Marshmallow Fondant

Premade, store bought fondant is ICK! This is a simple recipe that I use to make fondant that is actually edible. Although the recipe is EXTREMELY messy to make, you will not regret it.

What you need:
16oz bag of white mini marshmallows
2lb bag of powdered sugar
2 Table spoons of water
1 table spoon of flavoring of choice
Food coloring or cake coloring
Ample amounts of Crisco


Step one: Grease everything. This includes, counter tops, microwaveable bowl, spoons… anything that will come in contact with the “dough”

Step two: Place marshmallows and water in a microwaveable bowl. Heat in microwave at 30 -45 seconds intervals stirring after each time. Heat until marshmallows turn into a runny mixture. This will be very hot, so use caution.

Step three: This is where I add in my flavoring of choice and coloring of choice.

Step four: I have a large stand mixer that I use (grease all of it too). I pour the marshmallow mixture into the mixing bowl and add the sugar. You can also grease your hands and place the powdered sugar in a large bowl and knead in the marshmallow mix. This will still be hot. Use a spoon until it cools enough to be able to knead it. Your mixture should be very pliable and like play dough now. You can roll it out or make your decorations from it.

Other bits of information:

Keep kneading, this stuff is sticky sticky sticky sticky!

You may need to re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant starts sticking.

If the mix is tearing easily, it is to dry, so add water (about 1/2 tablespoon at a time and then knead it in).

It usually takes me about 10 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball so that it will stretch without tearing when you apply it to the cake. If it is too sticky after kneading it for about 10 minutes, then add a little more powdered sugar and knead it in.

It is best if you can let it sit, wrapped, overnight or until cooled.

To store the fondant, wrap in a saran wrap and then put it in a ziploc bag with little to NO air in the baggie.

This fondant can be kept in the refrigerator for around 2 weeks. I usually make two batches when I have the free time, so it is ready when I need it. Take advantage of the fact that this fondant can be prepared well in advance.



Enjoy! Let me know how it turns out!

Just Because

Just because I can not leave anything alone.... I know I just changed my layout. But I really needed a Fall look. BE not quick to judge... I am not finished yet *smile*

WOW!

I have been messing around so much in the evenings with my digital scrapbook stuff, that I so kind of forgot to post in here! I am a faithful reader each day.... just not a faithful poster.

I am now official. Officially scared out of my mind that is…. I recently completed my Master of Accounting and Financial Management. What does that mean? It means that now it is time to take the 4 exams to become a CPA. OOOOHHHHHHH MMMYYYYYY! First I had to apply to become and applicant.  That came back and then I had to apply to take a test. I am now waiting for the “coupon” to come in so I can pay for that test and schedule it. These four tests are the mother of all tests. Of course while I was in school the tests also increased in price. With back to school, birthdays and holidays coming up, *big sigh* I am having a hard time saving for these tests. Did I mention every time I send in an application or apply to take a test it is $50 on top of the cost of the test?
I have been trying to come up with different ideas to raise the extra money…. I think I have decided I am going to become a consultant for scentsy. But I have to invest $100 or so to get that started. Another thing I have been doing is listing items on eBay.
eBay is ok, but it really can be a pain sometimes. I have been selling stuff on eBay for over 10 years. I have purchased a lot lately on eBay, but had not sold. Things have sure changed. If you want to start selling stuff on eBay, here is a list (yes I love making lists) of helpful hints.


• Only accept Paypal as a form of payment.
• Take good pictures and post VERY accurate descriptions.
• Make sure what you are selling is easily shipped.
• I wouldn’t suggest shipping outside the US.
• Look at other auctions and items that are similar to the ones you are selling. See what they are charging for shipping. When I first started, Priority was so cheap, not so much anymore.
• Always send with delivery confirmation. This way you can track the package after it has shopped.
• Try to ship your items the same day or day after payment is received. People get cranky when they have to wait for their stuff.
• eBay has a simple fill in the blank formats to create your auction. I would suggest you add the listing designer to your page. There are many to choose from.
• Put as many key words in your title as possible. This will help bring your item up in searches.

