Pickles In My Shoe

A Completed Project!

2011-01-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

Well I finally completed a household project! I was on the mend the past few weeks after a serious appendicitis attack/surgery and so I had some recovery time at home and I needed to do something creative! This photo is of the window in my "pink room" - I have my clothes and dresser in here as well as my sewing table (made out of an old door!) and various craft projects. I've had several ideas for window treatments...one was a vintage floral tablecloth and I still might do that one day! But for now I did this:

It's a sheer (but somewhat stiff) pink piece of fabric that my aunt put in our combined garage sale this past summer. She actually gave it to me so.... FREE! Yay! I've had a collection of vintage hankies and recently went to the Goodwill and found a bag of hankies and such for 1.99 but I had a gift card so....FREE! Yay again! The pink cafe clips I found at my favorite yard sale for a couple dollars I think. The silver rod was a garage sale find for under $1. There was no sewing involved! The pink sheer fabric was stiff enough that I just had to iron it and it stayed that way! I folded the hankies in half and clipped them to the cafe rings. So my total project price was $3!
I love that the sheers let the light in and I can also still see the view. It's an upstairs room and there are no homes in view so I don't need privacy in here. I love it and it makes me happy that I accomplished something!

To Brine or Not To Brine

2010-11-20T22:34:00.001-08:00

Turkey Dinner came early this year...
This isn't such an appetizing picture, but trust me it was yummy! And the gravy? Oh my word! If you have not attempted brining your Thanksgiving Bird you must try it this year! It's so easy! It makes such a difference in the turkey and the flavor of your gravy! So here's what I do:

Turkey Brining Instructions:
Find a big enough container to fit your bird. I borrow my mom's rubbermaid container. But you could use a 5 gal bucket as well.
Fill the bottom with a few inches of warm water. To this add:

1 cup salt
1 cup Brown Sugar
Stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Then add:

3 long sprigs of fresh rosemary (Cut from your mom's garden!)
1/2 pkg fresh thyme (My package was .75oz found in the produce section)
2 oranges, quartered
2 lemons, quartered

Then place your thawed, rinsed bird in the container(hahaha don't forget to take out the gizzard package and neck! Come on! You know you've left it in before!) and fill the rest of the way with water. It's okay if the top is not totally submerged. Place in the refrigerator. After 6-12 hours, turn over bird. (Not really necessary if you are using a 5 gal bucket) and brine for another 6-12 hours.

NOW: I learned some things this time around...I'm not sure why I don't remember this problem last time I brined but maybe I didn't make gravy that time - who knows. SO at this point what you need to do is take the bird out of the brine and rinse thoroughly. Let the water fill up the cavity and pour out. Dump your brine water out - save all the good stuff, herbs and fruit. Fill your container with fresh water and soak your bird for 15 min or so. Now you are ready to get out your roasting pan/rack and place your turkey on the rack in your pan. (I line the bottom with foil) Stuff all that fruit, rosemary and thyme into the cavity of your bird. This makes for yummy gravy!
Bake for the recommended time.
Now for the gravy! This is kinda off the cuff so I hope you get the point!
Skim some of the fat off the top of your pan of drippings. Place equal amounts of fat and flour in a medium size frying pan on med heat. I'm guessing 2T of each to start out with. Whisk until you have a thick mixture.
I transferred the rest of the drippings into a gravy separator thingy...so I wouldn't have so much grease. Pour your yummy grease free drippings into your fry pan. The aroma is amazing! Bring to a slow boil, do a taste test....(this is where I messed up - mine was uber salty because I didn't rinse and soak my bird in the fresh water so I kept adding plain water to cut the saltiness) If your flavor is wonderful and the right saltiness you can add low sodium chicken broth to it to create more gravy. If it's too salty like mine was then add water. If you think it's getting too thin then make a flour paste with flour and water and strain it into your pan through a strainer to avoid lumps. This was so yummy that I didn't have to add anything to it. The flavor was amazing. The turkey was moist and wonderful. Looking forward to leftovers!

2010-10-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

Well it's only been 6 months or so since I posted....I have alot of excuses really...#1 being I can't figure out how to get my pictures where I want them to be...and I haven't made the time to figure it out. Why I chose tonight to do this is beyond me. I stink, I've been in the basement with my dear hubby trying to unclog the drain....wishing I had the money to call Roto Rooter! No, instead I've been vacuuming up what looks like...well for lack of a nicer word...vomit. My kitchen is totaled...I haven't been able to run the dishwasher or wash any amount of dishes because the drain has been backing up. It's 11pm and I just want a shower, my jammies and something to help me forget the moment's reality. Ugh. As I was vacuuming up drain droppings I was thinking to myself..."How do I find Jesus in this moment?" I was thinking back to quite a few years ago when my friends and I had just come home from an awesome evening at church where God showed up and it was amazing...we were still basking in it when we arrived at my friends house only to discover that the sewer was backing up into the bathtub and the kids were about to take a bath....How do you make that transition? From delighting in His Presence to sewer in your bathtub? I'm still pondering it, and I have no answers at the moment except "Give Thanks in Everything!".

