Bacon and Tomato Cups

This looks good!!! I had everything but the buttermilk biscuits, and quite honestly... I'm not in the mood to make homemade ones. LOL... but I will try this sometime.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 12 Minutes
Ready In: 30 Minutes
Yields: 15 servings

"Tomato, bacon and basil dip -- tucked into individual biscuit cradles -- is reminiscent of a classic BLT."

INGREDIENTS:

8 slices bacon

1 tomato, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

3 ounces shredded Swiss cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 (16 ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuit

dough

DIRECTIONS:

1.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a mini muffin pan.

2.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until evenly brown. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon into a medium mixing bowl, and mix with tomato, onion, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise and basil.

3.
Separate biscuits into halves horizontally. Place each half into cups of the prepared mini muffin pan.

Fill each biscuit half with the bacon mixture.

4.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven , or until golden brown.

Hooded Baby Blanket

My latest WIP (work in progress) is a pink hooded baby blanket for Bethany.  She had her sonogram on December 20th and they are having a little girl.  How exciting!  Since Tom has Caleb and she has Dylan, now together they will have a daughter.  I know she will be spoiled rotten, but she'll probably still show pigs at the Carroll County 4-H fair when she turns 8.

I picked up 16 ounces of pink yarn, which I thought was on sale for $5 but when I checked out it was NOT!   I think they left last weeks sales signs up a little too long, cuz they played it off like I was looking at a different sign.  I do know the difference between worsted weight yarn and a Boucle!  I was like, whatever cuz, regular price was $6.99, so it was not a huge sale anyway.

I got it started right away.  This picture does not show the color properly, the pink is not as vibrant as the label above, but it is not this pale either.  I think the flash was a little to harsh and I was a little too close when I took this.  It is working up really fast, the basic pattern is:

Chain 108, turn and dc twice in third chain from hook, then skip two chains then single crochet, double crochet twice in the next chain.  Then repeat from the skips.

So, it is coming out like little puffy shells.  I really like it so far.  It is dense enough that it will keep a baby warm but is very soft as well.  I hope Bethany will like it.  She is not due until May so I have plenty of time to work this one.

Good Gifts

I got an interesting gift from my Mother this year.  I was very pleasantly surprised.

She bought me  box of Raspberry Royale tea from Bigelow, and a bottle of Dekuyper's Razzmatazz, Rasberry Schnapps!

What a great gift idea!

I've enjoyed this concoction twice so far.  I should probably save some for company, but then again... maybe I'll just have it all to myself. 

i am back. it feels good to be back on the porch. billy and brandi and the kids are still here and we have been playing all kinds of games. we talked the guys into playing pictionary with us and it was hilarious. i have made the bacon things of paula deans and red dog loves them. better make a double batch, only thing is it gets boring standing there wrapping the bacon around the crackers. i used triscuits instead of ritz crackers and that worked well also. my nephew John took shrimp and put in inside a jalepeno that he had cleaned the seeds out of and then wrapped them in bacon and cooked them on the grill. yummy.

ravelry is a knit and crochet community

I came across the Ravelry  site from looking at other craft blogs.  It looks pretty neato, but there is a waiting list... 

I signed up for the waiting list..  these are my stats:

• You signed up on December 17, 2007
• You are #71788 on the list.
• 697 people are ahead of you in line.
• 5209 people are behind you in line.
• 92% of the list has been invited so far

I'm guessing that there is a waiting list cuz they don't want to crash their servers w/ a huge influx of members, but that is pure speculation.  (I like talking out of my ass.)

Anyway.....  I've seen some chat about the site and it looks like it is a good place to see all the cool patterns and crafters out there.  I'm in awe of the talent in the area of yarn!

Bacon Crisps

Bacon Crisp Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show: Paula's Home Cooking Episode: Neighborhood Cocktail Party

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan 1 sleeve buttery rectangular crackers (recommended: Waverly Wafers) 1 pound sliced bacon cut in 1/2Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Place 1 teaspoon of the cheese on each cracker and wrap tightly with a strip of bacon. Place the wrapped crackers on a broiler rack on a baking sheet and put the baking sheets on the oven rack. Bake for 2 hours, or until the bacon is done. Do not turn. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot or at room temperature Cook's note: You can also bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes if you're in a hurry! It looked like a good appetizer like thing with an emphasis on the bacon. I can't believe that they were out of bread sticks. You may also try asparagus wrapped in bacon then baked with some olive oil or if you have on of those in door grills, it is really good too.

