For Today... Feb 12

Good Morning... It's almost 11 am so it's a bit late for me to write.  It looks like it's going to start snowing at any minute, now. I'll be right back, I need to take the dogs out..
...

 

..

 

.....

 

 

 

ok I'm back. I took them to the area in the back where they can run a little bit, dragging their leads behind them. It was a bit of a walk to get there today, for me. First I had to convience them we are not going over by the lake. Then I had to figure out how to get me down a rather steep but short hill without falling while the dogs tend to want to pull. I finally got them to stay behind me, with Rocky closest to me, for me to put a hand on for balance. (Good Dog) The across two Rv parking area's and down a not as steep drive area.. while the dogs still wanted to run free, but I wasn't ready yet. Finally, we got to the open field and I let Macon and Barney run. Rocky doesn't seem to want to run as much any more. He did run on Saturday, when Jerry got home while I was walking the dogs by the lake and, once I saw that Jerry was out of the van, Let go of all three  leads. They were extatic to go running to Jerry.

 

 There is a cut open kitty litter jug by our door, I usually keep the pooper scooper in it, but right now it's 2/3rd full of ice. It's been frozen since Saturday afternoon. Satureday started off warm enough, but it slowly got colder as the day got longer.

 

In the middle of the night, last night our propane tank ran out of gas. Jerry had to get up and change it out for the full we have on stand by. Now we will have to take the empy one and get it filled soon. 
I just finished up cleaning the bathroom. The cats have chewed the leaf off my Elephant Ear, again. (Argh!) I can still hope that it will survive long enough to be put outside when Spring gets here.  Next area to clean is the bedroom. I'll have to make both beds, pick up and sweep the floor towards the kitchen.I'm thinking I better fond some cat greens to grow for those cats in the back window. Maybe then they will leave that other plant alone (doubt it) I've cut four, 2 liter, cola bottles and taped them together in a tower to put over what's left of the plant.
The cats are in big trouble, besides trying to kill my plant that is.. I took the dogs out early and they tried to get into an old loaf of bread. I thought I had them broke of that. Ugh. I'm trying to not lose it with them right now. I understand they want fresh air and sunshine and I can't give them either.
I need to clean out the freezer. I removed the ice cube trays and most of the cubes were teeny tiny bit's of ice left.  I made a list of what I have in there, and there's still going to be enough left for another week of not buying meats from the store, I think. tonight will be some ham Jerry picked out last week on the 5 for $19.95.  I love that special.  I look for the larger priced packages when we are shopping the special so I know I'm saving money, even if it's only a few pennies over a smaller package. And it's not just meat that's in the special. there are vegetable packages and cheese in the special. Even some potatoes that are coated that I can bake in the roasting oven. Which I'm going to add to the meal along with a salad tonight.
I'm wearing black sweat pants and a medium purple sweat shirt today. it's rare that I'm wearing a sweat shirt and not just using it more like a jacket for going outside.
I have been reading "Amanda, A Daughter of the Mennonites". I've enjoyed it so far althought it's very easy to see what's going to "happen next" in the story line. It's very much like a Harliquin romace book. Girl meets boy. another boy falls for girl, the boy the girl wants falls for some other girl.  Trouble brews. They discover they like each other's company, ect, ect...

 

I am hoping that our trip to visit Heather next week turns out well. We are taking gifts to Bailie, but we also have something for her Mom. A phone she's not going to have to pay the bill on. It's on our plan just like the phone our other daughter has.  That way, she can call us, or make any other phone calls she needs to make and not worry about minutes. 

 

I am still working on the knitting loom and making a cowl on it. I can't wait to finish it up and work on a smaller loom to make a baby hat to send to Beth and Baby Heather. I'm wondering if I should make long tubes to act like gloves to go with it, on the next smaller one, as well.

 

The laundry is in the back of the van. I need to bring it in so I can take it one tub at a time over to the washroom and do it this week. We have enough clothes that if I don't get it done, we will still be good for the week in clothes.

