Chinese New Year!

CHINESE NEW YEAR BEGINS TODAY!

THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE HORSE.

We are expecting a new granddaughter in April, so I looked up the Chinese astrology information about those born in the year of the horse. 

Astrology About The Horse

source

                           

Those Born in the Year of the Horse 

Horses are popular, quick-witted, charming, cheerful, and talented.

People born in the Year of the Horse are popular.


They are cheerful, skilful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much.


They are wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members of the opposite sex.
 
They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything except their daily work.


They like entertainment and large crowds.


They are very independent and rarely listen to advice.

They are most compatible with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep.


Astrologically, the horse is placed directly opposite the rat. The rat is the creator and the horse is the "consumer."


Therefore a horse year may be marked by an increase in business and commercial activity, particularly those involved with non-essentials like luxury cars, high fashion, alcoholic beverages, athletics, and anything "male" oriented.


Unfortunately, it is often a year of waste. A household should be careful to make sure they don't overspend their budgets during a horse year.
(I can so see my son over spending with his new daughter!)






Here is some Chinese Calendar information about the animals:

The Chinese New Year Calendar - With Its Associated 12 Animals

The lunar Chinese New Year (CNY) calendar below shows which of 12 animals you are!  Naturally the animal depends on the year in which you were born.  Note: if you were born in January or February you need to check if your birthday was before or after the date of that Chinese New Year. (If it was before this day your animal is the one shown for the previous year).

Rat	1924	1936	1948	1960	1972	1984	1996	2008
Ox	1925	1937	1949	1961	1973	1985	1997	2009
Tiger	1926	1938	1950	1962	1974	1986	1998	2010
Rabbit	1927	1939	1951	1963	1975	1987	1999	2011
Dragon	1928	1940	1952	1964	1976	1988	2000	2012
Snake	1929	1941	1953	1965	1977	1989	2001	2013
Horse	1930	1942	1954	1966	1978	1990	2002	2014
Sheep	1931	1943	1955	1967	1979	1991	2003	2015
Monkey	1932	1944	1956	1968	1980	1992	2004	2016
Rooster	1933	1945	1957	1969	1981	1993	2005	2017
Dog	1934	1946	1958	1970	1982	1994	2006	2018
Pig	1935	1947	1959	1971	1983	1995	2007	2019

60 Year Cycle of the Chinese New Year Calendar

Unlike western calendars, the Chinese calendar has names that are repeated every 60 years.  Within the 'Stem-Branch' system is shorter 'Celestial' cycle of 12 years denoted by animals.  Furthermore, the Chinese believe that people born in a particular year take on the characteristics of the animal associated with that year.
   Rat    Ox   Tiger  Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster  Dog   Pig 2008 2009  2010  2011  2012   2013  2014   2015   2016     2017   2018 2007
Another dimension of the Chinese zodiac is the 5 'Terrestrial' elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth.
If the year ends in 0 it is Yang Metal.
If the year ends in 1 it is Yin Metal.
If the year ends in 2 it is Yang Water.
If the year ends in 3 it is Yin Water. If the year ends in 4 it is Yang Wood. If the year ends in 5 it is Yin Wood.
If the year ends in 6 it is Yang Fire.
If the year ends in 7 it is Yin Fire.
If the year ends in 8 it is Yang Earth.
If the year ends in 9 it is Yin Earth.

Amish Cinnamon Bread

I saw this recipe on Facebook and want to share it with you. It sounds so good and we love to make different kinds of bread that you just mix and bake.


Amish Cinnamon Bread


No kneading, you just mix it up and bake it.
Batter:
1 cup butter softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda


Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
2/3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon


Directions:
Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs.
Add milk, flour, and baking soda.
Put 1/2 of batter into greased loaf pans.
Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 cups sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan.
Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping.
Swirl with a knife.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min. or until toothpick tester come clean.
Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

Peppermint Popcorn Valentine Treat

Peppermint Popcorn

Use those left over Christmas Candy Canes to make a sweet treat to send for the kids Valentine Party at school or a Valentine for the teacher or others on your Valentine's list.

Ingredients

* ½ cups Unpopped Popcorn (approximately 16 Cups Popped)
* ½ cups Crushed Peppermint Candy Cane
* 2 cups White Chocolate Chips
* 1 dash Salt


Preparation Instructions
1. Pop 1/2 cup popcorn. I use an air popper. Yield is about 16 cups popped.
2. Finely crush peppermint sticks (I place them in a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin).
3. Melt white chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. If melting in the microwave, stir every 30 seconds. (It takes about 1 1/2 minutes to melt.)
4. Place popcorn in an extra large bowl by handfuls to remove the unpopped kernels.
5. Working quickly before the chocolate sets, drizzle white chocolate over the popcorn, sprinkle the peppermint candy and a dash of salt.
6. Stir vigorously to coat the popcorn.
7. Spread the popcorn in a thin layer onto waxed paper.
8. When popcorn is cool and dry, break into small pieces and serve.

Adult Be My Valentine Peppermint Hot Chocolate

As you and your valentine snuggle up by the fire on Valentine's Day you might want to try this yummy treat.


