WHY My Husband Cooks!

A few weeks ago my Aunt and one of her friends came to visit. I got up early and put pinto beans and rice in the crockpot. I added lots of yummy seasonings. I was really hungry for rice and beans. This is what happened! It turned into one solid lump of nasty. My Aunt and I looked in the crockpot...I said this could be used to set a fence post, so she stood a knife up in my beans and rice and then nearly died laughing!!!

THIS IS WHY MY HUSBAND COOKS!

Her friend said "Where is that Chinese restaurant"

We all had a good laugh and went to eat Chinese!

Peggy and my Aunt Sharon

This is the little Main Street park by New Young China Restaurant.

Cast Iron Casserole

My husband loves his new pot. It is a 5 quart covered oval porcelain enamel cast iron casserole pot. We have Paula Deen cookware and this pot just added to it. It is perfect for a pot roast and lots of other dishes. The cast iron really holds in the heat, ensuring that food remains hot. It is great for slow-cooking. The big loop handles are easy to get a hold of even with oven mits. It is also broiler safe. It is a pretty red pot with white inside. The label says "making memories one meal at a time" and that is exactly what we do!

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti

This is a dish my daughter makes and sent me this photo and recipe.

You might want to cut the recipe down, because she makes two 9 X 13 pans.

Cook a package of Angel Hair Pasta

Brown 1 1/2 pounds Hamburger

Brown 1 pound Sausage

2 cans Spaghetti Sauce

2 cans tomatoes

Bag of Mini Pepperoni

Large container Cottage Cheese

2 cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded

1 cup Colby Cheese Shredded

1 cup Cheddar Cheese

Sliced Provolone Cheese

Colby Jack Cheese Shredded for top

Mix meat, spaghetti sauce and tomatoes together.

Mix pasta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, colby, cheddar together.

Mix meat and pasta together.

Put 1/2 of mixture into pans.

Layer sliced provolone cheese on top of mixture.
Add the other 1/2 of meat and pasta on top of provolone cheese.
Sprinkle top with Colby Jack cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY...this is my little Irish snowman I put out at my office each year. I sat him on my customer chair with my file cabinet as a background. I love my magnetic photo frames with my family on the file cabinet. 

I ask my husband for some of the Irish Limericks he is always saying...OH, not a good idea for my blog...seems as though he only learned the "tooooo colorful" ones!

While I was looking for good Irish Limericks I found this funny little story...Hope you enjoy...
‘Twas late one Saturday night, when the local Garda (police officer) spied Timothy O'Carroll driving in quite a meandering fashion along the streets of County Cork. After pulling him over, the policeman asked O'Carroll if he had been drinking that night.

“Who told on me?” asked Timothy.

“Well, so I have, occifer. So I have,” continued the thoroughly drunk O’Carroll. “It’s Saturday night, you know. Me and me lads, we made a stop by the pub, but I only had six or seven pints, that’s all.”

“But then they had somethin’ called ‘Happy Hour’ during which they served these delicious margaritos, or margaritas? Anyway they are quite good. I had four…no five of those. Then I had promised to drive O’Hara, me friend, home, and he invited me in. Well, I had to go in for a couple pints of Guinness. I really couldn't be rude, now occifer, Could I? Of course, on the way home I stopped to get another pint for later…”

At that point Timothy began fumbling around inside his coat and suddenly lifted up a bottle of whiskey for the Garda to inspect.

The policeman gave a deep sigh, saying “Sir, you will need to step out of the vehicle to take a breathalyzer.”

Indignantly, O'Carroll replied, “Why? Don't you believe me?”

May the love and protection

Saint Patrick can give

Be yours in abundance

As long as you live.



Friday Foto

Fun Friday Foto

Someone sent me this e-mail photo and it really makes me laugh!

Real cowboys have NO FEAR!

Puffcorn

Granny's Love aka my grandson and I love popcorn, but we do not love the kernels. We found this popcorn flavored snack that feeds our popcorn craving and stays out of our teeth!

Fried Dill Pickles

My husband made me some fried dill pickle slices!!! I love fried dill pickle slices.

He used a cup of flour, a package of Ranch Dip mix, pepper and pickles.

He just mixed the Ranch Dip mix and pepper in with the flour

and dipped the pickles in the mix.

Next he fried them in his cast iron skillet with a little bit of canola oil.

I remembered to take the photo after he had fried several,

so the excess flour in covering the bottom of the skillet.

(Sorry...I was eating the fried dill pickles.)

He took them out of the skillet and put them on a paper towel.

Some people dip them in ranch dressing and some put ketchup on them.

I just eat them!

This was the first time he had tried this recipe and it was GOOD!

He normally uses a mix of cornmeal and flour to put on the pickles.

He also uses regular dill pickle slices, but this time we had the ovals.

