Category: MISC

CINNAMON PECAN BRITTLE

When I saw this recipe I thought I was going to fall in love.  Then I made a couple changes and KNEW I was in love! IT IS LIKE EATING A HEATH BAR WITH THE BONUS OF A HINT OF CINNAMON!


CINNAMON PECAN BRITTLE
Parchment paper
Vegetable cooking spray
1 1/4 cups butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon instant espresso (Yuban instant coffee)
1 tablespoon dark unsulphured molasses
1/2 teaspoon table salt
2 cups Fisher cinnamon pecans
2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels

  • Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with parchment paper, and lightly coat with cooking spray.
  • Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  • Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, espresso, molasses, salt and 1/3 cup water. 
  • Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 290° (soft crack stage), about 17 to 20 minutes. 
  • Remove pan from heat, and stir in pecans. 
  • Immediately pour mixture into prepared pan spreading in an even layer, and sprinkle bittersweet and semisweet chocolate morsels over top. 
  • Let stand 5 minutes and then spread and swirl the chocolate pieces using an offset spatula. 
  • Chill 1 hour or until firm. 
  • Break toffee into pieces. 
  • Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 7 days. 
  • Serve cold or at room temperature.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone has plans for a restful time with family and friends today and that you had a great weekend. Ours was productive, but quiet as by afternoon the heat and humidity have gotten the best of me and I’m forced to take some down time.  I did try and do mainly indoor activities like sorting pictures and negatives, staining cabinets, baking cookies, marinating the carne asada for today, etc… We will be staying home, barbecuing, watching a couple movies and the fireworks.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It looks so pretty with big fluffy clouds and sunny skies.  You would think it was spring.  Then I opened the door and the 90 degree heat and 70% humidity hit me like a frying pan in the face.  I think I will be staying inside again except for grilling the meat later.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey Nut cheerios with a sliced banana and green tea.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I’m glad I got all the cleaning done yesterday so I can just relax and read all day or do what I want.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK/HOUSE PROJECTS
The plumbers were supposed to be here last Friday and we were planning on having the laundry area almost finished by today, but they ran into problems on their previous job and asked if they could reschedule.  They are so good at what they do we agreed and adjusted our sails to other projects for the weekend.

CURRENTLY READING
I have not been very focused lately on reading and only manage to get a few pages read before my eyes are just to tired so I’m still reading:

TELEVISION / DVR
We’ve been trying that new series, BRAIN DEAD, but still aren’t sure about it yet. We’re also trying the new AMERICAN GOTHIC, but I think they are trying to hard to be “unpredictable”.  ZOO started again and we really enjoy that along with AMERICAS GOT TALENT and HOME FREE.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing new this week, but seriously getting closer to being able to spend some time working on quilts and Christmas projects.

KITCHEN WISHES
Even here in the kitchen I have been paring down and cleaning cabinets, but there are a few things I would like to replace some items tat have reached the end of their life. I’m thinking of replacing my 20 year old pots and pans with these copper ones.  Does anyone have these and have any reviews?

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
CEREAL & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
PANCAKES & BACON
TOASTED FRENCH TOAST
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CARNE ASADA & CORN ON THE COB
CHILI CHICKEN & VEGGIES
C.O.R.N.
PORK & TOMATILLO STEW
MEATLOAF & SALAD
RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT
DESSERT







SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

ON MY MIND
What is going on with people?  Hubs and I were at Walmart (not my favorite store, but it is what it is some days) and waiting in line 3rd back.  The woman in front was making the cashier price match EVERYTHING! (honestly she should have just gone to the other store she had the ad from) and it was taking FOREVER!

A new cashier  opened next to her and said next in line.  The woman in front of us (2nd back) already had all of her things on the conveyor belt so told us to go ahead, but before we could get there the person from the end of the line (about 7th back) was there and then the mouthy rude witch behind us had grabbed one thing from her basket and run over to put it onto the conveyor belt and was motioning for her friend to get there.  Now mind you we are already there and she is physically moving our basket and preventing us from putting anything on the belt all the while telling us we should have “moved our asses) faster. I truly believe if we had insisted she would have begun a brawl.

