Liebster Award Nomination

I received a nomination for the Liebster Award =D. This is the first nomination that my blog has received. The amazing person who nominated is Lyndsey, at The keeper of the goldfish (here is her link
https://keeperofthegoldfish.wordpress.com/)

You should differently check her out she writes about her amazing little man who is under going a bone marrow transplant. She is an inspirational mother with an inspirational son. She shares her experiences in motherhood within her blog and she keeps it real! Its moving, relatable, and has humor in it also. Thank you so much for nominating me Lyndsey! Being nominated is a great honor and means a lot to me. It has also encouraged me to find some really good diamond in the ruff blogs as well!

Nominees if they choose to accept, pay it forward, and support their fellow bloggers. There is 6 rules that need to be completed once they are nominated.

1. Acknowledge the blog who nominated them and display the award
2. Answer the 11 questions that the nominating blogger gives you
3. Give 11 random facts about yourself
4. Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you think are deserving of the award
5. Let the 11 bloggers know you have nominated them via social media
6. Give them 11 questions of the their own to answer

Here are the 11 questions Lyndsey at Keeper Of the Goldfish asked:

·      How long have you been blogging?

Honestly not very long at all, I started my blog on 1/15/15

·      Why did you start blogging?

I have always really wanted to, but didn’t think anyone would view it, but my significant other told me I should start one. So I did and I really enjoy it!

·      What is your favorite blog post you have written?

Probably the one on Crockpots

·      What is your favorite hobby?

Cooking/ Baking

·      What is your number 1 personal goal this year?

To improve the lives of my son and significant other

·      What is one word of advice you would give your younger self?

Choose wisely (I know its two words lol)

·      What is your beverage of choice?

Ruby Red Squirt

·      What is your favorite store? And why?

Walmart! It has a little bit of everything reasonably priced too.

·      What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Being able to share things with people.

·      What is your favorite activity?

Well besides spending time with my son, probably spending time in the kitchen either cooking or baking.

·      What is 1 of your favorite blogs?

Lyndsey’s blog https://keeperofthegoldfish.wordpress.com/

 

Here are 11 random facts about me:

1. I have a soon be 2 year old son.
2. My favorite season is summer.
3.  I love videogames, but rarely play them anymore.
4. I am going to college and my major is psychology.
5. I work at a fast food place.
6. I love Pinterest and have a lot of hobbies, like crocheting, sewing, arts and crafts, reading, cooking/ baking, ect.
7. I am shy meeting new people, but I am super out going after like the first 10 minutes.
8. I have insomnia. 
9. My family is the most important thing to me.
10. I love learning new and interesting things.
11. I am unsure of myself.

My nominated blogs:

1. http://virtualsights.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/learn-some-great-big-little-things-with.html
2. http://stardollfashionuniverse1.blogspot.com/2014/08/welcome.html
3. http://techieboomers.blogspot.com/2015/01/oh-no-osteoporosis.html
4. http://mariosad.blogspot.ie/2015/01/school-morning-routine.html
5. http://ricanne.blogspot.com/2015/01/monochromatic-polkadots-for-prosperous.html
6. http://voyage-avis.blogspot.com/2015/01/londyn-2015-miejsca-must-see-cz-1.html
7. http://adayinthelifeofabloggerme.blogspot.com/http://blog-of-kevin-bloo.blogspot.com/
8. http://beautyblogger-n.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-glossybox-and-free-box.html
9. http://twofashiondorks.blogspot.com/2015/01/this-month-lizzie.html
10. http://danidoescosmetics.blogspot.com/
11. http://www.thescribblecorner.com/ 

My questions for you are:

1. What made you interested in blogging
2. How long have you been blogging?
3. What is your favorite part about blogging?
4. What is your favorite post the you have done so far?
5. What is your number one goal for this year?
6. What is your favorite hobby?
7. What is your favorite food?
8. Where would you like to travel?
9. What are some of your interests?
10. What is your favorite store?
11. What is most important in your life?

Again I would like to thank Lyndsey for nominating me for this award, make sure you check her out at: https://keeperofthegoldfish.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

Non Alcoholic Drinks

Here are some nice and refreshing drink options for your non-alcoholic Super Bowl Party guests.

