Monday, November 27, 2017

Garlic Parmesan Knots...




Oh y'all!!!!  I have GOT to share with you this quick and VERY easy recipe for Garlic Parmesan Knots!!!   You can easily include your children (yes, even young ones!) in making these.  They are perfect with soups, stews, chilis or even as a side for any casserole or meat dish.  Shoot, have them with quiche or even pizza!!!!!  Or a snack!!!! JUST MAKE THEM!!!!!  
These use canned biscuits, canned parmesan, simple plain oil, and probably the dried herbs you already have in your kitchen.  
What are we waiting for?  LET'S BAKE!!

First, open the can and cut the biscuits in two (I prefer to use Jumbo biscuits for this).  Roll each half into an 8 inch rope.  (This is the part your children will LOVE to help you with!) 




Tie them into little knots and place them on a baking sheet.  You can spray with nonstick cooking spray, rub with butter, or use parchment paper like I did here.  

 (NOTE: DO NOT use wax paper!!!!!  NOT the same thing as parchment paper.  It will melt and ruin your food and your pan.)





When they come out of the oven, they look like this.  All golden brown. 

  

As SOON as they come out, place them in a bowl filled with your oil/parm/herb mixture and give them a careful but thorough toss.


Then EAT!!!!! 
Garlic Parmesan Knots
8 servings

 1/3 cup extra light olive oil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (I used the green can stuff)
1 1/2 tsp dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt and pepper
1 tube jumbo canned biscuits (8 biscuits in the can)

 In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients and toss to mix well.

 Cut each biscuit in half and then roll into an 8 inch rope.  Tie into a knot and placed on prepared baking sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately place in bowl with herb mixture and toss gently to coat.  

See?  SUPER easy and quick!!!!!!  Y'all be sure and let me know if you make these for your family!!
Happy Homemaking!!!
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Sunday, November 19, 2017

Chocolate Cake and Thanksgiving Helps...




Happy early Thanksgiving, y'all!!!

 I know most of us are preparing for a busy week this up ahead with Thanksgiving here in the US.   I recently found a few yummy blogs offering recipe and hospitality ideas!!!!  

 Miz Helen shares 15 Thanksgiving Sides and Salads.

 Amanda Frederickson has great recipe ideas.

 The Kitchn offers recipes and wonderful ideas for whatever kind of Thanksgiving you're hosting- Your First Thanksgiving, Work Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, etc. 

 And dear Aunt Ruthie at Sugar Pie Farmhouse shares 10 Tips for a Happy Thanksgiving.  




We've got a busy week this week.  Tonight is Mr. U's company Thanksgiving party (except they call it Friendsgiving).  What are we taking to share?  Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake. Always ALWAYS a hit.  


We will meet Mr. U's side of the family Wednesday for a Thanksgiving meal with them and then Thursday we will meet with my side of the family for another Thanksgiving meal.  So a busy and YUMMY week ahead for sure!!!!


Enjoy your family and friends this week giving thanks to God for all He has given us.
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Monday, November 13, 2017

Happy Homemaker Monday..... with Snickerdoodle Blondies...


(Happy Homemaking Monday is hosted by  Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom)
Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
About 95% of the time I have a Snickers Smoothie for breakfast.  So so good.  Today, it's the same old same old.  

Right now I am:::: 
Getting ready for our school day.  Mondays are my FAVORITE day of the week and the only full day I know we will be at home all day.  LOVE THAT!!!!!

The weather outside::::
COLD!!!!  At least, it's cold to this southern girl.  The high is supposed to be 66, though, and sunny.  SOOOOOO my  kind of day!!! 


Looking around the house::::
It's early as I type this, so the house is very quiet and still.  I like to get up before my family so I can read my Bible and pray and get ready.  Oh and make sure I have Italian sausage out of the freezer for dinner tonight.  It's going to be Pumpkin Sausage Pasta.  Mmmm.
On today's to do list::::
Laundry- Mondays and Thursdays are for laundering all clothes.  It goes by so much faster now that my girls are 11 and 7 and are such HUGE helps!!!

 Cleaning- Bathroom day!!  But, again, since the girls help, it's much easier than it used to be!! I do our master bathroom,  Elizabeth does their bathroom, and Caroline does that half bath.  Of course, I double check both of them and they usually do a really good job!! I'm so proud of how hard they work!!!  We also do quick "swish and swipes" (as FlyLady calls them) on a daily basis.  

 Homeschooling- We are in the Early Modern period in history and I LOVE IT!!!  We've been reading and talking about the early settlers to America. Such perfect timing as Thanksgiving is next week! :)

  

Currently reading::::
For myself, I just started FlyLady's book called Sink Reflections.  So far, it's mostly what I've read on her blog.  But ALWAYS great reminders to keep up the good work of home keeping!!

