Have You Ever Tried...

A Quick Summer Lunch

Some whole grain bread, deli cooper cheese, garden tomatoes, fresh basil, and ground salt and pepper under the broiler~ yum!

What is your go-to summer lunch, my friends?

Have a great day!

Freshening Up A Favorite Recipe

A Weird But Super Good Recipe

Try this recipe. It is so good! Everyone in my entire family loves it, which is rare. I say it is weird because it is called Cheeseburger Casserole, and although being a simple pasta recipe, it smells and tastes like you are eating a cheeseburger. Seriously.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes And Caramel Apples

This is my time of year, my friends. Some people live for those hot summer days with barbecues and boat rides. Others wait all year for picnics in the park on a spring afternoon. Still others are all about hot coffee in the snow while skiing and sledding. Me? I enjoy few things in life as much as being inside on a blustery fall afternoon. Something about a cozy afternoon with soft throws, warm drinks, and my people together brings peace and joy to my soul. 

This Sunday was such a day. I awoke early and filled my crockpot with delicious pumpkin spice latte ingredients, turned it on, and waited for the amazing scent of fall to fill our home. Little by little, my people awoke and we enjoyed a morning together in our jammies. Marian was here, and soon we were playing games, watching movies, and drinking pumpkin spice lattes with homemade whipped cream. Later in the day, we gathered in the kitchen and made some yummy and festive caramel apples. 

Outside it was windy and cold. Inside, we were happy and cozy and warm. And blessed.

Favorite Fall Recipe Number Two ~ Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

This is one of our very favorite autumn meals. I have posted this recipe many times before, but in case you have missed it, here it is. Please don't be afraid of the pumpkin. It is so subtle but adds just enough to make these shells even more delicious.

Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

1. 1 box pasta shells, cooked, drained, and rinsed in cold water
2. 1 can ( 15 oz. ) Libby's pumpkin
3. 2 cups ricotta cheese and yes, use the whole milk ricotta : )
4. 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese...and more to sprinkle on top
5. 1 egg
6. 3 garlic cloves, minced or the garlic powder equivalent if you forgot to buy them like I did.
7. Dash of salt and pepper
8. 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
9. 1 45 oz. jar of pasta sauce. We use Tomato Basil.

Directions:

1. Cook shells according to directions...and then drain and rinse.
2. Grease two 13x9 baking dishes and pour some sauce on the bottom.
3. Mix pumpkin, cheeses, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Stuff each shell with pumpkin mixture and place in baking dish.
5. Cover with remaining sauce.
6. Cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
7. Uncover, sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese, and bake for 15 more minutes.

Enjoy!

Favorite Fall Recipe Number One ~ Quick And Easy Chicken Soup

Fall! Yay! Also...Fall Food! Yay! Here is an easy recipe for some delicious chicken soup for you and your family to enjoy on a cozy autumn evening.

Cozy Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1. Rotissierie chicken carcass
2. One stick celery, chopped
3. One onion, chopped
4. Two 32 oz. containers chicken broth
5. One teaspoon salt
6. One teaspoon poultry seasoning
7. One eighth teaspoon pepper
8. One container water~fill a broth container with water
9. One large bag Kluski noodles, cooked and drained

Directions:

1. Put chicken carcass in large pot.
2. Add celery, onion, chicken broth, salt, poultry seasoning, pepper, and water.
3. Cook at boiling, covered, for one hour. Remove any foam.
4. Meanwhile, in separate pot, boil noodles. Then drain and set aside.
5. Drain bones, fat, and veggies until only broth remains.
6. Add cooked noodles, heat, stir, and enjoy!!!!

This is a great recipe for the day after you have a rotisserie chicken dinner.

Simply wrap the chicken carcass in foil and place in the refrigerator.

Also, I use two chicken carcasses and three containers of broth for our family, and we have some leftovers. : )

A Super Simple Weeknight Supper

Time to pull out those Crock-Pots, ladies...it is almost fall! Actually, I use mine all summer. But, I digress. Have you ever had one of those days where you have no plans for dinner, but you don't want to eat takeout? A few weeks ago, Madison and I threw this simple supper together in the morning and let it cook all day. It was amazing! Want to give it a try?

First, chop up some tomatoes, green peppers, fresh garlic, and sweet onions.

Throw them into your Crock-Pot.

You Say Tomato...

I say yum! We are loving our copious amount of garden tomatoes this year. Here are just a couple of delicious tomato recipes we enjoyed last week.

I made this bruschetta to go with dinner, and it was so good!

