Christmas Aprons!

I love the Holidays.

Time for family and friends.

AND

Baking!!!!!

Everyone needs a Magic Apron for the Holidays.

Here are some of my newest Christmas Aprons!

Love Candy Canes, don't you?

Beautiful Black and Gold with Ornaments!!!!

Designer Fabric!

Who doesn't love Snowflakes?

Christmas Presents!

Check out my ETSY store for more aprons!!

White Chicken Chili!!!!

Had such a busy weekend trying to get apron orders out.  Delivered them all today and it feels so good to be able to say all orders have been filled and I can get ready for a wonderful holiday with family and friends.  I made this White Chicken Chili over the weekend and it was so easy and Oh so GOOD...

This would be great with some leftover Turkey!!!!!

White Chicken Chili

1/2 large sweet onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
14 oz chicken broth
2 (4.5-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
3 (16-oz.) cans cannellini beans  (I used Great Northern Beans)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon cumin (I only used 1 Teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chili powder


Optional Toppings
Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves

Directions
Sauté onion and garlic in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in chicken, beans, chiles, and seasoning (do not rinse the beans or the chiles).  Bring to a boil, stirring often; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Serve with optional toppings.

And

For Dessert!!!!!

Apron Swap!!!!

I am so excited to have been included in my first swap ever. I joined the apron swap over at Katherinescorner.com she has a wonderful blog that I love visiting.  She hosts great parities and loves to share her ideas, photography, recipes,  books and so many other things.  We have never met in person but are great blogger friends.  We are both over 50 bloggers. If you do not follow Katherinescorner.com you are surely missing out.  Head on over and take a look for yourself.

Katherine was my apron swap partner and she mailed me the cutest apron.  It has Cupcakes all over it.  You would think she knew that my grandsons love cupcakes and I make them all the time for them so this is a perfect apron.

In return I mailed her an apron with teacups and teapots with flowers.  We share a love of tea so I found the apron fitting.

Thank you Katherine for this great Apron Swap 
and 
for everything you share with your friends. 

Newest Apron!

This is a picture of one of my newest aprons. 

 I am a Florida Gator who lives in Alabama and get lots of requests for these. 

 So here it is!!!!

Coconut Cream Pie

It has been almost 3 weeks since I have posted.

  I have been so pre-occupied and could not even think about blogging.  For the last week I have missed it so much.  Long story short, Hubby lost his job after many, many years.  I guess Loyalty is not important anymore.  Then Hubby's mom got sick and he had to take an emergency trip.  She is doing better now, I cooked up lots of dishes and he took them and put them in the freezer for her.  

He came home yesterday and I am so glad, missed him so very much.  For a surprise I made him a Coconut Cream Pie!!!!!  

Not only is it beautiful but it is so good.

1 flaky pie crust

2 cups whole milk

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

4 large eggs, divided

1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch of cream of tarter

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake pie crust for 20 - 30 minutes, until browned.  You need to pre-bake your pie crust when making a cream pie.

Mix 1/2 cup sugar, flour, salt in a medium sauce pan.  Gradually add milk and cook over medium heat until thickened.  

Separate eggs.  Mix 1/2 cup milk mixture to the egg yolks, whisk until mixed and whisk into milk mixture and cook for approximately 2 more minutes.  Take off heat and add vanilla and coconut.  Cool for approximately 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whip egg whites with pinch of cream of tarter, when soft peaks form add 1/4 cup sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. (I add 1 teaspoon vanilla to my meringue)

Pour Cream filling into baked pie crust.  Spoon meringue on top of cream filling and make pretty.  I sprinkled additional coconut.  I baked at 350 for about 7 - 9 minutes to toast coconut and brown the tips of the meringue.

This pie is super easy to make and taste so good.

Peachy Keen Bars

Made this today for hubby.  They were so easy and soooooo good.

PEACHY KEEN BARS

1 package dry cake mix - white, yellow or french vanilla

1/3 cup butter, room temp.

2 large eggs

3-15 ounce light peach slices, drained

8 ounces cream cheese, room temp.

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 9X13" pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine cake mix, butter and 1 egg, mix with fork just until crumbly.  Set aside 1 1/2 cups for topping.

