Look Who Came to Breakfast

Happy Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus!

That stinker was eating all my apples!!

Tackling an Anti-Birthday Cake

It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom . This weekend, I held a dinner party for a bunch of my friends who also turned 40 this year. To that regard, I thought it would be funny to make an Anti-Birthday cake:-) This is what I came up with:

I thought it was really appropriate for the ocassion:-)

Biscuit and Beef Cups

I am doing more menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie and finding more deals at Pick N Save for $5 Dinners and putting them together with great recipes:-)

This week is a little bit slower. All I have is a social media meeting and a playdate and hopefully, a lot of swimming:-)

Pick N Save is still helping me out with my menu planning. They have ground beef on sale for $1.99/lb. (normally $2.99/lb.) !! I bought a bunch so, I could try a new recipe I found on my Living Cookbook software: Biscuit and Beef Cups:-)

Here is everything that I am serving this week:

Monday: Biscuit and Beef Cups (Cleaning Day)

Tuesday: Chicken and Pasta

Wednesday: Leftovers (Social Media Meeting)

Thursday: Pork Chops (Playdate)

Friday: Eat Out

Biscuit and Beef Cups
Ingredients
3/4 lb lean ground beef
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled onion
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
1 (17.3-oz.) can refrigerated biscuits
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Brown ground beef, bell pepper and onion in a medium skillet; drain, Stir in barbecue sauce and brown sugar; mix until thoroughly combined. Remove from heat.

3. Separate refrigerated biscuits, placing one in each of 8 ungreased muffin cups, pressing the dough up the sides to the edge of the cup.

4. Spoon beef mixture into cups and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 12 minutes, or until biscuits are golden and cheese is melted.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving.
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information provided by the recipe author.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 670
Calories From Fat (49%) 327.62
% Daily Value
Total Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1700mg 71%
Total Carbohydrates 57g 19%
Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 30g 60%

Recipe Type
Bread, Main Dish, Meat

Source
Source: Nestlé
Web Page: www.verybestmeals.com

Recipe Cost: $5.84 ($4.90 on sale)
Serving Cost: $1.46 ($1.23 on sale)

Blog Frog Friday 6-25-10

I am happy to have you all here for Blog Frog Friday: a weekly stop at my Blog Frog community:-)


This week, I am teaming up with CSN Stores to bring you a wonderful giveaway. CSN Stores is a wonderful place to shop on line. With over 200 stores, you can shop for anything for your home from lighting to cookware and beyond. And, if you leave a comment here or join my community (and are in the US or Canada), you will have a chance to win this:

Rachael Ray “Bubble & Brown” 2-Piece Stoneware Baker Set in Yellow

So, hop on over to my pad for the conversation:-) I will announce the winner during the next week's Blog Frog Friday:-) Good luck and thank you CSN for this opportunity to giveaway this GREAT cookware !

Hometown Seeds Deal

I have got a lot of watching grass growing around here so, I don't have much to share for Gardening Thursday however, I do have a deal for you.

Hometwon Seeds would like to offer a 20% discount on all of our products to my readers. By entering the coupon code "thanks", 20% will be reduced from the total cost of any order. The code will be good through July 31, 2010.

So head on over to Hometwon Seeds and tell them Susie sent you:-)

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

My Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus shows what I learned on our vacation: Terracing:-)

I had never heard of this type of farming but we saw tons of it in Iowa like this:



According to Wickipedia:


In agriculture, a terrace is designed to slow or prevent the rapid run-off of irrigation water. Often such land is formed into multiple terraces, giving a stepped appearance. This form of land use is prevalent in many countries, and is used for crops requiring a lot of water, such as rice. Terraces are also easier for both mechanical and manual sowing and harvesting than a steep slope would be. Terracing slows down the speed of water and therefore allow more run-off to be sucked up by the soil.

My MiL said that each "step" is two combines wide which is best illustrated in this picture:


So, I get a nickle for learning something new:-) What did you learn on your vacation.

Tackling Father's Day

It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom . This week, I tackled a special Father's Day breakfast. I made my rendition of Ann Burrell's dish for breakfast and it was a hit! It isn't a health dish but, is great for a treat. I may make this for Christmas morning. Unfortunately, we gobbled it up before I could take a picture so, I hope you will settle for the recipe:-)

Sausage and Mushrooms Frittata
Ingredients:
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 cloves garlic, smashed
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
12 oz breakfast sausage, casings removed
8 oz. mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
Kosher salt
2 sage leaves, finely chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
4 eggs, beaten
4 oz Cheddar cheese, grated

Directions:
1. Special equipment: 4 (8-ounce) ramekins

2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

3. Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, add the garlic cloves and the crushed red pepper and bring to a medium heat. When the garlic has become golden brown and very aromatic, remove it and discard, it has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Add the sausage and brown.

