Ham -&- Spinach Spuds

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 bunch spinach, roughly chopped
• 4 thin slices ham (about 3 ounces), cut into strips
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• Kosher salt
• 4 ounces gruyere or gouda cheese, finely shredded (about 1 1/4 cups)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pierce the potatoes with a fork; microwave for 15 minutes. Remove and brush with olive oil; transfer to the oven rack and bake until fully tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon and cook until slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 6 minutes. Stir in the spinach and ham and cook until the greens wilt and the mixture is about as thick as sour cream, 3 to 4 more minutes. Season with the cayenne and nutmeg and add salt to taste.

Slice the cooked potatoes lengthwise down the middle (but not all the way through); press in on the ends to open the slit. Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon oil into each potato; fluff the flesh with a fork and season with salt. Divide the spinach mixture among the potatoes and top with the shredded cheese while still hot.

Today I am thankful for taters...cuz I ♥ taters!?!

Virus Alert

VIRUS ALERT!?!
It has been confirmed that the White House has a Virus -&- a Trojan Horse!?!
It's been there since January of 2009!?!
It is hard to remove and a very nasty one too-the virus is said to destroy your country without most of it's citizens knowledge -&- it has erased all records of its self making it difficult to pin down!?!
Some say it originated in Hawaii -but- it has been confirmed that it started in Kenya!?!
Today I am thankful that I had nothing to do with the "Virus" that is invading the White House!?!

Coconut Lip Gloss

Do-it-Yourself Flavored Coconut Lip Gloss

I’m addicted to natural lip gloss. I have about three different kinds that I carry around with me on any given day. When I found this “recipe” for homemade lip gloss, I was overjoyed! I love anything that has coconut included and the fact that I could create my own gloss had me very excited. This comes from one of my favorite book, Natural Beauty at Home by Janice Cox. Give it a try!

Flavored Coconut Lip Gloss

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• a few drops of your favorite flavored oil such as strawberry, orange, or you can use 1/8 tsp of vanilla, peppermint, or almond extract

Mix ingredients well in a small dish with the back of a teaspoon. Spoon the mixture into a lip gloss container. Rub into your lips and enjoy!

Today I am thankful there is still creative ideas to entertain kids!?!

Price Tag

If you're not being treated with love and respect, check your price tag!?!
Perhaps you have marked yourself down!?!
It's YOU who tells people what you're worth by what you accept!?!
Get off the clearance rack -&- get behind the glass where they keep the valuables!?! Bottom line: value yourself more!?!
If you don't, no one else will!?!


Today I am thankful that I am with a man that knows my value!?!

One Pan Cajun Shrimp...

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 2 bunches scallions, chopped
• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Directions

Heat the butter, olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the Cajun seasoning and shrimp and cook, stirring, until the shrimp begin to curl, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the tomatoes and scallions to the skillet and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the rice and 1/4 cup water and continue to cook until the rice is warmed through and the shrimp are opaque, about 3 more minutes. Stir in the parsley and serve with lemon, if desired.

Today I am thankful for easy -&- delicious one pot recipes!?!

Team: No Limits

Even though they didn't win "Expedition Impossible" they did win my praise, my respect -&- my awe!?!
If you watched the show then you should all know who I am talking about "No Limits"!?!
Even after what most people (including me) perceived as "limits" in the beginning...they did awesome -&- came in a close 2nd behind the very awesome guys "The Gypsy's"
(my 2nd favorites...especially after the phone call!?!)

TEAM: NO LIMITS♥(Erik Weihenmayer, Aaron "Ike" Isaacson, -&- Jeff Evans)♥

Erik Weihenmayer, Age: 42
From: Golden, CO
Occupation: Motivational Speaker/Writer

Jeff Evans, Age 41
From: Boulder, CO
Occupation: Motivational Speaker/Physician Assistant

Aaron "Ike" Isaacson, Age 33
From: Topeka, KS
Occupation: Soldier

"Friends Erik, Jeff and Ike stick together during both good times and bad. Erik became blind at an early age but didn't let that get him down. In 2001, he reached the summit of Mount Everest. Jeff serves as Erik's "eyes in the field." He has been Erik's primary climbing guide for over 20 years and is a published author and motivational speaker. Ike is a combat engineer officer in the military, earning two Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart and an Army Commendation Medal, among others. He has served in Iraq and Afghanistan and will deploy again to Afghanistan after completing Expedition Impossible!?!"

