Creativity At Work

The last time I posted, I mentioned that I was going to Scrapbook Weekend. Well in 24 hours, I got 32 pages done (16 double page spreads). I worked my tail off and got very little sleep. It made me motivated to keep going once I got home and have gotten close to 20 more pages done since. B is finally 2 in his scrapbook and he is 4 1/2 in actual age. The good news is that L is on his way and I will be getting to start his scrapbook soon. He will be 2 in just over a month.

I have been bust making cakes and cards as well. Here is a card I made tonight:





I have been staying busy with all of the kids in my house, so I haven't been getting to cook and bake as much as I like to, but I did make up a new biscuit recipe today; and it turned out fabulously.

Yeast Biscuits

1/2 c. warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1 packet yeast
(mix together and let set)

2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
2/3 c. shortening
(Mix together in a mixing bowl until flour looks like little white peas)

Add in yeast mixture and 1/2 cup of milk. If dough is dry, add a bit more milk. It took about 2/3 cup milk and dough was sticky. Flour your counter and dump the dough onto the counter. Kneed for about a minute, just until no Long sticky. Roll out with a rolling pin and cut biscuits (I use a glass to cut them out).  
I used a cast iron skillet to bake mine in, but a baking sheet works fine. Brush the tops of the biscuits with a bit of milk and bake at 400 for 10-15 min or until just browned. This makes about 10 biscuits.

Bake & Enjoy and Until next time,
MommyShelle C

Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies

I love oatmeal cookies, but J gets tired of me always putting chocolate chips in them, so I made up a new recipe this afternoon.

Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies
1 c. margarine
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/3 c. applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon (if using cinnamon applesauce, omit this)
2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda

Mix together in the order listed and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

These do NOT get very dark, are not overly sweet and are a pretty dense cookie (goes great with a glass of milk!)

Enjoy!
MommyShelle C

Creamy Pork Chops & Rice

I only made 3 pork chops for this recipe, but make more of the chops & sauce as needed:

*Season the pork chops how ever you like but I used; salt, pepper, garlic powder & season salt.
*Put about 2 tbsp. olive oil in skillet & cook pork chops until done (about 5 min per side for 1/2 inch chop)
*Remove chops from pan and set aside
*Add about 1/3 -1/2 cup of Chicken broth to pan and stir with whisk to get all of the gunk off the bottom of the pan. This gunk is delicious and DO NOT waste it.
*Add 2 oz. cream cheese and 2-3 tbsp. butter to broth in pan. Whisk until smooth.
*Splash a couple of splashes of Worcestershire Sauce in there for some yummy flavor.
*Add salt & pepper to taste. Add more broth until the consistency that you prefer.
*Finally, pour the juice off the setting chops into cream sauce, whisk & serve over the chops & rice.

**I made a quick brown rice to serve with this and it was great together.

It is a Fabulous Friday!

       By Fabulous, I mean, the sun is shining and there is no rain/ snow in the forecast for a full 24 hours! Tomorrow is supposed to be a great day in Missouri. It shall be in the 70', partly sunny and no rain in sight. It is also a day of outdoor fun, including: a church turkey shoot. BANG!
      
In the spirit of Friday, I leave you with a recipe.

Grandma Geri's Choclate Chip Cookies
1c. margarine
3/4c. brown sugar
1/4c. sugar
1t. vanilla
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
2 1/4c. flour
1t. baking soda
1 pkg. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350
Mix margarine, sugars, vanilla & pudding. Add in eggs & mix. Add the flour & soda and mix until combined. Finally add the chocolate chips. Scoop onto a cookie sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes.
(I like to slightly underbake these so they are still kinda gooey in the middle)

As always,
MommyShelle C

Chicken Enchiladas

I get people all the time wanting my enchilada recipe, so here it is:

3-4 Large frozen chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel
(Place in a crock-pot and let it cook into yummy-ness for a few hours)
Dig chicken out of sauce, place in a bowl & shred with 2 forks
Save sauce for future use
8-10 flour tortilla shells
1 can refried beans
2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 375
Lay out a tortilla & spred a spoonful of beans down the center. Place some chicken (amount varies by how much you have & how many you are making) over the beans and then sprinkle with cheese. Roll up the enchilada and place seam side down in a 9x13 casserole dish. Repeat until you are out of chicken and/ or tortillas. Once you have all of your enchiladas in the pan, pour all of the soup/ rotel mixture over the enchiladas. The cover with the remaining cheese. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or so, until bubbly & cheese is melted. Serve hot and with sour cream & salsa. Enjoy!!

I hope that you find this recipe enjoyable like so many others before you.

MommyShelle C