4th of July Freedom Collection Soy Candles

All of 4 of these candles come with double jewelry for a limited time so order yours now!!
at www.LovingJic.com

Late June Meal plan

I apologize it's late but here is my June Meal plan as of today.


10th  beans and cornbread
11th  pork chops
12th  beans and corn bread
13th  hot dogs
14th  shrimp Alfredo
15th  beans and cornbread
16th  baked BBQ chicken
17th  beans and cornbread
18th  pork chops
19th  beans and cornbread
20th  hot dogs
21st  shrimp Alfredo
22nd  beans and cornbread
23rd BBQ chicken
24th beans and cornbread
25th pork chops
26th beans and cornbread
27th hot dogs
28th shrimp Alfredo
29th beans and cornbread
30th baked ham

At our local Walmart they had a 20 pound bag of pinto beans for 13.97 and cornbread 2/1.00 so I stocked up. I love using the crock pot on hot days saving me from having to stand over the stove.

Funnel Cake at home

No need to wait for the Fairs or carnivals anymore, you can make this anytime. 

FUNNEL CAKE

1 cup of milk
1 cup of flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 Egg
2 tablespoons of powdered sugar for making the batter and more for dusting
4 cups of vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
Food thermometer
Funnel

This funnel cake recipe makes 4 large funnel cakes.
Heat oil to 375 degrees in a large skillet. While the oil is heating, beat the egg and milk together in one bowl and combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and powdered sugar in another bowl. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together until the batter is smooth.When the oil has reached 375 degrees, pour the batter into a funnel, holding your finger over the small opening. We did a practice run to make sure the batter was not too thick. We just removed a finger from the opening and poured the batter back into the bowl, making sure it poured out easily. Hold the funnel with the batter over the oil and make a circle with your hand repeatedly to form the cake. We noticed when we added the batter it cooled the oil somewhat and we needed to turn the heat up on the oil.
Fry until the bottom has turned golden brown and turn over and fry the other side.
When both sides are golden brown, remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
You'll want to serve these warm with some powdered sugar dusted on top.

Recipe courtesy of Tonja's Table on Facebook 

Amazing Cinnamon Roll Candle

Bring the great smell of homemade cinnamon rolls to your home.

www.LovingJic.com under enticing desserts 

Fresh Cucumber Salad

Here is a Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe that Will Stay Fresh For 2 Months

7 large dills, pickling cucumbers unpeeled sliced thin
1 1/2 cup sliced onions
1 1/2 cup sliced red peppers
1-tbsp salt
1-cup white vinegar
2-cups sugar
1-tsp celery seed
1-tsp mustard seed

Mix cucumbers, onions, peppers and salt in one bowl and set aside
Put vinegar, sugar, celery seed and mustard seed in a cooking pot and bring to a boil
Remove from heat and let cool for one hour before pouring over cucumber mixture
Pour mixture over vegetables
Put in jars and store in refrigerator
Will keep up to 2 months
Makes 2 quart jars

courtesy of Tonja's table

Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

12 chicken tenderloins
shortening (or vegetable oil, 6 cups for frying)
Honey-Chipotle Sauce
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons ground chipotle chile pepper (McCormick makes a powder)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Batter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup chicken broth (Swanson)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Breading
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Make honey-chipotle sauce by combining all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until boiling.
Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Heat shortening or oil in fryer or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.
Whisk together all ingredients for the batter, excluding flour, in a shallow bowl for at least 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour.
Make the breading by combining all ingredients in another shallow bowl or pie pan. When you are ready to fry the chicken, dip each piece of chicken into the batter. Lift the chicken out of the batter and let some of the excess drip off. Toss the chicken into the dry breading and coat completely. Repeat with 2-3 other pieces.
Carefully drop the breaded chicken into the hot oil and fry for 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove chicken from oil and allow to drain on paper towels.
Repeat steps 8-13 until all the chicken tenders have been cooked.
When all the chicken tenders are done, drop them into a large glass or metal bowl. Pour the sauce over the top, and toss gently until all the chicken tenders are coated with sauce.

courtesy of food.com and Tonya's table

Short Break

I am taking a short break from posting.

We are doing some quick fixes here and I will try to get them posted soon.

Sorry for the pause in posts but I am taking care of some family things.

