BRADY

GO PATS!!!

The Super Bowl

YEAAAAAAAAAA....GOOOOOOOOOOO Patriots!! What can i say...This Boston Area is a little crazy right now waiting for the big one on Sunday!! My digi friend Dawns is requesting some ideas for Appetizers for the game...(i think she is for the other team but i still luv her)..so i thought i would post a few of my favorites here:
Bread Bowl with great Shrimp Dip:
2 - 8oz pkg of cream cheese
10oz of baby shrimp (canned) ...double it or add one shrimp and one crab
2 slices of red onion, diced
3 teaspoons of horseradish
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
Mix all the above , chill...just before serving put into Bread Bowl (i like the dark breads)..cut the scooped bread into bite size pieces and serve along with crackers, vegetable...

Meat Balls: this is always a big hit...so, double the recipe
2 pound of hamburg
salt and pepper
1 egg
4 slices toast, chopped
1 med.onion, chopped
roll into small meatballs and fry,drain.....(i cheat and use frozen Italian meatballs..easy)
Sauce:
1 12oz chili sauce
1/2 cup grape jelly
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice (concentrate)
Mix the above and simmer on stove until jelly is melted
Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 30 minutes....i put it in the crock pot on low and just let it go....

Take a nice big tray/platter and put some small bowls of store bought hummus, babaganoush, olives, tabouli...nice Middle Eastern treats...with pita and sliced vegetables - carrots,celery, peppers,cherry tomatoes

and then there is always your favorite Chili recipe with some corn bread....yummmmmm

Get some paper products of your favorite team (did i say Patriots)...wrap up the utensils in the napkins with ribbon (color) ..get some balloons to attach to your buffet table...throw some colored confetti on the table and there you go........

oh, yea.... GO PATS

Sarah's Layout

Love this digi scrapping...definitely crossed over from the paper stuff...although i have all the paper supplies surrounding me in my "craft room"...i will get to it some day...my Sarah sent me via email some pics and i "whipped-up" this layout...think i'll do another one today....

credits: Paper/ribbon by LizHutchinson_WinterWonderland; template by yin; small snowflake by LivEdesigns; lg snowflakes by FranDesigns; overlay OnTheEdge by KatiePertiet; font-CenturyGothic

Chicken Soup

Do you believe it is snowing again...i didn't know this was coming...pretty but....Need to give you something that will keep you warm and cure whatever is wrong with you...Chicken Soup!! Now when i cook i do not measure so i will give you the approximate amount but you can figure it out..
Chicken Soup
one good size chicken
4 carrots-big slices
2 onions, diced
3 stalks of celery-big slices
2 parsnip (this makes a big difference in flavor, trust me)-big slices
couple cloves of garlic
oregano
salt and pepper
couple dashes of dill (or use fresh)
Put all in a big pot and cover with water....simmer for a few hours (less if you just can't wait)
remove chicken from bones and put back into the pot...now here i put in a big can of good chicken broth (don't have to but it is nice)...taste and if needed add more herbs/spices...
serve over wide egg noodles and/or matzo balls.....Enjoy!!

When anyone would get sick in this house out would come the soup pot...if anything it made me feel better!! I am sending a big bowl over to my digi friend Deb...she has been sooooo sick!!

Broccoli Coleslaw

I have to get my vegetables in....(i would rather eat a loaf of bread)...don't get me wrong..i love vegetables but i have discovered how i do not like preparing them...i know it is simple...but all these years of chopping...but now you can buy them prepared so here goes one of my favorites:
Broccoli Coleslaw
1 bag (16 ounces)broccoli coleslaw
2 packages of Chicken Ramen noodle soup, broken up, seasoning packets reserved
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
Mix together coleslaw, Ramen noodles, sunflower seeds and almonds. Set aside
Mix oil, vinegar, sugar and reserved soup seasoning packets
Pour mixture over coleslaw. Chill at least 30 minutes
I have been known to add "whatever" is in my house to this...change the nuts, add drained chunk pineapple, diced apples, etc........Enjoy

I have been "chatting" over at Jessica's.....now that there is a new chat room....so, have i done any new layouts....no....but it will happen.....!

Nice site...

hi...no recipe today...and this will be quick because the Patriot game starts in a few minutes...not that i am a big football fan but you just can't help it now with the way Boston is playing....and not only in football...we (notice the we) won the world series and our basketball team (the Celtics) and hockey team (the Bruins) are not doing so bad either...so you can imagine "the feel" around here....Since there is not a recipe i will give you this site to check out...given to me by my daughter Sarah....http://chocolateandzucchini.com/....nice!!

