A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

If you're like us, you are glued to the TV for the next few days. As in, glued to the Olympics! Since the Opening Ceremony, we have been watching relentlessly! There is something about the Olympics that we love! Matter of fact, we'll watch sports, that at any other time, we're not really interested in! For example, the last time we watched ladies volleyball was . . . four years ago. But put the infamous 5 Olympic rings on the screen, and we become mesmerized by sports! Along with the sports, is the excitement of the host country! We like to learn a little about the country, think of things we'd like to do if we could ever visit, and look at the pretty landscape of the host country as we learn about it through the watching of the Olympics! Typically, on the evening of the Opening Ceremony, I'll make food from the host country. This year, I planned to do that, but our schedule kept us from having a watch party. But I still had the ing...

We were having a weekend of guests. Not over-night guests; just a weekend with a variety of guests. Breakfast guests. Hang-out-after-church- guests. Neighbor guests. That got me thinking. "What can I serve to drink besides the regular stuff?" Which that got me looking at different options. I went to one of my trusty cookbooks . . . the one my mom put together for me when I was getting married. She collected recipes from family and friends, from both sides of our family, and compiled all the recipes into a cute little cookbook. Which I still use today. This recipe is from our "Auntie Ronda," who, more than 30 years ago, started out as a neighbor and turned into family! There, in the appetizer section, was this recipe. Note:  maybe that's why I've missed it before . . .it was in "appetizer," rather than drinks, or miscellaneous . . . . But for whatever reason, I saw it. The ingredients are simple. At the bottom...

This past weekend, the Mr. and I went out to eat 3 times! The cherubs were at a discipleship weekend at church, so in between our volunteer times we took advantage of enjoying some local restaurants. On Saturday morning, we were waiting for breakfast and I grabbed a local magazine to read to pass the time. The entire magazine was dedicated to coffee. Now, I like coffee, but I'm in no way a connoisseur of such. I know what I like; and I definitely know what I don't! Pretty much, I'm a coffee snob. I don't like dark coffee. Or strong coffee. Or nasty, taste like an ash tray, coffee. I must have cream. And lots of it. Like I don't even apologize for how much I use. I don't use sugar. But I use more than the legal limit of cream. So, back to the magazine. In it was an article about coffee-flavored mixed drinks. Each drink used coffee syrup. Like simple syrup -- but coffee flavored. So...

I honestly don't know what we did before Nutella. Honestly! I don't know who's worse:  the Mr. or the girl cherub. Truth be told:  it's the Mr. He will categorically deny it, but I know the truth! Many years ago, when my parents were celebrating their 20th anniversary, I believe, my dad sent my mom on a European trip. Yes,  . . .sent. He stayed home. He never had any desire to leave the states. He liked to travel, but going over-seas, was of no interest to him. Now, hook up an R.V. behind his truck and he was a happy camper. No pun intended! Off to Europe my mom goes with a traveling group and she brought back all sorts of treats. One being this "chocolate in a jar." Yep!  It was Nutella. But that was before you could readily find it in any store in America. Fast-forward to a husband who loves chocolate and he fosters the same indulgence to his daughter. We have a jar of this stuff in the pantry all the time! On ou...

It's cold outside, and I'm a little chilly. I have a headache, and I have no voice. It's the holiday season . . . My Mr. had me meet him outside of Costco. He bought me 2 gallons of apple juice. T.W.O. whole gallons! That's a lot of apple juice! He thought it would be great for my throat. What can I say -- I have a thoughtful man! I can tell you what would actually be good for my throat . . . about 3 days of nothing to do, locked up in my house! THAT would bring healing, I think! But since that isn't going to happen, I think I'll do something with my two gallons of apple juice, to help soothe me very sore throat. I made a cup of hot spiced cider for one! Single Serve Hot Spiced Cider 1 cup apple juice 4 whole cloves 2 allspice berries 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon OR 1 cinnamon stick* 1 tsp. brown sugar a WEE little , entsy , tensy bit of orange flavoring In a microwave safe mug, add the juice, spices, and sugar. ...

Nothing is much better than real lemonade during the hot summer months. I've always liked lemonade. My first memory of lemonade is with my grandpa. He liked the powdered mix,  Country Time Lemonade. I remember buying it with him and mixing it up and having a nice cold glass to drink. That was all I used to drink, because I didn't know any different. Then, I discovered making my own. From scratch. Some lemon juice. Some simple syrup. And just a bit of water to make it right. My girl cherub has always been a lemon fan. I think that's my fault. When I was pregnant with her, I craved lemons. The Mr. would buy a bag of lemons to keep in the refrigerator for me. I'd cut them into wedges and sprinkle a little salt on them and indulge. My entire pregnancy! She can do the very same thing, even now. Matter of fact, the Mr. has to tell her to stop eating lemons! I'm to blame. Put her love of lemons together with her love of cooking a...

I have to admit; I'm not much on "Shower Punch" drinks. There are many reasons: One being, I don't usually think they're good. I guess I'm a shower punch drink snob. I don't want to be . . . I try not to be . . . but it must be my lot in life. That's one reason why I try not to provide the shower punch when I'm helping with shower. I know others are punch snobs too! Are you one, but you haven't admitted it until now? It's OK -- it's freeing to own it! However, I did what I try not to do . . . be responsible for the punch at a recent shower. It was S.T.R.E.S.S.F.U.L ! I don't like to match my punch color to the shower color. Oh no! I don't like to have to worry about "serving it slushy." That takes me over the edge too! I don't want a punch that creates a foam when I mix it together! I searched my recipes. I looked on line. I considered my favorite punch drinks . . .and ...

