Joyful Melody

Snowy Day...or just stuck inside crafts

2013-01-11T09:46:00.002-08:00

Between the cold, some snow and having a little one we haven't had the outside time I would rather have. So we have had to become creative in what we do inside instead of watching tv. I came across these articles and have made some of the ideas with the kids and we had fun, so I thought maybe you'd be interested in reading also if I keep it here I have a reference to find it. Are you spending a lot of time outside if so where do you live?

http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-us/crafts/pages/snow-day-crafts.aspx

(Picture from above link)

Watermelon juice

2013-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Made some Watermelon juice...so yummy...here's where I got the recipe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp2NBdOrHoM

My Italian Wedding Soup

2013-01-09T12:17:00.002-08:00

Posting this for you Ed :0)

Italian Wedding Soup
A whole chicken (hint I usually use the one that I roasted the
night before…more flavor or in a pinch for time use a store bought roterserrie)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Enough water to cover chicken
Pasta of choice 1-1 and a half cup of little pasta
1 cup of fresh spinach
2 eggs
1 carrot diced up in cubes
1 half cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Meatball ingredients
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Garlic powder
Half a cup Bread crumbs
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
Half cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces of lean ground beef and 8 ounces of ground lean pork

Instructions

Place chicken in pot, cover with water and add spices. Boil
chicken in water until meat falls of bone. Take chicken out and take meat of the
bone and put back in soup (discard bones or save for broth for another
soup) Now that chicken is in homemade stock,add carrots, cut up spinach and
add also add meatballs (meatballs add all the ingredients together and mix
together, then make mini meatballs)
add pasta. Now after meat is cooked taste and see what spice you need to
add to the soup, if more salt, pepper or etc. When you are pleased with soups
taste, in a separate cup crack 2 eggs and mix with your parmesan cheese. After
mixed together add into soup and use a fork to move it around to make strands,
let them cook for about a minute or so….Voila you’ve got yourself some Italian
Wedding Soup ala Melody

Working on my side entry way and a stuffed pizza recipe

2012-04-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my front door since I read and was convicted Ezekiel 44:5 which tells us to "mark well the entrance of the house." I was reminded to make the entrance to my home attractive and so planted some happy pansies, phlox, and geraniums to meet us and others at the door. Love my basket with our names on it

So then I started looking over at my side door and decided I need to do that one too. So I've started but not done I'll show you a little easy craft I did.

Start with a sign and ribbon of your choice...I picked green.

String through and make bow..tada..simple and cute, well I think cute, and of course hang.

I bought the sign and ribbon at Joann's fabric in the clearance.

Now the stuffed pizza recipe.

Stuffed Sausage and Cheese Pizza

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/stuffed-pizza-687341/

or sometimes I replace the ricotta with provolone cheese....yummy

After doing yard work...Strawberry Ice Tea is in order.

2012-04-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

I was craving some iced tea and I'll be honest I love sweet tea, but with this pregnancy just not wanting that sweetness. I made this instead and way yummier.

Ingredients

2 cups of fresh strawberries

1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice

5 cups unsweetened brewed ice tea, chilled

1/3 of a cup of raw honey

Additional strawberries for garnish (sliced)

Place strawberries and lemon juice in blender and puree. Pour puree into a 2 quart pitcher (I used a old milk bottle) and add the tea and honey ( add more honey if not swwet enouth to your liking); stir until honey dissolved. Chill. Float slices of strawberries in pitcher.

Sit back on a rocking chair on your back deck, sip and relax.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

2012-04-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

I was in the mood for comfort this morning, and no one else in the house felt the same. So for me I made myself Apple Pie Oatmeal. Just what this momma needed warm, sweet, filling, and healthy. I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup regular oats
1 tablespoon flax seed
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger + pinch of sea salt
1 1/4 cups Almond Milk
1 Macintosh apple, cut into 1 inch pieces (to peel or not to peel is up to you) or whatever kind you want
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup + more for drizzling
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp chopped walnuts, for sprinkling on top

Directions:
1. In a medium sized pot over medium heat, whisk together the oats, chopped apple, 1 flax seeds, applesauce, Almond milk, 1 tbsp pure maple syrup, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, pinch of sea salt. Whisk well.
2. Heat over medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring often. When the mixture thickens and the liquid is absorbed, it is ready. Stir in the pure vanilla extract.
3. Pour into a dish and sprinkle with chopped walnuts, a pinch of cinnamon, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Yummy!

