Week 60 Saturday (3/7/15)

               What the Beck?

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Mango Pico de Gallo        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages: 132 - 133      Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins

         Mango Pico de Gallo sounds refreshing for some reason.  Of course, the tomatoes make it a no for me. A few weeks ago, I made a wonderful smoothie that contained mangos, peaches, and bananas that was exceptional. I guess a mango makes me think of something tropical, thus refreshing.  This would probably be a great snack for sitting around the pool.  Too bad I don’t have the pool, and can’t eat the dip.  Life just ain’t fair some days.

        

        

Random Reflections             

Sisters, Sisters

       This week was wonderful because I went out with all of my sisters. We met at a bar called Alley 64 in St. Charles. We had a sister’s night, and it was REALLY fun. We just laughed and enjoyed each other’s company.

         One of the sweetest parts of the night, was that the bill was paid by my brother-in-laws, Greg and Rick. What a kind and thoughtful thing to do!

         If you have never been to Alley 64, I strongly recommend this place. The girls ordered hors de oeuvres, and I had a yummy chop salad. The food was very good. The salad was so large that I ate half for dinner, and the other half for lunch the next day. 

         I am so glad that we met for dinner. I am so blessed to have three wonderful sisters!

The Scent Sisters

Week 60 Friday (3/6/15)

Recipe Review      

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Chipotle Salsa

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

         Pages:  138 - 139     Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins

         This is a creamy, smooth salsa that is rich in color. There have been many times when Ree cooks with Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and it truly makes for a wonderful flavor. If you are a salsa and chips kind of guy or girl, then this has to be better than the old store bought type.  I am now a total convert to fresh and homemade as opposed to jarred or packaged. I can truly say this from my heart, because for years I ate out of packaged boxes. It is so funny now to realize that there are almost no boxes in my recycling bin.

Fabulous “Family and Friends” Food

Chicken with Rice

(an early recipe of my Mom’s)

Ingredients:

2 cups uncooked rice (not Minute Rice)

cut up chicken (gave no amount)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

3 cans (mushroom soup cans) of water

Spray the bottom of the pan with Pam spray. Sprinkle the rice on the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Place the chicken on top of the rice. Next, combine the water and the soup, and then pour it over the chicken. Bake it in a 350 degree oven for two hours.

I loved this recipe of my Mom’s. It was one of my childhood favorites.

Week 60 Thursday (3/5/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Dr Pepper Cupcakes

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages:  45 - 47     Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 338 calories per serving, if 24 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         These are very interesting and have ingredients that surprised me. Ree says that they are more like a spice cupcake, which makes sense since it has a lot of spices. I was surprised that it used 5 cups of Dr. Pepper. I could not seem to locate anise seed, which may have significantly changed the flavor.  Two grocery stores did not have it so I made the cupcakes without this spice. This first paragraph is written as I wait for them to cool so I have no idea of the flavor.

         I tasted them!  They are so unique. The cake does taste like a mild spice cake, but the frosting in a butter cream with a slight Dr. Pepper and citrus flavor.  I really liked them. Jenny Anderson said it best, "These are adult cupcakes."  I agree because the flavors are so different but I liked trying something new.  I would make them again.

 Two of the ingredients that make these moist 

cupcakes are the dried cherries and prunes

Here I added cocoa to the milk

I added these four spices but I couldn't 

find the anise seed that I needed

 I added the spices to the dry ingredients

The eggs go into the batter

 Ree suggests using a large 

scoop to fill the muffins papers

 Here they are loaded and ready to bake

They have a lot of texture and are so moist

 I was happy how they turned out

Random Reflections

         I love the show 19 Kids and Counting.  During this season they are featuring the wedding of Jessa and Ben. This really is a random thought because I surprised myself. I fell in love with the dress that Jessa selected as her wedding dress.  I have never really thought about what I would like in a wedding dress, but her dress took my breath. They called the color blush, but to me it was light pink.  Is that what blush is?  I thought blush was beiger.  What am I talking about? 

         The top of her dress had short cap sleeves and was beaded. It had a wide sash that looked shiny. The skirt was full and flowy or is it flowey or flowee.  OMG – this is more random than I expected. Oh well, let’s just say that I would have said yes to the dress.

