Currently Reading

To show the kids in the house that mom is willing to read what they are interested in....I chose to read Eragon which totally shocked the boys so for them I said I would read the series.....<3

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/113436.Eragon?ac=1

Recipe for the day ~ Kalua Pig in a Slow Cooker

Kalua Pig in a Slow Cooker

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (6 pound) pork butt roast

1 1/2 tspn Hawaiian Sea Salt

1 Tbpsn liquid smoke flavoring

Directions:

Pierce pork all over with a carving fork

Rub salt then liquid smoke over meat

Place roast in a slow cooker

Cover and cook on Low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time

Remove meat from slow cooker and shred, adding dripping as needed to moisten

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.”― Maya Angelou

Recipe for the day ~ Banana Cake

Banana Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter

2 1/8 cups white sugar

3 eggs

2 tspns vanilla extract

1 1/2 tspns baking soda

1/4 tspn salt

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 tspns lemon juice

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 2 or 3 bananas)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 tspn vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 275 (That's right - 275)

Grease and flour a 9x13 baking pan

In a small bowl, mix bananas with lemon juice, set aside

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt, set aside

In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until light and fluffy

Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 tspns vanilla

Beat in the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk

Stir in banana mixture

Pour in prepared pan

Bake for 1 hour (AT 275) or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean

Remove from oven and place directly into freezer for 45 minutes

This will make the cake very moist

For the frosting

In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream cheese until smooth

Beat in 1 tspn vanilla

Add confectioner's sugar and beat at a low speed until well blended, then on high until frosting is smooth

Spread on cool cake

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.” ― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

Recipe for the day ~ Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Salad

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**This salad is one of favorites in the summer**

Ingredients:

8 slices of bacon, crumbled (I just use the microwave bacon - easier)

2 heads of broccoli, chopped

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 large red onion, chopped

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/8 cup white sugar

2 tspns black pepper

1 tspn salt

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tspn fresh lemon juice

Directions:

If you are using regular bacon and not microwave, place bacon in a large, deep skillet

Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown

Drain and crumble

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, cheese, bacon, onion and raisins

Prepare the dressing in a small bowl by whisking together the red wine vinegar, sugar, pepper, salt, mayonnaise and lemon juice

Combine dressing with salad

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve

• 
  

Thought for the day

Thought for the day ~ RIP Maya Angelou ~ “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ― Maya Angelou

Recipe for the day ~ Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**This is a favorite with my kids**

Ingredients:

2 kiwis, peeled and diced

2 Golden Delicious apples (I prefer Granny Smith), peeled, cored and diced

8 ounces raspberries, diced

1 pound strawberries, diced

2 Tbspns white sugar

1 Tbspn brown sugar

3 Tbspns fruit preserves, any flavor

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas

Butter flavored cooking spray

2 Tbspns cinnamon sugar

 Directions:

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and preserves

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350

Cut tortillas into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet

Coat one side of each tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray

Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar 

Flip wedges over and spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar

Bake for about 10 minutes

Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges

Allow to cool for about 15 minutes

Serve with chilled fruit salsa

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” ― Thomas Jefferson

Recipe for the day ~ Better than Sex Cake

Better than Sex Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix

1/2 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

6 ounces caramel ice cream topping

3 (1.4 ounce) bars of chocolate covered toffee (Heath® bars), chopped

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

Bake cake according to package directions for a 9x13 inch pan

Cool on wire rack for about 5 minutes

Make slits across the top of the cake, making sure no to go through the bottom

In a saucepan over low heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping, stirring until smooth and well blended

Slowly pour over warm topping mixture over the top of the warm cake, letting it sink into the slits

Sprinkle the crushed chocolate toffee bars nicely across the entire cake while still warm

(*Note* - you can crush candy bars into small chunks if you prefer smaller pieces to chew on instead of crumbling them)

Let cake cool completely, then top with whipped topping

Decorate the top of the cake with some more chocolate toffee bar chunks and swirls of caramel topping

Refrigerate and serve right from the cake pan

•   

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Recipe for the day ~ Honey Chicken Kabobs

Honey Chicken Kabobs

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 tspn ground black pepper

8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 gloves garlic

5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces

2 red bell peppers or you can mix peppers with red, yellow or green, cut into 2 inch pieces

bamboo skewers

 Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper

Before adding the chicken, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush while kabobs are cooking

Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl

Marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours or longer

Preheat the grill for high heat

Drain the marinade from the chicken and vegetables, discard marinade

Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers

Lightly oil the grill grate 

Place the skewers onto the grill 

Cook for about 15 minutes or until chicken juices run clear

While cooking make sure to turn and brush with reserved marinade, do this frequently

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them" - John F. Kennedy

Recipe for the day ~ Pig Pickin' Cake

Pig Pickin' Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, juices reserved

4 eggs

 1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, whipped

1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

 Directions:

Mix together cake mix, canned oranges with juice, eggs and oil

Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 8 inch round cake pans - layers will be thin

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center of cake

Cool layers on wire racks

Mix together whipped topping, drained pineapple and instant pudding

Fill and frost the cooled cake

Refrigerate until ready to serve

**NOTE**

Instead of using the 3 - 8 inch round cake pans you can use a 9x13 cake pan 

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.” ― Jim Morrison

Recipe for the day ~ Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

2/3 cup white sugar

2 1/2 Tbspns prepared yellow mustard

1 1/2 tspn salt

1/2 tspn ground black pepper

1 large onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/4 cup grated carrot (optional)

2 Tbspns chopped pimento peppers (optional)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil

Add macaroni and cook until tender - about 8 minutes

Rinse under cold water when draining from the pot

In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper

Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni

Refrigerate for about 4 hours before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life.” ― Bob Marley

Recipe for the day ~ Peach Dump Cake

Peach Dump Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (29 ounce) can sliced peaches in heavy syrup, undrained

1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix

3/4 cup butter, sliced into pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with margarine

Pour peaches and heavy syrup into the prepared baking dish

Spread cake mix evenly over peaches

Arrange butter in pieces in even rows on the cake mix

Bake in oven until the top of the cake is golden brown - about 35-40 minutes

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Love is the absence of judgment.” ― 14th Dalai Lama

Recipe for the day ~ 5-Layer Mexican Dip

5-Layer Mexican Dip

(Courtesy of Kraft Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 can (15 1/2 ounce) refried black beans

1 Tbspn chili powder

1/2 tspn cumin

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Shredded Cheddar cheese

3 green onions, sliced

1/3 cup black olives

1 tomato, chopped

 Directions:

Mix beans, chili powder, and cumin together

Spread onto the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate

Top with layers of remaining ingredients

Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving

**Serve with tortilla chips**

***Substitute***

You can prepare this dip using fat-free refried black beans, 2% milk shredded Cheddar cheese and fat free sour cream

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ― 14th Dalai Lama

Currently Reading

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41502.Lord_John_and_the_Brotherhood_of_the_Blade

Recipe for the day ~ Graham Cracker Eclair "Cake"

Graham Cracker Eclair "Cake"

(Courtesy of Kraft® Foods)

Ingredients:

1 pkg (3.4 ounce) Jell-O® Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1 1/2 cups cold milk

15 graham crackers, broken crosswise in half (30 squares), divided

1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip® Whipped Topping, thawed

1 cup Baker's® One Bowl Chocolate Frosting

Directions:

In a large bowl, beat pudding mix and milk with a whisk for about 2 minutes

Let stand for 5 minutes

Meanwhile, cover the bottom of an 8-inch square pan with graham cracker squares, overlapping squares as needed to form an even layer

Stir Cool Whip® into the pudding

Spread half over the graham cracker squares in pan

Cover with 10 of the remaining graham cracker squares

Repeat layers of pudding mixture and graham squares

Refrigerate for 3 hours

Spread with Baker's® One Bowl Chocolate Frosting

**Variation**

Prepare using 1 pkg (1 ounce) Jello-O® Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding, Fat Free milk and Lite Cool Whip® whipped topping

***Shortcut***

Substitute 1 cup ready to spread chocolate frosting instead of the Baker's® One Bowl Chocolate frosting

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 pounds red potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces (skin on - optional)

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix

1 1/4 cups cooked bacon, crumbled

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

2 bunches green onions, thinly sliced 

Directions:

Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water

Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low

Cover and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes

Drain, then run under cold water until cool

In a small bowl combine the sour cream and dry ranch dressing mix until well blended

Transfer the potatoes, bacon, Cheddar cheese and green onions to a large bowl

Stir in the sour cream mixture until well coated

Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ― Dr. Seuss

Currently Reading

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10990.Lord_John_and_the_Private_Matter

Recipe for the day ~ Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 pint blueberries, rinsed and drained

2 pints fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced

Directions:

Prepare cake according to package directions and bake in a 9x13 inch pan

Cool completely

Frost cake with whipped topping

Place blueberries in a square in the top left corner

Arrange sliced strawberries as stripes to make an American flag

Chill until ready to serve

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Bread

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tspn salt

1 tspn baking powder

1 tspn baking soda

3 tspns ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 1/4 cups white sugar

3 tpns vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Grease and flour 2 8x4 inch loaf pans

Preheat oven to 325

Sift flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon together in a large bowl

Beat eggs, oil, vanilla in a separate bowl

Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat well

Stir in zucchini and nuts until well blended

Pour batter into prepared pans

Bake for about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

Cool in pan or rack for 20 minutes

Remove bread from pan and let it completely cool

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”― Mark Twain

Recipe for the day ~ Fruit Pizza

Fruit Pizza

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 (8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water

1 star fruit (optional), sliced

1 peach (optional), sliced

1 orange (optional, sliced

Blueberries (optional)

Pineapple slices (optional)

1 pinch salt

1 Tbspn cornstarch

1/2 cup orange juice

2 Tbspns lemon juice

1/2 tspn orange zest

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Slice the cookie dough and arrange onto a greased pizza pan, overlapping the edges

Press dough flat onto the pan

Bake for about 10-12 minutes

Let cool

In a large bowl, soften the cream cheese then fold in the whipped topping

Spread over the cool cookie crust

Begin with the strawberries, sliced in half

Arrange in a circle around the outside edge

Continue with the fruits of your choice, working towards the middle

If you use bananas, dip them in lemon juice so they don't start to darken

In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, cornstarch, orange juice, lemon juice and water

Cook and stir over medium heat

Bring to a boil and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until it has thickened

Remove from heat and add grated orange rind

Allow to cool 

Spoon over fruit

Chill for about 2 hours then cut into wedges to serve

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” 
― Anne Frank

Recipe for the day ~ Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sanwich

Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**My mom eats peanut butter and banana sandwiches ALL the time however I do not like bananas - lol**

Ingredients:

Cooking Spray

2 Tbspns peanut butter

2 slices whole wheat bread

1 banana sliced thinly

Directions:

Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat, and coat with cooking spray

Spread 1 Tbspn of peanut butter onto each slice of bread

Place banana slices onto the peanut buttered side of slice

Top with the other slice and press together firmly

Fry the sandwich until golden brown on each side about 2 minutes per side

**As an alternative you may use granny smith apples instead of the banana**

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” ― Thomas Jefferson

Recipe for the day ~ Pineapple Angel Food Cake

Pineapple Angel Food Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) package Angel Food cake mix

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Spray a Bundt, Angel Food pan, or 9x13 pan (I use a Bundt pan personally) with cooking spray

In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pineapple (with juice)

Mix until well blended

Pour batter into your preferred cooking pan

Bake at 350 for about 35 - 40 minutes or until golden brown

Let cool before flipping over onto a serving dish

Serve with whipped topping

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things.” ― Walt Disney Company

Recipe for the day ~ Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 pound dry ziti pasta

1 onion, chopped

1 pound lean ground beef (I use 80/20)

2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce

6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced

1 1/2 cups sour cream

6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbspns grated Parmesan cheese 

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil

Add ziti pasta

Cook until al dente, about 8 minutes

Drain

In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat

Add spaghetti sauce 

Simmer for about 15 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 

Butter a 9x13 baking dish

Layer as follows;  1/2 of the ziti , provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture

Top with Parmesan cheese

Bake for 30 minutes or until cheeses are melted

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “We are by nature observers, and thereby learners. That is our permanent state.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recipe for the day ~ Perfect Flourless Orange Cake (Gluten Free)

Perfect Flourless Orange Cake (Gluten Free)

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 whole oranges with peel

6 eggs

1 pinch saffron powder (optional)

1 1/4 cups white sugar

1/2 tspn baking powder

1 1/4 cups finely ground almonds (almond meal)

1 tspn finely chopped candied orange peel (optional)

 Directions:

Place the oranges in a large saucepan, add enough water to cover

Bring to a boil, and boil for 2 hours over medium heat

Check occasionally to make sure they do not boil dry

Allow the oranges to cool then cut them open and remove the seeds

Process in a blender or food processor to a coarse pulp

Preheat oven to 375

Thoroughly grease a 10 inch round cake pan and line it with parchment paper

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together using an electric mixer until thick and pale, about 10 minutes

Mix in baking powder and saffron (optional)

Stir in the pureed oranges

Gently fold in almond meal and candied orange peel (optional)

Pour into the prepared pan

Bake for about 1 hour or until a small knife inserted into the center comes out clean

