Mother's Day

It's been a while since I had a mother of my own. You see mine passed away the year I was graduating college.  My dad had passed away a couple months before my high school graduation, and since his passing she just didn't "do" well.  It's hard to explain, but she was merely a ghost of herself since the love of her life was gone.

She was a fantastic mom.  Showing me love through the things she did, and didn't, do.  In fact, the whole reason I have this little white house, with it's black shutters, on 2.5 acres of land, is because my mom showed me how to live in a little white house on 3+ acres of land.  She showed me every day how to take care of my house, family and farm so that everyone who entered and exited was different.

She is the epitome of the following quote:

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier."  Mother Teresa

I know she blessed everyone around her... and she blessed me.

****************

Milo and Dixie gave me a card for Mother's Day.  It has a dachshund on the front!!! They went together with Reed to buy me my favorite M&Ms... this was after they spent 8 hours yesterday working outside with me, which was to be my Mother's Day gift!!  *I've trained all 3 of them right!!!*   (I would show you the one Reed bought, but he forgot to sign it. :D)

Everybody's Workin for the Weekend (I'm Just Working for Beer and Cheetos)

Boy, its been all kinds of crazyy around my house lately. Firstly, I've been working more, which totally stinks. Regrettably I have this crazy desire for a house with air conditioning (hello Summer and 90 degree temps), food beyond the college days of Ramen Noodles and bologna, and new shoes (gotta have new shoes... a girl could lose her mind without new shoes!). So working does help for those 'gotta have' items!

Secondly, last weekend was the party of all parties... Ok, so it was a nice understated affair with food that would make you BSC (bat s*** crazy for those without Urban Dictionary bookmarked), which didn't get police raided, nor did the crazy neighbor come over and start shooting folks. I was sorta disappointed! Its not a party unless the poh-leeece come by! We ate and ate until we could eats no more... then piled up in the backyard for a Pennington Drive-In showing of MegaMind (I know right... No Jackass 3D cause I had little kiddies around.)

Thirdly (and most grossly) last week was also the week from the pits of Hades as Momma caught herself a good case of Poison Ivy... yup. I will spare you the deets, but just saying, from now on Momma is NOT doing yard work and is going to sit on the deck and direct the help to do it. (In other words, she is also working to pay for yard service from now on!)

And, this week being the end of school has been crazy with Field Days, Graduations, Awards Days, and all those other things that you say "Yes" to helping out with back 10 months ago, and now they are calling your bluff.

The Dachshunds? Well, they've been plotting to take over the world... They figure if the terrier-ists can be trying, then they should have a shot, too... Cause no Terrier could plot better than a Dachshund. *Honestly, I believe they have been getting their requisite 21 hours of sleep a day and eating like they've never seen food before... Its not been a good week for them as Momma has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off... No quiet days of relaxing, using Momma as a pillow... No running from the flashy beast trying to capture their dachshund souls on film, uh digital image :D... no long walks as its been 90+ and Milo doesn't do heat well, black dog + hot sun = hot mess.**

I have pictures, but no time to post anything but just one for the recipe I am going to share with you... Honestly, these are a mess to make, but OMG, if you make them just one time, it will make you a legend!

Shelle's Ridiculously Good Homemade Onion Rings
3 large Vidalia onions *I ONLY use Vidalia, you will regret not using Vidalia... just sayin'
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups beer
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Vegetable oil


Peel onions; cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Place rings in a large bowl of ice water in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; stir very well. Add beer and egg, stirring until blended. Place in the refrigerator and chill batter at least 15 minutes.

Dip onion rings into batter, coating very well.

I use my deep fryer for cooking my onion rings (I live in the south, did you expect anything different!!) But if you do not have a deep fryer (shame on you) you could pour oil in a Dutch oven to a depth of 2-3 inches. I cook my onion rings at 375°, so check your oil's temperature to make sure its not too hot.

Fry onion rings, a few at a time, 3 to 5 minutes or until golden on both sides. Drain well on paper towels... sprinkle lightly with salt if desired, after all that oil you are going to heart attack hell from all that oil anyway!

Serve immediately.

Ahhhhh!!!

I am getting ready for my next 'event' (seriously I am a girl who LOVES to entertain!) on May 29th.

