WATER SLIDE

Morning everyone… how are you doing this disgustingly rainy day? The rain delayed itself a couple of days so that I could go to the Market YAY! But yesterday and today it dealt me a pretty rough hand, so I’m not doing so great really. But yet, we trek on… yesterday was super cooking day- despite my little mishap!



The day started out great! Once I got off here chatting with all of you, it was straight to the kitchen! We started by boiling pasta and blanching/steaming broccoli. Is that not the greenest broccoli you have ever seen? The picture does not do it any justice! I mean that stuff was sparkling emerald green when I took it out of the pot!



When the pasta was cooking, I was busy chopping! I got a hold of some zucchini and some yellow squash. Drained the garden pasta, dropped the next pasta in and threw the veggies in with a little zesty oil and voila! Yummy pasta salad! Healthy and delicious! Very good vegetarian meal if you ask me!



So we’re chopping…. And chopping… and we mix up some Broccoli Cheese Rice and some Asparagus Casserole. Pop them in the oven and let them bake. Gotta have sides for my meals... Doesn't that look delish with those toasted golden french fried onions on top? YUM! (Of course I could eat those things right out of the can LOL!) Then I hollowed out the zucchini and stuffed them with a sausage mix… AHH yummy Stuffed Zucchini Boats! Pop them in the oven and let them bake!



OK second batch of pasta is done. SPAGHETTI yummy! Throw the meat sauce in the pot and stir it up! About that time the Zuke Boats are ready, so I pull them out. Oh geez… YUM!

I had some chicken legs marinating in some Hawaiian season, so I threw those in the oven. I make a pot of mashed potatoes and heat up a few various canned veggies. Time to start plating! Crud… I have to run to the store because I am out of a couple spices, oil, and a few other things… While the chicken bakes, I start cutting beef and onions and such… peasant goulash coming up! But where’s the cocoa? Ah hidden… ok that pot is going and I pull the chicken out. Time to run to the store!

Well, as I said, it was raining. I was wearing flip flops (because they are all I can get on because my feet were so swollen) so I grabbed my keys and purse and I am out the door. Rain and very slippery wooden steps do NOT mix! I slide down ALL the stairs with the rain beating on me. My big toe bends forward and I land at the base ON it still forward… my leg goes numb cause that is my bad hip side anyway all the while my OTHER side is pulsing and throbbing from being beaten on the way down! It was like a big water slide, only not so fun! I am screaming in pain and I hear my DH running out of the house screaming at me to hold on he’s coming. Apparently he heard me fall. And my neighbor (the deacon) comes running to help too… not sure where she came from! She’s like Batman… comes out of nowhere LOL! Oh God, I hope she didn’t see me fall like an idiot! DH picks me up and gets me inside as he thanks the neighbor.



Ok, so I’m inside and crying and screaming and hyperventilating because of the pain and I am soaking wet! Oh geez, find me some dry clothes! DH trys handing me like 40 million different things and I’m like I’m too fat, that’s too heavy, etc. LOL… DD comes in and finds me a shirt… ahh thank you now get out- my butt is wet! LOL! DH takes a picture of the back of my thigh… pretty isn’t it? And just think, this is like no more than 10 minutes after it happened! Its much larger and darker this morning… and I have 3 other ones just like it- including a nasty one on my lower back! I look at my foot and it’s deep purple and swollen like crazy. I’m pretty sure it’s broken! I’ve had plenty of broken bones before and this one is swollen, purple, numb, and yet so painful… yea that sucker is toast! Ok so what, I gotta deal with it! I wrap it up, get dressed, and take some meds… and grab my cane out of the closet. NOW I H-A-V-E to go to the store!!! Family and foods are depending on me! It took a lot longer than normal, but I got it done… although I did have to ride a cart through the store!



Ok, so I get home and drop in another batch of pasta… egg noodles this time! Draining and straining (while sitting now) and mixing. Now I got some kitchen helpers LOL! Throw it together and into a pan… YUMMY Tuna Casserole! Maybe they can make it last a little longer this time… yea right LOL!



While that bakes I am slicing pork… and celery, and shredding carrots, and chopping broccoli LOL! Remember that jar of Planters I got at HEB the other day and didn’t know what I would use them in? Well I toasted those and used them too. Any clue? Yep… Pork Stir-fry!! YUMMY! Isn’t that just a Pot of Perfect Prettiness? LMAO! And it tasted good at that!