Sometimes a girls just needs comfort food...Grilled Almond Butter and (my quick) Blueberry Jam Sandwich

2012-04-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I had a yummy Baked Avocado and Egg...here's the link http://joyfulmelody.blogspot.com/2012/04/baked-avocado-and-egggood-ole-pinterest.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SimplyAJoyfulMelody+%28Simply+a+Joyful+Melody%29
So this afternoon I got hit with a "I want comfort food" craving...I wanted a nut butter type of lunch, so let the creative juices flow and drooling begin. I made a Grilled Almond Butter, with my Mock Blueberry Jam for lunch. It was fantastic with a glass of milk this mommy was satisfied and stuck to a clean lunch.

Ingredients:

2 slices of Ezekiel Bread..(I used the cinnamon raisin)
1 tbsp of Almond butter...organic all natural
and my mock Blueberry Jam...(I take 6 fresh blueberries and a tiny squirt of Agave nectar and mash it up together....tada clean blueberry jam and you know whats in it)

Brought out my GF grill and grilled my sandwich until gooey. Pour a glass of milk and enjoy like you are 4 years old again. Who said comfort food can't be healthy and good for you?

Baked Avocado and Egg...good ole pinterest

2012-04-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

I love Pinterest, if I had the time I'd be on there a bit more then I care to admit, love to look at the pretty pictures, craft ideas and even recipes....oh boy lots and lots of creative recipes. Well one of my friends had this recipe up and I thought what a quick breakfast to make, and I have the ingredients...so here it is. I followed the recipe back to it original website which is here http://foodbeast.com/content/2012/01/13/idea-baked-avocado-and-egg/ . If you don't feel like clicking here is the recipe.

preheat oven to 425, have cast iron pan in there

Slice avocado in half, take out pit

take pan out, put avocado half on, crack egg om

put whatever you want on top ( I used a little cheese on mine and pepper)

place in oven and cook till your eggs desire

There you go that simple and tasty, I paired mine up with some fruit on the side, it made for a fast, fresh, and healthy breakfast.

Creamy Avocado Pasta.....I love thee

2012-04-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

1 medium sized ripe Avocado, pitted
1/2 lemon, juiced + lemon zest to garnish
1 garlic cloves, to taste (I have used 3 and it was quite garlicky, but if you are not a big fan of garlic use 1 clove)
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 servings/6 oz of your choice of pasta (I used whole wheat)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
(sometimes I add a handful of spinach too)

Directions:
1. Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the sauce by placing the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and olive oil into a food processor. Process until smooth. Now add in the pitted avocado, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy.
3. When pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse in a strainer and place pasta into a large bowl. Pour on sauce and toss until fully combined. Garnish with lemon zest and black pepper. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.

(if using spinach add it in where you add the avocado)

Enjoy..so yummy

Strawberry Shortcake Stacked Pancakes

2012-04-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

No words to decribe how wonderful this is...al you could hear around the breakfast table was mmmmm,,,,,hmmmm,,,mmmmm,,,,wow. Seriously that sums it up.

Strawberry Shortcake Stacked Pancakes

Ingredients
1 cup + 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

generous 1/4 tsp nutmeg

generous 1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Pinch or two kosher salt

3/4 cup Coconut Milk (I used regular, not low-fat, but I assume both work)

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp pure maple syrup

3/4 cup warm water

Oil, for skillet

Directions

Preheat oven to 250F and grab a baking sheet. Whisk the dry ingredients (flour, coconut, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt) in a medium sized bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (coconut milk, warm water, vanilla, maple syrup) and then add to the dry ingredients. Whisk well until no clumps remain.

Preheat the skillet over medium heat and add some oil on the pan. Pour 1/4 cup of batter, per pancake, onto the skillet and quickly smooth out a circle with the back of a spoon. Cook until small bubbles appear on the surface and the bottoms of pancakes are golden. Reduce heat if necessary. Transfer to baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm.

Meanwhile, slice about 20 strawberries, and I made my Strawberry banana sorbet find recipe here http://joyfulmelody.blogspot.com/2012/04/strawberry-and-banana-sorbet.html

Then stack four pancakes with fresh strawberries inbetween each layer, and top off with sorbet and (real maple syrup if you wish) and I would say enjoy, but seriously devour...so good.

