National Hotdog Day

We all like hotdogs and many of us like it different ways, our ways and oh so good. Instead of sharing in this blog post what to put on your hotdog I thought it might be cool to share recipes that we could put hotdogs in


Hot Dogs and Baked Bean Casserole

• 8 Hot Dogs
• 2 Cans Baked Beans (Bush’s “Bold & Spicy” 28 oz.)
• 1/2 lb. Bacon
• 4 T. Barbeque Sauce (Kraft “Original”)
• 2 T. Dijon Mustard
• 1 Cup Shredded Cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Muenster) /Any Cheese in the House)
• Freshly Ground Pepper

1. Cut hot dogs in half and slice lengthwise
2. Saute the hot dogs until browned on both sides
3. Cook bacon and cut into bite size pieces
4. Mix beans, barbeque sauce and mustard (add in green peppers and onion, optional)
5. Add freshly ground pepper as desired
6. Layer the beans and hot dogs
7. Top with the bacon and cheese

recipe source here

8 oz. dried medium shell macaroni

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tbsp.butter

1 16-oz. pkg. beef frankfurters, halved lengthwise and sliced

1 1/2 cups purchased spaghetti sauce 

1 large tomato, chopped (1 cup)

1 4-oz. can (drained weight) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1 8-oz. carton dairy sour cream

2 oz. provolone cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)

2 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (1/2 cup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.

In a large skillet cook onion and garlic in hot butter over medium heat until nearly tender. Stir in frankfurters and cook until lightly browned. Stir in spaghetti sauce, tomato, and mushrooms. Bring to boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and half of the cheeses. Stir mixture into the drained pasta. Spoon into a 2-quart casserole.

Cover and bake about 30 minutes or until hot. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, 5 minutes more or until cheese melts. Makes 6 servings

recipe here


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Rainbow Lollipop Cake

 

Today is the national lollipop day and since today has been named a super fun day I thought i would share this recipe I recently located. What a fun and colorful cake and lined with dum dum suckers will make this cake perfect to put a smile on any ones face


2 Cups Granulated Sugar
1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter
6 large eggs
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
3 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 Cup Milk
7 Colors (or which ever colors you want to use) Gel Food Colorings
1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 8 in round pans with cooking spray.
2. Prepare cake batter. (You could also use a boxed cake mix to save time and will have the same results)
3. In a medium bowl cream together butter and sugar.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time
5. Then add Vanilla to the creamed mixture
6. In a seperate bowl whisk together dry ingredients- flour, baking powder and pudding mix.
7. Add flour mixture to the cream mixture, stirring until combined.
8. Add milk and stir until creamy.
9. Seperate the cake batter into smaller bowls (one for each color you plan on using). Add gel food coloring to each bowl until you reach desired color. Remember that the colors will fade slightly when baking, so take that into account when adding colors.
10. Bake each layer seperately for 10-12 minutes.
11. Let cool and frost with your favorite frosting. ( I prefer white buttercream, but make it you own ;-)

recipe source Tablespoon

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Inspire Me Monday

Dee at Two of a Kind is remodeling

 Dee and her family at Two of a Kind are busy remodeling their house and will be sharing giveaways to great products as they do check them out

Can you find the mad one????

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

1 large angel food cake
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 1/2 tablespoons strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
1 1/2 cup hot water
2 packages fresh strawberries, quartered
Half of a chocolate bar

1. In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin; add water. Cook stirring over medium heat until thick and everything is absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. I place it in the fridge so it doesn't take as long. Add a few ice cubes to further speed up the process.
2. Add all of the strawberries except for 1/2 of a cup worth and reserve for topping.
3. Slice cake, horizontally into 3 equal layers.
4. Mix together cream cheese, condensed milk, and whipped topping in a bowl; set aside.
5. In a large trifle bowl place a layer of cake, topped with a layer of strawberry, followed by a layer of the custard mixture. Repeat layering in this order for remaining cake, strawberries and custard.
6. Top cake with remaining strawberries and shredded chocolate. It is best to shred the chocolate while it is slightly chilled.

recipe and picture from here

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Live Laugh Thursday
Things I've Done Thursday

Coconut Macaroon

I love coconut and enjoy it right out of the shell or bag. My mother in law loved macaroons and I made this type of cookie quite often for her when she was here with us. This post is dedicated to my mom in law who now rest in a better place.

