Timeless Toys Sign

Josh has been working hard on

our toy store sign. Most evenings we

have open are spent in his wood working

shop in the basement. When it comes to

carpentry and wood working, 
Josh has a natural talent.

We wanted a sign that was 3D so

I printed the logo in three layers.

First the background, then the horse, and then the letters.

We have a die-cutting printer at work so

it worked great for what we needed.

Mounting the giant stickers on the

wood was a task. My blood pressure

had to be way above normal.

We managed to stick them on with a few wrinkles, 
oh well, it makes it look hand made.

He used the outside of the stickers as a guide to cut out the letters.

Tedious work that I would not have the patience for.

Ready to stick on the horse sticker.

 This was the hardest sticker to apply. This is when my
blood pressure was at its peak. Wrinkles in the sticker
were forming like flies, Ugggg.

 Ready to be put together.

Brad nailing the letters on.

Pajama clad me applying letters.

Complete and ready to hang tomorrow.

My life is pretty much toys right now.

We have been working at the toy store

after work trying to get things in shape

for when we open in July.

My bed is calling me.

Blessings,

Hope

Sweet n Sour Stir Fry

I almost feel guilty every time I fix stir 

fry for supper. My husband does not like rice.

Therefore, he is not a big fan of stir fry.

I thoroughly enjoy rice and stir fry's

so I make it every once in awhile.

This is a favorite of mine:

Pan fried chicken, green beans,

and water chestnuts smothered

in a homemade sweet n sour sauce

served on a bed of rice.

Fry your chicken pieces in butter and garlic.

Simmer until green beans are soft.

Ready for me to enjoy.

Sweet n Sour Stir Fry

8 chicken thighs cut in pieces

2 Tbsp. butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups frozen green beans

1- 8 oz. can of water chestnuts

Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 tsp. corn starch

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. chopped pimento

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 Tbsp. corn syrup

1/4 tsp. pepper

Melt butter in skillet and add chicken pieces.

Sprinkle with garlic and salt. Fry uncovered until golden brown.

Remove from skillet. Add sauce ingredients and cook until thick.

Add chicken and vegetables into skillet. Cover and simmer until

the green beans are soft, but crunchy.

Serve over rice.

Enjoy,

Hope

Delectable Green Beans

Being creative with green beans is a task.

You can fry them with bacon, ham and seasonings
or bake them in a green bean casserole.

I bought some frozen green beans at

Costco and immediately fell in love.

With frozen green beans you can cook them a just until 

they are a tad crunchy and they stay a lot greener.

Green beans sauteed in butter and onions.

Drizzled with honey and sprinkled with salt.

Cooked until slightly, crunchy.

My hubby asked me the day after I made these
if I would fix them again. Sorry, If you get
tired of hubby testimonials.
He will say if something is not worth making
again- he doesn't say that for everything. 

They saved time and kept them whole.
Maybe the green bean snappers went on strike.

Straight from the freezer to the pan.

Ready for grazing.

 Grill some chicken, bake some macaroni and cheese,

and you have a colorful meal.

Green Beans

2 Tbsp. butter

a few slices on onions

6 cups of frozen green beans

2 Tbsp. of honey

3/4 tsp. salt

Saute onions in butter. Add green beans, drizzle beans

with honey and sprinkle with salt. Cover and cook until

slightly, crunchy. Uncover and simmer for a few
minutes to reduce the liquid in the pan.

Enjoy,

Hope

Chocolate Chip Cookies

My hubby has been hounding me to

make him chocolate chip cookies.

Tonight we were invited to a party and

I asked him what I should take.

You can guess the answer.

I think he ate ten from the time they came

out of the oven until the party was over.

I told him I would pack two in his

lunch and he argued he needed five.

Cookie monster is his name.

This recipe is the chocolate chip cookie recipe mom

always used. We received it from a neighbor lady.

One of those recipes you always use and don't try any others.

It's a good ol' stand by.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup lard

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

3 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter, lard and sugars. Add ingredients as listed.

Set in the fridge to chill for 20-30 minutes.

Scoop on tray and bake for 8-9 minutes.

p.s. You must use the lard, its what makes these cookies special.

Enjoy,

Hope

It's Springtime

New life in the spring adds some

"spring" in my step and some joy in my heart.

Spring is a wonderful illustration of new life in Christ.

 I have been enjoying the daffodils

and the green grass a growing.

I couldn't help but go outside to day and

take some spring photos.

 

 

Luscious green, grass in our pine forest.

Duke loves springtime too. He told me so.

He loves ice cream too. This is the my favorite photo of the day.

I brought some springtime inside too.

"For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, 

 And the voice of the turtledove  Is heard in our land.
 The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines
with the tender grapes give a good smell.
Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away"

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Blessings,

Hope

Blueberry Morning

I wasn't hungry for something like eggs

with cheese this morning. I was craving

something sweet to go with my coffee.

So this is what we had.