We used to have an annual Memorial Day "Drive-in" until a couple years ago. We would start about 9 or so, right when the sun was setting, have lots of movie food -popcorn, hot dogs, nachos-, and watch a family friendly movie under the stars and the smoke from tiki torches! So this will be the first one I have had for the neighbors and friends in a while.

Right now the menu is up in the air, as I am girl on a budget -read cheap- and Reed hasn't told me who is coming yet, besides the normal family/friends. Also, I am in remodel mode which makes my budget even tighter for entertainment.

Current projects:
--I have stripped the wallpaper in Reed's bathroom and haven't put up the new (cannot find the blades I bought Friday for my x-acto knife and refuse to purchase more!! -_-). I have new artwork for that room which is still awaiting the painting of their frames.
--Have a new duvet planned for my bedroom.. haven't purchased a thing, but feel I must do it prior to the party as this is the only room that would be half finished.
--I have a chest of drawers in my extra bedroom which needs refinishing.. have the stuff, just haven't started it.
--For the outside, I must to clean and strip my deck -le sigh-, seriously clean and redo the insides of my gas grill or throw away and purchase new, have planned a really cool drop cloth painted and sealed rug to break up the space (none of the materials have been purchased) and de-weed-i-fy my back planting beds. Oh, yeah, and I have planned out some really cool seating, which I need to build.... you know... in two weeks!

Its gonna get rather bumpy... just sit back and ride it out with me!

Italian Wedding Soup for Lovey

It was my friend's birthday this past weekend (his girlfriend calls him Lovey, so it is impossible for me to think of him as anything other than Lovey now) which allowed us to have a party filled with great italian fare, like mozzarella basil and tomato appetizers, this sundried dip for bagel chips that was to die for, some home made Cannolis that made me breathless,vegetarian (yay, Mackenzie for thinking of moi) and meat filled lasagnas, home made strawberry cake for Lovey to enjoy and other great things that I feel remiss about not mentioning... Lets just say, between the food and the great Merlot they had for us, I as quite the happiest of girls (and it wasn't even MY birthday!)

My offering for the evening was my homemade Italian Wedding soup. The concept of the meatballs is taken from Ina Garten's recipe... I modify everything to fit me... So, here is my recipe... It seems like a lot of work, but honestly after you chop the mirepoix, my child remembered whilst I was chopping away, yay!, which is called soffritto in Italian, you are free to sit back and wait for the aroma to fill the house.

Italian Wedding Soup
~For the meatballs:
* 1 pound ground turkey
* 1 pound Italian Chicken Sausage, crumbled (Whole Foods offers it without casings)
* 2/3 cup dried Italian Bread crumbs
* 2 teaspoons minced garlic
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
* 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
* 3 tablespoons milk
* 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten

~For the soup:
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 1 cup finely chopped onion
* 1 cup diced carrots
* 1 cup diced celery
* 12 cups homemade chicken stock
* 1 cup Barilla Pastina
* 3 tbsp dried dill
* 12 ounces baby spinach

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, milk, and egg in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don't have to be perfectly round.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the dill and meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.

Super Bowl Burgers

I have been calling them my Ben Worthless-burgers ever since being asked to provide burgers for our annual Super Bowl Party, but honestly they are as far away from worthless as they can get! I tried several different add-ins, but this received the highest marks from the US judge, so I hope you can enjoy it as well.

I am off to the party! Happy Super Bowl to the Cheese-Heads and those Terrible Towel wavers.

Super Bowl Burgers ala Shelle

(makes 8 burgers)

* 1 1/2 pound 80/20 ground beef
* 1/2 pound mild ground italian sausage
* 4 hot dogs, angus beef, diced
* 3 tablespoons chili powder
* Hamburger seasoning (recipe to follow)
* 3 teaspoons Worcestershire
* 3 tbsp hot sauce
* 4 tablespoons ketchup
* 12 oz Bleu Cheese, crumbled
* 8 slices bacon, fried crisp
* 8 Hamburger rolls
* Lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc for dressing the burger

Mix the first 8 ingredients gently, by hand, to insure incorporation of all the ingredients. Divide into 16 patties.