I'll be honest I was hooked on these guys since the first episode
-but-
probably like a lot of other people out there I didn't think they had a chance because of Erik...boy did he shock the hell out of me!?!
Then after seeing him in action with Jeff leading the way ... I was like damn they compete better than a lot of "sighted" people I know!?!
And, later in the competition after Ike's injury...I was brought to tears
-but-
to see him push through -&- preserve made me even prouder of
Team: No Limits...because they lived up to their name!?!
And, it wasn't just me ... you could see the respect the other teams had for them...whether it was said aloud or showed by the fear they had for them!?! AMAZING is all I have to say about Team: No Limits!?!

If you didn't get a chance to watch the show when it was airing...you won't be disappointed if you still see it now!?!
Just go to Hulu.com -&- search for "Expedition Impossible"!?!


Today I am thankful that I've learned that I need to look beyond people preconceived "limits" -&- let them show me what their limits truly are!?!

Johnny And June

Awesome song - about one of country musics greatest love stories!?!




Today I am thankful that new country is still showing older country the respect that it has earned!?!

Walk The Line

My Mom -&- Dad grew up while Johnny was in his "prime" -&- they shared their love for his music with me!?!
I grew up when Johnny was a legend -&- I still love his music!?!
This movie was based loosely on the life of John R. Cash -&- it has been said he had final approval of it before his death!?!
It is an awesome movie -&- it is a movie I can watch time -&- time again!?!


Joaquin Phoenix as John R. Cash
Reese Witherspoon as June Carter
Ginnifer Goodwin as Vivian Cash

"While growing up in the Great Depression era, Johnny Cash takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the air force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music, and proposes to Vivian. When they got married, they settled in Tennessee and with a daughter, he supported the family by being a salesman. He discovers a man who can pursue his dreams and ends up getting a record with the boys. Shortly after that, he was on a short tour, promoting his songs, and meets the already famous and beautiful June Carter. Then as they get on the long-term tours with June, the boys, and Jerry Lee Lewis, they have this unspoken relationship that grows. But when June leaves the tour because of his behavior, he was a drug addict. His marriage was also falling apart, and when he sees June years later at an awards show, he forces June to tour with them again..."


Today I am thankful my parents shared their love of great music with me!?!

Homeade Calzones

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/4 pound shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
• 1 13.8-ounce tube refrigerated pizza dough
• 1/4 pound deli-sliced salami, cut into thin strips
• 1 1/2 cups giardiniera (pickled mixed vegetables), drained
• 1/4 pound sliced provolone cheese

Directions

Place a baking sheet upside down in the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Beat the eggs, parsley and lemon zest in a small bowl. Pour half of the egg mixture into a medium bowl and stir in the mozzarella. Reserve the remaining egg mixture for brushing on the crust.

Turn another baking sheet upside down; line with parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Unroll the dough on the parchment paper and pat into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread the mozzarella mixture over one half of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border along the edge. Top with the salami, followed by the pickled vegetables and provolone. Fold the other half of the dough over to cover the filling. Crimp and roll the edges to seal, then pierce the top of the dough in a few places with a knife.

Slide the calzone with the parchment paper onto the hot baking sheet; bake 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining egg mixture, then continue to bake until the crust is golden, 5 to 10 more minutes. Let rest 5 minutes, then cut into wedges.

*You could add your own special twist to these to make them really delish*

Today I am thankful for easy -&- yummy Italian cuisine!?!

Joplin...Movin' Ahead

I still can't get the horrific devastation out of my head...what happened 3 months ago today!?!
And, I am still thanking God that we weren't there...since we'd loaded in that area for the prior 2 weekends in a row!?!
But it has now been 3 months since Joplin, MO was torn apart by tragedy in the form of a huge tornado!?!
They are still far from being recovered -but- they sure as hell are on their way back!?!



Today I am thankful that I was able to be a part (via Road Talk) of the recovery effort!?!

