Updates

I am finally feeling better.  Flu was horrible.  Was really sick for over 2 weeks.  Still am not back to normal yet.  It was rough.  Whole family had it.  Haven't been that sick in years.

Finished Wolf Quilt2 top.  Quilting part will have to wait until I decide what backing I want to get for it.  It will be hand quilted so probably won't be done for months. 

Tried a new recipe today.  Cinnamon Rolls. 
http://valleyridgerecipes.blogspot.com/2010/04/cinnamon-rolls_17.html?m=1
Didn't come out like the recipe pics.  Dough was too soft.  Now I know to add more flour.  They still taste good just don't look as good as recipe.

Valentine's Day gifts

Have a great day!

Soft Pretzels

My son loves soft pretzels so I surprised him with trying a recipe for these.  They came out good.  They took over 2 hours and dirtied a lot of dishes.  I don't think I would make them often but I would make them again.  Here's the link to recipe I used:
http://www.yammiesnoshery.com/2012/04/auntie-annes-pretzels-copycat-recipe.html?m=1#

I did 1 tray of plain.  ( 1 fell apart + another got squished when I used tongs to take off cookie sheet.  Lesson learned  lol).  2nd tray I dipped in brown sugar + cinnamon.  Yum!

 

 

Pinterest Bread

I have a few bread recipes pinned on Pinterest.  Decided to try my most recent pin, Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes.  http://www.makeandtakes.com/warning-easiest-recipe-for-homemade-bread

I've only made homemade bread once before.  I made rolls for sandwiches.  They came out ok.  I wanted to try it again but never got around to it.  I've been wanting to try again.  The "5 Minutes" in the title of this recipe made me want to try again. 

So today I gave it a shot.  I made 4 rolls for sandwiches.  We had them for dinner.  Yum!  A second tray is in the oven right now for lunch tomorrow.

The recipe is for 4 loaves.  Cook time is 30-35 minutes.  I checked at 20 and they looked done.  I guess since they aren't as fat as a loaf that they don't need to cook as long.

What I really liked about this recipe was that the dough can stay in fridge and you just pull off what you need and bake it.  How convenient is that?

Pinterest Jello Poke Cake

Tried a new Pinterest recipe, Jello Poke Cake. Here is original recipe : http://www.thecountrycook.net/2011/07/jell-o-poke-cupcakes-poke-cake.html

Jell-o Poke Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 box White Cake Mix
(Ingredients required to make cake; usually egg whites, water and oil)
1 (3 0z.)box strawberry gelatin
1 cup water
1 container of Whipped White Frosting

Directions:
Mix cupcakes as directed on the back of the box and bake as directed.

Allow cupcakes to cool completely.

Boil 1 cup water and add jello, stir until completely dissolved.

Poke holes in cupcakes with fork or toothpick. Don't be afraid to pick right down in there several times. You want plenty of holes for the jell-o to seep into.

Using a spoon, pour strawberry gelatin mixture over cupcake.

Now they need to go into the fridge for about 2-3 hours to set.

Once set, frost cupcakes using whipped frosting.

And if you like, top it off with fresh, sliced strawberries and enjoy!

Cook's Note: You can use any combination of cake mix or Jell-o flavor you like with these. You can use a vanilla or yellow cake mix. Orange Jell-o works well with these. Also, for 4th of July celebrations, it might be fun to use a Berry Blue Jell-o as well.

Here are my changes. I made a yellow cake from scratch. Used my glass 9x11 glass pan. Let cool. Pour Orange Jello over it. Let sit in fridge for 2 hours. Frosted with Cool Whip. Yummy!

Pinterest Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Tried another recipe found on Pinterest, Cheesy Chicken and Rice.  It was yummy.  Here's the original recipe:

http://www.southernplate.com/2010/09/slow-cooker-cheesy-chicken-and-rice-the-downside-of-being-a-swan-princess.html

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 large onion, chopped (I use Vidalia)
• 1 -8 ounce box Zatarain's Yellow Rice Mix, cooked according to directions
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 - 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup (regular or fat free)
• 1 -15 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained

Instructions

1. Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Scatter chopped onion over top. Spoon cream soup over top of that. Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours. A few minutes before serving, add in cooked rice, corn, and cheese. Stir to combine. Serve hot.