And now, as I type this I am remembering that over the weekend I forgot to list the remaining 4 items that I had to sell. We were busy though. I cleaned out our spare room AND the closet. I also decorated for fall on the inside and planted some of my mums. I still need to through my tulips bulbs in the ground. I am excited that for once, I finally remembered to buy them. This week I plan on finishing up my outside decorating. The hubs also got rid of our office this weekend. Yeah, Welcome back 3 car garage! Hello confused blind dog. I so feel bad for disturbing his home.

We also took a trip to a neighboring town this weekend. Our friends are moving there from the Tulsa area. They are in the process of cleaning out the house they purchased and have found some AMAZING stuff! I was so fascinated going through the home with them. I am amazed at the amount of stuff the previous owners left. Incredible treasures! I am excited they are moving closer! Hopefully we will get to see more of them!

Lessons Learned

I have learned many lessons today:

1- ALWAYS MAKE BACK UPS of everything on the computer.

2- While talking on the phone and trying to work, 1 +2 = 4

3- Do NOT eat hot tamales when you have a jaw problem.

4- To many hot tamales at one time will stick your teeth together and make you break out in a sweat.

5- DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT make a trip to the doctor until flu season is over.... unless necessary. IT is TOTAL CHAOS with all the flu cases!

6- I secretly enjoy giving my child NASTY TASTING medicines when she is sick. If she takes them, then I know she is not faking.

7- Flu tests can come back negative, even if you have the flu.

8- You can have H1N1, with a negative flu test.

9- H1N1 flu tests must be sent out to be done and you don't know results for 24 hours.

10- My daughter loves the fact that the doctor quarantined her to her bedroom.

11- K also loves the fact she gets to be waited on hand and foot and get meals in her room.

12- I also found out today that 6 prescriptions can add up fast!

13- I have had so many MRIs done in the past two months, that they knew me at the MRI place when I had to schedule another.

14- I can not blow good. (not to be taken the wrong way, read on to lesson 15)

15- Using an inhaler tastes ICKY!


Yes I have learned alot today. If you can't read between the lines, today I helped retrieve information that was not backed up, from a computer that had crashed. I had a hard day at work, trying to do the mommy duty and make phone calls to school and doctors. I tried to relieve my stress with hot tamales and well that ended up bad. I had to take K to the doctor, she started getting sick last night with a sore throat and has gone down hill fast. They have her on 6 different meds now and have quarantined her to her room and her own bathroom until the H1N1 tests come back tomorrow evening. They are hoping she just has an upper respiratory problem, but not for sure. I went to the doctor today also with a sore jaw. I have been told before it was only a matter of time that I would have issues with my jaw. I am now having an MRI on my jaw. Grrrr. I also complained that my allergy meds were not working and I had a tightness in my chest. The doctor gave me a peak flow meter and well, I couldn't blow in it hard enough to get it up to the 250-550 range. 10 minutes and 3 shots of an inhaler later, I made it up to about 225.

I hope I have a stupid day tomorrow and I don't learn as much as I did today!

I Think...

I think I may have it mostly done. Done for the most part? I don't know... I will probably change the design pretty soon, as I found many more cute digital scrap booking things today. I am going to have to get another external hard drive to start storing my goodies on.

The weekend is being pretty uneventful and that is wonderful! After a quick trip to the grocery store, I have done nothing but watch football and play with my picture it program.

I am excited for tomorrow. My sis-in-law is having a scentsy party. I just LOVE scentsy! It is some awesome stuff!

I am also excited that we saw the sun today! We have had rain and clouds for around 10 days straight. This morning started out the same - RAIN - but it then turned to sun by late afternoon! YEAH!!

I promise I am not turning this into a strictly recipes only blog.... What I did today was transfer all of my other blog over to this one and then made some nifty drop down boxes for the recipes. I am going to try to still post at least one recipe a week.... we will see :)

So what do you think of the new design?