      

Irksome Ideas and Images

         Sometimes I am a real space, and forget to change the clocks forward or backward. I absolutely love daylight savings time, because I can get a lot more accomplished when we have additional hours of daylight. I hear people say that they hate it, but I must admit that it just makes me happy.  However, I get irritated with myself when I forget when to change the clocks. One time I arrived somewhere an hour early because I didn’t remember to switch those clocks.  What a major space case!  Please tell me that I am not the only one to do that.

Week 60 Wednesday (3/4/15)

Recipe Review      

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Glorious Guacamole        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages:  136 - 137   Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins 

This is an imaginative guacamole. In this recipe, Ree combines her Straight Up Pico de Gallo with her Mango Pico de Gallo and her Watermelon Pico de Gallo.  Now that, is a mouthful.I guess if you love a chunky guacamole mixed with three different types of Pico de Gallo, then this is the perfect dish for you.

Gabbin’ About Gratitude

          Tuesday night, I called my Mom to share some news. I feel so blessed that I can call my Mom and run ideas and thoughts by her. I needed her reassurance in my plans, and as usual I was rewarded. She understands my concerns and fears, and always helps me work through my problems. I always feel better after we talk, and I know that I am going in the right direction in my life choices.  Thank God for my Mom.  I love you, Nurse Norma.

Memory Musings

When I moved back to Illinois from Florida, I applied for a job as a secretary/receptionist at ReMax Realtors. This was a job I did part time as I attended junior college. I loved working with a school classmate, Jeff Jordan. He is a great guy, and a fabulous realtor. This was another fun experience in the work force.

Week 60 Tuesday (3/3/15)

Recipe Review                        

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Scalloped Potatoes with Ham        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages:  122 - 123     Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins OR

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/04/scalloped-potatoes-and-ham/

I figured out that there are 330 calories per serving, if 9 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         This is not your usual scalloped potatoes and ham recipe. It is rich and creamy and cheesy. I did add a little bit too much pepper, but it really gave it a kick. The calories are in a mid range, so it would be a great dish to serve with a salad. I really love these potatoes.

First you melt the butter

Cut up an onion

You need some of the wonderful ham

Tent the casserole

Look at that melted cheese
Do you think I over peppered?

Look closer - OMG!

Cooked to perfection

The final step was to add the blurry parsley

My Gorgeous Girls     

         Whomever invented dog thinking toys was brilliant.  My girls are working dogs (herders), yet they really need to be busy and occupied.  When I bought these toys, I had no idea what they would be willing to do, to get the dog treats out of the rubber bone. They flip them, turn them, shake them, rock, roll, and lay on them.  Who knew a hollowed out bone could bring such pleasure?

These are the best toys

Willow shakes it with gusto!

Sage is into twirling it end to end

She is relentless

Week 60 Monday (3/2/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Orange-Vanilla Fruit Salad        

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages: 108 - 109      Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins

         This is the best salad if you just love fruit. This salad contains five different fruits.  Yes five.  Count’em. Of course, two of them are berries which takes them off of my list, but this is one heck of a pretty salad. I would think that this would be perfect for a Easter Brunch or summer luncheon. 

Random Reflections - Bucket List #48

         My niece, Molly, suggested I could write some school units to sell. Since I loved creating, maybe I could make some units for various grades to sell that would make my separation from school be less dramatic, and make me some bucks on the side.  Of course, it is just one more major project for my bucket list. How can anyone think that I will be bored when I retire, when I have this list to complete before I die?  As my teammate, Steve, knows I WILL complete everything on this list.  If there is one thing for sure, it is that I always meet my goals.