Shoe Packing

Put your shoes inside a disposable shower cap before packing in your suitcase. It keeps the shoes from rubbing on your clothes. The shower caps can be found at most hotels and easily carried in your suitcase.

Pioneer Woman 2012 NEW Cookbook Tour

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond's new cookbook is going to be hot off the presses on March 13! She has announced her 2012 Cookbook signing tour and I have listed the cities where she will appear. My friend Pat is planning to make the five hour drive so we can go to the Oklahoma City book signing together! I am so excited!! I watch The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network every Saturday morning at 9 am Central Time. To find out more about the new book or additional dates check out http://thepioneerwoman.com/

New York City

Tuesday, March 13 @ 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble Union Square
33 E. 17th Street – 4th Floor Event Space
*Special presentation + book signing


Boston
Thursday, March 15 @ 6:00 p.m.
Brookline Booksmith presents at the Cooledge Corner Theatre
2900 Harvard Street
Brookline
*Special presentation + book signing


Virginia Beach
Saturday, March 17 @ 2:00 p.m.
Books-a-Million
3312 Princess Ann Road
*Book signing


Pittsburgh
Monday, March 19 @ 6:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
The Stacks at the Waterfront
100 W. Bridge Street
Homestead, Pennsylvania
*Book signing


Columbus
Wednesday, March 21 @ 6:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
1739 Olentangy River Road
*Book signing


Indianapolis
Thursday, March 22 @ 4:00 p.m.
Kroger
(Location TBA)


Denver
Saturday, March 24 @ 4:00 p.m.
Tradesmart
8500 West Crestline Avenue
Littleton, Colorado
*Book signing


Tulsa
Thursday, March 29 @ 6:00 p.m.
Booksmart presents at Cain’s Ballroom
423 North Main Street
*Special presentation + book signing, live music, great food and drinks!


Oklahoma City....I can't wait to attend this book signing!
Saturday, March 31 @ 1:00 p.m.
Full Circle Bookstore
1900 NW Expressway
*Special presentation + book signing


Bartlesville, Oklahoma (Ree's hometown!)
Monday, April 2 @ 6:00 p.m.
Walmart
4000 Green Country Road
*Book signing


Birmingham
Wednesday, April 4 @ 6:00 p.m.
Books-a-Million
757 Brookwood Village
*Special presentation + book signing


Wichita
Thursday, April 12 @ 6:00 p.m.
Watermark Books presents at The Forum Theatre
147 South Hillside
*Special presentation + book signing


Dallas
Saturday, April 14 @ 12:00 noon
Sam’s Club
6185 Retail Road
Dallas
*Book signing


Ponca City, Oklahoma
Friday, April 20 @ 4:00 p.m.
Brace Books
2205 N 14th Street
*Book signing


Seattle
Tuesday, April 24 @ 6:00 p.m.
Third Place Books
17171 Bothell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA
*Special presentation + book signing


Los Angeles
Thursday, April 26 @ 6:00 p.m.
Vroman’s
695 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena
*Book signing


Phoenix
Saturday, April 28 @ 2:00 p.m.
Changing Hands Bookstore presents at Dobson High School
1501 West Guadalupe Road
Mesa, Arizona
*Special presentation + book signing


Albuquerque
Monday, April 30 @ 6:00 p.m.
Bookworks presents at Albuquerque Academy
6400 Wyoming Blvd. Northeast
*Special presentation + book signing


More dates will be added as booked....check http://thepioneerwoman.com/ 

I have this cookbook and it is AWESOME...I also have Ree's novel The Pioneer Woman Black Heels to Tractor Wheels...A Love Story, and I have given the children I love copies of Ree's Charlie the Ranch Dog. I can't wait to get her new cookbook!

Spring Forward AGAIN!

6 Uses for Oranges

6 Secret Uses for Oranges

from Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things

Use for kindling

Dried orange and lemon peels are a far superior choice for use as kindling than newspaper. Not only do they smell better and produce less creosote than newspaper, but the flammable oils found inside the peels enable them to burn much longer than paper.


Make a pomander

Pomanders have been used for centuries to fill small spaces with a delightful fragrance as well as to combat moths. They are also incredibly easy to make: Take a bunch of cloves and stick them into an orange, covering the whole surface. That’s it. Pretty simple, huh? Now suspend your pomander using a piece of string, twine, or monofilament fishing line inside a closet or cupboard, and it will keep the space smelling fresh for years.Simmer for stove top potpourri
Fill your abode with a refreshing citrus scent by simmering several orange and/or lemon peels in 1-2 cups of water in an aluminum pot for a few hours. Add water as needed during the simmering. This process freshens up the pot as well as the air in your home.


Keep kitties off your lawn
Are the neighbor’s cats still mistaking your lawn for their litter box? Gently point them elsewhere by making a mixture of orange peels and coffee grounds and distributing it around the cats’ “old haunts.” If they don’t take the hint, lay down a second batch and try moistening it with a bit of water.


