Lauries Kitchen

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I am trying....

I am trying to get my menu ready for next week....had a week off !!!!  Grace gets her wisdom teeth out Friday...say a prayer...she's never had any kind of anethesia before! By the way, one of my best friends became a Nana yesterday! Good job Jessica and Josh! She's a cutie for sure! So back to menu planning...I feel like we are really beginning to eat the same thing over and over...the upside is that they eat what I cook! We are planning on cooking out Sat for the 4th.  Here's what I have come up with so far....

Hamburgers with all the trimmings (fresh tomatoes from the garden!!!!)
French Fries-cooked by Grace if she is up to it
Red white and blue jello finger food (has a layer of eagle brand in it)
Toffee bars (new recipe I want to sneak in! )
Tea
Lemonade

Now to the rest of the week!

Wednesday-pizza at church
Thursday-Shrimp!
Friday-lunch --tuna sandwiches with veggies and hummus (yummo)
Friday supper----no idea yet
Saturday-hamburgers one meal, cereal the other
Sunday -Hernandez!  and then leftovers
Monday -pork chops and veggies
Tuesday-spaghetti with bread sticks


There you go . I finished it....Now to stick with it and pick out what I can/cannot eat! I have to remember that cooked a bunch of meat up and froze it this week. I want to try a recipe with chicken drumsticks and may try that one day at lunch next week. That would be good to heat up as well! My basket of lunch food is running over!!! YEAH!!!! Got strawberries fro $1.38 a carton alst week and froze almost all of them! Planning to make smoothies with those! Gotta add snacks for our trip, though. Need to start stocking up. Going to be along trip....but that's another story!

I'm glad Coyis home from his trip. There's just something about my little family being together that makes me feel all gushy inside!

~Laurie

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Zuchinni and Squash Succotash

Now I'm not sure what succotash is, but this is what Coy calls it. I needed another way to cook so much coming from the garden and came up with this. It's healthy and delish. The rotel gives it just enough kick!
Of course you could add more or even fresh jalepenos if you want more spice!

Zuchinni and Squash Succotash

1 large zuchinni
1 regular sized squash
1 can rotel
garlic powder
onion powder

Cube zuchinni and squash and saute in a pan. You can add water if it starts sticking. (Just a little bit) Cook down a little. Add rotel and spices and continue sauteing about 7-8 mins. I love to cook mine in the cast iron skillet.

It's been a sad day. We had to take Palidin to the animal shelter. It was just not working out. He had begn to chase cars on 316. Since we weren't willing and able to build a fence, it was really our only option. He also had gotten into everythingin the garage and chewed up everything. It was getting old really really fast. But our biggest fear was coming home and finding him run over.

Coy's getting ready to head out to his conference. We had zuchinni succotash, fresh corn on the cob, shepherd's pie and watermelon for lunch. There's nothing left. I'm fixing girl's requests while he is gone. Stromboli, macaroni and chesse from the blue box. Grace only has workouts on Tues and Thus this week . Then on Friday she get sher wisdom teeth out. They are already starting to come in crooked. So we are just going to go ahead and get them out. She's doing really wel lon her medication. Her moods have levelled out tremendously and she is lseeping so much better. Of course that could be because of the workouts, as well, though.

We're watching Buck Privates with abbott and Costello right now. It's hilarious! Grace is laughing the hardest. I love to hear her laugh! I'm not sure how much of it JoGail gets.....

I've got more zuchinnie to put up so I 'd better get to it! I still think we planted a jumbo variety!

~Laurie

Friday, June 25, 2010

Goals for the next three days

Maybe if I write these they will actually get done!

1. Go thru certificates, awards, etc in the girls' folders.

2. Sort and label medals hanging on the doorknob. This will be an adventure!!! Most of JoGail's are labeled (the school started dong this, but I still have a ton to sort thru)

3. Walk twice a day.

In case yo uhaven't talked to Deanna lately, she's going to be a grandma hopefully on Monday! Leadan Grace should be making her appearance!

