1 pkg. of your favorite chops - I used pork steaks
2 to 3 jars of gravy - any flavor - I used pork flavor
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Sear pork chops of both sides. Mix gravy & soup together & pour over chops in crock pot. Cook on low 1/2 day.
I found this recipe on Crock Pot Girls site after a friend told me about it. My friend has made it again since then & adapted it to her liking. She added an envelope of onion soup to it & used the Reames frozen noodles at the end of cooking. When I made it I used 2 jars of gravy & served over mashed potatoes. I did feel like the gravy mixture was a bit runny so adding the Reames noodles at the end might help thicken up the gravy mixture.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
1 12 oz can evaporated milk (un-diluted)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can green chilies
2 tsp dried onions
1 or 2 cans (10-13 oz) chicken (or 1 1/2 to 3 cups diced cooked chicken or turkey)
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, jack, mozarella, or a mix)
20 corn tortillas or 12 flour tortillas
Preheat oven to 350ยบ.
Mix evaporated milk, soup, onions and chilies in a saucepan. Heat through.
Spray (or grease) a 9x13 or 10 x 15 pan.
Mix 1/2 of sauce with chicken & 1/2 of cheese. Spread on each tortilla. Roll up tortilla and put in pan. When all tortillas are full, spread remaining sauce on top of all. Top with cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted, about 20-30 minutes.
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can green chilies
2 tsp dried onions
1 or 2 cans (10-13 oz) chicken (or 1 1/2 to 3 cups diced cooked chicken or turkey)
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (cheddar, jack, mozarella, or a mix)
20 corn tortillas or 12 flour tortillas
Preheat oven to 350ยบ.
Mix evaporated milk, soup, onions and chilies in a saucepan. Heat through.
Spray (or grease) a 9x13 or 10 x 15 pan.
Mix 1/2 of sauce with chicken & 1/2 of cheese. Spread on each tortilla. Roll up tortilla and put in pan. When all tortillas are full, spread remaining sauce on top of all. Top with cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese is melted, about 20-30 minutes.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Soap Box
I am probably going to offend someone by this post or step on someone's toes but it is really bugging me & I have to get it off my chest.
Yesterday I went to lunch with a co-worker. We were having work discussions over our meal & discussing other things as well. We chose to eat at Carlo's O'Kelly's & were seated in the bar. The booth we were seated at was directly behind another booth were a few people & a small child were dining. The child was being entertained by a video on a cell phone with the volume turned up very loudly. I do not know this for sure but am guessing it was as loud as it could be. The child was making screeching noises over the enjoyment of the video. The adults were then trying to talk over the noise of the video & the child & in turn were so loud that I could not hear the conversation at the table I was sitting at.
Don't get me wrong, I have children & have been in this situation but I feel like as a parent it is my job to not disrupt the surroundings of everyone else. I always keep a pair of headphones in my purse for this very reason because not everyone else wants to hear what my child is watching or listening to on the device that is keeping them busy. I feel that it was extremely rude of these people to just keep getting louder but my husband keeps telling me that is the way people are anymore. Everyone thinks that since they are paying customers it is their right to act however they want & who cares if it offends anyone else.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO COMMON COURTESY??
Yesterday I went to lunch with a co-worker. We were having work discussions over our meal & discussing other things as well. We chose to eat at Carlo's O'Kelly's & were seated in the bar. The booth we were seated at was directly behind another booth were a few people & a small child were dining. The child was being entertained by a video on a cell phone with the volume turned up very loudly. I do not know this for sure but am guessing it was as loud as it could be. The child was making screeching noises over the enjoyment of the video. The adults were then trying to talk over the noise of the video & the child & in turn were so loud that I could not hear the conversation at the table I was sitting at.
