Day #59 and a Bomb Went Off...

A bomb, tornado, something...in my basement!  I leave for five days and the basement is trashed.  And not just one room!  The computer area, the bar, the laundry room, and as usual, the boys room!  The latter I totally expected because they don't clean, ever.  I don't venture down to the basement often, usually just to do laundry.  The kids watch TV down there, play on the computer, etc.  But today I had to do laundry.  Uh let's just say the door to laundry room opened just enough for me to squeeze in.  Nice.  They had attempted to do laundry while I was away with clean clothes on top of the washer/dryer and hanging everywhere, I was furious!  So today and probably tomorrow I will be in the laundry room, ugh.

I threw out the granola I made yesterday.  Some of the fruit was burnt and it just tasted funny.  I will attempt to make it again this afternoon.  I bought some bread at Target,  Apple Fritter.  The boys loved it!  Today I am going to attempt to make my own.  Hopefully it turns out better than the granola!

White Bread:
(HMSJ)

1/4 C. Butter, melted

2 C. Water

1 Egg

2 tsp. Salt

4 1/2 tsp. Yeast

6 1/2 C. Flour

1/2 C. Sugar

Place all the wet ingredients in mixer.  Sift all dry ingredients.  Add dry to wet and kneed for 5 minutes.  Place in greased bowl and rise for an hour.  Divide dough in half.  Shape loaves and let rise additional hour.  Bake at 375 degrees F. for 30 minutes until golden brown.



Baking in the oven.



New Recipe #17 Apple Fritter Bread:

(CMW, 2011)

(Average Family Rating 4.3)

White Bread Recipe

1 Can of Apple Pie Filling

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 C. Butter, melted

Raw Sugar

Make bread recipe as follows.  After the first rise, roll out into 8"x 20" rectangle on a lightly floured surface.  Mix pie filling and cinnamon together.  Dice any large pieces of apple into smaller pieces.  Spread the mixture onto the dough and roll.  Place the loaves in the loaf pans to rise for another hour.  Coat loaves with butter and sprinkle liberally with raw sugar.  Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees F. until golden brown. 

Let cool on a baking rack for 15 minutes.

A few tips:
1. When rolling dough after adding pie filling mixture fold sides in so the mixture doesn't ooze out!
2. Try not to let rise too much because it keeps rising in the oven.

Day #58 and Granola

It is another dreary day here...dense fog, drizzle, but surprisingly not too cold.  While flipping through my cookbooks yesterday I found a granola recipe.  I have made granola before, but not with fruit.  My sister gave me this awesome recipe for Peanut Butter Granola.  It is so good, but I wanted something more traditional.  This is the first time I am using the convection oven and my kitchen smells incredible!  I did make a few changes to this recipe.  For some reason when it comes to baking recipes I can't seem to leave it alone, I always want to change it!

New Recipe #16 Homemade Granola:
(The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook)
(Average Family Rating)

4 C. Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
2 C. Sweetened Coconut, shredded
2 C. Sliced Almonds
3/4 C. Vegetable Oil
1/2 C. Honey
1 1/2 C. Dried Apricots, small diced
1 C. Dried Figs, small diced
1 C. Dried Cherries
1 C. Dried Cranberries
1 C. Cashews, unsalted and roasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Toss first five ingredients in a large bowl.  Whisk honey and oil together in a small bowl.  Pour over dry ingredients and toss until well coated.  Pour on to (2) half sheet pans and bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally.  Remove from oven and allow to cool. Add dried fruit and cashews.  Store in airtight container.

My Changes:
1.  I divided the oats into:
               2 C. Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
               1 C. Quick Oats
               1 C. Wheat Germ

2.  I didn't add cranberries, figs, or cashews.  Not a big fan...

3.  I used Orange Honey that I picked up while visiting my Mom.

4.  I made a few mistakes in making this...I added the fruit before baking the oat mixture and didn't add enough oil.  Guess I should have two cups of coffee before cooking anything!

FYI:  The convection oven cooks super fast!  Can't leave the kitchen when using it!

