A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

It's almost here . . . the celebration of Christmas! My cherubs are finally out of school and today is their first day to sleep in! Never mind that it's a Saturday! Sleeping in is sleeping in! With the festive lights, fun family activities, and the wrapping paper and ribbons that surround this season, I have decided to not make any recipe posts until after the Christmas celebration and the ringing in of the new year.  May you know the truth that is wrapped in the gift of Christmas; Jesus!   . . .until 2013!

    While looking through cookbooks, trying to make my grocery list, I saw this recipe.   I remember seeing it a few years ago and thinking, "that might be good."   But I never made them.   Until this year.   I thought, "this might make a great gift."   I bought the stuff and followed the recipe.   And had a small mess on my hands! The "new" crockpots must be hotter than the "old" crockpots.   Because in less time than the recipe called for, my chocolate was beginning to burn.   But I didn't know it until I went to stir my chocolate.   Then discovered that I may have ruined the whole thing.   But thankfully, I hadn't!   I just scooped out the good stuff; left the bad stuff and went on about my business!   The only down-side:  the recipe said it would yield 8 dozen.  I only got 5 dozen .  . . but I'm not complaining!   White Chocolate...

Ever since my cherubs were little cherubs; since the time when we only had one cherub, Mimi has been doing the 12 days of Christmas. She stole   borrowed this idea from a friend at work. Each day, starting on December 13, the cherubs get to open one gift each. One little something. One little treasure. One little surprise that counts down to Christmas. When the cherubs where small the gifts were a little easier. Now the cherubs are bigger and the gifts are a little harder. But Mimi is Mimi and nothing is impossible for Mimi! Here's how it works: Mimi wraps 12 small gifts for the boy cherub and 12 small gifts for the girl cherub. Each gift is in its own gift sack Each cherub has their own sack color/design. Each day, each cherub can pick whatever sack they want to open. They call Mimi in the morning and, while on the phone with her, they tear open the sack and tell her what their surprise of the day is! It...

It's a Paula Deen recipe. Enough said! I know -- with her it's either love or hate. Nothing really in between. Regardless, she does have some good recipes. Remember when my hair dresser gave me the lemon pie recipe? Well, he also said this was amazing . As in, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I'm going to trust him. Here's why. He said he doesn't really care for pumpkin pie. Me either! It's just not my thing. But my boy cherub loves it. As in, really loves it! But when Darren said he doesn't like pumpkin pie, but this was fantastic; I'm gonna say it's fantastic. So here you go. Give it a try and see! Pumpkin Cream Cheese pie 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten 1 cup half-and-half 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional...

I'm having sort of a small problem. I like to post with pictures. I think it makes a difference. Sometimes it's the picture that "sells" you! But, I must admit, there are times when I see a picture and think, "No way!"   . . .and maybe that's what happens when I post pictures on the blog! But back to my problem I've tried to post some recipes with pictures, but I keep getting  a message that I'm out of space. "Out of space?" I don't even have "space." So how am I out of it? I'm confused! No matter how many times I try, and keep clicking the button, hoping to fool the computer into thinking that something has changed, I keep losing the battle! Not only am I posting a little less these days because of my schedule, but as of right now, unless I can borrow use some pictures from the internet -- my posts will be naked! Bear with me (no pun intended!); I'll get it figured out. It may not be u...

I'm working full-time now.  But it's not full-time forever; it's full-time for now! I have a long-term sub job while the teacher has her first baby. It's a great class of 4th grade kids!  Last week was our first full-week together. I think it went well!  But I have really big shoes to fill!  Even though I'm enjoying this new experience, I still adore my responsibilities at home and I don't want things to change. But I'm learning how to balance it all without losing my own "balance!" One of the quick dinners I created last week came out of the need for a one-skillet, easy cleanup kind of meal! I had a thought of what I wanted, so I began my search on the internet. You know my saying:  "If I can think of something "new," then I know it's already out there!  There is absolutely NO WAY that I'm smart enough to come up with something entirely unthought of!" Sure enough, there were several recipes, but ...

