My new cooking blog

I know, I know. Another blog; seriously?! Here's my  justification. I participate in Menu Plan Monday from Orgjunkie

every week, and I desire to post more recipes and tips from the Twitty kitchen! Some of you really want recipes and menu plan ideas, and some of you couldn't care less! Ha. That's why I've started this new blog; Baseballs and Barbies

; straight from the Twitty Kitchen. I'm a new cook and love to try new recipes; if it will put smiles on my families faces!  The Twitty Kitchen blog will be my cooking journey; to cook in a life filled with baseballs and barbies! 

Bobby (my brother in law) is posting updates about baby Quinn and Jessica's delivery process. Check his blog here to stay updated on Jessica's delivery process, and when little miss Quinn will arrive! 

Menu Plan Monday

"Hey good lookin; whatch got cookin"?! This is what the Twitty's are eating! Possibly. We always do some rearranging based on our crazy sports schedule, and what we can get done! We didn't do ANY eating out, ordering pizza, or fast food last week; yeah! It's so easy to rely on that when we're so busy, but so good for us not to! Did that make sense?! hum...

Stuck when it comes to dinner? Go to orgjunkie for inspiration. I always do!

Monday- Cheesy Chicken Casserole 

Tuesday- Lasagna 

Wednesday- Chicken and Dumplings 

Thursday- Parmesan Herb chicken, corn, green beens 

Friday- Make your own personal pizzas

Recipe-

Parmesan Herb Chicken

2 c. parmesan cheese

1/4 c. fresh parsley

2 TBL oregano

2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

6 chicken breast halves

1 cup butter

In a shallow dish, combine the first 6 ingredients. Dip chicken in butter then coat with parmesan mixture. Place in greased baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45 minutes. 

Menu Plan Monday

Baseball season has begun and our crazy spring is in full affect! For the next 2 weeks or so, Kade has both basketball and baseball, but we're so thankful he has a coach that is only making them practice baseball once a week, until basketball season is over! yeah! I'm really looking forward to both boy's teams, and we're anticipating a great season! I"m planning on ordering a "Kai's Mom" shirt and a "Kade's Mom" shirt for each team! That's right; THAT's what i'm excited about too.  (Maybe people will read the shirt, and actually believe I'm the mom and not the young nanny). 

 Kai's baseball practice starts at 5:30, so its a challenge to have dinner ready and everybody finished, so he can get to practice on time.  Our menu was all mumbled jumbled last week, and one night we just ordered pizza, because I couldn't get it all done on time! Thank you Pizza Hut. 

Here's what the Twitty's have cookin this week: As always, check out Orgjunkie for more menu's and recipes!

Monday- Italian Chicken with corn and peas (Kade baseball; 5:30)

Tuesday- Potato Soup (Kai baseball; 5:30 Kade basketball; 6:30)

Wednesday- Good ole spaghetti (Kai baseball; 5:30)

Thursday- Pork Chops (with a "secret rub" that was made by Edwin's friend, Mikey!) green beans, and mashed potatoes (or crescent rolls if I dont get the mashed potatoes done!) Kai baseball; 5:30 Kade basketball; 7:30)

Friday- Messy Tacos

Saturday- I'll be helping to host my sister in law's baby shower, so I'm leaving Edwin and the kiddo's with hot dogs, and might get some yummy Chickfila for our dinner. 

Dessert- Homemade Pumpkin Bread

Menu Plan Monday

Keira and I are about to leave and go to our local Pottery Barn kids store. The Cat in the Hat is doing an appearance and reading, and Keira is super excited! There are stores participating all over the country; all from 10-12 today! I'll post pictures afterwards!

"Hey good looking. Whatcha got cookin?! How bout cookin something good tonight?!"Need some more cooking inspiration? Go where I go! Look at Orgjunkie for menu help!

Monday- Grilled chicken, broccoli, and corn on the cob. (Didn't have chicken last week!)

Tuesday- Cheeseburger casserole

Wednesday- Eddie's Enchiladas (new recipe from my father in law!)

