Menu Plan Monday, January 31, 2011

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Last week's Slow Cooker Italian Beef and Tortellini was a hit with dh. The kids didn't like it as much, but they are picky. On Sunday, I tried a Chicken Manicotti recipe from a friend at MHH and it was well received by kids and hubby.

Here's the plan for this week:

Sunday~Chicken Manicotti and Breadsticks

Monday~ Marvelous Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Beans

Tuesday~Hockey Game---Eat Out

Wednesday~Dee's Pork Roast for Tacos, Salsa Rice

Thursday~Poker Night--Hot Dogs and Kielbassi with Kraut, Buffalo Chicken Bites, Cheese Plate, Deviled Eggs, and Assorted Snacks

Friday~ Chicken Alfredo and Salad

Saturday~Pizza and Wings

Have a great week full of blessings,

Lisa

Gobs!

Gobs, or whoopie pies as some parts of the US call them, are a big part of our traditions here in West Central PA. This is my first attempt at making Gobs. My mom has made them for as long as I can remember and they were always a treat. These are the recipes I used:

Cakes

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/3 cups All Purpose Flour
1 cup milk

Directions
1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.

2) To make the cakes: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla till smooth. Add the egg, again beating till smooth.

3) Add the cocoa, stirring to combine.

4) Add the flour to the batter alternately with the milk, beating till smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and beat again briefly to soften and combine any chunky scrapings.

5) Drop the dough by the 1/4-cupful onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving plenty of room between the cakes; they'll spread. A muffin scoop works well here.

6) Bake the cakes for 15 to 16 minutes, till they're set and firm to the touch. Remove them from the oven, and cool on the pans. While still lukewarm, use a spatula to separate them from the pan or parchment; then allow to cool completely.

This is the filling recipe I used today. It's very sweet.

Makes 3 3/4 cups.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 jar (7 1/2 ounces) marshmallow Fluff
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add Fluff and vanilla and continue mixing until well combined.

Match up the cakes and then place a spoonful of filling onto the bottom of one cake and top with the matching cake to make a sandwich.

Enjoy!

peace and blessings,

Lisa

Valentine's Day Crepe Paper Flower Heart

I saw something similar to this on a blog, but can't tell you where. I do know that the directions for making the crepe paper roses is from House of Smiths. I have the "picture" on my mantel with a Boyd's bear dh bought me one year for our anniversary.

Now to make the banner....

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, January 24, 2011

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. I am home today with a sick child. Poor H was sick last week with a fever for 5 days due to a virus. His fever broke on Friday. He had another low-grade fever starting Sunday. We're heading back to the pediatrician this afternoon to have him checked out. We woke up to temperatures in the negative digits and another frozen pipe in our bathroom. This is the second one in 3 days. DH fixed the last one, but we are waiting for the builder to call back so they can fix the cause of this problem. (The 1/2 inch gap around the sill of the house is the root of all the problems related to plumbing and cold floors.) Thankfully, we only have dance and religious education this week. They're calling for another storm Tuesday into Wednesday. I am hoping that this one passes us by!

Here's our menu plan:

Sunday~Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce over Spaghetti, Meatballs and Tossed Salad

Monday~15 Minute Pierogi Soup, Hard Rolls and Salad

Tuesday~Oven Roasted Chicken Breasts, Rice Pilaf and Steamed Green Beans

Wednesday~Slow Cooker Tortellini and Beef (new)

Thursday~Grilled Turkey Club Sandwiches, Oven Fries and Carrots with Dip

Friday~Pizza Night

Saturday~Take Out

Hope you have a week full of peace and blessings,

Lisa

Ice, Ice, Ice

The icicles to the ground five days after being cleared by dh.

Same problem in the rear of the house....

Also on the side of the house.

Obviously, there is heat loss coming from the finished upstairs of the house. I'm just sick over this whole thing. When will it stop?

Peace,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, January 17, 2011

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

This week will be a busy one...the contractor/builder has finally appeared to look into our ice problem. It's been never ending with these freezing temps for the last two months. My mother has knee replacement surgery on Wednesday. My father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and is having surgery to remove the tumor on Friday. We also have the usual hockey, church and dance activities this week. Please keep us in your prayers!

Here's our menu plan for the week:

Sunday~ Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti and Salad (DS's new favorite food!)

Monday~Taco Salads

Tuesday~Cheese Kielbassi on a Bun, Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans

Wednesday~Cheeseburgers and Oven Fries

Thursday~Dance and Hockey~dinner out

Friday~Pizza and Wings

Saturday~Pigs in the Blanket

Have a week full of peace, love and blessings!

Lisa

Snow Days...

The snow right outside the door...just overnight.

Stay warm!

Peace and blessings,
Lisa

Orange-Coconut Angel Food Cake

Orange-Coconut Angel Food Cake

1 package (16 ounces) angel food cake mix
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons orange extract, divided
1-3/4 cups cold milk
1 package (3.4 ounce)instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1-1/4 cups flaked coconut, divided
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed, divided

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan.
Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert pan onto a wire rack; cool completely, about 1 hour. Run a knife around sides of cake and remove from pan.
In a small bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Stir in orange peel and remaining orange extract. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in 3/4 cup coconut and 3/4 cup whipped topping.
Split cake into three horizontal layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with half of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining whipped topping. Toast remaining coconut; sprinkle over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 14 servings.

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

2011 Calendar

This is my 2011 Basic Grey Calendar. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, January 3, 2011

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Happy New Year to all! It's back to work and school today, which also means back to hockey nights and dance. This week is jammed with activity. I'm trying a few, new one pan oven dishes this week. I will definitely share if we like them or not.

Here's our menu plan for the week:

Sunday~Baked Ham, Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes, Green Beans

Monday~Eat Out

Tuesday~Ravioli Cheese Bake (new)

Wednesday~Cheesy Ham and Pasta Bake (new)

Thursday~Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Friday~Stromboli

Saturday~ Ham Pot Pie

Have a week full of peace and blessings,

Lisa

Found Item January Wreath

I wasn't quite sure what to put on the front door for January. I had hoped to go shopping for a new wreath, but life happens and my shopping trip didn't happen. So, I used the winter wreath, added a stuffed snowman that I had in my snowman box and a few sparkly snowflakes that had been in the mantel garland...and ta-da! A wreath for January. What do you think? Not too bad....

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Prarie Flower Farm Giveaway

Linda at Prarie Flower Farm is giving away a new Gooseberry Patch Cookbook, a notebook holder and beautiful recipe cards. Check out the details at:http://prarieflowerfarm.blogspot.com Peace and blessings,Lisa

Happy New Year!

May your 2011 be filled with peace, love and happiness!

Blessings,

Lisa