When Your Run Out Of Lunch Bags

So, there I was at 6:30 in the morning, making and packing 3 of my sons' lunches, when I realized that I was out of paper lunch sacks. I went into my pantry and searched from high to low. I was sure that I had another package somewhere, but no, there were none anywhere.

I had to weigh my options. I could send the lunches in a ziplock. I could find a grocery bag. Then I saw the Gladware containers. Aha! What a perfect lunch box. I sent the lunches in those and asked the boys to bring them home to reuse.

For the last week, we have been using those clever little containers for lunches. I now don't have to buy paper sacks (so I am saving trees) and I didn't have to buy an expensive lunch box. The boys don't have a problem carrying the boxes into the lunch room and interestingly enough, when I went into the classroom of The Comedian on Monday, I saw a couple of other kids using them, too.

There you go, Gladware containers for lunchboxes work for me. Tweet

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Bundts used to intimidate me.  I was always so concerned that the cake wouldn't come out of the pan cleanly.  I mean, the big part of making a cake in a specially shaped pan is to keep that shape!  Once I learned a neat little trick, though, I haven't had any trouble and have enjoyed making all sorts of intricately shaped cakes.  All you have to do is brush melted butter heavily all over the inside of the pan and then freeze the pan for 10 minutes to harden the butter.  Pour your batter into the pan and bake immediately.

This cake is good with or without a glaze.  My husband is of the opinion that a cake is no good unless it is covered in a gloppy glaze or at the very least, whipped cream.  For him, I put a maple glaze on this cake.  You could just dust the cake with powdered sugar once it cools and call it good.  

Pumpkin Bundt Cake
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 pkg instant butterscotch pudding
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ginger
In a large mixing bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium for 4 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to a plate to cool completely.
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1-2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
In a small bowl, mix until smooth. Tweet

Spam Casserole

Spam Casserole
1 can spam, cubed (if you hate spam, use ham)
6 potatoes, sliced thinly (peeled if desired)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 Tbls oil
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
Heat oil and layer onion, spam and potatoes until all are in your big frying pan. Cover and cook on med-low until potatoes are tender (watch that they don't burn). Pour eggs over cooked mixture, then sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook a few more minutes until eggs are set.

This menu is linked to Organized Junkie's amazing menu carnival.

It seems like Mondays just keep on coming no matter what I do.

Breakfasts:
Pancakes
French Toast
Eggs & Bacon
Sausage Gravy over Biscuits
Baked Oatmeal
Coffee Cake a la Krusteaz
Bran Muffins

Dinners:
Pork Fried Rice
Spaghetti with Italian Sausage
Hambone Bean Soup
Beef Enchiladas
Spam Casserole (see below)
Frittata
Brats

Desserts
German Choclate Cake
Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Cake

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Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

Although I have seen instant oatmeal for $1 a box in the last year, and I serve it to my kids without batting an eye, I like the idea of making it from scratch.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal + variations on that theme:
3 cups quick-cooking oats
small ziplock baggies
Put 1/2 cup oats in a blender on high until powdery. Set aside in a small bowl and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 cup oats. If you'r using a food processor, you can do 1 cup at a time. Put the following ingredients into each baggie: 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 tbls powdered oats and 1/8 tsp salt.

To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water.

Variations:
1. Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbls sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 2 Tbls finely minced dried apples (use scissors)
2. Sweetened Oatmeal: Add 1 Tbls sugar or 1 packet artificial sweetener
3. Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 Tbls brown sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon
4. Raisins & Spice Oatmeal: Add 1 Tbls brown sugar, 1 Tbls raisins and 1/8 tsp each allspice and cinnamon
5. Fruit & Cream Oatmeal: Add 1 Tbls non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 Tbls minced dried fruit (use scissors)
6. S'mores Oatmeal: Add 6 miniature marshmallows and 1 Tbls milk chocolate chips

If you know of any more variations, I would love to hear about them.

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Saturday Stories: Recording the Past

One day, I sat down with my grandmother, pen and paper in hand, and asked her about her childhood. She gave me many random anecdotes which I recorded as fast as my hand could write. One of the interesting things I have now is a list of all of the jobs she had in her life. Without a college education, she relied on the skills she'd been taught through experience to work for almost 30 years.

In 1942 Mamie and Bumpa bought an old farm house. It was cream with brown trim. In 1950, they painted the house bright red with white trim. They started taking in tourists for $2.50 a night per person. When the motels started coming in down the road, they stopped.

