Down Home With Little Miss Kindergarten!- Nothin' But Lovin' From My Oven!

Fiesta Camp!

2019-06-01T16:52:00.001-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

Although the weather has been a little bit unpredictable we were still able to get out for a weekend and camp at Lake Ray Roberts State Park and enjoy the sunshine for a day or two. This trip was defiantly fiesta inspired as we brought along some homemade gorditas to start our trip off right.

Right before we left I found these adorable plates at Pier 1 and had to have them for the trip. They are perfect because they are melamine and break resistant. Although they are in the Aloha section, I can't help but look at them and think of a fiesta. When we camp we like to cook but sometimes time does not allow for it so the gorditas did double duty for breakfast topped with eggs and cheese and later for a mid afternoon lunch.

When going to Ray Roberts State Park, you will find tons of paved trails perfect for long walks or bike rides. I think this is my favorite part about the park because I know I will be able to hit the trails for a long ride. This time there were plenty of wildflowers to look at and take pictures of along the trails.

One thing is for sure, I never have to worry if I will have company on the trails because my dogs love to walk and ride the trails as much as I do. At the park, you can camp, hike, bike, ride your horse, rollerblade, geocache or go backpacking. On the water, you can swim at one of the beach areas (no lifeguards on duty), paddle, or wet a hook in the kids’ fishing pond or the lake. Or enjoy quieter pursuits: photography, nature watching, or simply relaxing! Take a virtual tour with the interactive trails map.

Photo Credit Lake Ray Roberts State Park

With so much to do it is worth the trip to the park. In fact, it is our go to place because there always is a spot available and you just can't beat the trails. Although we did not have time for kayaking this park is one of my favorites for that too and there always is a next time!

Take Me To A Picnic!

2018-06-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

Even before school was over for the summer I started longing for a little getaway picnic. I just could not get it off my mind. Over Memorial Day weekend, while on a camping trip, I spotted the cutest picnic blanket at Walmart online.

For just under $10 this was my starting point for my picnic plans. I was not sure when or where I would go but I was going to be picnic ready for sure. And while I was shopping I ran across a few other things to get in the spirit.

I started to get excited about my outside adventure and decided to make a bag and carry this idea along with me on a camping trip. So I decided I had to grab a few more things to get this getaway picnic on it's way...

And considering I have almost all of the table setting taken care of, I knew I was ready to start thinking about what to eat. I thought it would be perfect to recreate Honey Lime Skewers that I had made once before. It is an easy recipe to make ahead and prepare for the grill.

Honey Lime Chicken Skewers!

This is the recipe I have used and have had great success with. Now all I have to do is figure out when and where the picnic will actually be!

Bear Creek Campgrounds!

2017-10-14T18:53:00.002-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

We decided to take a little trip to celebrate a birthday and celebrate the last weekend of summer. Although we didn't travel far from home, it still was a nice getaway after a long and stressful week. Bear Creek campgrounds on Benbrook Lake in Texas is a perfect little spot to escape to. Even though this campground is "no frills" it still is a favorite of mine due to the location and the privacy.

We always reserve the same spot. Our spot has plenty of room, a great view and it is peaceful and quiet. And there is great reception here for watching a game or snapping pictures and posting them online. Most of the time when we camp here the campgrounds are not full. It is nice to be able to carry your kayak to the edge of the water from your campsite.

Even though this is a "no frills" campground there are plenty of places to walk and bike ride. I was amazed to see a butterfly nest in a few different trees and was surprised at the amount of butterflies there were. It wasn't hard to snap a quick picture before they flew away. Each time we passed the nest we took another look.

On one of our many bike rides we were able to spot an armadillo. I was lucky enough to snap a few pictures. He actually let us get pretty close and take as many pictures as we wanted. There is plenty of space to bike ride and just look at nature along the way.

The weekend went by way too fast. I wanted to stay. Such a peaceful place to relax and rejuvenate for a hectic week ahead. Until next time...

Ouachita National Forest

2017-07-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

Normally I am out and about traveling the roads of Texas whenever we get a chance but this summer we decided to go to Arkansas. We were excited to see another part of the world and especially excited to be in a national forest.

Knowing that we could not make reservations to camp within the national forest because it is a first come and first served campground, we decided to make reservations nearby. Lucky for us, just by chance, on our first day there we were able to find a campsite within the national forest. We made our home at the Charlton Recreation Area. This area is located just 20 miles from Hot Springs.

Our campsite was large, lush and well maintained just like the entire park. I swear we never wanted to leave because it was just so picturesque.

There were plenty of things to do to keep us busy during our stay. Lots of great places to kayak nearby, bike riding and walking through the forest are just a few. I think my favorite might have been walking in the forest and just listening to the sounds of nature.

But quite honestly, the campfires were my favorite. Seeing the stars through the trees in the forest by campfire light was just what I needed.

There are plenty of things to do around the area. I think the highlight of the trip was horse riding through the forest. Mountain Harbor Riding Stables is the one to check out if you are in the area. The people who own the business were so friendly and accommodating. It was definitely a scenic ride through the Ouachita Mountains.

