1/31/2011

Quick and Easy Crock Pot Stew



I wanted to make a stew in the crock pot so I decided to see what we had in the house and go from there. What turned out was one excellent stew!
Fast, easy and a total family hit.
Could not get any better.


This is the before picture with all the items in just waiting to melt together.

What is inside?

1 top round steak
3/4 cup frozen mixed veggies
1 can 98% FF Cream Mushroom soup
1 can tomato soup
1 can diced potatoes - I think 12 oz
1/4 cup of water
Pinch of garlic, onion and freshly ground pepper

Cook on low heat 7-8 hours.

Meat will be tender, just cut it up and put it back in.
Dish up and enjoy!

-->pictures from cell phone. Not the best.


1/26/2011

A preview to behind the wheel....


We took in a car show two weeks ago that was in town.

This is a big deal because DH is not into cars at all.

Me...well, let's just say he calls me his gear head.

I love cars.

Guess I can thank my brother for this "skill."

He would always leave his car magazines around the house growing up, draw all types of sports cars, and talk Formula 1 with his best friend.
I just sucked it all in and filed it away for a rainy day. :>

The boys have slowly begun to get an interest in cars.
We do watch Top Gear on BBC America (not the US version *shudder*) to help hone their car skills.
I love Jeremy, James & Richard.
*swoon*
I am known to give them an identification quiz as we are zipping down the road.




Nate was ready to hop behind the wheel and see what it felt like.

You could say a preview to behind the wheel and what we are in for.

I was not ready for this to say the least.

In just six short months when he reaches the magical age of 15 - he will be able to get his learners permit.

*gasp*

He loves the Yaris (first picture) because this is the car he drives in one of this Xbox games.

The second car was a Scion and he was pretty impressed at how roomy it way.

Wish us luck once he starts driving because I think we just might be in trouble.




On a side note...

I was falling in love with this original Morris Mini.

Since I can remember I have ALWAYS wanted one.

Navy Blue with the Union Jack on the roof.

A girl can dream...one day..



1/24/2011

How to Preserve a Husband


This little "tasty" gem came from a recipe book from my mom.
(A Little Pinch of Russian)

It made me smile and just had to share.


1/23/2011

Still Hanging Around...


That white stuff....

Snow.

It is still hanging around - 3 weeks later!

In parking lots, under trees, by sides of buildings.

This is just so wrong.

I mean this is South Carolina!

Perhaps more white stuff on the way.

Please.No.


1/21/2011

Creamy Italian Chicken Recipe...


Fast, easy, creamy and totally delicious is this chicken crock pot recipe.

What can I say it was a huge hit in the house the only item I would change is to use spaghetti noodles instead of rice. I opted to try for the rice because we were a bit short on time due to it being a hockey night.

You will have one big hit on your hands with this recipe.

Changes to recipe:
  • Chicken tenders about a pound and a half instead of the four chicken breasts - not a drop left over.
  • Did not use oregano.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Creamy Italian Chicken

Recipe By: Maura McGee
Serving Size: 4
Categories: Main Meal -Crockpot

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
1 Italian salad dressing mix -- envelope
1/4 cup water
8 ounces cream cheese
10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken 98% Fat Free Condensed Soup -- undiluted- one can
4 ounces mushroom pieces -- drained

  • Place the chicken in a crock pot. Combine salad dressing mix and water; pour over chicken.
  • Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours
  • In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and soup until blended.
  • Stir in mushrooms and pour over the chicken.
  • Cook 1 hour longer or until meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees.

Source:
"Taste of Home.com"
Yield:
"4 "
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Serving Ideas:
  • Serve over pasta
  • side salad

1/20/2011

Changes Ahead...



Just what the sign states...

Changes Ahead...

Out with the old and in with the new.

More posts because I want to and like blogging. I lost the mojo last year somewhere along the way.

Replying to more posts of those blogs I really enjoy reading. (You have been warned.)

Getting my blog roll just right with those that I do read daily - long list but will see how many I post up. :)

Not being so quiet all of the time as I tend to be. Yeah, really.