Don't get me wrong, I have children & have been in this situation but I feel like as a parent it is my job to not disrupt the surroundings of everyone else. I always keep a pair of headphones in my purse for this very reason because not everyone else wants to hear what my child is watching or listening to on the device that is keeping them busy. I feel that it was extremely rude of these people to just keep getting louder but my husband keeps telling me that is the way people are anymore. Everyone thinks that since they are paying customers it is their right to act however they want & who cares if it offends anyone else.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO COMMON COURTESY??
Friday, August 19, 2011
Move In Day
The day finally arrived - Move in day for college. Hard to believe my little girl is a college student. I am so proud of her & know she is going to do great things! I will miss her terribly & the house is so quiet with her away. Can't wait for fall break!!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Meatball Casserole
My daughter is leaving for college this week & has requested a couple of her favorites dishes for dinner before she leaves. This is one of them.
18 oz. package of frozen meatballs - I use the Kroger brand of Italian Style meatballs. We have experimented with different kinds & this one is our favorite.
1 pkg. of frozen mixed vegetables - I use the Birdseye Steam Fresh kind - again this one is our favorite & the carrots are bigger so they don't get mushy.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
Bow tie pasta
Put everything except noodles in crockpot & stir to mix. Cook on low 4 hours. Throw in cooked noodles just before serving.
18 oz. package of frozen meatballs - I use the Kroger brand of Italian Style meatballs. We have experimented with different kinds & this one is our favorite.
1 pkg. of frozen mixed vegetables - I use the Birdseye Steam Fresh kind - again this one is our favorite & the carrots are bigger so they don't get mushy.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
Bow tie pasta
Put everything except noodles in crockpot & stir to mix. Cook on low 4 hours. Throw in cooked noodles just before serving.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
STONE
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT .
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND,
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH.
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE
ON A STONE:
'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE'
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT'
LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON,
AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM,
A DAY
TO LOVE THEM,
BUT THEN,
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.
SEND THIS TO
THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER
FORGET.
I JUST DID..
IF YOU DON'T
SEND IT TO ANYONE,
IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A
HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE
FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS.
TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!
DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE
WHO YOU HAVE KNOWN IN YOUR LIFE!
AND IF I HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK,
THEN I KNOW MY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
THROUGH THE DESERT .
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND,
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH.
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE
ON A STONE:
'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE'
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'
THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT'
LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON,
AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM,
A DAY
TO LOVE THEM,
BUT THEN,
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.
SEND THIS TO
THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER
FORGET.
I JUST DID..
IF YOU DON'T
SEND IT TO ANYONE,
IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A
HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE
FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS.
TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!
DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE
WHO YOU HAVE KNOWN IN YOUR LIFE!
AND IF I HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK,
THEN I KNOW MY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Friday, August 5, 2011
BAD DOG
This dog may be the death of me - she is SO BAD! She is lucky she is SO cute & that we love her so much. So glad we bought this house & furnishings for our animals - HA!!
My Boys
I LOVE this pic. It says so much about my boys. I originally took this pic with my cell phone & my shadow was in it as well. I forwarded it to my AWESOME friend, Liz Harp, & she removed my shadow & made it all fancy. She has been taking my kids pics since they were born. I love her to death & consider her a great person & friend. She does great work & I wouldn't have anyone else do our pics. It was so much fun when she did my daughter's senior pics. I think that watching her grow up & taking her pics all this time she was really able to capture her personality.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Creamy Frozen Key Lime Pie taken from Mommy's Kitchen
1 - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 - cup evaporated milk
1/2 - cup freshly squeezed key lime juice or regular lime juice
1 - prepared graham cracker, shortbread or vanilla wafer crust
In a medium sized bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the condensed and evaporated milk. Beat until smooth. On medium speed, add lime juice and beat for one minute. Pour mixture into prepared crust and freeze at least 2 hours. Let stand at room temperature 10 - 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with whipped cream, lime slices or mint. Store leftover pie in the freezer. (Leftovers???)
