St. Patrick's Day is Almost Here!

Last Sunday we had our St. Patrick's Day dinner.  My Irish husband will be out of town on St. Patrick's Day this year so we celebrated early this year with a new Irish recipe.  It was delicious!  We will definitely do this again...

         

          1 (3 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 medium head cabbage, cored and sliced thin
• spicy brown mustard
• 12 slices sourdough bread, lightly toasted

Directions

1. Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound until tender. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes. Slice meat across the grain.
2. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Place the shredded cabbage in a large bowl and pour the dressing over it; toss to coat the cabbage with the dressing.
3. Spread a layer of mustard on 6 slices of toasted bread. Place some shredded cabbage and corned beef on each slice and top with remaining slices of bread.       

I found this on www.allrecipes.com .  This is one of my favorite websites! 

  My daughter and I did this one last night.  Pizza Bites! We ate them right out of the oven... served with a pizza sauce.  These will definitely be put on next month's menu.  Go on over to www.annies-eats.com for her Pizza Bites recipe.  They were so easy to make...small piece of cheese and pepperoni wrapped in pizza dough...yum!  There are many good recipes on this site also.

Remember Dippin' Dots...."The Ice Cream of the Future"?  All you need is yogurt (1/2 cup will make a lot), spoon or small icing tip and bag.  Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper and drop the yogurt from a small spoon or the icing bag.  Put the dots in the freezer...When set....enjoy!  You will have to watch them, though.  They melt quickly!  I am not a big fan of yogurt, but I really enjoyed this home made treat.

http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-crafts/to-catch-a-leprechaun-710897/

         Why did I not think of this when my kids were younger??  The idea of catching a leprechaun is so much fun!  Family Fun has some cute ideas to celebrate the day with your children.  Build those memories and traditions!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today.  The weather today is beautiful!  I think this calls for a cup of coffee and my swing on the front porch.  I'll take some time to start planning my flower beds.  Enjoy your day!



Recipes, recipes, recipes....

The weekend was wonderful!  Our couple got to spend a lot of time together.  The banquet was absolutely incredible..well, that's what I heard as we whispered about it after the lights were turned off.  I am so thankful for the time spent with Eugene.

So the courtship continues....

On a side note.  Awhile back I took a look at Pinterest....funny, but I seemed to find so many excuses to get on the computer and "happened" to check out Pinterest...again and again.  I quickly filled my house with more ideas than is humanly possible...and more recipes than I could imagine.  I am relieved to report that I am actually trying the recipes!  I thought I would share a few of them with you...

coca cola cake

http://www.mayflaum.com/

home made crunchwrap supreme

http://www.fullbelliesmakehappykids.wordpress.com/

crab rangoon dip

http://www.recklessabandoncook.com/

lasagna soup

http://www.thedeenbros.com/

mini snickers caramel cheesecakes

http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/

It really has been fun trying these recipes (all have been hits with the family).  Several more new recipes have found their way to next month's menu.  Speaking of next month's menu...the menu is only half way done and I don't have much time before shopping day....shopping for the whole month is not always easy, but it works for us.  Guess that means I need to get busy!

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit.  I hope you have a great week.

Don't forget to give your family a hug!

A Courtin' We Will Go...

"Courtship is a season for two people to grow in friendship, to get to know each other's character, and to see how they interact as a couple."  Joshua Harris

On the night Eugene asked Sara Rose if he could court her...and she accepted;  her Dad gathered the family to pray with them.  Two people with the love, support, prayers of two families. 

Is this a pre-engagement? No.  No big announcement....although word is spreading!  We want people to know so they can  pray for this couple who are both seeking God's will.

Is it a pre-arranged situation? 

 Two sets of parents picking and deciding God's will?  I mean, "courtship" sounds so old-fashioned....No.  Although we do like Eugene a lot.....we did not do a search....

These two young people have decided to build on a friendship.  Two young people wanting to see if they will be able to benefit the other, not building a relationship on selfish needs and desires.

This week our Sara Rose gets to spend about a week with Eugene and his family before his next semester of college begins.  They are so excited!  I am really looking forward to hearing all about the trip!

Yep...here it comes...a RECIPE!  One of Eugene's favorite snacks....

Puppy Chow

9 cups crispy rice cereal squares

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate; add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
2. Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until coated.
3. Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal and shake until well coated. Store in airtight container.

Eugene and Sara Rose, we are excited about this opportunity for you to spend this time together.

Enjoy!