Day #57 and Lazy Days

We never get "lazy days", but today is one of those days!  No games, no events, no where to be, YEAH!  One would think I would take this opportunity to get stuff done around the house, uh no.  We haven't done anything.  I made pancakes and mac n' cheese, but that is the extent of it.  I was going to make those cookies I posted about yesterday, but we are out of dried milk and I really don't want to go to the grocery store on a Saturday.  I flipped through most of my cookbooks looking for inspiration for dinner tonight, nothing.   Pizza it is.  Now all I need is a good movie and a blanket!

Oh, I did change the background picture in anticipation of spring! I am so looking forward to warmer temps, gardening, and flip flops!

Day #56 and the little things...

By the little things I meant these adorable mini wine glasses.  They are a part of Pier 1's new tasting party line.  I love these because it seems like my wine always gets warm before I get to drink it all!  Mainly because I am too busy chatting or forget about it sitting on the counter as I cook dinner.  The wine I purchased while at Sprouts with my Mom, hoping to try it out this weekend. 

I didn't get to make cookies yesterday, too busy cleaning the kitchen.  I hung up the utensil bars I purchased at Ikea.  I love them!  I will take pictures as soon as my batteries recharge for the camera.  I did manage to bake a cake, a box mix.  It was Duncan Hines, Orange Supreme.  I bought it about two months ago, right before the crappy range decided to quit.  I found it while I was cleaning out the pantry yesterday.  This was the first time I used the bottom oven.  I set the temperature and wondered if I should try the convection or not, I didn't.   After 22 minutes I noticed the top was golden brown, it was done!   So glad I didn't leave the kitchen while it was baking!  It was an interesting flavor, not really what I thought it would taste like.  My family liked it I guess they ate it, I didn't get a rating since it wasn't really a recipe.  So maybe after I clean the rest of my house, start laundry, and figure out what to make for dinner I will get to make cookies!

I found this recipe from Sugar Plum!  She is an awesome baker and I can't wait to make these!  Just click on the link below for the recipe!

New Recipe #15 Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:

(Average Family Rating)

Day #55 and Back to the Grind...

I made it home in record time yesterday and NO I did not speed...okay maybe a little. I was so happy to see my kiddies!  One almost tackled me in the school hallway, another got in the van and didn't realize it was me, when he did he hugged me so tight and wouldn't let go!  It was nice to know they missed me too. 

Of course Hubby didn't take anything out of the freezer for dinner.  So after picking up the kids, we went to the grocery store.  I made pork chops and fried potatoes.  It was nice to use my new range.  Hubby had to teach a class last night which meant I not only had the privilege of cooking, but cleaning up too.  I did put the leftovers away and clean the stovetop, but saved the dishes for this morning. 

Five o'clock this morning came too soon!  I did not want to get up or even leave the house, but duty calls.  I will be cleaning the refrigerator out today since tomorrow is trash day and cleaning the rest of my kitchen.  It's funny how everyone has their own idea of clean.  I don't think Hubby wiped the countertops even once while I was away.   I am also going to try out the oven today, making cookies!  Tomorrow I hope to get back into a routine and make a new recipe.  It seems like forever since I could bake!

Day #54 and I-35...

I have a date today with I-35.  I am going home.  My mom is doing much better and I am ready to see my kiddies and Hubby.  I even miss my doggie...(tear).  Yesterday Mom and I ventured out to this awesome farmer's market called Sprouts.  They have a huge produce section and a bulk items section.  I bought wheat germ, slivered almonds, and orange honey all to make granola.  I also bought Hubby some new wine to try,  Broke Ass.  Love the name!  We had lunch at McKinney's Cafe and Bakery.  It was so yummy!  I had a coconut macaroon to die for!  We walked around Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma, but didn't see anything I couldn't live without or find cheaper elsewhere.  It was 3:30pm. before we made it back home and I was tired!  Driving on the highway here is stressful.  Too many stupid people and semi-trucks who think they own the road. I am ready to go back to small town USA!  I am also ready to cook on my new range!  So jealous Hubby has got to use it more than me! 

Day #53 and Ikea...

