Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

I wanted to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year! I'm taking a little break today, but will be back tomorrow with something yummy to share.

I hope however you are spending this, the first day of 2013, you are celebrating with family, friends and sharing in happy memories.

I'm not one for resolutions (I think they set us up to fail and feel guilty!) but each year I do promise myself to try to be the best "me" I can be. To be the best daughter, friend, wife and mother I can possibly be, and to also forgive myself when I'm not. And this year, I am adding one more to the list. I promise to be the best Food Blogger I can to my loyal EMM family. 

I want to thank all of you for the blessings you have helped to bestow up on my family this year. We are so grateful to everything this blog has done for us, and we could never put that appreciation into words. I hope to make 2013 a even better year on EMM with new delicious things to enjoy, and even more fans joining the party!

From our family to yours, a very heart felt wish~

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

I wanted to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year! I'm taking a little break today, but will be back tomorrow with something yummy to share.

I hope however you are spending this, the first day of 2013, you are celebrating with family, friends and sharing in happy memories.

I'm not one for resolutions (I think they set us up to fail and feel guilty!) but each year I do promise myself to try to be the best "me" I can be. To be the best daughter, friend, wife and mother I can possibly be, and to also forgive myself when I'm not. And this year, I am adding one more to the list. I promise to be the best Food Blogger I can to my loyal EMM family. 

I want to thank all of you for the blessings you have helped to bestow up on my family this year. We are so grateful to everything this blog has done for us, and we could never put that appreciation into words. I hope to make 2013 a even better year on EMM with new delicious things to enjoy, and even more fans joining the party!

From our family to yours, a very heart felt wish~

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Best of 2012: Reader Favorites

Well, I've spent the last few days listing my favorite recipes from the last year in the various categories, and today it's time to look at what you, readers, liked the best! Here are the recipes that garnered the most hits and comments this year. (And I must say, you have VERY good taste!)

Salsa (Restaurant Style)

Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Shells

Chocolate and Caramel Covered Rice Krispie Bars

Crockpot Carnitas

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

Cherry Berry Streusel Tart

Strawberry and Cream Danish

Pumpkin Waffles

Visit Finding Joy in My Kitchen to see all the reader favorites from 2012!

Get more inspiration at Mangia Mondays, Mop it Up Monday, Mix it Up Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday and On the Menu.

Well, I've spent the last few days listing my favorite recipes from the last year in the various categories, and today it's time to look at what you, readers, liked the best! Here are the recipes that garnered the most hits and comments this year. (And I must say, you have VERY good taste!)

Salsa (Restaurant Style)

Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Shells

Chocolate and Caramel Covered Rice Krispie Bars

Crockpot Carnitas

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

Cherry Berry Streusel Tart

Strawberry and Cream Danish

Pumpkin Waffles

Visit Finding Joy in My Kitchen to see all the reader favorites from 2012!

Get more inspiration at Mangia Mondays, Mop it Up Monday, Mix it Up Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday and On the Menu.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Why Didn't I Do This Before?

Sometimes it's so funny how you can do something the same way for years, and then one day you decide to try it a new way, and you say to yourself "Um, why didn't I do this before?" I guess it just takes our inner light bulb going off to make everything come into focus. And it seems to me, 9 times out of 10, when this happens, it is something so simple it kind of makes you feel dense!

This was the case last week, 2 days post Christmas when I was getting ready to roast chicken for supper. It was a recipe I had made too many times to count, taught to me by my mother in law years ago. I went into the kitchen and had to move my new Crock Pot off the counter to prep the chicken. And that's when it happened. That inner light bulb lit up as bright as a Christmas tree and I knew in an instant I was making this recipe a little different this time. I had a ton of stuff around the house to do, and multiple games of Death Star Jenga to play with Monkey, so why not let supper cook itself (for the most part) in the Crock Pot? I have no idea why I had never thought of this before. I'm sure a little piece of it was my inner foodie begging to use that new Crock Pot for a 2nd night in a row. Whatever the reason I finally thought of it, I am so happy I did because it will never be prepared the original way again! This is perfect on a cold day when you want something warm and comforting, but don't want to put forth a lot of effort! The chicken can even be made in the morning, or the night before. Sometimes our best ideas are those that come to us when we least expect it!

