Thank you!

            

Thank you Duckie & Pumpkin who both showed me some love and each gave me a Superior Scribbler Award!  Thanks ladies sorry it took so long. 

Here are the rules:

The Rules:
1. Post the award on your blog
2. Link to me for giving it to you
3. Link the originating post here
4. Pass it on to five deserving people
5. Post these rules for your recipients

Here's another award from Duckie!  Thanks again.  I appreciate your support of my blog.

The rules of this award are:

1. Pick ten people to pass this onto if you choose.

2. Contact them and let them know you have chosen them for this award.

3. Also, link back to the person who gave you the award.

Because the list of recipients would be huge if I did five each for the first two awards and then 10 for the third I'm just going to give both awards to 10 wonderful bloggers:

1. Baking Blonde
2. Rice and Bean and Other Fine Things
3. Under the High Chair
4. Kat's Kitchen
5. Ezra Pound Cake
6. Sweet Charity Pie
7. Kitchen Think Tank
8. Baked Perfection
9. For the Love of Cooking
10. Life is a Feast

There are so many great blogs out there, this is just a few of the ones I enjoy reading.  Please stop by and check 'em out!

LiveJournal Tags: awards,thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope each and everyone of you have a blessed day with friends and family and that your day is filled with yummy food, big laughs, and joyous memories!

I have many things in which to be thankful for but I'd like to take this moment to say that I am thankful for YOU!  Those of you who stop to look, read, and, or comment!  I appreciate your thoughtfulness and encouraging comments and for the friendship you have extended to me.

Thank you!

~ingrid

LiveJournal Tags: holiday

Suppa Club ~ My Turn

Pork Roast with Three Mushroom Ragout was our  bimonthly suppa club dish and it was chosen by yours truly.  Choosing a dish is tougher than people realize .  There's a lot of pressure to not chose a "sorry" dish.  I spent quite a bit of time reading through recipes and the comments that went along with them before narrowing it down to two recipes.  It has become a tradition of offering up two choices for the group and having an informal vote.  The Pork Roast with Three Mushroom Ragout won.  Both of my choices involved the slow cooker but I believe that it was the "three mushrooms"  that hooked everyone's vote. 

Now on to crappy photos that don't do the dish justice.  I am asking Santa for a Lowell Ego Light for Christmas.  While my photos still won't be on par with photos by the blogging "greats" at least my lighting will be better.  Okay were was I, Joe has off on Friday's so I left him with the task of picking up the missing ingredients and getting everything together and into the slow cooker for me.  At this point everything has gone well.  It wasn't until it was time to serve that I realized there might be a problem.  I don't think Joe paid attention to the time he started the slow cooker or  to how long the recipe called for the pork to cook.  It was supposed to cook for 7 hours and I'm pretty sure he had it going for more than 8 hours.  While the pork was fork tender it was quite stringy, yeah, not good.  Also, most of the ragout's flavor was lost by the time it was served for dinner. I served it over the suggested egg noodles and with fresh bread.  No one but  me actually complained and my brother even came over and ate some the next day.  I am definitely going to give this another try as I do think it has potential.

Please visit the other Suppa Club Ladies...

First up is Siri at Transplanted Baker she enjoyed this dish and served it over risotto.  She also improvised as she doesn't have a slow cooker.

Next, is Nicole at Arctic Garden Studio didn't have a crock pot and bought one on sale so that she could make the dish. 

Here's Kirstin's post at Kreative Kirstin.  She said that it was a definite winner! Yay!

Last is our founder Molly at Batter Splattered.  Her's didn't quite come out like she first intended but instead it evolved to a delish sandwich!

Unfortunately Corinne and Amanda had to sit out this round! 

I wonder what's up next?

LiveJournal Tags: mushrooms,pork,suppa club

My little tree hugger

Here's picture of Babygirl holding one of our neighbor's kitties. She's a tree hugger in the making. Since before she could clearly say veterinarian she has known that she wants to be one. She has always loved animals and shown no fear of them even when they are growling at her. Living in Florida there are always critters (yikes) of some sort running around, she'd be in heaven accept I am a mean, mean mom and won't get her a pet. She is left visiting all the neighbors and their pets. She knows every cat and dog in a 10 house radius. It's kinda funny as neighbors I don't really know will tell her hello and ask her hows she's doing. Most often she doesn't know their name only that of their pet.