Orange Cookies

I told someone I would post this recipe for them...then I forgot. I am getting bad about that! Sorry!

What you need:

1 package orange cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
1 tablespoon milk

What to do:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with foil.

-Mix together cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto baking sheets and bake for no more than 8 minutes. Do not over bake! Once all the cookies are done. Remove the foil. You have a no need to clean baking sheet.

-To Make Orange Icing: Mix together powdered sugar, orange extract, and milk.

-Mix ingredients together (more or less to your desired liking).

-While the cookies are still warm, drizzle the icing over the cookies.

Sweet & Spicey Meatloaf

What you need:
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 can Mexican Rotel
8oz tomato sauce
2Tb vinegar
4Tb Brown Sugar
1 C bread crumbs
1 tsp salt
2 eggs beaten
2Tb Mustard
3/4 c Water
2 Diced Jalapenos (if you want to warm it up more)

Here's what to do:
Preheat oven to 350.
Mix Crumbs, meat, rotel, salt and (optional jalapenos) in a bowl.
Shape into a loaf and place it in a baking pan.
Next mix tomato sauce, water, vinegar, mustard,and brown sugar.
Pour the sauce mixture over the loaf.
Bake at 350 for 90 minutes.

Warm Crab Dip

What you need:


2 (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened
4 T Miracle Whip
2 Cups shredded Colby/Jack Cheese
16 oz crab meat
1 1/2 T fresh lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
2 T Worcestershire sauce
paprika, for garnish
1 T Old Bay seasoning


The easy three steps:


--Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
--In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, crab meat, old bay, lemon juice, garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Transfer to a shallow 9x9 inch baking dish (sprayed with non-stick spray). Garnish with paprika.
--Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Fourth and Final step... ENJOY!

Tuna Veggie Salad

What you need
-8 oz package of pasta shells
-2 small yellow squash, diced
-2 small zucchini, diced
-15 oz can pinto beans, drained & rinsed
-11oz can mexican corn, drained
-12 oz tuna, drained
-1 cup creamy italian dressing

What you do:
-Cook pasta and drain, then rinse in cold water
-place squash & zucchini in a saucepan with around 3/4 cup water. Cook on med. heat for about 12 minutes or until they are barely tender. Drain
-Combine all of the ingredients, except the creamy italian dressing,in a large bowl and place in teh refridgerator for about an hour.
-Remove from the refridgerator and add the dressing. Mix Well.

Spaghetti Toss

What you need:

10 oz package vermicelli or thin spaghetti
10 oz package frozen sugar snap peas
2 Tablespoons butter
3 cups rotisserie cooked chicken (shredded or cut into strips)
11 oz can mandarin oranges (drained)
2/3 cup stir fry sauce

What to do:

- Cook spaghetti in saucepan according to package directions.
- Stir in peas and cook for an additional minute.
- Drain and stir in butter until butter is melted.
- Place into large bowl and add the rest of ingredients.
- Toss to coat evenly.

Shredded Mexican Chicken

This is a recipe (Slightly altered) that I heard about on another blog from Mandy...tried it last night and we all loved it!! Basically it is shredded chicken that we used on tostadas, but you can use it for tacos or enchiladas. It is SUPER EASY!

What you need:

Crock pot
1 Package chicken breasts
1 package FIESTA ranch mix
1/2 package taco seasoning
2 cans chicken broth

What to do:

- Combine the 2 cans of chicken broth and the 2 packages of seasonings
- Place the chicken breasts into the crock pot
-cook on low for about 6 hours
-shred the chicken as it cooks


I actually cooked this during the day and put it in the fridge and heated it back up for dinner. Was quick & easy and most of all extremely yummy! Thanks Mandy!

Banana Cookies

Here is a cookie recipe that I found deep in my box of recipes. I do not really know when or where I acquired this recipe, but it is a yummy one and a good way to use up ripe bananas!