Crock Pot Chicken and Biscuits
1 lb. chicken tenders
2 (15 oz) cans mixed veggies, drained
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
2 c. chicken broth
1 (8 ct.) refrigerated biscuits
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. On a large baking sheet, mix chicken tenders, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes until juices run clear. (If preparing ahead, set aside to cool) Cut chicken into small dices. In Crock Pot combine chicken, veggies, soup and broth. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on LOW for 4 hours. About 20 minutes before serving, prepare biscuits according to package directions. Split biscuits and serve chicken mixture "open face" style on top.

Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Jan. 3, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Jan. 4, 2013

Chicken at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

Sometimes it's so funny how you can do something the same way for years, and then one day you decide to try it a new way, and you say to yourself "Um, why didn't I do this before?" I guess it just takes our inner light bulb going off to make everything come into focus. And it seems to me, 9 times out of 10, when this happens, it is something so simple it kind of makes you feel dense!

This was the case last week, 2 days post Christmas when I was getting ready to roast chicken for supper. It was a recipe I had made too many times to count, taught to me by my mother in law years ago. I went into the kitchen and had to move my new Crock Pot off the counter to prep the chicken. And that's when it happened. That inner light bulb lit up as bright as a Christmas tree and I knew in an instant I was making this recipe a little different this time. I had a ton of stuff around the house to do, and multiple games of Death Star Jenga to play with Monkey, so why not let supper cook itself (for the most part) in the Crock Pot? I have no idea why I had never thought of this before. I'm sure a little piece of it was my inner foodie begging to use that new Crock Pot for a 2nd night in a row. Whatever the reason I finally thought of it, I am so happy I did because it will never be prepared the original way again! This is perfect on a cold day when you want something warm and comforting, but don't want to put forth a lot of effort! The chicken can even be made in the morning, or the night before. Sometimes our best ideas are those that come to us when we least expect it!

Crock Pot Chicken and Biscuits
1 lb. chicken tenders
2 (15 oz) cans mixed veggies, drained
2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
2 c. chicken broth
1 (8 ct.) refrigerated biscuits
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. On a large baking sheet, mix chicken tenders, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes until juices run clear. (If preparing ahead, set aside to cool) Cut chicken into small dices. In Crock Pot combine chicken, veggies, soup and broth. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on LOW for 4 hours. About 20 minutes before serving, prepare biscuits according to package directions. Split biscuits and serve chicken mixture "open face" style on top.

Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Jan. 3, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Jan. 4, 2013

Chicken at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Best of 2012: Desserts

And now things get REALLY difficult. Today's best of theme is desserts. It was really hard not to just link up EVERY dessert I've posted this year - they're all so good. But I worked very diligently to narrow them down - these are the best of the best.

Caramel Chocolate Pumpkin Blondies

Peppermint Patty Brownies

Apple Crisp

Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

Roasted Banana Ice Cream

Mocha Chip Ice Cream

Fruity Coconut Cake Roll

Chewy Molasses Squares

Be sure to check out all the "best of" dessert link ups at Finding Joy in my Kitchen.

And now things get REALLY difficult. Today's best of theme is desserts. It was really hard not to just link up EVERY dessert I've posted this year - they're all so good. But I worked very diligently to narrow them down - these are the best of the best.

Caramel Chocolate Pumpkin Blondies

Peppermint Patty Brownies

Apple Crisp

Banana Bread Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

Roasted Banana Ice Cream

Mocha Chip Ice Cream

Fruity Coconut Cake Roll

Chewy Molasses Squares

Be sure to check out all the "best of" dessert link ups at Finding Joy in my Kitchen.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Mission Organization: Week 52 - Keep a Sense of Humor

"Where do I start?"

That was the first thought I remember having when I began the Mission Organization 52 Week Challenge for 2012.

I didn't have to look far for something to do because it was right after the Christmas holiday, and it was time to take down the tree and deal with all the ornaments and decor. It just seemed to make sense that my first project would be organizing and labeling the Christmas decor for storage. After that first week, there seemed to be no end to the number of household projects needing attention.

Now, after an entire year of weekly projects in addition to the regular cleaning routines, one would think that there would be very little organizing left to do at my house. Oh, if only that were so. Even with all my projects and good intentions, I have not yet achieved that perfectly clean, uncluttered, serene household that I so longingly have desired.

