Sausage Potato Quiche

Having a busy day? And you don't really feel like cooking...but you must feed your hungry husband?

Sausage potato quiche is here to save you. It's simple, it's delicious and it's easy.

Run get your ingredients.

 Grate your potatoes, add oil and press into a deep dish pie pan.

Bake until browned. Brown sausage while the crust is baking.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper.

Cut up onions and tomato, grate cheese.

 Sprinkle components over the crust and pour on the egg mixture.

 

Bake and you have a hearty meal. It's the real deal.

Sausage Potato Quiche

3 cups shredded potato, raw

3 Tbsp. oil

2 cups sausage, browned

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1 1/2 cup cheese, grated, I used cheddar and Havarti

1 tomato, cubed

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. parsley flakes

Shred potatoes and add oil. Press into a deep dish pie pan.

Bake at 400 degrees until browned, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile brown sausage, cut up onion, grate cheese and cube 

the tomato. In another bowl combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper.

Remove potato crust from the oven and sprinkle with sausage,

onions, cheese and tomato. Pour egg mixture over it and sprinkle

with parsley flakes. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Enjoy!

Hope

Citrus Grilled Chicken

I will make this post quick because I am hugging a cold glass of tea with my burnt thumb. I type a little and back to the cooling station I go.

Don't try moving a hot oven rack with your thumb. Not sure what I was thinking. Oh, I wasn't thinking.

Moving right along...

Grilled chicken is my favorite meat to fix in the summer. I come home from work, thaw out some chicken, season it and then grill it after the yard work is done. Then I add a few simple sides and supper is ready.

Citrus Grilled Chicken

10 chicken thighs

1/3 cup olive oil

juice of 1 lemon

juice of 1 lime

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 large garlic cloves, crushed or minced

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. parsley flakes

Pierce chicken thighs all over with a fork. Pour marinade over 

chicken and let set for an hour. Grill over charcoal until done.

 A few peas were ready in our garden so I added them to our salad. Divine.

Happy day!

Hope

Kitchen Cheer

I added a bit of cheer to my kitchen today. I have had these boxes for some time now and was waiting until we remodeled our kitchen to hang them up. I came across them today and thought, "why wait to enjoy these? I can enjoy them now." So I hung them up.

My quote to you today.

Enjoy life as it is.

Don't wait to do things when everything is just as you imagined.

Also, I have been wanting to post about why I blog, and how I hope I don't come across wrong. Like I have it all together and you don't. I cleaned out my pantry today and found three large bags of oatmeal and brown sugar. My pantry is real organized. Well, I just came across this post from a blogger I have followed for years and she couldn't have worded all my feelings better. So please go here, and read the thoughts that have been on my mind. I blog because I want to inspire and help you along in your journey of life. I share recipes because recipes are meant to be shared- not kept a secret. Thanks to all of you faithful followers. I cherish your friendship! I have made more friends than I ever imagined!

p.s. Thanks Jenny! You saved me lots of time:) 

Blessings!

Hope

Dad

I know I have written about my mother before on here, but have never mentioned much about my Dad.

So today, I pay tribute to him. I am so thankful for the godly father I have.

Here are a few words to describe him and what he means to me.

For starters, he lived in house with four women. He never once complained about it. He would joke about it and would say, "what did I do to deserve to live with four women."

But it was a benefit for us to have Dad there to level us out. As young kids when we where crying or pouting we were told to straighten up. It has taught me not to 'woller' in self pity. To move on and get going with life.

He is shy. For some reason all Shank's are tagged as shy. He was so shy in High School that he skipped a oral report so he wouldn't have to speak in front of the class. Well... God called him to the ministry and he speaks in front of lots of people now.

My Dad is a farmer, and has been all his married life. He works from dawn til' dusk. He is very dedicated to the church and farm.

He is not a very verbal person- but his life speaks for who he is. If there is a need anywhere- he is there helping in any way he can.

Not to mention, he is also a handy man. If some appliance didn't work at home we would say, "oh, Dad can fix it." His grandson's are catching on as well, any toy that is broken, "Grandad can fix it." I learned real quick with Josh that it's not the best thing to say when something is broke at our house. "Oh, I bet Dad could fix it." No, No...

He isn't scared to wash a window or vacuum the floor. He came from a houseful of boys with one sister. I credit my Grandma for that. She had the boys help with housework as well.

I would say my strongest 'Dad' trait would be my drive to get things done. To finish something you started and do it to the best of your ability. I am thankful for all he has taught me.

I love you!

Your daughter,

Hope

Garden Tour 2013

I like to take photos every year to document our garden and flowers. 

Just to see what it looks like from year to year.

Join me on the tour...

Window boxes on the deck were an addition this year.

I have enjoyed gardening more than ever this year.

I guess it's 'growing' on me.

The martin houses are an addition as well.

A hobby of the hubby.

My husband's pride and joy. He adores this tree.

The smell reminds him of when he lived in Kentucky.

Knock out roses are great.

They are so giving- they bloom all summer.

Thanks for joining me on the tour.

I wish we could sit down together with a glass of sweet tea.

Blessings,

Hope

Momma's Strawberry Shortcake

I grew up on strawberry shortcake. My mamma's recipe is the best. It's my Grandma Rhodes' recipe revised. I'm not sentimental at all.

My mother was meeting me after work and said she had extra strawberries. I asked if she had shortcake to bring along for Joshua's supper. So she mixed one up and brought me two warm pieces of shortcake. Thank you mother.

