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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Polls have closed!

We have a winner for the Give Away of:

3 ceramic bowls by gibson in cottage gourment yellow-blue
101 things to do with meatballs cookbook
2 blue hot pads made by me

True Random Number Generator
MIN: 1
MAX: 7

Generate Result: 1

Congratulations: Shanae!!!!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Sweet Pork Salad

Sweet Pork Salad

2-4 lb pork roast
1 Cups Coca Cola
Salt & Pepper
Garlic
Seasoning Salt
put in a crock pot and cook overnight or at least 8 hours and shred pork with a fork and add the sauce

Sauce:
1 Cup Coca Cola
1 Cup ketchup

Taco shells fried quick in veg oil when ready to serve
Top with shredded pork, add black beans and cover with cheese
top with lettuce,and chopped cilantro,salsa and guacamole. Drizzle with homemade ranch dressing Yum!

Usually this makes alot for like 12 people so I used left overs and turned it into a pizza version. I used scone dough and bake it first.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Robins in the snow!

I thought it was springtime, and so did the Robins!
I know the Robins had other plans in their busy day. But they all seemed to
group in our tree. I took a picture through the window
before they flew away. (You can click on the picture to enlarge it.)



Here's a thought for the day-
You can learn a lot from Mister Robin.
You can feel the sun on your face and look beyond the present to your destination. You might be standing still but others are pursuing their own path. The branch is only your current destination, Mister Robin. When you've seen, what you wanted to see, you can move along. My friend, Mister Robin looked healthy and well, even after coming through a hard winter. It is a good reminder that through both the joys and trials of life we choose our destiny. Only you can decide the direction your going in your life and if the cup is half full or half empty.
Today, my cup is full... of snow!

Apple Sauce Doughnuts!

This recipe came from a Good for your health coookbook.

Applesauce Doughnuts

1 egg, beaten
4 pkg. Sweet N Low
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. melted butter
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Mix egg and Sweet N Low together. Add vanilla, butter, and applesauce. Mix well. Sift dry ingredients and add to applesauce mixture, stirring by hand. Place dough in a bowl or on wax paper. Chill and roll out 1/2 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut out with a floured cutter. Heat oil; fry several at a time. Drain on paper towels. Can be frozen. (note: I get only 7 with this recipe)

Here's the last one they went fast!

Friday, March 20, 2009

My First Give Away!


My blog has reached its first year. So I'm doing a give away to thank all of you who come back again and again. (and even those of you who are here for the first time!) It really means a lot to me that so many people stop by to see what I have made.
So I give you...

3 ceramic bowls by gibson in cottage gourment yellow-blue
101 things to do with meatballs cookbook
2 blue hot pads made by me

For a chance to win, just leave me a comment by midnight on Monday, March 30. I'll use the handy, unbiased Random Number Generator to pick a winner. No anonymous comments please! Please check back on March 31st to see if your a winner. So I can have you email me your address to send this off. Signing up is easy even if you don't blog.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Disaster Supply Kit

Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. The list below is a good place to start. Keep enough supplies in your home to care for you and your family for at least three days. Stock these provisions in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers.

1-Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Beverages
2-Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
3-foods for infants or the elderly
4-snack foods
5-Cooking tools / fuel /manual can opener
6-Paper plates / plastic utensils
7-Plastic garbage bags
8-Toilet paper and paper towels
9-Ice
10-Charcoal/lighter fluid
11-Propane
12-Seasonal supplies such as insect repellent and sunscreen
13-A list of valued, irreplaceable personal items, like photo albums, computer backup discs, that you would want to take, if there is time to gather them.
14-Blankets / Pillows, etc.
15-Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
16-First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
17-Eyeglasses / contact lens and supplies
18-Special Items - for babies and the elderly
19-Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
20-Flashlight / Batteries
21-Battery-powered radio or television
22-Cash (with some small bills and coins) - Banks and ATMs may not be open or 23-available for extended periods.
24-Keys
25-Toys, Books and Games
26-Matches in a waterproof container
27-Whistle
28-Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
29-Insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
30-TRICARE Contact List
31-Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
32-Vehicle fuel tanks filled
34-Pet care items

Toilet Paper!


