weekend

Weekends are so nice! We are having very unusual weather these days, so the weekends have been rather cool, not so sunny! I work this Saturday, but come Sunday, I just love that day of rest! I had been merchandising for Nabisco for 5 years and recently got released from that job because of the economy, so that means I have a total day of rest, no working!!I recently heard a Jewish rabbi talk about a day of rest and how important it is to the Jewish people. Not that I want to go to the extremes they do, but it's a day to do no work as far as labor for me! Oh, I do the laundry, cook meals, but I don't do my job at the store or think about the store! Do you observe a day rest, maybe not necessarily Sunday?? Maybe we all should consider it! Blessings!

weekend

This weekend we are getting another grandchild! Our 9 yr old is coming for 4 days! We are very excited to get her and spend some time with her, maybe bowling??? Auntie is coming over and taking to breakfast, then down to "The Potter's Shed" for a morning of crafting something! I love having the kids, hoping to impart something from my life or perspective on life! Mommy and Dad are so busy,working so hard, it's hard on a family these days! The photo is an old one of Shea, but she is still the pretty girl we love!!!

salsa

Calling all cooks, I need a great salsa recipe! I have one and like very much, but always looking for something new to try! I have alot of jalapenos coming on and need to do something with them, so salsa was the first thing that popped into my mind! The salsa I make is very easy! Recipe: 2 cans 15oz size of diced tomatoes, 3-5 fresh tomatoes, 1-2 jalapenos(depending how hot you like it), 1 medium size onion,2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 bunch of cilantro chopped very well! I added the canned tomatoes a few years back and it just adds something more to the salsa! Enjoy with chips, YUM!!! Blessings!

garden

We are starting to get some produce from our garden. Gordon has done wonders this year in making the garden produce! We had a terrible garden last year with not much coming out of it! We already had some potatoes,eggplant, green peppers, and a few tomatoes! So, the other night I made ratatouille, it's very easy to make! Recipe: 1-2 eggplants(you can leave the skin on if it's a small eggplant), 2 green peppers, onion, and tomatoes. I used the grape tomatoes! Put all the veggies on a sheet pan or roaster pan after you have chopped everything, pour a little olive oil on them and add a little salt. Peel about 2 cloves of garlic and chop, add this to the veggies and put this into a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. You can serve this with pasta, or as a side dish! Excellent!!

chicken

On the new website, tastykitchen.com I found a recipe for "hot and sweet chicken". It uses legs, but I'm not a big fan of legs, so I made the recipe using thighs. I made it in the crock pot and it was very done when I got home! Gordon said it looked like chocolate on the chicken it was so caramelized!! It was yummy!! So, here's the recipe: 1 small jar of apricot jam,1 package of thighs(or whatever pieces of chicken you like),2 teaspoons of hot sauce, 1/2 cup of ketchup,3 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Mix that together and pour over chicken, place in 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until chicken is brown! Enjoy!!! Blessings!!!

hippies

We had a fun evening with Gary and Kathy! Gary made the comment that we are like hippies living off the land because of our garden! We went to the 4H fair and walked through the barns! What beautiful chickens!!! I want chickens so bad, but my very practical husband says no! There were these 2 roosters that were so pretty!! It was nice to dream for the moment! Lasagna was a big hit!YEAH!!!!!
Well, we are off to church and breakfast! I do have a brownie recipe to share before I go. Recipe: 1 brownie box mix, 1 1/2 cups of choc. chips and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts. Make brownies according to directions, just before putting in oven add the chips and walnuts. When they are done baking (about 25 minutes), let them cool slightly, add caramel sauce! YUM!!! We had a little ice cream with that and savored every bite!

Jalapeno Popper spread

I have a new recipe to share with you! We did this yesterday at work and it was a big hit!! It's on the spicy side, but nothing over the top!!
Recipe: 2 8oz packages of cream cheese, 1 cup of Mayo, 1 small can(4oz.) green chilies diced, 1 small can of diced jalapenos(2oz), mix the softened cream cheese and mayo together well! Add the chilies and peppers, mix in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and microwave for 3 minutes(watch that you don't burn the cheese). Chill for overnight and serve!! Excellent! Enjoy this dish and blessings!!