Pork Tenderloin

Yummy! I do love Pork Tenderloin and I whipped up this quick marinade.
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1/4 c honey
1/4 c soy sauce
2 tsp thyme
Mix, put in gallon size plastic bag; marinate overnight. Bake at 325 for 30 min and then sear on grill or grill pan.

Menu Monday

Mon~ Best-Ever Pasta Bolognese

Tues~ Cranberry Flank Steak

Wed~ Pork Tenderloin with Micro Risotto

Thurs~Leftovers

Fri~ Dinner Out!

For more great menu ideas check this OUT!!

Christmas Tree Debacle~ Show us Your Life!

One of the first Christmas Traditions that we started when Hubs and I got married was going to the Mountains the day after Thanksgiving to pick out our Christmas Tree. Hub's family used to have a mountain house that sits directly beside a Aldridge's Tree Farm and so that is where we have gone for the past 4 yrs. The pic is from last year, due to some unforeseen events yesterday we didn't get the best pics.

So, our day started out just as always j was up at 6 and ready to go. We headed out and up the mountain early and I suggested to take a "short cut" from Blowing Rock to Banner Elk that shaves off quit a bit of time. We took the same route up last year and little did I know that the insanely curvy & narrow road would make my little guy CAR SICK! Oh yes, vomit everywhere. I thought I was going to vomit! It was 35 degrees with wind that almost blew the door off and here we are on the side of this crazy road with a SCREAMING, half-naked 2 yr old! After cleaning as much up as possible we strapped him back in the now referred to "Bomb-it" seat and began my Google Search for somewhere to buy clothes. No such luck had to take a right on 105 and go all the way back to Boone on BLACK FRIDAY to buy clothes. Old Navy, was insane, really insane. I tried to offer a worker $40 cash for my $25 worth of clothing just to avoid the check out line. Again, no luck! Finally, I turn failure into triumph and headed to an old favorite lunch spot The Red Onion and yep, the pesto-chicken pizza was as yummy as I remembered.

We got to the Fraser Forest and I picked out a tree in record time (it was freezing). The trees were as beautiful as ever and as we were leaving I spotted our tree for next year!

Through all the tears and the cold wind and horrible vomit smell it was still a really nice family day. I think these are the memories that will surly make me laugh out loud!!

Last years tree.

I am SO Thankful!

Thanksgiving is upon us

I wanted to take a moment

To reflect on what I am Thankful For

My Husband~ who loves me with all my flaws; OCD, ADD, the list goes on!
My Little Boy~ who has made me see all the wonders of the world.

My girlfriends... amazing, strong, confident women. I love them!!

The Beach~ Paradise on Earth

Music~ Dave Matthews Band~ makes everything better!

Thanksgiving Week

Really, must I menu plan? I guess, SO that I will keep my life in tact and somewhat in order. This week I trying a new dish from my friend Debbie and cleaning out the freezer! Fun, fun!

Mon~ Debbie's Welsh Rarebit
Tues~ Beef Stroganoff w/ egg noodles
Wed~ Soup from the Freezer!
Thurs~ TURKEY DAY!!
Fri~ CHRISTMAS TREE!!! (Leftovers)

For more great Menu Plans Check out Org Junkie

{K's} Fire Truck Cake!

All the kids!
j was so excited to see a real fire truck & to meet firemen!!

Here's the cake!!

Happy, happy Birthday to {K}! I can't believe he is 5. I am was so excited to attempt a fire truck cake. I am very green at cake decorating I have only done a few. I made {j's} Monkey Cake for his 1st birthday and then a Tractor Cake for his 2nd. I also did {k's sisters} Ladybug Cake . I must say that this was really fun. I would love to be able to do this for all mt friends kids!! And maybe someday turn it into a business! Woo-wee Happy 5th Birthday!! It was so much fun to visit the Fire Station Thanks to all the men & women who make our lives safer!!

Pray for Kate

What an amazing little girl! This is truly what Christmas is all about. Please go visit Pray for Kate. One of my favorite blogs TomKat Studios has tons of wonderful information and has really helped get the word out.

7 day Countdown~Turkey Day Menu

I am a planner. I am. I like a plan. Sometimes I deviate from my plan, but regardless I like having one. Therefore, I am "planning" my menu now so that I can prepare ahead, shop some sales and enjoy the process of cooking the big meal. This year we, I should say I cause all Hubs does is drop the turkey in blazing hot oil, watches it cook and drinks beer, are hosting his parents, his sister and her family and my mother. Possibly my sis & her family as they never know exactly what they are doing until they are in the middle of doing whatever it is they decided to do! So, we are having 6 to 12 for Thanksgiving Lunch! Now, for the big reveal!

