Homemade Hot Cocoa

This is the recipe for my FAVORITE hot cocoa! It's yummy!!!!!!!!!!!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa Powder

1/4 cup HOT water

Dash of salt

4 Cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Optional: 1 tablespoon of vanilla ice cream

Mix sugar, cocoa & salt together with wisk. (dry mix) Add HOT water and continue to wisk.

Bring to a boil over medium/high heat.

CONTINUE stirring constantly for about 2 minutes.

Pour in milk and vanilla.

Make sure to keep stirring occassionally so not to burn the milk.

Keep on stove until hot.

Pour into cups. For children, to cool it to the perfect temperature, add 1 tablespoon of vanilla ice cream and stir until melted. Test it first, but this usually takes it to the perfect warm temp and adds to the richness! Yummy for adults, too!!!!

enjoy!

I've been falling down on the job! LOL

Sorry, girls! I know I haven't posted lately. I've been so busy with everything else that I haven't even had a chance! So, here's a new recipe for you gals! (or guys)

Taquito Pie (easy beef enchiladas!)

Ingredients:
Package of frozen Beef Steak Taquitos (not the flour kind...the corn ones.)
1 Can chili with no beans
1 Large can refried beans (traditional)

Place frozen taquitos in a casserole dish. For a fam. of 4, I use nearly all of the taquitos in a 9x13 dish. Don't stack them. Just side by side all over the dish. Some will have to go sideways to fill in.

Spread refried beans over taquitos.

Spread Chili on top of beans.

Bake on 350 for approximately 25 minutes. Sprinkle top with shredded cheddar or mexi-blend cheese. Turn up the temp to 450 and bake until cheese melts.

Serve with tortilla chips! Delicious & EASY! Tastes like beef enchiladas!

Sarah helping make muffins!

We made muffins on Tuesday morning! She helped! So sweet!

Her hair was crazy because we had just gotten up and started cooking. I love these photos because of her wild hair!

I thought these were too cute not to share!

"Help" in the Kitchen!

Today, I hired some help in the kitchen! No, not actually...but I did utilize a great way to get dinner cooked AND keep Sarah entertained at the same time! Moms...listen up! Sometimes, we don't even think because we are sooooo busy trying to put dinner on the table and clean the house (or myspace, etc!) but this is the EASIEST and CHEAPEST entertainment I have found for my little "helper" that keeps her happy and helps me by keeping her out from under my feet as I cook. I give her a bowl, a wire whisk and about a cup of flour in the bowl. Then I give her a cup of water and she just stands there mixing it all up and sometimes will ask for a little more water, or flour, etc. I give it to her! She makes what she thinks is "gravy" and I get things done, myself! You can see from the photos how happy it makes her to think she is helping mommy cook! She is my little angel and loves helping out. Jason loves to set the table. That is his helping hands thing. I used to ask him to set the table and now, he asks ME if he can do it! It's great! Tonight, I cooked homemade lasagna, seasoned green beans, a fresh salad and spinach & cheese flatbread. It was YUMMY!

MOMMY'S SPINACH FLATBREAD RECIPE

1 thin crispy pre-made pizza crust

Butter or margarine

Mozarella Cheese

Parmesean Cheese

Chopped fresh spinach

Italian Seasoning

Spread butter or margarine on pizza crust. Sprinkle top with remaining ingredients and bake at 450 directly on the rack. Cut into squares and serve with salad or main course! Or both!

Mexican Chicken & Potato Packets!!!

These are AWESOME and delicious! My whole family loved them and they can be customized to each person's individual taste!

Ingredients & Items Needed:

Large squares of aluminum foil (however many you are making)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
Red Potatoes (sliced thinly)
Sour Cream
Taco Seasoning
Salsa
Cilantro
Cheese (shredded)

Directions:

Coat the chicken with taco seasoning and sprinkle on potatoes.
Place one whole sliced potato on each foil piece.
Place cheese on potatoes.
Place a chicken breast on top of cheese & potatoes.
Scoop a dallop of sour cream in center of chicken.
Scoop salsa over sour cream and chicken.
Sprinkle with cheese. Top with pinch of Cilantro leaves.
Fold into a foil packet.
Bake on 400 for about 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Take out of oven.