The horses were beautiful and so gentle. it honestly was a ride I will never forget. And something I look forward to again. I had such a great experience I am already looking forward to a return trip to do it just one more time.

But the next time we are going to also try the carriage ride. I just can't wait.

There are several rock shops to find a local treasure...or a few.

There were so many places and vistas along the highway to take great pictures. This one reminded me of home...

The observation tower in Hot Springs National Park is something to check out. A great place for pictures. The gift shop has lots of interesting things to help remember your trip.

And while you are in the area, a riverboat cruise is a nice way to end the day.

With so many things to see and do I think I left a piece of my heart in Arkansas but Texas will always be home...

Internet On The Go!

2016-07-16T14:40:00.003-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

So thankful for this time of year to get out and explore a little more of Texas that I have yet to discover. And you can bet I am not going anywhere without some sort of connection. I use my phone a lot but I also take my Surface Pro to get a little work done when we are traveling. Years ago I wasn't sure really how this was possible but it is really very simple. And I get asked this question a lot believe it or not. My service provider is AT&T. A very nice customer service representative told me about tethering. Although I had recently heard of it, I wasn't quite sure just how it worked. She actually sent me directions by email. I was shocked at how easy it really was. I was happy that I also had everything I needed to get it going right away.

TETHERING

Connect your device to the USB port. I used my phone charging cable.

On your phone look for your utilities tab.

Go to settings.

Turn ON your personal hotspot.

Now connect your computer or device to the internet.

And that is it.

When you are finished with your work just remember to turn OFF your hotspot.

I have used this little system for several years now and have had no problem. And it is safe and secure. I have never been charged any additional fees by AT&T. If you are a customer you can call and ask them about tethering before you start. This will eliminate searching for networks to connect to. I am always on the hunt for ideas and hacks to make camping trips fun. I have run across numerous articles and posts about other more complicated or expensive methods. For my family this is the most secure, reliable and inexpensive way to connect on the go. You do have to have an internet signal for it to work. Very few places we have been have poor signal but it does at times happen.

Now all you have to worry about is that perfect camping breakfast.

Happy Trails!

Birthday Brunch!

2016-04-10T08:16:00.001-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

I came across this great recipe when I was searching around for some inspiration for a make ahead birthday brunch recipe that I could make and take with me for a little celebration on the road. I am a huge fan of brunch and I always love a recipe that is easy to transport and can be made ahead because I am a night owl which probably has a lot to do with loving brunch so much.

Sausage and Veggie Casserole by Jimmy Dean sounded like a winner to me. I knew using the basic recipe I could modify it a little for my family and it could be easily prepared in advance and transported one of two ways. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake the next morning or you could make and bake it and heat it up as needed when you are on the run. And it would go perfectly with some fresh fruit that I can pick up anywhere.

The small pyrex dishes are perfect for dividing up the recipe and making one immediately and freezing one for later. Or in my case a small dish fits perfectly in a small oven in my little trailer. You can easily transport any of these dishes in the cooler bag or in an actual cooler. And I love the fact that they fit in my teeny, tiny trailer refrigerator.

With the food part of my birthday brunch taken care of I was ready to think about the decorations. Instead of paper party goods I always opt for things I can mix and match and use more than once. And as soon as I saw these Pioneer Woman linens at Walmart I just couldn't get them out of my mind. When I finally fell in love with teal...it was over for me.

And the best part about this combination is that I can combine it with my favorite color. I ordered these and a few other things from the Pioneer Woman Collection from Walmart because it is hard to find the exact pieces in the store because they sell out fast. The tablecloth was a great price at $14 and the napkins were $10 for 8 which anyone can tell you that is a fantastic price for 8 cloth napkins. I even picked up the teal napkin set...go figure.

And it all matches with my camping dishes! So once it is time to go I will be looking forward to a day without an alarm and a brunch on my own time while feeling the spring breeze and listening to the sweet sounds of spring.

Caprock Canyon State Park!

2016-03-24T23:16:00.003-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

We recently had the chance to get away to Caprock Canyon State Park in Texas. I had never been and I did not know really what to expect except for a few internet searches and pictures. I was excited to see a part of Texas that I have never seen before.

As we approached the campgrounds, I could see that this was a going to be a great experience. For miles all you could see was beautiful scenery. I didn't know if I should look to the left or to the right. All I knew was that beautiful scenery was beginning to surround us completely. It sure seemed like a great place to spend a long relaxing weekend after a stressful week.

I do not spend too much time looking at the reviews of the places that we travel to because usually we are looking for something different so the ratings do not work for us. I have my own way of rating a campground. It all boils down to this.

Is there good cell service?

Can I get a satellite signal?

Is the scenery interesting?

Is there something to do?

Is there a body of water?

Is the campsite semi private?

You can laugh but those are the important things to me. And Caprock Canyon has all that and more.

One of my favorite things in the campgrounds was the prairie dog town. There were plenty of prairie dogs to see and photograph and listen to. If you stick around for a few minutes you can capture quite a few pictures. I knew I had to get a few to show my class.