Baked Potato Casserole

Right now i could eat this whole thing....eating healthy is good but CHANGE for me is not easy...i know...it is so worth it...ok..but it doesn't hurt to share this with you...great to have when the crowd is coming...it is easy to make and is sooooooooo good!!

Baked Potato Casserole

1 32 oz Frozen Hash Browns (thawed)

1/2 pkg frozen chopped onions (thawed)

1 pint of sour cream

1/2 pound grated cheddar cheese

1/4 pound Parmesan cheese

2 cans cream of potato soup undiluted

Grease a 3 qt casserole dish / blend all ingredients / Bake at 325degrees for 40 minutes..

(i have also done this in a crock pot)



I did another LO today...this one was a challenge from Jessica's mb / originated from challenge at oscraps...kind of pleased with myself...went "outside the box"...new techniques..never had extracted a picture from photo before....

credits: AManning_PainttheMoon_Natures Glow; grundge overlay-K.Pertiet; journal label-DZarling

Digging Out

Well...i need to go outside and "dig out" my car...not that i plan on going anywhere today...it is cold out there...the snow has stopped but it is still all over everything..it looks like a Winter Wonderland out there...mmmm should do a Layout!....did one the other day of the "tagging" (earlier post)...here it is ...we have been having fun learning all these facts about each other over at Jessica's mb...

credits: paper by KarenAiken_WinterDawn; Frame/TopSecret by ScrapGirls; arrow by SugarPlum

Snowing Again

What a winter...we have been spoiled...last few years have been really mild...well, we are making up for it...Schools are closed...my dh stayed home this morning but dug himself out to go into work (doesn't have to but is so dedicated)...We grew up in Vermont where the snow on the side of the roads were always higher than you where...school never closed but they are prepared for it...here are a few pictures around my house....

Beans

Baked Beans....love them and they are good for you...well...this recipe can be modified to make it healthier...usually make these up for a good old summer BBQ but these are great anytime...when i was growing up we would have hot dogs, baked beans, and brown bread every Saturday night....the old fashion type...where you soaked them overnight and than cooked them all day....this one is much easier...:
Ranch Style Baked Beans
2 Tablespoons of butter (can omit)
1 pound of hamburg (can use chopped turkey)
1 envelope of onion soup mix (Lipton)
1/2 cup water
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons of vinegar
2 one pound cans of beans in tomato sauce
1 one pound can of kidney beans
Brown the hamburg in butter and drain....add all the other ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.....Enjoy

I've been Tagged

Tagged by Jeanne...what does that mean...so went over to her blog and here we go:

You've been tagged:The rules of the game:
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven facts about myself….ok, I’ll play….mmmmmm

1. I am addicted “to stocking up”…I don’t care what it is…my new thing is digi supplies…now, I did not grow up in the depression but my parents did and there was always tons of can goods in the basement…”just in case”…and I think it really kicked in with the Blizzard of ’78…30 year anniversary coming up….
2. I can’t spell….thank you for spell-check….but maybe that is the reason for now I become lazy and just click that button….
3. I love to read!! Most anything but I do lean toward mysteries..for I want to solve it before I get to the end…..use to be always right when watching “Perry Mason”…(that gives away my age)
4. I do not like driving … I don’t care how long it takes me ..I will not go on the Highway unless I have to!!!!! I didn’t get my license until I was 21 for my father did not believe in teenage drivers (I understood when my girls turned 16) also…I was from Vermont where when you were at an intersection everyone would stop and say “you go”..”no you go”…here in the Boston area it is “the oldest car has the right of way”
5.My feet need to breath….do not like them covered at night…and if I could get away with it I would be barefoot all the time (but not pregnant)
6. I need to be In Control…this goes back to being General Manager of the Universe…..you girls know what I mean….working full time, mother of two, wife to one, caretaker to animals, seamstress, driver to all, volunteer worker,etc,etc…….trying to give up that role now …..
7. I’m having a hard time with this for I usually am thinking about everyone but me….but don’t feel bad for I have a GREAT life!!

so here are the seven i have tagged......hee,hee

Angela
Chrystal
Dawns
Deb
Tezra
NoelJoy
Lindsan

CHARICE PEMPENGCO LIVE ON ELLEN (from Ellen Website)

