Author: QuiltLady

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU PLANS week 14 of 2023 ~ BLOG 365.93

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I bet you’re tired of hearing me tell you about YET ANOTHER winter storm blowing through šŸ˜€ But here we are in April and YET ANOTHER winter storm is blowing through! The news said this was the coldest March since 1954 and April is shaping up to follow. We are supposed to get cold and snow through Tuesday and then it looks like we MIGHT actually get a taste of spring around here.

Unfortunately, we have to go to a specialist appointment this morning an hour north of here. With the snow predicted we have actually packed a bag as a JUST IN CASE we get there and have trouble getting back.

We did have our garage sale this past weekend despite the weather (oh my we were sooooooo cold even in the actual garage with ALL the weather changes that kept blowing through) and did pretty well with it, but I’ve been wearing 3-4 layers EVERY day and at least through Tuesday will be no different.

COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED best describes where I’m at right now! I’m going to try and take some time for myself this week, but with so many things going on it may be hard to find that time.

A dear friend who care takes for her mother is a bit blue because of the progression of her mother’s condition and I worry about her – she tends to have way too much on her plate, but I’m keeping her and her mother in my prayers. She is actually going to be able to get away for a few days of warmth and sunshine and I hope that brightens her smile.

Another dear friend is under the weather with a troublesome stomach bug and she too has WAY too much on her plate also care taking for her husband, a move to a new house that needs everything and multiple Eagle’s projects!

Yet another friend from the Eagles collapsed at church yesterday morning and has been airlifted to another city for surgery this morning for a blockage to the brain. šŸ™ I’m keeping her and her family in my prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery. She was going to be cooking Friday night dinner at the Eagles. I was asked to fill in for her so will be making a grocery run this week that wasn’t planned, but I’m glad to be able to help out in this small way. I’m going to make a baked Chicken Parmesan with Fettuccine Alfredo with a Pineapple sour cream cake for dessert.

Hot water and a baby food squeeze pouch as we get out the door.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a load of sheets and towels to do as well as quite a bit of ironing that I’ve been putting off because they are all spring clothes I can’t wear yet anyway šŸ˜€ I also need to do a deep clean to put the house in order after the garage sale. Just about everything left from the garage sale needs to be boxed up and is being donated to the Eagles for their yard sale that will take place while we are at hubby’s family reunion. All the proceeds will be going to their scholarship fund.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS After hubby’s appointment today we will do lunch, and a few errands as well asĀ  the Eagle’s Chef Store shopping before heading home. I’ll do the shopping for Friday’s dinner while I’m in our local town doing the rest of the Eagle’s shopping on Wednesday.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Other than the obvious bills that need paid, the roof leak and cat/house sitting for the neighbors MUCH of what was planned for this week will probably in ALL reality wait until next week. I also need to get caught up on the BLOG 365 recipe posts that are missing.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING HA HA I’m so far behind I may never catch up šŸ˜€

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • CABLE This week was so busy with preparing for the garage sale every night that we were lucky to get NASCAR and an old Ernest Borgnine movie watched.

I am in between books right now, but will choose one while hubby is driving this morning. šŸ˜€
4/3 MONDAY
4/4Ā Ā  TUESDAY
4/5 WEDNESDAY
4/6 THURSDAY
4/7Ā Ā  FRIDAY
4/8 SATURDAY
4/9Ā Ā  EASTER SUNDAY
DINNER
Ā CHICKEN TETRAZZINI
Ā PB&J PORK SANDWICHES, SOUTHERN BLACK-EYED PEAS & DUTCH COLESLAW
Ā BALSAMIC CAPRESE CHICKEN with POTUGESE DRESSING
Ā STEAKHOUSE BAKED POTATOES
CHICKEN PARMESAN, BAKED FETTUCCINE ALFREDO
Ā HOLIDAY CHICKEN and
 HAM, LOADED TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE and GLAZED CARROTS
DESSERT
Ā 
Ā 
BANANA PINEAPPLE SOUR CREAM CAKE
LIMONCELLO CHEESECAKE

The kittens trying to huddle together and stay warm in this long term cold. Looks like we finally have a foster in place for them.

I was so busy last week that I didn’t get much accomplished blog wise so will be doing the same links as last week.