Zebra Stripes

Two zebras are talking and one asks the other, "Am I black with white
stripes or white with black stripes?" The other replies, "Well I don't
know. You should pray to God about that and ask him." So that night he did
and God replied, "You are what you are." The next day he said to the other
zebra, "I still don't understand what I am because God just said, You are
what you are." The second zebra responds, "You must be white with black
stripes or else God would have said, Yo is what yo is."

Today I am thankful friends who can take a good joke!?!

Good Day!?!

Today I am having a relatively good day...-&-...I am thankful for that!?!





Today I am thankful for the good day's that life hands me!?!

Obama -&- Oprah

Obama looked at Oprah, chuckled and said, "You know, I could throw a $1,000 bill out of the window right now and make somebody very happy."

Oprah shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I could throw ten $100 bills out of the window and make ten people very happy".

Hearing their exchange, the pilot of plane said to his co-pilot,
" Such big-shots back there.
I could throw both of them out of the window and make
256 million people very happy."!?!

Today I am thankful that her show is no long on the air - although I did like it "back in the day" - I lost a lot of respect for her when she used her show to further Obama's agenda!?!
Today I am thankful that Oprah's show is no longer on television!?! I used to like her back in the day before she used her show to push ahead Obama's political agenda!?!

Top 10 - Smurfs!?!

Today I am thankful that I am not "that" obsessed with the Smurfs...lol!?!

The Smurfs Movie

I loved the Smurfs as a kid!?!
Heck, I still have my original Smurf stuffed toys in a box in the
basement at my Mom's house!?!
They were the greatest...I used to watch the every Saturday morning!?!
And, now they are back on the big screen...score!?!

"When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down."

Today I am thankful that I am still young enough to remember -&- love the Smurfs!?!

Black Horse -&- The Cherry Tree

Another song that I love...take a listen!?!



Today I am thankful for friend's who have such varied taste in music...
they enlighten me with it!?!

Happy Birthday David

Today I am thankful that I have a husband who does his darnedest to take care of us!?!

50 Different Potato Salad Recipes

Are you like me -&- love Potato Salad -but- you are looking for some new ways to make it?!?
Well, the Food Network posted an awesome blog that includes links to 50 different Potato Salad recipes!?!
Just click HERE!?!
What are you waiting for...go check it out now!?!

Today I am thankful that Potatoes are so yummy!?!

Happy Birthday Mom!?!

Happy birthday, Mom!
May every second, minute
hour, day and year of your life
be filled with the kind of
comfort, security, and happiness
you give unfailingly to me.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Without you, there would be
a gaping hole in my life, an emptiness
that only your love can fill.
Thank you, Mom, for all that you do,
for the extraordinary person you are.
Happy Birthday, Mom!


Today I am thankful that God gave me such an amazing Mom!?!

Inside Out German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

For cake layers

* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup whole milk
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* 1 large egg
* 1 large egg yolk
* 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
* 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
* 3/4 cup boiling-hot water


For filling

* 7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
* 4 ounces coarsely chopped pecans (1 cup)
* 14-ounces can sweetened condensed milk
* 1 tablespoon vanilla


For glaze

* 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
* 10 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate
* 3 tablespoons light corn syrup

* Special equipment: 3 (9-inch) round cake pans

Preparation:

Make cake layers:
Preheat oven to 350°F and oil cake pans. Line bottoms of pans with rounds of parchment or wax paper. Sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Whisk together whole milk, butter, whole egg, yolk, vanilla, and almond extract in another large bowl until just combined. Beat egg mixture into flour mixture with an electric mixer on low speed, then beat on high speed 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and beat in water until just combined (batter will be thin). Divide batter among cake pans (about 1 1/2 cups per pan) and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of pans and rotating them 180 degrees halfway through baking, until a tester comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes total.

Cool layers in pans on racks 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Carefully remove parchment or wax paper and cool layers completely.

Make filling:
Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

Spread coconut in a large shallow baking pan and pecans in another. Bake pecans in upper third of oven and coconut in lower third, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 18 minutes. Remove pans from oven.

Increase oven temperature to 425°F.

