New Years Eve is HERE ! ! Thank you !

First thing I want to do is say Thank You.  Thank you for being here with me and visiting my blog.  This journey could not be possible with out you.  I really appreciate your visits and would like to ask that you continue to come back and visit everyday and invite your friends to visit.  Here's to a great 2011 for us all ! !

Well, it's here.  Did you accomplish your list and schedule your goals?   I have mine done and am lining up my resources.  One of the things that helped me was Tony Robbins.  He is not a miracle worker but someone who pointed out to me that if things are important in our lives, we will make time for them.  He's right.  If you want to go to the ball game, you make sure to schedule everything around it so that you can make it there.  After all, you don't want to waste all that money you paid for those tickets -- so why not schedule time for yourself and your goals??

Start today and get your plan of action.  Tonight you can stop and have fun, but for now -- get your list made.  Short term lists and long term lists work best for me.  I make 2 lists -- one for the next 2 weeks and one for the next year and I work between the 2 to accomplish what I need to.

Today, I am sharing with you the dessert I am making for this evening for a party I was invited to.  I get asked for this recipe every time I make it.  I hope you enjoy it too.

Charlene


Great Pumpkin Dessert 

Servings: 24

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spice. Mix well, and pour into a 9x13 inch pan.
Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top, then drizzle with melted butter. Top with pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Tomorrow is IT ! ! It's ON ! I'm NOT Letting Up on YOU !

Come on -- you have all day today and all day tomorrow to get it done.  Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, you need to start making plans and starting working towards YOUR goals.  I don't believe that anyone is going to take your list and do it for you nor can anyone make you do it.  You have to have that desire and want to inside you and you have to kindle it and keep your dream alive.

I am here everyday, if you need me to push you, drop me a line or post on here and I will give you one everyday until you get it done.  What do you want to do in 2011?  Write a book?  Lose weight?  Get a new job?  What is it that you want to do but maybe are afraid to just do it?  I will continue to share with you here and let you know what I'm wanting -- feel free to do the same.

As promised, here is a banana and whipped cream filling for those crepes.  I hope you are enjoying these.  If you are, please let me know and if not, please let me know what you would like to see here.

Charlene


Banana Crepes
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
6 bananas, halved lengthwise
1 1/2 cups whipped heavy cream
1 pinch ground cinnamon

Directions
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 14-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle. Stir in brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened. Add half the bananas at a time to skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning sauce over them. Remove from heat.
Roll a crepe around each banana half and place on Pfaltzgraff Country Cupboard 18-Inch Oval Platter. Spoon sauce over crepes. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

3 More Days ! ! Do You Have a Plan Yet?

No - that is not a question of what your plans are for New Years - it was a 'do you have a plan yet' for getting yourself moving towards your goals.  Come on -- get it done.  You still have 3 days.  Come on - go get your pen and paper or open up a file to type your plans.  Just start doing it. You can use
Microsoft Office 2010 Professional (Disc Version) -- I know -- but I do like Bill Gates/Microsoft products especially Excel.  This package also includes Outlook where you can actually put your plans on a calendar and put reminders on them to make sure you achieve your goals.

So now that we have that covered, what are your New Years plans?  movie night, game night, just visiting or all three and food, of course?  We will probably be doing all three.  The game my family loves to play is The Game of Things.  If you've never played it, check it out.  It is a lot of fun.  You have to pull a card that will say something like 'things you shouldn't say to your in-laws' and then everyone playing has to write something down and put it in a bowl.  Then the 'reader' of the answers has to draw them out and each person takes a turn guessing who said it.  It can get crazy but it is a lot of fun. 

The Taboo Game is also a lot of fun.  You get a card with a word that you are trying to get your partner to guess before the timer runs out.  You have to keep giving clues but you can't use the 5 'Taboo' words on the card to get them to guess.  The more cards you get them to guess before the timer runs out, the better.  Whatever you do, just enjoy yourself.  I know we will. 

OK - as promised, I am putting up the recipe today for the Cream Cheese and Strawberry filling for the Crepes that I posted yesterday.  This is my favorite filling for these.  I hope you enjoy them.

Charlene




Cream Cheese and Strawberry Filling for Crepes
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
4 cups sliced strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

Blend the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped cream.
To serve, fill each crepe with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and 1/3 cup of the cream cheese filling, roll up and top with a small dollop of the cream cheese filling and more sliced strawberries.