She is a huge fan of Animal Planet and all its various shows. When she firsted watching her shows, she would try and take notes, constantly shouting out for us to spell various words. She had just started school and I would tell her to sound it out but often the Twins would tell her tobe quiet and just watch. LOL! She constantly quotes animal facts that she has learned. She doesn't always get it exactly right but because she talks with such authority no one questions her!

It's not just animals but insects, too. We live in the bug capital of America, if not the world and we either have to kill 'em in secret or holler for her to catch 'em. If she's not looking, I admit I kill 'em. Sorry, I don't like bugs. She also asks questions about trees and plants and whether they are alive in the way that we, humans and animals are. That was a difficult question to answer.
While she isn't a vegetarian she really doesn't eat a lot of meat. I wouldn't, though be surprised if one day she becomes one. She's a sweet kid and I love her!

An excuse and a catch up

This is going to be a hodgepodge of photos and recipe links. I'm trying to catch up as I've been bad, very bad!  Here's what's kept me from posting.  About 11 days ago another parent on Devon's football team convinced me to read Stephanie Meyer's Twilight.  It is actually a series of four very large books.  I caved and the following day I purchased and started the first book, Twilight.   It was all over after that.... I read the first three in a week, about 1800 pages.  Yes, it's that good!  The fourth book, Breaking Dawn in my opinion is not quite as good as the other three but still a worthy read.  It's not bad just not quite as good. Because it hasn't held my attention as well as the others I've managed to catch up on some chores and get to bed before midnight these past few days.  Here's the first of my catch up......

These are treats that Babygirl and I made together for her class.  The first one we made is an idea I saw on Taste and Tell, ghosts.  We dipped Nutter Butter cookies in almond bark (or white candy melts) and then we applied mini chocolate chips as eyes.  Deborah from Taste and Tell put hers on lollipop sticks but I couldn't remember where I hid mine from someone who will remain nameless but she's the one who bullied her way into doing the majority of this by herself!   We also didn't draw on any mouths as it was getting let and messy. 

   The second treat that we made was the pumpkin spice cake balls that I saw on Bake at 350.  I know that you ALL know how to make these and have probably made some variation of them so I won't bother explaining again.  We did though roll them in both almond bark and chocolate bark.  The brand of chocolate bark we used was not very good.  It's what ever one that Publix had on their shelf.  Luckily these were for a group of 9yr olds who probably wouldn't notice the quality of the chocolate we used.  I guess her teacher didn't notice either as her thank you note read, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for the treats you sent in for class."  Babygirl said they were a hit and her teacher sent some on to several other teachers.  No, I'm not brown nosing it but it doesn't hurt to send in a treat for special occasions.  You know the saying "A few treats a year keeps the "A" near!"  LOL!  I just made that up, maybe I'm getting better at this.  (you know the writing part of blogging.)

 

Look at that little cake ball critter Babygirl made! 

I'd like to blame to blame Babygirl for the less than stellar photos but unfortunately those were all me.

***Keep an eye out, coming soon is the Suppa Club's third dish, Pork Mushroom Ragout and a round up, a pumpkin spice cake with orange double cream frosting, peanut butter buckeye bars, and last an ooey gooey pound cake courtesy of the Kitchen Bully! Yes, that would be the on and only Babygirl.  Do you have one,a kitchen bully? 

Oh, I almost forgot I have a couple thanks you and awards to pass on to YOU!

LiveJournal Tags: cake balls,pumpkin,dipped cookies,books

This dumb thing!

On the 7th (Nov) I started to write a post about creme fraiche but hadn't been able to finish it. I had hopes of posting a photo (didn't work out) so I waited a little longer before publishing it. Well, blogger won't let me change the post date. So NOW instead of appearing as my most recent post it's as if it was posted on the 7th. Here's my question....anyway to fix that? Juliaaaaaaa? Ya listening? Ha-ha!

Thanks for your help!

***Update: Thanks, guys! I figured it out!***

Creme Fraiche, what have I been missing?

