Instant pudding vs Cooked pudding

In our household, I have to make both if husband is getting any.  He is a firm believer in instant, I in cooked.  There is no convincing the other, that theirs is gross.  Seriously, we will gag at each other while watching the other eat.

Also making the puddings has to be different.  Best way to make sure there are no clumps for instant is add all the milk at once & whisk.  For the cooked.  1 cup of milk at a time.  Easy.  Sure.

And lastly, has to be jello...no generic.  GROSSSSSS!!!!!  Whats a few cents more, to get some yum yum goodness out of a box?

Miya's Passing

We thank you Miya, for being perfect. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here today. We love you, we will miss you....and for anyone that got a kick out of you...those helicopters ears, the love leans, or that big ol head of yours in their lap...they were lucky. You are a very rare soul. Loving life, until the end.

Periwinkle, Rachel Anderson - cross stitch

Been a busy little bee with this one.  Finished pages 17, 18 & 37 (18 & 37 were just little smidge pages).  They took a total of 16 stitching days.

Ham & Beans

I will post a picture of this later today, when all cooked up & served.  In the crock pot now.


Leftover ham, 1 lb, diced
1 lb white northern beans
2 tbls butter
1 onion, diced
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper, just depends on the kick you want
1 tsp parsley
salt & pepper to taste
vegetable broth or stock

Soak beans over night.  Drain and rinse and drain again.

Dice or chop up your onion.  Saute onions in the butter.  When just about done add the brown sugar.  Saute for an additional 2 minutes.  In the meantime add all other ingredients into crock pot.  When onions are finished, add to crock pot.  Just about cover the beans with the stock. Cook on high 4-6 hours.

Sausage & Cheese Dip

Been making this dip for a good 25-30 years.  Remember making it up in my mothers kitchen.  The family enjoyed & they asked for me to make it for a get together.  From that day on, every time I would go somewhere, I was asked...you making that dip????  Of course I see variations of it, even on TV, but this is how I make it.


1 roll of sausage, pork.  Can be Italian, breakfast, pork or pork with sage
1 block of velvetta cheese
1-2 jars of salsa
hot peppers if you dare
something to dip with.  tortilla chips, a round loaf of white bread cut up, even put over noodles for a meal

Ground the sausage.  Drain very well.  While the sausage is browning cut up the cheese.  Very important that this is velvetta.  All other block cheeses don't taste the same. I generally cut up the cheese into blocks for easier melting.  When sausage is browned & drained add the cheese.  Keep stirring until melted over a medium heat.  Add the salsa.  This is a dip, so depending on how thin or thick you want it, is how much salsa to add.  Add hot peppers or jalapenos if you like.  I don't generally add the extra kick if kids are having any.

Enjoy!!!!  This really is a huge hit

Croissant & Pepperoni Bites

1 package croissant rolls, separated into individual portions
32 slices of pepperoni
fresh mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 stick very soft or melted butter
2 tbls minced garlic

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix your melted butter, garlic, Italian seasonings & salt.  Brush on melted butter butter mixture on each rolled out croissant.  Put 4 slices of pepperoni on the bigger end of the croissant.  Add a slice of mozzarella cheese, can use string cheese, but I use mozzarella cheese.  Roll up bigger end to smaller end.  Bake 12-14 minutes.

Nice quick snack, easy meal for the go.  Nice hit while getting a holiday meal together....which is what I just did.

The Danes

We currently have 6 great danes.  A 7th is going to be added to our family next month.  She is just a little baby right now.

This morning, hubby goes to give them a treat & of course I had to quickly run to get the camera.  Unfortunately, Miya had gotten hers & taken off...so here is the rest of the gang.

Jeb, Savannah, Rose, Taylor & Jasper

Miya, later on...

Can't Stop Snorting - LMAO

Guess to really appreciate this picture, have to know Jeff.

Mind you, when I took this picture, all I really saw was he wasn't smiling.  Retook it.  Got home & downloaded our nightly pictures.  After sharing this awesome, hehehehehe, pic with a few friends & also being told, looks like a psycho trying to look normal.  Spot on!!!!!!

Biscuit donuts, really????

