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  • Oh Goodness - Apricot Scones

    The written recipe is in black and my .02 in red.  Hope you like them, they were a hit w/ my family!

    Scones:

        * 1 1/4 cups flour (I doubled the recipe and then added another cup of flour because it was ridiculously wet to take out of the mixer)
        * 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
        * 3 T sugar
        * 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
        * 1/4 tsp salt
        * 1/3 cup butter or margarine
        * 2 large eggs, beaten, with 1 tbsp reserved (I didn't reserve)
        * 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream (um, not... scones aren't suppose to be low/reduced fat pa-lease, cut the fat somewhere else in your diet if you have to)
        * 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped (costco really carries the best variety)
        * 1 T milk

    Topping:  

        * 1 T butter or margarine, melted
        * 3 T brown sugar
        * 1 T quick-cooking oats
        * 1 T flour

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In medium bowl, mix together 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup oats, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using pastry blender or two knives, cut margarine into dry ingredients, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in eggs (reserving 1 tablespoon), sour cream, apricots and milk.  (Dump into the mixer and let that baby go to work)

    Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 10 times. (Or don't) Roll or pat into 10 x 11-inch rectangle. Cut into two 5 x 11-inch sections.  Mix together remaining ingredients with a fork and lightly pat onto one piece of dough; cover with other piece.  With sharp knife cut into triangles.  Place on un-greased baking sheet and brush dough with reserved beaten egg.  (Take 1/2 dough out of your mixer, slap in a bit more flour as needed, make a ball, smoosh down into an even circle and cut into triangles and put into the oven because ya don't need the egg wash, unless that makes you happy.)
    Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from baking sheet to wire rack (and try to keep yourself out of them for at least 1 minute so they don't sear the top of your mouth while you wolf them down). Serve warm or cold.  Servings: 12

    Let me know if you try them out - and what you think!~G

  • Tasty Tuesday - Tuna-Stuffed Shells


    Taste of Home, can you ever go wrong w/ that magazine?  Even better is this cookbook that I got at Goodwill ages ago for $1.99!  Its amazing and if you ever see it, snatch it up, seriously. 

    I peeked through the book when I was making my August menu and wondered if they would go for it or if they would think its a dud.

    My kids have never and I repeat never rated a recipe a 9 other than my Chicken Cheese Enchiladas (which rate 9.5 w/ them).  Take note people, its a keeper.  :)

    As always the written recipe is in black and my tid-bits are in red.  Sadly I forgot to take a photo, so here is the only one I have.

     

    Tuna Stuffed Jumbo Shells (Rated 9)

    10 jumbo pasta shells
    1/2 c mayo (sure um... it was close, I didn't waste a perfectly clean measuring cup for it: 1/2 - 3/4 c)
    2 T sugar
    1 can tuna, drained & flaked (my man caught our tuna... I used 4 1/2 pint jars, didn't drain the tiny amount of liquid, and flaked)
    1 cup celery, diced (2 - 3 stalks)
    1/2 c green onion, chopped fine (only had vadalia sweets on hand)
    1/2 c green pepper, chopped fine (used a purple pepper that a friend gave me & used 1/2 of it)
    1/2 c carrot, shredded
    2 T fresh parsley, minced (italian flat leaf I have in the garden)

    Creamy Celery Dressing
    1/4 c sour cream (roughly the same as my mayo usage above, give or take a 1/4 - 1/2 cup LOL)
    1/4 cup sugar (prob a smidge less)
    1/4 c cider vinegar (eye-balled it, 1/4 - 1/3 c)
    2 T mayo (2 T - 1/4 c)
    1 tsp celery seed
    1 tsp onion powder

    Cook pasta according to directions, drain, and rinse w/ cold water.  In a bowl combine tuna, sugar, celery, onion, green pepper, carrot & parsley.  Spoon into shells, cover and refrigerate (spoon into shells and serve).
    For the dressing, combine sour cream, sugar, vinegar, mayo, celery seed, and onion powder. (dump ingredients into the last of the mayo jar and shake- w/ lid on of course)  Arrange lettuce, rings of sliced onion, and stuffed shells on a serving platter and drizzle w/ dressing. (I laid 4 shells on each person's plate on top of a lettuce leaf and drizzled w/ dressing) You really don't need this much dressing, possibly if you use the right amounts, you will have just what you need... but I have 3/4 of a pint left over.  The kids suggested it would be incredible as a sandwich as well, on toasted bread.  Yields 5 servings.