2011 Here We Come !

Don't look back at 2010 and say you wish or I should have.  Look forward and do.  We could spend hundreds of hours saying what if and if I had only, but why not spend that same time and energy doing those things that you wish you had already done. 

Don't make New Years Resolutions, just make a list of things to accomplish and put time frames on them and work on the list.  Find a good calendar like the Day-Timer Mini Weekly Planner, Black, 3 x 4.5 Inches, January - December 2011 (D13331-1101) to plan out your goals.  Writing things down and putting time frames on items that you are not going to actively work on is no good.  We ALL have it in us to change our lives to some extent.  We make the choices everyday to eat what we want, when we do things and who with -- so this year just plan to actively make it part of your life to "DO" those things that you keep putting off.

This year I have several things I want to accomplish and I'm actively setting aside time instead of watching TV or reading a magazine to work on these plans.  I have another website going up the first of the year and have scheduled time with the people who will make that happen : ).  I have a list of contacts to work on after everyone is back from vacation to get the rest of the things lined out.

Earlier this year, I had a choice - do the 8 to 5 or step out on faith and give myself permission and the freedom to do what I really know I should be doing.  I chose the latter and here I am.  I have two websites that are already up and at least 1 more coming in January -- maybe more : ).  The ones that are up are www.daycarealert.com and www.myconstructionoffice.com -- these will progress this year to have added features and items including forms and alerts.

For today, I have something in mind that I want to share with you.  I love crepes and the many fillings you can put into them.  Today, I will share the basic recipe with you and tomorrow, and each day this week a different filling for them.  Let me know if you are looking for something in particular and I will put it on here.  Strawberries and Cream Cheese is my favorite.   For this recipe, you can either use aWorld Cuisine 9.5-Inch Crepe Pan (51224) or a non-stick skillet.  I like my cast iron : ).


Enjoy !

Charlene


Basic Crepe Recipe

In a blender:
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
3 tbs. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 tbs. sugar

Directions:
Pulse the blender for 10 seconds then scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula. Blend/pulse again for a few seconds.  Then pour the batter into another container, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. The batter will keep up to 2 days.  Rub some butter in a T-Fal Signature 10.25-Inch Nonstick Fry (Saute) Pan, Black and heat over medium heat.

If you notice that the batter is a bit thick, add 1 tbs. or so of water to thin the batter.  When you see the butter starting to bubble (but not burn) add 1/4 cup batter to the pan. Lift and rotate the pan to swirl the batter around until it begins to cook and firm up. Cook for 30 seconds to a minute. When the crepe is golden brown turn it over with a spatula. Cook second side for 10 seconds more or till golden brown.
You can stack crepes on a plate and place in a warm 200 degree oven, covered to keep them warm while putting together your crepe recipe.

You can store crepes in ziploc bags for several days in the refrigerator and in the freezer for up to two months.  Thaw frozen crepes on a rack before carefully peeling them apart.

Monday Morning and the Countdown is ON ! !

It's Monday and it's 5 days till New Years Eve -- what are your plans?  We got up at 4 am to get ready to catch a sunrise with the clouds.  It was absolutely beautiful too with the red and the clouds.  See for yourself.  This is from this morning at 7:30 am.  Nice crisp 49 degrees in Phoenix this morning and beautiful ! !

My plans are probably simple -- I'll be with people I love any way it happens.  Once the New Year is here, the diet begins.  A lot of new things will be happening.  I will get to see a dear old friend that I haven't seen in almost 19 years, I am starting my new businesses (yes plural businesses). 

I am going back to business consulting and I'm actually going to be a photographer : ).  Something I have wanted to do for over 20 years and I'm finally going to do it.  Just bought my newest addition to the camera family a Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens and a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  Now I am looking at a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens and a Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras. 

My next purchase will be a secondary camera.  I am looking at a Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens and 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD or the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens.  Anyone is the greater Phoenix area wanting photos, contact me at mymindwanderedtoday@live.com and we will get together for pricing, ideas, consulting, or accounting support. 

In the meantime, I will still continue updating this blog everyday with something special just for you, the people who have helped me make this happen.