Allow the cake to completely cool in the pan

Tap out onto a serving when cool

 Top with Gluten Free Orange Glaze (Recipe follows)

Recipe for Gluten Free Orange Glaze

Ingredients:

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1 Tbspn frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together well 

Add more confectioner's sugar or orange juice to the consistency you wish for a pourable glaze

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” ― Dalai Lama

Recipe for the day ~ Easy Bacon and Cheese Quiche

Easy Bacon and Cheese Quiche

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (3 ounce) package of bacon bits

1/2 cup chopped onion

5 ounces shredded Swiss cheese

3 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

1 (9 inch) deep dish frozen pie crust

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup half and half cream

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 400

In a medium bowl, mix the bacon, onions and both cheeses

Place the mixture in the UNthawed pie crust

Mix the eggs and half and half in a bowl

Pour the egg mixture over the cheese mixture

Bake for about 15 minutes at 400

Reduce heat to 350 and bake for an additional 35 minutes until top of quiche begins to brown

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back towards disease and death.” ― Rumi

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!"

Recipe for the day ~ Pineapple Sour Cream Pie

Pineapple Sour Cream Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

3 eggs

3/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tspn salt

1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup sour cream

1 Tbspn lemon juice

1/2 tspn vanilla extract

1/4 tspn cream of tartar

1/3 cup white sugar

1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Separate the eggs (yolks and whites) - beat yolks, keep whites aside

In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup white sugar, flour, salt, crushed pineapple, sour cream and lemon juice

Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and bubbly

Gradually pour the beaten eggs yolks into the pineapple mixture, whisking constantly for about 2 to 3 minutes

Remove from heat and let cool

Meanwhile, beat egg whites, vanilla and  cream of tartar until soft peaks form

Gradually stir in the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat egg whites until stiff and glossy

Spoon cooled filling into the pie crust and top with the meringue

Bake for about 12 minutes or until golden

Let pie cool before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “In order to be irreplaceable one must be unique” ― Coco Chanel

Recipe for the day ~ Barbecue Ribs

Barbecue Ribs

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**I make ribs this way ALL the time and it is fall off the bone delicious!!**

Ingredients:

4 pounds pork spare ribs

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup dark rum

1/2 cup chile sauce

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tspn dry mustard 

1 dash ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Cut spareribs into serving size portions

Wrap in double thickness with foil

Bake for about 1 1/2 hours

Unwrap and drain drippings

Place ribs in a large roasting pan or a marinating pan

While spareribs are cooking in the oven, in a saucepan over medium-high heat, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, rum, chile sauce, garlic, mustard and pepper until it is smooth (like a BBQ sauce)

Coat ribs with sauce and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate overnight

Preheat grill for medium heat

Position grate 4 inches above heat source

Brush grill grate with oil

Place ribs on grill and cook for 30 minutes (15 minutes each side), basting with marinade

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” ― Francis of Assisi

Recipe for the day ~ Margarita Party Pie

Margarita Party Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels

1/4 cup white sugar

2/3 cup butter, melted

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup tequila

4 Tbspns orange liqueur

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

2 drops red food coloring 

2 drops yellow food coloring

2 cups whipped cream, divided

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine crushed pretzels, sugar and butter

Mix well and press onto the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan

In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, tequila and orange liqueur

Pour half the mixture into another bowl

Add strawberries and a few drops of red food coloring to one half

To the other half of the mixture, add only a drop or two of the yellow food coloring

Fold 1 cup of whipped cream into each half

Spoon into the crust, alternating colors

Freeze for about 4 hours or overnight

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” ― Dalai Lama

Recipe for the day ~ Hawaiian Hot Dog Surprise

Hawaiian Hot Dog Surprise

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 (16 ounce) packages of hot dogs, cut into pieces

2 (8 ounce) cans of pineapple chunks, drained

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 (16 ounce) cans of baked beans

Directions:

Place hot dog pieces, pineapple, brown sugar, white sugar and baked beans in a slow cooker

Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes

Then turn down to LOW and let simmer for another 15 minutes or until ready to serve

This can be kept on LOW all day

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” ― Mary Lou Retton

Recipe for the day ~ Mojito Fruit Salad

Mojito Fruit Salad

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 cup cubed seeded watermelon

1 cup seedless grapes

1 cup cubed cantaloupe

1 cup hulled and quartered strawberries 

1 cup peeled and quartered kiwi

1 cup fresh blueberries

3 sprigs fresh mint

2 tspns white sugar

3 Tbspns fresh lime juice

Directions:

Mix the watermelon, grapes, canteloupe, strawberries and kiwi in a bowl with a tight-fitting lid

Top with the blueberries

Stir the mint, sugar and lime juice together in a bowl, crushing the mint with the back of a spoon while mixing the extract flavors

Pour over the fruit mixture

Seal the bowl with lid and refrigerate at at least 1 hour

Just before serving, gently flip the sealed bowl several times to coat the fruit with the dressing

• 
  

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Everybody wants a happy life and a peaceful mind, but we have to produce peace of mind through our own practice.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

Recipe for the day ~ Fresh Strawberry Upside Down Cake

Fresh Strawberry Upside Down Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 cups FRESH strawberries (crushed or chopped)

1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O® mix

3 cups miniature marshmallows

1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix, batter prepared as directed on package

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Spread crushed strawberries on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan (I like to use the bundt pan)

Evenly sprinkle strawberries with the dry Jello-O® mix

Top with the mini marshmallows

Prepare cake mix as directed on the package 

Pour on top of the marshmallows

Bake for about 45 - 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

Cool in the pan for about 15 minutes

Run a knife along the pan to loosen the sides

Turn cake out onto a serving cake plate

Store in refrigerator

 Dollop with whipped topping on each piece

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “It is not doing the thing we like, but liking the thing we have to do that makes life happy.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Recipe for the day ~ Key West Style Chicken

Key West Style Chicken

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**This recipe is for a serving of 4 BUT you can always double it**

Ingredients:

3 Tbspns soy sauce

1 Tbspn honey

1 Tbspn vegetable oil

1 tspn lime juice

1 tspn chopped garlic

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

 Directions:

In a shallow container, blend soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice and garlic

Place chicken breast halves into the mixture

Turn to coat

Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes of longer

Preheat outdoor grill for high heat

Lightly oil the grill grate

Discard the marinate and grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead.” ― Bette Davis

Recipe for the day ~ Coconut (Haupia) and Chocolate Pie

Coconut (Haupia) and Chocolate Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

1 cup milk

1 (14 ounce) coconut milk

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Bake crust for about 15 minutes or until golden brown

Set aside to cool

In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, coconut milk, and 1 cup sugar

In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water

Bring coconut mixture to a boil

Reduce to simmer and slowly whisk in the cornstarch

Continue stirring mixture over low heat until it thickens (about 3 minutes)

In a glass bowl, microwave the chocolate chips for 1 minute or until they are melted

Divide the coconut mixture evenly into 2 bowls

Mix the chocolate chips in one bowl of coconut mixture

Spread on the bottom of the pie crust

Pour the remaining coconut mixture on top of the chocolate and spread smooth

Refrigerate for about 1 hour

Whip cream with 1/4 cup sugar or until stiff peaks form

Layer the cream on top of pie

If desired, garnish with chocolate shavings 

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Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” ― Helen Keller

Recipe for the day ~ Seafood Enchiladas

Seafood Enchiladas

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped

1 tbspn butter

1/2 pound fresh crab meat

1/4 pound shrimp - peeled, deveined and coarsely chopped

8 ounces shredded Colby cheese 

6 (10 inch) flour tortillas

1 cup half and half cream

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 tspns dried parsley

1/2 tspn garlic salt

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

In a large skillet, saute onions in 1 tbspn butter until they are transparent

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in crab meat and shrimp

Mix 1/2 the shredded Colby cheese into the seafood mixture

Place a large spoonful of the mixture into each tortilla

Roll the tortillas up around the mixture and arrange the rolled tortillas in a 9x13 baking dish

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the half and half, sour cream, 1/4 cup butter, parsley and garlic salt

Stir until the mixture is lukewarm and blended well

Pour sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining Colby cheese

Bake for about 30 minutes

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Happiness is a state of mind - we are as happy as we make up our minds to be.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Currently Reading

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2832909-an-echo-in-the-bone

Recipe for the day ~ No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tspn vanilla extract

3 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

 Directions:

Grease a 9x9 inch square pan

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium high heat

Stir in brown sugar and vanilla

Mix in the oats

Cook over low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes or until ingredients are well blended

Press half the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan

Reserve the other half for topping

Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth

Pour the chocolate mixture over the crust in the pan and spread evenly with a knife or the back of a spoon

Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing gently

Cover and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or overnight

Bring to room temperature before slicing into bars

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Happiness is an inside job”― William Arthur Ward