I Think It's Time For A Give-Away!!!!

UPDATE: So, being the nice person that I am...(I can hear the laughter...you all need to stop) I've decided that I will pick 5 winners and Give-Away all of the these items!!!! Just remember some of you could win more than one if you follow the rules!!!! I will be picking winners tomorrow (Monday June 13th) afternoon!!!!

So, I've been thinking that since I've been gone for so long from blogging that I should do a Give-Away! And with this Give-Away I will let the winners (yes I said winners. As in more than 1 winner!) pick one item of their choice!

Here's what I have to Give-Away:

These are Pampered Chef HELP WHIP CANCER pink zebra items. The first picture is of the 5 choices you have if you win. The second is a picture taken from the Pampered Chef website to better show the selection, and the third is of the High Heel Pink Zebra Striped Cake Server...that I think is absolutely adorable!!! :-) The heel is magnetic and can be removed from the 'shoe'! Too cute! The Pampered Chef comes out with exclusive Pink products in May every year to help with the fight against Cancer. They donate a portion of the sales of each item to the American Cancer Society! I know that it's now June, but I still thought that these would be neat to Give-Away.

The choices are:
1. Pink High Heel Cake Server
2. Pink Paring Knife
3. Pink Zebra Coupon Holder
4. Pink Zebra Micro-Fiber Towel
5. Pink Zebra Ceramic Spreader

Okay, now for details on how to win an item of your choice. To enter, leave a comment either here on this post or under the link for this post on my Facebook page telling me what recipes you've tried from blog, and what your favorite is! Also, please rank your item choices (prize choice) 1-5 in your comment. You can earn an extra entry by "sharing" my blog on your Facebook page and letting me know that you did so! I will randomly select 2 winners on Monday June 13, 2011! Don't worry, if you don't live close I will mail your item to you! GOOD LUCK!!!! Can't wait to hear your responses!

Oh How I've Missed Blogging!!!!

My how I've missed typing to all of you and sharing my life and recipes with you all. A lot has happened in the week or so since I've last posted. I've come to realize how truly blessed I am, and that God is a compassionate and gracious God! I've known this all of my life, but sometimes there are circumstances that make you know this more than others.

I've learned a lot about myself in the past 2 weeks, and I'm happy to report that it's all good! I can't go into detail of all that's happened in the past few weeks...those close to me know the situation. All that I ask is that you lift us up in your prayers and ask for the Lord's guidance, leading and ever abiding love during this part of our Christian journey. I will say that it's AMAZING to see God work in my life and use my talents for His purposes!

I haven't shared any recipes with you lately so I thought that I should share one with you. This is one that my Gramma gave to my Mom recently. I haven't tried it yet, but it does sound yummy!

RHUBARB CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
6 C. Rhubarb; chopped
1 C. Sugar
3 oz. Strawberry Jello
1 White or Yellow Cake Mix
1 C. Water

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the Rhubarb, Sugar and Dry Jello together. Place in bottom of 9x13 pan. Mix cake mix with Water and spread over Rhubarb mixture. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Let cool. Keep refrigerated.

I can't wait to try this one out!

A Recipe Lost To The Blogosphere...And A Note

I recently posted this recipe, as those that faithfully check my blog will attest...however for some reason it has been lost and not saved. So, I thought that I should post it again.

BROCCOLI HAM RING

INGREDIENTS:
4 Oz. Ham; chopped (1 C.)
1/4 Lb. Broccoli; chopped (1 C.)
1/4 C. Onion; chopped
1/4 C. Fresh Parsley; snipped
1 1/2 C. (6 oz.0 Shredded Swiss or Cheddar Cheese
2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
2 Pkg. (8 oz. each) Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

Preheat oven to 350. Coarsely chop the Ham, Broccoli and Onion; place in 2 Quart Batter Bowl. Snip Parsley. Add Parsley, Cheese, Mustard, and Lemon Juice to Ham mixture; mix well. To assemble ring, unroll Crescent Dough; separate into 16 triangles. Arrange triangles in a circle on Large Round Stone with wide ends of triangles overlapping in the center and points toward the outside. (There should be a 5-inch diameter opening in center of stone) Using medium Stainless Steel Scoop, scoop Ham mixture evenly onto widest end of each triangle. Bring points of triangles up over filling and tuck under wide ends of dough at center of ring. (Fillling will not be completely covered) Bake 25-30 minutes or until deep golden brown.

