Texas Cottage

Ten Valentine's Day Ideas for Kids

2013-01-12T10:07:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day is just over a month away, but there's still plenty of time to do some crafting with the kiddos. If your kids have Valentine's parties at school, you know it's a big deal. The kids in my classroom obsessed over what valentines they would give, and who would give them valentines and candy. Some of the girls would even exchange gifts. While perusing the internet looking for project ideas, I found some really cute ideas for kids.

Wrap up some miniature candy bars and attach them to a handmade card.

Better Homes and Gardens

What boy wouldn't love getting this robot card and a candy bar?

Better Homes and Gardens

Here's an idea for a small gift of lip balm. This could really be cute with some special paper and embellishments.

Martha Stewart

Make these mini gift bags and fill with treats.

Martha Stewart

Make a flower bouquet with Tootsie Roll pops. Leave the wrapper on the candy for some cute Valentine's Day gifts.

Better Homes and Gardens

Wax paper and crayons always make a fun project.

Martha Stewart

Candy and jewelry in one small package. Perfect for any girl.

Better Homes and Gardens

Fill these felt fortune cookies with candy and a message for cute valentines.

Martha Stewart

Make valentine clothespins and use them to close treat bags.

Martha Stewart

Treat the kids to a fun Valentine's Day meal.

Better Homes and Gardens

Have fun crafting!

What is your favorite gift on Valentine's Day?

Quick and Easy Taco Soup

2013-01-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

Like many of you, I make out a weekly menu and plan my grocery shopping accordingly. Sometimes, though, the week does not go as planned. What I plan for two meals may last for only one, or I forget a key ingredient to a recipe and don't want to make another trip to the store for one item. This is why I have a well-stocked pantry and easy recipes for last-minute meals. This recipe is a snap to prepare, and it's perfect for a quick family meal.

Taco Soup

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 1.25-ounce package taco seasoning mix

1 .4-ounce package ranch dressing mix

1 15-ounce can mild chili beans
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 15.25-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained

1 14.5-ounce diced tomatoes

1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles

2 cups water

In a Dutch oven, crumble and cook ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add taco seasoning mix and stir well. Stir in all the remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Makes 6 servings.

Printable version

Microwave Peanut Brittle

2012-12-23T16:39:00.000-06:00

The Christmas shopping is done, all the gifts are wrapped, and the house is clean (well, as clean as it's going to get.) Now it's time to make some Christmas goodies. This year, it's going to be simple and easy. I'm starting with peanut brittle that takes only 7 minutes to cook and is ready to eat in less than 45 minutes. So if you need something quick, this is it.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup roasted salted peanuts

1 teaspoon margarine or butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Butter a cookie sheet. Gather and measure out each ingredient before starting.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar and corn syrup. Microwave on HIGH for three minutes.

Stir in peanuts, microwave on HIGH for three minutes or until light brown. Stir in margarine or butter and vanilla, blend well. Microwave on HIGH for one minute.

Add baking soda and stir gently until light and foamy. Working quickly, pour and spread onto the buttered cookie sheet.

Let cool at least 30 minutes and break into pieces. Makes one pound.

Printable version

Now, I think I'll drink some eggnog and bake some eggnog cookies. YUM!

A Yummy Giveaway from Tillamook!

2012-12-04T10:43:00.000-06:00

I'm back from my blogging break, and to celebrate I'm joining with Tillamook for an exciting giveaway! Keep reading for all the details.

Recently, Tillamook published my Green Chile Chicken Enchilada recipe in their online cookbook. You'll find this and other delicious recipes and tips from fellow bloggers at www.Tillamook.com/entertaining. I know I'm going to make each of the recipes. They look so good!

Tillamook also has a hardcover cookbook, The Tillamook Cheese Cookbook, with tons of recipes and photos. Two hundred twenty-four pages of yummy recipes celebrating 100 years!

Tillamook wants to give one of Texas Cottage's lucky readers a copy of the cookbook, along with 3 free 1-pound loaf coupons! Won't those come in handy during the Christmas season?

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment answering this question, "What is your favorite cheese recipe?"

This giveaway is open until 12:00 PM (CST) Sunday, December 9, and the winner will be chosen at random and announced Monday, December 10. I'll send the winner an email, and Tillamook will send the prize. The giveaway is open to US residents only.