4. Once, nicely browned, add the mushrooms and season with kosher salt. When the mushrooms have softened, add in the sage and white wine. Cook until the wine has almost been absorbed. Turn off the heat and reserve.

5. Brush 4 individual ramekins with olive oil. Divide the sausage mixture equally among the ramekins and press gently into the bottom. Top each with beaten eggs. Sprinkle each egg with a couple drops of olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Sprinkle each egg lightly with cheese and bake until the cheese is brown and bubbly, about 5 minutes

Servings: 4

Oven Temperature: 400°F

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Inactive Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 7 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (8.8 ounces).
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 644.73
Calories From Fat (68%) 436.72
% Daily Value
Total Fat 48.81g 75%
Saturated Fat 18.15g 91%
Cholesterol 299.1mg 100%
Sodium 2939.4mg 122%
Potassium 685.77mg 20%
Total Carbohydrates 13.34g 4%
Fiber 1.21g 5%
Sugar 1.84g
Protein 35.73g 71%

Recipe Type
Breakfast, Brunch

Source
Author: Susan Ewing
Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/baked-eggs-with-sausage-and-mushrooms-recipe/index.html

Author Notes
This recipe is inspired by Anne Burrell at the Food Network

Recipe Cost: $8.91
Serving Cost: $2.23

Chicken Pesto Penne Rerun

I am doing more menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie and finding more deals at Pick N Save for $5 Dinners and putting them together with great recipes:-)

Well, my husband is back at work but I still have a housefull with my oldest still here from college and my youngest home from school. In addition, I have training for the leading a unit in day camp. Simple is key!!!

Thank goodness Pick N Save has chicken breasts on sale for $2.79/lb. (normally $4.79/lb.) because I am making my Chicken Pesto Penne which is yet another rerun....when will the madness end?

Here is everything that I am serving this week:

Monday: Not-sagna Pasta Toss (Cleaning Day)

Tuesday: Tuna Pasta Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Pesto Penne

Thursday: Left Overs (Unit Leader Training)

Friday: Eat Out

Blog Frog Friday 6-18-10

I am happy to have you all here for Blog Frog Friday: a weekly stop at my Blog Frog community:-)

This week's topic is about my social networking experiment on the road. So, hop on over to my pad for the conversation:-)

Garden Chores

After our trip, all I can muster up today was cleaning my pool and pulling weeds in the vegetable garden. I guess I am still on vacation because that is as far as I got before we jumped in my newly cleaned pool:-)

Just a side note, we have one of those Quick Set pools. In the past, we have had tons of problems with the ones with the inflatable top. They leak air. They leak water. And unless you are on completely (and I mean completely) level ground, you have a deep end. So, this year, we got the kind with the frame and so far so good! So, if your yard is less than stable, I recommend it:-)

Drive Like the Wind

My Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom amd Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus has a scene from the road:-)

Tackling Unpacking

It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .

We are home from our big road trip and I am exhausted! So, I am going to tackle the mountain that is unpacking, laundering and putting everything away.

Grilled Steak Recipe Rerun

I am doing more menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie and finding more deals at Pick N Save for $5 Dinners and putting them together with great recipes:-)

I am still on the road so, this week's menu is all about easy summer food. Thank goodness Pick N Save has Beef Tenderloin on sale for $5.88/lb. (normally $8.99/lb.) because I am doing another rerun recipe this week: Jeff's "Plain Old Steaks" Steak.

Here is everything that I am serving this week:

Monday: Eat Out (Last Day of Kansas Trip)

Tuesday: Jeff's "Plain Old Steaks" Steak

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken

Thursday: Left Overs (Husband's Doctor Appointments)

Friday: Eat Out

Blog Frog Friday 6-11-10

I am happy to have you all here for Blog Frog Friday: a weekly stop at my Blog Frog community:-)

This week's topic is about 3G Networks. I am conducting a social networking experiment on the road. So, hop on over to my pad for the conversation:-)

Have Some Lettuce

We are on our way to Kansas. So, while I am gone, enjoy my first lettuce harvest of the year:

Even though I am gone, come back tomorrow for a Blog Frog Friday experiment:-)

Beautiful Spring Centerpiece

My Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom is going to be more like Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-). I had to get some of my peonies before the rain washed the away.

