King of the Castle...but just for a day! ;)

Well, Father's Day has come and passed.  This year, I decided to make our "King" feel like just that.  Since the oilfield NEVER sleeps, "B" had to work on Father's Day.  So, in an attempt to make the day special regardless of him spending 13 hours working in 100+ degrees heat, the sidekick and I got up early and started our day of cooking a feast for our King of the Castle!!!  Ok, let's be honest...our 5 year old's internal clock has an alarm that goes off no later than 7am (even in the summer)!  So, we just told the King we got up early.  ;)  So let's talk menu.  A couple weeks back, Mama had posted something about Hummingbird cake.  This grabbed the eye of the hubs, which by the way has NO sweet tooth!  He said he wanted me to make it sometime for him.  So, it was the perfect time to whip one up for him.  My grandma used to make this when I was a child, but I had never even thought of baking one.  I am not fruit and nut in baked goods kind of girl.  Give me chocolate any day!  But, being the good wife, I pulled out all the stops for my man! I found a version of the recipe from Southern Living.  Confession time....it's to die for!  I take back all my comments about fruits and nuts in my food!  Hummingbird cake is like banana bread with cream cheese frosting.  If someone had described this sweet treat in that way, I would have been Betty Crocker'ing it up in the kitchen on a regular basis. Keep in mind though....just because there are fruits and nuts in this, it is a far cry from making the Top 10 healthy snacks list.  Below is the recipe and you will see why.  Don't let this deter you from getting flour all over your kitchen.  You need to make this.  Do it on your next special occasion.  It will make your Love feel special and you are secretly treating yourself!!!

 

Hummingbird Cake

 



3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 c sugar                               

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 eggs                               

1  1/2 c  vegetable oil                               

1 1/2 tsp vanilla                               

1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 c chopped pecans + a handful for decoration on top of cake                              

2 c chopped bananas 

 

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 (16oz) box  powdered sugar

1 stick butter, softened

1 (8oz) block cream cheese, softened

2 tsp vanilla

 

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Gradually add powdered sugar, until light and fluffy.

Stir in vanilla.

 

Combine first 5 dry ingredients in mixing bowl.    

Add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.)

Mix in vanilla, pineapple, pecans, and bananas.

Pour batter into 2 greased 9" round cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Let cool completely before frosting.

Spread frosting between the two layers and around the cake.

Top with extra pecans.

 

 

Since I like to do things backwards, I then started on a special dinner for our King.  On the menu was homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs!  Yes, HOMEMADE!  Nothing frozen, in a jar, prepared by your fave Italian spot around the corner.  The only thing not homemade is the pasta.  Let's face it...I can only amaze myself so much!  This is by far our favorite spaghetti meatballs.  The hubs has even said it is a restaurant quality.  So, I hope you and your family find it just as tasty and special!!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

 

Meatballs:

1 lb. ground beef(I use 80/20)

1 c Italian bread crumbs

1 Tbs. parmesan cheese, grated

1 Tbs. dried parsley

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/8 tsp. garlic powder (heaping)

1 egg

 

Sauce:

1/4 olive oil

1 c onion, chopped

4-5 cloves garlic, minced

2 (28oz) cans tomatoes (either diced or whole and peeled)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 bay leaves

1 (6oz) can tomato paste

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp black pepper

 

In a bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients.  Form into golf ball size balls (approximately 15 balls). 

Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax pepper.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  I usually make them a couple hours before I start the sauce.

 

When ready to make the sauce, pull out your dutch oven.  Over medium heat, sauté your onion and garlic in the olive oil until the onions are transparent.  Make sure you stir often to keep garlic from browning.

Next, stir in the tomatoes, salt, sugar and your bay leaves.  Cover, simmer on low for 2 hours.

Stir in remaining ingredients and the meatballs from the fridge.

Simmer another 30-45 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Ta-da!!!

 

 



Now, no spaghetti dinner is complete without a wonderful green salad.  A couple weeks ago, I was up visiting my parents and Mama pulled out a jar of homemade ranch dressing that my just be the tastiest  ranch that has crossed my lips.  The men in my house think that ranch is nectar of the Gods.  The dip anything and everything in it.  So, since it has received rave reviews from these two Ranch Judges, I figured it is only right that I let you in on our newest family secret.

