Recipes to rival Oprah's guests

I hesitate it writing about recipes, as I am not going to appear on the Food Network anytime soon. However, if any of you are planning on running out to cook the posted recipes from the latest Oprah, I want you to save your time and money! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Oprah! She is such an inspiring woman and I respect her for all she has done and will do in the future. However, she admits she does not cook. I also believe, she may not have loved what was prepared on her show yesterday. She "ooohs & aaahs" over Paula Deen's cooking, but the budget friendly, quick tips show, she seemed to be regretting a large bite. I have 3 quick dinner tips I must share...cheap, fast prep and it's edible!

Chicken Soft Tacos (slow cooker/crock pot)-
1 small jar of salsa (generic)
1 small bag of frozen corn (generic)
1 can of black beans (generic - rinsed and drained)
1 pakcage of taco seasoning (generic)
4-6 chicken breasts, cut into pieces (I used frozen, generic)
* cook for 4-6 hours on LOW...do not cook at HIGH for half the time!
* separate chicken & "salsa", serve salsa/corns/bean as a side or topping
* serve on soft flour tortillas with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guac...whatever you like on tacos.

Tex-Mex Casserole (leftovers from above)-
This makes two 9 x 9 casseroles...I say save one for later or surprise a neighbor with dinner!
On stove in pan combine:
1 can cream of chicken (generic + 1.5 cans of water)
1/4 C. of butter
2 chicken buillion cubes

Boil/Cook 1 package of pasta...your choice of noodles
Combine noodles with leftover chicken (from above tacos)
Add 1 small can of chopped green chiles (generic)

Put noodle combo in a greased pan & pour sauce over
Sprinkle with cheese, bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes
Serve with leftover corn/bean salsa from taco dinner & chips
I like this casserole better after it sits over night...it really is better!

Stir-fry...the easy way-
1-2 lbs. meat of your choice, cut into pieces (we do chicken or beef)
2-3 T of La Choy Garlic Ginger
2-3 T of soy sauce (generic, low sodium)
cook in wok or skillet until meat is done

add bag of WestPac Stir Fry, many choices...they make it easy if you don't want to prepare rice!
otherwise, serve on rice - your choice if you go healthy on brown or quick cook in a bag!

We have not calculated time to prepare, calorie or health content. However, these recipes are easy, tasty & cheap! We are not responsible for any undercooked meats or kids who don't eat their dinners.

Think outside the box

While having a retreat with friends, we were sharing recipes, vacation spots and the conversation led to choices of wine. Once everyone had come up with their "favorite", "the absolute best", the conversation landed on Cate. She decided to reveal her best tip known to date...The Black Box.

Founded in early 2003, Ryan Sproule decided wine in a box didn't have to be bad! They state their product is high end wine at everyday prices:

"Black Box Wines makes America's highest quality boxed wine. Our vintage dated wines come from the world's premier growing regions. Boxed wines from our winery are available in retail stores throughout the US. You can now enjoy excellent tasting wine in a box for about half the price you would pay for a bottled wine of the same quality. As an additional bonus, our 3 liter bag-in-box package protects your wine, keeping it fresh for at least 4 weeks after opening."

I can't wait to take this Chardonnay over to our neighbor's for dinner tonight!

As reminded on the The Black Box website:
Please drink responsibly.

Georgia on my mind...

Last week we made a quick trip down South and it was just what the doctor ordered! I am refreshed & inspired to be a better wife, mom & business woman. If you ever get a chance to stay in Savannah, I highly recommend it! I've been there a few times and always seem to have a fabulous time. I'm attaching photos & links to some of my favorite finds...we started our day at the Gryphon Tea Room, a delicious menu served in an amazing old pharmacy/soda shop. We crossed the street after lunch to ShopSCAD, I could have done major damage. They carry items from current & former SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) students, all wonderful!

Our hostess is one of the featured jewelry artists at ShopSCAD - love her stuff!

These cuffs were in a fabulous store called satchel. Their focus was on handbags, but they have a large assortment of leather accessories too.

I couldn't decide on my favorite room in The Paris Market - the perfect store to find home accessories or a hostess gift...I loved it all!

I didn't take any photos in BleuBelle Boutique, but it was a shopping experience I'll never forget. There is a jean guru at BleuBelle that takes one look at you, and brings the perfect jean to you - no joke, she got me in the first pair! They also sell second hand jeans, so those $250 jeans just got reasonable!

Sunday Funday

We're always looking for a little fun on the weekends as a family and Costco fits our criteria! A few weekends ago, we ran into our friends in the "toy aisle", have you seen the loot Costco carries?! The fav of the kids was the lifelike horse and dinosaur that you can feed. And the prices are amazing! Seriously, I could do all my holiday shopping there - including my husband's list. He found jeans that are usually $170 for $39! I saw a pile of cashmere...maybe in this economy Costco is the answer for my Christmas cashmere!