CHOCOLATE SNAPS ~ BLOG 365.90

CHOCOLATE SNAPS yield 2 dozen cookies
Adapted only slightly from Cookā€™s Country

With crisp edges, chewy centers and crunchy sugary crackled tops these cookies are always a hit, but never more so than at holiday time.

14 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled (168 grams)
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (230 grams)
3/4 cup Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar (300 grams)
1 tablespoon PURE vanilla extract
1 LARGE egg plus 1 LARGE egg yolk
1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • Preheat the oven to 350Ā°.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or SILPAT mats.
  • Melt your butter and allow it to cool.
  • Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a bowl.
  • Whisk together brown sugar, vanilla, and melted butter until no lumps remain, scraping down bowl as needed.
  • Whisk in whole egg and egg yolk until smooth.
  • Stir in flour mixture JUST until combined.
  • Layer granulated sugar in a shallow bowl; set aside.
  • Roll 2 tablespoons dough at a time into cookie balls.
  • Roll each cookie ball in the granulated sugar to coat.
  • Arrange dough balls evenly on prepared sheets.
  • Press each ball flat until they are 2 inches in diameter.
  • Evenly sprinkle remaining granulated sugar over cookies.
  • Bake 15 minutes – 1 sheet at a time – until cookies are slightly puffy and edges have begun to set (cookies will look raw between cracks and seem undone AND THAT’S OKAY), rotate sheet halfway through baking time.
  • Let cookies cool on sheet for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to wire rack.
  • Let cookies cool completely.

ROUND UP RIBS ~ BLOG 365.89

ROUND UP RIBS

More and more of my FAVORITE recipes are adapted from Taste of Home recipes that just looked too good to pass up. With this recipe the overnight chilling allows the seasonings to meld well with the meat.

This recipe may have has its original roots in the Calgary Stampede, an annual Western culture festival and exhibition in our province, but itā€™s now a Pacific Northwest as well as a midwest favorite in our family.

4 pounds pork baby back ribs, cut into serving-size pieces
3 garlic cloves, FINELY minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons PAMPERED CHEF salt & vinegar seasoning
1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
2 teaspoons white pepper

  • Preheat oven to 325Ā°.
  • Rub ribs with garlic and place in a roasting pan.
  • Bake, covered, until tender, about 2 hours.
  • Mix sugar, salt and vinegar seasoning, paprika and pepper.
  • Sprinkle evenly over ribs.
  • Remove from pan; cool slightly.
  • Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.

SAUCE
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, FINELY chopped
1 cup jalapeno ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat.
  • Add onion and saute onion until tender.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat, cooking uncovered 8-10 minutes, until thickened, stirring frequently.
  • Brush ribs with some of the sauce.
  • Grill, covered, 12-15 minutes over medium heat until heated through.
  • Turn occasionally and brush with additional sauce.
  • Serve with remaining sauce.

BRUNCH ENCHILADAS ~ BLOG 365.87

BRUNCH ENCHILADAS
2 cups cubed ham pieces
1 bunch green onions, FINELY chopped
10 flour tortillas (8 inch)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups half and half
6 LARGE eggs, lightly beaten
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350Ā°.
  • Grease a 13×9 baking dish.
  • Toss together the ham and green onions.
  • Spoon about 1/4 cup of ham and onions onto each tortilla.
  • Top with 2 tablespoons of cheese.
  • Roll each tortilla tightly and place seam side down in baking dish.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cream, eggs, salt and pepper.
  • Pour egg mixture evenly over the tortillas. Cover with saran and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
  • Bring baking dish to room temperature (30 minutes) before baking.
  • Remove saran and cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
  • Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake another 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
  • Let stand a bit before serving.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU PLANS week 13 of 2023 ~ BLOG 365.86

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Last Thursday through Saturday were a whirlwind of weather. Saturday in particular was super cold while sunny to hail to snow with wind repeating itself every half hour! We had canceled our garage sale last week (fortunately) because of the winter storm scheduled to blow through and are so glad we did! We’ll actually have it this Friday and Saturday.

Today is supposed to be only cloudy with the rain beginning after dinner so I’m hoping to finish with the pricing and such today. The highs will be in the 40’s and lows will still be in the 30’s though last night was in the 20’s.

As of right now we are supposed to have a bit of showers, but no out right RAIN during the day and NO WINTER STORM this week (at least not yet).