One of the first steps in all this change was becoming the VP of our Booster Club for our ECHL Hockey Team. Not something I would normally get up and do but it was something that I really believed in when we finally landed another team after five years.

So, change is good and I am looking forward to taking on this year!


1/19/2011

Savory Beer Pork Chops...


Finally, I am back to sharing some recipes that were taste tested on the family. :)

We had some beer that was given to us that was not really our style so I opted to cook with it.

Super easy to put together and you are left with a nice full flavored sauce that is not very sweet.

I did add some freshly ground black pepper on top of what was requested by the recipe.

This recipe was one that we all enjoyed and was added to the make again pile. :)


* Exported from MasterCook *

Savory Beer Pork Chops

Recipe By: Jana Christian
Serving Size: 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories: Main Meal

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 boneless pork top loin chop
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
3/4 cup light beer
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown pork in oil on both sides over medium heat.
  • Combine the beer, ketchup and brown sugar; pour over the pork. Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 18-20 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160.

Source:
"Taste of Home"
Copyright:
"2010"
Yield:
"4 "
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 203 Calories; 8g Fat (39.6% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 51mg Cholesterol; 445mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 3 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Serving Ideas:

Side salad

Boiled Potatoes



1/18/2011

19 years and still going strong...


19 years together...

Gosh, I look so young.

I still love spending time with my husband after all this time.

I would not change one single thing - not even those rough patches we bumped through.

Happy Anniversary, Love!!
















1/13/2011

Hunting Island, South Carolina...


Another place we visited on our break from society back in November was Hunting Island, S.C. The island is a barrier island off of the coast and has remained quite untouched.


The island holds the only lighthouse in the state that one can climb up, a beautiful beach to find shells and some amazing scenery.

DH and I love lighthouses so this was a trip that had to be made.



On a clear day you can see for miles - that is Edisto Island way off in the distance.

While you are driving into the park and then walking around it is really like time stood still. The Spanish Moss that is dripping from the trees and all of the trees is just breath taking.






As a lighthouse keeper one would have to make sure the light stayed on no matter what.
Below is bucket like the keeper would use to carry up the stairs (167 of them) to the top.
Can you imagine how heavy it would be by time you did reach the top?
Phew!


The top was quite striking against the Carolina blue sky.


In one of the base buildings there are photos of what it looks like from the top.


DH and the boys were the brave ones to climb all the way to the top.
I do not handle cramped stairs due to a bad experience climbing in a lighthouse once.
I wandered the grounds below and watched a wedding party gather on the beach.



Nate taking in the wondrous sights from the top.


The original house is now gone due to a fire but what remains are markings where the pillars once stood.
This sign and another show one what the house looked like from the inside and out.

Bricks have been placed where the house once stood so one can "see" where it once stood.

There are some small old buildings right where the house once stood and these are original.



There were about four schools of dolphins swimming all around that day.
This was the best shot I was able to get of them. :-/
Truly amazing when you can see them in the wild.



Click here and here for more information about Hunting Island.

1/12/2011

Sheldon Church...


Sheldon Church outside Beaufort, SC is just a shell but is stunning.
Click on image to enlarge.
We were able to visit this beautiful historical church when we took a vacation in November to the Lowcountry.
It was a quick side trip on our way back and I am so thrilled that we were able to stop.



The road that lead us to the church was like stepping back in time.
Large beautiful trees that were dripping with Spanish Moss - the picture does not do it justice.





This is is right outside the church property.
As you can see it was burnt during the Revolutionary War and then again when Sherman's troops marched through during the Civil War.


The sight that greets you as you walk up a few small steps and enter the church grounds.


Looking up at the front of the church and one of the plaques that graces the wall.


Looking back down the path that leads to the road from the church.

The backside of the church.

In the back there are a few crypts and gravestones. It was very sad to see that at some point some of the crypts had been cracked opened and some of the tombstones toppled over.

If you look close you can see that two branches grew together and connected to a tree that was growing next to it. DH pointed that out and it was really cool!

You can see the stone and shells used to build the church. Amazing!




The peacefulness that surrounds you as you walk the grounds is amazing.
This is one site that I am so glad to have discovered and visited.


More information about the church - click me

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