We had a chance to have some hearty early morning breakfasts before the sun came up and while we were waiting for the temperature to rise. Even in the middle of March in Texas it can be cold.

There are plenty of trails to hike and plenty of places to stop and get those breathtaking views. Lots of places to take pictures even if you are just driving through.

A small lake is located within the park and it looks like a perfect place to fish or kayak. There were quite a few picnic areas with nice views. And there is plenty of easy access to the water.

If you are lucky you can get that up close shot of one of the bison freely roaming in the park. The state park is the official home to the 80 descendants of the great southern plains bison. It is the perfect place to view a magnificent animal in a natural habitat.

I have been to many Texas state parks and this is on the list of the top five. It was beautiful, interesting and had a lot to offer. You can take a shuttle car and tour the park, visit the nature center, take amazing photography, see animals up close, hike, bike, kayak or enjoy peaceful quiet time at the many spacious campsites. The cell service was great so you can get that perfect shot and post it right away. The satellite signal was good too but we didn't want to watch a late night movie when we had clear skies to view the stars.

Caprock Canyon State Park provided the perfect backdrop for a peaceful weekend to recharge and energize for a busy week ahead!

The Best Coca Cola Cake!

2016-02-14T11:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome Down Home Friends,

I have always loved anything I could make ahead and I especially love anything I can make and take with ease. A sheet cake is always a favorite and serves a lot and better yet, you do not have to have mad skills when frosting it. Transporting anything that is supposed to be pretty is always a challenge and finding the right size or shape of container is yet another. Sheet cakes are simple. Usually you make them in a pan that you can serve them in. Believe it or not, a sheet cake is one perfect dessert to take on a camping trip. Let me explain. It is perfect because you can make it ahead of time and it is easily transported in the pan you bake it in. For this recipe I also serve and store it in the same pan. I like to prep anything I can before we leave so that when I get to the campsite all I have to worry about is having some outdoor fun and spending time with my family. And considering we camp a lot, I have to think outside the box because nobody wants hot dogs and chips every other weekend. When we go camping for a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary or celebrating anything, I try to make it special. And I secretly love setting the table. I set the table at home and in the camper. I have always done it so doing it on the road makes me feel like I am home. Because of the ease of transporting, serving and storing this family favorite that is why it made it's debut on camping trips. This sure is a hit late night while sitting around the campfire!

This Coke cake recipe was contributed by Lee Avery Catts to "Atlanta Cooknotes" and was published by The Junior League of Atlanta. I take no credit for the recipe other than knowing it is good to eat and just perfect for celebrating just about anything around a campfire!

Ingredients

2 Cups sugar
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Cup Coca-Cola
1 ½ Cups small marshmallows
½ Cups butter or margarine
½ Cups vegetable oil
3 Tablespoons cocoa
1 Teaspoon baking soda
½ Cups buttermilk
2 eggs
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
½ Cups butter
3 Tablespoons cocoa
6 Tablespoons Coca-Cola
1 box (16-ounces) confectioners' sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Cup chopped pecans

Preparation

Total Time: 1 hr 15 min
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 45 min

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, sift the sugar and flour.
Add marshmallows.
In a saucepan, mix the butter, oil, cocoa and Coca-Cola. Bring to a boil and pour over dry ingredients; blend well.
Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk just before adding to batter along with eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Pour into a well-greased 9- by-13-inch pan and bake 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and frost immediately.

Coca-Cola Cake Frosting

To make frosting, combine the 1/2 cup butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa and 6 tablespoons of Coca-Cola in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and pour over confectioners' sugar, blending well. Add vanilla extract and pecans. Spread over hot cake. When cool, cut into squares and serve.

Is It Camping Season Yet?

2016-02-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

Is it camping season yet? I just want to know just how long it will be before we get to go! Finally the days are getting a little longer and we are getting closer to the time change, so it is prime time to dust off your gear and get ready for the next adventure. I will admit that camping does take a little bit of thought and preparation and it can seem like a chore just to get out and have a good time but being prepared can make or break a trip.

Considering one of my responsibilities is the food for our trips, I have had to find ways to make this chore a little more palatable. Lord knows trying to figure out a family meal plan on a Thursday night after a long week is just no fun at all. So to conquer the camping meal woes, I start planning for our trips well in advance of any trip.

On an ongoing basis, I pin recipes and camping ideas as I find them. That way when I am busy and trying to prepare for a trip, I have a place to find those go to ideas and recipes. We camp a lot so new and fresh ideas are always fun to try out and it keeps it interesting. When we shop we shop for our regular groceries and always buy things for the next trip to freeze. Before things are put away after a trip to the store, things are clearly marked as camping food. If multiple items are needed for one trip they are put in a bag together in the freezer. Additionally, I always have a box in the pantry that holds camping dry goods. I buy it when I am out and put it in the box waiting for the next trip. And lastly, we always have our pantry stocked in the camper with foods that require nothing to prepare like soups. This way if we get the itch to run out the door without any time to prepare, we have the basics to survive on!

Happy Trails!