Press the remaining crumbs on bottom of prepared pan; Bake 10 minutes.

Cut peach slices into 1" pieces, Spoon onto partially baked crust.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  Beat with mixer  until creamy.  Spread over top of peaches.

Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.  Bake 30 minutes.

Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.  Store leftovers with refrigerator.  

I found this recipe on "Just a Pinch Recipes"

from Paula Todora

Apple Chicken

I made this for my hubby, and he loved it.  the combination of flavors were amazing.

Apple Chicken

4 Chicken breasts

Bacon

Granny Smith Apples

Barb-q sauce

Wrap bacon around chicken.  Place in crock pot.  Put a couple tablespoons on top of each chicken breast.  I chopped 1/2 apple per chicken breast and place on top of chicken breast.  Cook on low for 4 - 5 hours.

This is amazing and your house will smell so good.

Has it really been this long?

I cannot believe it has been so long since I posted.  So many things have happened..... 

The stomach bug came for a visit and lasted over a week, 
then my hubby got it.  

Well I am still playing catch up.    

  Will be back very soon with some holiday recipes...

Snicker Doodle Muffins

I made these muffins for my grandchildren, Parrish and Preston.  They loved them....

Snicker Doodle Muffins

2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cup sour cream
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon mixed together for rolling

Cream the butter and sugar until soft about 3 - 5 minutes.  Add in the vanilla.  Add in the eggs one at a time and mix until each in mixed.

In a separate bowl mix together the flour, soda, powder cream of tarter and nutmeg.

Add the flour mixture and the sour cream alternately to the egg mixture in the additions.  Start with the flour and end with the flour.  Scrap the bowl occasionally.

Using a large spoon, scoop out muffin batter one at a time and drop into a shallow bowl filled with the sugar cinnamon.  roll the muffin around in the mixture until is is covered in the cinnamon sugar.  Place muffin into prepared muffin tin.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 350.

Enjoy!!!!

The aroma is outstanding..

Cinnamon Sugar Almonds!

I made these Cinnamon Sugar Almonds for my hubby yesterday.  Our house smelled so Divine.  They tasted even better than they smelled.  Hubby cannot stay out of them, every time he walks through the kitchen he grabs some.  

They are so addicting.

These will be great Christmas Gifts to go along with my Homemade Vanilla Extract which will be ready on October 7.  I have been brewing it for almost 6 months... Can't wait to open it up and smell the sweet vanilla aroma...  I love the fall and all the smells and colors.  I do believe this is my favorite season!!!!

The recipe for the Cinnamon Sugar Almonds was found on Pinterest.  I have not gotten a bad recipe from there yet.

Cinnamon Sugar Almonds

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

3 tablespoons cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

1 egg white

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups almonds

1/4 cups water

In a medium sized bowl, mix together sugars, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside.  In another medium sized bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla until its a little frothy.  Add almonds to the egg white and vanilla mixture, make sure the almonds are thoroughly coated.  Add cinnamon mixture to the almonds and toss until coated.  Thoroughly spray the inside of your crock pot with Pam.  Add the mixture of almonds and sugars to the crock pot and turn to low.  Cook 3 - 4 hours stirring every 20 minutes.  In the last hour, add the 1/4 cup of water and stir well.  This ensures a crunch yummy coating.

Line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the almonds flat to cool.

Enjoy!!!!!  

These are the BEST!

Gator Dip

It's finally here! 

 SEC Football!!!!  

Go Gators!!!!

Football Saturday is very big in my house.  I was raised in Gainesville, Fl also known as Alligator Alley or Gator Nation.  The only way to get into my family is to bleed Orange and Blue!  My hubby bleeds Orange and Blue.  He was converted over 35 years ago.  

I have been making this dip for years.  Every Saturday when the Gators play and then there are some days my family just wants this dip for no reason.  When my oldest son comes home for a visit, his friends always have a get together and this is requested.  My dip is very well know around here.

If you decide to make this dip you will be hooked.

Gator Dip

1 lb. Angus ground beef

1 lb. Velveeta Cheese

1/2 jar of Salsa (more or you want)

Jalapenos 

Cook and crumble your ground beef and jalapenos, drain off fat.  Add the salsa and mix well.  Slice the Velveeta and put on top and lower the temp. as not to burn the cheese as it melts.  Stir often.  