After the stir-fry, I plated and labeled the Goulash, the stir-fry, and everything else while the gang washed the dishes for me. I throw it in the freezer and start on the next group! I sliced sausage for jambalaya… ok that’s going. I cut more onion, celery, apples, and shredded carrot… mulligatawny soup… ok got that going! Slicing peppers and throwing together some spicy refried bean soup… ok that’s going too! I cooked until about 10:30pm last night, despite of my super ouch crash & burn! This is what I ended up with:

1. Pasta Salad
2. Spaghetti with meat sauce (to be paired with fresh salad and garlic toast)
3. Hawaiian Chicken Legs, Mashed potatoes, and green beans
4. Beef Goulash. Over noodles with Aparagus Casserole and Carrots
5. Pork Stir-fry with rice (and a fortune cookie if I can go get them)
6. Zucchini boats with broccoli cheese rice and corn
7. Mulligatawny soup
8. Spicy Refried Bean Soup
9. Jambalaya
10. Tuna Casserole

And I still have more cooking to do! Can you believe it? 10 complete meals in 14 hours minus a 3-4 hours oopsy time LOL! I figure that’s a great variety there… Fish/Seafood, Pork, Beef, Chicken, and Vegan. Pretty good for a day’s work (half of it being in a chair mind you!) Can’t tell you what else I have to do though LOL!

Ok its time to craft… repurposing, or recycling, is a good way to show little kids (or big kids too) a couple of valuable life lessons if you ask me. First you are teaching them not to give up on something (or someone). Next, be unique… how many kids do you think will be wearing a soda can tab belt? Not many I’ll tell you that! Then of course you have the obvious one of helping the environment. And finally- frugality! Recycling or repurposing things is a great way to save money! See, didn’t think recycling was so great, did ya? LOL! Well today’s craft is a new way to use old cookie baking sheets. Perhaps the non stick coating isn’t all that great and you don’t want to use them anymore… repurpose them! Cookie sheets/trays are not just for cookies anymore? Who would have thought that you could use a cookie sheet/tray for home decor? Cookie sheets can double as a message/magnet board for your kitchen, office or bedroom. The altered cookie sheet/tray craft can be new or you can recycle an old cookie sheet that doesn't work for your baking needs anymore. Use the altered cookie sheet to create a one of a kind message board for any room in the home.



Craft Idea of the Day: Cookie Tray Message Board

Materials:

Large cookie sheet 17x19 (non-aluminum steel works well)
Scrapbook paper or contact paper
Adhesive (spray adhesive works well)
Embellishments (ribbon, glitter, stickers, stamps and ink, etc.)
Large chipboard letters
Scissors or paper trimmer
Magnets

Directions:

Step 1: Trim the paper to fit the inside of the cookie sheet. Start with a 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper and trim to size. You will need two sheets in order to cover the entire inside of the cookie sheet. Cut strips of paper to fit on the two ends of the cookie sheet (top and bottom of the magnet board).

Step 2: Spray the adhesive on the back of the paper or on the inside of the pan. Next, gently place the paper on the inside of the cookie sheet paying close attention to the edges of the cookie sheet that you get the paper lined up evenly. The adhesive will have a little bit of give for a few minutes so if you get the paper in the wrong place then quickly and carefully peel it up and put it back down in the correct position. Once the adhesive sets the paper will be there for good.

Step 3: Smooth out the paper making sure there are no wrinkles. Use your embellishments to decorate the inside of the cookie sheet.

Step 4: Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to go the length of the cookie sheet and cover the seam between the two pieces of paper. Cut another piece of ribbon (about 8-inches), thread it though the hole in the top of the cookie sheet, tie it in a knot and use it to hang the message board on the wall or door.

Step 5: Use large chipboard letters to spell out a word at the top of the cookie sheet. You can personalize the message/magnet board by spelling out a name or another word. (example board says: "NOTES"). Decorate the chipboard letters with patterned paper, stamps or glitter to make the letters stand out. (example board: letters are stamped and inked around the edges).

Step 6: Adhere letters to the cookie sheet with a strong adhesive like glue dots. Place the letters evenly across the top or bottom of your message board. Give it some character by placing the letters at different angles across the length of the cookie sheet.

Step 7: Hang the finished message/magnet board on the wall and use magnets to display important messages for yourself or others.

Other variations:

Use the decorated cookie sheet as a picture frame. Display pictures on the inside of the cookie sheet (much like a scrapbook page).