Adult Peppermint Hot Chocolate

8 ounces boiling water

1/4 cup cocoa mix

1 shot of 100 Proof Peppermint Schnapps

(might not want a full shot of Schnapps in your drink)

Handful of Peppermint Marshmallows

Mix cocoa mix into boiling water. Stir until mixed. Pour into a cup.

Add the shot of Schnapps and handful of marshmallows.

ENJOY

My daughter poured this in a clear glass so she could send me the photo.

She promises this will warm you up on a cold winter night!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls for Valentines

These would be a sweet treat to give your Valentine!

You could even cover a foam egg carton with Valentine decorations

and put a dozen of these in the carton.

Maybe a cute card attached that says "I am eggcited you are my valentine"

or "I am eggcited to have you for my teacher" or what ever you need.

CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

2 cups peanut butter, chunky or smooth

1/2 cup butter

3 cups powdered sugar

Mix with spoon then add

3 cups crisp rice cereal

Mix with your hands it is messy, but easier this way mixture is stiff

Roll into one inch balls

Place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet

Put in the fridge for 20 minutes

In a double boiler melt

1/3 bar paraffin wax

3 cups chocolate chips

With a slotted spoon dip balls in chocolate until covered

Place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet and chill until set

YUMMY!

Sweet Valentine Roses

It is time to start thinking about Valentines Day All Free Holiday Crafts featured this neat craft project by Craft Test Dummies and if you are not signed up on both of these sites I would recommend them.

Supply List:

• Red Tissue Paper, cut in squares. You need 2 squares per rose.
• Wire floral stems (green)
• Wired Leaves (2 per flower)
• Glue Dots
• Floral tape
• 2 chocolate kisses per flower

Start off by taking one of the floral wires and roughly bending it in half over the bottom of a candy kiss. Hold the wires in your fingers and twist the ends loosely. Put a glue dot over the wire.

Place another candy, bottom side down, on the glue dot.

Take your tissue paper squares and center them over the pointy end of the candy. Pull the sides of the tissue out straight and crease.

Wrap tissue clockwise around candy, forming petals. Keep twisting all the way to the base of the candies. Secure with a bit of tape if needed.

Holding one end of the floral tape against the bottom third of the candy portion, start pulling the tape gently and wrapping it around to form a stem. (Pulling the tape activates a mild wax that will make the tape stick to itself.)

Once you get past the bulky portion at the end of the tissue paper, add two leaves and continue wrapping down the wire to the end. Just rip off the tape and smooth it down to finish.

http://www.crafttestdummies.com/

3 Ingredient Splenda Cake

3 Ingredient Splenda Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Butter 8 inch round (or square) baking dish

Mix together until just combined:

1 cup self rising flour

1 cup Splenda

1 can fruit cocktail with juice

Pour into buttered baking dish

Bake 45 minutes until top is golden

Can be served warm with whipped cream

YUMMY!

Friday Foto

I love coffee cups. I love giving people coffee cups as gifts. I have my coffee cup I drink out of on weekday mornings. I have a coffee cup that sits on the warmer at my desk, at the office. I have my coffee cup I drink out of on weekends. Years ago I had an entire wall of coffee cups hanging on one wall of my kitchen. I still have a couple of boxes of coffee cups packed up in the garage. Most of all I love personalized coffee cups with photos of those I love on the cup.

These four coffee cups belong to my husband. I gave them to him as gifts, and he loves each one of them. I have noticed that he alternates drinking out of them.

Next time you need an inexpensive gift (under $20 with shipping) give a personalized coffee cup. I order my photo coffee cups from Walgreens and have them shipped directly to the person who is receiving the gift. These can be used for birthdays, thank you gifts, or any type of occasion where you want to let someone know they are special.

My favorites are the two above on the left where I put a collage of photos on one cup. With the Walgreens website all you do is set up an account and download your photos. Then you pick the type and size of cup, the background color and add your photos. You can also add a message to the cup, but I would rather have the room for the photos.

Spice Cake Mix Cookies

SPICED CAKE MIX COOKIES WITH PECANS

1 PACKAGE CAKE MIX (ANY FLAVOR) I USED SPICE CAKE MIX

1 LARGE EGG

1/4 CUP OF OIL

1/4 CUP OF WATER

1/4 CUP OF CHOPPED PECANS

(YOU CAN USE MORE NUTS OR RAISINS, CHOCOLATE CHIPS, ETC.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine cake mix, egg, oil, and water.

Beat until well blended.

Stir in nuts.

Drop by teaspoon full about one inch apart onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes or until done.

Makes about 4 dozen.

These were so easy and good to eat!

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

10 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

(number depends on amount you are making this batch was two pans)

4 Medium Chopped Onions

1 Cup Chopped Jalapeno Peppers - optional

2 Large Cans Cream of Chicken Soup

16 Ounces of Sour Cream

2 Packages of Small Flour Tortillas

Monterrey Jack Cheese

Mexican Blend or Cheddar Cheese

At least 6 cups of Cheese

Butter or Margarine

Accent (my daughter uses this on everything!)

Lemon Pepper

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Chop the onions and jalapeno peppers.

