Thankful Thursday

I forget what week we are on of being home.  We have our "new normal" now.  I think it was last Friday that our Texas Governor announced that Texas schools would remain closed the rest of the school year.

What are you thankful for?
Here is my list!

~ my husband asking my opinion about a decision and us talking about it together.

~ my big boy driving me around the past few weeks on our Meals on Wheels Route.  It has been very helpful and I enjoy having him along.

~ sharing a coloring page with my boy.  He picks a marker for me and I color a bit and then I pick a color for him and he colors.  We did this on our neighbor's porch earlier this week while Caleb did the weed eating.  The next day Titus told me he liked when we were coloring and both humming.

~ all the flowers in bloom.  As I'm driving around town I love seeing the yards with flowers.  I have been seeing the irises and now have been seeing roses.

~ a new recipe to try for  supper.  I saw it on Facebook and we all liked it. It is called Cheesy Chicken & Salsa Skillet.  >Here is the link!<

~ sitting on the back porch/deck to do my quiet time in the afternoons.  I like hearing the birds as I'm sitting there.


Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: Our Newlywed Kitchen

Do you know a young woman busy planning her wedding day? I'd like to share this book today....it's called Our Newlywed Kitchen by Laura Schupp.

About the book:
Imagine giving the special bride you know a gorgeous keepsake book. One that includes timeless wisdom for the heart of your home―the kitchen―with space for you and others to insert recipes, prayers, Scripture, and memories. Our Newlywed Kitchen offers Christians a unique wedding gift for brides. It includes practical how-to information for wedding registry, kitchen organization, meal preparations, party planning, grocery shopping, and more. This gift will be immediately treasured by a new bride, who will refer to it for years.

My thoughts:
This is a beautiful book to give to a bride to be.  It has some helpful information on a variety of topics. I enjoyed reading the personal stories shared by the author of her own traditions and family.  I learned some things as well regarding items to put on your registry and felt the author made some good points about items needed by a young bride.

I like that it has a few blank spaces throughout to record both blessings and recipes for the couple.  The photos are nice to look at as well.  The book is well done and thought out.  It will be appreciated by the couple.  It isn't just for after the wedding though; there are things for prior to marriage such as how to create the registry and what you should be sure to include.

Find out more at this link.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Focus on the Family from the Tyndale Blog Network.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings! 
  Bethany

Amish Friends Harvest Cookbook

I have always enjoyed looking at cookbooks.  I was pleased to receive this book for my review and couldn't begin browsing through the pages.  The pictures are so pretty and add to the enjoyment of this book.

The book begins with some practical tips and advice for gardening.  I found these very interesting to read and felt it gave me a glimpse into the Amish lifestyle.  Following this is the recipes which are divided into categories.  There is such a wide variety of recipes here that I have never heard of or tried.  Many of them look rather easy to complete. I saw some I will be able to try out for my family and the local fair.

It made me smile to see the recipe for fried flower blossoms.  We had these when we visited family in Iowa one summer.

This book came out in August and would be a nice gift for someone in your life who enjoys cooking.

Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me a copy of this for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Weekend!

We had a nice weekend.  Friday my husband was off due to a test he had done at noon.  My Mom came to pick up Caleb after school because I did not know how long the test would take and did not want to be rushed or late getting over to the school.   When they got home after school, Mom and Caleb made this Rocky Road Cookie Pizza and some yummy grapes mixed with topping. 

(photo from Pillsbury website)

Caleb then played outside a while and showed Gramma his BB gun. He rode his bicycle and scooter a while also before we went to eat supper and to Academy.  Caleb got a new bigger sized coat for next year as his other camouflage coat is getting too small for him.  My husband got a light jacket too that he wants to get embroidered with his work logo.   

Saturday my Mom made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and in the afternoon we did some shopping and to the library. 

Sunday we ate a quick lunch after church  and my Mom going home before going back to the flag football game with the church group.  Caleb had such a fun time playing.  He was one of the captains, the two youngest players were chosen for captains.  We had fun watching them! 

