Easy Chicken and Dumplings.

What you will need:
Crock pot (mine was a 5 quart)
4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts,
2 tablespoons butter,
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 Can buttermilk (I use the cream of soup can and it is optional, but it gives it that real dumpling taste)
1 onion diced (I use half of one) 
1 tablespoon dried parsley 
Salt and pepper to taste
Grands flaky refrigerator biscuits (I used the whole thing)






What you will do:

Put the chicken, butter, cream of chicken, chicken broth, butter milk, parsley and onions in the crock pot and cook on high for four to six hours. 

When the chicken starts to get tender brake it up with a fork.

Take biscuits and chop in up into 4-6 pieces per biscuit. Or grab them and tear them like I did.  And add them to chicken mixture.

Let cook for another hour.

Serve and enjoy!

Angel Food UPdate!

It's been 5 months since I decided to start buying Angel Food Ministries groceries for my family.

5 months of not worrying whether we were going to run out of food a week before the next paycheck and 5 months of not worrying if I could afford to eat or pay the gas for my car.

Simply said, I freakin LOVE AFM. I plan to volunteer on Saturdays when they are distributing as well. What led me to all of this? The threat of a government shut down where Military might night be paid. Someone mentioned on a site the name Angel Food Ministries. And I looked into it. $35.00 for the Bountiful Blessings box. Which is enough to help feed a family of 4 for a week or 2 people for a month. Or longer depending on how you use it.

I can't stress this enough that ANYONE can use Angel Food Ministries.

You can show up in a beat up old Gremlin (anyone member those?) or a new BMW they don't care.You can pay online or through calling them, or show up at your host site.  Anyone using the SNAPS program can use them as well. You don't have to be of the same religion you could be purple and these people would not judge you. They want to help and Buying helps them help others. You can select to Sponsor a child through the no child goes without program or sponsor a Soldiers family.

A couple of months ago. We had a cable bill mix up. We were over charged $460.00 to our account. (there went my grocery money.) But thanks to angel food and stocking up on them when I could afford it my family made it 3 1/2 weeks till next pay check without even touching all of the food I stashed. So far I've managed to save $500 a month lowering my grocery bill to $250.00 a month.

Here's a few pictures of this months haul that we picked up today.

I had 9 boxes in total today. To re stock. I had as follows.

1. B-3 The Bountiful Blessings Box
2. B-4 The Golden Cuisine (for hubby's lunch everyday)
3. B-6 Just for Me (kids after school box)
4. B-7 No Child Goes Without Box
5. B-9 Shelf Stable Pantry Box
6. 2 special boxes (they change month to month)
7. S-3 Special # 3 Premium Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box.

I do not do this every time! Usually just the BB Box and Just for me boxes.

Here's some pork chops that came in the August order a long with chicken below it. it all come individually sealed.

The No child goes without box.

Fruit and Veggies box.

All leads too a FULL FREEZER. If you have anything in your freezer before angel food clear it out. Because most of the stuff comes frozen.

To Order angel food please visit the following.

http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
Or visit them at facebook by search Angel Food Ministries.

To order online go to this months menu. Select the meals you would like, select a host site, order and pick up at the date posted. For the first month affording WAS hard I'm not going to lie because you can't pick your food up till the end of the month. But AFTER the first month your set. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact me here by leaving me a message or my facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/goddessxxsweet

Plates on the Wall?

There's an old (she's not old! Just in the term I known her awhile) acquaintance of mine, that I've looked up to since I met her 6 years ago. And I will be posting her links on here further down

So before I go further note that this was not my idea but I wanted to pass on the knowledge!

Ok sooo. Decorating with serving plates sounds a little weird right?

I SURE THOUGHT SO!



But the more pictures I looked at the more I fell in love. So I looked through all my plates and found a few candidates but nothing I fell in love with. So I went to Home Goods in Savannah.



And if you've ever been there you know they sale really NICE things and half the price. Even though it was a good price I visited the Clearance section. There were a lot of things I loved on that isle but a collection of plates stood out. For $2.00 a piece I got four of them. (Later on while helping me with a Garage sale hubby broke one and my Scentsy plug in. Boo to that!

So here is what I did and what you'll need to do the same.

1. Wall tacks
2. Paper clips
3. Hot glue gun and 3 sticks
4. plates!
5. And a wall you know the kids or pets aren't going to be able to get to them.

Here's the finished project.

First get your tacks, paper clips and glue gone together.  I take the paper clips and bend them a litte bit so it attaches better. Lay the plate down, place the bent paper clip on the back of the plate (If the plate is decorated make sure it's where you like it.) then add hot glue all around the clip minus the part you want to be able to hang on the wall.