In view of all my household missions for this year, my son found a cartoon that he thought applied to my efforts to get "in control of everything" at home. I have to agree, some days I have just wanted to take this route! Fortunately, this talented cartoonist can put those frustrations on paper and make me laugh at myself.

source: http://www.xkcd.com/1077/

My son has always been a reminder to me to keep a sense of humor. When he was very young, he loved to read joke books, and he would remember the jokes and retell them to me with delight. Now that he's older and away from home, sometimes I'll get a call during his commute to work. He often has a funny story to share about something he has read, heard on NPR, or just observed. I think the cartoon that he sent me about home organization is a good reminder that the home organization process should not take control over our lives. Organization is a tool that should make our lives easier. Taking the housework too seriously can be stressful for the whole family. One thing I noted during my year of organizing is that you can't organize other people. If the success of a project is dependent upon someone else's cooperation, then it just might fail.

My best advice after spending a year diligently working on home organization: declutter to make cleaning easier, set cleaning routines that fit your lifestyle and work for your family, utilize quality tools and cleaning supplies, and keep a sense of humor because things won't always be perfect.

I hope my Mission Organization for 2012 has been helpful to someone. Weeks 1 - 52 are indexed in the Thoughts and Mission Organization Page on the header bar above.

After looking back at the year, I realized that one of my favorite organizational projects of all is not even a part of Mission Organization. One of the most helpful projects that I have done has been to organize a spice drawer in my kitchen.

My solution for dealing with the many spice jars was to organize them into small baskets in a drawer. With the jars lying in the baskets, I can see the labels clearly. Before I put them in the drawer, I would spend too much time searching through the cabinet for the jar that I needed. This saves me time and looks so much neater than the jumble of jars I had in the upper cabinet.

It's now that time of year that many folks make some resolutions for the coming new year. Is one of yours to get your household organized? If so, good luck to you and happy organizing in 2013!

"Where do I start?"

That was the first thought I remember having when I began the Mission Organization 52 Week Challenge for 2012.

I didn't have to look far for something to do because it was right after the Christmas holiday, and it was time to take down the tree and deal with all the ornaments and decor. It just seemed to make sense that my first project would be organizing and labeling the Christmas decor for storage. After that first week, there seemed to be no end to the number of household projects needing attention.

Now, after an entire year of weekly projects in addition to the regular cleaning routines, one would think that there would be very little organizing left to do at my house. Oh, if only that were so. Even with all my projects and good intentions, I have not yet achieved that perfectly clean, uncluttered, serene household that I so longingly have desired.

In view of all my household missions for this year, my son found a cartoon that he thought applied to my efforts to get "in control of everything" at home. I have to agree, some days I have just wanted to take this route! Fortunately, this talented cartoonist can put those frustrations on paper and make me laugh at myself.

source: http://www.xkcd.com/1077/

My son has always been a reminder to me to keep a sense of humor. When he was very young, he loved to read joke books, and he would remember the jokes and retell them to me with delight. Now that he's older and away from home, sometimes I'll get a call during his commute to work. He often has a funny story to share about something he has read, heard on NPR, or just observed. I think the cartoon that he sent me about home organization is a good reminder that the home organization process should not take control over our lives. Organization is a tool that should make our lives easier. Taking the housework too seriously can be stressful for the whole family. One thing I noted during my year of organizing is that you can't organize other people. If the success of a project is dependent upon someone else's cooperation, then it just might fail.

My best advice after spending a year diligently working on home organization: declutter to make cleaning easier, set cleaning routines that fit your lifestyle and work for your family, utilize quality tools and cleaning supplies, and keep a sense of humor because things won't always be perfect.

I hope my Mission Organization for 2012 has been helpful to someone. Weeks 1 - 52 are indexed in the Thoughts and Mission Organization Page on the header bar above.

After looking back at the year, I realized that one of my favorite organizational projects of all is not even a part of Mission Organization. One of the most helpful projects that I have done has been to organize a spice drawer in my kitchen.

My solution for dealing with the many spice jars was to organize them into small baskets in a drawer. With the jars lying in the baskets, I can see the labels clearly. Before I put them in the drawer, I would spend too much time searching through the cabinet for the jar that I needed. This saves me time and looks so much neater than the jumble of jars I had in the upper cabinet.

