Texas Armadillo Eggs (Appetizer)

1 can whole jalapeno peppers
1 8oz block colby jack cheese
1 lb breakfast sausage
1 box Shake N Bake for Pork
1 1/2 - 2 cups Bisquick

First, cut the stem off of each pepper, slicing each pepper in half lengthwise and removing the seeds. Place the peppers in a colander and rinse thoroughly to remove the oil and seeds. Place the peppers onto paper towels and blot dry. Next, cut the cheese into chunks large enough to fit inside of each pepper half, placing the cheese inside each half.

Mix the sausage and bisquick in a bowl until it is at a consistency to hold together when patted out in your hand. Pull off enough sausage mix to cover each pepper. Pat out sausage in your hand and place pepper and cheese half in middle of sausage. Wrap sausage mix around pepper half being sure to seal all holes.

Next, pour one packet of Shake N Bake into a small bowl and roll each sausage wrapped pepper in Shake N Bake coating well. Place the peppers onto an ungreased cookie sheet approximately 1" apart.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Watch peppers carefully or they will overcook and cheese will pour out. Enjoy! These are delicious dipped in ranch dressing!

Good Times, Good Food and Great Memories

Yesterday was a GREAT day. I have been looking for a second job, something to go to after I finish at the law office in the evenings and on weekends. I had my second interview yesterday afternoon at one of my favorite department stores in our small town & I was offered a sales position. I'm so excited....25% discount here I come! So that was a great start to the day. Then Mom and I just HAD to go shopping & I found three great new pieces for Fall. (Thanks to my wonderful new doctors, I've found actual knowledgeable treatment for my PCOS, my health has improved & I feel better than I have in 10+ years & I've lost 50 lbs since April - shopping is such a fun experience for me again!)

Once I worked through my shopping giddiness over my new outfit Mom and I headed to the theatre to see A Night in Rodanthe. Oh my, what a great movie. I know a lot of people have read the book, I didn't want to. I didn't want to have a clue before I saw this movie. All I'm going to say is TAKE A TISSUE, LADIES! Terriffic movie, movie popcorn and an afternoon with Mom - a perfect Saturday afternoon!

Next we headed over to our local crafting supply store HB so I could get a few ideas to spruce up my neice's bedroom. Her 25th birthday is coming up in a few days and I think I'll tackle a couple of projects in her her room as a birthday surprise. We took her in to give her a fresh start about a year ago and she is doing great. I'm so proud of her and I want her to know how special she is to us. She painted her walls a creamy gold and has black furniture with gold and white bedding, and accents of red. She is crazy about zebra print and would like it incorporated. So I'm thinking gold valances with zebra trim and whispy sheers. I have a plan! I think I'l also make her a coordinating monogramed pillow. I'll post pictures and let you know how it goes and what she thinks of it. I'm so excited and can't wait to get started! My crazy loveable niece...

After our afternoon of shopping, a great movie and getting our creative juices flowing we were starving! We returned home where we made my famous organic & gluten-free chicken pizza. When I was faced with all of my restrictions in April due to the Insulin Resistence, PCOS and Migraines, I thought my good, mouthwatering cooking days were over! Not so! I'm working on my PCOS and Insulin Resistence cookbook so people that don't know their way around the kitchen as well as I do won't be so overwhelmed! This recipe is delicious & a must try!

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (I usually have a Whole Foods house smoked chicken in the freezer and use that - it's fabulous! This time my husband cooked off the chicken breasts with Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning & Sea Salt in a bit of olive oil then sliced them into strips.)
1 green bell pepper sliced into rings
1 small red onion sliced into rings
10 baby bella mushrooms sliced
3 cloves minced garlic
10-15 sliced cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced olives (I use organic mediteranian pitted black olives)
1 1/2 - 2 cups organic tomato sauce (I use organic portabello marinara)
2 pizza crusts (I use a mix from Bob's Red Mill for a gluten-free pizza crust & use flax seed to replace the eggs in the crust. It is delicious and so tasty! I love to smell the yeast and make my own crust!)
2-4 cups shredded cheese or soy cheese of your choice
Sea Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Preheat your oven according to the directions on your pizza crust, mine calls for a 450 degree oven. Saute the bell pepper, onion and mushroom slices with the diced garlic in olive oil until tender. Cut tomatoes and olives in half and set aside. At this point, I smear a little olive oil on my my pizza stone & slide it in the oven until it is screaming hot. Remove the stone or pan from the oven and if working with a raw dough, spread one crust onto the pizza stone & cook it for 9-10 minutes. If using a pre-cooked pizza crust, follow the directions on the package. Remove from oven and spread a thin but generous layer of sauce depending on your preference. Next sprinkle a thin layer of cheese, then half of the chicken strips, followed by a layer of the veggies, topping it all off with a thick layer of your cheese of choice (this time I used an Italian five cheese blend but I have used a soy cheese product before and it was delicious as well). I sprinkle a little sea salt, black pepper and oregano on top. Slide it in the oven and cook 10-15 minutes until hot and bubbly! Repeat for the next pizza. Enjoy!

