Caladium

Caladium is one of my favorite plants. Perhaps it is known as a flower but to me it is the perfect plant. Caladium are native to Brazil and Florida. Caladium plants are all poisonous. 

    
Caladium are grown from roots which are sometimes referred to as bulbs. These roots are dug up each year, cleaned and separated. They should be stored in dry soil or moss in a dry dark location until they are ready to be used next spring. The larger the root or bulb the bigger the plant will be. 

         

 

Caladium roots should be started indoors about 6 weeks before last frost. Each bulb should have its own 4 to 6 inch peach pot. Plant root should be round side up buried in 1 1/2 inch to 2 inches of soil and it is best to have a few buds on them when they start. Water well the first time to make a moist soil then allow the plant soil to warm. Caladiums do not like cold weather and should be transplanted outside well after the last frost and the soil has warmed. They can also be grown inside. If they are grown outside they should be planted in a location that is shady or does not get direct sunlight. Plant in a spot with well drainage with good manure. 

Skinny Recipe: Strawberry Banana Ice Cream

Strawberry Banana Ice Cream

makes 2 (1 cup) servings

• 2 bananas, cut into 1-inch slices
• ½ cup frozen strawberries, sliced
• 2 Tbsp whipping cream
• ½ tsp vanilla

Place banana slices on a plate, separating each slice. Place slices in freezer for 2 hours (overnight is best!). Remove strawberries and bananas from freezer and place in food processor, blend until they are the consistency of soft serve ice cream. Add cream and vanilla and blend until smooth. Transfer ice cream to a freezer container and freeze until solid. Scoop with ice cream scoop and serve.

Nutrition Information

Per Serving: (1 cup)Calories: 166carbohydrates: 30g recipe from skinny mom

International Hot Dog Recipe (brazil)

I bring to you a hot dog recipe. Today, (yes I know the day is about over) is national hotdog day. I also want to say thank you to Sonic for my $1 hotdog I hope you got yours as well. I try to bring a bit of culture to teach my children about the world and make my menu more attractive and enjoyable. After it being hotdog day I have decided to add these to my menu next month. Perfect for summer time I think. What do you think? Enjoy!!

 

 

 

1 pound ground beef

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

8 hot dog links

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 cups beef broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme

juice of 1/2 lime

8 hot dog buns or French rolls

2 cups shredded Mozzarella

Additional toppings: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, corn, peas, shoestring fries, mashed potatoes, lettuce, olives, grated carrots, bacon bits, tomato and parsley vinaigrette, Catupiry cheese and/or Parmesan

 

In a medium bowl, mix ground beef with salt, pepper, and cumin.

Make a lengthwise slice along the top of each hot dog no more than halfway through the link. Place in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Keep in water until they have doubled in size.

In a large pan, drizzle oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until they begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the ground beef. Once browned, mix in the tomato paste, broth, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Cover partially and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add the lime juice and cover to keep warm until ready to assemble the hot dogs.

Place a cooked hot dog link in each bun. Top with 2-4 tablespoons of the beef mixture, then shredded cheese. Add additional toppings if desired. Serve immediately.

Adapted from From Brazil to You

Great Find on Other Blogs : Easy Mason Jar Cobblers

love these super cute little cobblers. With my sons upcoming wedding with a western theme I think these would go perfect for guest. I found these at staying close to home

Grilling Recipe: Banana Boats

When I was a young girl I was involved in many activities ranging from sports to scouts. I loved to be active and involved and I still do. One of my favorite things to do was to cook and bake. In 4H I took food related and often got blue ribbons for my hard work. In scouts I also loved to be involved when ever food was being prepared. One food that I learned how to cook was banana boats. Now when I first heard this when I was a kid I was thinking about those banana splits down at the local dairy bar that were served in boat shape dishes. However I soon learned that banana boats were a grilled treasure that was delicious. Now every summer we make these banana boats for the family at least a couple times a summer. Yummy!!!! They are easy to make simply:

 

Peal a piece of the skin back and scoop out some of the banana.
Fill the banana up with semisweet chocolate chips and miniature marshmallows. Put the skin back in place and wrap well in heavy foil.

Put on a bed of coals for 5 to 10 minutes.

Unwrap and remove skin flap.

Enjoy!!!

Giveaways I entered 7/21

Do you know someone that loves peppa pig? Well if you do then you will want to enter the giveaway where you can win some digital copies. I think these are awesome to help keep the little ones entertained. Enter the giveaway at peytons penny pinching mama giveaway ends August 2nd

Today at work I had a friend share a story of how her younger sibling when they were kids loved stars. I am sure they would have loved this book and the message inside it. They could have a chance to win same as you or me when they enter the giveaway at The Review Wire. Giveaway ends 8/4

Summer Time Recipe Microwave Smores

My grandmother was a lady who took pride in what she did. She would take her time to make everything perfect. She would also take her time to allow us to understand how everything worked, how to do it and to teach us again if we did not understand. I believe the kitchen is a great place to teach our little ones and older ones about how things work. Fun summer time recipes like this would be great to share with children in your life.