It's now that time of year that many folks make some resolutions for the coming new year. Is one of yours to get your household organized? If so, good luck to you and happy organizing in 2013!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Best of 2012: Snacks and Appetizers

Today we look back at the best snacks and appetizers of 2012. I have to say I was tempted to put a lot of desserts in this category, since that's what I think of when I think "snack." But I will save those for tomorrow! If you need inspiration for your New Year's party, look no further. All of these recipes were knock outs!

Greek Layered Dip

Shrimp and Goat Cheese Corn Cakes

Pepper Poppers

Oven Baked Ham and Swiss Sandwiches

Chipotle Crab Dip

Zucchini Fries

Be sure to visit Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great snack and app link ups.

Today we look back at the best snacks and appetizers of 2012. I have to say I was tempted to put a lot of desserts in this category, since that's what I think of when I think "snack." But I will save those for tomorrow! If you need inspiration for your New Year's party, look no further. All of these recipes were knock outs!

Greek Layered Dip

Shrimp and Goat Cheese Corn Cakes

Pepper Poppers

Oven Baked Ham and Swiss Sandwiches

Chipotle Crab Dip

Zucchini Fries

Be sure to visit Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great snack and app link ups.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Weekend Company {Guest Blogger Bekki}

Good Morning and welcome to another Saturday. I hope this finds you at the end of an amazing holiday week. Our week is ending just as special as it began. See, today two very special people are getting married. My brother in law, Matt, is marrying his soul mate, Jill. There love story is one for a fairy tale. As some of you will remember, back in May 2011 Matt was diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of leukemia. Then in August Adam was his donor for a stem cell transplant to fight that cancer. Well, about a month after that, during his recovery, he "met" a friend of a friend, Jill. But see, they couldn't really meet at all. Part of recovering from a stem cell transplant is extreme isolation, as to avoid germs. Three months of phone conversations was how they spent the beginning of their relationship. Then on December 23rd they met face to face for the very first time; and according to Matt, he knew in that instant she was "the one". They were engaged in June and now today is the big day. Matt has waited for so long to find the perfect woman to share his life with, and as we all told him many times, the best things come to those who wait. I remember sitting in a hospital room telling him that "I didn't know why he was being tested by God with his illness, but He was going to make sure wonderful things on his horizon." Little did we know, just how wonderful they would be.

Congrats to Matt and Jill~ may God bless your marriage always and love fill your life forever more. 


Please welcome Bekki back for her second week in a row, to share something special for our New Year!

I am married to my wonderful husband Josh, have a beautiful 12 year old step daughter Amy and 2 fur-baby sweethearts Minnie and Shadow. I am a self taught baker/cook. I taught Wilton cake decorating for a while, worked in a grocery store bakery and have even spent time baking wedding/birthday cakes as a hobby on the side. My love for cooking has been since childhood. Spending time with my mother, aunts, and grandmothers. Aiding in their recipes or just being there for the conversation. Its always been a source of calm, peace, and ultimate fulfillment. The idea that you add your love to each recipe and share it with the people you care about is such an amazing blessing to me in more ways then I can ever put on paper. I have decided writing a cookbook was something I could do to share my love of food with family, friends, and whomever else comes my way. I hope your day is blessed with all your favorite things. 

Hello EMM Fans, I hope your Christmas was blissful and full of all your favorite things! 
Can you believe it? We are actually just days away from the New year? Nope, I can't either but its here and we have to celebrate. These recipes are dedicated to The Everyday family who was just blessed with a new member! Congratulations to the happy couple on their blessed day. With this beautiful union I had to match it with something just as decadent and beautiful! A fizzy new years eve punch great for any crowd, even the little ones. Yep, a punch with zero alcohol and my favorite, maraschino cherries. Now that we have a fizzy drink you need a oh so chocolaty dessert too right? Yes! How about a Chocolate Turtle cheesecake? That's right I said it! Now that I have your complete attention lets celebrate this amazing time of year with the ones we love. May God bless you all in the new year and give you His best. 

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake Adapted from a family Christmas
6 tbs. margarine, melted
2 c. vanilla wafer crumbs 
1 pound caramel candies
3/4c. evaporated milk
1 1/4c. coarsely chopped pecans
2 (8oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2c. sugar
2 eggs
4oz. semisweet chocolate melted 
 
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine margarine and vanilla wafer crumbs and press into the bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. 
Place candies and milk in saucepan; melt together. Pour into crust. Sprinkle pecans over top. Set aside. Beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix in melted chocolate. Pour over pecans and smooth out. Swirl long toothpick through cream cheese to get desired design.Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack for 1 to 2 hours Chill 4 to 6 hours. Serves 12 

Garnish with raspberries, if desired.

