Happy Monday....

What do you do when it's snowing and blowing outside?

 

 

 

If it's not already obvious....we cook!

My husband and I love spending our weekends cooking together and sharing it with those we love.

 

Blueberry & Lemon Sweet Rolls

Chocolate Truffle Cake with Buttercream Frosting

topped with Coconut

Partridge Stew

&

Sweet Potato Biscuits

 

This was our Sunday dinner. Notice I put the dessert first? I had to do a little taste test when the sweet rolls and cake came out of the oven. LOL!

I love dessert!

 

 We had my sister and her family over for dinner. It was such a nice time. She even brought her boxer over, so he could visit with ours. Everyone needs a friend, right?

 

We have lots of leftovers! Anyone interested?

 

The sweet rolls are from a new recipe I got from The Pioneer Woman's Blog. They looked so good, I just had to try them.

If you would like the recipe, you can find it here.

I will warn you though....it makes a very large batch!

 

I hope you are all doing well on this lovely day and that you are staying warm.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comments. I love reading them!

 

Blessings,

Julie

 

 

 

I'M BACK!

I'm back, I'm back, oh my gosh, I'm back!!!!!

You'll have to forgive me for my unexpected absence. You see, my computer caught a bit of a bug and needed some TLC.

 

I do have a kindle, but blogging just wouldn't have been easy for me on that. I'm so glad you waited for me! Thank you to all of you who have checked in on me. You are so kind!! I love all my new friends and followers that I would never have otherwise met, had I not started blogging.

 

Life has certainly kept us busy here since we last gathered. Do you remember the dog my son brought home one day, unbeknownst to me? Well, until I woke up early one morning that is, and he greeted me at the bottom of the stairs.

 

 

He's the one one the right. Well, poor little Seamus was struck by a vehicle while visiting at a friends house with our son. It was a very sad day for all of us, but most especially our son.

Being the type of person he is, Matthew needed to get a new puppy right away. This is a picture that was sent to us by the people he is buying the new puppy from.

 

 

His name is yet to be determined. He is a husky/shepard mix. I just want to cuddle him all up and smell his puppy breath! Matthew is going to pick him up this weekend. I'll be sure to post some more pics then.

I wonder what Hollie is going to think of a new puppy? She is so used to being the queen here. LOL!

 

I have also been busy making infinity scarves for a few friends and relatives that have placed orders with me. (Sorry, but I didn't take any pictures!) I crochet them. I do knit, but it's not really my thing. I like something that goes a bit quicker and crocheting does that for me. Time is never on anyones side, so the more I can save, the better!

 

My days have also been kept busy with the grandkids. They are at such a busy age now. Our grandson, Dillyn will turn 7 next week.  Piper will celebrate her 4th birthday in May, and in June we will be welcoming a new little one to the family. Where does the time go?

 They are so much fun!

 

 

Don't these NACHOS look delicious? My husband makes these every now and again. They are so quick and easy to make.

 

 

 

First you brown some ground beef or turkey in a pan, whichever you like best. Then once it's browned add some taco seasoning and a bit of water. I don't measure, it's just a taste thing. 

 

 

While, the ground beef is cooking, I fill a cookie sheet with scoops. Once the beef is cooked I use a small spoon to fill each one of the scoops up with the meat mixture. 

 

Then I add some refried beans, bacon bits, black olives and some shredded taco blend cheese.

 

 

Bake it at 350* until the cheese is all melted.

 

 

Serve it topped with salsa and sour cream.  You can also add shredded lettuce if you like. YUM!

 

Well, I do want to thank you again for visiting my little blog and listening to me ramble on, but it has been a while, hasn't it?

 

I also want to thank all of my new followers and encourage you to leave comments. I love hearing from you.

 

Blessings,

Julie  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Recipe...

In the previous post I showed you a picture of the squares I made. I thought you might like the recipe, but I will warn you...you'll never be able to stop at just one!

 

 

 

Fruity Oatmeal Squares

 

Crumb mixture:

1 1/2 c. flour

1 c. quick oats

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. almond extract

1 1/2 sticks melted butter

Filling:

2 c. of any kind of preserves you like.

1/3 c. flaked coconut

1/3 c. sliced almonds

 

Preheat oven to 350*. Place all crumb mix ingredients in large bowl. Mix until well combined. Press half of this mixture into the bottom of a greased 9" x 13" baking pan. Spread preserves to within 1/2" of edge. Cover top with remaining crumb mixture and press down lightly. Sprinkle top with coconut and almonds. Bake for 22 - 27 minutes or until golden. Enjoy!

 

 

I used raspberry jam in these squares, but I have also made this recipe using peach, strawberry rhubarb and raspberry rhubarb. All of them were delicious! They go especially well with a hot cup of tea and good company.

 

Blessings,

Julie



Good Afternoon....

Well it seems like it's warming up a bit outside. The older I get, the less I like the cold. I do love winter and it's infinite beauty, though.

 

 

 

So what are you doing to keep yourselves busy these days? On really cold days I love to be in the kitchen cooking. I think that's probably my favorite part of winter. So many yummy things to cook.

This is a delicious pork roast we had the other night. I was just about to put it in when I remembered to snap a picture, but wouldn't you know I forgot to get the after one!

 

Some homemade banana bread.

 

 

This was our dessert. It's a fruity oatmeal square. I have worked on this recipe for a while now and I think I have finally got it just about perfect.

 

Oh there is always something to do or cook, isn't there?

 

A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

 

Yesterday a very good friend, Debbie stopped in for a visit. I love it when friends come over. Sadly though, I did not get a picture. While she was here, my sister Robin also stopped in for a visit. What a lovely surprise. Although we only live about 30 minutes or so from each other, we hardly get to visit. I think she works way too much! We talk on the phone everyday though.

 

I find that a visit from a good friend or relative is joy to the soul!

 

Well, I have some eggs on to boil for egg salad, more banana bread ready to come out of the oven, some tea water boiling and a husband who should be arriving soon for lunch.

 

Thank you to all of you faithful readers. I know I haven't been very faithful in my blogging lately. I do appreciate you!

 

Blessings,

Julie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope all is well.....

It certainly has become a winter wonderland in our neck of the woods. This is a picture of a neighbors barn. I love barns!

 

I'm not sure how much snow we actually got, but I don't think it was quite as much as they predicted we would get. The wind was quite wild though, and has caused a lot of drifting in our yard. Most especially our driveway. Wouldn't you know!

 

I'm really not a fan of the cold winters, but I do know for sure that I could never live anywhere else.  Just look at all this beauty....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Wishing you all a happy, safe and healthy new year!

 

Blessings,

Julie