 For my girls and homeschooling, our current read aloud is Caddie Woodlawn's Family.  
On the TV today::::
We may watch an episode of Holiday Baking Championship tonight since it came on last week.  And I do enjoy watching House Hunters International.  OH!! And I REALLY have enjoyed Flip or Flip Atlanta!!!  Probably my favorite HGTV show!!!  Maybe since I'm in Atlanta I'm a little bias but..... :)


On the menu this week::::
Su- ate at Panera after church
M- Pumpkin Sausage Pasta and salad
Tu- One Pot Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
W- Taco Salad
Th- Garlic Soup and homemade crackers
F- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad
Sa- (grocery day) pizza (either frozen from Aldi or Little Caesars), chips or salad, ice cream



If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Start thinking of Christmas gifts. I am SUCH a last minute person and I got on my own nerves last year about it!! HA!! I really need to work on getting better at planning Christmas gifts ahead of time.  But THANK GOODNESS for Amazon coming through for me!!

New recipe I tried last week::::
Oh my stars!!  SNICKERDOODLE BLONDIES!!!!!!


Snickerdoodle Blondies
(originally from here)
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 T vanilla
2 T white sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until well blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. In a small bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the batter in the baking pan. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the surface springs back when gently pressed. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack for 5 minutes then cut into squares with a PLASTIC KNIFE!!!

***TIP- use a PLASTIC KNIFE when you need to cut any bar recipe like this (like brownies, too!!).  Wait about 5 minutes then cut.  The plastic slides nicely through the hot dessert and doesn’t stick at all.  My knife of choice?  Leftover from Chick Fil A drive thru. ***




Looking forward to this week::::
Well, kind of looking forward to it... my dad has had back problems for a while and he is finally having surgery Tuesday.  Obviously, I DO NOT want him in pain from surgery, but I'm so SOOO praying that this surgery helps him feel better!!!  The issue has also been making his legs feel very weak and the dr is sure this will help that a great deal!!!  So I AM looking forward to this step in helping him feel better.  :)
Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses::::
My reading is in Psalm 75-79 this week.  I follow the SOAK method from Good Morning Girls.  Such a blessing!!!!  

Happy Homemaking!!!!

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Monday, November 06, 2017

Bacon Swiss Quiche...



I don't know about y'all, but I LOVE a good quiche.  What I don't always love is making a crust for it.  Sure I could buy store bought pre-made crusts, but I have never really liked the flavor.  Homemade is always better. 

I have another quiche recipe on my blog and it IS very good, but it's slightly different AND has a crust with it.  This recipe is CRUSTLESS!!!!  

So when you really want a quiche on your menu, try this one with no crust.  SUPER simple, tasty and versatile!!!  Change the cheese!!  Change the meat!  Even add a handful of sautéed veggies in!!!  


Bacon Swiss Quiche

1 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
6 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded

 Cook the bacon until brown and crispy then drain on paper towel. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs. Add the cream and salt and mix well. Sprinkle the cheese and bacon evenly on the bottom of a prepared 9-10 inch glass pie plate. Pour the egg mixture over the cheese. Bake at 350º, 35-40 minutes.  Check to make sure it is done by inserting a knife in the center of the pie and if it comes out clean it is done. 

This serves 4 generously.  

 I serve it with any kind of roasted veggies or a salad.

This is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! 
Happy Homemaking!!!




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Monday, October 30, 2017

Chicken Orzo Soup...


  

I mentioned last week that I had made a very tasty soup and had used the pre chopped and frozen onions, celery, and carrots in it.  This is that recipe.  So comforting and warm- especially on a cool evening in fall or winter.  

 This has quickly become a family favorite!!  Hope y'all enjoy it, too!!

 Oh and this would be excellent with some homemade rolls or crackers!!  
Chicken Orzo Soup

 2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 carrots, diced or shredded
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
8 cups chicken stock
precooked and chopped chicken (I used chicken breasts)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp herbs de Provence
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup (or more if you like) of orzo pasta
1/4 cup heavy cream
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in 6 qt stock pan.  Stir in onions, celery, and carrots.  Cook about 10 minutes over medium heat until veggies are soft.  Remove from pot and set aside.

 In the same pot, stir in 3 tablespoons butter over medium low heat.  Stir in flour and whisk until all flour is mixed in and the color starts to turn light brown.  It starts to smell a smidge nutty at this point.  This is a good thing!!  Slooooowwwwly add chicken stock and whisk as you go.  This will help thicken the soup just a little bit.