You could also change up this recipe and add Chicken, Green or Red Peppers...pretty much make it into anything you'd like!

With it being Memorial Day weekend, I want to say a HUGE THANK-YOU to all of our Service Men an Women, both actively serving and retired. Also thanks to all of those that serve here at home to keep us all safe in the wonderful US of A!!! Thanks to all Firefighters, Police Officers and EMS workers who put their lives on the lines daily to protect the citizens of the US and their rights. Without all of you, we would not have the freedoms that we do. THANK-YOU from the bottom of this girls heart.

I am going to be MIA of sorts for the next week or so...that is, that I won't be doing much cooking of new recipes to post, there is a lot going on around here for the next week. I do promise that if I run across a recipe that sounds good that I will post, but otherwise it will be pretty silent over in this girls world. But, in the meantime, I hope that you will check out my friend Natasha's Blog! http://www.commoncentssaver.blogspot.com She is determined to help everyone out there learn how to effectively use coupons and save the MOST amount of money possible. She really is an EXTREME COUPONER, except she's not as as extreme as some of those crazy people on the TLC show! She posts deals at stores such as Meijer, CVS, Rite-Aid and the likes and she even tells you the purchases she made and how much money she saved! :-) Oh, and gives you some cool websites you can visit to get some free coupons to clip. Anything over the excess of what she and her family need, she donates to local churches and charities to help them out. Most of the time these are items that she's gotten FREE with coupons or for pennies! Her hope is that more people will do the same thing and pay-it-forward. I have used coupons for a long time and I LOVE to save money...her site has given me a few new ideas. I'm getting better at it! I went to Meijer yesterday and had an Mperks coupon for $2 off 20 Yoplait Yogurt and then I had 2 coupons for $0.60 off of 8 and $0.40 off of 6, I was able to combine them all, and since the yogurt was $0.60 each, I was able to get almost 10 yogurts for FREE! So, please check out her site it is quite helpful!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!!!

Following Along The Chicken Theme

I know that I promised on Facebook last night that I would post this recipe....but the Bro was on the computer FOREVER last night and I just got too tired waiting for him to vacate. I am beginning to wonder what is up with this weather, and whether or not we will EVER see Spring/Summer here in West Michigan? I am really not liking the nice, warm, sunny days one day and the COLD, rainy, dreary days the next...somethings got to give here soon or I'm going to go crazy! (Well, more so than I already am! haha)

This week has been/is an extremely busy week for me, and it's only half over. I had appointments to go to yesterday and again today. Today's took longer than I had hoped/planned on, and as a result I missed out on the opportunity to have breakfast with a friend from High School and her kiddos. She called me this morning to let me know she was going to be in town for an appointment and we thought we might be able to meet up if our schedules would work out...unfortunately it didn't...mine went longer and her kiddos just couldn't wait! Sorry N. hopefully it will work in the future!!! I was able to meet up with my Mom and oldest niece F. at Breton Village though, and that was really nice. Gramma took F. to Pooh's Corner Bookstore as a nice surprise and I was able to surprise my niece there! She came running up to me with a Princess Book in hand and said, "Aunt Melissa, I'm so happy to see you!" That just made my day...well that and the HUGE hug that she gave me! We sat and read Cinderella and another one about Princesses while Gramma perused the bookstore. Then it was time for them to leave to go and pick up W. from school, and I was able to meet up with my cousin V. and have a nice lunch at the Cherie Inn on Cherry Street in GR. Thanks for hanging out today V., it was great to catch-up!!! LOVE spending time with my family!

The recipe that I'm going to share is what I made for supper last night! It received rave reviews from Brother J., and I will definitely make it again! It is a Lasagna...and for those that know me well, you know that I don't praticularly care for lasagna. But this one is different, it doesn't use and Ricotta/Cottage Cheese and it has Chicken instead of Beef in it. I will post the recipe as it is and then tell you what I added to it. You know that I RARELY follow a recipe exactly!

CREAMY CHICKEN LASAGNA

INGREDIENTS:
 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

6 uncooked lasagna noodles

1 cube chicken bouillon

1/4 C. Hot Water

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside. Meanwhile, place the chicken in a saucepan with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove from saucepan, and shred. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Dissolve the bouillon cube in hot water. In a large bowl, mix the chicken with the bouillon, cream cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with the chicken mixture, and top with 3 lasagna noodles; repeat. Top with remaining sauce, and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven.               

