NY Times Ball Drop and New Resolutions!

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, so I am originally from Upstate New York, or rather a four hour drive from NYC, and I have never been there, most think that is shocking, but I grew up watching the ball drop on TV, like almost everyone else.  But, for the last several years, since my 6 year old was born actually, I have gone to bed before the ball actually dropped.  Sad about that, you might ask?  Not so much!

 

I like many make my own list of resolutions that I hope to keep each year.  I am starting a gratitude jar tonight and will include happy moments and happenings written on slips of paper with the hopes of reading them on New Year's Eve next year, and I have shared information about that in previous blog posts, so take a look.  But I want to share with you a newspaper clipping from probably about fifty plus years ago.  There is no date on the slip of newspaper, but it is old and yellowed along with all of the others which included cut out articles and recipes in my Great-Grandmother's recipe book.  The poem by James J. Metcalfe is titled Never Hopeless and goes like this:

 

As life goes on from day to day...And God is always near...There is no place for need to fear...Lift up your eyes, behold the skies...The bright, the dark, the dim...Whatever weather there may be...It is ordained by Him...Do not despair because of some...injustice done to you...Doubt not all other souls on earth...Because of one or two...Do not condemn yourself too much...For wrongs that you have done...It may deplete your moral strength...In battles to be won...Lift up your heart, have faith in God...And say a fervent prayer...For as you trust in Him, so He...Will keep you in His care.





A quick, last minute idea!

Chocolate covered Candy Cane stirring sticks!  Why did I not think of this on my own.  Thanks for the idea go out to the internet, but nonetheless a great idea!

  What you'll need:
One dozen candy canes
... 1 cup chocolate chips
5 tbsp heavy whipping cream
Vanilla (optional for taste)

What to Do:
1. Heat chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream in double boiler until completely melted and thoroughly mixed - stir often
2. Add vanilla to chocolate/cream mix if vanilla taste is desired
3. Dip candy canes into melted chocolate/cream or spoon melted chocolate/cream onto candy canes
4. Allow to cool on wax or parchment paper

* The only trouble I can see with this, other than the obvious being that they may not end up as gifts for anyone other than me is that, I will have to buy a lot more than one box of candy canes due to my difficulty in getting the candy out of the wrapper without it breaking first.

Another look at the Gratitude Post!

In light of the tragic events from a short few days ago, I decided to re-post this, just as a sort of reminder to Focus on the positive, and look for the good things that happen in life.  While tragic things do happen, and the incident in Connecticut is so very sad, I want to focus on good things.

I have a child in Kindergarten and like many, when I first heard of what happened, I wanted to race over to her school and bring her home right away, and never let her or my other young daughter out of my sight again.  I know that is not realistic or even practical, so I am trying to look forward to the good things in life.

I feel devastated for the families of the children and their teacher's, but I know that those children are in an amazing place, with all the warmth and love of our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ enveloping them.

So, pick out a jar, empty peanut butter, a jelly jar, also emptied first or like myself a mason jar, and fill it up with all the happy, fun, enjoyable moments that WILL happen throughout the next year. My thought is, why wait, why not start now and if you can't wait until the eve of the New Year 2013-2014, open it Christmas Eve 2013, surrounded if possible by loved ones and those closest to you or if not open it just the same and reminisce about all of the happy moments!

Day Eight, after a breather!

Okay, so who get as plate of cookies that look something like this?


And who wants them to look more like this?

First of all, I like the assortment in picture #1.  If you don't like the taste of one certain cookie, you are not out completely, you have choices, but as a downfall, you run out of favorites quickly.

Growing up, my favorites were the sugar cookies with the mounds of colored frosting that were in the shapes of snowmen and santa and others, and my least, and I do mean least were these old style two toned butter cookie, that my Mom made hundreds of each year.  There never was enough milk to down those cookies.  But, in that regard my Mom was pretty smart, and thrifty.  That recipe made dozens and dozens for very little money.  Which made it good in that way.  But as for us kids, I myself, did not favor them, and they were the only ones we still had in March or April.

When I make plates of goodies for others now, I usually go to the standard peanut blossoms, chocolate chip, with M&M's instead of chocolate chips, and I make soft gingerbread, read and green rice crispy treats, and if I am feeling ambitious, I include a family recipe of chex mix.  In years past, I have even included quick breads, and homemade jelly.  Usually not all in one gift basket, but a variety for each family.  It has become somewhat of a tradition here, to bake and decorate bags, and baskets for families the week before Christmas.  So, I will be starting that tomorrow.