Let cool for a few minutes and then open packets. Be careful for the steam.
Slide each packet onto a plate.

Serve with side dish such as corn if desired!

Enjoy!!!!

Sharon's Homemade from SCRATCH Banana Pudding...

This is melt in your mouth like your grandma used to make banana pudding! Yummy!

Melt 1/2 cup butter in saucepan. (medium/high heat)

Add 1 cup of flour gradually while whisking.

The mixture will get very thick.

Begin adding milk (about 1/2 cup) until desired pudding like consistency.

Add 2 egg yolks.........save the whites...you'll need them in a minute! Make sure NONE of the yolks is in the whites.

Whisk together until you have pudding thickness, then add 1 capfull of vanilla extract.

*You can add milk or flour as needed when making this. Every time, it seems the amount used changes because of the way it cooks, but if you need it thicker, add more flour, thinner...add more milk as needed. Make sure it is not too thin when finished. It should be the consistency of jell-0 pudding.

Cut 4 bananas into slices in a baking dish. I use a round 9 inch cake pan with tall sides. Add in about 1/2 box of nilla wafers. I made the one pictured with full size wafers, but I love to use the miniature ones when I can find them! Stir together wafers and bananas and then pour pudding mixture on top. I like to stir this all up a bit to make sure every banana and wafer is surrounded by pudding.

Now to make the meringe topping...

In large bowl, pour in 2 egg whites. Beat on medium speed with hand mixer until peaks form. Be patient.....this takes several minutes. Mixture will be SOLID white and really fluffy. Gradually begin to add 1/4 c. sugar to egg white mixture. Continue beating on medium-high with mixer until you have solid peaks forming. (By pulling a spoon or beaters out of mixture, it will make little points....these are peaks....see photo!) Garnish top with extra wafers.

Once you have finished the meringue topping, scoop onto top of finished banana pudding. Bake until peaks get golden on the edges at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Yummy EASY Chicken Salad....NO COOKING REQUIRED!

Okay, this chicken salad recipe is a work of sheer genius! I must admit.....I have adapted it from friends' recipes and added and changed it until I have what I think is the easiest and best chicken salad I may have ever tasted......excited? You should be....here you go!

Sharon's Chicken Salad

1 bag pre-cooked chicken fajita meat (I get this at wal-mart in the meat section and it's $2.73/pkg)
3/4 cup mayo (I use low-fat and it doesn't change the taste at all!)
1 small package of slivered almonds
2 celery stalks chopped into fine pieces
1 small can crushed pineapple DRAINED well
3 tsp. of garlic powder (or to taste desired)
Salt & Pepper

Tear chicken apart into fine shreds using your hands or a food processor. For "chunkier" salad....tear with hands or use knife and chop up to desired consistency. Mix in all ingredients. Stir. Chill. Serve on croissants, bread, tortillas or is great in a pita with fresh lettuce! Everyone that has tried this has loved it.

Fun stuff for kiddos....

Okay, here are a few quick and easy and FUN kid recipes!

Hot Dog.....Mom's Gone BANANAS!
(a yummy treat for your little monkeys!)

1 - Hot Dog Bun
1 - Banana
Strawberry Jelly
Peanut butter

Smooth Peanut butter onto the hot dog bun. Place banana inside. Squiggle the jelly on! The kids loved this one!

Sherbert the Frog

1 Large Scoop of Lime Sherbert

1 lime green paper plate with a notch cut out to look like a lilly pad

Assorted candies. (I used gummy life savers & mm's)

Scoop sherbert onto plate. Quickly arrange candies for eyes and feet and serve! This one was funny. We did it by the pool and it started melting. Try it in the house! LOL

Glad to have you visit my blog!

Just in case you are new....you may look through the archives for recipes I've posted. This blog is fairly new but I have a fair selection of new recipes and things to make! Let me know if you have something you would like to say by either leaving a comment or emailing me! Thanks!

