Beautifly Blended

Beautifly Blended
"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in My hands." God said. Jeremiah 18:6

27 September 2012

Recipe Thursday



Wow!! I have been so slack in giving recipes..

So, here is the one we did last night.

Cuban Salmon

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons or limes
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 large shallots, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
1/2 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
4 6-ounce center-cut salmon fillets, skin removed
1 14-ounce can hearts of palm, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
Vegetable oil, for brushing
2 cups mixed salad greens




Directions Preheat a grill to medium high.  Instead of grilling I put them in a frying pan..(NOT A GOOD IDEA) In a large bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, the garlic, shallots, cumin, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and half of the cilantro. Add the salmon and turn to coat. Let marinate 15 minutes at room temperature.
This smelled so good.. I just couldn't wait to dig in!!!



Meanwhile, toss the hearts of palm and tomatoes in a bowl with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of the remaining lemon, and the rest of the cilantro. Season with salt.

I hadn't ever had Hearts of Palm..before  

Brush the grill with vegetable oil. Grill the salmon, round side down, until marked on the bottom, about 4 minutes.



Turn and continue grilling until marked on the other side and cooked through, 2 to 3 more minutes. Divide the salmon among plates. Serve with the greens and hearts of palm salad; drizzle the juices from the salad over the greens.



After all this hard work.. This was a recipe that my family has asked that I do not make again!!



22 September 2012

Menu

Menu Sept 24-29

Monday:
Pancakes, Bacon
Philly Steak sandwiches
Baked three pasta (new recipe)

Tuesday:
Omelets
Tuna Sandwiches
Crock-pot Lasagna (Joli's Recipe)

Wednesday:
Southern Grits Casserole
Leftover Lasagna
Cuban Salmon (new recipe)

Thursday
Cereal, Toast
Ham Potato Casserole
Chicken fajita cups

Friday
Cinnamon Rolls
Cubed steak fingers, mashed potatoes
Subs

Saturday
Grits, Eggs, Bacon
Hamburger, French Fries
Leftover lunch



 

21 September 2012

Half way done!!!!

I mentioned not long ago that someone gave us a pool needless to say we are still working on getting it put up..But, first we have had to clear some trees out.

So on Wednesday morning my hubby's good friend T. H came over the help with this extraction..


As you can sorta see here my hubby is taking the leveling blade on the oldest tractor in the world and slamming into the tree stumps... He would pull forward and yank it. Then he would ram it backing up. You know, working the stump back and forth.





This continued on for a good few hours. When all the sudden I didn't hear the tractor anymore. I thought WOW!!! they're done already... I am impressed.

So out I go with camera in hand to, you know, document his fine work!!

And, well this is what I saw!!!


"What do you think we should do?" I hear T.H say.

My hubby has run the tractor on top of the stump!!! They have no idea at this moment what to do....

"Wait!! I got it!!!!" says my hubby!!!




 
"Here hit this 4x4 post with a sledge hammer while I (my hubby) stand on it!!!!"
 
"Yeah, you got it, one more good hit, and that ought to do it!!"
 
"Yeah that's good and tight!"
 
 
"Okay that didn't work. Now what?
 
T.H  .."I know hang on just a sec.."
 
Then I hear the truck crank up!!!
 
 
 
 
 "Yeah, that's a great idea..I have a chain in the shop, let me grab it."
 

"Yeah, this ought to get it.." cheers my hubby..


"OH YEAH T THAT'S IT WE ARE FREE!!!!"
 

So, now our spot is clean and ready..We can't wait..

Wondering what we did with all those stumps...?

We are going to have a Bonn-fire!!!


 

20 September 2012

Recipe of Love!!


Yesterday we lost a dear friend of the family. Yeller our stray bulldog. Almost 4 years ago, when I had a job at Progress Rail in Patterson, one day this pitiful and ugly dog just wondered up where I was working. Immediately I fell in love with him. He reminded me of Layla my other dog I have now. They both favored each other brown and beautiful.

We named him Yeller. We just thought that named suited him just fine. It took a little while for Yeller to really trust us. But, we fed him and cared for him like we had, had him for years. Only a few short months pasted and Yeller was vibrant, happy, fun, and loving. He was a protective dog. He loved to run and play.

One of Yeller's favorite things to do was run with the four wheeler. Who knew that would be the most exciting thing to him.

So, yesterday morning my hubby and another fellow hopped on the four wheelers and took off through the woods with Yeller at their heals..

While they were sitting by the highway talkin, Yeller went exploring. Soon, my hubby heard a loud crash sound and looked out over the highway and saw our precious Yeller. He couldn't get up. There was a fellow out there that had his gun with him.

I am a dog person. I love my dogs as though they were my kids. I am going to miss my Yeller.





I just love the way his one ear would point up in the air when he thought he heard something.

