Saturday, January 23, 2010

Sleepy girl

I truly thought that my lack of posts was due to the hectic time around the holidays, but that seems to not be the case.  I've been in a funk the last couple of weeks, constantly ready for a nap, & it seems like I'm always behind on housework.  

 
BUT, I had a burst of energy this weekend, & I spent most of Saturday re-arranging two rooms, going through belongings & hauling 3 boxes to the Goodwill.  With all the different crafting that I enjoy, it was evident that it was time to trim my crafting supplies from 6 large rubbermade totes down to 4.  Im sure that I won't miss any of it.  Hopefully Sunday will be just as productive. 

I picked up some lovely dishes at the thrift store a week or so ago.  We have a small amount of dishes, service for 4, and it always seems that we are in need of small plates.  I found 3 plates, they are Mikasa's Blue River, made from 1975-1981 & sell for $11.99 at replacement cost.  I picked them up for .49c each, not a bad investment, & I like the splash of color!



On the downside, my carpet cleaner kicked the bucket this week, so we will be budgeting for several months to purchase a new one.  Our first cleaner lasted 6 years so well worth the $300 investment, & I couldn't imagine not having one on hand between the dog messes, our messes, & the inevitable daily grime that is brought into the house. 

The Pugs say HI!!  They aren't very happy about getting kicked from the second bedroom & being relocated to the office nook, which was previously my crafting area.  And now they know the second we awake in the morning & if we don't let them out pronto they wine until we do! 


Saturday, January 16, 2010

Banana Split Cake

The title says it all!

Banana Split Cake
2 1/2 C Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 C Granular Sugar
2/3 C Margarine or butter - melted
16 oz. Cream Cheese - softened
2 C Powdered Sugar
2 Medium cans crushed pineapple - drained  (you can use this juice for the Mountain Dew Salad!)
6 Medium/Large Bananas - cut into 1/2 in. thick slices
1 Lg. Tub of Cool Whip
Chocolate Syrup
Maraschino Cherries

Combine graham cracker crumbs, granular sugar, & margarine/butter press into bottom of 9 x 13 pan.  Bake 375 degrees for 5 minutes, let cool completely.

In medium bowl combine cream cheese, powdered sugar & mix until smooth.  Spread evenly over cooled crust.  Layer pineapple over cream cheese & top that with the banana slices.  Completely cover banana slices with cool whip. 

Let chill til ready to serve.  Garnish top with chocolate syrup & maraschino cherries before cutting.


Another weekend

My...I really have no idea where the time has gone!  I still haven't fully recovered from the rush of the holidays and this is the first time I've sat down to the computer in over a week. 

Our little Winston's eye finally healed and all is well with our spunky little boy.  I am still administering his eye drops once a day, down from his 4x a day perscription from the vet.  We will probably continue the drops for another week just to make sure.

Here are some recipes that I'll be making over our extended weekend, we have Monday off due to Martin Luther King Day. 

Surprise Pancakes
     Heat oven to 450 Degrees.  Put 1/4 C butter in a 9 x 13 pan, place in middle rack in oven to heat up.  Meanwhile in a blender combine:
1 C All Purpose Flour
1 C Milk
1 tsp. Salt
4 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Combine for 1 minute until well blended.  Open oven door & pour batter into pan (don't remove pan from oven).  Do Not Stir!  Bake in oven 15 minutes.  No Peeking!  Cut into wedges & serve with butter & syrup (or fruit & whipped cream). 



Mountain Dew Salad
4 C Boiling water
2 C Cold Mountain Dew
1 C Pineapple Juice
2, 6 oz. packages Lemon Jello
2 cans Lemon pie filling
2 C Cool whip or whipped cream

Dissolve jello in boiling water.  Stir in Mountain Dew & pineapple juice.  Refrigerate until thick but not set.  Once thickened, add pie filling & cool whip to jello mix.  Pour into 9 x 13 pan & refrigerate until set.  When ready to serve, garnish with more cool whip.


I've been slowly working on some recipes to see how freezable/reheatable they are.  I am hoping to tackle some meals in advance by doubling or tripling the recipes & freezing them for future meals.  I'm excited to share those recipes once I get the kinks worked out. 

My next test recipe involves a breakfast casserole comprised of cubed potatoes, sausage, scrambled eggs, & cheddar cheese.  I have never frozen scrambled eggs before so we'll see how it goes!





P.S.  Winnie says Hi!


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I'm back!!

Our family enjoyed the holiday season, with hopes that 2010 will be even better!  Im slowly getting back into the grove of things so bear with me  :-)


It seems that there is always something going on, Winston scratched his eye & is now on a round of antibiotics as well as two different eye drops.  He scratched off part of some scarring that was on his eye, at the vets they numbed his eye, & removed the loose piece.  One of the meds he is on is a Serum, they draw some of his blood & spin it to separate the white blood cells from the rest, then you administer the white blood cells as eye drops.  He has had allergic reactions to eye meds in the past & with the Serum there is no risk of this because it comes from his own body.   He isn't sure what to think with all the fuss, below you can see just what he looks like after he gets both eye drops.  If I bribe him with a treat he will follow me to get the meds, but he huffs & puffs afterwards for about 15 min. & puts on this pitiful face. 



Poor 'ol one eye Winnie!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Waldorf Salad

New Year, New Recipe...Enjoy!

~Waldorf Salad~
3 - 4 Medium Apples - core, chop in 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp. Lime Juice
1/3 C Walnuts - rough chop
1/2 C Celery - rough chop
1/3 C Raisins or Craisins (optional)
3/4 C Cool Whip
1/3 C Mayonnaise

Take prepared apples, drizzle lime juice over top & toss lightly to coat, use more lime juice if needed to coat all pieces.  Add in walnuts, celery, & raisins/craisins.  Combine cool whip & mayonnaise in a medium bowl, mix until well blended.  Pour over apple mixture, & fold in.  Serve chilled.

*I find that if it seems there is more dressing than filling, I just chop up & add in another apple to compensate.*  You could also try a blend of apples & pears!!