Ok- this is a time when your prepared or not prepared. According to the check error earlier. I am holding out on any spending for supplies. Well, I have this great container that is air tight I have toilet paper in. It holds 24 rolls. I believe you can get these at the military stores. My father had this container and I quite liked it and thought I supplied it for Y2K.
It surprised me that I filled this container in 1997. I guess its time to rotate the toilet paper.

The $600.17 Coca Cola 12 pack


Ok- This just happened! I get a bank statement that the check I wrote out to the grocery store was resumitted giving me a charge of $600.17. My check book showed it was for $6.17. Just for a single pack of coke.
So I go to the bank this morning to see whos error this was and it was my check not being correct. So I go back to the grocery store with copies of receipt, copy of check and the charge being made. So they are working on this.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

St. Patricks Day!

I planned this meal for my family. Of coarse Corned Beef (my father use to get the pressure cooker out and cook this stuff. I have tried to make it many time since he passed on. But it never has tasted like the way he did it. My Dad, when he cooked he cooked. And it was good. Well, My attempt to make it today was very successful. My family couldn't get enough of it. My Meal consisted of... Corned Beef, Carrots & Cabbage steamed, Chicken Tasers (Yum)New Red Potatoes in a cream cheese and chive mixture, Cream Puffs filled with White chocolate pudding (tinted green) with cream and Chocolate Mint Milk Shakes. Pictures please!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Stir Fry Vegetables

Stir Fry Vegetables

sauce: 6 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Blend with 3 tablespoons water
Cut up: 1 lb. of chicken breast cut up. And roll in cornstarch and fry in a little vegetable oil.
1 large onion, diced in long stir fry pieces
2 large carrots
4 ribs celery, dice up at a angle
1 pkg. snow peas
1 can water chestnuts
1 pkg. sliced mushrooms
3 stalks of brocolli, cut into florets

First cook the chicken, add onion , some garlic, add celery and carrots and cook. Then add the brocolli. Let cook and toss carefully. Add snow peas , water chestnuts, and mushrooms. 3-5 minutes. In a small sauce pan add soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch. When starts to thicken add soy sauce mixture to vegetables. Serve over rice. (this is when I add a can of pineapple chunks with juice, 4 packets of splendid and the cooking sherry. Toss it evenly together and enjoy. This makes alot a whole wok full.

Note: I like the sauce just a little sweet so I add 1 can pineapple chunms and use the juice in the sauce and small splash of cooking sherry and 4 packets of splendid sweetener. Top each with chow mein noodles.

Make enough rice for at least 8 people.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Salmon & Shrimp Bisque

This is very good and all my children loved it, my youngest is four.

Salmon & Shrimp Bisque

1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 clove garlic crushed or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. pepper
4 cups milk
1 small can smoked salmon, drained & flaked
1/2 lb. shrimp; thawed & tails removed
8 thin slices of lemon, for garnish

Saute the onion & celery in the butter until onion is translucent.
Stir in salmon and add Shrimp. Heat through. Serve with a lemon slice.
This is really good with homemade bread.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Baby hat w flower

I have come across this baby hat I would like to make. So I am searching for a pattern to respemble this... It's too cute not to have posted somewhere.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Max

Ok This is too cute! In the morning Max our cat was sleeping in my daughters saucer chair. It must have been comfortable. Just look at him on his back.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Caramel Soaked French Toast

This is so good...

I found this recipe years ago from a wedding planner book I bought because it had a fabulious recipe section in it.

Caramel Soaked French Toast

3/4 cup of Brown Sugar
3/4 of a cube of butter
1/8 cup + 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
6 slices of bread (I prefer Texas Toast brand )or 8 slices of french bread
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

Combine brown sugar, butter & corn syrup in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat. Stir & boil a few minutes. Pour syrup mixture evenly into a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.