The Cookie Contest

Once upon a time there were two cookies made around Christmas.  One was a soft butter cookie with a wonderful frosting.  The other was a crisp Christmas cookie with cinnamon and nutmeg in it.  My husband recently requested the crisp cookie.....why?  He said he likes them better....The contest begins.  Which is better?  We will bake both kinds and see what happens!

Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 salt

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Sift dry ingredients, and gradually add to creamed mixture.  Mix well.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Cool.

Frosting

2 egg whites, beaten

1 tbl. lemon juice

3 1/2 cups confectioner sugar

Christmas Butter Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter,softened

1/2 sugar

1/2 brown sugar

2 egg yolks

3 1/2 flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Combine butter, sugars, and egg yolks in medium bowl.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Cover and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.  Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Cool.

Frosting

4 cups confectioner sugar

4 to 6 tbl. milk

assorted food color

LOVE this time of year....counters covered with cookie dough, flour, and the smell of the cookies baking....and frosting everywhere....add a little Christmas music....don't forget the occasional snatching of a cookie before the frosting is dry!  Good times!

Have a great day....

Oh, Christmas tree....

My oldest daughter is 19 years old.  On her first Christmas she received a home made ornament from my mom.  Just last week my children, now ages 19 ,18, and 17, received their ornaments.  Mom has asked me if they are getting to old for this...my reply to her is that they give me a look of disbelief.  Never will they be to old!  Every year she has sent them an ornament.  We started with a small tree, but two years ago we "graduated" to a six foot tree.  We call it the Mammaw tree....some garland and candy canes and ONLY Mammaw's ornaments!

This is the very first ornament...

One of this year's ornaments....

A few more....

I always think of these ornaments as gifts of time and love.  Thank you, Mammaw!

Speaking of Mammaw, I would like to feature her brownie recipe.  When I was younger she would sometimes make a batch of these for a bedtime treat.  It makes a 9x9 pan....

Brownies

1/3 cup shortening

2 tbl. cocoa

1 cup sugar

2 well beaten eggs

3/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Save room for dessert...

New Mexico...a state full of flavor!  A little trivia...State trivia...vegetable? Chile and pinto beans.  Bird?  Roadrunner.  Insect?  Tarantula hawk wasp....

Burritos

A burrito is a staple of this state.  A flour tortilla wrapped or folded around a filling. Try a breakfast burrito sometime.  Scramble eggs, add cooked sausage, bacon, cheese, hashbrowns.  Just add your favorite breakfast items.

Burrito Recipe:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce, divided
6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
shredded lettuce
garnishes...for your taste
Directions:
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until meat is browned, stirring often to break up meat.
2. Drain well.
3. Add chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add refried beans and 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce. Heat thoroughly.
5. Warm tortillas in microwave.
 6. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the ground beef mixture onto each tortilla; roll tightly and place seam-side down on serving platter lined with shredded lettuce.
7. Spoon remaining enchilada sauce over tortillas and garnish.
8. Can be served with any of the following: shredded cheese, sliced ripe olives, black olives, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, sour cream or guacamole, and more shredded lettuce.
Yield: 6 burritos.

Sopaipillas

Sopaipillas are an incredibly light, puffy bread. To eat, tear them open and spread with honey. They must be eaten immediately while steaming hot!  Alittle time consuming, but worth it.  I first had these at a Mexican restaurant....always a favorite of mine!

Sopaipillas Recipe:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lard* or vegetable shortening
1/2 cup lukewarm water
shortening or oil for frying
Directions:
1. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Work the lard and water in to make a soft dough. Cover and leave in refrigerator until chilled.
3. Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface, then cut into 3-inch squares or similar-sized triangles (about a 4 1/2-inch square, cut diagonally).
4. Deep fry a few at a time at 400F degrees until light golden brown, turning once.
5. Drain on paper towels.
6. Sprinkle with powder sugar or open and spread with honey.
*Using lard in the recipe, and frying with shortening rather than oil will make the sopaipillas lighter and is traditional.

Thanks for visiting with us!  See you next time in another state....

Fifty-Nifty Recipes... Rest Area....yes, again!

I think you are right...seemed like we just had a rest stop.  Well, today was just too pretty to research a state inside....the colors are really looking pretty here.  It will get even more colorful.  Today I grabbed the camera...time for some fresh air and sunshine.  Today we will just sit on my front porch and listened to the crickets and birds...and the sound of college football through the open window.