Saute Chicken Breasts, Onions and Peppers in Butter add Accent,

Lemon Pepper, Garlic Powder and Onion Powder

(they cooked two pans of chicken)

Stir together Cream of Chicken Soup and Sour Cream heat until warm.

Shred cooked chicken.

Spray the bottom of 9 x 13 pans with Pam.

Spread soup and sour cream mixture on bottom of pan.

Spread soup and sour cream mixture on flour tortilla.

Put Monterrey Cheese and Chicken on tortilla.

Roll up tortilla and place in baking pan.

Tiffiany and Kennda assembly line!

When the baking pan is full of filled and rolled flour tortillas, spread on a layer of the soup and sour cream mixture, then top with any extra chicken you might have left.

Add a layer of Mexican Blend or Cheddar Cheese to cover top of entire pan.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

Tiffiany and Kennda got together and made these for us and they are just the best tasting enchiladas I have ever had. I even think they are better heated up as leftovers the next day. As you can see from the photos, they allowed Pop to chop the onions!

One Dish Stove Top/Chicken Casserole

One Dish Stove Top and Chicken Bake

I had forgotten about this dish.

I was flipping through my favorite recipes and there it was!

It is quick and easy to prepare.

I made changes to make it with the chicken I had on hand.

preheat oven at 375 degrees

1 package Stove Top Stuffing Mix

(I used a generic brand)

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

(I used frozen boneless chicken tenders)

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/3 cup sour cream

(I used 2/3 cup sour cream)

Put the stuffing mix in a bowl with 1 2/3 cup of water and set aside.

Put the chicken in a 13 X 9 baking dish.

Mix soup and sour cream and pour over the chicken.

Spoon stuffing over the top.

Bake until chicken is cooked. Approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

YUMMY!

Jeanie's Sausage Casserole

Winter is my favorite time of the year to make casseroles and this is one of my favorite!

Thanks to my sister-in-law Jeanie for this easy recipe.

SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

preheat oven 350 degrees

2 eggs

1 pound sausage

1 can creamed style corn

1 medium onion chopped

3/4 cup Shawnee cornbread mix

Beat eggs, add chopped onions, cornbread mix, sausage and corn. Mix well.

Pour into 9 x 13 greased glass pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until top is browned just a little.

My husband added jalapeno peppers on top for decoration.

This is such a easy dish to make and it is really good!

My favorite way to eat this is with jellied cranberry sauce, and of course it goes well with our favorite sweet potatoes! It reheats wonderfully to take for lunch the next day too.

Tater Tot Casserole

Tater tot casserole is quick and easy to fix and good to eat.

1 pound ground beef 80/20 mix is best

1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can green beans (we added this to recipe)

or 1 can of black beans can be used your choice

2 cups of grated cheese (your favorite)

enough tater tots to cover the top

9 x 13 casserole spray with cooking spray

Preheat oven to 325 if using glass pan

Saute large onion and brown ground beef.

Drain grease off ground beef and add onions and vegetables.

Mix together with can of cream of chicken soup and just enough milk to stir around and get all the soup out of the can. Stir until all ingredients are heated.

Pour into 9 x 13 greased casserole.

Add approximately 2 cups or more of cheese on top of meat/veggie mixture.

Place tater tots on top of cheese. Reminds me of rows of round hay bales in the pasture. My husband said it reminded him of Jim Hooper lining up the high school band for the parade.

 Cook in 325 degree oven for 35 minutes or until tater tots are cooked and cheese melted.

This is yummy! Serve with salad and you have a complete meal.

Weatherford Wind Turbines

Photographers from every state can be seen stopped along Interstate 40 in Western Oklahoma snapping photos of the Wind Turbines on my way to or from work on a daily basis. I am rerunning this post about the wind turbines. We get more and more of them in Western Oklahoma all of the time.

As you travel around the Weatherford area you can see wind turbines in all directions.

This information display is across from the Weatherford City Hall. The wind turbines are huge, but work like a child's pinwheel. When you blow on a pinwheel, the blades spin around. It is the same with wind turbines. Western Oklahoma has enough wind to keep the blades of the wind turbines turning. The blades are connected to a drive shaft inside the large box on top of the towers. The drive shaft turns the generator, which makes electricity.

Next to the wind turbine information is a real wind turbine blade laying on the lot. As you can see it is very large. Each wind turbine has three blades. Each wind turbine operates independently of the others. Each is basically an individual power plant.

This is a look down the blade. It is quite amazing to think of this thing up in the air turning around and making electricity. The electricity is carried in cables from the generator down the inside o the tower, then underground to the site's substation. That power then goes into the off site transmission lines and is used by the local utility company to serve its customers. There are several wind farms across the state of Oklahoma.

This is the part of the blade that connects to the tower. My husband is six foot tall, you can tell the blade is huge!

We pulled off on a side road by one of the wind farms. My husband decided to walk out to the first turbine. See how tiny he looks walking out there!

The wind turbines are so strung out, I could not get a photo that captured the full view of a wind farm. Come to Western Oklahoma and see them for yourself. They are quite impressive.