tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140008002024-03-07T01:47:51.136-04:00Gathering MannaThis is where I keep my favorite recipes and clever home-management advice. The good, the great, and the quick... and as my husband says, sometimes they are so good you'll be 'picking angels out of your teeth'!
Gathering Manna: A little taste of heaven every day!Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-27491966204914348672010-07-04T12:23:00.000-04:002010-07-04T12:23:17.973-04:00On the Grill: 4th of July Edition<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/bbq-slaw.jpg" /><br />
Original recipe posted at the link below...<br />
<br />
I'm entering one of my recipes here at Gathering Manna at <a href="http://www.ourhomeschoolhome.com/2010/07/on-grill-july-4th-edition.html">Robyn's On the Grill Link Up</a> to win a 50$ gift card. She has inspired me to get back to adding great recipes to my food blog that I neglect so often. Did you know that I've had this blog almost as long as I have had my Sprittibee one? I'm just too hungry when I sit down to eat to stop and take photos of all the great food most of the time... and it takes me forever to finally get a picture to post here with the recipe.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's the link to the recipe I'm entering (and it's a nice reminder - since this is a summer dish that is nice and easy - and red cabbage and pears have so many health benefits!)...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2007/04/bbq-chicken-with-cabbage-pear-slaw.html">BBQ Chicken, Red Cabbage and Pear Slaw, and a Baked Potato with all the fixin's.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://ourhomeschoolhome.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Our Homeschool Home" border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4548780874_3fb57f986c_m.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<br />
What's on your grill? Or at your picnic? Robyn wants to know!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US" style="font-style: italic;">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-77754510335242835122010-06-17T14:44:00.002-04:002010-06-17T14:45:44.858-04:00New Favorite Snack Bars<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/makephoto-frontphp.jpg" /></div><br />
What's...<br />
<br />
1. Gluten Free<br />
2. Certified Organic<br />
3. Low in Sodium<br />
4. A Source of Fiber<br />
5. Vegetarian and Vegan (Dairy Free)<br />
6. Cholesterol Free<br />
7. Not made with Genetically Modified Ingredients (NO GMO)<br />
8. Transfat Free<br />
9. A Low Glycemic Carb<br />
10. Preservative and Additive Free<br />
11. Certified Kosher<br />
<br />
...and most importantly,<br />
<br />
<b>12. Not only edible, but DELICOUS???</b><br />
<br />
Wings of Nature snack bars, that's what!<br />
<br />
I've been eating Kashi granola bars (which are very healthy, and my husband loves them...) and haven't been sure if I should go ahead and eat the box, too. They are dry and my kids call them "cardboard".<br />
<br />
I went through a phase when I was pregnant with Baby K when I also bought boxes of the Belly Bars (they taste more like chocolate cookies and rice crispy bars, but they are pretty expensive). I do love Belly Bars... but was looking for something more 'every day' and less chocolate coated. Not that I have anything against chocolate, of course... I'm just trying to not eat AS MUCH of it.<br />
<br />
<center><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/image001.png" /></center><br />
<br />
<b>I was delighted to be given a few of these new bars by Wings of Nature to try out. I'm always looking for a tasty snack that will keep me out of the cookies</b>. I have a REAL problem with chocolate chip cookies, y'all - it's serious.<br />
<br />
I'll have you know that I ate the first one (the Almond Raisin bar) and was thrilled with how soft and yummy it was (the ingredients were wonderful, but the taste sealed the deal). The very next day I ate two of them in one sitting during snack time because the Espresso Coffee Bar and the Cranberry Crunch Bar were even better than the first one I tried. [Don't judge me - it was a better choice than eating half a bag of Milano Double Cholocate Cookies, right?]<br />
<br />
<b>I'm working on mending some broken resolutions to eat healthier and much more organic, and am planning to add Wings of Nature to my "must have snack list".</b><br />
<br />
Check out the <a href="http://www.freshharvestproducts.com/">Wings of Nature website</a> to find out where you can purchase them near you. I'm going to get mine at Walgreens.<br />
<br />
<b>Disclosure: </b>These yummy snacks were provided to me to review. The opinion is all my own and I was not compensated monetarily for it.Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-14949312281504106062010-05-24T22:03:00.001-04:002010-05-24T22:04:35.301-04:00Good Foods Come in ThreesI promised to do some foodie reviews and have kind of dropped the ball... and I've been meaning to tell you about my new favorite breakfast cereal, too. <b>I'm thrilled to have THREE great items to share with you: a snack, a drink, and a cereal (aren't those the three basic food groups?).</b><br />
<br />
Anyway, here are the great things our family has discovered in the past few months (and have subsequently added to our master grocery list):<br />
<br />
<p align="center"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/homefreecookies-sm.jpg" /></p><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Home Free Organic Cookies</span></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>These little goodies are food allergy approved!</b> They contain no nuts, no eggs, and no dairy (and are made at a dedicated bakery). I promise, they DON'T taste like the box! <b>Organic sweets are wonderful to have around the house when the munchies take over.</b> <a href="http://www.homefreetreats.com/">Home Free</a> did a great job on these, considering all they left OUT.<br />
<br />
I feel good feeding these oatmeal cookies to the munchkin - since he's on a baby food strike and we are having trouble getting him to eat anything at all right now that doesn't resemble a cookie or a chip. Good thing I'm still nursing him, or he would probably starve himself to death.<br />
<br />
Hop over to <a href="http://www.homefreetreats.com/t-homefreefaq.aspx">homefreetreats.com</a> and find out more about their standards on their FAQs page if you are feeding a sensitive tummy. Or you can click on their <a href="http://www.homefreetreats.com/stores/default1.aspx">Store Locator page</a> to find out the nearest place where you can purchase these yummy snacks.<br />
<br />
<b>These cookies are great for people with food allergies, but they DO contain gluten.</b> Are you confused about food allergies and celiac disease (gluten sensitivity)? You aren't alone. Check out this informative <a href="http://www.godairyfree.org/201004094243/News/Nutrition-Headlines/Story-Update-Food-Allergies-vs-Celiac-Disease-America-is-Confused.html">Celiac vs. Food Allergy</a> article that Home Free sent to me with their free cookie sample.<br />
<br />
<p align="center"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/purefitness-sm.jpg" /></p><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Crystal Light Pure Fitness Sport Drink</b></span><br />
<br />
I almost said no to <a href="http://www.kraftbrands.com/crystallight/Pages/default.aspx">Crystal Light</a> before they ever sent the samples - because I figured they had artificial sweeteners. <b>I was VERY impressed that they have opted to go 'healthy' by eliminating the fake stuff and adding evaporated can juice and Truvia (an all-natural, calorie free sweetener derived from the stevia plant). </b>Another cool thing about the samples that they sent was that they are <i>individual sized</i> servings (a tiny packet you can dump in to your cold bottled water - or add to your water glass at a restaurant). If you want to drink more water but you really aren't a big water-fan, this stuff is for you! It also is handy if you eat out - because ordering water at a restaurant can save you oodles of money. Now everyone can have a flavored drink without paying an extra 8$ or more on the tab (my kids love this angle).<br />
<br />
If you enjoy Crystal Light, follow them on twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/CrystalLight">@CrystalLight</a>. Tell them Sprittibee sent you. Maybe that will make up for how long it took to review their drinks! <br />
<br />
<p align="center"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/granola.jpg" /></p><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dark Chocolate Almond Granola</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://cascadianfarm.com/products/product_detail.aspx?cat=8&upc=0-21908-40772-2">Cascadian Farms</a> have outdone themselves this time. <b>This stuff is 13.25 ounces of pure breakfast bliss.</b> I didn't get a free sample of it - but I do have a serious addiction. I figured if I told more people about this chocolate-lover's secret, maybe more of my favorite grocery stores would carry it. So far I haven't seen it at Walmart (for shame). According to their website, you could snack on it without milk (why didn't I think of that?) and use it as a topping for ice-cream (OH. MY.)... but please - do yourself a favor and BUY SOME. Who cares that it is completely natural and organic. It's all about the flavor, baby.<br />
<br />
There you have it. Three new finds to treat yourself on. <b>Off to the store you go!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: As stated in this post, the cookies and drink were provided for my honest opinion, free of charge. The granola was purchased by me (but you still got my honest opinion).</span>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-78636943290752083892010-03-29T19:14:00.000-04:002010-03-29T19:14:30.272-04:00No Shame in Storebought Cake<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sprittibee/4474119895/" title="firstcake by SprittiBee, on Flickr"><img alt="firstcake" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4474119895_14d7b477cd.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<b>Cake seems to be my theme today.</b> Only, I never shared the photos from the baby's ACTUAL birthday. It was on a Wednesday, smack dab in the middle of our school week... so I wasn't about to do the whole birthday party thing and ruin our homeschool momentum. I purchased a pre-made cake at the local grocery store and had her pop a little shamrock and leprechaun on it.<br />
<br />
My baby was born on St. Patty's Day, so we tried to go for green, but they didn't have anything that color with buttercream icing. Buttercream is a must. So we opted for the primary colors instead. I'm sure he didn't mind. He probably thought that it tasted like heaven since he doesn't get a lot of sweets. I couldn't resist sharing this little collage of him digging in the cake like a steam shovel, and then we bathed him in the sink.<br />
<br />
Isn't that how all first birthdays that are in the middle of the week play out?<br />
<br />
This weekend we gave him a party so the family could join us and he could open presents and see his baby buddies. I posted all of the photos for that (including the <a href="http://sbees.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-little-night-owls-first-birthday.html">owl cupcakes</a> I made and pictures of the decorations) over at my 'real' blog today. Hop over and check them out!<br />
<br />
- HeatherSprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-33101677078244725732010-02-20T16:15:00.003-04:002010-02-20T19:33:02.255-04:00The Cake I Didn't Have to Bake<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/kidhug.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Last week, my oldest turned 13.</span> I asked him what he wanted to eat for his birthday. He told me he wanted my <a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2005/10/sesame-chicken-fingers.html">Sesame Chicken Fingers</a> and <a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2005/10/adaptable-and-delicious-asian-fried.html">Asian Fried Rice</a>. I was happy to make it for him - despite the substitutions I had to make (crackers that had nuts and seeds in them instead of sesame seeds - because we were out). It came out great.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/kkake.jpg" /><br /></div><br />So did Morgan's cake she baked him.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> It was delicious - a boxed yellow cake with chocolate icing, sprinkles and dark chocolate chips.</span> Yumm!<br /><br />I'm never one to turn my nose up at boxed cakes. Or any cake, for that matter.<br /><br />I was too tired after our long day and cooking dinner to make a cake. He had said he really didn't want one. He wanted chocolate chip cookies (like mama, like son), so his sister promised to make him those the next day - but she<span style="font-style: italic;"> insisted</span> he have a cake for his birthday.<br /><br />She baked it at 8pm and we had cake after 10pm - with milk (of course); a bedtime snack for a birthday boy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/sprittinecklace.jpg" /><br /></div><br />He got some spending money and gift certificates from his grandparents. As a surprise treat, I gave him a little dogtag necklace I had made with his original drawing for my blog... and promised to take him to Fuddruckers the next night. Fuddruckers is his favorite burger place besides Stax in the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in TN... and Mighty Fine here in Austin (like mama, like son).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/blowemout.jpg" /><br /></div><br />My little homemaker 11 year old has turned out to be a great help in the kitchen and she certainly has talent with baking. She makes us cookies all the time, too. I love it when she cooks and bakes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If only I could stop time so they could be young and baking with mom at home forever.</span> I can't imagine a kitchen without them.<br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-61740929860826608502010-01-24T21:00:00.000-04:002010-01-24T23:27:10.525-04:00Leftover Taco Casserole<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/tacoleftoverpie.jpg" /><br /><br />What better to do with leftover taco stuff than put it in a pie?<br /><br />Just layer your meat, rice & beans on the bottom after you spray your glass pie dish with Pam. Then sprinkle your pico or chopped tomatoes on top. Add a can of chilies if you like it spicy. Layer on the broken tortilla chips and coat it all with cheddar or Mexican cheese.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/tacopiefin.jpg" /><br /><br />I think I used tortilla strips on the bottom of this particular leftover taco pie. I usually serve mine with a little side salad and sour cream for dipping... and extra corn tortilla chips.<br /><br />Leftovers with style.<br /><br />Hot taco pie.<br /><br />FINSprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-19040949484738818882009-12-11T12:19:00.002-04:002009-12-11T15:26:36.929-04:00The Glorious Taco<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots/bsb3.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm not sure I would be alive without tacos.</span> I love breakfast tacos, meat tacos, and even my latest healthy <a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2006/12/lentil-rice-casserole-burritos.html">lentil tacos</a>. I might shrivel up and die if there were no such thing as tacos. So when you get a chance today, hug a Mexican. Tell them THANK YOU for their ingenious contribution to your menu.<br /><br />I have found that everyone does Taco Night a little different. Being that I used to be a young kid who barely knew how to boil water when I got married, I figured I would share what I know about tacos - just in case someone out there needs to know... even though it seems really too easy to take up recipe-blog space. Who knows, maybe it might give someone out there who already knows how to cook some new ideas, too.<br /><br />We make tacos about once a week or once every other week. I usually alternate them with Cheese Enchiladas or some other Mexican dish so that we can at least have Mexican (or Tex-Mex) one night a week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOR THE MEAT EATERS:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Everyone should know how to make tacos.</span></span><br /><br />lean ground beef cooked with chopped onion<br />McCormick Taco Seasoning<br />pan-fried flour or corn tortillas (with butter or oil)<br />chopped lettuce<br />chopped tomato<br />shredded Mexican style cheese<br />sour cream<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Serve with:</span><br />refried beans<br /><a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2006/09/spanish-rice.html">Spanish rice</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots/bsb2.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOR THE BREAKFAST FANATIC:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Breakfast tacos are probably what Jesus eats now that he's in heaven.</span></span><br /><br />eggs<br />butter<br />crisp thick bacon (fat chopped off)<br />pico de gallo (mixture of chopped onion, tomato, cilantro and jalapeno)<br />shredded cheese<br />warm, pan-fried flour tortillas (fried with a touch of butter)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Optional:</span><br />Salsa<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/lentiltaco.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOR THE VEGETARIAN OR HEALTH-NUT:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >A cow doesn't have to die for you to enjoy the yummy taste of a taco for dinner.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2006/12/lentil-rice-casserole-burritos.html">Lentil-Rice Casserole</a> (with the right seasoning blend it subs as the meat)<br />Seasoning: Cumin, Coriander, Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder, Jalapeno Tabasco, Onion, Cayenne...<br />pan-fried flour or corn tortillas (with butter or oil)<br />chopped lettuce<br />chopped tomato<br />shredded Mexican style cheese<br />sour cream<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Serve with:</span><br />Dessert (because you saved some calories, right?)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note:</span> All tacos taste good with sweet tea. Not too sweet. Even breakfast tacos. Trust me. I know these things first hand.<br /><br /><br />Next up... what to do with Taco Leftovers...<br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a><br /><br />Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Food" rel="tag">Food</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Texas" rel="tag">Texas</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Mexican" rel="tag">Mexican</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Meals" rel="tag">Meals</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Spanish+Rice" rel="tag">Spanish Rice</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/wonderful" rel="tag">wonderful</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Southwest" rel="tag">Southwest</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Recipe" rel="tag">Recipe</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Delicious" rel="tag">Delicious</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Side-Dish" rel="tag">Side-Dish</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Eat" rel="tag">Eat</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rice" rel="tag">Rice</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cook" rel="tag">Cook</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cooking" rel="tag">Cooking</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Tex-Mex" rel="tag">Tex-Mex</a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-42348500031697228502009-08-27T12:31:00.005-04:002009-08-27T13:24:43.187-04:00God Speaks Through Fountain Drinks<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/chipot1.jpg" /><br /></div><br />We had to skip school most of the day yesterday. Only got a few things done. Why? Because we've had a major disaster with the insurance company over claims on little Bee. Seems they don't want to pay his doctor because we weren't using the one on his medical card they assigned him - but we only just got the medical card 15 days ago and had no idea we weren't using the right one. Not to mention my husband's company needed proof of his birth (other than the hospital bills and his social security card) or they were going to retro-actively drop him from coverage entirely. That would put a whole lot of financial stress on us, so we figured it was priority to skip school and get it handled. I was on a mission to get hospital documents to prove the existence of baby Bee and thus have a stack of medical bills paid and off my desk.<br /><br />After loosing a school day and feeling a bit frazzled with all the paperwork and laundry piling up (and make-up work for my lesson planner)... and after paying bills (which always gets me in a bad mood), I had another one of those "man, I stink at homeschooling" and "we're never going to get stuff accomplished" moods brewing. Ever have one of those?<br /><br />So we ate at Chipotle with grandma and tried to enjoy the 103 degree sunshine. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nothing like a good dose of Chipotleness to cheer me up.</span><br /><br />Despite the fact that I'm nursing (a baby that naps in short doses), I decided on a Coke with my meal. They had one of their funny signs on the fountain drink machine. I chuckled after reading it: "Not a Winner".<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Then, out of my spirit, I heard the still small voice of truth: </span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">"You know, I'm sure glad God still thinks we're worth saving even when we aren't winners."</span></blockquote>Wow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/chipot2.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I'd hate to be labeled as a looser like that spigot up there. Wouldn't you? Aren't you glad that God meets you where you are and lifts you up, dusts you off, and smiles at you? He keeps blessing you even if you aren't perfect and don't pull everything off with ease.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/chipot3.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">That's even better than Chipotle at correcting a bad mood.</span><br /><br />So we enjoyed our refills on soft drinks <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> the rest of our day - even though we didn't get everything we had planned on our lesson planner done.Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-51512688988810604422009-08-25T22:31:00.006-04:002009-08-25T23:59:55.692-04:00Organic Food Give-Away...<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/scopb.jpg" /><br /></div><br />Head on over to my 'real blog' to win a <a href="http://sbees.blogspot.com/2009/08/organic-applesauce-peanut-butter-and.html">huge box of free organic foods</a>! The box contains juices, apple sauces, and peanut butters - all great treats for back to school lunch time!<br /><br />Yummm!!!Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-34360500665415642032009-08-14T00:06:00.004-04:002009-08-14T00:13:05.083-04:00I Promise 2 Bee More Domestic<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/retro40sapron.jpg" /><br /></div><br />My good friend Domestic Chicky the <a href="http://apronista.blogspot.com/">Apronista</a> had a contest for a free apron last week and I won! I won a <a href="http://www.dlux57.com/store/">56$ apron</a>!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This will be my very first apron.</span> I kid you not. I'm nearly ... well... let's just say I'm not 20 any more, and I've never owned an apron. Of any sort.<br /><br />I'm so excited!<br /><br />I had my husband help me pick one out. He and I didn't agree on apron design. But then again, he thinks aprons are dumb. And he thinks I'll never wear it. BOY IS HE WRONG! I told him, "I'll show you! I'll get all domestic and stuff."<br /><br />He rolled his eyes. "Heather, we've been together for 18 years. I think I know you by now. You probably won't even wear that thing. Why don't you just ask her to let you buy a tote bag."<br /><br />Humph. What a killjoy. OK, I'll admit that a tote bag is probably more my style with all the homeschool books I lug around. He calls me the 'bag lady'.<br /><br />I'm going to show him, though! I'll learn to sew and start cooking lots of new stuff. You watch. Just as soon as my paper cut heals... and the bookshelves are finished being sorted... and the house is spotless... and the closets are cleaned out... and the school assignments are finished being entered in to my planner... and the kids have all their chores done without me nagging...<br /><br />Eventually.<br /><br />Oh, well. At least I managed to learn to cook without an apron on all these years. Now I'll look cute in the kitchen making dinner. So there. I'm going to wear that apron every day! I'll show him.<br /><br />Who knows? Maybe I will become more domestic. Maybe the apron will give me domestic super-powers. Wouldn't that be cool to instantly learn how to sew and quilt? A girl can dream big apron dreams...Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-21251779290767057972009-07-18T22:52:00.004-04:002009-07-18T23:35:06.846-04:00Monthly Menu Plan<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/Thriftykitchen.jpg" /><br /></div><br />Remember the <a href="http://gatheringmanna.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrifty-kitchen-challenge.html">challenge to eat at home</a>? Well here's a back-to-school stab at it...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">School is gearing up and I don't want to get caught without a plan.