Wednesday!!

Hello everyone!!  I hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas!!  I did..  it was perfect..  Great times spent with loved ones..  My children spoiled me so much this year..  I couldn't have dreamed of a better Christmas if I had tried..  but even if I hadn't gotten any gifts,  the gift of being together as a family was enough for me..  Samantha is just so darn cute..  I love that child more than my own life..  She is funny, smart, amazing, beautiful, etc..  she loved all her gifts.. 
Christmas eve dinner turned out great..  Saundra and I were so worn out from work that we enjoyed it,  but not like we should have..  Christmas morning breakfast was delish..  I LOVE sausage balls..  they are so yummy..   I was munching on them cold while prepping the dinner rolls and the eggnog..   The eggnog turned out wonderful and then when it started snowing I made homemade hot chocolate..  you have to have hot chocolate when it snows..  I was guzzling coffee like no one's business..  :) 
The ham was yummy as were all the sides that went along with it..  we were very well fed and that in itself is a blessing.. 
As the year winds down and a new one approaches I think back on this past year and am so blessed with everything and everyone that came into my life..   I got my Boo back from Texas,  even though I had to drive 36 hours in 2 1/2 days.. that was a challenge,  but I did it..  I took over a difficult dept at work and I have made it beautiful and profitable..  my wonderful friends are a constant joy to me..  Ash, Ang, Autumn and Kim..  I love you all..    my beautiful, smart, wonderful, loving, giving daughters are my joy...   We made a huge decision 3 1/2 years ago that would change our lives for what we hoped would be the better and it was..  We are all happier, stronger and more independent than ever.  We are also closer than ever..  We have went beyond the mother/daughter relationship to one of best friends/supporters..  we are there for each other in good and bad times..  You two are my biggest supporters and I thank you so much for that..  I love you both!!!

So what are your plans for New Years Eve??  We are going to have an intimate party with just us, Nik.. I think of him as part of us now...  and a few close friends..  I am making my famous Hot Wings..  not sure I will be sharing that recipe.. it is sacred..  Pizza, Texas Cheese Fries, Guacamole, fresh veges, ranch dip, Pecan Sandies and Muddy Buddies and drinks..  not sure what drinks..  but the main ingredient will be Rum!!!  lol...  :) 
Take care everyone and have a fantastic night.. 

Muddy Buddies!!!

So a few years ago,  not really sure how many I came across a recipe on the back of a box of Chex cereal.. the Rice chex I believe..  the recipe is named Chex Muddy Buddies and they are addictive..  OMG if you have never had them,  you have to try them..  My kids LOVE these..  they could eat these all the time,  but knowing how good they are I only make them around Christmas and New Years.. 

Chex Muddy Buddies

9 c Chex Corn or Rice cereal
1 c semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c peanut butter
1/4 c butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 c powdered sugar

In a large microwavable bowl or measuring cup melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter,  stirring often.  I start at 1 minute,  take out and stir and then put back in.. when all melted add the vanilla and stir well. 
Put the cereal in a large bowl and then pour the melted chocolate, peanut butter mixture over and stir until the cereal is all coated..
In a large gallon to 2 gallon ziplock plastic bag put 1 cup of powdered sugar,  add about 1/2 of the cereal mixture,  add another cup of powdered sugar and the rest of the cereal mixture and top with the last cup of powdered sugar..  seal the bag well and start shaking until the cereal is all coated with the powdered sugar.  spread on a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper and allow to cool..  keep in a sealed container or bag.. 

Cherry Pie

I love Cherry Pie!!  Could probably eat it once a week if not more..    Every year when the cherries come into season and show up in my own personal Super T,  I say to myself..    I am going to buy the cherries this year and make pie filling and freeze it for Christmas Cherry Pie..   Every year I buy cherries..  first bag I say to myself..  you can eat these..  there is still time to get more and make the pie filling..  so I sit my fat ass on the sofa and eat all the cherries..  why?? Because I am a major Cherry whore..  I LOVE cherries..  so I buy another bag,  I am going to make pie filling out of these..  I have great intentions and then I proceed to eat them,  because of course I have to taste at least one,  and then I cannot stop at one and before I know it again,  I have eaten the whole bag..   so after months of good intentions of making cherry pie filling from fresh cherries I ended up buying canned cherry pie filling..  I know.. I should be ashamed..  but I can't help it  I LOVE CHERRIES!!!  LOL!!!  ahh.. well there is always next year!!!    To redeem myself I did make the crust..  I had every intention of buying the rolled in a box pie crust until I got "the look" from my daughter Rebekah..  ahhh.. one look guilted me into making homemade pie crust..  ugghhh..    ah well..  at least it is kindof sortof homemade..  lol..  it sure is pretty..   :) 

