A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

Image and recipe from Betty Crocker                                                                                                                                           We were going to have lunch with our friends the other day after church. This is my friend who is a good cook. This is my ...

Image used from the internet  The convenience of buying a packet of seasoning is just that . . .convenient. However, the taste isn't anything to write home about. Not only that .  . . how hard can it be to make your own seasoning packet? All the packaged stuff has done is put all of the ingredients in one location, right? Why not make your own seasoning, whether it's for tacos or chili, or anything else you want! When you make your own, you are not only saving money, but you're getting better tasting stuff that suites your taste! Isn't that why we cook, anyway? Here's a quick taco seasoning mix to stir up and that you can store in a ziplock bag, a plastic container, or a cleaned out seasoning container! Homemade Taco Seasoning 2 TBSP chili powder 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. paprika 3 TBSP ground cumin 1-2 tsp. salt 2 tsp....

 I've been to eat at Neiman Marcus one time. It was really good! "Everyone" talks about the Neiman Marcus cafe and the things they love from there. Because I've only been once, my variety of selection is limited! However, I have had lunch with friends that serve this Neiman Marcus soup recipe. It is so delicious that I wanted to pass it along to you! If your weather is like our weather, one day you're making soup and the next your grilling out! But because these are simple ingredients, you'll be able to throw it together in a moments notice! Neiman Marcus' Chicken Tortilla Soup 3-4 chicken breasts; cooked and shredded (or whole chicken;  cooked & shredded) olive oil 1 c onion, chopped 1 c bell pepper, chopped 1 c celery, chopped 1 c carrots, chopped 1/2 T minced garlic 2 t cumin 2 t coriander 1 t paprika 1 t red chili powder 1 T oregano 1/2 t cayenne (adjust to your taste) 1 28-oz can diced to...

 I know Christmas is over . . . but that's no reason to not have this delicious cake! If you see cranberries on sale, or have a bag (or two four) in your freezer, then this is a recipe you'll want to try! If it's cold where you live, then the smell of this cake baking and the anticipation of having a warm piece on a cold evening will send your senses soaring! I found this cake in a church cookbook several years ago. You know how good some of those recipes can be!  What caught my eye was how easy it is to make. It will whip up quickly in one bowl! But what makes this cake even more appetizing is the butter sauce you pour, serve, or drink (ummm, just kidding -- who would ever do that?!) with it! Fresh Cranberry Cake 3 cups flour 1 TBSP baking powder 3/4 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 1/2 TBSP butter, melted 1 1/2 cups milk 2 1/2 cups cranberries 1 cup pecans, chopped Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl.  Add the melted butte...

My girl cherub turns 11 years old today! I remember when these feet would fit in the palm of my hand! Would I love for her to still be a baby; so that I could hold and cuddle and keep her wrapped in my arms? Yes! But if I did that, then I'd be missing out on the fine young lady she's becoming! If I wished her back to those baby years, I'd be missing out on all of this: her funny sense of humor! her showing me her latest dance routine. her sweet smile! her asking me to tuck her in and to sing "her song." her sense of style and love for Vera Bradly and sassy Toms! her creative-side. playing games with her. her excitement and love for school! her joy of learning something new. helping her with her homework and school projects. being able to disciple her in God's word and teaching her how to listen and follow His plan. There's so much more . . .but what I love is that I get to watch her mature into a beautiful young lady who is roote...

 OU is playing in a bowl game tonight. We are headed to our friend's house to whoop watch the game. It should be fun  . . . we will have some Sooner fans and some Aggie fans all in one room! We are all bringing finger foods/appetizers for dinner. I hate meals like that . . . I always eat too much because everything tastes so good! I'm taking some cold dips and sliders and other fun things, but one of the dips I am taking is a new one. I wanted something a little different, so I went to google and listed the ingredients I wanted in my dip and viola!  Here's the recipe I choose! I made one little change to it. Oh!  I renamed it too. For credit sake, I don't remember where I found it -- maybe the Kraft website. Half-a-Cup Dip 4 oz cream cheese, softened 4 oz blue cheese crumbles (gluten free blue cheese for those needing it!) 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup chopped pecans 2 TBSP finely chopped purple onion, optional (that's...

At the grocery store the other day, I picked up a recipe book while the Mr. pushed the cart and shopped. It was a grand time! I read through the book, making notes on what sounded good and the Mr. took our grocery list and checked it twice! I had the stuff at home to make this and take to our friend's house. I'm not sure that I love this dip; but it's not bad. It's not a typical tasting sour cream dip, which I was happy for; yet it wasn't a "stand and gobble it down" kind of dip either. It's somewhere in the middle. That's why I'm posting it -- one man's taste is another man's distaste. I think I might coin that phrase. It's kind of catchy, don't you think? Bacon Onion Dip 8 oz sour cream 1 TBSP horseradish 2 tsp. lemon juice 3 TBSP buttermilk 2 TBSP minced onions 1/2 cup bacon, crumbled salt and pepper taste Mix all of the ingredients, except for the bacon, in a bowl and refrigerate until read...

Recently we've spent some time in the New Mexico mountains. It's one of our favorite things to do! We have no access to t.v., Internet, news, or phone. It's fantastic! The cherubs play in the snow and sled. The Mr. unwinds. And I usually finish a good book. We can't wait to get there . . . .  . . . and we hate it when we have to leave! One night, while there, I made this new recipe. We love New Mexican food:  the green chilies, the green chilies, and the green chilies! You can probably find the green chili sauce at a grocery store in your area. "Can you substitute another green chili sauce in the recipe?" Honestly, I don't know -- I'm sure you could.  I just don't know how it will change the taste! This recipe is fast, easy, and delicious!  Also, any leftovers freeze well! El Pinto's Green Chili Chicken Stew (From the El Pinto Website) 1 pound chicken, cooked.  (I roasted leg quarters; de-boned and cut into...