Mamie's sister in law, Eileen, asked Mamie to put on a luncheon for her bridge club. Mamie charged $1.50 per plate and the Red House was born. Mamie's restaurant was by reservation only. The smallest party she served was 8, the largest 125 (a buffet wedding). Mamie did many weddings and made beautiful cakes. For nine years, she baked and cooked while my mom waited tables with Mamie's mom, Gram. Bumpa was the dish washer and general help. Mamie was famous for her sweet rolls and her pies. People offered her money for her recipes, but she never gave them away.

After the Red House closed, Mamie went to work at a fruit store which later became a full grocery store. She worked in the bakery until 1972 when she went to work for the local school district. She was head baker for 4 elementary schools (500 children). She baked homemade cookies, apple crisp, puddings and Jell-O. By the time she retired, she was baking for 1500 kids and using mixes and frozen cookie dough. Mamie got government surplus foods for the school such as sweet potatoes and prunes. Knowing the kids probably wouldn't eat them plain, Mamie developed "fruit bars" and they were a big hit. That was typical of Mamie. Frugal to the bone. I guess it runs in the family. Tweet

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

I suppose everyone has their own version of tuna casserole. It's frugal and yet usually quite tasty. This is my favorite way to make it and it's going to be tonight's dinner.

Easy Cheesey Tuna Noodle Casserole:
1/2 lb egg noodles
butter
1 can tuna
1 can mushroom pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk or water
Velveeta or American cheese, sliced
frozen peas
Prepare noodles as directed. Drain. Toss in a greased deep casserole dish with 1 Tbls butter. Top noodles with sliced cheese. Set aside. In saucepan, combine tuna, mushrooms, soup and enough milk or water wo make a creamy thick sauce. Heat until simmering. Add peas. Pour tuna mixture over noodles in casserole dish. Top with more cheese. Bake at 325 degrees until cheese melts and sauce bubbles (about 25-30 minutes). Tweet

Cheese Crisps: Mexican Grilled Cheese

I had never heard of a cheese crisp until my family moved to Arizona. I am still not sure if it is truly a Mexican dish, but it was served at all of the local Mexican restaurants in our town. For me, it was love at first bite. I have always been a cheese loving gal.  My favorite way to eat them is with a drizzle of honey.  I know that sounds weird, but try it.  You'll like it.

Cheese Crisps
Flour tortilla(s)
shredded cheddar
salsa or honey
Heat a griddle or frying pan sprayed with Pam or dotted with melted butter on medium. Place tortilla on hot surface and sprinkle with enough cheese to cover. When cheese is melted and tortilla is crispy, it's done. Top with salsa or honey. It's like an open-faced quesadilla, sort of...

Grocery Cart Challenge hosts the Friday Recipe Swap
Overwhelmed with Joy is hosting Favorite Ingredient Friday: Mexican Edition
Life as Mom is hosting Frugal Fridays
Enjoy! Tweet

Freezer Sandwiches

When I was a teenager, my mom kept the freezer stocked with these sandwiches. I'd pull one out for lunch and not have to bother with dirtying dishes (or washing them afterward!). They are really, really tasty.
Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
16 slices cooked ham
2 pkg cheese slices (cheddar or swiss work great)
16 hamburger buns or little hoagie rolls
Sauce: 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 Tbls mustard, 1 Tbls finely minced onion ~ Melt butter, add mustard and onion. Spoon on both sides of buns. Add ham and cheese. Wrap each sandwich individually in foil. Bake 350 degrees 20 minutes. If frozen, you can heat up in microwave or oven.

Life as Mom is hosting the Ultimate Recipe Swap: Frozen Food Edition today. Tweet

Thirteen Condiments in My Fridge

The lovely thing about Thursday Thirteen lists is that they can be as random as the author wants. For inspiration for this list, I went to my refrigerator door. 13 Condiments in My Fridge:

1. Kikoman Soy Sauce
2. Sun Luck Cantonese Oyster Flavored Sauce
3. Kroger Creamy Garlic Ranch Salad Dressing
4. Smucker's Seedless Blackberry Jam
5. Kroger Dill Relish
6. Heinz Ketchup
7. French's Classic Mustard (2 ~why are there two?)
8. Smucker's Simply Fruit Raspberry Spreadable Fruit
9. Heinz Worcestershire Sauce
10. Miracle Whip
11. Mrs. Richardson's Hot Fudge Sauce
12. Mrs. Richardson's Butterscotch Caramel Sauce
13. Kroger Dijon Mustard + French's Spicy Brown Mustard

Apparently, I am going to have to find a use for all of that mustard.