Sharon

More fun STUFF!

Okay, these are some of the cutest items out there, girls! (and guys if you're reading!)

Any of these items would make a great gift for someone else or yourself! :)

The following items are from http://www.plumparty.com/ which is one of my FAVORITE sites!

These are the dinner plates that I am dying to buy! The are called "Barcelona" by French Bull and they are $32 for the set of 4 dinner plates! I ABSOULUTELY LOVE THESE!

These are a great hostess gift or just a gift for anyone who's a Domestic Gal....Decorative Salad Server Spoons....SO CUTE! SO HIP! They are $15 and are also by French Bull. They come in different designs! These are 2 of my favorites!

These are PAPER plates! HOW adorable are they!? Serve a fancy dinner on fancy plates and throw them away at the end! How much better could life get?! Also from plumparty.com

Oky-Doky...I think these little pinwheel lights are SOOOOOOOOOO cute! What says "summer" more than this!? They are $22 for a 10 light strand!

These are coasters! Only $10! They are also dishwasher and heat safe! WOW!

Such a cute little serving tray! $18 TONS of things in this print are available! Fun for any gathering!

These are such cool napkin rings...."Eat, Drink & Be Merry!" engraved on them!

Draining Spaghetti Noodles just got a lot more FUN! LOL This colander will put some cheer in any meal preparation! $25 from www.plumparty.com

If you're having a party....these are my "Pick!" Retro Party Picks are $14 for a set of 6 but they are reusable! :)

These next few items came from a site I just found called www.jilliewillie.com ! They have some adorable things! This overnight bag is so cute!

Who wouldn't feel glamourous cleaning house or cooking in these darling flip flop slippers!? They are $18.50 and come in different colors!

This is the "Suzy Homemaker" apron from them! Has a dishtowel attached that is washable! So practical and CUTE!

Fake Gourmet Chef!

Hey, everyone! Tonight, I made what I call "fake gourmet!" Todd LOVED this meal and the kids ate it, too!


Baked Tilapia with Cream Sauce and Cajun Potatoes

Here is a list of ingredients you will need:

4 Frozen Tilapia Fillets
Olive Oil
Tony's Cajun Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper
Seasoned Pepper Blend
Aluminum Foil
Red New Potatoes
Margarine
Minced Garlic in a jar
Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread
Chicken Broth (canned or boxed)
Parmesean Cheese

Here's how to look like a gourmet chef & domestic diva!

For starters...you'll need to thaw your tilapia. I buy the package of 4 tilapia fillets that are frozen and INDIVIDUALLY wrapped. The total cost for the bag of tilapia is less than $4. To thaw, take each fillet out of the vaccum pack sealing and place into the large bag that it came in. Place the BAG into a large bowl filled with warm water. It will thaw within the hour.

Then, you take each fillet and rub gently with olive oil. Then, I seasoned mine with Tony's Cajun Seasoning, Garlic powder, salt & pepper & seasoned pepper blend. This is "to taste". If you like it a little spicier, go for it! I made the kids with just salt and pepper and garlic powder and they ate it all! As you do this....place each fillet on it's piece of aluminum foil. ****You will need 4 12x12 size foil sheets. Just aluminum foil torn into large squares. Do this BEFORE you are ready to season your fish! See the photo of the seasoned fish below....


After seasoning, you will need to wrap your fillets into foil packets. Do this by folding over as shown and then rolling up both ends of the packets.

The photo below shows finished foil packets!

The Cajun Potatoes are EASY, too! AND DELICIOUS!

For these, I cube up the desired amount of red potatoes needed. Melt 1/2 cup of margarine in bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and stir up. Pour over cubed raw potatoes. Sprinkle with tony's cajun seasoning and bake at 350 covered with foil until tender. Then, remove foil and stir. You can now salt & pepper the potatoes. Turn heat up to 450 and bake until brown and braised! The photo below shows them ready to be placed in the oven. See finished photo for how they look when they are done.Bake the tilapia after you turn the potatoes up to 450. It will only need about 12 minutes or so in the foil packets. Then, CAREFULLY undo packets and slide tilapia fillets onto a baking sheet. Put in oven with potatoes again and turn oven on BROIL for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, though. When they look done, turn the oven off. Leave them sitting in the oven while you make the cream sauce. The photo below shows a fillet after you cook it in the foil packet.