Ranch Dressing

 

1c Mayo (Hellman's is our fave)

1/2c buttermilk

1/4t black pepper or to taste

1/8t or so garlic powder

1/8t paprika

1t Ranch dressing mix-Buttermilk Recipe

 

Combine all ingredients in a jar or whatever you carafe you can find that has a lid.  Tighten lid and shake the hell out of it.  Refrigerate.  (Easy, right?!?!?)

 



 

 

 



SO, there you have it ladies!  This is how I made my man feel like a King while I made memories with my sidekick creating a special meal to bring our little family even that much closer.  We shared laughs, dances in the kitchen and a dessert that will change the way you view old classic sweets.  Run to your closest grocery store, get all the ingredients (which you more than likely already have everything in the pantry), and make your family a meal that hopefully will provide you moments to remember.

Until next time...Ciao!!!

HOT HOT HOT

Well hello there, Stranger!!!!  I might be the worst blogger out there!  I think my last blog was months ago!  But no fear, I am here now!  Today it is hot, hot, hot here in South Texas.  I mean really hot!!!  The heat index is 108 degrees and it is 630pm!!!  School for me and my little guy is out for summer and we couldn't be happier!!!!  Recently I asked him what was on the agenda for the summer and this rug rat rattled off 1,001 things he wanted to do!  So, we made a bucket list!  His very own "5 1/2" year old's Bucket List!  We sat down one morning and came up with the top contenders for summer plans.  Below is our final product.  How impressed are you that I even cut out it into a bucket shape...yes it's a bucket!  I recommend doing a list with your little ones this summer.  It's not too late!  He loves being able to check off his accomplishments.  Our "bucket" is posted on the fridge.  So, we can't miss it!

 

 

 

Since it is so hot, I am trying to not use the oven as much as normal.  I'm mean for crying out loud that little sucker turns this house into an inferno!  So, with that said, cold meals are the way to go this summer.  Salads are great for the summer time.  One of our faves is the cucumber, tomato, onion salad.  I wish I had a pic, but we devoured it before I could grab a camera!  So, use your imagination!!! 

 

 

Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad

 

Get an 8x8 dish



Slice the cukes, tomatoes and onions the same thickness
Layer them in your dish
Pour Italian dressing over
Refrigerate for a couple hours

This salad is great for summer cookouts or potlucks.  It will hold up well to heat! I will come back and add a picture when I make it again...probably sometime this weekend! ;)

I guess I need to go.  My sidekick is awfully quiet!  Until next time!!!!

UPDATE:  The heat index is 112 degrees here this afternoon.  So, this salad is back on the menu!!!  I promised I'd get you a pic.  So, here it is!  Enjoy and stay cool!!

Buh-bye 2013! Hello 2014!!!!

So as the year comes to close tonight at the strike of 12, I guess I should write a quick post.  Seeing that it has been MONTHS since I have chatted with y'all, I figured I would end the year with a quick hey and a project of glitter!!!  Has this year been as crazy for you as it has for me?  There have been both good and not as good memories made this year.  Thank God more good than bad.  So, I finished level 2 of nursing school which means only 2 more to go.  I can't tell you how ready I am for this to be over.  My life comes to a screeching halt when classes start up.  That's not easy since it is me and little man the majority of the time.  I am so blessed to have such a patient side kick!!! 

What are your exciting plans for NYE???  Mine are wild and crazy this year....little man and I are renting a movie from Redbox and making pizza....oh and a bottle of Mommy Juice (as he likes to call it)!  The hubs is out in the oil patch and won't be home to celebrate.  So, looks like my date is a 5 year old who can probably out last any adult if given the chance. 