Happy Thursday Thirteen!

Visit Thursday-13.com for more lists!

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Whoopie Pies

This is a cheater recipe. It uses mixes and marshmallow creme, but when time is limited, it's perfect.  My husband's niece makes them all of the time and every time I see her, she thanks me for this great recipe.  My kids think they are super.  In a moist climate, they will tend to get really damp after the first day, so you may want to store them in the fridge.  In a dry climate, like here in Arizona, they are fine on the counter (though they really don't last more than a day in my house).

Whoopie Pies
1 box devils food cake
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup marshmallow cream
1-2 Tbls milk
Make the cake mix according to directions, except use only 3/4 cup water. Beat for one minute and then add package of pudding mix. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out batter onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 14 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool completely before filling.
For filling: Beat together the shortening and sugar in medium bowl. Add the vanilla, marshmallow cream and enough milk to make it fluffy. Beat well until smooth.
Spread the filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with a second cookie, flat side down. Repeat until all are filled.

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A Really, Really Good Fruit Dip

As the grapes and strawberries start showing up more and more in the produce sections, I start thinking of the great ways to serve fresh fruit. I guarantee you won't be sorry if you serve this dip with your fruit.

Creamy Caramel Dip (adapted from Taste of Home)
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup cold milk
1 small pkg instant vanilla pudding
Assorted fresh fruit
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Add the sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, milk and pudding mix, beating well after each addition. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

Check out Tasty Tuesdays and Tempt Your Tummy Tuesdays and Kitchen Tip Tuesdays for many great recipes and ideas. Tweet

Beef Veggie Soup

I am looking forward to tomorrow's dinner. I am dumping a bunch of home canned items into a pot with some soup bones and enjoying the end result. I have learned that soup is probably the most forgiving frugal dish you can make. Almost anything goes and it turns out delicious. For instance:
Beef Vegetable Soup
(Note: it doesn't really matter how much of each item you add, use what you have)
1 quart home canned green beans, drained
1 quart home canned carrots, drained
1 quart home canned Italian style tomatoes, UNdrained
1 pint home canned cream of mushroom soup
1 can pinto beans
1 package beef soup bones
1 handful dehydrated onion
salt & pepper to taste
seasonings: bay leaf, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp basil
4-6 cups water (I think I will start with 4)
Brown the bones in the oven for 30 minutes at 375. Add a bit of water to the pan to get the brown bits up and pour the entire thing in a pot. Add the other ingredients and simmer for an hour. OR put everything in the crockpot for 4-6 hours and come back later to eat.

Do you make "kitchen sink" soup, too? What do you throw in your soups?
Head on over to 3 Sides of Crazy for the Sunday Swap. Tweet

Saturday Stories: Moving Again

I am getting my household ready to move again this summer, so I have moving on my mind. When I was little and my dad got "orders" to a new military base, we didn't usually worry about how much stuff we had. Mom was and still is an avid antique lover. Each time we moved she scoured the countryside for antique shops. If you were to go through her house today, she could tell you where she found all of her "finds." She had a table with two drawers that didn't have any knobs. She found a beautiful sandwich glass pull at a shop and purchased it. She found two more identical ones through the years in other places. That table still has only 3 knobs because she never found the fourth.

In Ohio, she found what we refer to as "the red cupboard." It is about 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. The top is about a foot deep with two doors. The bottom part is thicker with two drawers next to each other and then two doors at the very bottom. When Mom found it, the owner had cut a hole in one bottom door for his cats. Mom had it repaired and then refinished it.  It has been in the family kitchen ever since.

The only move my parents had to do on their own was into their present home. All of the others were done professionally and paid for by the military. I remember the Mayflower trucks, the Atlas trucks and the United trucks pulling up. The packers would come the day before and in a whirlwind of activity get everything into boxes. The next day the Big truck would show up early and the loading would begin. Mom hovered over some of the more delicate antiques. In every move, we would either lose something or something would break. Our worst move was between Missouri and Michigan. We lost only certain valuable items than should have been randomly packed in boxes. It was suspicious, as if the packers had cased the stuff. Sometimes we still sit around the table talking and reminisce about items we miss..."remember that old yellow glass bottle? or my little red table?"