 

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate
And though I oft have passed them by, A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun."
- J.R.R. Tolkien

first 6 recipes found in my email today

Chili

This is a great recipe! I do leave out the Tabasco sauce, though. This feeds a large group.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. hamburger
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 (29 oz.) can tomato puree
• 2 cups water
• 2 large cans kidney beans
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 10 drops Tabasco sauce

Directions:

Brown beef and onions. Add to other ingredients. Simmer 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Servings: 25

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cooking Time: 90 Minutes

 

******

 

WAR BREAD

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,164,148173-253196,00.html
Content Copyright © 2012 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
1 c. rolled oats
1 c. cornmeal
3 c. whole wheat flour
1 tbsp. shortening
1/3 c. honey
1 tbsp. salt
3 c. boiling water
1 tbsp. dry yeast
3-4 c. all purpose flour

IN a large bowl mix oats, cornmeal, whole wheat flour, shortening, honey
and salt. Pour in boiling water, stirring until smooth. Cool to
lukewarm, 105 to 115 degrees. Sprinkle yeast on batter and mix in. Stir
in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, begin kneading when to stiff to stir. Knead
in flour necessary to control texture and knead about 8 to 10 minutes.
Put dough in clean bowl, lightly grease top, cover tightly and put in
warm place, 80 to 85 degrees until double, 1 hour.

Punch down, knead 30 seconds. Cut in 2, shape in balls, let rest covered
for 3 to 4 minutes. Form into 2 loaves, put in 9"x5" greased loaf pans,
place in warm place. Cover with wax paper until center of dough rises 1"
above pan edge (50 minutes). Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

--

*Ginny Butterfield

 

**********

 

 

 Valentine's
Easy Diabetic Cheese Straws

Ingrediatns:

a.. cooking spray
b.. ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
c.. 2 teaspoons chili powder
d.. ½ teaspoon ground cumin
e.. 4 12" x 17" sheets phyllo dough, at room temperature
Directions

1.. Preheat the oven to 400°F; spray a large non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray (or line with parchment paper).
2.. In a small bowl, mix the cheese, chili powder, and cumin.
3.. Place the sheets of phyllo on a flat surface and cover them with a damp towel.
4.. Remove the first sheet and coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture on the sheet.
5.. Add another sheet and coat that with cooking spray and 2 teaspoons of cheese, too.
6.. Keep going until you have a total of 4 sheets stacked on top of each other.
7.. Lightly roll over the sheets with a rolling pin to press them (and the cheese) together.
8.. Using a serrated knife, cut into 8 strips and transfer those to the baking sheet.
9.. Repeat steps 4 through 8 with the rest of the phyllo dough.
10.. Bake until the cheese straws are crisp and golden (8 to 10 minutes).
11.. Cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Information

Per serving (3 straws):
47 calories (19% calories from fat), 3 g protein, 2 g total fat ((1.0 g saturated fat), 4 g carbohydrate, 0 dietary fiber, 4 mg cholesterol, 134 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges:
1/4 carbohydrate (1/4 bread/starch), 1/2 fat



"Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate
And though I oft have passed them by, A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun."
- J.R.R. Tolkien

 

******

 

 

Lasagna Roll Ups

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:45 PM PST

I found a really easy and crowd pleasing recipe today and wanted to share it with you all.

By really easy, I don't mean "throw a box in the microwave and voila" easy. But more like "I made this on my own and it didn't take weird ingredients or too much time" easy.

The best part is that everyone loved it!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 box lasagna sheets (the real kind, not the no-bake ones)
• 1 cup browned lean ground turkey (or lean ground beef)
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, squeeze out excess water
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, seperated
• 1 pint lowfat or skim ricotta cheese
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion salt
• 1/2 tsp basil, oregano, parsley
• Your favorite spaghetti sauce, I make my own. It's a family secret. One that I'm still working on. I don't think it will ever be the same as my mom's sauce. Ugh.
• 1 cup (approximately) mozzarella sprinkled on top.
• Optional: Salad fixings and breadsticks

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Boil water in large stock pot and cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. (Cook 1-2 noodles per person, plus a few extras just in case some tear.)
3. Brown meat, along with garlic powder, onion salt, basil, oregano, and parsley.
4. In medium sized bowl, mix browned meat, ricotta, spinach, and 1/4 c parmesan.
5. Spray baking dish with non-stick spray and cover bottom of pan lightly with sauce.
6. Drain cooked noodles in colander and lay on towel to dry.
7. Spread meat filling along one noodle and roll up. Place completed roll into pan. Repeat with remaining noodles.
8. Top completed rolls with sauce, then sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese and a handful of mozzarella if desired.
9. Bake at 350 degrees covered with foil for approximately 30-40 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with salad and bread sticks!