Coconut Macaroon Recipe1/2 + 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/6 cup sugar (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons)
1 1/5 tablespoons flour
1 egg white
tiny splash of almond extract
Preheat oven to 325. Combine coconut, sugar, and flour. Stir in the egg white and almond extract. Use a cookie scoop to portion the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!

recipe source here

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Get Your Chef On
Totally Tasty Tuesday
Tasty Tuesday
Friday Favorites

Top 10 Baby Shower Gift Ideas

It seems that many of my friends and family members have drank the same water. Yes that is right it is found in the water LOL!!! Well anyways that is the old saying the truth is that many of my friends and family have been blessed and are expecting little bundles of joy. Now those of us who love them are ready to share our love and have a party to celebrate the new life. Many of us will attend or host a baby shower. Among the top gifts that moms and babies can use and make great baby shower gifts include

1. bouncy seat
2. baby monitor
3. bedding
4. baby sling
5. activity gyms or toys
6. bath kit
7. eating utensils including bibs and highchairs
8. babys day out strollers, etc...
9. sleep kit
10. services that offer help for the new parents

I feel these are top shower gifts because not only are they items that help the baby and ones that are needed but also they are gifts that mommy and daddy will appreciate. Yes I still believe that those gift givers that offer diapers and clothes are awesome as well. We know those items are needed but if you want to give a bigger gift then please by all means take an idea off my top 10 list.

Chip and Dip Patties

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. jarred tomatillo salsa
Salt and pepper
2 cups salted tortilla chips, ground in a food processor
1 pound tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1 tablespoon EVOO

1. In a large bowl, using your hands, combine the beef, 1/4 cup salsa and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Form the mixture into four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Coat in the tortilla chips, patting to adhere.
2. In a large, dry nonstick skillet, cook the patties over medium-low heat, turning once, until the chips are toasted and the meat is cooked to medium doneness, about 8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in another bowl, combine the tomatoes, avocado, EVOO and the remaining 2 tbsp. salsa; season with salt and pepper. Top the patties with the tomato-avocado salad

recipe source : Rachael Ray

Arlo needs Glasses

No more fetch for Arlo – he needs glasses! Oh no can you imagine a dog wearing glasses. Well I can we do whatever we can for our pets after all they are part of our family. Now a book authored by Barney Saltzbergs helps kids understand the amazing power of glasses using a familiar friend. 

Did you realize that one out of every five school age children need to wear eyeglasses. I was one of those children and can remember the humility of wearing glasses because I thought I was alone in a world of people who could see and did not need glasses. Saltzbergs allows children to see through actions inside the pages of a book that they are not alone but are very lucky indeed. Saltzberg has authored over 40 popular children's books and now through his creative forces is sharing the joys of wearing glasses. The adventures of Arlo, a dog just like any other dog who loves to play catch suddenly cant see the ball anymore and needs to wear glasses. Arlo needs Glasses (workman, July 1, 2012) follows the line of books such as Beautiful Oops! Peekaboo Kiss,  Good Egg. 

Since our little Princess's mom and nana both wear glasses we are not sure if she will have to or not. I love this book that shares the adventures of a dog needing glasses because many kids love dogs and can relate to the book. I also love the colorful pictures and the fact that there are many hard paper pairs of eyeglasses that are included in the book. The adventures through the pages of the book will take the reader through the process of reading an eye chart, looking through a fold out phoropter (thats a big word even for me) If you do not know what this is it is the machine that helps doctors exam your eyes and look for the perfect pair of eye glasses. Love the ending as well as Arlo becomes an all star catcher in the neighborhood and learns to enjoy reading as well.

Arlo Needs Glasses by Barney Saltzberg
Workman Publishing – July 1, 2012
Hardback – $15.95
Ages 3+ - ISBN 9780761168799

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Wonderful wednesday 

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

As a teen I moved from small town America down state to a town with double the population. It was hard to fit in at school and then one day I made an awesome friend. Her name was April and she had the most bubbliest personality. Nothing seemed to get her down. I spent many days at Aprils her mama was an awesome cook and to tell you the truth it was not the same type of cooking my mama made. For instance her mama cooked stuffed cabbage never before had I had this and oh my still remember how delicious it was. So glad that thanks to facebook after 20 years after last seeing my friend I found her again. She now makes this recipe for her family. Thought I would share this here with you

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

1 medium head cabbage
2 ounces pork, chopped fine
2 ounce veal
2 tablespoons butter
2 egg yokes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon parsley http://makingtheworldcuter.com/
1 teaspoon onion
1 cup crumbs
1 pimento

Parboil cabbage, drain and let cool. Open leaves and scoop out center of cabbage, save the center and chopped it fine, add bread crumbs, moistened with butter, add meat, seasoning and the cabbage that has been chopped fine. Mix these all together. Stuff into the cavity of the cabbage. fold the leaves back over, and tie with a string to hold. Bake in moderate oven for about 3 hours.


