What I've been reading lately.....

Book Cover (Source)

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story

 

by

Ree Drummond

              A friend lent this book to me on a Wednesday. I started reading it immediately and I was hooked. I finished it in 2 days. I enjoyed every bit of this book. I love how Ree narrates her story, its like listening to your best friend. I laughed and laughed while reading this book. It was if you are right there with her through the good times, bad times (not very many) and the EMBARRASSING times (and there are quite a few). Also this book makes you want to fall in love all over again. How she meet here husband and how they fell in love , it is such a sweet, sweet story. It will capture anyone's heart.

             Unfortunately, I had to give the book back to its original owner. But I am definitely going to buy this book either in paperback or on my nook. It is one I would love to read again! HIGHLY HIGHLY Recommend pickin this book up sooner than later. You can find it Here or here. I love watching Ree's food network show, The Pioneer Woman. Like I have said before her recipes are simple yet scrumptious. She has 2 Cookbooks and I keep hinting to my husband about them. ;) You can also check out her fabulous blog at http://thepioneerwoman.com/ . You will be hooked, I promise.

Here is a little Bio on Ree from the Food Network.com

Ree Drummond is a writer, photographer, ranch wife and mother of four. Her blog, ThePioneerWoman.com, attracts more than 20 million page views per month and was named Weblog of the Year at the 2011, 2010 and 2009 Bloggie Awards. Ree is also the author of the #1 best-selling cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl and the 2011 memoir Black Heels to Tractor Wheels — A Love Story, which debuted at #2 on The New York Times Best Sellers list for nonfiction hardcover. Ree’s children’s picture book, Charlie the Ranch Dog, which chronicles the adventures of her much-beloved basset hound, also premiered at #1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Drummond has appeared on numerous national talk shows including Good Morning America, TODAY, The View and Fox & Friends.

Ree Drummond (source)

What I am reading now: 

The Lucky One

• by
• Nicholas Sparks

The Lucky One 

by

Nicholas Sparks (

Source)

I have always enjoyed Nicholas Sparks and I am very excited about this book. I will let you know how it was as soon as I am finished. 

Triple Berry Jam and "Friends"

              Its getting to be springtime around here and the grocery stores are getting a bunch of pretty produce especially fruit. They had a great sale of berries so i picked up a bunch and decieded to make jam. 
              Last year, I made blackberry jam but this year i decided trible berry was the way to go.
         While making jam, I couldn't help but be reminded of the friends episode called "The One with the Jam" . I love friends. I have seen every episode probably 100 times!! So i leave you today with a recipe and some quotes. ENJOY!

Monica: I'm going into business, people. I needed a plan. A plan to get over my man ... and what's the opposite of man? Jam! 

Joey: Remember when your mom would send you to the movies with a jar of jam and a spoon?
Rachel: (Pats Joey on the head) You're so pretty.

Chandler: Okay Joe, I gotta ask. The hot girl from the xerox place buck naked (He gestures with his one hand), or a big tub of jam (He gestures with his other hand)?
Joey: Put your hands together.
Monica: Hey, look at me! I'm making jam... been at it since 4 O'clock this morning.
Ross: Where'd you get fruit at four in the morning?
Monica: Went down to the docks. Hey, betcha didn't know you can get it wholesale.
Rachel: I didn't know there were docks.
(Source) 

Triple Berry Jam Recipe- Waterbath Canning Method

Ingredients 4 C crushed berries- Strawberries, blueberries,blackberries, and or raspberries 4 1/2 TBSP classic pectin 2 1/2 - 3 C sugar ( depending on your sweetness level) 1/2 TBSP butter (prevents foam- optional) 6 half pint jelly jars with lids and rings Directions: Wash then Remove any stems or hulls off of fruit then crush fruit combine berries in heavy duty pot gradually stir in pectin and butter (optional) bring to a full roiling boil that can't be stirred down, stirring constantly add sugar. I  add 2/12c then taste if not sweet enough then I add more if needed stir to dissolve  return to full boils stirring constantly boil hard for 1 min  remove from heat skim foam if needed ladle into jars, remove any air bubbles, place lids on jars and put on rings making sure not to over tighten the rings process for 10 mins in water bath turn off heat let stand in water for 5 mins then remove.  allow to sit for 24 hrs then test for seal. do move or turn upside down during this time.  follow all canning  guidelines When it comes to canning, I purchased the Ball complete book of home preserving. It is a wonderful book. I recommend it to anyone who is the slightest bit interested in canning. (Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving)  The book includes comprehensive directions on safe canning and preserving methods plus lists of required equipment and utensils. Specific instructions for first-timers and handy tips for the experienced make this a wonderful addition to any kitchen.

 (Printable Recipe)

I used a 32oz container of strawberries and remove the hulls and chopped them.
Sorry I forgot to take a picture of my blueberries and blackberries I used.

Strawberries, Blackberries and Blueberries Crushed making 4 cups.

This beutiful berry mix coming to a boil.

Finished jam so yummy!

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

 My hubby and I watched an recent episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives where Guy goes to Austin and eats king ranch chicken casserole. Man, Did it look yummy? So I had to make it!

The veggies all chopped. This bowl smelled so yummy

Seasoned chicken cooking away!

Shred time!

Cream of mushroom soup in bowl. CHECK

Sour cream added. CHECK

Rotel added. CHECK

Stir to combine. CHECK

Veggies sauteing away

Heat up tortillas in oil till softened 

Adjust seasonings in the soup mix till it is just right

Shredded chicken ready to go

1st layer soup mix then tortillas

Then add shredded chicken

More soup mix then repeat with tortillas, chicken, soup mix, and so forth

Ready for the oven

King Ranch Chicken Casserole   Recipe Created by Stephanie from http://thebestthingievermade.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

-  8OZ  SOUR CREAM

-1/2 C CHOPPED CILANTRO

-16OZ SHREDDED CHEESE ( I USED MEXICAN BLEND BUT ALMOST ANY CHEESE WILL WORK SHARP, PEPPER-JACK, COLBY, ETC) 1 TO 1 1/2 CUPS RESERVED FOR TOPPING THE CASSEROLE

- 24 CORN TORTILLAS

- ASSORTED PEPPERS CHOPPED FINELY- BELL PEPPER, JALAPENO, BANANA PEPPER, POBLANO PEPPER

-1 LARGE ONION DICED

-2 TBSP MINCED GARLIC

- 14OZ CAN OF DICED TOMATOES WITH GREEN CHILIES 

-2 CANS OF CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

- 1/2 C  CHICKEN BROTH

- 2 LBS OF BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST

SEASONINGS: SALT, PEPPER, CHILLI POWDER, CUMIN, SPANISH PAPRIKA

DIRECTIONS:

1. CHOP ALL YOUR VEGGIES FINELY. I USED SEVERAL KINDS OF PEPPERS USE WHATEVER YOU HAVE ON HAND OR PREFER. THE VEGGIES ARE OPTIONAL BUT DO ADD TO THE FLAVOR AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND USING ALL OF THEM.
2. COMBINE THE CHOPPED VEGGIES WITH THE GARLIC AND CHOPPED CILANTRO IN  A LARGE BOWL
3. SEASON CHICKEN AND COOK IN A HOT SKILLET WITH 1 TBSP OF OIL. WHEN CHICKEN IS DONE, PLACE IN FOOD MIXER WITH PADDLE ATTACHMENT AND TURN ON LOW. THIS WILL PERFECTLY SHRED THE CHICKEN ( IF YOU DON'T HAVE A MIXER, YOU CAN SHRED BY HAND WITH TWO FORKS)
4. USING THE SAME PAN THE CHICKEN WAS IN, ADD 1 TBSP OF OIL AND DUMP IN VEGGIE MIX. SAUTE TILL SOFT AND SEMI TRANSLUCENT
5. WHILE THE VEGGIES ARE SAUTEING,  COMBINE THE CREAM OF MUSHROOM AND SOUR CREAM.
6. IN THE SAME BOWL, ADD THE CAN OF ROTEL (THIS MIX SHOULD BE THE CONSISTENCY OF PANCAKE BATTER. YOU WANT TO BE THICK BUT NOT TOO THICK)
7. ADD CHICKEN BROTH TO THIN THE MIX IF NECESSARY
8. THEN ADD THE SHREDDED CHEESE AND STIR TO COMBINE
9. IN  A SMALL PAN, HEAT UP TORTILLAS IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL TO SOFTEN THEM UP. APPROXIMATELY 45 SECS ON EACH SIDE ON LOW TO MED HEAT.
10. NOW YOU CAN TAKE THE TIME TO ADJUST THE SEASONINGS ON YOUR SOUP MIXTURE.  I ADDED SALT, PEPPER, CHILI POWDER, CUMIN, AND SPANISH PAPRIKA. I STARTED WITH A 1TSP OF EACH AND TASTED AND ADDED MORE OF EACH IF NEEDED
11. WHEN YOUR VEGGIES ARE DONE, ADD TO THE SOUP MIX AND COMBINE. 
12. IN A 9X13 PAN, SPREAD SOME SOUP/VEGGIE MIX ON THE BOTTOM TO COAT. THEN LAYER THE TORTILLAS OVERLAPPING IF NECESSARY. 
13. THEN YOU LAYER SOME MORE SOUP MIX THEN CHICKEN THEN TORTILLAS REPEAT ENDING WITH THE TORTILLAS COVERED IN SOUP MIX
14. SPRINKLE THE REST OF THE CHEESE ON TOP AND BAKE AT 350 TILL GOLDEN BROWN AND BUBBLY APPROXIMATELY 30-38MINS
15. LET COOL FOR 5-8 MINS FOR CUTTING INTO AND ENJOY !