Form 4 cheese patties from the crumbled bleu cheese, which are smaller in diameter than the hamburger patties. Place one bleu cheese pattie between 2 hamburger patties and pinch the edges to seal the cheese completely.

Place the stuffed patties on the grill and cook to desired temperature, about 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium. (Alternately, cook the patties in a large skillet over medium-high heat.)

Dress the burgers with your favorite toppings and cheer on your favorite team!!

Hamburger Seasoning Mix
* 2 teaspoons paprika
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
* 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Mix in a small bowl.

My Holiday House: Valentine's Day (Part II)

Here are a few more things from around my house for Valentine's Day!

This is my piano-scape. It is pretty simple, but I really enjoy it. The wreath is simply some felt roses on foam-board tied up with a tulle ribbon. It was time consuming making the felt roses, but it is just gorgeous.

Some candles, a bit of "Love" artwork and a pretty bird house (I don't know why I have this bird theme going this year) completes the look for the piano!



I forgot to make a post about my wonderful Goodwill find in my mirror. I had been looking for something to put above that gargantuan tv and was not successful. The problem is having busy art takes away from the pleasure of tv viewing, and I could find nothing I like short of just plain color panels.

Then I happened upon this beauty. She is the same width as my LCD tv and just needed some love. A bit of wood filler, some sanding, spray painting and new hardware and I took this $6.50 thrift store find into something GORGEOUS!

The decor for the mirror are simple "L-O-V-E" letters printed on cardstock and tied up with pretty ribbon and two 't-shirt' pom-poms. I adore the look!!


My TV, being the star of that room, always gets a wee bit of decor, but nothing to take away from tv watching. I made conversation heart topiaries for either side of the tv, and planted them in little clay pots painted red. In front of each I have little chalkboards with "Love You" and "Be Mine" painted on them by my son.

The topiaries are adorable, but you will be surprised how many of those hearts and how much hot glue it will take to create them!

I made hearts from two pink pipe cleaners twisted together to give it some heft. The add just enough pink without making me crazy!!

The little signs are cute, too, aren't they? I added some pearl seeds to the hearts he painted to make them pop just a bit more.

Oh, in the corner you can see another great Goodwill find! I got these two large wooded candlesticks for $2.50 for the pair. I ADORE them. They were already painted white, so I just antiqued them with some sanding and a light coat of acryllic paint in some of the more worn areas. :)


This is a close up of the greenery in the front of the TV. Its the same greenery I used for winter, just adding in some heart picks I found at the Dollar Tree and a pretty bow of tulle!

I think it is just lovely!

**Sorry about the drawer being open. That is where the digital converter box is... it seems to always be open!**


Finally we have my front door! I LOVE my heart. This is scrapbook paper woven and modge-podged to a foamcore board. Around the outside I have little felt roses and to make it even grander I have the outside completely circled in tulle. It makes a statement... Even the lovely mail-lady rang my bell today to tell me how pretty it was! :D

**Now that I look at the picture I see a couple areas that are not as full with tulle. Sigh! I need to shut the door and not think about it, right? Not take it down and fix it.. -sigh-**

Here is a close up of the weave. This was SO time consuming. I watched several movies while cutting and weaving these bits. Oh, I probably will not do it EVER again, but it was a nice addition to this year's pretty decoration. :)

My Holiday House: Valentine's Day (Part I)

Valentine's Day is probably one of my least favorite holidays to decorate the house around. I am just not that big of a fan of pink! But I did my very best trying to decorate a little, to get into the holiday spirit.

I didn't do a lot, but I did have some fun playing with some new crafts. This wreath is made from left over scrapbook paper, cut to fit around the wreath, and then trimmed into 1/2 inch fringe. I made a bow, roses and rose petals from left over felt. :) Nice to clean those items out of my file folders and scrap box!!



The bunny was a on clearance last year at Garden Ridge, the flowers were a gift from a baby shower trivia contest, and I purchase more candles than anyone should! I always have these things burning around the house. I love the aroma as well as the flickering light. :)





This was also a left overs craft. More of the same scrapbook paper used on the wreath above, a limb from my chinese maple tree in the front yard, some felt birds I stitched together while watching an episode of "Lie to Me", a crystal bowl I had lying around unused, and a bit of ribbon which came off of a mother's day gift from Reed (think it was a Bed and Bath pre-pack thingy). I simply crammed it all down into the bowl and voila! instant prettiness!