 Once it's all incorporated, return sautéed veggies to pot along with chicken and all the spices (NOT the orzo).  Let it come to a slight boil then reduce to simmer.  THEN add the orzo in and cook about 20 minutes until the orzo is soft and yummy. 
Turn off heat and stir in heavy cream 5 minutes before serving.  
I hope your family love this as much as mine!
Happy Homemaking!!!


I was featured at Back to My Southern Roots!!!!!
Foodie Friday Link Party!


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Monday, October 23, 2017

Freezing Chopped Veggies...




This past week I had planned on making two soups that both needed onions, celery, and carrots.  I knew I had purchased celery and carrots the week before, so I did not pick any up at the grocery store on my normal grocery day.  Well, when I got home from the store and was putting all the groceries away, I noticed that the carrots and celery weren't looking so fresh and I knew they'd be ruined by the time I needed them.  I did NOT want to waste them AND I did not want to run out to the grocery store again.  So I decided to go ahead and pre chop the onions, celery, and carrots and put them in freezer bags all labeled with the recipe they were to be used for.  YAY!!  Usually chopping veggies is what takes the longest in any soup recipe (well, other than a long simmering time).  This was such a time saver and came in SUPER handy when the days came for me to make the soups for my family.  Hooray for saving both time AND money by chopping the veggies before they went bad.  

 I shared before about pre chopping and freezing veggies, but this time I froze them and bagged them according to upcoming recipes instead of just freezing all the carrots together, all the celery together, etc.  Such an easy idea that saved me time the day of cooking.  

 What soups did we have??? Oh y'all.  DELICIOUS soups!!  

 First we had Disneyland Loaded Potato Soup recipe that I found here.  YUUUMMMMMM.  Well, except I left out the corn because I don't love corn.  

 And we also had Chicken Orzo Soup.  Very very tasty!!  This is the second time we've had this.  I think this is going to be one of the family's favorites for a while.  I'll be sure and share that next week!!!  



You're a STAR

 They kindly featured my post here as one of their November STARs.





And a huge THANK YOU to Miz Helen!!!!!









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Monday, October 16, 2017

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix...



I LOOOOOOOOVE a steaming mug of hot chocolate.  A big mug with lots of whipped cream or marshmallows.  Then add on a sprinkling of chocolate shavings on top.  OH YES!!!  Nothing says cozy quite as nice as snuggling up with a cup of hot chocolate.  Mmmm..


Cool mornings have started here in Georgia.  If weathermen are correct, we should be greeted each morning with temperatures in the 40s.  Great way to start off the morning?  Hot chocolate and buttered toast for breakfast.  

This mix is super easy to prepare.  I simply don't like the taste of the store-bought premade packets of hot cocoa mix.  So I just keep all the ingredients I need on hand to make this and mix it all up whenever we run out.  Decidedly simple.  Very tasty.  My girls even say they prefer this version of hot chocolate over any they've had from a restaurant.  WOW!!


Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

2 cups powdered milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup cocoa (unsweetened)

Mix all ingredients together and store in a quart size mason jar.  

To make a cup of hot chocolate, pour hot water in a mug and THEN pour in the hot chocolate mix (1/3 to 1/2 half cup, based on how sweet and chocolatey you like your cocoa).  Let it start to dissolve on it's own and then gently stir it all together.  Great as is OR add lots of marshmallows or whipped cream.  Great, also, using a peppermint stick as a stirrer!!!  

Enjoy!!! 


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Monday, October 09, 2017

Update... Homemade Chicken Stock...



Waaaaay back in July of 2009, I shared about how I make chicken stock.  I am very well aware of the fact that you can buy this at the store in cans or boxes.   I have definitely used the store bought stuff before.  Not bad, but nothing you'd "Mmmmmmm" over.  Know what I mean?  

 I also know there is such a thing as bouillon cubes that come wrapped up in cute little tiny squares.  I always have those on hand.  You never know when you are suddenly out of chicken stock. Boy, those little squares have certainly come in handy over the years!!!



However, by far, the BEST tasting thing to use when it comes to chicken stock is.... drumroll.... HOMEMADE!!!!  

 You knew I'd say that didn't you?  

 Not only is it BY FAR the tastiest, it is CHEAP, too!!!!  I've even made this in my crock pot before, too!!!  Just put all the ingredients in the crock pot, turn it on low, and walk away for about 8-12 hours. SUPER SIMPLE!!!!  

 I do prefer, though, to simmer it on the stove all day long.  I do it on a day when I know I don't have to go anywhere.  The smell in the whole house that day is just sooo yummy. Last week when I made our latest batch, the exterminator was here (LOOOOOVE THE BUG MAN COMING every 3 months!!! I DO NOT like bugs!!!  But that blog post can wait for another day...) even HE said, "Boy that sure smells good."  Thank you, Bug Man.  
I digress...
Here's how I roast the chicken...