The Result...

Just Beautiful!

As I hurridly raced down my street one morning this week something caught my eye in a neighbor's yard. Tons of the most beautiful red whispy flowers I have ever seen, standing out in the morning light. They spoke to me. I was having a rough morning - I woke up late, was grumpy and just didn't have the desire to start this day. As I proceeded down the street, those bright red whispy flowers were everywhere. It was as if they popped up everywhere overnight. I thank the Lord that he gives us such beautiful things in life to give us joy. My day brightened, I had a smile on my face and I was now ready to face this day. Thank you, Lord.

I was telling my mom about these beautiful flowers, how unusual they were and that I just HAD to have them in my yard next year. She went on to tell me how these beautiful red whispy flowers had also appeared in her yard this year. I was so jealous. I want some!

This morning, I am glad to say, I have my own beautiful red whispy flowers. They may not be blooming in my yard to brighten the neighborhood and greet me at the end of the day, but I DO have this beautiful vase of my red whispy flowers that my sweet mom gave me this morning. I had the perfect spot for them in my kitchen. I have also found out the name if anyone wants to have some of their own. These beautiful creations of God are Lycoris radiata.

Have a BEAUTIFUL day!

A Special Day

Today is a special day, my beautiful mother's birthday. She is truly the best friend I could ever ask for and I love spending time with her. She has such a sweet & caring spirit. Special occasions are hard for my mom since my dad passed away last year so we do our part to make them not so difficult. I have to share this. My dad died Father's Day weekend last year, which was a few weeks before their 49th anniversary and my mother's birthday. My husband and I decided right then that she would feel my dad's love for her at every milestone and special occasion, we would carry on the special way he loved and treated her. Every time one of these special days rolls around, my dear sweet husband (without my prompting) sneaks over to my mom's house and places a bouquet of roses on her front porch. There is never a card left or a phone call made to bring it to her attention. There is only a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I'm so lucky to have such a compassionate husband that he would do this for my mom - he says it is his promise to my dad. Today was no different. Mom was out the door on her way to her morning meeting and that bouquet was being placed at her doorway.

Now, that's my husband's part for her birthday. I met her for a quick lunch this afternoon, nothing special. Tonight is the delicious part of her birthday. We're having a small family dinner party for her birthday and my offerings are: Lemon Pepper Porkchops, Mashed New Potatoes with Roasted Garlic, and Steamed Yellow Squash. MMMMM. My mouth is watering already. The porkchops were one of my Daddy's special creations, a meal that Mom and I always asked for when we needed a pick-me-up family dinner. Dessert- Apple Tart with Ol' South Custard. I can hardly wait! I better leave work and go get busy...company will be knocking on my door at 7 p.m.! I'll be posting dinner pictures in day or so.

Now, for the gift...

Love Story by Brighton. I can't wait to give her these two remaining pieces. (Their 50th anniversary would have been this past August and I gave her the earrings from Daddy. Gold for their Golden Anniversary & Love Story because theirs was truly an inspiring one!)

My Aunt Viv, My Beautiful Mom & Me!

A Fabulous Fall Saturday

Today was a perfect Saturday. The air was cool and crisp and the sun was shining. Mom and I went to a few antique shops this morning. I found a great vintage amber candle holder, which is perfect for my fall decor; A black iron basket with a golden fall leaf tile, a perfect place for fresh fruits in the kitchen; A great chenille autumn round pillow, and I've got just the perfect spot for it in my new club chair; and last but certainly not least, I happened onto a mountain of new fall-themed magazines for fifty cents each. Each season I watch for Country Home, Southern Living, and Paula Dean magazines to fit the current season and place them in my favorite relaxing spots for a nice read with a cup of coffee. The simplest things can give me the greatest pleasure! Five antique shops later, we wondered into Country Java, a cute little hole in the wall eatery where mom and I split their signature meat & cheese board complete with homemade bread, then shared a slice of chocolate chip espresso pound cake with a delicious cup of their coffee of the day. It was perfect! I slowly wandered back home where minutes later I found myself curled up on the couch with my favorite throw & one of my new Country Home magazines. I slowly drifted off to sleep for a wonderful Fall afternoon nap.