What to gather up:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3 medium mashed bananas
1 teaspoon of baking soda
2 cups flour
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 cup of pecans

What you need to do:
-Preheat oven to 350
-Cream butter & Sugar until fluffy
-Add egg to mixture and cont. to cream back to the fluffiness.
-In another bowl, mix the baking soda and bananas.
-Let set for 2 minutes.
-Mix the banana mixture into the butter mixture. Mix together the flour, salt, and spices and sift into the butter and banana mixture and mix until just combined.
-Fold into the batter the pecans. Drop in dollops onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until nicely golden brown. Let cool on wire racks.

Makes about 30 cookies.

Red Roast

From time to time, Roast may need a new twist. My Grandmother used to make what she called "Red Roast". I think I prefer the red roast to the regular roast.... Anyhow, this is an EASY crockpot recipe, so give it a try!

What you need:

3 LB Beef Roast of your choice (approx.)
3 cans tomato soup
2 Onions, Sliced
2 Green Bell peppers, Sliced
1/4 Cup Mustard
1/4 Cup Ketchup
Teaspoon Of each:
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
salt
Pepper

Add all the ingredients in the crockpot and cover. Cook over night on low, or 6-8 hours.

Steak & Pasta

What you need:

2 cups uncooked penne
1/4 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
1 (3/4-pound) boneless sirloin steak, trimmed
1 tablespoon garlic-pepper blend
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onion
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

What to do:

Sprinkle steak with the garlic-pepper blend. Grill steak until desired degree of doneness. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot (6 qt). Add pasta; cook 5 minutes. Add beans, and cook 3 minutes or until pasta is done. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.

Combine onion and next 8 ingredients (onion through black pepper) in a large bowl. Add pasta mixture and beef slices; toss well to coat.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

What to gather:
GROUP A
2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
1/2 cup diced onion
3 minced garlic cloves
2 jalopenos diced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
GROUP B
2 limes (juice from the limes)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
3 cans chicken broth
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 1/4 cup water
4 oz chopped green chilis
1 can black beans (rinsed & drained)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup corn
1 cup white hominy
GROUP C
crushed tortilla chips
shredded jack cheese
chopped green onions
sliced avocado

1. Dice chicken and cook ingredients from GROUP A on the stove top. You could also grill the chicken(then dice)and add to the rest of the ingredients from GROUP A.

2.Add Combine ingredients from GROUP A and GROUP B in a stock pot and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer one hour.

3. Top bowls of soup with portions from GROUP C.

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Have you ever had a recipe that EVERYONE asks for? This is that recipe for me. It is so hard to pass along as I do not measure any of the ingredients, I just add it in because I know what it should look like. One of these days, I will start taking pics and adding those to my blog. (I borrowed some for this blog) I am giving you the "spicy version". If you prefer non-spicy, leave out the jalapenos. :)

What you will need:

1 pkg. Chicken breasts ( 3-4 )
2 Cups Shredded Cheese ( sometime I use cheddar, sometimes Colby/Mont jack)
1 Lg can Tomato sauce
1 Jar jalapenos ( nacho slices)
8-10 flour tortillas

2 cans chicken broth
1 stick butter
1/2 cup flour
1 16 ounce container sour cream

How to prepare:

-Preheat oven to 350.
-Spray 13 x 9 cassarole pan with nonstick spray
-Boil chicken breasts until fully cooked-I often season with garlic & onion powder
-Once chicken is cooked - dice and place in a large mixing bowl
-Add (to the chicken) 3/4 can of the tomato sauce, cheese, and the juice from the jar of jalapenos
- You can add different things to the chicken such as cumin, green chilis, or mexican rotel....my family doesn't like "chunks" in the enchiladas *smile*



-Next place the chicken mixture in the flour tortillas and roll. (like in picture)
-Place the rolled tortillas in the cassarole pan. You should get about 8-10 enchiladas filled and rolled.
-Top the enciladas with the jalapeno slices