Waiting

Now that i am retired i can "wait" with much more patience ...BUT...there comes a point...you know...i had a scheduled (over a week ago this was made) appointment for a service call (won't mention who....after working for the government i learned anything in written form can come back and bite you in the $%) and was informed this would take place between 8am and noon...well,hello...noon came and went and when i called the "account issue" was closed..now, the gentleman was very nice and scheduled it for today at 3pm and was very sorry.....i was good (polite and thanked him) BUT don't you just want to scream...i try not to let these kind of things bother me for there is so much more important issues out there .... but it does affect my ability to "trust" that things will run smoothly...anyway..thanks for listening...and while i am waiting i went on You Tube to listen to some amazing talent..(and also to see some wacky stuff)..and i need to post this (did one earlier in the month) for i just LOVE her!!..she makes me smile and feel happy.......

My Josie

Today was a quiet, laid-back day....did i ever tell you i LOVE retirement!! And speaking of LOVE...i am in love with my granddaughter Josie!! She spent the day with me yesterday (every Monday...am i lucky!!) and she tells me she loves me...melt,melt,melt....what can i say!! Here is a Layout i did today. It was a challenge from the great message board at JessicaSprague. Learning all the time!! Credits: ILoveSticker and FlourisheLoveNo2Brush -KatiePertiet
Frame -CRenee

Turkey Burgers

ok....the first week is tough!! been thru this many times....but boy do i dislike change...you would think after counselling people with addictions for 30 years i would be a "pro"...well, i am ... i can talk it....doing it is a whole other thing....but don't you find that when you start to eat differently all you think about is food...anyway...stop crying and just do it!! so tonight was Turkey Burgers from a recipe i used from food network...not bad......
Turkey Burgers
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 cup chopped red onions
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
2 egg whites
1/4 cup chopped fresh watercress leaves (i used parsley)
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
2 Tablespoons jerk seasoning
Combine until well blended...make 6 equal patties...spray non-stick pan with canola oil cooking spray...cook on each side about 3 minutes...than i put into the oven for awhile...need it well done for me given it is poultry...instead of rolls used the thin high fiber bread....was good..
My DH is not home yet....they are waiting for him....he is willing to give this a go...oh, for a quarter pounder with cheese....but my arteries are thanking me.....

Playing Around

Nice and warm today....(in the 40's)...thought i would play around with the Banner...need to give credit: Paper by DigiCafe; book and pen from Fran Designs; botanical brush by Katie Pertiet.; make a meal brushes by ScrapGirls....will figure out how to link you to these sites and modify this post...also need to figure out how to center it ..continually learning...Well, i started the 2008 Eat Healthy resolution...filled my pantry with all "good stuff"....my stomach is growling but this too shall pass...need to go and make: Broiled salmon; steamed spinach; brown rice; big salad!! and for desert...Skinny Cow (wonderful low fat,low sugar ice cream sandwich)...will continue to put recipes out with butter and cream...hee,hee...

It is sooooooooooo Cold

Now i like it cold...summer is not great for me with the humidity but this is tooooo much...two days now...sitting here with wool socks, sweater over two pullovers, big floppy slippers(can you picture it...LOL)...drinking hot chocolate (there goes one new year resolution)...it is suppose to warm up and be in the 50's next week...crazy New England weather....! Made a big pot of vegetable beef soup this week for my DH...put everything in it...i must say it was good!! My digi friend Liv designed a great "page Popper" and i used it in this LO...she is soooo talented!!

credits: template by LivE Designs (my friend); font-bleeding cowboy

Picture was taken in Vermont last summer. (it was warm then)...love that state..grew up there and could not wait to leave but now we go and vacation there and would love to buy some property...(should have years ago before others discovered this amazing place)...here is another LO i did of my Sarah...she ran the midnight run in Central Park on New Years Eve...

Happy 2008

Happy New Year everyone!! Nice quiet evening last night...think i went to bed around 10pm...getting old....today it is snowing again!! Listening to oldies (R&B) and think i will make a nice dinner of Cornish game hens with an orange/balsamic glace.....here is another nice recipe:

Chili Cranberry Chicken:

1/2 cup Heinz Chili Sauce

1/2 cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

2 Tablespoons orange marmalade

1/8 teaspoon ground all spice

4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 teaspoons veg.oil

Combine first 4 ingredients and set aside. In large skillet, slowly brown chicken on both sides in the oil. Pour reserved chili sauce mixture over chicken. Simmer uncovered 8-10 minutes or until chicken is cooked and sauce is desired consistency. Turn and baste occasionally....mmmm

Here is a LO i did yesterday for one of the challenges over at JesiccaSpragues......