When we would arrive at our new home, we'd try to get all of the moving stickers off, but it seemed like we were always finding some we missed. I have that same problem in my home now. As I have been getting things in order, I am finding moving stickers from our last move. I think it's funny that no matter how hard we try, there is always one illusive sticker on the bottom of some piece of furniture or box.

If I hadn't been shuffled all around the country as a kid, it would probably be a lot harder to move today. My kids, who have only moved twice in their lives, fear moving a lot more. For me, it's just part of life. In our homes in Washington, I would rearrange the furniture every two or three years (or more often) because I had the itch to move. It's crazy how things like that stay with you. I would be nomadic all of my life if I could. I love to travel, I love to be in new (to me) homes. However, I hate to pack and I really hate deciding what can stay and what has to go. Tweet

Chicken Divan

I think because I have been "dieting" (which is supposed to mean that I am changing my eating style permanently), I have been craving fat laden foods. I have made chicken enchiladas twice in the last two weeks and now, I am thinking about mayonaise. I am on a roll (I have lost over 15 pounds since January!) so I won't really be making this, but I can dream!!!

Chicken Divan
2 10oz pkg frozen broccoli (spears look prettiest)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup mayonaise
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp curry powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Place broccoli in the bottom of a 9 X 13 pan. Mix the rest of the ingredients, except 1 cup of cheese. Pour over broccoli and then sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Save the meal by serving it over healthy brown rice :-).

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Make Your Own Fruit Turnovers

I have a package of puffed pastry sheets in my freezer just calling to be made into turnovers. My family only likes Raspberry Pepperidge Farm Turnovers (as opposed to cherry or apple), but our local stores don't carry that variety. Instead of giving up one of our favorite treats, I make my own.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Unfold pastry sheets. Cut into appropriate sized squares (you probably will get 8 good sized ones out of 2 sheets). Place 1-2 Tbls Raspberry jam or apple/cherry pie filling in center and fold into a triangle. Press edges together with a fork. Place baking sheet in oven and immediately turn temperature down to 400 degrees. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.

The Grocery Cart Challenge hosts a great recipe swap on Fridays and Life as Mom is now hosting Frugal Fridays. Tweet

13 Things For Which I am Grateful

Last week I read a few thankful TT's and I decided I needed to do one, too. Sometimes expressing gratitude makes life a little sunnier.
1. My relationship with God.
2. My husband of almost 21 years.
3. My children...even the teenager.
4. My parents and their amazing generosity.
5. My brothers and their sweet concern for my family's welfare.
6. My cat and his funny purrs ~ he hyperventilates.
7. My health ~ mostly good.
8. Music in my home; sung by sweet little voices.
9. The ability to read. I'd be lost without it.
10. Modern technology: electricity, telephones, computers, automobiles, refrigeration
11. The view of mountains out my window.
12. Memories. Experiences. Maturity. Wisdom.
13. Trials. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?!

For more Thursday Thirteens, visit Thursday-13.com Tweet

Cheeseburger Pizza

I don't know about you, but we are going out less and less. This recipe is reminiscent of a fast food cheeseburger ~ really. Your kids will love it. I have made it with both a Boboli crust and with a homemade one.  Both are delicious.  I have gotten to the point where my kids eat so much that I pretty much have to use a homemade crust or else buy 3 or 4 Boboli.  The picture above is the homemade version.

Cheeseburger Pizza:
1/2 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 Boboli pizza shell
1/2 cup pizza sauce (your choice)
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
20 dill pickle coin slices
2 cups shredded cheddar
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 tsp Italian seasoning
In a skillet, cook beef and onion uhntil meat is no longer pink; rain and set aside. Place crust on an ungreased pan. Spread with pizza sauce. Top with beef, bacon, pickles and cheese. Sprinkle with seasoning. Bake 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

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Peanut Butter Bars

 

 You really should cut these before they harden.  I made up this clone of Reese's peanut butter cups and let them go too long.  It was a chore to find a piece that was pretty enough for a picture!

Now with Easter coming up, if you want to save yourself some money and make homemade Peanut Butter Eggs, mold the peanut butter mixture into egg shapes on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Dip into melted chocolate and store in fridge.  I have seen these at other times of the year dipped in chocolate, too.  So don't limit yourself to Easter!