Strawberry and banana sorbet

2012-04-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

How yummy is it to have fresh sorbet that you made and you know what is in it. I made this morning and was just loved it. So crazy easy too Just about 2-3 steps

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana

5-6 frozen strawberries

1 tiny squirt of organic agave nectar

Place all ingredients in blender, (I used my magic bullet) and serve with a smile. You can eat it right there or top it on cakes, pancakes, or whatever your little heart desires.

Clean Alfredo Sauce recipe..mmmm

2012-04-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

I don't usually like Alfredo sauce, but this pregnancy has been interesting, and seriously I am craving clean, no sugar, healthy food, example I was drooling of the alfalfa sprouts in the store the other day (I know weird) So this time I craved Alfredo sauce but didn't want al the fat and "stuff" so this is what I came up with. I love it, I could seriously lick the plate clean.

(note I did not use oranges in my recipe, I was just to lazy to remove it)

Ingredients
4 cups cottage cheese (I used fat free)
1 ounce of neufchatel cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (The “powdery” kind, but fresh. The Kraft version is not clean.)
1 tbsp. garlic powder (1-2 tsp. if you have to talk to people the next day)
1/4 cup soy milk + some reserve (or any milk you’d like to use)
whole wheat fettuccine
chicken breast (I grilled some chicken breast on the side to top the Alfredo)

Directions
Add all ingredients to a pot and turn on the heat. As the mixture begins to warm, blend in the pot with a hand blender. If you don’t have one, warm the ingredients and transfer to a blender.
Blend till smooth, and the continue to warm until it’s nice and hot.
Pour about a half a cup over your pasta and top with grilled chicken, and enjoy

I loved loved this sauce. Enjoy

Gluten free, sugar free, strawberry banana muffins

2012-04-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

I seem to know a lot of people who have to eat a gluten free diet, I can't imagine what that must be like but it inspired this recipe, I don't know if I could do it all the time, but with a muffin this good well then hmmm.

Strawberry Banana Muffins

11/4 cups rice flour
1/4 cup potato starch
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1/2 tsp xanthum gum (it's a binding agent)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
11/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt ( I use sea salt)
1/2 cup butter softened
1/3 cup of sucanet
1 egg and 1 egg white
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup of your milk prefered (I used almond milk)
2 bananas, peeled
1 1/2 cups stemmed and coarsely chopped fresh strawberries.

In large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients, stir to mix. In a seperate bowl cream together butter and sucanet until smooth, beat in eggs and add vanilla, and milk, stirring well. Mixture will be very lumpy. Mash banana and fold them with strawberries into wet ingredients, then mix wet into dry to form a very lumpy batter.

Spoon 1/3 cup of batter into each muffin cup. Bake 15 mins, then turn muffin tin to ensure even baking and bake another 15 mins...all together it will be 30 mins baking. Cool on cooling rack and serve warm or room temp.

Feel free to pair up with my pumpkin spice latte.

http://joyfulmelody.blogspot.com/2012/04/clean-pumpkin-spice-latte.html

Clean Pumpkin Spice Latte

2012-04-11T09:50:00.001-07:00

I was craving some coffee but I don't want the caffeine nor the sugar, which I usually have. I wanted a pumpkin flavor hot coffee to go with my Strawberry Banana muffins I made (recipe to follow on the muffins) So I got to creating.

Ingredients (makes 2 lattes)4 tbsp. ground coffee (decaf, if you want to be really clean!)
1 tbsp. pumpkin spice (no sugar added, just the spice mix)
2-1/2 cups water
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk OR…
2 cups regular milk + 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. pure maple syrup

Combine the coffee and the pumpkin spice and brew as usual with the specified amount of water
Pour the maple syrup in the bottom of your cup and pour half of the hot coffee over that.
Add 1 cup of milk and stir

Repeat steps 2-3 for the second serving.

Sip and Enjoy!

I paired it up with these muffins. (gluten free sugar free strawberry bananna muffins) recipe for muffins up tomorrow

Lasagna Roll ups

2012-04-11T05:02:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a busy day, in between Dr. appt's and pharmacy pick ups I was very thankful that I started my day with 2 green monsters

I was craving lasagna but didn't want the usual heavy kind, but the same taste lighter. I remembered my husband once tried to make lasagna roll ups and the idea was okay but I think it needed to be tinkered with to make it a tad healthier and not so heavy. I also skimmed a friends recipe blog..check her out sugarfree mom...she's got some great recipes. So after looking at her recipe I took hers and my husbands and made it into mine. So here you go

Lasagna Roll Ups

1 cup of spinach...I used frozen so I heated it up and drained excess water, but you can use fresh too.
1 cup of part skim ricotta cheese
1 lb of ground meat seasoned to taste...I had already cooked it and set it aside
Lasagna noodles...I used whole wheat
1 egg and 1 egg white...apparently my other egg disappeared from the picture
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (shredded) and more reserved to top
1/3 of shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup to 1 cup of your favorite tomato sauce whether you make it of buy it...I used Muir's organic

First brown and season meat and set aside. Cook noodles and drain and set aside I peel them apart and lay them over the pan to help prevent a clump. (Also quick hint while I have the water boiling I pour a little of olive oil to help prevent sticking)

In a bowl mix ricotta, eggs, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, spinach and meat, salt and pepper to taste.

On a cooking sheet I lay ed out the noodles and smeared them with the filling, roll up and placed them in a deep baking dish with 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom of the dish. After I rolled up all my filled noodles and placed in dish.

Poured 1 cup of sauce over then parm cheese and hefty hand of mozzarella cheese (I like cheese)

Baked at 375 cover in foil for 30 minutes, then last 5 mins I remove foil and allow cheese to melt into gooey happiness.

Enjoy

Quick lunch or snack for your cupacakes or even yourself.

2012-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

I once saw this on my cousins facebook page and thought what is it, and asked. She said it was saltines with cheese melted.....light bulb went on and took the idea and ran with it...so to that Sue....thank you for the idea, my kids love it.

I use saltines, nitrate free ham,and provolone cheese....feel free to substitute. I have also made them for me with turkey havarti cheese and topped with avocado (so yummy)

Place crackers, ham and cheese on baking sheet.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees, until cheese is melted, and serve. I served today's with a green smoothie. Very easy and yummy.

Here's also a couple of pictures of of our morning field trip. We visited a dairy, then stopped on the way home at a penny candy store. Lots of giggles and fun with the greatest kids.

Got to end the trip on a sweet note

Kindness...so overlooked in today's society

2012-03-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

If you're waiting for other people to be nice to you before you are nice to them, then my dears you have it backwards. A lesson that I have been teaching my children regarding other children, and yet I believe to many adults have forgotten that lesson also. Kindness starts with you! You see, you can never control what other people will say or do, but you sure can control your own behavior. What a great lesson to teach children when young to control yourself versus allowing your flesh to behave how it feels. To many people behave how the feel instead of behaving in a way that is right. The bible tells us that we should never stop doing good as long as we live. Kindness is God's way, and honestly should be ours too. In order to be a kind person you must do kind things. Thinking of them isn't enough. Instead of barking at someone, speak in love no matter how much acid spit the spew control yourself and exemplify kindness back.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving, each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you Ephesians 4:32

Real Food Revolution

2012-02-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

I love making food from scratch, simply because it first tastes good and I know what is it it.I came across this list and seriously it's crazy what people eat. I'll be honest I've been guilty of doing so, out of convience.

Aspartame: An artificial sweetener commonly used in soft drinks and chewing gum. It's 180 times sweeter than regular table sugar.

BHA: A chemical added to food in order to preserve fats and keep them from turning rancid.

BHT: A chemical preservative found in cereals and snack food.

Calcium Peroxide: What they use to bleach flour and improve dough texture.

Disodium Guanylate: A flavor enhancer 100 times more potent than MSG often added to sauces and canned foods.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: A highly processed liquid sweetener and preservative consisting mainly of glucose.

MSG: a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese food, canned goods, soup mixes, and processed meat.

Partially Hydrogenated Oil: Oil that has been partially hardened through a chemical process and adds trans fats to food.

Polydextrose: A chemical additive used to replace sugar in many foods.

Potassium Sorbate: A preservative used to slow down the growth on mold and yeast.

Sodium Benzoate: A chemical preservative found in acidic foods like condiments, salad dressings, and carbonated beverages.