The print I found online from a craft blog (which I forgot to keep a link of to reference! Sorry!!!) and I simply stuck into a Dollar Store frame!


Now to my tablescape... Garden Ridge chargers, 4 red plates picked up at Goodwill, 4 pretty little heart bowls (99 cents each at Michaels), which totally makes me happy. I love the bright colors, albeit is hard to tell with the lighting on this picture. I really need to invest in a good camera and quite relying on my cell camera!! :)


My centerpiece consists of 3 pretty glass votive holders I found at Goodwill for $1.50 for the whole set, a brass bowl full of red velvety roses and white baby's breath, and my special card from Reed's 4 year old preschool Valentine's Day that says ""Thumb"body Loves you!"

Yeah, its too sweet not to include every year in my decoration!!

The whole center consists of 2 foam board heart shaped cut outs, with gold beading along the side and silk paper twisted into roses. It adds a splash of color underneath, and was too simple to make!!

I will have more pictures uploaded soon!

Shutterfly Christmas Card Give Away

I hate sending out Christmas Cards. I never think of a good design for a family card to print up so I get some generic Hallmark box and begrudgingly send them out thinking "next year will be my year to shine with a creative cutsey Christmas card!!!" only to do the same thing again the following year. Actually it more like I get a really adorable card from a friend, think "OMG I could so do that", put it into my address book for a jumping off point for next year, then forget its there until time to start addressing my store bought cards and think "great!" This year was panning out to be the same thing until I found out that Shutterfly was giving bloggers 50 FREE holiday cards, I went into happiness overload!! :) Now the only hard part is figuring out which of the bazillion designs I am going to use. The two pictures I have shown are my favorites thus far, but I am only a few minutes into my perusing of their offerings!!

HERE'S HOW: Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly…sign up here...

Check out some Christmas designs here

Check out some Holiday designs here

Still Sleeping Off the Turkey

We are still sleeping off the Thanksgiving turkey and the midnight run to Old Navy.

Hope that your Friday is amazing!!

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie

I have to admit I have never made a Pumpkin Pie before. I have never made pumpkin fudge, cheesecake, bars, etc, either. I am not a pumpkin enthusiast. But, I have a small human who has some how been born with the pumpkin gene. So for him, I tried to make my very first pumpkin pie.

I always like to do a dry run of new recipes prior to a big celebration. And, since this was my very first can of pumpkin to open, I went the chicken way out and tried the recipe on the can. All in all it turned out marvelous. He was pleased, therefore I was pleased as well. Yay, me!!

However I have a trick for my next pumpkin pie given to me by my friend MacKenzie. She suggested I use phyllo for the crust, but with a twist. During the buttering of the phyllo layers sprinkle with a combination of cinnamon and sugar for extra goodness. I shall be trying this next week when I make my Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie!! ;)

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie
* 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
* 1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool for at least two hours before serving. All leftovers should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

Happy Birthday Feast!

Today is Reed's birthday! Yay, him!! So tonight involves a feast of his favorite foods dined en familia. It's a family tradition. The night before we eat out. In our case we ate in; the house filled with people playing games, and eating pizza and wings from Pizza Hut.

The day of the birthday we celebrate with family, serving the birthday boy or girl their favorite dishes.

So in honor of Reed's birthday, here is tonight's menu...

Tonight's Birthday Celebration Menu:
Stracciatella Soup
Tomato and Onion Salad
Shrimp and Spaghetti Aglio Olio (Garlic and Oil)
Crusty Bread served with my homemade bread dipping spice


Stracciatella Soup
* 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 2 large eggs
* 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
* 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
* 2 tablepoons chopped fresh basil leaves
* 1 cup lightly packed spinach leaves, cut in thin strips
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, cheese, parsley, and basil to blend. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir the broth in a circular motion. Gradually drizzle the egg mixture into the moving broth, stirring gently with a fork to form thin strands of egg, about 1 minute. Stir in the spinach, then season the soup, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Tomato and Onion Salad
* 5 medium plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise, gently seeded, and thinly sliced
* 1 small white skinned onion, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
* 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (a couple of handfuls)
* A generous drizzle extra-virgin olive oil, about 2 tablespoons
* Coarse salt and black pepper
* Crusty Bread, as an accompaniment

Toss the tomatoes and onions with the chopped parsley, oil, salt, and pepper. Let stand about 20 minutes.