Now it is Monday again, the end of another month.  I have many plans for February for a Valentine countdown with my boys plus getting things ready for Caleb's class Valentine party.  I am also excited to get Caleb's Valentine's he made for family in the mail later this week.  We got them all made last week one day after school.  I remember when he was younger he'd put a sticker or two and write his name on one or two and be done.  It would take us a week to get them finished!  These turned out cute.  I may share them here after they go in the mail (don't want to ruin the surprise for those who read the blog and will get one in the mail!!).

Thank you for stopping by. 

Have a day of blessings!

Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Wraps

For supper a couple weeks ago we had Grilled BBQ Chicken Wraps.  I saw the recipe on the back of a package of Kraft grated cheese (which I normally don't buy but did probably because it was on sale!  haha!).  The picture looked so good and it sounded easy.  We had some boneless skinless chicken breasts in the freezer so I thawed a couple.  When my husband got home he fixed them on the grill for us.  They were SO good!  We added some onion to ours too which gave it a nice flavor.  They taste like quesadillas.

Here is a link to this yummy, easy recipe.  Enjoy!

Have a day of blessings!

3rd Thursday Thought

For this month's third Thursday thought for the Hearts at Home bloggers, the equestion is:
What is your favorite homemade dish? Share your recipe!   
I love trying new recipes so I look forward to the recipes shared on this blog hop today.  My Mom will often get me a new cookbook for Christmas.  I have a big collection now, taking after my Mom actually.  I have a bunch of the Taste of Home cookbooks, and they are probably my favorite.  I have gotten many of our favorite meals from these books. 

Here is one of our favorites.  It is called Biscuit Pizza Bake.  (I shared this back in August 2007 on the blog as well)

Biscuit Pizza Bake
1 lb. ground beef
2 tubes (12 oz. each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 can (15 oz.) pizza sauce
1 c. chopped green pepper
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can (4 oz.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 pkg. (3 1/2 oz.) sliced pepperoni
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Meanwhile, quarter the biscuits; place in a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish. Top with pizza sauce. Drain beef; sprinkle over biscuits and sauce. Layer with green pepper, onion, mushrooms, pepperoni, and cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Yield: 6--8 servings

From: Taste of Home's 2001 Quick Cooking Annual Recipes

I never put the mushrooms or pepperoni in ours. Also, I usually only use one tube of biscuits. That pretty much covers the bottom of the baking dish I use.  I like to make this the same week I make spaghetti. I cook extra meat and also have sauce leftover. I really like it when I can find ways to use up the food before it goes bad.  Hope you enjoy it!


Have a day of blessings!
 

Book Review: The Fast-Food Kitchen

I would like to share with you a book called The Fast-Food Kitchen: Great Meals at Home in 15 Minutes by Sheri Torelli.


Do you ever feel like you eat out more than prepare meals at home? Or that you are too busy to prepare a meal for your family? This would be a good read for you.

The book has two main parts. First are 11 chapters where the author shares tips and advice on how to have your own "fast-food kitchen." One chapter I particularly enjoyed was called "Your Most Important Piece of Furniture," where she talks about the importance of the table in your home and all the activities you can do as a family around the table. Other topics in the book include saving money at the grocery store, hosting get-togethers in your home, and how to save time in your cooking. The second part of the book is a section of recipes. The recipes include pointers on how to make them part of your "fast-food kitchen" to help you be efficient in preparing meals. I found several I want to try soon!


Have a day of blessings!


Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for providing this book to me for my honest review.

Recipe: Taco Bake

This week I made Taco Bake for our supper one night. It was very easy and had such a good flavor. It was different from other casseroles I've made, and we enjoyed the change. I plan to make it again somtime. It is from the Taste of Home cookbook and I found it to copy and paste from their website.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
3/4 cup water
1 package (1-1/4 ounces) taco seasoning
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 package (8 ounce) shell macaroni, cooked and drained
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided


Directions:
In a skillet, brown ground beef and onion over medium heat; drain. Add the water, taco seasoning and tomato sauce; mix. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in macaroni, chilies and 1-1/2 cups of cheese. Pour into a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.

You can view the recipe and a picture at Taste of Home.


Have a day of blessings!

