Walking on Sunshine

Tuesday's Question...

2012-02-14T06:17:00.001-05:00

Today's Tuesday's Question has to do with LOVE,

not Valentine's Day, but LOVE.

"What does that Someone Special in your life do

that shows how much they love you?"

"Someone Special" can be a parent, child, friend or your hubby.

The one thing the Colonel does for me that shows he loves me is...

He makes sure my car has a full tank of gas.

Oh he hasn't always done this.

There were times he would use my car and bring it back to the house

with just "fumes" in the gas tank.

But for the past few years he's been kind and fills the gas tank

for me when he borrows my car, which is quite often.

It makes me happy when I get in the car the next day after he's driven

my car and I see a full tank of gas, like this afternoon.
I had to pick up Michael from school and I knew I would have
to stop and fill up the gas tank.
BUT imagine my surprise when I saw a full tank of gas
when I started my car.

I felt the LOVE!

Sometimes it's the little things that someone does for you

that speaks VOLUMES.

So, tell me, what does that Someone Special in your life

do for you that says they love you?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Crusty Honey Mustard Chicken...

2012-02-13T08:10:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I shared on Facebook that I just made

the most delicious chicken recipe and I couldn't

wait to post it on my blog.

Well TODAY is the DAY.

I found this recipe on my friend Sandie's blog

Chatty Crone.

Not only was it delicious, but it was so easy!

And you know I love easy recipes.

Crusty Honey Mustard Chicken...

Ingredients:

1/3 cup light honey mustard dressing (I couldn't find light, so I used regular)

1/8 tsp table salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

2 tsp dill, freshly chopped (I didn't use)

1 medium uncooked scallion, finely sliced (I didn't use)

1 cup cornflake crumbs

1 pound uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts

Chicken breasts...

Honey mustard dressing in one container,

crushed corn flakes in another...

Dip the chicken in the dressing...

Then the crushed corn flakes...

Place your coated chicken into a baking dish that has

been sprayed with cooking spray.

I melted 1 Tablespoon of butter and drizzled it over

the chicken before baking...

Bake the chicken in a preheated 425 F oven for about 15 minutes

or until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Delicious and crispy and crusty and just so GOOD...

You can use the honey mustard dressing as a dipping sauce!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Chicken Parmigiana

Fettuccine with oven roasted tomatoes

Tossed salad with Italian dressing

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and Tuesday's Question.

I hope you come back to see what question I'll be asking tomorrow!

Enjoy your day!

Scripture Sunday...

2012-02-12T12:26:00.001-05:00

Today's scripture goes right along with Valentine's Day...

I Corinthians 13:4-7

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;

love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

And part of verse 8:

Love never fails.

Something to think about as we prepare for a week

where LOVE is on everyone's mind.

Thank you so much for always stopping by

to say hi and leaving me such wonderful comments.

You all know how to show your LOVE for me

here on my blog and I really appreciate

all the encouraging words!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Homemade Italian Bread...

2012-02-10T10:21:00.000-05:00

Day Four of Side Dishes is here and it's also

Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy.

Homemade Italian Bread...

I've been making homemade bread for years.

BY HAND.

And it's NOT hard.

But a few years ago the Colonel gave me a

Kitchen Aid mixer for Mother's Day

and it's wonderful.

If you don't have a mixer with a dough hook,

don't let that stop you from trying this DELICIOUS bread.

After your yeast has risen,

combine it with the flour and salt into a big bowl and begin to mix everything together

with a wooden spoon or a regular mixer.

Then transfer the dough to the counter and start

the kneading process of pulling the dough ball towards you and pushing it away

adding more flour until the dough is no longer sticky.

After 5 to 10 minutes of hand kneading, the dough will become

really soft and smooth and YOU'RE done!

Photo Source: Google

Ingredients:

1 cup Warm Water
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 Teaspoons)
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Bread Flour

(I use regular flour and the bread comes out fine)

Combine the yeast with the warm water (105 - 110 degrees)

and add the honey.

Let this sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.

You want to make sure your yeast is alive.

Happy, alive yeast...

Add the yeast to your mixing bowl.

Add the salt.

Begin adding the flour, in 1/4 cup intervals.

Once the dough starts to pull away from the sides of

the mixing bowl set a timer for 5 minutes and walk away.

Let the mixer knead the dough for you...

Perfectly kneaded dough...

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with

plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about one hour...

Now the fun begins..shaping the dough!

You can divide the dough in half and roll each half

into a long "snake"and twist.

Pretend you see two loaves...

Or you can do my favorite way and divide the dough in half,

roll into a "snake" and then place both halves into

a greased bundt pan...

Either way you decide, let the dough rise again until it is

doubled in size...

I like to brush my bread dough with melted butter before baking.

Bake your Italian bread in a preheated 385 oven

for about 20 minutes or until it is golden brown...

Doesn't that look DELICIOUS...

Now THIS is definitely a delicious SIDE DISH

but more importantly,

Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy...

On the menu at our house tonight:

Meatball subs

Homemade coleslaw

What's for dinner at YOUR house tonight?

I hope you had fun with our week of Side Dishes!

Enjoy your day!

Ricotta Stuffed Tomatoes...

2012-02-09T08:56:00.001-05:00

Day Three of Side Dishes is here!

Ricotta Stuffed Tomatoes

I found this recipe a few years from The Pioneer Woman.