It should look like this.

(note the tag I told ya clearance rocks!)

Next let it dry for a few minutes enough to let all the glue harden completely. Then place tack/nail on the wall where you like it. My hubby loves to use a level (Loves I'm mean he's OCD about it. But I wing it and seem to do just fine) To each his own I guess. Then make sure the glue is dry and add plate like this..

Duh!!! Right? It's easy peasy and it WORKS! I have to use tacks because I live in military housing. Big holes = big money. In the end you'll have this!!!

Odd angle but that's the best I could get with my camera. That desk is an Upcycle Project that is a work in progress. But you get the idea.

Anyways I hope you enjoyed this post and please tell me what you think.

Both the table, the ribbon and the lamp are a work in progress so stay tuned!

This is that friend I was telling you about!

Please visit Beths blog at http://www.freestylinbeth.com/

Garage Sales, Facebook sales sites , Craigslist and more!

I hear that rap song playing in my head when ever I think about them.
                                                                       "How low can you go, how low can you go"

The truth is it goes with that quote "everyone wants something for nothing." Or you can think of it from the sellers point of view where they paid a lot for it so they are going to post a high price for it.

I have a few tricks to deal with both as a buyer and a seller...

I'll deal with SELLING frist.

Conditions.

• Excellent - Outstanding quality practically NEW condition.
• Fair - neither excellent nor poor; moderately or tolerably good. Might have a few scratches or a peice missing.
• Poor - deficient or lacking in something specified. Most  people will not give poor quality a second glance.

Furniture:
Is it damanged?
Is  it an older peice you don't see much anymore?
Is it something your grandma would sell you? (sorry grandma lol in truth our tastes are a lot alike)
Is it in perfect conditon and something someone will want ASAP?


* Kids are fighting I'll continue this at a later time.

Make-ahead meal plan.

Busy, busy, busy!
Everyone is busy these days between kids (Happy back to school parents!) work and Life in general making dinner every...single...night...of...the..week... Can get old QUICK! Not that thats what I'd like it to be. I <3 the 50's lol Brakfast on the table every morning get to say goodbye to the hubby as he's off to work, the kids are up and say good morning, then later in the day a full course dinner is on the table where everyone sits down to eat the meal together.
                                      Que the stopped record sound please!

Unless you were on a TV show I really don't think it was even like that then lol But I have found a way to make things a little easier.

4 HAVE To Do Things of Planning Ahead.

1. Take 15 minutes on the weekend to plan the week's meals.
2. Create two or three weekly dinner menus (or plan for the month) and then rotate so no one gets bored.
3. Organize grocery shopping so everything you need is in the house.
4. Prepare as many elements as possible in advance over the weekend. (Make rice, chop veggies, make sauces or cook and store meats, keeping in mind unless frozen even cooked meats shouldn't sit for over 3 days in the fridge)

Sunday = prep day
Make rice or boil potatoes cover and store in the fridge for Monday or Freeze (the rice)  in a freezer bag till wednesdays dinner.

Bake, fry or grill meats for thursdays dinner. add to an air tight container and put in the fridge.

Mix any glazes (gravy's sometimes will hold up till the next day as well) for monday nights dinner.

Chop up any extra onoins, garlic or any other veggies from Wenesdays dinner dish store in zip lock bags and put in the produce drawer in the fridge.

Prepare hamburger patties, chicken breats or pork chops for fridays meal and place in the freezer in an air tight container.  Make a note to remove it to the fridge to defrost on thursday.

Rayna's Baked Potato SOOOUUUPPPP

Rayna's baked potato soup.

You will need...

• 1 can chicken broth or stock (I make my own but this is easier)
• 3 cans condensed milk
• 4 pieces of chopped bacon
• 1 cup water
• 1cup flour
• 1 tsp salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder
• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese.
• 1/4 stick butter

In a stock pot add the chicken stock and the condensed milk, butter flour and spices.(stir well) Put stove on medium heat.
 (I put the potatoes in the microwave in a plastic bag after rinsing them and poking holes all over them with a fork.)
Chop potatoes once cooled and add to the soup.
In a separate sauce pan I add the chopped bacon and cook until done then add both bacon (and drippings) to the soup. Cook on low for about an hour.

Extras!
After everything is done I add more cheese to the top, sour cream and chopped green onions.
Cook times may very in all cases.
Spices are according to tastes add or subtract as much as you'd like.
This meal is completely unhealthy but oh so good if you've been sick or just had your wisdom teeth out :)

Boot Camp Birthday party idea.