Trying these out tonight...Jeff said, there is absolutely no way these will taste good.  I hope to prove him wrong


http://www.sprinklesomesugar.com/best-easiest-glazed-donuts/

Puppy pictures - coown litter

UGH!!!!  this is soooo hard not being able to see the puppies.  Waiting for pictures also is tough.  I did get a couple of one of the males...he is just want too cute :0)


Vito is his name

OMG....we just loved this

So tonight's dinner was a hit....yum, yum, yum

Going to try something new for our household.  I had purchased some steaks in a value pack.  I had divided up into meals but ended up with an extra one.  Froze it & honestly didn't know what I was going to do with this lonely steak.  Last couple of days been pondering this issue & wanted to do something with brussel sprouts...so this morning came up with...


1 steak, will be cooking this medium rare to medium, strips
1/2 a bag of frozen brussel sprouts, defrosted & halved
olive oil
salt
pepper
minced garlic

Brown & cook the brussel sprouts in the olive oil.  When just about done, add the steak & seasonings.  Cook for about 3 minutes, really until you are happy with the doneness of the meat.  Your personal choice.



Will also be making roasted kernel corn, panfried & ramen soup (yep, ramen soup)

Roasting the corn....heat up olive oil, kosher salt & pepper to taste.  Brown the corn about 10-15 minutes.

Ramen soup....will be making it according to package directions up until adding the flavor packet.  Will drain most of the water out when noodles are cooked.  Add the flavor packet, red pepper flakes & a tad bit of olive oil.  I want these to be moist, not sticky but also not a soup.

To serve, use the noodles as your base, add your brussel sprouts & steak, sprinkle your roasted corn (ok, put on as much of that corn as you want)...its DELICIOUS!!!!!

Thursday Night Dinner - Steak, brussel sprouts, roasted corn & (cough) ramen soup

Going to try something new for our household.  I had purchased some steaks in a value pack.  I had divided up into meals but ended up with an extra one.  Froze it & honestly didn't know what I was going to do with this lonely steak.  Last couple of days been pondering this issue & wanted to do something with brussel sprouts...so this morning came up with...


1 steak, will be cooking this medium rare to medium, strips
1/2 a bag of frozen brussel sprouts, defrosted & halved
olive oil
salt
pepper
minced garlic

Brown & cook the brussel sprouts in the olive oil.  When just about done, add the steak & seasonings.  Cook for about 3 minutes, really until you are happy with the doneness of the meat.  Your personal choice.



Will also be making roasted kernel corn, panfried & ramen soup (yep, ramen soup)

Roasting the corn....heat up olive oil, kosher salt & pepper to taste.  Brown the corn about 10-15 minutes.

Ramen soup....will be making it according to package directions up until adding the flavor packet.  Will drain most of the water out when noodles are cooked.  Add the flavor packet, red pepper flakes & a tad bit of olive oil.  I want these to be moist, not sticky but also not a soup.

To serve, use the noodles as your base, add your brussel sprouts & steak, sprinkle your roasted corn (ok, put on as much of that corn as you want)...its DELICIOUS!!!!!

Homemade Fabric Softener

Whipped up a new scent...got to use what you have in stock.

6 cups very hot or boiling water
2 cups white vinegar
1 bottle of CHEAP conditioner (today's scent was kiwi & lime)
container


Add the water & the conditioner.  I put it into an empty 1 gallon jug.  Shake it up until mixed.  Add the vinegar.  Use 1/3 cup per load.  In my house, everything above is in my stockpile.  So this technically was free.  I would love to show a cute pic of what it looks like in a cute little jar, but its a plain ol empty candle jar.  Not decorated and the surplus still in the empty jug.  In time, yeah I can see myself making a label & putting it on display in the laundry room...ummm, lol, probably not.