And now, it's my turn for a shower...

I leave you with this funny story of something that happened here this summer...I laughed so hard I cried...maybe I'll read it again, I could use a laugh right about now!

(The above picture is my 4yr old at the Peter Iredale "Pirate Ship" as he calls it.)

So let me preface this story with a few facts...

For starters, my husband has been known to bring home "treasures" from time to time....some valuable (a fiberglass ladder he found on the freeway shoulder) and some not so valuable (dirty sweatshirts found in the woods). So I'm always a little leery when he comes home from work and says "You'll never believe what I found!"

Secondly - I'm sure you will agree with me that 90% of men cannot stand the smell of or the cleaning up of poopy pants. My husband is one of those men.

Now for the funny part.

We went camping over Labor Day and a few days ago my husband was cleaning out the back of the pickup...and I heard him mumble something about Taylor's swim shorts being back there. I dismissed it because I couldn't figure out why his shorts would be back there - after all the weather was not shorts weather. So I thought to myself "Oh it's just something Chip found on the beach and threw in the back of the truck."

The shorts made their way into the laundry room, depositing sand all over the bathroom floor. I still wasn't sure that they were Taylor's - sometimes with little boys you never know why things end up where they do. Right? I decided I would wash them with Chip's work pants which are usually filthy with rocks, asphalt, oil or dirt. So I wash the load - and last night transferred the wet clothes to the dryer. There were a couple pieces of something in the bottom of the washer - I picked them out - examined it and decided it resembled barkdust maybe, only with flecks in it. Odd, I thought.

This morning Chip pulled one of the "clean" pair of pants out of the dryer and wore them today at work. Tonight I finally got around to folding the rest of the work clothes and the swim shorts. I came out to the living room and told Chip "I don't know where you picked these up at but they are not Taylor's shorts." He replied that he didn't know where they came from, that he found them in the back of the pickup when he was unloading the wood. So I return to the laundry room and I'm just going to throw the shorts away. As I'm wadding them up I feel something hard that I thought must be in that inside pocket of swim shorts and I peer inside to find the pocket....Lo and behold I find not a rock or a toy or a superball but a DRIED UP PETRIFIED TURD that somehow made it through the washer and dryer and into my hands. I just smile. Right now I'm wondering, Do I tell him that I just washed his clothes with a turd? And dried them too? I decided that this could be fun. I return to the living room holding the shorts..."Honey, you know those shorts? Well there is a petrified turd inside!" The wheels begin to turn in his head and I cannot contain myself. I am laughing so hard that I'm crying. Then I realize that he took pants out of that load in the dryer to wear today....and I laugh even harder. Tears are streaming down my face. Then he tells me that he pulled something out of his pocket today and couldn't figure out what it was.....and I laugh even harder and I can't stop! If laughter does good like medicine then I am the healthiest woman around.

I may be healthy but my husband wants to burn his clothes and I still can't stop laughing!

My New Favorite Scent!

2010-04-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

I just had to share my new favorite thing....It's made by GreenLeaf. They have the coolest looking Diffuser Oil Containers, I had a hard time trying to decide which one to get. But the smell, it's heavenly. I chose Orange and Honey. Even hubby likes it! You can go to their website and find a retailer near you.

To Coupon or Not To Coupon?

2010-04-20T20:04:00.001-07:00

I recently found a really awesome coupon site - Coupon Savvy in Cowlitz County , she does all the work for you. Finds the deals, matches them with coupons...she's hardcore! So I decided I would start clipping again a little more seriously. I used coupons before - but it seemed like the things that I buy are not on coupon very often. Alot of coupons are for pre-packaged foods, something I don't buy alot of. But I was so jealous of all these free items she was getting! Or paying next to nothing. But I felt like I was spending more than my usual budget just because I had to take advantage of these good deals - thus my post title. To coupon or not? I don't normally shop at my local grocer - if I get everything on my list there, it's double the price I would pay at WinCo which is about 15 miles away...but I recently shopped there and saved 70% on my receipt using coupons, doubles and ecoupons. So I find myself buying extra stuff that I don't really need....and it eats into my budget. So-I will continue to read her blog because who doesn't love to share in a great bargain? And if it's easy and it's free then I might take advantage of it. Unless of course it's Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream...2 for $7 at Safeway and then I got $5 off of 3! So that made for a nice little weekend treat. :) So - happy couponing...or not!

