In This Crazy Life...

While scrolling through Facebook at lunch I learned that it was National Waffle Day. Rachel Ray shared several yummy recipes that inspired me. I didn't want to go to the store, so I choose to do a BLT Waffle. I went to Pinterest and searched savory waffles and found this recipe for a spinach and cheese waffle. I just made up a batch of Bisquick waffles (I always substitute homemade apple sauce for the oil.) and added the cheese, spinach, and oregano. Bacon is never enough meat for Kev, so I added ham to his. They were delicious!! We decide to have a monthly waffle night and try out some other recipes.

I have helped our literacy department do inventory all week. That has left little time to do much around the house. Thursday I had our little teacher group from school over for brunch and mimosas. We had a great time visiting. We have tried to get everyone together a few times over the summer. Lilly was assuming her usual position on the couch when I noticed three of her bottom front teeth are gone. I have no idea what happened. She didn't seem to be in pain and her gums didn't get infected, so I guess all is well. Sunset Friday night was gorgeous! I can't wait until we build Kev's shop and have a deck on the back overlooking the pasture. It's always a pretty view. My new boots I ordered!!They are back ordered until September, but  I can't wait to get them!! Sunday I did a little freezer cooking. Hamburger meat was on sale, so I took advantage. I also made a batch of homemade cream of mushroom soup. I'm in love with this stuff and it is so eas...

I got a bag of corn Saturday. A bag has somewhere between 80-90 ears. I usually use half of them for making corn relish. They other half goes in the freezer. Sunday morning I went to the store to get the other ingredients needed. My friend gave me more cucumbers Friday night, so I wanted to make bread and butter pickles too.  I have been busy canning all summer and I love it!! Sunday night once it cooled off, I tackled the garage door project. I found a link on Pinterest that showed how to use gel stain to redo your garage door so it looks like wood. I bough some a few weeks ago and have just been waiting until I had some time. I love the way it looks. I didn't take a before picture and don't feel like digging through albums looking for one. Before it was lighter brown and very dull. It looked like a regular metal garage door. I have carriage door handles and brackets to put on it once I get on the clear coat. I've been wanting new swim suits all summer and since we...

Tuesday after summer school I ran to the store to pick up a few groceries and get fruit for jam. I tried a new strawberry jam recipe this year. It uses honey instead of refined sugar and apple instead of pectin. I wanted to make an organic real food version. It is delicious!! While the jam was cooking down I tried a new recipe for dinner, BBQ Spaghetti . I used the BBQ sauce I made. It turned out pretty good. Next time I want just a little more spice. I've got baby cucumbers and okra growing in the garden. I can't wait for next years garden. I have so many things I want to do differently and plant more of. This year was a trial year and I didn't want to spend tons of money if everything was going to die, but it hasn't so I'm excited for more next year. Wednesday night I went to dinner with two friends from college. They are sorority sisters of mine and we try to get together every other month. We tried a new place in town called Heights Taco and Tamale. ...

While in London I ate this wonderful beef and mushroom pie! I wanted to recreate it and use some of the deer steak in our freezer. I found this recipe . Of course like most recipes I tweaked it a little. I added green peas and left out the celery. I also used pie crust instead of puffed pastry. I made individual ones in these cute Corningware dishes. They were delicious!

I've enjoyed Kev not working on Saturdays. We are getting lots done around the house. Of course we could work on the yard everyday and still have tons to do. We are diligently trying to get all of the trees at the bottom of the hill cut up and the limbs burned. Saturday we made two huge piles that are ready to burn. we burned one Saturday night and the other is still waiting. There are several piles of logs that need to be loaded up and taken to the log pile. The wheelbarrow is not an option. There is no way I am pushing it up the hill loaded with logs and I'm not asking Kev to do it either. We really need to purchase a four wheeler and small trailer to move wood and rocks around. As for now we will throw them as close to the road as possible and load them into the back of the truck. I have a couple of decorating decisions to make. The top of the hutch fell off during the move. So we have just been using the bottom part as a buffet. When my aunt was up last weekend she...

