Strawberries + Nutella = Delicious!

There's not much better than freshly picked strawberries straight from the field....but add in a little nuttela and wowsers. The flavor is amazing!

One of my friends put this as link on facebook on Monday and I decided I had to make them. I went out today and picked a bucket full of fresh strawberries. Wowsers these are good! and I was not disappointed. Head over to Two Peas and their Pod for the delcious recipe. You'll be glad you did!

P.S. It's amazing how the Lord already had me plan to make these treats today. Today my husband came home from class and informed me he'd like to bring in breakfast for class tomorrow. Yep, I already had it covered!

Its Strawberry Season!

There's not much better than freshly picked strawberries that you collected yourself. I love living in an area that they are so plentiful. This year we tried our hand at some freezer jam. The recipe we used was on the box of pectin and was SO easy!

This is actually the second time I've made this pie in the last month. I love how easy and simple it is. Plus its not over the top sweet. Just right for my taste buds!

Here's the recipe: (Taken from a Farm Fresh advertisement book which I picked up for the coupons. Double bonus since this recipe is SO good!)

Strawberry and Cream Pie

1 deep dish pie crust

1/2 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
16 oz fresh strawberries, cut in half

Prepare pie crust according to empty baked crust package directions; cool. In medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla; mix with electric mixer until well combined and smooth.

Add in whipped topping and continue mixing until well combined and fluffy. Spread into cooled pie crust.

Top with Strawberries cut side down. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Note: I've always doubled the recipe. Most of the ingredients are cut in half so its "easier" that way. Haven't tried it yet because I'm lazy, but I think that it would be even more delicious with a homemade crust. But then again I think almost everything's better homemade!

Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy picking some fresh strawberries if they are ripe in your area!

P.S. If you were interested in the chalkboard labels I posted about in my last post (which was almost a month ago!! Opps.), they are today's GroupDealz again! $4 for 4! Looks like you still have a couple of days to jump on the deal if you are interested. We love ours!!

*Pictures courtesy of GroupDealz

House Party, Spring Decor, and a Giveaway

The weekend before Easter we were able to host a Johnsonville House Party. Ever heard of House Party? It's a new concept that gives companies advertisement in a new and very FUN way. If you are chosen you get a box full of goodies to serve at the party, plus lots of coupons. I've signed up for several, but this is only the second one I've been chosen to host. (The other was a Betty Crocker Christmas cookie party over a year ago.)

Since it was right before Easter I went with an Easter theme. We ate my own creation Italian Sausage Penne' and Kristen's Penne' Rustica. Both were delicious! We eat quite a bit of Italian Sausage around here so this party was right up my alley. They even sent some Summer sausage and sausage bites to try out. We used them as an easy appetizer.

They also sent a nice big oven mitt, apron and spaghetti scoop that became our door prize. Everyone left with a couple of coupons, one of them for a FREE product. Which brings me to the giveaway. Not everyone I invited was able to attend so I still have a few coupons for the a FREE package of Johnsonville Chicken Sausage left. I will send them out or give them to the first 7 people that comment. Please leave your e-mail address so I can find out where to send them! I have yet to see them in my stores, but the coupon doesn't expire until September. I'm told they are at Walmart, but I NEVER go there. (Have I mentioned my disdain for that store on the blog before??? If not then I was say that coupons have allowed me to avoid the store almost completely for a year. Loving it!!!)

Thanks Johnsonville for allowing us to host such a fun get together!

We've been doing a lot of these lately....

 

 

Roderick had his wisdom teeth out yesterday, so we've been doing a whole lot of milkshakes. He seems to be doing well, despite the fact that they removed all four wisdom teeth and a couple were a little "hard to get." He was completely aware...no "happy gas" or relaxing pills for him. Not sure I'd be able to do that as I don't even like to get a cavity filled. (Thankfully that has only happened 3 times in my life!) The pain meds seem to be working well. He's a little swollen today, especially on that "troublesome" left side. In the meantime we are both enjoying lots of milkshakes! ( The temptation is too high, I can't make one  and not enjoy a little myself!)

P.S. You know you've been looking at too many food blogs when you find yourself taking pictures of the ingredients for making milkshakes....AND you really know you've been looking at too many of them when you proceed to take "pouring pictures." Although I think I could use some food photography lessons! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just love Valentine's Day...not because of the roses and chocolates and other commercialized aspects, but because it's a special day to express love to my loved ones. My parents always made a big deal of the holiday growing up and over the years its become my favorite holiday.

This year I decided to make some nifty little suckers I found in the back of the Family Fun magazine. As soon as I saw it I knew I need to make them for our 5 year old Sunday school class. Only problem is they need mini candy canes and I saw it several weeks after Christmas. BUT I found some for .37 on clearance! Perfect for frugal natured me!! I just love how they turned out.

