Stuffed Peppers

When I usually thing of stuffed peppers I thing green bell pepper, which I'm told taste like poison...can't say I disagree. They are stuffed with some combo of ground beef and rice or some other filler. Trying to stick with something more flavorful and lighter I opted for curry chicken stuffed peppers.

1 12oz can coconut milk

1-2 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
2-4 Bell peppers
2 C Rice
1 1/2 C Broccoli
2 T Curry
1 t salt
other seasonings to taste

Prepare peppers by slicing off top and removing seeds. I have found that the membrane comes out easiest with a spoon. Set aside.

Brown chicken, steam rice and mix in curry spices, milk and chopped broccoli. Cover and let steam for 2 minutes. Spoon rice mixture into peppers and the put in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes then serve.

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Tis' the season of Spring

Spring is coming! Spring is coming! Well I guess it's here. Just hard to tell In between the random snow first thing in the morning and the brief sunshine sneaking out on the weekends. The flowers are coming out now and I have been spending today trying to save mine. Lack of the sun has made them sad and drooping so a makeshift mini lattice was in order. I used hemp twine and bamboo skewers.

Since  the plant was looking better I figured I would make the pot it was in more lively too so quick ribbon did the trick.

After the flowers were more happy I moved inside to build up my nest.

And make some iced tea...jello?

When warming water add 2 bags of herbal peach tea, let brew for a couple minutes then remove and add peach jello and remaining water and let set.

If you want a stonger tea flavor try using more tea packets or somthing with a  stronger flavor like one mixed with black tea.

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St. Patrick's Day Decorations

As St. Patrick’s Day is upon us once again, I decided to decorate but did not want to buy anything.  So after brain storming a bit with my husband we came up with a few decoration ideas. After gathering up supplies we came to the conclusion that we just needed to make this a party. We are always looking for reasons to have friends over and this was perfect. It was not during the busy “holiday” season where most people already had plans and the theme was simple.  I have a smidgen of Irish in my blood line but not enough to really claim that I was Irish.  So for me this was more of just a fun day to get together.

Here are the decoration ideas we came up with.

Turn and vase into a decorative centerpiece with a nice big bow.

Rainbow Paper Chains

Cut paper of choosing intp 12" X 1 1/2" strips.

Glue/tape/staple links together

         

Felt Wall Hanging

- 5+ pieces of felt

- Embroidery floss

- Thick needle (embroidery or needlepoint)

- Wooden dowel (optional)

- Ribbon

- Hot glue gun and glue sticks

- Buttons or other decorative embellishments

Pick a two piece of felt for the front and back. Cut out any shapes you want to stitch onto the backing felt. Stitch around each appliqué to the piece behind it. Then stitch entire appliqué to backing felt. Once all have been attached hot glue or stitch front and back pieces together to hide all of your stitch lines. If you are using a dowel hot glue top of main felt piece to dowel and then tie your ribbon to the dowel. You may want to tack it to the dowel with a little glue. If you choose to not use the dowel you can stitch or glue your ribbon in between the front and back piece.

Ribbon Topiary

-Cut ribbon 3” in length, any color or texture.

-Hot glue gun and glue or straight pins

-Styrofoam ball

-Wooden dowel

-Terra cotta pot or any type of base you would like to use

-Rice or Styrofoam for base

-Decorative paper for base

I only had a white Styrofoam ball so I painted it green so if you were to see any of it would not be bright white. I later found out this was kind of unnecessary since the ribbons covered the entire ball. I recommend starting at the bottom of the ball where your stick meets the ball then work your way to the top. I also found when gluing it is best to glue into a loop first then glue to ball. Work your way around the ball by making a crisscross pattern where the side of one ribbon is slightly inside the one next to it. This will insure there are no gaps. Looking back I should have paid more attention to this as I was gluing. I would not have had to go back and add in filler ribbons. But if you do need to do that the skinny ribbons work well for that. For the base I painted the pot black then filled with rice to anchor the dowel. I wraped the dowel with gold and cut a circle with the decorative paper to hide the rice. It makes a cute little Pot Of Gold.

I had planned to make more decorations but was running out of time. I will post final pictures after the party to see all the food and the rest of the decorations!

From my family to yours...

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,

may good luck pursue you each morning and night.