I just chopped some tomatoes and threw them in a bowl with some olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh minced garlic, fresh chopped Basil, and some fresh grated Pecorino Romano cheese. (That's what I had, but you could use any kind you have on hand!) I mixed it up and put it in the refrigerator until dinner. Then I put some sliced Italian bread under the broiler until it was crispy. I topped each piece with some of the tomato mixture, and broiled it some more until it was warmed. 

I was told this was as good as a restaurant. : )

This is my favorite lunch lately.

I toast a bagel, then add some sliced tomato, chopped Basil, drizzle with olive oil, and add a slice of cheese. This is Asiago, I think. I put it under a broiler until bubbly. And it is AMAZING!

What do you like to do with your extra tomatoes, my friends??

Random Photo Friday And Try This Pie Recipe!

Happy Weekend, my friends! I hope you had a lovely week with your people. Our week was full of fun and felt like fall. Here is a quick peek!

This was my view on the way home from Mass last week.

Ask me how this happened.

I have no idea.

Yesterday, I was driving and he was in the back, buckled in a carseat, playing with Matchbox cars.

He's doing awesome though, and I am super proud of him.

The Very Best Taco Dip. Really.

Sunday afternoon we were honored to have our pastor and friend over for a visit. I was really excited to try out a new taco dip recipe I had found online. I knew I would have to adapt it because refried beans are just not a thing our house! I planned on browning some ground beef and adding some taco seasoning mix instead. Which would have been great, except I didn't have any taco seasoning mix.

How To Cut A Pineapple

I used to be intimidated by those big, fresh, whole pineapples in the grocery store. I always opted for the store sliced pineapple in the plastic containers. The problem with those? For one, they were always sticky! And even worse, my store never sliced out the core! Fresh pineapple is worth the work, so eventually I threw one into my cart and gave it a try. If you have never cut fresh pineapple, please try it. You won't regret it, I promise! Choosing one is easy...It smells good, is soft but not mushy, and the green will pull out easily. I usually end up with mine on the counter for a day or two before it is ready. And then, I get started!

Choose a pretty pineapple...

Chicken Parmesan...Made By Rhett

One of the things I love about mothering is watching my children grow and learn and master new things. I am a strong advocate for the development of life skills in young people. My son Rhett has recently expressed an interest in cooking. I'm guessing it has something to do with the interest he has in eating. One day last week, he asked if he could make dinner. His choice? Chicken Parmesan. He found the recipe, got the ingredients, and with some help from his sisters, prepared the most delicious meal we have had in a long time.

He paired it with some angel hair pasta and a fresh tossed salad.

I was beyond proud of my son, and was so happy watching all of my children work together in the kitchen. Not to mention the fact that I didn't have to cook dinner. Or clean up!

The recipe can be found here.

Enjoy!

Crockpot Mongolian Chicken

 For the record, I am pro Crockpot. I think the crockpot gets a bad rap, especially with the latest Instant pot craze going around. Used correctly, a crockpot can create delicious meals with minimal effort. This is one of those meals. The original recipe can be found here.

Crockpot Mongolian Chicken

Ingredients:

1. 5 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
2. 1/4 cup soy sauce
3. 1/2 cup brown sugar
4. 1/2 tsp. ground ginger or 2 tsp. minced ginger
5. 1/2 tsp. garlic powder or 2 tbsp. minced garlic
6. sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Directions:

1. Grease slow cooker, and set chicken in skin side up.
2. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic powder together.
3. Pour over chicken.
4. Cook on low 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and onions if desired.

We served it with rice and a tossed salad. But broccoli would be good too! 

Enjoy!

What I Eat In A Day

...Because I know you've been wondering!!! But seriously, I like to keep it real around here, and how much more real can it get than talking about food? I have to say though, lately I am finding myself eating healthier foods on a consistent basis. Imagine that. I hesitate to say I am dieting, because that, to me, is a sure fire set up for failure. The way my mind works, if I consciously try to not eat certain things, or wake up in the morning thinking I can only eat so many calories, my body panics and decides to insist on eating as if I were training for the Olympics.

I do much better if I think about what I like to eat, and how many ways I can make it healthy. Does that even make sense? What brought about this subtle change, you ask? Well, thinking about my upcoming cholesterol check, and hoping that all this good, fresh food will get those numbers in line is perhaps the main reason. I realize I am a middle age woman who has given birth four times, and as such, I will never fit into those size two Sasson or Jordache jeans again, so why stress about it? So, if you are still with me, let's take a look at what I generally eat in a day...

First thing first...

My Maxwell House French Vanilla Cafe coffee.

Every morning.

Without fail.

Breakfast is a smoothie!

I am obsessed.

I make three different kinds on a regular basis,

using frozen fruit, including bananas, skim milk, and plain non fat Greek yogurt.