The cream sauce is SO easy and DELICIOUS! Now, it's not "low-fat" but you only use a little bit on the fish to add to the flavor so it's okay. To make it, you pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauce pan and heat. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth until boiling. Add container of Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread until melted. Mix in 1/4 cup of parmesean cheese and wisk until smooth on medium heat. Remove from heat when smooth. If it is too thick, add a little more broth and wisk it.

To complete our meal, I opened a can of asparagus spears and 1 can of green beans and cooked over medium heat adding about a tablespoon of margarine and some salt & pepper. The flavor of the asparagus infuses the green beans and it is truly delicious! Below, you will see photos of the finished meal ready to eat! My whole family LOVED this meal and couldn't get enough of it!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe and try it sometime! It was fun to make and I felt really good about serving it to my family!

NOTE: If you do not want to make the potatoes, another great pairing with this would be brown wild rice!

Mommy's Must Haves...

Okay, these are the cutest things that make you feel a little happier in the kitchen! I find that I am more "in the mood" to work on the house and cooking if I have a few "girly" things that make me feel good! My personal choices are aprons, cute plastic gloves and music! I love to pick my music to cook with. I have a cooking playlist that I love and it does the trick!

I am posting a few of the cutest items I've found! Enjoy!

First are "Gloveables" Kitchen gloves! I have the black & white polka dot ones! I got mine on ebay by searching for "gloveables" and they were very inexpensive! I love them. They are wonderful for those icky things you don't want to touch. I use them to cut onions, peppers, etc. so that my hands don't stink when I'm finished. They come in TONS of designs and colors! I love polka dots, though!

The next thing is that you must have a cute apron to be a "Domestic Diva"! (Well, you don't HAVE to, but it's fun!) I found this awesome website where some really cute aprons are around $20.... Check it out. http://www.domesticdarlings.com/index.html

Yummy Taco Soup

1 pound ground hamburger meat (cooked, crumbled & drained)
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans corn
1 can rotel
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg. ranch dressing mix

Brown, crumble & drain meat. Mix all ingredients in large pot and cook until mixed well and hot! You can cut tortillas into strips with a pizza cutter and fry them to make strips to put on top or you can serve with chips. Top with shredded cheese & strips and enjoy!

More recipes...

EASY Family Pleasing Chicken Pot Pie

2 frozen pie crusts in aluminum pans
1 large can veg-all mixed vegetables (drained)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 shredded cooked chicken breasts (You can use the pre-cooked chicken in a package)
Salt & Pepper

Place one of the pie crusts in the oven at 375. Set extra pie crust to the side to "thaw" Begin mixing vegetables, cream of chicken soup and chicken. Salt & Pepper to taste. Once pie crust in oven is golden and flaky looking (about 20 minutes), take it out and pour mixture into it. Gently remove 2nd pie crust from aluminum pan. Place on top of pot pie mixture and pinch around edges to cover other pie crust. Place in oven and bake until top crust is golden and flaky looking. You can brush with egg white to make a glossy golden crust but it's good without it, too! :) This is the EASIEST and cheapest chicken pot pie I've ever had and it is DELICIOUS! Enjoy!


Easy Lasagna

1 lg. container of small cured cottage cheese
1 lg. container ricotta cheese
1 pkg. oven ready lasagna noodles
1 LARGE jar spaghetti sauce of your choice of flavors!
1 pound ground beef, cooked, crumbled & drained
1 pkg. breakfast sausage, cooked, crumbled & drained
2 eggs
Italian blend seasonings
Parmesean Cheese
Mozarella Cheese

Cook hamburger meat and sausage together. Crumble & drain. Pour into large bowl with spaghetti sauce. In seperate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, 1/4 cup of parmesean cheese, 1 tablespoon of italian blend seasonings. Mix with a fork. If you do not like cottage cheese (like me)...don't worry.......you can't taste it. BUT, if you refuse to use it, you can make it with 2 containers of ricotta cheese instead. Begin layering in deep baking dish...9x13 is best. Meat sauce then 3 lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, then 3 lasagna noodles, etc. until you run out of noodles and end with meat sauce on top! Bake at 375 for an hour covered with foil. Remove foil, add mozarella cheese on top and bake for about 15 minutes on 425 or until cheese is bubbly and melted on top. You may choose to turn it on "broil" for a minute or two! :) Serve with italian bread & a salad and you'll look like a genius!