 

Weight Watchers info: Depending on the amount of mozzarella cheese you add, there are approximately 230 calories per roll, or 6 pts.

******

 

Bon Bon Candy

1 can Eagle Brand milk
2 lbs. powdered sugar
2 sticks margarine
1-1/2 to 2 cups Angel Flake coconut
2 cups chopped nuts ( I use walnuts for everyone else. I dont like
nuts though)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp vanilla

Mix all of the above ingredients, chill in refrigerator and then roll
into small balls. Chill till firm, then take a few at a time from
refrigerator and dip in mixture of: 1/2 pound paraffin ( 1/2 Bar) wax
and 2 cups chocolate chips, melted in a double boiler. Use toothpicks
to dip. These freeze well

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

 

http://sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-semi-homemade-soup-every-week.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SceneOfTheGrime+%28Scene+of+the+Grime%29

A New Semi-Homemade Soup Every Week!

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 09:00 PM PST

My family gets a new semi-homemade soup for supper at least once a week! It's easy and it uses up small leftover quantities I have on hand. Win-win!
The soup in the photo above, for example, has:

• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Water
• Diced Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Diced Dill Pickles and Pickle Juice
• Brown Rice (leftover from night before)
• Shredded Chicken (leftover from night before)

The kids really liked it! Pair it with some nicely grilled sandwiches and you have a quick and yummy weeknight dinner! And it changes a little every week…

 

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"Still round the corner there may wait, A new road or a secret gate
And though I oft have passed them by, A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run West of the Moon, East of the Sun."
- J.R.R. Tolkien

Spring Risotto

Spring Risotto

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

3 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion, thinly sliced
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 cups Uncooked Minute Rice
1 can Warm Chicken Broth
1/2 cup Milk
1/3 cup Parmeasn Cheese
1 Bunch Asparagus, trimmed and chopped into 2 inch pieces
Salt and Pepper, to taste

 

Melt Butter with Olive Oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the onion and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes, Do not brown.  Toss in rice and stir to coat the rice. Add warm broth, milk, and asparagus.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, then turn temperature down to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Mix in 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, Sprinkle with remaining ZParmesan Cheese just before serving.

 

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."

Chicken and Green Bean Alfredo

 

Chicken and Green Bean Alfredo
Back of a can of Del Monty blue lake Cut Green Beans
4 servings

 

6 oz Dried Fettuccine
1 to 1/ 1/4 cups purchased light or regular Alfredo Sauce
2 cans (14 1/2 oz each  Green beans, Drained
6 ox (about 1 1/4 cup) cooked Chicken strips
2 Tablespoons Grated parmeason cheese
Fresh basil or sage leaves (optional)

 

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, return to saucepan.
Meanwhile, heat sauce, green beans and chicken in medium saucepan: Stir occasionally. Toss well with hot pasta. transfer to serving dish, sprinkle with cheese, Garnihs iwth basil or sage if desired.

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."