1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 - cup evaporated milk
1/2 - cup freshly squeezed key lime juice or regular lime juice
1 - prepared graham cracker, shortbread or vanilla wafer crust
In a medium sized bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the condensed and evaporated milk. Beat until smooth. On medium speed, add lime juice and beat for one minute. Pour mixture into prepared crust and freeze at least 2 hours. Let stand at room temperature 10 - 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with whipped cream, lime slices or mint. Store leftover pie in the freezer. (Leftovers???)
Family Gatherings
Well I got the dreaded email today. I knew it was coming so not sure why I was so surprised to see it in my inbox. My niece has a birthday coming up so I knew we would be getting an invitation for a birthday party. Let me just say that I HATE family gatherings. At least with my family anyway. I always feel like an outsider & that the only reason we were invited is out of obligation.
I am so envious of people with close families. The ones who do everything together & their siblings are really close friends. I'm not sure if it is because there is such an age difference between my brothers & I or that we really don't have much in common or what the deal is but I would not say that we are close at all.
I actually feel closer to other peoples families. I am much more comfortable when it is just MY family which to me is my husband & children. I don't mind spending time with my husband's family, they don't make me feel uncomfortable at all, & I actually feel like I belong there. I have the best MIL in the world. She treats me like one of her own kids. My FIL did also & we really miss him a lot. It has been almost 2 years now since he passed away.
I can't really explain why I feel this way about my family but it is the way I feel. It seems like everything I do is being judged & nothing is ever good enough but everything my brothers do is golden. At my age I would just rather not be where I am not welcome. I am perfectly happy being me & just hanging with MY family.
So I will go to the party & drink heavily to medicate to deal with my surroundings. This is my obligation since being invited.
I am so envious of people with close families. The ones who do everything together & their siblings are really close friends. I'm not sure if it is because there is such an age difference between my brothers & I or that we really don't have much in common or what the deal is but I would not say that we are close at all.
I actually feel closer to other peoples families. I am much more comfortable when it is just MY family which to me is my husband & children. I don't mind spending time with my husband's family, they don't make me feel uncomfortable at all, & I actually feel like I belong there. I have the best MIL in the world. She treats me like one of her own kids. My FIL did also & we really miss him a lot. It has been almost 2 years now since he passed away.
I can't really explain why I feel this way about my family but it is the way I feel. It seems like everything I do is being judged & nothing is ever good enough but everything my brothers do is golden. At my age I would just rather not be where I am not welcome. I am perfectly happy being me & just hanging with MY family.
So I will go to the party & drink heavily to medicate to deal with my surroundings. This is my obligation since being invited.
45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone elses, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone elses, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Cheesesteak/French Dip Sandwiches
2 cups beef broth
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 lb. Black Angus rare roast beef
Sliced provolone cheese (2 slices per sandwich)
4 hoagie rolls
Bring beef broth and onion soup mix to a boil. Add roast beef, reduce heat & simmer 5 minutes. Top rolls with roast beef & top with cheese. Put open faced sandwiches under broiler until cheese is melted & bubbly & bread is slightly toasted. Remove from oven & close sandwich bread. Serve with left over broth as dipping juice if desired. Yummy!
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 lb. Black Angus rare roast beef
Sliced provolone cheese (2 slices per sandwich)
4 hoagie rolls
Bring beef broth and onion soup mix to a boil. Add roast beef, reduce heat & simmer 5 minutes. Top rolls with roast beef & top with cheese. Put open faced sandwiches under broiler until cheese is melted & bubbly & bread is slightly toasted. Remove from oven & close sandwich bread. Serve with left over broth as dipping juice if desired. Yummy!
Cost of Feeding a Family
So I really need to go to the grocery store & have been dragging my feet due to a lot of things: heat, work, going to the gym, running kids around, etc. But really I'm just making excuses I just don't want to go.
I am a couponer & try to do what I can to make the most of my hard earned dollar. My family sometimes groans, rolls their eyes & gives me the usual "oh mom" but I always tell them even if I am only saving 50 cents that is 50 cents that I get to keep in my pocket & every little bit adds up.