It's a great side dish and makes any meal DELICIOUS

with very little work!

Ingredients:

10 plum tomatoes

1 small container of ricotta cheese

1 sleeve of Ritz crackers

garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes

Cut the tomatoes in half and remove seeds...

Sprinkle each half with salt and place them on

paper towels upside down so they will drain...

Combine the ricotta cheese with the garlic, parsley,

red pepper flakes, whatever seasonings YOUR family enjoys...

Fill each tomato half...

Take the sleeve of Ritz crackers and crush them and

place them in a shallow dish.

Place each filled tomato half into crackers, cheese side down.

You want the cracker crumbs to "stick" to the tomatoes.

Place the tomatoes in a baking dish and drizzle each tomato with olive oil

just before baking at 400 for about 20 minutes

or until tomatoes are bubbly and your kitchen smells like heaven...

DELICIOUS...

I've made these a few times for a large crowd

and just for our family.

You can prepare them earlier in the day and refrigerate until you're ready to bake them.

Drizzle them with the olive oil just before baking.

An easy and delicious side dish!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Pasta Fagioli Soup

Homemade Italian Bread

Tomorrow is our final day of Side Dishes AND

it's also Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy.

Enjoy your day!

Cauliflower with Creamy Cheese Sauce...

2012-02-08T10:41:00.002-05:00

Today is Day Two of SIDE DISHES.

Today's dish is another dish that I've been making for awhile

and when I made it last week, the Colonel said to me,

"Have you shared this recipe with your blogger friends?"

I said, "No, it's just cauliflower."

Well, as you can see, he persuaded me to share this

"just cauliflower" recipe with you today.

Cauliflower with Creamy Cheese Sauce...

The cheese sauce I use is the SAME sauce for

Olivia's Mac and Cheese.

It's a beautiful cheese sauce and really easy to prepare.

AND it freezes great.

Ingredients

(Cheesy Cream Sauce)

2 Tbs. butter

2 Tbs. flour

2 cups half and half (I've used fat free and it works great)

1 chicken bouillon cube

One good squirt of mustard (I use a horse radish flavor)

salt and pepper

1 cup WHITE cheddar cheese

1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese

Let's begin!

Melt 2 Tbs. butter in a heavy sauce pan...

Add the 2 Tbs. flour and combine with the melted butter.

Add the 2 cups of half and half and cook until slightly thickened...

Add the squirt of mustard, salt and pepper and the bouillon cube.

Continue cooking until the mixture thickens.

Add the 2 cups of cheese...

Remove from heat and continue to stir until the cheese has completely melted...

Creamy Cheese Sauce complete!

Now, depending on how much cauliflower you're cooking,

you're NOT going to use all the creamy cheese sauce.

Don't worry.

The creamy cheese sauce freezes GREAT.

Or save the extra and use it again as Mac and Cheese

in the next few days.

Now, let's move on to putting the dish together!

Ingredients:

Cauliflower that has been cut into smaller pieces

(I used about 2 cups of cauliflower)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Panko OR regular bread crumbs

(Panko bread crumbs give a nice crunch)

Creamy Cheese Sauce

(I used about 1 cup of sauce)

Place the cauliflower in a container and microwave for a few

minutes until it is fork tender...

Place your cauliflower in a casserole dish,

pour the creamy cheese sauce over the cauliflower...

Sprinkle the Panko bread crumbs and shredded

cheddar cheese on top.

Pretend you see the Panko bread crumbs here...

Bake at 415 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes

or until the cauliflower is bubbly...

So delicious!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Pot Roast

Buttered Noodles

Cauliflower with Creamy Cheese Sauce

Enjoy your day!

Tomorrow is DAY THREE..

I'm thinking Green.

Come back and see!

Tuesday's Question...

2012-02-07T11:44:00.004-05:00

This week's Tuesday's Question is a fun one.

At least I think so!

"Do you have a special collection
on display in your house ?"

For me, it's all about my antique blue ball jars...

I have A LOT of ball jars.

And not just the blue ones!

Clear ones also.

But the blue ones are my favorite and I have them on display on top

of our kitchen cabinets.

The clear ones I use during the summer on our back porch.

I put a little sand in them and then a candle and they look so pretty when lit.

I had them all over the back porch when we had

Olivia's graduation party last year.

But of course, I was too busy in the kitchen to take pictures.

When we redid our kitchen last year we had a HUGE decision to make.

What size cabinets to have installed?

Of course, our contractor suggested the tall ones that

go all the way to the ceiling.

That seems to be the trend.

But the Colonel looked at me and said,

"What about your ball jars?"

And I thought where else could I display them?

And we quickly agreed we would stay with the older sized cabinets

that give you room to display items on top.

My love for them comes from my grandmother.

I have 3 that were hers.

And I've slowly added to them over the years.

I now have over 40 and have stopped collecting;

the tops of our cabinets are full.

But I still stop and find myself looking at them

whenever we're in a country store or garage sale and think

maybe I can squeeze ONE more on top of our cabinets.

They make me happy and sometimes we all need

a little something "blue" to look at and feel happy...

So, now that I've shared with you MY collection,

WHAT DO YOU COLLECT?

Leave me a comment and let me know or better yet,

visit my Facebook page and let me know there!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Chicken Cutlet Italian Style

Fettuccine with Tomatoes

Coleslaw

Enjoy your day!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for
Day Two of Side Dishes!

