries (we are adding blueberries this time to give it a patriotic flair)

vanilla ice cream

chocolate syrup

Grease a 15 inch pizza pan.  Prepare the brownie mix according to box directions.  Pour into the prepared pan.  Bake for 20 minutes or until done.  Remove from the oven and cool completely.  Beat the pineapple, cream cheese, and sugar together in a bowl.  Use any reserved pineapple juice at this time, if needed, to soften the mixture to a good spreading consistency.  Spread the mixture over the cooled brownie.  Arrange the banana, strawberries, and blueberries over the cream cheese mixture.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  To serve, slice as you would a pizza, scoop ice cream on each piece, and top with chocolate syrup.

Hope you enjoy!

Pizza Dip

I came across this recipe tonight when looking through some things. Sounds like a fun treat or a light supper idea! I also want come up with something new to serve for the fourth of July.

The first recipe is for Pizza Dippers.

8 oz. ricotta cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Parmesan

1 tsp.Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp.garlic powder

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Your favorite chopped pizza toppings, such as tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni...

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, then stir in one cup of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well. Spoon the mixture into 6 small oven-proof bowls, then sprinkle each one with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Place the bowls on a cookie sheet and bake until the dips are heated through and the tops are lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes. Garnish each with with the chopped pizza toppings. Serve warm with bread sticks, crackers, or pita chips.

Our Front Porch Friend

Meet Moose.

He is the latest addition to our family. He has only been with us for about seven hours, and things are going well. I am sure you are going to hear plenty about him. He the size of a small pony! Friends of ours told me about him, and I decided to check him out...alone...without the high-pitched squealing of my girls and their pleading looks. So I took my down-to-earth, practical husband who loves me and knows me the best. I didn't even take any money so I would not be able to get him. The plan was to go back a couple more times to be with him. We spent time with Moose, and about an hour later my husband looked at me and asked what I thought. I said that I REALLY liked him...my husband said that he did,too. I looked at him with pleading eyes...he pulled out the money for him. Remember, I said he knows me the best? The kids were so excited when we pulled in with Moose!

So now the "Moose Adventure" begins...

Thanks for stopping by....

Battle of the Front Porch...the conclusion???

We are not 100% sure...Mr. Coon might not be around any more. The other day Vcitoria and I were turning onto our road and were saddened at the sight of a huge raccoon in the road. Um, not breathing....really, we were saddened. We were shocked that for a split second that this might be our "Mr. Coon." I really did not want the battle to end this way. As a matter of fact, I have actually watched for him....nothing has been uprooted in my garden. I think my daughter was even enjoying making future battle plans...I did get several bits of advice on how to handle the situation and will keep those in mind for future reference. After all, this is the country and I am sure my battles are not over!

Recently I was reminded of one of my first posts on this blog....taking time. For yourself, for God, for your family...We all are so busy. Time is valuable. Have you ever caught yourself wishing for more time in the day so that you could get everything done? This month has been unreal as far as busy-ness. Make it a priority for some "away time." My porch has been inviting me out there...in the quiet...just me, a glass of peach tea, my Lord...and about 899 misquitoes.

Thanks for stopping by ...see you soon!

Battle of the Front Porch...continued....

I CAUGHT HIM....Well, I caught him on the camera...

now to figure out what to do about him. I caught him sniffing the herbs and saw that he had dug up one of Victoria's newly planted flowers. Obviously, he did not like the taste...he just pulled it up and put it aside. I replanted it....two hours later she walked in the door...VERY UPSET! "Something has pulled up my flowers!" So- Mr. Coon struck twice in one night. The battle continues....Victoria keeps shining a flashlight out the front door...not sure how long she plans on staying up guarding her flowers. The next phase of the battle? I'm not sure, so suggestions are welcome!

Okay, my next blog will be more meaningful...I did try to come up with an application for this event in my life....maybe it is just to make you smile. I hope it does!

By the way, as I am finishing this Mr. Coon is back. My daughter is now banging on the door and shining a flashlight at him. Um...not sure that is a really scary tactic.

Have a wonderful night!

Battle of the Front Porch

Sorry, folks, no recipe this time. Unless, of course, it would be opossum stew or coon steaks...I am determined to win this one. Something is intentionally out to get me. It all started the morning after Victoria planted a cute little mini rose bush in my flower bed. Yes, it was a thoughtful gift from my husband that I now will have to explain its disappearance. Something dug it up and carried it away...it left no remains. I also noticed it dug up some plants in a flower pot. It must not have liked the taste because the plants are all over the porch. I am thankful that the herbs we are planting (which are in their little pots by the front door) were left untouched. My two hummingbird feeders were also attacked and tossed to the ground. It is CRAZY! My son told me that there was something clawing at my front door about midnight....sounds like war to me. Any advice? A dog has been suggested....my kids would like that. Well, I am off to form my battle plan. Not just for the porch, but for the next couple of weeks...busy days! The Lord is good! I will check in with you in a couple of days with a new recipe or two. Have a great day.