Today, I will share with you a very special recipe that everyone asks for the recipe whenever I bake it.  This is my carrot cake recipe from a dear Sister who gave it to me for a bridal shower gift with a recipe box and other kitchen items.  I hope you enjoy it and Kellie, this is it : )


14 KARAT CAKE 
2 c plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 c sugar
1 ½ c oil
4 eggs
2 c shredded carrots
1 can crushed pineapple, 8 ½ oz, drained
½ - 1 c chopped nuts
1 can flaked coconut, 3 ½ oz

Sift together flour, soda, salt, baking powder and cinnamon.  Add sugar, eggs and oil.  Mix.   Add remaining ingredients.  Mix.  Pour batter equally into 3 greased and floured layer cake 9” pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until done. 

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

½ c butter at room temperature
1 pkg cream cheese, 8 oz, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb confectioner’s sugar, sifted

Combine ingredients, adding sugar gradually. If too thick, add a little milk.  Frost tops and sides of layers. 

Are You Successful? Are You Fulfilled??

They are not the same?  You cannot measure fulfillment by your success.  Are you happy with what you do each day?  Don't measure yourself by other people's standards.  There is really only one standard that we should measure ourselves by and that is the Lord's standard.  His standard is important.

With only 6 days left in this year, let's look back over our year and ask ourselves if we would change anything that we did and had control over.  Let's re-define where we want to be in 2011 and start working on solutions to make those changes now.  Not a New Years resolution but a new way of life.  What changes would you make?  Is what you are doing now making you happy -- are you fulfilled?  Remember Success doesn't always equal happiness.

Let's all plan to change those things in our lives that hold us back and look forward to a brighter and happier New Year in 2011.  You still have 6 more days to make changes this year -- what are you waiting for?

Are you looking for a recipe that is both easy and yummy for a New Year's Eve party?  Try this one -- goes pretty quick too : )

Hope you enjoy this one.

Charlene


Beefy Rotel Cheese Dip

1 lb Velveeta
1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilies
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup prepared taco or chili flavored ground beef

In microwave safe bowl, add cheese and Rotel tomatoes.  Nuke until cheese is fully melted, stirring once or twice.  Remove from microwave and add sour cream.  Stir; then add the cooked ground beef.  Serve with your choice of chips or other dipper.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Relax Today -- De-Stress ! !

Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth -- slowly -- you can do this : )  It's Friday - relax.

One of my favorite things for dinner is a nice prime rib roasted with fresh garlic and fresh ground peppercorns .  Serve this with some garlic mashed potatoes (in an earlier post on this site, there was a recipe for garlic mashed potatoes). 

This recipe is easy - the one thing that this recipe doesn't tell you is to let the roast come to room temperature before roasting.  Remember the rule -- never cook a cold steak : )  and this is just rib eye steaks all connected and laying on a bed of ribs.  The other thing that I do is poke holes into the meat through the fat layer on top and poke whole garlic cloves into the meat.  Some people will say not to puncture the fat layer, but not me. 

Of course you can vary your cooking time based on how well done you like your meat.  No matter how well done or rare you like it, there will be plenty of it. 

Enjoy this whenever you like, it's quick enough for any time and you can double or triple the recipe for larger groups.

Charlene


Garlic & Herb-Crusted Prime Rib 
Prep time:  10 min
Total time: 3 hr 55 min

Ingredients

3/4 cup Caesar Dressing, divided (I like Kraft)
1   beef prime rib roast (5 lb.), 2 to 3 ribs
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
1 Tbsp.  chopped fresh thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced (plus what you stick into the meat - if you like more garlic)

Directions:

Pour 1/2 cup dressing over meat in large shallow glass dish. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate.
Heat oven to 325ºF. Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. Place meat, bone-side down, in roasting pan. Bake 1 hour 45 min. Meanwhile, mix remaining dressing, herbs and garlic.
Brush meat with dressing mixture. Bake 30 to 40 min. or until meat registers 150ºF. Remove from oven. Cover with foil; let stand 15 to 20 min. or until medium doneness (160ºF) before slicing.

These Are a Few of MY Favorite Things

Everyone these days has their list of 'favorite things'.  My list would include books, music and dvds as well as warm cozy afghans and of course cameras and computer gadgets.