Okay so I rested up & now it was time to create a fabulous dinner for our at home date night. (Date night...I cook dinner & my sweetheart two-steps me around the kitchen to George Strait!)

Our menu for this evening Southwest Chipoltle Chicken with Oven Roasted Potatoes. (Four Servings)

Ingredients For Southwest Chipoltle Chicken: two to four boneless skinless chicken breasts (two if they are really large, four if they are small), sea salt, Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipoltle seasoning, garlic powder & olive oil

Ingredients for Oven Roasted Potatoes: two large baking potatoes, one small red onion, one bell pepper, ten cherry tomatoes, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper & olive oil



Oven Roasted Potatoes:
Cut each potato in half lengthwise then cut each section in half lengthwise again, and cut each section into one-inch chunks, then cut the onion and bell pepper into strips and then into one-inch chunks.


Place the potatoes, onions and bell pepper chunks onto a large baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Roast at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. After the initial 20 minutes, toss veggies with a spatula, add in cherry tomatoes and return to oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes. (Cook until potatoes are golden brown.)

The Result...


Southwest Chipoltle Chicken:
Rinse and pat dry each chicken breast. Sprinkle each breast with Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipoltle seasoning, sea salt, and garlic powder on each side. (NOTE: If you are using two large chicken breasts as I did, a helpful cooking tip to speed the cooking process is to butterfly each breast to make it thinner, then cut each in half.)

Using a large skillet, over medium-high heat, add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet, add your chicken breasts and cook chicken on each side until golden brown, approximately five minutes per side. Reduce heat to low, add a couple of tablespoons of water to skillet to deglaze, cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for ten minutes to cook through.



The Result...


Now that's better than take-out any day of the week & I didn't have to break a sweat or the bank to make it! Enjoy!

Turkey Goulash - Gluten Free

1 lb ground turkey breast
1 medium onion diced
1 green bell pepper diced
1 16 ounce can diced tomatoes (I use organic roma tomatoes)
½ cups uncooked brown rice macaroni (or other small pasta that you prefer)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cans water

In large skillet over medium-high heat add the olive oil, ground turkey, onion, bell pepper, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder and saute until onions and peppers begin to turn transparent and the turkey begins to brown. Next, lower heat to medium-low and add tomatoes, ketchup, water (use can from tomatoes to add your water to get the remaining tomato juice) and pasta. Stir to incorporate, cover with lid, and cook for 10-15 minutes until pasta is done. Check seasoning and add more if desired.

Note: I have used leftover brown rice spaghetti from the night before in this recipe. I just placed it on my cutting board and gave it a rough chop then placed it into the skillet. You would use the same cooking time so the pasta will be thoroughly reheated. Also, I originally used ground sirloin in this recipe but have changed it to turkey. I now much prefer the ground turkey version.

If you haven’t tried this type of recipe before, try it, it is great comfort food! Enjoy!

It’s True What They Say…A Woman’s Work Is NEVER Done

Women…we work, we clean, we make delicious meals for our family, we fix it if it’s broken, mend broken hearts, whatever is asked of us we do. At the end of the day we throw ourselves in bed for a few hour’s rest before starting again at daybreak.

My day yesterday started off in a mad dash…I overslept by an hour! I headed into the office where I’m an office manager and paralegal frazzled, thrown together and out of breath. I spent the day managing co-workers, clients, and my boss, trying to make it through the day keeping my sanity in tact and at the same time trying to make my part of the world a little better place for everyone around. I endured rantings of an overstressed boss, a mile-radius mandatory evacuation due to an overturned semi loaded with leaking butane, and last but not least my ever raging hormones. At the end of the work day, I just couldn’t wait to get to my safe place…home. If Iwere Dorothy, I would have clicked my heals and been on my way! Finally, I arrived home, I couldn’t wait to get a cup of coffee and get cozy in my comfy old rickety wing-back chair in my breakfast nook and enjoy an afternoon read of Southern Living or Country Home. To my surprise, I walked in the door expecting a wonderful retreat and find instead a disaster area. Toys, Toys, Toys from one end of the house to the other. My darling sweet little great nephew had played with every toy he possesses and left them strewn for me to either step over & break my neck or pick up! My darling kiddos (my two rotties, Layla and Culprit) were squirrel watching in the afternoon from my bedroom window when the local dog walker strolled by with a dozen dogs taunting my sweet little innocent babies – let’s just say my blinds in my bedroom are in shreds today! If that wasn’t enough, the water company turned off the water at 8:00 a.m. for repairs that took the entire day and I had no water! I was ready to pack up and head to the hills as they say!