Her friend was mortified (good for her) and we just said go ahead we’ll just stay in the other line and trade you. Then the guy behind them accuses us of cutting in front of him all because he was on his phone and not paying ANY attention at all.  While we were still waiting to pay, the mouthy rude witch then flips us off as she walks by!!

Just one more example of why we will NOT be staying here! Ironically, I heard on the news yesterday that Miami, Florida won the title of MOST RUDE in the U.S. which I find really ard to believe there is any place worse than here!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

Whiskey hanging out with me while I cook.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

My violets LOVE this window.

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

MID WEEK UPDATE on the MINIIMIZING DONATION PROJECT

Just a quick update.  In the past three days we’ve gotten quite a bit done despite my lack of energy! 897 items since Sunday have been donated, now some of those are things like Pendaflex folders and recipe cards that I counted individually because they weren’t in sets. The items below are yet to be wrapped and boxed, but we did drop off a load this morning at the Women’s Shelter Resale store which made more room.  There were 3 BIG bags of baskets taking up a lot of space as well as the three 30 gallon totes so I was happy to empty the car.

I did get the baseboard all painted in the living room and atrium as well as get the whole house vacuumed.

But the greatest find was this super sweet letter our niece, Amber wrote us back in 2008 when she left for home after a 2 week visit. 

SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS

I originally found this recipe in COOK’S ILLUSTRATED  and changed it very little.  I served it with rice here for a change, but really prefer it served with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles since it makes such a nice gravy.

SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS
3 slices bacon, diced
2 tablespoons Avocado oil
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
4 bone-in thick pork chops
2 sweet onions, halved and sliced thin
2 tablespoons water
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh minced thyme
1 tablespoon minced parsley 
salt and pepper to taste

  • Fry bacon over medium heat, stirring frequntly for 8-10 minutes until browned. Remove with slotted spoon to a paper towel and allow to drain.
  • Reduce heat and add oil to make 2 tablespoons total in pan.
  • Whisk in flour and cook until golden like the color of peanut butter.
  • Slowly add broth and increase heat, whisking continuously until you reach a slow boil. Cover and set aside.
  • Pat pork chops dry.
  • Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • In a large skillet bring 1 tablespoon of the avocado oil to high heat. Add pork chops and brown 2-3 minutes each side. Transfer chops to a plate.
  • Add remaining oil to skillet and bring to heat.
  • Add onions and water to skillet browning until just beginning to caramelize.  Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet.
  • Add thyme and garlic cooking until fragrant.
  • Add pork chops back into pan and pour sauce from other pan over top.
  • Simmer 20-30 minutes until pork is tender and cooked through.
  • Remove chops to a warming platter.
  • Stir in parsley and season sauce with salt and pepper.  Continue cooking until it reaches a gravy like consistency.
  • Spoon over pork chops and top with reserved bacon.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER and MENU PLAN MONDAY

My plan last week was to get tons of things done and post about them too.  Well, as I always say, Man plans and God Laughs. That is the type of week I had last week.

I did have 2 days of routine follow-up testing for my cancer scheduled and they went well – NED (no evidence of disease) YAY!, but left me quite dehydrated and fatigued.  I thought I got a handle on re-hydrating, but evidently not when I had to be medic escorted away from the Skeeter’s game Friday night.  The humidity, heat, dehydration and fatigue just caught up with me and then I was forced into 2 additional days of down time to recover. So, I have HIGH hopes for this week to play catch up.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It’s already quite warm and we have a threat of rain ALL week so the humidity levels are also already quite high!

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
The clouds are gray and  a bit threatening and there is NO breeze so I’m planning to get out and do my errands early and get back before the heaven’s open up.  Lately it seems to rain EVERY day and rain HARD, but not for long – just long enough to make it miserable outside and then it repeats itself 2 or 3 more times throughout the day.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A banana and green tea.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
It’s STILL a mess from ALL the sorting I’ve been doing, but I did make a HUGE dent in the pile that had been in the spare bedroom so I’m feeling pretty good despite the mess. 