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Do you ever feel like Kevin from Home Alone..  I do..  I just want to slap my hands on my face and scream..  I cannot believe that Christmas is Saturday!!  I am glad to have today off,  just have so much to get done..   I have already this morning delivered a cookie tray to work for the opening team to enjoy..  the closing team got a tray last night..  I shopped for some more ingredients..  and have made Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chip Walnut cookie dough,  more thumbprints..  only 1 batch..  forgot the corn syrup.. oh well..  and Gingersnaps..  will make Pecan Sandies later.. those have to be done all at one time.. 
Now I am resting for about 15 minutes enjoying a cup of Peppermint Mocha coffee and contemplating my next move..   I think I am going to finish cleaning the living room,  check the tree for water, straighten the tree skirt and straighten the pillows on the couch..  Then it's onto the dining room..   need to steam clean the carpet..  I HATE carpet in the dining room.. grrr..   fix everything that is on the table and then onto my bedroom which is a freaking disaster..    once I get it whipped back into shape I will feel better..  Then I still need to deliver some cookie trays to the nail salon..  got to keep my boy David happy so he will continue to allow me to wear his art on my nails..  :)  I also have to make the sausage balls and get Christmas Eve dinner prepped today..  yay..  and then I think we are going to have breakfast for dinner..  just feel in the mood for it..  not sure if I will make pancakes or biscuits.  I'm hoping that it gets cold again..  it has to be cold on Christmas..  I remember when I was in high school and it was like 70 degrees at Christmas.. I was wearing a sundress..  something totally wrong with that!!!  

Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chip Walnut Cookies


1 c. butter
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 to 2 1/2 c flour
1 pkg semi sweet chocolate chips
1 pkg peanut butter chips
1 c chopped walnuts

Cream butter and sugars together.  add eggs and vanilla mix well  Add the salt, baking soda and flour 1 c at a time and mix well.  Add the chips and walnuts and carefully mix.. don't break the chips to much..   drop by tbsp onto greased cookie sheets bake in a 350 degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes. 

Must get hopping again..  Take care all and have a great day.. 

Cookies and more cookies!!!!

Hello everyone!!!  So sorry for neglecting you all..  I have been so busy with work and cookies...  Work hasn't been so bad so far this year..  Busy,  which is good..  but not to many nasty people..  It has been wearing me out though,  and then trying to get all the baking and shopping done..  I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel..  finishing up the cookies that I am giving away tonight..  will make trays tomorrow when I get home and then deliver them...  then what is left will end up at work..   Wednesday I will make Chocolate, Peanut butter, walnut cookies,  Chocolate with Peanut butter Chip, Pecan Sandies, Lemon Thumbprints, Apricot Thumbprints and Gingersnaps..    I also need to do the prep work for Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas morning breakfast and Christmas dinner..   maybe I am not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel..   LOL!!   But the things I still have to do I enjoy..   and it doesn't seem like a lot and my Boo is off the next 2 days and she is a great help!

Gingersnaps

3/4 c butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1/4 c molasses
2 c flour
2 Tbsp ground ginger
1 inch piece fresh ginger peeled and grated
1 tsp cinnamon
additional sugar

Cream butter and sugar together until creamed.  Add egg and molasses and mix well.  Add spices and flour and mix well.   Roll into 1 inch balls and roll into additional sugar.  Place on greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes

Lemon Coolers

1 c butter
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp lemon extract
2 2/3 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg, lemon zest and lemon extract.  Mix well and add flour.     Using a 1 inch cookie scoop place on greased cookie sheets and bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 1o9 minutes until light brown.   When still barely warm dredge in powdered sugar.

Apricot Thumbprints

Raspberry Thumbprints

Thumbprints

1 c butter
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c light corn syrup
1 egg
3 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and brown sugar together,  add vanilla, corn syrup and egg and beat well.  Mix in flour and salt.  Roll into balls and with your thumb make an indention in the center of each one and fill with apricot preserves, raspberry preserves, lemon curd, chocolate fudge, etc...  use your imagination.. 