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake)
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
18 oz jar creamy peanut butter (2 cups)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 pkg chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
Mix crumbs, peanut butter, sugar and butter until smooth. Press into 9 X 13 pan. Melt chips and spread on peanut butter mixture. Chill. Cut into squares and serve.



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Garlic Thyme Pork Roast with Creamy Cider Sauce

I know this is an autumnish sounding dish, but really, it's perfect for company anytime.

Garlic Thyme Pork Roast with Creamy Cider Sauce
4 Tbls olive oil, divided
1 3lb pork loin roast
1 tsp salt, divided
3/4 tsp ground black pepper, divided
3 tsp thyme, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup minced shallots
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup evaporated milk

heat oven to 325 degrees. In a dutch oven, heat 2 Tbls olive oil. Brown roast on all sides. Place in rimmed baking dish and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper. Reserve dutch oven for later use...In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbls olive oil, 2 tsp thyme and garlic. Brush over tops and sides of roast. Bake until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, about 50-60 minutes. Place on cutting board; cover loosel with foil and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 Tbls olive oil in dutch oven. Add shallots and cook until soft. Add apple juice and broth; increase heat to high and cook until mixture is reduced to 1 cup. Lower heat and stir in cream. Simmer 4-6 minutes until slightly thickened and reduced to 1 cup. Stir in remaining thyme, salt and pepper. Serve sauce over slices of roast.

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Potato & Spinach Casserole

We had a really yummy side dish tonight. It was basically mashed potatoes with spinach in it. All of the kids loved it. My 2 year old had seconds and kept saying, "Delicious, Mommy." I love it when she says that. It's so cute.

Anyway, here it is.
Potato and Spinach Casserole:
6-8 potatoes, cooked and mashed
1 cup sour cream
1 10oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
salt & pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Combine all ingredients in a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Visit Grocery Cart Challenge for the Friday Recipe Swap.
Visit Overwhelmed with Joy for Favorite Ingredient Friday: side dishes. Tweet

Thirteen Dinnerware Patterns I Love

Okay, so I am not giving all of the links and stuff with these, just the pictures and the names. I have little hope of actually getting any of them, but that never stopped me from "Windows" shopping.

1. Geometrico
2.Danube
3. Butterfly
4. Blue Danube
5. Artesian Road
6.Provence
7. Pistoulet
8. Orvieto
9. Napoli
10. Marisol
11.Yellow Floral
12. Villa Della Luna
13. Summertime Chinz

Enjoy more Thursday Thirteens here. Tweet

Laundry Day

I have decided that homemakers in the colonial age had the right idea. They had specific days to do each big chore. Remember the nursery song "This is the way we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes. This is the way we wash our clothes so early Monday morning?" Each day, they accomplished something big besides their regular chores. Some days it was ironing, some days it was baking bread.

Instead of being overwhelmed by the things I have to do, I try to get one big thing done each day. In a family of 7, laundry can be daunting. Recently, though, I decided to just get it done. I make the kids gather their laundry and bring it to the laundry room every Monday morning. Each boy has their own Rubbermaid laundry basket (the kind that looks like a big plastic basket). I wash their clothes, fold them and put them back in the baskets. On days that I am feeling particularly charitable, I take the baskets back to their rooms. Other days, I have them take the baskets themselves. They then have the rest of the day to get their clothes put away before I step in and oversee the clothes putting away activity. Some of my boys are really good about it and others need a bit of prodding.

Everyone has their own way of getting things done, but this is what works for me.

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German Chocolate Chip Cookies

A friend gave me this recipe thirteen years ago.  It quickly became one of my personal favorites.  I am ashamed to admit that when my children were small, I didn't always share with them.  My husband often worked long hours and I often ate all the cookies.  When it came to these particular cookies, I had absolutely no self control whatsoever.  I blame it on the sweetened condensed milk.  

Having a lot of teenagers in the house is a definite help in dieting.  Now it's their turn not to share.  And I am okay with that.  These cookies are still a favorite.

German Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (1 of those packages of crackers thrown in the food processor is usually the correct amount)
1/2 cup flour (can use whole wheat, spelt, all purpose, rye or whatever)
2 tsp baking powder
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
Mix graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat condensed milk and butter until smooth. Mix all together, then add coconut, chips and walnuts. Slightly grease cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes until light brown.

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Sweet & Sour Lentils

Tuesdays are quickly becoming my meatless day. Meatless, however, does not have to mean tasteless.

