A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

It's true . . . This stuff is ridiculous ! It's absolutely perfect and you want to keep eating it to see if the next bite tastes as good as the last bite. It's crazy thinking, I know. But we can't seem to stop ourselves with this stuff around! Matter of fact, I've put it in the pantry so that it's not sitting out in plain sight! Not that this has helped curb the desire to have "just one bite," but maybe it's helped us to not devour the entire snack mix in one day! This is from a friend of mine in Texas. She makes this year 'round, I believe. That would be dangerous too! She calls it "Maple Munch," but we've affectionately renamed it, "This Stuff is Ridiculous" Snack Mix 2 cups brown sugar 1 stick butter 1/2 cup Karo Syrup (white corn syrup) 1/2 tsp. vanilla* 1/2 tsp. baking soda  1 small bag pretzels (I used gluten free and I only used 1/2 of a bag) 1 bag corn chex 2 cups chopped

My sweet cherubs . . . they're spoiled! Not necessarily spoiled in the way you might think. They're spoiled in their thoughts about . . . breakfast! Yes! Breakfast! If they have to eat cereal more than 1 morning, they grumble. Or, if they have to eat the same thing twice in week, they mope. For example: Two days ago, my girl cherub made one of her favorite breakfast wraps. It had been a l.o.n.g.  time since she had one and she whipped it up for breakfast. The next morning, we were in a hurry to get out the door, so I made her another breakfast wrap. Here's how it went: "Mom, what's for breakfast?" "I made you a breakfast wrap, like you made yesterday." "Anoooother wrap." "I'm sorry; I thought  you liked them?" "Yeah, but not day after day." Really?   . . ."day after day?" I hardly consider that "day after day!" They're really good kids: compliant,

It's the holiday season . . . and it's time to bake! Who doesn't love the change of routine that the holiday season brings? True, it can be crammed pack with shopping, and decorating, and wrapping, and parties. But it can also be full of laughter, and family, and friends, and memories. This morning, while the cherubs were busy with school, I was busy about the house. Sometimes, when I'm cleaning, I try to think of other things to do. Today, while I was doing both of those things, I thought about making a little treat. A treat that would use the white chocolate bark I bought. 3 packages of that stuff! I had absolutely no idea what I was going to use it for, but I've been busy coming up with solutions! Today, I melted a package of it and scooped out these little crunchy treats! I think next time I will add a cup or two of mini marshmallows to the mix! If don't like something in the recipe, just leave it out and add a littl

Now that the cherubs do their school from home, lunch time is a little more . . . involved. You know, for years, I'd send my cherubs off to school with the packed lunch. A sandwich, a bag of something crunchy, some resemblance of fruit, and a dessert. They never really complained. Matter of fact, I never remember hearing a grumble about their lunch. But now that they're home for lunch, it's like they've forgotten that a sandwich is sufficient! It's not long after I get the kitchen cleaned up from breakfast, they're asking what's for lunch! I'm seriously creating 3 meals a day! Sometimes I just don't have it in me . . . but today! Today, was a lunch success! Using left-over grilled chicken, and a few other ingredients, this lunch hit the lunch win! I started out just making this little lunch for my girl cherub. After I tasted it to see if it was seasoned right, I decided that we would all have it for lunch! I love t

It really doesn't matter what the outside temperature is doing; we like to grill! Since it's the Mr. that stands out in the cold, or heat, or mist, or snow, or rain, I'm always game to throw something on the grill for dinner! The other day, when shopping for groceries, I noticed the store didn't carry my favorite marinade. But they had another marinade from a brand that I like that sells BBQ sauce. Plus, it is a local brand, and I like shopping local. So I bought the new brand marinade. But I didn't like it. Matter of fact, the Mr. and cherubs didn't like it either. Not that it was bad, because we wouldn't know. Because it had no taste. None. I'm not into tasteless marinade. So now, with no marinade in the house and chicken thawed out, I needed a marinade. I remembered a teriyaki  marinade that I used to make, but couldn't find the recipe. Then I remembered another one. This one is delicious. I twee

The other evening, we were having friends over for dinner. I wanted to make bread to serve with dinner. But we were having corn as a veggie and I didn't think we needed bread and corn. Oh, don't get confused . . . I didn't say we didn't want bread and corn . . . just that we didn't need both! I thought just a moment and decided I would combine the bread and corn and make a spoon bread. Now, in case you're wondering what "spoon bread" is, I'll tell you. "Spoon bread" is a Southern dish and could be considered a savory pudding. But spoon bread isn't "smooth" like a dessert pudding, as it is usually made with cornmeal. So, with the idea to combine the want of bread and the need of a veggie, we had spoon bread with our grilled chicken dinner. It was so yummy!  The cherubs really liked it and the girl cherub went back for seconds. Which is unheard of for her! Double Corn Spoon Bread 1 15oz can cor