Fettuccine with Oven Roasted Tomatoes...

2012-02-06T07:27:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a GREAT weekend and enjoyed the Super Bowl.

Did YOUR team win?

The Colonel had his reserve weekend and I was so happy when he came home!

We watched the Super Bowl and enjoyed all the commercials

and, of course, some yummy food.

As I mentioned yesterday, I plan on sharing different

Side Dishes

with you this week.

I don't know about any of you, but I'm always

looking for something NEW and EASY to prepare to go along

with our meals here at Walking on Sunshine.

I thought maybe you might enjoy these recipes.

Our first Side Dish of the week is so easy.
It's something I've made a few times and the Colonel just loves it...

Fettuccine with Roasted Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 container of grape tomatoes
Italian dressing
garlic
pepper
red pepper flakes
fettuccine
Parmesan cheese

Place the grape tomatoes in a container and add
the Italian dressing, pepper and red pepper flakes.
Use whatever seasonings YOUR family enjoys..

Cover and let the tomatoes marinade for awhile.

In the meantime,
prepare the fettuccine according to the directions on the package.

Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet
and bake at 425...

After 15 minutes the tomatoes will look like this...

Toss the tomatoes with the cooked fettuccine,
add Parmesan cheese and serve...

Really good and REALLY EASY!

I served this dish with Chicken Cutlets a week ago.

It was a HIT!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Coleslaw

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for Tuesday's Question!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Scripture Sunday...

2012-02-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

"Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day,

so was the radiance around him.

This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of One speaking."

Ezekiel 1:28

I read this verse a few weeks ago as part of my devotions and I couldn't

help but think of what a glorious day that will be

to see the GLORY of the Lord;

to hear the Lord's voice.

What reaction would YOU have?

Would you, like Ezekiel did, fall on your face?

Just think, to see the face of the One who loves you so much

that He gave His life to spare yours.

You see, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

And we all have sinned.

Everyone.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Are you looking forward to that day when

we can together fall on our faces

when we see the Glory of the Lord?

On the menu at our house tonight for SUPER BOWL Sunday:

Homemade Pizza

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Apple Dumplings

Enjoy your Sunday!

Starting on Monday, a week of Side Dishes!

Come be a part of the YUMMY fun!

Jalapeno Popper Dip...

2012-02-03T07:36:00.003-05:00

Are you ready for some football?

This week's Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy

is something to enjoy for the Super Bowl!

I made this dip for Christmas Eve and it was so good!

It was so good that I completely forgot to take pictures

of me preparing the dip.

I think this dip would be perfect as part of any Super Bowl menu.

It is SUPER easy and SUPER delicious!

You can make it the day before and then bake it in the oven

right before the game starts.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

(Picture from Pinterest)

Ingredients:

2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup mayo

1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (half Monterrey Jack, half Cheddar)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chillies

1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapenos

1 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (yes another 1/2 cup)

1/2 stick of butter, melted

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a mixer or food processor and blend until smooth.

You do NOT need to drain the cans of chillies or jalapenos.

Spread the dip into a greased casserole dish.

I used a large pie plate.

In a bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and melted butter.

Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the dip and bake

in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

You want the top to get browned and the dip

to be heated through and bubble gently on the edges.

You do NOT want to over-bake this dip.

The mayo will begin to separate and leave you with a greasy mess.

This is the only picture I have of the dip.

I remembered to take a picture as we were in the process of

devouring the deliciousness.

YUMMY...

So now that we know WHAT we're going to

snack on during the game,

who do YOU want to win the Super Bowl?

The Giants or The Patriots?

On the menu at our house tonight:

Creamy Enchiladas

made with refried beans instead of chicken.

Roasted zucchini

Enjoy your day!

Linking up with Full Plate Thursday

Spinach, cheese and BACON Quiche...

2012-02-02T11:21:00.001-05:00

Thank you for all the sweet comments on yesterday's post.

A few weeks before my father passed away, he gave me his sermon books on the study he did

on the book of Psalms when he was a pastor.

Whenever I would flip through the books I kept thinking there must be

something I can do with these wonderful sermons.

My father wrote his sermons in "bullet points" and I decided to try and turn them into blog posts.

I hope you enjoyed the first one.

Last week one night for dinner I made quiche.

I love quiche.

This is a recipe I've been making for almost 20 years if not more!

BUT, I usually only make it when company is coming.

Silly, I know.

It came out really good and I'm sharing the recipe with YOU today!

Ingredients:

4 eggs

2 cups heavy whipping cream

10 slices of bacon, already cooked and crumbled

One package of chopped spinach, thawed and completely squeezed dry

2 cups of cheddar cheese

1 pie crust, fitted into a quiche baking dish or a pie plate

Mix together 4 eggs with 2 cups heavy whipping cream.

You can also use half and half, which works GREAT.

Add the squeezed chopped spinach...

Add the two cups of cheddar cheese and then

add the bacon...

Roll out your pie crust.

You can use store-bought pie crust or you can make your own.

You can find the recipe I use for pie crust HERE.

The last time I made chicken pot pie, I had extra pie crust

that I wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag and then froze.

I removed the pie crust from the freezer earlier in the day

and rolled it out...

I used a quiche dish but you can use a pie plate as well.

Pour your quiche mixture into your UNBAKED pie shell...

Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then at 325 for another 35 minutes

or until a knife inserted into the middle of the quiche comes out clean...