TOM TERRIFIC FRIED TURKEY

Birdie's Best Ever Dressing

Sweet Potato Souffle

Tori's Thanksgiving Casserole

Cranberry Salad

Rolls (i cheat, Sister Schuberts can't be beat!)

and whatever the rest of the family cares to contribue!!

For more great Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas visit the Ultimate Recipe Swap!!

TOM TERRIFIC TURKEY RUB



I think it was my freshman year in college the 1st time I had a FRIED TURKEY and oh my goodness I fell in love. So much so that when I started hosting Thanksgiving I made the fried turkey part of MY families tradition. My aunt makes her own rub and I have to say it is tasty!

1 box of salt
2 oz (4 TB) of each of the following:
chili powder
crushed red pepper
black pepper
garlic powder
Accent

Mix all the above in a gallon ziploc bag & shake well. This will make enough to season 3
10-12lb turkeys.
olive oil
Wash turkey good & pat dry. Coat turkey with oil & rub seasoning into cavity & all over the entire bird. Place in plastic bag (I use a trash bag) marinate in fridge OVERNIGHT!!
Heat oil to 250-275. Cook 5 mins per pound.
Remove from oil & drain and as my Aunt always said "grab your baseball bat to keep your bird from being attacked and eaten immediately! DELICIOUS!!

Lazy 5 Ranch

Saturday we had "Family Day" and we went to the LAZY 5 RANCH in Mooresville, NC. This place is so awesome! It is a drive-thru or ride-thru ZOO! I personally like it much better as the wild-life is LITERALLY in your face!! It was such a great day, mid- November and it was 70+ degrees. I highly recommend visiting our friends at Lazy 5! Next time, we hope to go with friends and we will do the wagon ride! Can't wait!!

The camera is not on zoom, this guy was an inch from me!

Check out the horns on this dude!

Love Giraffes!!

Jack LOVED looking at them all! Especially the baby deer!!

This fellas eyes just tripped me out

1st Christmas Gift

Today, I received the 1st Christmas gift that I ordered for Little j. I LOVE IT!!! I just love ETSY and I am so excited to have found Finley and Oliver. Hubs is a Hunting Freak and I try to get LJ something in honor of his Dad's favorite past-time. FINALLY, I found this adorable t-shirt that is so chic. I REALLY love the pink bird that she does and I may have to order it for my neice!

Lackey's Ragu

This is a recipe that was shared with me years ago by a friend who is a mom to twin boys and is a great cook. I have shared this with many of my friends all who have raved. It's sort of a soup, a stew & a pasta. It is just yummy! Perfect for a cool fall day!

Please note: I have adapted this for my CROCKPOT~ See notes in RED!

2 Tb olive oil

1 lg onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground turkey

3-4 Italian sausage, casings removed (I use 2 hot, 2 sweet)

2~ 14 1/2 oz cans tomatoes in juice with Italian spices

2~ 14 oz cans chicken broth

1 can Cannelli/white beans, drained

2 tsp oregano

2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1/2 c small elbow macaroni

1~ 6 oz bag FRESH baby spinach

1/3 c grated Romano cheese

Heat oil, add onions & garlic. Saute 6 mins add ground turkey & sausage crumbles. Brown. (Put in warm crockpot and) Add tomatoes w/ juice, broth, spices, (I waited to add beans until 2 hrs prior to eating) beans and simmer at least 20 min. Add pasta cook 12-14 mins. (if using crockpot pasta may need a little longer) Add spinach & cook apx 3 mins (just before serving) Season with salt & pepper and serve with fresh grated cheese. (again, if using slow cooker... cook on low all day and add spinach apx 10mins before serving.) Yummy!!

For more great recipes visit my friends at Blessed with Grace and Dining with Debbie.

Who Me?

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else has not been doing this week. This is my 1st time participating in Mckmama's "not me" MONDAY! I am excited, a little nervous as I have a lot to get off my chest! I didn't do it!! Here goes!!! No, no I did not do it!

I did not let j bug eat a breakfast consisting solely of gummy snacks. I certainly DID NOT stay in my pj's all day and catch up all my dvr'd shows and pretend to be very busy! I did not ignore all the laundry that needed to be done. I did not. I did not pretend to be "very busy" when my Mother called. I did however take a MUCH NEEDED time-out ALL for ME!!

Thanks!!

Menu Monday

Uck! I am so sad the weekend is almost over and I have to start thinking about the week. So, I just checked out my backup stash in the freezer and am coming up with a game plan for the week.