Saturday I prepped a few items for breakfast. I made a dozen mini egg muffins. I adapted this recipe I found on Pinterest. I didn't use the bread and add spinach and bell pepper. I also made oatmeal bars. I found this recipe, but instead of sugar I used real maple syrup and a mashed banana. I also added pecans and apples instead of the blueberries. Breakfast is the hardest meal for me. I don't like eating really early and I leave the house around 6:45. I have planning time first thing in the morning at school, so I usually eat then. That means I need something that I can take on the go. These were really good.

I just spent two days preparing over 30 meals. With school about to start and going to Jazzercise after work everyday, I wanted some easy dinners. The freezer meat stock was getting low, so I needed to stock up anyways. I bought most of my veggies and meat from Sam's. I did hit Kroger up for a few meats they had on sale this week. Here is a list of meals I made. I figured if I documented them hear they would be easier to find in the future. Some were recipes I had already and the others I linked.  3- Chicken Spaghetti s 2- Italian Sausage Lasagnas 2- Meatloaves 1- Chicken Pot Pies 2- Chicken Enchiladas 1- Cranberry Pork with Green Beans 1- Cranberry Chicken with Green Beans 1- BBQ Country Pork Ribs 1- Cranberry Apple Pork Loin with Carrots 1- Sweet and Sour Curried Pork Loin 1- Honey Garlic Chicken with Green Beans 1- Chicken with Spinach and Mushrooms 1- Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole 3- Bags of Chili 8- Chicken, Black Bean, Spinach, and Rice Burritos 6...

My aunt gives me five pounds of pecans every year before Thanksgiving. I use them for Thanksgiving desserts and through out the year, but there are still some left over. this year I decided to make pecans to put in Christmas presents. I made candied pecans , spicy pecans , and cajun pecans. For the cajun pecans I used the spiced recipe and added cajun seasoning. They were delicious and so easy.  I will be making more! 

A friend of mine introduced me to bacon jam. I know right. What the heck that? It's OH MY GOD delicious! I googled a couple of recipes and settled on this one . I want to try this one too. This is what you will need along with a pound of cooked bacon. I added red pepper flaked to give mine a little kick. Caramelize the onions and garlic and add the other ingredients. Bring to a boil and ten add the bacon. Let simmer for a few hours or until it thickens. I put mine a in couple of jars. It will keep for a month in the fridge. I grilled hamburgers and we slathered it on them. I will be making more! I put it on my breakfast sandwich this morning. YUM!

This is my grandfather's favorite cake and I make it for him whenever we have family get togethers in the summer. We didn't make it to the family reunion in June, so I made it for our July Family Fish Fry. The fish fry moved to Hot Springs whenever papaw bought the lake houses. Everyone hangs out and takes boat rides. I don't have any picture of that day. We ate with everyone and then went out on the boat with my brother and his fiancé. I wanted to document this recipe here because it's just in the notes on my phone. this way I will have it somewhere else.

Thursday afternoon I made raspberry jam. The grocery store had quarts of raspberries on sale, so I bought two. I use the cooked jam recipe that comes in the Sure-Jell box. All you need are berries, sugar and the box of Sure-Jell. I have this contraption that crush the juice out of berries. My aunt bought it and my water bath for me several years ago.  Once you crush and juice the berries, add 5 1/2 cups of sugar. Add cold water to the fruit pectin and slowly add the the berries. You bring them to a boil. I forget for how long, but it's in the box. Ladle the liquid into the hot jars, wipe the rims clean, and process in the water bath for 10 minutes. I love homemade jam! All I've ever made is each, strawberry, and raspberry. Would like to try more!

I had about five pounds of tomatoes left after making two batches of salsa. Not enough for another batch, but too many to eat before they went bad. I decide to make canned tomatoes. I boiled the tomatoes and whole and crushed them. I added about 6 gloves of garlic minced and let them boil for about five minutes. I prepared 3 pint jars. I used italian seasoning in two of them and made the other just plain. You put whatever seasoning you want in the bottom of each jar along with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Ladle hot tomatoes on top. I processed them for 30 minutes. I hope them turn out. Next time I will make some with mexican seasoning and maybe even cajun.