Easy Pom Pom

These are super cute and pretty easy to make as well. I found the directions to make these easy pom poms here

shared at

Monkey Bread Muffins

I so love this recipe because our family loves Monkey Bread but this recipe offers individual servings. Yummy dish that is perfect for breakfast or dessert your choice.

Refrigerated biscuit dough (I bought two, 5-biscuit cans of Pillsbury Grands and that was way too much dough for 12 muffins.)
Butter
Sugar
Cinnamon
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place about 1/2 teaspoon cold butter into each of 12 muffin tins. Add about a teaspoon of sugar to each tin. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon (maybe 1/8 or 1/16 teaspoon for those of you who like to measure).
Cut your biscuit dough into small bites the size of walnuts. If you are using Grand-sized biscuits, this is 6-8 pieces per biscuit. Add three pieces to each muffin tin. (Resist the urge to add more. They will rise. I made this mistake!)
Add another round of sugar and cinnamon, maybe a bit less than you added the first time through. Top with another half-pat of butter.
Bake in the preheated 375-degree oven for about 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Allow to set for a bit (< 5 minutes) then scoop out and enjoy!

recipe source Pioneer Wife

shared at
Thrifty Thursday
Made u Look
Weekend ReTreat

Cowboy Caviar

Here is a link to save you a bit of money check this out

 save $1 off 3 cans of S&W beans. One of my favorite recipes that includes beans is Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar

 

 

 

 

1 can corn  - drained

1 can black beans - drained

1 can black eyed peas - drained

1/2 green pepper - diced

1/2 red pepper - diced

1 bunch green onions - chopped

1 container grape or cherry tomatoes - cut in halves

 

Mix packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing according to package directions. (I omitted this)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and pour dressing over top.  Can be served immediately, but marinating overnight is recommended.

Recipe from: Shabby Nest

 

 shared at
think tank thursday

 

Veggie Turkey Stew

                           

 

3 cups fresh baby carrots  

6 cups cubed (1 inch) peeled russet potatoes

6     stalks celery, cut into 1 inch pieces (1 1/2 cups)    

1 cup sliced onion

2 lb. boneless skinless turkey thighs (2 thighs), cut into 1 inch pieces

2 (12 oz) jar roasted turkey gravy    

 

Spray a 4 to 5 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Layer all veggies in slow cooker at the bottom Top with turkey. Pour gravy over turkey Cover: cook on high setting for 4 hours or on low setting for 8 hours Stir Just before

recipe source here

shared at
Sweet haute

Strawberry Ice Cream Dessert

January is Strawberry Ice Cream month. Many of you may ask why in the middle of weather and all I can say is I am not really sure maybe I will do a bit of research to find out why. If you know why please share with me. Well I am not ready for a delicious strawberry ice cream like I would be in the midst of July but I must say that this dessert recipe did spark my attention.

Strawberry Ice Cream Dessert
1 package Golden Oreos
4 T softened butter
1 cup strawberry preserves
2 quarts strawberry ice cream
8 oz Cool Whip
Pulse the Oreos with the softened butter in the food processor until combined and crumbly. Press the crumbs in a 9 x 13 glass pan to create the crust. 

Next, slather on the strawberry preserves.

Let the ice cream sit out on the counter while you work on the rest of the dessert so it can soften a little. Then scoop, spread to the edges, and lick the spatula

Top with the Cool Whip. And just like before…scoop, spread to the edges, lick the spatula.

Freeze until ready to enjoy. (Stick the pan in the freezer for awhile before you put the lid on. That way you don’t lose half of the Cool Whip on the lid. That would be very disappointing!) Run the knife under hot water to make it easy to slice

shared at
Sweet Wednesday
centerpiece Wednesday

Update on Cat

Cat went back to the vet today, wow he still is not feeling well and we found out it was a bit more than just constipation. The constipation was just something that came about because of it. The poor cat has a natural parasite to cats. After a round of shots he should be feeling better. Hoping for the best

Rootbeer BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

I love pulled pork and oh my each time we make it here it disappears quite quickly. I can not imagine a super bowl party without sliders like these oh so yummy


Root Beer BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

• 3-4 lbs pork butt/shoulder. 
• 2 TBSP Montreal Steak Seasoning 
• 1 bottle (12 ounces) your favorite root beer.  Again, DO NOT USE DIET!!!  Seriously, seriously scary stuff happens when you heat all those crazy chemical sweeteners
• 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce.  My favorite is Bullseye Original.  I just saw a big taste test thing for BBQ sauces and Bullseye Original took first place ;)  Yup, I know how to pick a winner, lol!
• Hawaiian Sweet Rolls for serving

Sprinkle Montreal Steak Seasoning over you pork roast.  Place in cold crock pot.  Add bottled root beer to crock pot, pouring around the roast to not disturb the seasoning.  Cook on low for 8 hours, or until it shreds easily.  Remove meat from crock pot and shred into desired sized pieces.  Drain and reserve liquid.  Add meat back into crock pot and add just enough reserved liquid to re-moisten meat, about 1/4 cup.  Add enough BBQ sauce to give meat a nice coating.  Let sit in crock pot on low until warm.  Serve on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls.