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Made By you Monday
Market yourself Monday
Making The World Cuter
The Recipe Box

Goodbye to the Queen of Country Music Kitty Wells

Kitty Wells an American country music singer was a history maker She was the first female country star and was known to many as the Queen of Country Music. Thank you Kitty for all you did for  your part in the history of country music.


a recipe from this era would include

Poor Man Meal Homemade Mashed Potatoes & Hamburger Gravy 

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes
Milk, cream or sour cream
Butter
Salt

Directions on how to make homemade mashed potatoes

Peel potatoes, you can leave a little of the peel on if you are using red potatoes. 
Cut potatoes in bite size pieces. Place in boiling water and cook until tender. 
Do not overcook or you will have soggy mashed potatoes. 
Just cook until a fork can be pierced through easily. Drain potatoes. 
Place potatoes in a bowl and mash with a potato masher. 
Add butter, salt and milk, cream or sour cream (please don't use leftover potato water yuck!). 
The proportions are what ever you like best. I like mine a little more buttery which makes them taste 
better with a little more butter. Normally I use milk and save the sour cream for special occasions. 
I rarely use cream because I don't notice much added flavor but the added calories are significant.

Note: If you mix your potatoes too much, they will start to get stiff and gluey,be careful to mash them and mix in the other ingredients just until done, no need to keep stirring!

Hamburger Gravy

What you need for 2 cups of gravy:

1/2 lb. hamburger
2 Tablespoons  flour
2 cups beef broth
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions on how to make your Hamburger Gravy
Brown hamburger. Add a little butter if needed (if there isn't at least 2 tablespoons fat left from hamburger). Add flour and stir until hamburger is coated. 
Add beef broth and stir until flour is all mixed in and broth starts to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over potatoes and add grated cheddar cheese on top.

show me how party

Look What I Found

1. Peace

love this picture it is so peaceful was taken by a friend who went camping at land between the lakes

2. Petals

The petals on this vintage tray may be the closest you come to petals on flowers this year many of my flowers and grass has passed this summer because of the heat

3. Fresh

When given fresh strawberries I love to make up some of this freezer strawberry jam so that we have it whenever we want some

4. eight

How many of you remember the fortune telling magic 8 ball. I can tell you I spent many hours predicting my future or at least seeing what the ball had to say. The truth is God had a plan for me.

5. Calm

Cant you just feel the calm in this peaceful picture? I love it the quiet before the awakening

Cool off with this giveaway

You will be the star of your family and neighborhood if you had this in your yard. Oh my and to think you also have a chance to win it. Now I think this would be perfect and to think I may just win it in the giveaway I just entered at the blog Penny Penching Polly Even if you do not win you have the chance to win 1 of 2 $50 gift cards that to me would be very nice as well. Simply enter the giveaway in the next hour  (sorry just found out about it myself)

Southern Pimento Cheese Spread

8-ounce package cream cheese
 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cup pimentos

pinch of salt and pepper

1. Cream together cheeses.
2. Stir in pimentos and salt and pepper.

Veggie Chili

Veggie Chili

28 oz can diced tomato
1-can Black Beans rinsed and drained
1-can Kidney beans rinsed and drained
1-4oz can mild diced chiles
2 sweet potatoes
1 clove garlic
1 med. onion
1 red bell pepper
2 chopped carrots
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano

saute veggies in olive oil for about 15 min. then add chiles and spices and let cook for another 5 min. add beans and tomatoes and a little water and bring to a boil then let simmer for about 20 min or so.

Make Ahead Lunch Wraps

I've been into making things in advance and freezing them and these are really good to heat up for lunch at work.


Prep Time:30
MinCook Time:35
MinReady In:1 Hr 5 Min

16 wraps
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked brown rice
4 cups water
4 (15 ounce) cans black beans (or one bag cooked black beans)
2 (15.5 ounce) cans pinto beans
1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 packet taco seasoning
cumin to taste
onion powder to taste
minced garlic to taste
16 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 pound shredded pepperjack cheese

Directions

1.Combine rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, and cool.
2.Place black beans and pinto beans into a colander or strainer, and rinse. Add corn and diced tomatoes with green chilies, and toss to mix. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix in rice and cheese. Add taco seasoning, cumin, onion powder and garlic
3.Divide the mixture evenly among the tortillas, and roll up. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, place into a large freezer bag, and freeze. Reheat as needed in the microwave for lunch.

These are good with sour cream or dipped in lite ranch.

