These days are running together.....

Study, study, check out Pinterest (a new-found hobby/addiction), study, study, study, change diaper & put on new movie, study, study, Facebook, procrastinate with other stupidity, then more studying. Ugh....I don't even know what day it is!

Jason was so accommodating today. As soon as he got home from work he took Shelby and went to get a hair cut. He said she's a chick magnet and then pointed out that he had forgotten his wedding ring...thanks sweetie. :)

Then they went to our garden to harvest, water, and tend to it.
 

The harvest was plentiful

Collard Greens, Mixed Lettuces, & Rainbow Radishes

When they got home they snuggled up to watch a movie and stayed quite for me. 

Dinner was MOD Pizza. Personal pizzas for $6.88 loaded with any topping you want. They just opened and we think they'll be a hit! Served with a salad using lettuce and radishes from our garden of course!

They are both in bed now. Jason has to be up at 4:30am. He's working yet another Sunday. :/ The overtime pay is a blessing but it stinks that he's been working 57 hr work weeks for over a month now. I am proud of him for his diligence in signing up to work the over time and in turn, make extra payments on student loans. As my Grandmother says, "This too shall pass." And it will! :)

Ok, my eye lids are beginning to droop.

Get Me to the Greek!

Jason and I came across this wonderful little "fast food" joint in the mist of apartment searching. I am taking FULL CREDIT for the find due to the childish fact that "I saw it first!". LOL
That's beside the point.
We've eaten there twice and both dishes were delicious! They will ask you if you want to add feta. DO IT!
If there are any Washingtonians reading this, hear me when I say.... you must try this place.
Gyros Delight
4029 196th Street Southwest
Lynnwood, WA 98036-6714
(425) 774-4255

Since I referenced the movie "Get Him to the Greek " in the title of this post I thought it only appropriate to include a hilarious quote from the film. And what do ya know?! I stumbled upon a quote referencing Seattle! Hahah!

Aldous Snow: Aaron, look at what you're wearing. Do you think that now you live in Seattle, you're grunge or something? You look like a lesbian.
Aaron Green: Play the song, man.

So folks, (Yes, Mom. I said folks. Someone shoot me!) I will leave you with that laugh and a few pics of the yummy food I hope you are able to try! If not, MORE FOR ME! :) Did I mention they serve chocolate covered baklava! Enough said.

My husband brings home the chicken.

So Boeing, Jason's employer, had a meeting for the first shift today. They had it catered by a chicken place. When Jason got to work I got this text, "There's a ton of chicken, slaw, and potatoes here! Do you want me to bring some home?" To which I responded, "Heck yea! As much as you want. My mouth is watering."
When he gets home he comes back to the bedroom and gives me this look.
Me: "What?"
Him: When I brought the food home I didn't think about it fitting in the fridge."
Me: "Fitting in the fridge? What? How much did you bring home?! I've gotta see this!"
Well, when I said bring some home I didn't know he'd bring enough to feed a third world country! Chicken anyone?

Happy and Healthy

Shelby is Happy

I love the way she will lay on her hip.

And I am trying to get healthy. This is my typical dinner lately...raw bell peppers with a tsp of ranch dressing as a dipping sauce, sauted asparagus (Cooked with NO butter, just cooking spray and salt.), and 2 scrambled eggs with just a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.

The Grands and Brunch

This weekend I was surprised to get a call from my Grandmother and her husband, Mr. Syfrett. They wanted to know if they could come see us. "Well of course you can!" I said. So they did.
They pulled up on Saturday in there brand spankin new (used LOL) motor home. Jason, Shelby and I were given the grad tour immediately following their arrival. While Jason and I marveled at the beautiful fabrics, leather couches, and cherry wood cabinets Shelby was perfectly content to roll around on the bed. Grandmother was getting a kick out of her. Shelby was talking up a storm! Oh, and Mr. Syfrett brought me roses! I had to show you some pictures.


Then on Monday we made the spilt second decision to hop in the truck and go see Ben in Stephenville. I am not sure if I have mention Ben lately on here....Ben is my younger brother and he just started his first semester of college at Tarleton State! I had never been to Tarleton and couldn't wait to look around campus. Ben showed us where all his classes were, the rec center, the cafeteria, the library, and of course his dorm room which is tiny. Seriously tiny. It was wonderful to see Ben; I have been thinking about him a lot since he started school. I know he will do well but I want him to feel comfortable to call me if he needs anything at all and I have this psycho love for editing English papers so I have told him time and time again that I am just an email away from editing his paper. Abilene is only about an hour and forty-five minutes away so I hope he visits often! I have tried to bribe him with food! :D Unfortunately I was too busy looking around to remember take any pictures. :(

Now onto the topics of brunches. They are wonderful aren't they?! You get to sleep in and then get up to a cornucopia of breakfast delights...well, that is if your not the person preparing it. ;) So to treat my wonderful family right I made brunch two mornings.
For morning one I made a basic omlette with mushroom, eggplant, onion, garlic, parsley, zucchini, tomato, green onion, and cheddar cheese. I think that was everything. But instead of folding the omelet in half over itself as is typically done I pulled the pan off the burned just before the eggs were fully cooked and sprinkled the cheese over top and popped the whole thing under the broiler until the eggs had finished cooking and the cheese was melty and just brown on top. Delish!