Printable Recipe

From here to there, From there to here, Baby things are everywhere

This past weekend, We had my Sister-In-Laws baby shower. It was so much fun. Everyone loved the Dr.Seuss theme. I thought I would share a couple of pics. 

Lorax Blankie for Baby M

Lorax Blankie for Baby M 

Handmade Dr.Seuss Blanket from a Good friend of Mine, Kathy to Baby M. The  whole blanket is hand embroidered. So cute!! 

Love the Dr.Seuss (The  whole blanket is hand embroidered)  

Kathy also made a Sesame Street blanket for Baby M. (The  whole blanket is hand embroidered)   

Love this Big Bird  (The  whole blanket is hand embroidered)  

I was able to find baby sesame street snuggle flannel for the back.(The  whole blanket is hand embroidered) 

Dr.Seuss Baby Shower 

Such a cute cake!

I made Truffula Tree cookies !

Grinch Cookies

Baby M cookies

Auntie C made this beautiful door wreath for Baby M!

She was surprised when I gave her the Lorax blanket. :)

Seussified Part 2

This is how I feel my sewing room looks like. Haha

I have been working  on my nephew's nursery. I figured I would start with the hardest part, the quilt. The other things I am sewing for the nursery are relatively easy. So I figured I would dive in deep and get the hardest part over with. This quilt top has a million pieces, well maybe not that many but there are a lot. I finished all the quilt blocks today. So I wanted to share what I have done so far. I just love the colors and how fun and bright it is. I can't wait to see it all in Baby M's room. 

 If you missed my first Seussified post, you can find it here.

My New Love:Simple Sesame Noodles and Asian Chicken Stir Fry

Asian Chicken Stir Fry

I love the food network. I watch almost every cooking show. I have  fallen in love with the new pioneer woman cooking show. As she says in her intro to the show, her style of food is simple yet scrumptious. It is completely true, every recipe I have tried is scrumptious. I haven't tried a recipe yet that i haven't absolutely loved, seriously. So now I am hooked on her show and her blog. One day while just reading archives of her blog, I came across this Simple Sesame Noodles Recipe. I know I had to make them. I wanted to make a meal out of them so I  added my recipe for Asian chicken stir fry to the menu and got to cooking. Boy, They were yummy. My hubby just loved them. He ate 2 platefuls!

Ingredients for Asian Chicken stir fry and sesame noodles

Asian Chicken Stir Fry

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 1-2 lbs 3 TBS  cornstarch 1TSP red pepper flakes 2 TBS soy sauce plus 1/4 C 1/2 TSP ginger 1TBS garlic powder Fresh Broccoli cut into florets 1 large Onion diced 2 bell peppers chopped into strips Carrots thinly sliced or shredded Mushrooms diced -optional 1 C chicken broth Cut chicken into 1/2 inch strips. Toss with cornstarch combine soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, red pepper flakes in a bag shake to combine add chicken pieces to bag and shake well refrigerate for at least 30 minutes in large skillet heat 2 TBS  of canola oil and 1 TBS sesame oil- stir fry chicken till no longer pink.  remove from pan and keep warm add 1 TBS of sesame oil and stir fry broccoli florets, carrots, onion, and bell pepper 4-5 min  Add mushrooms saute for another minute (if using a small skillet, you may have to stir fry in batches) when veggies are done, add 1 c chicken broth and 1/4 C soy sauce return chicken to pan and cook until thickened and bubbly Serve warm with simple sesame noodles or Rice Recipe by Stephanie from http://thebestthingievermade.blogspot.com/

(Printable Recipe)

Asian Chicken Stir Fry

Simple Sesame Noodles Recipe