 Use bone IN and skin ON chicken breasts.  You can use any part of the chicken you like- just make sure you have the bones.  Some people will even buy "scratchers" (chicken feet) from the grocery store to add to their stock.  (Yes, I am serious.  Go ask your butcher where they are! Or my dad.  He knows them very well.  Pretty sure he'll read this post!!)  They contain a lot of super good for you stuff in the bones.  

 So I roast my chicken breasts in the oven at 400° for about 45 minutes until they are golden brown on top.  I rubbed olive oil on top and sprinkled with salt and tons of fresh black pepper first.  


After I removed it from the oven, I let it cool.  When I could touch it, I removed the meat from the bones and chopped the meat up.  I usually freeze it and save for casseroles or soups or enchiladas or chicken salad.... well, you get the idea.  




 

 The bones and skin (and "scratchers" if you're using them) now go into a big stock pot.  I use my 9 quart pot.  Roughly chop 2 onions, 4 ribs celery and 3 carrots and place in stock pot along with 2 bulbs of garlic (cut in half) and 2-4 bay leaves, 2 tsp dried thyme,  a sprig or two of fresh rosemary and a big handful of peppercorns (yes, put them in whole). And, this may sound like a strange ingredient, but also add 2-3 T of apple cider vinegar. Cover everything with water to the very rim of the pot. Cover with lid. I prefer to do this the night before.  The apple cider vinegar helps to draw out the gelatin from the bones (super good stuff for you!!!).

 Doesn't it look so pretty in the pot???


Don't skip these details about making chicken stock...


When you're all done you can either use it right away or store it in the refrigerator 3-4 days or in the freezer up to 6 months.  I have used mason jars to freeze the stock in as well as plastic quart size freezer bags. 

(our chicken stock in freezer bags)



So who else makes their own stock?  If you do, please share anything you do differently.  I LOVE learning better ways.  

Happy Homemaking!!!
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Monday, October 02, 2017

Dish drainers- do you or do you not?



In March of 2012, I asked if any of y'all used a dish drainer.  To be very honest, I was shocked that most of you did not use one!  I thought EVERYONE used one!!  

 Since that day, I've been thinking about NOT having one.  Yes, I realize that was FIVE years ago, but still, the idea has been in the back of my mind this whole time.  I'm just sooooo over how much counter space the dish drainer takes up. 

 I challenged myself to go the whole month of June of this year without using the dish drainer.  I did it and LOVED it!!  I finally threw the dish drainer away two weeks ago (yes, in September!!!). HAHA!  I guess I was scared I'd suddenly "need" it again???  

 Here's how it looked with the dish drainer on the counter top...






Here's what I've been doing- washing dishes then laying them on top of a dish towel.  I do put almost everything in the dishwasher, but for the things that I hand wash, I've been washing them and laying them on the towel.  Great thing about this is that I DO NOT like the dishes laying on the counter so I am forced (by myself.. no one MAKES me do this) to immediately deal with the dishes. I dry them off and put them up right away.  Then I'll just hang the towel to dry.  









Aaaaahhhhh the counter looks SO much less cluttered without the dish drainer.  YAY!!!!  





Y'all please share links to your blogs if you've shared about your dish drainer or lack of a dish drainer before.  

Happy home keeping!!!


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Monday, September 25, 2017

Easy Breakfast- Puff Pancakes...




Puff Pancakes are definitely one of our easiest and tastiest breakfasts.  You simply mix up all the ingredients and wait for the oven to heat up.  As the oven is heating, I put the pan in the oven with the butter in it.  The butter melts as the oven heats and, usually, by the time the oven is to the correct temperature, the butter is all melted and ready for the batter to be poured in.  Super simple. 


Puff Pancakes 

6 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla 
2 T butter (salted)

Turn oven on to 375°.  Place the butter in a 9x13 pan and put in oven.  As the oven heats, it will melt the butter.  Remove pan from oven as soon as the butter is completely melted.  But, as you wait for that, go ahead and mix the remaining batter ingredients together. 

When the butter is melted, pour the batter into the hot 9x13.  Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are browned and it's all puffed up.  

Remove from oven, cut into serving sizes, drizzle with your favorite toppings.  We prefer maple syrup, but fresh berries and powdered sugar would be awesome, too!!




Here's what it looks like as soon as the timer goes off, ready to be pulled out of the oven.  

And here's what it looks like after just a few minutes!!  The pretty puff is gone (so don't wonder "what did I do wrong??" when yours does this!!!), but the yumminess is left behind.  
And here it is all served up and ready to be devoured.  So tasty.  

 We've been making this for at least 10 years.  Hope y'all love it as much as we do!!

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