Trust, Food

I am reading The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. So often when I pray it is a burden because I am praying in the aura of evil forebodings and not in trust that EVERYTHING works together for good to those who love God.

I am consistently burdened for those in my life who are going through rough times, and I feel like if I am not there whenever they need me, that they won't be able to make it. I have the feeling of being the savior and I know that I am definitely in no way the one to deliver. Only the True Savior, Jesus, can do that. 

In both these areas, I need to be aware of His strength, the power of prayer (which I can go to any time, any where), and His all encompassing love for all creatures.

RECIPES FROM THIS WEEK:

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips

Cut chicken breasts into 3rds, coat with chili powder and garlic salt, wrap each strip in 1/2 to 1 strip of  bacon, lay chicken strips in casserole dish and cover with a light layer of brown sugar, bake at 350 - 400 until done, save drippings to make a soup

Taco Salad

1) Brown Ground Beef, half way through add a liberal amount of garlic salt/powder, chili powder, onion powder, cilantro flakes and some cumin (I like cumin but not too much), when done drain fat 2) slice onions and garlic and roast in olive oil in oven 3) cut up romaine hearts and tomatoes 4) serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and salsa

Cowboy Coffee Cake ~ I love the name, it fits so well. This biscuit-like bread goes great with camp fire coffee on early morning cattle runs. My family devoured it!

MIX WELL:  2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, 1/2 t. salt, 2 t. baking powder, 1/2 t. baking soda, 1 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg; ADD and MIX: 2/3 cup melted butter, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 eggs; POUR into 2 greased round cake pans and bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes. I plan to try this recipe with variations, like covering with Nutella and adding fruit to the mix

Home Life & Biscuits and Gravy

Home life has really been exciting me lately. Having my home smelling good for everyone who enters, whether it be a lemon candle, simmering cinnamon and nutmeg in water, or dinner cooking. I also try, no matter how discombobulated the home may be, to have sitting areas available and comfortable. I am not able to constantly have my home in pristine order. In fact, it is never in pristine order, but it is safe and snuggly ~ a haven. 

As I have been cooking out of my pantry the past couple of weeks, here is another have on hand dinner:

Biscuits, using Bisquick and water, Gravy - made with bacon grease about a 1/4 an inch in a skillet heated then mixed with flour enough to make it pasty, then add milk and heat until right consistency..it took enough milk to fill a big skillet completely full. Serve with Fried eggs. We had sausage on hand as well, but that is not a necessity.

Home, Homemaking and Quick Recipes from the Pantry

the Coziness of Colonial Homes

I am finally being able to settle back down and do some blogging. So, so much has been going on in our little corner of the world. We are remodeling our bathroom, some of our kitchen, and adding a walk way out front. This is so exciting for me, because it is in my own, married home - something I waited for 35 years for!!!  Our bathroom: multiple colors of gray in the tile accompanied by terracotta/blush paint on the walls and a white square sink. Our kitchen:  a new stainless steel sink with gray tile around it and a beautiful gray tiled backsplash. Pictures coming soon.

Another reason for the lack of blog posts, is that juggling four blogs has been too much and has taken away from my career. I am finally settled in the knowledge that  being a housewife is both a career and what my husband loves for me to do. I read a little snippet about how the home should be managed as a business and this gave me the dignity I needed to both be proud and take seriously the gentle art of homemaking and lovemaking. I will continue with Mrs. Wysiwyg, so stay tuned to this blog for updates on the Chandler's life.

I made two dinners this week that I wanted to share with you. We are trying to use up lots of our pantry food before we grocery shop again. These are things that I can always keep on hand and are great for impromptu dinner guests.  


1) Cream of Chicken Soup, add half cream/half water to make this rich and yummy with lots of garlic powder and some steak seasoning 2) Cheese Toast, 1/2 stick of butter on a cookie sheet in oven, lay 12 pieces of bread on the melted butter, broil til toasted, turn over, broil for a few seconds then sprinkle with grated cheese and melt under broiler.  3) Salad, I simply cut up romaine hearts and offer various dressings

1) Frito Pie, heat Wolf Brand Chili and serve over Fritos and top with grated cheese 2) Salad, I simply cut up romaine hearts and offer various dressings

Kale, Leek, Potato Soup in Crockpot

MY WAY: I sauteed 3 chopped leeks in some oil on my griddle, while they were sauteing, I opened 4 regular-sized cans of cream of potato soup, and 2 quarts of chicken broth and poured these in my big crockpot, I then added the leeks and a big bag of kale which I smushed down in the soup/broth and then covered with a little more water...I liberally sprinkled garlic powder and turned my crockpot on high...every so often I went back and stirred to try and get the kale to cook all over...