Shrimp and Spaghetti Aglio Olio (Garlic and Oil):
Shrimp
* 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 lemon, juiced
* 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (a couple of handfuls)
* 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 4 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
* Coarse salt, about 1 teaspoon
* 2 tablespoons (a couple of generous drizzles) extra-virgin olive oil

Aglio Olio:
* 1/4 cup (4 turns around the pan in a light stream) extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 (2-ounce) tin anchovy fillets
* 6 to 8 large cloves garlic, crushed and minced
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 1/4 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley, a couple of handfuls
* Coarse salt
* 1 pound spaghetti, cooked to al dente

Combine shrimp with next 6 ingredients and toss to coat shrimp evenly.

Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium high heat, then add half of the shrimp. Cook shrimp 3 minutes until pink and just firm. Remove shrimp to a warm platter and repeat process with remaining shrimp.

Return pan to heat and reduce heat to medium low. Add 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Add anchovies, garlic, and pepper flakes to oil. Break up anchovies with a wooden spoon until they melt away into the oil and garlic mixture.

Toss spaghetti in the pan with parsley and the garlic oil, then season with a little coarse salt, to your taste. Top servings of garlic and oil spaghetti with shrimp and serve

Bread Dipping Spice:
*1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
*1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
*1 tablespoon minced garlic
*1 teaspoon dried thyme
*1 teaspoon dried oregano
*1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon sea salt
*1/2 teaspoon fine-chopped fresh rosemary
*1/4 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper flakes
*1/2 teaspoon olive oil
*1/8 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice

In the bowl of a small food chopper or small food processor fitted with the metal blade, place all the herbs and spices. Chop or use on/off pulses to chop all the ingredients to a uniform size. Place in a small bowl and add oil and lemon juice. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use. Makes about 4 1/2 tablespoons spice mixture.

Party Time... Halloween Style

I am a wee bit disappointed as my fall picnic menu doesn't get to be used today. My friend has an interview for a new job. As jobs are scarce, I do not mind waiting for a picnic with him if he can find a good job!! Best of luck to you!!

So instead I will spend today preparing for my Halloween party tomorrow night. Ok, so it isn't a true Fall Festival/Halloween party with bobbing for apples, cake walks, and trick or treating, but it is going to be fun nonetheless!!

I am not a planner of activities. I have been told that board games and cards shall be the entertainment prior to a good old scary movie fest. **And I promise myself there will be a showing of "Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" at some point during the evening!!

Halloween Party Menu
Savory
Onion-Bacon Dip
Salty Bones with Marinara Sauce
Cheesy Jack-o'-Lantern
Mummy-Face Pizzas
Spooky Eyeballs Tacos

Sweet
Pumpkin Fudge
Lollipop Cookies
Candy Corn Cookies
Crunchy Peanut and Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Drink
Green Ghoulade

Take Home Gift
Caramel Apples with Coconut & Chocolate Drizzle


Savory recipes**********************
Onion-Bacon Dip
1 large leek
6 bacon slices
1 large sweet onion, minced
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (2-lb.) acorn squash
Assorted multigrain and vegetable chips
Garnish: chopped fresh chives

Remove and discard root ends and dark green top of leek. Cut in half lengthwise, and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove grit and sand; thinly slice leek.
Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon.
Sauté onion and leek in hot drippings 15 minutes or until tender and golden.
Stir together onion mixture, bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, and salt. Cover and chill 1 hour.
Cut about 1/2 to 1 inch from top of squash; remove and discard seeds.
Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Place squash, cut side down, in skillet, and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until cut side is golden brown and caramelized. Serve dip in squash with assorted chips. Garnish, if desired.