Thursday- Chicken Tortilla Soup

Friday- Kid's choice

Recipes 

(I decided to go ahead and write down some of these, if you're interested)

Cheeseburger Casserole

Brown 1 lb. hamberburger, add diced tomatoes or 1 small can tomatoe sauce. Simmer. Add a little bit of ketchup if dry. Add 1-1/2 cups macaroni already cooked. Top with velvetta and let melt.  

Chicken Tortilla Soup (Given by Jessica. so yummy!)

1/2 chopped onion

1 clove minced garlic

1 sm bunch cilantro-chopped

2 cans Fat Free Chicken broth

1 sm can tomato sauce

1/2 package of Taco Seasoning

1-16 oz can Mexican style Tomatoes

1 can Corn Drained

1 Tbs Worchestire sauce

3 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts

salt & pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a crock pot on low all day. Break up the chicken into small pieces (chunks or shredded; you're preference!). Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream (we just use cheese and break up tortilla chips in the soup!) yum

Menu Plan Monday- Valentine addition!

Here's what the Twitty's are cookin up this week! I haven't been posting the recipes, because it just takes too long to write all the recipes, but I'll send you the recipe if you want it for something! Click here for more menu planning and recipes. 

Monday- Lemon chicken piccata served over rice, and corn on the cob

Tuesday- Breakfast for dinner; eggs, bacon, crescent rolls 

Wednesday-Grilled Chicken, green beans, and steamed broccoli   

Thursday- Hungry Boy Casserole

Friday- Kid's choice 

Saturday- Valentine's Day

Breakfast- heart pancakes (courtesy of Edwin)

lunch-heart grilled cheese sandwiches 

dinner-Valentine heart pasta (courtesy of World Market) 

dessert- peppermint heart cookies 

my menu, movie with Keira, and hair cut

This weekend Edwin and I helped co-host a group of 11th grade girls, for a breaking free weekend at our church. Eddie and Lissa (my mother and father in law) graciously helped us out by watching the kids all weekend, so we could be at the house with the girls and attend all their sessions and activities. It was a great weekend and they were such a great group of young ladies! Edwin and I were blown away at their maturity, and some things they've already learned and realized, that took us a lot longer to figure out! Once the girls finally learned our ages, they couldn't believe Edwin was actually 30 and I was 27...AND that we have kids! They were blown away and it was hilarious. All weekend they told us how cute we were, and "oohed and awed" at us. Some of the girls were talking about how Edwin looks like "Chris Krump", and I asked who that was (feeling really old that I possibly didnt know whatever new actor they were talking about!). They said Chris Krump was the worship leader for Breaking Free and is GORGEOUS! I said, "yes, in that case my husband does look like Chris Krump".  For some reason the girls got a really big kick out of coming up with our fourth babies name; another "K". Seriously. All weekend they kept coming up with new names to tell us, up until the goodbye! It was pretty cute. For the record, I'm not pregnant.

After every main session (there were over 600 students there!), we broke up into our host home groups for smaller discussion. We blended with the 11th grade boys for these discussion one night, and not the last night. Edwin ended up leading all the discussions (unplanned and last minute), and did such a great job. The girls really took to him (well; duh!) and trusted to share things they're learning and going through, with him in the room. It was funny because Edwin and I realized that in a really large group, I"m the one that shuts down and gets quiet (I never talked in the large group), but i'll open up and have good conversations in a smaller group. Edwin led the main discussions and talked a lot, but will shut down and get quiet in smaller groups. AW; what a great team we are! It's a great balance when we're ministering to people!

This week's agenda:

*Now we're at home trying to recover from the lack of sleep, and I'm making sure I dont get sick (because I started to not feel well; wah, wah.). 

*This week, we're HOPING our roof will get fixed, but i'll believe it when I see it! 

*Keira and I are having "movie morning" like we did last week. She picks a movie (last week we watched Mary Poppins), and we watch it on my computer in my bed. 