It's turned nice and fallish around here and we have enjoyed the perfect days! We have opened the windows. We have watched the deer come into the clearing on our land. We have started searching for our favorite fall recipes. My sweet girl cherub got the notion to make peanut butter bars. Since it was Halloween evening, and we needed a little treat, we grabbed the ingredients and made these delicious bars! These are great because they require no baking and they're quick! If you like Reese's, then you're going to love these!  I say, "so long" to buying those peanut butter cups; these are a classic snack treat! Peanut Butter Bars 1 /4 cup butter, melted 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) 1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar 4 full-size Hershey chocolate bars, melted (or 1 cup melted chocolate chips) To the melted butter, add the brown sugar and peanut butter and stir until well co

Sometimes I hate having just a little bit of "something" in the fridge. Like "a little bit" of onion left . . .  . . . or a little bit of lettuce . . .  . . .or a little bit of cheese. You know; the amounts where you can't throw it out, because there's too much, but you don't really have enough for what a recipe calls for. That's kind of how I came up with this casserole we had for dinner the other night. There was just "a little bit" of some ingredients, so I combined them with other "whole" ingredients. If you want to make this, but you don't have the amount of the ingredients listed, that's OK.  Just make due! If you have more than the amount listed, that's OK too!  You have a choice!  Do I use "a little bit" or the whole thing? Cowboy Sausage Casserole "a little bit" of breakfast sausage (maybe 1/2 pound or so) (substitute ground beef if desired) "a little bit&qu

It's getting close to trick or treat time and I wanted to do something creative! Our neighborhood is not "traditional." By that, I mean it is very small and off the beaten path. If you talk to my mom, you'd think we live off the grid! But truth is, by most standards, we might be considered "in the country." But by those who really live "in the country," we are close to city-dwellers. Regardless of such, we won't have a lot of little trick or treaters running up to our door. Matter of fact, I had to tell our neighbors to come see us that night! And with that, comes the fact since we won't have too many kids I wanted to go BIG! I bought BIG candy for the kids! Who doesn't love getting full-sized candy bars when they trick or treat? I mean, really!! To make your candy mummy, you'll need: any kind of full-size candy bar strips of white cloth; muslin, cheese cloth, even crepe paper if you have it.  (I used

While it may not feel like it outside, the calendar tells me that it is Fall. There are so many things about this season that I absolutely love! I like the falling leaves, and to watch the squirrels gather their food, and where we live, we have deer . . . so now I like to watch them too! I also love Fall food. One of my favorites are apples! I'm not really sure, but in the Fall, I love to nosh on apples. It's the strangest thing! Maybe it's because they are more crisp, or their color is more appealing. Whatever the reason, I'll go with it! Today, both of the cherubs were wanting an "after school snack." Looking at the apples on the counter, I offered apples and dip. Since I didn't have any dip, I made some! I took three things that my girl cherub really likes and I mixed them together. I just mixed; no measuring! If you like these ingredients, just mix yourself some dip and and enjoy an apple! Peanut Butter and Nut

We love pizza. When we were thrown into gluten free eating, we had trouble finding good gluten free pizza out in restaurants. Which leads to me to ask the question, "Why is pizza so crazy expensive?" I honestly don't understand! While we do like "calling in a pizza," we also really like making them at home more! We all hang around and prepare different ingredients for the pizza bar. Some of us like pineapple. Some like garlic. Some like black olives. Some want meat, while others don't. That's why make-your-own-pizza night is fun! It gets you in the kitchen together, talking, laughing, and making fun of your family members! The other night, we were going to make pizzas but I had no pizza sauce. Stop there. I really don't like buying pizza sauce. I actually don't really like the way it tastes and since we don't use it all at one time, there are left-overs. I don't like using the left-over sauce.

Removing tomato paste from the can might be a wee bit of pain. The cans are small. The spatula needs to be smaller than the standard spatula size. Sometimes you might cut your finger trying to "clean out" all of the tomato paste. It would be nice if tomato paste was a bit easier to get out of the can; don't you think? I've been doing this trick to empty the tomato paste can for many years now. So it's neither new nor my own invention! Perhaps you already do this nifty little trick. But in case you don't, I wanted to post it for you! Yes, you!  You may be the one person who needs this handy-dandy kitchen trick. And you'll love it next time you open a can of tomato paste! You will feel like you have conquered the world! OK -- maybe not to that extreme. But you will do it and you will say to yourself, "Well, huh!  That's pretty neat!" Below are pictures and a brief description. Not that you couldn't look at