***NOTE*** Here's what I did.

INGREDIENTS:

3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

6 uncooked lasagna noodles

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese; shredded

1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

1/2 Large Onion; chopped

1 Medium Red Bell Pepper; chopped

2 Containers Fresh Mushrooms

2 C. Fresh Spinach

I followed all directions above; except for the ones with the boullion cube and water. I mixed the Chicken with Cream Cheese, 1 C. Mozzarella Cheese and 1/2 C. Parmesan Cheese. I followed the layers, but added 1/2 the Onion, Red Pepper, Mushrooms and Spinach before placing the noodles on top. I then repeated the layers as directed. I topped with the Sauce, remaining Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese before baking.

Here's how mine turned out:

It was really tasty. And I think that it would have been just too plain without the additional items I added in. The Spinach even cooked up nicely in it! I hope that you will give it a try and let me know how you liked it!

Do You LOVE Asparagus As Much As I Do?

I LOOOVVVEEE asparagus! I was so thrilled to find bunches and bunches of FRESH Michigan grown asparagus at the Farmer's Market this past weekend. I just had to get some...I wasn't quite sure how I was going to cook it up, or what I was going to serve it with...I just knew that I had to have some of this yummy stuff.

Tonight I made supper to bring over to my Brother and Sister-in-laws house as they recently had their third baby (A BOY!) and my Mom is there this week helping with the two little girls. I thought that it would be nice to make life easy on them and just have a meal brought in! I made them Inside-Out Chicken Pot Pie and also brought over some of the asparagus, as I know that my Mom loves it as well. I must admit that I did have a bit of an ulterior motive for being so nice...that was to spend a little snuggle time with the newest addition over there...It was SO worth it! :-)

So, without further a-do here is what you need for this simple side dish:

BALSAMIC BAKED ASPARAGUS

INGREDIENTS:
1 Bunch Asparagus
2 1/2 Tbsp. Butter
1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Place Asparagus on a cookie sheet; Spray with Cooking Spray (YES spray the Asparagus as well). Place cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes; or until tender. While baking; place the Butter in a small saucepan and melt...you will want to "brown" the butter a bit to add a little extra flavor (that is to overcook it a bit; scald if you will), add the Balsamic Vinegar and the Worcestershire Sauce; stir. Take tray out of the oven and sprinkle with Salt and Pepper and then pour the Butter Mixture over the top. Serve.

My Mom tried a piece right after we arrived with it, and the look on her face said it all!!! She said that it was fantastic and that she could eat the whole plate by itself. Not too bad for a first time recipe I'm thinking! I really enjoyed it as well. I hope that you will give it a try and let me know what you think of it!

Sorry, I've Been MIA!

I have been properly repirmanded, my friends! Today, on Facebook, one of my friends who is also a loyal reader commented on my wall that it's been a week since I've posted....She told me that she reads my blog before she goes to bed at night and that I really needed to post again. I have been planning on posting all day today, so that was good timing! Thanks K. for keeping me on my toes!!! Sometimes I just need a little nudge....

It's really not that I haven't been cooking, it's more the fact that I've just been making some of the things that I have already posted. Well...that and it's now much warmer outside and when that happens we utilize our grill here A LOT more than we do in the winter/colder months. There is just something about food off the grill that just tastes so YUMMY!

I also became an Aunt again, for the 3rd time late last Saturday night! My brother and sister-in-law welcomed their 3rd baby! They are the parents of my two adorable nieces, and have now added and equally adorable baby boy!!! I went and visited him in the hospital on Sunday and got in a little snuggle time...can't wait until I get to hold him again! He is SO stinkin' cute...yes, yes, I know that I might just be a tad bit biased...but I don't care!!!! He was born 2 days before his big sisters 5th Birthday, and he and Mommy were able to return home on Monday to help her celebrate. Aunt Melissa offered to make her a Birthday Cake, seeing as how both Mom & Dad had been busy and this might help them not have to be too busy with Birthday preparations. I made the Strawberry Cake that I previously posted...and I sprayed on some bright PINK frosting for good measure. I also made some Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce for them...just like our Gramma makes. I can't believe that F. is 5 already...she needs to quit growing so fast! I really enjoy spending time with her and W. and laughing, playing and having a good time. I wouldn't trade being an Aunt for ANYTHING in the world...especially when they tell me..."I love you to the stars and back!"