TO DO FOR THE WEEK/HOUSE PROJECTS
I am still amazed that SEARS did this install less than 2 years ago.  They actually installed a brand new hot water heater onto a collapsing 40 years old base and came NO WHERE close to bringing it to code.  Fortunately our plumbers are coming on Friday to do it correctly, but it really burns my butt that we are having to spend the money! I can’t wait to show you finished pictures next week. Hubby and I came up with a GREAT design for this area and I’m really anxious to see it completed not to mention that I can get several totes of things off my dining room floor once the cabinets are hung.

  • Monday – drop off donations, run errands and grocery shopping
  • Tuesday  – caulk molding in both bathrooms, kitchen and living room
  • Wednesday – paint living room baseboard, more sorting to complete the donation project
  • Thursday – paint bathrooms, rake backyard
  • Friday – Plumbers will be here to bring water heater to code and install new plumbing so we can finish the laundry are next week.
  • Saturday – Cleaning and laundry
  • Sunday – Not a darn thing! except what we want and watch the race.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
We’ve been trying that new series, BRAIN DEAD, but just aren’t sure about it yet. We’re also trying the new AMERICAN GOTHIC.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
I’m trying another entire week of experiments.  I also have a couple success recipes from the last time I did that to still post.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
OUT
FRENCH TOAST
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
FRENCH ONION SALISBURY STEAK & SALAD
SLOW COOKER PORK & TOMATILLO STEW
OUT CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
MEATBALLS &MARINARA & ASPARAGUS with PEARL ONIONS
PAN SEARED CHICKEN with WINE & HERBS
CHILI SAUCE CHICKEN & SALAD
APRICOT GLAZED PORK KEBABS and SAVORY BREAD PUDDING
DESSERT


THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY

  • Getting more and more decisions made on what to keep and what to donate. At the very least this experience has allowed us to regroup, get EVERYTHING under one roof and sort it out. I have to tell you we are LOVING the minimization that’s going on here!
  • We’re planning a few trips for the fall that we’re looking forward to. We picked up some maps and tour books to read up on where we are going.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

 

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

I hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.  Ours was quite busy, but nice.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
It is starting to cloud up a bit.  We’re supposed to have a little rain the next couple days and then hopefully “dry” out again.  I’m really hating the humidity lately.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I can see squirrels playing on the oak tree and for some reason the birds which I cannot see are seriously LOUD this morning.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
A bit of egg salad and a cup of tea.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see the remnants of a VERY busy weekend and am hoping to finish today and get the vacuuming done.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Paint cabinet bottom support and baseboards in living room.
  • Finish caulking both bathrooms.
  • Paint Master Bath final coat.
  • Paint Spare Bath final coat.
  • Clean.
  • Vacuum.
  • Laundry.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days. We did see Now You See Me 2 this past week and really enjoyed it.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS/HOUSE PROJECTS
I recently did an update here. We’re hoping to keep working forward to get this place finished once and for all.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CHILE & CORNBREAD
PEANUT BUTTER BURGERS
C.O.R.N.
GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS
SLOPPY JOES
CHICKEN & NOODLES
ORANGE CHICKEN & CHOW MEIN
DESSERT

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

CAPTAIN’S LOG-DAY 246, WEEK 3 MONTH 8 UPDATE

It’s been awhile since I did a decent update on the house so thought I’d sit and chat for awhile. We’ve been quite busy doing a ton of the “LITTLE” finish projects and I’ve been fighting side affects of the cure to a disease that’s actually worse than the disease itself or so it seems. So, my energy level is almost non-existent and I’m happy to get anything done. While not being able to get as much done physically I have finally gotten through ALL of my aunt’s magazines that my uncle brought over.  I’m sure it’s just in time for the next load he’ll brings.  Anyway, on to the update.

Hubby got me a father’s day present.  LOL, yeah I’m not a father, but he promised me one of these for my studio 10 years ago for my birthday and it never happened so now is the time.  I can’t wait to get organized – finally a place for everything – now to get everything in its place.

We did finally get the floor in the studio closet and then I built the cubbies on the side walls for storage.  For some reason I didn’t get a picture of those yet, but will do that for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Hubby has been working hard get the garage walls reinforced with pressure treated wood.  He’s then sistering the old studs and finishing the walls.