Is there a tradition that includes baking that you do in your house? Are you surrounded by family and friends? Is there music playing and laugher and fun?  Those moments make the best memories, so embrace them, and if you have started your gratitude jar ahead of the new year, write about those moments and include them in your jar!

Day Seven...Fettuccine!

This is just a yummy, and quick meal when you are on the go, or when you are rushing to get out and shop for presents or just getting home and realizing that you forgot to set something out to make. 

Fettuccine with Garlic Herb Butter

What You Need:

p.s.  This makes 4 servings so you may need to double it at least if you want fuller plates or more of a serving.

6 ounces uncooked fettuccine noodles, I use dry ones.
1 teaspoon butter
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs
       (possible ideas, parsley, basil, margoram or thyme)
1 Tablespoons butter, softened
1/8 teaspoon salt
Small pinch of pepper

What to Do:

1. In a large saucepan, cook the fettuccine to doneness, as directed on package.  Drain, and return to saucepan.
2. While pasta is cooking, melt 1 teaspoon butter over medium heat.  Add minced garlic, and cook for 30 seconds to a minute, or until the garlic begins to become a golden brown color.
3. In a small bowl, combine the chopped herbs, 1 Tablespoon softened butter, salt, pepper, and cooked garlic, mixing well.  Add this to the noodles in the saucepan, and tos to coat the noodles well.

This is great alone, or with a grilled chicken breast to make a full meal, alongside a green salad with garlic toast. Enjoy!

A gratitude feast...

Instead of posting a recipe tonight, I saw this shared on facebook, and decided to share it with people I know, and now I am sharing this again!

I just truly love the idea, and it will be a way of remembering and sharing memories in a positive way!

So, pick out a jar, empty peanut butter, a jelly jar, also emptied first or like myself a mason jar, and fill it up with all the happy, fun, enjoyable moments that WILL happen throughout the next year.  My thought is, why wait, why not start now and if you can't wait until the eve of the New Year 2013-2014, open it Christmas Eve 2013, surrounded if possible by loved ones and those closest to you or if not open it just the same and reminisce about all of the happy moments!

Day Five...An idea!

Okay, so instead of posting my own recipe, I have an idea to add to a reliable one.  If you make any type of quick breads, like banana, pumpkin, sweet potato, applesauce or any other.  This is just an amazing idea, and I do not know why I did not think of it sooner, and have added the following ingredient to all, and I do mean ALL of my quick breads ever since...

Are you ready?

Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, and not even the whole bag, just about 1/4 of a cup to a full batch of bread.  I omit the nuts and add chocolate! When the bread bakes, it smells just as yummy as without, but when you slice into the bread, and see the yummy spots of goodness, and better yet taste it, Wow!

Try it and let me know what you think! I am sure that you will thank me for it later!

Day Four Crock Pot Chili...

Oh, and by the way this recipe has beans included.

What is needed:

2 pounds ground beef
2 cans of chili beans (I use western style)
1 quart tomato sauce (I use homemade sauce, but it is a preference)
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 can of diced tomatoes

What to Do:

1. Set out your crock pot in a spot where it can cook all day, and assemble the ingredients there, it is easier to do this than move a full crock pot when you are ready to plug it in.  I use a medium sized crock pot, and it works well.
2. Spray the inside of the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Break up the raw ground beef and place in the crock pot.  Don't worry, it will cook in the juices and will no longer be raw when it is time to eat.  Place the chili beans with the juices, the tomato sauce, the chili powder and the diced tomatoes on top of the hamburger.  Stir slowly to incorporate.
4. Turn the crock pot on low and let to begin to cook.
5. After about two hours, uncover and stir thoroughly to break up any hamburger that is still in larger chunks.  Recover and let cook again for another two hours.
6. After the four hours, spoon a little into a bowl to taste for "heat"  you can add additional chili powder in needed, but remember only a little at a time.  Recover and cook for 3-4 more hours or until about 45 minutes before serving. 
7. At this point, turn off the crock pot, uncover and let the chili begin to cool.  Stirring about every 15 minutes.
8. Transfer the slightly cooled chili to a serving bowl, and serve with shredded cheese, chopped onions, corn bread, and/or homemade rolls.  If it is still really hot, you may want to let it sit and cool further.

* This can cook for longer if you like it is a pretty sturdy dish, and very hearty.  A big favorite in our home!
 