Apply as mosquito repellent

If you’re not crazy about the idea of rubbing onions all over yourself to keep away mosquitoes, you may be happy to know that you can often get similar results by rubbing fresh orange or lemon peels over your exposed skin. It’s said that mosquitoes and gnats are totally repulsed by either scent.


Show ants the door
Get rid of the ants in your garden, on your patio, and along the foundation of your home. In a blender, make a smooth puree of a few orange peels in 1 cup warm water. Slowly pour the solution over and into anthills to send the little pests packing.

Leave a comment and share ways you use oranges...

Friday Foto

Jimmy and Izzie are NOT allowed in Mom's house...they know to stop at the door!

Izzie ran in when the door wasn't shut good!

Jumped up on Mom's lap and gave her kisses. Bad dog!

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

One of the blogs I follow, The Type A Housewife gives information on gardening and has the most awesome food blog! One time I noticed she had seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, so I looked them up and ordered a catalog. Now I know most people like to shop online which can be done with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, but I am still old fashion enough to want to browse through the catalog and "dog ear" the pages before I order. I scanned a few pages of my catalog to show how much heirloom gardening information you can obtain from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Their online site is just as neat! The seed site is www.rareseeds.com and they have a forum at www.idgimygarden.com  Check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for your garden this year.

Sorrell Custom Cowboy Boots Guthrie, Oklahoma

Lisa Sorrell makes Custom Cowboy Boots in Guthrie, Oklahoma. I watched a story about her on Discover Oklahoma and was amazed at the art. Sorrell designs and builds each pair of custom made boots. It takes a month or longer for her to make each pair of boots that have a starting price of $3,500.00.

She grew up in Missouri and West Virginia, part of a conservative little church similar to a Mennonite church where the ladies all wear long hair and long dresses. Her mother began teaching me to sew when she was 12, and by 15, she was sewing professionally for the ladies in her church. At 20, she married her husband Dale and they moved from Missouri to Guthrie, Oklahoma, because that’s where he found a job.

After six months in a three room apartment, she got bored and answered an ad in the newspaper for 'stitching boot tops.' She had no idea what that was and had never worn cowboy boots. From there, Sorrell started to use her sewing skills in entirely new ways.

In March 2010, Sorrell won a gold metal for her “If We Make It Through December” boots in the very exclusive international competition, "Inter-Schuh Services (ISS 2010)," hosted by the Central Association of German Shoemakers. She was one of 50 selected entrants from around the world.

Lisa Sorrell will be at the 

Smithsonian Craft Show

Washington,DC

April 19-22, 2012

Celebrating the Creative Spirit of America

30th Anniversary

Featuring 121 artists, including 44 first-time exhibitors

2011 award winners juried into the 2012 show

National Building Museum

Washington, DC

The Smithsonian Craft Show is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee to support education, outreach and research at the Smithsonian Institution.



Type A Housewife

The Type A Housewife...if you want to see HOW food should be photographed check out this blog at http://thetypeahousewife.com  If you are in a rut and need some new exciting and good for you recipes you will love her blog. I certainly hope she is logging all these great photos and recipes in anticipation of publishing a cookbook!

If you love to garden you will love her blog. She was still growing stuff in her garden in December! I look forward to her daily blog posts. So sign up so you can be as entertained and inspired as I am with The Type A Housewife!

The following is from http://thetypeahousewife to let you get to know her:

About The Type A Housewife
It’s true, I’m not a housewife. The name of this blog is tongue-in-cheek–it’s a reference to that side of me that loves to cook, garden, and craft. While The Type A Housewife started as a blog to write about all things domestic, it has evolved to be mostly about food. When I started this blog, I had no idea where it would take me and I’m quite proud of what it has become!

About Kiersten
I live just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina with my husband and our 4 cats. After graduating with my master’s degree in Information Science, I started doing consulting work in taxonomy and search engine evaluation. During one of the lulls in consulting work, I started this blog. Although it began as a hobby, I’m now starting to see blogging and everything related to it as more of a potential career. It’s funny how life leads us to places we never thought we’d go–I couldn’t have imagined I’d be a semi-professional blogger a year ago.
If you read my blog, you know I love cooking and gardening. I come from a family of artists and I always lamented the fact that I had no artistic skills, but I’ve realized that food is my form of artistic expression. Is that totally cornball? Probably, but it’s true. Although I don’t have much free time, I love to read, travel, and craft. I am passionate about using natural, organic, and environmentally-friendly products in my day-to-day life, and I try to share that passion through this blog as well.

And she is a cat person too....you know how I love my cats!

Spray Bottle Storage

Install a tension rod under your sink, to hang spray bottles and create more storage space.

To Go Food Network Cups

I found these neat to go Food Network Cups on sale for 1/2 price.