My first favorite thing is Nikon D7000 Digital SLR Kit w/18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 DX VR Nikkor Lens.  This I want to buy but need to raise the money first : ).  Second, I would like to get the Apple iPod touch 32 GB (4th Generation) NEWEST MODEL so that I have something that I can take with me for tunes.  The best movie my husband and I have seen in a long time is Knight and Day (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Holiday Gift Set).  It was hilarious and clean too : ) -- BONUS !  The next book I want to order is Jesus Lives.  I am currently reading Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence.  It is a daily devotional reading and it is really good.  Written by a missionary's wife - worth picking up.  And to cuddle up with a good hot chocolate and your book, curl up with Illumina Chenille Throw in lilac.  Right now, they are about 45% off list price -- a great deal.  It also comes in a pretty slate green and chocolate brown if you prefer another color. 

Below, you will find a recipe for hot cocoa to sip while enjoying your books, videos, iPod and of course your chenille throw. 

Stay Warm and Enjoy Your Cocoa!

Charlene


Creamy Hot Cocoa 
Prep Time: 2 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Ready In: 7 Minutes
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water 
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

I like mine with a dab of whipped cream on top too ; )  Enjoy !

Tick Tock Tick Tock - What Are Your Plans?

The year is ticking away.  It's hard to believe that 2011 will be here before we know it.  I don't know where this year has gone -- it has flown by!

Today, my dilemma is connecting wirelessly through my laptop to my home network -- I think I've just about got it figured out and then . . . nothing : (  This too shall pass : )  I just want to accomplish this in 2010.

Well as promised, I am giving you the Caramel Apple Dip Recipe today.  This one is just as easy as yesterday's recipe and equally good too.  I hope you will try both this year for your parties and get togethers.  If you don't use these recipes for parties now, you can always use them for Superbowl along with the Boston Warehouse Touchdown Serving Bowl Set.  A real nice addition to any Superbowl spread regardless of what you put into it.

Hope you enjoy all of these,

Charlene


Caramel Apple Dip

1 c dark brown sugar, packed
1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and chill.  Serve with sliced apples or any fruit or cookies that you like with caramel.

Enjoy this anytime -- it is quick if you are in a pinch for guests unannounced too.  ; )

The Countdown is ON

We are now down to days -- soon it will be hours.  Are you still looking for a fun game to play with your guest or family?  Try Scribblish - it's great!  Kind of like Pictionary and Charades rolled together.  Great for a party or just fun time.

Our family is already working on New Year's plans and this may be a big part of that time together.  Along with finger foods and games, we will bring in the New Year together.  That's what matters -- together and having fun.

One thing that works well for parties is an apple dip.  Both easy and quick.  Try this one and tomorrow I will have another one for you.  Both of these are great with any type of fruit and even with some cookies.  Try whatever you like with these dips and tell me what you find that works great.

Thanks,

Charlene


Fruit Dip

1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese
1 8 oz jar of marshmallow creme
1 tbsp lemon juice

Soften cream cheese and whip together with marshmallow creme and lemon juice.  Put mixture in a bowl and serve with any type of fruit or with cookies. 

This dip is wonderful with strawberries and apples but we have served it with cantaloupe, honey dew, pears, plums and with shortbread cookies.

If you are having a lot of people, you may want to double or triple this recipe.  It goes fast once people try it -- it's really good.

Tomorrow, a caramel apple dip that's just as easy and good too : )  See you then !

The Year is Almost Over -- Did You Accomplish Your Goals for 2010?

Wow - - 2 more weeks left in this year. I'm sitting here thinking about things I wanted to accomplish this year.  I have lots of things that I didn't get done like I wanted.  However, there are a few things that I wanted to accomplish and I did.  So now it's update the list and add times for completion to those unfinished tasks.

Through out the year, I have had people hold me back and a few that pushed me forward -- they know who they are and I am very thankful for them.  Ray and Cherie have been my biggest fans this year and the people who have given me to encouragement and push that I needed to get this far.  They are my family too.  They are always there for me and are both so helpful.  And if they don't have the answers that I need, they know where to point me to find it.

Who do you have that pushes you to be your best?  Who believes in you enough to give you wings to fly?  Find that someone in your life and tell them your dreams.  No one can help you achieve a goal if they don't know what that dream is.  Some of my things writing and I have two websites up that have books written by me that Ray keeps pushing me to promote and I stall.  I am shopping for a new camera and so far, I really like the Nikon D7000.  Don't get me started on the things I like about it -- just believe me, it's wonderful : ). 