Thanks, Tillamook for publishing my recipe and for giving away a cookbook and coupons!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

2012-11-11T15:35:00.000-06:00

Wow! Thanksgiving is only 10 days away, and Christmas will be here before we know it. The holiday season is such a busy time for everyone. It's the perfect time for using a slow cooker or, as most of us call it, a crock-pot. Keep your freezer and pantry stocked with all the ingredients for this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup. Start it in the morning and dinner will be ready when you return from work or shopping.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 pound frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 10-ounce package frozen corn

1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 15-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed

1 10-ounce can enchilada sauce

1 14.5-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth

2 cups water

8 corn tortillas

vegetable oil

Place frozen chicken breasts in slow cooker. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add corn, chiles, onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Pour in tomatoes, enchilada sauce, chicken broth, and water. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Remove chicken breasts to cutting board. Shred using two forks and return to soup.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut into strips and spread on a large baking sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp. Serve sprinkled over soup along with other garnishes such as diced avocado, shredded cheese, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro.

Makes 8 servings.

Printable recipe

Here's the best tip for using a slow cooker, especially if you are rushed in the mornings. Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker removable stoneware and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place the stoneware in the slow cooker base and start. Add an extra hour to the cooking time.

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

2012-10-31T12:54:00.000-05:00

Very exciting news! Tillamook published one of my recipes on their Loaf Life Blog and will include it in a future digital cookbook. The folks at Tillamook were nice enough to send me several products to try and use in a recipe. They make the best cheese, as well as yogurt, sour cream, butter, and ice cream!

I decided to submit an enchilada recipe, because we're crazy about Tex-Mex here in Texas. For those of you who don't have a Mexican restaurant in every block like we do, or for those who would rather eat at home, here's a simple way to create delicious enchiladas. Enjoy!

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

1 10 3/4-ounce can cream of chicken soup

1 cup Tillamook Natural Sour Cream

1/2 cup milk

1 4-ounce can diced green chiles

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened

12 corn tortillas

1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup Tillamook Shredded Mexican Cheese

Sliced green onions (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13 x 9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix together soup, sour cream, milk, green chiles, and cumin. Set aside. In another bowl, mix together shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, and 1/2 cup soup mixture.

Heat about 1 tablespoon oil in small skillet over medium heat. Place corn tortilla in hot oil for a few seconds, turn, and heat other side. Remove to paper towels. Spread one heaping tablespoon of chicken mixture down center of tortilla, roll up, and place seam-side down in baking pan. Repeat with other tortillas, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.

Spread remaining soup mixture over the enchiladas. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes until cheese is melted and enchiladas are bubbly.

Serve with extra sour cream and sliced green onions. Makes 6 servings.

Note: I heat the corn tortillas in the hot oil so they don't break when I roll them up.You can skip this step by using flour tortillas.

Printable recipe

You'll find more wonderful recipes and entertaining tips at the Tillamook Recipepalooza featuring lots of other bloggers. Check them out.

The Perfect Pumpkin Dessert

2012-10-20T12:16:00.000-05:00

I knew fall had arrived when the local supermarket moved the canned pumpkin to an end cap display. After bringing home several cans last week, I searched through my recipe files for something new. I found the perfect pumpkin dessert. I received the recipe from a fellow teacher a few years ago after she served it at school. I had all the ingredients in the pantry. I love when that happens! No extra trip to the store for an ingredient. This is one of the reasons I love keeping a stocked pantry.

Perfect Pumpkin Dessert

1 15-ounce can pumpkin

1 12-ounce can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup white sugar

3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (recipe)

1 box yellow cake mix

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Pour into prepared pan.

Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the batter. Drizzle with melted butter. Top with walnuts.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Serve with whipped cream. Refrigerate leftovers.

Printable recipe

Have you made a pumpkin dessert this fall?

Pumpkin Pecan Braid {and Giveaway Winner}

2012-10-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

Here's a delicious recipe from last year's 31 Days of Autumn Recipes. I decided this year I would be unable to write for 31 days, and I sure didn't think I could bake for a whole month. Not to mention the fact that I finally lost the weight I gained last October.

Anyway, this is a super-easy, but fancy-looking pumpkin coffee cake made from Pillsbury crescent rolls. Anything made with crescent rolls has got to be good!

Pumpkin Pecan Braid

Coffee Cake

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (recipe)

1 egg, separated

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 to 3 teaspoons milk

1 tablespoon chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet; firmly press seams and perforations to seal. Press into 13 x 7-inch rectangle.

In a medium bowl, mix pumpkin, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and egg yolk; blend well. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Spread mixture in 3 1/2-inch-wide strip lengthwise down the center of dough rectangle to within 1 inch of ends. With scissors or sharp knife, make cuts 1 inch apart on long sides of dough rectangle just to edge of filling.

Fold strips at an angle across filling, overlapping ends and alternating from side to side. In small bowl, beat egg white until foamy; brush over dough.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to serving platter.

In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons milk. Stir in additional milk, if necessary, for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm coffee cake. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped pecans.

Makes 6 servings.

