Summer grilled pork chops and potatoes

As summer time comes into full swing, we are looking for fewer things to cook inside and more things that can be cooked on the grill. Growing up, my father always made chops and taters on the grill and they were super yummy!!! My hubs is a pretty great grilling man as well and we are raising our kids the same way my parents raised me. Summer time is about sun, swimming and grilling with a cold drink in your hand...I try to keep the drinks alcohol free as much as possible and ALWAYS for the kids!!! We keep it simple when grilling pork, I find the less on the meat when it is cooking, the better it cooks without burning and the juicer it is when you bite into it. I tend to make my own sauce to put on our chops.

 I use Olive oil, garlic powder (fresh if I have it), onion powder and a rib rub. Once mixed together, I brush it on both sides right before going on the grill. Like I tell my kids, you can always add more after it is on your plate and not on mine!

The potatoes I slice about 1/2" thick and pile them into aluminum foil with REAL butter and garlic (in a pinch you can use garlic powder). I sprinkle pepper and salt then seal the foil and cook on the grill with the meat. If I am feeling really generous and have some on hand, I will add sliced onions to my husbands potatoes (no one else in the house likes them).

 I like to top mine with sour cream and bacon bits but the kids like ketchup...they say they taste like french fries! On really HOT summer nights, I will throw a steaming bag with broccoli in the microwave and nuke it for the veggie. I prefer sweet corn on the cob with this meal but I'm not picky...ANY vegetable will do!



 Put the potatoes on the grill first since they take longer to cook. The hubs cooks them for about 10-15 minutes longer to ensure they will be done at the same time.

 For a fun meal, serve on bright multi-colored plates and eat together at the table. Not only does it make your food look nice but the family time can't be beat!!!

 When my kids are older I want them to remember the fun we had as a family and the great food we ate Together as a family and pass the traditions on to their families as well.

Chops, Potatoes and steamed broccoli with a touch of butter and salt and pepper.

Enjoy, I will!

Fun photo shoot

Yesterday the kids and I decided to do a photo shoot. It was overcast and too cool to play in the water and the kids were so bored. I'm not sure if all kids are like mine, but mine LOVE getting their pictures taken!!! I am no professional and not claiming to be but I'm not too shabby either. I do a little editing on the program I got with my camera and send them to www.nationsphotolab.com to be printed so they are wall worthy. Here are a few of my favorite poses of my favorite kids. Enjoy!!!

I have such pretty kids~!!!

Photo frame hanger

Have you ever had a beautiful frame that you had no use for but didn't want to throw away??? Re-purpose that used frame, some scrap wood, paint and old cabinet knobs and make a wonderful hanging piece. The beauty about this project is you are recycling otherwise unused materials and can hang anything you want on it. It can be used for necklaces and bracelets and functional art or as a coat rack...the sky is the limit!!!

Materials needed:

Old picture frame
Reclaimed wood/ ply wood
Paint
Paint brushes
Wood glue
Clamps
reclaimed cabinet knobs
dish soap
tooth brush
screws
hanger
tools
imagination

Paint your wood and clean edges and back of frame to assure good seal with wood glue.

Once paint is dry, figure out your placements for your knobs and mark with a marker. Drill pilot holes (or have your hubs do it like I did) and screw your knobs in place.

 

Put a generous amount of wood glue on front to wood and carefully place frame over the glue. Wipe excess off since it does not dry clear. Clamp tightly and let it sit flat for 24-36 hours before removing clamps to ensure a firm hold.

Flip over and measure the center of piece. Attach hangy-do on the back. Find the perfect place on your wall to hang your new piece and enjoy the reward of having a beautiful piece of art that is also functional.

 

Taco Salad

Everyone loves Tacos so why not a taco salad! I got this wonderful recipe from my cousin and it is a favorite of our family. This recipe is for a LARGE salad, we use it for family gatherings and kids birthday parties. It would make a great large family dinner. The salad is so good, I forgot to get a picture of the finished product all put together...I will add a picture the next time I make it but I will still share the recipe...ENJOY!

This should be made the day before and let sit in the refrigerator over night to set up good.
Ingredients:

2lbs Hamburger, browned and drained, cooled
1lb Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 diced tomatoes
1 chopped head of lettuce
1 16 ounce can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 bag Cheese Doritos, crumbled
1 diced onion

You will need a large pan (the disposable ones from the dollar store work great) to combine all your ingredients in. In a large skillet, brown and crumble the hamburger meat. Drain and set aside to let cool. Cut/dice the tomato, lettuce and onion, layer them in pan. Drain and rinse kidney beans then poor into pan.
I stop and put into fridge at this point.

Sauce:
2 tsp salt
1tsp celery salt
1 tsp paprika
2 Tbsp sugar
2 cups vegetable oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 Tbsp white vinegar

Combine all ingredients in medium storage bowl and let sit for at least one day in refrigerator.

When you are ready to serve, put in the shredded cheese, the crumbled chips and the sauce. Mix well and enjoy. Your belly will thank you for this super yummy treat. Especially on a hot day. 

