Just finished baking the pink lemonade cookies I posted a few minutes ago and am including a picture of them. I ended up rolling the tops in colored sugar to add “sparkle”. Just wanted to mention that any time you are using any type of box mix to begin a recipe, always use unsalted butter as your shortening when it calls for oil or butter. Because prepared mixes already have so much salt in them, using salted butter will just add more of a salty taste. 
Month: May 2013
Pink Lemonmade Cookies
This summer, Pillsbury brought a whole new line of cookie mixes. They now have Orangesicle, Pink Lemonade and Key Lime Cookie (and cupcake) mixes. My fav is the orange and pink lemonade. Beceause the recipe on the box calls for butter, it tasted like homemade pink lemonade sugar cookies. Soft and oh so yummy. Go to the store right now and pick up a few boxes before they disappear from the shelves. You will be so glad you did.
Box of pink lemonade cookie mix
1 stick of melted unsalted butter
1 egg
Set oven to 375. Combine cookie mix with butter and egg in bowl. Mix until soft dough is formed. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet 2″ apart.
Bake for 8-10 min or until edges are light brown. Allow to cool for 2 min before removing from cookie sheet. Store cookies in airtight container.
Easy & Quick & Delisious & Cheap Pasta Primivera (you are probably getting the idea by now)
Last night I fed Mr. Meat & Potato Guy, this really good made up at the last minute, Pasta Primvera. You can put it in the crock pot or oven and go off and forget about it for a few hours. He actually liked it and said how good it was. So thought I would pass it on.
I chopped up the left over veggies that I had on hand, onion, celery, zucchini, fresh spinach and carrots. Sauted them in about 2 tables olive oil until the onion was clear. Tossed them in a oven proof pan and added a can of fresh tomatoes (14.5 oz), 1 can of tomato sauce (15 oz), 2 cans of water and a package of McCormick Spaghetti extra thick spaghetti seasoning package. Added about 1 teas more of garlic powder and 1 teas more Italian seasoning. Stirred, covered pan with lid and baked it for 3 hours at 325. Came out thick and smelled divine. Cooked some spaghetti and wa-la, tossed some freshed shaved parmesan over the top, baked some Pepperidge Farm garlic toast while the noodles were cooking and had a great dinner. Don’t be afraid to use up the veggies in your fridge for things like this. The kids (or your meat loving hubby) won’t even know that there are veggies in the sauce. When I have V-8 on hand, I use that as part of the sauce as it gives extra nutrition and that way, you don’t feel so guilty when you have chocolate cake or key lime pie for dessert, because, “look at all the veggies I just ate and how healthy I must be now that I have had such a huge amount of healthy food?”
Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars
I am a cobbler junkie. When I saw this in the new Southern Living, I had to try it. Think about these bars with homemade peach ice cream this summer. Wow, what a combo….
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
4 eggs
1 tables vanilla
1 teas baking powder
3/4 teas salt
3 1/4 cups flour
3 (6 oz) packages fresh blackberries (about 4 cups)
4 cups peeled and sliced fresh firm ripe peaches
3 tables bourbon (opt)
1 cup roasted glazed pecan pieces
Preheat oven to 350. Beat first 2 ingredients and 1 cup of the sugar at medium speed with mixer, until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
Stir together baking powder, salt and 3 cups flour. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended. Spread three-fourths of batter in a greased and floured 13×9 pan; sprinkle with blackberries.
Stir together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup flour in a medium bowl; add peaches and bourbon* (if you are omitting bourbon, use either whipping cream or orange juice), stirring to coat. Spoon mixture over blackberries.
Stir pecans into remaining batter; dollop over peach mixture.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until golden and bubbly. Cool completely on a wire each. Cut into bars.
Full Moon, Phone Calls & Cleaning
There was a full moon last night and history was made. All 5 of our kids and one daughter-in-law called. It wasn’t my birthday, and way past Mothers Day and as far as I can remember, only one of those kids have a birthday coming up. The only thing I can figure is that my doctor has called them with a bad report of something being wrong with me. As soon as I got off the phone with adult child #5, I immediately began cleaning out drawers, closets and hurriedly began throwing dirty clothes and towels in the wash….if something was soon going to take me out of this world, I certainly didn’t want ladies coming to bring Randy casseroles, only to find my house with dirty laundry and messy closets.
