Category: MISC

Just when we were starting to see patches of grass – there's a Spring Blizzard


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MARQUETTE HAS
CONTINUED A WINTER STORM WARNING…

EXPECT SNOW TO FALL HEAVY AT TIMES THROUGH THE NIGHT…WITH SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR POSSIBLE IN BETWEEN LULLS IN THE PRECIPITATION. BY THE TIME THE SNOW ENDS BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON…PLAN ON STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 9 TO 13 INCHES. IN ADDITION…GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN OPEN AREAS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Give Me 5

Give Me Five future events you are currently looking forward to and/or planning or attending.

  1. Family Reunion – we do this every year, but this year it will be our only form of vacation and our youngest and his girlfriend are flying out too – 1st time in 5 years – we’re really looking forward to this.
  2. Fishing Season – hubby will be out with the guys A LOT and I’ll be able to get some things (quilting, stained glass, etc… fun stuff) done without the ‘retired’ guy under foot.
  3. Summer – I have 300+ feet to plant a hedge around. I’m thinking of using lilacs (yellow, purple and pink) to give us some great smelling, fast growing, sturdy privacy.
  4. New ‘niece’ or ‘nephew’ – we don’t know which yet, but are soooooooooo excited.
  5. Rummage Sale – My friend and I are having a big blow out the end of June. We’ve both been cleaning our closets, drawers, etc… trying to lighten our loads. I’ve been filling up boxes and trekking them out to the barn which makes it easier to keep picking things out to add to the pile. I LOVE spring cleaning!
  6. Christmas – First time in out new “old” house (If you’re just tuning in, this will explain) and it should be done by then.

Scrumptious Sunday ~ Cookies ~ Majestic Cookie Bars ~ 5th Edition 2nd Issue

If you’d like to play along, see other entries and share recipes please visit
Meredith at Mercedes Rocks who hosts Scrumptious Sunday

Magic Cookie Bars – my way – Majestically

Eagle brand has a recipe for magic cookie bars on their can that sounds yummy, but I changed years ago to reflect my families preferences and called them Majestic Cookie Bars.

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup ground ginger snaps and vanilla wafers*
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butterscotch chips**
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips**
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup minced walnuts
1 cup shredded coconut

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Melt the butter in the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish.
  • Sprinkle cookie crumbs over butter evenly.
  • Pour milk over crumbs evenly.
  • Sprinkle the remaining ingredients in order listed over milk evenly pressing down slightly with the spatula so they sink slightly into the milk base.
  • Bake until lightly browned – about 25 minutes.
  • Store tightly at room temperature.

*I have also used the remaining crumbs from whatever was in the cookie jar last with great success.

**I sometimes substitute 1 1/4 cup raspberry jam instead of the peanut butter and butterscotch chips for fruity taste. If using the jam, chill the baking dish after adding the milk for 10-15 minutes before adding remaining ingredients and baking. Chilling the milk gives a firmer base to be able to evenly spread the jam over it. Also be sure to add the jam on top of the milk before the chunky ingredients.

I do 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 and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Menu Plan Monday


hosted by Organizing junkie

Monday ~ Chili & Chile Cornbread
Tuesday ~ Pepper Chicken with Lemon Sauce and Salad
Wednesday ~ Beef Stroganoff & Salad
Thursday ~ Pork Chops & Potatoes AuGratin
Friday ~ Spaghetti Bolegnese & Meatballs
Saturday ~ Chicken Cacciatore & Salad
Sunday~Sauerbraten & Potato Pancakes

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura 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 and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Severe Weather Alert ~~I AM SO READY FOR SPRING!!

LOOK FOR WET SNOW TO DEVELOP AROUND NOON ON MONDAY AND BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. SOME OF THE SNOW MAY MIX WITH SLEET SOUTH OF POWERS. EXPECT THE PRECIPITATION TO DIMINISH AFTER MIDNIGHT MONDAY NIGHT. TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE (and I was just starting to see patches of grass) FROM POWERS TO SAGOLA (next town north) AND IRON RIVER (next town west)…

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW OR SLEET ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Unconscious mutterings

Unconscious Mutterings

A quick bit of free association, it lists a word/phrase and you are supposed to list the first thing that pops into your head.

This meme is hosted at Luna Nina

  1. Stuffed: Full
  2. Gills: Fish
  3. Distance: miles
  4. Panties: cotton
  5. Checkered: racing, as in flag
  6. Fill in: the blank
  7. Taunting: bully teasing
  8. Diner: blue plate special
  9. Pizza: Round Table Italian Garlic Supreme, I’ve been craving one since we moved and can’t get them here
  10. Best friend: hubby & Jenn

Find the hostess, rules, and more participants by clicking the icon below!

unconscious-mutterings.gifspace

Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Chicken & Onions in White Wine Cream Sauce


hosted by Overwhelmed with Joy

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small white onion, sliced and split into rings
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons dried parsley
3/4 cup whipping cream

In a shallow bowl sift together the flour, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with flour mixture and pat firm caking the flour into all the crevices. In a large skillet heat together the butter and olive oil. Saute’ the onion rings until browned and beginning to caramelize. Add the chicken and cook until brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken and onions and set aside. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes until heated through. Add the parsley and whipping cream, cooking over low heat until sauce thickens. Serve over chicken and mashed potatoes. Top with the onions.

Freezer Food Friday ~ Chicken Pot Pies

hosted by mjpuzzlemom
  • 6 cups shredded chicken (2 rotisserie chickens)*
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 celery stalks
  • 1 small bag baby carrots
  • 1 small bag frozen green beans or 1/2 pound fresh, cleaned and cut
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 12 oz. evaporated milk
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Wondra flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/4 cup cooking sherry
  • 1/8 cup parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste
Separate chicken from fat and bones and set aside. Heat oil in dutch oven. Saute’ onions and celery until just tender. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with chicken. Mix together chicken broth and milk and microwave until steamy, 2-3 minutes. In a large sauce pan melt butter. When foamy stir in flour, parsley and thyme until golden. Gradually whisk in the hot milk mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick. Turn off heat and stir in sherry, salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chicken mixture and vegetables. Divide into 6-8 small French white Pyrex round baking dishes. Cover with lids and freeze.

When ready to bake, thaw and bring to room temperature. Cover with pie crust** and bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. With this recipe you don’t end up with a bottom crust, but just think of how many calories you’re saving.

*I usually make this when my local market has a buy one get one free on the rotisserie chickens.

**Pillsbury pie crust from the dairy section will make 2 pot pies with left over pieces for decorative leaves. Unfold a sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out gently. Measure the diameter of the pot pie bowls, and cut out dough rounds that are slightly larger in diameter. Repeat until you have made all the necessary tops. Whisk an egg in a small bowl. Lay the dough rounds on top of the pot pies. Brush the dough lightly with the beaten egg. Bake the pies for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve immediately.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What does the color dark green make you think of? freshly mowed wet grass, new leaves

Soup
How many cousins do you have? 12

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you? 9, but some would say 11 – I tend to be blunt depending on the situation

Main Course
Name something that is truly free. Imagination

Dessert
Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence. Steady pelting rain is not gentle.