Use the board in a bedroom to display certificates of achievement or other documents. Personalize it with a name or word describing the achievement.

Use the cookie sheet magnet board to house a chore chart in the kitchen where each person can check off their jobs.

I thought that was the coolest thing when I saw it and I had to share it with you! Now it is time to eat… and I know I have been eating like crazy the last couple of days. Yes I know why and no I can’t tell you LOL! I will be glad when the cravings leave in a few days! Until then I am destined to eat everything in the house LOL! Now this one was inspired by the boxes of veggies staring me in the face in my kitchen. I know some of my readers are also vegetarians out there and I wanted to give them a slow cooker idea to enjoy!



Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

1 (19 ounce) can black bean soup
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) can vegetarian baked beans
1 (14.5 ounce) can chopped tomatoes in puree
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder, or to taste
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil

Directions

In a slow cooker, combine black bean soup, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, baked beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper and celery. Season with garlic, chili powder, parsley, oregano and basil. Cook for at least two hours on High.

Ok kids, its time for me to get off here, go take my morning meds, and get to work! I will see you all here tomorrow for some more crafts, great food, and interesting adventures! Until tomorrow… HUGS!

SOUPER SOUP DAY

Hi there boys and girls. How are you all doing today? I’m not doing well unfortunately. Physically I am doing much better, but mentally this morning I am rather frazzled. The wind at about 3am this morning was howling like a thousand screaming demons trying to get in my door. I was having “flashbacks” of the Hurricane Ike and I teared up. My family thinks I have PTSD but I just think I am not fully over the trauma. I mean Ike killed, mamed, and took lives (be it material or physical) INCLUDING my parents lives. It’s a rough thing to live through and get over, but I hope with time, it will heal my wounds ya know? I know my mother is very traumatized because of it, so I will be calling and checking on her… maybe even going out there this morning. Either way, I need to make sure she’s ok!

I need to take a moment to say I’m sorry to all my readers. I missed responding to a few comments you wonderful people left. So I want to address them now.

Jean- You know I lub you right? I want to thank you for the well wishes and all the support you give me. Does everyone know Jean was one of my first readers/followers? She helped me decide to actually start this blog while we chatted in one of our yahoo groups. I’ll be forever grateful to you Jean… I’ve had so much fun doing this blog, and its in part due to your support! You’re just awesome! Never forget that!

Melissa- You asked quite a few things… so here we go! First the Nerds boxes. You can find the small boxes in the bags of candy like you give out for Halloween, etc. What are they called… fun size I think? I know they have Valentine’s ones out right now. Also look on the normal candy aisles and they have big bags of Willy Wonka candies… but warning, unless you plan to use the other types of candies, it’s not really worth the money. See between candy bouquets, and just general peeps eating junk, we use it up no problem. I have some extra empty boxes I think if you want them… just email me and let me know. The clearance deals I found at the League City Walmart. They are ALWAYS clearancing tons of stuff. Like I saw racks of $3 and $5 clothing now, an aisle of clearance toys, you name it! I go first thing in the morning (I mean right after I drop off my kids!) so I can get the best picks. I also go to one of the local Kroger and find tons of great OOPS stuff too! I have a weakness for breads of all kinds LOL! It’s both a blessing and a curse! However, when you go to Livingston, you’re going the opposite direction as me LOL! The lobster. I got already dead. I only cook whole lobster one way… steamed. I make a garlic and herb compound butter and melt a 2oz. cup to serve with it. And as always, I save the shell and make stock out of it when I have enough seafood shells, etc. OK now… how to make money from home after you have your baby… oh girl! I have lots of ideas. First- CLEAN… you can take that one of 2 ways. You can go clean people’s homes OR you can clean out your own and list all the stuff you don’t want on ebay, etsy, the classifieds, etc.! Next- turn a hobby into cash. If you do crafts, call consignment shops and see if you can display your stuff. If you can sew and do alterations, advertise it! You can also become a “Girl Friday”. There are tons of seniors and disabled people who might not be as mobile as they’d like and need people to do their shopping, run errands, etc. Things like that, you can take your baby with you while you do. Another thing… babysit. I know that it sounds more for teens, but if you have a friend who might need a break/mommy’s day out… offer your services. Another thing, depending on the type of work you do, check with your boss about doing your work from home. Sometimes they will like the idea because it saves them money in having to pay a temp to cover your job. You know what you are doing and how to do it right, and nowadays bosses are being flexible about stuff like that. It never hurts to ask… the worst they can say is NO. Another thing you can do is recycle. Now granted, this is a bit more tricky and you may not be able to do it where you live. After I had my kids, I wanted to lose the baby weight, so I walked. I would put my kids in a double stroller and walk a few miles. When I did, I carried a garbage bag and a grabber. We collected cans during our walk and by the end of the week, we had about 20 bags… which here brought in a nice chunk of change. Check book sites like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Amazon, etc and just type in “make money from home” and you will be surprised at all the books. Then you can check them out from your local library (to save money) or buy them if you’d like! I hope I’ve helped some.