-Now, in a sauce pan over medium heat you will need to melt the butter.
-Once the butter is melted you will add in the flour and stir. This will make a paste.
-Add chicken broth and continue to stir/whisk until smooth. This mixture will thicken as it heats.
-Continue to stir until fairly thick. You may need to add a bit more flour, but be careful not to get it to thick.
-Once thickened, add the container of sour cream and stir.
-Remove from heat and pour over the enchiladas
-Place in oven and heat for about 15 minutes

Sometimes we eat these as is, and sometimes we add things like chopped onions, lettuce and shredded cheese.

Lime Shrimp

I borrowed this recipe several years ago and we really enjoy it. Sometimes I serve with rice, sometimes I grill veggies to go with this. AND sometimes I use this as a marinade and grill the shrimp.






2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
8 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, divided
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1.Place shrimp in a medium nonreactive bowl and toss with lime juice, 1/4 cup cilantro, half the garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
2.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, marinade and remaining garlic; cook until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper. Toss to combine.

Pepper Steak

This is actually a very quick and easy recipe that my whole picky family eats! Oh and before we continue... you can check out my other blog at http://nicelycomposed.blogspot.com/






3 tablespoons butter or oil
1 1/2 pounds round or flank steak
1-2 large Onions
1 large red bell pepper
1 large yellow bell pepper
1 large green bell pepper
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
2-3 can Campbell's brown gravy



I have 3-4 quart saute pan with lid that I use to cook everything in...
-First cut all your veggies in 1/4 - 1/2 inch strips
-Slice your beef into 1/4 inch (fajita style) strips
-Heat butter over medium high heat
-Place veggies in pan and cover with lid
-cook on medium heat until they start to soften just a little
-Add meat and season to taste ( I use onion powder, garlic powder & season all)
-Cook over medium heat until meat is browned
-Add the brown gravy and Worcestershire sauce and stir
-Heat about 3-5 minutes until gravy is good and hot

I serve this over plain white rice :) Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Cordon Something

What you need:

1 stick butter, melted
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
4 deli slices of ham
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 slices Swiss cheese

1 can diced tomatoes (can be rotel or seasoned)


Preheat oven to 350°.

Place butter in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave at high in 30 second intervals until melted. Set aside.

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and pound each to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt, pepper, and any seasoning of choice. Top each breast half with 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of Swiss Cheese. Next place about 2-3 tablespoons of diced tomatoes on each of the four chicken breasts. (on top of the Swiss cheese). Roll up each breast half jelly-roll fashion. Dip each roll in melted butter; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place rolls, seam side down, in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until juices run clear and tops are golden.

Salmon Patties

1 (15 3/4 oz.) can salmon drained
2 eggs- beaten
Approx. 16-20 crackers (must be enough to hold together mixture to form patties)
1/2 med. onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 tsp. ground pepper
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Empty 1 can salmon & juice into large mixing bowl (remove bones). Add 2 eggs. Add lemon juice. Stir mixture well. Add onion,celery, pepper, crackers. Stir.

Form into patties 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Set aside on plate or wax paper (make 5-6 patties). Let set 5 minutes.

In large frying pan heat 1/2 inch cooking oil to med. high temperature. Do not skimp on oil. When oil is hot place patties in pan and cook 4-5 minutes per side. Make sure patties get cooked all way through. Center should not be cold.

Lasagna Roll Ups

1 package uncooked lasagna noodles
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 (28 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 lb hamburger meat
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

**Season, brown, drain and add hamburger to the pasta sauce.

**Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 5 to 8 minutes, or until just slightly underdone; drain and rinse. Lay out noodles on top of tin foil on the counter.

**In a large mixing bowl, mix together grated cheese, ricotta cheese, 2eggs, and Parmesan cheese.

**Spray bottom of 13x9 pan with cooking spray, and then cover bottom with a thin layer of pasta sauce.

**Spread a layer of the cheese mixture on the noodle. Roll the noodle up, and place seam side down the pan. Repeat for other noodles. Top with remaining sauce.

