Don't ya just love animals?

The first picture is of Edith our cat when she was a baby. The second is of Bella. And the third is of Denver when one early morning we found that he is the Marshmallow Houdini in our house. hahehe..Mama, I love marshmallows!

Carrots anybody?

What an amazing crop of carrots I have to work with this year from the garden!
They must have loved all the rain we got in central WI.
I still have a whole other row to pull from the ground!

Catchin' Up

Mini Burgers on Toasted Disks with a French Fry Version of Poker Potato Chips.

Here are the Links:
Mini Burgers on Toasted Disks
Poker Potato Chips

Very good tasting burgers. I like the taste of the burgers so much I would make my next meatloaf with the seasonings she calls for in these recipes. I also think they would be great on a regular sized grilled burger. The poker potato chips were also good as french fries. I had to do fries because I didn't have the right cutter for potato chips. The sweet potatoes were a new and tasty twist!
Great taste, it's a keeper!

It's Time To Get Cookin' Again!

Tomorrow is Packer Sunday! 

The first game of the season and it's on! 

Here's what I have chosen to make for the happy occasion. 

Sunday's Menu:

Make these recipes yourself! Link:  Game Night

Poker Potato Chips

Mini Burgers on Toasted Disks

Make this recipe yourself! Link:Coffee Creations

Coffee Chocolate Brownies with Mocha Icing

Well, I have to say these recipes sound real good, but not as good as Aaron Rodgers kickin' ass and takin' names!

3 down and how many to go?

Sour Cream and Chive Biscuits 
by Sandra Lee
Recipe not available on foodnetwork.com
only in cookbook.

These biscuits are really yummy!

When you are use to making biscuits the way that I am, (opening up a can, separating the already pre-cut dough and dropping it on to a baking sheet) you find it a little weird and fun actually rolling and cutting the dough.

They turned out great except I should have cut them out a little thicker and bigger around. The chive was really refreshing and fun to work with.

Babyback Ribs 
by Sandra Lee
Episode: Weekend Gathering
So super yummy, even the picky eater in my house thought they were excellent!

Okay this one I was nervous to make.
People, I don't make ribs -ever.
Why make them at home when you can go to Chilli's, Applebee's, or the local tavern to get some of the best, right? Wrong!

This was a very easy recipe and was to die for!

Chocolate Buttermilk Pie
by Sandra Lee  
Episode: Weekend Gathering

Very Sweet and Good!

I like the ease of making this pie. This chocolate pie delivers a sweet punch.

Sandra's cooking directions called for 1 hour 15 mins. to 1 hour 25 mins. with a  325 degree preheated oven.

I went 325 degrees for 1 hour 20 mins, and I could have pulled this out at 1 hour 10 mins. I love the flavor, but because I think I may have dried this pie out a little, I needed cool whip to make it just right. I would also like to try this pie after it's 10 min. cool down time. I think when it's warm from oven and the cool whip or ice cream melts just a little that would change my verdict.
So out of 10 stars, 10 being the highest it gets a 5.

The ribs by the way were a 10!

Thanks for reading as always, TTFN- Kerry

And in the begining....here's tonight first attempt for Sandra Lee's recipes.

I am about a week behind in the start of this venture. I was away for work last week and wasn't able to be at home cookin'.

CHAPTER 4- BBQ

So here's tonight's recipes:

Sour Cream Chive Biscuits
Babyback Ribs
Chocolate Buttermilk Pie.

Yummy right? I did want to mention that these recipes can be found at Foodnetwork.com. Look under Sandra Lee and you should find them as well as a rating from other people who have made her dishes.

Remember though, ratings are in the mouth of the beholder. Use you own judgment.

Well, I'm off to cook! TTFN(ta-ta for now)

Challenge answered!

Okay here's what I have decided...Sandra Lee.

I know, I know, what some of you are thinking. Why her..she's a cheater! Well, if you haven't had a chance to see Sandra Lee on the Food Network, you should. She provides great meals for people who are busy, not to mention beginners.

Her motto is simple: Fast fabulous meals in minutes and nothing is made from scratch. Now, put the pitch forks down people and think about it for a second. Has anyone made anything lately completely from scratch?

For example: a cake? Oh sure you can decorate the heck out of it, but I mean really making the batter without a premix? Then there is our beloved Paula Dean who even, on her show by the way, uses store bought pie crusts. (I know for a fact that some of you have one in your freezer right now!)
My own grandma used to come over and literally steal my mothers frozen pie dough balls because she felt her crusts never came out just right. Sadly, when it came time for my mother to make her delicious rhubarb pies, there she was dough-less! So without a harsh remark, out loud at least, she made up another batch of crusts. But I digress. 

I think that this little experiment will be fun and exciting. Maybe even show me how to cook a little smarter. Be sure to stay tuned in!


So here's the break down of Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade, Cooking 2 - book.
( I will be omitting the drinks from each section, as we are not big on alcohol)

# of recipes/Categories
16-Italian
17-Mexican
13-Asian
13-BBQ
16-Comfort Foods
15-Light and Healthful Foods
11-Slow Cooking
15-Everyday Dinners
15-Special Occasions Foods

= 131 Recipes from Sandra Lee.

So I am gonna give myself one year to complete all 131 recipes. I work quite a bit as well as work off of a small food budget. So here we go.......wish me luck!

A recipe challenge

So, I have watched the movie Julie & Julia three times now. I have to say I am becoming inspired to try out a cookbook of my own. Just contemplating which chef or group of cooks to follow and try this experiment is daunting. Do I choose a local church cookbook? Should I pick from some of my very dear famous chefs, like Paula Dean or Sandra Lee? I am a beginner cook, yet find it really exciting to learn new things. I'll take any suggestions while I am in pondering mode. So suggest away folks!
Over and out for today.

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