Rotisserie Chicken and Ground Round Recipes

Inspired by hubby's lunch at Jason's Deli, we had Chicken Baked Potatoes: MY WAY: bake washed and pricked potatoes in microwave, open and dollop with butter and sour cream, add grated cheese, top with chicken (we used deboned Rotisserie chickens from Walmart), roasted onions (I slice onions and bake in olive oil in oven) and salsa...this was amazing...I ate so much!!!

Hamburger Patty with Onions, Cheese and Guacamole: MY WAY: Bake ground chuck patties in oven that have been seasoned on top with Garlic Powder, Garlic Salt, Steak Seasoning and Cayenne Pepper; when all the way cooked, melt cheese squares on them (any flavor); top with Raw Onion Ring Slices and Wholly Guacamole...can add bun but not necessary...

The other night my husband fixed me an amazing dinner...a Deep Green Chicken Salad...Our Way:
1) Chopped Collard Greens
2) Chopped Mustard Greens
3) Diced Chicken (we used deboned Rotisserie chickens from Walmart)
4) Cheese
5) Ranch Dressing


I ate Brazil Nuts with it and it was a nice, complete meal


Oh my, I have never had those kind of greens before and not only did they taste delicious, they were so rich nutrient-wise that I could taste the healthiness...thank you baby for a new dinner inspiration and for taking such good care of wifey...;)

The Coming Week's Dinner Inspirations

French Onion Soup

Hot Chicken Salad

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Cream of Tomato Soup and Cheese Toast

Fast Dinner & Healthy Beverage Inspirations

In pondering the priorities I have placed on myself, I am realizing that as I will continue to be creative in my cooking as much as I can, there are times when I will have to throw together some pre-made food just to be able to keep up...as of now my go to choices are:

rotisserie chicken
pizza rolls
popcorn chicken
egg rolls
taquitos
pot pie 
cream of chicken soup (canned)
cream of tomato soup (canned)

served with a veggie and/or fruit juice, these will suffice occasionally and it is a relief to me to know that I can turn to these...but only sometimes...at other times, I will create yummies from scratch...


Vouching for Fruit Juice:

My husband and I love veggies...the kids not so much, so we have stocked the frig with fruit and fruit/veggie juice to help keep our kiddos healthy...and for the whole family, I am going to start whipping up banana/fruit juice/milk smoothies for treats...

Dinner Inspiration: Chicken Salad; Dessert Inspiration: Tapioca Pudding

Chicken Salad
My Way: chop 2 onions, 3 stalks celery, 2 apples and 4 pickles (or use relish), open 6 13 oz. cans of chicken and drain, mix ingredients together with lots of garlic, salt, a bit of cayenne pepper and mayonnaise to taste...serve with crackers (I used Club minis)

Tapioca Pudding

Dinner Inspiration: Chili, Garlic/Cheese Biscuits, Creamy Ham & Potato Soup

The Best Chili I have Ever Made...inspired from here 
My Way: Brown 5 pounds ground chuck and 2 pounds ground sausage...drain grease and add 3 or 4 chopped onions, 28 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes, 18 ounces of tomato paste, at least 12 cups water, 3/4 cup beef bouillon, a good amount of Worcestershire sauce, lots of chili powder, garlic salt, garlic powder, fajita seasoning, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne and 1 cup of light beer, cook til onions are tender, then simmer to taste...can top with avocado, sour cream, cheese

Garlic/Cheese Biscuits
My Way: Preheat oven to 400 degrees...mix 10 cups Bisquick, 4 cups milk, 4 cups cheese, garlic salt and garlic powder to taste, mix with spoon or hands then mold into balls, put on ungreased pan and flatten...bake at 400 degrees til tops are slightly browned

Creamy Ham & Potato Soup inspiration here

My Way: Chop 2 onions, 5 stalks celery, 5 carrots, 9 medium potatoes and lots of ham...put all in large, deep pot, cover with water and mix in 2/3 cup chicken bouillon, garlic salt, garlic powder, dried minced onion and fajita seasoning...boil until veggies are soft then simmer, in another pan melt 1 stick butter, add and mix in 3/4 cup flour, then add 6 cups milk and stir very often on medium high until thick...add milk mixture to veggie mixture, simmer a few more minutes...can serve with cheese and chives 

Dinner Inspiration: Things on Toast

I have been blog hopping tonight and finding such cozy, simple recipe ideas...Drea from Oh Dear Drea calls one of her tabs, Things On Toast...what can be more simple, nutritious and yummy than toast with healthy toppings? Remember the Bruschetta that Julie makes on the movie Julie and Julia? I think I'll try that for dinner tomorrow..and it must be homemade bread and I found a crusty, no-knead bread on the Stuff and Nonsense blog to try...