I would not call myself an "extreme couponer" as I have never been able to get hundreds of groceries for free or next to nothing but I enjoy taking advantage of a good deal when I find one. I don't agree with the people who buy out the shelves just because something is free & they are trying to create a "stock pile". All I want to do is find good deals for things that my family actually needs & uses. The people on the show are boarder line hoarders in my opinion but what the heck do I know?! When I have coupons the most I ever buy is 2 of the same item. It really isn't fair to the rest of the shoppers to clean the shelves & leave nothing for anyone else.
So, another reason I haven't been to the store is because I don't have my list & coupons organized to go either. Couponing is very time consuming & you need to be a pretty good organizer & I have recently tried to change my routine by putting everything in a binder & it is hard to get used to this but I am trying.
I have found a couple of really good sites to direct you to some good deals. The Krazy Coupon Lady is great & they had a spot on TLC's Extreme Couponing show. Another is Frugal Fritzie - I like this one because she tells you the deals she thinks are the best & what coupons to use to get the deals at Dillon's. Dillon's is a Kroger store but their ad is a little different sometimes than Kroger's.
Tonight I stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up a few needed items & some things to make dinner. I walked out of the store with 3 bags & spent $35.02. Crazy! I didn't pick up any impulse items either. For dinner I fixed these Cheesesteak/French Dip Sandwiches so picked up the rolls, deli roast beef, provolone cheese & beef broth plus 2 bags of potato chips. I knew we were out of coffee & creamer so picked those up as well & hamburger & hot dog buns. Almost forgot I did buy a tub of whipped cream cheese. I did not buy any name brand items, the Wal-Mart Great Value brand was the majority of what was in my cart. The deli roast beef was the most expensive item. Anyway, I felt that what I ended up spending was a lot compared to what I actually walked out with but it is so costly to feed a family these days.
My question to you is what do you do to save money at the grocery store trying to feed your family in this tough economy?
Jill
I am a couponer & try to do what I can to make the most of my hard earned dollar. My family sometimes groans, rolls their eyes & gives me the usual "oh mom" but I always tell them even if I am only saving 50 cents that is 50 cents that I get to keep in my pocket & every little bit adds up.
I would not call myself an "extreme couponer" as I have never been able to get hundreds of groceries for free or next to nothing but I enjoy taking advantage of a good deal when I find one. I don't agree with the people who buy out the shelves just because something is free & they are trying to create a "stock pile". All I want to do is find good deals for things that my family actually needs & uses. The people on the show are boarder line hoarders in my opinion but what the heck do I know?! When I have coupons the most I ever buy is 2 of the same item. It really isn't fair to the rest of the shoppers to clean the shelves & leave nothing for anyone else.
So, another reason I haven't been to the store is because I don't have my list & coupons organized to go either. Couponing is very time consuming & you need to be a pretty good organizer & I have recently tried to change my routine by putting everything in a binder & it is hard to get used to this but I am trying.
I have found a couple of really good sites to direct you to some good deals. The Krazy Coupon Lady is great & they had a spot on TLC's Extreme Couponing show. Another is Frugal Fritzie - I like this one because she tells you the deals she thinks are the best & what coupons to use to get the deals at Dillon's. Dillon's is a Kroger store but their ad is a little different sometimes than Kroger's.
Tonight I stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up a few needed items & some things to make dinner. I walked out of the store with 3 bags & spent $35.02. Crazy! I didn't pick up any impulse items either. For dinner I fixed these Cheesesteak/French Dip Sandwiches so picked up the rolls, deli roast beef, provolone cheese & beef broth plus 2 bags of potato chips. I knew we were out of coffee & creamer so picked those up as well & hamburger & hot dog buns. Almost forgot I did buy a tub of whipped cream cheese. I did not buy any name brand items, the Wal-Mart Great Value brand was the majority of what was in my cart. The deli roast beef was the most expensive item. Anyway, I felt that what I ended up spending was a lot compared to what I actually walked out with but it is so costly to feed a family these days.