Even this morning, as I am still pondering what was going on yesterday with all the attention, I find myself going over each conversation, looking for any hint of sadness in their voice…but nothing…if they had received some shocking news about my health, there were certainly hiding it well….a little too well, if you ask me.
Randy and I went for mexican food last night and when we were driving home it allowed us to watch the most beautiful full moon. The night was crisp with cool air and just having had great enchiladas and now was comfortably settled in front of our television, it just kept me wondering about the phone calls. I guess you can tell I was having trouble letting this go and wondering what in the heck is happening. Could our kids be really growing up and finding out what it is like to be a parent. Surely not, after all, they are only in their 30’s. I didn’t expect that until they were at least in their 50’s and by then, we would both be on ginko for our memories and wouldn’t have a clue how often they called or didn’t call.
Because Randy knows me quite well, he knows that every time we leave town, I go through the house and get it squeaky clean, just in case someone might come in, should we be in an accident. Maybe he put the kids up to calling to make me wonder, knowing that I would really get on a cleaning streak. Surely even he wouldn’t do that, would he?
Well, whatever the reason, yesterday was fun. It is so great to talk with each one, no matter how often they call. At our age, it doesn’t take a lot to get us excited. Think about it, if watching Wheel of Fortune gets us in a good mood and our blood pressure up, think of the excitement when we get to talk to all of our kids in the same day, for no apparent reason. Just listening to their different personalities shine through as they talk about their jobs, their kids or marriages, it never gets old hearing their voices and listening to what is important to them. We love you guys and look forward to the next full moon when, once again, all 5 kids are aligned with the desire to call.
Lemon Curd Cupcakes
Yesterday I took these cupcakes to my MOPS moms and they all loved them. (Of course, being moms of preschoolers, they would love whatever that was set in front of them as long as they didn’t have to cook it). Several have emailed me and ask for the recipe and then when I took more of them last night to Bible Study, the ladies absolutely loved them. They are so easy, yet taste and look like you spent all day.
1 Duncan Hines Lemon Cake mix
1 jar of lemon curd (or you can make a package of lemon pudding and pie filling if you can’t find the lemon curd in your grocery) Just make sure that if you make your own lemon curd using the jello, you allow it to thicken and cool completely before using in the cupcake batter.
Frosting*
Mix cake mix according to directions. Using paper liners, place 24 liners in cupcake holders. Place about 1 tables of lemon cake batter in each liner. Place about 1 tablespoon of lemon curd over batter. Then pour about 2 tables cake mix batter over curd, being sure that curd is completely covered. Bake according to directions on box. Cook cupcakes completely.
Another option is just bake the cupcakes according to directions on box without the filling and when they are cool, insert curd into middle of cupcake with the tip which allows you to insert it into cupcake.
Frost* with the following:
1 box of powdered sugar
1 stick softened butter
1 teas lemon extract
1/3 cup whipping cream or milk (add this liquid a little at a time, as it might not all be required to get frosting to spreading consistency, may need a little more also)
Oklahoma Summers
It is so heartbreaking to watch the video’s of parents and children effected by the tornados this week in Oklahoma. Growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas, each summer we would go visit my aunt and uncle who lived in Ardmore, OK. I have nothing by fond memories of those summers. Because I am an only child, my parents would let me invite a friend to go with us on these 2 week adventures. The hot summer days we would find ourselves driving out to Lake Murray for swimming and picnicking. Lake Murray provided me my first look at lily pads. My uncle raised bulls and horses and he would set me up on one of the bulls and lead it around the pen. One of my favorite pictures is when I was about 6, Uncle Son put a cigar in my mouth, led me around the pen on the bull and hollered for my mom to come out. When she did, she fussed at him for the cigar and for letting me ride the bull.
About 5 years ago, Randy and I drove the 2 hours, north of Dallas to Ardmore. I just wanted to see a few of the places I had grown up with. After we found the “huge” house that we use to frequent, I saw it in a whole new light. No longer was it “huge”, but a little cracker box house. The memories of my cousin and I sitting out in the yard at night under the “enormous” cypress tree, (which I now realize wasn’t enormous) trying to catch lightning bugs and the little corner store where we walked to buy ice cream and candy which was still so vivid in my memory, was right there in front of me. They looked so different, yet the memories were the same, maybe even now a little more sweet.