So today, find that special someone or two that will keep pushing you to be what you want to be.  I actually have quite a few people who have given me moral support this year and I am very, very thankful for all of you.

Thank YOU,

Charlene

How To Stay Positive in These Economic Times

People are always asking me how I can be so positive with no job and with the market what it is now.  I tell them I have hope in the Lord -- He has never let me down and I don't believe He ever will.  No, I don't know what will happen tomorrow but I know about forever and that's good enough for me.  I will still keep plugging away and working on my 'projects' and keep hope in my heart.  Try it.  It is the peace that passes understanding.  : )

Yesterday, I promised my salsa recipe.  So as promised, here is my salsa recipe.  Usually when we make this salsa around my family, we make a LOT of it and it is gone.  We make 1/2 hot and 1/2 regular.  Serve this with burgers or just with chips.  Your family will love it.

What do you want to see here?  Let me know if you are looking for something in particular and I will work on getting it on here.

Happy Sunday ! !

Charlene


Fresh Tomato Salsa

Ingredients

4 cups diced fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/2 finely diced habanero pepper (if you like yours hot and spicy)
juice from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions

In a bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Let stand for about 1 hour. Serve at room temperature. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

About 14 servings

Are You Living or Just Existing?

It's that party time of the year when everyone is having visitors.  Here in the southwest, you need salsa and guacamole for those parties and get togethers.  My husband loves the guacamole -- me I prefer the salsa.

Today I am sharing the guacamole with you - tomorrow, the salsa recipe.  Just get some good tortilla chips to have with it and you are ready for company.

What else are you looking for to throw a great party?  Let me know and I will post it for you.  My husband will tell you that I have close to a million recipes in my computer and on a 2TB external drive : ) .  He may be a little high on that number but not by much.

Have a little fun today -- and ask yourself are you living or just existing?  Get out and enjoy your life -- don't just exist.  You know the old saying,  'All work and no play makes you a dull person'.  I decided a month or so ago to not just exist any longer.  I'm opting for leaving a big impression on this world when I leave.  ; )

Today, it's lunch with the family, tomorrow, it's church and then taking my Nikon and maybe taking in a few scenes such as this one.

Charlene


Guacamole

4 servings

Ingredients

3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor, or serve immediately.

Free Software + Free Fonts + Luscious Lemon Bars = Happy People

How about a freebie for all of you looking for software to do those typing and spreadsheet tasks for FREE ?  And, you will help out a charity at the same time -- OK - a 2 for 1 -- you get free software and the website will donate to a good cause.

Sounds good to me -- here's the link:  http://www.loadandhelp.de/faq-en.html#tb.   You can also download 80 free fonts to use with the software.  Go try it out.

In the meantime, my friend reminded me of these today.  These are the best and so easy too.  If you need to make something quick for a party, these are easy and not too expensive either. Enjoy some for me too.  I'm on a diet. (yes, I know, it's the holidays and the "D" word is bad this time of year -- but you have to start somewhere and this is it for me.)

Have fun with these ! !  Enjoy one for me too please : )

Charlene


Luscious Lemon Bars
Makes 24 bars

Ingredients:
1  cup  (1/2 lb.) butter, at room temperature
1/2  cup  plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 1/3  cups  all-purpose flour
2  cups  granulated sugar
1  teaspoon  baking powder
1 1/2  teaspoons  grated lemon peel
6  tablespoons  lemon juice
4  large eggs

Directions:
1. In a bowl, with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in 2 cups flour until dough is no longer crumbly. Pat into a ball.
2. Press dough evenly into a buttered and floured 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350° oven until golden, about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a food processor, or in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, whirl or beat granulated sugar, remaining 1/3 cup flour, baking powder, grated lemon peel, lemon juice, and eggs to blend. Pour onto hot crust.
4. Bake until lemon mixture is no longer runny in the center (cut to test), 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and dust with remaining 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.
5. Let cool completely in pan, then cut into 24 bars.

DIET TIME ! ! -- I Know It's the Holiday Season but . . .