I filled Muffin Tins (thanks to Michelle for her idea from Muffin Tin Monday)  full of snacks and we watched the movie cozy in bed! I told her we'd start doing it once a week, since she's still talking about "mary N poppins" with mama. 

*I have to make Kai a t-shirt with 100 items on it for school. I"m going to take him to Hobby Lobby and let him pick out a bunch of different stuff to put on his shirt. Should be a good time had by all. 

*Food! Here's my proposed menu for the week. Be sure to check our orgjunkie for more recipes and menus. (sorry no recipe links!)

Monday- Creamy Chicken Crescents (Recipe from Misty)

Tuesday- Crockpot Barbeque, baked beans, corn on the cob

Wednesday- Lantham Stew 

Thursday- Chicken Spaghetti (recipe from Jessica)

Friday- Kid's choice- chickfila or chili's hopefully! 

*Stay tuned for my menu next week! I have some things I'm concocting for Valentine's day with the kids! 

Last but not least, I cut and colored my hair a little bit again...

Menu Plan Monday

Hello my blog followers! Edwin and I went to a marriage conference this past Saturday at our church. The Author of "The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapmen, was the guest speaker. He's a really funny guy! Maybe later this week, i'll share some key points from our notes.  So here's what's on our menu for this week. I'm excited about trying Jambayla (mainly for Edwin, because I dont like shrimp or spicy foods!) and making homemade chicken and dumplings!

Monday- Jambayla with shrimp and sausage (this is a new recipe; and healthy, and might be too spicy for the kids. I'll have a kids backup plan!) 

Tuesday- Homemade chicken and dumplings

Wednesday- Crockpot beef taco soup 

Thursday- Parmesan garlic chicken, broccoli and raisin layered salad, and green beans

Friday-Pizza for Kade's birthday party! He's having a slumber party; pray for us! haha

Menu Plan Monday

Well, it's that time again! After a few weeks off (I didn't post my menu plan last week), its time to make my first menu post in 09! Check out Orgjunkie for more menus and recipes. 

We have a busy January! Last week began basketball practice for Kade; two nights a week plus one night a week for a game (or saturday afternoon). This weekend, Edwin and I are attending a marriage conference at our church, it's Kade's birthday on the 27th, and the last weekend in January we are co-hosting a disciple now/breaking free weekend for high school-college students. I'm a bit nervous about it because I know I look so young. I know that sounds silly, but its the truth! Oh and I forgot; The Office starts this week, Lost starts the 21st, and American Idol...I"m not sure when it starts!

Here's our proposed menu:

Monday- Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, green beans (basketball practice night!)

Tuesday- Lantham stew (layered casserole) (basketball practice night!)

Wednesday- Chickfila or Quiznos, then church!

Thursday-Roast, potatoes, and carrots

Friday-Kid's night and grilled chicken salads for Edwin and I 

Saturday (or Sunday) night- Chicken Mac and Cheese

Menu Plan Monday and My Husband Rocks!

Before I begin, let me tell you that my husband ROCKS! Last night I left to do some grocery and shoe shopping and was gone close to two hours. When I arrived at home he had deep cleaned the house! It's not unusual for both of us to clean and for Edwin to pitch in a helping hand, but we usually let the weekend slide then I have a busy work day on Monday! He knows that Monday's are generally pretty busy, because I have all the laundry and mess from the weekend to clean up! I still need to get the laundry done, but I was able to have some fun in target earlier, make the chocolate peanut butter bars (below), write this blog, and now I'm going to do some reading. He rocks.

Here's what the plan is for this week! As always, check out OrgJunkie for more menus and recipes! Edwin was completely in charge of planning this week's menu! Again, he rocks!

Monday-  Kid's choice; if you can find it eat it. (Edwin is going Christmas shopping for me when he gets off work!)

Tuesday-  Herb crusted grilled chicken, roasted garlic potatoes, and fresh broccoli. 

