No Tantalizing Tuesday

Sorry, I'm still recovering from my ER trip yesterday. I'll try and get up the recipe ASAP! I know that you've been coming and checking every few minutes to see if its up.... hehehehehehehe.

For the love of Pete, It's still SEPTEMBER

I went to Lowes the other day, and they have CHRISTMAS TREES up. CHRISTMAS TREES!!!!! DH says that they should just leave them up year round and be done with it. I mean, seriously! What is up with that?????

Hey Advertisers,
We get it. The economy is bad. We know that the Christmas season is your biggest time of year. You plan for this all year long. I mean, I haven't even put up my Halloween decorations yet, and you're trying to sell me Christmas crap. Now I do love Christmas, and I am starting to think about gifts, but not decorating. Put that crap away!!! Please don't start shoving it down our throats until at least after Halloween.

A Special Saturday

Well, after working on a special work project until 1:00 on Friday, we decided to have some family time on Saturday.

We've been dying to try out this new restaurant, Wasabi Buffet, for some time now, and we were able to stop in and catch some lunch there. After which, we tried to go to BK to let Melissa play in the play area, but after a few short minutes there, we decided that it was better left for when she's older, as it was just too big for her.

After her nap, we went to the park and played! She loves the park so much, and just ran from one thing to the next. We decided to go ahead and walk to downtown where they were having the classic car show. I got a great picture of the sunset over the lake.

Melissa loved looking at the cars. She has been into cars, and watching the movie Cars a lot, and will just point and say Cars!! She learned a few new words, Edelbrock, Holley and Rat Rod. She also got to push her umbrella stroller all along the lake walk!

We really enjoyed the nice breeze, and finally a nice enough night to be out. We can't wait until the weather cools off some more so that we can spend some more nights out as a family.

A Local Restaurant Review -- Wasabi Buffet

We've been looking for some decent chinese food since our local favorite, China Lane, closed up. The restaurant has 4 seperate buffets. The obligatory "salad" bar with some fruit and desserts and ice cream, The Full Chinese bar which had a good selection of several classic dishes, The Seafood bar, I mostly stayed away from that one, and a Sushi Bar.
I had a bit of everything, and DH had some sushi. I had been craving some egg foo young, and that was one of the first things that I grabbed. It seemed reminiscient of a funnel cake, but with veggies in it. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, I added some sauce. Normally it is served with a lovely gravy, but this was barely even sauce. It had a hint of the flavor of the normal gravy, but it was disappointing. I decided that the Egg foo young was more like a tempura. Next up, was the General Tsao's Chicken. Now, this was very good. Sweet, but it had a good spicy kick to follow up. Fried Rice.....not so much. Just some yellow rice with veggies in it. Next up, wonton soup. I found it odd that they even had this on the buffet at all. They usually don't put those types of things out, as there are certain types of people that will take a bowl full of wontons and no broth. Lucky for me, someone decided to put it out there. The wontons were perfect. DH and I were split on the pot stickers. I thought that they were pretty good. They had a good flavor, but they didn't have any of the sauce to dip them. DH tried them with soy sauce, and thought that they were bland. Melissa enjoyed the Green Beans which were a perfect al dente and some chicken and broccoli. I was also really hoping to have a good eggroll, but alas my search continues. DH has been branching out and tried several of the california rolls, which he enjoyed. They did have peel and eat shrimp, and oysters on the half shell as well as the california rolls and a small selection of hand rolls. All in all, the food was good, the service was outstanding, and we will probably go again for lunch. The adult lunch buffet was $6.75. I will mention that this is a brand new restaurant, and therefore is still quite clean. The one thing that did bother me was that they were making dumplings in the dining room, and cleaning green beans. They didn't have hair nets on, or gloves, and I think that the health department might have written them up for that.

Plastic Bags and The Price of Gas

Are these things tied together? They are!

According to Vincent Coob, about 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year and are causing a global epidemic. The enormous demand for plastic bags ties into the surging global demand for oil -- plastic bags are made from ethylene, a petroleum byproduct. In the United States alone, an estimated 12 million barrels of oil is used annually to make plastic bags that Americans consume.