The swimming pool where we used to swim, right down the block from their house, was still there, but it was now different. No longer were there signs that said, “white water fountain” or “white bathrooms” but just signs that read, “fountain” or “restrooms”.
The fishery that my other uncle owned, seemed to be so far out in the country when we use to go visit, but now, it was only minutes outside of town. Had the town grown out that far, or had my perspective changed? Probably a little of both.
There were days spent there that were just miserably hot and with their house not having air conditioning, we would sleep on the screened in porch. Aunt Glady, as I called her, (yes the same Aunt Glady that chased me around Neimans, if you read that blog entry, if not, you need to go back and read it) would allow me to concoct any combination of food and flavors and then she would taste it and tell me that that was the best tasting drink EVER! I seriously don’t know how she kept from throwing up with some of the combinations that I made.
As I have many wonderful memories of my summers in Oklahoma, I am sure that this summer will be forever etched in the minds of the great people of Oklahoma. But their memories will be different. In spite of the tragedy and loss, God is faithful and ever present in our lives, no matter the circumstances. My prayer for them is that they will sense His presence and that they will once again find the Hope and Peace that comes from trusting Him.
Post Mothers Day Blues
The cards are all lined up on the mantel, the flowers still adorn the table and the “all about me” day is behind for yet another year. This weekend was almost as good as my birthday or Christmas except that I didn’t have to cook or wrap presents…it was all about me. Now, I know that by my age, it shouldn’t always be about me, but it was just so much fun to have Randy declare that the whole weekend could be “junk food” weekend, just for me. We began Saturday morning at the Donut Man shop, where we loaded up on fresh strawberry donuts and proceeded to Steinmart where I found a couple of clothing items I just couldn’t live without. Then we headed to Costco where we sampled our way through the store, ending up sharing a hotdog and coke. We were so tired from all the carbs that we went home and took a nap and was so excited to see a couple of packages on the doorstep. This is just a great weekend. After we slept long enough to be hungry again, he asked where I would want to go eat and I quickly said, Sahara’s…my fav place for lebanese food. Going to bed totally stuffed, we woke up and went to church, then I had my choice of where to go for lunch. We ended up going to have mexican food as I will be in Phoenix the rest of the week where I will be lucky to have frozen pizza or boxed macaroni and cheese. Eric, my son-in-law, tells me that he doesn’t feel sorry for me having to eat what he gets every day, he just always tells me, “welcome to my world.”
The afternoon brought laughter and joy as we FaceTimed with our kids in Orlando, texted back and forth with kids that told me, I called you yesterday so do I have to call you today? Are they not just the most precious children…we are so proud.
That night, the sadness of “my day” almost being over, Randy told me that to end the celebration, I could have my choice, one more time this weekend of how I wanted to end the day. If you have ever had Houston’s Key Lime Pie, you will know why I choose that as my last Mothers Day present. That pie is just the most delicious pie in the world. So we went and got two pieces, brought them back home, turned on the television and ate while we watched the season finale (recorded from Fri night) of Red Widow. If you were like us and thrived on watching Jack every week on 24, you would love this show. We both had to swallow a bottle of tums before we could lie down to sleep. But it was so worth the heartburn.
Today, as I crawled out of bed, knowing that the scales would certainly not be my friend today, I didn’t even glance at them, instead I walked over to Randy and told him that I was a little down because “my day” wouldn’t come again for another year. He looked at me and just shook his head.
Because we didn’t have enough tummy room or time to get in all the junk food places that I wanted to go over the weekend, he pulled out the Baskin Robbins coupon, buy one sundae/get one free and told me that tonight, if I would promise to not pout Tues morning, he would take me tonight to get my “last MD present”…a hot fudge sundae….and you ask yourself, does pouting really work? Either it does, or it his secret celebration that I am leaving home for a week…I wonder….
Pecan-Parsley Rice
If I think about what I would love to have on Mothers Day, Rice is right up there along with ham, fried chicken or roast, of which this recipe would compliment.
The recipes I have posted this week were recipes that I thought would be great to have this Sunday when we celebrate memories and Mom’s.
Hoping each of you a most blessed and wonderful Mothers Day……
1 tables butter
1/4 cup minced onion
2 (6 oz) packages long grain and wild rice blend*seasoning packets discarded or save for another time.