Photo from A Family Christmas Cookbook

New Year's Eve Celebration Punch Adapted from a family Christmas3c. sugar
3c apple cider or apple juice
6c. grapefruit juice
1 1/2 quarts ginger ale
10 maraschino cherries with stems

Lemonade ice cubes
1 (6 oz) frozen lemonade, thawed and prepared


 In a saucepan, mix the sugar and apple cider. Cook until the sugar is dissolved.
Cool and chill. After chilling add grapefruit juice, orange juice and ginger ale. Pour the
punch into a large deep bowl, or punch bowl.For lemonade ice cubes, pour lemonade into ice cube trays and freeze. Place cups around the punch bowl. Place cherries and ice cubes in each serving of punch. Serves 10

Pin It

Good Morning and welcome to another Saturday. I hope this finds you at the end of an amazing holiday week. Our week is ending just as special as it began. See, today two very special people are getting married. My brother in law, Matt, is marrying his soul mate, Jill. There love story is one for a fairy tale. As some of you will remember, back in May 2011 Matt was diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of leukemia. Then in August Adam was his donor for a stem cell transplant to fight that cancer. Well, about a month after that, during his recovery, he "met" a friend of a friend, Jill. But see, they couldn't really meet at all. Part of recovering from a stem cell transplant is extreme isolation, as to avoid germs. Three months of phone conversations was how they spent the beginning of their relationship. Then on December 23rd they met face to face for the very first time; and according to Matt, he knew in that instant she was "the one". They were engaged in June and now today is the big day. Matt has waited for so long to find the perfect woman to share his life with, and as we all told him many times, the best things come to those who wait. I remember sitting in a hospital room telling him that "I didn't know why he was being tested by God with his illness, but He was going to make sure wonderful things on his horizon." Little did we know, just how wonderful they would be.

Congrats to Matt and Jill~ may God bless your marriage always and love fill your life forever more. 


Please welcome Bekki back for her second week in a row, to share something special for our New Year!

I am married to my wonderful husband Josh, have a beautiful 12 year old step daughter Amy and 2 fur-baby sweethearts Minnie and Shadow. I am a self taught baker/cook. I taught Wilton cake decorating for a while, worked in a grocery store bakery and have even spent time baking wedding/birthday cakes as a hobby on the side. My love for cooking has been since childhood. Spending time with my mother, aunts, and grandmothers. Aiding in their recipes or just being there for the conversation. Its always been a source of calm, peace, and ultimate fulfillment. The idea that you add your love to each recipe and share it with the people you care about is such an amazing blessing to me in more ways then I can ever put on paper. I have decided writing a cookbook was something I could do to share my love of food with family, friends, and whomever else comes my way. I hope your day is blessed with all your favorite things. 

Hello EMM Fans, I hope your Christmas was blissful and full of all your favorite things! 
Can you believe it? We are actually just days away from the New year? Nope, I can't either but its here and we have to celebrate. These recipes are dedicated to The Everyday family who was just blessed with a new member! Congratulations to the happy couple on their blessed day. With this beautiful union I had to match it with something just as decadent and beautiful! A fizzy new years eve punch great for any crowd, even the little ones. Yep, a punch with zero alcohol and my favorite, maraschino cherries. Now that we have a fizzy drink you need a oh so chocolaty dessert too right? Yes! How about a Chocolate Turtle cheesecake? That's right I said it! Now that I have your complete attention lets celebrate this amazing time of year with the ones we love. May God bless you all in the new year and give you His best. 

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake Adapted from a family Christmas
6 tbs. margarine, melted
2 c. vanilla wafer crumbs 
1 pound caramel candies
3/4c. evaporated milk
1 1/4c. coarsely chopped pecans
2 (8oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2c. sugar
2 eggs
4oz. semisweet chocolate melted 
 
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine margarine and vanilla wafer crumbs and press into the bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. 
Place candies and milk in saucepan; melt together. Pour into crust. Sprinkle pecans over top. Set aside. Beat cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix in melted chocolate. Pour over pecans and smooth out. Swirl long toothpick through cream cheese to get desired design.Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack for 1 to 2 hours Chill 4 to 6 hours. Serves 12 

Garnish with raspberries, if desired.