The Countdown is on!!!

Wow,  December 17th already!!  Where has this year gone??   Are we ready??  You know.. it doesn't matter if you are or not.. it's coming.. nothing you can do to stop it..  
I would like to remind everyone that Christmas isn't about material things..  it is about the gift of love..  For God so loved us he gave his only begotten Son!!!   Could you give up your child for this world??  I don't believe that I could..  I am thankful that I have the relationship with my kids that I have.  I am super close to my daughters..  so close that I can read them very well... which ticks them off royally!!!
You could ask my children today what their favorite thing about the holidays are and I will guarantee you 100% it won't be about the gifts that they received and forgot about.. it will be the memories that we created as a family while they were growing up..  Christmas Eve dinner,  Christmas morning breakfast,  Christmas dinner..  all very important to them..   decorating the tree..  helping me with my Santa's,  helping to bake cookies and made the plates and trays to take to friends and neighbors..  I tried to give my children the want to help others and give to others..  I pray that I have accomplished that..  but I think the memories that I helped create as they were growing up will stay with them for the rest of their lives and one day those memories will be used to make new memories with their own families!!!
There are so many people who are struggling financially,  but you know..  if you have the important things.. love, health, shelter and food..  anything else is a bonus..  and you should give thanks for it!!!  So chin up everyone.. we are going to get through this together..  because honestly,  what is important in this life??  things or the people that you are very blessed to call family and friends..  and sometimes friends become your family!!!  So embrace your loved ones and tell then what is in your heart.. 
Love and hugs everyone,
Nina

Did you say ICE????

So while making cookies Emily calls me and says they are coming over to help make cookies,  so they get here and Sam is as cute as ever..  Hi,  she says..  lol..  I don't know how to describe the love that I have for that child!!   She is so much fun and so funny..  she thought my lemons and oranges were balls,  so we had a nice long game of catch..  :)  the kid has a great arm..   then she played with Rudolph and the other stuffed animals that I have from the tv show..   the little one loves cookies..   she had quite a few,  then she watched Grinch,  the live version,  she loves that movie..  and Rebekah and I would tell her to say cheese and she would scrunch up her face and say CHEESE!!!  lol..  so so so cute!!   Then I stopped making cookies and made dinner..  Fettuchini Alfredo..  it was yummy and so easy and good for you..


Fettuchini Alfredo

1 lb box fettuchini
2 1/2 c vegetable broth
8 tsp flour
8 oz low fat or non fat cream cheese, cubed
parmesan cheese
pepper
nutmeg

Cook fettuchini according to pkg directions.  
In a large sauce pan heat vegetable broth and whisk in the flour..  bring to a simmer and add the cream cheese and continue whisking until melted, sprinkle in 2 to 4 Tbsp shredded parmesan cheese, pepper and nutmeg..   add cooked fettuchini and stir to coat well with the sauce..  sprinkle more parmesan cheese on the top and serve with crusty Italian bread and a salad.. 

Samantha LOVED this..  she was sucking it down..  I didn't know if she would really like it that much,  but she did.. Will have to keep the ingredients on hand for when she comes over..  will have to think of other things she might like too.. 
While we were making cookies and dodging fruit being thrown at us it seems that we weren't paying attention to the weather that closely and it started sleeting and stuff..  great..   Em and Sam made it over to her sister's house safely and I am thanking God for that right here and now!!!   I need to get a supply of diapers, wipes and Samantha clothes to keep here for them in case something like this comes up again..  
Hope everyone is safe and if you are out and about that you arrive safely where you are going.. 

It's Cookie Wednesday!!!

I am going to be a busy little bee today..  We are making cookies,  lots and lots of cookies..  and I am excited.. I love making cookies and listening to Christmas music..  I started this tradition when the kids got a little older..  every year I would make more and more different kinds..   I am not sure how many I will get done today..  but you know you will be getting recipes..  :) 
I am going to start off with oatmeal raisin,  my own secret recipe..  I know,  you're thinking everyone makes oatmeal raisin cookies.. but mine are special.  I add a little something extra to them to make them extra delish!!  They also were my sister Joanne's favorite cookie..  it was the one thing she always wanted for Christmas,  and for me to make all her cookies for her..  lol  I didn't make them for 6 years after Jo passed away.. I just started making them 4 years ago again..  in her honor and memory..  I always think of her and the wonderful memories I have of us..  my sister and I..  my best friend..  you never stop missing them..   love ya Jo..  RIP  4/19/62-3/29/00