So I'm getting my hair cut last night and we're talking about Thanksgiving . . .  . . .and all of the crazy things that happen when family is around! We talked about what we had . . .  . . .and didn't have. In the midst of that conversation, the guy who cuts my hair said that after they went home on Thanksgiving, he made a pie. A really GOOD pie. He made a lemon pie! When I think "lemon," I don't usually think "Fall!" But he said it was soooooo yummy! Well, he didn't say "yummy!" He said, "good!" When they finished the last bit of it the other night, his wife said, "you're going to have to make another one of these!" Naturally, when I hear someone talk about a new recipe, I ask for it! Scripture says, "Ask and you shall receive!" I asked. I received! When Darren was telling me about the pie and how good it was, he said, and I quote, "What can be bad with Eagle B...

Image from the Internet Thanksgiving has come and gone. And while Thanksgiving was leaving, our company was just coming! It was a busy and fun weekend with The Nutcracker performances, friends and family, and getting back into the routine! Because our schedule included many hours spent at the theater for our girl cherub dancing in The Nutcracker, I wanted to serve something easy to our friends who were staying at our house. I found this recipe for soup and it sounded perfect.  What caught my attention is that it wasn't a "brothy" chicken enchilada soup.  I liked the thought of that! What I wish I had known was that it wouldn't really be soup weather! Oh well!  We just turned on the air and pretended! I'm going to give you the recipe as I made it.  However, we decided while we were eating that it could have used a bit more "stuff" in it!  I'll make that notation for you!  Then!  You decide how you want to make it! Southwe...

We are thankful for the abundant blessings the Lord has given to our family. Whether we are in times of trial or walk in pleasant pastures, God's faithfulness is true.  During this time of  "Thanksgiving" -- we know that it's not just a day to set aside, but it's a way to live. Happy Thanksgiving Living; from our family to yours!

Image from the internet It's not often that the Mr. cooks at our house. The Mr.'s job in the kitchen is "helper." As in: help clean the dishes as we go help get out the things I need help put things in the oven help take things out of the oven  . . .you get the idea! It's not that the Mr. can't cook . . . it's just that most of what he cooks isn't the tastiest! In all fairness, there are four things the Mr. does very well in the kitchen breakfast coffee grilling helping When we were in college, he was proud of pasta noodles with "flaked" tuna. As in, he'd cook plain 'ol spaghetti, drain it. Open a can of tuna and drain it (see the common thread here?) Put the noodles in a bowl and "flake" the tuna onto the noodles. Toss and serve. Seriously. That's what I ate at his apartment one night. I'm not sure that he ever cooked for me again! But at the holiday time, the Mr. would ...

Now you know my true confessions of my unsuccessful attempts at making Ina's caramel sauce. I'm sorely disappointed in myself! But I didn't stop trying . . . I just stopped trying her recipe! I went for something a little more simple. Not so simple as to use condensed milk . . . but sort of a cheaters way of making caramel sauce! I searched the web and found different recipes . . . read the mixed reviews and finally decided to try a combination of 3 recipes! And I was successful! It tasted delicious on my favorite apple! It also tasted delicious directly off of the spoon. It took three spoonfuls to know I liked it. Sometimes I'm a slow learner! Caramel Sauce 4 TBSP butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 TBSP vanilla In a sauce pan, over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together, until the sugar is dissolved. Add in the heavy whipping cream.  It will sizzle and bubble -- but don't worry.  Keep stir...

Ina Garten's Caramel Sauce, from the Food Network I idolize Ina Garten.  When I was young, and didn't know to appreciate things. She bored me. Seriously bored me. I didn't get her. Now I'm grown up and mature  and I have seen the errors of my ways and I'm just here to say that Ina Garten R.O.C.K.S ! I think I'd rather meet her over Paula Deen. Serious! The other day, I caught the very end of her making a "basic caramel sauce." I didn't know there was a "basic caramel sauce." This stuff looked like a pot of gold just waiting to be devoured! Get the biggest, prettiest serving spoon a girl can handle and scoop out a glop of that stuff and eat it up!  I'm just saying, this stuff is probably not safe in my refrigerator if I'm at home by myself! This sauce will make a perfect gift anytime of the year! So I made the sauce. The recipe is listed below. I made it twice. Failed both times...