Idea:
 Army Boot Camp.
 INVITATIONS:
 Army green cardstock purchased from Staples (cheapest) The front of the card needs an official U.S. Army seal sticker purchased at our local surplus store.
 The inside of the card read:
Private _______, Your Boot camp orders. Elrick's 3rd Birthday Prty.
Mission Location:  (Last name) Military Base.
Date of Mission: July 17th. Time: 1400hrs-1600hrs (2-4 civilian time).
Classified RSVP #________
Private, report for Basic training in camo fatigues. Rations will be served.

ACTIVITIES:
A registration table set up in our entry way with dog tags with the kids name on them. Canteens and army helmets. In the background on the wall have an Army poster with the soldiers creed in it. They
have to recite the creed. If they chose to, they get thier face painted with camo paint. In the back yard have a camo fort made of camo hunting netting on the hill and on the lower grass area. Have about
400 grenade water balloons for a war. (the adults participate in this event as well). 8~12 inch poles with camo twine zig`zagged for the kids to crawl under, a 12 foot balance beam for them to cross and a
kiddie pool they have to rope swing over. A tug of war game. At the end have a ceremony and hand out Rank Promotion Certificates in front of the parents. Purchase blank award certs fron Staples with
some gold stickers seals for envelopes.
Certs say

:THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CERTIFICATE OF PROMOTION. THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE GENERAL OF THE BRUHN MILITARY BASE HAS BY
CONGRESSIONAL ORDER ON THIS DAY, APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONED ARMY OFFICER TO THE PERMANENT RANK OF, SERGEANT 1ST CLASS SERGEANT 1ST CLASS: 
________GIVEN UNDER MY HAND ON THIS 17TH DAY OF JULY 2011 General, ______
RATIONS:
Burgers and hot dogs, chips and soda.

FAVORS:
Goodie bags go to local Army recruiting center. get if possible FREE OFFICIAL ARMY items. Plastic Army bags with handles, Army stickers, Army water bottles, Army posters, Army shirts, Army Pens,
Army pencils, Army notepads, really cool Army book covers made of material. PlUS candy, paratroopers, and Army guys.

Cake:
Army Truck hauling CAKE!

Happy Birthday Chant:
Army cadience??
IN CADIENCE!
 (chant) I don't know if youv'e been told,(repeat)Elrick ___ is 3 years old.(repeat) Were all here to celebrate,(repeat) Elrick ___ is really great.(repeat) Before we go we want to say (repeat)... Happy
(repeat) Birthday (repeat)  happy birthday TO YOU!


Please tell me what you think! lol it's for 3yrs and up!

Pickey Eater? No problem.

It seems like I've been gone forever! In Blog space I have. It's time to get back in the swing of things. The move in compleate and we are settled in. Now If you've read my blog before you know that I have a son who's got some issues with food. He's Special needs sure but I don't feel the need to lable him that way. He's a good loving little boy and I work around some of his issues using these tricks and recipies.

Using:
Orange Puree.
It's high in vitamins A and C and Fiber.

White Puree
High in Fiber, Protein, and Iron.

Purple Puree (sounds yummy huh?)
High in vitamins A,C and E, Calcium, and flavonoids.

Now I'm sitting here trying to think. I can give you the Puree recipes first or the other ones or just list them I guess. Ok so here goes with these 3 purees I make 4 meals that my son does not have an issue eating.

1.) Power Bagels
You can prep and refridgerate, then bake anytime for a snack.
2.) Crunchy Mac and Cheese
It gets a whole new boost with a whole grain topping
3.) Super Burgers
Ketchup or mayo/mustard mae the puree undetectable
4.) Brownies
Using any browine mix you like.

 Orange Puree.
In a pot, cover 1 yam (peeled and cut in chunks) with cold water. Boil for 25 minutes, or until very tender. Drain and puree in food processor or blender with 2 Tbs water until compleatly smooth, 1 minute. if neessary, add up to 1 tablespoon pf water to make it smoother.
                   (Use in crunchy Mac & Cheese and Power bagles)

White Puree.
Pulse Cannellini Beans (15-oz can, rinsed and drained) and 1 Tbs water in a food processer until smooth, about 1 minute. Puree should be the consistancty of peanut butter. If nescessary, add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until there are no bean flecks visable.
                    ( Use in Crunch Mac, and Power bagles.)
Purple Puree.
Put two 10-0z packages frozen spinach in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 6-7 minutes. Drain. Puree the spinach,  1 1/2 cups blueberries (puree if frozen and yes thats right blue berries), 1/2 tsp lemon juice, and 2 tbs water in a food processor until smooth, 1 minute. If nessary add 1 tablespoon water to make puree smoother.
                  (use in Super Burgers and Brownies)