Salty Bones with Marinara Sauce
1 tube of refrigerated breadstick dough (we used an 11-ounce tube to make 12 bones)
Coarse salt

Unroll a tube of refrigerated breadstick dough and separate the rectangular pieces.
Working with one piece at a time, stretch the dough to lengthen it a bit and then use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut a 11/2-inch slit in the center of each end.
Roll or shape the resulting four flaps of dough into knobs that look like the ends of a bone.
Place the dough bones on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart, and sprinkle on a little coarse salt. Bake the bones until they are light golden brown, about 12 minutes.
Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Cheesy Jack-o'-Lantern
3 green onions, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped red peppers
2 slices pepperoni

Cut 4-inch length from green end of 1 onion; slice remaining onions. Beat cream cheese and 1-1/4 cups Cheddar with mixer until well blended. Stir in sliced onions and peppers. Refrigerate 1 hour.
Shape into ball; roll in remaining Cheddar. Cut pepperoni into shapes for the jack-o'-lantern's eyes, nose and mouth; press into cheese ball to make face. Insert green onion piece into top for stem.
Serve with RITZ Crackers.

Mummy-Face Pizzas
1 plain bagel (3-1/2 inch), cut horizontally in half
2 Tbsp. pizza sauce
2 sticks KRAFT STRING-UMS String Cheese
4 slices black olives

Heat oven to 400ºF.
Spread bagel halves with sauce. Pull cheese into thin strips; place in random criss-cross fashion on tops of bagels to resemble mummy bandages. Trim ends with kitchen shears. Add olives for the eyes.
Place on baking sheet.
Bake 10 min. or until bagels are crisp and cheese is melted.


Spooky Eyeball Tacos
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
12 TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Shells
3/4 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
3/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1 can (2-1/4 oz.) sliced black olives, drained

Heat oven to 350°F.
Mix meat and seasoning mix; shape into 36 (1-inch) balls. Place in 15x10x1-inch pan.
Bake 15 to 20 min. or until done (160ºF).
Fill each taco shell with 1 meatball; drizzle with salsa. Top with 2 meatballs dipped in sour cream. Garnish with olives to resemble eyeballs.

Sweet recipes**********************
Pumpkin Fudge
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 (12-ounce) package white chocolate morsels
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft-ball stage) or for about 12 minutes.
Remove pan from heat; stir in remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Let stand 2 hours or until completely cool; cut fudge into squares.
Notes: Line pan with aluminum foil before you begin to cook the fudge. Once the candy thermometer reaches 234° and the remaining ingredients are added, quickly spoon the fudge into the pan.


Lollipop Cookies
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Colored sanding sugar or sprinkles (preferably black and orange)
24 wooden ice-pop sticks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until combined. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture; mix just until combined (do not overmix).
If using two colors of sanding sugar, place each in a separate shallow dish (or combine them in one). Roll dough into balls, using 1 1/2 tablespoons for each. Roll in sanding sugar, pressing lightly to coat completely. Insert a wooden stick in center of each ball; place on baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart, with wooden sticks lying horizontally. Lightly press down on each ball with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.
Bake until edges are golden and crisp, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer cookies immediately to a wire rack to cool completely.


Candy Corn Cookies
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
About 36 candy corns

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter and sugar in a medium bowl; beat with a wooden spoon until combined. Beat in egg yolk, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Add flour, and mix until a dough forms.
Scoop out level teaspoons of dough, and roll into balls (chill dough briefly if it becomes too soft to handle). Place balls on baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are firm and cookies are dry to the touch (do not let cookies color), 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove from oven; gently press a candy corn into center of each cookie (surface of cookies may crack slightly). Cool on sheets 1 minute; transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Chocolate Variation: Reduce the amount of flour given in the recipe to 1/2 cup. Add 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder along with the flour in step 1, and proceed.


Crunchy Peanut and Pumpkin Seed Brittle
1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 cups PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts
3/4 cup (4 oz.) pumpkin seeds
2 tsp. butter, softened
1 square BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Cover surface of cutting board with parchment or waxed paper; lightly spray paper with cooking spray. Set aside. Cook water and sugar in large heavy saucepan on high heat 8 to 10 min. or until sugar turns a dark amber color, stirring frequently. Swirl pan and brush down sugar crystals on sides of pan with wet pastry brush just until sugar comes to boil.
Remove saucepan from heat; quickly stir in peanuts, pumpkin seeds and butter. Immediately pour mixture onto prepared parchment; spread evenly with wooden spoon. While hot, cut into 24 pieces. Cool completely.
Drizzle or spread thin layer of chocolate over brittle.