"My Nearly Free Headboard"

2010-02-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

Hey! I actually finished a project! I think it only took me about 7 months *lol* Can anyone relate to that? This is my headboard made out of an old door. I love it! Growing up I had nasty mismatched furniture...when I got married I thought it would be so awesome to have a matching set of bedroom furniture....so we took our wedding money and spent $2200 on 2 dressers and a bed. This was before I knew about craigslist! Well, every place we've lived has not been big enough to hold the furniture...so we sold it for $800. Aaack! And now I'm back to mismatch and I LOVE IT! :) It's sometimes hard for me to have things incomplete for so long....how long will it take for my "vision" to be fulfilled? This whole house is a work in progress so I guess it's just a process and I want it to be a reflection of me. Who cares what my hubby thinks...hahahaha. No, really he's coming around and he likes old stuff that's creative. I just don't say the word "shabby chic" because he'll think it's foofoo girly stuff. :) I'm going to post step by step pics at a later date. Hopefully sooner than 3 months....that's how long it's been since my last post. I'm terrible! Now it's time to make meatloaf...something I don't relish....but maybe this new recipe will turn out. If not, then I will be eating mashed cauliflower for dinner. By the way if you haven't tried mashed caulifower yet, YOU MUST! It's way better than potatoes!

Tis the Season To Be....Trusting....God!

2009-12-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

This is my little Christmas corner that makes me smile....I've been very frustrated with my walls lately - they need a "treatment" and we haven't had the money to do it. This pic doesn't show how bad they are. Most of the walls have white sheetrock mud all over them, trying to fill in and mask what the previous owners were trying to do. The "sewing table" was $5 at a yard sale. I have plans for it - later. The old door was $5 at a yard sale. I took all the paint off with lye. That will be explained later. I had 2 doors and turned the other into a headboard. The window was $1 at a yard sale. It too will have another home when I get it figured out....So I just took some of my shabby stuff and put it all together and I like it! :)
On another note....trusting God....We are at a place where God has to do a miracle in our finances. Hubby was off work for one week, with more to come. No paycheck for that week because you have to claim your "waiting week" with the unemployment dept and they don't pay for the waiting week. I remember a couple weeks ago I figured out how much the next cycle of bills was going to be and even with a regular paycheck we couldn't cover them. NOW, we have less than that because of not working! All these questions go through my mind....Will God provide? Will I be able to cover the utility bills? Does He care? Will he provide like I think? Will I be able to pay the whole electric bill or just enough to get by? Because when I think about how BIG my God is, I think that the money should be there to pay all the bills ON TIME. That is my version of "provision". Just being real here guys. My faith is little. But I want to report back next week and be able to say "My God is Big - He gave us over and above what we asked/needed." As Jesse Duplantis says "My God is Not Enough, He's Too Much!" I'll keep you posted on my faith journey. And I'm gonna be honest!

Pumpkin Bars W/ Cream Cheese Frosting

2009-11-13T14:46:00.000-08:00

PUMPKIN BARS W/ CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
(It's like what chocolate is to peanut butter!)

2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
2 tsp bkg powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c sugar
4 eggs well beaten
2 c pumpkin
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c oil

Beat eggs, add pumpkin, cinnamon, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Add the rest of dry ingredients. Combine.
Cut wax paper to fit the bottom of a 10x15 pan (I call this a jelly roll pan). Pour batter into pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min. Cool. Frost and cut into bars.
*There is a bigger pan out there that is more common than 10x15 - I think it's 11x17. I'm sure this would work, just adjust your baking time. There is plenty of frosting with this recipe so don't worry about not having enough for the larger pan.

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 box (1#) powdered sugar
Cream the cream cheese and butter, add vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat until soft and creamy.

For more great recipes go to Grocery Cart Challenge!

I Never Knew

2009-11-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

I just had to share....I took some snapshots with my little guy on the fly the other day and ended up with a good one! I must admit....I look at photos of really good photograpers to get ideas! Shhhh. I also have another secret. I tear up when I talk about him. Why? I don't know. I'm not an emotional person. But everytime I share a story or a funny moment - my eyes water. I guess he's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me! And he brings a smile to my face everyday. I never knew this kind of love until I had a child.

Menu Plan Monday

2009-10-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

I feel like my meals have been on the "fly" lately. Plus - I am tired of all my 'usuals'. So I spent some extra time planning this week and visiting my new favorite recipe site. I only plan for dinners. I don't plan which day I will have what - I just wing it - it depends on what's going on for the day and what's quick if we are busy and so on....I'm also crockpotting a bunch of chicken because I know it's on sale at Safeway this week for 99 cents a lb. So here's what's cooking this week in no particular order!

Pork Pulled Sandwiches

Chimichangas Blancas

Steak Inspired Slow-Cooked Beef , Mashed Potatoes & Green Beans

Beef Stroganoff (with leftover Beef)

Chicken Tetrazinni

Hobo Bags (with leftover chicken or beef)

Pizza (Maybe Chicken Ranch Pizza with leftover chicken?)

For more great ideas visit here.