Power Bagles: My son thinks they are mini pizza's
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup white puree
3 tbs orange puree
4 mini-bagles sliced in half (I use whole wheat)
1 cup grated part-skim mozzarella

Preheat oven or toaster oven to 350 degress. Combine tomato sauce with white and orange puree. Mix well.
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of sauce on each bagle half, and then top completely with 2 tablespoons grated cheese. Bake 5-6 minutes

Crunchy Mac & cheese:
Cooking Spray
1 cup whole-grain cereal flakes
1/4 cup wheat germ, un sweetend
2 Tbs greated parmesan
6-oz package of Mac and Cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup white puree
1/4 to 1/2 orange puree
2 Tbs butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat cassarole dish with cooking spray. Put cereal in zip-close bag and crush to crumbs. Pour crumbs in a bowl and mix in wheat germ and parm cheese.
Prepare Mac & Cheese according to package instructions. adding white and orange puree or both (don't use anymore then 1/2 cup puree total per 6-oz box of macaroni.) Transfer into cassarole dish, sprinkle with crunchy topping and dot with butter. backe 10-15 minutes.

Super Burgers:
1 egg
1/4 cup Purple puree
2 Tbs Ketchup
1 Tsp salt
1/4 Cup fresh whole wheat bread crumbs or white.
1 lb ground beef ( I use turkey but you can taste the puree more)
Cooking spray
8 Slices american cheese, optional
8 Hamburger buns
And any garnish you like.

In a large bowl, mix egg, purple puree, ketchup, salt, and bread crumbs until cumbined. And Ground Beef, mixing with hands until well combined.  If too sticky add a few more bread crumbs. Using damp hands, shape into 8 fairly thin patties. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over meduim-high heat. Cook burgers 3 minutes per side and add cheese if you use it. Serve on buns with ketchup and I like pickles with it.

Brownies:
Cooking spray
1 box about 21 oz brownie mix
1/2 wheat germ, unsweetend
2 large eggs
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup purple puree

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 x 9 - inch or 9 inch square pan with cooking spray.
Measure and discard 1/2 cup of the dry packaged brownie mix (replace with 1/2 cup wheat germ) Mix all ingredients together and blend well. Fallow package directions for baking time, depending on the size of the pan.

Enjoy!!!


All credit goes to (Parenting Magizine) I think is where I got it.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I love giving old things new life. Yesterday as part of my Upcyling work I took a vase/pitcher I got from my grandma, She has had it for as long as I can remember and one day gave it to me..But it wasn't really my taste on color. Regardless I still LOVED it. I'm very sentimental / traditional... So here's what I did.

I washed it off first, then took one can of heirloom white spray paint (My favorite color)
























I let it sit over night and have the finished piece. Granted it's nothing you would ever want to drink out of but it wasn't made for that to begin with right?  So now it has a new life to it and I'm it LLLUUURRRVVVEE with it!

Slow Cooker Recipe #2 Roast

I have many roast recipes but this one is my fav and the most basic. I sometimes add potatoes to it to take out and mash later. Since they soak up the flavor it's really good lol.


Take one good size roast ( I really have no specific measurements to this one thats why I love it)
5 garlic cloves
salt and pepper
I use beef broth and fill it till it's about half way up the meat then pour water in till it barley covers it.


When you take the meat out place it on a cutting board use a good sharp small (like pearing knife) and poke holes all over the roast. Put the cloves in random order all over the roast and put in the crockpot. Add rest of the ingredients and place on high for about 6-8 hours

Slow Cooker Recipe #1 Baked potato soup

Ingredients:
2 large onions, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups water, divided
4 cups chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1-1/2 cups mashed potato flakes
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup half and half cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
2 green onions sliced

In a large nonstick skillet, saute onions in butter until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir for 2 minutes or until thickened  Transfer to 5-qt slow cooker.

Add the broth, potatoes, potato flakes, bacon, pepper, salt, basil, thyme and remaining water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until potatoes are tender. Stir in the cream; heat through. and cheese and onoins to taste.

Our Angel Food Ministries order is here!

I've been pretty busy packing for our move on Friday, But I'm taking a minute to post the Angel Food Ministries order I was telling you guys about. Keep in mind I only spent $142.00

These are 2 steaks out of the many we got from our orders. They are high quality from what we can tell. They do come frozen but I'm not disappointed to say the least.