  • Happy Homemaker Monday - August 3

    ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE: Cell by Stephan King.  I know nothing about the book - just that I bought it for a nickel at a yard sale.

    ON MY TV:  Pride.  I keep thinking Bernie Mac was sure taken before my timing would have been for him.. Thank God I'm not God.  My timing sure isn't His.  Bernie has been gone 6 days shy of a year.

    ON THE MENU FOR TONIGHT: Tuna shells, Parmesan rice mix, & salad.

    ON MY TO DO LIST: Crack the Mom-whip for some patio cleaning.

    NEW RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK: Apricot Scones (Heather told me its a keeper and I need to blog it.)

    IN THE CRAFT BASKET: Baby Booties

    LOOKING FORWARD TO: Street of Dreams w/ my good friend Kim!  We went last year and had a good time, even though I was so anemic I could barely walk.  :)

    HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK: When I let my weekly Monday chores pile up and become bi-monthly, they take longer, seem harder, and loom over my head.  STOP procrastinating Gina!

    FAVORITE BLOGSPOT OF THE WEEK: The Creative Crate (I am so going to do these!)

    FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

    Don't they look yummy?

    LESSON LEARNED FROM THE PAST FEW DAYS:  It's Mocha Monday at McDonalds!  If you go by your local McD's today you can ask for a free 8 oz Mocha (hot or iced), no coupon needed - 7 AM - 7 PM.  Click here for more details.

    ON MY PRAYER LIST: Bernie Mac's family as they come to the 1 year anniv of his passing.

    DEVOTIONS, SCRIPTURES, KEY VERSES or FAVORITE QUOTES:

    For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

    For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your way

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
                                                 Isaiah 55:8-9
     

  • Wordless Wednesday - July 29

    (Broke down and got a Broker.)

  • Tasty Tuesday - Sweet & Sour Meatballs

    Its HOT!  (And that isn't something I say too often...) One-oh-nine (109f/ 42.7c) in the shade today.  The prediction was for 104.  Tomorrow's prediction is 105.  What does that mean?  110?  I'm scared.  Ugh!

    We made our first trek up to Oly/Lacey this past weekend - trying to get a feel of the area,  looking around at houses, etc. It was a good weekend.  When I rounded the bend into the Gorge (my home for the past 12 years)...this song started playing over and over in my head and it 'sealed the deal' - I knew this wasn't home any more..

    We are putting the house on the market w/ an agent. Tomorrow.  It was either buy an MLS number or get someone to do it for us...  and since we have expenses of our home (mortgage, food, etc) and my man's apartment, we just don't have the $500 - $1000 to pay for it.  I want this to be over... get people to see this house and get me 'home'.  My heart isn't here, just my bod. 

    And now for the good stuff, today's recipe.   Last week, as I scoped out the menu, I realized that ALL my recipes (the tried, the true, the LOVES of my family) are packed away, in bins, in the garage.  A mountain of bins.  I wasn't going to find my meatball recipe even if I wanted to.  So, I called up my good bud All Recipes and came up w/ an alternative.  As always the recipe is as written w/ my changes (and .02 worth) in red.

    Sweet & Sour Meatballs (Rated - 8.5 by the kids)

    Meatballs -
    1 pound ground beef (2# gr turkey)
    1 egg
    1 onion, chopped (1/3 or so... I use massive Costco-sized sweet onions)
    1 cup dry bread crumbs (1 cup 'ish)
    salt and pepper to taste

    Sauce -
    1 cup water   
    1/2 cup cider vinegar (1/4 - 1/2 cup - white, or wine vinegar - your choice)
    1/2 cup ketchup (1/2 - 1 cup)
    2 tablespoons cornstarch
    1 cup brown sugar (1/2 - 1 cup)
    2 tablespoons soy sauce (I used reduced sodium)

    1. In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Roll into meatballs about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size.
    2. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the meatballs until browned on all sides.
    3. In a separate medium bowl, mix together the water, vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, sugar and soy sauce. Pour over the meatballs, and allow sauce to thicken. Continue to heat until the sauce just starts to bubble.

    (Or just be a cool kid like me, mix it all up, roll the balls, and bake (9x13) in the oven on 350 for 30-45 min til done.)

    _________________________________

    Outside the blog -

    If you didn't see it on my Facebook, or haven't had your face in the computer for a few days - you haven't seen this coolness.  I LOVE IT!  (Sorry Trace, I do, I LOVE it...I love, love, love it.)

    Til tomorrow.  Stay cool.~G

  • Happy Homemaker Monday - July 27


    ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE:  Hmmm...nothing at all.