My Claim to Fame

2009-10-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so maybe it's not Hollywood but maybe it's "BloggyWood"!
My sister and I have been following Gail at Grocery Cart Challenge for awhile now and have been inspired to "Eat for Less"! We happen to live in the general vicinity of Gail and wouldn't you know it.....she actually is a real person! We saw her twice in one day, I almost felt like a stalker! We do our grocery shopping on Mondays (just like Gail) and also frequent the same liquidators. So as we're pulling in to SNS Liquidators my sister says "Gail shops on Mondays, maybe we'll see her!" TeeHee! There was a green volvo in the parking lot and I remember reading that she drove a volvo. I promptly forgot about it as we went in. We grab our carts and start perusing the "aisles" and Sara says "There she is! Did you see her? She's at the checkout! I almost didn't recognize her b/c her hair is longer and not as curly as her picture" I'd like to tell you now that I was brave and outgoing and went and introduced myself as her stalker - but I didn't. I just peeked around the shelving non chalantly (is that spelled correctly?) and gave the checkout a looksee.....and then in a whisper "Yes I saw her!" Aren't we silly. THEN we went to WinCo and I saw her heading to the checkstands and I started running from the end of the front area trying to catch her "Gail, Gail! I read your blog everyday, what are you buying can I look in your cart, How much did you spend today?! Can I get your autograph?" OK, that last sentence was a lie. But then I found my sister and she said "Did you see Gail? I was really close to her cart, she left it unattended with her purse and her shopping list!" No Way I said.
By the way, I made Taco Casserole tonight, just like Gail. Do you think I'm a threat? ;)

Projects!

2009-09-03T23:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so how many projects do you have going?!? It seems that I'm not getting very many of mine done....not to mention this blog....I think about things to write all the time, but most times I'd rather go to bed....but tonight it's 11:30pm and I'm waiting for bread to rise! AAAkkkkk! So I started a list...I add things to it as I think of them...and sometimes I just put things on it that I've already done just so I can cross it off the list! That way when I have a few minutes I just look at my list and see what I can fit into my open time frame. Otherwise I just dink around and try to remember all the things that need done.....Here a few of my ongoing projects.....

This is a burp rag I made for a friend of mine...I want to make more to have on hand for baby showers, very reasonable to make and they don't take much time, unless it's your first one, and it took me about 6 weeks! No joke. The second one took about 45 minutes!

Well, lo and behold - I haven't downloaded the rest of my project pics but I will tell you they include: Turning an old dresser into a sink for my bathroom. Stripping the paint off of 2 old doors and making them into headboards. Oh and a house that is a project all it's own. That's all for now, must check on the bread and get some much coveted sleep.....

Home Sweet Home!

2009-07-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Well I'm finally getting around to posting pics of our house. This pic makes it look so clean and inviting....when in all actuality it looks like a construction zone outside and in! We are first time home buyers and if you don't know it - you can get $8000 from the government for purchasing a home this year. I've amended our '08 taxes and I'm waiting on the check, which we will use for a kitchen and paying off bills.
So - lets enjoy the tour....I'll try and update as I make changes...alot of painting has already happened and I don't have photos of that yet. I'm having problems getting this pics to post where I want them to....bear with me. That picture is my kitchen...SCARY! If anyone knows of a contest I can enter for the worst kitchen just let me know! More to come....a 3 yr old wants me to sit with him while he watches Nemo.....

Machine Free EASY Chocolate Ice-Cream

2009-07-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

This is seriously so good.....better plan to make a double batch! I've been hearing lately how bad store bought ice-cream is for you - with all the chemicals and ingredients you've never heard of. I don't have an ice-cream maker yet (haven't found one at a yard sale!) so this recipe was perfect! I discovered it in a local paper, but it originally came from Cook's Country magazine June/July issue.

MACHINE FREE EASY CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM

1 tsp instant coffee
1 Tbsp hot water
4 oz bittersweet chocolate pieces, chopped fine
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
- pinch of salt
1 1/4 cup cold whipping cream

Combine instant coffee and hot water in a small bowl. Let stand until coffee dissolves, about 5 minutes. Microwave chocolate pieces, sweetened condensed milk and coffee mixture in bowl, stirring frequently until chocolate is melted, about 1 minute. Stir in vanilla and salt. Let cool.

With electric mixer on med-hi speed, whip cream to soft peaks, about 2 minutes. Whisk a third of whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Fold remaining whipped cream into chocolate mixture until incorporated. Freeze in airtight container until firm, at least 6 hours. If you don't plan to eat this all right away (trust me you won't have this problem!) then lay plastic wrap over the surface to keep better in the freezer.

**NOTES**
I used dark chocolate chips (bag said 60% cacao).
You can omit or reduce the coffee granules, but honestly you don't taste the coffee, it just gives the flavor some depth.

This is soooooo good, did I mention that already?

For more great recipes check out Friday Recipe Swap at Grocery Cart Challenge!

Lunch Making Made Easy

2009-07-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Well I don't know about you but I dread making lunches for my husband every night....it's the end of my day, it feels like I'm preparing another meal, the 4th one of the day....I'm tired, I just want to go to bed....sound familiar?
I've come up with a simple solution to make it a little quicker - here is the door on the inside of my refridgerator:

My current fridge has these removable trays on the door - I put all my lunch making items in that tray and just take it out when I'm ready to make sandwiches. Now if you don't have a fridge like this simply use a storage container that's easy to get in and out of your fridge and put all your necessary items in the container. You save time on both ends, picking out your necessary items and putting them all away! It works for me!

For more great links and tips check out Works For Me Wednesday.

