Fall ambition - Crock pot chicken and Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

If my kids weren't teenagers, I'd swear I was nesting again! I was so very domestic today! And It was such a perfect fall day!

First I threw together an experiment (albeit pretty common) in the crock pot for supper. I knew I'd need it since in the next 3 days I have to have 2 dozen 'treat's to the school to sell at a bake sale at intermission of the Maquoketa High School Drama production of Tucker's Ridge and Surviving Lunch - 2 short plays that take on issues of today, especially bullying. The Drama club calls it'self C.A.G.E. (although I can not for the life of me remember the acronym).

In addition I have treats for my women's Beth Moore bible study on Sunday and may as well make my treats for our service circle on Tuesday that I co-hostess...which means I bring treats.

Hectic baking coming up and plan on doing the 2 dozen tonight. So into the crock pot I threw some boneless skinless chicken breast I had thawed out. But looking at it I thought it didn't look like that much chicken, so I got out 2 frozen chicken thighs. I put them on the bottom and layered the chicken breast on top.

Then I mixed together 3 cans of 'cream of' soup. 2 chick 1 mushroom, 1/2 a package of beef onion soup mix, lemon pepper and Lawrey's -both lightly since the soup mix is usually very salty. Poured that over, put it on low and off to work.

Here's what I came home to:

 I had to put it on high for just a few minutes with the lid off to get it to thicken up, but then it was terrific. I had it over regular wide egg noodles. It was filling and satisfying and took no time to put together.

It does need a vegetable. Any suggestions? I plan next time to add onion and mushroom and also some red wine. What about large chopped cauliflower?

While that was thickening I threw a pan of cookies in the oven

Don't think me too ambitious. These are from a roll :)

Then I did undertake to actually try a recipe. It's from the Pillsbury website and it's called Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars. YUMMY sounding! So I thought, why not. 44 is not to old to start baking!

So I put them together. I had to modify the recipe only in that I used a roll and a half of cookie dough. (ooops, I guess that's not baking)

You crumble and press the dough down for the crust, in a small bowl mix together 1 pkg of cream cheese, 1 egg and 1/2 cup sugar for the filling then spread over the 'crust' dough (you can also add 1/2 cup coconut, but i"m not a fan), then crumble and sprinkle more dough for the top crust. I had read some reviews that suggested plenty of dough for the top especially.

It went together just perfectly!

And came out just beautifully!

They have to cool for 30 minutes and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours before I can cut a tiny piece to see how they turned out. The review said they can be hard to get out. I hope not too hard. I need to cut a dozen but since they are bound to be rich, I can make them smaller.

I got a kick out of the fact that I was making these for the drama club - CAGE....get it bars for CAGE....CAGE Bars! teeheehee

Well it tickled me. ;)

Next up - tomorrow night maybe? If not Saturday. Pecan Pie bars and then Pumpkin Spice Cake.

Oh heck ok... the Pecan Pie Bars are a mix but the cake...totally from scratch!

I'm linking to the always inspiring, always mouth watering Foodie Friday over at Gollum's

Happy Halloween!!

Adjust, Adapt, and Overcome...Right.

My 2 teenagers, known here as Angel 1 and Angel 2, are off to the church lock-in tonight! We are handing the reigns of the youth to a new youth director at midnight and they are having a coronation ;) plus!! It's the old Youth directors birthday! (Happy B-day Karen!!). She's not leaving the church though, just stepping out of that uber responsible position now that she's a (drumroll please) GRAMA :) So it is going to be a terrific Halloween night and one I was supposed to help and be a part of except.......

H1N1 has had me down for over a week now. Everytime I think I'm better and try to start doing things again it kicks back in, fever comes back...blech...Hopefully I'm about through it now. It's be about 10 days maybe 12?

And during that time I got word that my house buyer did indeed back out and my listing is about to expire. I'm taking it as a sign to stay where I am. Which is ok by me, afterall, I love my neighborhood! I'm less than a block from my mother's house. And what I was looking for in another home, I can add to this one.