My mom is doing much better so yesterday we ventured out on our own to Ikea.  Needless to say, we got lost.  I am not good with directions and really don't have any sense of direction.  Two hours later we found it!  My mom had never been to Ikea.  It's quite overwhelming.  We were there for another two hours and I was exhausted by the time we left.  Mom bought dishtowels, chip clips, hangers, and four chairs for me.  I bought four more chairs, two shelves, and two utensil bars.  So I can mark another thing off my kitchen remodel list!  Getting back to Mom's was much easier since I bought a map at Quik-Trip, only taking us a little over an hour to get home. 

I will be going home tomorrow.  Not really looking forward to the drive, but my mom is doing better and I miss my kiddies and Hubby.  I did manage to get part of the "Must Haves" list published, be sure to check it out!

Day #49 1/2....IT'S HERE!

And it works!  AMEN!

The first thing I made, pancakes on the griddle!  Yummy!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing!  Only missing one thing, the oven meat probe.  GE will be sending me one Monday!

Day #49 and Crazy Week..

This week has been nothing but non-stop.  First, my Mom was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.  She was released on Wednesday and is doing much better.  I will be going to stay with her so my Dad can go back to work.  Next was the whole range issue.  It left Indiana on Tuesday, arrived in town Wednesday, and is scheduled to be delivered TODAY! AMEN!  Then I had two sick kids, Hubby had parent-teacher conferences, and I'm trying to get as much laundry/cleaning done before I leave in the morning.  Needless to say I haven't had time to do anything I really wanted to do such as shopping, blog, or even cook.  I did manage to make Drip Beef for Hubby's pot luck dinner, beef stew, and a Strawberry Jello Poke Cake.

The Recipe Box page is still a work in progress.  The HTML is giving me fits and doesn't want to work the way I want it to.  Also I am working on a "Must Haves in Your Kitchen" page.  I hope to have some time while taking care of Mom to get these things up and running. 

Sorry for the randomness of this post, but I have a million things on my mind, kids and Hubby demanding something, anything, everything since they are out of school today and Monday.  Will they ever go a full week again?

Day #45 and Let's talk Cheesecake...

My son who turned 14 yesterday asked for a cheesecake for his birthday cake.  I have only made cheesecake once before and that was right after Christmas for my Dad.   It is not an easy thing to make!  It takes planning, which I am not good at when it comes to cooking.  I make what I want, when I want it.  So off to Sam's we went to buy a 3lb. block of cream cheese.  Saturday night I left it out on the counter to come to room temperature along with 7 eggs! 

Sunday morning, I made the cheesecake in the crappy oven.  To say I was worried was an understatement.  It was fluffier than the first and almost overflowed the springform pan.  It took almost 30 minutes longer than the recipe call for to bake.  So when I took Hubby to buy a new battery, I picked up ice cream for a back up plan.  After the birthday boy dinner out at Golden Corral, we came home to the cheesecake.  How anyone was still hungry afterwards I will never understand...boys a.k.a. bottomless pits.  I only had a bite of Hubby's and it was yummy! 

Only three weeks until "birthday season" comes to a close here!  And she doesn't want a cake, just scamboli.  :)

I'll post the cheesecake recipe tomorrow along with the new Recipe Box page!

Day #43 and Snobby...

My Hubby wasn't pleased about my "awesome" deals.  His thoughts were we already have these things.  Yes, but I wanted better things...I have to admit I am a snob when it comes to items for my kitchen.  I have learned over the years that pots, pans, utensils, etc. are an investment.  My first Le Creuset dutch oven was a gift from Hubby, the only gift I received for Christmas that year.  The second and third were on clearance at Williams-Sonoma and I couldn't leave the store without them.  I have tried to explain to Hubby in "man" terms about how important it is to have the right tools in the kitchen.  All he sees is dollar signs.  MEN! 

Although he didn't fight me much last night while at World Market for another awesome deal!  I can mark another item off the kitchen remodel list!  I found a dining room table!  YEAH!  On clearance, of course!  Hubby's going to pick it up today and I am going to list our current table on craigslist! 

I thought I would get a chance to cook today, but that will have to wait until tonight.  Haircut for middle son, shopping with daughter for Valentine's Dance outfit, and grocery shopping.  Yes I have been trying to grocery shop for two days now, but just can't force myself to do it.  But now I have no choice, we are out of milk and cereal. 

Day #42 and Awesome Deals!