**Cover pan with foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 min.

**Uncover the pan and add a little shredded cheddar cheese to the top of each roll up. Return to uven until the cheese is melted.

Cheeseeeee Beef & Noodles

1-1/4 lb. beef flank steak, cut across the grain into thin slices
1 medium onion, sliced
1-1/2 cups water
3 cups egg noodles, uncooked
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) Velveeta cut in squares
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp. black pepper

What to do:


Spray large skillet with Pam. Add steak and onions; cook and stir on medium-high heat 4 minutes or until steak is no longer pink.
Stir in water. Bring to boil. Add noodles; return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 7 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring frequently.
Then add remaining ingredients; stir. Cook until velveeta is completely melted and mixture is well blended.

Different Ideas: Try adding broccoli or carrots.

Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion
1 can mexican rotel
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can chili beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn
1 package old el paso original taco seasoning
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing Mix

First dice the onion.

Brown the hamburger with the onion.

Drain any grease and place into a crockpot.

Add the remaining ingredients (do not drain) to the crockpot and simmer for about 4 hours.

Crockpot Chicken & Dumplins

What you need:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 onion, finely diced
2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces

What to do:
Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.

Potato Soup

1 pound baking potatoes, cut into cubes
1 (14.25 ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
3/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
2 tablespoons sliced green onions, divided
1/4 cup Sour Cream
1/2 Stick of Butter

Place cubed potatoes in large microwaveable bowl and cover with seran wrap; microwave on HIGH 5 min., stirring every 2-1/2 min. Add broth, butter and milk to bowl; stir. Microwave on HIGH 15-20 min., stirring after 5 min. Crush potatoes with a potato masher.
Reserve 2 Tbsp. each of the bacon and cheese and 1 Tbsp. of the onions for topping; set aside. Add remaining bacon, cheese and onions to soup.
Serve topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.

Brown Derbies

What you need:

Derby:
2 lbs ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 Lg Onion

Sauce:
3 cans Campbell's beef gravy
5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt and Pepper
1/4 cup margarine
4 tablespoons flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set to the side

Lightly spray a large casserole dish with non stick spray

Mix the ingredients for the derby (w/o onion) and form into 8 patties

Place the patties in a single layer in the casserole dish

Slice the onion and place the slices on top of the patties

Next pour the sauce onto the patties

Cover the casserole dish with foil

Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until patties are cooked all the way through

I usually serve this with mashed potatoes, to utilize the extra brown gravy from the dish

You can actually change this up by using the seasonings that you prefer

Grilled Pepperoni Chicken Breasts

What you need:

4-6 chicken breasts
8-12 slices pepperjack cheese
24-36 pepperoni slices
toothpicks

1. Lay chicken breasts flat on counter and pound out until thin.
2. In center of chicken, place 3 pepperoni in a row.
3. Place a slice of cheese on top of the pepperoni.
4. Line 3 more pepperoni on the cheese slice.
5. Next roll the chicken like a jelly roll and place toothpick(s) through the
center to hold in place.
6. Grill the chicken until done. Cooking times vary between grills.
7. Before taking the chicken off the grill, place another slice of pepperjack cheese on top of the chicken and melt....

Zesty Chicken Strips

I heard someone talking about this chicken....and thought...hhhmmmm that doesn't sound right...I am glad I tried it though. It is YUMMY!

What you need:

1 Package of chicken breast (deboned)
6-8 eggs
1 package of Sour Cream & Onion Lays potato chips

Preheat oven to 400

Cut the chicken into strips or chunks. I found strips easier.

Crack the eggs and place them in a large Ziploc bag along with the chicken, to coat the chicken. Shake and smoosh the bag and have fun....lol

Next place foil on a large cookie sheet, and spray the foil with non stick spray.

Open the bag of chips and let your frustrations out if you have any. Basically crush all the chips into very small pieces.