This diet is very easy -- yet not.  You don't have to give up your fudge or cookies or even your fruitcake (unless you don't like it anyway).  That's the easy part.  Here's the hard part.  Try to go on a diet for 7 days -- one of not saying or thinking anything negative.  You think you can do it??  Try it.  sometimes you can't make it a whole day much less a week without doing it. 

This makes me very sad that I can't.  My heart is burdened because I can't keep it up for a single week.  I should be able to do this -- some how though, I can't.  I keep trying and sometimes I can make it a few days and then someone says something to me or about me and I hear it and I'm back in the thoughts again of wanting them to trip and fall.  Please don't laugh -- I shouldn't feel this way, but I do. . .

I'm trying to  --  and I keep having to start over.  One day, some day, soon I hope to make it a full week and I will shout it from the rooftops when I do.  In the mean time, I promise to keep bringing you something everyday.

Today, I have an old favorite with an twist to it, Microwave Peanut Brittle.  Amazingly easy ! !  Try it, you'll love it or you can give it away to someone else.  If you do like it, you could make two batches since it is so quick and keep one and give one away.  : )

Have fun !

Charlene

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup salted peanuts 
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda

Butter a cookie sheet. Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 2 quart glass bowl and microwave on high 4 minutes. Stir in peanuts and microwave on high 3 1/2 minutes more, then stir in butter and vanilla and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
Stir in baking soda until light and foamy. Pour onto cookie sheet and spread thin. Cool completely and break into pieces and serve.

It's Snowing in AZ ! ! -- Hot Potato Bacon Soup to Warm You

OK - so not in Phoenix but somewhere there will be snow in AZ today.  I love the snow as long as I can go home and not have to live in it all the time.  Although I do have to say, it would be ok if you could have  cottage in the snow with a warm fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate and some potato bacon soup.

This one is really easy because it is done in the Crock Pot ! !  I love most things in the crock pot because you can put it on and come back later and it's ready.  Perfect dinner if you are always on the go.

Hope you enjoy this one.  Let me know what you think.


Crock Pot Potato Soup
8 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
3 cans chicken broth, 14 1/2 oz. each
1 can cream of chicken soup (10 oz. can)
1 tablespoon parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 pounds bacon, cooked and crumbled (plus extra for topping)
5 tablespoons flour
1 package cream cheese (8 oz. package)

Optional:
Cheddar Cheese for topping

In a large slow cooker, combine all ingredients, minus the flour and cream cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until potatoes are done. About an hour before you serve the soup, add the cream cheese. Stir until blended.
If you like your soup a little thicker, you can scoop out about a cup or two of the soup into a separate bowl. Add the flour, whisk constantly to avoid lumps. Then as you are stirring the soup, add bowl of soup with flour back into the crock pot. Replace the lid and allow the soup to cook for another 20-30 minutes (or until you’re ready to serve).
Add a little bit of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and a few chopped green onions and tomatoes on top, and you will be amazed. Extra bacon isn't bad either.
Enjoy !

Charlene

Baby It's Cold Outside . . . Swedish Meatballs are Warm

It may be below freezing in parts of our beautiful country, but it's beautiful in AZ !  It's supposed to be 79 here today and clear.  Later in the week, it will be in the low 60's but for today, we are blessed.  Just watched the news and weather and some places are getting "feet" of snow.  It's the one thing I love in AZ, the winters.  I totally understand snowbirds mentality now.

Today, we are working on dinner for the family.  Something different and easy that everyone should enjoy.  These are really pretty easy to make and are quick if you need to put something together in a hurry.  If you are expecting a crowd, this recipe can be doubled or tripled easily to feed a crew. 

After Monday, we need something easy and quick : )

Enjoy the day --

Charlene


Swedish Meatballs

  1 pound ground beef
  3/4 cup bread crumbs, soaked in 1/2 cup milk
  1 egg
  1 teaspoon kosher salt
  1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  1 small onion, grated and drained
  1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  4 tablespoons butter
  1 1/2 tablespoons flour (any kind)
  1 cup chicken broth
  1/2 cup sour cream (light sour works well, but I would avoid fat free)

Combine the first 8 ingredients. Form the meat mixture into 1-inch balls.  Place 3 Tbsp of the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs for about 10 minutes.  Remove them and most of the fat. Stir the flour and the remaining 1 Tbsp of butter into the pan.  Add the broth. Simmer until it thickens, about 2 minutes.  Strain it with a sieve to remove clumps. Return it to your pan.  Reduce heat to low; stir in the sour cream.  Return the meatballs to the pan for 1 minute.