I've said this before I need to get better at taking before and after pictures. Aside from the Sherbet ice cream and the two packages of meat at the very bottom of the right corner our freezer was EMPTY.  All of the bottom is meat (aside from mentioned) the steaks are right above my current food. Top shelf is all veggies, Waffle fries, twice baked potatoes, Already cooked meatloaf, and sloppy joe mix.

Bottom is Chicken breast, Not sure whats in the vacuumed sealed thing right below it, unbreaded chicken wings, and the desert item (cookies) at the top is from them there's also Whiting fish fillets below the chicken wings you can't really see in the picture.

The Fridge! All of the fresh produce is from Angel Food along with the eggs on the second shelf. None of the fruit came bruised and all of the veggies are fresh.

     

Seedless grapes, Baby carrots and Celery are from them 

Red potatoes are from them. 

the rest were all Shelf Stable food I received from AFM as well we are very exited and happy to receive this amount of food this helps our family of four out tremendously! And cut our food budget of $450 a month in HALF.

Tonights dinner was some of the steaks corn and the twice baked potatoes I was a little iffy about those before I tried them. But they were really good!


 Here's their link. Please check them out! They do amazing things!
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Is it Autism...

April is Autism Awareness Month.


   I've never posted on my children before. And do want to keep most of their lives private..So I still probably won't say much about them. But my eldest son has something that should be shared in my opinion and talked about.


I had Kaiden in the late winter of 2006. My husband and myself we're very young when we had him. But from the start we noticed something was off with Kaiden. Don't get me wrong he was a great baby. But he just was not hitting any mile stones at the right times everything seemed to have at least a six month delay. All his doctors would say he just needed to catch up he's fine. When Kaiden was a year old we met up with a old friend who had her baby exactly 2 weeks and 15 minutes after Kaiden was born. Granted she had a girl and I know all babies develop differently. But her baby was TALKING and CRAWLING. Mine just sort of set there and scooted. 


 Immediately things come to mind. like "I'm a bad mom!", "I don't spend enough time with him", "I'm doing things wrong". 


So I take him back to the doctors..By now it's another year of the same thing. "he will catch up" And I've now had a second baby who's hitting all the milestones and in some ways surpassing his elder brother. My husband joins the army in the spring of 2009 and we move to an army base is Georgia and soon deploys to Iraq for a year. And I take Kaiden to go in (not to his normal doctor but one on call) to have his ears tested. The doctor asks me how many a word vocabulary does Kaiden have. My response. "He doesn't." Kaiden in total could say maybe 5 words to the point of understanding them. Not clear and most of the time if he said anything it was baby talk. He was 3 years old a very smart kid other wise and able to figure out puzzles and much to my dismay taking things apart.


Anyway the doctor pretty much said "WHAT? and no one has caught this?!?" Most doctors never gave me the time of day much less actually listened to what I had to say about my child but this one "on call" doctor noticed right away something was wrong. The next week I had a referral to speech therapy. 


About a month later we had not one but 2 diagnosis. 
Kaiden has a speech apraxia. 
     Apraxia is a speech disorder in which a person has trouble saying what he or she wants to say correctly and consistently. It is not due to weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles (the muscles of the face, tongue, and lips). The severity of apraxia of speech can range from mild to severe. He is on the severe end of the spectrum. But has improved greatly with therapy. Basically his brain does not communicate with his tongue the right way.


Second:
Sensory Processing Disorder 
Which is really hard to explain.. It's a mixture of everything of how one learns and receives information, it comes with eating issues and behavioral issues...


 You can find more on it here:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/

Kaiden now sees a speech therapist, physical therapist and an occupational therapist. He's improved so much in the last year. But in the last few months we found he also may have ADHD and they are not ruling out a form of high functioning Autism. His processing disorder already had put him in the autism spectrum. So we are off to a neurologist next. What I'm saying/trying to say is that Autism is out there it can happen to anyone. I sat there for the longest time wondering what I had done wrong. I've met so many family with special needs children since moving to this base in Georgia and all of them are truly amazing kids and their parents are just as scared/concerned/knowing and understanding as I am. If you suspect something is wrong with your child don't be afraid to speak up and say something like I was scared to. And know that you aren't alone and most of these kids go on to living somewhat normal lives.

All that Southern Food!

I know it's unhealthy but it's comfort food. can we say YUM. I'll post more healthy recipes I just had to get these out of my system!