Photo from A Family Christmas Cookbook

New Year's Eve Celebration Punch Adapted from a family Christmas3c. sugar
3c apple cider or apple juice
6c. grapefruit juice
1 1/2 quarts ginger ale
10 maraschino cherries with stems

Lemonade ice cubes
1 (6 oz) frozen lemonade, thawed and prepared


 In a saucepan, mix the sugar and apple cider. Cook until the sugar is dissolved.
Cool and chill. After chilling add grapefruit juice, orange juice and ginger ale. Pour the
punch into a large deep bowl, or punch bowl.For lemonade ice cubes, pour lemonade into ice cube trays and freeze. Place cups around the punch bowl. Place cherries and ice cubes in each serving of punch. Serves 10

Pin It

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Menu Plan Dec. 30- Jan 4

*New Recipe
Links to Recipe on Blog
^ New to Blog but not us

Sunday Leftover from last week
Tomato Soup
Grilled Cheese Croutons

Monday
Happy New Year's Eve
We will be having an entire buffet of appetizers to snack on all night.
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail*
Veggie Pizza*
Bacon Cheddar Appetizers*
Pot Stickers
Pizza Rolls
Egg Rolls
Dried Beef Roll Ups^
Soft Pretzel Cheese Bites
Jalapeno Peppers
Popcorn
Chex Mix
Sparkling Cranberry Juice
Sparkling Grape Juice
Sparkling Water w/ Limes

Tuesday
Tavern Sandwiches*
Southwest Mac and Cheese*
Sliced Pears

Wednesday
Alex will be with my mom. Adam and I will have:
Frozen Pizza
Salad

Thursday
Pork Chops
Stuffing
Applesauce
Candied Carrots

Friday
Beer Battered Fish Nuggets*
Steak Fries
Sliced Beets

*New Recipe
Links to Recipe on Blog
^ New to Blog but not us

Sunday Leftover from last week
Tomato Soup
Grilled Cheese Croutons

Monday
Happy New Year's Eve
We will be having an entire buffet of appetizers to snack on all night.
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail*
Veggie Pizza*
Bacon Cheddar Appetizers*
Pot Stickers
Pizza Rolls
Egg Rolls
Dried Beef Roll Ups^
Soft Pretzel Cheese Bites
Jalapeno Peppers
Popcorn
Chex Mix
Sparkling Cranberry Juice
Sparkling Grape Juice
Sparkling Water w/ Limes

Tuesday
Tavern Sandwiches*
Southwest Mac and Cheese*
Sliced Pears

Wednesday
Alex will be with my mom. Adam and I will have:
Frozen Pizza
Salad

Thursday
Pork Chops
Stuffing
Applesauce
Candied Carrots

Friday
Beer Battered Fish Nuggets*
Steak Fries
Sliced Beets

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Best of 2012: Main Dishes

And today we have Main Dishes! My favorites from the year have all been made more than once - just as favorites should be. If you need to mix up your meal rotation with some new ideas, look no further.

Shrimp and Spinach Risotto

Portobello Pesto Pizza

Chicken Marsala

BBQ Salmon

Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Quesadillas

Italian Sausage, Red Pepper and Mushroom Risotto

Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

Be sure to stop by Finding Joy in My Kitchen and visit all the food bloggers who are posting their "best of" main dishes today!

And today we have Main Dishes! My favorites from the year have all been made more than once - just as favorites should be. If you need to mix up your meal rotation with some new ideas, look no further.

Shrimp and Spinach Risotto

Portobello Pesto Pizza

Chicken Marsala

BBQ Salmon

Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Quesadillas

Italian Sausage, Red Pepper and Mushroom Risotto

Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

Be sure to stop by Finding Joy in My Kitchen and visit all the food bloggers who are posting their "best of" main dishes today!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

New Crock Pot

Was Santa good to you this Christmas? Boy, he sure was to our family! In fact, I must have been even better this year than I thought I was because I couldn't have asked for me! Between my wonderful husband, parents, brother,  in-laws, and future sister-in-law, (And near future....Saturday is the big day!) I got some fantastic new "toys" for my kitchen!