We like to serve them over egg noodles or rice.

Monday, Monday -- Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I love garlic -- roasted garlic with a little olive oil -- it's the best.  This is an easy side dish for any dish and it's good for you -- really -- garlic is good for you : )

Try this with some roasted chicken and asparagus, some grilled steaks and green beans or any combination of meat and vegetables. 

Enjoy -- See you tomorrow - same time - same place.

Charlene


Garlic Mashed Potatoes

4 medium red potatoes, about 1 pound, scrubbed and quartered
3 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
about 1/3 cup fat free low sodium canned chicken broth, heated
salt and freshly ground pepper
Cook potatoes and garlic in a pot of boiling water under tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
Drain and mash with a potato masher.  Add the hot chicken broth and continue to mash, whipping the potatoes until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper.  Transfer potatoes to a heated serving bowl; serve immediately. 4 servings.

Fun Day Sunday -- Peanut Butter Silk Pie

It's Sunday !  Best day of the week.  Anything with cream cheese is great and peanut butter makes it even better.  We are off to church and then lunch - enjoy your day!  See you tomorrow with something different.

Thank you for spending your week with me.

Charlene


PEANUT BUTTER SILK PIE

graham cracker crust for 9-inch pie*

FUDGE LAYER:
1 cup granulated sugar
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 heaping tablespoon peanut butter

FILLING:
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 cups whipped topping

*Purchase a large graham cracker crust or make your own:
Mix 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs with 1/4 cup sugar and 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine; pat into a 9-inch pie plate and chill for about 30 minutes before filling. If a crispier crust is desired, bake at 375° for about 7 minutes before filling.
In a medium saucepan, cook sugar, chocolate, milk, corn syrup together, stirring occasionally, to the soft ball stage (see below), or about 234° to 240° on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter. Beat lightly for a few minutes; pour into bottom of pie crust. Chill thoroughly before filling.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk. Fold in whipped topping until well blended. Spoon into fudge-layered pie crust and garnish with chocolate curls and/or chopped peanuts. Chill thoroughly before serving.

To test for soft ball stage:
Use fresh cold water each time you test the candy. In about 1 cup of cold water, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of hot candy. Put you hand into the water and push the candy to form a ball. Gently pick the formed ball up (if it will not form a ball, it is not done) - the soft ball will flatten slightly when removed from water.

Arizona Sunset -- Enjoy the Beauty of God's Creation

Today, pause and take in some of the beauty of God's creation.  This is the view we had last night as the sun set in Arizona.  The sunsets in Arizona are some of the most beautiful we have seen.

Today, chin up and take it in.  I have a baby shower in a few hours and then a get together tonight with friends, church tomorrow and then the weekend is over -- but  in the meantime, I will enjoy life in all the little ways that don't cost a dime.  I'm going to enjoy friendships, love and laughter and of course another sunset and thank God for another day of life.

Enjoy your day -- put aside the things that you can't change and enjoy all the little things.

Happy Saturday! !

Charlene

It's Friday ! ! and It's Beautiful in Phoenix Today -- This is My Banana Bread Recipe

Oh The Joy of Computers ! !  Today I got up and started to work on my blog for today and voila ! !  my computer went nuts . . .  So now two hours later, my computer is running fine again after 1 restore and 2 updates and a virus scan.  Thank you Microsoft and Bill Gates.

Just a little behind today but I will catch up and get everything done that I need to get done today.  I may be up til midnight but - hey, some of my best thoughts are in the middle of the night.  : )

There's nothing that smells better to me than the smell of banana bread baking in the house when it's a little outside (except prime rib with garlic and black peppercorns -- but I digress.  We'll save that one for another day.).  (OK - in Phoenix today, I will have to wait until evening for that chill - but hey at least we will get it today.  I can be thankful for that.) 

Today I am sharing my Banana Bread recipe with all of you.  I like to make this in the small loaf pans and wrap them individually to share with others.  I have a loaf pan that makes 6 mini loaves and I love it.  See if you can find one - you will find you use it more than you think.

Have a wonderful Friday and enjoy this recipe.  I'm off to lunch with a dear friend and then off to photograph some scenery.