Perfect...

Add a salad and you have DINNER!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Meatball Calzones

Tossed Salad with Italian Dressing

Come back tomorrow for

Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy!

Enjoy your day!

Wednesday's Word...

2012-02-01T05:00:00.002-05:00

I Can Praise HIM...

In the middle of President Lincoln’s service to our nation, an elderly lady

made an appointment to see him. As she entered his office, he inquired,

“How can I be of service to you, Madam?”

The little lady said, “Mr. President, I know you are a very busy man,

and I have not come to ask you for anything.

I simply came to bring you this box of cookies.”

There was a long silence.

Tears overflowed the President’s eyes as he began:

“Madam, I am greatly moved by what you have done.

For since I have become President, people have come into this office one after

another asking for favors and demanding things from me.

You are the first person who has ever entered these premises

asking no favor but bringing a gift.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Reading this story about President Lincoln makes me realize how many times

I have come into the presence of a greater Person’s office...into the throne room of the Almighty;

time after time and I have brought nothing with me.

I have asked, I have pleaded, I have begged and even at times I have demanded.

But, oh so often I have forgotten to bring Him a gift; a gift of praise.

I can praise HIM!

"The heavens declare the glory of God."

Psalms 19:1

That being so, why shouldn’t I do the same?

After all I have been created in His own image, I have been redeemed

by the blood of the Lamb, therefore, I can praise HIM!

Praise is the highest gift to the believer.

It centers upon what God has done and not what we have done for God.

You see, praise makes us strong.

Our praise does not only glorify and honor God, it edifies and lifts us up to new heights.

It is at these new heights that we find the strength to deal with the many difficulties life throws at us.

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 30:12

Today I have the opportunity to bring a gift to my Lord; a gift of praise.

I can come into His Presence asking for nothing.

I simply come to lift my heart in praise and gratitude for all of His blessings.

He is the object of my praise and is worthy to be praised.

His name is Jesus, the Son of God, my Savior

and I WILL PRAISE HIM!

Adapted from a sermon by my father, Rev. William J. Behr

Tuesday's Question...

2012-01-31T10:29:00.000-05:00

The weather in PA is going to be beautiful today.

We are talking about temperatures in the 40s and it's still January,

well for a few more hours.

I'm happy because I can not handle the cold anymore.

I really enjoy Tuesday's here at

Walking on Sunshine.

I enjoy thinking of different questions to ask everyone

and I really enjoy reading the answers!

I hope you all are having as much fun as I am answering along with me.

Today's Tuesday Question is an easy one,

well at least for me...

"What is your FAVORITE movie?"

My favorite movie is

Sense and Sensibility

We watched it AGAIN this past Saturday.

I say AGAIN because we have watched this movie so many times.

I never grow tired of watching it; it never gets old.

The Colonel's favorite character is Mr. Palmer,

we both enjoy his dry sense of humor...

A beautiful scene...

Marianne receiving her piano from her Colonel...

One of my favorite quotes is...

"My heart is, and always will be, yours."

Edward says this to Elinor right before he proposes.

This is the scene where I cry.

EVERY TIME.

Edward and Elinor...

And I love the closing scene after The Colonel and Marianne are married

and they're getting into their carriage and all the children

from the town are yelling, "Throw the coins, throw the coins."

So now you know MY favorite movie,

what's YOUR favorite movie?

Leave me a comment or BETTER YET,

visit my Facebook page and let me know there!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Roasted Chicken

Oven baked stuffing

Tossed salad with dressing

Enjoy your day!

Chicken Puff Pastry Pockets...

2012-01-30T11:06:00.001-05:00

Did you all have a nice weekend?

It was a GREAT one for us here at

Walking on Sunshine.

Seriously.

You have no idea how wonderful it is to live a normal life

and have a normal week followed by a normal weekend.

For the past 8 years we have lived the life of an ACTIVE DUTY family,

with my Colonel away all week, coming home

late Friday night and leaving early Monday morning.

Not to mention the 2 years he spent down in Atlanta.

He was only supposed to be there 6 months.

He would fly home every few weeks for a few days.

And then there were the trips to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Let's not even go THERE.

So for us to just have a normal week and a normal weekend may

seem boring to some people, but for us it's wonderful.

A few weeks ago I posted that I was trying a new recipe

that I found here on Pinterest.

Chicken Puff Pastry Pockets...

Ingredients:

1 box puff pastry (2 sheets)

1 8oz container Philadelphia Chive and Onion flavor Cream Cheese

1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 C cooked shredded chicken breast

1/3 C cooked crumbled bacon

3 Tbs finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1 egg

1 Tbs water

I only made enough to use ONE sheet of puff pastry.

AND I didn't have the sun-dried tomatoes.

Combine together the cream cheese, mozzarella cheese,

bacon and chicken and if YOU remember to purchase them,

the sun-dried tomatoes...

Michael acting silly, this really is the only picture I have of the puff pastry.

Spread out your puff pastry...

Cut the pastry into squares, 6 square for the whole sheet.

Take a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture and place on the square...

Beat the egg with 1 Tablespoon of water together.

This is your "glue."

Spread the egg wash around the edges of the puff pastry and

fold over one end and press firmly to seal.

Use the back of a fork and make little crimps...

Brush your "pocket" with the egg wash, cut slits in the top and place on a baking tray...

Bake your pockets in a preheated 400 degree oven

for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown...

So delicious...

I served these with a tossed salad and it was a delicious meal.

The Colonel enjoyed them.

Michael preferred the Hot Pockets from the grocery store.

But he's 14 and doesn't know any better.

On the menu at our house tonight:

Pot Roast

I made this last week and had quite a bit leftover,

so I froze the meat and gravy (separately) and will have an easy meal tonight.

Buttered noodles

Roasted carrots

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for

Tuesday's Question.

Enjoy your day!

Scripture Sunday...

2012-01-29T12:05:00.000-05:00

There have been a few occasions this week where the following verses

have come to my mind and I thought I would share them today.

"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."

Psalms 34:13

AND...

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,

he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

James 1:26

Lord, help me to always be mindful that I represent YOU in all I do,

in all I say and, most importantly, in every area of my life.

On the menu at our house tonight:

Pork Loin

Roasted Potatoes

Green Beans

Enjoy your Sunday!

Everyday Life...

2012-01-28T11:04:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, our daughter Olivia is in her first year

of college down in Florida.

When she was a junior in high school, she started to prepare for

the dreaded SAT test she knew she needed to take

in order to be accepted at the college of her choice.

We did what every other parent does...

purchased the SAT Study Guide, but Olivia found the book
difficult and soon lost interest in studying.

So we did the next best thing,

we enrolled her in a four-week course at the local community college.

The first Saturday she went to class and came home with

ANOTHER SAT study guide.

The teacher spent three hours going over how to use the book.

The second Saturday the teacher FORGOT to show up.

Recently I heard about SAT Tutoring provided by StudyPoint,

a company that provides ONE ON ONE tutoring services

for all subjects including SAT and ACT test prep

AND...

they are the National Leader in SAT tutoring.

Olivia took her SAT’s and was accepted at the college of her choice.

However, I’m glad we know about StudyPoint for Michael...

he takes his SAT’s in a couple of years.

Enjoy your day!

Peanut Butter Blossoms...

2012-01-27T08:54:00.002-05:00

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to post this week's

Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy.

Sometime around 6:00 last night the medicine started to kick in and

I'm feeling much better.

I even was able to get breakfast and lunch for both the Colonel

and Michael; unlike yesterday morning.

I notice that when I start doing too much I get very tired,

so no real plans for the weekend.

I don't want to overdo things.

The Colonel said to me this morning that he couldn't remember a

time where I was so sick that I couldn't get out of bed to

take care of things around the house.

I think he missed me preparing his breakfast and lunch yesterday.

This week I'm sharing a cookie that I've been making for years;

since Olivia was a baby and as she grew she has always helped

bake these cookies.

Her job has always been rolling the dough into the balls and then rolling them in the sugar.

And yes, she even helped this year when she was home for Christmas break from college.

Peanut Butter Blossoms...

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1 egg

2 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Additional sugar

Cream butter and peanut butter together...

Add the 1/3 cup sugar and brown sugar...

Mix together the egg, milk and vanilla

and combine with the sugar and peanut butter mixture...

Combine the dry ingredients and add those as well to the mixing bowl...

Once everything is combined, shape your dough into balls

and then roll the balls in the extra additional sugar...

Place on cookie sheets and bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes.

When you remove them from the oven, place an unwrapped

chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie...

DELICIOUS...

This the SAME cookie dough recipe that I used to make

Peanut Butter Cups...

Let me know if you make this cookie!

AND with Valentine's Day coming up,
I think we all should make the cookies like this...

A friend of mine told me about this idea she found on Pinterest
this morning on
FACEBOOK.

Thank you Suzanne!

On the menu at our house tonight...

Taco Soup, a new recipe, tonight for dinner.

And you know I'll share it with you soon!

Homemade Italian Bread

(Recipe coming soon also!)

Tossed salad with creamy Caesar dressing.

What's on the menu at your house tonight?

Share with me YOUR dinner plans.

Enjoy your day!

I am linking this recipe up with Full Plate Thursday. Come join the fun!

Chicken Cutlets Italian Style...

2012-01-26T11:55:00.001-05:00

I am still not feeling well.

I went to the doctor yesterday and it seems I have a sinus and throat infection.

Yesterday was horrible.

But even more horrible was last night.

My throat was on FIRE.

I was so sick I didn't even cook dinner last night.

The Colonel brought home a pizza and I went straight to bed.

This morning, I didn't even get up to fix the Colonel's breakfast and lunch

like I do every morning AND more importantly, I didn't fix breakfast OR lunch for MICHAEL.

But I'm happy to report that my throat is no longer on fire.

The meds are beginning to kick in, but I still plan on spending the day

here on the couch.

I'm finally sharing a recipe that we eat here at

Walking on Sunshine at least once a week.

If Michael had his way it would be every other day.

Chicken Cutlets Italian Style...

Start out with your chicken cutlets that you have cut in half.

Can you see how I did this...

and pounded to make thin...

Dredge the chicken cutlets in egg and

then in seasoned breadcrumbs.

Some people dredge their chicken cutlets in flour as well,

but I like only using breadcrumbs...

And then fry in a few tablespoons of oil...

Brown both sides.

But DON'T cook all the way through...

I used to cook the cutlets all the way through and they would

come out tough and sometimes NOT cooked all the way.

It was hit or miss until I started baking them in the oven.

Drain the cutlets on a paper towel...

And then place your browned cutlets in a baking dish...

I know that's an OLD picture.

I completely forgot to take a picture of the cutlets when I was

working on this post a few weeks ago.

Bake in the oven for another 15 minutes and you will have the most

DELICIOUS, MOIST chicken cutlets.

I usually serve Olivia's Mac and Cheese along with a

tossed salad as side dishes when chicken cutlets are on the menu.

Makes a PERFECT meal that your family will love!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Since I didn't cook what I planned last night,

we are having the Ham and Cheese Crescents and Potato Soup tonight.

Only I'm going to open up my computer to the post of the

Ham and Cheese Crescents

and have the Colonel follow the directions.

The potato soup just needs to be reheated since it was in the freezer.

I think I'll have Michael take pictures of the Colonel preparing

dinner tonight and post about it next week.

Enjoy your day!

Care to Play Along?

2012-01-25T04:13:00.001-05:00

Leave your answers in your comments!

Come on, it's fun!

Fill in the blanks...

When I was young I could____________________.

In 1996 I was___________________________.

I can ____________________in two minutes flat.

__________________________makes me smile every time.

Read the comment section to find out my answers!

Well, it was bound to happen...

I'm sick.

I kept trying to ignore the sore throat yesterday,

but by last night there was no ignoring the feeling of my

throat closing up or not being able to talk very loud.

I do believe I have a voice, it just hurts to use it!

So I will sip on hot tea today and try not to do too much.

I'm looking forward to reading everyone's answers to the above game.

Come On...

Play along and give me something to do while I lay

here on my "death bed."

I can be very dramatic when I'm sick!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Ham and Cheese Crescents

AND...pulling from the freezer because it freezes so well,
Potato Soup.

Enjoy your day!
And please don't worry,
I will be back tomorrow!

Tuesday's Question...

2012-01-24T11:18:00.001-05:00

Happy Tuesday!

The sun is shining today here in PA and all the snow

that fell on Saturday is almost gone.

A little sad about that, but glad the sun is shining.

My Colonel has now lost his voice.

Well, almost lost his voice.

So this should be an interesting day of classes for him!

Have I mentioned before that he NEVER gets sick?

For this week's Tuesday Question, I'm asking something that

I've thought about a lot.

"What is the one thing you would grab if your house was on fire?

Everyone is out of the house, you can go in

and grab ONE thing.

What would it be?"

Growing up we lived in a very old parsonage that was right next

to the church that my dad pastored for over 30 years in

Queens, NY.

When we moved into the parsonage I was in second grade and at that

time it was over 100 years old.

It was a beautiful Victorian house that had 3 floors, a scary basement and even

one of those old-fashioned doors that opened from the floor in the back porch.

Here's a picture of the house that I took when we went for a visit last year.

My bedroom window was on the other side of the house...

When I was 13, the playroom became my room.

I was thrilled!

But it was on the third floor, right next to the attic.

I remembering asking my dad if the house was on fire, how would I get out

if the stairs were blocked.

He didn't pause one minute and told me to climb out on the ledge

outside my window and wait for the firemen or my dad to come get me.

Now, don't worry, the ledge was big enough to be considered a little balcony.

But, being the fearful girl I was, I always thought what I would bring with me

on that little "balcony" while I waited to be rescued.

My one item has changed throughout the years, naturally,

but if I could only grab ONE item NOW this is what I would grab...

My Bible.

My parents gave it to me in 1977.

It's the Bible I've been using ever since.

And, yes it's falling apart.

It's not even attached to the leather anymore.

I have it in a nice pink Bible carrier, but no longer carry it to church.

I use it only for my devotions every morning.

Here's a picture of the inside..

My dad wrote what he wrote in every Bible he gave to anyone,

and as a pastor of a large church he gave a lot of Bibles as gifts to people...

"This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book."

THIS is what I would grab if my house was on fire.

Thankfully, I no longer would have to sit on a ledge outside

my bedroom window waiting for the firemen to arrive.

Leave me a comment and let me know YOUR answer!

And if you want to leave me a comment on Facebook,

that would be great also!

On the menu at our house tonight:

Spinach Quiche

Tossed Salad with Italian Dressing

Not sure if Michael will eat the quiche, but there's always leftovers.

Enjoy your day!

Easy Homemade WAFFLES...

2012-01-23T10:33:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Thank you for all the comments on yesterday's

Special Scripture Sunday.

My Colonel is feeling better, somewhat.

But like the true soldier he is, he was up and out of the house

by 5:30 for PT with the cadets.

I know he can't wait to get home and CRASH later today.

I found this recipe over on my friend Lorraine's blog a few weeks ago.

She always has delicious recipes and the most beautiful photos

that encourage you to try her recipe.

In the past whenever I would make waffles, I would use Bisquick.

Not that there's anything wrong with Bisquick.

Besides using it for waffles, I've also used it for pancakes, drop biscuits

and even for a crustless quiche from time to time.

However, have you seen the price of Bisquick lately?

Outrageous!

So when I saw Lorraine's recipe, I had to give it a try.

And I'm so happy I did.

These waffles were the lightest and fluffiest and most delicious I've ever had.

Yes, even better than Eggo.

Homemade Waffles...

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon white sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat waffle iron. Beat eggs in large bowl with hand beater until fluffy.

Beat in flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, just until smooth...

Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray.

Pour mix onto hot waffle iron...

Cook until golden brown...

Don't forget a little butter and syrup...

DELICIOUS!

So easy and they were ready in just a few minutes.

We had leftovers!

So I placed them in a freezer bag and popped them in the freezer.

During the week, I removed a few and placed in the right into the toaster for fresh

homemade, delicious waffles for breakfast on a busy morning.

On the menu at our house tonight:

Mom's Pot Roast

Buttered Noodles

Roasted Cauliflower

Easy Homemade Biscuits

What's for dinner at your house tonight?

Come back tomorrow for Tuesday's Question!

Enjoy your day!

Pin It

Scripture Sunday...

2012-01-22T05:00:00.003-05:00

This week's Scripture Sunday is a special one!

My college roommate, Shelly, is our special guest blogger!

ONLY, she doesn't have a blog yet!

I'm hoping after TODAY, she'll get one up and start posting!

Here we go...

It’s almost the middle of January and I’m wondering how many of you

have already given up on that New Year’s Resolution?

I’m not really one to make resolutions, but decided this year to do something different.

I’m calling my goal for 2012 a New Yield Resolution, and to take that a

step further I want to talk to you about

Gaining by Giving up.

The idea is, rather than go after the things you want for the New Year,

to challenge you to yield things to God in this New Year.

Today, I have a sign with me, this particular sign means, slow down,

and be cautious unless you’re a man and then it means accelerate!

The dictionary gives us some better definitions and they are:

to give up, as to a superior power or authority: to give up or surrender (oneself):

to give up or over; relinquish or resign.

Now let’s say you are sick and tired of being told what to do, you snap and all of a sudden

you decide that rules do not apply to you, not even road signs.

Well, after they release you from the hospital, or after you get that ticket

or worse yet after they pull your body from the car,

you might have a different perspective about choices and rules, even road signs.

Safety in a car comes from yielding to all the signs on the road, not just the yield signs.

As followers of Christ, our lives draw similar parallels.

We choose to become a Christian, but still want to do what we want to do,

no rules, just forgiveness from sin.

Jesus said we must be willing to pick up our cross and yield

our lives to him to get what we truly need.

It’s not about what we can get out of life;

it’s about what we gain when we give up our lives.

In order to follow him, we have to deny ourselves, take up his cross and follow him.

I like what Luke 9:23 says, and take up his cross daily…not just whenever, but daily.

That’s truly yielding your life to Christ, to choose daily to deny yourself and follow him.

How many times have you promised yourself you were going to really live for Christ,

trust God and NOT get in his way.

We all do it, the problem is we lack patience;

we want what we want NOW instead of

waiting for God to bring it about in his timing.

We have to remember there is so much to gain, when we give up

or yield and let God handle everything.

I’m sure most of us could share a time when we got ahead of God?

Gaining by giving up is a difficult concept, but when we yield to the things of God

and yield or give up things to God, God promises to take care of us.

We live in a world of entitlements, a world in which people expect to get, get, get,

so to be deprived is unthinkable.

You are probably thinking why would anyone want to give up their rights

and place themselves under someone else’s control?

But think of it this way:

When we decide to yield to someone we are putting our lives in

that persons hands, so why not that person be God?

God is asking us to yield all areas of our lives to him.

Put our hurts, pains, frustrations, dreams, in his hands.

I know I’m carrying some burdens that are just too heavy, and today I need to practice

what I preach and yield those things to him.

Possibly you find yourself overwhelmed with a situation, yield it to God today.

My challenge to you is list out the areas in which you need to

yield to God and write it on your yield sign and carry it with you in your

Bible, or notebook or place it near your mirror,

so you can see it every morning and be reminded that

God is calling you to yield and listen quietly to his voice and

be willing to give up in order to get what

GOD has in mind for you.

Thank you Shelly!

Now, get blogging!

Let's show Shelly some Walking on Sunshine LOVE

and encourage her to start her own blog!

Leave Shelly a comment!

I know she'll appreciate your kind words!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Chicken Soup...

2012-01-21T11:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Saturday!

It's snowing in PA today and I'm pretty happy about the snow.

It's so beautiful to watch it fall from

the comfort of my COUCH

knowing we don't have to be anywhere today!

The view from our front porch...

Our front walkway covered in snow...

BUT...

My Colonel is SICK.

AND he never gets sick.

He went to bed last night with a tickle in his throat and woke

up with a fever and a throat on fire.

So what's a wife to do when her hubby is sick?

MAKE CHICKEN SOUP!

I've posted this recipe before but it's so good it needs to be re-posted!

INGREDIENTS:

Two 32 ounce cartons of chicken broth

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

1 container Knorr Home Style Stock

OR 1 Knorr chicken bouillon cube

1 to 2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 1/2 cups cooked egg noodles.

Parsley

Empty the cartons of chicken broth into a pot and bring

to a boil on the top of the stove.

Chop the celery and carrots and add them

to the pot of chicken broth...

I thought this carrot reminded me of my spine...

Continue to boil until the carrots and celery are fork-tender...

I never add the cooked chicken until after the

carrots and celery are completely tender.

You can dry the chicken out if it boils AGAIN.

I usually add a Knorr chicken bouillon cube

for extra flavor, but I had a great coupon for their new product,

"Home Style Stock."

I added one container to the chicken soup...

Add the cooked chicken...

Add the cooked egg noodles...

At this point you would add your chopped parsley

IF you had parsley!