***Next take out ONE piece of chicken from the egg mixture and place in the chip bag and coat the chicken.

***Place the chicken on the cookie sheet.

Repeat the ***steps until complete

Bake at 400 degrees until the chicken in a deep golden brown. (timing depends on size and amount of strips)

This is also a good recipe for the kids to help with. They have alot of fun with the chicken in the egg mixture and shaking the chicken in the chip bag.

Anyhow, I challenge you to try this...you will be surprised!

Black Bean Salsa

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
3/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes
1 can white corn, drained
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 jalapenos, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Add all the ingredients together and stir up for a yummy salsa dip!

Yummy Alfredo Sauce

So, I was getting a little tired of pouring Alfredo sauce from the jar. It never seemed to taste right to me. I searched and combined and came up with the perfect and simple recipe for Alfredo sauce that my whole family enjoys. Chicken Alfredo has become Kobi's absolute favorite meal.

What you need:

1/4 stick of butter
1/4 stick of margarine
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

1. First in a large sauce pan, melt the butter and margarine
2. Next add white pepper, garlic powder, whipping cream and Parmesan cheese
to the melted butter.
3. Stir continuously over a medium heat. Keep heating until cheese has melted
and sauce thickens just a bit.
4. Next add the mozzarella cheese. Continue to stir until all the cheese has
melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If sauce is not as thick as you
would like, add a little more mozzarella to thicken it up.

Add this Alfredo to just about any kind of pasta. I have topped it with grilled chicken and even grilled shrimp and scallops.....YUMMY!

Still toying around

I am still toying around with my blog and html. Yes it is taking me forever it seems... I have now added some links over on the right side. I am following sneaky momma's blog designs and then I created backgrounds and headers using digital scrap book stuff from summertime designs and my microsoft picture it....I am so loving playing around!

So what do you think?

New Look

HA! This BLOG is temporarily out of order....

Please be patient while viewing my blog.... I am creating a new look.

Please come back to visit soon!

Sorry for the inconvenience....

I will post links to all that need to be credited to the designs soon.

Give me a BREAK!

I NEED A BREAK! Really Seriously I do! I am so stressed out over family stuff and it’s not even funny! OK now that I have that off my chest, I can resume to normal.

A few things I want to mention though that I am excited or HAPPY about:

• I have a wonderful hubby that not only helps out around the house… but he does so many extra projects. He just finished a double gate on the side of the house and will be tearing out a computer room/office that we have had for a few years. We need that 3rd car garage fully opened up.

• My child is doing REALLY good in High School! She actually comes home happy and does homework. She even likes her teachers! She is back to making good grades. Last year was SO rough!

• I sold some stuff on ebay! WOOT WOOT Made a little extra to add to my pay for my CPA exam that is way too expensive fund!

• I am hosting a Scentsy/Premier Jewelry Party in the beginning of October. YEAH! Two of my favorite things, jewelry and scentsy! I also love making tons of food and the entertaining my friends part...

• It is Fall! I am going to climb up in the attic this weekend and search for all my fall/Halloween decorations.

• I am also so happy the way Big Brother turned out!! I am glad that Jordan won. I was so not liking some of the others, you know the ones that are obviously jealous. I think she made the correct move bay taking Natalie to the end. I think Kevin would have won if he would have made it to the final two. Although, he really didn't do any more than Jordan did...except tell lies and back stab. But hey, that is what the game seems to be all about. My one vice is over... I am now away from the TV.(well except for some football)

Lastly I am going to tell you about a giveaway on another blog. Go visit the blog of her southern charm . She is having a Cambria Cove $100 Giveaway. This stuff is so awesome you must go look!

UH OH!

I am so so so horrible! I have so neglected my blog. I have just been SO busy and haven't had the time to set down. Crazy times! Here is a bit of what has been going on....