I’ve been burning the candle at both ends recently for so MANY reasons, but will fortunately be stepping back from several things and having the garage sale over will be a really HUGE help. The estate sale I’ve been helping with is dwindling down also and that will be a HUGE relief also.

I’m trying a half a cup of coffee this morning with my cherry yogurt.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I don’t care what the weather continues to do I’ve started spring cleaning šŸ˜€ I have a couple loads of bedding and towels to do.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I need just a few things for this week’s menu since it is really last week’s menu and will pick those up when I go for a hair and nails appointment on Wednesday. Wednesday is also the day I do the shopping for the Eagles so that will work out well. Thursday hubby has an out of town appointment I need to go with him and that will be an all day thing.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS Just a few things for this week, most will get done next week.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I have been so busy that this has started to be kind of a joke category, but I’m hoping to actually get to this later in the week.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • CABLE We watched a few old TCM classics like STAGECOACH with John Wayne, THE NAKED SPUR with Jimmy Stewart and Dr. Zhivago with Omar Sharif and Julie Christie as well as the NASCAR races. I also got caught up with WALKER, The GOOD DOCTOR, The WAY HOME and the EQUALIZER while I was cleaning and pricing things yesterday.

I just started 2 different books to see what settles in. Both are new to me authors so I’m just not sure yet.

  • We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker and House Above the Work Shop by Sage Parker.
MONDAY 3/27
TUESDAY 3/28
WEDNESDAY 3/29
THURSDAY 3/30
Ā  FRIDAYĀ  3/31
SATURDAY 4/1
SUNDAY 4/2
DINNER
Ā ENCHILADA MEATBALLS
MEXICAN CHICKEN MANICOTTI
Ā SLOW COOKER PORK CHOPS & PEAS with SHALLOTS and CREAMY PASTA
Ā OUT
PB&J PORK SANDWICHES with DUTCH COLESLAW
COURT BOUILLON CHICKEN
 PEASANT SKILLET
DESSERT
Ā CHOCOLATE MALT CRISP BARS
Ā 
Ā 

We did go feed the appreciative peacocks last week one day. I was also rewarded with a train full of #RailArt when we stopped at our favorite tavern for lunch.

KFC COPY CAT FRIED CHICKEN ~ BLOG 365.83

While working on an estate sale recently I found some old recipe clippings including an old tabloid clipping about the KFC Chicken Batter recipe being leaked by the Joe Ledington, nephew of Colonel Sander’s second wife, Claudia. KFC Bigwigs insist the recipe has been kept under lock and key since KFC was founded in 1930.

AUNT CLAUDIA’S ORIGINAL KFC RECIPE
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1/3 tablespoon oregano leaves
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried mustard (optional)
4 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons garlic salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
3 tablespoons white pepper
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
1 WHOLE chicken cut up into pieces (cut breast pieces in half)
Canola oil

  • Sift together the flour and all the spices. Set aside.
  • Whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
  • Soak the chicken pieces in the buttermilk mixture and let set at room temperature 20-30 minutes.
  • Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk mixture and allow excess to drop off.
  • Dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture coating well and shaking off excess. Allow to sit on a rack for 20-30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile heat 3 inches of canola oil to 350Ā° in a deep large dutch oven.
  • Fry 3-4 pieces of chicken at a time 15-18 minutes, turning once until golden brown, maintaining temperature at 350Ā° for even frying. DO NOT CROWD THE PAN.
  • Transfer chicken to a paper towel lined baking sheet.
  • Allow oil to return to temperature before adding chicken each time.

SCALLOPED POTATOES & PEAS ~ BLOG 365.82

SCALLOPED POTATOES & PEAS
4-6 bacon strips, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups sliced, peeled & cooked potatoes
FRESH ground sea salt & pepper
10 ounce package frozen peas, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Dukes mayonnaise
1/2 cup WHOLE milk

  • In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp.
  • Remove bacon with slotted spoon to drain on paper toweling.
  • Add onions to drippings, sauteing until tender.
  • Layer potatoes.
    on top of onions.
  • Sprinkle generously with FRESH ground sea salt and pepper.
  • Sprinkle peas on top of the potatoes followed by 1 cup of the cheese and most of the bacon.
  • Whisk together the milk and mayonnaise until smooth.
  • Pour milk mixture over top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Simmer on low 5-10 minutes or so to heat through.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.