The Value Of Mindless Creativity!

2015-07-23T00:43:00.001-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

I just couldn't wait for summer to begin because I had plans to make something or just anything just for fun. As soon as school was out I went right back to work for a couple of weeks and my craft plans got put on the back burner. Once I had the time to get a little creative I couldn't figure out what I wanted to create. The truth is, I have had a long dry spell with no creativity and I wasn't sure if I would ever break the cycle. On a trip to Hobby Lobby I ran across this premade banner. I liked parts of it and kept going back to look at it. Considering I could never jump start my creative juices with a solid plan like normal I decided to just create something on a whim without any real direction. Why not, what could it hurt? Resisting the urge to plan everything out, I decided on the grab and go method. I grabbed the banner and started grabbing embellishments resisting the urge to plan it in my head.

I honestly started second guessing myself for buying a project I didn't plan for or think though. But as it turns out it was a perfect project because all I had to do was hot glue the items on the banner and tie some ribbon. It honestly was a perfect project to get me thinking creatively. All I had to concentrate on was the element of design and placement of the pieces.

I kind of got lost in thought.

Once I had finished I hung it up and looked at it. It was easy and simple but most of all it helped me to recharge my thinking. It made me wonder if kids feel the same way. I remember the value of creativity as a child.

I craved creativity and it was critical for me to have that outlet.

As a young child I knew creativity was important in my life. It is sad that there isn't much time for creativity in school today. I started thinking of ways I could change that for my class this coming year. Really creativity is part of problem solving too. The process of creativity is far more valuable than the actual product. The process of creating something and just getting lost in the process turned out to be just what I needed. It got my mind recharged and ready to start thinking of my goals and plans for the coming year. You could say it was money well spent.

Once I hung it up I decided it would go in my tiny trailer across the window. It has plenty of space left on it to glue trinkets found on my travels around Texas. And if I decided I didn't like it I knew I could rip it apart and start again! The good news is that once this project was complete I knew my creative dry spell was over and ever since then I have been...moving on!

Inks Lake State Park

2015-06-25T22:42:00.001-07:00

Welcome Down Home Friends,

It is finally summertime which gives us a chance to get out and about. I was so excited to be able to return to one of my favorite places in Texas. Inks Lake State Park is one of those places where I long to go to kick back and enjoy the outdoors. It was the first place I considered when deciding on a location for a Father's Day fishing themed celebration. With so much to see and do I knew it would be the perfect spot for this celebration.

And when I say perfect spot I mean just that! A place where you can drag your kayaks out from your campsite is the ultimate spot for me. I swear we got the best site in the entire park although there were several good ones that we saw along the way.

Knowing that I had little time to prepare for this celebration, I hunted around the house and grabbed what I could for a little inspiration. After my initial hunt for anything fish related, I realized I did have other things on hand I could use for props to go along with what you see here. I realized I had camping dishes and lanterns that would work well too. As I was packing for the trip, I just added what I could to the travel bag if I thought it fit the theme. Knowing that time would be short the week leading up to the trip, I started to worry about the cake. I had grand visions of creating something on my own but I realized that with working all week and not having ever really decorated a cake before, I might need to consider plan B.

I was able to get a local grocery store to make the cake and create the water and land. Unfortunately they did not have the cake kit so I had to find it on my own. I was able to find it on Amazon and had it delivered in a flash. I have to say it was the easiest cake to put together and I would do it again. I was worried that the cake would not make the three hour drive but they packed it in the box very well and it made it through a bumpy, warm ride just fine.

I knew I didn't have to worry too much about the food because we always plan that out before we go on any camping trip. I am lucky my husband likes to grill and he had planned on grilling.

My job is simply the...decorations, drinks and dessert!

That plan works for us and I am just fine with that. We usually cook what we would cook at home so getting ready for a trip and planning the meals is no big deal.

With the decorations, drinks, dinner and dessert taken care of we were able to get out and about and take a good look around. Inks Lake has lots of trails and a lot of natural beauty to see. It is hard not to stop and take a picture!

With so much to do and see we never left the park once. We walked, took pictures, rode bikes, kayaked, went on some boat rides, fished and sat by the campfire under the stars. All in all, the fish themed party was a huge success and a memorable celebration that I am sure we will try to recreate next year.

All the party supplies were purchased from Amazon. The basic cake was made by Albertson's Grocery Store and Bakery.

Snowballs!