For morning two I decided to do something a little more special and try some new recipes. So I made a Pomegranate Breakfast Soda which is one of Ina Garten's recipes...I love her!

Next was Breakfast in a Cup by Paula Deen...How can you not love Paula and her obsession with butter! Note: I topped this dish with a dollop of sour cream and finely chopped green onion and it really added to the dish.

Lastly, I prepared French Toast with Strawberries and Cream recipe courtesy of the newest Food Network Chef Claire Robinson.

As you can tell by this very large post I had a wonderful, family filled weekend. Try these recipes; they are scrumptious!

Mexican Fondue

I am sorry to all for my lack of blogging and pictures lately...I guess I just don't have much to say but I should at least get some recent pictures posted!

Today I was feeling festive so I made this dish for lunch. It was so simple but since the dish is technically a side I cooked some chicken breasts and cut them into strips and then placed them around the bowl. The fondue tastes amazing with grilled chicken and it is the perfect finger food meal. I have to say it is very pretty as well and would be a great appetizer for a party. Jason wasn't too fond of the spinach in it but other than that...great dish.

One Note: Canned artichokes were over $3 which was too pricey for me so I substituted mashed garbanzo beans. I was thinking navy beans might be good as well. Also, don't skip making your own chips...they are worth the little bit of time they take. The cumin on them adds a wonderful flavor.

Let me know if you decide to make it; I would love to hear how your family reviews it!

Adios

Mexican Fondue

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/quick-fix-meals-with-robin-miller/mexican-fondue-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

* Cooking spray
* 8 flour or corn tortillas, cut into wedges
* Ground cumin
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 2 to 3 cups shredded 4 cheese Mexican cheese blends (recommended: Monterey Jack, Cheddar, mozzarella, queso blanco, or any combination of cheese blends)
* 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
* 1 cup salsa or pico de gallo sauce
* 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
* 3 seeded, peeled and chopped avocados
* 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
* 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro leaves
* 1 tomato, chopped
* Smoked paprika, if desired

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Arrange tortillas on prepared baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. Season the top of tortillas with cumin, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake 6 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven.

While the tortillas are baking, in a medium saucepan, combine cheese, artichoke hearts, salsa, and spinach. Set pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, for 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Pour into a serving bowl.

In a large bowl, combine: the chopped avocados, lime juice, chopped cilantro, chopped tomatoes, salt and freshly ground black pepper and smoked paprika, to taste, if using.

Adjust seasonings, if necessary.

Serve cheese fondue with baked chips and guacamole

Another milestone already!

Shelby started cereal on Friday. I can hardly believe it!!!
She had never eaten from a spoon before (Well, except for the times I caught Jason sneaking her mashed potatoes form the table.) so I knew it would be something she'd have to get the hang of. Her 1st feeding she wasn't sure what to do and kinda just spit it out. She was more interested in playing with the spoon and trying to shove her hands in the bowl of cereal rather that actually eating. She didn't seem to be figuring out the whole swallowing thing. When I put the cereal in her mouth she would just move it around in her mouth mixing it with her saliva and then it would ooze back out her mouth.
During her 2nd ever cereal feeding about half way through the bowl something clicked....she figured out how to swallow! It is now Monday and she is eating up to ~3-4 tbs of rice cereal.
I'll try to post some pictures of the cutie chowing down very soon! Her messy little face is adorable.

Yup, I'm a Hillbilly Housewife.

Tonight when I was getting Shelby dressed for bed I sneezed out of the blue and was caught off guard when my cranky, tired baby laughed! So I fake sneezed and she laughed again! I probably sneezed like 20 times just to watch her face light up and hear her giggle. It's so funny to see the things that make her laugh and to discover new things. I had been trying to make her laugh earlier today and all I could get was a smile...what do ya know?! :D

On a different note I feel like today has been crazy. I have been on my feet all day preparing food ahead of time. I enjoy Susanne's site the Hillbilly Housewife and love to read up an all her $$$ saving tips. In lue of the fact I am trying to be thrifty in the kitchen I wanted to try her $70 Low Cost Menu this week. So today I prepared 2 loaves of homemade bread (1 for this week and 1 to freeze for later), a batch of 15 Tender Cornmeal Muffins (a few for this week and the rest frozen), and Blondies which are a yummy treat (Half were frozen for a later time which will also ensure that I don't eat the whole batch this week! ;) That's not to mention the Rock Botton Salmon Patties and rice for lunch or the coleslaw, and Boston Baked Beans with chopped hot dogs I made for dinner! WHEW! I have been a busy bee. By the way, my total at the grocery store was $64.33 so it was under $70 and I even found that a few of the items at my grocery store costs more that she had anticipated. Also, much of the food I bought will carry over to next week. What a deal! She also has a $45 Emergency Menu if you need it.
Well as Porky Pig would say, "Th th th th th th th that's all folks!" Ta ta for now. ;)