From new cook books, to a "Queen" wine glass (for those special Mommy needs a time out moments), to measuring cups, a Twinkie bake set, ceramic skillet and many more, it was a great foodie Christmas! One of my favorites, and something I wished and wished for was a new Crock Pot! My mom outdid her self. It's a beauty and such a improvement over my 1970's version that was nice, but just needed upgraded!

So on the 26th, what better recipe to try out than a new soup for said Crock Pot??? I was like a little kid playing with his new video games, I was so excited. I woke up, knowing I was headed into the kitchen to test out my new toy.

This soup couldn't be easier. Seriously browning meat, chopping some onions and opening a few cans is all it takes to have a piping hot bowl of soup on the table for supper. It's so incredibly filling too! Believe me after the snow storm hit Wednesday we were very happy to be sitting down to this at the end of a cold, blustery day!

Thank you to everyone who helped to make me such a blessed food blogger this Christmas. I thank you. My family thanks you. And all EMM fans everywhere thank you!

Black Bean Taco Soup From Gooseberry Patch
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, undrained
1 ( 15 oz) can chili beans, undrained
1 ( 15 oz) can corn, undrained
1 ( 28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
1 ( 1 oz) packet ranch dressing mix
Salt and Pepper to taste
Shredded Cheese, optional for topping
Tortilla Chips, optional for topping

Place all ingredients in slow cooker, except toppings. Stir well. Cook on LOW for 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Top with tortilla chips and cheese.

Crock Pot at Very Good Recipes
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Was Santa good to you this Christmas? Boy, he sure was to our family! In fact, I must have been even better this year than I thought I was because I couldn't have asked for me! Between my wonderful husband, parents, brother,  in-laws, and future sister-in-law, (And near future....Saturday is the big day!) I got some fantastic new "toys" for my kitchen!

From new cook books, to a "Queen" wine glass (for those special Mommy needs a time out moments), to measuring cups, a Twinkie bake set, ceramic skillet and many more, it was a great foodie Christmas! One of my favorites, and something I wished and wished for was a new Crock Pot! My mom outdid her self. It's a beauty and such a improvement over my 1970's version that was nice, but just needed upgraded!

So on the 26th, what better recipe to try out than a new soup for said Crock Pot??? I was like a little kid playing with his new video games, I was so excited. I woke up, knowing I was headed into the kitchen to test out my new toy.

This soup couldn't be easier. Seriously browning meat, chopping some onions and opening a few cans is all it takes to have a piping hot bowl of soup on the table for supper. It's so incredibly filling too! Believe me after the snow storm hit Wednesday we were very happy to be sitting down to this at the end of a cold, blustery day!

Thank you to everyone who helped to make me such a blessed food blogger this Christmas. I thank you. My family thanks you. And all EMM fans everywhere thank you!

Black Bean Taco Soup From Gooseberry Patch
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, undrained
1 ( 15 oz) can chili beans, undrained
1 ( 15 oz) can corn, undrained
1 ( 28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
1 ( 1 oz) packet ranch dressing mix
Salt and Pepper to taste
Shredded Cheese, optional for topping
Tortilla Chips, optional for topping

Place all ingredients in slow cooker, except toppings. Stir well. Cook on LOW for 6 hours, stirring occasionally. Top with tortilla chips and cheese.

Crock Pot at Very Good Recipes
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Best of 2012: Soup and Bread

Today's Best of is Soup and Bread. Although this is probably intended to be savory breads, I made a lot more sweet, breakfast-style breads this year, and so my favorites come from that category. I think I'm "safe" though since the topic is bread without an adjective!

It's cold this week, so whip up some soup and bread and stay warm!

Peanut Butter Bread

Curried Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Blueberry Muffin Bread

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

English Muffin Bread

Beef and Bok Choy Hot Pot

Bananas Foster Bread

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

Head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to find more great soups and breads.

Find more great recipes at Full Plate Thursday and Thursday's Treasures.

Today's Best of is Soup and Bread. Although this is probably intended to be savory breads, I made a lot more sweet, breakfast-style breads this year, and so my favorites come from that category. I think I'm "safe" though since the topic is bread without an adjective!

It's cold this week, so whip up some soup and bread and stay warm!