Mon~ Roasted Chix with Balsamic Tomatoes
Tues~ Lackey's Ragu~ AMAZING!!
Wed~ Dinner @ Church~ No Cooking!!
Thurs~ BUNCO!!! Mommy's Night Out!! Leftovers for the Boys!
Fri~ Pizza Night

For more great Menu Planning ideas ck out Org Junkie

Overnight Oatmeal

I will start this by prefacing by saying I don't like oatmeal. At least not the oatmeal that you dump out of a bag & add hot water. Not my thing and never has been. But this, this is yummy. I am sure the milk, sugar & butter aid in the flavor dept. and the apples and spices can't hurt! You can sub in any spices you like and I bet pears would work great in place of the apples. I use really firm apples like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp, any apple that you would cook with will work just fine. I am whipping this up tonight so we can have a great start to the week! I may make this my Sunday night tradition through the winter as Mondays are always so hard to get up and out!

2 c milk

1/4 c brown sugar

1 Tb butter

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 c oatmeal

1 c apple, peeled & chopped

You can add 1/2 cup raisins, dates, cranberries, nuts whatever you like!

Spray crockpot with non stick spray. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and mix well. Set to low for 6-8 hrs. Yummy!

Cranberry Orange Pineapple Salad

Cranberry Orange & Pineapple Salad
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 can Mandarin oranges
1 sm can crushed pineapple
1/2 c walnuts
1 sm box cherry jello
Dump jello out in a bowl add 1 c boiling water and 1 c juice from oranges or pineapple. Add entire can of cranberry sauce, drained pineapple & oranges. Mix well. Add walnuts, make ahead. Is best when it sets up overnight. Enjoy!

Food Gifts #1~ Mema's Pepper Jelly

Hot Pepper Jelly has long been a staple at holiday celebrations at my Mema's house for as long as I can remember. What is so funny to me is I don't even really care for pappers! But this luminecent green jelly poured over cream cheese and served with butter crackers is just yummy! This is a great stand-by if you have unexpected guest. There are a few things you may want to consider before making this:

1. It is EASY!!

2. Your family & possibly the neighbors may think you are whipping up Mustard Gas as the oder of boiling vinegar will knock you out!

3. It makes quit A LOT! I made mine in 4 oz mason jars and filled almost a dozen.

3/4 c green peppers, pureed in food processor 3-5 peppers
1/4 c hot pepper, pureed

2 c cider vinegar

5 c sugar

6 oz liquid fruit pectin

Blitz peppers in food processor. Add all ingredients except pectin,bring to a rolling boil, remove from heat and let stand 5 mins, all the "gunk" will rise to top, skim off and discard. Add pectin, mix well and add to hot jars. Delish!!

Margret's Steak Marinade

I thawed out a flank steak yesterday and instead of sticking with my original plan I decided to switch it up a little bit. I was looking thorough my new cookbook and saw Margret's Marinade for Flank Steak and thought I would give it a whirl. I switched it up a bit, as I always tend to do by using what I had and it gave a really nice flavor. This is kinda similar to the Hawaiian Chicken I made the other night. I guess the Haute Hawaiian Extravaganza has me feeling the warmth!! My friends over at Tic Tac Dough are giving away a prize everyday for the next 30 days!!! Check it out!!!

Flank Steak
s & p to taste
1/2 c soy sauce
3 Tb seasme oil
2 Tb brown sugar
1 Tb jerk seasoning

Marinate over night or at least 4 hrs to get great flavor! I cook mine in the oven on 450 for 8 mins on each side!! Perfect med-rare. Enjoy!!

Hawaiian Chicken

Mercy, I ran into the grocery store today to buy 1 thing, you know how this turns out, 4 bags later I left the store with 2 pks of chix breast that were not frozen as all the protein I have is in my freezer! This is a real oldie but goodie!! You can whip up this marinade really quick, cover your chicken with it and bake. Super simple. I have cut the original recipe in half as I am typically only cooking 3-4 chicken breast at a time. Feel free to double for 6-8 breast.
1/4 c mustard
1/8 c molasses
1/4 c rice wine vinegar (You can use whatever you have on hand)
1/8 c soy sauce
4 oz can crushed pineapple
1/4 tsp curry powder
1/4 c brown sugar
Mix all ingredients in a small sauce pan, bring to slow boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 min. Pour over chicken, cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 45 min, uncover and bake additional 25 mins. Enjoy!!

Tori Darlin's Thanksgiving Casserole

Thanksgiving Casserole was a dish that Tori Darlin' shared with us our senior year of college when we decided to do a Thanksgiving FRIENDS Dinner prior to going home to celebrate the holiday with our families. We had a house full as we lived in this huge rock house and had all our besties over. This is a great twist on your traditional squash casserole. Enjoy!

1 8 oz sour cream

1 can cream of chicken soup

4 oz Vermont white cheddar cheese, shredded

Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing

3 medium squash, sliced

3 med zucchini, sliced

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, shredded

Steam veggies, sprinkle bottom of casserole dish with stuffing then mix all other ingredients & pour in casserole. Bake at 325 for 40 min covered. Uncover top with stuffing cook 10-15 more mins. Yummy!