Actually seeing all the creative blogs and finding new ones everyday gives me the certainty that it can be done, and actually, I'm betting you guys would be glad to help...with ideas and opinions and such :)

So here's the home. It's small (tiny!!) but workable.

And here's why I thought selling would be the better idea: 3 women, 1 bathroom...the square footage of the house is only 876.

but I have 240 on my sun porch out back

and 1/2 the basement is finished.

 

2 bedrooms up and one (non-conforming) down.

Only have a shower in the bathroom because the previous owners put a stack washer/dryer in there..which I have to admit is handy.

So those are the things that I thought would be easier to sell this and find somewhere else. But alas, the market isn't yet strong enough for me to be able to get out and break even on the improvements I have done (even including some 'depreciation').

Project #1

This is in the basement and is about 15 by 8. This was where the washer and dryer were before they moved upstairs. Say hello to the home of my new lower level bathroom.  About where that board is is where there will be a wall to keep the electrical away from the water/humidity of the bathroom area.

Project #2
An Addition

Bye bye sunporch. I didn't use you that much anyway, like the light though!
Mud room/laundry out here, another bedroom of it 12 by 25 total to add on and viola 1100 sq ft 3 bedroom house. Plus...put a BATHTUB back in the mainfloor bathroom!

Expensive, yes. But it's my home and some of that has to be weighed in too.

 Project #3

Siding and windows

Here's where you get to help...what colors???? I'm going for cottage-ish without storybook colors (ie: green and pink)

Can't wait to hear what you think

Time Traveler's and Stuck in Time

I just finished the Time Traveler's Wife. Unfortunately I got to finish it today because I'm home sick, me and over 80 kids in our High School alone with 'the flu'.

I'll be honest. I had a devil of a time getting into this book. It wasn't the writing, there were some passages in this novel that just blew my socks off and made me never want to plink out a scene on my computer or scrawl dialog on my yellow legal pad  again! It was the people. I just had a hard time caring. I think it was when I found out that Clare came from a wealthy family. I'm tired of that. Too Gilmore for me. By 3/4 through though, I loved them and was wrapped in this tale. And still felt the prose was incredible! Delectible - writing you don't plow through to up page count totals for 'challenges'. But like gourmet writing, to savor and experience. That's why I stuck with it and that's what gratified the whole process of  The Time Traveler's Wife. I gave it 4 stars. Highly recommend it, and yes, stick with it!!

STUCK IN TIME -
Besides wishing I wasn't sick and knowing how slow time goes when I am, my realtor called and said that the buyer wants out of our sale contract. I knew it!! grrrr.  Oh well...C'est la vie. Another showing Sunday. It's just a situation where I need to re-set my sails (pun?) since I can not control the wind.

Stew time. Beef definately not Rabbit

I've been making this stew for awhile now. I'm about due for a new recipe to try.

Boneless beef ribs were on sale so I cubed them to start.

Roll in some flour and brown up in a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil with a large onion, 3 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, 2 bay leaves, 3 tablespoons of Worchestershire sauce. Then add 3 cups of water or beef broth (I used beef broth this time) and simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until meat is tender.

Add carrots and Potatoes and continue simmering for about another 30 minutes (mine would have taken less time this time, but I only checked it at the 30 minute mark and my potatoes were falling apart done. Too done.) Thicken at the end of time with flour and cold water wisked together.

 

Snacking while waiting is allowed if your good friend comes over and provides Hidden Valley Ranch Mix Pretzels

Some whole wheat bread and I'm ready for some comfort.

Tastes better than it looks. But as I say, I'm ready for a new recipe. My mom has a family favorite for Burgandy Beef Stew. Always delicious. 

I'm also going to keep at this until my photography skills increase! Hard to believe I won a photography award once upon a time. (back in the days of 35mm slr and film).