Pour condensed milk into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate and cover tightly with foil. Bake milk in a water bath in middle of oven 45 minutes. Refill baking pan with water to reach halfway up pie plate and bake milk until thick and brown, about 45 minutes more. Remove pie plate from water bath.

Stir in coconut, pecans, and vanilla and keep warm, covered with foil.

Make glaze while milk is baking:
Melt butter in a 3-quart saucepan. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate and corn syrup, whisking until chocolate is melted. Transfer 1 cup glaze to a bowl, reserving remaining glaze at room temperature in pan. Chill glaze in bowl, stirring occasionally, until thickened and spreadable, about 1 hour.

Assemble cake:
Put 1 cake layer on a rack set over a baking pan (to catch excess glaze). Drop half of coconut filling by spoonfuls evenly over layer and gently spread with a wet spatula. Top with another cake layer and spread with remaining filling in same manner. Top with remaining cake layer and spread chilled glaze evenly over top and side of cake. Heat reserved glaze in pan over low heat, stirring, until glossy and pourable, about 1 minute. Pour glaze evenly over top of cake, making sure it coats sides. Shake rack gently to smooth glaze.

Chill cake until firm, about 1 hour.
Transfer cake to a plate.



Today I am thankful for Chocolate...I've said it before, I know -but- I am really thankful for it...lol!?!

Obama Bus

Millions more wasted...




Today I am thankful...that soon (not soon enough) I won't have this man to complain about!?!

Country Strong

I am usually a little late when it comes to watching the newest movies!?!
That was the case again when it came to "Country Strong"!?!
I just recently got around to watching it!?!
I have to say it was a pretty good movie!?!
I am really not sure what I enjoyed more though...the movie or the music!?!
If you haven't already watched it...take a look at it -&- let me know what you think!?!




Gwyneth Paltrow as Kelly Canter
Tim McGraw as James Canter
Garrett Hedlund as Beau Hutton
Leighton Meester as Chiles Stanton

A drama centered on a rising country-music songwriter (Hedlund) who sparks with a fallen star (Paltrow). Together, they mount his ascent and her comeback, which leads to romantic complications involving her husband/manager (McGraw) and a beauty queen-turned-singer (Meester)

Today I am thankful for country music!?!

Brown's Country Store -&- Restaurant

Today's blogs finds us in Benton, AR a relatively large town outside of
Little Rock!?!
And, why the stop in Benton you may ask?!?
Hows about to indulge in my husbands favorite past time...eating!?!

BROWN'S COUNTRY STORE & RESTAURANT:

Opened in the summer of 1973 & has been going strong ever since! The buffet is over 100' long & offers a variety of down home southern treats! With all of their food being made homemade & expertly prepared nobody can ever complain about the excellent quality! They also have a desert bar which is to die for! If you leave Brown's hungry it is your own fault!?!

Brown's also has an amazing country store which host a variety of hand crafted items, homemade foods & candies! It is a perfect place to shop for the person who thinks they have it all!?!

If you are interested in learning more about Brown's you can visit the following website:

http://www.brownscountryrestaurant.com/

*There is also a limited amount of tractor / trailer parking*

Today I am thankful for goooooood Southern-fried cooking!?!

Blue Beacon

When we go to get our Travelin' Abode cleaned on the outside we always go to the...
Blue Beacon!?!

Just like any other business some are better than others
...-but-...
my husband never leaves until he is satisfied
-&-
until he has a heavy coat of Rain X wax!?!

For a list of Blue Beacons please visit HERE!?!


Today I am thankful that I don't have to wash the Travelin' Abode by hand...lol!?!

Sunday Dinner

Ingredients

• 4 beef cubed steaks (4 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery rib with leaves, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Directions

• In a large nonstick skillet, brown cubed steaks on both sides in oil over medium-high heat; remove and set aside. In the same skillet, saute the onion, celery and garlic for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce and bouillon. Return steaks to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 hours or until meat is tender.
• Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into tomato mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Great meal to cook while your at church...then just head home make some rice or potatoes add a vegetable -&- maybe a salad -&- wallah!?!

Today I am thankful for a Mom who always made amazing -&- delicious Sunday dinners!?!