Printable recipe

The winner of the Chrysanthemum book giveaway is Leann from The Old Parsonage. Congrats Leann!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

2012-10-05T13:27:00.000-05:00

I've been experimenting with my slow cooker recipes lately, and we've had some delicious meals here at Texas Cottage. Some recipes I've had for years, and some I discovered just recently. I found this amazing recipe over at Chef-in-Training last year. It is delish! It's the perfect way to have BBQ even when it's too cold to grill. (Guys will probably say it's never too cold.)

This super simple recipe will make plenty of pulled pork sandwiches for your next football party or family dinner with leftovers to freeze. I used about 3 pounds of pork roast and made 10 huge sandwiches on large hamburger buns. If you buy small buns or the tiny slider buns you could stretch it even further. Add some cole slaw and either fries or chips for an easy meal.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

3 pound pork roast (or 2 1 1/2 pound roasts)

1/4 cup liquid smoke

BBQ rub

17.5 ounce jar of BBQ sauce

hamburger buns

dill pickle slices

sliced onion

Rub liquid smoke over entire surface of pork roast, then rub with BBQ rub seasoning Place in slow cooker; cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours.

Remove roast from slow cooker to cutting board. Use 2 forks to shred the meat. Dip about half the drippings from the slow cooker and save. Return meat to slow cooker and add about 3/4 jar of BBQ sauce. Add some of the reserved drippings to meat until moist.

Serve on hamburger buns with additional BBQ sauce and garnish with pickle and onion slices.

Makes 10-12 large sandwiches.

Printable recipe

The BBQ rub and BBQ sauce you use is up to you. I have a great BBQ rub and sauce recipe here or you can use store-bought. For this recipe, I used Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse Texas BBQ Rub. The choice of BBQ sauces on the market can be daunting. I suggest you read the label before purchasing. The first ingredient in some sauces is water or, believe it or not, high fructose corn syrup. I chose Better Than Good BBQ Sauce because it's vinegar-based. I couldn't find a website for the Better Than Good products, but it is available at HEB (our wonderful Texas supermarkets) and Shop.com.

I was not paid by either company to feature their products, I just like promoting stuff made in Texas.

Adding Fall Color with Chrysanthemums {A Giveaway}

2012-10-02T17:07:00.000-05:00

October in Texas. No fall color here! The grass still needs to be mowed at least once a week. The only leaves falling from the trees are brown and dead from the long, hot summer. October in Texas means it's time for a trip to the local nursery to buy chrysanthemums!

Until the leaves do change color, if at all, I add fall color with flowers. (Usually the leaves change from green to brown with nothing in between. Sometimes, we see a little red, orange and yellow.)

So every year, I go crazy when the chrysanthemums arrive! Luckily, the local nursery sells them at a low price.

I bought rust, red, burgundy, yellow, and gold this year and put them both inside and outside on the front porch and the back deck.

Hmm, I still see some spots that could use more color. I wonder if I should buy more chrysanthemums?

I love saying chrysanthemum. It's one of my favorite flowers and one of my favorite children's books. I always read it to my students. Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum!

How about a giveaway? Since it's too much trouble to mail a pot of mums, how about a brand-new copy of Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes?

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Simple, just leave one comment about this book, other favorite books, mums, fall color, fall decorating or whatever is on your mind.

This giveaway is open until 12:00 PM (CDT) Sunday, October 7, and the winner will be chosen at random and announced Monday, October 8. I'll send the winner an email. The giveaway is open to US residents only.

I wasn't paid by Harper Publishers or Kevin Henkes nor did they give me this book. I just thought it would be fun to have a giveaway to celebrate chrysanthemums.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

2012-09-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of fall! That means it's time to get out the Crock Pot or slow cooker and make some comfort food. One of our favorite comfort foods at Texas Cottage is chicken and dumplings. Making it in a slow cooker is super simple.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

5 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons butter

2 (10.75 oz) cans cream of chicken soup

1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

1 small can Grands flaky refrigerator biscuits (5 biscuits)
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Place chicken breasts (frozen or thawed) in slow cooker. Add butter, soup, broth, onions, and parsley flakes. Stir. Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours until chicken is tender.

Remove chicken breasts and shred using 2 forks. Return to slow cooker.

Sprinkle flour on cutting board. Flatten and cut each biscuit into 9 pieces. Drop pieces into the slow cooker one at a time, gently pushing them below the surface of the broth. Do not stir. Cover and continue cooking on high for another hour. If the dumplings appear to be overcooking around the edges of the slow cooker, gently push them down. Do not stir until the dumplings are firm. Season with black pepper.

Printable recipe

Even though I did not add salt, Hubby thought it was a little too salty. Everyone else thought it was fine. Next time, I'll use low-sodium broth.

Here's my mother-in-law's chicken and dumplings recipe that I posted last fall.

