Update...

Things are really hectic right now, I am trying to figure out how to balance everything. I am training for a new job (with the same company) but in the meantime I am still doing my regular job. I am bouncing back and forth between two locations. Some would say that I am loving the hustle & bustle but really I am not. I was getting used to the calmness that my current job and the routine that I was developing. Please say a prayer for me as I try to keep all ends going and still keep my sanity.

I am going to look for some good recipes this weekend and get some posted. I think that keeping things going at home is what I need to do to stay focused.

Luau

No recipes for a couple of days as I am getting ready for our luau and will need a day or two to recuperate. Enjoy the weekend!

Recipe #6

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

1 Graham Cracker Crust
1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream (softened, but not melted)
1 1/2 cups peanut butter (smooth or chunky, whichever you prefer)
1 8 0z tub Cool Whip (thawed)
Salted Peanuts
Hershey's Chocolate syrup

Mix softened vanilla ice cream and peanut butter until well blended. Fold in Cool Whip and spoon into graham cracker crust, careful not to move ice cream around too much as it will break the graham cracker crust.

Freeze 4 hours or overnight. Set out for 1/2 hour before cutting, top each slice with peanuts and chocolate syrup drizzle. Freeze the remaining pieces...if you have any left.

Recipe #5

Party Punch
(my Grandma used to make this and it is a wonderful punch to have at any get together)

1 2 liter bottle of Sprite/Sierra Mist (cold)
1 gallon of orange juice (cold)
1 gallon of Hi-C Fruit Punch (cold)
1 half gallon of sherbet (I use rainbow sherbet, it gives it more flavor)

In a punch bowl put half of the orange juice, Hi-C, Sprite/Sierra Mist and mix well. Scoop half of the sherbet into the bowl and let sit for a few minutes. The sherbet will melt a little. This recipe is enough for two batches of punch.

Enjoy!

Recipe #4

Cheddar Jalapeno Corn Muffins
(these are just a little spicy...I would call them mild)

1 pkg Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
3 jalapeno peppers (veins and seeds removed, chop into small pieces)
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
2 tbsp chili powder

Preheat oven according to the directions on the package (I believe that it is 350 degrees)
Prepare the muffin mix according to the directions. Stir in jalapeno peppers, cheese, and chili powder. Leave batter sit for a few minutes, bake according to the directions on the muffin mix.

Can be served warm or cold...either way they are delicious.

Recipe #3

Tuna Melts
(This is my twist...you can add or replace items as you see fit)

3 cans Tuna (drained)
Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise (use as much or as little as you wish depending on the desired consistency)
3 tbsp Onion (chopped)
2 tbsp Banana Peppers (chopped)
1 pk English Muffins (6 pk)
6 slices Provolone Cheese (cut in half)

Preheat the broiler on high (or the oven to 425 degrees)
Mix Tuna and Miracle Whip/Mayonnaise to desired consistency. Add onions and banana peppers and mix up. Toast the split English muffins in the toaster and place on baking sheet. Spoon the tuna mixture onto each half of the English muffins and top with half pieces of provolone cheese.

Place the muffins in the broiler or the oven until the cheese starts to turn brown and bubbles a bit. This will make 12 tuna melts, serve with a fresh salad or soup of your choice.

Enjoy!

Recipe #2

Magical Peanut Butter Cookies (Courtesy of Paula Deen-Food Network Star)

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
1 1/3 cups baking sugar replacement (Splenda) (regular sugar can be used as well)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet.

In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, 1 cup sugar replacement, the egg, and vanilla, and stir well with a spoon. Roll the dough into balls and roll into remaining sugar replacement. Push down slightly into criss cross pattern. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown, do not overbake. Let cool slightly before removing from baking sheet.

Go ahead and make a double batch because they go fast.

Thank you!

Thank you to all of you who have sent me recipes, I have been flooded with ideas and new recipes to try. I love it and I can not wait to try all of them. Keep them coming!

Recipe #1

I figured that I would start with a summer recipe so that we can take advantage of all the fresh vegetables that are available this time of year.

Grilled Vegetables

1 Medium Yellow Squash
1 Medium Zucchini
1 Vidalia Onion
1 pk Fresh Mushrooms
1/2 pk Baby Carrots
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsp Italian Seasonings
Salt (to taste)
Ground Pepper (to taste)
2 tbsp Bread Crumbs
2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese
Aluminum Foil (big enough to fold and close up completely)

Rinse and wash all vegetables, cut into medium bite sized pieces and place in a gallon sized zip lock bag. Pour olive oil on top of vegetables, zip up bag and shake gently to coat vegetables. Add the italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. Pour onto aluminum foil (big enough to fold up and close completely), top with bread crumbs and cheese, fold up and toss on the grill until the vegetables are cooked but not mushy. Enjoy!

Idea...do you see the lightbulb??

For those of you who don't know me, I love to cook. I love trying new recipes and I love to bake. I am going to be posting a recipe of the day. The recipe that I post will be one that I have tried. If you are reading this and can think of a recipe category that you would like to see, let me know.

I also welcome any recipes that you would like to share with me. I am currently working on publishing my own cookbook and I am always looking for a recipe to share with others. If you would like to submit a recipe for the cookbook, I will be sure to mention you with the recipe.

Happy Wednesday to all...I look forward to hearing from you.

Day Two, Three, Four, and Five...

What a busy last couple of days. My sister and I took off on Friday to take her step children back to Ohio and to finish a few things at the house that she and her husband own. I must say that my first attempt at plumbing was successful...go me! So we drive four hours, work around the house, drop the kiddos off, and then drive four hours home.

Saturday we spent three hours at the spa, it was wonderful. We had a 1/2 hour massage (wonderful), a pedicure (awesome), and a manicure (if I had fingernails it would have been better). I can not wait to do it again, this time I am getting an hour massage and skipping the manicure.

Sunday was a lazy day...well not really. I went out and did some yard work as we are trying to get ready for our Luau, I can not wait to have it. We found some lanterns that have faces on them and are lit up with a small LCD light. We said that all the women have to wear grass skirts and the men have to wear the coconut bras but I am sure that will not go over too well. Oh well, it would have been comical.

Back to work on Monday. We had a major shake up in the company on Friday so things should be a little interesting in the coming weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this change will not affect me but who knows. My sister is having a meeting with her lawyer today regarding her son's death so if you are reading this, say a prayer for her.

Day One...

My life in a nut shell...or the cliff notes as my brother in law would say. I have a wonderful husband (Bryan), a super kid (Zach) and a ginormous family who is very important to me. I work full time and I try to spend as much time with my family and friends as possible. I have been married for almost four years and I would not trade it for the world. My sister is staying with us until her husband comes home from the sandbox.

I must face the reality that my sister who is my bestfriend (and it was not always that way which makes this much harder) will be going back to Texas so I thought I would start a blog. This would allow her to read my blog as I have followed hers on a daily basis.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the twists and turns that this road will take.