2015-01-02T17:31:00.001-08:00

Welcome Down Home Friends,

I have snow on my mind. I guess the cold and wet dreary winter weather has me wishing for snow rather than just the cold. Around my house when we talk about snow our conversation always comes back around to...snowballs. In Texas we are more likely to see snowballs in our kitchen rather than outside our windows but we have been known to have a white Christmas and a snow day or two! But in my family our favorite snowballs are the powdered sugar kind. I just had to share this recipe because I love it so much for a few reasons. I appreciate how simple it is to make because I am busy and don't have a lot of time for fussing around. Who has time for fussing around? Who are we kidding? Not a single person has time for that but you do have time to make a simple snowball, right? You will love this recipe too. You make the dough and put it in the refrigerator and let it chill while you take a little break or two... It can stay in the refrigerator for a few days if you really are that busy. This is a perfect holiday cookie because you can make it ahead and bake as needed. Also, these do not have to be perfect and I love that. These get dusted (or in my house covered) in powdered sugar. Just pretend it is a Texas blizzard and when your plate looks like that you will know you have "dusted" them enough. But seriously, in my house, we serve these snowballs on top of a plate of powdered sugar...we like to dredge them in a little more powdered sugar just in case some of it came off when it was sitting on the plate. I know, we are just terrible for that. But I bet you try that too and I swear I won't tell anyone. But before I give you the recipe for my favorite winter cookie, let me give credit where credit is due! This recipe comes from Martha Stewart and yes it is tried and true and you know it is good!

Snowballs!

2 sticks of butter at room temp

2 tablespoons of honey

1 teaspoon of bourbon

2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour

1 cup of chopped pecans

1/2 cup of powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon of salt

In an electric mixer, cream butter and honey until fluffy. Add bourbon and beat to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pecans, sugar and salt. Add to the butter mixture and beat to combine. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 3 hours. Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets, Roll the dough 2 teaspoons at a time into balls. Bake 12-13 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool. Roll in sugar to coat.

ENJOY!

Replacements!

2014-12-22T22:22:00.001-08:00

Welcome Home,

I have collected Christmas anything for all of my adult life. It is difficult at times to narrow down a favorite because there are many and for many different reasons. I always seem to want all of my favorites out each year. But this year I seem to be drawn to the color combination of red, white and black. There is just something about the black that I love. Black just makes everything better.

This color combination makes me think of the Christmas dishes I got years ago from my mother. I have always loved these dishes and can't wait to get them out each year. And even though this pattern is retired, I can still find pieces to it through a company called Replacements. Replacements is the best place to find those hard to find pieces to just about any retired set of dishes. If you sign up and register your pattern you will get notifications when new pieces are found. No more internet searches that lead to nowhere. You can even register to get notifications for pieces for other people which is a great gift giving idea at any time of the year. You can purchase items and tuck them away for birthdays and holidays. Who wouldn't love getting that treasured piece to replace a missing one?

Traditions!

2014-12-22T11:32:00.001-08:00

Welcome Down Home Friends,

One of my favorite Christmas memories growing up was the year we had a cookie cutter tree. I guess my mom had a way with making Christmas memorable. Someone mentions the cookie cutter tree every single year because it was just that special. Each time we get together at Christmas, someone mentions it. I loved that tree as a child and I still carry on that as a tradition in my own home today. If you know me I am never far from any spool of gingham ribbon...ever. I have spools and spools of it to tie my little life together. It is one of those small things that keeps me grounded in my roots. It reminds me of my earliest days and of childhood memories.

With just a little gingham ribbon, the cookie cutters were hung on the tree. And that year we even got multi colored lights. I still can see it in my mind just like it was yesterday.

Many years after that tree my sister gave me the cookie cutters that my great grandmother used to make cookies. It has to be one of the best gifts I have ever received. I keep those in a special tin nestled on my baker's rack. I guess in my own way I keep those little traditions alive in my home still today.

AKA Little Black Dress!

2014-09-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

Here is one of those recipes that will become a staple recipe just like the staple wardrobe item...the little black dress. You know "that" dress that you keep on hand for so many different reasons. The one that is so classic and classy at the same time that you keep it around forever. The "it" dress that you have hanging that was worn for so many special occasions and holds on to so many memories...that one. The one that can serve so many functions depending on the accessories you put with it!

Butter & Brown Sugar Salmon...

is nothing short of little black dress worthy.

Let me start by telling you the reasons why.

You will make it for someone special and they will love it and want to return the favor and take you out, which will give you a reason to wear your little black dress. Or you will try the recipe and fall in love with the simplicity of it that you will make it to impress someone or for some special occasion and you will be wearing that little black dress. I am sure it will become one of those recipes that is talked about and requested over and over. And depending on what you pair it with, it can carry you through the seasons and years without going out of style. But the best part of it all is that you can pull this off with style...I promise because it is just that easy.

Butter & Brown Sugar Salmon

AKA Little Black Dress Salmon

Here is all you will need:

4 frozen salmon fillets

1/2 Cup brown sugar

4 Tablespoons of butter melted

1 Tablespoon chili powder

Salt

Pepper

Preheat the oven to 400. Place the thawed fillets on a baking sheet. Melt the butter. Mix the brown sugar and chili powder and set aside. Baste one side of the salmon with butter and add the salt and pepper to your liking. Flip the salmon over and repeat. Turn the salmon skin side down on the baking sheet and add the brown sugar mixture. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.

It is really that simple and yes it is as noteworthy as your little black dress...try it and you will see why!

Grilling On The Go!

2014-06-30T17:25:00.001-07:00

Welcome Down Home Friends,

You sure know it is summer when you smell the food cooking outdoors. When the weather is beautiful and sunny outside who really wants to be indoors? Cooking outside no matter where you are can be fun and change things up a bit. In my house I am not the BBQ master and I like it that way! But I am in charge of planning and all the sides. So basically my job is to figure out the what and where and worry about the sides. It is kind of a good deal if you think about it!

My quest this time around was to find a grill that was portable and lightweight that could be carried to the beach for a cookout. I was determined to find something that could fit compact under a boat seat and out of the box I wanted it to be...road trip ready and beach bound! I started out at World Market and got a lot of inspiration and was petty determined to find exactly what I was looking for so that I could check off a beach BBQ off of my summer bucket list.

Ultimately I was able to find what I was looking for at Wal-Mart. I love it because it was so affordable and the legs fold up and over the grill when the lid is on and it has a handle. It fits compact under a boat seat and it is light weight to carry to the beach. Now all I have to worry about is what to cook. One of my all time favorite things to cook would have to be kabobs. I think it is the perfect beach picnic food for grilling because you can prepare it the night before and have it good and ready. I also like that meat and vegetable are all in one place and you can eat it off of a stick! What is not to love? So, what are your favorite kabob recipes? I am on the hunt for them right now!

Texas Caviar!

2014-06-20T20:17:00.002-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

You know they say that black eyed peas bring you luck. So it is no surprise that we find black eyed peas in Texas Caviar. So what is not to love about this zesty little dish? After all it is so easy to make and easy to adjust and play with and the best part is that it is a make ahead little dish that can go with anything. I also love that this recipe is better when you make it the night before. Make ahead recipes have got to be my favorites. So before you get out those old recipes for the next picnic, tailgate, potluck of BBQ why not give Texas caviar a try?

Texas Caviar

Prepare the day before for best results

1 can of black eyed peas rinsed and drained

1 can of corn drained

1 red, green, yellow or orange bell pepper seeded and chopped

1 jalapeno seeded and chopped

1/2 red, yellow or white onion chopped

1 pint red or yellow cherry tomatoes

Bacon bits (in the jar)

8oz Italian dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and store overnight. More dressing can be used if needed. Stir and taste several hours before serving and add more dressing and seasonings if needed. Serve as a salad or with chips as a dip.

It really is that simple and fun to play around with the basic recipe. I made this the other day and took it to a picnic on the lake and it was a hit! So easy to make and transport and light and refreshing. I am still hoping those peas will bring me luck!

The Little Red Campfire!

2014-06-16T21:07:00.002-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

I think breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Maybe it isn't my favorite during a work week but it is my favorite on the weekends at home. So, considering my summer weekends are filled with camping, I had to figure out a way to have a little breakfast fun on the run. When you are out and about for a weekend camping getaway, time is precious. Nobody wants to spend all the time cooking when there is so much to do or the views are like this...

So I had to figure out a way to be outside and still keep up with the family tradition of weekend breakfast even while camping. And some would argue that this is not real camping. Maybe, maybe not but The Little Red Campfire makes it so much fun!

The Little red campfire is perfect for a quick and small campfire in your backyard, tailgating or even while camping in places that have burn bans. It comes in handy when you are out of wood or the wood is wet. And this is a surefire way to get those s'mores going no matter the circumstances. But what I love the most is the cooking attachment that makes cooking with the Little Red so easy. With this simple attachment, you are prepared for just about anything. A simple hookup to propane and your fun begins...just like that!

A Wimberly Texas Getaway!

2014-05-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

We finally made it to the cabin in the woods in Wimberly, Texas. It was long overdue but so worth the wait. As you can see we stayed in a quaint cabin and it was surrounded by the cypress trees. It was just the setting we were looking for. A little off the beaten path but just so peaceful to get away from it all. I just can't say enough about this little cabin. I swear it had everything. All you need are your clothes if you are going here. The best part of this get away is that we had no expectations or plans we just knew we were going. We didn't have a hard time figuring out what to do...

We just had to check out our surroundings before we decided to do anything else. And we even got in our first walk on the leash.

And once we finally got inside we discovered that our cabin wasn't too shabby! In fact, it was pretty cozy in there!

The cabin was charming and comfortable. And it had everything we needed for a weekend getaway. Wimberly has a quaint little town that you can see in a morning or afternoon trip. This was perfect for us to get out of the woods and do a little shopping.

I was able to pick up some vintage camping pans while we were out. Now when I use them I always remember the time were at the cabin in the woods. And it reminds me that we all need to take a break from the normal day to day and live a little bit of life!

When we returned we had a basket of snacks waiting for us.

And we were able to take a little break on the tiny front porch and get a better look at our surroundings.

And we had a chance to talk about a little bit of...nothing and then plan dinner. We were able to pick up steaks and vegetables in town and our cabin in the woods had a little grill so we were ready to go.

And I guess you can see we were not roughing it a bit! We had everything in that cabin provided for us even the tablecloth!

I am not quite sure about what it is about being in the woods that makes you sleep so good or maybe it is the fact that we finally took some time to ourselves and took a break from the day to day routine. Needless to say that after a deep sleep I was actually up and awake before the roosters began to crow. It gave me a little time to sneak a peek at my computer and download some pictures from our getaway before starting breakfast.