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1 c butter, softened
1 c packed brown sugar
3/4 c sugar
3 eggs
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 c oatmeal
1 c raisins
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a large mixer cream butter and sugars,  add eggs 1 at a time and blend well,  add the baking soda, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves,  mix well,  add the flour 1/2 c at a time and then the oatmeal 1/2 cup at a time,  blending after each 1/2 c..  add the raisins,  mix well..    drop by rounded tbsp onto a greased cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes..   I line my baking sheets with foil and spray those for easy cleanup and I use a cookie scoop..  makes it go much faster..  makes around 5 to 6 dozen cookies,  depending on the size.. 

Next I think will be the white chocolate cranberry orange cookie..  I came up with this recipe last year and everyone went crazy over these..  they were a HUGE hit..  have had more requests for these than any other cookie that I have ever made..

White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookie

1 c butter, softenend
1 c shortening
1 c packed brown sugar
1 c sugar
2 eggs
4 to 4 1/2  c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 bag white chocolate chips
1 c dried cranberries
1 orange zested and juiced

Cream butter, shortening with the sugars,  add the eggs, baking soda, salt and vanilla,  beat well,  add the zest and juice of the orange,  then add the flour 1/2 c at a time beating after each 1/2 c.  then add the chocolate chips and cranberries..  mix at a low speed..  drop by rounded tsp on a greased baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 12 minutes until light brown.   makes about 5 to 6 dozen cookies

12 Days until Christmas!!!

What a day!!!  Work was CCRRAAZZYY!!!   I loved when it was snowing..  have I mentioned that I LOVE SNOW!!!   we were so busy..  all I was able to do was walk to the front lanes,  check some people out,  then go back to running strays and or pushing a pull and before I would get back to where I left it would be called back up front.. went on ALL DAY!!!  I was so happy to run out of there at 4:30.. 
Came home and made dinner..  Sun dried tomato chicken and French onion soup..  yummy..  Both are very easy..   then cleaned up after dinner and we went to the Square in Marietta and walked around.. I was a little disappointed..  they used to have carolers and more lights and stuff..  but this year just the tree and some lights.. we walked around for a little while and then decided to get back in the warm car and thaw out..  we were all frozen.. hehe..  we drove around and looked at Christmas lights for a while.. now we are home.. I made some homemade hot chocolate and we are getting ready to watch A Christmas Carol.. 

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Sun-dried tomato salad dressing
chicken breast..

Pour the salad dressing over the chicken and let marinate overnight in the refrigerator.. put in a 350 degree oven and bake for an hour..  so yummy and moist.. 

French Onion Soup

2 Tbsp Olive oil
2 Tbsp butter
3 to 5 Onions, sliced
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 to 1/2 c. worcestershire sauce
2 boxes of beef broth
salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions in olive oil and butter.. until onions start carmelizing about 15 to 20 minutes. then add the garlic and saute for about 2 minutes..   add the beef broth, worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper and simmer over medium heat for about 20 to 30 minutes..   I usually toast some french bread and melt swiss cheese on top and serve with the soup

Hot Chocolate

ok,  I don't measure anything for this..

sugar
cocoa
vanilla
milk

I eyeball everything and taste before it gets warm to see if I need to add anything to balance it out..  :) 

It's Snowing!!!!