    ON MY TV:  Oceans 11, 12, & 13.  I was going for a marathon, but made it into the first few minutes of the first show before I fell asleep. 

    ON THE MENU FOR TONIGHT: BLT sandwiches & soup (which is good, we are in for a HOT week!)

    ON MY TO DO LIST: Grocery shopping.

    NEW RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK: Sweet & Sour Meatballs.

    IN THE CRAFT BASKET: finishing a dress for the girl.

    LOOKING FORWARD TO: Getting this house on the MLS market (lady is coming on Tues).  We have tried doing it on our own, we just need to MOVE.

    HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:  Saving on your AC bill -

    If you leave instructions for your child (while you are out of town) to close up the house and turn on the air in the mornings, be SURE there is complete understanding... and that you don't come home in 90 degree weather with the AC on and the windows open.  :)

    FAVORITE BLOGSPOT OF THE WEEK:  The Creative Crate  - GOOD stuff here!

    FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK: 

    This is the state capital building in Olympia, WA.  I went up to see my man this weekend (Thurs-Sun) and had a good time sight seeing. 

    (I can't wait to move and find my editing program and get GOOD results again!)

    LESSON LEARNED FROM THE PAST FEW DAYS:  My heart resides in Lacey, but my body resides in the Gorge.

    ON MY PRAYER LIST: to have it all figured out before school starts for M.

    DEVOTIONS, SCRIPTURES, KEY VERSES or QUOTES:

    It's never too late to be who you might have been. - George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

  • Wordless Wednesday - July 22 (errr, more like word-FILLED Wed)

    I have an infatuation w/ antique, glass door knobs.  *sigh*  I do.  I admit it.  They make me swoon, my knees buckle, and my heart go pitter-pat.  And now, I have 2 of my very own.  Be still my heart!

    A young guy (early 20s) bought a house across the road from us and has been working on it (when money allows) for the past 5-6 years.  He still hasn't moved in.  He just works on it... and yesterday he propped this lovely against the tree w/ a free sign in front of it and I RAN for it.

    It might not look like much now... but when I add a couple of wire baskets, a coat of paint, and a base to it... its going to be a mail center for my new house.  Ahhhh....

    Sorry, I just couldn't keep quiet over this one!

    Happy "wordless Wed" everyone!~G

  • Happy Homemaker Monday - July 20

    ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE:  Crumpled gum wrappers that have defied me all weekend long and not thrown themselves into the trash on their own.

    ON MY TV:  Say Anything, Twilight, Extreme Days.

    ON THE MENU FOR TONIGHT: Sweet and Sour Meatballs w/ rice.

    ON MY TO DO LIST: Nada, it is too hot this week, survival of the fittest.

    NEW RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK:

    Kettle Corn

    1/4 cup sugar

    1/4 cup oil

    1/2 cup popcorn 

    (I will add 1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt to the mix next time)

    Heat oil and sugar over low heat to blend well.  Turn up heat & add popcorn, cover, move continuously til corn is popped and you don't hear any new kernels pop for a couple of seconds, remove from heat.  Allow to cool (in bowl or on waxed paper).  Break up pieces and enjoy.

    Yes people, this is how I make popcorn, in a pot on top of the stove.  I gave up on the air popper years ago when I had dozens of teens over all the time (stupid air poppers just can't keep up w/ teen appetites!).

    IN THE CRAFT BASKET: this jacket for myself... isn't it lovely!?!?!?  They call it a duster, but that sounds sooooooooooooooo senior citizen in a home to me.  I refuse to call it that.  LOL!   I am doing mine in 'denim wash' color.

     LOOKING FORWARD TO: Seeing my man!

    HOMEMAKING TIP OF THE WEEK:  If it is going to be hot - don't sweat the small stuff... it will make you sweat.  LOL.

    FAVORITE BLOGSPOT OF THE WEEK: Tip Junkie - I love this site.

    FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

    My girl... while we were out geocaching.  Great photo - nope, but it is my fav. (Our geocaching nick-name is DeLooters.)

    LESSON LEARNED FROM THE PAST FEW DAYS: There is a great wave of relief when your kids have done the right thing and paid for their past mistakes.  (Dylan is home and can walk around w/ his head held high, his fines are paid for and that part of his life is now behind him!)

    ON MY PRAYER LIST: House selling  (I know, same song, next verse).  :)

    DEVOTIONS, SCRIPTURES, KEY VERSES:

    Teach me Your way, O Lord.  Ps. 27:11