Kitty-cats, slippers, and veggie stew..

What a combination, I know!!

This morning as I was sitting in bed with my trusty laptop & english toffee cappuchino catching up on my google reader and out of now where my lovely kitty Baylei came and snuggled up on top of me and I realized how lucky I am to have such wonderful furry babies. Remind me to put that on my list of things to be thankful for.

Another thing I'm thankful for right now is my hubby!! Last night after I got home from an exhaustingly slow day at the shop, my sweetie let me know that I had a new present under the tree. A present that was from him. A present that was way better than the birthday gift I got this year. I begged and pleaded, bribed and begged some more. The bribery worked and I got to open it 9 days early. Woo Hoo! I know you're dying to know what I got.. A "Good Night Aromatherapy" gift set from Bath & Body Works. It even had a sleep mask and cozy slippers to go along with the pillow mist, lotion, and wait for it... bubble bath. I was amazed. And in great need of all of them.

Onto much more pressing matters. Apparently, I have some how learned to cook. I don't know where this skill came from. I was never taught and the food network just makes me hungry. That being said, everything I make turns out great! I will not question this gift, as I am worried that the good Lord will take it away, and my unborn children will be forced into a life of spagetti and hamburger helper. {the good news is that they have now come out with a line of side dishes to go along with the hamburger helper, so at least the would have a balanced meal.}

One of my latest concoctions is my version of Vegetable Beef Soup. It's really quite yummy, even better it only takes around 30 min. form start to finish. Your dying I know. Lucky for you my Momma taught me to share, so here you are:

Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients:

2 lbs. of stew meat

2lbs. of frozen mixed vegetables

2 medium potatoes - cubed

2 stalks of celery - chopped

2 cans of beef broth

2 lg. cans of tomato sauce

1 can diced of roasted tomatoes - do not drain

Salt and Pepper - to taste

Directions:

In a large pot combine broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, mixed vegetables and celery. Start on Med-High heat until it comes to a slow bowl. Turn down to Med. heat. In a separate pot, bowl cubed potatoes for exactly 7 minutes. No more, no less. {Thank you Paula Deen} In the time being cook stew meat. When the potatoes are done add them to the other vegetables, likewise with the meat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it comes to a boil reduce heat to Med-Low and simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste and serve with the carb of your choice.

Winter Goodies..

One of my Mother-in-law Debbi and my favorite things to do around the holidays is to bake. Preferably with each other, the tv on and adult beverages in hand. A few nights ago we/she made Peppermint Bark. It was super yummy, so I thought I'd share the recipe.

Photo borrowed from: www.smilepolitely.com Thank You!

Ingredients:
Crushed candy canes, to yield 1 cup
2 pounds white chocolate
Peppermint flavorings, optional

Directions:
Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired.) Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle.)

Sweets for my sweetie.

One if Chance's favorite things to do recently is to come to me at 8:30 at night and beg, grovel, and plead for cookies. But not just any cookies, he wants snickerdoodles. So I thought I'd share the recipe.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.

Hunger pains.

Why is it that when I'm sick I'm so hungry - and there's no food in the house. Sure there's a fully stocked pantry downstairs. But none of it sounds good. And it all requires cooking, which I don't have the energy to do, and Chance won't. So instead of eating some of my favorite foods - I'll just write about them. So here are some of my favorites.

Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown Casserole

Loaded Potato Soup

Meatloaf

Red Velvet Cake