I'm linking to the Party at Southern Hospitality for my first time. As always, I'm sure I'll come away with more than I took :)

Pico de gallo and summer memories

What do you do on a dark, soggy fall night when the weather folks keep saying snow flurries...again...already. You remember  sumptious summer fare. Pico de gallo as developed, arranged, and composed by Oldest Angel. Cooking is her hobby and I think she did a lovely job!

She had an idea to go with the memory of flavors from a restaurant and she went from there. I took her to the grocery since O.A. can't drive yet, and we assembled what she deemed the ingredients.

Home grown roma tomatos, purple onion, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and lime juice, with fresh cilantro.

And chop.

And chop

She's very good at chopping and there is no one I'd trust faster with my Wuesthoff than her.

Squeeze lime and/or lemon juice over to taste.



The finished product ready to go into the fridge for some flavor melding and aging. Then on to some good chips!

It was delicious and I can't wait to start thinking about a little garden next year so most of the ingredients can be our own.

Since it was a success, next time we'll step up the presentation and plating points. I could probably find a more coordinating serving piece!

A+ kiddo. A great summer memory and a great mother/daughter memory for me and I hope for her too :)

I'm linking to Gollum and Foodie Friday

Not your typical recipe I know but..."It's not about quantity..it's about having fun in the kitchen." to quote Gollum...and we sure did!

I think I can still catch a waft of onion and garlic :)

What they say about news

Well they say "No news is good news" but in this case no news is just no news. I haven't heard back on weather my buyers have their financing secured yet and am in limbo until I do. I can not really make an offer on another house, can't start packing because if it falls through then we're back to having showings. So it's frustrating. But I'll get by. After all its candy corn season. Who invented that triangular crack anyway!! I don't even like candy!

My book challenge is going oh so slow. It occurred to me yesterday that I can't remember the names of the protagonists. I'm thinking I'm not that into this book. (sorry to those of you who really connected with it.) It's just not my time for it apparently.

I did however get the Kiera Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice from Netflix last week. My oldest angel had never seen it...she claims she doesn't like movies...we must have watched it 10 times since then and yesterday when I sealed it up to send it back. She deemed this movie an exception and is ruined in comparing all her suitors to Mr. Darcy and lapsing into old english speaking patterns, accent, and vocabulary at random times. And dream of visiting Chatsworth (Pemberly in Derbyshire in the movie).

I also can not start any projects. Or any I'd hoped to start: my little drawer hanging thingy and my first chalkboard make-over. So I may take back up the crochet hook. Or the embroidery needle.

In the meantime, I'll try to stay focused (or focus on the other things going on with us) until I can put my efforts into either moving (which seems inevitable) or settling in to make my tiny home sufficient for us. Which is possible.

Sale Pending

My little house has been on the market since August and I just went down to my realtor's office yesterday to sign papers on a counter offer. And they took it.

Now I am excited and petrified at the same time.

It is pending financing, but when that goes through, I will have 30 days from the time of official financing commitment to find and close on another home.

And one I like.
And one I can afford
And one that is a fair deal
And one that is in the right neighborhood

I bit off all my fingernails and am twirling my hair incessantly.

My mantra now is 'this will be for the better'! Which is why I started this in the first place. For the better. One more bedroom, one more bathroom, that's the quest!

There are exactly 3 homes in my small town that fit my criteria. I looked at 2 and have my fingers crossed for the 3rd. Or that the good Lord sees fit to have some perfect home come on the market today, or tomorrow.

Sub-Quest: find boxes
Sub-Sub-Quest: evaluate sanity!!

I'll post pictures of my little house and my hopefuls when I can.

OOOH I found one:

Very modest, cute little home. I'll miss it soooo much!!!

So glad I'm not a teenager anymore...sort of

 

It's homecoming in the little hamlet of Maquoketa. 2 girls in high school this year was twice the fun getting ready.

Which do you think is more stressful, getting ready, or getting them ready. Everything is a crisis!! Don't ya love drama.