Green Bean Casserole....for Shanna! :)

2 cans french cut green beans, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of French's fried onions
Tony's Cajun Seasoning

Mix together drained green beans, soup and about 1/2 tablespoon of the seasoning. (only if you want a little kick to the flavor...if not, just use salt & pepper to taste) Pour into baking dish and bake about 20 minutes on 350. Cover with french fried onions and bake until they are golden and crispy. (about 8-10 minutes) Enjoy!

Menu Planning, Grocery Shopping & Insanity!

These are the groceries I bought for the MONTH last night....And I was able to get it done because the little darling you see below did NOT go with me! LOL












"I will be able to eat this month because my mommy got to go grocery shopping and I stayed with Daddy!"

Well, most of you have been asking me to post information on "menu planning" and how I do it for a whole month. Personally, I like to get the grocery shopping OUT of my way. It takes a day of planning and preparation and then a few hours of actual shopping time, but it is well worth it to me! Now, some of you may think I'm crazy for going to so much trouble. That's okay. I used to think that about people who did it but now I'm a believer! Woohoo! LOL

I hate what I call the 4 p.m. panic session when I realize that Todd is on his way home from work in an hour, the kids are filthy as is the house and I haven't had a shower yet! YIKES! Even though Todd is VERY understanding and doesn't expect life to be perfect, I try because I'm one of those kinds of wives. Somewhere, I got that "50's" mentality in that I want to have everything straight, a little makeup and jewelry on and the dinner cooked and the kids clean and quiet when Daddy gets home from work! I know.........but that's me! :)

This is an article that has become famous over the years from 1955 entitled "How to be a Good Wife". Yes...It is a little cooky....but really and truly....it is good advice! Most men really would appreciate if you did even ONE of these things before they get home from work! That's my goal...at least one thing from the list to show I tried! haha Now, granted...there are days when Todd walks into what I'm sure looks a lot like Barnum & Bailey gone MAD, but most days, there is order and happiness. Well, maybe not MOST days, but SOME days! LOL

I think this is worth reading...most of you have probably seen it before....but just in case...here you go!

"HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE" 1955

*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

Sharon Says: Try to make a plan so that life is easier for YOU and him! Yes, he will know you are thinking of him....but it will also allow you to spend more quality time doing things like playing with the kids, myspacing and making espresso drinks! :)

*Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Sharon Says: You probably need a shower if you have accomplished anything else on this list while managing the kids all day also! You probably stink and look kind of rough by now! Try not to stink when he arrives! LOL

*Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Sharon Says: MORE interesting? More interesting than digging a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of the DVD player and killing a wasp with a broom in the house? Honey, what could be more interesting than YOUR day?! LOL

*Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

Sharon Says: Grab a trash bag and start picking up the kids toys and throwing them in it. They'll typically help clean up!

*During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum.

Sharon Says: If there is a moment when the washer, dryer, washing machine or vacuum isn't running....NONE of these other things are going to be possible. Besides....they make them MUCH quieter now than in the 1950's! haha

*Encourage the children to be quiet.

Sharon Says: Tell them to play hide and seek and whisper to each of them that it's their turn to hide from each other.....you shouldn't see them for at least 10 mintues! That's all I have on that one! LOL

*Be happy to see him.

Sharon Says: You should be happy to see him! THANK GOODNESS there is another adult in the house to help corral the craziness!

*Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Sharon Says: I believe a hug and dinner are sufficient!

*Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Sharon Says: Let him talk first so that you forget everything you had to tell him like "the sink faucet won't turn off, his best friend called and oh, yea....one of the kids JUST threw up!" He'll appreciate you letting him talk first, SURE!

*Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

Sharon Says: See the last response on this one, too!

*Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

Sharon Says: This one is ridiculous....even I will agree on that! LOL "Stays out all night?" WHAT!? No deal.

*Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Sharon Says: Do we have a choice in this one!? Most men will immediately make themselves comfortable....so you can take this one off your list! LOL

*Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Sharon Says: He may think you've been "stepford-ized" if you talk in a low, soothing and pleasant voice! Just talk nicely...that'll do!

*Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness.
Sharon Says: No comment. There is usually SOMETHING to question but he will always have more questions about what I've done than I will about him! LOL

*You have no right to question him.
A good wife always knows her place.

Sharon Says: This is crazy! I say a good wife DOES know her place......Mine is at the mall! LOL

I know this helps not a bit on planning the menu....but now that you are in the right frame of mind....this is how I do it!

First of all....I get the Sunday coupons out of the paper. DO NOT buy things just because there's a coupon. Only take the coupons for things you will acutally use. If not, you will find yourself spending extra money on things you don't need and may never use.

Next...get some kind of calendar or notepad that is for NOTHING else but menu planning. Now, I have a regular calendar that I live by which is kind of necessary also. I need to know when we are going to be out of town, have an evening activity planned, etc. I even make sure to put a "date night" on that calendar and plan a meal for the kids with the sitter that's easy like corn dogs, fish sticks, etc. Write a dinner down for every night on your calendar and for the weekends, maybe breakfast and lunch, too.

Then...Once the menu calendar is finished, go through each day and write down the ingredients you will need to buy to make each meal. I just make a long running list for starters. Later, I make a "GROCERY" list that is broken down into sections "Bread, Produce, Frozen, Meat, Dairy, etc...." I make mine in order of what store I am shopping at. For instance, at Wal-Mart which is where I do most of it.....I start with Bread because it's in the front and I put it in the seat section of the buggy. Then, I go through the store from front to back and on my way back to the front, I get the frozen and cold stuff. By the time I get to the front to checkout, cashiers are running away in panic and I can barely push the buggy! LOL

Now, I sometimes go an extra step in the coupon department. I get the sale papers from 2 other stores (Kroger & Albertson's) and AFTER I make my list of what I'm cooking, what I need, etc....then I decide where those things would be cheaper. For instance, at Kroger & Albertson's....they double and triple coupons. If my coupons are .50 cents or less, I use them at one of those stores because it ends up being MUCH cheaper but for items with a coupon OVER 50 cents...I get it at Wal-Mart because the item is already less expensive there and then the coupon will get honored and make it even better! Now, Walmart matches ads from other stores but not the doubling and tripling coupons. This is the "super-planning" part that is really advanced. I suggest doing a month of just one store shopping first and then when you get the hang of it....you can add another step!

I am going to post the recipes and menu for this month for you now! Hope this helps. If you have any questions or anything...please let me know! I love helping others "get it together" so I would LOVE to hear from you!

Here goes....Oh yea....we plan from around the 25th of the month to the 25th of the next month. You DO NOT want to go grocery shopping on or around the 1st! Plus, that's when Todd gets paid! :)

Another tip....DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO DO THIS WITH YOUR KIDS AT THE STORE! I MAKE MY LISTS WHEN SARAH IS IN BED AND I NEVER TAKE HER WITH ME ON THE BIG GROCERY TRIP. MAKE SURE ALSO TO CLEAN OUT YOUR PANTRY AND FRIDGE AND FREEZER BEFORE LEAVING. YOU'LL NEED THE ROOM WHEN YOU GET HOME WITH THE GROCERIES!