My question to you is what do you do to save money at the grocery store trying to feed your family in this tough economy?
Jill
Monday, August 1, 2011
Real Housewives
Ok I am not a huge fan of reality TV but I did find myself watching an episode of The Real Housewives of New York one time only because my cousin lives on the island where the Housewives were vacationing & had a spot on the show being their waiter. All it took was that one time & I was hooked.
These shows are like a train wreck - you know you shouldn't watch but you can't help it. Do grown womenreally act like this & treat each other this badly? They really have no clue what REAL HOUSEWIVES are really like. They are spoiled & live a life of luxury that most housewives will never be able to grasp.
It is entertaining but what is really funny is when they have their reunions & really start lashing out at each other. They are not what I would call true friends at all & they seem to take great pleasure in bringing each other down.
I am referring to ALL of the Real Housewives shows. Once bitten by the New York ladies I had to check them all out & believe me I really don't watch that much TV but it seems there will be a re-run on Bravo when I am cooking dinner or doing something in the kitchen.
I have even found my favorites to side with on each version of the show so I guess you can say that I have been sucked in as well as the rest of the silly world.
What does anyone else think of these shows?
Jill
These shows are like a train wreck - you know you shouldn't watch but you can't help it. Do grown womenreally act like this & treat each other this badly? They really have no clue what REAL HOUSEWIVES are really like. They are spoiled & live a life of luxury that most housewives will never be able to grasp.
It is entertaining but what is really funny is when they have their reunions & really start lashing out at each other. They are not what I would call true friends at all & they seem to take great pleasure in bringing each other down.
I am referring to ALL of the Real Housewives shows. Once bitten by the New York ladies I had to check them all out & believe me I really don't watch that much TV but it seems there will be a re-run on Bravo when I am cooking dinner or doing something in the kitchen.
I have even found my favorites to side with on each version of the show so I guess you can say that I have been sucked in as well as the rest of the silly world.
What does anyone else think of these shows?
Jill
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Cheeseburger Macaroni
1 lb lean hamburger meat
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (or petite diced tomatoes)
2 cups beef broth (or water)
1 cup elbow macaroni
Brown and drain hamburger meat. Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, beef broth, and macaroni. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and cover pan. Simmer 12-14 mins until macaroni is tender.
Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce….
2 Tablespoons butter
2 tbsp flour
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking for 5 minutes until fragrant and light brown in color. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Add the salt and pepper to the cheese sauce. Pour the cheese sauce over the hamburger mixture. Stir gently to combine.
Serves 4.
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (or petite diced tomatoes)
2 cups beef broth (or water)
1 cup elbow macaroni
Brown and drain hamburger meat. Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, beef broth, and macaroni. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and cover pan. Simmer 12-14 mins until macaroni is tender.
Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce….
2 Tablespoons butter
2 tbsp flour
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking for 5 minutes until fragrant and light brown in color. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Add the salt and pepper to the cheese sauce. Pour the cheese sauce over the hamburger mixture. Stir gently to combine.
Serves 4.
Kindergarten BFF's
My Son
This is my youngest child - you cannot even imagine how much this kid means to me. There are not many people who really "Get" him & that is what I love about him - that he is different & hears the beat of a different drum than most people.
I almost forgot to mention - he got 2nd place in his flight at the junior golf tournament. He probably should have been a 9 holer but this is where that being different comes in. One of the adults in the group doesn't "Get" him & felt that he wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing so put him in 5 holes again. We are OK with that because we do "Get" him & this was right where he needed to be.
He had a really special teacher in 3rd grade that "Got" him & she holds a very special place in my heart. He had a great teacher for 6th grade as well & I have a lot of respect for her also. Those are the only 2 teachers that have every really understood him.
I know there will be great things for him as he grows & I can't wait to watch them happen!