My oldest angel is in the blue...with the boyfriend in the sports car. A red Celica. (it's his Mom's! lucky her!!)

My youngest is a freshman this year and changed her hair 3 times before she was happy. Her guy was pretty nervous but what a sweetie!

They are my beauties and I hope they have fun, but I sure am glad it's over!

The next manicure around here is MINE :)

L

I'm excited to start the Fall Reading Challenge at Callapidder Days! I love to read, love books, and love to hear what everyone else is reading and how they like it!

Here is my list

• The Time Travelers Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
• Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand
• Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
• Lisey's Story - Stephen King

Maybe a little ambitious with the Ayn Rand thousand pager on there, but I'll get to them sooner or later!!

Some more weekend finds and projects to ready

Went over and got reconnected with my next door neighbor. She's an older lady and years ago I had helped her with some computer tutoring. She never put it together that I was the one who had moved in next door 5 years ago. So now she's all happy about neighboring again and said for me to come over just ANY time :) I picked up this cute little juice size pitcher. Eyed some other things that I later went back to get. and hopefully will post about later. This guy has some fleabites on the ice lip. still very cute funky little piece. for $2.00

Funny kitchy little tree frog hooks. too cute! for a buck I couldn't resist.

Project number 1. Maybe Ivory paint for this guy? Got him for a Dollar. Bathroom perhaps?

Project #2...my first chalkboard project.

This is my favorite piece. I got the tile for $1.00 and the easle (silver with a bamboo look if it doesnt show up that well) for a dime. I love the colors of teal and chocolate in the tile. It makes me happy.

Here's what I went back to neighbor Helen's for. The cornucopia, well everyone should have one for fall, there were about 3 others over there and I should have grabbed them all (since I think the leftovers may have gone to the dump...sad day) and the flowers and leaves in it and the flowers in my urn in the backgroud, plus flowers for my door basket. I was very happy to so simply add a season to my home.

Of course I did have an approval committee inspecting the purchases.

He seems rather disinterested.

Laura

Yard SaleExtravaganza!

Our City wide yard sale was this weekend, but folks have figured out that anticipation is a great motivator so many of the sales actually started on Thursday even though the date for the City Wide sales was set for Saturday. I began scoring early!

My first trip out scored me the fun little christmas candles for .50 cents, the garland with mini lights and a battery pack for $3.00, The copy of Dr. Zhivago for .50Cents, the little hobnail vase for .25 cents and the little glass lamp and shade (which does not match) for $2.00 for a grand total spending of...$6.75...so far.

I'm new to blogging...very very new...and actually so inspired by all of the decorating blogs I've found and thrifting blogs and...well all of it! I can't wait to see more and share more!!

And at another stop...4 Ayn Rand's for $.10 cents each for a total in spending now of $7.15. I'm excited to have these!

Friday I had to run to the mall with my daughters to shop for shoes but since I took the day off, I started in on yard sales as soon as we got home. Niether daughter would join me. I'm not worried. The bug will bite them one of these days!

So I walked up the street to the end of the block and found these:

The table was marked 10 for $1.00. How could I resist the adorable shape of the Taylor Smith and Taylor Boutonniere set or the vintage Fire King mugs. I just needed the round cake pan. And then on another table I found this cute little bird cage. (The flower inside is just for fun, I got that at another stop) Too fun! So where was I? Oh yes total so far $8.65

On to the next stop...

And see more great finds from all over here:

Southern Hospitality

LOVE this site! :)

New one of youngest angel and friend

I like this picture of Catherine, shows her just as she is...beautiful!

Too Much To Catch Up On

Lets surfice it to say, prayer works.
In it's own time and it's own way, but just fine.

Girls are fine an both in high school and homecoming is coming up. Dresses and hair and makeup and shoes. finery and silly boys who'll ditch their tie in the first 5 minutes of the dance. Seems trivial from this side.

dont most things?

looking back is just that way.