I have been on a very specific diet (20 carbs or less a day) per doctor’s orders, but did manage to get a couple new recipes tried and will get the recipes posted soon.

The mosquitoes are horrendously bad this year!  So, I’m planting Citronella all around trying to make a less friendly environment for them.

Hubby and I decided to finally get the living room TV hung today, but it turned into an ALL day project – one of those domino effect projects.  While we were getting ready to mount it we realized that the cabinets below where it was going to be needed to be raised for the bottom doors to clear the future carpet.  This meant we had to empty the cabinets of ALL their contents and move them.  By raising the cabinets we also found we then needed to relocate the power for the TV and accessories which required cutting a couple new holes.  At least I did get all the games, CD’s and DVD’s sorted through and donated a bunch while organizing the rest.  Love these CHEETAH mounts though!

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

WOW, where did this last week go.  I was planning to post more last week, but it obviously got away from me.  I spent the week and weekend sorting through craft items, desk items, old photographs and such – SOOOO much harder than manual labor with emotion connected to each item. It also worked out well with the stormy weekend to be inside.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Still gray and stormy, but that is supposed to clear up tomorrow with temperatures soaring into the 90’s and fortunately the humidity dipping into the 60’s instead of the miserable 80 degrees and 95% humidity we had last week.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I see the damage from yesterday’s storm in broken branches and flower beds that need their dirt scooped back in which I will gt to later when I trim the roses.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Honey nut cheerios with sliced banana and green tea.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE & HOUSE PROJECTS
I see that I made a HUGE mess the last several days trying to sort through the last of the boxes most of which are craft items or small desk type items, but it will hopefully all come together by the end of the week and I will take a few pictures then.

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Monday – Grocery Shopping for the ingredients for recipe experiment week  and Home Depot to pick up a few last minute items to install the new front door.
  • Tuesday thru Thursday – keep sorting through pile in atrium and organize my studio.
  • Friday – maybe go see a matinee and lunch out since we stay home weekends to avoid the traffic and masses of people.
  • Saturday – clean and laundry
  • Sunday – Y.O.Y.O. (you’re on your own) day and do as I please which will probably be working in my studio.

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
I went through my fabric stash and began to organize it. WHEW! What a job! I didn’t realize how much fabric I had accumulated.  Good thing I’m STILL going through my aunt’s magazines and finding some new patterns to try for quilts.  Boy did she like her magazines!  Here are this week’s quilt pattern finds:

  • Altitude
  • Little Red Bird
  • Patriot Parade 
  • Early Birds
  • Spring Forth
  • Garden Glories
  • Play it Again
  • Shades of Fall
  • Maisy Daisy
  • Bevels
  • Magic Stars
  • Warm Breeze
  • Squares Plus
  • Plum Spicy
  • Rainbow Hearts
  • Daffodils for Dad
  • Moon Shadow Stars
  • Blueberry Ice
  • Wavelength

HOUSE PROJECTS
No pictures this week, but we had a productive week moving forward on “little” finish projects.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
I found so many fun new recipes that I’m going to make every night this entire week an experiment night plus an interesting dessert.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
YOGURT & FRUIT
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
EGGS in the CLOUDS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
SANDWICH
OUT
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CRISPY RAMEN CRUSTED CHICKEN with ASIAN SLAW
CAST IRON LEMON  CHICKEN and SALAD
C.O.R.N.
BUFFALO CHICKEN MAC & CHEESE
GRILLED CHICKEN with COLA SAUCE
BUFFALO CHICKEN THIGHS and SALAD
APRICOT GLAZED PORK KEBABS and SAVORY BREAD PUDDING
DESSERT


BLACK BEAN BROWNIES




SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

  • Pineapple Pound Cake (recipe will be up a little later)

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I’m STILL going through my aunt’s magazines and boy did she like her magazines!  Here are this week’s recipe finds:

  • Brown Sugar Cinnamon Peach Pie
  • Ciabatta French Toast
  • Pork Tenderloin with Orange Compote
  • Argentinean Pork
  • Salted Caramel Brownies
  • Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion
  • Grilled Chicken with Asian Pear Slaw
  • Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins
  • Fresh Raspberry Vanilla Preserves
  • Strawberry Chicken Salad
  • Grilled Parmesan Cake
  • Crawfish Bisque
  • Kickin’ Orange Glazed Chicken
  • Apricot Glazed Chicken Thighs
  • Manicotti with Vodka Blush Sauce
  • Pear Tart
  • White Cheddar Cheese Popcorn

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
One of the things I ran across this week was “real” photos from when the pups were pups! It made me realize just how old they are and made me sad too!  But I also took this picture of our “OLD MAN” (14) and a treat.  I gently laid it there to see how long it would take for him to notice and LOL it took a long time! When he was young it would have woken him up in a heart beat!