Pork chops and Milk gravy:

4 slices bacon
4 large thick pork chops
1/2 cup flour
salt and pepper
1 1/2 cup milk

Fry the bacon first, then dip the chops in flour, with salt and pepper. Save whats left of the flour. Fr the chops in the hot bacon drippings until brown on both sides. Turn down heat, cover, and cook till chops are tender and throughly cooked-About 30 min. Stir your left over flour into the fat and cook till browned. Pour milk over the chops and simmer till gravy is thickened.

Southern-Fried Chicken:
1 good-sized fryer or pan
Salt and pepper
Milk
1 1/2 cups sifted flour

Cut chicken into serving pieces. Rub well with salt and pepper. Let stand 30 minutes. Then soak in milk another 30 minutes. Put flour, a little salt and pepper, and chicken into a bag, and shake well until every piece is coated. Fry in hot, deep fryer at high heat or 400 degrees, until golden brown. Leave heavy pieces in a little longer then the smaller ones.


I'll leave room for some requests I have recipe's for:
 Buttermilk Biscuits
 Skillet Corn Bread
Coconut Cream Pie
Pecan Pie
Chicken and dumplings
Fried Ham with Red-eye Gravy
Grits
Fried Catfish
Regular Milk Gravy
Snap Beans
Black-Eyed Peas
Creamed Corn
Lima Beans & Butter Beans
Candied Yams
Fried Okra
Turnip and Collard Greens

Fried Green Tomatoes and milk gravy

As promised here's the Old Fashioned Fried Green Tomatoes like Sipsey made!

Fried Green Tomatoes:
 1 medium green tomato (per person)
Salt
Pepper
White Cornmeal
Bacon Drippings

Slice the tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick, season with salt and pepper and coat on both sides with cornmeal. In a large skillet, heat enough bacon drippings to coat the bottom of the pan and fry tomatoes until lightly browned on both sides.

Fried Green Tomatoes and Milk Gravy:
 3 tablespoons bacon fat
4 firm green tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch think
beaten eggs
dry bread crumbs
flour
milk
salt
pepper

Heat your bacon fat in a heavy frying pan. Dip tomatoes in eggs, then in bread crumbs. Slowly fry them in the bacon fat until golden brown on both sides. Put your tomatoes on a plate. For each tablespoon of fat left in the pan, stir in one tablespoon of flour and blend well:then stir in 1 cup warm milk and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper till you like it. Pour over tomatoes and serve hot.

PS. This gravy is great over pork chops! I'll post that recipe tomorrow!

Angel Food Ministries

Take 2
I had this all written out and it suddenly deleted with only saving the first line in a draft. booo on that one. Oh well let's try this again.


So a couple of weeks ago when we were facing a possible government shut down I decided to look more into food options for my family. I've never been a hard core coupon cutter that I wish I was. But I do try to save my family money buy grocery shopping at literally 3 different stores to get the savings I need. (not saving gas though) I would so love to live back in Texas again in the country where I could be completely self sufficaint. But I live in an apartment / soon to be government housing on a military base in Georgia and thats just not in the cards for us. So what could I do? Thankfully I didn't have to wait long to have an answer. While on Facebook one day a friend posted a link (and I will a little later) for Angel Food Ministries.


A.F.M is a non profit organization that helps families all over the world afford good healthy food at HALF the retail price. They also have links to support a soldier's family that when I do have the extra cash I'm going to do. And food boxes that keep children fed with the No Child Goes Without food program. I ordered for the first time a few days ago and I pick up my food April 23rd. The day after we sign papers for our government quarters. I will update as soon as possible with pictures but I have a list of what we have bought so far and it's a TON of food.



This is what we orderd and it came out to $140.00 = $2 conveinece fee for ordering online.


Bountiful Blessing Box: $41.00
2 lb. Beef steak burgers
2 lb. All nat Boneless/skinless chicken breasts
2 lb. Fully cooked meatloaf (sounds a little odd to me)
2 lb. Sloppy Joe Mix
2.5 Lb. Unbreded chicken wings
1.5 lb. Whiting Fillets (fish)
1.5 lb. Breaded chicken breast chunks
1.5 lb. Smoked Sausage
1.5 lb. Fully cooked meatballs
1 lb. 100% Ground Turkey
1 lb. 3 way veggie blend
1 lb. Fresh/frozen butter peas
1 lb. Mini Broccoli Florets
1 lb. Large sliced Carrots
2 lb. Waffle Fries
1 lb. Spinach
28 oz. Baked Beans
12 oz. Egg Noodles
8 oz. Jambalaya Rice mix
8 oz. Corn Muffin mix
8 oz. Buttermilk Pacake mix
31 oz. 2% shelf stable milk (again odd to me)
Dozen Eggs
and each box contains one family desert item.