Savin' a dime...Out on the line!

2009-07-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

So this is my pulley clothesline that my hubby made for me. We just bought this house and it's one of the first things I had him do for me. It took a couple weeks to break it in because everytime I had laundry to hang outside, the neighbor was burning brush....smoke and clean laundry don't mix....well unless of course you're camping! *lol* I've discovered a few things as I've been doing it:
1. Don't use clothespins on your towels. Just hang them over the line in half. The pins make them hang funny and then when you fold them they aren't neat looking. I know, I know who likes crunchy towels? Washcloths are no matter b/c you just get them wet to use them anyway. But you'll get over the crunchy towel thing....trust me. And did you know towels take the longest to dry in the dryer of anything? Especially if you have big thick ones like I do. (Wonderful wedding gifts!)
2. I clothespin the jeans to the line by hanging them upside down - clothespinning the hem to the line. Most of the t-shirts I also pin at the hem.
3. I "dry" a few minutes in the dryer before I hang them on the line. This takes out the "spun" look from the washer.
4. Sheets I also hang over the line at the halfway point instead of using clothespins. Ohhhh....nothing better than freshly washed sheets, hung outside and then sprayed with homemade Linen Spray as you put them back on your bed.
5. I'm wondering if I keep doing this if my clothes will fade? My grandma once told me that the sun would help get out stains on your clothing. I think it's true for some stains.

Happy Laundering!

Super Summer Seafood Salad!

2009-06-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is a summer staple in our house. My husband tells me he could eat this all week...so I guess it's a keeper!

Seafood Pasta Salad

1 box pasta, prepared according to directions
1 small package of imitation seafood (usually found in the meat case at your grocer)
1 cup sour cream (I use light)
1 cup mayonnaise (I use light)
2 tsp Pampered Chef Dill Mix
2 T Lemon juice
1 T sugar
Salt n Pepper to taste
celery, diced (optional and put whatever amount you like)

Mix sour cream, mayo, dill mix, lemon juice and sugar all together and stir into your drained pasta, cut up imitation seafood and celery if you wish. You could even put peas in it.
This "recipe" is forgiving. Usually I don't measure anything. I've found my favorite pasta to use is tri-color radiatore (did I spell that right? It's curly with ridges). Tonight I did bow-tie. The P'Chef Dill mix is a combination of dill weed, dehydrated onion & garlic, herbs and other spices. It looks like there is a tiny amount of celery seed in there. When it runs out I have to figure out how to mix my own because it's expensive! And if you like a more saucy salad, just add more mayo/sour cream. I have also used only 1/2 the package of imitation seafood and hubby doesn't know the difference. So then I can make 2 salads!

This recipe is part of Recipe Swap over at Grocery Cart Challenge. Go take a look and get some new ideas for next weeks menu!

Urn 'O Lettuce!

2009-06-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well, my first post in awhile....we've been in the midst of buying a house, moving and painting, paining, painting! More on that later!
I'm not going to stress about trying to get a garden in at our new house so I had planted this lettuce early on in one of my urns. And last night we were able to enjoy fresh salad! It was yummy and definately better tasting. You can't see it in this picture but this lettuce has extra fiber....my husband was using his saw today and when I went out to take the picture there was sawdust all over my salad! Oh Well, who doesn't need a little extra fiber!

Saving On Groceries

2009-04-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Saving On Groceries!

My sister and I recently held a class at our church for menu planning and how to stretch your grocery dollar....in preparation for this she went to Safeway with the list of things she had boughten on her last shopping trip at WinCo and one of our local liquidator stores. Unbelievable! You won't believe the savings! So check out her Grocery Savings!

Apple Topped Baked Beans

2009-04-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

Well the sun is out in the PNW today - I don't think the weather man called for it but it sure is a welcome surprise. And after 6 long weeks of waiting....we finally got the keys to our first home!

I'll post pics as soon as we're in and you can watch my remodeling project on a budget.....

Here's a recipe that's been in the family for a long time and it's usually on the summer camping or bbq get togethers list....

Apple Topped Baked Beans

1 28oz can of Baked Beans (I usually use Bush's)

1 lg apple, shredded

1 T butter

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 slices bacon, diced and partially cooked

Place beans in a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded apple, dot with butter, sprinkle brown sugar, top with bacon pieces.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

(I think I usually just dump it all in the dish and mix it up....and it turns out great!)

Check out more great recipes at the Grocery Cart Challenge!

Spring Fling Cake

2009-03-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

Well, spring hasn't quite sprung here in the Pacific Northwest....so here's a special occasion (or not!) yummy cake to brighten a rainy day!

SPRING FLING CAKE

1 yellow cake mix
1 11oz can mandarin oranges (including juice)
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
Combine ingredients with mixer. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" cake pans. (Tip: Liberally grease and flour!)
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes
Chill and frost. (Cut each layer in half if you want a 4 layer cake)

FROSTING RECIPE:
2 large cans drained crushed pineapple
2 sm boxes instant vanilla pudding
2 9 oz Cool Whip
Mix dry pudding with drained pineapple. Fold in cool whip.
Frost chilled cake. Keep Refrigerated.