</span> Even before we had a baby in the house, it was tough to spend 100% on school and still keep the house in order and dinner on the table each night. Often times if we didn't plan ahead, we ended up at a fast food place or eating frozen stuff and junk foods at lunch time. Peanut-butter jelly sandwiches are nice in a pinch (or peanut-butter pickle sandwiches like my daughter enjoys), but not every weekday! <span style="font-weight: bold;">It's nice to write down a month's worth of meals on a blank monthly chart to keep on the fridge or in your school/day planner. </span>Then you won't be stuck asking yourself and the kids, "What's for lunch?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I made a generic monthly meal plan and I'll see how it goes over as school begins. </span>We're going to start on Week #1 even though it is July 19th tomorrow! That's the beauty of non-labeled and generic print-outs. You can even make a plain grid on notebook or scrap paper for this. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It is just a brainstorm meal planner - and you don't have to do it in order.</span> Use a highlighter and just highlight the meals you eat or cross them off. Then you can pick something you like in the morning and have it ready to go that night. It also keeps you aware of what you'll need to buy at the grocery store.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's our first week of our 5-week Monthly meal-plan.</span> I'll post each week on Monday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Week 1:</span><br /><br />Sunday Breakfast : Cereal<br />Sunday Lunch : Jason's Deli (our one meal out for the week)<br />Sunday Dinner : Cookies & Icecream at small group (probably a protien snack, too)<br /><br />Monday Breakfast : Bagel & Cream Cheese<br />Monday Lunch : Soup<br />Monday Dinner : Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Refried or Black Beans<br /><br />Tuesday Breakfast : Oatmeal<br />Tuesday Lunch : Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup<br />Tuesday Dinner : Mesquite Grilled Fish, Basmati Rice, Green Beans<br /><br />Wednesday Breakfast : Cereal<br />Wednesday Lunch : Peanut Butter and Jelly (or pickle), chips, pickle<br />Wednesday Dinner : Spaghetti and Meatballs (Daddy cooks), salad, tea<br /><br />Thursday Breakfast : Blueberry whole grain waffles with maple syrup, milk, applesauce<br />Thursday Lunch : Fishsticks, whole grain mac-n-cheese, frozen peas<br />Thursday Dinner : Falafels, hummus, pita or naan, Lebanese cucumber-tomato salad<br /><br />Friday Breakfast : Cheese toast, chocolate milk<br />Friday Lunch : Speedy chicken nachos, sour cream, Coke<br />Friday Dinner : Grilled burgers, frozen french fries or hashbrowns, baked beans<br /><br />Saturday Breakfast : Donuts (once-a-month treat), milk<br />Saturday Lunch : Snacky stuff - fend for yourself<br />Saturday Early Dinner - "Linner": Bada-bing Chicken, Lemon-Roasted Potatoes, Greco-style Feta-Orzo Pasta<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The next step is making sure there are ample snacks in the house.</span> I'll be posting a snack list later this week. I'm probably going to print it out and put it on my refrigerator, too. That way the kids aren't always asking me for cookies, chips and candy when they get hungry. Maybe I can have them do two days of healthy snacks and then a sugary snack on day 3 as a reward.<br /><br />We've been eating way too much fluff lately. Morgan even found a box of Girl-Scout candy in her closet from Christmas (sealed) that she opened and we ate all of it this week! Ick! No wonder the scale hasn't been very nice lately. Breastfeeding or not, there's just no excuse for candy and cookies and cokes almost every day!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Share your menu and snack links with me! I'd love to read what you are planning for school-time meals, lunches and snacks!</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-84157438371987995162009-06-26T14:29:00.005-04:002009-06-26T14:46:12.110-04:00Free Kids Meals and Meal Deals<a href="https://www.lubys.com/countdown.asp"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/luannrewind.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I don't know about you, but I love <a href="https://www.lubys.com/countdown.asp">Luby's</a>.</span> Yeah, I've heard people say it's denture-food because lots of old people like to eat at cafeterias. Poo-poo on that, though. And lots of old people just can't be wrong. They are smarter than us by quite a few years!<br /><br />What I love about Luby's is that it allows my whole family to get whatever they are in the mood for - no fighting or fussing! And the sweet tea. Good heavens, the sweet tea is divine!<br /><br />Another great thing about Luby's is their motto: <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Tastes like Texas. Feels like home."</span> Anything that Tastes like TEXAS just can't be bad.<br /><br />I can remember eating at Luby's when I was knee-high to a grasshopper and ordering a tiny plate with red jello. My kids have all had that plate (at least most of them - we have a grasshopper that hasn't started out on table food yet - but I'm sure he'll love Luby's, too).<br /><br />What do I order when I go? It depends. I love the fried fish, the chopped steak, the turkey and dressing, the enchiladas, the blackened fish, and the chicken picata. As for sides, I change those up almost every time I go.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If you haven't been to <a href="https://www.lubys.com/countdown.asp">Luby's</a> in a while, take advantage of their Luann rewind and catch a full meal for 5.99 until July 10th. For July 4th they are offering free kids meals, too. </span>It would be a great time to have a just-like-home cooked meal that you don't have to cook yourself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />That's the other great thing about Luby's... they do the dishes!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">* I was not paid or rewarded in any way to write this post!!! I just lurve, em!</span>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-9626233689569272952009-06-25T22:48:00.005-04:002009-06-25T23:07:10.743-04:00Freeze Dried Fruit Snacks<center><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/FunkyMonkeyPic.jpg" /></center><br /><br />Man alive! These little babies are sweet and crunchy! You have got to try them. My kids and I are fighting over the last two packages since the first two packages were such a hit. We got 4 flavors to try out and fell in love. Too bad they didn't send me a CRATE.<br /><br />The great thing about <a href="http://www.funkymonkeysnacks.com/index.htm">Funky Monkey</a> fruit snacks is that they are certified organic and their only ingredients are WHOLE FRUITS. They are amazingly sweet - even though they have no added preservatives or sugars. Have picky kids that don't like fruits and veggies because of the textures or tastes and yet they will eat those gummy fruit snacks? Funky Monkey is way better because it isn't mixed with gummy ingredients and candies - it is the REAL DEAL.<br /><br />They come in these flavors:<br /><br />Purple Funk - banana acai<br />Bananamon - banana cinnamon<br />Jivealime - pineapple lime<br />Carnival Mix ( a tropical twist ) - mix of banana, apple, papaya, pineapple and raisins<br /><br />They are making their debut at Whole Foods and you can also check their website out for additional locations. I hope that HEB and Kroger will pick them up if they haven't already. I'm sure we'll be pining away for them after pack #3 and #4 are gone.Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-13323934849600282532009-06-23T02:27:00.004-04:002009-06-23T02:37:33.471-04:00Kristen's Wedding Cake<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/IMG_8807-psmall.jpg" /><br /><br />What is it about wedding cakes that make them all have 'issues'? Mine nearly fell over at my reception. Seems Kristen (although her day seemed nearly perfect) had the same trouble with hers.<br /><br />Looks pretty, right? Well I don't know if it was the heat or what... but it started to lean and slide.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/IMG_8835-psmall.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Her wedding party had to do 'cake surgery'.</span> They cut the top off and set it up beside the bottom on another tray. The cake in the background is a TIRE cake. That was the groom's cake. Both were good, but the chocolate and butter-cream and cream-cheese frosted wedding cake was the most moist I have ever eaten.<br /><br />I had two slices. Don't tell Kristen.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/IMG_8877-psmall.jpg" /><br /><br />This is Morgan serving groom's cake.<br /><br />I love the way those tires looked, but fondant icing is gross.<br /><br />I'm happy for Kristen that the women who were hanging around waiting for some of that delicious cake caught it before it became a puddle on the dance floor!<br /><br />Too bad you have to wait for a wedding to eat wedding cake!Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-5804288077117290182009-05-30T11:32:00.005-04:002009-05-30T12:43:36.589-04:00The Kitchen Challenge Refrigerator Chart... and My Frugal FailuresYou probably are wondering what happened to the kitchen challenge. You know, the one that I was supposed to put up last Monday. Just like I'm wondering what happened to the linky that disappeared from the original post. Hmmmm. I can't speak for Mr. Linky, but I can tell you what my part in this dismal plot was: falling off the thrifty bandwagon.<br /><br />It wasn't a little skid, folks. It was a leap. All that talk about saving money and not eating fast food? I plugged my ears and sang nanny-nanny-boo-boo. I had Jack in the Box, Red Robin, and Chick-Fil-A. I even had Mediterranean food, pizza and burgers from a place near my house that my mom brought over. I spent 150$ at Costco on the finest fruit you've ever tasted (granted that a large sum went to pay for the Reverse Osmosis water filter for the kitchen that now graces our sink). But, oh, those greasy burgers and cokes! Oh, that Mango! It was heavenly - nearly 8$ gone in less than 24 hours.<br /><br />Then, last night, I actually refused to cook and pulled a frozen casserole out of the freezer. Used it right up! How thrifty was that? Wasting my stockpiles that I've been so carefully trying to store up. Well... at least I didn't go out to eat again. Heaven knows we can't afford it.<br /><br />The only things I can really give myself credit for on the Kitchen Challenge last week:<br /><br />1. Eating stale Christmas popcorn instead of chips with our sandwiches<br />2. Cereal for dinner one night the week before last<br />3. Making a chart for the refrigerator to track our meals at home/money spent on groceries<br /><br />The first two aren't something I would recommend. Unless you really like cereal, of course. However, the third item on the list - the Kitchen Challenge Refrigerator Chart - has been a real eye-opener. Even if it socked me in the eye this week because of all the money we lost not being thrifty. <span style="font-weight: bold;">It's great for all of us (even the kids) to SEE where our food-money is going and watch ourselves stretch the budget when we place each star on the chart for a meal eaten at home. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/refrigeratorchart.jpg" /><br /></div><br />It's simple, really. All you need is a blank calendar and a pen. We mark a star for every meal we eat at home and we put a dollar sign and amount for every food-related purchase we spend.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The object is to have three stars a day. </span>Snacks don't count. We put an 'S' on the days that we do school, too - just for fun. I'm still thinking of what kind of rewards I'll give to us if we actually get a week with almost all stars - all the way across.<br /><br />Like maybe a cruise to the Bahamas. Or a flat screen TV. Or not. Maybe something more in line with the budget would be: Ice Cream after church... or dinner at a favorite restaurant.<br /><br />I don't think my failure to be thrifty this week deserves a linky, but if you have some encouragement or tips from your week as a frugal homemaker, please do drop them in to my comment box to cheer me up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/dirtydishes.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On another relevant note, frugality also requires you to do a lot more dishes.</span> Another area that I seem to be needing help this week!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">So how is your Thrifty Kitchen Challenge coming along?