Linked to:

Just a Girl

Apple Pound Cake with Caramel Glaze

2012-09-17T17:23:00.001-05:00

Apples! Fall is the season to enjoy crisp, juicy apples. Autumn also means it's time for apple pie, apple cake, apple dumplings, apple turnovers, and especially, caramel apples! We all love caramel apples, but they can be messy to make and to eat. Here's a delicious apple cake with a warm caramel glaze. It's kind of like a caramel apple for adults.

Apple Pound Cake with Caramel Glaze

Cake

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped (2 cups)

1 cup chopped pecans

Caramel Glaze

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan.

In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in flour, salt, and baking soda until smooth. Stir in apples and pecans. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack.

In 2-quart saucepan, heat the glaze ingredients to boiling, stirring occasionally. Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and spoon glaze over warm cake.

Makes 16 servings.

Printable recipe

What is your favorite apple dessert?

Stenciled Dish Soap Bottle {Martha Stewart Glass Paint}

2012-09-14T10:16:00.000-05:00

When I started blogging last year, I found several blogs reviewing Martha Stewart Paints. I thought, "Wow! I would really love to review some cool craft products!" Well, thanks to Blueprint Social, I finally had a
chance. I recently received a box full of Plaid's new Martha Stewart Glass Paints, stencils, and various tools.

I decided to use both the adhesive silkscreens and stencils to repurpose an empty olive oil bottle into a dish soap bottle. I think if the dishwashing liquid is going to be on the kitchen counter, it needs to be in a pretty bottle.

Supplies Needed:
Empty olive oil bottle
Chrome pour spout (Available at a restaurant supply store or online)
Martha Stewart Glass Paint Gloss (Wedding Cake)
Martha Stewart Crafts Adhesive Silkscreen (Doily Lace)
Martha Stewart Crafts Adhesive Stencils (Bold Serif Alphabet)
Not in picture:
Alcohol
Paper plate
Waxed cotton cord
Assorted beads and charms

Wash and dry bottle. Clean surface with alcohol. Place the lace silkscreen around bottom of bottle. Smooth down well, so paint does not leak under the silkscreen. Stick the adhesive stencil letters in place starting right above the silkscreen. Again, make sure the stencils are well adhered so you get crisp edges on the letters.

Squeeze a small amount of paint on paper plate. Dip the dauber in the paint, blot off the excess, then dab the paint on the stencil letters. You can always reload the dauber and add more. Work quickly and remove each stencil while the paint is still wet. It is recommended that you wash the paint off the stencils before it dries. I removed and placed each stencil in a bowl of water (paint side down), while I was painting. As soon as I finished with all the painting, I washed each stencil and the dauber with soap and warm water.

Use the dauber on the lace silkscreen following the same method. Let the paint dry a few hours, then replace the silkscreen to continue painting around the bottle.

After the paint dries, wrap neck of bottle with a waxed cotton cord and string with a few beads and charms.

For more information, check out Plaid on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Michael's carries the entire line of Plaid's Martha Stewart Glass Paint, along with the cotton cord, beads, and charms.

I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Martha Stewart Glass Paint and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

If you need inspiration, check out these wonderful projects using Plaid's Martha Stewart Glass Paint.

I Love My Sponsors

2012-09-10T15:41:00.000-05:00

Ad Space Available

Texas Cottage is looking for a few good sponsors. I now have some ad space available in the sidebar. If you have a blog or an online shop, consider buying an ad. Texas Cottage averages about 72,000 pageviews each month, so for just a few dollars your blog or shop will get exposure and traffic.

In addition to the sidebar ad, I'll promote your blog or shop on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Right now we have 1,030 Facebook followers and 95 Twitter followers. I'm still kind of new at tweeting, but adding more followers weekly. Texas Cottage has 1,400 followers on Pinterest and adds almost 50 new followers every week! I'll also feature your blog or shop in a monthly I Love My Sponsors post.

It's so simple. All you need is a button and a credit card or PayPal account. To purchase an ad, click on the Advertise/Sponsor tab, choose the ad size, and click on the Buy Now button. Passionfruit Ads will guide you through the easy process.

I Love My Sponsors!

We all pin, but how many times do we actually try something we've pinned. Well, Eliesa at Pinterest Addict does! She gives the ideas a try, and then shows us what worked and didn't work. She also loves thrifting, decorating, and DIY. In fact, she's about to embark on a bathroom redo. So follow along as she pins and remodels her master bath!

If you want to see some beautiful decorating, check out All Things Beautiful. Janis has a knack for creating beauty. She recently painted an armoire with Annie Sloan chalk paint, and posted an awesome tutorial. It was even chosen by HGTV Home and Shaw Floors 30 Days, 30 Bloggers Challenge. Congratulations, Janis! Check out her Armoire Transformation!