Sweet & Sour Lentils:
1 cup rice
1/3 cup lentils
2 1/2 cups water
Combine and boil. Reduce heat to simmer for 25 minutes or until done.
Sauce:
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp soy sauce
4 Tbsp ketchup
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
3 Tbsp cornstarch
Stir together all but cornstarch, heat. Mix the cornstarch with a little cold water. Add some hot pineapple mixture and then add to the sauce. Stir until thickened, pour sauce over rice and lentils and serve.
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Poor Man's Cookies (Vegan)

It was when I was baking these for the second or third time that I realized they were actually Vegan cookies.  No egg.  No milk.  I was actually going for frugal, but sometimes, you get two for one.  

These cookies are stirred.  No mixer to dirty.  That's another plus in my book.  I love one bowl, one spoon cookies.  Not that I do the dishes much in my house.  There are four boys that get to share that chore most of the time.  They appreciated the small pile of dishes.

Poor Man's Cookies:
This recipe has no eggs, milk or nuts.
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup vegetable shortening (or margarine) melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla
In a large bowl, combine oats, sugars, flour and salt. Combine soda and water; stir into oats along with shortening and vanilla. Roll into walnut sized balls. Place on greased cookie sheets and flatten slightly. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven; allow to stand 2 minutes on the pan before removing to a wire rack to cool. Tweet

Butterscotch Ice Cream Sauce

We are having ice cream sundaes on Monday. I won't be making homemade sauces this time, as we have some Mrs. Richardson's in the house, but usually, I make my own. Here is my hot fudge sauce recipe and here is my butterscotch sauce:
From The Joy of Cooking ~
1/2 cup butter
1//4 cup water
2 Tbls corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
Cook butter, water and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium low heat until butter is melted and mixture is combined. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Increase the heat to medium high and without stirring, boil the mixture untilit begins to color around the edges, 4-8 minutes. Continue to stir until the mixture turns a light brown. Remove from heat and standing back, add evaporated milk. Stir unitl smooth. If the sauce remains lumpy, stir briefly over low heat. Stir in vanilla and salt. Serve at once or let cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat in microwave.

It's Sunday recipe time at 3 Sides of Crazy and Happy 2 Be @ Home. Tweet

Saturday Stories: Life with Suzie

When I was five, my parents decided I was old enough to have a dog. Mom found a white German Shepherd puppy for our family and I named her Suzie. I was so excited to have a dog. I had already, in my short life, been regaled by tales of my parents' dogs and I was sure this was going to be the best thing that ever happened to me. We brought the little 6 week old puppy home and I got down on the ground to love her. She, in her exhuberance for her new home, promptly scratched me across the face. That was not a very promising beginning but I firmly believed that we'd be best friends. Little did I understand then that animals tend to love the ones who feed and train them best; that would have been Mom.

We lived in an old farmhouse at the time. The floorplan didn't have any halls on the main floor. You simply went from room to room straight back from the family room in front to the kitchen in back. Mom spent most of her time in the kitchen or dining room either sewing, cooking, painting or cake decorating. I spent most of my time in the family room playing or watching tv. I was always afraid to be alone, so I'd go get Suzie and make her go with me to the front room. She was an extremely obedient and long suffering dog. She would come with me, lie down, watch to see if I was looking and then go back to the room Mom was in. I'd notice she was gone and go get her again. This went on and on and on ~ day in and day out.

When we moved to our next house, Suzie was only allowed in the family room and kitchen. It was a better lay out for my fears, so I didn't force her to follow me. Her favorite spot was under our coffee table which was really an antique bench. She had to be careful when she got up because she could easily tip the entire thing over. Her tail cleared glasses off the table, too if she wasn't careful.

To illustrate Suzie's amazing obedience, one day, Mom had been entertaining some friends in the family room. She had left a plate of cookies on the coffee table. Susie never ate anything unless someone said, "OK." At the end of Mom's little get together, she walked her friends to the door and in the course of her conversation, inadvertantly said the magic word. Susie jumped up and had those cookies gone faster than anyone could blink an eye. Mom just laughed, afterall, she had said, "OK!"