</span>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-15541959507779662302009-05-18T23:16:00.002-04:002009-05-19T01:40:07.410-04:00The Thrifty Kitchen Challenge<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/Thriftykitchen.jpg" /><br /></div><br />I'm giving myself a challenge. You see... in times like these, when money is tight, eating at home is a real way to stretch the family dollar. Gone are the days when we can eat out on a whim (usually because mom hasn't gotten her grocery list and menu together for the week). I'm learning to be a bit more domestic and the discipline is doing me good.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> I'm going to turn my kitchen in to a budget-saver, an educational tool, and a family blessing!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How is cooking at home good for you? </span></span>Let me count the ways:<br /><br />*<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The wallet.</span> You save money eating at home.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;">The pantry. </span>You'll always have snacks if you plan to stay home and eat!<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;">The kids.</span> Not only are they eating healthier, but they are learning home economics!<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;">The husband.</span> The way to a man's heart is his stomach, I hear.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;">Your local grocer and farmer.</span> Buy local and you're helping your local economy as well.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;">Your waist.</span> Fast food is full of grease, and assuming you are cooking healthy, you'll be excited to see that eating MORE at home will end up LESS on the scale.<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;">Your skills.</span> Keeping organized with your menu and pantry stocking, learning new and exciting recipes, and involving the children is not only fun - it's an educational experience for all.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">So what is the "Thrifty Kitchen Challenge"? </span></span>It's just a personal goal that I'm trying to meet ... one that I'm sharing with you all since I know that so many are tightening their belts financially with the state of our economy these days. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are ways I'm trying to make changes for the better:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm just trying to use up what we have at home before hitting the store.</span> Yeah, those dry beans and strange marinades are going to finally see the light of day. No more hiding in the recesses of the freezer or the back of the pantry shelves. Make an inventory of what you have and see if you can marry the ingredients you have with a recipe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm trying to make home-made things more often.</span> Store bought cookies are great in a pinch (like when you promised to bring something to your church meeting and don't have time to bake it after that long Sunday nap); however, baking cookies at home is cheaper and WAY better on the taste buds. You can even find copy-cat recipes for favorite dishes at restaurants. We learned to make fried rice and enchiladas because we ate them out so often. Now we prefer home-made to the stuff we get at restaurants.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm trying to lay off the cokes and sugar.</span> It's much easier to diet when you control what comes in and out of your pantry and fridge. Eating at fast food or restaurants, the temptation to splurge on carbs, sugars, and carbonated beverages is overwhelming. I always find that eating healthier is easier at home. I'm saving my hips and my wallet some unwanted overages.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm teaching my kids to cook. </span>I don't make them help with every meal, but for a good number of our dishes, my kids are in the kitchen helping. I don't want to turn out young adults who are dependent on others to cook for them - no matter their gender. Nor do I want my kids to feel as if they have to frequent fast food to survive because mom never taught them how to fend for themselves at home. I could hardly boil water when I got married and it has been a long road learning on my own how to cook well. Sixteen plus years after I said "I do", my husband finally admits that my cooking is as good as granny's and mom's. That's my A+ in Homeschool Home-Ec. Now it's my turn to pass the grade on to the progeny.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm learning to be organized and saving time. </span>Just recently I started cooking and freezing meals. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to pop something out that is home-made and QUICK for us to eat. Time is as precious to me as money - so this is a GREAT way to kill 2 birds with one stone.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm saving money.</span> Less gas spent on multiple trips in to town to eat out after dad gets home from work. Less trips to the grocery store for stuff we need since a menu wasn't planned out and no-one is keeping track of what we have in the fridge. Less chance of getting sick eating fast food that someone else is cooking - with less than par ingredients. Less of our hard earned green paying for foods that make us fat, make us feel bad, and make us BROKE.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So... are you with me? Want to join the "Thrifty Kitchen Challenge"?</span><br /><br />All you have to do is post about what you did to save money, cook at home, teach the kids to cook, eat healthy, prep/cook & freeze meals, or make something from scratch. It doesn't matter what day you do it. Just stop in here after you make your menu on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mondays</span> and maybe I'll have a linky up where you can share your kitchen-related posts and tips. I'm going to try and add them to all my menus for Monday each week. That aught to help me be more accountable for staying on top of my goal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">You can use my image as long as you link back to this blog.</span> Right click on my graphic above and you can use it in your post if you save it to your own images and upload it to your own blog. Please don't hotlink. If you don't know what that means, shoot me an email and I'll explain.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Sign up here</span> on the "Thrifty Kitchen Challenge" linky if you plan to participate:</span><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/header.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=sprittibee&postid=18May2009&meme=2638"></script><br /><br />Love in Him,<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >Heather</span>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-39786123391030502322009-05-04T21:54:00.001-04:002009-05-04T23:26:49.846-04:00Menu Plan Monday: BeginningsSo it has been a while since I've been really active in this blog. Pregnancy and bed rest usually cut in to a girl's kitchen-time. Getting casseroles brought over by friends during your postpartum days is enough to spoil you away from the kitchen for quite some time, too. We got in the habit of eating out fast food when the casseroles stopped. It wasn't until a month after the baby was born that I actually cooked a meal. I heart my homeschool and church friends!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now that I'm back in the cooking mode, I figured I would start posting menu plans on Mondays to keep myself accountable. </span>It wouldn't hurt to have them typed up so I can post them on the fridge.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not only is cooking at home a healthier choice, it is a financially wise choice, too!</span></span> These days when the banks are failing, the economy is diving and jobs are shaky... it is always good to save money in areas where you CAN. Eating at home is WAY cheaper than eating out. If you do the math, it will astound you. Even fast food like McDonald's, if it doesn't send you to the ER with cardiac arrest over those delicious fries, it will be the hole in your wallet. My mom says she went to a seminar where the lady told the audience they didn't deserve to eat out if they had outstanding debt. Eating out is a luxury (never thought of Chick-Fil-A as a luxury, but I'm listening...). Since I'm BENT on getting out of debt in the next year or so, I have decided that eating out is going to have to go away for a while.<br /><br />I pulled out the paper and pencil and began my pantry inventory Saturday night. By Sunday after church the kids and I had a two week plan written down. I'm not one of those domestic types that was born kitchen-organized. I have to work at these things. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Having been spoiled to eating out most of my life (Houston is the restaurant capitol of the USA and I lived there many years), I don't like a one-week menu that stays the same. </span>We have to have some variety... and casseroles only go so far to making my man happy. There has to be some TLC in our menu to make our picky eaters happy - or we'll all end up going out again. That being said, my menu is not a fix-it-and-forget it type of list. Truth be known, I don't even know how to work my crock pot (shhhh!). I burned some oatmeal-thing in it and then put it back in the pantry to collect dust and mason-jar lids.<br /><br />I can throw one or two casseroles a month in to our menu; there's nothing wrong with them... IF (big IF) I can pass them by my husband! Me and the kids are not as picky and we aren't above consuming beef franks or fish sticks on a weekday for a quick lunch. We eat cheap frozen foods to save time too often (*blush*). You'll be amused at the differences in lunch verses dinners at our house. Lunch is when Daddy is NOT here. He won't eat 'junk' foods. He has granola bars and bottled waters for lunch most days at work so he can work through and get more done. We kid him that he eats bird food.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a look at what we came up with for our first week back to menu planning after the baby.</span> Amazingly we stuck to it on day one! That's nice. At least something went as-planned today!<br /><br />* The slashes ( / ) indicate that someone had different items than someone else (mom has tea, kids have water - etc.)<br /><br />MONDAY<br />Breakfast: Cereal<br />Lunch: Soup, crackers, fruit cocktail, soda/tea<br />Snack: Trail mix, chocolate, cheese stick, water<br />Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken, green beans, Rice-a-Roni, buttered bread, water<br />Dessert: Cookies/Apple Tarts<br /><br />TUESDAY<br />Breakfast: Kashi instant oatmeal, juice, water, kiwi slices<br />Lunch: Breaded chicken, mac&cheese, peas, tea/soda<br />Snack: Trail mix, sherbet, cheese stick, water<br />Dinner: Roasted chicken, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, broccoli-rice casserole, tea<br />Dessert: Ice cream or cookies<br /><br />WEDNESDAY<br />Breakfast: Shakes (Isogenix), waffles, eggs, turkey bacon<br />Lunch: PBJ sandwiches, pickles, chips, soda<br />Snack: Crackers & cheese, chocolate, water<br />Dinner: Lasagna, salad, tea<br />Dessert: Home made cookies<br /><br />THURSDAY<br />Breakfast: Cheese toast, chocolate milk<br />Lunch: Frozen dinners, yogurt and frozen berries (oat topping)<br />Snack: Trail mix, chocolate, cheese stick, water<br />Dinner: Enchiladas, beans, rice, tea<br />Dessert: Cookies<br /><br />FRIDAY<br />Breakfast: Shakes (Isogenix), cereal, banana, water<br />Lunch: Sack Lunch (sandwiches/chips/pickles/cookies)<br />Snack: Trail mix, chocolate, chips, crackers, water<br />Dinner: Fried rice, sesame-chicken-fingers<br />Dessert: ?<br /><br />SATURDAY<br />Breakfast: Cereal, water<br />Lunch: Sack Lunch (see Friday)<br />Snack: Finish up Friday's car snacks<br />Dinner: Out (affordable restaurant)<br />Dessert: ?<br /><br />SUNDAY<br />Breakfast: Cereal, water, coffee<br />Lunch: Sack Lunch (see Friday)<br />Snack: Finish up Friday's car snacks<br />Dinner: Fast food on the way home<br />Dessert: N/A<br /><br />Hope we can stick to the plan for the rest of the week (and for the rest of this YEAR). If we cancel our weekend trip, we might be adding in a few meals on the "Sack Lunch" days. I think we have enough food in the pantry and freezer to wing-it for a few days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stay tuned for our menus each week if you are a menu-loving kind of mom.</span> I enjoy seeing what others are eating. It gives me ideas to put on our upcoming weeks. Just recently I saw a friend make a bagel and cream cheese for lunch and it sounded really good! Then I got a "bagelini" at Jason's Deli last week with guacamole and pico on it. What a great way to use up turkey lunch meat! I had never really thought about using bagels for lunch. Now I have some in my freezer!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leave me your links in my comments box and I'll come see your menus!