We serve this with Tostito's, Frito's, or any chips.

This is also great with 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 sausage.  We sometimes put this on the top of a Baked Potato. 

Cowboy Casserole

I made this dish last Sunday for my wonderful hubby, who has been helping me so much with this extensive re-model.  Our home is such a mess and there is drywall dust everywhere, and I mean everywhere.  I have been cleaning out cabinets in the kitchen for the last 5 days.  Next I have 2 China Cabinets in the Dining room.

  So fast and easy, I made this in 5 minutes and it cooked for approximately 1 hour and then "DINNER" was ready.  

So good.  

I made the Chocolate Cobbler for dessert which was so good.

Cowboy Casserole

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
8 - 10 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (I leave on the skins)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons hot sauce (optional)

Topping:
2 cups sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese
1 cup crumbled bacon
1 cup diced green onion

Preheat oven to 450.

In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and hot sauce.  Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat.  Carefully place potatoes into a greased 9 X 13 inch pan, leaving as much of the olive oil mix as possible.  Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so.  While potatoes are cooking place the cubed chicken to the leftover olive oil mixture.  Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from the oven and lower the oven temp. to 400.  Place the coated chicken over the cooked potatoes.  Sprinkle the combined topping mixture over the chicken.  Return to the oven and cook for 15 - 25 minutes until done and bubbly.

Chocolate Cobbler!

Chocolate Cobbler

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

7 tablespoons cocoa powder, divided

1 1/4 cup sugar, divided

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup melted butter

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 cup hot coffee

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, 3 tablespoons of the cocoa powder and 3/4 cup of the white sugar.  Reserve remaining cocoa and sugar.

Stir the milk, melted butter and vanilla into the flour mixture.  Mix until smooth.  Pour the mixture into an un-greased 8 inch baking dish.  Batter is thick.

In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining white sugar (1/2 cup), the brown sugar and remaining 4 tablespoons of cocoa.  Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.

Pour the hot coffee over all.  Do not stir!!!!

Bake for 40 minutes or until the center is set.  Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

This is so good, especially if served hot with a 

scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.....

Lots of new recipes to follow this week. 

Am making up for not posting in almost 2 weeks!

Ice Cream Dessert!!!

Football season is upon us. 

 My oldest son, Coleman, who lives in Tampa, FL;  comes home every Labor Day weekend to watch the 1st Gator game with his Dad and brother, James.  Have you guessed by now we are Florida Gators?  I grew up in Gainesville, Fl.  In my family if you do not bleed Florida Orange and Blue you cannot marry into the family.  So my hubby learned to love Gator Football....  

With Coleman coming home for a long weekend he has put in his food order.  So I will start my week off with one of his favorites "Ice Cream Dessert".  I will surprise you all week with lots of football tailgating food.

Hubby came home from work today and found the Ice Cream Dessert and had to have a piece, but not to worry, this recipe makes a lot of it.  

Ice Cream Dessert

1/3 cup melted butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup coconut

1 cup nuts

4 cups Rice Chex, Corn Chex or Crispix (what ever you like)

Crush chex, combine above ingredients.  Put 1/2 mixture in a 9 X 13 inch pan.  Smooth 1/2 gallon ice cream.  Then put remaining mixture on top and freeze.  Drizzle with Chocolate Syrup.

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Apple Muffins

Since my boys, Coleman, 32 and James, 30, were little, I have made these muffins for the 1st day of school. Well, my grandson, Parrish, 5, starts kindergarten tomorrow.  I felt I needed to start him off the same way.  So I got up early this morning and made them for him.  Parrish and Preston, my 2 grandchildren, are coming over today for a Going off to Kindergarten Party.  His goodies are ready for pick-up.  

Our children grow up so fast..... Make sure you take that special time you have been given to love and nourish  them.  Our precious children are gifts and we need to take special care of them.

Here is a picture of the  Apple Muffins, recipe will be put up this evening after the party.  Enjoy your day with your family and friends.

Apple Muffins

1 1/4 cup self rising flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup quick cooking oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 eggs

2 cups peeled, chopped apples

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 tablespoon water

Prepare muffin pan.  I put liners in my pan but you can spray with Pam.