Day Three...Smore Cake!

This cake is amazing with or without the marshmallow creme "frosting"...

Just a side note, this page of my recipes is sticky from the numerous times I have made it.

Things you Need:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (I buy the boxes of crumbs, but it equals 24 squares)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (you can use up to 1 cup, but that is a lot)
1 (7 ounce) jar (1 1/2 cups) marshmallow creme) - this is optional for us.

What to Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and soda with salt and mix thoroughly.
2. In a large bowl, cream brown sugar, shortening, and the eggs.  Add the combined dry ingredients, and the milk, mix together on a low speed until combined, beat for one more minute on a medium speed.  Add the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and combine.  Transfer the batter to the 9 x 13 pan and spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes, testing the cake for doneness.  Cool for approximately 15 minutes.
4. Optional - While the cake is still a little warm, spoon the marshmallow creme on the warm cake a teaspoonful at a time, to spread more evenly, dip a knife in hot water and use to spread the creme over the cake. 
5. Cool for about one hour before serving.

I found this recipe a few years ago in a Pillsbury cook book, and have tweeked it a tiny bit for our liking, but this is a go to snack/dessert for our family, and it takes very little time to put it together.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Not the Same Green Bean Casserole!

 

Don't get me wrong, I do love almost any kind of green bean casserole, but my additions to it, just add a little something extra. 

 

 

 

What you need:

 

 

2 (14 ounce) drained cans of green beans, french style, or italian style, or cut style are fine.

1 (10 3/4 ounce) can of cream of mushroom soup

3/4 cup milk, I use vitamin D, but not required

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup parmasan cheese

2 cups french fried onions

 

What to do:

 

1. Combine the soup, milk, pepper, and granulated garlic in a large bowl,  stirring until combined and smooth. Add the two cheeses and stir until combined. Set aside.
2. Spray a casserole dish with non stick cooking spray, and pour the drained cans of green beans into it.
3. Pour the soup and cheese mixture over the top of the beans to cover them.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and top with fried onions
6. Return to oven for an additional 5 miutes to crsp the onions.
7. Cool slightly and serve.

*The cheeses add an extra layer of flavor and cheesy goodnes to this staple for thanksgiving, Christmas or any other time of year.  Try them and let me know what you think.

 



Day One...Ham Rolls

The big dilemma with this simple yet yummy recipe is to either use pickles or leave them out.  This recipe is great either way. p.s.  For this initial post, I borrowed a pic from the internet.  You see while easy and delicious, these little pieces of goodness can be a bit on the messy side, but don't let that deter you one bit, they are worth it!

  My first experience with these were actually a bit different.  My Grandma Mike as we called her used the dried beef from the glass container on the shelves by the canned tuna and canned chicken, and you can if you so choose, but my main reason for upgrading is size.  You can make a lot more using slices of cooked ham.  So, lets get down to it.  The recipe is as follows:

You will need:
        One 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
         8 slices of cooked ham, thicker slices work well, usually sliced of sandwiches if from the deli counter.
         8 dill pickle spears (optional)

How to assemble:
         I have found that drying off the ham slices allow for an easier assembly, so dry the ham slices with a paper towel and set aside.  Soften the cream cheese, if you need you can place the cream cheese in a microwavable bowl and soften at 15-20 second intervals, stirring each time until it is easily spreadable.  If using dill pickles, dry them of their excess juices also.
         Spread one slice of ham with the softened cream cheese covering the surface almost to the edges, and if you choose place a pickle spear along the short edge and roll it up, jelly roll style      then repeat with the other pieces. Refridgerate the large rolls allowing for them to chill.  When ready to slice them, using a sharp knife, cut the edges off, then slice them in approximately 1-inch pieces, and place them either on your serving platter or in a resealable container for later plating in the fridge. *Don't let the edges go to waste, they are still yummy, just snack on them yourself!


Tune in Tomorrow for Another Recipe Idea! Post and let me know what you think!

Beginning Tomorrow!

Beginning Tomorrow I will be sharing favorite holiday and family recipes.  Some of those I am planning to share are a recipe for appetizers that we call Ham Rolls, quick and easy fudge, pumpkin cheesecake, gingerbread, snazzy green bean casserole, and some cookie recipes, and a crescent roll appetizer that is a huge favorite here.

So, starting tomorrow, check back and see what I share, and better yet, try them out for yourself and let me know what you think.  So, come follow me on this adventure!