Blog Hop--Favorite Recipe

I'm posting this with the "blog hop" and this is my first time to participate. I have posted this recipe previously, but it is one of my favorites so I'm posting it again.

Biscuit Pizza Bake
1 lb. ground beef
2 tubes (12 oz. each) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 can (15 oz.) pizza sauce
1 c. chopped green pepper
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can (4 oz.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 pkg. (3 1/2 oz.) sliced pepperoni
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Meanwhile, quarter the biscuits; place in a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish. Top with pizza sauce. Drain beef; sprinkle over biscuits and sauce. Layer with green pepper, onion, mushrooms, pepperoni, and cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Yield: 6--8 servings

From: Taste of Home's 2001 Quick Cooking Annual Recipes

I never put the mushrooms or pepperoni in ours. Also, I usually only use one tube of biscuits. That pretty much covers the bottom of the baking dish I use.

I like to make this the same week I make spaghetti. I cook extra meat and also have sauce leftover. I really like it when I can find ways to use up the food before it goes bad.

Recipe: Berry Berry Cool Pie

picture from Keebler Ready Crust website

Last Sunday I saw this recipe in the coupon flyer in our newspaper with the Eagle Brand milk coupon. I had it in my head all week that I wanted to make it so Saturday I got the stuff I needed at the store and made it. It is very easy to make. The hardest part was waiting for it to freeze!! It is yummy and a perfect treat for hot summer days. It actually made two pie crusts full for me. I may have put too much whipped topping because I used part of a large tub and wasn't exactly measuring it.

Click for the recipe: Berry Berry Cool Pie

As long as it is called Today: Christian home keepers (June)

I'm glad you're here for "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the fourth week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Summer is here! Share a favorite idea of something to cook on the grill.

My answer: We've been cooking potatoes on the grill lately. I peel and cut up the potatoes. We wrap them in foil with some pepper, butter, and onion and throw them on the grill. My husband really does the grilling so I look forward to some new things to try from your ideas. :)

Thanks for participating! Have a blessed day!

As long as it is called Today: Christian homekeepers (May)

Welcome to "As long as it is called Today." Our focus on the fourth week of the month is to encourage one another as Christian home keepers. I hope you will join me each week on Tuesdays as we encourage each other in our daily lives as Christians, spouses, parents, and home keepers.

Be sure to read the answers to last week's question or leave an answer.

Today's question: Share your favorite meal you prepare for your family that is fast and easy.

My answer: I like to make individual pizzas when I need something quick for supper. I buy little buns at the bakery from the grocery store. I cut them in half, spread sauce on them and then add cheese and whatever other toppings we have.

Leave your answer in the comment and come back next week to read the answers left by others to get some ideas to add to your family's menu this summer.

Taste of Home Cooking School

Growing up my Mom received Taste of Home magazines. Now my Mom often gives me Taste of Home cookbooks as a gift. I have a growing collection! I've seen the Taste of Home cooking school advertised the past few years when it came to our area but never attended until this year. I invited a friend to go with me and we enjoyed the cooking demonstration.

As we entered we were greeted with fun gift bags full of coupons, magazines, and other freebies. Throughout the evening they gave away a ton of door prizes (which I didn't win). The cooking demonstration lasted a couple of hours with an intermission half-way through. We watched as our "culinary specialist" prepared a variety of recipes with everything from appetizers to main dish treats.

I have looked through one of the magazines and found a couple recipes I want to try. One is Mexican Lasagna. Another is Chocolate Drops. I will share the recipes when I make them.
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"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13

Recipe: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These are SO delicious! My Mom emailed me the recipe a couple weeks ago. I asked her if she thought they'd make themselves if I looked at the recipe enough times. ;) She made them with Chef Caleb's help Sunday afternoon. The smell from the oven as they cooked was wonderful as well!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup margarine (2 sticks)
2 pkgs cream cheese, soften
1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tbsp - divided
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, finely chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

streusel topping recipe follows
1/2 cup caramel topping

Mix flour & brown sugar, Cut in butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2. Bake 15 minutes at 350.

In large bowl beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time then add vanilla. Stir to combine and then spread over warm crust.