</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Technorati Tags: </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/menu" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">menu</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/meal" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">meal</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/eating+out" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">eating out</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">food</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/saving+money" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">saving money</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/recipes" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">recipes</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/homemaking" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">homemaking</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/kitchen" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">kitchen</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/cooking" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">cooking</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/menu%20planning" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">menu+planning</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/eat" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">eat</span></a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-6772072589691391572009-04-20T23:15:00.000-04:002009-04-21T00:18:16.181-04:00Owl Baby Shower and Bee's Berry Punch<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower1.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >"Whoooo doesn't love a baby?"</span> That was my baby shower theme. These are the photos from yesterday's festivities - and YES, I got my cupcake... but was not impressed with the fact that it didn't start my labor like I had hoped. See that little finger indentation on the icing? That's my friend Ammie's little girl's mark. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Party tip: make sure you watch the little ones if the cake is out on the counter!</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower2.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Morgan was wearing her 'inspiration' shirt - complete with the little bird and branch that is very similar to what we'll be painting on her wall.</span> I tried in the last two weeks to get the energy up to go paint the murals in the baby room, but it wasn't meant to be. There will be plenty of time for that later, I hope.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower3.jpg" /><br /><br />Decorating with owls was quite fun. The theme was expanded on with birds nests, ribbons and eggs. I used some older owls I have collected over the years - including this Avon owl that I've had since I was a wee little girl. We gave him a pretty new collar and he stood watch over the perfectly colored jelly bellies.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower4.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By far the biggest hit was the cake my friend Ammie ordered.</span> We got the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hello_naomi/3273410659/">cupcake idea off of Flickr</a> and altered it to be a buttercream icing creation. My downfall is buttercream icing. It wasn't as pretty as fondant, but it was EXTRA yummy.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower5.jpg" /><br /><br />We also had chili dip, artichoke dip, chips, crackers, cheeses, fruit, candy, and an incredible punch to go with our cupcakes and cake. The punch was my own creation. Here's the recipe:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">BEE'S BERRY PUNCH</span><br /><br />Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to fit your taste and the size of your punch bowl.<br /><br />chilled ginger ale<br />frozen piña colada mix (run hot water over it to soften before putting in the punch)<br />bag of frozen mixed berries<br />raspberry sherbet<br />chilled berry/cranberry juice<br />crushed ice<br /><br />Everyone enjoyed the punch. We got a lot of compliments on it. I wanted more myself, but by the time people started leaving and I had a chance to make it back over to the punch bowl, there wasn't any left.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower9.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aside the punch bowl was the "diaper cake".</span> Another <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cathygaubert/164467284/">baby-shower Flickr idea</a>. I told you that Flickr was the bomb. So many creative people out there! We used wadded up grocery sacks as the center of each layer and rolled diapers to go around the edge before tying them off. It just so happened that I had a package with light green and white - which went perfect for our nursery-color schemed party. The tip top has a nesting stuffed owl. I had planned on tying off some pacifiers with ribbon and letting them dangle from the nest - but time got away from me and I forgot to add them.<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower6.jpg" /><br /><br />Ammie found this cute white cupcake stand at Target. I glued a tiny orange bow at the top. We added ribbon to all the white table-top accessories. I thought her flowers she got half price at Lowe's were a nice touch to the table-top, too. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You don't have to break the bank to have a nice looking party spread (well, if you know how to decorate cakes yourself, that is!).</span><br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower7.jpg" /><br /><br />Interestingly, I found out that Ammie had planned to do her two year old daughter's room in an owl theme, too. Not quite the same colors (she was adding in pinks), but her Pottery Barn owls were a cute touch as party decorations. Great minds think alike. I was glad little A let us borrow her owls (even if she did pull them down a few times to tell us which one was her favorite).<br /><br /><img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots2/babyshower8.jpg" /><br /><br />This was our artistic contribution to the party. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I made an owl out of card-stock, scrapbook paper, and ribbon - colored with crayons and markers - to hang on the wall over a row of chairs.</span> The little ones enjoyed coloring a few of them that I drew on paper, too. It kept the tiny hands busy while the grown-ups scurried to prepare for the guests.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">During the party we played a few games - the guys got to identify the chocolate 'poo' in newborn diapers and the girls had a relay race to see who could dress and diaper a doll.</span> More of the younger girls played than the grown-ups during the women's race. The doll owner finally got tired of sharing and took our prop, so we ended that contest early. We gave away two Starbucks gift cards to the winners of each.<br /><br />All in all, the party was a lot of fun. I had to enlist my husband at the end to help open gifts because I started having some contractions and was unable to bend forward to look in the bags. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I feel like I swallowed an exercise ball, I'm soooo big.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's nearly 11pm on Sunday night and I'm having contractions as I write.</span> All our bags are packed and now that we've had the shower, the carseat is ready and installed in our vehicle.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> We're as ready as we can be for the little 'hoot' to get here.</span> If he comes tonight, we'll know for sure he's a night-owl.<br /><br />I'll try to 'tweet' when I can if we head to the hospital. Until then, I may be hard to find online.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=398629">Subscribe to Sprittibee by Email</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Buzz Words: </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/labor" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">labor</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/baby+shower" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">baby shower</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/owls" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">owls</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/life" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">life</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/food" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">food</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/decorating" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">decorating</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/baby" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">baby</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/motherhood" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">motherhood</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/party+planning" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">party planning</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/pregnancy" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">pregnancy</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/delivery" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">delivery</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/mommy" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">mommy</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/contractions" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:78%;">contractions</span></a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-11799337407262148922009-04-15T14:52:00.000-04:002009-04-15T15:56:25.719-04:00No Bake Cookies: Your Butt Will Hate You<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3058177807/" title="IMG_4550 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/3058177807_6f631fe531.jpg" alt="IMG_4550" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The other day I got a craving for a little gem of a cookie that I hadn't made for years. I see them at The Market where I work and I endure a fierce battle in my mind every time a customer comes through with a pack of them. Because I've lost 15+ pounds in the last few months and those cookies are The Devil.<br /><br />But then I got sick and had my girly time (sorry boy readers) at the same time and well, my defenses were down. I made the cookies. In fact, I made them twice. Only the second time, I did remember to take pictures so the 2% of you who have never made these can see how it's done.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3059015048/" title="IMG_4525 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3059015048_2756a894aa.jpg" alt="IMG_4525" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The beauty/evil of these cookies is that they are super quick: to make and to eat mass quantities. And most of us have the stuff in our cupboards already. DRAT! It's too easy!! You can find the recipe <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/nobakecookies/r/bl90710a.htm">I used here</a>. But I have to say I was bummed because I used to have one from my grandmother for these and it's now in the same wormhole as a couple remotes I lost and one of my favorite striped socks from last winter.<br /><br />Here you can see you'll need milk, butter/margarine, peanut butter, chocolate chips, quick oats, vanilla, and SUGAR.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3059015206/" title="IMG_4528 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3059015206_3d876341c7.jpg" alt="IMG_4528" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I do this the lazy way. I use one big pot and mix it all in there. I hate washing dishes,so it's not likely I would use another bowl unless someone was holding a knife to my throat. Anyway, throw the stick of butter in there, along with the milk...<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3059015400/" title="IMG_4529 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/3059015400_175dd9c987.jpg" alt="IMG_4529" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...and the massive amount of sugar.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3058178713/" title="IMG_4534 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/3058178713_eca44ca5fb.jpg" alt="IMG_4534" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then stir it a little and bring it to a rolling boil. That means boil the heck out of it. This is VERY important: once it really starts boiling hard, set your timer for one minute. You absolutely MUST boil it hard for one minute. No less. Or else they won't set until the next day and everyone will be eating goopy cookies from a plate with a fork. Not that I would know anything about that.