Crusty, No-knead Italian bread from Cooking with K...

avocado, green onion, olive oil, salt.

Avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil, sea salt. 

tomatoes, basil, mozzarella

Dinner Inspiration: Crock Pot Chicken and Potatoes & Mozzarella Beef Burgers

Crock Pot Chicken and Potatoes

Mozzarella Beef Burgers

Yummy Eats Inspiration: Beef Taco Bake

beef taco bake...I found this recipe on Campbell's website and am gonna try it for dinner tomorrow...sounds simple and yummy...
MY WAY: brown 5 pounds of ground beef and frozen seasoning mix of onions and peppers, drain off fat and add garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and a little cumin; mix in approximately 24 flour tortillas cut into bite sized pieces; 2 family sized cans of tomato soup; 24 ounces of sour cream; salsa to taste; a good amount of cheese; mix together and put in 2 casserole dishes; top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees till warmed through and bubbling

Inspired Dinner Plans for This Week

Chicken and Dumplings at Hubby's request

My Way: I boiled 6 pounds of chicken breast in 12 cups broth and one cup water with Garlic Salt and Thyme...I chopped 5 carrots, 5 stalks of celery, 3 yellow onions and sauteed them in oil in a skillet...while these were cooking I made the dumplings with 3 cups flour, 1 cup cornmeal, 2 heaping tablespoons baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt - mixing all these dry ingredients together, then added in 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and 1 1/2 cups whole milk...after the chicken cooked, I removed it from the broth, let it cool some, chopped it and then put it back in the broth with the veggies and 1 cup heavy cream...last, I dropped by tablespoons the dumpling mixture into the broth mixture, let it simmer covered on low for 10-15 minutes checking often to make sure it didn't scorch...then I carefully stirred it all together...now mine didn't have distinct dumplings...they were all kind of mixed in with the broth, chicken and veggies...but my husband and in laws raved and raved about it....so I was happy :)

Italian Sausage Burgers

Poppy Seed Chicken - a recipe I remember a friend making when I was a kid

My Way:  I boiled 6 pounds of chicken breasts until cooked through; while it was cooking, I mixed together 24 ounces of sour cream and a large/family size can of cream of chicken soup (and if I would have had my head on straight, I would have added garlic powder and fajita seasoning...I still can't believe I forgot to season...); then in a separate bowl, I mixed 3 sleeves of crushed Ritz (next time I will use 4) and 2 melted sticks of butter; after chicken cooked and cooled I chopped it up and mixed it into sour cream mixture; I sprinkled 1/2 Ritz mixture on bottom of 2 casserole dishes, scooped chicken/sour cream mixture on top then topped with the rest of Ritz mixture and baked at 325 degrees for 20 minutes...Big Hit with the in-laws, even though I forgot the seasoning...

Brats and Fries - a nice simple weekend quickie

Butter & Whipped Cream = DECADENT !!!

My husband introduced me to the most crazy-delicious combo a few months ago...bites of steak (seasoned with garlic salt) with dabs of butter on eat bite...I'm thinking pork chops and pork loin would taste amazing this way too...

Basics for Cooking a Great Steak:

http://startcooking.com/blog/276/3-Ways-to-Cook-a-Great-Steak

My friend Natalie bared whipped cream a few years ago when serving scones with lemon curd. Instead of the way I had always done whipped cream with a little sugar and vanilla...she simply whipped it, adding nothing (she even miraculously whipped it by hand!). And the taste trio with the buttery scones, the sweet lemon curd and the deep, naked, dairy-rich whipped cream turned me into a fanatic! This basic, pristine, glorious froth calls me to use it in every dessert possible...I even think it will be the icing choice I go to for cakes...

I guess from these 2 favorites of my husband's and mine, I see that clean, unembellished and natural is best!!!

Dinner Inspiration: Skillet Rosemary Chicken

i

Skillet Rosemary Chicken

So I made this tonight...my way was: roasting chunks of russet potatoes with olive oil and garlic salt in the oven, Julia Child's mushrooms fried in 2 parts butter to 1 part olive oil on the stove and chicken covered in mixture of lemon juice, garlic salt, rosemary and olive oil then browned in a skillet and finishing baking in the oven. It was delicious...I can't offer enough praise to those butter infused mushroom buttons!!!