For more great recipes check out the Recipe Swap at Grocery Cart Challenge!

"Mama, Meat Ball"

2009-03-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

I've been having trouble getting my almost 3 yr old to eat dinner.....so if he chooses not to eat on any given night - I just let it go and I guess he'll tell me if he's hungry. That is if he can convey it to me in a 2 word "sentence"! For the longest time he's talked only in colors and numbers. He's just now putting 2 or 3 words together. Now that's progress! I put him to bed tonight around 9pm. I forgot to check on the hunger issue before putting him down. After about 15 minutes I hear this little voice from the bedroom...."Mama." Just a minute T..... "Mama"....... What T? "Mama, MeatBall" Funny child. So - 9:15 and I let him get up so he can eat some meatballs....which by the way wasn't what we had for dinner! But I admit at this point that if meatballs is what he'll eat then meatballs I'll make. But only because he's 3 mind you!

Seafood Chowder

2009-03-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for ways to cut corners or eliminate steps so when I find recipes that do just that I hang on to them! This is one of my favorites and it's been on my menu plan for weeks but I haven't been able to find seafood at a great price!

SEAFOOD CHOWDER

1/2 c chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 T olive oil
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 1/2 c milk
1 T snipped fresh basil or 1 t dried
1/4 t pepper
1 # fresh or frozen seafood - your choice
1/4 c white wine
In a large saucepan saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender, not brown.
Add the Soup, milk, basil and pepper and heat until bubbly.
Add the seafood and return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 3-5 min or until seafood turns opaque. Stir in wine, heat through.
I've used scallops, shrimp, tilapia, cod - They were all yummy! It can easily be doubled and I've also made it without the wine, still good!

Be sure to check out Gayle's Recipe Swap for more great recipes!

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

2009-03-05T23:36:00.000-08:00

Well, fishing season is open for a very limited time....wishing my hubs would bring home a fish. This recipe is the only way I make salmon or steelhead now. It's the best I've tried! Be sure and check out other great recipe ideas for next weeks menu at Grocery Cart Challenge!

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

1 cup brown sugar
6T bourbon
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
2T fresh lime juice
2t grated fresh ginger
1/2 t salt
1/4 t fresh ground pepper
2 garlic cloves minced
Combine ingredients in ziploc bag with salmon.
Marinate for 30 minutes
Remove fish and discard marinade.
Place salmon on a broiler pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Broil 11 min or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork.
optional: sprinkle each fillet with 1/2 t sesame seeds and 1 T green onions.

Get Well Soon!

2009-03-03T20:43:00.000-08:00

"Get Well Soon" Works For Me!
Well, so far I have not got the creepin crud this winter. I usually get it once a year. Two years ago it lasted for over 3 months, that irritating cough...plugged ears....you know what I'm talking about! Last year it didn't hang on for near as long, thank goodness. But this year everyone around me has had it - even those in my immediate household. The only thing I have done differently is my "Get Well Soon" Vitamins from Arbonne International. I have my own account with them to get a discount. It's not sold in stores - so here are a couple of options on how you can get it:

1. Contact someone near you who sells the product.
2. Leave a comment with your first/last name and email address and I can generate a registration code for you and for $15 you can sign up for your own account and get 20% off for one year.

Be sure to check out www.wearethatfamily.com for hundreds of ideas that work for others! It's great reading!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-03-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Meals For March 1-7

I always make a list of 6 or 7 meals and then choose from the list throughout the week. Tonight is easy night b/c my house is a mess and I need a nap. :) My kitchen is smaller than some RV kitchens....so even a few dirty dishes takes up all my counter space!

Dinners:
Costco Meatballs/Stroganoff
Firecracker Chile & Cornbread Muffins (Best Chile I have ever had!)
(Chile Recipe in Among Friends Cookbook - Heart & Soul)
Savory Sweet Roast/Potatoes (Roast Recipe from Fix-It and Forget It pg 97)
Sticky Chicken
Homemade Pizza
Fajitas from leftover Roast
Enchiladas from leftover chicken

Snacks/Quick Breakfasts
Bran Muffins
Granola Bars
Monster Cookies
Honey Grain Bread for lunches (Oster Bread Machine Manual/Recipes)

Check out more great recipe links and menu plans at Organizing Junkie! Get Inspired!

Nothing Is Worth More Than This Moment

2009-02-23T21:50:00.000-08:00

I've had several of these "moments" lately....moments that I wouldn't give up for anything in the world. I was always a firm believer that a child sleeps in his own bed...no matter what! And when my little guy was a baby,he never slept with us. I just thought that it was better for everyone to be in their own beds. That is until my baby became a toddler who could melt my heart when I walked into his room and he's whimpering "mama, dada" - which I know to mean he wants to sleep in mama and dada's bed. How can you say no to that little person with these alligator tears coming down....And so, we give in at times, mostly on weekends when hubs doesn't have to get up early to go to work. The other night was one of those nights, we were not going to bed yet and so I was just laying down next to him for a little together time. (I've discovered he's a 'quality time' kid) I had been working more than my normal part time hours and I felt guilty that I hadn't had much time with him. So as we were laying there, one hand clutching his brown monkey and with the other he was running his finger up and down the bridge of my nose. It brought a smile to my face! What a precious time and nothing was worth more than that moment, not even the last 10 minutes of CSI that I missed! Cherish the little moments with your kids!