For Today... Feb 5, 2012

Good Morning, and Hello.
Did you have a good weekend, we did. We went out for Dinner on Saturday evening... and didn't feel like doing the laundry. We put it off until Sunday. We ate Breakfast in Clarksville, then drove around a bit. Went to Dickson, expecting the flea market to be open.. Boohoo. no one there. But we did stop at Game Stop and Jerry picked up two games. We "explored" on our way back home (took a wrong turn) So we decied that, since there are two ways to get home by, which ever we came out of was what we would do first, Laundry or shopping.  It was laundry. Home to take it out of the van and let the dog go potty, Back in the van... It was too early to eat dinner when we left the house but we didnt want to shop first then eat dinner and we didnt want to leave the house again once we got back home , So We  heaaded back to Clarksville,. (yeah too time to the "big" town in the same day) to wonder around a bit. We found a road we heard of but didn't know much about . Found all sorts of "places" to go back to, on any day but Sunday since those were all closed on Sunday.  The walmart we found is HUGE on that side of town, and crowded. We didn't stop.  We ended up back on Wilma Rudolph Road.  Do you know who Wilma is?
We ate dinner at "The Harbor" It was a bit more pricy that we usually spend on dinner out but OOhhhh was it worth it. Jerry got the Turkey Sandwich and it was a triple decker. Lots of curly fries on his plate he ordered seperatly as well as the fries with his sandwich. I had the special of the day, Grilled Salmon with Sauteed Sprimp.  Salad and Grilled Aspergus.  Oh Man.... it was worth every cent !! Jerry not only left Cord a nice tip he asked that the cook be given a tip, as well. (Jerry rarely leaves a cook a tip)  But it was just that good.
After dinner it was back to the Hilltop to so the food shopping.  Could sure tell people did their shopping early. No green peppers or cucumbers were left. The tomatoes were picked over but I did find two that looked good. There were only a few Bananas left and they were not looking soo good to me. (didn't get any) We didn't pick up a lot of things we usually pick up and we picked up things we don't usually get and we spent less money than usual.  Go figure.  I told Jerry, we are not buying meat next week. I need to empty the freezer! 

 

When we were in Clarksville in the morning I asked Jerry to pick up a couple of pairs of jean for him. He's "lost" three pair to my scissors this past week (I get his jeans when he's worn out the pockets or they get ripped. I picked up a pack of 5 T-shirts and some paints to decorat them up, for me.  I found some sealer on sale as well as a couple of clips that I can put on the end of leads to make getting the dogs clipped outside faster.

 

Outside my door ...  The sun just came out We woke up to mist and clouds.. Today is suppose to be at least partly sunny and a high in the mid to upper 50's.. We will be back closer to "normal" winter weather by this next weekend.

 

The Dogs ... Rocky and Macon have been picked on by Barney. Barney loves to play and Rocky just acts like he's too old to play. But. he'll get the rope toy so Barney can steal it from him, then the race is on.; While the weather is still good, I'll take a ball out with us in the afternoon, and let them chase the ball a few times before we get back to the camper. As long as there isn't a lot of people here, and I don't see anyone out.. we can play like that.

 

The Cats ... love sitting in the back window watching for birds or other cats. Smokey had been pestering Rocky. If they are out and Rocky is trying to move, Smokey is under his chin. rubbing all over him. So funny to watch Rocky trying to get around the cat.

 

From the kitchen... Today will be a roast in the crockpot. I'll set it up around noon. Three to four potatoes, a can of Green beans, A few Carrot slices and the roast. A Salad and the meal is complete.

 

I am hearing... Rachael Ray is on. I had the news on before and to be honest, i don't recall much of want the news was about this morning. ho hum.

 

I am wearing... Grey pants and a printed top

 

I am reading... I downloaded about 40 books for the kindle, now I need to pick one to read.

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."

Spinach and Cheese Cakes

Spinach and Cheese Cakes

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

2 Packages Frozen Chopped Spinach
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 for Onion and 2 to fry cakes in
1 small Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Bread Crumbs
1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
Salt and Pepper

 

Defrost Spinach in Microwave (or your prefered way) Wring spinach dry by placing in a kitchen towel andtwisting it over a sink until all liquid is gone. (Will turn your towel green). Place spinach in a bowl. heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add oil and onion and saute until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add onion to the spinach and return pan to stove top. Turn off for now. Add remaining ingredients to spinach and combine with a fork, then form into 3 inch patties. Heat 2 Tablespoons in oil in the pan you used for the onion and set cakes in to cook. Cook Cakes 3 minutes on each side.

 

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/

"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."

Good Thursday Afternoon.

Good Thursday Afternoon.  Just an update of sorts.