Even though we took full advantage of the free samples (thanks ice cream lady who pretended we hadn't been by twice already) we decided to be adventurous and head to the "cafe". Talk about a deal - a hot dog and drink for $1.50, are you kidding me?! Pizza broke the bank at $1.99, but it was awesome! I highly recommend a trip to Costco. If you don't have a membership, tag along with a friend that does!

A first date at Costco

Halloween, check!

After years of teaching school, Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays...the sugar highs, the costume drama, the list goes on. Each "day after" I enjoy looking back at my photos and checking it off my list for another year. Here are a few highlights from yesterday:

We tested out our neighbor's frog costume...a little tight!

Our pumpkin costume - just right!

After rounding the Prairie Village Shops, we took a candy break, yum!

Someone decided handing out candy was as much fun as getting it!

My all time favorite costume!
Her mommy owns Twenty 20, delish...glad lobster isn't on the menu!

Never fail recipe

I have this idea that food is the cure for anyone in need...a baby is born, the family needs food...someone has surgery, they need food...a loved one passes away, the family needs food. This is all well and good, but I've had a few disasters that are no real excuses for an edible meal. After the dried up pork tenderloin with a side of salad-in-a-bag that I delivered to a new mother of a 4th baby boy, I decided I needed to move on to baked goods. Don't sign me up for entire meals to be delivered on a specific date, because my family doesn't often get that! Now my answer to food chains will be "surprise baked goods". This means, I don't know when I'll bake them, but when I do, it will be a surprise treat - and edible!

Here's a no fail recipe, from The Joy of Cooking - my Bible in the kitchen. It's great to whip up if you've got a few over ripened bananas on your counter.

Banana Bread
all ingredients at room temp, position rack in lower third of oven, preheat oven to 350 & grease loaf pan

Whisk together:
1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. baking powder

In a large bowl, beat together:
5 1/3 T unsalted butter
2/3 cup sugar

Beat in the flour mixture, then gradually beat in:
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Fold in:
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 bananas)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans - I leave this out, due to allergies!

Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes & let cool in the pan 10 mins. before taking it out to slice.

Enjoy!

Fried Chicken Friday

So I've been experiencing a bit of writers block...fighting off a cold, work overload, etc. I found the cure - Stroud's fried chicken! For anyone who has spent significant time in Kansas City, the place is legendary. A few years back, the city had to build a highway through the old location. Everyone was up in arms and couldn't believe such a thing could happen. Thankfully, Stroud's finally found a new home. Lucky for me, it happens to be blocks away from my home.

Now this restaurant hasn't updated a thing in their move - they literally saved bar fixtures from the old building. I'm not entirely sure they didn't save their old curtains and tablecloths too! Fortunately, they also kept all their old recipes...fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and the fabulous cinnamon rolls. The only thing to beat Stroud's would be the same meal from my Nana.

Girls' Weekend

Re-entry into motherhood and the working world has been a tough one! I can't get over what fun I had with old friends...my sides were hurting from laughing so hard. We figured out we have been friends for 16 years, one of us from Greenwich, CT...one of us from Indianapolis...one of us from Dooley County, GA. Sea Island (Junior Staff) brought us together all those years ago and it rounded us up again this weekend - what fun! I tried to capture photos of some of the new buildings during our adventures. Enjoy-

The new Sea Island Beach Club entrance

As you walk into the Beach Club

A view of the Beach Club, walking up to the Loggia Bar

The view out the backyard of the lovely host home.

Heading out on a bike ride to explore - yes, that is a white bike and it's named Grace Kelley!

Relaxing by the pool after a long bike ride, the pomeranian was not thrilled to be sharing his kingdom!

Although I didn't take a lot of photos while out and about dining, we did have fabulous meals. I highly recommend the following: Big George's (The Beach Club), Halyard's, Delaney's and my favorite for breakfast or lunch - The 4th of May. Be sure to order a cup of the seafood gumbo, squash casserole and a biscuit with honey. If you haven't had a weekend with your friends, take a break and plan a gathering today - it does a world of good!

They made it down the aisle!

For any of you that have children, you can imagine my fear when asked to have my boys participate in a wedding. The plan was to have my 3 year old pull my 16 month old and my 21 month old nephew down the aisle. Starting last week, the insomnia began. I had dreams of kids flying out of the wagon, stage fright half way down the aisle and just basic fear of all hell breaking loose. We prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. Guess what, they did great!

The 3 amigos ready to make their debut!

Not sure handing these two the rings was a great idea, but it wasn't my show!

Making sure everyone knew he was in charge - shhhh!

My moment of calm after the storm...they made it down the aisle!

Still in charge, still leading the way - the uncles look pretty relieved it's over!

Our attempt at a family shot, can't ever get everyone looking at the camera, oh well.

The happy couple digging into the best wedding cake ever-Rebekah Foster.
Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!