Wednesday- Beef brisket, baked beans, and potato salad. The Twitty clan and Chandler clan are all coming over for dinner; Edwin's parents and grandma, Jessica and Bobbyand their two kids (brother and sister in law), and Hal and Heather and their two little ones (brother and sister in law).  Yes, we're going to have a house full. 

Thursday- Cheeseburger casserole 

Friday- Smoked sausage (on the grill), rice, corn on the cob. 

Desserts- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars 

Christmas warm punch

Menu plan Monday and decorating for Christmas!

Apparently I forget to blog during the holiday's! My blogging and cooking schedule gets all out of wack when Edwin and the kids are home all week! I must say, I am looking forward to cooking again this week.  My parents are coming to visit us this weekend, and it will be the first time my dad has come to see us in Houston! I"m really excited to spend time with them, and cook for them on Friday. Here's what's on the schedule for this week. Don't forget to check out OrgJunkie for more menu planning and recipe ideas. 

Monday- Lanthum Stew (layered Casserole)

(for the kids- Chicken citrus kabobs)

Tuesday- Sausage rotini pasta

Wednesday- Kid's choice then church

Thursday- Crock pot brown sugar chicken (didn't make this last time), parmesan potato rounds, and green beans 

Friday- Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots 

Chicken citrus kabobs- I'm combining a few different recipes, and just trying to put some simple foods on a stick for the kids! I'm using chicken, biscuits, broccoli, and oranges. I haven't tried this recipe yet, but here's the recipe for the citrus glaze:

1/4 cup bbq sacue

2 TBL lemon juice

2 TBL soy sauce

2 TBL honey

In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients and brush on food. 

The day after Thanksgiving we decorated our house for Christmas. Our tree makes me smile. I saw a table setting from pottery barn that I really loved, but obviously their decor is super expensive! I went to hobby lobby to re create it and also picked up a few smaller items at Pottery barn. I really like it! Here are a few pictures of our decorating day. 

the stockings hung on the stairs with care...

tada; my branchy table. You can't really see the tree candles too well because they're white; I may end up changing this a little

stuff everywhere...

Fluffing the tree...

ignore the picture on the wall that's hung by the store hooks! The left vase is from Pottery Barn and filled with sparkly pine cones. I think I want to get some garland or something to add to this...

the finished tree and cleaned room...

Menu plan Monday and week in review- Nov. 16th, 08

Edwin and I worked together for our menu this week. He told me a few things he wanted me to try to cook! I've been under the weather for the third week now (feeling ALOT better but still blowing my nose all the cotton pickin time), and I suppose it was only a matter of time that I gave it to Edwin! So this week we're eating lots of soup! Check outOrgJunkie for more recipes. 

Monday-Baked Potato Soup

Tuesday- Kid's choice 

Wednesday- Chili's then to church! (apparently this is becoming a tradition) 

Thursday- Chili (with some personal modifications so its not too spicy!)

Friday- Crock pot brown sugar chicken (click here for the recipe; you have to scroll down until you find it), broccoli, and parmesan potato rounds 

Dessert- I tried the Play-dough cookies and I didnt like how they tasted at all! I must have messed up the measurements somehow, but I ended up throwing them all in the trash! I"m going to try again, but use a recipe I already have and love.

¾ sugar

½ melted shortening

2 eggs, beaten

1 ts. Vanilla

2 cups flour

2 ts. Baking powder

½ ts. Salt

blend sugar with shortening. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Sift together in another bowl; flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the eggs and shortening mixture. Mix well and chill until its easy to handle. Place the dough on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper, or counter. Divide dough into fourth's and use a different colored food coloring for each bowl. Take a small amount of each colored dough and roll into one ball. (I'm doing this instead of rolling like a snake and coiling it).

 (from Saucy Eats)

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. 