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY

Captains Log-DAY 255, Week 1, Month 8 – It has been an interesting, sad and strange 7 months. This past week we have helped my uncle several days as he is SO SO close to the flooding area.  We also started cleaning out my aunt’s closets. I have always believed you end up where you are supposed to be in life for whatever reason and even though we were not happy about the condition of this house we initially thought we landed here to help my uncle with the house because he had his hands so full with my aunt and her Alzheimers.  Now I believe it was to be here to help him through her passing and dealing with the house, floods, etc…  God really does work in mysterious ways.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
We still have a small chance of thunderstorms for a few days and then they are predicting 2 FULL days of sunshine before we go back to potential thunderstorms.  Thus is the life in hurricane season.

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW
I see a small break in the clouds and the sun is actually trying to make a glorious appearance for the first time in what feels like months, but I know is only a few weeks.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE
Maple Brown sugar oatmeal with golden raisins and coffee.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE/HOUSE PROJECTS
I’m beginning to feel more at home.  We still have a ton of “little” projects and a few big ones, but ALL and ALL, it’s looking and feeling like a real home.

Once we finish the painting of the doors and baseboard we will order the carpet for the living room and atrium.  The living room is a great size (22×18), but these pictures make it look small.  Oh well, at least we got some shelves up and I was able to get some of our favorite things unpacked and even got a few quilts hung. The randomness of the shelves was based on the stud locations for mounting.  At first I didn’t think I would like it, but now I really love it.

 After the carpet is in we will order the matching loveseat and oversized chair to match the couch. Even the dogs are feeling more at home in their new plush beds made especially for thei old bones.
Did I mention I can’t wait for carpet?  
If we keep on momentum this month I think we can be ready by July!

TO DO FOR THE WEEK

  • Caulk and paint!
  • Lay floor in studio closet.
  • Sort 2 dozen big totes for donations or ebay sales.
  • A couple loads of laundry.
  • Vacuum.
  • Play one of the sunny days just to get out for a while!

CURRENTLY READING

TELEVISION / DVR
I think there are a few new shows this week, but I haven’t checked yet. There are also a few movies coming out this month that I’d like to see and I might need to go to AMC for a matinee or two on warmer days.

CRAFTS & PROJECTS
Nothing new this week as I’m still working on getting the studio organized so I can work on one half of it while playing on the other half.

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
SCRAMBLED EGGS & CHEESE
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
YOGURT & FRUIT
MAPLE OATMEAL & RAISINS
BACON & EGGS
LUNCH
FRUIT & CHEESE
SOUP & CRACKERS
OUT
SANDWICH
MEAT & CHEESE
LEFTOVERS
SANDWICHES
DINNER
CARNITAS & SALAD
C.O.R.N. or RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT
RECIPE EXPERIMENT NIGHT or C.O.R.N.


DESSERT




PINEAPPLE POUND CAKE


SUCCESSFUL RECIPES and their links FROM LAST WEEK

RECIPE FINDS TO TRY LATER
I did get through several of the magazines that my uncle brought over from my aunt and have cut out quite a few interesting recipes. I only hope to live long enough to try ALL the recipes I cut out!