Stir together chopped apples, 2 tbsp sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping and bake for 30 minutes. Drizzle with caramel topping.

Streusel topping
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup margarine, 1 stick

Broccoli Salad recipe

Here is the recipe for Broccoli Salad. I first started making this salad for a 4-H Food Show as a young girl. Now I like to make it at Thanksgiving. I made it over the weekend for a lunch with my husband's family.. I think the leftovers in the fridge taste even better after it has soaked up the dressing!

1 lg. head broccoli (2 lbs.)
10 slices bacon, crumbled
5 green onions, sliced
1/2 c. raisins

1 c. mayonnaise (not salad dressing!)
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 c. sugar

Wash, trim, chop broccoli into bite size pieces.
In a large bowl add bacon, onions, and raisins.
Combine mayo, vinegar, and sugar in separate bowl. Stir well.
Add dressing to broccoli mixtures. Toss/stir gently.
Cover/refrigerate 2-3 hours (I prefer overnight).

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"In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech." Titus 2:7, 8

Amish Friendship Bread

Have you ever been given a starter of Amish Friendship Bread? Last Sunday our neighbor brought over a bag for me. A family from church had given us some bread at Christmas, but we didn't know that's what it was until we tasted the neighbor's sample.

We made the bread as a family activity together last night. It is so delicious. I have passed on one of the bags and two others are taken too. I guess that leaves one bag for me to do it again!

You can read about the Friendship Bread on Wikipedia.
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"Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat--refreshing!" Proverbs 25:13, MSG

Recipe: Devil's food Pound Cake

I made this cake a while back for my grandmother. My husband really liked it so I made it for him for our anniversary. It is so delicious. I found it on the side of the cake mix box. I had all the ingredients so I tried it. I just noticed today as I was going to type the recipe to share that you use 1/2 c. of frosting. I've been using most of a can! Caleb likes to add some sprinkles to it at the end; they make a nice touch!

Here is the recipe. That's better than me typing it plus you get to see a picture of the product! Yummy!

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"Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us." Ephesians 5:1, 2

Recipe: Chocolate Marble Gooey Butter Cake

Our church hosts a bbq in the spring and fall at the lake. It is always a nice time to be out by the lake worshiping God and enjoying the bbq.


This is the dessert I took Sunday. It was yummy! What wouldn't be good in a recipe with both the words Chocolate and Gooey in the name?


I found the recipe already typed online so I am going to give you that link instead of typing it all out. I found this in my book The Cake Mix Doctor. If you don't have this cookbook, I would recommend it. There are some great easy recipes to make using a cake mix.


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"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Psalm 118:14

Recipe: Taco-Filled Peppers

I bought some bell peppers yesterday at the store so I could make this recipe. We have it from time to time and enjoy it. As I was getting everything out to begin cooking, I thought to myself that I needed to find the recipe first. I knew it was written on an index card. I looked through my file box, and it wasn't with the other cards. Then I saw another stack of cards mixed in with my cookbooks, but it wasn't there either. I kept thinking I know it is on an index card, not in a cookbook. I got out a Taste of Home cookbook though and looked in the index. There it was--the recipe I needed! I had bought that particular cookbook a few weeks ago at a garage sale. I believe I must have copied the recipe onto an index card from the book when I checked it out from the library. I like to check out cookbooks every now and then. I was thankful to have found the recipe because I wasn't sure I remembered all the steps. It's easy though!

Taco-Filled Peppers (from Taste of Home 1995 Annual Recipes)

1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup salsa
4 medium green peppers
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c. sour cream

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef; drain. Stir in the taco seasoning, kidney beans and salsa. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds and stems. Immerse peppers in boiling water for 3 minutes; drain. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture into each pepper half. Place in an ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through. Top each with tomato, cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Yield: 4 servings

(My husband doesn't like kidney beans so I take those out or substitute canned corn for that.)

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"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness know through all generations." Psalm 89:1

Recipe site

My best friend sent me a link to recipe site I'd not seen before. It looks like a good one. I wanted to pass it on! It's called Group Recipes. Tell me if you find and try any great recipes.