June/July Menu for the Swans:

Chicken Fried Steak Sandwiches & Homemade Onion Rings
Grilled Chicken, Cajun Potatoes, Steamed Brocolli
Tacos, Pinto Beans, Queso
Hamburgers & Chips
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with sauteed onions & Swiss with chips
Wild Rice Beef Casserole & garlic bread
BBQ Chicken & Rice, Corn
Lasagna, Green Beans with asparagus, Garlic Bread
Homemade chicken salad sandwiches, chips
Taquito pie & tortilla chips
Chicken Spaghetti & Steamed veggies
Fajitas & chips
Blackened Tilapia poboy sandwiches and chips
Macaroni & Taco bake
Hot Dogs with chili & cheese & fritos
Grey Poupon Chicken, Wild Rice & Green Bean Casserole
Queso Chicken Pizza
Spaghetti & dinner salad
Grilled Tilapia, twice baked potatoes & baked squash & zuccini

Now, this month, these are just some of the things on our list. Here are the recipes for some of them....If you see something else you need a recipe for. ...let me know!

Cajun Potatoes:
Red potatoes cut into cubes
Low-Fat Butter alternative like parkay or country crock lite
Tony's cajun seasoning (green container)
Jar of minced garlic (produce section) (You'll need about 2 tablespoons for this recipe.)

Cut up desired amount of potatoes. I usually do about 7 or 8 depending on size. Melt 1/2 cup of butter and add minced garlic. Pour over potatoes in baking dish. Sprinkle desired amount of seasoning. Stir up to coat all potatoes. Sprinkle a little more on top. Cover with foil and bake on 450 until tender. Remove foil. Turn heat up to 500. Keep turning and stirring until potatoes are browned on edges! Yummy!

Sharon's Queso (MY recipe that I made up! YUMMY!)
1 large block velveeta
1 can Progresso Cheesy Enchilada Soup
1 can Rotel
1/2 bunch of chopped cilantro

Melt Velveeta in large bowl or in crock pot. Mix in all other ingredients. DO NOT drain rotel. Melt. Enjoy.

Wild Rice Beef Casserole:
2 boxes Wild Brown Rice fast cook recipe
2 cans cream of mushroom
1 pound ground beef cooked and drained
1 small jar pimentos
garlic powder
Shredded cheddar or cheese of choice

Cook rice as directed. Cook & drain beef. Mix together. Add in other ingredients except cheese. Top with cheese and bake on 400 for about 20 minutes!

EASY bbq Chicken!
8-10 boneless skinless chicken breast strips
1 large bottle of honey bbq sauce or brown sugar....whatever bbq sauce you prefer
1/4 c. water

Mix the water with the bbq sauce. Pour over chicken in baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake until chicken is done at about 400 degrees. Put chicken over cooked rice! Delicious!

Easy Southwestern Chicken Spaghetti:
1 package of linguine noodles
1 can of Cream of mushroom
1 can of Cream of Chicken
1 can Rotel, drained
1 package cooked fajita chicken
1 Can Cheddar Cheese Soup
Shredded Cheddar

Cook noodles. Drain. Cook Chicken in small skillet or microwave. (Just to get it hot.) Shred chicken into smaller pieces. Mix all ingredients and top with the cheese. Bake on 350 for an hour or so. Cover with foil if desired.

Macaroni & Taco Bake:
1 package of Deluxe Mac & Cheese
1 lb. ground beef, cooked, drained.
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3/4 c. water
3/4 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese
1 c. salsa

Cook mac & cheese as directed. In skillet, make ground beef and drain. Add water & taco seasoning to make taco meat. Pour taco meat into mac and cheese. Add rest of ingredients. Bake on 400 for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!

These are just a few of the recipes. I will try to post more later. If there's one in particular that you need, email me and I'll get it posted for you! Enjoy!

Easy Summer Pies...

Pineapple Paradise Pie!

1 Lg. container of Cool Whip

1 Lg. Can DOLE crushed pineapple (DO NOT DRAIN)

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

Juice from 1 lemon

2 Graham Cracker Pie Crusts

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Mix with hand mixer until smooth. Pour into pie crusts. Top with fruit to decorate if desired. Freeze! Take out of freezer about 10 minutes before eating! Enjoy!