Tackling Boredom Fighters

It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom . This week, I have been packing for our big trip. Every other year, we drive from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Oakley, Kansas for a family reunion. It is two days in the car with a 6-year-old. So, I am arming myself with all the boredom fighters at my disposal.

1. DVD Player with a wide selection of discs for quiet viewing pleasure.

2. Activity and reading books to reinforce concepts we learned this school year.

3. Blank paper in a notebook. Containment in the car is key.

4. Colored pencils in a box for drawing and writing (again with the containment). Pencils are the best because crayons melt and markers are messy also.

5. Binder is a back seat toy box and a place to press on for those masterpieces.

6. Child-proof camera for capturing the vacation from your child's point of view. The one we have has games on it too.

7. Wallet contains earned allowance to spend on souvenirs.

8. Stuffed animals for imaginative play.

9. Age appropriate music on MP3 player.

10. Snacks and juice for those between-stop munchies.

I think I have it all covered. Wish us luck:-)

Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap

I am doing more menu planning with I'm an Organizing Junkie with great recipes:-)

It has been a crazy couple weeks for me. I played way too much and now, our trip to Kansas is upon us and I am completely unprepared! Not to mention, I still have to wrap up the end of the school year. Yikes! Hold on kid's it is going to be a bumpy ride:-)

This week, I am going to focus on getting ready for our road trip and as such, I am featuring a recipe that is road-friendly. Wish me luck:-)

Here is everything that I am serving this week:

Monday: Spaghetti (Cleaning Day/Early Bird Registration)

Tuesday: Chicken and Pasta

Wednesday: Pork Chops (Kindergarten Carnival)

Thursday: Eat in the Car (Last Day of School/Road Trip to Kansas)

Friday: Eat Out (Road Trip to Kansas)

Creamy Avocado & White Bean Wrap

Ingredients:
2 Tbs cider vinegar
1 Tbs canola oil
2 tsp finely chopped canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, (see Note)
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups shredded red cabbage
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 Tbs minced red onion
4 8- to 10-inch whole-wheat wraps, or tortillas

Directions:
1. Whisk vinegar, oil, chipotle chile and salt in a medium bowl. Add cabbage, carrot and cilantro; toss to combine.

2. Mash beans and avocado in another medium bowl with a potato masher or fork. Stir in cheese and onion.

3. To assemble the wraps, spread about 1/2 cup of the bean-avocado mixture onto a wrap (or tortilla) and top with about 2/3 cup of the cabbage-carrot slaw. Roll up. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Cut the wraps in half to serve, if desired.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (8.2 ounces).
Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 496.84
Calories From Fat (32%) 160.17
% Daily Value
Total Fat 18.47g 28%
Saturated Fat 4.63g 23%
Cholesterol 14.83mg 5%
Sodium 517.75mg 22%
Potassium 1318.83mg 38%
Total Carbohydrates 65.01g 22%
Fiber 12.03g 48%
Sugar 2.45g
Protein 21.4g 43%

Recipe Type
Appetizer

Tips
Ingredient Note: Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are smoked jalapeños packed in a flavorful sauce. Look for the small cans with the Mexican foods in large supermarkets. Once opened, they'll keep at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer.

Source
Web Page: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/creamy_avocado_white_bean_wrap.html

Recipe Cost: $4.75
Serving Cost: $1.19

Blog Frog Friday 6-4-10

I am happy to have you all here for Blog Frog Friday: a weekly stop at my Blog Frog community:-)

This week is all about gardening. Memorial weekend is traditionally the time to plant in Wisconsin. Now that this is past, this week's topic is about gardening. So, hop on over to my pad for the conversation:-)

Lovely Peony

Spring Baking

My Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom is going to be more like Wordful Wednesday on SevEn cLoWn CirCus:-). May was a HUGE baking month. Here is some other things I made:

Mom's Strawberry Birthday Cake

Cookies for Author's Tea

Tackling Candy Cupcakes

It's time for Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom . I tackled another Iron Cupcake: Milwaukee Challenge and this time, the theme/ingredient was Candy. Since I have a young daughter at home, I immediately thought of Candyland. Here is what it looked like:

They were Funfetti cupcakes with peppermint frosting and sugar cookie playing pieces. I did six of the characters in full size cupcakes:

Plumpy

Mr. Mint

Grandma Nut

Princess Lolly

Queen Frosting

King Candy