Arrange bread slices over syrup. Combine eggs, milk, vanilla & salt; stir well. Gradually pour mixture over bread slices. Cover & chill at least 8 hours.

Combine: Sugar & cinnamon. Stir well; sprinkle evenly over soaked bread. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes until golden & bubbly. Serve.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Where to buy food storage?

Well, we are lucky to have a grocery store (Maceys) that sells freeze dried foods.
I currently like buying this on a basis with my regular shopping.
I have always bought something in bulk and store it. I guess that was how I was raised. And I never seem to run out. I always like having certain things on hand like bottled water,ketchup,soup mixes ect..

The other day I thought I was out of cooking spray. How funny is that? when I knew I bought aleast 6 cans in November and had not used them all up. So I bought only two more that day, when I went shopping. Later The 6 cans I knew I had stared right at me when I but the other two with them. I didn't see them earlier. Hmmm!

Well, I have bought food storage online and was amazed how fast they do ship it.
The two companies I like are:

http://www.internet-grocer.net

They have canned meat, cheese and butter. I bought the sample packs to see what they were like and have used two of them and the cheese and butter. Good product.

I have bought more canned butter.

http://www.thereadystore.com

I like this one too. But you need to sign up to the mailing list so you can get the specials you want. They very from month to month and I prefer the free shipping.

I have bought sample cases (contains 6 large size cans) of variety fruits, vegetables, and meats. They have been good and I have double my food storage this winter with different combinations of canned items. I'm well pleased with the products I have obtained.

Another product that is really good if you can get a hold of it is freeze dried porkchops. You soak them in water for 30 minutes and then bake accordingly to what you would normally do. I have bought 6 cans alone and have used one. The children liked them and wanted more.

Dinning Room Before & After


We are currently remodeling a house.
So I'm excited to finally get some Before/After photos so right now we are working on the dinning room. And when it is finished I will post these pictures yeah!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have searched for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe and this is my favorite by far.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cubes of butter, soft-not melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Bag of Milk Chocolate Chips

Mix ingredients together in a mixer. Use a small scoop and place a dozen on a ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes until sides are starting to brown. Take out and transfer to cooling rack. Makes 3-4 dozen

Best Hamburger

Ok- I'm blogging about the best hamburger. Seriously, We live in America where Hamburger & fries are the most common fast food. You know everyone has their favorite burger. Whether it is smothered in onions or mustard. But for me I prefer the gourmet burger. I love grilled hamburgers with melted cheese. I Got to have lots of mayo and some ketchup with a very good tomato and fresh lettuce with a pickle. Oh and with Sams onion (this is the purple onion, we call them sams onion at our house from the movie Holes.)Just got to have one.

But when you think of great places to get hamburgers. I have to say Burger King, They put everything on that whopper. And Artic Circle has the Mushroom Swiss Burger that is great too. Village Inn knows how to serve a great burger. But some places make them to tall and hard to eat. They fall apart. Whats your favorite Hamburger?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Fixing XBOX 360 error code 73

Ok- I have the worst luck with xbox's. I have owned two. And I should have bought the extended warranty for the second one but no. So, We have had it about 7 months and one red circle appeared this weekend. So there it sits, not knowing what to do or who will fix it? So- knowing I gave the first one away. This really bites. All those games and cant play them. Well, Today when my son came home I asked him, what code it was throwing in error? It was error code 73.

Ok, I go on Youtube and see many silly things. Like, that will work. Poking toothpicks in it. They hit the fan. Yikes!

Well, another video suggested wrapping it in a towel and leaving it on for a few minutes. Well, OK that seems silly but I'm desperate at the moment. So, I get a bath towel and lift up the xbox and sit it down on it. Wrap it up with it turned on. OK. So I go to the kitchen talk to my son, pour a drink and finally go back to the machine. And take a peak at the light from the corner still blinking, "One red light." OK
So Now I unwrap it. Turn it off and turn it back on and I'm Yelling at my son come here. It has a green light it might be working. What happened I don't really know but the system is working again. For how long I don't really know but the kids are excited that its running again.