Pastor Joes Premuim Box: $51.00
2 lbs. Angus Fillet of sirloin (4x8 oz.)
5 lbs. Pork Bar-B-Q
17 oz. Crab Cakes 
20 oz. Twice Baked Potatoes
1 lb. Broccoli Florets
1 lb. Cauliflower Florets
4 ea. Corn on the cob
1 lb. Brussell Sprouts
1 lb. sugar snap peas


Special #3 Premium Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box : $23.00
1 Golden ripe Pineapple
4 California Lemons
1 Cantalope 
4 Navel Oranges
1 lb. Red Seedless grapes
1 mango
3 lbs. Red potatoes 
1 lbs. Cello carrots
1 head, Cabbage
20 oz. Green beans
5.5 oz. Bag, Green Onoins
1 Sleeved, Stalk celery


Special #4 4 lb. assorted Steak special: $25.00
2 lb. New York Strip Steaks 
2 lb. Ribeye Steaks


Again I paid $142.oo in total for it all. And there is tons more to chose from. This is from the April menu it changes every month. All boxes are made to feed a family of 4. And ANYONE all over the WORLD can order. And this month (last day to order is today) has an Easter Holiday Box. I'm going to try to do this every month as it cuts our food bill in half. And I'll update more with how it goes.


Here's their link you can also find them on Facebook.
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Whats for dinner?

We eat a lot of chicken, pork and turkey in this house. So I will post some new recipes we use for beef in the next couple of weeks. But I had to share my fav chicken parm recipe.

Parmesan Chicken Sticks

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (abt 3-4)

1 cup flour

1 t. kosher salt

1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

2 eggs

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated parmesan

Unsalted butter

Good olive oil

Bamboo skewers (6-10 inches long)

Lay the chicken breasts on a cutting board and slice each diagonally into 4 or 5 large strips.

Grab 3 dinner plates and set them before you. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper on the first dinner plate. Beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon water and place on second plate. Combine the breadcrumbs and parmesan on the third plate. Dredge (lightly coat chicken to be fried) chicken breasts on both side in the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and last, roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to coat.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil (1 probably used about 1/2 that amount for each) in a large saute pan and cook the chicken strips on medium-low heat for about 3 minutes on each side, until just cooked through. Don't crowd the pan. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts. Serve each strip on a skewer or stick.

You can keep the chicken breasts warm for about 15 minutes on a cookie sheet in a oven preheated to 200 degrees while the rest of the chicken is cooked.

MmMm family favorite breakfast

This is a family favorite in this house. And I thought I would share this is not my recipe though I found it one day while looking through a book at Half Price Books. Oh how I MISS that store! Anyways I hope you enjoy it. I so need to find my camera for these projects!


Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Waffles with Banana Cream
Recipe from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking

1 cup spelt flour
2 Tb baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
4 Tb butter, melted
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips

To make the waffle batter: Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Cream the peanut butter with the sugar until it softens, then pour in the butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time the mixture is completely smooth. You'll need to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the milk gradually, the mixture will be very wet. Stir in the flour mixture on the slowest speed and mix until just combined Stir in chocolate chips. Let the batter sit for at least 10 minutes before you use it. This is especially important with spelt, as the batter starts out very soupy, but thickens as the grain absorbs the liquid. Cook waffles in a hot waffle iron and serve with Banana Cream.

Banana Cream
yield: 2 cups
2 large bananas
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream

Mash the bananas in a small bowl and sprinkle them with the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Whip cream in a separate bowl until it is stiff. Fold the banana mixture into the whipped cream and serve immediately.

This week's read

We read this book (well half of it) in our 5th grade class 10 something years ago now and I've read it a billion times. OK maybe not that many but it's a great book for kids and adults a like.


Book Summary:
Paul Fisher's Older brother Erik is a high school football star, but to Paul he's no hero. Paul's own game is soccer, which he plays even though he has to wear thick glasses because of a mysterious eye injury. When the fishers move to Tangerine, Florida, Paul tries to make sense of things. Like why people live in a place where underground fires burn for years, a sink hole swallows his school,and lightning strikes the same practice field everyday.Why he fits into the toughest group around, which just happens to be his new soccer team. And most of all, why no one but he can see the terrifying truth about Erik.

Dishwasher facts, tips and answers.

I really LOVE dishwashers. Those who've ever had to hand wash for more then a couple days know what I mean. So I take really good care of mine, and my dishes/pans after all I spent the money on them right? So here are some tips and ideas I've learned to live by and thought I would share.