Yesterday I had to get out of this house so I went shopping.  Target, Hobby Lobby, and TJ Maxx.  I found the deal of the day at TJ Maxx, a Simplehuman Butterfly Step Trash can ,$79!  I have wanted one for awhile, but couldn't force myself to pay retail, $179!

Today I went on the hunt for new cookware.  I have three Le Creuset pots that I use all the time, but I wanted a really nice saute pan and new sauce pans.  That's it.  Not a complete set.  Do you know how hard it is to find nice cookware that isn't sold in a set, that I can afford?  Jackpot!  Dillard's in Towne West!  I bought an All-Clad 3qt. Saute Pan AND a 1.5 qt. sauce pan, both with lids for $76!  That is not even retail for the sauce pan alone!  I was looking online for a 3qt. sauce pan to match online, uh...$160...not paying that...so I will just keep my eye out for another awesome deal!

Have you found any awesome deals lately?

Day #41 and Positive thoughts...

I still have a headache, but everyone went to school today, I have a working range, a ton of laundry to catch up, and grocery shopping!  Hubby even took the kids to school today without me even asking him!   No doubt he probably hasn't bought my V-day present yet and is sucking up in advance just it case what he does buy me is a flop. The second Valentine's day we were together, Hubby gave me the best present, our son.  He will be 14 on Sunday.  The past two years Hubby has given me two Spa gift cards,(yes I know I should have used them prior to now, but I haven't had time).  Sweet and all, but I would like something that requires some thought behind it.  Something practical and useful, not a new vacuum either, which we desperately need!  I know exactly what I am going to get him...

Going to work on the new "Recipe Box" page today.  Hopefully it will be up and running by early next week.  I like the idea of pages, so less cluttered on the home page and easier for you to find recipes.  Pictures are coming soon also to CMW.  I have thought about adding ads to my blog, but I didn't start this blog to make a buck.  So I am struggling with that decision.  What do you think?  Also coming in March will be a giveaway!  It will be a monthly thing, announced on the 1st of every month and the winner will be announced on the 7th of month, but you must be a follower to enter.  

Sorry for the lack of recipes this week, but stay tuned...I'm sure I will be cooking up a storm this weekend! 

Day #40 and Snow Days...

Update:  Thank you to Mr. Bill who fixed my crappy stove to cook another day!  Words cannot express my gratitude!  Also my new range has been located in Indiana as of this morning.  I still won't see it for another 7-10 business days, but now at least I can cook something...not today though, have an awful migraine!  Probably brought on by the morons at the shipping company!

Wednesdays have become snow days here in the land of Oz.  Yesterday the kids were released from school at 12:30pm.  By that time, we already had 4" of snow.  When Hubby got home he decided to shovel the driveway(s), couldn't just stop with one...think he was sucking up to the neighbors in exchange for some adult beverages!

I had already decided by 8pm. last night if school wasn't cancelled, I wasn't going to take them and I went to bed.  Only to wake up at 4am...we now have over 12" of snow, according to the ruler on the deck.  No school.  This is the third Wednesday in a row the kids haven't had school, ugh!  I love my kids dearly, but they are just as tired of me as I am of them.  Spa day here I come...

I have lost my desire to cook, at least in an electric skillet or crockpot.  Today I am going to make Steak Chili...in the crockpot.  I just checked the shipping company website, still no change.  Hubby is going to take over today and get to the bottom of this!  I paid quite a bit of money for this range, more than I care to admit, but I did it because we needed it.  Not because I had money lying around and thought maybe this would be a nice upgrade.  IF that were the case, I would have paid more and ordered it from the local store, but the difference was enough to order online.  With a three week estimated  delivery time, I thought it was the best option.  Four weeks later and no range, no idea where it is.

Day #39 and I need a vacation...

I say that a lot to my family, but I mean it today.  I'm done.  Done with snow, winter, fighting kids, worthless online appliance companies....  I need a break, just a few days to escape.  Even the dog is driving me nuts!  There is so much I could be doing in this house, but I have no desire to clean, paint, or sew anything.  I need to get out of here, ASAP!  A spa day would be awesome!  I have two gift cards, hmmm... I will call first thing in the morning!