My friend, Kim, is a great cook. Matter of fact, when we have dinner together, my boy cherub wants her to make biscuits. It doesn't matter what we're having, he wants to know if she can do the biscuits. I've tried to make her biscuits -- and honestly, they don't taste the same. But close. But not the same. I keep trying! This pasta dish is one of Kim's "go to" dinners at her house. She has a house of boys and this is a crowd pleaser! What I like about this is it's easy and tasty! Two very important things! It also reheats beautifully! So for lunch the next day, people will be drooling over your impressive left-over dinner.  . . .and you can keep it a secret that it's easy! Kim's Spicy Chicken Pasta Noodles (I prefer linguine because it holds sauce well) chicken (left-over grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, roasted or baked chicken) onions, chopped bell peppers, if you want them, chopped mushrooms, if that ...

Peanut Butter muffin filled with Nutella! This was time change weekend. By the time we left for church on Sunday morning, I had: tried a new coffee done three loads of laundry dealt with e-mail found a new muffin recipe and made it before the cherubs woke up put the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher before we left Do you know what the Mr. said when I told him all I had done? "We need time change every weekend!" That's not funny. Because my cherubs love peanut butter, I decided to make peanut butter muffins. My idea was to make peanut butter and jelly muffins. I thought that sound fun. So I baked some with jelly in the center and some were just plain. But on my way to church I thought "filled muffins would be good." So after lunch today, I hollowed out the center of the plain and filled some with strawberry jelly and some with nutella spread. Actually, I thought that I would mix the peanut butter and jelly together and fill the...

As soon as the weather changes, I start getting inspired to try new things. This week, on the menu, are Indian Tacos. I'm not sure that I've ever made these for the Mr. and the cherubs. But as a kid, I remember going to the Oklahoma State Fair and getting an Indian Taco. We could only buy our tacos from one certain Indian Taco stand. Oh, there were others at the fair. But they were impostures, I tell you! But I am not at the fair this week, so I had to make my own. There are several recipes on-line, so I just picked one.  I'm listing it here. After we make it, if we aren't particularly fond of it, I'll try another recipe; but until then, here's what we've got! We topped the fry bread with taco meat, cumin-seasoned pinto beans, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, and some salsa.  It was good! Indian Fry Bread (slightly adapted from the original recipe) 1 cup flour 1/4 tsp. ...

I'm not sure about where you live, but where I live you'd have no idea that it's Fall if you're using the weather as your guide. Not that I do that. Oh heck, what am I saying! Of course I do! Thanksgiving is in the Fall.  It's time to wear sweatshirts. Christmas is in the Winter.  It's time to wear sweaters. Fourth of July is in the Summer.  It's time to wear as little as possible! But here it is, November 1st, and where I live it's in the mid 80's. As in -- that's great weather for Summer. But it's terrible weather for Fall. Thanksgiving is coming, but who'd know? Except for this little Turkey. Click on the turkey and get in the holiday mood!

Go ahead. Moan. Say it! "Is this all you've got?" I know. Really? With everything out there, isn't there something "new" to post? Probably. But sometimes, the old stuff is some of the best stuff. And truthfully, I haven't made this in such a long time. As in, maybe two or three years. Yes, years! This is not my go to soup. However, a weekend or so ago, when I thought it would be cooler, I bought the ingredients for this tried-and-true soup. We ate. I froze the left-overs. We had it again just last night. This soup throws together in a flash and freezes great. And if you need it to feed more, you just add more stuff.  You can't ask for much more than that! Taco Soup 1-2 pounds ground beef 1 onion, diced 2 cans pinto beans 1 can whole kernel corn, drained 2 cans  can tomatoes with chiles 1 can diced green chiles 1 package taco seasoning mix 1 package ranch salad dressing mix Corn chips, f...

Several years ago, a friend of mine made this easy dessert. Matter of fact, she threw it together as we sat around the table. Which, in my book, means it's a great recipe to have on hand. Now that Fall weather has settled in, I decided to make this the other night. I halved the recipe. There were only 4 of us for dessert and I didn't want a lot left over. It worked out perfectly! The original recipe doesn't use oatmeal.  But I like the oatmeal.  I reduce the amount of flour and make it up with old fashioned oats. I also like that this recipe makes it's own delicious sauce. Just perfect! Mom's Easy Apple Crisp 6 apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)* 1/2 cup sugar 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 cup water Crumb Topping 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup flour (or reduce the flour to about half and add old fashion oats) 1/4 tsp. salt 6 TBSP butter, melted Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss the apples with the sugar and cin...