~Laurie

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Chocolate Pie

Why oh why have I waited so long to try Mrs. Tipp's Chocolate pie recipe??? I thin kit was fear....fear that mine wouldn't taste anything like hers.....by oh did it ever!!!! Mrs. Tipp was a sweet old lady who lived cattycornered from u sin Evant. She thought Grce hung the moon. She had a special place in her tv stand for toys for Grace. Just Grace. We would go visit. She also wore a hearing aid and we were visiting one time around Christmas abd her hearing aid made that loud beeping sound and Grace thought it was Rudolph's nose! Sych precious memories. I was so surprised when the church gave me a baby shower at her homemade quilts--for both of the girls. She was a seamstress. When I was learning to sew she was so helpful . I would drag the material, pattern, the whole nine yards across the stree to her house. The firs thing she would always tell me was to throw the pattern directions away! She always said those people didn't have a clue what they were tlaking about! Her Bible was very worn out and she loved what she could. She was married but Mr. Tipp passed away before I got to know her. Her was creative as well. He had carved ac lock out of wood. It was GORGEOUS!  She brought this pie over one Saturday and we stuck it in the fridge. A storm blew in the next day and I remember Coy and I sitting on the floor in the living room eating this. It was good!

I cheated a little and used a pillsbury crust. I wasn't that brave! It wasn't really hard to make at all. Just took a little tender loving time!

Mrs. Tipp's Chocolate Pie
1 1/2 cups milk
2 T oleo

1 1/4 cup sugar
3 Big Tablespoons flour
1/2 c milk
3 eggs, separated
pinch salt
3 Tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla

Baked pie crust.

Meringue

In a heavy sauce pan heat milk and oleo. In a bowl mix next 6 ingredients (add only the egg yolks, save the whites for the meringue).  Gradually add to milk and oleo. Keeping heat on. Keep stirring and stirring. Mixtures will thicken. When nice and thick stir in vanilla. Let sit about a minute then pour into baked pie crust.

Meringue

3 egg white at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 tablesppons sugar

For best results,  place metal bowl and beaters in freezer for about 30 mins before making meringue. Gradually beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually stir in cream of tartar and sugar. Add vanilla. When mixed pour over pie. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes, watching it carefully. You want brown peaks, not burnt ones!



Crockpot Mexican Steak


1 package round steak
3 potatoes
1 package baby carrots
1 jar beef gravy
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 onion, sliced

Layer in crockpot in order given.
Cook on low 5-6 hours.

~Laurie

Linked up at   http://www.mommyskitchen.net/

Friday, June 18, 2010

Two new recipes!

Wow! I have been in the kitchen alot so far this summer break! It's been wonderful! And JoGail has been right beside me most of the time, talking away and talking away and talking away! She's becoming quite the helper in the kitchenin the process, though! I found a new recipe in a cookbook to try with all the zuchinni. I'm already wishing I had shredded more! I hope we get some more big ones !!! They shred so easily in the food processor! This first recipe is like a zuchinni cornbread.....sort of ! It's really good!

Crustless Zuchinni Pie
Adapted from Fast Fixes with Mixes

1 cup Bisquick
2 cups shredded zuchinni
1/2 c oil
4 beaten eggs
Salt and pepper

Mix all together and pour in sprayed 8x8 pan. Bake 350 about 30 minutes.

I would imagine you could add some cheese in it, too.....but you know how Coy is about cheese!


This next recipe is what I have been making me for lunch. I got the idea from a friend who had it at El Chico. I call it Pineapple Chicken Salad. Not like egg salad, though, more with greens. Makes enough for 1.

Pinepaple Chicken Salad
4 ounces chicken
Balsamic Vinegar ( I just use the cheap brand)
2 pineapple rings or some fresh pineapple
Shredded lettuce or a bowl of greens

Marinate chicken in balsamic vinegar. I poke the chicken with a fork to let is soak in good. Pan cook chicken. Move chicken to another plate to cool. Heat/cook pineapple in same skillet. Layer lettuce/greens in bowl, top with chicken and pineapple. I don't even need a dressing for this one!

Hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

Links this post is linked to:
http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/
http://www.simplysweethome.com/

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Helllooooooo any body out there reading this?????

Please leave me a comment if you do! I wonder if I just post to hear myself talk sometimes!

Ok....VBS food....These recipes come from the LifeWay Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS kit...

Monday --Sugar COokie Belt Buckles (decorate store bought sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles)
Tuesday--CamFires (take a ritz cracker break some pretzel sticks in half and stack on the cracker. Add some cheese in a can for the fire)
Wednesday--I called them Buckaroo Burgers because I can't ever remember the official name--Recipe follows
Thursday--Hay Bales (recipe follows)
Friday-Horse feed--basically cereals, candy corn, peanuts, raisins, etc. We let the kids make their own in a Saddle Ridge cup.