Why is it when you know you can't do something, you want to do it even more?  I want to bake something, anything!  I want to be able to make cookies, a cake, even rice crispy treats!  But I can't.  My cookie sheets, bread pans, and cassarole dishes are all feeling neglected.   Pathetic huh?  One day soon my kitchen will be filled with the smell of fresh bread and I will feel normal again.

Day #38 and Way Beyond Frustrated....

Going on Day #6 that my new range has been sitting in a warehouse in Indiana.   Starting to get angry.  I will never ever ever order another appliance online again.   It wouldn't be such an issue if I had a working range!  Hubby tried to fix the connection again yesterday and now the thing won't even come on!  I wanted to cry. 

CORRECTION:  Just got off the phone with the shipping company, they don't have my range.  The company I ordered it from still has not delivered it to them.  According to the company, the range didn't ship until last Friday and the shipping company has not unloaded all the trucks from the weekend. The salesman told me it shipped last Tuesday.  UGH! Tired of getting the run around!

Hubby then tried to cheer me up by asking what the first thing I would make when the new range arrived.  My first thought was a cake.  Since the kids were little I have always made dessert of some kind if not every day then every other day.  Now they expect it.  Even our friends kids ask, "Why do they have dessert every night and we don't?"  Ooops, sorry...it's just something I love to make (and eat).  My favorite cake ever is a Strawberry Jello Poke Cake.  I have been in love with Jello and strawberries for as long as I can remember. 
My mom made this cake for my birthday almost every year! 

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake Recipe:
(from the back of my Mom's cookbook)
(Average Family Rating)

1 White Box Cake Mix
1 Small Box of Strawberry Jello
4 Eggs
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil
2 C. Water (1 C. for Cake, 1 C. for Jello)
1 Container of Cool Whip

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Make cake according to pkg. directions, bake in a 9"x13" for 35-40 minutes.  Let cool on rack for 15 minutes.   Poke holes in cake using a fork.
Dissolve the Jello in 1 C. of boiling water. Pour Jello slowly over the surface of the cake, it will soak into the cake.  Chill for 4 hours in refrigerator.
Spread whipped topping on top of cake before serving. Refrigerate leftover cake.

Day #37 and football...

Football, what it means to me....warm comfort food.  Chicken and noodles, chili, Rotel cheese dip and chips, cookies, and brownies.  That's the menu for today's big game.  We are headed over to the Frazier's tonight, since we don't currently have cable...long story.  We were suppose to go to church this morning with the Gramke's , but I was up most of the night coughing.  Another symptom of this lovely winter.  Will spring ever come? 

Hubby did manage to get the drawer fronts on with hardware and install the plug for the new range (still in Indiana).  Hubby's frustration with the current cooking situation lead him to attempt to hook up the crappy range.  According to him, "I'm tired of not eating!"  It took 45 minutes for water to boil for spaghetti and had to set the oven to 475 degrees to bake brownies.  Two hours later, dinner was served.  Think I'll go back to using the electric skillet and crockpot, much easier and faster!

Day #36 and I'm up...

Why is it the first Saturday I could sleep in since August am I awake at 5am?  Why?  I didn't go to bed early or late.  I have been getting up between 4 and 5:30am every morning for over a month now!  What is going on!  Hubby used to have to shake me awake at 6:45am every morning!  I miss those days...

The drip beef was awesome last night!  Another 5 on the rating scale!  Next time I think I will add more garlic and oregano!  Now what to make tonight....dunno.  

I know I am becoming a bit whiny but I just want my range!  I've been patient and now I want to throw a two year old fit!  I want it NOW!  The kitchen remodel is coming along nicely.  Hubby is going to install the trim around the window above the sink, four more drawer fronts, and the plug for the range TODAY!  Once the island is clear again, I will paint the trim to go around the countertops.  We installed granite countertops about 4 yrs. ago and I didn't get that 4 inch piece for the back splash.  Kicking myself now because that 4 inch piece will cost me a fortune now!  So we decide to go with a simpler, more cost effective option, baseboard trim painted the wall color!  Here's what we have left:

Kitchen Remodel List:

1. Build cabinet above range, paint.
2. Buy range hood, install.
3. Build cabinet by dishwasher, paint.
4. Buy dishwasher, install.
5. Build cabinet doors, paint, add hardware. 
6. Build shelving in pantry, paint.
7. Remove cabinets surrounding refrigerator & freezer.
8. Build new surround for refrigerator & freezer, paint.
9. Remove one cabinet from island, add corbels.
10. Replace trim around windows in dining area.
11. Move light over island and add can lights.
12. Replace back door.
13. Replace flooring and baseboards.
14. Buy new dining room table and chairs.