  • Pineapple Pound Cake – I will be trying this one later this weeks for a neighbor’s birthday.
  • Apple Cheddar Quinoa Muffins
  • Broken Dumpling Soup
  • Sour Orange Coconut Cakes
  • Pan Seared Chicken with wine and herbs
  • Creamy Chocolate Eclair Cake
  • Slow Cooker Pork and Tomatillo Stew aka (Guisado Verde)
  • Braised Beef with Sun-dried tomatoes and White Beans
  • Picnic Fruit Punch
  • Apricot Brandy Slush
  • Salmon Party Spread
  • Lemon Grilled Chicken 
  • Chili Chicken
  • Banana Beignet Bites
  • Aunt Murna’s Jam Cake
  • Lime Angel Food Cake
  • Buttermilk Scones
  • French Onion Salisbury steak

ON MY MIND
DRIVERS! and their RUDENESS.  I swear I’d rather be driving in New York City.  I have never seen so many drivers run red lights, weave in and out of traffic at VERY high speeds and the road rage is off the charts around here AND on a daily basis!

THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY
The PROGRESS on the 30 day, er 60 day minimalist project is going along extremely well!  We are up to 1946 items and that’s before I start the 2 dozen totes in the atrium OR the studio boxes. I am hoping to finish by 60 days, but if not I WILL extend to 90!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
I have an oak room screen that needed new panels made.  I also didn’t really have a good place to put it so I stood it out of the way.  Then the light bulb went off and I thought, “What a great place to store my antique quilts.”

INSPIRATION

Be sure to link up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

PARMESAN PEPPERONI CHICKEN

I found this recipe in Woman’s World, but immediately thought I needed to change it to be a bit less heavy and with no bones.  The original recipe called for bone in, skin on chicken breasts.  We just don’t do skin on chicken unless it is that occasional Cajun fried chicken breast or chicken fried chicken steak.  I hate bone in chicken unless it’s at a picnic and fried or BBQed. Even with my changes this was a real treat!

PARMESAN PEPPERONI CHICKEN aka PIZZA CHICKEN
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
8-12 pieces pepperoni
2-4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 small red onion, sliced thin into rings
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice from 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Lay chicken breast in a single layer.
  • Sprinkle with lemon juice.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Top with pepperoni slices.
  • Top with garlic and onion slices.
  • Top with Mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and Mozzarella is beginning to brown.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

SLOW COOKER BALSAMIC CHICKEN

SLOW COOKER BALSAMIC CHICKEN

1 tablespoon. avocado oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound baby carrots
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ cup balsamic vinegar
1 onion, sliced
1 pound green beans
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

  • Pour olive oil and garlic in the bottom of a 6-qt slow cooker. Line the bottom with baby carrots, then place the chicken thighs over the carrots.
  • Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil and vinegar. Top with sliced onion.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Add green beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
  • Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

ROYAL CHOCOLATE CAKE

    This recipe is the perfect moist chocolate cake that is great with a simple fruit topping or a simple cream cheese frosting or better yet a decadent chocolate frosting – your choice.

    CAKE
    6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
    3 cups all purpose flour
    1 tablespoon baking soda
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 1/2 cups sugar
    1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
    1 1/2 teaspoon PURE Vanilla Extract
    1 1/2 cups cold water

    • Preheat oven to 350°.
      Grease and flour two 8-inch or one 13×9 cake pans.
    • Sift cocoa, flour, baking soda, salt and sugar into a medium bowl, mix well. 
    • Combine mayonnaise, vanilla and water in an electric mixer at low speed until smooth. 
    • Slowly sift in dry mixture until just incorporated (do not over beat). 
    • Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 
    • Cool on wire racks and frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

    CHOCOLATE ICING
    1 cup butter. softened
    1 cup cocoa
    1 tsp. vanilla extract
    5-6 cups confectioners’ sugar
    6 or more tablespoons milk

    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cocoa with whisk attachment until smooth. 
    • Add vanilla. 
    • Add confectioners’ sugar alternately with milk until icing reaches a spreadable consistency. 

     NOTES:

    • You may not need all 6 cups of sugar 
    • You may need more than 6 tablespoons of milk

    CREAM CHEESE CHOCOLATE ICING
    8-ounces cream cheese, room temperature

    1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
    2 tablespoons cocoa
    3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
    1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
      • In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
      • With the mixer on low, slowly add sugar and cocoa, scraping down the sides of the bowls as necessary.
      • Add vanilla and increase mixer speed to medium. Blend until frosting is fluffy, about 1 minute.