Category: MEMES & LINK PARTIES

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU PLANS week 12 of 2023 ~ BLOG 365.79

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

Spring is supposed to start tomorrow. I think mother nature forgot. Our weather while it is supposed to be rainy is NOT supposed to be still forecasting bouts of snow. I keep hoping I’ll wake up and realize it’s all an early April fool’s joke 😀

Since I made the cute little graphic above, the weather has changed to plain old snow only for next weekend and ALL out RAIN on Friday 🙁

EXHAUSTED is the only way to describe how I feel. I have truly been burning the candle at both ends and have worn myself out. I took the weekend to try and recharge by going to bed a bit earlier and sleep a bit longer in order to recharge. The estate sale I’ve been helping with should be over soon and our own garage sale being over will help A LOT! There is also a resurgence of COVID in our little town amongst many people we know and associate with so I have been laying low to avoid contact. Fortunately, I hadn’t had any recent serious contact with those who currently have it and will go out of my way to avoid close contact with just about everyone for awhile.

I’m still battling the technology fix to catch up with BLOG 365. The missing posts are being recreated, but it’s a slow go. I’m hoping to be caught up by next week. I’m missing only 4 posts, but they seem to be taking forever to recreate.

Hot water and black cherry yogurt

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I’ve been finishing up the sorting and pricing for next weekend’s garage sale and the laundry is all caught up.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS This category is still a work in progress
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS a few unfinished things that I may push off until next week after the garage sale.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING This is a serious work in progress category 😀

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • CABLE We watched HUD with Paul Newman and Patricia Neal on TCM along with NASCAR and Tournament of Champions. I’m hoping to catch up on the DVR this next week.

Just about to finish up book #24 of Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series and will then start Kirsten Proby’s Cauldron’s Call.
MONDAY 3/20
TUESDAY 3/21
WEDNESDAY 3/22
THURSDAY 3/23
FRIDAY 3/24
SATURDAY 3/25
SUNDAY 3/26
DINNER
 ARROZ VERDE co POLLO and SALAD
 THREE CUP BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN
ENCHILADA MEATBALLS and RICE
 PB&J PORK SLIDERS with PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH COLESLAW
 BUFFALO CHICKEN EGG ROLLS & COLESLAW
 BUFFALO MACARONI & CHEESE BITES and SALAD
 PEASANT SKILLET with BUTTER SWIM BISCUITS
DESSERT
 
 LEMON RICOTTA CAKE
 

Despite more cold and even a bit of snow in the forecast later this week, these daffodils are pushing up in hopes Spring really will start tomorrow.

ARROZ VERDE con POLLO ~ BLOG 365.76

ARROZ VERDE con POLLO

1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped and divided
1/4 cup FRESH chopped cilantro
3-4 garlic cloves, FINELY minced
2 tablespoons FRESH lime juice
2 cups homemade chicken bone broth
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
4 ounce can chopped green chiles, drained well and divided
1 cup uncooked jasmine rice, rinsed

  • Preheat oven 325°.
  • In a small food processor puree half of the onion, half of the green chiles, cilantro, garlic and lime juice.
  • Add puree to a small sauce pan with the bone broth, simmering on low.
  • In a cast iron skillet heat oil and butter together.
  • Add chicken pieces to beaten egg and then dredge in WONDRA flour, shaking off excess.
  • Add chicken pieces to hot oil and quickly sear on each side 2-4 minutes.
  • Remove chicken and keep warm.
  • Add remaining green chiles and remaining onion to hot oil. Saute 3-4 minutes to crisp tender.
  • Add rice cooking until slightly browned.
  • Add bone broth mixture to pan and stir well.
  • Return chicken to pan.
  • Baked covered 35-40 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  • Plate chicken, fluff rice and plate also.
  • Drizzle reserved sauce over top.

COFFEE CAKE KNOTS ~ BLOG 365.75

COFFEE CAKE KNOTS with COFFEE ICING yields 12 knots

Prep Time 40 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 1 hour

DOUGH
3 1/2 – 4 cups AP flour
1 packet Instant Yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup warm milk
3 LARGE eggs
4 tablespoons butter, softened

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 ½ cups flour, the yeast, brown sugar, and salt.
  • Add the milk, eggs, and butter, mixing until the flour is completely incorporated. If the dough seems sticky, add the remaining ½ cup of flour a little at a time. 
Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.

FILLING
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon

  • In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
  • ASSEMBLY
    5-6 tablespoons butter, softened

Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment. 
On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a 14 x 16 inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, adding flour as needed.
  • Spread the dough with 5-6 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Fold the dough in half, directly over the cinnamon, pressing to adhere.
  • Cut into 12-14 strips.
  • Twist each strip into a loose knot, they don’t need to be perfect.
  • Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake 20 minutes, until golden.

ICING
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup PURE maple start
3/4-1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon espresso powder

  • Melt together the butter and maple syrup in a small pot set over medium heat.
  • Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and instant coffee.
  • Drizzle over the knots. 




NOTE: For a quicker prep time you can use store bought dough!

BAKED FETTUCCINE ALFREDO ~ BLOG 365.73

Cooking for a crowd? Try this classic fettuccine Alfredo sauce combined with tender fettuccine and then baked to perfection for an easy to prepare and serve version!