Winter White Veggies

We have all heard the phrase "eat the rainbow" meaning that the more colors we have in our diet from fruits and veggies the more nutritional we are eating. Sometimes in the midst of winter this may get a bit hard to do. The good thing is that pale foods such as cauliflower and celery root have a lot to offer as well. The white fruit offers those that eat it heart health, boost bone strength and the best thing is that they peak season in cooler months should be easier to find.

Garlic has long been known to help prevent the buildup of plaque on artery walls, and thus reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. It also has been known to have some power in blocking tumor growth.

Cauliflower packs 68 percent of dietary allowance of vitamin c in one cup of serving. Cauliflower is an antioxidant that may reduce your risk for heart disease. Cauliflower florets also contain the nutrient choline. Choline has been found to help the brain slow age related memory loss.

Parsnips, not white carrots as a grocery store clerk once thought they were, were my grandmothers favorite veggie I believe. One cup of cooked parsnips allows the eater 30% of daily vitamin c needs as well as giving 20 % of manganese that is needed in the body. Manganese is a mineral that many researches believe act as a natural antidote to PMS. Parsnips also offer fiber and helps you feel fuller longer.
resource here

shared here
Work It Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday

Cooking For Wildlife : Birds

Homemade Bark Batter

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups cornmeal
Combine all ingredients until well-mixed. I used my hands. Feel free to add some sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits, anything your birds might like!
There are many ways to serve this treat! We have a board attached to a pole, but you can also smear it right onto the tops of your bird feeders, or even onto the branches of a tree or bush. Or, add chunks of it to a tray feeder. The options are endless


shared at  Home and Garden Thursday

Coal Keeps the Lights On

An Outstanding Man, An Excellent Teacher, An Awesome Person

Heres a throw back a teacher to remember for sure. When I got to highschool this great man was ready to retire and did a few years later. Bill Trees was always one of our favorites at Harrisburg High School. He was a great teacher and a tremendous coach - we thoroughly enjoyed his biology class because he made it fun to learn in his classroom. Mr. Trees believed in science but also believed in the one true God. When he taught creationism he also share what the bible says as well. Bill was a man who always remembered you an outstanding community member and one that no one will ever forget.

Did you have teachers like him? Please tell me about your favorite teacher in school

Constipated Cat

All though I do not share a lot on my blog about my pets our family does have 2. We have a cat and a dog and love both of them very much. . You see this cat is treated like a prince and the dog is treated like a princess. Both loved very much and both very much part of the family. Recently our cat started acting quite funky. So to the vet we went Not knowing for sure what was wrong with him we were a bit worried. Finding out that she was simply constipated I had never heard of a cat being constipated but you know what many times we really do not know and just like kids we must take them to the doctor. We were given some medicine for her and in hopes that it will work

Here are few things that I found out online that can help a constipated animal as well


To start with
Ensure that your cat is eating a well-rounded diet suited to cats. If in doubt as to what to feed your cat with properly, ask the vet for a dietary plan

If you have a long haired cat, trim the hair around your cats backside, to keep the hair from getting tangled. This will keep the area clean and help prevent constipation from tangled hair getting inside the anus.

Keep a litter box, and maintain it. A clean litter box will encourage your cat to use it regularly, as sometimes cats refuse to use a dirty litter box, which can cause constipation.

Treatment could include
feeding cat tuna packed in oil

anti constipation medication which we got at the vets and will be using

make sure cat has plenty of water possibly also serving cat food in can as well as dry

you may also try adding a bit of bran to their diet

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Pan Fried Pork Chops with Glazed Apples

Oh it is so beautiful outside here, stark difference from last weekend. It is 50 degrees here in  beautiful southern Illinois. Makes this river lover girl want to go on a journey. The only problem is not feeling real well I think this weather has made many of suffer from colds etc... So today I am making my family a feast of delicious pork chops and glazed apples. This recipe will have to be doubled to feed my family as it is one that is meant to only feed 2-4 individuals. I have made dishes like this many times in the oven but today is the first to make it on top of the stove. Hope you enjoy your day and grab a taste that you love as well.