Other variations include anything you can imagine! To make a dreamcicle flavored pie, use a can of orange juice concentrate instead of pineapples! You could also use frozen sliced strawberries (the kind with juice & sugar). The possibilities are endless! You need to use the lemon juice, though in every recipe because it brings out the flavor of the other fruit. It makes it "tart"! Mmmmmm.

These are so easy! You can make many variations of these yummy frozen refreshing pies for the summer! Each recipe makes two pies! So, you can either make one and give one or eat one and save one for later!

Are you a Martha or Maxine?

Well, it's FRIDAY! Today, I am not posting a recipe, but some helpful hints in the form of HUMOR! I love Martha Stewart & Maxine (the hallmark character!) I love this comparison. I believe I am probably a Martha in most instances, but in a few, I'd be a Maxine! Enjoy and have a great weekend! Sharon

Martha: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice
cream drips.
Maxine: Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You
are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it,anyway! !

Martha: To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
Maxine: Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix , keep it in the pantry for up to a year.

Martha: When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry
cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the
cake.
Maxine: Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you.

Martha: If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a
peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up.'
Maxine: If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite
with me the real woman's motto: 'I made it and you will eat it and I don't
care how bad it tastes!'

Martha: Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will
keep for weeks.
Maxine: Celery? Never heard of it!

Martha: Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a
beautiful glossy finish.
Maxine: The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't.

Martha: Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead.
The throbbing will go away.
Maxine: Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink!

Martha: Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use
in casseroles and sauces.
Maxine: Leftover wine??????????? WHAT? !!!!!!!

Buffalo Chips....from my sister!

My youngest sister, Amanda sent me this recipe for the blog! I don't have photos and I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds yummy and maybe fattening! haha A JAR of mayo! LOL Oh well, must be gooooood!~ :) Enjoy!

I would LOVE to hear from any of you with recipes! Email them to me at toddandsharonswan@verizon.net and I will post them! :)

Have a great night!
Sharon

Buffalo Chips
1 round loaf hawaain sweet bread
1 8oz bag finely shredded cheddar cheese (more if you like)
1 lb of deli roast beef
1 lb of deli turkey
1 lb of deli ham
1 jar mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice top off of hawaain bread then the bottom, this will leave you with three big pieces of bread. On the bottom slice, spread a layer of mayo, as much as you like, cheddar cheese (leave enough for the next layer) , and do the same to the middle piece. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet in the oven until cheese is melted, remove from the oven and add 1/2 pound of each of the three meats to the bottom slice, put middle slice of bread ontop, and put the rest of the meat on top of your cheese. Put top on and slice into as big of sandwiches as you like. I cut mine into triangles. WARNING: THIS SANDWICH IS EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE AND MESSY!!

Chicken Potato Salad Ole'

This is a GREAT recipe that my mother in law found a long time ago and I LOVE it! I make it every summer a few times. It is yummy and cool and everyone seems to like it! I made these plates for a friend of mine to come over for lunch. The kids don't really care for stuff like this, but adults love it!

Ingredients:

2 lg Tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3/4 c Green onion, chopped
1/4 c Fresh cilantro, chopped
2 ts jalapeno juice
1 1/2 ts Salt
1 c HELLMANN's mayonnaise ( use light if desired.)
3 tb Lime juice
1 ts Chili powder
1 ts Ground cumin
6-8 Small red potatoes, cooked, cubed

Diced 1/4" thick 2 c Cooked chicken, shredded
1 lg bell pepper (use any color(s) you wish! The more colors, the prettier it is!)
Butter lettuce or green leaf lettuce leaves

Lime wedges if desired

1 avacado

Cook chicken and potatoes ahead of time to make it easier. I usually use grilled chicken from dinner the night before or pre-cooked chicken. Take your pick!

Combine all ingredients but the avacado in large bowl. Mix and chill for at least 2 hours. Cut avacado in half long-ways. Take pitt out and all of the avacado insides and cut up and put in a sealed container with pitt to keep from ruining. Refrigerate. Keep the shells of the avacado and scrub out until clean. Wet them and put them in the freezer for a while. (30 minutes or more.) I use them as little bowls for salsa on the plate! Great presentation!

Enjoy!