Category: MISC

Thursday Thirteen


http://www.thursday-13.com/
Thank you Janet and Megan for resurrecting it!

We ran into quite a few MORE issues last week that slowed us down AGAIN! So those in blue we accomplished and the rest is a new list, but I know we will be done for good over the next couple of months.

  1. Measure counter tops in kitchen and calculate butcher block. DONE
  2. Install baking center butcher block. DONE
  3. Install final kitchen cabinet. DONE
  4. Calculate bead board needed to finish master bedroom. DONE
  5. Fix broken stair tread that should have been on the house disclosure, but wasn’t. DONE
  6. Build trim work for stairway out of recycled trim from the barn. DONE
  7. Build anchor board for the top banister. DONE
  8. Paint stairway banister spindles. DONE
  9. Paint mantle touch-up. DONE
  10. Clear path to barn from snow. DONE
  11. Paint stair treads with a double coat of heavy duty paint with non-slip granules so I don’t fall and break my tail bone again. We picked a brick red called Chianti. DONE
  12. Clean up all paint drops from floors. DONE
  13. Install Amber’s ceiling molding DONE
  14. Sand upstairs floors DONE
  15. Feed hardwood floors. DONE
  16. Make new MUST DO HOUSE list. DONE – yay down to one page
  17. Repair casing woodwork in Studio.
  18. Paint Studio.
  19. Repair hole in baseboard from the electrician in master bedroom.
  20. Repair bedroom wall from electrician and texture coat over repair and then paint it.
  21. Build Closet frame in master bedroom.
  22. Install closet doors.
  23. Close dining room ceiling now that upstairs shower is finished.
  24. Install dining room ceiling tiles.
  25. Paint dining room ceiling tiles and upper walls.
  26. Finish upstairs bathroom molding.
  27. Paint Upstairs bathroom.
  28. Install kitchen flooring.
  29. Seal basement.
final blog signature. ♥

Floating Islands: Tuesdays with Dorie

Laurie of Quirky Cupcake formed Tuesdays With Dorie as a form of accountability for baking at least once a week using the cookbook, Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan.

This week Shari of Whisk: a food blog chose Floating Islands, page 401-402. Unfortunately I just don’t have the time or the kitchen (it’s a HUGE staging area) this week to do this in. So, I”l be back next week with Stephanie of Confessions of a City Eater who chose Devils Food White Out Cake, page 247-249.

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Release the CookBooks

Laura of I’m an Organizing Junkie ran a post last week about Releasing the Cook Books that met with a bit of adversity, quite a bit actually. I’ve thought about this all week and read the comments pro and con and then finally decided to put my 2 cents in.

My brother gives me a specialty cookbook ever year for my birthday and Christmas. I also have the all the generational family hand me downs as well as my impulse buys from bookstores and all the cookbooklets from the different manufacturers over the years that I have collected from antique stores, etc… you get the picture, I have a ton of cook books. Anyway, the first thing I do when I get a new cookbook is sit down, read it from cover to cover and use one of those little 3M tabs to mark the ones I want to try and/or modify (I have a color code system that also includes the category “MUST TRY YESTERDAY” because it is so alluring). Once I have tried and or modified a recipe and decided if it is a keeper or not I then either post it to my blog or into my computer cookbook. I then ‘recycle’ the cookbook through a pay it forward or VFW rummage sale. I do have those pretty ones that are wonderful references that will never leave my bookshelf, which is vast, but you CAN’T keep them all and why would you want to if you don’t use them?? So, after that long wind, I agree with you Laura! I’m extremely organized and one of the best ways of accomplishing that is to simplify! I am saying it with you, Laura RELEASE THE COOKBOOKS!

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Secret Ham glaze, Southwestern Chicken Enchilada Corn Chowder & Sparkling Pink Cake and a tip for Tuesday

From the Kitchen & New Recipes I’m sharing:

SPECIAL SECRET HAM GLAZE
1 cup molasses
3 cups packed brown sugar
1 bottle root beer
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
7-10 pound ham, spiral cut.