I came home in rush and made Josh a bowl of shortcake with strawberries. I set it in front of him and he started eating. I told him how mom would fix just strawberry shortcake for supper in the summer when we were kids. Feeling all nostalgic and such.

He replied, " that's a touching story, but is this really all I'm eating for supper."

I had to laugh.

I pulled some left overs out of the fridge with meat in them. So he ate dessert first tonight. I guess that tradition won't be carried on at our home.

 Wouldn't this cure your meat and potato hunger?

Momma's Strawberry Shortcake

1/2 cup butter, soft

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

 1 cup milk

2 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and pour into a greased 9" pan.

Sprinkle with sanding sugar if you'd like.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Have any of you eaten strawberry shortcake for a meal?

Somebody help me here!

Hope

Diego and Brooke's Wedding

Yesterday was my first cousin, Brooke's, wedding. We spent many a summer together as kids. She was called 'Brookie' and I was called 'Hopey'. My how time flies.

They had a lovely wedding day. It rained all day Friday and they were worried they could not have the ceremony outdoors. On Saturday the sun came out and melted their worries away.

I helped with arranging the flowers. I was able to snap a few photos of their wedding day.

 

 The gorgeous ceremony setting.

Here comes the blushing bride.

Mr. and Mrs. Diego Sandoval

The enchanting barn where the reception was held.

 the bride's bouquet | the bridesmaid's bouquet

Pretty bridesmaids

Uncle Myron, Brooke's dad, made these lovely boxes for the tables.

He also supplied the deer antlers.

Grandma Shank and Brooke | the bridal table

 And they are off!

 

Blessings Diego and Brooke. Have fun in Mexico!

Best wishes,

Hope

Potato Nest With Eggs

This past week has been a long one. My husband and I did a five day liver cleanse. Which includes awaking to a shake with fruit juice, garlic, ginger root and olive oil. The kind of shake that makes you want to get out of bed running- running away, that is. We did stick it out and feel great! If you are interested go here.

So today I could cook! After a whole week of not cooking I was about in the loony bin. I made one of our breakfast favorites- which has no technical name so I have named it, potato nest with eggs, so creative.

Slice up some potatoes and throw them in a hot skillet with oil.

Add chopped onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Once the potatoes are soft make a little nest for your eggs.

Add your eggs and top them off with a little half and half.

This keeps things moist and luscious. Sprinkle the egg yolks with salt.

Reduce heat, cover and cook until almost set.

 Top with sharp cheddar or any cheese you like.
Turn off heat and cover until the cheese is melted.

 We can eat this whole skillet by ourselves. Pigs we are.

I think I better quit writing before things get out of hand.

It's late and I need my bed. 

Blessings,

Hope

Strawberry Jam

I was going to go pick some strawberries at a local patch when my mother called and said, "I have a whole dish pan full of strawberries here, do you want them?" Of course I said, "yes", and went to her house today to make strawberry jam.

 My dear mother's recipe from my Grandma Shank.

It's a well-loved one if you cant tell.

We used to blend all our berries- but I talked mom into mashing

half of them for some texture. We liked the result.

 Cook Sure Jell and water on the stove at a rolling boil for 1.5 min.

Then remove from heat and add berries and sugar.

Pour into jars and let set until stiff.

  

Cover and put in the freezer. 

Pull out in the winter and spread on fresh baked bread.

Grandma had Austy picking potato bugs. A penny a bug.

She even got her glasses out to count them.

Pierce is enjoying Joshua's pain.

Strawberry Jam

4 cups of fresh strawberry pulp

1 box of Sure Jell 

3/4 cup water

6 cups sugar

Wash berries and cap. Blend half as a smooth pulp and 

mash the other half with a hand masher.

Add Sure Jell and water to a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil.

Constantly stirring boil for 1.5 minutes.

Remove from heat and add pulp and then sugar. Stir well.

Fill jars and let set until firm. Cover and put in the freezer.

Note: We did a double recipe at a time.

Blessings,

Hope

Outer Banks

We just came back from a relaxing vacation at the Outer Banks. Since I was a young child I have frequented the Outer banks. It's in my blood- my Grandaddy Shank loved the beach along with my Dad. I remember boxes and boxes of sea shells at my Grandaddy and Grandma Shank's home. I remember using a hot glue gun and making all sorts of creations with sea shells. My Dad loves to go in the winter and search for big conch shells. He also says it's great because you can lay your beach towel wherever you like. No fighting for space when you have your winter coat and boots on.

So with all that being said, I really do enjoy the ocean. Not just to get a tan, I enjoy watching waves crash, and seeing God's glorious creation. My husband doesn't understand why I go out right after breakfast and sit in my beach chair and watch the waves crash on the shore. It's like therapy- I'm getting soft on you, but I really do enjoy the ocean.

If you do go it's better to go off season- the end of May or in late August after schools have started. Less people, more space for you to enjoy. We had a quarter mile of beach to ourselves. If you have ever been to VA beach in peak season you will appreciate that greatly. I have been there once- never to go again. 

 My first time watching a sunrise over the ocean.

My husband helped this idea come true. 
Lets just say mornings aren't my thing.

Our quarter mile of open beach, just for us.

skim board pro | cute flip-flop holder

the dunes | Jockey Ridge State Park

Kite flying is Joshua's new hobby.

 Now back to work with a new outlook on life.

Hope