Ok,  so you all know that it never snows in GA!!!  Well it is snowing and I am loving it..  I so love this weather and having snow this close to Christmas.. OMG..   I LOVE IT!!!!  It has been an amazing weekend for me.  It has been a difficult 4 days,  but yesterday we had Allatoona High School come shop.  These kids raise money all year to buy Christmas gifts for underprivileged children..they take the kids shopping and it is so great to see teenagers doing this, the smiles on their faces and the spirit of giving that they each showed.. male and female alike. They were so attentive to the children that they were with.  While the kids were shopping the band and chorus came and sang in the store and played music..it was amazing..it seemed to put everyone shopping in an awesome mood. Then last night I had dinner with some of my besties from high school.  Loved every second of it..great company, wonderful food and lots of laughter.  Then today, sure I walked into a disaster at the fitting room and it seemed to take forever to get the ad set in softlines(for you non-target people that means the clothing areas) but it started snowing..  totally made my day..   I came home and plugged my Christmas trees in with their bi-polar lights..   yes I said bi-polar lights..  I have 3 trees..  one in my kitchen,  it is 3 ft tall and has blue lights, silver, pearl and white tiny ornaments on it with tiny green and red and big blue candy canes..  well now half the lights work.  I have a 3 ft tree in my dining room..  it is my remembrance tree,  on it I have gold ornaments with the names of loved ones passed away written on each one with red candy canes and white lights.. well when I first put it out all the lights worked,  then half the lights, then all and now half again and the big tree in the living room has a set of lights that blinks sometimes and doesn't blink sometimes..  and I have decided,  I am just going to go with it..  for now.. eventually it will get to me and I will buy new lights for each one..  :)
I came home from work and decided to make vegetable beef soup with cornbread..  I just pulled the cornbread out of the oven and it smells wonderful.  I love making cornbread in my cast iron skillet.   To me both vegetable beef soup and cornbread are basics that everyone should know how to make..   if not,  give me a shout and I will definitely post a recipe,  sort of..  I just make both,  don't really pay attention.. 

The Cornbread nice and hot from the oven

Yummy soup

Can't wait to eat it,  I'm starving!!

Good Friday Morning!!!

Hello everyone and happy Friday!!  Wow,  what a week..  did you know that we only have 15 days until Christmas!!  Arrgghhh..  I think I am starting to go into panic mode..  I don't think I have ever been this behind before..  ahh well..  things will get done and everyone will have a fabulous Christmas..  What does your Christmas menu look like..  Years ago I started a crazy tradition with my family,  before I started working all the time..  We have Christmas Eve dinner,  Christmas morning breakfast and Christmas dinner..  and I have tried to keep all those traditions going..   The menu for each goes sort of like this:

Christmas Eve Dinner

Stuffed Twice baked potatoes
Sauteed Mushrooms
Eggnog

Christmas Morning Breakfast

Sausage Balls
Bacon
Eggs
some type of bread or sweet roll..

Christmas Dinner

Ham
Baked Beans
Macaroni and Cheese
Green Bean Cassarole
Broccoli Rice Cassarole
Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Maple Glazed Carrots
Creamed Corn
Macaroni Salad
Rolls

The Christmas Eve Dinner of course is the easiest.  You can do it ahead of time and wrap and store in the fridge and just heat up that night..  I would get into it.. Candlelight,  good plates, my Christmas glasses..  then we would watch movies until time for the kids to go to bed and Santa to come..  :)


Twice Stuffed Baked Potatoes

I bake 1 large potato for each person
6 to 8 large potatoes baked
butter
salt and pepper
sour cream
cheddar cheese
bacon, cooked

Bake the potatoes and let sit out about 30 minutes before cutting them in half.  After you cut them in half,  scoop the flesh out,  leaving about 1/4 to 1/2 inch inside to make a solid shell.  Put the flesh in a big bowl and add butter, salt, pepper, sour cream, cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.  Mix well and add back to the potato skins.   Top with more cheddar cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Sauteed Mushrooms

1 to 2 pkgs white button or baby bella mushrooms
butter
olive oil
1 medium onion sliced
3 tsp garlic minced
Worcestershire sauce
pepper

slice mushrooms,  heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat and add butter,  when the butter melts add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes,  add garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.  Add the mushrooms and saute for about 15 to 20 minutes adding the Worcestershire sauce after the mushrooms have cooked for 10 to 15 minutes.. keep the heat on medium and stir often,  the mushrooms will get dark and yummy..  Add a little pepper to taste.. you don't need salt because of the sauce..

The Eggnog has to be made in advance and we don't have it now until Christmas morning...  it isn't like any other eggnog you have tasted.. my kids love it and it is good without any kind of alcohol..  but if you want alcohol,  you can add it..  lol..  spiced rum is probably the best to put in it..

Egg Nog

3 eggs, separated
2/3 cup sugar + 2 tbsp
1 pint heavy cream
2 pints milk
1 tsp vanilla
nutmeg

Beat egg yolks with 1/3 c sugar until creamy and buttery yellow.  Beat heavy cream with 2 Tbsp  of sugar and 1/2 stp vanilla until peaks form.  Beat egg whites with other 1/3 c sugar until stiff peaks form.  Fold the egg yolk mixture into the whipped cream and then fold in the egg whites.  Pour the 1 pints milk into the center of the mixture and add the other 1/2 tsp vanilla.  I use a large metal bowl for this.  Then cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer.  Pull out of the freezer about 30 minutes to an hour before serving and add alcohol if desired and sprinkle top with nutmeg..  this is so yummy..  tastes like vanilla ice cream.. 