Easter Cake Balls

Lately there is one recipe that I keep seeing everywhere but have never made...CAKE BALLS! At my MOPS meeting the other day someone had brought some - I ate more than one! I have also noticed that Bakerella has been making some as well as Pioneer Woman. So I decided to jump on the bandwagon.
Here is my Easter version of the recipe.

Here's what you need:
1 box cake mix (I used Duncan Hines Red Velvet.)
1 can icing (I used vanilla.)
Melting chocolate
Optional: Sprinkles to decorate. Not pictured


Now let's get cookin'!
1) To begin make the cake following the instructions on the box. Once the cake is out of the oven set it aside and let it fully cool.
2) Take the cake and cut into 6 parts. Then grab a big bowl and two forks; break up one portion of the cake at a time until the whole cake is broken up into small crumbs with no lumps.
3) Next scoop in some of your icing and begin blending it in.


I agree with Pioneer Woman who suggests that you only use 3/4 of the icing. If you use the whole can I think the cake is too moist. Blend until you can see no icing.


4) Now you can start rolling the cake mixture into balls. I used a tablespoon so they would all be the same size.


Your hands are going to be very gross afterward!


5) Lay them onto a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for about an hour. If they are very cold the chocolate will set better and you won't get crumbs in your chocolate.


6) It's chocolate time! Melt the chocolate the way you want. I prefer a double boiler over the microwave. Then if your chocolate begins to get thick you can just pop it on the stove again.
If using a double boiler stir the chocolate constantly so it won't burn.
If you are using the microwave put it in for 30 seconds at a time then take out to stir. Do this until the chocolate is fully melted.


7) Take a few of the cake balls out of the freezer. I leave the rest in so they stay cold. I noticed that when they started to warm up they became more fragile and I began to get pieces of cake in my chocolate. That's no bueno! I started out with them on a folk and then using a spoon to pour chocolate over the top but I soon realized that there was an easier way. I skewered the cake ball with a tooth pick (all the way through), dipped it straight into the chocolate and used the spoon to get it completely covered. BTW-No I don't have a tan...that's Rifkah helping me! LOL



8) Now place the ball on wax paper to harden. I used a spoon to gently slide it off the toothpick and then put a dab of chocolate over the hole. I hope all that made sense. :)
9) If you choose to, shake some colorful sprinkles on top. I thought the splash of color would be perfect for Easter!
10) Allow the chocolate to set and enjoy!




This is what Shelby was doing while I cooked.

Breakfast Crescent Braid

I was searching for some new breakfast recipes on the internet and found this one. It's so easy and good too! My favorite part is how well it holds together. When you have no time in the morning just cut yourself a slice and pop it in the toaster oven or the microwave until warm. Then wrap in a paper towel and it makes the perfect on the go breakfast. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as Jason and I do.

Here's What You Need:
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations
Scrambled eggs (I use 4 eggs + milk + salt and pepper to taste)
4-5 strips bacon (Any other breakfast meat would work great too!)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (I love cheese and use more.)
Optional: Hot sauce


Now that you have what you need let's get cookin'!
1) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2)Scramble the eggs. Since they will cook some more in the oven, under cook them.
3)Next cook the bacon strips and set aside to cool.
4)Now grab the crescent dough. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and use a rolling pin to roll to about 10in x 12in.
5) Lay the eggs down in the center of the dough. Be sure to leave room on both sides and the ends as pictured.


6) Top with bacon (or other breakfast meat), cheese, and as much or as little hot sauce as your taste buds desire.
7) Use a pizza cutter to cut slits as shown in the picture above.
8) Fold both ends over. See picture below.


9) Start on one end of the roll and bring the side pieces in and overlap them. Alternate one from the right and then one from the left. Now keep that up until you reach the end of the roll.


10) This is also optional but I highly suggest that you brush an egg wash on top of the loaf before you bake it. To create my egg wash I whisk one egg and some water together. It makes your loaf shiny on top and helps it to brown nicely. Below is what it looks like after the egg wash was brushed on. I didn't have a pastry brush so I used my fingers! Shhhh, no one will ever know. ;)
11) Place the bread on a cookie sheet. I used a spatula to help get it onto the pan.


12) Put into a 375 degree oven until golden brown. Mine took about 12 minutes.
13) After removing from the oven let it cool for about five minutes before you dig in.


14) Slice on the diagonal, grab a class of orange juice [Add a little vodka if you are facing a stressful day! :)] and enjoy!