My mom was coming this weekend and I wanted to have something already made that we could have for breakfast each morning.  .  . . And maybe each evening for dessert too, if we wanted! I saw this recipe and it caught my eye. Knowing that my cherubs love just about anything pumpkin, I knew they'd be great with it too! I made a couple of minor changes to the recipe that I found.  Next time, I think I'm going to put a ribbon of cream cheese in the center of it before baking -- just because!  You may want to try that too! Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 15 oz can pumpkin 3 large eggs 2 1/2 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 TBSP cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pumpkin flavoring from King Arthur Streusel Topping: 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/2 tsp. cinnamon ...

 Image from the Internet My boy cherub is raising money for a trip that he will go on this Spring. He is raising money in two different ways.  First, he is willing to be "hired" to do small jobs around the house:  lawn mowing, leaf raking, grocery shopping, and the likes. The second way might surprise you. He is selling "treats of the month." That's right! I'm helping him with different treats that people have ordered. This month, it is caramel corn. The "old fashioned" kind! I told him, perhaps we should have thought through what we were doing! Each recipe takes about 1 1/2 hours to make from beginning to end! But I love this recipe because it starts with fresh popped corn. Like the kind that you pop in a pan. I guess you could use microwave popcorn for this recipe. But I don't. I get out the popper and we go to town! If you're looking for something fun to do with your family -- maybe gathering i...

Image from the Internet! I thought I took a picture, but can't find it ! The other day, when I was trying to make a non-chocolate cookie, but make it quick, I kept coming back to "no bake cookies." But I couldn't make those because they're chocolate. And I needed no chocolate. But I kept thinking that surely those could be make without chocolate. But I couldn't really get it figured out. I knew it was more than just not adding the cocoa. And maybe not the peanut butter too. And as any good person does -- I went to the Internet. I heart the Internet. But!  The dilemma was the cookies I found had pudding in the mix. I'm not being rude -- because I haven't tried it -- but that didn't really sound like something I was looking for. Maybe it's good. Maybe I'll try it. Because the recipe I did find isn't just perfect for me. It's good. It has a good flavor. But it's not "spot on" for me. ...

Picture from "My Recipes." I found Italian sausage on sale a few weeks ago while at the grocery store. My boy cherub really likes Italian sausage. He really likes the Italian sausage and peppers that I make. But I wasn't in the mood for that the other day. I was in the mood for grits. Which is weird. I don't really ever crave grits. But I was that day. And since I was the one cooking, I gave in to my wants. That's the beautiful thing about "owning" the kitchen! So I thought, "Self!  Italian sausage and grits would probably taste really good together!" And since I'm smart enough to think of it, I was rather certain that someone else had already thought of it too! That started my google search! And sure enough!  Someone had already figured it out for me! I love that! I found a recipe that sounded great and I made it for dinner and the whole family liked it. It was also great reheated for leftovers. And I...

I can NOT believe I haven't posted this recipe. This is an easy, have-on-hand, throw-together-quick dinner. That's a winner! The Mr. was more excited about this last night than the cherubs where! From the kitchen, I hear him say, "Yeah!  Tater Tot Casserole!  I love that stuff!" And he does. And so do the cherubs. And so I'm glad to make it! What's funny about this casserole:  I only make it in the Fall and Winter. That's it. I've relegated it to a seasonal casserole. That's OK. It makes the family more appreciative! Tater Tot Casserole 1 TBSP oil 1/2 onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 1- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup* (see below for gluten free substitution) pepper salt (I don't salt because of the soup, but you can if you want!) cheddar cheese, grated 1 16oz  package frozen tater tots** In a pan, heat the oil.  Add the onions, green ...

The Mr. and I celebrated 18 years of joy yesterday. We were young when we got married. We didn't think about "what would be." Like what it would " really " be! We just thought of what we THOUGHT   it would really be. But now, we know. Now, we've got a house, 2 cars, a dog, 2 cherubs and a busy schedule. We no longer eat dinner on the bed and watch t.v. after work. We no longer can clean the house in 45 minutes. We no longer wonder on the weekends, "what can we do next?" We no longer can go one week with one gallon of milk. We no longer sleep in on Saturday. We no longer rush home on Sunday, throw together a sandwich, and make it down for a nap all before one o'clock. Heck!  We don't even get a Sunday afternoon nap anymore! We wouldn't change it, though! I was 18 when I met the one who would become my Mr. We were in college. We were friends for 4 years before we started dating. Once we started datin...