Have you ever had one of those days???

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel off..you can't quite put your finger on why???  I didn't sleep hardly any last night..just kept tossing and turning and thinking.. I could not turn my mind off..it was brutal..and way to cold to get up.. I was toasty warm.. but couldn't sleep.. to try to get myself out of my funk today I decided that I would make cookies..  making cookies always puts me in a great mood.. not today..  the gingersnaps didn't turn out..  they weren't terrible.. they just weren't right..  uggghhhh..  so I gave up and went and took a nap.. maybe slept for like 20 to 30 minutes and got up and cuddled with my Boo and the dogs and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas.  That helped some..  then I decided I would try cooking again.. this time just dinner.  So I made breakfast..  Biscuits, hash browns, sausage, bacon and Boo cooked the eggs..  She is a master at fluffy scrambled eggs..  :)   It turned out well,  but still feeling off.    I want happy, upbeat Nina back.  I am not liking this down, depressed Nina..  I need something to help me get myself back..   Hopefully by the time I go to bed I will be feeling more like me.
Take care all and have a great night..

Good Monday Evening!!

Hello everyone!!!
I hope that everyone had a wonderful day!!  Mine wasn't to bad!!  Just kind of long..   I sit here listening to Christmas music with the tree's lit up,  some candles burning and the balcony door open a tiny bit for a few minutes to let some fresh air in and I remember why I love this time of year so much...  The peace and joy that fills my heart.. the want to help others,   the love I have for my children,  it seems amplified..  the memories of my mother, sister, nieces and nephews and brother....  the memories of childhood.. the good times..  it all comes back to me as I sit in darkness and let my mind stop for a few minutes..   I haven't stopped since I got home from work,  but that's ok..  worked a mid today and got home around 6..  came in changed out of my work clothes and cleaned the kitchen.. see again,  cleaning the kitchen..  do it all the time..  then got everything out for the soup I am making for dinner..  made it and now just relaxing and waiting for it to finish cooking so I can eat some dinner and relax until time to pick the girls up from work..  :)   This is the first time I have tried this recipe and in true Nina fashion,  I tweaked it from the very start..  so I am just going to give you the recipe how I did it..

Bubbling away on the stove!!

 

Spicy Black Bean Soup

1/2 large red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1 lb bag black beans,  cooked
32 oz vegetable broth
1 can diced tomatoes with chili's
cumin
red pepper flakes
1 bag frozen corn
1/2 c brown rice,  uncooked
salt and pepper to taste

saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until translucent,  then add the cooked beans with the liquid, the vegetable broth, tomatoes, spices, corn, brown rice, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.. reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes..  

It's Sunday!!

Hi everyone!!
I hope you all have had a fabulous weekend..  I couldn't have asked for a better one myself..  Christmas Tree shopping Friday,  Christmas Tree Farm yesterday and decorated the tree we got Friday and today a mani/pedi and my new Christmas nails!!  I am loving them.. :)   Of course the weekend went by way to fast..  I made some awesome Chili in the crockpot Friday night to have when we got back from the Christmas Tree Farm..   I have enough left to make Chili Cheese Fries one night for dinner..
The Chili was easy to make..  I had some beans I had cooked and frozen before Thanksgiving and I picked up some ground beef..  yes,  I said ground beef..  I am introducing some meats back into our diet..  Rebekah is doing well with it so far,  but I have to say that 99% of the time we will be eating vegetarian..  it is better for you and it is so much cheaper..   so I cooked an onion and garlic in olive oil,  then added 1/2 lb ground beef and cooked it until it was no longer pink..  drained it,  then added chili seasoning, diced tomatoes and tomatoes with green chili's added..  cooked it for about 5 minutes and then turned it off..  The beans were thawing out in the crock pot.. when they got to where they were mostly thawed I added the meat/tomato/onion mixture and mixed it real well and cooked it overnight..  It was very yummy..  I like Chili with saltine crackers and some sour cream and cheddar cheese..
Tonight I am making a Broccoli Cheddar Quiche.   I am hoping that it taste as good as it smelled and looked when I put it in the oven..

The Quiche before I put it in the oven

Fresh out of the oven..  it smells so good!!

Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

1 9 inch pie crust,  keep refrigerated until ready to bake
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1 to 2 tsp garlic, minced
16 oz low fat cottage cheese
1 c shredded cheddar cheese,  I use the 2% milkfat
3 eggs
1 Tbsp grainy mustard
salt and pepper to taste
16 oz frozen chopped broccoli,  thawed and drained well
1 Tbsp parmesan cheese, grated

cook the onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until translucent,  turn off heat and set aside.  Meanwhile mix the cottage cheese, eggs, mustard, salt, pepper, broccoli, cheddar and parmesan cheese until well combined.  add onion and garlic,  mix well.  pour into pie plate lined with pie crust and put n a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes.

Serve with leafy green salad and crusty french bread..

Happy Friday!!!!

Hello everyone!!!  Have you finished decorating for Christmas???   We are getting there..  we went and got the tree today.  I don't think poor Nik was prepared for the 3 of us looking for a tree...  lol..   we are very opinionated,  he would grab one and we would give him this look and say no..  lol    We first went to Pike nurseries..  they were having a special on 6 to 9 ft frasier firs,  well..   they were the most pitiful frasier firs I had ever seen.  So off to Lowes we went..  got a beautimus 8 ft or so tree..   he is gorgeous and is falling out so well..  Just waiting until we get back tomorrow to decorate it..   After we got the tree inside and up I cleaned the kitchen,  seems like something I am ALWAYS doing..  then took Saundra to work and bought food..  Something I haven't done since the weekend before Thanksgiving,  and then I just bought Thanksgiving food.. so everything was getting bare.. not that I couldn't have whipped together something if needed..  just would have taken more brain power than I am possessing at the moment..  :)  So I walk into the produce section and here one of my exec's screaming my name..  Nina,  can you write on cakes?..  I look up and say yes..  so I go behind the bakery counter and write on a cake for a lady..  LOL!!  and she was cool with it..   and I didn't forget how to do it because it has been a year since I have been in the bakery..  :)   I miss it sometimes,  but I felt caged back there.. I like being able to walk away when I need to..   So after that Rebekah and I are walking down the aisles,  spending as little money as possible so I can pay most of my bills so the next paycheck is for Christmas presents and food,  discussing what we want for dinner..  we talk over a few things when Tortellini comes to mind.. and no I don't make my own, I get the frozen cheese Tortellini and toss it in a butter garlic sauce,  then we grabbed some Asiago bread and some romaine lettuce for a salad and that is what's for dinner..  I love it because it is easy and relatively cheap..

Tortellini with Garlic Butter sauce

1 pkg frozen Tortellini
4 Tbsp butter
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
parmesan cheese, grated

Cook Tortellini according to pkg directions.
While waiting for the water to boil for the tortellini melt butter in a saucepan and then add the garlic,  turn off heat and let sit until tortellini and toss in a big bowl with the butter garlic mixture..  sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Serve with crusty bread and a leafy green salad.

What a Wednesday!!!

So today wasn't a bad day!!!  I got so much accomplished,   Jewelry has been zoned and researched,  everything is out and it looked so pretty when I left..  Then I got to go over to Cosmetics and clean and zone the high end makeup,  Pixi, Napoleon Purdis and Jemma Kid...  wrote down tester numbers that were missing and ordered the ones that I could..  Cleaned all the nail polish off the shelves on the nail polish aisle..  I love that part of my job..  ugghhhh!!!   Played with the fragrances for a while,  tested the Michael Kors Very Hollywood today while in the fragrance aisle..  I like it..  it's yummy!!!!  

Got home from work and Bekah had gotten all the Christmas decorations out and they were all over the place,  so I changed out of my work clothes and got busy..  worked on it for 4 hours and stopped to eat dinner,  then finished 2 of my trees..  Then took pics..  :)  Will post them.. there are a lot..  I haven't counted my Santa's yet,  but I have tons..  :)  I love Santa.. I have always had a thing for Santa.. would love to have my own full grown version of Santa..  except younger,  with dark hair and blue eyes,  nice muscular arms..  hehe..  oh..  I was bad..   When I stopped to make dinner I had already decided that it was going to be an easy night.. so I made omelettes and bagels..  was  yummy..   everyone should know how to make omelettes..   Ok,  I am pooped..  I am headed to bed..  everyone take care and have a fabulous evening!!!   I will post the pics of all my Santa's tomorrow!!!