From Sundy:
Here's a last-minute throw-together I made last night. I'm sure there are versions of this recipe all over the Internet, but here's my version. It took me less than 15 minutes to put the whole thing together, and about 8 minutes to cook.
(***I added extra garlic because we're all sick, and garlic is a natural antibiotic.)
1 med onion
1-2 T minced garlic***
olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey
Cheese (8-16 oz, depending on taste)
1 can refrigerator biscuits
1. Sweat out 1 chopped medium onion and 1-2 tablespoons of garlic in some olive oil, then brown 1 lb. of ground turkey in the same pan. Some of the onion will carmelize as all the ingredients cook, giving it a sweetish flavor. Add salt, pepper, etc. to taste. Strain if necessary.
2. Pour your meat mixture into a 9x9 casserole dish and top with cheese. I used Velveeta because that's what I had on hand, but you could use any kind of cheese you like.
3. Open and separate refrigerator biscuits. Mash each biscuit until it's a little flatter, then top your casserole with the biscuits. Bake according to biscuit directions.
4. I added some ketchup and a little bit of pickle relish to my portion, which made it taste even more like a "5 & dime" cheeseburger.
My son and husband really seemed to enjoy this dish, so it's been put on my mental "repeat recipe" list. :) (Oh...I forgot to say that I also added leftover canned corn to the meat mixture to use it up. No one even noticed!)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Buying groceries
From Sundy:
I have a little trick that I use in the grocery store (along with all of the wonderful advice that I've read in myriads of articles, blogs, etc.). There is the sage advice to never shop when you're hungry. Then there's the very sound suggestion that you shop with cash only and stick to your list (my list is in my head, but I can usually handle that). There's also the less-repeated piece of wisdom that says you should shop during off-peak hours so that you won't make hasty decisions just so you can get out of a crowded store.
My own personal trick? As I drop each item into my cart, I round up to the nearest dollar in my head and keep a running total as I shop. (Of course, this means that I need to shop alone, so I am not distracted.)
My trip might go something like this. Drop in a 10 pound bag of potatoes at $2.50. That's 3. Add three loaves of bread...4, 5, 6. Five cans of beans...7, 8. Chuck in a reduced turkey breast that isn't on my list, but is a GREAT bargain...9, 10, 11.
And on I go, until I get to the checkout. This way, I am very rarely surprised by the total amount due. It's what works for me.
I have a little trick that I use in the grocery store (along with all of the wonderful advice that I've read in myriads of articles, blogs, etc.). There is the sage advice to never shop when you're hungry. Then there's the very sound suggestion that you shop with cash only and stick to your list (my list is in my head, but I can usually handle that). There's also the less-repeated piece of wisdom that says you should shop during off-peak hours so that you won't make hasty decisions just so you can get out of a crowded store.
My own personal trick? As I drop each item into my cart, I round up to the nearest dollar in my head and keep a running total as I shop. (Of course, this means that I need to shop alone, so I am not distracted.)
My trip might go something like this. Drop in a 10 pound bag of potatoes at $2.50. That's 3. Add three loaves of bread...4, 5, 6. Five cans of beans...7, 8. Chuck in a reduced turkey breast that isn't on my list, but is a GREAT bargain...9, 10, 11.
And on I go, until I get to the checkout. This way, I am very rarely surprised by the total amount due. It's what works for me.
Poor, poor gullible me! :)
From Sundy:
One of my hubby's favorite pastime is to tell me something outrageous just to see if I'll believe it. Actually, now that I think about it, most of my past boyfriends had the same hobby. One told me that a crazy, axe-wielding man had caused the scar on his shin...years later, I found out that I had bought a tall tale-- hook, line and sinker. Another told me that he had been an internationally renowned cliff diver in Mexico. His parents were QUITE surprised when I told them that, since they hadn't known...and he had a really good laugh at my expense. Oh joy.
Ya know, some of these I could put down to just me being young and very, very trusting and naive at the time. But now I'm older. And I still buy the occasional "guy lie." (Note: I hope I'm being clear that these are cases of teasing jokesters...not the same as when someone lies to try to hide or get away with something. Those destroy trust...these are more like pranks, if you see what I'm saying.)