Pan-Fried Pork Chops with Glazed Apples

 2 Tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp salt
 1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
4 thin cut pork chops
 pepper
 1 Tbsp bacon grease
 2 small to medium red apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
 1/3 cup apricot jam, preferably fruit sweetened
 1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon


Combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, and rosemary in a small bowl and stir together. Coat the pork chops on both sides with the mixture, gently massaging the meat with your fingers to jumpstart the curing process. Let stand for 15 minutes. Rinse the chops and pat dry with paper towels. Season the chops on both sides with pepper to taste.
Melt the 1 tablespoon bacon grease in a large heavy skillet over high heat, add the pork chops, and cook until crispy brown, about 2 minutes on each side.  Transfer the pork chops to a plate and cover with foil. Add the apples to the skillet and cook, stirring gently to brown slightly, about 30 seconds, adding a bit more bacon grease if the pan is dry. Add the stock, jam, apple juice, and cinnamon and stir well. Cook until the sauce thickens and is rick brown in color, about 10 minutes. Add the pork chops back into the pan and cook for a few more minutes.

shared at The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday

Baking Tip : Make heart shaped cupcakes

Want valentine heart cupcakes? Here is the simple trick place a marble in the tin to make the heart shape.

shared at Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Home Stories A to Z
The Scoop

Alpha Block GIveaway

My grand-daughter has loved to read ever since she could hold a book it seems My grandson was always to active to sit down with a book but loves to look at the pictures and now nearing his 3rd birthday is starting to enjoy reading books as well. I love this Alpha Block book with its bright colors and theme that the kids I am sure will love. The other great thing is that you and I have a chance to win this awesome book

Prize being offered in giveaway Book Alpha Block
Blog Hosting Giveaway Mom and More
Giveaway Direct link http://momandmore.com/2014/01/alphablock-book.html#comment-557093
Giveaway ends 1/17/2014

Your Chance TO win A Lalaloopsy doll

My niece and grand-daughter and many others that I know simply love the little lalaloopsy dolls They are very cute and I would love to win one of these cute little dolls. The blog Mom and More is giving their readers the chance to win one of these special little dolls. Hurry though as the giveaway ends in just a few hours.

Giveaway prize: A Lalaloopsy doll
Blog Hosting : Mom and More
Giveaway ends: 1/13/14

Happy First Birthday

Wishing a happy happy 1 year birthday to one of my best friends little girls. Oh how special this little gal is love her very much

shared at share your stuff Tuesday

Happy HomeMaker Monday

As I look outside my window:::
The day looks a bit gray in color, not sure what the weather will bring today what I am sure that it is clear and 50 degrees currently Beautiful weather is here for now. 

Right now I am::: 
Watching a bit of CSI and enjoying my day off from work. I am drinking a cup of coffee with French vanilla creamer. Having a conversation with my hubby and enjoying blogging. Yes you can say I am a bit busy but not really. Still have to start housework.

Thinking and pondering:::
 Starting a list of chores that must be done today, thinking about my daughter coming to town with my grandson tomorrow.

On my bedside table:::
 My budget notebook, yes we are still ahead thus far, also my laptop

On my tv tonight:::
CSI is on currently tonight wil be WWE wrestling

Listening to:::
 The TV 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - cinnamon porkchops, fried taters, coleslaw
Tuesday -  taco soup
Wednesday - meatloaf and potatoes
Thursday - chicken cordon blue
Friday -  soup and sandwiches
Saturday - fend for your self night
Sunday - eat out

On my to do list:::

complete laundry
clean bathroom
rearrange kitchen
work on living room
get stuff together for daughter to take home

Plans for this week:::

visti from daughter and grandson
work a few days for sure work schedule not out yet

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
 working on getting things together for valentine crafts
  
My simple pleasure:::
 French vanilla creamer in a cup of coffee with enough time to sit and drink it

Lesson learned the past week:::
 Learned that if I do what I need to do all though others may not be it will all work out. Seems like an old lesson my parents taught me silly how these things come back around

Looking around the house:::
 Lots to be done here between work and being sick there is always lots to be done

From the camera:::

Happy Homemaker Monday 1/13 joined in the group here

 

Prayer List:::
Those that are suffering from the flu and other illness, my daughter as she embarks on a several hour trip to see her parents tomorrow 

 Bible verse, Devotional:::
Often we ask, "What does God expect from me?" Here Moses gives a summary that is simple in form and easy to remember. Here are the essentials: (1) Fear God; (2) Live in a way that pleases him; (3) Love him; (4) Serve him with all your heart and soul; and (5) Obey his commands. Too often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on his real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, serve, and obey.

shared at orgjunkie

All About The Radio

Do you remember the days of sitting around listening to the radio. Days even before the first Atari ever reached our house, the days before cable graced our tvs the radio was here I can remember my sister carrying her boombox where ever she went now all that is needed is a piece that fits in your pocket but if it were not for the radio where would any of this been?