Peanut Butter Bread

Curried Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Blueberry Muffin Bread

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

English Muffin Bread

Beef and Bok Choy Hot Pot

Bananas Foster Bread

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

Head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to find more great soups and breads.

Find more great recipes at Full Plate Thursday and Thursday's Treasures.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

A Quick Breakfast With Better Oats

Do you struggle to get breakfast into your little ones' tummies every morning? Are you constantly looking for new and simple things to fuel the rest of their day? Well, our friends at Better Oats are making it even easier!

Better Oats oatmeal comes in 23 delicious varieties  including Raw Pure & Simple, Pomegranate  Blueberry Muffin and Apple & Cinnamon. Kids love it because it's fun and yummy; parents love it because it is nutritious and convenient. Better Oats uses 35% less packaging than other instant oatmeal brands, so more room on your pantry shelf, and the pouch doubles as a measuring cup!

Made with 100% whole grain oats and flax seeds, this complete line offers a simple and healthy option when it comes to instant oatmeal. But it's not only a great breakfast (or lunch... or snack...) but also a better ingredient to spice up a cookie or other baked goods.

 Their thick and hearty oatmeal is also a good source of fiber and omega-3, so it's better than good, it's good for you. Start your day off right with the indulgent taste of real muffin flavor in every bite...mmm.

So when I was given the opportunity to use Better Oats oatmeal in a new recipe, I immediately thought of granola! It's one of my favorites, and my son's too. Put it in individual bags for simple after school snacks, or even quick on-the-go- breakfasts. Perfect for taking with you to the gym in the morning, or in the car for the kids. Eat it as is, or my choice, with a little milk poured over the top. However you serve it, this granola is so easy to make, and absolutely delicious to eat!

Blueberry Nut Granola
5 packets Better Oats Blueberry Muffin Instant Oatmeal
3 packets Better Oats Bare Instant Oatmeal
1/2 c. honey
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. walnuts pieces
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1/2 c. pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl whisk together oil and honey. In a large bowl combine oatmeal and all nuts. Pour oil mixture over. Stir well until coated. Spread onto a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on pan. When cool, break up. Store in an airtight container.

Visit the Better Oats website, Facebook and YouTube.

Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Dec. 27, 2012

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Disclaimer~ This sponsorship is brought to you by Foodie Blogroll who we have partnered with for this promotion.

Do you struggle to get breakfast into your little ones' tummies every morning? Are you constantly looking for new and simple things to fuel the rest of their day? Well, our friends at Better Oats are making it even easier!

Better Oats oatmeal comes in 23 delicious varieties  including Raw Pure & Simple, Pomegranate  Blueberry Muffin and Apple & Cinnamon. Kids love it because it's fun and yummy; parents love it because it is nutritious and convenient. Better Oats uses 35% less packaging than other instant oatmeal brands, so more room on your pantry shelf, and the pouch doubles as a measuring cup!

Made with 100% whole grain oats and flax seeds, this complete line offers a simple and healthy option when it comes to instant oatmeal. But it's not only a great breakfast (or lunch... or snack...) but also a better ingredient to spice up a cookie or other baked goods.

 Their thick and hearty oatmeal is also a good source of fiber and omega-3, so it's better than good, it's good for you. Start your day off right with the indulgent taste of real muffin flavor in every bite...mmm.

So when I was given the opportunity to use Better Oats oatmeal in a new recipe, I immediately thought of granola! It's one of my favorites, and my son's too. Put it in individual bags for simple after school snacks, or even quick on-the-go- breakfasts. Perfect for taking with you to the gym in the morning, or in the car for the kids. Eat it as is, or my choice, with a little milk poured over the top. However you serve it, this granola is so easy to make, and absolutely delicious to eat!

Blueberry Nut Granola
5 packets Better Oats Blueberry Muffin Instant Oatmeal
3 packets Better Oats Bare Instant Oatmeal
1/2 c. honey
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. walnuts pieces
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1/2 c. pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl whisk together oil and honey. In a large bowl combine oatmeal and all nuts. Pour oil mixture over. Stir well until coated. Spread onto a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on pan. When cool, break up. Store in an airtight container.

Visit the Better Oats website, Facebook and YouTube.

Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Dec. 27, 2012

Pin It

Disclaimer~ This sponsorship is brought to you by Foodie Blogroll who we have partnered with for this promotion.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad