This evening I served up

Ruthann's hillbilly spaghetti pie

Yummy! The men folk especially liked it.

The recipe can be found on her delightful blog

Warm Pie Happy Home! :-)

Thank you Ruthann!

BBQ Beef Sandwiches

BBQ Beef Sandwiches

12 servings

1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried chopped onion
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

3 pound boneless roast*

soft sandwich buns

Combine first ten ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for thirty minutes. Brown roast on all sides and place in crock pot. Pour half of the sauce over roast; cook on low for 8 to 9 hours. Remove roast and shred. Remove cooking liquid from crock pot, leaving about 1/4 cup liquid in crock pot. Skim fat from remaining liquid, replace shredded meat and stir in reserved sauce. Using a slotted spoon, serve up on buns and enjoy!

*I usually use a chuck roast, but the last several times I've cooked a roast, I have purchased an "eye of round" roast. They are very lean and priced the same per pound as the chuck at my grocery.

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

~for today~

February 2, 2009

Outside my window...it is cold and clear.

I am thinking...about my plans for the day.

I am thankful for...my home.

From the learning room...we have daily lessons and a lot of reading to do.

From the kitchen...we had morning glory muffins for breakfast.
our supper menu ~ Heritage Schoolhouse Supper Menus ~

I am creating...Valentine's Day decorations.

I am going...nowhere today! Yay!

I am reading...picture books for co-op History class.

I am hoping...to finish knitting my son's camo scarf soon, so I can start a new project.

I am hearing...the washing machine, pencils on paper, and dogs barking outside.

Around the house...I will be working on some small daily organizing projects.

One of my favorite things...is cozy evenings spent at home.

A few plans for the rest of the week...include hosting a cub scout den meeting this evening, home school classes on Tuesday, co-op on Friday, and planning some Valentine's Day activities.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...of cub scouts learning boy things. ;-)

You can enjoy more daybooks at The Simple Woman's Blog.

Salisbury Steak

Salisbury Steak with Gravy

4 servings

1/2 cup milk

14 saltine crackers, crushed finely

2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1 pound ground beef

1 12 ounce jar brown gravy

2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine milk, saltines, onion and parsley. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into four patties. Place patties in greased baking dish. Combine gravy, worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Pour half the sauce over patties. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until done. Serve with extra gravy and fluffy mashed potatoes.

Muffin Monday

Morning Glory Muffins

2 dozen

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrots
1 medium tart apple, peeled and grated
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. In another bowl, combine eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla. Stir in carrots, apple, pineapple, coconut, raisins and nuts. Add to dry ingredients and combine until just moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Enjoy!

Supper Menus
February 2nd-7th

Monday
salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, baby carrots, tossed salad
Tuesday
bbq beef sandwiches, french fries, baked beans, coleslaw
Wednesday
chicken fajitas, spanish rice, refried beans
Thursday
Ruthann's hillbilly spaghetti pie, garlic bread sticks, green salad
Friday
homemade pizza, ceasar salad
Saturday
tba

"When I was a little girl,

I always wanted to be in the kitchen

because it was warm,

and that's where my mother was.

You never lose that feeling."

~Dolly Parton

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Warm Memories" by Michael Humphries

Someone has been missing Daddy...

and she's not the only one! ;-)

Cheer up girl! He'll be home this evening! :-)

Show and Tell Friday

When Mr. H. surprised me over the weekend with my birthday present several weeks early, I just knew I had to share it for Show and Tell Friday! I was so excited over such an unexpected gift! Mr. H. really knows what I like, just look...

...brand new cookware! :-)

It is so pretty and I will enjoy using it so very, very much.

I can't wait to make Mr. H. lots of yummy meals using these very nice pieces -

the set includes everything I could ever need!

He also thought I needed a nice set of kitchen knives!

And when he saw these that were "labeled" ;-)
he knew they were the ones for me! Haha!

Thank you for letting me show and tell about my wonderful birthday present.

And thank you Mr. H. - you are too good to me. :-)

Please visit Kelli for more Show and Tell Friday!

"Love is missing someone whenever you're apart,

but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart."

~Kay Knudsen

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Coeur" by Thierry Verger

Pinewood Derby Day

Growing up without a brother meant that all things "little boy" were a mystery to me. I have since learned and delighted in many new things while raising a son. This weekend I got to experience my first Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. So fun! :-)

As we arrived, I quickly realized why my husband and son had taken the building of the derby car so seriously!

After registration, a little more weight was added.

Some graphite was used to dry lubricate the axles.

And, a final weigh in revealed the car to be a perfect five ounces.

The trophies were on display for the racers to admire.

The excitement built as the racing began.

Around forty five cub scouts from two packs participated.

After the official racing was over,
the host pack brought out the loops
for the scouts to try their cars on!

At the end of the day,
my son was lucky enough to have won
the trophy for 1st place overall in his pack!

Can't wait for next year's derby! :-)

"You can tell more about a person by what he says about others,

than you can by what others say about him."

~Leo Aikman

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"The Walk Home" by Ray Bianco

Casa Ole' Green Dip

4 avocados
1 (16 oz) container sour cream
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 (4 oz) can green chilis
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 oz cream cheese

Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth using a blender or food processor.

This really does taste just like the green dip at Casa Ole'! I was amazed. :-) My friend Giggles brought it to our annual couples christmas party last month and it was very popular! Thank you for the recipe Giggles!

Olive Garden Salad

"Olive Garden" salad

6 servings

for dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup white vinegar

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons corn syrup

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons romano cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes

1 tablespoon lemon juice

for salad

american blend bagged salad mix
red onion slices
black olives
pepperoncini peppers
croutons
roma tomatoes, sliced
parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Mix all dressing ingredients in a blender or processor until well blended. Toss salad ingredients and top with dressing.

There are two different "Olive Garden" salad dressing recipes I found to be floating all over the internet. I chose to try the one that did not call for raw egg. The family didn't think it tasted too much like Olive Garden's, but it was very good and they ate the whole bowl very quickly!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Round Up

Party Sandwiches

Party Sandwiches

6 servings (2 sandwiches each)

1 package 12 dinner rolls

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

2 tablespoons mustard

2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

sliced ham

sliced cheese

Split dinner rolls in half. Combine butter, poppy seeds, mustard and worcestershire sauce. Dip bottom halves of each roll in sauce. Place a slice of ham and cheese on bottom roll halves. Dip top roll halves in sauce and place on sandwiches. Place sandwiches in baking dish or cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve warm and enjoy!

When Day is Done

This day so full of promise
Has slowly slipped away,
Like dying coals upon the fire
Where logs of oak once lay.

Some victories, some losses,
With work yet to be done –
People who will need me
Struggles to be won.

So I kneel beside my bed
To thank God for this day,
I ask for nothing but His grace
That love might light my way.

Gone forever is this day,
Content I’ve done my best.
I hand it over now to God
And seek His peaceful rest.

~Richard E. Rybolt

“I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.”
Psalms 4:8 NIV

Baked Lemon Chicken with New Potatoes and Vegetables

Baked Lemon Chicken with New Potatoes and Vegetables

4 servings

6 tablespoons oil, divided

2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced, 1 juiced
4 chicken breasts

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

fresh green beans, enough for 4 servings

2 or 3 large carrots, sliced into sticks

bag of small red potatoes, quartered
1 onion, sliced

Preheat oven to 450°. Coat a large baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Arrange lemon slices from 1 lemon in a single layer on the bottom of the dish.  In a skillet, brown chicken on both sides in 1 tablespoon oil.  In a large bowl combine remaining oil, lemon juice of 2nd lemon, garlic, salt and pepper. Add green beans, carrots, potatoes, and onion; toss to coat. Using tongs, remove vegetables and arrange them on top of lemon slices, leaving the center of the pan open.  Place browned chicken in the center of baking dish. Pour any remaining oil over chicken, and top with additional freshly ground pepper. Bake for 50 minutes and enjoy!

This was wonderful!!! The recipe is my adaptation of one I found at a very sweet recipe blog, Kelly's Korner Recipes. Thanks Kelly! We all loved this! Yum! Yum! :-)

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

1 dozen

1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup plain yogurt (or sour cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium)
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Separately whisk the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve with a cold glass of milk or your favorite juice and enjoy!

"O Winter! ruler of the inverted year,

I crown thee king of intimate delights,

Fireside enjoyments, home-born happiness,

And all the comforts that the lowly roof

Of undisturb'd retirement, and the hours

Of long uninterrupted evening, know."

~William Cowper

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Winter Sunrise" by Carl Valente

Supper Menus
January 19th-24th

Monday
baked lemon chicken with new potatoes and vegetables, sour dough bread
Tuesday
party sandwiches, potato chips, pickles, chocolate layer cake
Wednesday
angel hair pasta with marinara sauce and fresh parmesan cheese, olive garden salad, garlic bread
Thursday
bar-b-q beef sandwiches, spicy potato wedges, coleslaw
Friday
chicken and beef fajitas, spanish rice, refried beans, tortilla chips, salsa, pico de gallo, casa ole green dip, chocolate marble cheesecake pie, slice and bake valentine's cookies
Saturday
out for supper

Please visit Orgjunkie's Menu Plan Monday! :-)