 To go on the waffles I made the other night for dinner, I thought it might be fun to have a flavored butter. You know, you can buy that in the store -- but I never do. When I thought about the Fallish waffles, I thought Fallish butter. Can there be such a thing? In my world, there's room for most anything I want. But only when I'm the only one in my world. Which, by the way, doesn't happen real often! But I basically took the same spices from the waffles and added to it for the butter. I didn't think I could go wrong. And if I did go wrong, it was only for me . . .and the Mr. and the two cherubs. Who of us would complain? At least I cooked, right? So, here it is! Spiced Pecan Honey Butter ½ cup butter, softened a good squeeze of honey 1 to 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 to 2 tablespoon brown sugar ½ cup chopped pecans In a small mixing bowl, add the butter and all of th...

Image from the Internet It's October and, until now, there's not been even a hint that it's Fall. But my mind tells me that it's Fall . . .because it's October. October = Fall. October + Pumpkins = Fall. October + Candy Corn + Peanuts = Fall. In 27 short days, my cherubs will want to wear some costume and go door to door trick-or-treating. Therefore, I must pretend it's Fall! We decided we'd have breakfast for dinner the other night. I had spent the day subbing at school and wanted to make pumpkin waffles for my boy cherub. But I didn't really have the time. So, I made this up as I went along. We all decided the waffles tasted kind of gingerbread-y. Which we liked. I made extra and stuck them in the freezer for a fast Fall breakfast! Whether Fall ever gets here or not! Fall Spiced Waffles Your favorite pancake/waffle mix AND the ingredients it calls for (usually milk, egg, and oil) 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon g...

Image used from the Internet . . . but it looks pretty close to what my salad looks like! I met Melba about 15  years ago. We ended up teaching 3rd grade Sunday School together, with another friend of ours, Judy. We three taught together nearly 10 years! There is nobody like Melba! She's a mover and a shaker and if you need something done -- just ask Melba! She'll grab the bull by the horns and do her job . . .and maybe your job too! Melba is also a good cook! One day she told me about this pasta salad. You're not going to believe it when you read the ingredients. But I'm telling you -- any time that I serve it, I'm always asked for the recipe. I don't know what it is about this salad, but it's a hit! It's called Rainbow Pasta Salad. But really, I ought to call it "Melba's Pasta Salad!" Rainbow Pasta Salad 1 bag Rainbow Pasta, cooked according to directions 2 carrots, cleaned and shredded or chopped 1 re...

If ever there should be a marriage, this is it. Candy Corn and Peanuts. It was meant to be. Promise! It's the best of two worlds: Nasty Holiday Candy and Dry Roasted Peanuts! In no other recipe would you mix the two. But here, it works! And if that's not enough. It's a science of two great elements! And you have to find the right concoction that fits best with your taste. For me:  2 to 1. 2 candy corns to 1 peanut. I line them up on the counter in their little family groups. And if it turns out with an uneven mix, I'll fix it. 2 candy corns to 1 peanut. Always! I only allow one bag of candy corn and one container of dry roasted peanuts into the house during the Fall. When it's gone . . . I cry! 

This week a friend of mine celebrates her birthday. She doesn't like chocolate. Other than that, she's a perfectly normal lady! She listed off all the flavors she DOES like . . .and I think I remember lime and lemon, among others. I searched for a recipe and found this one on the Duncan Hines website. It just sounded good. You know, sometimes you can read a recipe and think "this is a winner!" While I haven't tasted the cake, I did taste a bite of the batter and I liked it. I'm sending this to the office with the Mr. tomorrow, with no taste-testing!   Will the Mr. bring home an empty plate from the office or will there be cake left on the plate? We all know what the tell-tell sign of a good cake really is! Creamy Limeade Cake 1 package plain white cake mix 1 cup sour cream 1 container (12 oz.) frozen limeade concentrate, thawed; divided* 3 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature 3 eggs Glaze: confectioners sugar 1/...