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teas salt
1/2 teas black pepper
1/2 teas lemon zest
2 tables fresh lemon juice
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add onion, cooking until onion is transparent and soft.
Add rice, stirring constantly for about 1 min. Stir in broth and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25 min or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
Remove from heat and add pecans and next 5 ingredients, fluffing with fork.
*Using Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice Blend if possible
Mothers Day Memories
Mothers Day almost conjures up more emotions regarding family than Christmas or Thanksgiving. When I received a phone call this morning from one of our children wondering if we were going to be home in the morning for a delivery, my ears and my heart perked up. Remembering through the years of some of the Mothers days are bringing back some sweet, some funny and some not so sweet or funny memories.
When Jason was about 6, he and his older cousin walked to a store about a block from our house. They had taken their money to go find the perfect gift for their moms. Upon opening the present on Sunday, my eyes fell on one of the gaudiest and largest necklaces that I had ever seen, yet, being the “great mom” I was, I oohed and ahh’d over it like it was a strand of pearls. Wore it to church and tried to wear it when I went places that I figured I would hopefully not run into anyone I knew. The cousin’s mom had a different reaction. She told her son that it was just the most awful thing she had seen and made him take it back to the store. That broke my heart for my nephew. Then there were the years that Jodi, in her sweet little gesture, would hunt around the house for something and put it in a box and give to me. It was those times that the acting of being surprised and pleased would have qualified me for an academy award. Jamin seemed to not be into presents and felt that if he went through Mothers Day without me having to spank or yell at him, that was his gift to me. Truly it was.
As the years have gone by, there have been times when Mothers day was just perfect. Most of the kids would be with us, (some living out of town) and we would sit outside watching grandkids play and receiving cards that sounded like they were written by Martha Stewart herself. You knew that the kids were just there for the free meal they didn’t have to cook and they were getting free babysitting. Kids are smart. They know that if they come over to eat, Nana and Pops would insist that the precious little ones remain behind for awhile. So before the last of the dessert is off the plate, they are out the door and now I was left to clean up the dishes, entertain grandkids and try to figure out what to do with all the leftovers. I would spend the rest of the day thinking to myself, “wow, am I a great Mom or what?”
A few years ago, when I was really missing our kids not all living in the same town, there was a knock at the front door on Friday before Mothers Day, Jamin and Tina had bought me a beautiful bracelet and was having it delivered. One of Jamin’s friends’ mom had died and I guesst that made him think about that time in the future of loss of someone dear to him. Because of him experiencing his friends sorrow, he wrote a sweet card to tell me his feelings along with a beautiful bracelet that I cherish to this day.
Isn’t it interesting that when we are young, the thought of just receiving a photo as a gift didn’t mean that much, but as the years go by, that has become one of my most treasured gifts from family. Pictures are the belongings that we never mind dusting. I remember the first year that I received cards from Christi and Cameron. That meant the world to me, as I had just married their dad and to think that they were sending me such a sweet thoughts made me so thankful of the blessing that they had become to me in such a short time.
Today, because we are such a far distance from our children/grandchildren, we would love to have the gift of being able to have them all in one place. One of our favorite memories came a couple of years ago when we were all in Dallas because of a funeral. All the kids were present. The church was about an hour away from Dallas so we were in a couple of cars, following each other. Since we arrived a little early to our destination, we decided to stop for a coke before proceeding to the church. One of our children, (I won’t mention his name, but he is only related to us by marriage, and oh yes, by love) gave his order to the “box” at the drive through window in a voice that had a rather strange accent. Let’s just say that he would have qualified for being on Duck Dynesty. We all got so tickled that we were doubled over. We swore that we wouldn’t tell anyone that we had laughed like that, after all, we were headed to a funeral. But it is times like that that seem to linger in our minds of the sweetness, the friendship and love that builds among your adult children. Those are the memories that outshine any gift. Yes, sometimes I admit I do have visions of what I would consider the perfect meal, if it were just being cooked for me, or thoughts of gifts I would receive that show me how much my children “love me”, but…the memories of being with them top all those expectations. Well, guess I should wait until after tomorrow to see what is being delivered before I really decide on that last statement….hum….memories; or a giant box of chocolates or cupcakes or fruit, or a trip, oh my, maybe it is a trip, or……
Chocolate Castles 