I'm tired of unpacking. I'm tired of heat.  I'm dreaming of Fall. I drive down the street and there are beautiful pumpkins at the garden centers. Gorgeous pots of mums line the drives. I'm beginning to think about Fall food . . . And I have the air conditioner on! Something is wrong with this picture! I want to wake up and throw the windows open and have a long sleeve shirt on. I want the days to warm to the perfect temperature. And I want to be able to sit with the family around the uncluttered table to a great bounty of fall food. But that's not happening right now. As I'm dreadfully unpacking yet another box, I had the idea of a "crustless apple pie." One reason for this is I have no time to make a pie right now. Another reason for this thinking is back to line #4 -- I'm dreaming of fall food. Apple pie is Fall! The third reason for this idea is being gluten free; I haven't attempted a gluten free pie cr

Last Christmas we spent a week away. It was a wonderful gift! We did very little while we were gone. We played games and watched moves. We made ourselves get ready and leave the condo 3 times during our 8 days. We weren't gone very long on those excursions . . . . we were rather content in the condo watching moves and playing games! One day, the Mr. made reservations at a restaurant on the campus of  The College of the Ozarks. On a side note, this college is founded on amazing principles.  If you have time, you ought to take a look!   https://www.cofo.edu/ College of the Ozarks, Keeter Center Image from the internet We had a great lunch and we even ordered dessert. Two reasons: We were on vacation; when on vacation we can do whatever we want. They had a gluten free option. When you eat gluten free, it is always exciting to go to a restaurant and have "normal" options! We ordered the chocolate something or 

It is so simple, and often overlooked. But honestly, I love pudding. Seriously! Good , no, Great pudding is awesome! I really only like the boxed stuff in recipes. Just to make a dessert of boxed pudding isn't really appealing to me. But make homemade pudding, count me in! One reason why I like pudding is that most of the time I have the ingredients on hand. Especially for vanilla pudding. The ingredients are pure and simple. If it's been awhile since you've had "great" pudding, try this soon! I might just make a believer out of you! Vanilla Pudding 2 1/2 cups milk, divided pinch of salt 1/2 cup sugar 3 TBSP cornstarch 2 egg yolks, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla 1 TBSP butter Place 2 cups milk and salt in a saucepan. Sprinkle sugar and pinch of salt on milk and do not stir; heat over medium-high. Quickly combine cornstarch with remaining 1/2  milk; add egg yolks and mix well. When milk comes to a full boil, remove saucepan from the heat

It's been awhile since I've posted. One might think that we haven't been eating!  While we surely haven't been trying new recipes or being creative in the kitchen, we have been maintaining a caloric intake! What's really been going on is that we've been in the process of moving! "Process" is a long word! And so is "moving!" In late Spring, we put our home on the market and it sold rather quickly. That was the easy part! The Mr. took a month off between job changes; we had hoped it would be a time to unwind. It was anything but that! Since June 1st, we have: made inspection repairs on our Dallas home cleaned our Dallas home when we moved out met movers to pack our Dallas home moved into temporary housing moved out of temporary housing cleaned our temporary home when we moved out gone on vacation started homeschool for the cherubs bought a house cleaned the new house so we could move in painted rooms at our n

I was away when the Mr. and the cherubs went to lunch. My boy cherub called me afterwards, all excited about this salad he had eaten. "Mom, it's so good!  You're going to have to make it!" Mind you, he had a general idea of the ingredients. By general, I mean what he could see! No thought of the ingredients that might be in it, but unseen! This week at the store, I bought the ingredients to make this salad he has raved about. To be fair, I want you to know that I've doubted this as remotely being something I would want to eat. It doesn't sound good. But he and the girl cherub say it is! I even splurged on real Greek Feta cheese. The one in the brine. Just like we had while in Greece. It DOES make a difference! I had no idea, but that's for another post! I measured nothing, but went my sight and the cherub's taste. I am delightfully surprised and I actually like it. I will be making this again, that's for sur

The Mr. loves hummingbird cake. He always requests it for Easter and for his birthday. Since we have become gluten free, I've been avoiding this cake. In my mind, if I'm going to make this cake, I want it like it is supposed to be. But with gluten free, things aren't always like that! Sometimes gluten free baked goods are drier. Or gritty. Or disappointing. That's truth! The Mr.'s birthday was this week and when asked what he wanted for our traditional "birthday dinner," he picked two things that I've been avoiding since we've been gluten free! I'm gonna kill him! Silly me, tackled both! Here's my take-away! If there's enough time between the gluten version and the gluten-free version, your mind forgets what it is "supposed" to taste like, and then the gluten free version is very satisfying! 14 months is a good amount of time to wait!! There are lots of gluten free versions of hummingbird cake