R.I.P Yeller

Sept 19, 2012



17 September 2012

Menu Sept 17-22

Well, I guess late is better than never. I do want you to know that I had this made Friday sitting in the parking lot of the doc. office.. Yep...In the parking lot.. I am good

Menu Sept 17-22

Monday:
Cereal
Philly Steak (new recipe)
Leftovers

Tuesday:
Biscuit and Gravy
Sandwiches
Meatloaf

Wednesday:
Eggs, Bacon
Leftover meatloaf
Pizza

Thursday:
Pancakes Sausage
Sausage, rice/ tomatoes, and cornbread
Leftover lunch

Friday:
Omelets,
Roast, Mashed potatoes
Leftover lunch

Saturday
Egg Casserole-Bacon, Peppers, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes
Sub sandwiches
Leftover

 

16 September 2012

Khadash

means renew... To return an object to a condition or state that is the same as prior condition. It can refer to the restoration or reaffirmation of relationship between people.

All through out our lives we have people who come and go. Some we like and some we may dislike. But, every now and again you come across a friend that just seems to stick like glue.. One that knows you almost as good as you know yourself. And, sometimes,  time can change that as well. Our lives can change and we takes different roads.

Then one day you wake up wondering what ever happened. Nothing really pops up in your mind so look up the friend that you haven't seen in almost two years. You tell her that ya love her and miss her. And, all the while she is thanking God for the phone call the e-mail.

Well.. That is what happened to me and my (BFF from middle school). We were two of a kind we could spend all day together and the minute we get home call each other right back..(only because we didn't have cell phones back then).. That is the kind of friendships you need to hold on to.. Yesterday, the W family came over and we had such a great time. I will be honest I didn't know how it was going to go. I mean, people change in two years. But, I have to admit we picked up right where we left off and so did the kids.

I was so blessed yesterday with the visit.. I am so thankful for relationships that continue on no matter how long you may spend apart..

Syd and Molly...Shakin things up a bit
 


And, it is so funny to hear the girls talking about all the things that have been going and and hearing them say "We are so much alike!!"  I just makes my hear sing..


Ty and C.J..

Okay these two may have not been dancing but they were duking it out on their I-pods



Bro and Eli...
 
Now, these two were a pair.. They had a great time, digging holes and found Golden Dirt but, they couldn't find real gold or silver.. I just had to make sure that they weren't trying to steal any of my gold dirt... Because hey they did find it in my yard.... So, it my golden dirt..right?
 
 
Thank you God for a great and wonderful day yesterday!!!!


 

11 September 2012

Change

is in the air... I have been noticing some of our leaves are changing and the weather is cooler.. I just love fall....

Yes.. I will admit Fall is my favorite season..I just love the colors of the leaves and not everything is dead just melting in to a season of sleep. The sky seem bluer to me and the air seems more crisp..

Boy Oh Boy..I just love the Fall.

Also, I know in a previous post I let you all know about my hubby's birthday. Well, I forgot that I had taken some pictures of the kiddos helping me bake the cake..

So, these are just for your sheer enjoyment...
I want one...!!!   YUMMY!!!

One of the best parts about making a cake!!


Let me see those tongues!!!

Yes!! We did take a picture of the clock.. But, I wanted you guys to see how late we waited to bake a cake..

About to put it in the oven

peek a boo!!!!!!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes, time get away from me and I busy with life. But, this morning on my commute to Nahunta and Hoboken I had time to just admire the scenery.. There is no better painter than God....

Thank you Father for such a beautiful morning.






 

08 September 2012

Menu

Hello again.. Boy!!! I just love you guys..

So, here is my menu for this week...

Menu Sept 10-15

Monday:
Omelets (Bacon, Cheese)
Salmon Patties
Spaghetti, Garlic bread, broccoli

Tuesday:
Grits Casserole (new Recipe)
Sandwiches (P.B & J and Roast beef)
Steak fingers Mash potatoes, green beans

Wednesday
Baked French toast
Tuna
Pizza

Thursday
Cinnamon rolls
Subs
Beef Tortilla Cup (New Recipe)

Friday
Cereal Toast
Philly Steak Sandwich (new Recipe)
Chicken Alfredo, Broccoli
Saturday
Eggs, Bacon, Toast
Left overs
Falafel balls (didn’t do from two weeks ago)


The trips to grocery store are getting harder and harder to manage for me.. All, because I beleive it is that I am having to buy my meat from there....OOO that almost makes me shudder.

I have gotten so use to my co-op, organic chicken, and bacon that I have a very hard time wanting to buy it at the grocery store..

 





Recipe Thursday on Sat....

I know I thought I was up and running but, we have had some scares around Grinerville.. But, thank the Lord everything turned out okay..




NO BAKE CHOCOLATE CHEESE CAKE


7 ounces, weight Crushed Biscoff Cookies
4 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
¼ cups Butter, Melted
16 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Softened
3-¾ ounces, weight Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
5-¼ ounces, weight Bittersweet Chocolate, Chopped
5-¼ ounces, weight Semisweet Chocolate, Chopped
½ pints Whipping Cream
¼ cups Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, For Dusting


 

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together cookie crumbs, cocoa powder and butter. Stir until all combined.






Press firmly onto the bottom of a spring form pan. Set aside.




In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese for 1 minute, until smooth.



Add powdered sugar and beat again. Add vanilla extract and mix again.










Melt chocolate over a double boiler. Let cool slightly. With your mixer on slow speed, add the chocolate into the cream cheese mixture, pouring slowly.








Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in gently to chocolate and cheese mixture.




Pour the filling over the crust. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.










When the cheesecake is set, run a sharp knife around the edge to loosen from the pan. Gently open the latch and release the cheesecake.


We thought this was way to sweet.. But, most of the people at my chruch thought it was fantastic...

















 




05 September 2012

Discipline!!!!

What does that really mean..?

That I am in trouble...maybe

Am I in training for something...perhaps

When there is something that we want to accomplish in our lives, we discipline ourselves to do it..Right?

I know I am that way. I could be cleaning, organizing, or working out. There are a many numerous things that we can discipline ourselves to do that can alter our whole lives.

Like following Jesus!!!  What a great way to discipline a part of your life. I know I am a follower/servant to Christ Jesus....but how often do I really spend time in God's word for myself. I read the bible twice a day.. both time with my kids.. I am not saying that is bad but, I am not spending time studying God's word for myself.

I can, however, mange to get my whole house clean, get all the food I need to cook done, and work out for an hour a day.

So, here's what I am saying... I have many disciplines in my life all through out my day, but none of which I have committed myself to spend some alone time with my Father....Knowing my Father, He wants that time with me.. He has said time and time again He is jealous for me..

What holds me back from that time.?

Cleaning
T.V  (netfli*)
Sleep
Exercise
Computer

As you can see many things have I placed before my Father.. Where do I begin to bring my God back to number 1 in my life..


Like my hubby said yesterday, on our way home from Waycoss, we stopped my D.D and got a treat..He got an Oreo sundae..He said and I quote "This Oreo sundae is like God's word the deep I get into the better it is!"

It was funny analogy but how true that is.. I have noticed that when I committed some time with God alone that the more I read the better it got..

I just can't understand why I allow that to be smothered out by all the other things in my life.

So, today, here on my blog.. I am making a vow, a covenant( promise) to spend some alone time with my Father...


First, I must pray.. And seek Him... Then....DISCIPLINE myself to get in His word.

03 September 2012

Menu for this week!!

Menu Sept 3-8

Monday:
Cereal
Hot dogs
Steak, Cheese potatoes, Garlic Bread

Tuesday:
Baked French Toast
Baked Spaghetti
Left over

Wednesday:
Grits, Eggs, Bacon
Pizza
Church Supper (new Recipe) No bake chocolate cheese cake

Thursday:
Pancakes
Tuna melts
Hamburgers, French Fries

Friday:
Omelets
Leftover hamburgers
Fish

Saturday:
Egg Bake (New Recipe)
Sandwiches,
Fried Pork chops

Back up and running..


Did ya'll miss me? Cause I missed ya'll so much.!!!!

Don't worry I didn't forget to blog I was just taking a mini break. I had lots to do around here and with my kiddos that well, I just needed to say blogging can wait. So, Please don't be mad cause I love you all as well.

Just to fill you in. I have done my menu for the week. Which I will post later today. I also did a new recipe which I am going to post on this post. What was a lot of posts.. Hahaha..

First I wanna say HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!!

We aren't doing anything special...just school.....I know I work a tight ship but, it only takes us a few hours so why not stay on top of things. Plus my hubby is off for the next 13 days to work on things that need to be done around the house. How funny is that my hubby takes a vacation to work..Gotta love that man.. and, I do..!! yesterday was his birthday..(sorry no pictures) but, we did bake a Red Velvet cake, and made cards, had ribs, ate with my in-laws, and loved on him.

Only, for the rest of this month and most of October will we be the same age. Then I will turn another year older and he can go back to calling me Ma'am!!!

Now for the recipe that should have been posted last Thursday!!

Salmon with Shallot butter sauce

6 ounces, weight (to 7 Ounces) Salmon (with or without skin)
3 Tablespoons Butter
1 whole Medium-sized Shallot, Minced
1 whole Lemon, Zested And Juiced
3 Tablespoons Canola Oil ----I use olive oil
Kosher Salt And Fresh Ground Pepper, to taste

Preparation Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Season both sides of the fish generously with salt and pepper.



Heat canola oil in a medium-sized oven-safe pan over high heat for a few minutes to let the oil get nice and hot.
Once the oil has heated up for a couple of minutes,


 
 drop the Salmon into place and let it sit there untouched for two minutes. (Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this will kill our ability to create a tasty crust on the fish.) Sear over high heat for 2 minutes, then transfer the pan into the 375-degree oven WITHOUT FLIPPING THE FISH OVER. Set the timer to 8 minutes.
meanwhile, begin making the lemon shallot butter sauce. Melting the butter over a medium-high heat. Add in the minced shallot and lemon zest. Cook over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes.


When the shallots have become a little softer, squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon.

 Whisk together and reduce the heat to medium until you’ve got an incredible-smelling sauce. (Skipping the shallots in this process will make a super-simple lemon butter sauce.)

Once the fish has been in the oven for 8 minutes, remove it and let it rest for a moment before serving. Take this time to remove the pin bones if your butcher didn’t do it for you.

This exact method will work well with halibut, sea bass, or any other thick fish.

OOOPPS.. I FORGOT TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT...



Wild Olive