The cabin had everything you could need for a breakfast in the woods. What is not to love here?

Even my helper had a good breakfast!

We had a lot of time for rest and relaxation in Wimberly. We were able to take in all the cabin and the little town had to offer in a long weekend but most important we were able to get away from the everyday routine of our day to day life. And on our way out we were able to make one last stop at a local antique shop.

And look who we found on our way out of town! He is all dressed up and ready for the holidays!

The Dirty Laundry & Life!

2014-03-13T10:28:00.003-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

This kind of makes me laugh...airing my dirty laundry but I am willing to give it a go before I change my mind. Recently my life changed quite a bit. I went from one dog to three puppies in what seems like a blink of an eye. Nonetheless, life has changed around my house. In the middle of all the excitement and joy, I found myself taking deep breaths and saying to myself...and then there were three or maybe and then there were THREE! Early on I knew I had to get my gear together if I was going to survive...three puppies. Who was I kidding, it is now a kennel in my house! How in the world did this happen? So, I made a list of essentials and got to shopping online.

Ok, call me crazy but my first favorite of this little laundry room repurposed into a puppy room is the vintage Vera Bradley dog carrier I found this on eBay. I love this to pieces. Two small puppies tucked inside and you are off on your way to Operation Vaccination in a flash. That fabulous plan worked once or until puppy three came into my life. Puppy three was the bonus and not planned for but neither was puppy two, so who really is counting anyway? Puppy three has his own story... So puppy three got his own vintage Vera bag and he now goes along for the ride too! He is never far from my side anyway so it kind of works and I got another purse. I call this a win-win situation. Now to the magnetic paper towel holder. I found this fabulous find on Amazon. Oh my, what is not to love here? No tools needed and no holes in the wall. And now nobody is asking where in the world the paper towels are in this part of the house. And last, my Joss and Main crates. I love getting those Joss and Main emails. I love how everything is categorized. And the crates I found are perfect for holding all kinds of supplies. The signs you see pictured are all from Hobby Lobby. I threw those in the basket when shopping for organization stuff because I figured I might need a little positive vibe in the room since I now run a mini kennel out of my tiny laundry room. It made logical and perfect sense at the time...

On the day I was shopping at Hobby Lobby for some containers, bins, baskets or crates for the new room, I kept thinking to myself I needed to make things as easy as possible if I was going to survive with three puppies. I might have felt like a new mother in a way. I was trying to think of anything and everything to make things just perfect and to help me survive a very busy and full life and now three new little additions. I prayed a little while I was in the store and wondered if I had taken on just a little too much with three... But I remembered that sometimes you just have to go with your heart and make the most of what you have. And what I now had was a busy and bustling new house full of life and love. Sometimes you just go with your gut and pray for the best and that is what I did. As I was shopping, I ran across the quote above on a sign. It made me think...maybe things were just meant to be and having three was in the plans for me all along.

And now in my house these three remain...

Here is a little faith...we call her K.C

Here is a little hope...we call him Cain.

Here is a little love...we call him Cash.

And just when you think you have it all figured out life throws you another curve ball... As I set my new container of detergent on the washer and ran a load of jeans, I heard a loud noise coming from the laundry room. I was hoping and praying that the magnetic paper towel holder didn't fall off and break during the extra spin cycle. Much to my surprise, I went in to find a large puddle of blue washing detergent on the floor and three white, black and blue dogs, oh me, oh my! The stack of clean beach towels waiting for vacation hit the floor fast and I scooped up some soapy puppies and quick. As I slipped and slid and balanced those puppies to the bathtub, I kind of had to laugh even though I wanted to cry. I now had a big, hot mess of a problem and I was all ready for vacation to begin. I shoved that soapy, drippy mess of towels into the washer and set it on the longest setting just praying that the bubbles would be contained inside the washer. I tried to block out the image of some I Love Lucy episode and just kept going. I was in my own episode called...life! And as the bubbles brewed inside the washer, that never seems to die, I gave those puppies the bath of their life. And as I looked down at those three little puppies I knew it somehow was just meant to be... So now you know why the shelf between the washer and dryer holds the detergent! But I saved the best for last! The light sitting on top of the shelf is hooked up to a plug in that is sort of like a clapper. I have a remote for this. So, with just a click the light can be turned on or off. So when the light clicks on it is time to get up and out and when it clicks off it's quiet time. These remotes plug into any outlet and turn it in to whatever on a remote. Boy the fun I had with these at Christmas. And you can plug a three plug extender into it and have three things plugged in to this remote...love this to pieces. I saw these at Costco and bought it on Amazon. So, a hand vac, a light and a candle warmer can be on one remote! Only time will tell if the washer survives the mountain of bubbles we put it through. But until then me and my crew will just have to make do!

On The Road!

2014-03-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

On the road again. Well, in search of a travel trailer. I thought it would be easy and I thought it would be simple but I have learned that it just isn't. Things on the internet are not exactly what they seem and size is really hard to visualize until you are right there in person. Although this small Casita is darling, it isn't the right fit for me and my family so quickly we turned to a little bit larger camper and took a look around.

