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.

Linking to:
Mealtime Mondays
Marvelous Mondays
Weekend Potluck
Motivate me Monday
Southern Sundays
Mix it up Mondays
Mouthwatering Monday
Motivated Monday
Craftomanic Monday
Mangia Mondays
A Round Tuit
Show off Monday
Making the World Cuter
Marvelous Mess
Craft Create and Inspire
Made with Love
Craftastic Monday
Inspire me Monday
Made by you Monday
On the Menu Monday
Market yourself Monday
Menu Plan Monday
My Meatless Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Moms Test Meals
Just Something I whipped up
Table Top Tuesday

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.

Linked to:
Wow us Wednesday
Meatless Mondays
Mealtime Mondays
Southern Sundays
Make it pretty Monday
Sunday Showcase
On the Menu Monday
Mix it up Monday
Marvelous Mondays
Craft Create and Inspire
Weekend Potluck
What I whipped up
Sugar and Spice
Mangia Mondays
A round tuit
Mouthwatering Mondays
Motivated Mondays
Creative Me
This weeks cravings
Inspire me Monday

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!

Linked to:
Wow us Wednesday
Thriving on Thursday
Cowgirl Up
Wildly Original
Share your cup Thursday
Simple and Sweet Fridays
Open House Party
Grace at Home
Time Travel
Transformation Thursday
Thursday Favorite
Creative Things Thursday
Under $100 Linky Party
Creative Inspiration
Happy Hour Projects
Home Sweet Home
Potpouri Friday
Inspiration Friday
Fridays Unfold
Once upon a Weekend
BFF Open House

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!!!!

Lady Finger Cookies!

These are my husbands favorite, favorite, favorite.... cookies.  

His mother made these for him and 

I have been  making them for over 30 years.

Easy

Good

Pretty little cookies

2 cups flour

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup ground pecans

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon ice water

1 tablespoon milk

Combine flour, butter, pecans, powdered sugar, water and milk.

Shape dough into approx. 2 inch logs.  

Place parchment on cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 17 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Roll into powdered sugar.

Have a few.... Save some for tomorrow.

Well, I guess my hubby ate a bite!

Linking to:
Mix it up Monday
Make it Pretty Monday
Marvelous Mondays
On the menu Monday
Mangia Mondays
A Round Tuit
Craftastic Monday
Craftomanic Monday
Mouthwatering Monday
Made with Love
Motivated Monday
Creative Me
Market yourself Monday
Motivate me Monday
Marvelous Mess
My Meatless Monday
Inspire me Monday

Sunshine Award!!!!!

The Sunshine Award

The Sunshine Award is given by bloggers to bloggers.

The recipients of the Sunshine Award are:

"Bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere."

The way the award works is this:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.

Answer 10 questions about yourself.

Select 10 of your favorite bloggers, link their blogs to your post and let them know they've been awarded the Sunshine Award!

Don't forget to copy and paste the award on your blog!

Here we go!
My dear, long time friend and fellow blogger, Patsy, of Pattycakes in the Kitchen has given my blog the Sunshine Award!  Thank you so much, Patsy!  I am honored, and proud to post this on my blog.  Most of all, I am honored and proud to be your friend.  You are the absolute best, and I love you!

10 questions:

Favorite Color – Pink

Favorite Animal - All animals

Favorite Number - 7
Favorite Drink – I love  sweet iced tea, and hot tea with sugar!

Facebook or Twitter – Facebook, a good way to keep us with friends and family.
Good Book or a Good Movie -Good Movie 

My Passion - my family, friends, cooking, gardening and sewing!

Giving or Getting Presents - I could give a gift to someone every day.

Favorite Day of the Year – Any day I am with my family!
Favorite flower- Pink Roses...hands down!

Here are my 10 blog nominations.
Erin at Healthy Branscoms
Elizabeth at Fritcher Fam
Mary Bobo at Organization Matters
Babs at Upstairs Downstairs
Jaima at Ring around the Rosies
Bonnie at House of Grace
Melissa at True Simple Girl
Krysta at Steen Health Solutions
Jann at Have a daily cup of Mrs Olson
Elaine at Sunny Simple Life

Mimi's Menu 8-6

 I am going to start posting my weekly Menu.  

Mimi’s Menu  

Monday

Pork Chops with Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Lima’s

Sliced Peaches

Tuesday

Bacon / Lettuce / Tomato Sandwich

Chips

Fruit Salad

Wednesday             Chocolate Crinckles

Taco’s

Thursday

Steak Tips over Rice

Green Beans

Cooked Apples

Friday

Left Overs

Saturday

Pizza

Sunday                 Pound Cake

Beef Roast

Carrots / Potatoes

Broccoli

Rolls

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Happy Cooking!

Pound Cake

Sour Cream Pound Cake

2 sticks butter, softened

3 cups sugar

6 eggs, room temperature

3 cups flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract

Set oven to 275.  Prepare a 10 inch tube pan.

In a sifter measure the flour, salt and baking soda.  Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar well.  Add eggs one at a time to the sugar mixture.  When all are added, beat until the mixture is light yellow in color.

Add half of the flour and half of the sour cream to the sugar mixture and beat well.  Add the last of the flour and sour cream; beat well.  Add vanilla and almond extract.  Beat well.  You do not want to whip the batter, just blend well.

Pour in pan, smoothing the batter evenly around.  Try not to touch the sides of the pan.  Give the pan 2 - 3 good shakes before putting into the oven.

Bake for 2 hours or until a cake tester comes out clean.  Let cake sit in pan about 10 - 15 minutes then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling.

This taste better the second and third day if it lasts that long.

Always SMILE!!!!

Linked to:

Sunny Simple Sunday
Polkadot Pretties

Parmesan Crusted Chicken!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, divided

1/4 cup ranch dressing

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 1/4 tsp. garlic salt, divided

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan 

2 tablespoons melted butter

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 cup shredded provolone cheese

For the ranch spread, mix 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and ranch dressing. 

For the Parmesan Crumb topping, mix bread crumbs, 1/4 tsp. garlic salt, shredded Parmesan and remaining grated Parmesan.  Mix together with the 2 table. melted butter.  Mixture needs to be evenly moist.

Sprinkle both sides of chicken with remaining garlic salt.  Place in large non-stick skillet with oil.  Cook 6 - 7 minutes on each side.  Chicken should be golden brown.

Transfer cooked chicken to oven safe casserole dish.  Spread each breast with ranch spread, top with provolone and Parmesan crumb topping.  Place chicken under broiler until cheese melts and crumb topping begins to turn light brown.

This is so good. I served this with Mashed Potatoes, fresh green beans, and homemade rolls.    Pound Cake was our dessert.

Remember to wear your magic apron and smile while cooking.  It makes our dishes taste better.


I will be linking this to:


Home Sweet Home
Potpouri Friday
Simple ans Sweet
Freestyle Friday
Kiss me I'm Irish
Inspiration Friday
Fridays Unfold
Once upon a weekend
Weekend Potluck

Double Good Mac and Cheese!!!!

Double Good Macaroni and Cheese

8 oz. package elbow macaroni

2 cups cottage cheese

3/4 cup sour cream

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 tsp. grated onion

10 - 13 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions, drain.  Combine remaining ingredients in large mixing bowl, mixing to blend.  Gold in pasta.  Turn into a lightly greased shallow 2 quart baking dish.  If desired sprinkle with extra cheese.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  Yields 6 - 8 servings.

I promise you will love this.

Make sure you wear a 

Mimi's Magic Apron!!!!!

Happy Cooking.

Whats for dinner tonight?

Cornbread Casserole

1/2 lb. ground beef                      1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup chopped onion               1/4 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup green pepper                  3/4 tsp. sugar

8 oz. can corn                               3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup tomato soup                   dash salt

1/2 tsp. salt                                   1 egg

dash pepper                                 1/2 cup milk

                                                       1 tabl. Crisco oil 

Cook ground beef, onion and green pepper until brown.  Add corn, soup, salt and pepper.  Spoon into greased casserole dish.  Set aside.  Combine other ingredients.  Pour over casserole.  Bake at 375 for 30 - 40 minutes.

I usually double the recipe.