Here's a years' old memory...hubby had taken me to a club, where he proceeded to buy me shots of something really yummy called "Goldschlager." I had three or four of them, in addition to a beer.
Now, it should be noted that I am a "two-beer girl." I cannot drink more than two beers without getting much too loopy for my own good. And I rarely do mixed drinks anymore. But those tiny glasses of cinnamon-flavored, gold-flaked tastiness were irresistible...at least, until I told my husband at 10 pm that it was time to pour me into the car and take me home, 'cause the room was spinning!
On the 5 mile journey back to the house, I asked him to please pull over so I could be sick.
"I can't, honey, there's a cop behind us. Just breathe in and out...relax...it's just a couple more minutes until you're in bed. You can do this."
So I followed his instructions, slowly breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. I closed my eyes...oops! That's not good. I opened them and kept my eyes on the car taillights in front of us. Finally, we were home.
"Feeling better?" he asks, and when I nod, he says, "That's good, 'cause there never was a cop behind us."
One of my hubby's favorite pastime is to tell me something outrageous just to see if I'll believe it. Actually, now that I think about it, most of my past boyfriends had the same hobby. One told me that a crazy, axe-wielding man had caused the scar on his shin...years later, I found out that I had bought a tall tale-- hook, line and sinker. Another told me that he had been an internationally renowned cliff diver in Mexico. His parents were QUITE surprised when I told them that, since they hadn't known...and he had a really good laugh at my expense. Oh joy.
Ya know, some of these I could put down to just me being young and very, very trusting and naive at the time. But now I'm older. And I still buy the occasional "guy lie." (Note: I hope I'm being clear that these are cases of teasing jokesters...not the same as when someone lies to try to hide or get away with something. Those destroy trust...these are more like pranks, if you see what I'm saying.)
Here's a years' old memory...hubby had taken me to a club, where he proceeded to buy me shots of something really yummy called "Goldschlager." I had three or four of them, in addition to a beer.
Now, it should be noted that I am a "two-beer girl." I cannot drink more than two beers without getting much too loopy for my own good. And I rarely do mixed drinks anymore. But those tiny glasses of cinnamon-flavored, gold-flaked tastiness were irresistible...at least, until I told my husband at 10 pm that it was time to pour me into the car and take me home, 'cause the room was spinning!
On the 5 mile journey back to the house, I asked him to please pull over so I could be sick.
"I can't, honey, there's a cop behind us. Just breathe in and out...relax...it's just a couple more minutes until you're in bed. You can do this."
So I followed his instructions, slowly breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. I closed my eyes...oops! That's not good. I opened them and kept my eyes on the car taillights in front of us. Finally, we were home.
"Feeling better?" he asks, and when I nod, he says, "That's good, 'cause there never was a cop behind us."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
$5 Dinners
From Aliisa:
I have been spending quite abit of time checking out the $5 dinners blog and it has me really thinking. Im wondering just how much I spend per meal. Now, she calculates everything and to be honest, I dont think I could calculate things like spices or oils. Some of those I buy in such bulk and have had them for so long that I couldnt tell you what I paid for them. But, I do know the prices of the main ingredients. So Im thinking about keeping a record of what I make and how much each meal is.
I must admit, Im am very interested to see just how much I am spending per dinner. Im going to have to really work on figuring out some prices such as the 20lb bag of rice I bought at the Asian Food Store for $20, or the 10lb bag of potatoes I just bought for $2.50. Lots to think about.
I challenge some of you to look at your meals and figure out what you are spending. Lets see if we can add some $5 dinners to our menus!!
I have been spending quite abit of time checking out the $5 dinners blog and it has me really thinking. Im wondering just how much I spend per meal. Now, she calculates everything and to be honest, I dont think I could calculate things like spices or oils. Some of those I buy in such bulk and have had them for so long that I couldnt tell you what I paid for them. But, I do know the prices of the main ingredients. So Im thinking about keeping a record of what I make and how much each meal is.