But you can see they have everything you need in a tiny little space.

And the dining room just makes you want to go camping, right? Believe it or not you do not feel cramped in here but you would really have to see it to believe it.

I even got a chance to test out one of the beds and it was comfy.

They even have some nice storage areas all tucked out of the way just waiting for fun camping gear.

We had to make a pit stop to talk and take it all in. So many things to consider and think about. And on our way home wouldn't you know we passed several more RV dealers. Never once noticed those signs before. I guess camping is on my mind. A little escape from the everyday routine, a little nature and a little fun could do a girl some good. Let's be honest, I am ready to go...now or like yesterday! But looking can sometimes be fun, right? So, we are on the road again and off to find the travel trailer that fits our family the best. Who knows what we will end up with!

Some of us don't need that much space!

Headin' For The Texas Hills!

2014-02-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hey friends,

Well, after a long week I had a thought and thought for a while and finally decided to take the plunge and book a cabin for a weekend in the not so distant future. I am hoping for a little peace and tranquility and some good old outdoor fun. The way I look at it, sometimes you have to take some time for yourself and recharge. And I am the worst at doing just that. I wasn't really feeling like roughing it so a cozy little cabin seemed like just the right fit for me and my family.

I am hoping that I timed this trip just right and can see a few bluebonnets along the way. I have not seen good bluebonnets in bloom in a few years along the Texas highways. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

We have no specific plans or agenda. All we know is we are going. I kind of like that. Just a simple little road trip and no real plans. I am hoping for some porch time and some time with our newest family member...

If you are thinking about traveling to the Texas Hill Country take a look at these cabins and see what they have to offer. With so many different options, it was kind of hard to pick. But I think I made a pretty good choice without roughing it at all.

I can already taste the s'mores and smell the fire. Something tells me that hammock just might be calling my name pretty soon...

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Sweet Saturday Mornings!

2014-01-10T23:19:00.001-08:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

After a long and dreary week in the cold and rain I am now turning my thoughts to a sweet Saturday morning. Oh, the thought of sleeping in and waking up to one of my favorite Christmas gifts...the Keurig mini. I just can't express how much I love this little machine. This can make any dreary morning seem a little brighter no matter if the sun is shining or not. Not only do I love the size of this miracle maker but I love that anybody and everybody gets exactly what they want with just a push of the button.

So, what's in my cup? I think my all time favorite is the sugar free apple cider. You get the good flavor without any guilt and that is the best part. I really can't decide if caramel apple is my favorite or if the spiced cider is with a splash of cranberry juice. Either way it warms you up and gets you going. But you know the Keurig is never short on variety and there is always something new to try.

I have to admit, salted caramel hot chocolate is not bad either especially on a lazy Saturday morning. Lucky me, even a non coffee drinker can enjoy a red Keurig too!

And you know the rooster will crow and stir up the morning hunger especially when there is a little more time than a workday morning. And if you are not feeling like the fuss and muss of a all out breakfast, the breakfast sandwich maker is the way to go. You have tons of variety here too. You can make the best egg or egg white breakfast sandwiches in minutes. This is another one of those things that everyone can get exactly what they want! I love it because everybody is happy and content. I guess the best part is that all I have to do is gather the supplies and set up a breakfast bar and we are good to go. I mean hey, life is busy. I would rather have time to talk about the week or weekend instead of washing pots and pans especially if the sun is shining.

Grilling ebook!

2013-06-29T19:10:00.003-07:00

Hey Friends,

I just saw this and had to share the information since it is so close to a great grilling holiday!

Download Our Favorite Grilling Recipes eBook for just 49 CENTS this week only! Get started here: http://bit.ly/GBPourfavgrillingrecipes

You'll need to SELECT YOUR PREFERRED SELLER from our page above, so scroll down and look for the buttons IN THE BLUE BOX. Find the right version (Kindle, Nook, Apple or Sony), click over and then download in seconds!

Remember, EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN EBOOK READER, you can still enjoy this deal! Download one of the free reading apps from Amazon (http://amzn.to/kindlereadingapp) or Barnes & Noble (http://bit.ly/nookreadingapp) and it's like having an eBook reader right in your computer!

As you already have heard...Google Reader will soon be retiring so follow this blog on Bloglovin'!

Setting The Table Cinco Style!

2013-05-03T02:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Down Home Friends,

Setting the table is always fun when your getting ready for some family, friends and fun. I get the love of dishes from my mother. A couple of years ago I found some Laurie Gates dishes at Costco and fell in love with them. In fact, I loved them so much I had to get a teacher friend to get me another set so that I had two. Right now my local Costco has a new set at a very reasonable price. What I love about many of these sets is that they are affordable, unbreakable and just beautiful on the table. You set the table with these and it is almost like an instant party. All the sets you see here remind me of a fiesta! I think so many of the designs are just perfect for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Additionally, if you changed the accessories used with these they would also be perfect for Mother's day too!