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3058178861/" title="IMG_4536 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/3058178861_cb455e3577.jpg" alt="IMG_4536" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a full minute has passed, quickly add the other stuff in. The recipe I used says peanut butter is optional. They blaspheme. Peanut butter is NEVER optional. I spit on you Optional Peanut Butter Fools! Unless you are someone who will suffocate from peanut allergies, then I guess that would be cool to leave it out. We don't want any of that going on.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3059015796/" title="IMG_4539 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3059015796_a20be0851d.jpg" alt="IMG_4539" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Add the oats. Which are the only healthy thing going for this cookie. It's because of the oats that I am duped into eating mass quantities every time I make them.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3058179265/" title="IMG_4541 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/3058179265_cfbf94069d.jpg" alt="IMG_4541" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You'll want to finish stirring the rest of the stuff in there quickly because if you boiled properly, this stuff will already begin to harden a bit. So don't mess around. No texting or twittering or Facebooking or plucking chin hairs in between the steps.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3059016152/" title="IMG_4544 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3059016152_9706cb6225.jpg" alt="IMG_4544" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Get some wax paper and plop some globs onto it. Don't make them too big or they'll set slower. Then you have to wait to eat them. That stinks.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3059014728/" title="IMG_4551 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3059014728_b80469d785.jpg" alt="IMG_4551" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've had varied results with the setting time. Sometimes they set within 15 minutes. Sometimes they don't set until the next day. They say that has to do with the boiling thing. I say it has to do with the economy. Why not? Everyone blames everything else on that.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3058178117/" title="IMG_4555 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/3058178117_358903603e.jpg" alt="IMG_4555" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One should really work out after eating these. I'm just saying. But I've been sick, so I haven't worked out. And I ate a lot of them. I have a feeling you will too. They were totally worth it.<br /><br />Love in Him,<br /><a href="http://gremlinwrangler.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/hsbawards/NEW%20SIGNATURES/Carrie.png" /></a><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-73810791283150041342009-02-25T12:31:00.000-04:002009-02-25T20:38:00.035-04:00Pepperoni Stromboli: with Bacon of course!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860787408/" title="IMG_1760 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2860787408_c0c7a477e3.jpg" alt="IMG_1760" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /></div><br />You might be tempted to ask: What the heck is a stromboli? Basically, it's a pizza rolled up into a great big sandwich. If that sounds like something you want to ingest, then keep reading.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860789996/" title="IMG_1703 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2860789996_eb172c5112.jpg" alt="IMG_1703" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />That photo looks like an advertisment for <a href="http://www.aldifoods.com/index_ENU_HTML.htm">Aldi</a>. Obviously we do a lot of our shopping there. Don't judge. You're going to need that stuff and the stuff you can't see; like cornmeal (optional), spaghetti sauce, a baking sheet and an appetite. For a complete list of ingredients and measurements, I've made a google document that you can print out. <a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgc2b8c5_17gpmmhtdt">It's here.</a><br /><br />For now, I'm just going to cover the basic steps with some well-timed photography. Join me or starve.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860790186/" title="IMG_1704 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2860790186_eda06a378c.jpg" alt="IMG_1704" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Let me just say here that a kitchen aid is a huge help in this recipe. I used to make bread products without it and honestly I'm not sure how I survived. But you don't have to have one. No biggie. We're not even going to knead the dough. As with any recipe for bread dough, the water needs to be warm. Really warm. But not so hot it will burn you. Unless you're a sissy.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860790412/" title="IMG_1705 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2860790412_966ea55922.jpg" alt="IMG_1705" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Add the yeast. I use the kind in the jar, but whatever. If you buy the packages 4 1/2 tsp would be 2 packages.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859962813/" title="IMG_1707 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2859962813_889f2d6142.jpg" alt="IMG_1707" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Go ahead and add in the sugar and salt. Let it bubble and get all disgusting looking. It should be disgusting enough in about 5 minutes.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859963125/" title="IMG_1709 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2859963125_704457be6c.jpg" alt="IMG_1709" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Let's discuss the oil factor again. You can use vegetable oil if that's all you have. But for the love of Mike, do yourself a favor and get some olive oil. It's worth the expense and your arteries will thank you when they get all flushed out and whatnot.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860791072/" title="IMG_1710 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2860791072_56a94e64fe.jpg" alt="IMG_1710" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">See how's it all bubbly? That's good. Real good.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860791612/" title="IMG_1714 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2860791612_50db1956d0.jpg" alt="IMG_1714" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Time for the flour. Don't be chucking the whole amount of flour in there like some kind of spaz, ok? Start with 2 cups. Flour is a fickle chap and will turn on you if you don't handle it like the delicate baby he is.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860791918/" title="IMG_1715 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2860791918_32d04c3dc6.jpg" alt="IMG_1715" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />When it looks like this, you're getting close. You'll want to continue to add 1/2 cup of flour at a time, then mix. See down at the bottom of the bowl where the dough is sticking big time? That means you need a little more flour.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860792090/" title="IMG_1718 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2860792090_5873cb038c.jpg" alt="IMG_1718" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now see how it's starting to let go a bit? That means don't add any more flour or your dough will be stiff.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859961463/" title="IMG_1725 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2859961463_6021c25579.jpg" alt="IMG_1725" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By this point you might be tempted to think this is way too much work. If you are, then go sit in the corner. You need a time out. Once you taste this stuff, you'll be glad you put forth the effort. Once that dough is mixed, roll it out onto a floured surface into a large rectangle about the size of your baking sheet. And before you transfer your big dough rectangle to the baking sheet, there's one step I didn't get a photo of due to gremlins busting my chops. Get some cornmeal and sprinkle it on the baking sheet after you spray it down with cooking spray. The cornmeal makes a really nice texture on the bottom of the crust.<br /><br />You don't have to have it though. It's not that big of a deal. Just a nice touch.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860789778/" title="IMG_1719 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2860789778_d8a2484d7c.jpg" alt="IMG_1719" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Once you've put your dough on the sheet, it's time to doctor it up with goodness. Spread the spaghetti sauce down the middle in a big strip. Not all the way to the edges like pizza. Then sprinkle cheese and pepperoni's. It really doesn't matter which order with those two. And lastly, BACON BITS! Use the real ones. If you have to ask why, I don't think we can be friends anymore.<br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859961651/" title="IMG_1720 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2859961651_15d8da3cfc.jpg" alt="IMG_1720" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made this for years without bacon and let me tell you, I always had a strange hole inside me that I just couldn't fill with anything else. A bacon shaped hole. Now I feel complete.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860789096/" title="IMG_1726 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/2860789096_82342f549f.jpg" alt="IMG_1726" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Turn the ends up over the filling.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860788622/" title="IMG_1728 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2860788622_7e0b43a578.jpg" alt="IMG_1728" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Then turn the sides up over that and pinch all the edges closed. You don't want any of that goodness leaking out.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859960509/" title="IMG_1732 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2859960509_3413c1c49e.jpg" alt="IMG_1732" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On the top, drizzle olive oil and sprinkle bacon bits and oregano into the oil. Oh my.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860788218/" title="IMG_1741 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2860788218_c16e538098.jpg" alt="IMG_1741" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Throw that puppy into the oven at 375 for about 30 minutes. This is the tricky part. Sometimes it won't take that long. You have to be checking on it like a sneaky toddler that gets too quiet.<br /><br />Set your timer for 20 minutes and when the whole thing is nice and brown, it's probably ready.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859960081/" title="IMG_1742 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2859960081_fcb663446f.jpg" alt="IMG_1742" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Despite your best efforts, some of the cheese will escape. But it's ok. You can eat those little globs when no one is looking. They're the best.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859959837/" title="IMG_1748 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2859959837_c231772840.jpg" alt="IMG_1748" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />You don't want it any more brown than this.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2860787878/" title="IMG_1747 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2860787878_724c4a21ea.jpg" alt="IMG_1747" width="333" height="475" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />See how the cornmeal attaches to the sides and bottom? It's lovely.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859959681/" title="IMG_1754 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2859959681_ed4408dd4e.jpg" alt="IMG_1754" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When you cut it open down the middle, it should look like this. If by chance the cheese is not melted, don't freak out. There is NO freaking out with stromboli. Just slide the two sides back together and stick it back in the oven for 5 or 10 minutes. I've done it a lot.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2859959247/" title="IMG_1761 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2859959247_2a0365de61.jpg" alt="IMG_1761" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is where you decide if you want to call anyone else in to eat with you. Personally, I could eat way too much of this stuff. I'm limiting my white carbs these days because I find I can go a little nutso with the bread. But every once in awhile, you just need some white carbs. Because maybe it's been a bad day or you're trying to put yourself in a coma.<br /><br />One night of stromboli will actually do you a lot of good.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br />for a printable recipe:<a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgc2b8c5_17gpmmhtdt"> go here</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02449987730223591945">email me </a>with questions and let me know how it goes!