 

Not a lot going on around here.  Well. Very nice weather. Jerry got off work a half hour early last night and came in the door just after i had cut up the potatoes and put them in the skillet so too late to eat out.. I fixed Chicken fingers in the roasting oven. Fried Potatoes for Jerry and fried Okra for me.  I fixed too many chicken fingers so the dogs each got a bite. Barney didn't get much of a bite as he nipped me getting his share. No more for Barney and he had to watch the other two get their bites. There wasn't many of the potatoes left so the dogs got those for breakfast, this morning.
My back has been acting up, I was ready to text Jerry asking that we eat out because I wasn't sure I could stand long enough to cook and make the salad. But, like I said, he came home early so I pushed myself to get it done and was then able to just sit down. This morning it feels a little better, I've taken Naproxin Sodium to help take the edge off of it.

 

Yesterday, I sat in the sun while the dogs were on leads I have out for them. Rocky ended up in the camper first because he shook off his collar.  That's ok cause it wasn't long after that the other two ended up inside as well Macon because he wouldn't stop barking at kids up on the hill, and Barney.. well just because the other two were in the camper.  It turned into a good day to use some spray paint. I need to pick up more this weekend though.  I sprayed the inside of two boxes white and the tops as well. I'm still debating what I'm going to do on the tops of the boxes and the sides.  I have some wood stain I may stain the sides and Modge Podge something to the tops. One is for spices and I would like to be able to carry it to our Annual CoHT meeting but now that I've painted it white, don't think it will work out as I wish.. I may purchase a herb and spice box that fits the impression better at a later date. I also read a little in a book I have on my kindle. I plan on reading outside again today.
I'm looking forward to this weekend. There's a chance that Jerry will be rained out on Saturday and we will then have two days to do everything in.  I'll still have to sort the laundry, change the sheets on the bed, and such stuff but we can do the laundry when we feel like it and not have to wait until the end of the day to do it. If he works, it will only be for 8 hours and we will still do the laundry on Saturday evening. Maybe this time, I'll remember to take my Kindle with me. Jerry is such a sweetheart.  When we do laundry,I put the tubs at the doorway and he will put them in the back of the van, walking through the mud to do so.  I'll put some things in laundry bags, (they take up much less room when empty) and he will carry them out as well. When we get to the laundry mat, He'll carry in almost all of it for me. I can get in two things by the time he's gotten in the rest. Then he'll go get me the quarters while I'm stuffing clothes into washers (I don't stuff the washers full) And he'll even put clothes in a washer for me, if I ask him to.  Then, he goes out to the van usually and turns on the radio. Here lately though, the music over at the car wash is soo loud that it drowns out what he wants to hear in the van, so he'll come back inside.  I'll transfer from the washers to the dryers and get them going.  I don't usually fold things there as the amount of time it takes can make my feet and back hurt.  I put the clothes back in the tubs and bags and Jerry puts them back in the van for me. When we get home, He'll carry it back in for me. If I ask for one at a time, he'll bring them in one at a time. Other times we bring int all in and get that over with. I sit on one bed and the tub goes on the other bed and I fold them and put them away in the drawers under the beds. With the new mattresses, I need help in changing the sheets on them. I can do it by myself but why when he can help me lift each one. This week I'm going to put on the brown sheets we picked up as our second set.

 

Plans for Sunday are not too thought out of as of yet.  Jerry said he wants to replacea tire on the van at Firestone where we got the last tire. It's next door to Golden Corral.  We will drop off the van, then go eat breakfast, then come back and wait on the van. I'll take my Kindle with me this time. And my MP3 player. I want to stop off at Books a Million, and see if the newest issue of two magazines are out yet.  I expect that it will be a bit noisy around here during the game as many of the people here watch football. Of course I've not talked to Momma D just yet to see how many are expected over and if there will be fireworks again.  If not too many, then if they are outside I may walk over for a bit.  Will walk the dogs behind the camper as I do after dark most of the time anyway now. and if there are fireworks, I'll put Macon in a kennel. He panics with the noise. Oh, I just talked to Mike and yes there will be people over to watch the game. No on thefireworks.. He was burning off some trash out front. Hey.. Macon didn't bark while we were talking.. .yea !!l

 

Billie C.

http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com/