Menu Plan for week of July 16-22

This week I am not so sure of all though I know it will be quite hot that much I do know. With at least one 12 hour shift ahead of me I want to make this week a fun filled day

Busy night and able to be made ahead of time is perfect for this individual seven layer dip

This is a recipe I am sure the family will love believe it or not inside this bread are meatballs and cheese I found the recipe here

This is another easy to cook recipe that cooks well in the crockpot if I have to work late and great served along side sandwiches of some sort Crockpot Bacon Cheese Potatoes is also a delicious recipe that is tops in hits on my blog

Been a while since we had Meatless loaf but I think this is the week we have it. It is a family hit This recipe can be found here on my blog simply do a quick search

This here is a recipe I been waiting to try and believe I will this week on one of my day offs because while it is called the lazy casserole it has plenty of chopping to be done

The Peace

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Outdoor Wednesday

Win An Easier Way To Feed Baby

Love this new product from The First Years. This deluxe reclining feeding seat would make it so much easier to feed baby. As we all know feeding can be so messy and because little ones do not have a flip top getting to the babies mouth may be a tough situation as well. That is why I love this little seat. Want a chance to win it? Head over to the blog A Piece of Me and enter the giveaway but be sure to do it before it ends July 27, 2012

Tour De France

Thought I would share this with all of you. I have a dear friend that grew up in small town Illinois but now lives away from here and travels the world. She shared this picture with me and since it is the closest I will ever come to an event like this I thought I would share it with you all.

Ice Age 4 giveaway

Now that we have little ones in our family old enough to go to school we of course want to give them the neatest items we can find for them. Well they loved the Ice Age Movies and now Ice Age 4 is here and along with the movie came awesome items. The blog Trying To Stay Calm is hosting a giveaway where the prize of $25 Visa gift card to see the film. PLUS an Ice Age Backpack, lunch box, beach towel & tote will go to the lucky winner. Giveaway ends 7/15/12

Happy Day Flashback

nearly 5 years ago our family gained a new family member. The great thing is that he and my daughter now share their lives and have gifted our family with 2 great children. Praise God!! For wonderous adventures such as these

linking up here

Zutano Giveaway win a $75 gift card

Last week I shared a review of  Zutano Company clothing line with you. You can read that review here Following that review Zutano decided to reward one of Annies Home readers with a $75 gift card to Zutano. So let me remind you of some of the super looks available at Zutano

this adorable bunny jumper would be something that all little girls will love to wear. Moms will love it because it keeps their little ones looking so adorable.

This cute little lion outfit is adorable as well. Love the colors and all the fun.

To enter to win a $75 gift card to zutano simply enter the giveaway below

Mandatory Entry: Visit Zutano and tell me what item you would love to have! Please remember to leave your e-mail address if it’s not visible in your profile.

Want or need extra entries? Check out how to grab em’ below! (Mandatory Entry must be complete for these to count)

1. Become a public follower of my blog (current follower count too)
2. visit the original review post and leave a comment
3. follow me on twitter @shopannies
4. Follow Zutano on Twitter
5. tweet about this giveaway including @shopannies and @zutano (do this daily for 2 extra entries a day)
6. follow me on facebook
 7.  Like” Zutano on Facebook
8. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and to Zutano be sure to leave me a link (5 extra)

Giveaway ends July 27, 2012 @ midnight CST. Winner will be chosen at random, using random.org and contacted by e-mail and has 48 hrs to respond before a new winner is chosen.

This review is based strictly my opinion. Others may have a different opinion with the product listed above. I did receive the outfit mentioned above complementary for this review. No monetary compensation was received.

Garden Recipe : Stuffed Zucchini

2 medium zucchinis
1 c. mushrooms, finely chopped
1 c. grated Cheddar cheese
3 slices wheat bread, torn into pieces
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1/4 t. chicken bouillon granules (I would probably use a 1/2 t. next time)
1/3 c. chicken broth
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 lb. ground turkey, browned and drained
2 tomatoes, diced (optional)

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pulp, leaving 1/4 inch shell. Discard seeds. Chop pulp in medium bowl and combine remaining ingredients. Fill each zucchini shell with 1/4 of the mixture. Wrap stuffed zucchini in 2 layers of foil. Place on grill over hot coals and cook for 15 minutes. Or you can bake (uncovered) at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, depending on how big your zucchinis are.

recipe source here

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friday flair
I'm Lovin It

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Oh this looks so yummy come see how they take chicken breast and make into this delicious recipe

Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup butter melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup + 4 tablespoons peanut butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

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Serinity Saturday

Kids In The Kitchen Banana Snack

Spread a banana with peanut butter, slice into bite size pieces, roll in rice krispie cereal (cocoa krispies would be great too!)

Things I've Done Thursday

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

The chicken coating:

3-4 boneless chicken breasts

salt + pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

The sweet and sour sauce:

3/4 cup sugar
4 tbs ketchup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tsp garlic salt

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Rinse your chicken breasts in water and then cut into cubes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the eggs. Heat your 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet and cook your chicken until browned but not cooked through. Place the chicken in a 9x13 greased baking dish. Mix all of your sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a bowl with a whisk and then pour evenly over the chicken. Bake for one hour and during the baking process you will need to turn the chicken every 15 minutes

recipe source here