According to the EPA, only 1% of plastic bags were recycled in 2000. When one ton of plastic bags is reused as something else other than plastic bags or recycled, the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil is saved.

According to the UK government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, there are several problems with plastic recycling, and in particular plastic bags:

1. The high volume to weight ratio of plastic means that the collection and transport of this waste is difficult and expensive
   
2. There are often high levels of contamination in plastic making the recyclate less usable, especially where food products are involved


3. There is a very wide range of plastics in use and segregation is difficult
   the market for using recycled plastic is underdeveloped
   

There's harsh economics behind bag recycling: It costs $4,000 to process and recycle 1 ton of plastic bags, which can then be sold on the commodities market for $32.

So now I ask you this.....What are you doing?

We use cloth bags for groceries. We use cloth diapers as much as possible. I use family cloth and cloth pads. We use very few paper towels, and plenty of unpaper towels. We recycle.

Leave me a comment with what you're doing, and I'll choose one winner and send you out one of my reuseable produce bags.

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Tantalizing Tuesday Blue Ribbon Cranberry Chicken

Well, it turned out okay, so here's the recipe! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, this post will reveal all.

Blue Ribbon Cranberry Chicken

From The Really Long Titled Slow Cooker Magazine

2 1/2 to 3 lbs chicken, cut up (I used 6 breasts)

16 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce

8 oz bottle Russian salad dressing

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine cranberry sauce, salad dressing and soup mix. Pour over chicken. Cover and chill 1 - 8 hours or overnight. Cook on high 4 hours or on high 1 hour and then on low 5 - 7 hours. Serve chicken and sauce over noodles or rice.

Changes:

Okay. I didn't read the recipe all the way. I put my frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. I didn't rinse them or refrigerate the whole thing. I didn't have the cranberry sauce, so I used instead, strawberry jello (didn't have any cranberry) and about 12 oz. of fresh (frozen)cranberries. My chicken was a lovely pink shade, but it tasted quite good. Would I personally recommend using my exact same method? Maybe, if you had to. We did eat leftovers for a few days, and Melissa liked it. She actually ate all of the chicken we gave her and asked for more. I might try this again the correct way.

All alone

Melissa is staying with Nana and Pap Pap tonight, so we're all alone. It's nice, but kind of sad for me at least. No squeezy hugs and no kisses goodnight. No waking up early tomorrow though. I did get 2 bags sewed up. And I didn't have to share any of my ice cream. Being a parent is hard. I called to talk to her and tell her goodnight and she was crying. It broke my heart. The last time I was away from her was just before Christmas when I was in New York. I feel lost in the house without her. I don't know what to do with myself.

I took a picture of a little lizard guy that was hanging out at the back door. These things used to give me the heeby jeebies, but I think I've finally gotten used to them (mostly).

I also got a couple of pictures of my orchids. DH can't call me orchid killer anymore. I've done really well with these two plants that I bought last year. I have a ton more of keikis in the window sill that need to be potted. This is the second time that they've bloomed this year. My poor purple one was eaten last time it put out a spike by the monster grasshoppers. I have made it my mission to kill them all.

In case you were wondering, the Purple one is a Dendrobium, and the Yellow one is a Oncidium. They're both pretty easy to grow and good for beginners. I usually get phalaenopsis, which is the typial orchid that you're used to seeing. For some reason I have the worst time keeping them alive.

Meeting Friends

We took a little trip south today to visit with a friend who was in town from Texas!! We had a great time eating some Chick-Fil-A and catching up. I think the kids had an even better time playing in the playground! At least until another older kid came in and scared Melissa.




Isn't that picture funny? I love how the adults are the only ones looking at the camera, and the kids are all looking at something else. I also like the Eat Mor Chikin car in the background!! LOL!! And I have to say that DH really knows how to take a picture at chest level. I think he just likes to make the boobs look waaaaay bigger than they are.

It's All Fun and Games

This is a spectacular waste of time! Hope you have a few hours....