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, nuts, oats and spices.

In separate bowl, mix beaten eggs, apples, oil and water.

Pour egg mixture all at once into flour mixture; stir just until flour is moistened.

Spoon batter into muffin cups.

Bake 20 minutes at 400.  

Makes 1 dozen.

Enjoy!  and remember to always wear  "Mimi's Magic Apron"

Here is a picture of my youngest son James, his wife Jenny, Parrish with the missing tooth 

and Preston in his Mom's arms..

We had an "Off to Kindergarten Party" for Parrish today.

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Ready for Fall!

Fall is my favorite season!

I love the colors, falling leaves, and cool air.

Received one of my magazines today, "Southern Lady"

Saw this mailbox in the magazine and thought I would do this to my mailbox.

Really Pretty.

Herb Chicken!!!

This dinner is my all time favorite.  If I could I would eat this every day, and never get tired of it.

Then chicken is moist and so full of flavor..

The Cheese Potatoes are so creamy and Cheesy.  My mother has been making these potatoes since the 1950's.  I have been making them since I left home in the 70's.  These are the most asked for vegetable for every family occasion.  The recipe for these are under the recipe tab on my blog..

And last but not least, the green beans.  I love green beans cooked with ham and valdaila onions.  

My hubby walked in and knew what we were having for dinner 

and got so excited, he could not wait for the 

Chicken to come out of the oven.

Here is the most wonderful plate of food you will ever taste!

Now for the recipe for the:

Herb Chicken

1 Chicken (approx. 3.5 lbs.)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tsp. Rosemary, Thyme leaves and Oregano

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425.

Rinse chicken inside and out with cold water and pat dry.

In a small bowl mix olive oil, garlic, herbs and salt and pepper.

Detach the skin from the chicken by sliding a knife between the meat and skin trying not to puncture the skin.

Rub olive oil mixture between the skin and meat and

massage well to distribute.  If you look at the picture you can see the herbs under the skin.

Tie legs together, if you look at the picture you will see

orange thread where I tied the legs together.  The reason we tie

the legs is to keep the moisture inside the chicken.

Place chicken on a rack in a foil lined pan.  Bake in oven at 425 for 15 minutes.  Reduce temp to 350 and bake for 1 - 1 1/4 hours.  Test with meat thermometer, when it reads 160 remove.  

Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.

Please remember to wear your Magic Apron for best results.

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Almond Pound Cake with Strawberries!

I posted Pound Cake about 4 weeks ago.  Hubby requested this for dessert this evening.  Now he is smiling from ear to ear.

This is so good, and with the strawberries it was so refreshing!

I will be posting Herbed Chicken with Cheese Scalloped Potatoes and green beans tomorrow.  This is one of my favorite meals and the left overs are awesome!!!! 

Saving money at the Grocery Store!

I am going to share some of my grocery store savings ideas!!!

I shop every 2 weeks for my major items.  On week one I shop for all  major items, meat, frozen, staples; produce and bread are shopped for each week.  On week two I will go back to the store for that weeks produce, bread, or something on sale for something I will need in an upcoming meal. .

1.  Always and always make a menu for 2 weeks.  I am working on a spread sheet with meals my family loves so I can eventually shop sales also.  (I will show you my meal plan at the bottom).

2.  Always shop from a grocery list. (I will show you my generic grocery list at the bottom). When I run out of something it immediately goes on the list.  I print out my grocery list for the whole month in advance.

3. Use coupons.   I cut out the coupons I get in the newspaper on Sundays and also go online for some.  If I buy a product that I have a coupon for I put a "c" in red by the item on my grocery list, then I know to compare prices on that item and the store brand item to see if it is worth purchasing.  If it is not I do not use the coupon.

3.  Never go to the grocery store hungry.  I go after I eat my breakfast on Thursdays or Fridays. I try and go in the mornings, it is less busy and I can compare prices better.

4.  I always go to the grocery store by myself, when I bring my husband I always spend more. ( I get home and find things in the bags I would have never bought.)

5.  I try and keep to a budget at all times.  If I can keep to a budge then I can put the money in my next weeks shopping envelope.