 

Here are a few snippets of the past two weeks. The following is a post by Edwin

Funny story . . . the other week during the election we were all sitting around the living room and Kai hears the name "McCain" on the tv, he looks up and says "I voted today!" I said "Really, that's great. Who'd you vote for?" He looks at me and says "Not the old guy, I voted for that other guy that I can't say his name." - "Obama?" - "Yeah, him. I like him. Who'd you vote for daddy?" - "Well, I voted for the old guy." - "Really? Why? He's old." At this point Keira is feeling very left out and yells "Daddy, I vote for JESUS!" We all died laughing. Put's things in perspective. 

If we spent half the time worrying about who we made Lord of our life as we do who we make president, we'd all be a little better off. Along those lines here is a link to Mark Driscoll's blog that really says what America needs, that it seems like many of the things we want our President to do, are things that Christ will do for us when He comes again. Read it if you like, I promise it's apolitical. 

On another note (it's michelle now), A few weeks ago I got to cook some yummy King Ranch Chicken for some friends! I was really excited to cook for friends for the first time. We also were able to take the kiddos to see Madagascar II during the day, then went out for a date night saturday night. I beat Edwin in a game of bowling. But then again, we played a second game and he creamed me. We also watched Kung Fu panda with a projector on our living room wall! The kid's thought it was completely amazing and enjoyed making animal shadow's with their hands!

 We headed to my families' cabin this weekend without the kids; for a fun and relaxing weekend. It was filled with four wheeling fun, skeet shooting, thunderstorms, scrabble, sleeping in, and fellowship. Sorry, no pictures this time! BUT, here's a picture of my "just because" present I received last week..

aw; my husband rocks.

menu plan monday- Nov. 15, 08

 I dont really know if  many people read my menu post, but i'll keep posting! If anything, it helps me out to plan my menu and by being prepared for the week! Check outOrganized Junkie for more menu's and recipe ideas.

 

Sunday- Sausage Spaghetti 

Monday- Parmesan Garlic Chicken; cheesy red potatoes with zucchini; crescent rolls

Tuesday-Chicken citrus kabobs with biscuits 

Wednesday- Out to eat at Chili's, then church

Thursday- Chicken cannelloni 

Friday- Edwin and I are heading out to East Texas to spend the weekend at my families cabin. The kids will be with Edwin's parents until Sunday. We're looking forward to a great weekend!

Dessert- Play dough cookies (not to play with; its just the name of them), courtesy of Saucy Eats

3/4 C butter, 3 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup white sugar, 1 egg, 1 t vanilla extract. 2 and 3/4 C flour. 1 t baking powder. 1/4 t salt, assorted food coloring 

...In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir until soft dough forms. Divide dough into Fourths. Tint each with a different food coloring. Wrap in plastic and chill for two hours. (or freezer for about 15 minutes)

Preheat oven to 350. Shape colors into 3/4 inch balls. For each cookie place one pink, one orange, one green, and one blue ball (or whatever colors you use) together and roll to make one giant ball. Roll into a 12 inch long snake, and then starting at one end coil roll to make a cookie. Place cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet to allow for spreading.

Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool, and eat!

Menu Plan Monday - Nov.3, 08

Tonight I have the pleasure of cooking dinner for my mom! She's in the Houston area for business, so she's going to stay the night with us tonight and head out tomorrow for her meeting! We're excited to see her for a few hours, but of course sad that my dad couldn't join her. They're both planning on coming for a quick weekend visit soon. 

Here's my menu for the week. I haven't been feeling well so its quite possible that I wont be up for cooking the whole week. We'll see. Check out Organized Junkie for more menus and recipes! 

Monday- Chicken Tortilla soup (first time i'll cook for my mom!)

Tuesday- Lantham Stew (layered casserole) 

Wednesday- Kid's choice 

Thursday- Lemon Chicken with parmesan potato coins (didn't have these last week), and baked beans

Friday- We're having some friends over for dinner, so I get to cook for them for the first time! I haven't decided what to cook yet. Maybe King ranch chicken; not sure.