Dinner Surprise

Did you ever have the intention of making something really great to eat for dinner, and you went and bought special items for it just to realize that you should have really read the recipe better, when you go to assemble it? I am testing out a recipe for Tantalizing Tuesday, and I thought that we had all the items on the list, but I guess cranberries aren't the same as whole cranberry sauce. Oops. And the recipe said to combine everything and let it sit overnight and then cook it. Hmmm. Well, I substituted some strawberry jello and whole fresh (frozen) cranberries for the sauce. The chicken is a little scary looking......it is a florescent pink. It reminded me of this. It tastes pretty good, so if it's edible you can expect the recipe, substitutions and all on Tuesday!

Just when I though the swelling was gone....

It just comes up in another place. I had this horrible swollen spot in my mouth that was caused by biting my lip, about 3 months ago. Which I continued to bite every day 3 - 4 times a day, because.....it was swollen. Talk about Murphy's law. Well, it is finally down to a small enough size that I haven't bitten it really hard in a couple of days. It MAY just go away. But this morning I woke up with my right eye all swollen underneath. As if I don't have enough problems with dark circles, this just adds to the fun. I'm hoping that it's just irritated, or maybe I smacked myself in the face while I slept or something. **Snort** When's the last time you hoped that you smacked yourself in the face?

Sarah Palin's "Bridge to Nowhere"

I have to comment about this as well. While I respect the fact that she's a working mother, I have serious questions about her. Does the term flip-flopper ring a bell? Sounds like a typical politician to me. Saying your for something to get elected, and changing your mind once you're in office. Why couldn't she just tell the truth, and say that she made a bad decision?

http://www.johnmccain.com/about/governorpalin.htm

In office, Governor Palin championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending. She has used her veto pen to eliminate nearly a half a billion dollars in wasteful spending. She told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for the "Bridge to Nowhere."

http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSN3125537020080901

In the city Ketchikan, the planned site of the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere," political leaders of both parties said the claim was false and a betrayal of their community, because she had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska's Congressional delegation during her run for governor.

When she was running for governor in 2006, Palin said she was insulted by the term "bridge to nowhere," according to Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, a Republican who was Palin's campaign coordinator in the southeast Alaska city.
"People are learning that she pandered to us by saying, I'm for this' ... and then when she found it was politically advantageous for her nationally, abruptly she starts using the very term that she said was insulting," Weinstein said.

"She said 'thanks but no thanks,' but they kept the money," said Elerding about her applause line.

Tantalizing Tuesday Mushroom Chicken in Sour Cream Sauce

I must preface this recipe. I HATE mushrooms. With a passion. I cannot bring myself to eat fungus. I used to be able to eat portabello mushrooms, but since it's been a long time, I doubt that I could stomach it. The only time I will eat them is if it's by mistake, or I can't see them. This was a decent recipe, sans mushrooms for me. DH ate 2 chicken breasts.

Mushroom Chicken in Sour Cream Sauce
from Fix-It and Forget-It Slow-Cooker Magic

1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
6 skinless chicken breast halves
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. container sour cream
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms

Combine salt, pepper, paprika, lemon pepper and garlic powder. Rub over chicken. Place in slow cooker. Combine soup, sour cream and wine. Stir in mushrooms. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on high 5 hours or on high 1 hour and then on low 5 - 7 hours.

My changes......
Here's the truth. I don't measure those spices. I just season to what looks good. Honestly if you've been cooking for any amount of time, you know how much seasoning to put in. I only put in 4 chicken breasts which were frozen. I didn't rub them. I just sprinkled the seasoning over the top. I ended up with a TON of sauce, so I would probably cut back on the sour cream and wine to about 1/2. I used cream of chicken soup because we are really low on mushroom and as previously mentioned, I hate mushrooms. I also added some of the chicken seasoning that I made. You can find the recipe here. And use the wine. The alcohol evaporates, so you don't have to worry about drunken children.

Politics.....

I don't usually post about politics, but I find this very interesting. DH and I completely disagree as to who should be the next leader of this country, but he isn't a registered voter.

I am a registered Democrat, but have voted Republican in many elections. I can completely understand changing your position once you have learned the ramifications of your decision, but this is just ridiculous.