I usually am in the grocery store for about 1 hour, never over 1 hour and 15 minutes.  The longer you are in the grocery store the more money will spend.

I also do not stock pile food, it can go bad or expire before you use it and you are just throwing money away.  I will purchase extra if I know I will use it with 45 - 60 days. Plus I do not like a cluttered pantry.

Here is my generic grocery list, it is a word doc. and I continually add things to the list that I purchase.  When I need something I use a highlighter.  If the item is not on the list I write it in the correct category and then will add it to the main list on the computer that evening.

Here is the beginning of my meal list, it is an on-going project and I keep it in front of my recipe binder. I will post my recipe binder next week for you to see and show you how to make your own. (One day your children will be so thankful you did this, all recipes in one place for them).I keep all tried and true recipes that my family loves in one book, that way it is easy to only grab one book at time of grocery shopping.

And, last but not least, this weeks menu.  It will resemble last weeks menu.  I did not cook this week because I came down with Vertigo and I could not stand up.

Mimi’s Menu

 Sunday                 Pound Cake with Strawberries

Herbed Chicken

Scalloped Potatoes

Fresh Green Beans

Rolls

Monday

Taco’s

Tuesday

Bacon / Lettuce / Tomato Sandwich

Chips

Fruit Salad

Wednesday             Chocolate Crinckles

Pork Chops with Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Lima’s

Sliced Peaches

Thursday

Left overs

Friday

I do not cook on Friday evening because

We have a late lunch.  We usually have

cheese and cracker w/wine

Saturday

Pizza

Lemon Meringue Pie

During these hot days in August we all need a little refreshing.  

This is so perfect for a cool dessert.  

Fast and easy to prepare.  

So Yummy!  

You will go back for seconds.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Crust

2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (crust)
1/3 cup butter (crust)
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (crust)
3 Tablespoons sugar (crust)

Filling
14 - 15 oz. sweetened condensed milk (filling)
1/2 cup lemon juice ( fresh or bottled) (filling)
2 egg yolks (filling)

Meringue
3 egg whites (meringue)
1/4 cup sugar (Meringue)
1 teaspoon Vanilla (Meringue)

For crust, crush half of wafers (about 40).  Stir in sugar.  Add melted butter and stir until well blended.  Pat out into pie plate.  Line more wafers around to make pretty.

For filling, mix all ingredients with electric mixer until well blended.  Pour into crust.  Top with Meringue.

For meringue, Whip egg whites until foamy.  Add sugar and vanilla.  Continue beating on high speed until soft peaks form.  Pour on top of pie and spread to the edges to seal well.  Bake at 325 for 15 minutes or until top is golden.  Refrigerate before serving.

And, do not forget to wear one of my

Mimi's Magic Apron

while preparing your pie....

Have a wonderful day!

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Dusting Day at Mimi's!

http://cindyriggs.myshaklee.com/us/en/

Today is dusting day for me.

It is so fast and easy you won't mind doing it yourself!

This is all natural and green.  Will not hurt your kids or your animals.  

Ops, forgot, will not hurt your hubby either....

Here is the way I mix up my Basic H for dusting.

I fill the bottle with 16 ounces of water, put in 1/4 teaspoon of concentrated Basic H   .

I put 1 drop of peppermint essential oil.

Shake and ready to dust.

(You do not have to add essential oil if you do not want to.  

Peppermint Oil is known to settle nausea and headaches, so it is refreshing for me)

I use 2 different microfiber cloths... One is for dusting furniture and one is for nick knack's and pictures.

I will spray my furniture cloth with 1 or 2 spays of my Basic H mixture.  

You do not want it wet or even damp.  Just a little moist...  

I dust my pictures first so the dust falls down.  I then start the dusting of nick knack's and furniture.

  Every few rooms I will go outside and shake my dust cloths to remove dust. 

 I call this blessing my sanctuary...

Ta da!!!! That is it... I vacuum next and feel so good... Feels so clean.  

Tomorrow is bathrooms.

Get ready for my fast and easy Bathroom cleaning secrets..

I will be posting my daily and weekly schedules this week.

Have a great day and remember if you smile while cleaning  it goes faster and you can go and play!!!!