Creme Fraiche!!!! I made a recipe (it doesn't matter which) that called for creme fraiche but I couldn't find any so I subbed in sour cream. During my last search for it and having to settle for the sour cream I decided to special order it at my local Publix. (Publix being the great store that it is will try and get in special requests.) I got the call last week that my case of creme fraiche was in, yikes! I called the lady back and explained I didn't need a whole case just one maybe two containers. She said not to worry that what I didn't want would go on the shelf.


Yesterday I made potato soup for dinner. I didn't follow a recipe and just threw in various potato soup ingredients. Remembering that I still hadn't tried any of the creme fraiche I figured, since I was just winging it I would add some of the creme fraiche into the soup when I added the half & half. Because I didn't want to totally ruin my soup I went ahead and tried a spoonful of it first and then another and then I started to kick myself that I hadn't tried it before. I kept thinking of all the recipes that I could have added that to instead of sour cream and how much better everything would have tasted. I've always liked sour cream but I'm sorry there isn't any comparisons. It's just that good. It is creamy and rich but not heavy, tangy and cool. I added it to my potato soup and I don't know if it was in my head or not but the soup never tasted better and the Twins who complained they didn't want potato soup again had two servings! (I made a cheese and potato soup a few weeks ago and they do not like to eat the same thing more than once a month.) No, I didn't take any photos. :-( Haven't gotten the blogger mindset yet of photos first, eat second. I'll be honest, after slaving over the stove I want everyone to sit down and eat it when it's done and HOT. I hate it if Joe or the children drag their feet getting to the table. Basically I forget! LOL!

For those of you who haven't tried it yet and like sour cream give it a try I think you won't be disappointed.

Don't get excited, it's not my Giveaway!

My Recipes is having a giveaway.  Check it out they are  giving away a year's worth of groceries PLUS a year's worth of food to your local food bank.  How's that for a giveaway?  I don't know all the particulars so swing by and check it out for yourself. Just  I thought I'd let all my friends know! Gotta stick together and all!  Plus who can do without help with grocery bill!?

Logo borrowed from myrecipes.com.   (BTW, question by putting that logo on my blog am I committing a crime?  PLEASE, let me know!  THX!)

LiveJournal Tags: giveaway

Oh,baby! Oh, Nuts!

About 2 weeks ago I received an email from a gentleman named Sam . Sam's email explained that he was doing some marketing for Oh,Nuts! and wanted to know if I was interested in sampling some of their products. I was leery and checked around to see how true and safe the offer was. I found quite a few blogs that had received the same offer and all seemed well. I didn't want to give me home address so I emailed back a "heck, yeah, I'd like some free nuts" and gave Sam my work address. About a week later this is what I got........

* Cinnamon Pecans 1 lb.
* Jumbo Raw Georgia Pecans 1 lb.
* Roasted Salted Pistachios 1 lb.
* Toffee Pecan Cinnamon Buns 1 lb.

The day I received the package I opened the bags of Cinnamon Pecans and Toffee Pecan Cinnamon Buns. The bag of Cinnamon Pecans? Gone, by Saturday afternoon! They were so goooooood. I really wanted to try and save some to throw in a batch of Blondies but it just didn't happen. Sorry, Sam, I really wish I could say I was half as crazy for the Toffee Pecan Cinnamon Buns as I was for the other "flavored" pecans but I can't. They were just okay. I personally thought the ratio of coating to nut was too high. I haven't opened the other two bags yet but I've got a few ideas kicking around for them. I'm thinking I haven't made Pecan pies before and I just saw on Avesta's Check It Out a recipe for minis. For the pistachios I'm thinking the Greenies that Clumsby Cookie made earlier this year and then saw again on The Crepes of Wrath. She added marshmallows to hers! See why I love her?

So, what do you think? Neither recipe is going to use up all of the nuts, ha-ha! (I've been cracking up every time I type the word nuts. Stupid yes, but I have 6 brothers and have been exposed to many "man" jokes! They keep running through my head! LOL!) Any ideas on what else would be tasty with Jumbo Georgia Pecans or Pistachios added to it? Also, what to do with those Toffee pecan Cinnamon Buns? Help!

LiveJournal Tags: nuts

Check it out....

My blog mama, Dianne of Dianne's Dishes interviewed me and posted the interview on her blog. Feel free to go by and read what a dork I truly am. LOL! You can also find and read the interview of my blog sister, Nella of Peckerwood Gravy Company. Her's was posted on Monday and mine yesterday (Wed). Nella tells you how she came up with her blog name. Everytime I read and or say it I have to chuckle.