Steve's favorite is one with frozen bananas, skim milk, natural peanut butter, and a bit of cocoa powder.

Lately I am all about salads!

I make my own, or get one freshly made from the store and add to it...

And you know, putting it on a pretty plate, and sitting down to eat it makes it all the more yummy!

If I don't have a salad, I usually have an egg scrambled with fresh veggies.

I love to add tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and some fresh cheese.

After schoolwork is done, I always settle in for a second cup of coffee.

I have done this since Madison was a baby, all those years ago.

It is a time in my day I always look forward to.

And now my kids enjoy it with me. : )

Dinner is whatever we are having.

I don't cook anything special for myself.

Who has time for that?

We eat regular, normal family meals almost every single night.

Priorities.

One night recently, we made homemade chicken fried rice, and Japanese Onion soup.

Sooo good.

Later in the evening, I enjoy a cup of tea, usually cranberry green tea...

And a cookie or two if Peyton has baked that day. 

There you are.

You can sleep tonight!

You now know what I eat in a day!

P.S. My friend Theresa reminded me about my drink of choice...water!

Although I am not the best water drinker out there, I am getting better.

I drink only water during the day, except for coffee and tea.

I add lemon, lime, or even orange to make it more exciting!

And...oddly enough...I drink more if I use a straw. : )

Ready For The Weekend!

Will you be watching the Super Bowl this weekend? Even though our beloved Steelers came up short this year, we are excited to join most of America in watching the game and eating too much food while we do. We are also super excited that Marian is coming for the weekend! Yay! We texted today and planned our menu. And this is what we came up with for our Super Bowl party 2018. Because let's face it...it's really all about the food.

Slow Cooker Short Ribs- Marian's recipe

Cheese Broccoli Soup- Recipe from my sister-in law Beth...soooo good.

Onion Rings- Courtesy of Ore-Ida

Wings- Take out...Can't have Super Bowl here without them!

Taco Dip- Margie and Chris bring it to all the parties...Delicious!

Chocolate Dipped Oreo Balls- Peyton's Contribution...AMAZING!

Peanut Butter Pie- Because. Peanut Butter pie.

I  also always have a big bowl of m&m's at our Super Bowl parties. 

I remember being a little girl back in the 1970's, sitting by the fire, watching the Steelers play in the Super Bowl. My mom had a Steeler tablecloth on the table, Steeler plates and napkins, and a big bowl of m&m's.

So, will you be watching?

More importantly...

What will you be eating?!

I'd love to know!

Enjoy!

It May Not Be Pinterest Worthy, But...

Pinterest food can be overrated, don't you think? When I look at some of those picture perfect photos of Halloween cupcakes decorated with upside down ice cream cones piped with icing to look like witch hats, I feel super inadequate. But then I think about it, and realize that stale ice cream cone would be ripped off and thrown aside and along with it all the icing. At least at my house.  : )

So if you are looking for a non-Pinterest worthy Halloween treat, look no further. Here are a few of our favorites. Nothing fancy, but yummy and festive just the same!

Perhaps our favorite Halloween meal...Candy Corn Pizza!

Easy and fun!

Peyton makes this yummy Spiderweb Munch every single year.

Stuffed Pepper Soup and Mummy Dogs are a favorite as well...

 Simple chocolate cupcakes with orange icing and Halloween sprinkles are always a good idea...

And breakfast can be fun too! Some food coloring in the batter with mini chocolate chips on top make waffles spooky but yummy too!

The fun doesn't have to end when Halloween does!

Use that extra Halloween candy to make some Candy Bar Brownies!

Have I ever told you how much I love Halloween?!?!

Thanks for visiting, my friends.

Have a cozy day!

Pork Chops And Applesauce

Do you like that Brady Bunch reference I made there, Kathleen? Anyway, this is a recipe for the best pork chops we have ever made. Well, that Peyton has ever made. I don't do pork chops. Apparently I tend to overcook them. Waaaay overcook them.

Peyton found this recipe in a Nancy Drew Cookbook she received years ago. Don't be fooled. They are delicious.

Just slice the onions and the lemons...

And pretend you don't see that paper towel up on the counter...

Lightly brown the pork chops...

Again...ignore the grease all over my stove...

Put everything on top of the rice, and pour the broth over it all...

Cover it with foil...

Bake it until it is all done...

And serve it up with some baked zucchini for color.

Oh. Don't forget the applesauce.

One must eat applesauce with pork chops.

Peter Brady says so.

Note:

We double the recipe.

We use thin pork chops.

We use extra rice, and we pour extra broth over top.

So...we just make more, I guess!!!

Enjoy!