Kids Chore sticks...a fun way to do those hated chores!

Like most parents in America I have problems getting my kids to do chores around the house with out threats, punishments or bribes. I am trying to teach them to be more responsible by taking care of their own rooms, but I am adding a daily chore list. To make it a little more fun and, hopefully, less arguing I am going to write some minor chores on color coded pop sickle sticks and put a point system on them. For the lower point sticks, they get to pick one dollar tree item a month, for the mid point sticks they get to choose two dollar tree items, and for the higher point sticks they get to choose a ten dollar item from Walmart. To collect these prizes they must do the chore correctly. They also must complete all the chores by the end of the month. I know this is considered bribery but if it works I am willing to do it.

Materials needed:

Monthly dry erase board and markers( or you can make your own with scrapbook paper, a picture frame with glass, Sharpie markers and a ruler. Use the ruler to draw a months worth of squares on the scrapbook paper with a line for the month name on top then place paper in the frame behind the glass and use the dry erase markers on the glass.) One for each kid so there is no confusion
A package of multi colored pop sticks (dollar tree has them in the craft section)
A black fine point sharpie
2 containers (I use short square candle holders I got from dollar tree)
Ribbon and scrapbook paper to decorate(no one wants an ugly container sitting around) and label (To Do and Done) the containers.

Then you need to figure how many times a week and how many chores per pull for them to do. If you have enough containers you can separate the colors and have them pull 2 hard (high point) a week, 3 medium (mid point) a week and 4 easy (low point) a week. If they do them correctly (lets face it, kids like to take short cuts) then they get the points, if not they have to go back in the to do container. I put them all together and give them the choice but they have to deal with their own decisions and once all the easy and medium are gone they still have to do the hard.

I guess it depends on the kids and the parents as to how this gets done and what the rewards are and there are many variations that can be done, but this is what works best for me. Hope this is helpful and your kids can have fun doing this.

Pizza Puffs for the family on the go

Have you ever wanted pizza but didn't want your little ones to make such a big mess??? Or maybe you don't like the grease on the top of the pizza from all that yummy cheese and toppings. I searched and searched until I found a solution...something yummy, fun and the best part, easy. Pizza puffs!!! These muffin size pizza puffs are easy to make and the kids have fun dipping them in different sauces and eating them. They are really great if you are on the go and have to feed the kids (without the sauce of course) in the car.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1Tbsp Italian Seasoning
Pinch of salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes
3/4 cup 2% milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup cubed pepperoni
(If you want to add sausage, onions, peppers or any other yummy ingredients, use smaller portions and make sure everything is already cooked well. Use your imagination and make this recipe your own! There are NO wrong answers!!!)

Preheat your oven to 375
Grease muffin pan
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes
Slowly whisk in the milk and egg
Stir in the cheese and pepperoni
let stand for 10 minutes

Stir the batter and divide among muffin cups (place directly in muffin tin, DO NOT use paper sleeves as they stick to the puffs and are hard to get off)
Bake 20-30 minutes or until golden and puffed

Serve with store bought pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or even honey mustard dipping sauce...anything that sounds good! ENJOY!!!

 YUMMY!!!!!

Big hit with the boy. We made the puffs and pizza bread together and had a great dinner that night!

15 Minute Home Made Chicken Noodle Soup

As a stay home mom and wife, I tend to think homemade food, especially dinner, is a must! Don't get me wrong, we do take out and occasionally fast food, but for the most part I like my children to eat home cooked foods. On nights where I need quick meals but forgot to get anything out of the freezer, I scour my cabinets hoping to find something quick and easy. One of the family favorites is chicken noodle soup. My son loves the canned variety but my daughter will only eat canned tomato and since I am a firm believer of one meal for everyone, I have to adapt my dinner ideas around everyone's taste buds. There are different variations of this wonderful meal, but my family likes the 15 minute pot of soup the best! Since it is such a hit in my family and I know how easy it is to make, I decided to share this recipe.


Ingredients;

2 Quarts chicken broth
4 cans cooked chicken breast meat
1 can carrots
1 can green beans
1 medium onion (I use  onion powder since we don't like onion)
3 stalks celery (I use celery salt)
1 bag Egg Noodles
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
1/4 tsp Oregano
Water
2 large pots

 You will need 2 large pots. In one pot, fill with water and put on stove to boil. This pot will be used for the noodles. In the other pot, poor both cartons of chicken broth, 4 cans of chicken breast meat, 4 chicken bouillon cubes (or the chicken flavor packets out of Ramen Noodles works also), and your canned veggies (if using fresh or frozen this meal should be cooked all day in the crock pot, but this way taste the same). Then add 1/8 tps celery salt (skip if using celery), 1/4 tsp Oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and let simmer. Once the noodles are done cooking, drain and add directly to the pot with the other ingredients. Then serve and enjoy!

I didn't have any carrots so we did without this time.

 The family still loved the soup and there wasn't much left when we left the table!

 I serve with crackers, the hubs likes Saltines but I like Ritz, your choice. This is also good served with a small sandwich or salad for lunch. It tastes as good as it looks!!!