The Ultimate Aspiration

My mother always told me that if there is any way possible to try to have fresh flowers and linens for your table.  Although this isn't readily available to me very much, I have been able to have this ultimate aspiration come true - for this week anyway!  It really is satisfying.

I feel a little spoiled with 2 bouquets.  They're for the girls from Grandpa, but I get to enjoy them too!

A little doggie snack

In this day and age, even the dogs are going gourmet!  So, we must include them too.  Although our dogs are very, very far from spoiled, we try to give them something worth living for every once in a while.  (Don't worry, they live in insulated and heated houses in our barn - they're doing just great!)  The girls and I decided to make them some peanut butter doggie treats.  They were super easy and the girls had a blast and were so excited to be doing this for their puppies.  Here's the link to the web site that had the recipe we used: www.bullwrinkle.com

First the girls had to dress the part:

Adding the ingredients:

Licking the peanut butter from the spatula.  And, no, there were no raw eggs or inedible ingredients in these:

 Almost done:

Rolling out the dough:

Ready for the oven:

All done:

The dogs taste test.  Edgar wasn't interested - he was too excited to be inside. However, Henry loved them! 

Donations, Anyone?

Just to set the record straight - I have a better eye for photography, but it's difficult with a lousy camera.  So, if anyone decides they feel really generous, you're welcome to improve the photographic look of this blog by donating a good camera to me!  I just thought I'd throw this out there. 

All ready for Sunday

Jeremy helped me get ready for Sunday.  He made our breakfast casserole the night before and then all we had to do was heat it up for the morning. Here is the recipe link: Pampered Chef Ham & Cheese Brunch Squares.  We cut corners a little on this one.  Instead of Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese, we just use grated sharp cheddar cheese.  Also, instead of deli ham we used bacon. Jeremy sliced the tomatoes on top instead of dicing them because he just liked it better that way.  I have to say it does look very pretty. Then I got our roast ready in the crock pot so it would be ready for dinner when we got home from church.  This recipe link is on my January Menu Calendar. I put the girls' hair in rag rollers so they'd look so beautiful in their new dresses from my Aunt Kathy for Sunday School.  Here's the results of all of our efforts:

The Breakfast Casserole:

Dinner: 

My little girls ready for church:

Chocolate!!!!!!!

I absolutely LOVE chocolate.  I told you I was really inspired by the movie, Julie & Julia, so I decided to find the recipe for that chocolate cake that was devoured in the movie.  In looking for the recipe, I came across this blog that I really enjoy, Sugar and Spice by Celeste.  I don't think I made this quite right because the timer had gone off while I was tending to one of the girls.  Therefore, the cake was a bit overdone, but even in doing it wrong, it was absolutely amazing!!!!  The frosting is so good too. 

 

What are you having?

Now that I have my menu calendar posted, my Dad has decided to check what I'm cooking for dinner, compare it with what my Mom is making and then make the decision as to who's dinner wins out for him to attend!  I won this last Friday because I had scallops on the menu.  (Actually it was for Sat., but I tend to change it around sometimes.)

I made the Scallops and Asparagus Stir Fry (recipe link is on the menu calendar for January).  It was really good.  I had angel hair spaghetti as the side for this, but then realized that made no sense for a meal with an Asian flare.  So, I made rice noodles instead.  It was very good and the recipe will be a keeper.

Because my husband, Jeremy, is allergic to seafood (this is sometimes beneficial because then I don't have to share!  But sad for him because he really misses out) I made him half of the recipe, in a separate pan, with chicken instead of scallops.

 

Oh, YUM!

This weekend I decided to finally step it up a notch and make some of my favorite recipes.  This past week I've been fighting a cold, so it was difficult to stay on task.  Doesn't it always work out that way? You start something and then have every obstacle you can imagine to overcome.  Anyway, this weekend I pulled it together! 

Saturday evening I made bruschetta.  It was amazing!  I used the method of Julia Child's where I put olive oil in a pan and then sauteed 1 inch slices of french bread until golden on each side.  Then I took a half piece of garlic clove (while the bread was fresh out of the pan) and rubbed it over the bread.  I topped the bread with a mixture of diced tomatoes, coarse salt, and  Italian parsley.  I didn't have any basil, which is usually recommended.  But, do not underestimate the freshness and flavor of  flat-leaf parsley! 

The girls really like it!  Notice how they cleaned their plate pretty well.

Angelina liked it.

Aubrey wanted more...

 That, believe it or not, was the appetizer! 

Then I made Deluxe Divine Chicken Divan by Rachel Ray.  Very tasty and it was a huge portion.  Needless to say, the leftovers will be lunch for today!  You can find the recipe on January's Menu Calendar.

Here, I sauteed the chicken:

Cut up my veggies:

Made my rice:

Plated the food:

   As always it was very good, very easy and a hit with everyone!  "Everyone" includes my twin 4 yr. olds, so you know it has to be good when they're gobbling it up!