Awesome Chicken, Asparagus, Portobello Stir fry

Ingredients

1 lb of asparagus (cut off fibrous bottoms, and cut remaining pieces about 2 inches each)
2 lbs of chicken cut into small cubes
1/2 pound of cherry tomatoes cut in half
1/2 pound of baby portobello mushrooms cut into pieces
2 sticks of butter
1 box of pasta
1 tsp of minced garlic
1 tsp montreal seasoning
2 tsp of lemon pepper
2 tsp salt
(other seasonings of your choice. I added a pinch of smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper)

in a Large skillet on medium heat add butter
when butter is half way melted add asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes, and chicken
add seasoning and put a lid on it

stir occasionally

In a separate sauce pan start water for pasta, when it boils add noodles and cook to desired consistency

Keep an eye on the stir fry mix, once its done (chicken cooked thru and asparagus is  tender)
lower heat to warm as you wait for the noodles to be done

when noodles are done, drain and add to stir fry, mix well and serve

 

Kids asked me to do this again <3  thinking of adding some salsa verde instead of butter and lemon pepper next time for a tex mex take on it.

Classic Kid lunches or dinners

Pig in a Blanket. 

2 cans grands big biscuits
1 pk of hot dogs (we prefer the chili cheese filled hot dogs)
2 slices of cheese


Preheat oven according to biscuit directions mine said 350 degrees

open pk of hot dogs and cut each hot dog in half and set on a plate
open cheese slices and fold each slice into 4 pieces set on the plate

open biscuits, using the heel of your hand squish the biscuit to flatten and stretch it gently

Place one piece of hot dog and one piece of cheese inside and roll up biscuit pinching ends closed

repeat for all biscuits, bake until lightly brown on top, cool and serve

Biscuit Pizza

2 cans biscuits (i used flaky layers butter flavored lg biscuits)
1 small can of tomato sauce (look for the garlic, oregano, basil mix for best results)
2 bags of shredded cheese (i use Italian blend but cheddar works too
your choice of toppings, my kids love diced ham on theirs or plain cheese

preheat oven according to biscuit directions

gently squish biscuit out to flatten and stretch gently
teaspoon on and spread tomato sauce
top with cheese and toppings

bake according to biscuit directions about 10 minutes.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

sliced bread
sliced cheese
can tomato soup
Italian blend seasoning

Heat skillet on stove (recommend using nonstick spray)
butter one side of each slice of bread you plan to use
place one slice of bread, butter side down, in skillet
while it is browning slightly unwrap cheese and set it on the bread in the skillet
when it's slightly browned on bottom add top slice of bread butter side up,
flip sandwich to brown new slice of bread
when it's done place on a plate and start on next sandwich, repeat steps above

Heat can of tomato soup in a saucepan, add Italian seasoning to taste

using shaped sandwich cutters cut the sandwiches into fun shapes they can dip in the soup!!

Meal Plan for May 2015

quesadillas
fried pork chops
chicken strips
ham
Frozen pizza
hot pockets
sauteed chicken with tomatoes, squash and green beans
sauteed chicken with asparagus and garlic
burritos
enchiladas
grilled cheese
salisbury steak
salmon patties with sliced cucumbers
chef salads
hamburgers
hot dogs
Velveeta chicken and broccoli
zatarain's jambalaya
pigs in a blanket
biscuit pizza
unsloppy joe

Instead of dates we decided to keep it simple this month with so much going on. Some of these will be repeated during the month. I will post recipes to some of these soon. If you would like the recipes for any of these just ask for it in the comments and I will happily pass it on. <3

Pork dinner with Mushroom gravy

The pork chops that usually go on sale are not the best cuts out there. However they can still be used to create great meals.

Peel and dice 4 or 5 good sized potatoes and start them to boil.
I chose fresh broccoli as our other side dish, I cut up fresh broccoli and started it to boiling.

I took a family pack of the 1.00 a pound pork chops, trimmed off the fat and bones, and cut them into chunks.

Place them in a casserole dish. Mixed some gravy using 2 pks of pork gravy and 2pks of mushroom gravy following packet instructions. I chopped up some baby portabella mushrooms and added them to the gravy.

Pour the gravy on top of the chopped up pork chops and bake at 400 for about 20-30 minutes or until done. (the larger the pieces the longer it takes to cook)

Pull the Pork and gravy from the oven and set to cool.

Drain the Broccoli and add butter to season

Drain potatoes, put in about 1/2 a cup of milk as you mash them to make them creamy, add butter and seasonings to taste (I use Mrs. Dash garlic and herb) Hint potatoes are done when fork slides gently and easily through the potato.

                                                          Plate up and enjoy

                                                 (one of the kids plates)

Simple homemade bread

Ingredients
6 cups of flour (maybe more with dusting countertop)
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups water
2 packets rapid rise yeast

In a large bowl combine 3 cups of flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2 packets of yeast and mix gently

In another bowl combine 1/2 cup milk, 1 1/2 water, and 2 tbsp butter. Microwave for about 90 seconds until a thermometer reads between 117 and 125 degrees fahrenheit.