Maybe we will be done by May?

...note I didn't say what year ;)

Day #35 and Stuck in Indiana...

Yes my range made it as far as Plainville, Indiana before the blizzard hit.  It has been there for three days.  Beginning to wonder if it will ever make it here!  But on a brighter note, the kids did go to school yesterday including Hubby!  And I didn't stay home much either...coffee at neighbors, lunch with the Frazier's, and to the grocery store!  Today won't be much different as I have a few things to return and a bunch of items to go to Goodwill!  But I already started dinner for tonight thanks to the Pioneer Woman. Check out her website, it is full of recipes!  (FYI:  I am using a crock pot for this recipe.)

Update:  Been in the crockpot for a little over 4 hours and my house smells awesome!  Hope it tastes just as good!

New Recipe #14 Drip Beef:
(http://www.pioneerwoman.com/)
(Average Family Rating 5.0)

1 whole 2.5 To 4 Pound Chuck Roast
¼ cups Butter
1 whole Large Onion, Sliced Thick
3 cloves Garlic, Peeled
½ cups Soy Sauce
1 cup Sherry (cooking Sherry Is Fine)
½ teaspoons Salt
4 cups Water
Toasted, Buttered Deli Rolls
OPTIONAL: Rosemary, Thyme, Other Spices

Heat butter in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Saute the onions for a couple of minutes, or until starting to get brown.
Set chuck roast on top of the onions. Add all remaining ingredients. Cover pot and simmer (very low heat) on the stove for 6 hours, or until beef is fork-tender and falling apart. **If meat is not yet tender, return to oven for 30 minute intervals till it’s tender!** Shred meat with two forks until all large chunks are gone. Serve immediately or continue to simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Day #33 and Groundhog Day

Yeah, he didn't see his shadow!  Now if all this snow would melt and the temperature was out of the single digits, I might actually believe spring is coming early!  The whole family is home again today!  With wind chills in the -20's I think we will be hovering around Lii our Wii and watching Netflix!  Maybe even watch Groundhog Day, love that movie!

Do you remember Jello 1-2-3, the coolest Jello product ever made?  I have no idea why they stopped production, but the Kraft website has a recipe!  The only other Jello product I LOVED was Pudding Pops! I know they have come out with a version of them now, but they are just not the same!  I have fond memories of Bill Cosby and the Jello kids commercials! 

What's your favorite food product from childhood?

New Recipe #14 Jello 1-2-3:
(Kraft Recipes)
(Average Family Rating)

3/4 C. Boiling Water

1 Pkg.  (0.3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin, or any flavor

Ice Cubes

1/2 C. Cold Water

1/2 C. COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping, thawed 

Add boiling water to gelatin mix in medium bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Pour into blender. Add enough ice to cold water to measure 1-1/4 cups; add to blender. Blend 30 sec. or until smooth.
Add COOL WHIP; blend well.
Pour into 4 dessert dishes. Refrigerate 20 min. or until firm.

Day #32 and a blizzard...

You can never trust a weatherman, but they were sorta right this time.  I woke up at 4am this morning to the howling wind and snow.  Luckily they cancelled school last night and everyone slept in but me.  I did finally receive some good news yesterday!  My new range had arrived and is being shipped to me today!  I am sure there will be a delay with the weather, but still hopeful it will be here by the first of next week. 

So today would normally be a day I would spend in the kitchen making warm comfort food, but no oven.  I will be painting instead.  Hubby cut the trim for the window a few days ago along with the drawer fronts.  I have four of the drawer fronts painted and ready to install.  He also built a new door for the lazy susan which is also ready to install.  Then it will be on to cabinet doors...