I must admit, Im am very interested to see just how much I am spending per dinner. Im going to have to really work on figuring out some prices such as the 20lb bag of rice I bought at the Asian Food Store for $20, or the 10lb bag of potatoes I just bought for $2.50. Lots to think about.
I challenge some of you to look at your meals and figure out what you are spending. Lets see if we can add some $5 dinners to our menus!!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Alicia's Angla Enchiladas
From Sundy:
My oldest son's gorgeous, smart girlfriend made these for us Sunday night, and she was so enthused about her recipe and also our site, that I feel like I just must post her recipe. They were SOOOOO good and very quick.
2-4 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
2 (12-15 oz?) cans of red enchilada sauce
16 oz shredded cheddar cheese
8-12 tortillas (large is best, but the regular size ones are fine, too)
1. Preheat broiler to 400 degrees.
2. Mix one can sauce with shredded chicken.
3. Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture and some cheese. Roll them and line them up in a casserole pan.
4. Pour the other can of sauce over the whole mess, then top with the rest of your cheese.
5. Broil until the cheese is melted. Serve with rice and beans.
Super-yummy!
My oldest son's gorgeous, smart girlfriend made these for us Sunday night, and she was so enthused about her recipe and also our site, that I feel like I just must post her recipe. They were SOOOOO good and very quick.
2-4 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
2 (12-15 oz?) cans of red enchilada sauce
16 oz shredded cheddar cheese
8-12 tortillas (large is best, but the regular size ones are fine, too)
1. Preheat broiler to 400 degrees.
2. Mix one can sauce with shredded chicken.
3. Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture and some cheese. Roll them and line them up in a casserole pan.
4. Pour the other can of sauce over the whole mess, then top with the rest of your cheese.
5. Broil until the cheese is melted. Serve with rice and beans.
Super-yummy!
Halloween on the southern end
From Sundy:
OMG, so much fun. One son came home (from college) dressed as an "emo," the other son stayed with his new girlfriend, and the youngest son (15) wanted to be the Joker. It was a last minute decision, so it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to find a can of green hair spray...white, red, blue, black...finally after I checked the fourth store, there was one can of green hair spray. I must say, he looked really fabulous. I thought I had a good picture of him, but it was too dark.
A bazillion children came to our house. My husband had rigged up some spooky music and added a blacklight to our decor...really cool! We ran out of candy twenty minutes after the children-storm began, and my hubby had to run to the store for more. I could not disappoint all of those sweet little faces! In past years, a few bags of candy has been more than enough, but since the big H was on a Friday, I guess everyone went all out! LOL We finally had to put a sign on our door that we'd run out twice, and to please NOT TRICK US! :)
Then our oldest came down with his girlfriend and the two grandsons (15 mos and 3 years old). We didn't get to see them until the next day, even though the plan was to have them at Grandma Sundy's and Grandpa Todd's for pumpkin carving, etc. Oh well...best laid plans, and all that jazz. Good thing I had bought little mini pumpkins instead.
Oh! I have to share this...hubby and I agreed to babysit Sunday evening, and hubby insisted that he would be able to put the baby to sleep. So he laid down with him, and pretty soon I heard Baby crying in that "I'm-very-upset-with-you-now-let-me-GO" tone. By the time I got in there, he was laying on his back next to my husband, choking on his own saliva. I had just started saying, "Turn him over so he won't puke," when too late! he puked all over my husband, the blanket, his very favorite stuffed dog, and of course himself!
My husband jumps up, thrusts the baby at me (oh, thank you, honey), and runs to the bathroom to have his own little "session." He can't stand the smell...makes him urk.
I was sitting in a very awkward position, holding a very odorous and messy (and by now screaming) baby, trying to get to a standing position without getting too much of the yuck on me. I'm calling out to my husband, "I'll get it cleaned up, if you'll just come here and hold him for a minute." I'm thinking that if he'll just soothe the baby, I can get the mess cleaned up in no time.
Hubby surprised me to no end when he declared that HE would clean up the mess, if I would get Baby settled down to sleep. (YAY! YAY!) So I got Baby (and me) all cleaned up and changed into fresh jammies, and in no time, I was cuddling him on the couch and he passed out.