A Patriot Day Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
Today is a difficult day. The memories are painful and some of the wounds I fear may never heal. Yet I pray you will help me to go on living for truth, firm in my hope of your salvation. May I live for you, Lord, and by doing so, be an example to my friends and family. I pray, just like Jesus, I may learn obedience through these things that I have suffered. Help me not to question why, yet even if I do, give me courage to continue to trust you. Help me take the comfort and strength you've poured into my life and use it to comfort and strengthen others who need hope. I pray I might become a better person and help make the world a better place because of this terrible event. Thank you for the heroes that gave so sacrificially on September 11. Help me to remember their courage and learn from them. May the family that they left behind feel your loving arms around them.May the evil of that day cause me and my family to work harder to do good on this Earth and to bring your light into the dark places. Amen.

Tantalizing Tuesday No Peeking Beef Tips

No Peeking Beef Tips from Fix-It and Forget-It Slow-Cooker Magic

2 pounds stew meat, cut into bite-size pieces
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1.25 oz. envelope dry onion soup mix
12 oz can lemon lime soda
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
Cooked Rice or Egg noodles

Cook meat in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Place meat in slow cooker. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over meat. Combine soda and cream of mushroom soup over meat, beinc areful not to disturb the onion soup mix. Cover and cook on high 4 hours, and server over rice or noodles. Variation: For a creamier version, replace soda with 1 cup of sour cream.

Changes!!! Okay, nothing is ever good unless you SEASON IT!!!!!! Cook your meat, but be sure to season to taste with some salt and pepper. Then throw it into your crock pot. I added a diced onion because onion is good, and sauted it till cooked, and deglazed the pan with some red wine. Then put the onions in the crockpot and poured over the onion soup mix. I mixed the soda and the soup together, and then poured it over the meat. VERY IMPORTANT! DO NOT taste the soup and soda mix. It will gross you out and you will wonder what I'm getting you in to. I added 2 big Tbsp of Sour cream to the mix to make it a bit creamier. I also cooked this on low for about 6 hours instead of on high. I also added some frozen peas during the last 15 minutes and turned it up on high, for a 1 dish dinner (for the most part).

Canon House Party!!

I am so excited!! I was chosen to have a Get Creative with Canon House Party, where scrapbooking fun and creativity will be center stage!!!! Check out my party page here.....http://houseparty.com/party/75772

You can sign up for awesome FREE parties like this too! You will receive amazing discounts and free stuff from brands you know and love. All you have to do is host a party with a few friends and family in your own home. It's a lot of fun. Just go to http://www.houseparty.com/

Who are YOU voting for?

So you think you know who you're voting for? Are you sure that your views are the same as your candidate? Take this little quiz to find out who you really match up with.

http://www.dehp.net/candidate/index.php

Your Science Lesson For the Day

Why does helium make your voice sound higher?

http://dsc.discovery.com/video/index.html?playerId=203711706&categoryId=210013704&lineupId=229524134&titleId=1717866549

Why does Neil laugh like a little girl when he hears this?

Tantalizing Tuesday Crockpot Honey Baked Chicken

Do you ever find yourself in a food rut? I have been bored with what I cook for dinner lately, and haven't been doing my menu planning. I know it's very naughty, because we end up eating junk or ordering something which is so pricey! I went to the grocery store today to pick up some essentials, and picked up a magazine at the checkout. Fix-It and Forget-It Slow-Cooker Magic! I paid waaaaaay too much for it, but seeing as it has "OVER 250 GREAT RECIPES" I figured it was cheaper than a book. So, today I bring you the Honey Baked Chicken.

Honey Baked Chicken
Makes 4 Servings

4 skinless bone-in chicken breast halves (eew who buys bone in anymore? I used boneless)
2 Tbsp. Butter, melted
2 Tbsp. Honey
2 tsp. prepared mustard
2 tsp. Curry powder

Spray slow cooker with cooking spray and add chicken. Combine Butte, honey, mustad and cury powder in a small bowl. Pour sauce over chicken. Cover and cook on high 1 hour and then on low 5 hours or more.

Changes.....because I can.
I left out the butter all together, and didn't bother with spraying the crock. What's the point? I also added salt and pepper, and one sliced onion. I subbed half of the honey for Agave Nectar, because it's better for you.

This is currently cooking, but it smells delicious!! I even put the chicken in frozen. I'll post the picture tonight when it's done, but this is definitely a winner. I will be adding this to the list.

Look for more yummy recipes from my new inspiration coming soon.