Saturday- Saturday night date night

Sunday- Sausage Spaghetti 

Dessert- marshmallow crescent puffs 

1/2 cup sugar

2 ts. cinnamon

16 large marshmallows

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 pkgs Pillsbury Crescent Rolls Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Dip each marshmallow in melted margarine and roll in cinnamon sugar. Wrap a crescent roll around each marshmallow. Seal completely!!! (this is important) Dip in melted margarine and again in cinnamon sugar. Place in greased muffin tin. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes until brown. You may skip the cinnamon sugar on the crescent roll and drizzle with powdered sugar glaze when done instead. 

Menu Plan Monday- Oct.26th, 08

So last week was far from disastrous, but we were flexible because Edwin got sick with Vertigo! We had our cheese soup and garlic sausage spaghetti, but that's all I cooked for the week. Edwin's diet consisted of chicken noodle soup! At least I dont have to get much from the store for this week!

Sunday- Garlic pepper pork chops with corn on the cob and broccoli. 

Monday- Rigatoni pasta in a lemon cream sauce topped with sausage(shout out to the food network), and pumpkin pie spice balls.

Tuesday-Homemade chicken and dumplings (first attempt. I"m going to Jessica's house during the day to learn how to cook them!)

Wednesday- Kid's choice. Tuna salad sandwiches for Edwin and I (we didn't have it last week)

Thursday- Lemon Chicken with potato parmesan treasure coins 

Friday- If you can find it, eat it! Probably bbq chicken wings (frozen freezer section, but they're so yum!), then we're off to our halloween festivities! 

Saturday- Saturday night date night please! (plug for Edwin) haha

Dessert- Cookie doggie bones

Recipes

Doggie bones-¾ sugar, ½ melted shortening, 2 eggs, beaten, 1 ts. Vanilla, 2 cups flour, 2 ts. Baking powder, ½ ts. Salt

blend sugar with shortening. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Sift together in another bowl; flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the eggs and shortening mixture. Mix well and chill until its easy to handle. Place the dough on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper. Roll to 1/8 inch thick and cut with cookie cutter or shape into dog bones with a knife. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Ice with frosting if desired.

Parmesan Potato treasure coins-6 medium potatoes, 1/3 cup butter, ¼ cup flour, ¼ gratedparmesan cheese, ¼ ts. Salt, 1/8 ts. Pepper, ¼ ts. Dried italian seasoning

Peel potatoes; cut each potato into 4 rounds. Pour melted butter into baking pan. In a large plastic bag; combine the flour, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Add several potato rounds to the bag at a time; and shake to coat potatoes. Place potatoes on top of butter in baking pan. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes. Turn potatoes over and sprinkle with italian seasoning. Bake another 30 minutes. 

Lemon cream sauce (to top any pasta)- 1 T garlic, 1 T oil, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, zest of 2 lemons, juice of 2 lemons, 1 ts. pepper, 2 ts. salt

Stir and simmer all ingredients. Top pasta, and top with cheese! 

Pumpkin pie spice balls - ¼ cup sugar (or colored sugar for seasonal décor!), ½ ts. Pumpkin pie spice, 1 11.5 ounce refriegerated breadsticks

Stir together sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Unroll breadsticks; separate and cut into 1 inch pieces; form into small balls. Roll each into the sugar mixture. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Serve warm. 

Menu Plan Monday- October 20th, 2008

So last week was just about disastrous with dinners. I"m a new mom, new wife, and new cook and that adds up to possible mistakes; especially since I tend to strive for perfection. Perfectionism is something I realized while going through seminary and some counseling (shout out to Dr. Roy). I almost fear, to try something if I know I can't do it well. If I talk myself into it, and it (or I) flop, I become disappointed in myself and find the cookie dough! All that to say, its been a challenge to attempt cooking, because I desire to cook well for my family and have them ALL eat! I've cooked things that didn't turn out so great, and cooked things that the kids just wouldn't eat. It's an ongoing challenge to push myself to continue learning, and cooking in a way that teaches my children not to be picky, and eat well.  I have really found that I enjoy cooking and being in the kitchen, but I do not enjoy meals that flop! Edwin has helped me with this alot, by encouraging me not to put so much pressure on myself. He's happy with grilled cheese, so anything more than that is gravy to him! This week is a new week. I"m not going to cook something new every night (what was I thinking?!), but blend something new with things we know we love. Here's my plan for the week:

Monday- Garlic sausage spaghetti 

Tuesday- Pork chops with cheesy red potatoes and Zucchini. (I got this red potato and zucchini recipe off the food network)

Wednesday- Kids choice. Tuna salad sandwiches for Edwin and I (this recipe is so yummy! Made with eggs)

Thursday- Cheese soup (I got this recipe from Jessica. Everyone loves it!)

Friday-lemon chicken and veggies.

Saturday- Breakfast: homemade Kolaches Dinner:Homemade Mac and Cheese and Sandwiches. 

I made homemade chocolate chip cookies yesterday and you need the recipe. I usually double the recipe since there's five of us! These are "Edwin's ultimate cookies".

3/4 Cup butter flavored crisco

1 3/4 cup flour

1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 ts. salt

2 tb. milk

1 tb. vanilla

3/4 ts. baking soda

1 egg

2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup pecan pieces (finely chopped) opt. 

Heat oven to 375. 

Cream butter flavor crisco, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Blend until creamy. Blend in egg. In another bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture, gradually (in mixing bowl or with hand mixer). Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Drop rounded Tablespoonfuls of dough on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake  10 minutes for chewy cookies (they will look light and moist) DO NOT OVERBAKE or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. 

Menu Plan Monday- October 13th, 2008

Here's my menu for the week with orgjunkie. 

MONDAY- Barbeque Beef Bake

TUESDAY- Chicken enchiladas (jessica chandler)

WEDNESDAY- kids choice

THURSDAY-Chicken and cheese crescents 

FRIDAY- Chicken Tortilla soup (yes again! it was so yummy and i'm making it for some friends that are having dinner with us!)

First recipe post- Sept. 30th, 2008

If you haven't noticed from my most recent blogs, I'm trying to be more crafty and organized, and a betty crocker in the kitchen. For this reason, I joined a orgjunkie where moms post their menu plans every week (Menu Planning Monday). This gives people a chance to show their creativity with menu planning, and share recipes off one another's blog. I didn't really menu plan for this week, but i'll share the recipes from last night and tonight! 

Monday: Mini Meat Loaves

2 lbs ground beef

1 small onion-finely chopped (you might opt to use half of an onion and make sure its FINELY chopped!)

2 packets instant oatmeal

2 large eggs

¾ cup ketchup

½ cup lowfat milk

2 tbs worchestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

glaze: 1/3 cup ketchup

3 tbs. light brown sugar

 Heat over to 375.

In a large bowl, mix meat, onion, instant oatmeal, eggs, ketchup, milk, worchestershire sauce and salt. Divide meat mixture into 8 servings and shape into individual loaves. Pleace meat loaves in 9x13 baking pan.

 Glaze- in a small bowl, blend ketchup and brown sugar. Brush top and sides of meat loaves.

 Bake 35-40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.

Tuesday: King Ranch Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

10-12 corn tortillas

1 can Ro-Tel (Original!)

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 cup chicken broth (or 1 can)

1 onion, chopped

8 oz. Sour Crème

¼ tsp. garlic salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

1 lb. cheese grated (you can use a variety for different flavors; I usually buy the 3 cheese Mexican, already shredded)

 Cook chicken (I do it in the crock pot; add 1 cup water). Shred or cube when its done.

Put the chicken broth in a small saucepan, simmer

Dip tortillas in chicken broth, tear into strips, layer the bottom of a casserole

Put chicken on top of tortillas

Combine all other ingredients except the cheese.  Stir thoroughly.

Pour mixture over chicken.

Top with cheese.

Cover with foil, cook at 350-degrees for 45 minutes. 

Remove from oven, take off foil and let it stand for about 10 minutes before serving…