Several deer have come right up to the back of our house.  The deer seem to like to watch us...watch them!

Across from our house...our Internet is being extremely stubborn right now...I have more pictures to share, but I guess they will have to wait.  It would have to be the picture showing off some beautiful colors!

Here is a favorite site of mine...so many good recipes!
"http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=109224"  Gooseberry has a lot of cobblers, crumbles, etc. for you to browse through when you have time.  Enjoy your day, your family, and your football! 

A few years ago  I came across a list of things to pray for your children...I have used it since that time.  Pray for your children...about everything.  Does it take time?  Yeah, but they are worth it, right?  Example...when they are five, do they need a husband then?  No, but I pray for their spouses.  Still do...it is so important.  You don't need a name....you can fill in the blanks later....There are things they need now though.  Take the time for prayer!

1. Pray for their salvation.  John 3:16
2.  Pray for their "growth in grace".  2 Peter 3:18
3.  Love.  I want them to live a life of love..  Ephesians 5:2  Lots of verses....makes a good Bible study!
4.  Honesty and integrity.  Psalm 25:21

I will do more next time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...The table is set for a special occassion!

My daughter wanted to pick the state today.  Washington D.C....hmmmm, but what about?  Presidents...and their favorite foods.

Ronald Reagan loved jelly beans; licorice being his favorite.  Three and a half tons of jelly beans were shipped to the White House for the 1981 Inaugural celebration.  The blueberry jelly bean was invented so that there would be red, white, and blue jelly beans at the festivities.

Ulysses S. Grant enjoyed cucumbers soaked in vinegar.  Um, for breakfast.  Franklin Roosevelt liked grilled cheese.  James A. Garfield liked a hot bowl of squirrel soup....confession, I have actually had squirrel dumplin's, so I guess I better not judge him too quickly.  Here is one...Woodrow Wilson would have 2 raw eggs in grape juice for breakfast!  There are a lot of "normal" favorites out there also (besides the grilled cheese).  James Madison enjoyed a meal of ham, rolls, apple pie, and cider.  A common breakfast among the presidents were pancakes, toast, and/or eggs...and lots of coffee!

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S BIRTHDAY CAKE
1 cup Butter Or margarine
1-1/2 cup Sugar
3 Eggs, well beaten
1 cup Cold black coffee
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 tablespoon Vinegar
Cream butter and add sugar, a little at a time. Cream well; add eggs. Sift flour, salt, soda and cocoa together 3 times. Add coffee with flour mixture to batter, alternating. Then add vinegar and vanilla. Bake in 9-inch layer pan 20 to 35 minutes in 350 degrees oven or in loaf pan about 30 to 40 minutes in 350 degrees oven.

Our table is set...Here is a family idea...On President's Day (in February) celebrate by having "presidential favorites."  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner...whatever works for your family schedule...but make it a special day.  Remember the things that these men have done for our country...and pray for those in leadership now.  Thanks for stopping by today.  One more recipe to consider....Have a great day!

Laura Bush's Potato Soup 6 cups left over mashed potatoes 2 tbsp. butter or margarine 1 medium onion, diced 1/2 lb. of bacon, diced, cooked and drained well 1 large red pepper, diced 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup chives, minced 4 tbsp. sour cream approximately 2-3 cups of whipping cream, half and half or milk Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, saute onions and red pepper  over medium heat in 2 tablespoons butter until onions are clear. Add bacon, potatoes and whipping cream to desired consistency. Skim milk or chicken stock may be used to reduce calories. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a garnish of a dollop of sour cream,  grated cheese and chives.

Fifty-Nifty...The Carolinas

Dear Sweet Tea and a Rocking Chair,

I would like to share a little local place for SC. It is actually just a little more than a roadside stand on steroids. It is called Windy Hill Orchard (www.windyhillorchard.com). It is the only cider press in the area, and is full of charm. Family run, they specialize in tours for preschool & up led by Johnny Appleseed (with a Christian emphasis). It is great!! Also one of the greatest things about living in the Carolinas is that a trip to the ocean or to the mountains is only a day trip!!

Have a great day,

Valerie

I asked my college friend Valerie to help out with the Carolinas.  She has lived in both states...so she is just the right person to give us a taste of her part of America.  These recipes sound delicious.

