Friday, April 23, 2010

What's Cooking: New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp & Homemade Apple Crisp

Last night for dinner, I made my hubby this recipe from Every Day Food. Overall the recipe was easy to follow and simple to make. Since I couldn't find Creole seasoning in the grocery store, my husband went to work and made it from scratch using a recipe online. The sauce was very tasty, the only complaint was the shrimp was a little tough, but not the recipes fault.
And for dessert, I made homemade apple crisp, using my cousin's recipe. The funny part is, there is usually something I mess up or forget, and this time I forgot to peel the apples! So I am definitely not perfect and still learning, however it still tasted pretty good.


Even the pups got dessert. Vanilla Ice Cream with a Milk Bone! They loved it:)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Simple Things: Sun Tea

Today is the perfect day to make sun tea. This is something that my Mom would always do, growing up and I have continued the tradition. To make, simply have a glass container, 4 tea bags of your favorite tea. Fill the container with water, with the bags in the container and place in a sunny spot outside for 6-8 hours. Afterwords, put in the refrigerator and enjoy! I like to use either regular tea or green tea with lemon. You can also get creative and make your own flavor by using 2 regular or green tea bags and 2 of any flavor such as raspberry, lemon, or whatever you have on hand.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Grandma's Cookbook Collection

My Grandma Ruth was an amazing cook, as well as my Grandma Martha...Both had their specialties and favorite things to cook. Each birthday I would receive a pie of my choice from Grandma Ruth and an Angle food Cake from my Grandma Martha. I usually picked strawberry pie since my birthday was in June. Grandma Ruth made the best pies. I remember going to visit her and seeing her calender marked with all the birthdays of her children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors, she would never miss birthday.

After Grandma Ruth passed, I was so fortunate to have received her cookbooks. These I will always treasure. Tonight since I was laying low, I decided to go through the collection and mark some recipes I intend to make. Most of the cookbooks she owned, were local cookbooks she and my mother submitted recipes to and were published. What a joy to see her "notes" written in the index, such as "good" and "really good." She was also the head cook at the local nursing home in my home town. Each month in the bulletin, she featured two of her recipes in "Ruth's Recipes." What pleasure to go back and read through the comments the residents would make in regards to my Grandmother's cooking.

As I continue to make new recipes and advance my cooking, my goal is to make at least one of my Grandma Ruth's recipes every month. She was a remarkable woman and will forever be missed. I hope I can be almost as good of a cook and continue to pass along her favorite recipes.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Scrapbook Challenge Update

Well, I have finally made some progress on my project. I was having a mental block for the first two weeks of the challenge.....Feeling overwhelmed by the number of pages to be completed, I was definitely procrastinating! My dining room has turned into a craft room for the time being. I have placed a few old table cloths on the table to protect the table and have placed everything out, ready to go. Unfortunately, my husband and I will be eating TV dinners for the next month!
Getting organized has been the best thing. I had an desktop file to hold files vertical and have placed each subject within the files along with the pictures, stickers, and articles related to the subject. This has made everything very convenient. It also allowed me to see what I was still missing. This scrapbook is def. going to be 2 books instead of one! Too many great memories to include!
Here is my progress so far! Happy Scrapping:)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Garden Tool Organization

In preparation of gardening this year, I wanted to have something to organize my tools, seeds, and potting soil. I've seen garden totes that you can purchase, however I wanted something more sturdy, so I thought I would use a bucket. Supplies: Apron either carpenters or something similar, metal bucket, craft/fabric tape and magnets. First I used craft/fabric tape to secure a hem for the magnets on the apron. I then tied the apron around the bucket. Last, I placed my magnets in the garden gloves. Here are some pictures of the final product.