There was a sale on Frito Corn Chips some time ago at the store. I over-estimated my family's need for Fritos. Truth be know, outside of the occasional Frito chili pie in the winter, and corn dip in the Summer, We are not big consumers of Fritos. That's why we still have 2 bags of the corn chips on the shelves. I searched for recipes using Fritos. This one sparked my interest. Mainly because it was drastically different. That, and I had all of the ingredients, and frankly, I wasn't wanting to crush up the corn chips and roll chicken in them. So I made this. Surprisingly, we liked it. I think that's because it is so different . . . and we like Payday candy bars. When I say "we," it is not a collective "we." The Mr. is not participating. The Mr. claims he doesn't like peanut butter. Says it "messes with his allergies." I say who in this world does not like peanut butter? It's like saying, &q

We honestly love pimento cheese. I've told you that before. But we are persnickety pimento cheese eaters. We are somewhat connoisseur and somewhat know-it-alls about this Southern delicacy. We do not like store bought pimento cheese. I know; that's what we have grown up on; Spent hours smearing the spread on white bread, so we can cut it into triangles and stack on a serving tray. Taken to church socials. And shared with our friends. I'm not against any of that . . .except the actual store-bought pimento cheese. I make pimento cheese a lot at our house. It's kind of our go-to sandwich. Partially it's because I don't buy deli meat and pimento cheese is easy. When we are low on peanut butter or out of grilled chicken, I usually have the stuff to whip up a batch of pimento cheese. Because I make so much of this yummy concoction, I sometimes play around with my recipe. Sometimes the Mr. and the Cherubs don't like that. The ch

I honestly can't believe I haven't shared this recipe. It's not because I make it a lot. Matter of fact, I haven't made it in a very long time. But it is a good stand-by for those Summer dinners. I first got this recipe more than 10 years ago. We were living in Oklahoma City and the Mr. and I packed up the two cherubs and we went on a weekend get-a-way to cook for a "mature" crowd who was having a retreat. There were about 70 "mature" friends that spent the weekend at the lake. The guys fished and golfed. The girls shopped or golfed. At night, everyone sat around laughing and playing games. That's where I learned to play "Jokers!" I've got the best Jokers board around, thanks to a very talented wood-worker friend! As our friends golfed, fished, or shopped, the Mr. and I prepared the meals. 3 meals a day for the weekend. One night we served cole slaw. After we ate, one of the ladies said she had a

I love friends like this . . . "Hey! What are you doing for dinner tonight?" "I don't know . . .what are y'all doing?" "I have no idea!  I've got chicken." "O.K!  I've got bacon." "I can bring some chips and ice cream." "O.K!  I've got caramel sauce and tea!" "Great!" "Perfect!  Y'all come down about 6." I looked in the cabinets to see what else I could bring to the table; literally! I had a couple of apples. I thought an apple slaw, or apple salad, or something with an apple sounded good. I went pilfering and here's the result! I just guessed at the measurements and went by sight on the cranberries and nuts. You can make adjustments where you need and according to your taste and the number of people you are serving! We did not have too much left over from our impromptu dinner with friends, but my girl cherub and I had the wee bit of left over ap

I was really wanting french fries. Deep down in my heart, I love french fries. I know . . . kind of childish, huh? French fries and ketch-up. But on this night, I couldn't really justify going to get french fries. I mean, I " could have; " After all, I was making a very kid-friendly meal. This meal, my cherubs really like . . . and it is really not one of my favorites. Sloppy Joes! My internal compromise was to add french fries! French fries would go perfect with the sandwich. Instead of giving in, I made a very grown-up decision. I decided to make a french fry alternative:  a pan fried potato. Only I would make it better than a french fry! I'd add some grown-up flavor! But not too grown-up, because I still wanted to use ketchup. Confession:  this conversation was really going on in my head! Potatoes with Onion and Green Peppers 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 large green pepper, chopped 2-3 TBSP oil (or bacon grease, if you h

When the Mr. and I lived in Nashville, we were "adopted" by a great family. John was my boss, both at my full-time job and at the church where he and I served on staff part time. Ms. Kaye, his wife, was the church cook and was fantastic at everything! We became fast friends with the two of them! Ms. Kaye and I shared the love of good bargains, fun shopping, and cooking together! It's been a lot of years since we have lived in Nashville, but we still keep up with our friends, and on the occasions when we get to see John and Kaye, we always pick right up where we left off! This recipe is one of the many I have from Ms. Kaye. I like this for many reasons: It's easy. It's great for a crowd . . .or a family with guaranteed left-overs. It makes a lot. It's adaptable.  That's enough reasons to make it! Today, I had left-over turkey I had baked over the weekend that I wanted to use.  Because the poultry was already cooked, thi