Sucralose: An artificial sweetener 600 times sweeter than regular sugar.

Xanthum Gum: Made using petrochemcials to create sticky dough.

Are you guilty of not label reading sometimes?

Valentine Giveaway at Bailey Grace Lovelies

2012-02-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Okay all you Lovelies...here is the Valentines hat giveaway...Rules are comment under picture "What your favorite Valentines gift would be?" and share share share my page, to give others the chance to enter. Winner will be annouced on Wednesday and item will be shipped asap so your little lovelie may wear her hat by Valentines day. (size of hat is 15 months-5 years old) Begin!

Here is the link to the giveaway page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bailey-Grace-Lovelies/336109413074170

Introducing Bailey Grace Lovelies

2012-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

This is the year I have decided to stop dreaming and start doing. So I opened a little store of my handmade items, I love fun things jewelry, hats, clothes and for years I have always had little designs in my head, so I am bringing them to pass. I have opened my little businesss on Facebook first, and am working on the website. Thinking of putting my items on Etsy. Would love for you to come check out my page and honestly would love the "love" Here's my page link http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2857288364821.133336.1637989698&type=1#!/pages/Bailey-Grace-Lovelies/336109413074170 I have so many ideas just trying to work on time to be able to work on it all. I love it though so fun and relaxing to knit and sew. Here are some sneak peaks, but please come by.

Rambling Wednesday

2012-01-25T03:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took my mom to some of her Dr appt's. Then we stopped at Joann's fabric to check out the fabric I want for my kitchen. I am working on changing it for the 100th time as my husband would say. I change like the wind but I finally have it down on the color scheme I want. I want black, white, and splashes of yellow. I love the Damask design so I want that to be the curtains. Well here these are some ideas of the color scheme I want..note they are not my pictures..good ole Pintrest hooked me up.

I love how the colors just look happy together. So I am on a mission...sorry hubby. Yesterday I was blessed with the fabric now have to make the template and start sewing. Here's a picture of the fabric I got.

I'll make curtains out of that fabric and paint the wall that it hangs on yellow. So excited I can see it in my head now to make it in my kitchen. Dear HGTV you might have to rescue me.

Did end the night with a sweet treat. While at the market I saw this little beauty

The color stopped me since I love color. I am not crazy over ice cream (gasp I know) but actually like sorbet. Well this little one asked to come home with me and boy oh boy am I happy it did. It's sweet but not overly sweet because the tartness really comes through. Tastes just like real raspberries in a bowl. Very refreshing and a great way to finish a meal. Baby and me give it 4 thumbs up...oh wait what baby well here you go

Baby # 5 gives it the thumbs up .....Have a beautiful day, remember to see the beauty in all things today, you'll be suprised over God's goodness.

Yummy meatloaf....I am sure everyone has their recipe, this is mine

2012-01-25T03:22:00.000-08:00

I love meatloaf and mashed potatoes, never had it growing up, so it's not childhood memories, but just something that says good ole comfort food. Not to mention with this pregnancy I crave meat...crazy I know. I'm sure everyone has there own recipe, but if you don't here's my favorite. I originally got the recipe from years ago in a men's bodybuilding magazine of course they used egg whites, and low carb bbq sauce but I'm not giving up my sauce ;0)

For it to be my favorite meatloaf it starts with this

This silly sauce is finger licking good, I love it on every thing. Steak, chicken, salmon, and yes even meatloaf. Crazy I know.

Recipe for meatloaf

2 pounds of ground meat

3-4 tbsp of parmesan cheese

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 bread crumbs

2 eggs

1 cup of my yummy bbq sauce (or what ever strikes your fancy, sauce, ketchup, salsa)

salt

pepper

Mix all together in a bowl till ingredients are well blended, I make two loafs, bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, I sweep the top with sauce add back for 1 minute.

Encouragement to chew on:

Great confession for today! “God is my strong fortress; He has made my way safe. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights” 2 Sam 22:33-34. Say that over yourself daily and repeatedly and you will see results.