Pour combined liquids into the flour mixture and mix until completely mixed together. add flour by the half cup, mixing it in until it becomes a ball of dough. (I wear disposable gloves for this or hands get really gooey)

dust some flour on a clean counter space and kneed the dough. using the heel of your hand push down and away from you. pull the sides up and refold. repeat until the dough gets tight and no longer wants to stretch. press down lightly with 2 fingers if the dough regains the shape quickly its time to proof the bread. if not keep kneading.

Spray a clean large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough inside. cover the top with clear plastic and a tea towel. Let the dough rise for about 10 minutes or until it doubles (might take a little longer if the room is cold)

Pull the dough out of the bowl, Cut into two pieces, set one back in the bowl. dust the counter again with flour, using a rolling pin, roll the dough out in a rectangle shape.

Tightly roll it up, starting at the narrow end of the dough. once its fully rolled up pinch the ends to seal them.

Place the rolled dough in your Pre Sprayed  bread pans. Repeat for second half of dough.

Cover with plastic and tea towel, let rise 40 minutes. It will double in size again.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, using a thermometer check internal temp. should be 190 to 210 degrees.

Pull bread from the oven remove from baking pans. Place on cooling rack or on a clean towel.

Butter all of the outside of the bread while it is hot so it will absorb the flavor and soften the crust.

Let cool, slice and eat. If it is placed in a ziplock bag after it cools it will be good for about 3 days.

You can freeze it to preserver extra loaves for later when they will be needed.

24 Incredible Acts of Kindness to brighten your day

Having a Down Day

As everyone occasionally has, I am having a down day.

Feeling down and out emotionally. So it might be a little bit before the next recipe is posted.

Working on pulling myself up by watching my favorite shows, reading a good book in between them.

Jammed out to some great songs earlier as well. I will bounce back up. I always do.

See you soon, re energized, and thank you for supporting me and my writings.

Homemade Pot Pie

I found 10lb bags of chicken quarters on sale for 3.90 a bag!

Take 4 to 6 leg quarters place them in stock pot, fill with water to cover them plus a couple of inches.

I add seasonings a bay leaf, chicken Montreal, ms dash garlic and herb to the broth

Boil until meat is done, juices run clear when meat is stabbed with a fork.

Pull the meat from the pan and place in a bowl to cool before you debone the meat

Once the meat is deboned, chop it up and place it in casserole dish.

Using gravy packets, Make gravy using the leftover broth instead of water.

(you can skip all of the above if you are using a rotisserie chicken. simply debone, chop and place meat in the dish. Using can broth in place of water make gravy from chicken gravy packets)

Dump 2 cans of Mixed Veggies (drained) into dish with the meat. Pour on the gravy and mix well,

Place unrolled pie crust on top of the dish. Might take two crust if using casserole dish, it is OK if they overlap.

Bake according to pie crust instructions. Serve when done and enjoy a great throwback meal!!

Summer Chili

I call it summer chili because its meat and beans but no strong spice so you can eat this in the heat of summer and not lose 5lbs from sweating.

Soak pinto beans overnight to soften and prep the beans

In the morning drain and rinse the beans.

Place them in the crock pot and add water to a few inches above beans

Turn on high and let them go all day. about 3pm add packet of taco seasoning and any others you want to add.

Take a pound of hamburger meat and their are two ways you can go. You can add taco seasoning to the meat as it cooks or make burgers on the grill.

We made burgers on the grill, chopped them up and added them to the beans around 4pm.

When serving some shredded cheddar to it.

I served this with store bought cornbread and some fruit cocktail for dessert.

1lb pinto beans 1.00
hamburger meat 2.00
taco seasoning 2/1.00
corn bread 3.50
3 cans fruit cocktail 3.60
-------------------------------
11.60 fed 7 people some second helpings

Beef stew

I know, I know its summer, so why Beef stew? we have had a fun cold snap here. We actually wore long sleeves yesterday for warmth in West Texas.

Any hoo, Our stew meat is $7 and up here locally and I am feeding 7 people so that doesn't work. Instead I bought a 2 lb top round roast for 4.50 a pound.

My husband was kind enough to cut it up and get it started for me. add meat to 4-6 cups of water in a pan.

It has been slow cooking in a pan on med/lo, your knob will be at about the 9 o'clock position, for 4 hours.

1 tbsp each of salt and pepper to season.

Four hours into cooking the meat is fall apart tender so i add 1 pound of baby carrots.

In 30 minutes I will add cubed potatoes as well.
Cooking until a fork slides easily into both potatoes and carrots.
then serve

I made some rolls to go with it :) enjoy!

It's the Little things in Life that are Awesome!!

One of my favorite things to have for my home is Candles.

I love filling the room with comforting scents.

I tried a new company that hand makes some amazing hand poured Soy candles called

They put a piece of jewelry in a plastic baggie, wrap it in foil and its placed in the candle. Once you burn your candle far enough you get the prize! I got to pick what kind of jewelry I got and I was hooked!!