I want to create units for teachers to purchase
·    Write a book on organizing a home
·     Using my dogs and possibly my great-nephews, and design a series of greeting cards
·      plan my funeral
·      spend a fun day with each of my nieces/nephews (Alaina has volunteered to be first!)
·      Take a formal cooking class
·      Organize and host a Christmas Caroling Party
·      Watch the IMBd list of the best 250 movies
·      Vacation in Colorado
·      create a list of home repairs
·      Prepare to teach a new course at Aurora University
·      Visit Brookfield Zoo and photograph the animals
·      Have absolutely no debt
·      Set up a schedule for next summer to visit area cities
·      Organize and purge the basement
·      I am going to learn as much as I can about large animals
·      Make repairs in each and every room of my home to prepare to sell
·      Research Hadrian’s Wall for visit to Scotland
·      Enter a quilt in a local fair
·      Write a book about school for parents
·      Host a game party
·      Purchase a truck
·      I would like to learn more about fostering animals
·      Visit the narrowed list of Kentucky towns each for a weekend
·      Have a B.M.I. of 24.9 or lower
·      Return to Florida/Alabama and see old friends
·      Play tennis again
·      Learn to play bridge
·      Have an in-ground pool
·      Finish writing a book on the Scent Family
·      Save up enough money for a down payment on my Kentucky house
·      Research every town in Kentucky in hopes of relocating
·      Work on learning calligraphy and bettering daily penmanship
·      Begin making my own clothing using a mannequin
·      Volunteer at an animal rescue
·      Visit all 50 states
·      Photography courses
·      Complete all of Mom’s and my scrapbooks
·      Go skiing again in Colorado
·      Meet the Duggar family
·      Watch every nominee and winner for the Academy Awards to date
·      Remodel my kitchen
·      Take piano lessons
·      Write 2 books for my great-nephews
·      Travel to Wales
·      Travel to Scotland
·      Alaskan cruise

Wants and Wishes

         Today, more than anything else I want to rid my body of this bronchitis. Two weeks ago I thought it was gone, but it has returned in full force. I called the doctor this time, because it was so strong. Hopefully, the meds will kick in and this will go away once and for all.

Week 59 Sunday (2/28/15)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Eight Layer Dip                 

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays

                  Pages:  42 - 32     Copyright:  2013  Harper Collins

         I have frequently enjoyed the Layered Mexican Dip during the holidays. Ree’s version is much more hearty and slightly different than what I am used to. Ree adds her wonderful Pico de Gallo as a topper. The fresh cilantro and avocado are a change from the old store bought version. I also was thrilled with the grilled corn, too.  As usual, Ree took a standard dip and made it bigger and better than what you can purchase at the store. Ree’s dip is only located in her Holiday Book.  Have you asked yourself yet, why you haven’t purchased this book?  Do it now!  It will be one of the best purchases you have made this year.

Ignore the jello and chocolate
chips in the background.

Let's begin by making the Pico de Gallo

Spread the refried beans in the bottom of the pan

Next, comes the sour cream

Two different cheeses
What could be better?

I added the Pico de Gallo (minus the tomatoes)

Lastly, I added the corn and black olives 

Trivial Triffles

         I was just listening to Joel Osteen this morning, and his sermon was on living large. He shared that people set their sights lower than God has done. He advised the audience to live your best, fullest life. He said that many people may discourage you from taking chances, trying something new, or spreading your wings. Many people dislike change and want me to feel the same way, too.

         Boy, is he right in my current situation. I AM moving to Kentucky. I have many people sharing information they know, which I do appreciate. However, so far every single thing shared is a negative, or hearsay. Some people haven’t even been to Kentucky, or have just driven through the state, yet seem to know that the people there are uneducated and backwards. Others have talked to one or two people and taken their opinion as gospel. I am not an impulsive or stupid person. I am researching all of the areas where I might move and plan to spend time in my top ten choices. If they are not what I am looking for, then I will return to the drawing board and look elsewhere.

         I love that my friend, Deborah, shared a healthcare concern with me. That was helpful information that I needed to know about the state.  I will research that issue further. I am listening to everyone, and their opinion because the more I learn and hear, whether true or opinion, can only help me. It just amazes me how others, though, can only see the bad, and not also search for or think of what is the good.  Oh well, I want to hear it all, and then I will decide what is right for my future.

Memory Musings

         One of the funniest things we did at college was to celebrate Joe Dykstra Day on March fifth. I am sure no one has ever even heard of Joe Dykstra, but he was our star basketball player at W.I.U. when I attended school. One of the girls on 16 East, Higgins Hall, Kendra Kmitta, was fascinated with Joe Dykstra. She began the Joe Dykstra Celebration on our floor. Now, I don’t believe Joe knew any of the girls on 16 East even existed. But, we sure did enjoy our party, in his honor.  What a bunch of crazy girls I went to school with then. I wonder where they all are now.