French toast topped with calories-

blueberry pie filling, whipped cream and syrup.

As far as the recipe.... well, I cracked open an egg,

poured in a slosh of milk, added a splash of vanilla and

sprinkled in some cinnamon and nutmeg.

Whisked it until blended and dunked both sides of the bread in it.

Then I fried it on a hot griddle until brown.

Topped it with blueberry pie filling and whipped cream

then drizzled it with syrup.

How's that for a hum-drum recipe?

Sounds like I stepped back into time.

All the recipe needs is some hog lard.

Enjoy,

Hope

 

Happy Birthday Sheri!

Today is Sheri, my dear sister-in-law's, birthday.

She is in the wild west probably roping

cattle and drinking cowboy (cowgirl) coffee.
Not really, but it sounded good.

Here is a link of a post I did before she left.

A dear lady and woman of God,
who has a willing spirit to do the
work of the Lord.

In honor of her Birthday please go to
her site and leave a birthday message,
or just leave a comment here for her to read.

About to be sister-in-laws!

Enjoying some peach shakes at the lake in 2009.

Looking sperfy in her 50's outfit at a party the young adults had.

 

 

We miss you!

Happy Birthday!

Hope

Spring!

As I mentioned before- I have a serious

case of the spring fever. I made a spring wreath,

decorated for spring and planted flower seeds.

All that is missing is the warm weather. 

I'll share with you the way I made my spring wreath.

All you need is: a styrofoam wreath, thick twine, a birds nest,

fake flowers and floral wire.

Wrap the entire wreath with twine. Then wire on your flowers.

Then cut pieces of the twine to secure your flowers at various places.

Add your nest with eggs. Wire on the nest and glue your eggs in place.

In a matter of time you have yourself a spring wreath.

 I planted zinnia's and aster's last week.

 Look what I found when I got home from work today. Yay!

Blessings,

Hope

Cheeseburger Stromboli

Since I fixed grilled chicken pita's last night

I thought it was time for hubby food.

Hubby food meaning- a grilled cheeseburger

or steak and mashed potatoes.

I wasn't in the mood to grill again-

so I dreamed up this cheeseburger stromboli.

It's easy and good. Your husband will love this recipe.

Browned beef seasoned like a hamburger,

sauteed mushrooms and onions topped with

cheese and wrapped in flaky, crescent bread.

Lay two, crescent roll tubes of dough out like this.

Brown 1 lb. of hamburger.

 Saute mushrooms and onions in butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spoon meat mixture down the middle and top with sauteed mixture.

Top with cheese and braid. Then brush with a beaten egg

and sprinkle with parsley flakes.

Set on the table and watch your hubby smile.

Cheeseburger Stromboli

2 rolls of crescent rolls

1 egg, beaten

1- 7oz. can of mushrooms

a few slices of onions

1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1 lb. of hamburger browned with-

1/3 cup Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. Montreal Steak seasoning

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. mustard

Lay crescent rolls on a tray and spread with a little mayo, set aside. 

 Saute mushrooms and onions in a little butter and

sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until soft. 

Brown hamburger and add the six ingredients listed underneath.

Spoon meat mixture down the middle of your dough

and top with sauteed mixture and cheese. Brush with

a beaten egg and sprinkle parsley flakes.

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Slice stromboli and serve.

Enjoy,

Hope

Grilled Chicken Pita's

I already have the spring fever.

I am dreaming of long lit days, planting flowers,

warm weather and summer cookouts.

I was craving something grilled-

so I created these grilled chicken pita's.

Grilled chicken and fresh vegetables smothered 

in homemade blue cheese dressing stuffed

in whole wheat pita bread.

I sprinkled this on the chicken and let it set for a half hour.

Here is a link to see what's in the rub.

This is what happens when you brush on the melted butter.

Flame kissed for sure.

 My hubby's secret to moist, grilled chicken.

Turn the grill on high and sear both sides.

Then turn the heat to low and grill until done.

It really does make a difference.

 To save time you can cut the veggies while grilling.

 Add your ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix away.

Cut pita circle's in half and fill. Open mouth wide and devour.

I think I'll have another one for breakfast.

Grilled Chicken Pita's

 4-5 whole wheat pita's

3 grilled chicken breast*, chunked

3 cups of fresh veggies,

lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber. (See photo above)

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

*Sprinkle chicken with jerk seasoning and let it set for 30 minutes. 

While grilling brush chicken with 1/4 cup of melted butter.

Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

p.s. You could use any grilled chicken.

Blue Cheese Dressing

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup sour cream

1/8 cup vinegar

1 tsp. parsley flakes

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. ground mustard

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles*

(*add more if your a fan)

Mix well and pour about half of the dressing 

over chicken, vegetables and cheeses.

Use your own judgment. Cut pita's in half and stuff

with filling. Makes 8-10 pita halves depending on how

full you stuff them. Dig in and enjoy the taste of summer-

it's right around the corner.

Blessings,

Hope