Now I am a Senior Sales Rep for the company!! I get to make extra money by introducing these Great candles to everyone else. www.LovingJic.com

They have so many scents, even men's scents with men's rings in them.

here is some pictures of the Jewelry found inside the tarts and candles

Want to order go to www.LovingJic.com want to become a rep and earn 30% commission go to https://www.jewelryincandles.com/store/edwardscandles/i/8/become-a-rep/ 

This is a business where My kids can work with me, I get whatever days or time off I need, No choosing between work and family!!

A Very Busy Week

I meant to post sooner than this but this week has flown by.

Tuesday both my husband and youngest son was sick with a head cold. it move into my husbands chest as well.(both are feeling better now)

Wednesday was payday for us. Spent the day paying bills and buying household supplies.

Thursday, we got our garden planted. I went shopping at a nearby little town to take advantage of their amazing meat specials.
4 ten pound bags of chicken quarters 3.90 each 40lbs for 15.96
2 hams 98 cents a pound cost me 18.41 for 19lbs
1 double pk pork butt roast 88 cents a pound i paid 16.30 for 18.5 pounds
10pks of hot dogs 69 cents each 6.90
---------------------------------------------------------
$57.00 for over 77 pounds of meat!!!!!

Friday we have helped family and made a quick run out of town to look for easter clothes for the kids.
Made enchilada's while I am baking two large batches of dinner rolls. I wanted to see how many a batch of dough would make.

Tomorrow I plan to cut a roast into stew meat. our roast was 4.00 a pound and stew meat was 7.00 a pound. lol so bought the roast to cut up and make my own. I am craving Beef tips and rice. I will take lots of pictures and post the recipe and how it turned out over the weekend.

Sunday we will have family time and an Easter Egg hunt. menu hasn't been decided yet for us. We are winging it.

the ultimate in easy baked bbq chicken

7 chicken legs and thighs (i cut mine up from leg quarters i bought in a 10lb bag)
2 bottles of your choice bbq sauce
2 disposable roaster pans

place raw chicken in roaster pans

pour on 3/4 bottle of bbq sauce and then refill bottle plus remaining sauce with water, shake and pour onto chicken. repeat with second bottle until its all covered.

Bake at 425 for about 1 hour 20 min or until juice runs clear when you stab chicken
(pink is not done keep cooking until  clear)

serve with your choice of veggies and enjoy. throw away baking pan when done.

Easy enchiladas

2 lbs hamburger meat
1 lg can red enchilada sauce mild
1 md can green enchilada sauce
1 package tortillas
1 bag of shred cheddar

in a skillet brown the hamburger meat and drain.
add can of green enchilada sauce to the hamburger meat

To make this really easy use a disposable roaster pan (cost 1 or 2 dollars at dollar generals)

take tortillas, put hamburger meat on it and roll it up like this and place in pan

keep going till you run out of room, meat or tortillas. I made 2 pans with this recipe

Pour red enchilada sauce on top of all the enchiladas

top with shredded cheese

bake at 425 for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted completely

I served it with salad. Kids only eat half an enchilada at a time that is why they are cut like that. Enjoy dinner with your family and then when done throw away the pans you baked in!!

out sick

I am not going to be posting much for a little while.

My health and energy is low and I am taking the time to get better before returning to writing.

You deserve my best effort not something I half way throw together just to have a new post.

Thank you for bearing with me during this time

Meatloaf Nice and Easy

This is the recipe I use for my family on most occasions

Ingredients
2 to 3 pounds hamburger meat
2 cups cut up bell peppers and onions
2 packets of meatloaf seasoning
1 pack of saltine crackers
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Montreal seasoning
4 medium eggs
1 cup approximate  of ketchup, BBQ sauce or mixed depending on what i have on hand

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
* In a skillet cook onions and peppers till they are soft

* Crush up saltines into large mixing bowl

* Dump all seasoning and packets into bowl

* Add in the onions and bell peppers
* Put the raw hamburger meat in the bowl
AT this point I recommend gloves to be put on
*by hand mix all the ingredients squishing it through your hands and mixing
* add eggs and mix again

Remove meatloaf mix from bowl and place in pan
pat it into shape and add your BBQ sauce or ketchup on top.
for this one I put about 1/2 cup of honey BBQ sauce on

BAKE FOR 1 HOUR OR UNTIL DONE (not pink inside)
about 15 minutes until your meatloaf is done, add another layer of topping. My second layer is Ketchup for the kids.

While this is baking I have some Potatoes, that were boiled this morning, I am heating up. I will peal them, smash them, add butter, milk, and seasoning to create mashed potatoes.

I opened 2 cans of carrots and added half a stick of butter into the pan with them to heat up.