BAKED FETTUCCINE ALFREDO Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes

16 ounces fettuccine
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
2-3 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 cup homemade chicken broth
1 1/2 cups WHOLE milk
2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon herbs de Provence
1/8 teaspoon FRESH ground nutmeg
FRESH ground Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Lightly grease a large baking dish.
  • Cook the linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large saute pan, melt the butter.
  • Add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Whisk in the flour until smooth.
  • Gradually and alternately whisk in the chicken broth and milk, stirring until smooth. Cook and stir 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
  • Reduce heat and add half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  • Season to taste with herbs de Provence, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
  • Combine the sauce with the cooked linguine and toss to coat well.
  • Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
  • Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • Sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish.

NOTE: Don’t be afraid to add more milk to thin out the sauce as necessary to your desired consistency.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU PLANS week 11 of 2023 ~ BLOG 365.72

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

You guessed it – still cold and even predicting a bit of snow tomorrow. Last Saturday was chilly, but BEAUTIFUL and then woke up yesterday to gray, foggy, rainy and low temps again. This week is supposed to be all over the place!

I try and remind myself of this every day! I’m actually feeling pretty good despite all the extra work and stress in my life lately. I think my blog/server/email issues are all resolved and with minimal disruption and only a lost post or two. I did however lose all your sweet comments from last week. At least I was able to read them before they disappeared.

Hubby’s appointment last week for a second opinion went pretty much how we expected, but we REALLY like the new doctor A LOT! AND we are a lot more comfortable with the new treatment plan.

The remainder of the week was spent working on the estate sale that began on Friday. Friday and Saturday went well despite the vultures who showed up an hour early! Both days were NON-STOP!! Yesterday was a welcome relief of a little down time to play catch up at home.

Some hot water, peach yogurt and a banana.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING Despite being so busy I am actually caught up on the laundry and dishes, but do need to vacuum.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS It’s supposed to rain all day today, but I’m hoping to get the groceries and errands done today if possible.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS I made a BIG dent last night in a pile last night. Hopefully I’ll get to it again tonight.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I was lucky to get a plan made for this week and a list for the groceries to match, but have a stack of recipe to sit and go through if I can find a quiet time to make a month’s worth of menu planning later this week.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • CABLE The only thing we watch last week was a NASCAR race and an old DVR recording of CASABLANCA and SKYJACKED on TCM. I’m really hoping things begin slowing down so I can catch up on what on the DVR.

I’m still reading book #24 of Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series, but have been way too tired to even read at night.

Oh my, the past several weeks have LITERALLY been non-stop and ALL menu plans went right out the window! We ended up eating out many times or making sandwiches or C.O.R.N. on the fly. So let’s try this again!!!!!
MONDAY 3/13
TUESDAY 3/14
WEDNESDAY 3/15
THURSDAY 3/16
FRIDAY 3/17
SATURDAY 3/18
SUNDAY 3/19
DINNER
 APPLE CIDER PORK CHOPS with CRISPY SMASHED HERBED POTATOES
 RUSTIC MAC & CHEESES or BUFFALO  MAC & CHEESE BITES
MEATLOAF with PEAS & POTATOES
 BEEF & BLACK BEAN SOUP with YEAST ROLLS
 CORNED BEEF with POTATOES & CARROTS of course
 CHICKEN FRANCESE
 PEASANT SKILLET with PARMESAN RANCH ROLLS
DESSERT
 rustic caramel apple tart
 
chocolate malt krispies
 grasshopper brownies for the Saint Patrick’s Day bake sale at the Eagles
dulce de leche & cinnamon sandwich cookies

I didn’t even have time to take pictures last week because things were soooooo non stop!

SLOW COOKED SPICY BEEF TIPS & GRAVY ~ BLOG 365.69

SLOW COOKED SPICY BEEF TIPS & GRAVY

This mouth watering slow cooked spicy beef tips & gravy is the PERFECT hearty and savory meal for a cool evening. Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes, your favorite pasta or even rice for a wonderful supper.

Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 7 hrs Total Time 7 hrs 10 mins

2 pounds stew meat
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste (about 1 teaspoon of each)
½ teaspoon FRESH dried thyme
3-4 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 package dry LIPTON’S onion soup mix
2 cups homemade beef broth
3 tablespoons Jalapeno ketchup
1 tablespoon Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 LARGE shallot, sliced into rings
2 LARGE carrots, rustic chop

  • Place stew meat in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, topped by shallot rings.
  • Add salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, onion soup, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch to a medium bowl, whisking together well.
  • Pour over beef tips.
  • Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

  • At hour 5 or 6 add carrots.
  • Cook 1-2 hours more until carrots are tender.
  • Serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, and enjoy!


KENTUCKY STYLE WHITE “BAKED” BEANS ~ BLOG 365.68

KENTUCKY STYLE ‘BAKED’ WHITE BEANS adapted from COOK’S COUNTRY
1/2 pound country ham steak, roughly chopped small or shredded
1 tablespoon butter or avocado oil
1 LARGE shallot, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cans (15 ounce) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups homemade chicken broth
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2-3/4 pound ham hock (optional)
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (I like mesquite, but hickory is also good)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Heat butter over medium heat in a dutch oven until melted.
  • Add shallots, cooking until soft and beginning to brown.
  • Add garlic, sautéing a minute more until fragrant.
  • Add beans, water, broth, liquid smoke, vinegar, ham hock and ham pieces and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce heat to medium low and simmer 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until beans are tender.
  • Remove ham hock if using.
  • Season to taste and serve.