In our next house, Susie was allowed from the front door, down the hall to the dining room and then in the kitchen and family room. She was not allowed to be in the room when we ate, though. If we weren't having company, she had to sit in the family room, across a line dividing the linoleum from the carpet. She'd lie down just next to the line. Pretty soon, one paw would be over the line and then another. All mom had to do was say, "Suzie, get back." and she'd move her body back where it was supposed to be. We would laugh at her army crawl. As long as we didn't say anything, she would inch forward. As soon as we said to go back to her designated spot, she would.

The only time that all obedience went out the window was during a thunderstorm. Suzie was completely freaked out by the noise. She would try to climb on Mom's lap or sit on Mom's feet and just shiver with fright. Storms never got any easier for her.

Suzie hated men in uniforms and sunglasses. When she was a little puppy, the mailman would swat at her with the leather strap of his mail bag. All she wanted was to be petted, but he must have been put off all dogs by some harrowing experiences on the job. Needless to say, that experience stayed with Suzie. My dad had to take off his sunglasses before approaching the house at the end of his days on base. Suzie was fine as long as they were off. If Dad ever forgot, though, she barked and snarled for all she was worth. She never bit anyone, though.

You may have noticed that all of these incidents in Suzie's life involved Mom. Suzie never was my dog. She died when she was 10 of canine cancer. She was a great pet and wonderful watchdog. Mom didn't get another dog until after I left the home. Tweet

Chocolate Dump Cake

I had some cherry pie filling that needed to be used up, so I tweaked a traditional dump cake and turned it into a wannabe Black Forest Dump Cake ~
Ingredients:
1 devil's food cake mix ($.80)
1 can cherry pie filling ($1.99)
1 stick butter ($.40)
Pour pie filling into the bottom of a greased 9 X 13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over cherries. Slice butter THINLY and place slices all over cake mix so it's a solid butter layer. Bake 350 degrees 40-45 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. Total Cost: $3.19 (Our Kroger had little ice creams for $.49 this week, so if you add those, it would be $3.68.

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Thirteen Ways to Fold a Napkin

I went back to the kitchen for this week's thirteen. Here are thirteen ways to fold a napkin. The link to the instructions is at the bottom. That site has more than twenty ways you can impress people with your napkin folding prowess. I am more of a fold in half kind of gal, but it's nice to know there are options if I am feeling spatially oriented and can figure out the directions! 1. The Pyramid

2. The Twin Candles

3. The Rosen

4. The Standing Fan

5. The Bishop's Hat

6. The Arrow

7. The Silverware Roll

8. The Folded Cone

9. The French Fold

10. The Fancy Silverware Pouch

11. The Napkin Ring Fan

12. The Diamond Fold

Which shouldn't be confused with

13. The Diamond Silverware Pouch

For all of the instructions and many more ideas, including one that looks like a shirt, visit the napkin folding guide.

For more Thursday Thirteen, visit here.

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Saucy Lentils: Meatless Stroganoff

More and more I am serving meatless meals, but I am finding that the gang doesn't want to give up their favorite dishes. So, I am fixing meals that simulate the meat-filled ones. We tried and liked "Sloppy Lentils" and are now on to "Saucy Lentils". It's a meatless stroganoff. I will serve it over brown rice. I think I will try "Sweet & Sour Lentils" next.
Saucy Lentils:
1 1/2 cups lentils
3 cups water
1 onion, chopped
1 Tbls butter
2 stalks celery, diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
mushrooms, if desired

Simmer lentils in water for 25 minutes or until done. Drain. Saute onion and celery in butter. Heat soup, add lentils, onion, celery, sour cream and worcestershire sauce. Heat through and serve immediately.

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Herbed Pork Chops

These chops come together in 15 minutes.  That is my kind of weeknight main dish.  They are broiled, not baked, which I find locks in the juices.  The combination of herbs and cayenne pepper gives them a great flavor.  My whole family loves these.  I usually cut my own chops out of a boneless loin.  I like to choose my own thickness.  Also, there is very little waste that way.  Some of those "assorted" chop packages you find on sale at the grocery stores have some mighty scary looking pieces of meat under the pretty ones on top.

Herbed Pork Chops:
1 1/2 pounds pork chops
2 Tbls butter, melted
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp tarragon
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp ground pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbls honey
Combine butter and garlic powder; bruch over pork. Combine seasoning; sprinkle over pork. Place in two greased 15 X 10 inch pans. Broil 4-6 inches from the heat for 5 minutes. Turn and broil 3 minutes longer. Brush with honey; broil for 1 minute or until meat juices run clear.

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