SOUTH CAROLINA--BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. corn starch
3 eggs, separated
1 can evaporated milk + enough regular milk to make 2 cups
1 tsp. vanilla
3 ripe bananas (more or less depending on size)
Vanilla wafers
6 Tbsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. Cream of Tartar

Directions:
Cover the bottom and sides of a 2 quart casserole dish with vanilla wafers; cover the wafers with a layer of banana slices (be sure you have enough banana left to cover the top of the filling).

In a heavy sauce pan, mix together the sugar and corn starch. Add egg yolks and milk. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Pour into prepared casserole dish, cover with a layer of bananas, and set aside.

In medium mixing bowl, add the 3 reserved egg whites, 6 Tbsp. sugar and Cream of Tartar. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Cover the pudding with the prepared meringue and place in the oven (350 degrees) until top is golden brown. Allow to fully cool before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.

NORTH CAROLINA--SWEET POTATO BISCUITS

(As far as the biscuit recipe goes, I don't have one. It took me 20 years to finally make a decent buttermilk biscuit. A friend shared her secret with me, and I swear by it. It has never failed me. I use Southern Biscuit Formula L Restaurant Style Biscuit Mix. I don't even follow the recipe on the bag. I just pour some of the mix into a bowl and add buttermilk. Roll out, cut, place, and bake at 425 for 20 min.)

Southerners love their sweet potato casseroles! Some love the marshmallow topping, and some love the brown sugar/pecan crunchy topping. For this recipe, the leftovers of either kind will do, just remove the topping. You will need at least a cup of the filling, depending on how many biscuits you want to make.

To make sweet potato biscuits (an Eastern North Carolina classic), combine your dry ingredients in a bowl, then add your sweet potato filling and mix-your dough should be a pale orange. Add your liquids, being careful to not add too much--you won't need as much due to the potato filling.

Prepare and bake your biscuits as you normally would. Serve hot out of the oven. My husband likes his with lots of real butter, but honey butter or cinnamon butter are both fantastic as well! Any leftovers can be tightly wrapped and frozen for another time.

 Thought I would put a personal interest on these states.  My love of lighthouses!  I have a collection of them...Valerie, I have a replica of the one that is pictured first. It really makes my family smile when I speak of visiting lighthouses...then I tell them I just want to see them, not go UP in them.  I am terrified of heights!

www.lighthousefriends.com  is a website that I found that has a list of all the states that have lighthouses.  Lots of pictures and some history (hmmm....highlighted to catch my husband's attention...CIVIL WAR HISTORY ON THE SECOND LIGHTHOUSE PICTURED!!!)

Bodie Island, North Carolina

Morris Island, South Carolina

Have a great day and thank you for visiting!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Mississippi

Did you all ever "eat" mud cakes/pies from your children?  My youngest daughter loved making them for my husband and I.  She especially enjoyed Daddy's look of pure happiness as he gobbled up her treats.  I'll admit it..he was definitely a lot more fun in that area than I was!  I think I will have that look of "pure happiness" as I gobble up the following treat....

My friend, Leah, shares a Mississippi Mud Cake with us.  Sounds delicious!

Mississippi Mud Cake

www.foodnetwork.com

Food Network invites you to try this Mississippi Mud Cake recipe from Paula Deen.

I asked Leah for some trivia or points of interest in Mississippi.  Elvis was born there...never knew that.  Well, Leah and I are not a big Elvis followers, but I did look up his childhood home.  What a humble beginning!  Then Graceland....

Leah said it best,"...what a far cry it is from the wealth he found and the misery it brought him later."

Another fun and educational thing to do in Mississippi is the Vicksburg National Military Park...a battlefield and a museum.

www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm

Make it an extraordinary day....

Looking for something fun to do with your kids....?  Something that will cost only one penny?  I have done this with my students when I taught in a Christian school. 

Flip a penny.  Heads means turn right, and tails turns left. Start at the door.  Choose someone to flip the coin.  BUT  before the first coin toss...decide the rules.  Such as how far between coin tosses, or will everyone get three tosses,etc....decide the rules before starting the trip.  When you get home share a snack, draw a picture about the trip, just enjoy being together.  Such a simple idea...but a lot of fun!

Don't forget the prize give away mentioned in the previous post on the blog.  It is entitled "First time for..."

Thanks for stopping by...

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...An ice cold glass of Coke...

 My husband collects Coca-Cola  things..He has signs, replicas, antiques.  Our master bathroom is even decorated with Coca-Cola.  He has several antique bottles with the Coke still in it.  One is very interesting.  Ladies, remember the foam type rollers?  This bottle has the roller rod still floating in the Coke.  Pretty cool!  If we are ever in the Atlanta, Georgia area we plan on visiting the museum (www.worldofcoca-cola.com).  