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">p.s. there is an alternate way to make this with the frozen bread dough. You would just thaw it out all day, then roll it out like it says up there. But I never have that stuff around because I make my own dough a lot cheaper and simpler. I felt it was only fair to let you in on that bit of information.<br /><br />Now go forth and conquer.<br /><br />Love in Him,<br /><a href="http://gremlinwrangler.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w108/hsbawards/NEW%20SIGNATURES/Carrie.png" /></a><br /><br />**entry for <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/4658/win-500-for-groceries-in-our-prego-fun-with-food-photo-contest/">5 Minutes For Mom Food Fun Contest!</a><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-25583116278418576252009-01-23T16:12:00.001-04:002009-01-23T18:29:04.173-04:00C is for Carrot Cake<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots/CarrotCake.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This cake needs no introduction.</span> You may require an armed guard to prevent others from eating it before you can get a slice, though. My daughter made it on her birthday. She was not quite yet 10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The recipe is so fool proof that even an elementary school kid can make it and it comes out delicious.</span><br /><br />As a tip, I would suggest baking, cooling, icing, and then refrigerating so that the flavors can meld and the icing can solidify a bit. The icing is so creamy and dreamy. It isn't your typical buttercream (believe me, I don't have anything against buttercream). It isn't whipped topping from the grocery store, either. It is REAL cream - beat by hand. You just have to <span style="font-style: italic;">try</span> it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's like cake on crack.</span></span> Not to mention there are lots of veggies in there. So have an extra slice - it's kind of healthy.<br /><br />- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br /><br />From Aunt Mary:<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake time approximately 30 minutes (do the toothpick test). Spray two round baking pans with butter flavored Pam. Line the bottoms with rounds of wax paper.<br /><br />CAKE:<br /><br />2 cups of Sugar<br />2 Cups of Flour<br />4 Eggs<br />2 Tsps of Cinnamon<br />1 ½ Cups Canola Oil<br />2 Tsps of Vanilla<br />2 Cups of Carrots<br />2 Tsps of Baking Soda<br />1 Small pkg of Walnut pcs.<br />1 Tsp of Salt<br /><br />Sift dry ingredients and set aside. Cream eggs & sugar. Add Oil and cream thoroughly. Add dry ingredients & mix well. Add carrots. Mix. Add Walnuts. Bake approximately 30 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out of the center damp but not with batter on it.<br /><br />ICING:<br /><br />1 8 oz. pkg of Cream Cheese at room temperature<br />½ pkg of Powdered Sugar<br />1 small pkg of walnut pieces<br />1 small pkg of Heavy Whipping Cream<br />1 Tsp Vanilla<br /><br />Whip cream until stiff peaks can be made. Set aside. Smooth cream cheese in the mixer. Add powdered sugar and mix until creamy. Add Vanilla and mix. Fold in the whipped cream. Stir in walnuts.<br /><br />Once the cake has cooled on a cooling rack, remove one cake onto a cake plate. Ice the top with about ¾ inch layer of icing. Add the other layer. Using a flat spatula, ice the top of the cake and smooth the icing down onto the sides until completely covered. <br /><br />It is best to keep the cake refrigerated once it is iced, due to the whipping cream ingredient.<br /><br /><br />There you have it folks. Even a 10 year old can make it. And it will make you not want to share any more. <span style="font-weight: bold;">So be sure you make an extra cake if you are the greedy type.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Technorati Tags: </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/cake" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">cake</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/carrot+cake" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">carrot cake</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/dessert" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">dessert</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">food</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/baking" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">baking</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/recipes" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">recipes</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/delicious" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">delicious</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/kitchen" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">kitchen</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/cooking" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">cooking</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/vegetables" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">vegetables</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/eat" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">eat</span></a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-17837848770063897422009-01-06T11:22:00.000-04:002009-01-06T13:14:48.556-04:00Who Said Truffles Had To Be Round?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128591321/" title="2008 12 19 031 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3128591321_326bb8fcce.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 031" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br />Twas the night before Christmas (or the week before in my case),<br />when a fellow cashier and I were standing around at our registers wondering where all the yuletide shoppers were. In that fateful moment she whipped out some of those free recipe cards you find littering the floor of some major retailers around the holidays. <span style="font-style: italic;">You know</span>, the kind the little Sample Ladies hand out and somehow the little naughty children get a hold of them and throw them all over the floor for friendly cashiers like me to pick up?<br /><br />Yeah, those ones. So she handed me one and I skimmed it at lightning fast speed because I'm not usually into these <span style="font-style: italic;">froo froo</span> holiday recipes and <span style="font-weight: bold;">whammo!</span>~I saw one that only took three ingredients.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Three</span>! How simple can that be, I thought.<br /><br />So as I made my maiden voyage into the land of Truffles, I took some photos, because I thought maybe you all needed a laugh.<br /><br />Join me for a journey of unexpected surprises.<br /><br />And go <a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgc2b8c5_23hnwrspc4">here for the actual recipe</a> that you can print out for your own maiden voyage of Truffledom.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3129404476/" title="2008 12 19 006 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/3129404476_af61c99c5e.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 006" width="475" height="333" /></a><br />There you have it, the 3 Musketeers, if you will. A deadly combination if I ever saw one. But I will warn you: a simple ingredient list doesn't always mean a simple recipe. You'll notice on that innocent red card that this recipe is actually called "Easy OREO Truffles." Ha. That's a good one. But don't be disheartened yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1: crush the oreos. Learn from my mistakes young grasshoppers.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3129406082/" title="2008 12 19 008 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/3129406082_3313480c32.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 008" width="475" height="333" /></a><br />Crushing oreos in a plastic baggie with a sharp meat tenderizer isn't the best idea I've ever had. I got three whacks in before I notice the gaping holes in the bag. Duh.<br /><br />So I pushed my laziness aside and got out the Big Daddy of crushing.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3129407310/" title="2008 12 19 013 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/3129407310_77a1e3bc86.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 013" width="475" height="343" /></a><br />It made short work of making these beauties into crumbs.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128578219/" title="2008 12 19 014 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/3128578219_ca4f7a53f9.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 014" width="475" height="333" /></a><br />That's the stuff that dreams are made of.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 2: Add the cream cheese to the crumbs and try not to eat too much of this.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128580615/" title="2008 12 19 019 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/3128580615_c02c2833d4.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 019" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 3: Break up BOTH boxes of chocolate into squares and melt it.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3129413000/" title="2008 12 19 021 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/3129413000_36c08a371a.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 021" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br />Here's where you have a choice. Microwave or stovetop. When it comes to melting chocolate, I always choose stovetop because it is inevitable that when I put chocolate to melt in the microwave, it will burn and smell very badly for the remainder of the day. Maybe you don't have this problem. If not, nuke that chocolate to your heart's content.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3129414448/" title="2008 12 19 022 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/3129414448_3dbbb0f569.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 022" width="475" height="333" /></a><br />Melt the chocolate, and stir it almost constantly. You don't want any of that chocolate goodness to burn to the bottom of the pan. And you want it consistently hot because the purpose of this is for dipping. Which it turns out, I am not an expert at.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 4: Make 1 inch balls with the cream cheese/crumb mixture.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128585269/" title="2008 12 19 023 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3128585269_286636490c.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 023" width="475" height="333" /></a><br />If I ever make this again, I would chill this mixture for about an hour before I formed it into balls for dipping. This was messy and uncooperative. It was at this point that I started to doubt any culinary abilities I've acquired.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 5: Put some melted chocolate in a bowl and get two forks.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128586937/" title="2008 12 19 024 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/3128586937_4918e164fe.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 024" width="475" height="333" /></a><br />This is how you will dip the balls. Work very quickly because the chocolate will be cooling at breakneck speeds. And the two forks are not for practicing any kind of ninja moves. You'll need both to perform a move much like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesuke_Miyagi">Mr. Miyagi</a> to roll your cream cheese balls around in there.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 6: Don't worry if your truffles don't look nice. Just get them on the wax paper. </span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3129418906/" title="2008 12 19 025 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3129418906_f44658656b.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 025" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br />And here's a tip: put a cookie sheet under that wax paper. You'll need it later. I learned that the hard way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining crumbs onto the truffles and put in the fridge for an hour or so.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128589687/" title="2008 12 19 027 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/3128589687_cb40d524ac.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 027" width="475" height="360" /></a><br /><br />And here's the part that makes it all worth it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snarhooke/3128591321/" title="2008 12 19 031 by snarhooke, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3128591321_326bb8fcce.jpg" alt="2008 12 19 031" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br />These tasted so darn good, I momentarily forgot all about the holes in the plastic ziploc, the gooey hands covered in cream cheese/crumb mixture that made it near impossible to take pictures. I almsot forgot the Mr. Miyagi type moves it took to roll them in the melted chocolate.