Drink recipe**********************
Green Ghoulade
2 (6-ounce) cans limeade, frozen concentrate, thawed
3 cups lemon-lime soda
3 1/2 cups green sports drink
Green food coloring
Ice
Whipped cream, for topping
Candy sticks or sipping straw, optional

In a pitcher, combine limeade, soda, and sports drink. Add 5 drops of food coloring, or until desired color green, and stir. Add ice and pour ghoulade to each glass. Place whipped cream in a piping bag and pipe it on top of each glass. Garnish with a fun straw or candy stick.


Take Home Gift Recipe**********************
Caramel Apples with Coconut & Chocolate Drizzle
5 apples (1-1/2 lb.), washed, well dried
1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Caramels
2 Tbsp. water
1-1/2 cups BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, toasted
2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Insert wooden pop sticks into stem ends of apples. Microwave caramels and water in deep microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 min. or until caramels are melted, stirring every minute.
Dip apples in caramel, turning to evenly coat; scrape excess from bottoms of apples. Roll apples in coconut; place on greased tray. Refrigerate 15 min.
Microwave chocolate in separate deep microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. to 1 min. 15 sec. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min.; stir until completely melted. Drizzle chocolate over apples; return to tray. Let stand until chocolate is firm. Keep refrigerated.

Its Been A While...

..a very long while.

It has been such a long time I decided to delete all previous posts. Was it the smartest of choices? No. In hindsight I wish I had kept them to see my personal growth, however there is nothing to do now but move forward.

I set up this blog to chronicle the special things that come my way... the events, people, and small choices which shape me. I hope to continue my journal of how my path changes and how I grow from day to day.

I know that the slightly warmer days of Fall are soon going away to bring about the grey, dark days of winter. My heart dreads this transition. Instead of allowing myself to ponder the gloomy days coming, I am planning a Fall Picnic with a new friend. Although I had no idea when I asked him to go along with me, we shall be celebrating his birthday.

Instead of throwing a couple hastily put together sandwiches, I have decided a bit more sophistication in my menu. I wanted to do something special; a memory builder for his birthday. I shall post some pictures tomorrow.

Shelle's Fall Picnic Menu
Mini Caprese Bites
Sister's Mexicorn Dip with pita chips
Turkey and Black Forest Ham Panini with Citrus Aioli
Mom's Apple Cake

Recipes are listed below... Enjoy!!

Mini Caprese Bites
1pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
32 (4-inch) wooden skewers (toothpicks may be used as well)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.
Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste.


Sister’s Mexicorn Dip
1 can Mexicorn
2 green onions finely chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayo
8 oz sour cream
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp lime juice
Drain mexicorn thoroughly. Add green onions, cilantro and grated cheese. Mix mayo, sour cream, cumin, cayenne and lime juice in separate bowl. Add to other ingredients and chill for a few hours. Serve with Pita Chips


Turkey and Ham Panini with Citrus Aioli
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/4 tsp grated lime rind
1/4 tsp grated lemon rind
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
8 (1-ounce) slices bread
1/2 pound deli-sliced turkey
1/2 pound deli-sliced ham (Black Forest is my favorite)
2 cups spring lettuce mix
4 (1/2-ounce) slices provolone cheese
Cooking spray
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Combine first 6 ingredients; spread evenly over 4 bread slices. Top evenly with turkey, ham, lettuce, cheese, and remaining 4 bread slices. Coat grill pan with cooking spray. Arrange 2 sandwiches in pan. Place a cast-iron or heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten. Cook 2 minutes on each side (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook). Repeat procedure with remaining 2 sandwiches.


Mom’s Apple Cake
6 apples, Mom uses McIntosh apples
1 tablespoon cinnamon
5 tablespoons sugar
2 3/4 cups flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a tube pan. Peel, core and chop apples into chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.
Stir together flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, orange juice, sugar and vanilla. Mix wet ingredients into the dry ones, then add eggs, one at a time. Scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Spread half of apples over it. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and arrange the remaining apples on top. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until a tester comes out clean.