To go along with the theme and the state of Georgia, let's have some of Cracker Barrel's Coca-Cola Cake.  This gets a five-star rating!  It is a chocolate lover's "dream come true."  Hop on over to a cool site I frequent often...full of copy cat recipes in order to find this wonderful chocolate cake!  www.copycat-recipes.net

Thanks for visiting...

A thought to leave with you today.

"Be somebody you would be proud to know."

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Delaware Peach Crisp

Dinner at our home tonight was baked chicken, pasta salad, and fresh squash.  It was delicious! 

Today's state is Delaware.  State beverage?  MILK!  Favorite foods?  Broiled chicken with sour milk biscuits and crab cakes.  Crab and clam seem to be popular in Delaware.  With the cool weather here (at least, it is here) I thought a peach crisp sounded yummy.  Peaches are also popular in this state.  I am planning on making this one soon. 

Peach Crisp

• 1 can (29 ounces) sliced peaches
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

TOPPING

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Drain peaches, reserving the syrup in a saucepan; set peaches aside. Stir brown sugar, cornstarch, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg into the peach syrup until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add lemon juice, raisins, pecans and reserved peaches. Pour into a greased 2-qt. baking dish.

• For topping, combine flour, sugar and butter. Sprinkle over peach mixture. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Serve with ice cream if desired.

Have a wonderful day!

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."  Matthew 18:20

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Colorado

Colorado Cowboy Cookies

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts (about 4 ounces)

How To Prepare:

Take the first five ingredients and whisk in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl until it becomes light and fluffy. Now add eggs and vanilla and beat it to combine. After that add dry ingredients and beat until just blended. Now stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Cover the dough and chill it for one hour.

 Preheat to 350°F. Grease baking sheet. Make the dough into balls, using 1/4 cup dough for each. Place all on prepared sheets, spacing it at least two inches apart. Flatten them with hand to 3 1/2-inch rounds. Bake 10 minutes and then rotate sheets. Bake it until cookies are golden brown in color around the edges and firm in center, about 4 minutes longer. Next, cool it on sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

These BIG cookies are ready to enjoy!

I loved looking at so many pictures of Colorado.  It is beautiful!  Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful"  after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.  Another fun fact that I read about was that thousands of valentines are re-mailed from Loveland each year.  Seems like a romantic idea to me...

 Thanks for visiting!

Fifty Nifty Recipes... The Valentine State

This was such a fun state to explore!  Arizona!  One of its nicknames is the Valentine State because it was admitted into the Union on February 14.  Here was the Gunfight at OK Corral.  One website told me that "It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water."  I also read about the food available at the Arizona State Fair.  A few "interesting" things offered....Deep Fried PB&J sandwich, scorpions and crickets dipped in chocolate, salami suckers (salami dipped in batter and deep fried on a stick), and doughnut sandwiches.  I would not advice eating like that on a regular basis, but it sounds fun!  Other normal things were on the menu for the less adventuresome (like me)....

This chicken recipe is from a friend of mine who was from Arizona.  It was a family favorite... and not too expensive!

Chicken Adobo



• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (3 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 large onion, quartered and sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 2/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, then remove. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook until they soften and brown, about 6 minutes.
2. Pour in vinegar and soy sauce, and season with garlic powder, black pepper, and bay leaf. Add the browned chicken, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through, 35 to 40 minutes.  Can be served over rice.             

When reading about the Arizona State Fair I remembered Paula Deen making doughnut sandwiches.  I looked it up...and here it is!

Donut Sandwich

• 1 pound hamburger
• 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic
• 4 slices of your choice cheese
• 4 Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts, sliced in half
• 4 fried eggs
• 8 slices cooked bacon  (break in half)

• In a medium size bowl, mix hamburger, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic together, and form into 4 equal sized patties. Grill or cook them according to your preference. Place a slice of cheese on top of the hot burger to melt slightly.
• Place half the Krispy Kreme Donut on a plate, cut side up.
• Add cheese topped hamburger to the donut, stack the hot fried egg on top, bacon slices, followed by the remaining donut half.   

I think I will go get a tall glass of lemon water now!  I hope you are enjoying our tour of the country.  Thanks for visiting with us.... 



Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Alabama

We will start our state recipe tour with Alabama.  Seems like Alabama is known for its bass, pecans,  blackberries, and lots of barbecue.  Yum!

