Day 1

We are on a two week vacation, road tripping from Vegas, Nevada to San Francisco, California. I am writing from the Grand Canyon and it sure is grand.

Join me on our trip...

Hoover Dam

 The Grand Canyon

Tourist at their best. This photo makes me chuckle.

We ended the day with this lovely sunset.

In awe of our Creator,

Hope

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