Ok yesterday I mentioned I was gonna reveal something to you of great importance. Hold on to your pants… I have come up with another giveaway! BUT… this prize will not be given out until 1 year from now! Why so long you ask? Because its about recycling… and gifting! I want you to start planning your Christmas gift list now… who you need to buy for, etc. THEN I want you to think of how many of those people you can make homemade gifts for. THEN I want you to come up with something to make using something you can give new life to… recycle if you will. I have shared a ton of crafts to make and many from old things and will be sharing many more throughout the year. You have to give your gifts for Christmas and get pics of yourself giving it to the recipient. The person who can give the most homemade recycled gifts and prove it with pictured emailed to me will win a $100 gift card to a major store of their choice… could be Wal-Mart, Target, Office Depot, Kroger, etc. If I have it around me, I’ll get it for you! I’ll post more “rules/guidelines” in a day or two, but start those thinkin’ engines now! And before you ask, yes I plan on having other giveaways throughout the year along with this one! But as with the last giveaway, you MUST be a registered follower, and there will be a few days I ask for “recycling update comments” so be watching!! I think this is gonna be fun!

Alright, I didn’t get to making any crafts yesterday, so I’m gonna give it a try to get some done today. As for food… well mamma is opening the soup kitchen the next couple of days. I need big pots of lots of yummy goodness to feed a crowd. Why you ask? Well the band has UIL competitions this Saturday and guess who’s house they want to group at to prepare the next 2 days? YUP… mamma’s house! LOL I’m expecting 8 band kids (all playing loud instruments LOL) plus my 2 boys, a few of the DS18’s friends, at least 1 brother (the other brother is out of town on a biz trip), my momma (my dad’s working nights), and me and the hubs… at least 15 or more the next couple of nights… FUN! LOL actually I like it, so I’m not complaining. I’m gonna use the next few days to clean out the fridge of things that need to be used ASAP before they expire/spoil/etc. So I wrote down what all I had in the fridge last night and then searched through my stuff and have decided on these 6 soup recipes to make in mass quantity tonight LOL! Pray I have some left to freeze LMAO… yea I know unlikely, but a girl can hope, right? LMAO! Anyway, have some scrumptious yumminess for you right here… check it out!



Aloha Chili

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15-3/4 ounces) pork and beans
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no meat is no longer pink; drain.

Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 8 servings (about 2 quarts).



Asparagus Leek Chowder

Ingredients

1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
3 large leeks (white portion only), sliced
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 tablespoon chopped pimientos

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute the asparagus, mushrooms and leeks in butter for 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended.

Gradually stir in broth and cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in corn and pimientos; heat through. Yield: 7 servings.



Butter Bean Veggie Soup

Ingredients

3 celery ribs, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
2 cans (15 ounces each) butter beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute the celery, carrots and onion in oil until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually add the broth.

Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until soup is heated through. Yield: 8 servings (about 2 quarts).



Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients

1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta)
1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/4 quarts).



Golden Carrot Soup

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons reduced-fat butter
2 cups water
1 cup sliced carrots
2 tablespoons uncooked long grain rice
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

In a small saucepan, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add the water, carrots, rice and bouillon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until carrots and rice are very tender.

Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Transfer to a blender or food processor; cover and process until pureed. Return to the saucepan; heat through. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 2 servings.



Lemon-Chicken Velvet Soup

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
10 fresh or frozen sugar snap peas
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions

In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add broth and lemon juice. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in the chicken, peas, parsley and lemon peel; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until chicken is heated through and peas are crisp-tender. Stir in cream; heat through (do not boil). Yield: 2 servings.

Well kids, that’s a lotsa potsa! LOL… I better get crackin’ on some prep work. Maybe I will get a chance to do some crafts or cleaning in between the work. I hope you all have a great day and I will see you tomorrow! HUGS!!