There are tons more awesome snacks in the kit. These are just a few we chose that would work for us. Check out the whole kit for more good ideas for a western themed snack!

Hay Bales

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup butterscotch Chips (1/2 bag)

Spray cookie sheet with pam. Spray large pot with pam. Melt butter and brown sugar together. Add in marshmallows until almost melted then stir in butterscotch chips. Let rest about a minute. Then stir in rice krispies. Pan into the pan, making sure they are kind of thick. Let cool. Cut in to 2x4 bars or bales of hay. Tie a piece of licorice around to make it look westerny.


Buckaroo Burgers
1 package waffle fries (we used  the Great value brand)
1 pack homestyle meatballs (Great Value brand) thawed out
American cheese slices
Pickles
Ketchup

Cook a pan of waffle fries. Cut meatballs in half. Lay a 11/4 of the piece of cheese on the waffle fry. Top with a 1/2 of the meatball and heat until cheese melts and meatball is cooked. Let kids add ketchup or pickles.


I think the Buckaroo Burgers would be great as a party appetizer or maybe even something to take to work. They are easy and relatively cheap to make. Holly mentioned maybe using sausage balls and using a differentt cheese...so many options! Kids love them! They just pop it in their mouth.

Again, these are all from the LifeWay Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS Kit.



~Laurie

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Zuchinni oh my!

I thinkn we must have bought the jumbo zuchinni variety to plant! I have never seen so many huge zuchinni! The plant itself if as big or bigger than my kitchen table. We are grilling tonight so I am going to slice some of these bad boys up and try them that way! Of course I will fry some up as well......I use pancake mix for the batter....yummy! They way I figured it we have at least $5 worth of zuchinni here if not more....and there's much more to come! The cantalope and watermelon plants are really spreading out!

I ran across a version of recipe in a new cookbook that I had to try! It's called Green Light Salad. Since I love all kinds of jello salad, especially what we called 'pink salad' growing up I thought I would try this. I have had it before but had totally forgotten about it!

Green Light Salad
From Easy Diabetic Coooking Recipes

1 small package green jello
1 cup cottage cheese
2 Tablespoons mayonaise
1 small can crushed or tidbit sized pineapple.

Mix together. Refrigerate before serving.

Love, love, love it!

JoGail and I have been making cookie for the cookie walk at the church's family fun festival this afternoon. I cheated and finally found a way to use up the frozen cookie dough accumulated through various fundraisers! SI am blessed with double ovens, it made it a breeze. Then we bagged them in old fashioned sandwich bags (the kind that fold over-I paid 50 cents for the WHOLE box) and tied a bow around them with various ribbons I had in a box. So cute! and so much fun with JoGail. She figured out a way to put two ribbons together that looked really cute! We also bought some $1 a package muffin mixes and made those up as well. She is really becoming quite the help in the kitchen. Grace has started doing her own laundry today.....YEAH!!!!!!  A part of me wants to scream "wahooo it's about time" and another wants to curl up and cry because it's just one more independent living skill she is learning....hard to believe she will be in college in five years....five years...driving in 3!!! She completed volleyball camp this past week....and can overhead serve consistently now :). She also figured out she loves blocking and spiking. Next week she starts morning workouts and then both girls have basketball camp until 12. They are both eating breakfast and lunch at school since it's FREE the month of June! I have four more days of work and then I am finally done for the summer. My house is a wreck but I keep telling myself I will get to it when I am finished with work!!!   (Uhm yeah right!)

My diet has been out of whack these past couple of weeks and I am hoping to get back on the wagon soon. I haven't really gained but I haven't lost either! I need to keep losing!  Keep me in your prayers. It's hard and very challenging. I'm hoping the walking will help, too when I get off work....finally!

