Hamburger Noodle Stroganoff

This was a main dish from my childhood.  I grew up with my mom raising 3 children on her own and this was an easy, quick and affordable meal for us.  My mom's kid-friendly ingredient is the ketchup - and the orange color it turns.  All of my girls love it, too, but my husband is not a fan.

Hamburger Noodle Stroganoff

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef
salt & pepper to taste
1 can cream of celery ( or homemade recipe)
      OR cream of mushroom (we don't care for mushrooms)
1 ½ cups sour cream
½ cup ketchup
12 oz. extra wide egg noodles

Directions:  

Boil egg noodles per package.  In skillet, brown ground beef with salt & pepper.  Drain off grease and add in cream soup, sour cream, and ketchup and stir together.

Green Bean & Red Potato Salad

Summer Green Bean and Red Potato Salad

This is one of my all time favorite summer salads! It's really easy to make and can be eaten cold or hot.  Super delicious with BBQ's as a side dish.

Ingredients:

1 lb. fresh green beans
10-12 baby red potatoes
1 small red onion
1-2 TBSP Dijon mustard (I buy HOT!)
2-3 TBSP red wine vinegar
1/8 cup olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

slow moments - slow and smell the roses

...because she wanted me to see her pictures of love.

...because the view out our kitchen window brings comfort.

...because this needs to be habit - one I need to work on.

...because this is my favorite section of the grocery store that I always slow to smell the roses.

...because this wonderful Daddy is outnumbered!

...because this is dear husband's "slow".

Counting it all Joy! - June 15th

236  | fresh organic ollalieberries
237  | continued beautiful weather
238  | new school books with blank pages
239  | the scent of peonies
240  | sweet yellow watermelon
241  | party sub sandwiches for family gatherings
242  | learning that we will have a baby boy in the family
243  | stacks of books
244  | sunglasses
245  | extra sleep
246  | Farmer's market
247  | strawberry rhubarb pie
248  | each and every tomorrow
249  | freshly mowed pasture
250  | daughters who help cook
251  | finding a nest of blue eggs

 

French Toast Sticks

French Toast Sticks

This is another really easy recipe that children can make!   I like the freezer option to make a really quick breakfast meal for busy school days.

Ingredients:

8 slices Texas Toast (thick sliced bread)
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla (homemade is sooo good!)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
a dash of milk

**optional:  butter, powdered sugar, syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream for toppings!

Directions:

In  a bowl, mix together the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk.

Cut bread slices into 4 sticks.

Simply dip bread sticks into egg mixture and fry in a greased skillet or griddle on all sides until lightly browned. (I grease mine with a small bit of oil mixed with butter.)

Freezer option:  After frying the French Toast, let cool and then wrap in wax paper and store in freezer storage bags.  We reheat them in the toaster oven.

slow moments - embracing life's changes

 ...because this comforter was in the closet and it was time for a change.

 ...because this was an unexpected fun find!  Little Libraries are sweet treasures of change.

 ...because quail eggs were an unusual find at our Farmer's market.

 ...because sun flowers speak beauty and sunshine for themselves!

...because a special family shared some delicious trail mix with us a few years ago.  

The brand stopped making this mix, but I now piece it all together and we usually have it on on hand:  tart dried cherries, cashews, almonds, and dark chocolate.  So good and always a reminder of the special moments I got to spend with Michelle and her family.

...because I still can't get wrap my mind around some watermelons that are now yellow.

Walk with Nature - purple sage

Purple Sage

I love that we came across this beautiful flowering sage!

Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Salvia
Species:	leucophylla
Cultivar:	Point Sal Spreader

Egg in a hole - [nest]

Egg in a Hole

This is a really fun, super easy recipe for children to make.  There are so many creative ways to make this - think of all the cookie cutter shapes!

Ingredients:

1 slice of bread
1 egg
butter
salt  & pepper
seasonings you prefer
cookie cutter
shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

Butter both sides of bread.  Using a cookie cutter shape, cut out center of bread.  Place bread and cut-out into heated greased skillet and crack egg into hole.  Add salt & pepper and seasonings.  Flip over if desired to cook egg a little more.  Use cut-out piece to dip into yolk.

Egg in a Nest:  Before cracking egg into hole, sprinkle some parmesan cheese into the hole and then add egg on top.

slow moments - "it is well with my soul"

...because this peony bouquet was so pretty!  I often paused to smell them this week.

...because fresh blueberries are now frozen and make a nice treat in the heat.

 ...because this sweet baby outgrew the baby swing this week.  She is growing up too fast, but I am remembering to slow and enjoy each stage.

...because stuffed peppers were comfort food.

 ...because my husband was out in the pasture for hours and hours clearing it for our safety (both fire hazard and hiding snakes).

...because sitting in church this was a reminder that "it is well with my soul".

Little bits about me - Summer Lovin'

 

The heat is on!  While I normally would find myself complaining, I am grateful that the higher temperatures have remained surrounded with cooling trends.  I know that summer is not officially here, but usually by now, it is somewhat hotter.

The snakes though are sneaking around at a much more noticeable rate and creeping me out!  I feel like I need to trade my flip-flops for combat boots to feel safe when walking outdoors.

On a good note, this warmer weather means that our baby chicks can be outdoors all day and under cover only at night.  Ahhh....so nice!

 

1.    Walk or ride a bike?  Probably walk because I really haven't ridden a bike in years.

2.    Favorite picnic food?  Sandwich, watermelon, pasta/potato salad, chips, and freshly squeezed lemonade.

3.   Pool or Lake?   If I am in the water, pool, but I probably prefer to be lakeside under a shade tree watching my family or reading a book.

4.    Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream?  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, but I am a cheesecake frozen yogurt person.

5.    Ice Cream Cone or in a Dish?  Sugar cone!!!

6.    Flip-Flops or Slides? Umm...flip-flops because I don't even know what slides are :) - am I aging myself??

7.    Jean Short or Jean Capris?  Jean Capris

8.    Favorite Summer Fruit?  Peacotums - a newer fruit {cross between peach, apricot, & plum} soooo good!

9.    Corn on the Cob or Cut off the Cob?  On the cob, with butter, salt and pepper!

10.  Favorite Summertime Song?  I don't have one that speaks "summer" really.

11.  Favorite Summertime Activity?  Traveling / Camping

12.  Favorite Berry?  Ollalieberry - a tart blackberry crossed with raspberry (I think).

13.  Bikini's, Tankini's or One Piece?  One piece, and usually covered because I burn so easily.

14.  Dresses or Skirts?  Skirts and always below the knee...cotton maxi skirt with t-shirt.

15.  One Word to Describe Summer?  HOT!

Hello June

Hello June!  You begin with sunshine and rest for the weary.  A very short summer break and new school beginnings.  New rhythm.  New routines.  New adventures.

June plans:

-:- complete school reports & plans for 2018-19
-:- gather family for Father's Day
-:- attend ultrasound to learn grand "son" or grand "daughter"
-:- spend less
-:- celebrate 27th Anniversary
-:- try a new recipe
-:- create beauty in picket fence area