Just like in the smores you cook over an open fire you will need:
2 Whole Graham Crackers
2 Large Marshmallows
A Hershey’s Chocolate Bar

Now stack the mallow, chocolate and graham like you would if you were creating a smore with a roasted mallow. That is to put the mallow and chocolate together and sandwich between 2 graham crackers Microwave on a microwave safe dish 30 seconds. You can melt more if desired by melting 10 seconds more at a time. This is a great place to have the child advise how much more they would like to have their smore melted. Now cool til it is able to be touched with bare hands.

recipe source here

shared with
 hip hop homeschool mom
Tuesday table

Garden Recipe: Wilted Lettuce

Wilted lettuce is a favorite summertime salad even though it isn't the best for me. I grew up with parents who raised a large garden. They had several children to feed and a large garden was needed. I was taught how to snip or break off leaf lettuce so more could grow back rather than pulling it up in which case there would be no more for the season. Wilted lettuce is fairly easy to make with just a bit of kitchen knowledge. 

 

Start with some leaf lettuce that has been washed thoroughly.  

 

 wilted lettuce goes perfect with a delicious blt. Bacon will be used in the wilted lettuce as well.

 

Add the bacon and some thin sliced onion to the lettuce.
Heat the bacon grease and add about a heaping teaspoon of sugar. Add a splash of vinegar (be careful because it bubbles up)

 

Pour over the lettuce and there you have it! Wilted lettuce just like when I was a kid. Yummy Enjoy!!!

shared at
Garden Party
Hearth and Soul
coastal charm

Vintage Recipe: Baked Bean Casserole with Franks

July is the month for picnics, cookouts and frank and beans. This easy to make perfect for weeknight supper or to take to the potluck dish will put a smile on any ones face. This is a vintage recipe that has been around for some time but our family loves it and I have fixed several times. I hope you enjoy

2 one pound cans of baked beans, Boston style (we use B&M)
2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar, finally packed
2 tbs. vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
8 franks (about 1 pound)

Heat oven to 375 degrees
Empty 1 can of beans into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish
Sprinkle with 1 tsp. mustard, 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1 tbs. vinegar, and half the salt and pepper
Repeat by emptying the second can of beans
Followed by another 1 tsp. mustard, 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1 tbs. vinegar, and the rest of the salt and pepper
Place franks on top and partially submerge them in the bean mixture
Cover the casserole and bake for 30 minutes
Uncover casserole and bake for an additional 10 minutes for browning

recipe source here

Pepperoni Pizza Muffins

Kids are home for the summer and their bored. Spice their day up with a lunch they will love. Pepperoni Pizza Muffins. Oh so yummy

¾ cup flour

¾ tsp baking powder

½ tsp dried oregano

4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

4 oz turkey pepperoni, diced

¾ cup milk, 2%

1 egg, lightly beaten

½ cup pizza sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and oregano. Whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozzarella and pepperoni and let stand for a few minutes.
2. Stir the batter and divide evenly among the muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, about 18 to 23 minutes.
3. Warm pizza sauce in the microwave for about 15 seconds or heat on the stove in a small sauce pan. Serve the muffins with the pizza sauce for dipping.

recipe sourc here

shared at
Make It Pretty Monday

National Caviar Day

Today is national caviar day. While I fish egg caviar is not one of my favorites I do have a favorite caviar recipe. That recipe would be cowboy caviar.

 

 

A good way to get our children to eat a bit healthier. Cowboy caviar is filled with nutrition rich ingredients.

 

 

 

1 (15 ounce) can seasoned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained well

1 (15 ounce) can seasoned or plain black beans, rinsed and drained well

3/4 cup frozen sweet corn, thawed

3 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

2 or 3 tomatoes, diced

10 jarred jalapeno pepper slices, diced (mild or hot depending on preference)

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

1 ripe avocado, chopped

Tortilla chips

 

Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine black eyed peas, beans, corn, green onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro in a medium bowl. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Pour over bean mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, add avocado and gently stir to combine. Serve with tortilla chips.

 

Enjoy!!

Crockpot recipe : Cowboy style

Its so hot out there I do not want to heat up kitchen by using the oven but I do want to fix the family a delicious dinner. This crockpot cowboy recipe will do it for me. Our family loves potatoes, beans, hamburger and cheese and those are the top 4 ingredients. I hope you enjoy

 

 

 

1 lb. ground beef – browned
1 onion chopped
6 medium potatoes – sliced
1 clove of garlic – chopped
1 can beans – I used red beans
1 can diced tomatoes/ with juice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix everything except the cheese in a crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hrs or high for 4. Add the cheese, and cook for 1 more hour and then enjoy!