Easy Hamburger Quiche

2009-02-20T00:42:00.000-08:00

I had my mom dig this one out this week...it was a recipe I remember us having - you know- 30 years ago. Could it really be that long ago?! I remember that I don't think I liked it very well! But I made it this week and actually enjoyed it, as did hubby.

EASY HAMBURGER QUICHE

1/2 lb hamburger
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 c milk
2 eggs
1 T cornstarch
1 1/2 c grated cheese
1/3 c green onions
chopped green pepper (optional - to your liking)
9" Unbaked pie shell

Brown meat, drain and set aside.
Blend next 4 ingredients until smooth.
Stir in meat, cheese, gr. onions and gr. pepper.
Pour into shell.
Bake at 350 degrees
35-40 min.

Notes:
I think I ended up having a little more burger - so I added an extra egg. I'm not a green onion or green pepper fan so I left those out. It was still yummy!

Check out more great recipes at Grocery Cart Challenge!

Feb 15-21 Shopping Trip

2009-02-17T21:42:00.000-08:00

I didn't have any pics of my groceries - so I thought this one I found online was funny! "Bent & Dent Discount Groceries". We have a local Liquidator that we call "Scratch N Dent"!

I just want to put a plug in for Gayle at Grocery Cart Challenge....love the recipe swap on Fridays. I usually find 2 or 3 new things to try for the following week's menu.
Here are my shopping results for this week:

Prospector Liquidators:
3 boxes pasta (I keep pasta stocked so I don't have to pay full price at my local Safeway!)
mayo (only .99!)
TOTAL: 4.26

WinCo:
Parsley
Crisp Rice Cereal Bulk
4 Yogurt
18ct eggs
Fiber One Pop Tarts (only .50 after coupon)
Lunch Meat
Strawberries
Pint Sour Cream (Coupon)
Yukon Potatoes
2 Radish
Cous Cous Bulk
Brown Rice Bulk
Pine Nuts Bulk (yikes...$2.20 for a handful!)
Flour Bulk
Cucumber
3 Limes
Flavored Creamer (coupon)
Evap Milk
Cottage Cheese
Total: 28.92
Funny Story Here....I got a clerk who was obviously new - a young man who was probably still a teenager. What was my first clue? He rang up my bulk crisp rice as "Disney Tinkerbell". My second clue? When he came to the radishes he said "What were these called?" My third clue? A few days later looking at my receipt I realized he rang up my English Cucumber as a regular cucumber.

Safeway: Is the only store in my town....I rarely shop there except for coupon items or "lost leaders"
Coupon Items:
Brownie Mix .69!
5# Sugar 1.69 (cheaper than buying bulk)
Marshmallows (How long has it been since you made rice crispy treats!)
Big Bag Shredded Cheese 4.99!
Bread 1.59
2 Family Paks Hamburger (Raincheck item at 1.29lb!)
Fuji Apples .50lb!
Craisins .99
Total: 23.14

Fred Meyer: (They run the milk & oj at 1.00 each every 2-3 weeks. I stock up!)
1/2 gal milk 1.00
1/2 gal OJ 1.00
Total: 2.00

GRAND TOTAL 58.32

Dinner Choices this week:
-Costco Meatball Stroganoff-
-Hamburgers
-Hamburger Quiche (Will be posting Friday for Recipe Swap!)
-Tacos
-Cabo Chicken & Zuchinni
-Mexican Lasagna
-Homemade Pizza

Recipe Swap

2009-02-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

Buttered Breadsticks

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees
Melt 1 cube of butter in a 13x9 pan. (I use 1/2 cube )

Combine and let sit:
1 1/2 c warm water
2T Sugar
1T Yeast

In another bowl combine:
3 cups flour
1/2 t salt

Add wet ingredients to the dry. Mix well. (I use my kitchen aid mixer)
Knead on well floured surface for 3 min. (Again I use my kitchen aid, the dough tends to be wetter when you are not flouring and kneading by hand so I add more flour when I'm rolling it out.)
Let rest for 10 min.
Roll out on a floured surface 1/2" thick in a 13x9 rectangle.
Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1" strips, place in pan with the melted butter. Coat both sides of strip with butter. Sprinkle with garlic salt and parmesan cheese - to your liking!
Rise for 10 min
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 min

This feeds 4 piggies. :) It would feed more if you have more self control than we do! You just can't stop at one!
Sorry no pics today
Be sure to check out more great recipes at the Grocery Cart Challenge!