 

Limeade:

Ingredients

 1 cup(s) sugar

 1 1/2 cup(s) fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish (14 to 16 limes total)

Directions

1. Heat sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until sugar has dissolved, 5 to 6 minutes.

2. Stir together lime juice and 5 cups water in a large pitcher; stir in sugar syrup. Refrigerate until cold (or up 2 days in an airtight container). Garnish each serving with a lime wedge

http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/limeade-mslo0510-recipe

Cherry Cream Floats:

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

 24 ounces frozen pitted cherries

 1 cup sugar

Juice of 2 limes

 2 cups seltzer

 1/2 pint heavy cream

 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

 1 quart vanilla or cherry-vanilla ice cream

Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions

1.  In a blender, puree the cherries, sugar and lime juice; strain into a pitcher and add the seltzer. Using an electric mixer, whip together the cream and confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. 

2.  Scoop the ice cream into small glasses. Pour the homemade cherry soda over to fill, and top with a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/drink-cocktail-recipes/cherry-cream-floats

Since I do not know what type of audience  your non alcoholic drinks are for this was a really hard post but I did find a link that I recommend taking a look at that has so many non alcoholic drinks I am sure you will find something great!
700+ Non Alcoholic drink recipes
I am sorry I didn't post more drink recipes but I hope you can find something good! As always leave comments! Share what you think is good and are going to serve, pictures, ideas anything!
Have a great day!

Super Bowl Party Drinks!

I said yesterday I would put up some recipes of some drinks fitting for the Super Bowl, I hope these come in handy for you!

Tailgating Beer-Tini

Servings: 6

 Ingredients:

·      1 (355 ml) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate  

·      1 (355 ml) can vodka (plain or I've used ruby red absolut)  

·      4 (355 ml) cans beer (better to use a lighter beer like a lager or pilsner)  

Directions:

1.  Let the can of pink lemonade melt down in the fridge (otherwise the beer foams up too much from too much stirring!).

2.   Put all the ingredients in a pitcher, stir (but not too much or it foams!), and serve over ice!

http://www.food.com/recipe/tailgating-beer-tini-318378

 Quick-Kick

Servings 1

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Canadian club whiskey  

4 ounces cola  

1 slice lemon

Directions:

Pour ingredients into a tall glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

http://www.food.com/recipe/quick-kick-289875

The Bloody Halfback

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces vodka  

3 ounces tomato juice  

1 dash lemon juice  

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce  

2-3 drops Tabasco sauce  

1 lime wedge

Directions

Combine ingredients in a tall glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
 

 http://www.food.com/recipe/the-bloody-halfback-284536

Cherry Cola

Serving-1

Ingredients-

1 1/2 ounces cherry vodka  

4 -6 ounces cola  

However many cherries you would like

Directions-

Mix in a highball glass. Fill with ice and add cherries

http://www.food.com/recipe/cherry-cola-298930

 

Sobieski Super Punch Bowl

 8 oz.  Sobieski Vodka

 4 oz.  Cointreau

 5 oz. Orange Juice

 5 oz. Cranberry Juice

 3 oz. Pineapple Juice

 Top with Champagne to taste

 

Herradura Football

2 oz.  Tequila Herradura Silver

 2 tsp. of Sugar

 1 Lemon cut in quarters

Crushed Ice

In an "old fashion" style glass, put two teaspoons of sugar and the lemon - Muddle these ingredients. Add Tequila Herradura and stir to mix.

 

Tullamore Touchdown

 1 oz.  Tullamore Dew

 1/2 oz.  Carolans Irish Cream

 1/2 oz.  Skyy Vodka

Serve in a shot glass!

 

360 Time Out at Half Time 

2 oz.  360 Vodka

 1-1/2 oz. of Pineapple Juice

 1 oz. of Orange Juice

 Splash of Grenadine

Serve over ice in a tall glass.

http://www.bartender.com/NFL/SuperBowl.html

So I did not anticipate this to be so long, but there is still time before the Super Bowl. I will get some non alcoholic drinks posted tomorrow. As always comment, and share things if you would like! Have a great night!

One big event!

On Sunday, February 1st 2015,the Patriots and the Seahawks wage an all out war! In what is the biggest sporting event in America. We all know what it is, its the Super Bowl! Guaranteed to be a great time, plenty of food, drinks, and company. All cheering on their favorite team, in a pursuit for victory. What a better way to prepare for this exciting event other than to ensure a good line up of good eats?

Here are a couple of awesome Super Bowl themed recipes!

A Super Bowl party just is not complete without buffalo wings!

Ingredients

• 12 whole chicken wings (about 3 pounds)
• 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup hot sauce
• Kosher salt

Directions

Place a 6-quart saucepan, with a steamer basket and 1 inch of water in the bottom, over high heat, cover and bring to a boil.
Remove the tips of the wings and discard or save for making stock. Use kitchen shears or a knife to separate the wings at the joint. Place the wings in the steamer basket, cover, reduce the heat to medium and steam 10 minutes. Remove the wings from the basket and carefully pat dry. Lay out the wings on a cooling rack set in a half sheet pan lined with paper towels and place in the refrigerator to dry, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Remove the paper towels on the pan and replace with parchment paper. Roast on the middle rack of the oven, about 20 minutes. Turn the wings over and cook 20 to 30 more minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.
While the chicken is roasting, melt the butter in a small bowl with the garlic. Pour this along with the hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl large enough to hold all of the chicken and stir to combine. Remove the wings from the oven, transfer to the bowl and toss with the sauce. Serve warm.
Photograph by Con Poulos

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown for Food Network Magazine

Total Time:

2 hr 15 min

Prep:

25 min                                    Yield:6 servings

Inactive:

1 hr

Cook:

50 min

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/alton-browns-buffalo-wings-recipe.html

---

 Loaded Baked Potato Bites: 

 

Ingredients

• 3 Russet Potatoes
• ¼ Cup of Butter
• ¼ Cup of Green Onions Diced
• 1 Cup of Cheddar Cheese
• Bacon Bits

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Slice the potatoes - I made them a little under ½ inch wide - place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
3. Melt the butter and brush onto the potatoes - I made sure to cover the potato fully
4. Bake the potatoes for about 20 minutes --- this will make them crispy
5. Take the potatoes out of then oven and brush the rest of the butter onto the potatoes ( one side)
6. sprinkle with cheese and bacon bites
7. Bake for 10 more minutes
8. Garnish with the green onions
9. Serve and Enjoy

http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2014/09/loaded-baked-potato-bites-recipe/

 

 

Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients

8 Jalapeno, halved and seeded

3 tbsp cream cheese, softed

3 tbs cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 C milk

1 C crushed panko

1/3 C flour

oil for deep frying

Directions

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with the cheddar cheese. Spoon the mixture into the jalapeno halves. Dip the stuffed jalapeno first into milk and then into the flour. Wait for several minutes for the flour dry out slightly. Then, dip it into the milk again and now into the crushed panko. You can repeat the milk & panko step twice to get a nice thicker panko crust. Wait for the coat to dry out slightly between the steps. In a medium pan, heat the oil to 365F and deep fry the jalapeno for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. 

 

http://whiskthepantry.blogspot.com/2011/01/jalapeno-poppers-test-1.html

 

Seven-Layer Dip:

 

 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning

1 1/4 cups fresh guacamole

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

3/4 cup fresh, chunky salsa

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 small can sliced olives, drained

2 green onions, sliced

 

Tortilla chips, for dipping

 

 

Directions: In a small bowl, mix together the refried beans and taco seasoning until combined. Spread mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch glass deep dish pie plate or a 8×8 glass baking dish.

 

Spread the guacamole evenly over the top of the beans. Then spread the sour cream evenly over the guacamole.

 

Use a slotted spoon to drain any excess liquid from the salsa, and then spoon salsa over the top of the sour cream. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the salsa. Sprinkle the olives and green onions over the cheese. Cover with saran wrap and place in fridge for at least 2 hours to chill, before serving.

 

 

http://life-in-the-lofthouse.com/seven-layer-dip/

 

These are only a few of the Super Bowl pleasers! For more recipes you should check out:    101 Best Super Bowl Recipes

Also pizza is always a people pleaser if you think pizza is just what your party needs take a look at these: Top 10 Homemade Pizza Recipes

Tomorrow I promise Ill post some great Super Bowl drinks! (Alcoholic and non)
As always please feel free to comment, share, post pictures of your recipes, ideas, requests, anything food related! I would love to hear from all of you, have a great day!

 

Creative cooking - Breakfast

Breakfast, always yummy and perfect for any time. Whether its day or night, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Which speaking of having breakfast for dinner, that's exactly what I did tonight. This is my take on a simple, quick, and really easy breakfast bake. For those days that you just want breakfast for dinner. 

Not only is it really easy and simple to make but it can easily feed a family of four, and you may even have left overs too! 