Sounds  . . . interesting, doesn't it? Can there be such a thing as "orange" lemonade? Isn't what makes lemonade, lemonade, the lemons? We were at my mom's and she made this tasty drink to go along with our grilled burgers. Both were delicious! I think when I make this I'll double the recipe . .  .  . . .it's that good! What makes this so tasty is that it so citrus-y tasting -- not really able to identify either the lemonade or the orange juice.  It's just thirst-quenching! This was originally posted in "Country Woman" in September 2011. The original recipe says it serves 12 . . .I'm thinking they were either small children or  little drinkers!  Orange Lemonade 2 quarts water 1 cup sugar 1 can (12 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed In a large saucepan, heat water and sugar until sugar is dissolved, making a simple syrup.  Stirring the mix...

In Tennessee there is a GREAT restaurant called The Apple Barn. Everything there is delicious. Everything! Once you order, the waitress brings this little cup of cold drink. Emphasis is on little . Because I want a big cup of this cold drink. I want the entire pitcher of this drink on my little table. I want to be hooked up intravenously to this drink. I bought The Apple Barn Cookbook because it had the recipe for this drink . . . this was way before smart-phones. . . where I could take the book in a corner and act like I was totally interested in the book and be all "consumed" with the incredible recipes, all the while, trying to get my smart-phone camera out so that I could snap a picture of the single recipe that I wanted,  then decided that I really didn't need the recipe book . . . Not that I would have done that; I'm just saying I have the whole recipe book for this one recipe! Apple Barn Julep 1 quart apple juice 1 cup pineapple ju...

Enjoy this guest post. Well, it's not really a guest post.  If you want to read it -- you'll have to visit her website. Not only that, she doesn't know who I am.  She has no idea that I'm sending people to read her blog. I think if she knew, I think she'd want to gussy up for your visit! Not my image . . . I drink mine too fast to get a picture! When I read her entry on "The Perfect Iced Coffee" I knew it was going to be a hit! I've already made my batch of yummy coffee concentrate -- and in 2 days I've made 7 delicious drinks!  I'm not telling a lie when I say they weren't all for me! For a great read and the recipe for the perfect iced coffee, go to http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ Under the cooking tab, it's called "The Perfect Iced Coffee" from June 13.  Also, the last time I checked, on her home page, on the right hand side was a quick link.  Use that . . . so you can get to the facts faster and get y...

With the beautiful weather outside, doesn't it make you excited for planting new pots of flowers for your porch, grilling delicious hamburgers, and drinking cool and refreshing drinks?  I love this time of the year; everything is so "new" and right now even watering the flowers is fun! When the weather starts being perfect, I start thinking about those recipes that I love and wanting to try new conncoctions and this recipe is one of those treats! I love frozen lemonade.  It's zippy and tangy and a party for the taste buds.  But why is it that we tend to only have these treats at theme parks?  Let's have them at home too! Here's my version of frozen lemonade.  It's not sugar free, but it is fat free and it's filled with whole fruit and it's much cheaper! Frozen Fruit Lemonade 3 TBSP frozen yellow lemonade 1 cup of frozen fruit* Using a blender or an immersions blender, place 3 TBSP of the frozen lemonade and 1 cup (or more if you want!...

A few years ago, I was a Development Representative for a non-profit pregnancy center.  One evening, I attended a "shower" where some ladies were gifting to our center and we were there to share about the ministry.  As you do at any shower, we were standing around, visiting with one another and enjoying the treats that the hostess had made.  My lips were privileged to meet this yummy conncotion and I've not been the same since!  I politely asked the hostess for a to-go cup when I left the shower as well as the recipe!  OK, I didn't really ask for a to-go cup . . .she offered and I didn't want to hurt her feelings!  This stuff was GREAT and I wasn't even a coffee drinker at the time! I call it "Carol's Coffee Punch" after the rightful owner of the recipe!  Matter of fact, the short story is that Carol and I were actually in elementary, jr. high, and high school together and our paths crossed many years later at this event, which ...

I absolutely love tea . . . just about any type of tea, except for herbal teas.  I know, I know -- I don't know why -- that's just the way I am!  I have several teas that I just love but this one, called Fruit Tea, is my all-time absolute favorite!  Matter of fact, I have devoured the entire gallon of tea, by myself, in one day!  Honest!  Does it count that I was pregnant?  Maybe, but regardless --it's delicious! Fruit Tea 7 regular sized tea bags or 4 of the "giant" ones 1 qt. water 1 cup sugar 12 oz frozen lemonade, thawed 6 oz frozen orange juice, thawed 9 cups water Boil 1 qt. water and steep tea bags.  Add the sugar to the hot water too so that the sugar dissolves well.  Add the juice and lemonade and the remaining water.  Stir well before serving over ice. Another yummy tea is one that Brenda E. makes, called Amareta Tea.  She made it for my brother and sister-in-law's wedding.  Amareta Tea 3 TBSP instant t...