I decided I had to take control of the situation in order to get this day back under control. After sweet Connor’s nap, those toys were all picked up & we enjoyed an afternoon ice cream treat, and afterwards he helped me pick tomatoes and bell peppers in the garden, then it was off to play hide and seek. What a wonderful destresser! How could this wonderful, sweet little buddy not make all the horrible happenings of the day just melt away!

Thankfully, the water came back on just in time before time to prepare dinnner so all was not lost. I later decided the dog walker incident could have been a lot worse and I got over it. After all that, I was able to cozy up with a new Country Home and enjoy the rest of the evening – I just had to regain my perspective and not let myself get lost in the commotion. I was able to pull off a delicious dinner, spend quite time by myself relaxing and enjoyed the season ending episode of The Closer with my hubby and mom. I love it when a plan comes together! I ended the day making four batches of Deb’s Delectable Edibles homemade Loaded Blueberry Muffins for two lucky offices today - one as a surprise for my office staff & another as a surprise for a long-time friend and her office. I did manage to eat one and leave a couple for the fam though! Mouthwatering delicious morsels...






In the craziness of life when you are down and out or discouraged, try helping someone else or doing a kind deed – it will take the focus off of yourself and brighten your day as well as that of someone else!

Life - On the Outside Looking In

Do you ever feel like you are on the outside looking in? Have you looked through the window at a life and wondered why it wasn't yours? That's how I feel. Like I'm waiting, waiting on my life to start. I'm 35 and have been married for almost 13 years, but I'm waiting. Waiting on what? Waiting on my family. My wonderful, cute, happy family. My children to love and make memories with. I've wanted a family of my own for so many years, and never did I dream I would be walking through life in slow motion this many years down the road. I have no children, infertility caused from years of PCOS and now my husband's disability has created a huge hurdle for us. I just don't fit. In a world filled with circles of families, I am a square peg, a childless, mourning, square peg.

This weekend I went back to my home church, the church where I grew up, where I know everyone, where everyone knows me, but yet I feel I'm an outsider. Old flames, old friends, acquaintances, everyone has a family. I want that. My heart aches for that. I don't know where my place is. Everywhere I go I hear "You don't have children?", "You just don't understand, you don't have kids.", "When are you going to have a baby?" and on and on and on it goes. It's always the same, I grin and shrug and life goes on...for them. For me, I start spinning, spinning in circles trying to figure out why, why it had to be me. I love my husband and want a family. I don't want to be old and childless. I want my family that I've always dreamed of. I have to think that some how, some way, God will fulfill my dreams and that one day I will be on the inside of this beautiful child-filled world.

Deb's Chicken Enchiladas

INGREDIENTS
Filling:
2 cups diced chicken
2 cups sour cream
1 cup graded Monterrey jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1 Tsp Cumin
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to Taste

Sauce:
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons margarine
1 cans Rotel Tomatoes
1 15oz. can -tomato sauce + 1 8oz can
1 1/2 Tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 Tsp. Oregano

Topping:
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Other:
12 corn tortillas (flour tortillas could be substituted instead of corn)

Preparation:
First: Sauté onions (1/2 cup) in margarine. Reserve 1/4 cup.

Second: Mix 1/4 cup onion with the Rotel Tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder and oregano and simmer until well blended. (I do this first and let it simmer while I prepare the filling).

Third: Mix together all ingredients of the filling (using the remaining 1/4 cup sautéed onion). Using a long casserole dish (it will take 2), pour a small amount of sauce in the bottom of each dish to keep the enchiladas from sticking. Roll filling in tortillas (about 1/4 - 1/2 cup mixture to each tortilla) and place in casserole dish.

Fourth: Pour sauce over enchiladas

Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.

Finally: Top with cheddar cheese and return to oven until melted.
Serve with tortilla chips.

Hurricane Ike

We are headed into a long weekend...a weekend filled with uncertainty, high gusting winds and pouring rain. My home, Texas, Hurricane Ike has made its appearance. I am not in the eye of the storm, but am on the outskirts but will undoubtedly feel its effects tomorrow when the flooding hits. My thoughts and prayers are with my fellow Texans as they batton down the hatches and ride out this horrible storm. I pray for the lives, homes and businesses that will be lost. My prayers go out to all of those this storm will touch.