Gayle is another amazing decorator! She has some wonderful tutorials at Miss Kopy Kat. If you're looking for ideas for home decor, seasonal decor, or parties and weddings, check out her blog. Her Make a Painting from a Print post was also chosen for the 30 Days, 30 Bloggers Challenge! Gayle shows you how to create artwork from an inexpensive print. Congrats, Gayle!

Kerry at House TalkN is guaranteed to make you laugh. She can be a little irreverent at times, but always so funny! She even posts videos of herself. Now that's brave! Kerry gives us a glimpse of her home and her busy life. Her Country Living Inspired Bedroom Makeover was also chosen by the HGTV/Shaw 30 Days, 30 Bloggers Challenge. Awsome job, Kerry!

Check out these amazing blogs for some inspiration and a few laughs.

Are you ready to advertise at Texas Cottage? I'd love for you to! Just click on the Advertise/Sponsor tab. Thanks!

Banana Muffins

2012-09-07T14:38:00.000-05:00

Saturday mornings at Texas Cottage means muffins for breakfast.Whoever is up first makes the muffins. For some reason, that is usually me. Why do you think that is? Looking for inspiration last Saturday, I pulled out my old Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. I mixed up the basic muffin recipe with a few changes. The result was the most scrumptious banana muffins ever!

Banana Muffins

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup cooking oil

3/4 cup mashed banana

Streusel Topping

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons cold butter

3 tablespoons chopped pecans

Grease muffin pan or line cups with paper baking cups. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons flour and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 3 tablespoons chopped pecans. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In another bowl, mix egg, milk, and oil. Add to flour mixture along with mashed banana, stir just until moistened.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Sprinkle Streusel Topping over muffin batter. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden, and a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in muffin pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. Serve warm. Makes 12 muffins.

Printable recipe

Do you have a weekend breakfast tradition in your home?

Taming the Frizzies

2012-09-05T04:39:00.000-05:00

Frizzy hair! It can be an almost daily occurrence along the Texas Gulf Coast. With the exception of a few cool, clear days during the year, the humidity hovers around 80 percent. Of course, it's higher in the morning and decreases as the day progresses. Frizzy hair is not just a summer problem here, it's a year round problem. No matter where you live though, all the sun, heat, and humidity during the summer can damage your hair. Add to that chlorine and salt water, and you end up with dry, rough, and frizzy hair.

I've worn my hair short, long, and in-between, but for the last 5 years or so, it's been long. I like the options long hair gives me: straight, curled, ponytail, or bun. Unfortunately, long hair does show damage more so than short hair. No matter what length my hair, conditioning is key to avoiding dry, frizzy hair.

I wash my hair daily, and I always dry it with a blow dryer. Some days, I use a curling iron or a flat iron. All this can really dry out and damage my hair. Everyday conditioning is necessary to keep it healthy and frizz-free. I've used Dove shampoo and conditioner for quite a while. Hubby uses it now, and I heard him the other day telling his dad to try it. This is a guy who doesn't pay much attention to his hair, but he likes Dove.

Dove recently sent me their Intensive Repair Daily Treatment Conditioner to try. Long name, yes, but it's an amazing product. It's thick and rich, but rinses out easily and leaves no residue behind. Patented technology such as Fiber Active penetrates each hair strand and rebinds damaged proteins, and Micromoisture Serum repairs the surface of the hair by sealing lifted cuticles. I don't really understand all this, but I do know that my hair is left soft, shiny, and smooth without any effort.

My hairdresser loves Dove shampoo and conditioner. She doesn't even try to sell me the expensive salon products. No need to spend a fortune on hair products when I can use Dove.

Did you swim, sweat, and spend time in the sun this summer? How's your hair look?

Now here's a chance to repair your hair. Enter this amazing giveaway for a $1,000 gift certificate, and then click on the link at the very bottom of this post to get a coupon for Dove hair products.

Enter to win a $1,000 Spafinder gift certificate!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/4/2012 - 9/30/2012

Be sure to visit Dove^®Hair.com to get a coupon for $1.50 off Dove Hair Therapy products.

Summer Grilling: Ready for Labor Day

2012-08-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Summer is over! Gone for another year. Even though it will stay hot around here for another month, it's almost time to put away the pool toys and pull out the fall decorations!

Are you having a cookout this weekend to celebrate? Light up the grill, and check out these grilling recipes.

Bruschetta

Hamburgers

Pizza

Beef Tenderloin

Marinated Chicken

Slammin' Salmon

Salmon with Peach-Mango Salsa

Corn-on-the-Cob

Summer Squash

Spicy Potato Wedges

Banana Splits

Maple-Glazed Pineapple

For more ideas, be sure to check out the Recipes page. You'll find some wonderful salads, side dishes, and desserts to complete your Labor Day meal. Have fun!

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Serenity Now

Whipperberry

Thirty Handmade Days

Summer Grilling: Salmon with Peach-Mango Salsa

2012-08-24T11:11:00.000-05:00

I discovered plank grilling this summer. Chefs have been grilling on planks for quite a while, but I'm not a chef so I'm just a few years behind. I bought my cedar plank in the grocery store, right next to the fresh seafood. I found some oak planks for $9.99, but the cedar planks were only $1.99.

Woods most often used for grilling planks are cedar, hickory, maple, cherry, and apple. The wood should be untreated and stain and paint-free. I decided to play it safe and buy a plank that was for the sole purpose of grilling.

There are several advantages to plank grilling: the flavor the wood brings to the fish, chicken, or meat is delicious, the plank may burn a little, but the food won't, the food does not stick to the grill or fall into the coals, and you can serve right on the plank.

Always soak a plank in water before using. Add wine, beer, or citrus juice to the water for more flavor. Despite the soaking, there is a chance the plank will catch on fire. If it does, just spray it with a little water. I had no problem with the plank burning, but the brown sugar did drip off the side and burn.

Grilled Salmon with Peach-Mango Salsa

1/4 cup lime juice

1 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 medium mango, chopped (1 cup)

2 large peaches, peeled and chopped (2 cups)

1 tablespoon finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional

1 untreated cedar plank

1 salmon filet (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Soak cedar plank in water at least one hour.

In medium bowl, mix together lime juice, honey, and salt. Add mango, peaches, bell pepper, and cilantro; toss. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour.

Heat grill to medium. Remove plank from water, pat dry, and rub one side with vegetable oil. Place salmon, skin side down, on the oiled side of the cedar plank Make diagonal cuts in salmon every two inches without cutting through the skin. Rub salmon with brown sugar.

Place plank with salmon on medium grill. Close lid and grill salmon 30-35 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with fork.

The brown sugar added a wonderful flavor and color to the salmon, but if you want to resuse the plank, then skip it. Remove salmon from plank using a large spatula. Serve with salsa. Makes 4-8 servings.

Printable recipe

The plank can be reused. Soak in water to clean and allow to dry completely. If it's not usable, make wood chips for the grill or compost or burn in the fireplace.

The last installment in the Summer Grilling series is next week. In case you missed any recipes:

Week 1: Corn-on-the-cob

Week 2: Pizza

Week 3: Bananas

Week 4: Marinated Chicken

Week 5: Summer Squash
Week 6: Slammin' Salmon
Week 7: Maple-Glazed Pineapple

Week 8: Beef Tenderloin

Week 9: Bruschetta

Week 10: Spicy Potato Wedges

Week 11: Hamburgers

Pinterest-Inspired Garden Mirror

2012-08-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Summer will be over soon, and we'll again be able to enjoy the outdoors. I love to work in the garden during spring and fall, but never during the summer. Every summer, by the time August rolls around, I'm tired of the heat and humidity. I'm tired of sweating after being outside for more than 5 minutes. I become neglectful of my poor plants. I manage to keep them watered, but little else happens. I decided my garden needed a little end-of-summer pick-me-up.

While looking through the clearance aisle at Michael's I came across some ugly-a** metal flowers for only $5.99 each ($4.79 with a 20% off everything coupon). Really, they were hideous. Feeling inspired by all the wonderful mirrors on Pinterest, I grabbed the last two flowers. I was kind of embarrassed to put them in my basket. I also bought two 7-inch mirrors and a can of bright yellow spray paint. I was going to make a garden mirror to spruce up my garden. I thought a yellow sunflower would really brighten up the back yard.

Take one ugly metal flower.

Use a hammer to flatten the middle some, so the mirror will lay flat.

Paint with Krylon Sun Yellow spray paint. Protect with Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic coating.

Use lots of hot glue to attach the mirror.

I made two versions, one with a small amount of distressing

and one without. I haven't decided which one I like the best.

Total cost for each sunflower mirror was less than $9.00! Now I have one yellow sunflower mirror to hang in the garden and one to sell.

Summer Grilling: Hamburgers

2012-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you are Texas Cottage reader, you probably noticed the new design. I hope you love it as much as I do! Brooke of My Time Designs did an amazing job. I described what I wanted, and Brooke created this fresh, clean look. Love!!

The weekend's here, so let's grill! Almost everyone knows how to grill hamburgers. Hubby and I have been grilling burgers for years, and for years we've gotten so-so results. Sometimes the burgers are undercooked (not a good idea), sometimes overcooked (charred and dry), and once in a while the burgers are just right. I decided to do some experimenting to create a recipe so the hamburgers are always juicy, delicious, and cooked to perfection.