In an ode to the glitz of New Years Eve, I have a glitter project that will surely get you giddy.  A friend of mine pinned a glitter monogram, but when you click on the link it was just a pic.  Soooo, I decided to look at the supplies they showed in the pic and said "Hey, I can glitter with the best of them".  Screech.....I have NEVER used Mod Podge before.  Did you know this stuff is like crack???  I love it!  MP used with glitter sent me into a craze yesterday.  I ran to Hobby Lobby, which by the way has all Christmas stuff 80%, to get my supplies.  I picked up a bottle of Mod Podge, a jar of glitter, and a black wood letter (this way I wouldn't have to paint the natural wood).  We rushed home in the rain and swept everything off the table so I could get to glittering!  I used a sponge brush that I had in my craft closet. This is what I used to apply the Mod Podge.  I also had a can of acrylic coating used from previous projects.

Let's do this...

 

The letter is 12" and I used a couple old juice glasses to set it on in the box to balance it while I got my glitter on. I used an old paper box lid to catch the glitter 'cause I knew it was going to get a little messy.  The same reason I used the old towel underneath the box.  Mama didn't raise no fool!

 

I brushed the Mod Podge on evenly over the front and sides of the "B" making sure I got the inside of the "B" as well.  This is wear it gets fun girls!!!!  Next, sprinkle the glitter all over making sure you didn't miss any spot.  I found I didn't have enough Mod Podge is some areas.  So, I just dabbed a little more on and the scooped some glitter from the box and covered the sticky spot. 

 

Once I had covered the whole thing, I let it sit for a few minutes just to set.  I have no idea if you need to do this, but it made me feel better. 

 

 You can see for the most part I kept my mess contained.  Good thing 'cause you know nobody is going to clean this fun up except for me!  Are you as excited about seeing this glitter as me?  I mean I can't hardly contain myself looking at it.  OK... back to the project. 

After I left it alone a few minutes, I put a bucket on the back porch and set the wet "B" on top.  This is when I sprayed it with this acrylic clear coat.

I gave it a pretty good spray and then let it sit to dry for a couple hours. 
Here is the final product!  I set it on the pallet shelf the hubs and I made earlier this Spring. 

What do you think???  I absolutely love it!  In fact, after I put it up, I decided to "glitterfy" a few other things around the house.  I have a bin in our guest room that has ALL the candles from our wedding reception (almost 9 years ago).  I grabbed 3 glass votive holders in the tote and sprung to the table to Mod Podge and glitter them up.    They are now on the shelf as well.  Wanna hear a sappy side note???  The monogram and votives are done in the same blue my bridesmaids wore many moons ago.  Awe.......

Anyway, Happy New Year dolls!  Hope it brings you everything you want and more!  Cheers!

Who wants Lemonade???

I am pretty sure everyone at some point in their childhood had a lemonade stand.  We lived on base at Ft. Knox, KY.  I would set up my stand right where the end of the sidewalk met the street and would peddle my 'ade to the soldiers passing by. 

One of my favorite memories of lemonade takes me to a little later when my daddy and I decided to make fresh squeezed lemonade.  You can already tell Mama wasn't home and a mess was about to ensue.  We both were covered in pulp and the kitchen smelled strong of lemons for days to come.  It is a memory that pops up every time my little man orders lemonade when we are out.

So, since today is Father's Day, I decided to make two boys in my life happy~my little man and my daddy.  I thought I would share this fun summertime recipe with you!  It can be adjusted to how tart or sweet you like it.

Enjoy!!!!

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

 

 

1-1.5 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (usually about 12-14 lemons)





1 cup or so sugar
5 cups COLD water

 

 

 

Squeeze the hell out of those lemons into a measuring cup.  Hopefully you are more fortunate than me and have one of those "fancy" lemon juicers.  I don't know where ours walked off to.  So, I squeezed all of those suckers by hand.



Make sure you strain your juice so you don't have any seeds floating around.  I like to have a little pulp in mine.
Pour into your pitcher and add the sugar. 
Next add your cold water.
Adjust your sugar so that you have the perfect combination of tart and sweet!
Stir and then refrigerate until cold.

Serve with a fresh lemon slice if you think you can look at one more lemon after all this!

Cheers!

Hello stranger!!!