Also, wanted to take a moment to let you know that Avesta of Check It Out has submit a video clip to the Food Network for their store The Next Food Network Star. She has the video she submited on her blog as well as the link that will take you over to see it on the Food Network's site. If you haven't all ready (you should have) check out her blog. I've made several of her dishes and all with much success. When you stop in be sure to leave Avesta good luck wishes.

Peanut Butter Candy Bar Squares

Can I be honest?  I can't think of a single interesting thing to say, nothing!  Sorry but if you're looking for witty prose or to crack up over some outlandish thing I've said or for something heartfelt other than if you like, no, love peanut butter than you need these Peanut Butter Candy Bar Squares in your life, well, you've come to the wrong place.  All you're gonna get is a great recipe that I found here at Bake or Break.

These squares are gooood and are even better if you are a lover of all things peanut buttery.  Let me break it down for you.  It starts with a layer of (a whole package)crushed Nutter Butter cookies and a melted stick of butter.  Then you sprinkle on top of the warm crust chopped peanut butter cups, Butterfinger candy bars, honey roasted peanuts, and because you have to have a little chocolate some semisweet chocolate chips. Poured over that is  a batter made up of 1/2 a cup of peanut butter added to a can of sweetened condensed milk and a tablespoon of vanilla.  Told you this is a peanut butter lovers dream.  Now you would think that that is just too much peanut butter, right?  Wrong!  It really isn't too much.  Want to know another great thing about this recipe?  You could actually put however much or little you want of the candies and chips and I'm pretty   certain you could also sub other goodies that would taste yummy with the peanut butter filling.  This is keeper!  Really it's just a glorified blondie and you KNOW how we/I feel about blondies!

Speaking of blondies I have made several different recipes in the past month.  Unfortunately I have not gotten photos of the various ones I've tried but I thought I'd go ahead and tell you what I thought.

1. Doehle Bread's Blondie's Blondie  Besides obviously being a blondie recipe the thing that intrigued me about this recipe was that it  called for Maple extract.  Well, I couldn't find any.  Because I knew what blondies tasted like using vanilla I figured I would get daring  and use Vanilla Butter & Nut extract instead.  No problems there.  Here's where I went wrong. Somehow, I don't know how,  I chopped off the 1 in front of the 1 1/2 cups flour when I printed the recipe. So instead of adding what was called for  I only added (& knew I needed  more flour) 1/2 cup.  So, of course, my first batch went down the garbage disposal to the dismay of my children who were waiting for their blondie fix.  The next night I tried again and all went well.  Were they earth shattering?  No. Were they good ? Yes.  Would I make them again?  Yes, but only after I track down some maple extract.  The deciding factor for me with blondies is whether or not they are chewy and gooey or cakey.  I'm about the chewy and gooey.  These were on the cakey side.
2.  Smitten Kitchen's Blondies  I've also made these twice.  The first time adding in as suggested a 1/2 cup of mashed bananas.  Though the recipe didn't call for it I added a pinch of cinnamon to the bananas before mixing them into the batter.  While my children thought they were okay and ate them  Joe on the other hand said and I quote, "throw that recipe out"!  LOL!   He didn't even finish the piece he was eating.  The second time I made them I used white chocolate chips as the suggested add in and all was well.  I did undercook them a bit. The next time I think I'll cut back on the butter and cooked them a minute or two longer.  These are definitely gooey!
3. Bake at 350's Toffee Blondies  Here's my problem, if I undercooked the last dessert I made (remember these)then there's a good chance I'm going to over cook the next dessert and that's exactly what happened with these blondies.  Though in my defense I did take them out earlier than what the recipe called for but still not soon enough.  I also don't think it helped that Babygirl whipped the batter on med high after she added each egg.  In a moment of what I think was genius,  I made a browned butter and cinnamon glaze for them.  Blondies that were good now became great.  The glaze was so good I went ahead a "frosted" the blondies instead of just drizzling some on.    I don't have a recipe to give you for the glaze as I  just winged it.   

Happy Halloween!

 

Here's my Babygirl as a dead bride.  Daddy ordered her costume and made her up!  She's such a daddy's girl!

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!