Indoor Snow Project

2009-02-11T20:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun idea for your little ones - when it's too cold to play outside in the snow....bring the snow indoors! Scoop up some snow, bring it inside and place it in a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with sides) to contain the water when it starts to melt and then get out all your loose potato head parts and build your "indoor snowman"! Fun for kids and adults alike!
Click HERE to be linked to Rocks In My Dryer for hundreds of ideas, I'm sure you will find an idea or a project you can use today! I did!

Feb 8-14 Shopping & Menu

2009-02-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

weekly shopping trip
& menu plan

This was not a normal week, our weekend plans took us near Costco so I stocked up on things I like to keep on hand. And I didn't get to my favorite liquidators, just WinCo. Of course my husband was at Costco with me and he had some special requests that don't always fit in the budget. :) I always get meatballs there - They are 12.99 and I get 4 meals out of it. Also, I got whole wheat tortillas there for 4.95 - same price as the regular ones. 40 in the package! You can't beat that price.

WINCO:
Plastic Wrap 1.57
1#Roast Beef for lunches 4.02
Lasagna Noodles 1.49
WW Mini Bagels 1.88
2 BB Yogurt .74
Salsa 2.76
Sour Cream .98
Frozen Green Bean .88
Frozen Corn .88
Bulk Flour 1.77
Cauliflower .98
Strawberries 2.98
Bulk Sugar 3# 1.61
1 oz cinnamon .18
Powdered milk bulk 1.38
Bulk oatmeal .73
Alfalfa Sprouts 1.48
Butter 1.98
Zuchinni 1.06
Pizza Sauce 1.19
Enchilada Sauce .57
Dark Choc Chips 1.64
Total : 32.87

Dinners for this week are:
Chicken & Dumplings
Homemade Pizza (a good way to diguise leftovers!)
Crockpot Lasagna
Chicken Enchiladas (also a good way to use up stuff in fridge)
Something with Elk Steak (Haven't searched for recipe yet)
Fajitas
Olive Garden Soup (dinner for couple who had a baby)
Valentines Day - maybe dinner out?

Today I crockpotted (is that a word?) a package of bone in chicken breasts that I got for 99 cents a pound a few weeks ago at Fred Meyer. This will go for my Dumplings, enchiladas and added to the soup possibly, if not the soup then the fajitas. No time for recipe links this week....maybe next week.
Be sure to check out how Gayle spent her grocery $$ this week at Grocery Cart Challenge.

For Sale: Potty Chair

2009-02-08T15:43:00.000-08:00

POTTY CHAIR FOR SALE

Never Been Used!

Well it's not really for sale, because I'm clinging to the hope that one day he will use it! I must confess....I bought this silly thing when my little guy was 18mos old...those of you who have boys - go ahead and let out a big belly laugh! He is now almost 3 and has never used it. He won't even sit on it for fun. I wanted to be so prepared and I even bought a potty book....to no avail. And since we're talking confessions here - oh the thoughts that ran through my head when I'd ask my girfriends how old their boys were when they got out of diapers.....3.....half past 3.....I would put on the unshockable face and think, "Oh yah right, you won't catch my kid in diapers after 2!" LOL! You should have seen the inside of my head when my girlfriend told me she gave her kids marshmallows for going potty! No Way! Well little does he know I'd give him a king size candy bar and all the brown milk (translation: choc milk) he wants if only he'd just sit on the potty!

Kahlua Cake

2009-02-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

I just made this tonight....my little boy wanted to make a cake....he loves to help in the kitchen. This recipe is a one-bowl quick dessert that everyone will want the recipe for! I usually make it a day ahead because it tastes even better the 2nd day!

Kahlua Cake
1 Dark Chocolate Cake Mix
1 small box Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 12 oz pkg Chocolate Chips
1 pint Sour Cream
2 Eggs
1/4 c. Oil
1/2 c. Kahlua
Mix all ingredients by hand just until moistened. It will be very thick. Spoon into greased/floured bundt cake pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Do Not Overbake!

Tonight I didn't have vanilla pudding on hand so I used Chocolate. I use whatever chips I have on hand - dark, semi-sweet or milk chocolate. I usually use lite sour cream. Any kind of chocolate cake mix also works fine. It's even more heavenly if you frost it with a Basic Ganache!

Please be sure and visit the Grocery Cart Challenge for more great recipes.

What's In A Name?

2009-02-05T21:16:00.000-08:00

Quite a few years ago I was eating at ChickFilA and had ordered a chicken sandwich (do they even sell anything else?). I took the top bun off to remove the pickles...and there on top of the grilled chicken was a pickle with a perfect heart cut out of the middle. I thought one day I'd find my soulmate and he would have the missing heart from my pickle. Many, many years later I married (at the ripe old age of 35!) and I have the most fun little boy. What a joy to go about my normal routine during the day and find things in the oddest places. It brought a smile to my face when I opened the fridge one day and there, next to the milk was my shoe - with a pickle in it. This blog is dedicated to my little guy, for the blessing that he is and the joy he brings to my life! So if you find pickles in your shoe, erasers in your dryer and sharpies in your washer, consider yourself blessed!