Here is what I changed.  I didn't use the crockpot.  Had a big package of chicken breasts I wanted to cook, shred then freeze some so I boiled the chicken.  Shredded it.  Froze some.  Made Boil in Bag white rice, 2 bags.  Used taco blend shredded cheese.  I put everything in pot I cooked chicken in.  Added a bit of broth to thin it out.  Mixed all together and heated up on stove.  I consider it a success if my picky family eats it and they did.  It's a keeper.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner was nice. MIL, BIL + his girlfriend drove down. We had decided on having ham instead of turkey this year. It was good but I really miss having leftover turkey sandwiches. I bought a (gasp) store bought pumpkin pie this year too. Guess I'm getting lazy as I get older. lol It really wasn't as good as mine but it sure was a lot easier. :) Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.

Went to the zoo with hubby on Wednesday.  I love going when it's not crowded.  I didn't take many pics but here is one of my faves, otters.

Here is a adorable deer that kept staring at hubby.

 

Have a great day!

Thursday Thoughts

Well we survived Sandy.  We were very lucky.  MIL lives about a hour away.  They still can't go back to their house.  No idea how much damage they got. 

The store our booth is at is on a barrier island.  No idea if they got flooded.  Normally they wouldn't but this wasn't a normal flooding.  We are gonna try to go see it today. 

I am really tired of hearing people bitch about all the damage (I am really thinking of one specific person here.  Now I'm not saying that they don't have a right to be grumpy but this person complains about everything).  You live on a island.  Guess what?  Islands are surrounded by water.  Islands flood.  You don't like it then don't live on an island.  You knew that when you bought your house.  You enjoy the perks like the beach well there is a downside too.  Deal with it, stop bitching or move.(There, I said it and I feel better now)

I was really impressed with Dish during the storm.  We only lost signal when electric went out and the boxes had to reboot.  Way to go Dish!   Oh and thanks for getting AMC back too.  Halloween wouldn't be the same without watching FearFest.

Just so I wouldn't be tempted to eat trick or treaters candy (see prev post) I made a cake I found on Pinterest.  I had it bookmarked and a FB friend tried it and posted about it.  It is called Boston Creme Poke Cake.  (note to self:  do not ever start making a cake after dinner especially one with lots of steps).  Here is link:  http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/03/boston-cream-poke-cake.html

First let me say that I am one of those people not blessed with lots of patience.  Poke Cakes are not for us. 

Second:  It is just cruel that you put pudding on then let it sit for 2 hours. 

Third:  After you impatiently wait 2 hours, then you still need to add frosting then let it sit again.  This is a very cruel cake and should not be made when craving something sweet cause it will be hours until you can eat it.

Fourth:  Recipe doesn't say how long until frosting sets.  What does set mean?  Does it get hard?  Well I gave it a hour and then couldn't wait any longer.  We (alright just me) just had to have a piece.  I was also a nice person and gave pieces to my family.  Forgot to take a pic before cutting it.  Phone camera didn't take a good pic.  Sorry.

It was a very messy cake to cut.  Fosting never got stiff.  But it was yummy.  My son didn't like it.  He didn't like the pudding.  Oh darn guess that means more cake for me and hubby.  :)  To see better pic click on recipe link.  Her cake is pretty. 

So I just had a piece for breakfast.  Stop gasping, I can eat cake for breakfast if I want to.  I am a adult (well ok some of the time I am an adult).  How else would I find out if frosting got stiff?  Well it didn't.  Maybe I heated it up too hot.  Maybe I shouldn't have put a lid on cake dish.  Who knows!  I do know it was still messy and yummy.  :)

That's all my thoughts this morning.  Have a great day!