We cooked out tonight. Well, at least the hot dogs. I made a cold potato salad with Parmesan vinaigrette peppers and garlic and herb mozzarella cheese cubes (Kraft 100 calorie packs). I wanted to put olives in there, but I guess I used all of them. I did dice some red peppers and threw in some fresh thyme. I wish I thought of that earlier and roasted them, but it was still really good. I don't care much for mayo salads so this was my thing. We also had corn on the cob with dill butter. I wanted to make a straw/blue/blackberry cobbler. Oh well, maybe tomorrow!

This weekend I was fortunate enough to host another house party. If you are unfamiliar with them, you should check it out. http://www.houseparty.com You apply by filling out a little questionnaire and if chosen you get a promo pack of free stuff. I hosted a Martha Stewart part last fall and got craft punches, glitter and card and cupcake box making supplies. This past one was from Kraft. I got pizza, cold cuts, crackers, cheese, kool-aid and mac n' cheese. It was so fun, and let me tell you, the Homestyle Mac n' Cheese is AWESOME! It tastes like homemade. You do have to add butter and a flavor packet, which I suspect is flour and make a roux. The you add milk and cheese sauce. So good! I had some neighbors over and we let the kids do water games while the adults had time to socialize. It was a blast. Thanks, Kraft!

STRAWBERRIES!!!!!

Oh how I love strawberries. I made strawberry cake, which can be found on Martha Stewart's website. It's in the strawberry recipes grouping. I also made some strawberry jam from the site of Smith's Nursery where I picked them.

http://www.smiths-nursery.com/upickberries/recipes.htm

My garden

My wonderful husband built me a new garden box this year (above). I planted the small one in early or mid- April. I planted the big, new one on my birthday, April 28. What a great birthday present. I will post pics every month at the end of the month on my progress. I harvested a head of lettuce this week.

Avocados, Tomatoes and Bacon Oh My!

I got a really good deal on tomatoes on the vine and avocados this week so they have been a staple in many meals. I had leftover over mahi which I put on a taco shell with avocado, tomato, bacon and leftover mango-pepper-cilantro-lime salsa. Yum! I made salads topped with this stuff (sans mango) alongside bbq chicken breast sandwiches topped with bacon =). My hubby now loves avocados. Yes!

Raving Rabbids cake

I can't believe I forgot to post this. Cake #1. I got this pan from wallyworld after Easter for $1.50 and just knew exactly what I would do with it. Given my son's obsession with these crazy rabbids, I made him a cake. I decorated it my Wilton class. Lesson #1: I hate box cake, but it looked cute!

Mmmmm...salmon

In my house I make baked ziti with homemade sauce and organic whole milk ricotta, kids don't eat. However, we all love salmon and I think this is the best recipe I have made with that o-so-healthy fish. I grilled most of the meal. I like to boil cubed potatoes for 5 minutes or so, then throw them in a foil packet with butter, fresh rosemary, sea salt and garlic powder and cook them until they are slightly charred. Yum! I put the salmon on a throwaway baking sheet, sprinkled it with a McCormack's seasoning something to the tune of lemon garlic? Anyway, it's by the Montreal seasoning. I grilled it for about, and I use that loosely, 15 mins. I topped it off with Greek yogurt mixed with fresh dill, a sprinkle of lemon juice and garlic powder. I nuked some frozen veggies on the side, too. It was great being able to use the herbs from my garden. I can't wait to use the vegetables now!

Today I am once again trying to use potatoes from the 10 lb. bag I bought last week. So I fried some bacon =) since everything's better with bacon. I boiled 4 potatoes in the meantime cut in small chunks. I took the bacon out and poured out the grease. I stir fried a red pepper and the potatoes in the grease coated pan. I also sprinkled them with onion powder. After about 10 mins. I cracked 6 eggs in random places, put the crumbled bacon, tomatoes and swiss cheese on them. I covered them and cooked them for like 8 mins. I served this over steamed spinach. Yum!

Hi again!

Man, I hate when I forget my password and am too lazy to go thru the rigmarole to reset it. Well, since my last post there's been a lot. I went to Belize and ate a lot of really good food. Awesome seafood! Yum! Today I made pasta with Gorgonzola cheese sauce, shrimp and spinach. All four food groups in one dish. I let the kids eat theirs with butter and cheese. Yesterday I grilled. I marinated chicken in Italian dressing, and asparagus in balsamic vinegar, olive oil and Italian spices. I threw that, as well as potatoes with butter, rosemary, sea salt and garlic powder on the barbie and it was awesome, at least for me. I sure love to grill! It's my time of year now. Woohoo! Easter dinner was enjoyed by my husband, me not so much. It was a rib roast. Eh. There's more but I can't remember that far back lol. Must not have been that memorable.

O.K. I am off strike. I've actually been off strike but have been studying for a test and not blogging. I think it payed off. Holla! Tonight I decided to make baked ravioli. I have not attempted this dish in 5-10 years. Yes, I know it's not difficult so I'll explain. I made a beautiful baked rav dish back at the old house. I took it out of the oven and placed it on top of the burner. Oops! I heated the sauce up on that burner and the glass dish and ravioli exploded and went everywhere. Thanks to my "Live Like You Were Dying" Bible study, I have decided to move on and get over that root of bitterness ;). Just kidding. I found some mozzarella I didn't know I had. So I made homemade marinara, tossed it with the ravioli, topped it with mozzarella and baked it. Oh so good. I'm glad I bought 2 bags of ravioli so I can make this again soon.

On Strike

I haven't posted anything recently for a reason. I am in protest mode. I will not cook anything until the dishes in my sink are done. After all, this isn't Olga's Diner. A little harsh, yes, but it stinks to be a short order cook, server, and dishwasher. I called the union.

Oh so yummy tonight. Hubby was skeptical at the looks of the meal tonight. I put 3 super thick pork chops in my crock pot. I poured half a bottle of Newman's Own lime vinaigrette of them and set on on low. Thanks to the late Mr. Newman for yummy products, btw. After 2 hours I added a can of chili beans (with sauce) and a can of corn, drained. I cooked it another 2 hours and served it over brown rice. I also steamed cauliflower and topped it with queso sauce. Oh so yummy. I am going for a walk now.

I am waiting for my water to boil for my frozen egg noodles. I am going to mix them with tuna, mayo, sour cream, onion powder, celery powder, dry mustard, Worcestershire (my secret weapon), and cheddar cheese. I'll top it with the rest of my grape tomatoes and breadcrumbs. Oh, and then bake it. I can't wait. Good day for comfort food. Brr.

O.K. So Sunday we had dinner with our church home group. I made a red velvet trifle since it was Valentine's Day but didn't have to cook. That was pretty cool. So today I baked salmon in Italian dressing and put it over organic salad that I got from walmart. I was so excited. The box was only $2.50 for spring mix. I sliced a cuke and added grape tomatoes. I used Ken's honey mustard dressing on top and it was just soooo yummy and healthy (*bonus*).

Pork Fried Rice

Tonight I kept dinner easy and not very creative. I am trying to use all of my stockpiles of food so I can defrost my outside fridge. I stir-fried 2 pork chops with minced garlic and ground ginger. I then added a bag of frozen mixed veggies, brown rice I cooked earlier and a beaten egg. I topped it off with some soy sauce. It was quick, easy, yummy and I used up a bunch of things I had on hand.