White BBQ Sauce

2 cups mayonnaise

1 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbl. lemon juice

3 tbl. black pepper

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients.  Refrigerate at least 8 hours. Brush over chicken, turkey, or pork during the last few minutes of grilling.  This sauce is also great as a dipping sauce.

Now for a sweet treat...

Alabama Mud Cake

1 (20) can crushed pineapple, with juice

1 can cherry pie filling

1 pkg. devil's food cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup mint chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter (use the sticks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 9x13.  Pour pineapple with juice in bottom of pan, spreading evenly to make the first layer.  Spread cherry pie filling over the pineapple, then spread the cake mix on top.  Sprinkle with mint chocolate chips and pecans.  Distribute the sliced butter evenly over the top.  Bake for 40 minutes.  Allow to cool.

Hope you enjoy the first part of the tour!

Thanks for visiting!

Childhood Favorites!

A couple of childhood favorite recipes for you today...well, that's the way I remember it. 
I grew up enjoying taco salad, now I love making it for my family...One day I was excited about a friend making taco salad for a church potluck.  She used Italian dressing!  I had never heard of that.  I grew up with a different kind of "dressing."   Here we go...

Taco Salad
1/2 pound ground beef
Brown and drain.
ADD:
1/2 cup chopped onion
garlic seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Saute together.
In a double boiler:
Melt 8 oz. Velveeta cheese. Add one can Ro-tel tomatoes.

Cut up a head of lettuce and one large tomato in a large bowl.  Add meat and mix lightly.  Add crushed tortilla chips (one bag) and toss.  Stir in hot cheese mixture.  Serve immediately.

For dessert you could try...
Lemon Jello Cake
Dissolve 1 pkg. lemon jello in 3/4 cup hot water.  Add 3/4 cup vegetable oil.  Add 1 box yellow cake mix.  Add 4 eggs, one at a time-beat well.  Add 1 teaspoon lemon extract.

Grease and flour a cake pan. I use a pan like the one pictured above.   Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  When cake is cool, top with the
 lemon glaze.
1 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tbl. milk

I hope you enjoy these. 
Thank you for visiting with us. 



Anna's Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

My friend, Anna, took her children blueberry picking and they had a great time.  Anna shared this recipe with me and thought I would pass it along to you.  It sounds delicious!

8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
 4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup oil
 2 tsp. vanilla
18 oz box yellow butter cake mix
 2 cups fresh blueberries
1 3 oz. pkg instant vanilla pudding
 powdered sugar, optional              
~Preheat oven to 325 degrees; spray 9 inch tube or bundt pan with cooking spray and dust with flour.
~Combine cream cheese and oil and beat on high speed until smooth; add cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla.
~Beat on medium speed until blended; fold in blueberries; spoon batter into prepared pan (it will be very thick).
~Bake 60 minutes; cool for 20 minutes then remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack; sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
        
"I baked them in my pan of 4 mini loaves, and it took 46 minutes. They were such a hit, it never got the chance of powdered sugar!"  ~Anna

Thanks for stopping by!

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!

Four Layer Dessert

I AM SO SORRY! I can not believe how long it has been since my last blog. Things here have been crazy. I have two young adult children looking for jobs....a wonderfully crazy church schedule....wow! Tonight we are celebrating my son's 18th birthday. It has been so much fun hearing the laughter of friends and family. Tonight's birthday dessert is...

Four Layer Dessert

1 cup flour

1 cup chopped nuts

1 stick oleo

Mix and pat into 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Second Layer:

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup Cool Whip

Mix ingredients and spread evenly over completely cooled crust.

Third Layer:

1 large or 2 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding 3 cups milk

Mix according to pkg. directions and spread over the second layer.

Fourth Layer:

Spread Cool Whip on top.

I hope you enjoy this dessert....we certainly have!

Impossible Coconut Pie

When I was a child my mom would make this pie. I thought it was one of those recipes that I would never be able to make....too difficult for me! Guess what?? I found out that it is VERY simple....not so impossible after all. As a matter of fact, if I can talk my husband into getting some milk on the way home I will make him a pie tonight.

Impossible Coconut Pie

4 eggs

1/2 stick butter.melted

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups milk

1 1/4 cup cocnut

1 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs thoroughly; add other ingredients except coconut and vanilla.

Beat until well blended. Stir in coconut and vanilla. Pour into an ungreased

pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees about 40 minutes. Cool and enjoy!!