No problem, I added a chunk of frozen chopped spinach to the pot...

Once the chopped spinach defrosted and cooked in the chicken soup,

NO ONE knew the difference.

Season with pepper and salt, if necessary.

What are you all having for dinner tonight?

Tomorrow we have a SPECIAL GUEST blogger for

Scripture Sunday.

So please come show our GUEST some

Walking on Sunshine LOVE!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Vanilla and Chocolate Swirl Cookies...

2012-01-20T05:00:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago I posted an easy

Colorful Swirl Cookie

recipe that I found on Pinterest right before Christmas.

I always wondered how cookies like this were made

and was delighted when I found a recipe that looked so

simple and was so much fun to bake!

The next day I had to try another swirl cookie and found the following

recipe on Google in my quest to bake another FUN cookie.

This week's

Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy

is a FUN, EASY, vanilla and chocolate swirl cookie...

Ingredients

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

1 1/2 cups butter softened (YES, 3 sticks)

1 cup confectioner's sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Cream the butter until it's smooth.

Stir in the sugars and vanilla extract until they're evenly blended.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture one third at a time, stirring after each addition,

until the dough is evenly blended.

Divide the cookie dough in half.

Set aside half of the cookie dough...

Add the cocoa powder to the remaining dough and stir until it is fully incorporated...

Divide the chocolate dough in half...

Place each half on a large piece of plastic wrap,

pat it into a 1/2-inch-thick square, and then wrap it in the plastic.

Repeat the process for the vanilla dough.

Refrigerate the 4 squares until firm, about 1 to 2 hours...

Unwrap one piece of the chilled vanilla dough, leaving it on the plastic.

Cover it with a second piece of plastic wrap, then roll it into a rectangle measuring about 9 by 7 inches.

If the dough gets too soft and difficult to roll, slide it onto a baking sheet

and refrigerate it until it's firm again, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Unwrap a piece of the chocolate dough, cover it with another piece of plastic,

and roll it into an 8- by 7-inch rectangle.

Remove the top piece of plastic wrap from both rolled doughs

and invert the chocolate dough on top of the vanilla dough,

lining up 3 sides and leaving about 1 inch of vanilla dough exposed on one side...

Starting at the opposite side, lift the vanilla dough by the plastic wrap

underneath it and snugly roll up both layers into a log,

peeling away the plastic wrap as you go.

See the cracks?

DON'T WORRY, just keep rolling...

Wrap the log in the plastic and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours.

Repeat the process with the 2 other pieces of dough...

Heat the oven to 350º. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Unwrap one of the logs and slice it into 1/4-inch-thick rounds...

I was having fun with the dough...

Arrange the slices on the parchment about 1 inch apart
and bake them for about 13 minutes.
When done, they'll still be a little soft to the touch.
The cookies will have a better texture if you don't let their edges brown.

PRETTY and DELICIOUS...

Baking swirl cookies is so much FUN!
I'm happy I learned over Christmas and made
two very different, yet DELICIOUS cookies for our
family to enjoy and to give as gifts to friends.

On the menu at our house tonight:

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
made with Refried Beans and NOT chicken.

Instead of chicken, just spread a nice layer of
refried beans down the center of the flour tortilla,
along with some cheddar cheese, and continue the recipe as instructed.

The other night when I made the chicken enchiladas for dinner,
I made a few with refried beans and they were so GOOD.
I decided we're having this meal AGAIN tonight with the refried beans.

AND if you're looking for a good Beef Enchilada recipe,
check out my sister's blog.
She posted a recipe yesterday that uses ground beef AND refried beans.
Yummy!

I received a few comments asking how I prepared the zucchini in the above picture.
I slice the zucchini and toss them in a little bit of oil and pepper.
Place on a baking sheet, cook at a high temperature, around 425,
until the zucchini are fork-tender and a nice golden, almost charred brown.
Sprinkle with salt and more pepper before serving.

Enjoy your day!

Olivia's Creamy Mac and Cheese...

2012-01-19T10:18:00.000-05:00

Tonight for dinner we are having as our side dish

Olivia's Creamy Mac and Cheese

BUT...

That's really not what this post is about.

I really wanted to get my Italian Chicken Cutlets posted today.

I'm running late and a little behind this morning.

So instead I thought I would just share the link with you for our

favorite Mac and Cheese recipe.

I made this the day before Olivia went back to college

and it was a crazy night.

Olivia had to be somewhere and Michael had to get to karate practice.

So I just told them to go ahead and make their plates and start eating.

Well, by the time the Colonel and I went to make our plates,

maybe 15 minutes later, all the Mac and Cheese was

GONE!

And like most moms, that made my heart HAPPY!

The Colonel's stomach a little empty, but that's okay!

Today is a CRAZY day!

Need to be out of the house in a few minutes but wanted to

say hi to everyone and thank you all for the beautiful

comments you all leave me!

They really do make me feel great to come

here and read what you share with me.

I hope you all have a GREAT DAY!

It's beautiful and COLD here in PA with

a chance of some snow tonight and definitely MORE snow on Saturday.

On the menu at house tonight:

Chicken Cutlets, Italian Style

(Recipe coming, I promise)

Olivia's Mac and Cheese

Easy Homemade Biscuits

Tossed Salad with Italian Dressing

Come back tomorrow for

Something Yummy for My Colonel's Tummy!

Enjoy your day!