Ingredients:
-Frozen tator tots
-One pound of your favorite brand of uncooked sausage ( I use the Jimmy Dean Hot style)
-12 eggs (one dozen)
-8oz bag of three cheese shredded cheese (but any type of cheese that you would like would work also)
-1/3 a cup of milk
-Like 1/8 of butter maybe less

Directions:
1. turn on oven to about 420-430ish (or to whatever the tator tot bag says what temperature to cook on). Get the tots in the oven, you don't have to wait til it is preheated (cooking the tator tots is the longest part of the meal). I only use half the bag of tator tots, but depending on the size of your pan and how much you plan on cooking it maybe different (the pan I used was a 8x13)
2. Crack all 12 eggs in a bowl 3. After getting the eggs crack get the sausage in the pan to cook (cook the sausage however you prefer but make sure it is FULLY cooked when added to the other ingredients).
4. Whisk the eggs(to make scrabbled eggs) add the 1/3 cup of milk and 2/8s of the butter into the bowl also (adding those ingredients is how I get really fluffy eggs like to the point of having to brake some of them up and the butter makes it to where they wont stick to the pan. Scramble your eggs.
5. By this time all three components should be cooking, cook your tots til they are crispy. (make sure to watch your eggs and season to taste) once everything is fully cooked take the tots out of the oven layer the sausage and the eggs and then spread the whole bag of cheese on top (I layer it tots, sausage, eggs, cheese but you can layer it anyway you would like).
6. Put it back in the oven and let the cheese melt (2-5 minutes just watch it and let it melt to your liking).

This is the easy version of my breakfast bake (which it is delicious) and the base of other versions that I make.
If you would like to spice it up a little you can always dice up and fry some peppers and/or onions. Maybe add some ham and bacon to it also (or just one or the other). maybe make some homemade potato's instead of tator tots. There is so much you can do with this to custom make it to your liking. I hope you enjoy!

As always I would love to hear your ideas and comments, your recipes ect. Have a great day!

Some Crockpot recipes and links

Ok so I said yesterday I would put up some crockpot recipes so here are some recipes that I want to try.

I love Asian food, and Asian inspired dishes, so when I found out you can do these types of dishes in the crockpot. I was so excited!


I mean doesn't this look yummy who wouldn't want to make this?
Here's where you can find it
:http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/take-out-fake-out-beef-broccoli-crockpot/



This next recipe is loaded baked potato soup, now I know it just soup but just look at it! The gorgeous coloring and how each ingredient complements each other. It just screams eat me!
                          (and it's super easy too!)

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 cups milk, or more, as needed
• 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Instructions
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
• Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in potatoes and green onions.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir in cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper, to taste. If the soup is too thick, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached.
• Serve immediately, garnished with green onion, cheese and bacon, if desired. http://damndelicious.net/2013/10/14/loaded-baked-potato-soup/

 

 And for all you Mexican lovers out there here's something for you

 This just looks mouth watering, deliciously good!

http://myrecipemagic.com/recipe/recipedetail/slow-cooker-chicken-enchiladas

 

BUT!!! Cooking dinner isn't the only thing you can do with a crockpot. You can also make different types of drinks, breads, dressings, yogurts, and desserts with it as well!

 

Drinks like these 10 Slow Cooker Drink Recipes              

                   

                                                                                       
                                                                      Or... this~ Apple-pie Moonshine 

~ 101+ crockpot desserts

Seriously guys there is so many cool things that you can do with this amazing cooking device.

Here's a list of some other that has some more crockpot recipes on it... and even still I can't even begin to cover them all!

                   1. Fiesta Chicken bowl

                   2.Lasagna Soup

                   3.20 Paleo Crock pot recipes

                   4.31 days of slow cooker recipes

                   5.A year of Slow cooking 365 recipes

                   6.29 Awesome super bowl snacks

                   7.21 surprising things you can make with your crockpot

                   8.10 family friendly slow cooker recipes

                   9.50 delicious slow cooker recipes

                             and a how to on bread

                  10.how to make bread in a crock pot

As always please feel free to share! ^-^ leave comments, ideas, thoughts, question, recipes, things you cook ect. I would love to hear from you all. Have a great day!

 

                

The wonderful invention of crock pots

So crock pots have got to be one of the easiest and versatile forms of cooking. Giving results of very yummy dishes with very little effort in time and preparation.
Got a busy day ahead of you? No problem just take some of this, a touch of that, a pinch of something else , turn it on low and voila six to eight hours later  dinner is served.

  

 

Another thing that makes crock pots so cool is that they come in so many different shapes and sizes. You can even find them in different colors and designs. The different sizes are perfect for catering to large families or small families which makes it very covenant for cooking.

There is so many different meals that can be made with these things its unreal! Not only that but if you enjoy feeding your freezer and making freezer meals these babies work like a charm.

Like always please feel free to leave opinions, ideas and recipes, have a great day!

 

 ( I will have some crock pot recipes and freezer meal tips up by tomorrow)