September 11th

Septemer 11, 2001. What a day. A day no one will ever forget. I remember where I was, what I was doing, the people who were around me, the thoughts that rushed through my mind, and the horror that was all around me, on every television, every radio. It was not only a devasting day for our country but for all of mankind as well. To think that any human being, no matter where they are from, no matter their religion, no mater their race would bring such death and turmoil to others. Americans will never be the same.

Texaslicious Turkey Chili (Gluten-Free)

1 lb ground Turkey Breast
1 medium onion diced
2 cans diced tomatoes (I used organic canned tomatoes)
1 can diced and roasted green chilies
3 palmfuls chili powder
3 palmfuls ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon tapioca starch combined with 1/2 cup cool water for thickening (can use your choice of thickening but tapioca starch is gluten-free and works well)

In a large pot add the olive oil, turkey, onion, sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and brown over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, green chilies, chili powder, ground cumin and stir well. Once well combined cover with water and simmer over medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes to allow flavors to combine.

(Note: Check your seasonings once water is added and add more if necessary.)

(A great add-in to this is chicken jalapeno sausage. If you have a Whole Foods nearby, you can purchase the raw chicken sausages in the meat market.)

I created this recipe this evening for my family & it was a huge success. The flavors are wonderful! I suffer from PCOS & Insulin Resistence so this is a great recipe - all legal.

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

I just love this time of year! Although it's not very cool here in the heart of Texas, the Fall months are headed our way. I couldn't wait any longer - it had to be done and today was the day! I had my sweet hubby pulling out the memory loaded boxes of Fall decorations so I could scatter them throughout our home and have a day of piddling around the house. I had to giggle to hear myself because each time something new came out of those boxes there was a big "OHHHH I forgot about that!" or "Remember when...". I love the smells of fall, the pumpkin candles, cinnamon and cloves simmering, homemade bread rising & baking and pumpkins, pumpkins, pumkins everywhere you look. As soon as my favorite little primitve shops start putting out their new Fall decor for the year I begin my hunt, the hunt for the pumpkin, the pumkin I can't live without. I usually wind up purchasing a few here and there throughout the season, but there is always that one favorite that just puts a big smile on my face. Have you found the GREAT Pumpkin? Take a minute to stop, fine a cozy spot to relax in your home and just enjoy being there. Life is crazy these days & we should all we take a little time to enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer - even if it is chasing after the perfect pumpkin!

Mystic's Culprit & Princess Layla

Our kiddos, Mystic's Culprit and Mystic's Princess Layla. These two are just spoiled rotten. They can make me go from blazing mad to a side-splitting belly laugh in seconds. As I sweep up the dust pans of dog hair every day, I am constantly mumbling under my breath, but I've gotta love em!

Ravishing Red Bathroom Update

My new home was solid white, BUT I had a vision. I dreamed of a cozy place of deep red, brown leather, denim and stars, contemporary western I say. As you can see, I made my dream come true. We painted the walls and ceiling a deep but bright red, placed a leather-type wallpaper on the bottom, and a chair rail to break it up with a beautiful wide baseboard. The lighting in this room is brushed nickel with alebaster globes. Silver stars & other rustic items accent and make it a lovely place to step into and relax at the end of a day. I recovered my small chair in a brown tooled leather. I guess my favorite (besides the bright red) would be the bowl sink & black cabinet. Love it, love it love it!

Seven Things

I saw this on another's blog and thought I would adapt it...seems fitting for my first ever entry!

Seven Things I Love

1. My husband
2. My kiddos I mean puppies - Princess Layla & Mystic's Culprit. They make me laugh and exasperate me at the same time!
3. Pineapple Pie
4. A rainy day in Texas
5. A cool Tennessee Fall day - Oh how I miss them
6. Rusty Stars
7. Starbucks Raspberry Mocha Frappacino (OMG)


Seven Things I Hate

1. Dog hair (I love them, but man I hate sweeping that hair every day!)
2. Self-centered people
3. Reality TV (Enough Already!)
4. Monday mornings (I'm not through sleeping in for Heaven's sake!)
5. To be running late for work (Even though I don't always want to be there, I hate to be pressed for time - it's a bitch doing your eyes at 80 mph!)
6. The smell of baked fish
7. Summer heat (I know, I know...I do live in Texas!)

Seven Things You Might Hear Me Say

1. Culprit, Layla, Get Off of Me!
2. Get Out!
3. She sure is pretty but she ain't too smart! (Gotta love that Paula Deen!)
4. I love you more!
5. This is disgusting! (If you know me, you know my GHI shakes...hence the DISGUSTING!)
6. I need a taster! (I'm always hard at work to make healthy changes to old standby recipes.)
7. That's the end?!!!