<br /><br />Because round or not, these truffles are fantastico to eat.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-15598569408175580342008-12-24T12:54:00.000-04:002008-12-24T15:00:16.194-04:00Merry Christmas!<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Blogshots/cookie4.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Merry Christmas from our kitchen to yours.</span> We hope that your plates are full of delightful foods, your tables are set with lovely Christmas cheer, and the people you dine with are beloved friends and family.<br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Technorati Tags: </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/cookies" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">cookies</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/holidays" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">holidays</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/candy" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">candy</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/children" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">children</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/baking" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">baking</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">food</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/life" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">life</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/kitchen" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">kitchen</span></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/Christmas" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Christmas</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/memories" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">memories</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/friends" rel="tag"><span style="font-size: 85%;">friends</span></a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-88237217516257660342008-12-13T12:29:00.002-04:002008-12-16T09:09:29.665-04:00Frying Up Some HeavenBecause Carrie loves me - she let me put her recipes here. You might even call her a CONTRIBUTOR. Sounds funny when it refers to this little neglected food blog. But not any more. There are some good eats comin' your way. Carrie and her granny are gonna see to it that we share their Kansas home cookin' with the world, baby.<br /><br />Added bonus: She's really hilarious.<br /><br />Read on...<br /><br />_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _<br /><br />I'm not much of a food blogger, but I'm all for making this blog as random as possible in spite of all the sage advice from "expert bloggers" that one's blog should have a theme. Well, to them I say, "<span style="font-style: italic;">I have a theme. It's wrangling. Mostly gremlins, but sometimes food needs wrangling.</span>"<br /><br />And speaking of wrangling food, what do you do when you are sick of homegrown tomatoes? It happens. Since I am not a die hard tomato lover, there comes a point in the growing season that I've had enough. Then I start to pawn them off on whoever will take them.<br /><br />Then I remember that one recipe I get the pleasure of making once a year. Fried Green Tomatoes. You either love them or hate them. As a youngster, I hated them. Now? Oh my.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2841347742/" title="IMG_1369 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2841347742_0a396e2030.jpg" alt="IMG_1369" width="475" height="333" /></a><br /><br />And I wanted to share that goodness with you. Just in case you love them. Or think you might. So if you have any tomatoes growing out in the yard, go grab some firm green ones. Or if you have a neighbor growing some, go take them. But wait until it's dark because they might have a bow staff with your name on it.<br /><br />Better yet, just ask permission. And let's discover how to get this little piece of heaven to fry nice and golden in our skillets!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840512225/" title="fried green tomatoes: how to by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2840512225_29e19b9389.jpg" alt="fried green tomatoes: how to" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />I'm going to assume you are literate, unless you're my sister, Kristi and only come here to look at my pictures. (Hi Kristi) Just joking. She knows how to read, she just refuses to. Anyway, this recipe is super easy, so I won't go into mind numbing detail on every step. Just take a peek at it and follow along. I used <a href="http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001506fried_green_tomatoes.php">this one</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840511981/" title="IMG_1366 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2840511981_68ac0b54b9.jpg" alt="IMG_1366" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />Besides green tomatoes, you'll need some other random stuff. It's on the recipe. And yes, you have to have colorful plates for each ingredient. A CD of bluegrass or Lynrd Skynrd is also helpful for that Southern mood while you cook.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840511823/" title="IMG_1378 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2840511823_0d6495310c.jpg" alt="IMG_1378" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />If you're in a hurry, remember that after you slice these, they need to be sprinkled with salt and pepper. Then they need to sit for 15 minutes. The purpose is so they can sweat. Mmmm, sweaty tomatoes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840511597/" title="bacon: my secret ingredient by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2840511597_9677bd3cef.jpg" alt="bacon: my secret ingredient" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />While those are sweating to the oldies, I want to reveal my secret ingredient. It's not on the recipe that I linked to. What goes better with tomatoes than bacon, I want to know? Genius.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2841347056/" title="IMG_1386 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2841347056_e8f9a82db5.jpg" alt="IMG_1386" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />Ok, now we've got some sweaty tomatoes. Don't be grossed out by this. All that will fry out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840511275/" title="IMG_1387 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2840511275_c13acd126b.jpg" alt="IMG_1387" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />Then you're going to take each slice through the steps per the recipe. Milk first.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840511177/" title="IMG_1388 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2840511177_6a41b33d4c.jpg" alt="IMG_1388" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />Then flour.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840511015/" title="IMG_1389 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/2840511015_9cdc872d27.jpg" alt="IMG_1389" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />Then eggs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2841346482/" title="IMG_1390 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2841346482_c65265713f.jpg" alt="IMG_1390" width="475" height="352" /></a><br /><br />Then bread crumbs. Or corn meal. Whatever.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2841346368/" title="IMG_1393 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/2841346368_b258a521a2.jpg" alt="IMG_1393" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />Then fry them. IN OLIVE OIL. If you want to eat a lot of these relatively guilt free, use olive oil. Not shortening or even vegetable oil. Olive oil is good for you! And while the first side fries, sprinkle your bacon bits on the top so that when the uncooked side gets kind of mushy, they will adhere to the breading.<br /><br />Then when you flip them over, that whole side will be brown and bacony. Oh my goodness. Bacon!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840510515/" title="IMG_1401 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2840510515_969cccf850.jpg" alt="IMG_1401" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />When they're done, they should look like this.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2840510309/" title="IMG_1403 by gremlin wrangler, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2840510309_b0ae9b4ae2.jpg" alt="IMG_1403" width="475" height="325" /></a><br /><br />And you have to eat them right away! No reheating allowed or recommended. Let me know how it goes if you give this a try. But hurry. Green tomatoes are not around for much longer!<br /><br />P.S. Did you like my food tutorial? I can do more. It was fun! Or should I just stick to wrangling gremlins? Be honest. I can take it. But watch your back.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14000800.post-74854574804003184622008-12-12T14:31:00.001-04:002008-12-12T16:38:33.125-04:00Fried Green Tomatoes (Mmmm Good)<img src="http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i63/sprittibee/Mannashots/greentomato.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aren't they pretty?</span> Just like my new blog design. Yes, go ahead and say it. You love it, don't you?<br /><br />If you don't live in Texas, chances are you may not have any green tomatoes handy. I'm not known for my timely recipes around here. In fact, I'm not known for even posting monthly. But all that is about to change, folks. <span style="font-weight: bold;">So here's a delicious recipe for you (by </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://gremlinwrangler.blogspot.com/2008/09/frying-up-some-heaven.html">Carrie</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">) and a promise that I'll be ever more present with the recipe production over here.</span> After all - I'm being forced to get more domestic by this dratted economy. So I'm sure to be spending more time in the kitchen and finding more recipes that need to be added to my 'collection'.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The following recipe is one I snatched up from </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://gremlinwrangler.blogspot.com/2008/09/frying-up-some-heaven.html">The Gremlin Wrangler</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> in a pinch. </span>I had over 40 green tomatoes and didn't want to waste them. Her photos and tips were the bomb. Even mom (who helped fry them) was impressed.<br /><br />Be sure to let Carrie (who's getting all 'I'm not going to blog any more cuz I'm in a funk' on us today) know that you love her when you try her recipe. The sooner the better. We need to prevent her from taking herself and her comfort food recipes away from the blogosphere.<br /><br />And CARRIE: If you are listening. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'll come and find you if you take your blog down and erase this recipe.</span> You better leave this one up. There are a lot of people down here in the South that take fried green tomatoes pretty seriously. I'm just sayin'.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=404280&loc=en_US">Subscribe to Gathering Manna by Email</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Technorati Tags: </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/recipes" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">recipes</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/tomatoes" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">tomatoes</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/southern" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">southern</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/dinner" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">dinner</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/cooking" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">cooking</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">food</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/life" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">life</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/green" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">green</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, </span><a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/delicious" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">delicious</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/vegetables" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">vegetables</span></a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/tags/fried+foods" rel="tag"><span style="font-size:85%;">fried+foods</span></a>Sprittibeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992769339576987845noreply@blogger.com3