Hey there!  Long time; no post!!!! I know it has been forever since I have posted, but this girl has been insanely, crazy busy.  Nursing school is consuming my life now.  What it doesn't suck out of me, is absorbed by my sweet little man, husband and our new puppy.  That's right.  You read right!  We had a short moment of no control and got our little family a puppy...a LAB puppy.  She is 5 mos old and still takes more energy out of me than the preemie we brought home almost 5 years ago!

I haven't done much experimenting in the kitchen lately due to my hectic schedule.  I have, however, remembered y'all today and felt the need to share a couple of recipes out of my secret recipe binder. I didn't remember to take pictures of the ingredients for the beginning.  So, the raw pic will have to do!

Let's get started with a southern classic..sausage balls.  These little suckers are to die for!!!  You can serve them at baby showers, bridal showers, cocktail parties, or even breakfast.  I happen to love them for breakfast.



Sausage Balls

2 lbs. regular breakfast pork sausage in a tube
4 cups shredded cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1-1/2 cups Bisquick
black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix together all the above ingredients.
Roll mixture into golf ball size servings. 
Place onto an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet (that has been LIGHTLY sprayed with Pam).

(Make them smaller if you are serving for a party where you will have a handful of snickie snacks)

Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.  Let sit for a few minutes and then drain on paper towels before serving.

 

Heaven on a little plate!!!  I promise you won't be able to eat just one! You can make half (but you won't want to).

Ham and Cheese Quiche

 

1 frozen pie crust

1 cup diced ham

1-1/2 cups shredded cheese

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1 cup half and half

2 eggs

salt and pepper to taste

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place frozen crust in oven with aluminum foil covering.  Bake for 5 minutes.  Take foil off and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

 

While that is baking, in a bowl, mix together half and half, eggs, salt and pepper. 

When crust is done, pull out of the oven.

Sprinkle the ham, cheese and minced onion in the bottom.

Pour egg and cream mixture over and place back in the oven.

 

 

Don't judge me for my broken crust.  :)

 

Bake for 40 minutes or until custard is firm and cooked through. 

Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

 

 

 

 

So, here ya' have it y'all.  Two staple southern recipes for you to try out,  Enjoy!  Post a comment and let me know what you think.

 

 

...I missed you too! ;)



National Margarita Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Checking in really quick...  Nursing school has absorbed any time I have that I don't spend being a mama and a wife.  Hope y'all are great!!!!!!  Guess what...

Happy National Margarita Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHEERS!!!!!

Take the time....

Happy New Year, y'all!  I hope everyone has enjoyed the first few days of our new beginning.  As everyone reflects on their new resolutions I thought I would share a few thoughts.  I read somewhere the top resolutions are workout more, lose that unwanted fluffiness, quit smoking...but what I found so surprising was the top one on this list was spend more time with family.  Hmm.  It made me stop and assess my own life.  That has never been a resolution for me.  Why not?  My family means the most to me.  Why would I not resolve to spend more time with them?  Is it because that before last year I have always lived with 15 miles from home?  Maybe.  Then I realized, maybe spending more time with family (for me) means reaching out more; reaching out to our extended family; not just blood but by the grace of friendship as well. 

As an only child as well as an Army brat, you learn early on that family is not necessarily someone who shares the same bloodline.  I have family that I share no blood connection.  I am sure you do too.  The best part of this is that we CAN choose our family, just not all of them.  :)   When you are blessed to "choose" your family, hold onto them.  Make sure they know you think of them often.  Miles apart should not keep you from expressing your love for them.  I am guilty of this myself.  I have let 1000 miles draw me away from what was instilled in me at an early age.  I know I should make sure that the people I love the most know it. 

So, my resolution this year is to take the time to let the people that mean the most to me know how much I appreciate them in my life.  I want to do this the old-fashioned way.  I want to take the time to write quick notes to let them know how much they mean.  My Grandma Winn (the epitome of a Southern Belle) always took the time to send a "just because" note.  She was a super busy woman who truly never had a minute to spare, but she never let that on. She always made you feel your time was much more important than hers.  I want to be like that.  I want to take moments out of my busy schedule to let you know I care. 

I challenge you to do the same.  Take a moment or two and let someone you love know just how much they really mean to you.  Life is a precious gift and can be snuffed out at any time. 

Hope to hear from you soon!  ;)