The most important thing to remember about grilling burgers is the fat content of the meat. Even though I normally buy very lean ground meat, for burgers I buy 85% lean, 15% fat. This fat content is what keeps the meat juicy and moist during the grilling.

Grilled Hamburgers

2 pounds ground beef (85% lean)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce (or to taste)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

leaf lettuce

sliced tomatoes

sliced purple onions

dill pickle slices

mustard, mayo, ketchup

Spray clean grill rack with nonstick cooking spray. Heat grill to medium.

In large bowl, mix ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt, pepper, and garlic powder by hand. Form into equal sized patties. Make the hamburger patties larger than the buns to account for shrinkage. Make 4 burgers to serve on large hamburger buns or make 6 smaller burgers for small buns.

Grill 7-9 minutes on each side, depending on size. Remove from grill, cover with foil, and let rest 5 minutes. If desired, place the buns on the hot grill to heat.

Meanwhile, slice the tomatoes and onion. Arrange with pickle slices on a platter lined with leaf lettuce.

Serves 4-6.

Printable recipe

Summer is almost over! If you missed any grilling recipes, here they are.

Week 1: Corn-on-the-cob

Week 2: Pizza

Week 3: Bananas

Week 4: Marinated Chicken

Week 5: Summer Squash
Week 6: Slammin' Salmon
Week 7: Maple-Glazed Pineapple

Week 8: Beef Tenderloin

Week 9: Bruschetta

Week 10: Spicy Potato Wedges

Summer Grilling: Spicy Potato Wedges

2012-08-10T13:44:00.001-05:00

What is it about food cooked outside? It always tastes delicious, especially on camping trips. That's one of the reasons I love to grill. Plus the fact that it doesn't heat up the kitchen, and I get to spend some time relaxing outside with a cold beverage!

Everybody loves potatoes: baked, fried, or mashed. These spicy potato wedges are crispy on the outside like steak fries, but fluffy inside like baked potatoes. Serve them plain, sprinkled with malt vinegar, topped with sour cream, or dipped in ketchup.

Spicy Potato Wedges

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

4 baking potatoes, scrubbed and quartered lengthwise

Spray clean grill rack with nonstick spray or brush with olive oil. Heat grill to medium.

Combine the oil, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl; add the potatoes and toss to coat.

Place the potato wedges along the edges of the grill rack. Grill turning every 7 minutes or so, moving the wedges closer to the center of the grill rack with each turn, until the potatoes are tender and lightly browned about 20 minutes.

Serve plain or with malt vinegar, ketchup, or sour cream. Makes 4 servings.

Printable version

Here are all the Summer Grilling recipes.

Week 1: Corn-on-the-cob

Week 2: Pizza

Week 3: Bananas

Week 4: Marinated Chicken

Week 5: Summer Squash
Week 6: Slammin' Salmon
Week 7: Maple-Glazed Pineapple

Week 8: Beef Tenderloin

Week 9: Bruschetta

Burlap Wreath Tutorial

2012-08-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

I finally made a craft I found on Pinterest! I've tried recipes, used decorating ideas and blogging tips, and even sewed something I pinned. Now I've actually completed two burlap wreaths, and one of them is hanging in the dining room. I'm even thinking about selling a few. What do you think?

I found these awesome burlap wreath tutorials at Top This Top That and Life on Mars. Here is my version. With all the holidays coming up, there are so many possibilities!

Materials needed:
18" wire wreath
2 rolls Burlap garland (10 yards each, 5 1/2 inches wide)
floral wire
initial or other embellishment
fishing line to attach embellishment
staple gun (not shown)
scissors (not shown)

Fold one end of the garland a couple times. Stick the floral wire through the end and wrap once around the garland. Using the wire, attach the garland to the wire wreath.

Begin pulling loops through the wreath from the back. The size of the loops will depend on how fluffy you want the wreath. Work back and forth across the rungs, pulling the loops through to the front.

Twist the garland slightly so that the loops are not all the same. Push the loops together as you work. The wire wreath is divided into 9 sections and I made 12 loops in each section.

Here's a look at the back showing how I worked the garland back and forth across the rungs. Check the back every so often. Otherwise you may end up with a complete mess back there.

When you finish with the first roll of garland, tie the end to the back with floral wire, and attach the second roll. I used two rolls of garland, but that will depend on the size of your loops. Fluff and rearrange the loops until you get the look you want.

Staple fishing line to the back of your initial or other embellishment and thread the line through the garland to the back. Tie securely. Don't pull too tight or the burlap will be mashed flat.

Add as few or as many embellishments as you like. I personally like a simple wreath.

As I was writing this, I began wondering if this method could be used with deco mesh. I found a Pinterest board full of ideas.