Here are some more pictures from the day of fun...

marbled shamrock cookies

Rainbow paperchains

Rainbow treats

green veggies and dip

Green eggs

Spinach veggie wraps

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You know my name

Home decor is always been something I strive to do myself. I love DIY shows and books. I wanted to add something to the photo wall I have in my house. So one day while wondering around the craft store I decided to make a name hanging.

What you will need:

Letters (wood, metal, plastic, card board or whatever you got)
Paint
Buttons / Rhinestones / Decorative items
Glue / Mod Podge
Hooks

Start by painting your letters the color of your choice.

Arrange the decorations in a mock fashion so you can make changes if it does not look good.

Glue decorations in place and then add hooks to back.

Hang or place letters.

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Green Beans and Johnny Cakes

Green bean have never really been a favorite of mine but I think I found a new way to eat them. I called my mom this evening asking if she had any bright ideas. She suggested bacon goodness. That peaked my husband's attention. So after altering how she described how to cook then just a bit I came up with the recipe below. As far as Johnny cakes you may also know them as corn cakes or Shawnee cakes. I am still learning how to make them right, below is my latest attempt. Enjoy!

Green Beans with Bacon

3-4 C Fresh green beans
   5     Strips of bacon
   4     Cloves of garlic minced
1/2 C Water
          Salt to taste

Snap stem end of green beans off. Wash then set aside. In deep sided pan cook sliced bacon. Pour out grease but leave about a teaspoon worth in the pan along with all the crunchy bits. Set bacon aside. turn heat to medium low then add your garlic and green beans. Toss around in pan until they are coated. Add water then cover for about 5 minutes or until most of the water is gone. This will steam the green beans. You can add salt if you so desire.  Toss in bacon then serve.

Johnny Cakes

   1 C Corn Meal
1/2 C Flour
   1     Egg
1/2 C Milk
   1 T Sugar

Mix all ingredients together, batter will be thick. In cast iron pan heat shortening on med high heat. when shortening is completely melted pour batter in pan. When edges start to crisp and turn golden flip over.

I brushed the cakes with butter and honey before serving. Hope you try these recipes!

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Cucumbers of goodness

When my son decided he did not want to be sleeping any more at 1:30am I figured I might as well just get up. Seeing as how I was not fully awake I figured I would make a cup of tea and a snack . Nothing really sounded good but I needed something to keep me awake. I decided on cucumber salad. We had gotten a cucumber in our food delivery box this last week which was awesome cause I thought they were done for the season, apparently not in Mexico where this one was from. Cucumber salad is quick and easy but flavorful. It is a great cool snack in the summer when nothing else sounds good. I guess I was thinking of that principle when that same mood struck. I am trying to teach my husband to like it too so I put some in his lunch as well.

Cucumber Salad
   1 Large Cucumber
1/4 C White Vinegar
   1  t Salt ( I like to use a course salt but any is fine)
   1 T Dill

Slice cucumber in bit size pieces, diced or rounds are fine. Toss with vinegar, salt and dill. Can keep in fridge for at least a week.

***Note -  If it is too bitter for you add 1/2 t sugar***

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Blueberry and Sour Cream Pie

"What should I do with this extra pie crust?" I asked my husband after making quiche (See the blog 'It's my little friend Quiche'). "Pie!" He exclaimed. "What kind of pie? We don't really have anything to make pie with." After thinking for a bit I decided on blueberry.We had some frozen bluberries left over from brunch on Sunday that I made a blueberry compote with because we had run out of syrup. With that delisiousness still in my mind, genius struck.

Blueberry and Sour Cream Pie

   1 9"Pie Crust ( See my blog 'Gimme Beef...and Beer')
   2 C Blue Berries
1/2 C Sour Cream
   1 C Sugar (you can substitute for alternative sugar)
   1 t  Corn starch
   1 t  Vanilla Extract
1/2 t  Salt

Mix sugar, salt and corn starch then add berries. In sauce pan heat berry mixture on medium and then fold in sour cream and vanilla. Reduce heat after everything is combine to a simmer. This will help get out any moisture so your berry mixture with thicken to a syrup consistency. Pour into pie shell. Sprinkle a little sugar around top edge of crust for a little crunch.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until crust is done.

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