Wednesday quickie dinner

I had planned on running to the grocery store today, but time got away from me.  So tonight is warmed up tortillas, cheese & salsa verde.  OHHHH, and can't forget the margaritas....a must have

Elf in Wood - page 19 completed

Current page took 10 stitching days.  Still haven't fixed her hole, still thinking when will a good time.  Probably at the very end, who knows....but I have to say still enjoy working on her :0)

 Closeup of page 19

Tuesday Dinner Plan

Sometimes, well really most times, you just have to use what is in your kitchen.  A recipe can be changed to suit your needs, for example tonight's planned dinner.  Will be making chicken & squash, but I don't have fresh butternut squash.  Instead I have frozen, plain ol' squash.  Going to give it a try.  If its good, well goodie for me.  If not, hopefully the chicken will taste right. Also will be making some brussels sprouts for the side.  Keeping my fingers crossed.


http://letthebakingbeginblog.com/2015/11/one-pan-chicken-and-squash-dinner/



http://whatsgabycooking.com/sauteed-brussels-sprouts/

Beef Stroganoff for Dinner

Served this last night.  But instead of over noodles, served it over stuffing.  Not bad!!!!  Also added mushrooms :0)


https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/beef-stroganoff/

Off to the Old House

Today was a good, work loaded day.  The drive itself, really isn't all that bad.  It's 6 hours round trip.  Plan of action was to clean up any messes left by potential buyers & realtors.  Make sure all lights are off, water pumps not busted and mopping of the floor.  Also needed to grab hubbies tool box.  Nothing major really.  Ran up to the outlet store just to walk around a bit...and threw in some sushi.  So all in all, a good day.

Before we even made it on the freeway stopped at a garage sale.  Purchased a Christmas tree that I am thinking about putting on the front porch, some wreaths that I will rework, throw up next year probably and other odds & ends.  But the best buy!!!!  Jeff found an old church pew for $50...me oh my.  I didn't get a good look at it, but I am sure some refinishing & staining will have to be done.  Will put it in front of the front windows on the porch.  Make it nice & comfy...well for a pew, will try ;)

Garlic Bread Dipping Sauce

The other night we had a Greek salad with homemade dressing.   It was also way past our dinner time, so even though there was chicken breasts in the salad I knew we needed something more.  So I tossed a couple of garlic knots into the oven & woohoo, more food to fill our bellies.

And of course you just have to dip bread into the dressing, which was absolutely awesome!!!!  So tonight, made some pasta & a little bit more of that dressing with a tweek, and used it for a garlic bread dipping sauce

1/8 cup virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 lemon, squeezed juice
1/8 tsp oregano
2 tsps minced garlic
sprinkle of feta cheese
1/4 cup kalamata olives
salt & pepper to taste

I put the feta cheese & olives into a food processor.  Just whipped it up really quick, wanted it to have texture, but not so much that you are eating huge chunks.  Put all ingredients into a dipping bowl.

Can I just say how yummy that was???  We especially liked the tangy taste of the vinegar.

Moving & Birds

When we moved, one of the things I had worried about was birds.  I was use to 4 different kinds of birds that would either visit our bird feeders, bird house or just live near us.  Can only try to see if I can get some...so out with the feeder.

After living here for about 3 weeks, I saw a hummingbird fly past a kitchen window.  I immediately put up their feeder & could enjoy watching them.  That lasted about 1 1/2 months.  No clue why but they just disappeared, earlier than what I was use too.

Fast forward to last week.  I heard something hit a sunroom window.  I recognized the sound, as a bird hitting a window.  Went outside, and oh my goodness, a blue bird.  Dazed itself, for it did fly away.  And now today!!!!!  Cleaning some walls & I am at the sink getting a rag all soaped up.  I see what I thought was a yellow bird.  So I am staring intentionally at this bird that flew up in the tree...catch something out of the corner of my eye, and ummm is that another one?  And then again, I see something, a different spot.  OMG...I think I see another one...until something spooked them, behind our vehicles, what appeared to be about 30 of these yellow birds took flight.  I can't tell you how excited I was. They appear to be pine warblers, and we do have plenty of pine trees to sustain them.

So now, again today...on the phone with the hubby telling him how excited I am.  Telling him about these yellow birds, when I shout out...a bluebird!!!!!!!  I can't tell you how happy I was....until, lol

About 15 minutes ago, was taking the dogs out for a potty break, when Rose ran off & spooked about ummmm, I don't know, 50 blue birds?????  I am not kidding you, 50!!!!!!

Now as I am typing this...there are bluebirds, yellow birds, these wonderful singing brown birds & even a woodpecker in my front yard.  Just watching them as they fly around, listening to their songs & enjoying, really, just a wonderful day :0)...now just hoping for the grosbeak....only see him twice a year as they travel north than south.  Keeping my fingers crossed