I will say that the recipe said to form the candy canes into hearts and put in 235 degree oven on parchment for 10 minutes. Well, this is what happened when I did that.

Not exactly what I was looking for. Very, Very thin and brittle. I found that putting them in a 225 degree oven for 3-5 minutes gave me the results I was looking for. I also used dark chocolate candy melts instead of oil and chocolate chips, simply because I didn't have chocolate chips and I was in a store where I could get the candy melts with a coupon really inexpensively!

This year as we were discussing what to do on Valentine's Day Roderick said he wanted to have a slumber party under the stars.  So that's just what we did.  I'm sure you are thinking HUH?? It's February, wasn't that a little cold?? Well no because we put a few glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, blew up our queen size mattress and watched movies together in our living room. Oh, and ate popcorn made on the stove with a whirley-pop. (My Valentine's day gift to my love. He had popcorn made with one at a friends house and couldn't get over how great the popcorn was.) Now we are spending some time at the library with my husband studying and me on the computer. Hey, at least we are together!

  

I also had to share these adorable slippers my friend gave me for Valentine's Day! They are beyond soft and so comfy! 

 I'm linking up to

 

 Today's color was red!

Simple and Delicious Christmas Goodie

My Mom made this recipe up several years ago. Every time I make it I always get requests for the recipes so I decided to share it with you all. It truly is simple and relatively frugal (especially if you use coupons for the peanuts). Makes about 3 dozen clusters or more if you make them smaller.

It requires 5 ingredients - 6 counting a little touch of powdered sugar.

Would make a great gift as well, as it's doesn't spoil quickly and looks pretty!

Peanut Clusters

1 regular bag caramels

1 Tablespoon milk

1 lb jar of salted peanuts (approx. 3 ½ cups)

Approx. ½ -1 lb chocolate coating

White chocolate coating for decorating- optional

Powdered sugar

Lay two pieces of waxed paper on counter. Lightly powder one with powdered sugar. Place unwrapped caramels in microwave safe bowl. Add milk. Microwave on high until melted for 1-2 minutes (checking every 30 seconds). Stir. Add peanuts and stir again.

Drop by spoonfuls onto powdered waxed paper. (Might need another spoon to help push out the caramel/peanut mixture). Let set while you melt chocolate coating.

Melt chocolate coating in microwave for 1-2 minutes checking every 30 seconds. Stir after every 30 second interval as the chocolate may be more melt than it appears.

Remove caramel clusters from waxed paper by sliding a fork under them. Dip in melted chocolate. Lift and let excess chocolate fall back in bowl. Place on un-powdered waxed paper. Let rest until set until solid.

When set, put small amount of white chocolate in zip lock bag. Melt in microwave. (approx. 30 seconds) Make small cut in one of the corners of the bag. Pipe lines of white chocolate on clusters. Let rest again until set. Remove from waxed paper and break off any excess chocolate before placing on serving plate.

Note: Watch microwave processes carefully. Both caramels and chocolate coating can burn if over melted.

Almost Ready for the Big Meal...

 The guest room is ready....

 The tables set....

 Some of the goodies are made and the refrigerator is full!

in process...

 after cooking....

This year we are having our first Thanksgiving in our home. I've been working slowly on everything...the tables been set for a day or two. So thankful that I have a little energy to do this...taken it slow, but I can do more than I have lately!

Happy Thanksgiving! So much to be thankful for!!

Tomato Basil Grilled Cheese

I just had to post this, because it was delicious! I got the idea after I read a post by Amanda on KevinandAmanda.com. We changed it a little bit by adding ham and we both thought it was delicous!  Have I mentioned that I LOVE having a basil plant growing on our porch and fresh homegrown tomatoes in the refrig! Well, if I haven't before I'm saying it now! The basil plant is starting to really take off. I'm sure its loving the fact that I've been pretty much on bedrest for the last week! I can't wait till I have the energy to start cooking again!

The best part of this sandwich is that I can make it on my George Foreman! Doesn't it look great! I hope to try another favorite "panini".... ham with a thin slice of Granny Smith apple and cheddar cheese. My mouth watering just thinking about it. I already have the apple I just have to get rid of whatever this illness is so I can make it!

Canning Tomatoes [Our First attempt]

 My hat goes off to those that do this without the benefits of A/C. It sure is a hot, messy task. However, there is a great sense of satisfaction when you see a neat row of jars that YOU canned sitting on the counter cooling! We definitely learned a lot of "don'ts" on this first attempt, but I think I'd attempt it again. I admit though in the middle of the process the cans in the store were looking mighty good. (It didn't help that it was 11pm! Ya, that's one of those "don'ts" I mentioned earlier!)