  • Blend together all ingredients (except ham).
  • Place ham in a shallow roasting pan.
  • Coat ham with glaze.
  • Cover and allow to sit 48 hours in refrigerator.
  • Bring to room temperature before baking.
  • Wrap tightly with foil.
  • Bake at 200 degrees for 6-7 hours until done.
  • Unwrap and baste once an hour making sure to get glaze between the layers.
  • Unwrap, increase heat to 450 degrees and bake another 15 minutes for a crisp skin.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN ENCHILADA CORN CHOWDER
3 tablespoons butter
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
3 cups shredded chicken*
3 cups Green Giant frozen shoepeg corn
4 cups water
1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
10 ounce can Old El Paso Red Enchilada sauce
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups heavy cream

  • In slow cooker whisk together the water, enchilada sauce, bouillon, salt and pepper.
  • Melt butter and saute onion until translucent. Transfer to slow cooker.
  • Add chicken pieces and corn.
  • Cook on low 3 hours.
  • Add rice and cook 3 more hours.
  • Add cream and heat through.

*On Tuesdays, my local grocer offers rotisserie chickens 2 for the price of 1. This is when I buy them. I tear off all the meat and boil the carcasses, skin and fat to make my own broth. I store the chicken in 3 cups measures – perfect for just about everything, and then freeze them for soups and casseroles.

SPARKLING PINK CAKE

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter. softened
6 large egg whites
1 cup sparkling apple cider
FILLING
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
16 large marshmallows
1/2 cup raspberry jam
FROSTING
1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons sparkling apple cider
1/4 teaspoon red food color
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease and flour 2-9 inch round pans.
  • Sift flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Beat butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until fluffy (about 1 minute).
  • Add the egg whites and mix on high until light and fluffy (about 1 minute).
  • Gradually add half of the dry ingredients until well blended.
  • Add sparkling apple juice and mix until well blended.
  • Add remaining dry ingredients until well blended.
  • Pour into prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes or until tester comes out clean from center.
  • Cool in pans, on wire rack for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from pans and continue cooling on wire rack.
  • While cakes cool prepare filling. In a double boiler melt butter.
  • Add marshmallows and stir until mixture is consistent.
  • Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • While filling is cooling, prepare the frosting.
  • Beat sugar until fluffy.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually.
  • Add the sparkling cider, food color and salt. Mix on high until creamy and fluffy.
  • Place 1st cake on a cake plate. If you want to be really creative you can slice each of these cakes in half to create a total of 4 layers.
  • Stir raspberry jam into marshmallow cream and layer on top of first cake.
  • Place second cake on top of filling.
  • Ice.
  • Enjoy
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Homemaking Tip I’m Sharing:
Using mineral oil on your wooden kitchen utensils will extend their life.

hosted by Misty at Camera Critters

Now many of you have suggested that I need to throw those 2 lazy bones above a bone or a ball. Well I thought this week I would show you just how spoiled these 2 are. These are their “INDOOR” toys. They have 1/2 again as many “OUTSIDE” toys. So it really is their choice to be lazy.



Mellow Yellow Monday is hosted by Drowsey Monkey
Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 23 explained
The Lord is my Shepherd = That’s Relationship!
I shall not want = That’s Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That’s Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters = That’s Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul = That’s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That’s Guidance!
For His name sake = That’s Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of t he shadow of death = That’s Testing!
I will fear no evil = That’s Protection!
For Thou art with me = That’s Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That’s Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That’s Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil = That’s Consecration!
My cup runneth over = That’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That’s Blessing !
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That’s Security!
Forever = That’s Eternity!

What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
‘ Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to move your Feet’

I participate in the memes: Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Slow Cooking Thursday, Homemaker MOnday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding new recipes! Camera Critters is hosted by Misty and Mellow Yellow Monday is hosted by Drowsey Monkey.