Charlene



Banana Bread

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. water
2 cups bananas, mashed
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350:. Sift together flour,salt and baking soda. Set aside. Melt
butter on the stove or in microwave. Mix butter and sugar until well blended.
Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Add bananas and
vanilla.  I always add an estra banana to the mis and more walnuts : )  Fold in flour mixture and walnuts and blend until all flour is moist.
Grease 2 loaf pans and divide batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 1
hour or until center of loaf is firm and toothpick inserted in center comes out
clean.
Happy Baking! !  and Have a Great Weekend !

Don't Worry - Be Happy SMILE ! !

Worry should never be something we do - we should give all of our cares to our God and enjoy the blessings.  I am feeling very blessed that everyone is enjoying my blog and visiting me here. 

Today, I thought I would share something with you that you don't even have to cook but something that you can put together and give or send to someone to make them feel special.  This would make a wonderful gift for someone with a lot on their plate who would like to make something special for their family but just run out of time.  I know they could just get a box cake mix but this is extra special coming in a beautiful jar from someone special.

Give someone a smile today and another one when they make this cake.

Feel free to share this blog and recipe with your friends and family -- it's my gift to all of you today.

Enjoy!

Charlene


CARROT CAKE MIX IN A JAR

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons powdered vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Attach this to the Jar:

CARROT CAKE

Makes 1 13x9-inch cake

1 package Carrot Cake Mix
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 large eggs, beaten
3 cups grated carrots
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
Place Carrot Cake Mix in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the mix and add the oil, eggs, carrots, and pineapple. Blend until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool the cake and frost if desired or dust with powdered sugar.

Caprese Salad - Love This Salad !

OK - so we had yummy chocolate chip coolies yesterday -- did you try them?  Were they for you or someone else?  Or both?  

Today I am in the mood for a really good salad.  This is one of my favorites and I haven't had it in a long time.  Do you know of a place in the Phoenix Metro area that has a really, really good one?  I would love some input on this one.

If no one has a really good recommendation, I will have to go shopping -- nothing wrong with shopping ; )

Enjoy !

Charlene

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

Caprese Salad

Ingredients

½ pound Mozzarella
½ cup Basil, fresh chopped
4  Roma Tomatoes
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon Salt
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

PREPARATION:

Slice cheese as thin as possible. Slice tomatoes. On large platter, arrange alternate slices of cheese and tomatoes. Sprinkle with basil.

DRESSING:

Combine vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil and drizzle over tomatoes and cheese. Let marinate at room temperature for up to 1 hour before serving.

Make Your Day Fabulous !

Good Morning ! !

OK - so the plan for today is to choose to make your day fabulous.  Go ahead, it's ok - do something today that makes you happy.  And please don't tell me you can't because. . . blah, blah, blah. . . 

Keep a positive attitude and enjoy life -- smile, have some chocolate -- whatever it takes - just get out of your run of the mill day and do something - just one thing - today that you enjoy. 

Here, maybe a cookie will help.  : )  If not for you, then make someone else happy today and you will be happy too.


Great Chocolate Chip Cookies  
Makes: 24 cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Stir together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the vegetable oil, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Blend in the dry ingredients, then fold in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.   Love my cooking stone for cookies - No more burnt cookies : )

One of My Favorite Recipes - Sweet Potato Casserole

Today I thought I would share a recipe with you that I made at Thanksgiving and have had requests for this recipe every time I bake it.  Even people who don't normally like sweet potatoes generally find that they like this -- it's actually more like a big pie than sweet potatoes : ).

Enjoy

Charlene


Sweet Potato Casserole

6 -7 large sweet potatoes (about 6 pounds)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup melted butter (not margarine)
1 tbsp cinnamon (I use Makara from Cinnabon)
1 tbsp Madagascar Vanilla

Boil potatoes until tender.  Drain and let cool.  Remove skins when cooled.  Put into a large bowl and whip them until fluffy.  Add remaining ingredients and blend well.  Pour into greased large casserole and top with Crunch Topping.

Crunch Topping

1 cup melted butter (not margarine)
1/2 cup flour
2 cups packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp Cinnamon (I use Makara from Cinnabon)
2 cups finely chopped pecans

Combine ingredients and pour on top of sweet potatoes.   Bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes.

My Mind Wandered Today