Linked to:

Summer Grilling: Bruschetta

2012-08-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Bruschetta seems to be very popular lately. It's an Italian appetizer or antipasto, and it's usually made with bread, tomato, garlic, basil, olive oil and sometimes, mozzarella. I made a very simple and quick version last time I was grilling. No chopping or mixing required, just a little slicing. I prefer slicing the tomatoes instead of chopping, because when you take a bite, nothing falls off on your clothes, the table, or the floor. All the yummy goodness ends up in your mouth, where it belongs.

Tomato-Basil Bruschetta

8 slices baguette, cut on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick

1 garlic clove, halved

2 large tomatoes, cut into 8 slices

8 thin slices of fresh mozzarella, optional

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper, optional

8 fresh basil leaves, julienned

Spray the grill rack with a nonstick spray or brush with olive oil. Heat the grill to medium.

Place the bread slices on the grill rack and toast just long enough to crisp and char lightly. Turn with tongs, and toast the other sides.

Rub the bread with the garlic halves. Place one slice mozzarella and one slice tomato on each piece of bread. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and basil. Makes 4 servings.

Printable version

In case you missed any of the Summer Grilling recipes:

Week 1: Corn-on-the-cob

Week 2: Pizza

Week 3: Bananas

Week 4: Marinated Chicken

Week 5: Summer Squash
Week 6: Slammin' Salmon
Week 7: Maple-Glazed Pineapple

Week 8: Beef Tenderloin

Only four weeks of summer left! Can you believe it?

Luckenbach, Texas: Where Everybody is Somebody

2012-07-31T14:26:00.000-05:00

"Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas, Waylon and Willie, and the boys..."

Have you ever heard those song lyrics? Luckenbach, Texas was written by Waylon Jennings back in 1977. I know many of you weren't even alive then, but I was in college. I was (and still am) a country music fan, and saw Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson perform way back when.

Hubby and I posing like tourists.

Now after all these years, I finally got to see Luckenbach. While visiting our oldest son and his wife in San Antonio, we stopped in Luckenbach to check it out.

The newlyweds have been married 3 months. Yes, he is thinking "How many pictures does Mom have to take?"

Back in the 1970's the town wasn't even on the map, now it's a popular tourist attraction about an hour north of San Antonio. There's not a whole lot here, but you can get a cold beer, sit under the shade trees, and listen to some great music.

Emory Quinn, an amazing band and all Aggies!

Luckenbach was established way back in 1849 by German immigrants. The town was purchased by Hondo Crouch in 1970, and he invited various country singers to become honorary citizens. Hondo has since passed away, but Texas country singers continue to perform here.

Everyone is enjoying the band and the beverages despite the summer heat.

You can hear country music everyday of the week. Some shows are free, and some cost a few bucks.

Restrooms have no doors, just curtains in the ladies room. You're not shy after drinking a beer or two.

After a flood in 2002, which washed away the blacksmith shop and the cotton gin, the town now consists of a general store, a grill, a dance hall, a hat store, an outdoor stage, and a couple of outdoor bars. The 100 year old dance hall is perfect for a Texas-sized wedding and reception.

Longhorn with a saddle. Only in Texas!

Check out the Luckenbach website for all the history, rental information, upcoming performances, and ticket sales.

Chicken doing the two-step!

I have no connection with Luckenbach, it's owners, citizens, vendors, or musicians. I just wanted to share this information.

Summer Grilling: Beef Tenderloin

2012-07-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

When I grill beef, it's usually hamburgers or steak. I decided to splurge the other day and buy beef tenderloin. Grilling it was super easy, and it didn't heat up the kitchen making it perfect for a summer dinner. It was so tender, you could literally cut it with a fork. No steak knives needed. Now, I probably wouldn't make this for an ordinary family dinner, but it's perfect for a special occasion.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 (1 to 1 1/2 pound) lean beef tenderloin

Combine the parsley, rosemary, thyme, garlic, mustard, oil, and pepper in a small bowl.

Spread the mixture on the tenderloin,

wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Spray the grill rack with a nonstick spray; heat the grill to medium.

Remove and discard the plastic wrap. Place the tenderloin on the grill rack and grill, turning frequently, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the tenderloin registers 145 degrees F for medium rare, about 25 minutes, or 160 degrees F, about 30 minutes. Transfer the beef to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and let rest about 5 minutes before slicing.

Note: I used flat-leaf or Italian parsley from the garden. The grilling time is only an approximation, depending on the grill temperature and size of the tenderloin. Use a meat thermometer for the best results.

Printable version

Don't miss any of the Summer Grilling series.

Week 1: Corn-on-the-cob

Week 2: Pizza

Week 3: Bananas

Week 4: Marinated Chicken

Week 5: Summer Squash
Week 6: Slammin' Salmon
Week 7: Maple-Glazed Pineapple