• First we had Labor Day and we were gone out camping in the travel trailer.
• I had food poisoning or stomach virus ALL night the night before we left on our trip. NO FUN!
• I had my EMG done, that was NO fun. They found nothing in the test to alarm them, so I go undiagnosed for now. The doctors want to stop testing me and see if my symptoms occur again.
• There are a few BIG deadlines coming up at work and I have been swamped!
• I have been a cleaning/organizing freak lately around the house. I HATE clutter!
• I have been doing alot of cooking & baking.
• I have started selling junk on ebay again.
• K has a boyfriend and phew, we let him come over and well, gotta stay on top of that situation. Not that I don't trust K, but they are teenagers....enough said.
• I have applied to become an applicant for the CPA exam. I hope to take the first of 4 tests in November. Can you say FREAKED OUT!
• I finally organized all 1000 songs on my computer and figured out how to work my ipod and itunes. I was so challenged in that area and it frustrated me!
• Gardens and flower beds have consumed alot of my time also.
• College football has started! Go Sooners! Go Pokes!... unless they are playing each other then it is GO SOONERS!
• My niece ran away from home. She has been missing since August 19. I just want to cry. Secretly, I really want her to come live with us, i want to try get her set back on the right path in life. Not that my brother and sis-in-law is not doing a good job....but I just would like to try. She seems to really open up and talk to me and the hubs. Two more years of school, that's it. I have faith in her... We just have to find her!
• I am getting ready to have a scentsy/jewelry party.... trying to plan for that.
• Our friends just bought a house in a nearby town.... they will now be 30 minutes away vs. 2 hours away.

So basically now that I blurted out all that has been going on.... I am taking my OCD self and soaking in a HOT bath, then crawling in bed. After I have K stop GIGGLING so loud as she talks to her boyfriend. I so love high school!

Just a boring ol’ post to update…

· Made 4 cakes this weekend. I am really starting to enjoy fondant more and more. I am getting used to working with it and I am not so stressed and worried about it turning out PREFECT. Here are 3 of them…



· We are planning a trip to the lake in the travel trailer. I plan on making lots of food! I love making food, have you noticed? We are going to have the football game on Saturday and I plan on having a big spread of fun foods. Today is Tuesday, we plan on leaving Thursday. No internet for 4-5 days. We may end up with NO fellow campers on this trip. That will be very VERY weird! We normally have 3-4 trailers camping together. I still plan on pigging out. It’s all about the food - right?

· The Hubs’ Grandmother is not doing well – AT ALL! Last night she was placed in the hospital for the first time in many years. She has made several trips to the ER lately and sadly enough, her health has been rapidly declining. The first round of news is that her kidneys are failing, her heart is having problems, and she needs an operation to fix a hernia ASAP. She was transported to a different hospital last night and we are now waiting test results and a plan of action. Even at 95 and with all of her ailments, she was still FULL of spunk last night when we went to visit her in the hospital. She had a lighted monitor on the end of her middle finger. When anyone would mention it, giving her a hard time that her finger was glowing, she would proudly give them the middle finger and laugh. She also wanted a mixed drink and a slot machine to occupy her time, she was bored. Gotta love her!

· Today is my birthday… I am slowly creeping up to that 4 – 0 mark….

· Did I mention we leave in 2 days? 7am Thursday morning to be exact. I have yet to pack anything… Maybe I should start?

**UPDATE**
Father-in-law is now going camping with us... YEAH, not totally by ourselves now.

Even better news on the home-front tonight. The Hubs' Grandmother is doing better. She is now getting hydrated. Seems not being able to keep things down for 5 days did her in so to speak... Her kidneys are still functioning at 20%. They are hopeful that they will get betterwith the hydration. Please pray that they do, because if not, she has to live with them at 20%. They can not do Dialysis, they said her body would not tollerate the process. They think the illness and sickness is do to gall stones. They are looking into that more. They believe they can deaden her stomach and move her hernia around so it will not cause the problems that it is now. This is good, because they didn't think her body would tollerate the surgery. At 95 she is still putting up a good fight!