To me, there is very little so peaceful and calming as holding a baby as he falls asleep...when they do that little sigh and snuggle in deeper into your arms...ah....all is right in the world....
OMG, so much fun. One son came home (from college) dressed as an "emo," the other son stayed with his new girlfriend, and the youngest son (15) wanted to be the Joker. It was a last minute decision, so it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to find a can of green hair spray...white, red, blue, black...finally after I checked the fourth store, there was one can of green hair spray. I must say, he looked really fabulous. I thought I had a good picture of him, but it was too dark.
A bazillion children came to our house. My husband had rigged up some spooky music and added a blacklight to our decor...really cool! We ran out of candy twenty minutes after the children-storm began, and my hubby had to run to the store for more. I could not disappoint all of those sweet little faces! In past years, a few bags of candy has been more than enough, but since the big H was on a Friday, I guess everyone went all out! LOL We finally had to put a sign on our door that we'd run out twice, and to please NOT TRICK US! :)
Then our oldest came down with his girlfriend and the two grandsons (15 mos and 3 years old). We didn't get to see them until the next day, even though the plan was to have them at Grandma Sundy's and Grandpa Todd's for pumpkin carving, etc. Oh well...best laid plans, and all that jazz. Good thing I had bought little mini pumpkins instead.
Oh! I have to share this...hubby and I agreed to babysit Sunday evening, and hubby insisted that he would be able to put the baby to sleep. So he laid down with him, and pretty soon I heard Baby crying in that "I'm-very-upset-with-you-now-let-me-GO" tone. By the time I got in there, he was laying on his back next to my husband, choking on his own saliva. I had just started saying, "Turn him over so he won't puke," when too late! he puked all over my husband, the blanket, his very favorite stuffed dog, and of course himself!
My husband jumps up, thrusts the baby at me (oh, thank you, honey), and runs to the bathroom to have his own little "session." He can't stand the smell...makes him urk.
I was sitting in a very awkward position, holding a very odorous and messy (and by now screaming) baby, trying to get to a standing position without getting too much of the yuck on me. I'm calling out to my husband, "I'll get it cleaned up, if you'll just come here and hold him for a minute." I'm thinking that if he'll just soothe the baby, I can get the mess cleaned up in no time.
Hubby surprised me to no end when he declared that HE would clean up the mess, if I would get Baby settled down to sleep. (YAY! YAY!) So I got Baby (and me) all cleaned up and changed into fresh jammies, and in no time, I was cuddling him on the couch and he passed out.
To me, there is very little so peaceful and calming as holding a baby as he falls asleep...when they do that little sigh and snuggle in deeper into your arms...ah....all is right in the world....
Halloween
From Aliisa:
We had a very busy weekend which started on friday morning with Emily's class party. Then we went to lunch with her to have pizza and cake with yucky orange icing...makes me wonder what they are feeding our kids!
Friday afternoon we carved our pumpkin because we forgot to do it on Thursday. Usually we do it earlier but this year we wanted to save our pumpkin for cooking. So here is Emily with her carved pumpkin.
After that, we rushed around to get here ready for trick or treating...I even had time to do her makeup....mind you...Im not very good *lol*
Yes I know...looks funny but it was really cute...I promise *lol*
After trick or treating we went to a fall party and roasted hotdogs and had smores and ended the night with a hay ride. It was a very full night!!
Saturday we spent the day cooking up the pumpkin and putting in the sink. It went well but then the plastic pipes that came with the sink split and now, we have to go buy new ones...so unfortunately our sink is still not finished. But its all good....because it will be.
Saturday night we spent with friends...we had what we fondly call junk food night. It was alot of fun. We played the Wii and ate way too much food.
Sunday we visited a new church. We are now church hunting since Jarred is no longer working on Sunday mornings. We liked it but are still going to visit some others.
Monday I spent the day trying to gain some ground on the mess from the weekend. I made progress but didnt get it all done. So today I have to work on that some more.
And finally...this morning. Jarred and I got up really early so that we could go vote before it got busy. He was down there at 6am when the polls opened and I went around 6:15 when he got back. Its nice to be done with that.
So now I am off to work on the house....fun fun *lol*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)