Tonight is no exception for using the grill. I went to the Big-Top Market just up the street from our house and bought some tasty Brats. This store is known for them. They hand-make a variety of different flavors. My favorite is the Pineapple Brat!

Here are the tasty characters in tonights supper:

The two on the left are: Jalapeno/Cheddar--In the middle: Pineapple--Two on the Right are Loaded Baked Potato

We will also be enjoying some Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce. I called my Gramma B. (My Mom's Mother) up about a month ago and asked her for this recipe. We L O V E Rhubarb over here and I'm always looking for new things to do with it. Just tasting this treat again reminds me of my childhood. When we would visit my Grandparents house, Gramma would always send some of this home with our family. I'm so happy to be able to make it on my own now. Thanks Gramma!

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB SAUCE

The great thing about this recipe is you can make a large or a small batch. Just scale back the ingredients for a smaller batch.

INGREDIENTS:

8 C. Rhubarb; washed and sliced

1 1/4 C. Sugar

1 Large Container Frozen Strawberries (thawed)

1 Box (6 oz) Strawberry Jello

Put enough water in the bottom of a stock-pot to just cover the bottom of pot. Place Rhubarb in pot and cook on stove-top until the Rhubarb resembles mush. Stir in the sugar (add more to desired taste...but not too much as Jello adds sweetness). Add the Frozen Strawberries and stir. Add the Jello and stir. Allow to cool completely before refrigerating. (If you like it a little more runny, use less Jello. Mine is a medium thickness)

Here's how mine turned out:

So, I apologize for being MIA, but I hope that this post makes up for it a little bit! 





My Friends Beg For These!!! (Worth the Re-post)

These are the simplest things to make, and I'm not sure where Pioneer Woman got the recipe from...but I thank her immensely for having shared it with all of us! It really and truly rocks!!!! These buggers are a hit whenever I bring them anywhere, and I have one friend who says that we are only friends on the days that I will make these and bring them when we all get together! ;-) Wow, I feel SO loved!!!!! Every once in a while I will make them, but now that this particular "friend" might be moving I guess I will have to be nice and make them again before he leaves...especially after the next part of this story...you tell me what you think?!?

Here is a pre-cursor to what happened:

Can you guess what I did?

I 'attempted' to make Apple Dumplings last night to take with to our friend N's house after evening service at church. I say 'attempted' because I had to have the bro finish the process for me. I am proud to say though that not one drop of blood contaminated any of the food! I thought that it would be best to post this picture and not the more gory ones...See, I can be nice once in a while! ;-) My disclaimer on my Facebook status today reads something like this: "I would like to let everyone know that the Pampered Chef Apple Wedger is indeed EXTREMELY sharp & given the opportunity, it will take a large chunk out of your appendages!!!! I learned this first hand last night while making Apple Dumplings to take to a friends house. OUCH!!!!! My thumb is missing a HUGE chunk & is now wrapped up all safe & sound, & I am now up-to-date on my Tetanus! Woohoo (insert sarcasm here)" I highly recommend that if you own one of these:

that you excercise EXTREME caution when using it, or you could do the same thing that I did! I'm lucky that we have a friend that is a Doctor. He is the one that I was making the dessert for...mainly because he is the one that begs for them so often! He was kind enough to take a look at it (would've needed stitches if I hadn't sheared the skin all the way off), and told me that it was a pretty deep cut (took 3 hours to fully stop bleeding). So, now it's bandaged and I've had a Tetanus shot. Now I just have to keep it clean and dry. But MAN does this sucker hurt!!!! Not to mention that it's my left thumb and I'm left-handed...something about Murphy's Law here, right?!?

Anyway, I've posted this recipe before but thought I'd share it again!

APPLE DUMPLINGS

INGREDIENTS:

3 whole Granny Smith Apples
3 cans (8 Oz. Cans) Crescent Rolls
2 sticks Butter
1-½ C. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
Cinnamon, To Taste
1 can (12 Oz.) Mountain Dew Soda

Cut each apple into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 greased pan. You will have to squeeze all of them in! Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples. Make sure each one has some of this yummy goodness on it! Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan and down the center of each row. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

The bro did a wonderful job of finishing them, and everyone enjoyed them! I hope that you'll give them a try as well...but only at your own risk as they are VERY addicting! You've been warned! :-)