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Menu Plan Monday

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks
Monday

Toast

 Soup Rib Sticking Winter Soup Celery
Tuesday Cereal

 Sandwiches Hot Wilted Greens Carrots
Wednesday Oatmeal Chili Garlic Shrimp Pasta Celery
Thursday Yogurt Soup

Stuffed Shells

 Carrots
Friday Fruit Salad Sandwiches Lemon Lime Pepper Chicken

Popcorn
♥Saturday♥ ♥Oven Omeletes♥ ♥Tuna Melts♥ ♥Chicken Cacciatore ~ Skillet Style♥ ♥Deviled Eggs♥
Sunday Buttermilk Cinnamon Pancakes Monte’ Cristos Chicken & Onions in Wine Cream Sauce Brownies

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Happy Birthday Belinda!!

I couldn’t get Gunner to sit still, so I had to borrow Max here so I could wish my good friend and bowling buddy, Belinda Happy Birthday today. She doesn’t have a blog, but she checks my site daily so leave her some warm wishes.

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Cafe Writing ~ February ~ Option 6 ~ Pick 3 ~ February Project: Love Letters

To My One and Only Love,

Remember when we danced all night to that very song at our wedding, even after the DJ had moved onto another tune? Or when you indulged me and sat through Hallmark’s “The Love Letter“ for the 3rd time? Or when we took the train cross country and people watched all the way?

I woke each day in anticipation of what new surprises we’d encounter, never daring to imagine the trespass the military would make on our life with your activation and deployment so shortly after our marriage.

While you are gone I will continue to fill my days with quilting and homemaking. It gives my hands something to do and pass the endless time you are absent from my life.

It is hard to imagine not waking with you each and every morning and while life gets in the way of all our long term dreams coming true, I won’t stop dreaming. Our separation will be short and our reunion will be a welcome respite from the day to day woes we are currently living through.

I’ll always love you forever and always more,

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Simply Delicious Sunday [6] ~ Loaded Baked Potato Soup



LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP

3 tablespoons butter
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
6 cups hot water
1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
1/2 pound bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
6 large Yukon potatoes, peeled 3 potatoes diced and 3 potatoes finely grated
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced thin

  • Whisk together the hot water and bouillon base.
  • Melt butter in a skillet and saute onion until tender.
  • Stir in flour until golden.
  • Gradually add 1 cup of the broth.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Cook and stir until thickened.
  • Transfer to slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining broth and blend well.
  • Add in the bacon, potatoes, salt, pepper, basil and thyme.
  • Cook on low 6-8 hours or until potatoes are tender.
  • Stir in heavy and sour cream and heat through.
  • Garnish each bowl with green onions and cheese.
I also participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, $5 Dinners is hosted by Erin at $5 DInners and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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Simple Multiplication~Be Kind to One Another

This is another of those emails that crossed my desk that screamed, “Share me”. Is it really that hard for us to be kind to one another and follow the golden rule?

Whatever you give a woman, she’s going to multiply.
If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges whatever is given to her.
So – if you give her crap, You will receive more back than any one human being can ever handle.

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Secret Apron Swap Sneak Peek

Over at Mommy Holly there have been secrets being kept, fun secrets. She’s hosting the Amy Butler Apron Swap. Holly and I have agreed that we’re both nuts though. She’s moving and I’m remodeling so we went right down to the wire on this one. This was a secret swap so since I just mailed it yesterday, I’m not going to ruin the surprise for anyone playing. Along with the apron you were to send your secret partner your favorite recipe for the winter, and a nice note to let them know who you are! I sent the recipe for Rib Sticking Winter Soup YUMMY! I hope she likes it all.




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One World One Heart

Hosted by Lisa who has done a fantastic job at organizing and hosting this event for the 3rd year. Each year this event has gotten bigger and bigger. There are over 900 participants this year, over twice as many as last year! It has taken some serious time dedication, mainly late at night, but I’ve really enjoyed visiting each and every blog this year. My entry is here and I’ll take comments until midnight Wednesday. There have been over 500 comments so it may take me a little longer to sort through and make sure everyone left an email and that the duplicates are pulled, but I will name the winners by Friday the 13th. There is still time to see everyone’s entry. Go have fun.

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