I got a couple for my husband since he always takes coffee to go.

My favorite feature is the screw-on lids.

Waste Less Food

Waste Less Food

 

The average American family throws out $1,600 worth of food a year. As seen on the Food Network’s special The Big Waste, food past its prime can be turned into a delicious meal. You can save money and help reduce food waste in America with just a few smart shopping and cooking tips from the experts at Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters. If you did not see the show look it up...it will shock you!

Shopping matters: Reducing food waste begins at the grocery store. Live by the motto “Buy what you need, and eat what you buy.” Always have a plan and a list before going grocery shopping. Check your pantry and fridge before you head to the store to make sure you’re buying what you really need.

Buy fresh produce a week at a time: Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in bulk only if you will use them before they go bad. If you are able to get to the grocery store weekly, buy only enough fresh produce to last that week.

Cook with canned and frozen fruits and vegetables: Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can be a good solution if you aren’t sure you’ll be able to use up fresh foods before they go bad. Bonus: they are often more affordable than fresh and can be even more nutritious.

Stock your pantry: A well-stocked pantry can be the secret to whipping up a tasty meal from food that would otherwise go to waste. Read more about basic ingredients to keep on hand and get recipe ideas that utilize those ingredients.

Adapt recipes to your needs: Learn to adjust recipes to meet your needs and use up what’s in your fridge. Make changes to a recipe based on the foods you have at hand, including leftovers. Experiment to find new recipes and making those recipes work for you.

Make the freezer your friend: Freeze bread when it won’t be used right away, or if you have some leftover from a meal (bread can be stored in a freezer for up to 6 months). Freeze leftover vegetables for use in later soups or stir fries. Chop and store fresh fruits in freezer to use for smoothies.

Use up fresh fruit before it goes bad: Combine fruits into a fruit salad or top cereal with sliced fruit. Cook berries, apples or pears into a tasty crisp or cobbler. Use overripe fruit in muffins, breads, or pancakes.

Use up fresh vegetables before they go bad: Add vegetables to soups, stews, casseroles, pastas, sauces, or omelettes. Combine vegetables and a little salad dressing for a side dish or snack.

Transform leftovers into a new meal: Transform leftover mashed potatoes into a hearty soup by combining them with stock, a splash of vinegar, onions, carrots and any other veggies you have on hand. (I could live on the leftovers my kids toss! Grrrrrrr)

Stretch ingredients over multiple meals: Use ingredients more than once to save money and avoid food waste. Buying in bulk allows for stretching into individual meals...just repackage the bulk amount into smaller packages when you get it home. Add veggies to pasta or combine to make a mixed salad.



Friday Foto

Oklahoma City restaurant parking lot...I think they are lost!

Honest.com

I was watching television one evening and they were interviewing Jessica Alba. She was talking about the company she co-founded after she had her children. The company Honest.com provided safe products for babies and delivered them to the clients doorstep! WOW...I was impressed and thought it was worth sharing the information with those of you who have babies or expecting them. I just went to Honest.com and the site will tell you all about the products and how to order them.



Jessica Alba - Getty Images



Jessica Alba

Founder

Jessica Alba is a Golden Globe-nominated actress whose career includes roles in films such as "Fantastic Four" and "Little Fockers," as well as television series like "Dark Angel," "The Office" and "Entourage."

The California native comes from modest beginnings, and never lost her zeal to share her good fortune with others. She is actively involved with charities such as Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, ONE, Habitat for Humanity, Project HOME and more.

But, there is one role she enjoys above all others: Mom. "Being a mom is the most profound experience I've ever had," she says.

As a mother of young daughters (4-year-old Honor and newborn Haven), Jessica admits she feels an intense responsibility to give her children the best possible start.

"When I became a mom, I finally became the person I am, that I always should have been," she says. "It's the most satisfying job in the world. But, it can also be overwhelming and confusing. I created The Honest Company to help moms and to give all children a better, safer start."

Christopher Gavigan

Founder / Chief Product Officer

Christopher Gavigan has devoted his life to helping families nurture the healthiest, happiest babies and children.

"Parents get a lot of advice about what to feed their children and how to baby-proof their home," he says, "but many are still completely unaware of the toxic risks posed by everyday basics, like diapers, home cleaners, body washes, and laundry soaps. Yet, there's growing consensus that some chemicals used in these products are linked to chronic diseases like asthma, ADHD, and even cancer."

A father of 2 children (and 1 on the way), Christopher is the former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World (a national nonprofit empowering parents to protect their children from toxic risks), author of a best-selling book , and instrumental in catapulting health message into millions of homes with a collaboration with WebMD.

"Everything I stand for and all I've done over last 15 years has come to this moment," he says of The Honest Company. "I'm thrilled to launch a brand that offers some of the most thoughtfully designed, innovative, and safest products available."