Time for a change
I started this blog when myself & 2 friends tried to create a group of exchanging meals to make our lives easier. Not exactly sure what happened but things didn't really work out. Maybe we are just too busy or maybe not everyone liked what the others fixed & felt like they put more effort into it & didn't want to commit anymore. Whatever the reason, I still love both of them & did enjoy the meals but I understand that our lives are so busy & it was hard to pull off.
I still love cooking & do try to make double batches of things to keep in the freezer to have on hand for those busy evenings that I don't have time to cook.
Things are getting ready to change in my life - I knew they were coming & am trying to roll with it.
The company I work for is growing so things are changing there & my oldest child is leaving for college in approximately 17 days.
In other words, my home life will be different & my schedule at work will be changing as well. I am looking at the work schedule change as an opportunity to start running again. The past year I had changed my hours to 7:30 - 4:00 taking a 1/2 hour for lunch since I hardly ever leave for lunch it just seemed to make sense to me. Whatever I guess it didn't really make sense to my co-workers but then again I am the oldest employee & my point of view doesn't jive w/them at all. Oh well, like I said I am making an attempt to roll with the changes being made & am going to start running again. Maybe it will help me lose the 20 lbs. that I have regained. UGGGGG!!
I really enjoy running & going to the gym but it seems when I really start focusing on myself everything around me starts falling apart. Going to do it anyway - Like the title says - Time for a change!
Jill
I still love cooking & do try to make double batches of things to keep in the freezer to have on hand for those busy evenings that I don't have time to cook.
Things are getting ready to change in my life - I knew they were coming & am trying to roll with it.
The company I work for is growing so things are changing there & my oldest child is leaving for college in approximately 17 days.
In other words, my home life will be different & my schedule at work will be changing as well. I am looking at the work schedule change as an opportunity to start running again. The past year I had changed my hours to 7:30 - 4:00 taking a 1/2 hour for lunch since I hardly ever leave for lunch it just seemed to make sense to me. Whatever I guess it didn't really make sense to my co-workers but then again I am the oldest employee & my point of view doesn't jive w/them at all. Oh well, like I said I am making an attempt to roll with the changes being made & am going to start running again. Maybe it will help me lose the 20 lbs. that I have regained. UGGGGG!!
I really enjoy running & going to the gym but it seems when I really start focusing on myself everything around me starts falling apart. Going to do it anyway - Like the title says - Time for a change!
Jill
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Slow Cooker Pizza Pork Chops
1 16 oz. package of Orzo pasta
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Pork steaks approximately 2 1/4 lbs. 1" thick
Salt & pepper to season
1 T vegetable oil
Minced onion
1 large jar of spaghetti sauce (I use Ragu)
Heat vegetable oil in pan. Cook chops until brown on each side - approximately 5 minutes. Put chops in crockpot. Season chops with salt & pepper & sprinkle with desired amount of minced onion. Pour Ragu over chops. Cook on low 4 to 6 hours.
Cook Orzo according to package directions.
Top Orzo with chops & sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Serve.
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Pork steaks approximately 2 1/4 lbs. 1" thick
Salt & pepper to season
1 T vegetable oil
Minced onion
1 large jar of spaghetti sauce (I use Ragu)
Heat vegetable oil in pan. Cook chops until brown on each side - approximately 5 minutes. Put chops in crockpot. Season chops with salt & pepper & sprinkle with desired amount of minced onion. Pour Ragu over chops. Cook on low 4 to 6 hours.
Cook Orzo according to package directions.
Top Orzo with chops & sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Serve.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
2 sticks butter/margarine, softened
1 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C. sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. bakinng soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 C. oatmeal (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 C. chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well. Spray 13 X 9 pan with Pam. Spread mixture into pan and bake for 35 minutes.
1 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C. sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. bakinng soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 C. oatmeal (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 C. chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well. Spray 13 X 9 pan with Pam. Spread mixture into pan and bake for 35 minutes.