January 13, 1910 changed the world for many I believe. It was the day that the first radio broadcast took plac in New York city and went out to those who had radio receivers In 1915 this was later used to broadcast opera . We have definetly came a long ways in the radio field. Now days its nothing to have remote broadcast play on the radio. In our area in the spring many auctions for charity are also aired on the radio. Without that early discovery where would the world of radio be? Thanks to the man who created the radio

Here's a bit of music to celebrate just that the radio


shared at sweet sharing Monday
knick of time tuesday

Beyond Easy Pulled Pork

Looking for a easy recipe? Well check out this delicious recipe it is one that cooks easily in the crockpot. Let me tell you it is oh so good.

 

 

Beyond Easy Pulled Pork

 

 

 

4-5 lb pork butt roast

2 yellow onions, sliced

 

Dry Rub

3 tbsps chili powder

1 tsp coriander

2 tsps cumin

2 tsps onion powder

1 tablespoon dried parsley

¼ teaspoon chipotle powder

2 tsps sea salt

 

 

Mix all dry rub ingredients together.  Rub the entire roast with the dry rub (you should use it all.)  Place a layer of onions on the bottom of your slow cooker.  Place the roast on top.  Put the rest of the sliced onions on top of the slow cooker.  NO LIQUID NECESSARY!  Cook the roast on high for 5-6 hours and then turn down to low for another 3-4 hours or until the roast is literally falling apart and easy to shred.

Enjoy!

 

recipe source here

shared here Making Monday
Made By You Monday
Recipe Sharing Monday
 

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Hamburger Stew

 One popular dish in our house in the fall and winter is lots of soups and stews. My mother always used beef cubes it was not until I met my husbands aunt that I learned to love hamburger in my soup. She never made it the same way sometimes adding more and sometimes jus the basic. The best thing about this hamburger stew is that you can add to it if you wish or simply stay with just what is needed in it either way a delicious meal is to be had.

Hamburger Stew

1 1/2 lb. hamburger, browned, drained (add water to cover meat)
1 med. onion
6 carrots, peeled and sliced
6 med. potatoes, peeled and cut up
1 clove chopped garlic or 1 tsp.
garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp. Gravy Master or Kitchen Bouquet
1 tbsp. instant beef bouillon

Put all ingredients in pot. Add more water to cover vegetables, if needed. Cover and simmer lightly 30-45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. May be thickened to your liking


first saw the link to this great recipe on the blog Nashville Cheapster

shared at Craft - O - Maniac Monday
Marvelous Monday
Homestead Barn Hop
Bouquet of Talent

Enter to win Childs VIdeo

My grandkids often entertain their selves when not playing watching videos. My grandson has asthma and when he has problems it is his videos that help him to have a bit of fun. I entered a giveaway on the blog Heck Of a Bunch for the chance to win a video that looked like it would be super fun. Here are the details

Item Being Given away: childs  dvd Tickety Tock
Blog Hosting Giveaway Heck Of A Bunch direct link to the giveaway here
Giveaway ends January 22, 2014

Homemade Playdough

Kool-Aid Playdough

 

1/2 cup salt
2 cups water
Saucepan
Food coloring, tempera powder, or Kool-Aid powder for color
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups sifted flour
2 tablespoons alum


Combine salt and water in saucepan and boil until salt dissolves.  Remove from heat and tint with food coloring, tempera powder, or Kool-Aid. Add oil, flour, and alum. Knead until smooth. This dough will last 2 months or longer



Salt Playdough

 1 cup salt
 1 cup water
1/2 cup flour plus additional flour
Saucepan

Mix salt, water, and flour in saucepan and cook over medium heat. Remove from heat when mixture is thick and rubbery. As the mixture cools, knead in enough flour to make the dough workable

recipe source here

shared at

Inspiration Monday

U.S. Womens Suffarage Movement

U.S. 1915 U.S.A. Women’s Suffrage Bill Jan. 12th, 1915 : The House of Representatives voted Down the Women’s Suffrage Bill, which would allow women the right to vote. The actual vote count was 204 against and 174 for this bill. Women’s Suffrage leaders such as Ann Howard Shaw and Carrie Chapman Catt stated they would continue to find for the right to cast a ballot. The right to vote was granted to women in 1920. 

 

 

It took several battles for women to earn the right to vote. That's right earn as it was in no way offered to women for free. There were many against women being allowed to vote. While if it were not for women those that had the right to vote would not have been born.

 

 

I so love this bit of humor one of the women fighting for the right to vote shared in cartoon feature.