Amazing blueberry cupcakes with buttercream frosting

2012-01-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

My daughter Beanie baby loves to look over recipes with me either books, magazines, tv, or Internet. While we were browsing she saw this recipe and begged me to make it, so this morning we made them for a special treat....as you can tell by the pictures below, Beanie loved them

Ingredients

2 cups + 2 tablespoons sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups of Sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup of whole milk
1/2 cup of blueberry puree
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F and line cupcake pan with paper liners

Blueberry Puree:
Bring one pound of blueberries (fresh or frozen) to a boil in a sauce pan. I used organic frozen blueberries. Reduce heat to low and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated (about 1/2 hour) and the mixture is thick, making sure to stir often. Cool the blueberries slightly and place in a food processor. Mix until smooth. For an
extra smooth puree pass mixture through a fine sieve before using, but I didn’t do this and it was fine. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Cupcake:Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add one egg at a time, beating until incorporated after each one.
Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl. Mix milk with 1/2 cup of blueberry puree and vanilla. Add wet and dry ingredients alternately to butter/sugar mixture starting and ending with the dry ingredients in three additions. Mix until just incorporated after each addition. Do not over beat batter. The batter will puff up when baking, but then settle again once it cools, so you want to make sure that you fill each liner at least 3/4 full of batter. If you want an extra punch of flavor you can mix in a little of the blueberry puree into each cupcake and swirl slightly with a wooden skewer or small spoon. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cake springs back to the touch. Cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
20 tbsp. (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. heavy cream

Directions:In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add confectioners’ sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds. Scrape down the bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully combined, about 15 seconds. Scrape bowl, add vanilla and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 10 seconds. Then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice.

These are amazing...but not my recipe so I have to give credit where credit is due...please visit http://www.pureandyummy.com/?p=330....she had amazing recipes...can't wait to try more.

Encouragement to chew on:

Have you encouraged someone today? “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today...” Hebrews 13:3

A snow storm calls for Pasta Fagioli

2012-01-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's snowing today so hubby said lets make Pasta Fagioli for lunch. There's the hint "lets" not me, not you...but "lets" so into the kitchen we went together. Always a learning experience to give up control in my kitchen.

Pasta Fagioli

Ingredients

1tsp of dried thyme or 4 sprigs of fresh

1tsp of dried rosemary or 1 large sprig

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbs butter

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup of carrots diced

2 cups of canned diced tomatoes (I pureed them per hubby request)

2 garlic cloves

4 cups of beef broth

1 can of kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

1 can of cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)

1 pound of ground meat

1 cup of small pasta

salt and pepper to taste

2tsp of garlic salt

Directions

In pot place saute onions, garlic in olive oil and butter, cook 1-2 minutes, then add carrots and spices. Now add meat and chop up with spatula. When meat starts to brown about 5 minutes then add tomato, beans and cook for another 5 minutes. Now add broth salt, pepper, garlic salt and cover bring to boil then lower heat to simmer for 1 hour. Now add pasta and cook for suggested time on box, ladle into bowls top with Parmesan cheese.

Link up http://4littlefergusons.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/foodie-friday-gets-a-facelift/

Encouragement to chew on:

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. CS Lewis
Recipe adapted from Giada but made better by me ;0)

Happy Pink Saturday....here's my pink that I am proud to show off

2012-01-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to post this and yet kept forgetting, well since it's Pink Saturday I thought well what a great way to show you. A few years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in which she was treated and is now a survivor (praise God), but watching her go through it, taking her to every appointment, watching her skin become burned from the radiation hurt my heart. I thought what more can I do show my love, support and prayers for all victims who have gone through this stupid, nasty disease. When I saw the commercial for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk my heart leaped and I knew I wanted to be part of this. So I signed up in March of 2010 with the leap of faith that I would raise the $1800.00 dollars needed to participate and in 2 1/2 months I was well over my mark (again praise God). So here is my pink from the walk, one of the pink's that I am most proud of, between walking 39.3 miles in 2 days and the grossest blisters I have ever seen in my life, and some injuries that I am still dealing with I am so thankful for the experience of the Cancer Walk.

The Beginning of my walk Day 1..26.2 miles

When I arrived for the start, met up with some new friends

The last mile before the end of the 1st day

Tending to some crazy blisters and feet injuries

Day 2...funny guard to make us laugh and not think of the 12.2 ahead of us.

The finish line of the 39.3 miles in two days...I swear I think God carried me through that line.

So happy I made it. Thank you to all that supported my walk.

I hope you all enjoyed a little glimpse into my adventure.

Be sure to check out other great Pink Saturday's here.

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