This recipe is linked up to Potluck Sunday at Mommy's Kitchen. http://www.mommyskitchen.net/
~Laurie

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Recipes needed

Boy was ait hot yesterday at the soccer tournament. We knew it was going to be a scorcher when they gave the girls water breaks during the 8:00 am game. I sat under a shade tree during most of the games. It was alot less stressful than being on the sidelines! Those girls played hard and played their hearts out. We got second which really isn't bad since we were playing up in the 'academy' bracket instead of the recreational bracket. JoGail lost another tooth during 7:15 game last night. She was excited! We ate lunch at Red Robin--I love that place and thei zuchinni sticks! Then we headed to Academy.....and said goodbye to more money.....JoGail had to have a new pair of shoes. (AGAIN). Her toe was beginning to push through this recent pair of tennis shoes. She is now in a woman's size 8 shoe....yes you read that right, size 8! Grace got some more summer workout clothes. I think we are set now for a while...until we start shopping for back to school clothes....

Grace is doing much better. I think we are beginning to see the effects of he rnew medication.  She got a little dizzy once at the tournament but was better when we got some protein in her. She's sleeping well and laughing quite a bit.  One of her friends from second grade rode up with us and spent the first night with us. They had a great time laughing and recalling stories. It was music to my ears to hear my girl laughing again. Please continue to pray as we travel this road. We are all still adjusting. I have probably had the hardest time but I am doing better. I have been resting better. I have a minivacation coming up with teh girls at work. We are going to a conference in San Marcos Monday-Wednesday. I imagine I will sleep all the way down there in the car. I don't really want to leave my family right now but I know it will probably be good for me and give me some alone time before my summer officially begins. I can't wait to walk! I am thinking I might try to get started a little next week. :)  I officially finish work Friday. But we are required to get 4 comp days in for next year. I'm not sure what the plan will be yet, but I htink we are going to try and knock them out that next week so I can be totally done. I should have about 6 full weeks of walking! (maybe more since they reduced the number of days the diags work next year) I can't wait to see all my friends!

Menu planning......not much point to do it while I am gone...I'm certain they will eat out at least once! (probably more!)   Wednesday night is supper at church. Thursday we will have Grace's fish and Friday we will have spaghetti and bread. Saturday I might see if Coy will grill some hamburgers or maybe a steak!

I am wanting to learn to grill fruit on the grill. Do you have any recipes? Suggestions? Tips? If you do, please let me know. I am thinking of maybe trying a fruit kabob first..that way I can kind of taste and see which ones I (we) like and go from there. Any ideas????

I have so many recipes to try this summer and can't wait to get started.....here's a sampling of what I want to try.
http://singingwithbirds.blogspot.com/2010/05/whats-in-name.html

http://makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com/2010/05/magic-marshmallow-cresent-puffs.html

http://oddmom.net/2010/06/01/primordial-ooze-salad-recipe-i-e-cucumber-sour-cream-and-dill-salad/

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1093672

http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2008/12/chocolate-peanut-buddy-bars.html

http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/05/tasty-tuesday-pineapple-pretzel-fluff.html


What's on your list of things to do this summer???

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Dancing

This past week has been rough but has also been a blessing. Rough for some obvious reasons. Blessing because I have been reminded that people do care. I mean really really do care. I read sometime that when you ar ein the valley to try adn think about what the view will be like when you get to the top of the mountaintop. Well, my view would include my friends and church family. I found a Bible verse that I think I will 'adopt'. Psalm 30:11. "You turned my sobbing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." What do you'll think? I go to sleep each night knowing three things.....one God loves me more than anything. Two, I have friends praying that I will sleep well, and three ...I will dance tomorrow....(four....Coy is right beside me! )

OK, onto one of my all time favorite cafeteia foods....I doubt they get to make this anymore with all the new nutrition requirements, but it does have peanut butter in it....that's a protein, right? And it's not fried! That should count for something! Now I haven't tried this exact recipe, because I just found it...but I have taken arecipe from teh kitchen of Evant ISD and Nanny Hyatt and tried it before. Evant's cafeteria always made this as a test day snack. And the techers ate as much as the kids! Sometimes they would serve it for breakfast. They always made a pan for the kids and a pan fro the teachers! When I was pregnant I ate it EVERy time they made it. It is definately a favorite!!  I plan to make this in a couple of weeks for Wacky Wednesdays as a snack soon. I know the kids will love it!


http://www.nancyskitchen.com




Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy




1 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
1 1/2 c. peanut butter
5 c. cornflakes



Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Remove from heat immediately and stir in peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter has melted. Add cornflakes and stir. Mixture will be stiff. Drop on waxed paper to cool.





source   http://www.nancyskitchen.com/

Enjoy!

~Laurie