The don't load's!
Expensive Dishes: Why risk it? Hand wash anything to plan to leave your relatives.
Wood: Wooden cutting boards or spoons can warp or crack.
Tin, Pewter, Sterling Silver: These can all rust.
Cast Iron: RUST RUST RUST AND RUST we have personally made this mistake in our household I won't mention who...
Delicate or Pricey glass: A lot of the time it will brake... things do get jostled around in the dishwasher and things can get broken.
Gold-plated or Hand painted flatware and dishes: Can scratch or wash off it's best to hand wash.
Nonstick Pans and baking sheets: Read the labels that come with them. Some are OK to put in the dishwasher. But the ones like I have the Paula Deen set need to be hand washed to keep their non stick coating.
The Duh's as I call them: Anything that does not say dishwasher safe like some Tupperware and bindy straws.


In truth the dishwasher is not a safe environment for any dishes. But it's conveint and I love it.


Dish Washer Load
The Top rack:
I use for Cups along the sides a long with smaller saucers in the middle rack. Long Spatulas cooking spoons and knives lay flat or next to the saucers if there's room.


Lower Rack: Do I have to mention the Duh's again?
Bowls, pans  and sturdy cups face down so they can drain. 
Don't over fill. water, water vapor and heat need to touch every surface to be sanitary.


Silverware: This was a debate for at least a year of my marriage but after some research I won :) 
Load the silverware forks and spoons handle DOWN. Knives handle up. and if there are long cooking spoons put them into the side of the basket facing the door so the upper drawer doesn't get caught.


Extra thoughts and tid bits...
Prerinsing: Don't do it. Do the duhs and scrape off large chunks of food. But if your rinsing, you're really just wasting water and electricity. Dishwashers are now built have systems made to catch food and pump it down the drain. 


Glasses looking a bit cloudy? Where I am from we have hard water issues. Soak them in vinegar for five minutes and dry them with a soft towel. Sometimes there's etching from years of use. Sometimes to much detergent or to hot of a cycle can cause this.


I run an empty load once a month on the highest temp with a cup full of bleach to keep in clean.

Orange Honey Grilled Chicken

Rain I love waking up to it... It puts me in the mood for good food and sleep!


Today I'm posting a recipe. My camera has been misplaced in all the packing or I'd post pictures. grrr!

Orange Honey Grilled Chicken Strips

1 to 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 TB butter softened

2 TB finely chopped scallions

2 TB fresh orange juice

2 TB chopped cilantro leaves (I like a little extra)

1 TB honey

1-2 TB grated orange zest, from ~1/2 an orange (I use just 1 TB)

Cut each chicken breast into 3 length wise strips. (I just bought chicken tenders and used those). Thread 3 strips accordion style, on each of 4-6 long metal or wooden skewers. If using wood skewers, soak them for at least 20 minutes in cold water before using to prevent scorching on the grill. To make the basting sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the butter, scallions, orange juice, cilantro, honey, and orange zest. Brush about half of the sauce on the chicken, covering each strip well. Set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes. If you have to let the chicken marinate longer refrigerate. Prepare grill to medium hot. Grill chicken about 15 minutes, turning several times, until the chicken is cooked through but still moist. Baste several times with the remaining basting sauce. Stop basting 5 minutes before the chicken is done. Remove the chicken from the grill and serve immediately. (Do not serve any of the basting sauce with the chicken.)

Surgery, birthday, moving and more!

I've been incognito for a week but I'm back.


     So whats been keeping me busy?


March 30th I had minor surgery to have the toenails and their "matrix" root systems removed from my big toes. Long story short my feet had been stepped on while working with horses and my nails came in so funky I've had them removed 18 times. This time it's permanent! 


  April 1st was my birthday (I'll post pictures soon) 
Even though I was on bed rest my hubby and little boys made the best of it. I got showed in balloons and confetti. That I have yet to get completely out of my room.  I got a few presents flowers and chocolates from my momma and a pain killer cocktail. Not the drink I wanted but about the same effects. I was down for about 5 days then life pretty much screamed to go back to normal. Still kind of rough getting around but I think I've got the hang of it.


We are still moving May 4th so I had to get some boxes that was a fun project in itself. Imagine driving around seeing this!

Thats Lynda! Say Hi Lynda! 

Before you ask. I did not drive like that the whole way home! we dropped the boxes off at a friends house then picked them up with a truck later. But it was a funny site to see. 

So far I have a castle of boxes in my living room that have kept me pretty darn busy the last few days. I promise to update as much as possible I have another Upcylced to post soon as well.