Chicken Spaghetti
1 lb. uncooked spaghetti
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or cut into chunks
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 lb. Velveeta (regular or Mild Mexican)
1 can Ro-Tel
1 can (4.5 oz) sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/3 C. milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook spaghetti as directed on package
Cook chicken and shred/cut into chunks. Add Velveeta, milk, mushrooms, soup & rotel; stir until Velveeta is melted.
Add chicken mixture to cooked spaghetti
Spoon into 13 X 9 baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes. (I dished mine into (2) smaller baking dishes and froze one dish for another night)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or cut into chunks
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 lb. Velveeta (regular or Mild Mexican)
1 can Ro-Tel
1 can (4.5 oz) sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/3 C. milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook spaghetti as directed on package
Cook chicken and shred/cut into chunks. Add Velveeta, milk, mushrooms, soup & rotel; stir until Velveeta is melted.
Add chicken mixture to cooked spaghetti
Spoon into 13 X 9 baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes. (I dished mine into (2) smaller baking dishes and froze one dish for another night)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Swiss & Stuffing Chicken Casserole
6 to 8 boneless chicken breasts
6 to 8 slices Swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
1 cup herb seasoned stuffing
1/4 cup melted butter
Arrange chicken in bottom of pan & place a slice of cheese on each breast. In small bowl mix soup & milk. Pour evenly over chicken & cheese. Top with stuffing. Drizzle butter over stuffing. Bake @ 325 degrees for 1 hour or until chicken is tender.
6 to 8 slices Swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
1 cup herb seasoned stuffing
1/4 cup melted butter
Arrange chicken in bottom of pan & place a slice of cheese on each breast. In small bowl mix soup & milk. Pour evenly over chicken & cheese. Top with stuffing. Drizzle butter over stuffing. Bake @ 325 degrees for 1 hour or until chicken is tender.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Cornbread with Yellow Cake Mix
Ingredients
* 1 box Jiffy cornbread
* 1 box Jiffy yellow cake mix
* 1/2 c. water
* 1/2 c. milk
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 c. oil
Instructions
1. Bake in greased 8 x 8 inch pan.
2. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Check for doughiness and use a toothpick in the middle to make sure it comes out clean.
* 1 box Jiffy cornbread
* 1 box Jiffy yellow cake mix
* 1/2 c. water
* 1/2 c. milk
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 c. oil
Instructions
1. Bake in greased 8 x 8 inch pan.
2. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Check for doughiness and use a toothpick in the middle to make sure it comes out clean.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Texas Roadhouse Green Beans
*
2 (16 ounce) cans of green beans, drained
*
2 cups water
*
1 TBSP sugar
*
1/2 tsp pepper
*
4 ounces bacon, diced and raw (I used about 5 strips)
*
4 ounces onion
Directions:
* Drain green beans and set aside.
* Mix water, sugar and pepper until well incorporated. Set aside.
* Preheat your cooking pan to medium high heat.
*
Dice the raw bacon into equal size pieces and throw them in your pan. Continually stir to keep baking from burning.
*
Once bacon is cooked, add the onions and cook until they are tender.
*
Now that the onions are tender, add the liquid mixture.
*
Stir the mixture until incorporated. Bring mixture to a boil and then return the heat to simmer. Simmer until ready to serve.
2 (16 ounce) cans of green beans, drained
*
2 cups water
*
1 TBSP sugar
*
1/2 tsp pepper
*
4 ounces bacon, diced and raw (I used about 5 strips)
*
4 ounces onion
Directions:
* Drain green beans and set aside.
* Mix water, sugar and pepper until well incorporated. Set aside.
* Preheat your cooking pan to medium high heat.
*
Dice the raw bacon into equal size pieces and throw them in your pan. Continually stir to keep baking from burning.
*
Once bacon is cooked, add the onions and cook until they are tender.
*
Now that the onions are tender, add the liquid mixture.
*
Stir the mixture until incorporated. Bring mixture to a boil and then return the heat to simmer. Simmer until ready to serve.
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