Breadsticks are Obsolete

Ok...  Last weekend at Candy's Giada made breadsticks then wrapped them proscuitto (SP??).  Then at Marys some other lady had store-bought already made breadsticks and wrapped them in bacon...

Well, doesn't that sound YUMMY....??  I thought so

So, there I am... at Food Lion, happily filling my cart w/the ingredients for Hummus and swiss cheese dip.  Picked up four packs of bacon.  Gualtney's 2 for $5!  Do you believe it?  So, I bought FOUR!  OH yeah, bacon for the swiss cheese dip and I'm gonna make me some bacon wrapped breadsticks!!!

One small problem....  NO breadsticks to be found anywhere in Food Lion.  I looked for fresh ones in the bakery, NONE.  I looked for frozen ones in the freezer, NONE.  I looked for dough in the Pillsbury section, NONE.  I looked for not so fresh ones in the bread aisle, NONE.  Have breadsticks become obsolete?  Either that or there was a rush of breadsticks sales for the holiday.

So, I'm a bit peeved. Here I am w/ four pounds of bacon and no breadsticks.  Does anyone have any good bacon recipes?  I need something to take to a New Years Eve Party.

Also needed for day off

Also needed for the day off of cleaning.

A package of bleach wipes for those that have men that use their bathroom.
A pack of cigarettes to stop and think about how much you really hate to
clean on your day off.
Swiffer wet jet and a pack of the pads for it because it is going to take a few
when you live with a drywaller.
A good movie when you need a break, a project like something to bake also helps.

Add all that together and it may make the day off a little better.

Recipe for a Day Off

2 heaping loads of laundry
5 cups of cold coffee from various tables
1 dust rag, slightly used
1/4 cup Pine Sol

Mix all ingredients and simmer with guilt for an hour while procrastinating on the internet. Repeat until sneezing, lack of clothes, or plain ol' disgust overwhelms you.

Does anyone use any other ingredients?

Happy Christmas Eve!

Dorothy landed in the yard last night

I'm about ready to go look for my ruby slippers! Last night we had a thunderstorm that's got me singing "I'm dreeeeaming of a weeeet Christmas" and the winds been howling ever since. I'm begininng to think that Marleys in the attic. The patio furniture is all over the yard fighting with the snowshovel and the huge rug I had over the porch rail is trying to sunbathe in the grass. Good luck with that, 'cuz I wouldn't be caught in a bikini out there! When the wind dies down weird little bursts of snow come out of nowhere. We had frozen fog the other day. Yes, the weathermen had to explain on the radio what the heck that was gonna be. Tiny silver ice droplets were just hanging there, winking in sky, like real life Christmas decorations. It's the strangest December weather I've ever seen. Is anyone else getting bizarre weather this year?

**Side note: We've all loved St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub for years, and now they have a product called Apricot Scrub Renew and Firm. I wouldn't like to admit that I'm really getting those fine lines (cough***wrinkles) around my mouth and now I don't have to admit it. Thanks St. Ives!

Scoot over so I can sit down...

Good mornin' all! I'm very excited to be connected to the world again; a lot has changed on the web since the last time I was on. This is my first blogging adventure and I'm glad its with ya'll. First thing I have to say is that I feel shame, shame, shame 'cuz I don't have any recent crafty stuff to share. Well, we all need a good kick in the pants sometimes and maybe I can get that here. And apparently I'm gonna need a digital camera to keep up with the Jones in this neighborhood! All I have to say is that Christmas in retail sucks. I have high hopes that January will be better. If not, at least there wont be eight straight hours of Christmas music to listen to. My most recent creative venture has been another Home Depot kids workshop project. This one was a pirate ship and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. You know, especially for ya'll that have boys, its not a bad idea to ask your local HD store if they have any leftover workshop projects they would give you. Its free entertainment and what kid doesn't like hammers?! I gotta get my hungover butt in the shower, but I'll be back to visit soon! Love you guys.

Hot off the press. Some more Christmas decorations i have been making. Forgot to mention that yesterday was Dec. 18 the anniversary of when RD gave me my diamond and got down on his knee to propose.

Just checked our weather for the weekend and it is going to be in the 50's and rainy. So you might want to pack for any kind of weather.

we watch this tv channel called rfdtv and we saw this show called cowboy flavor their website is
http://www.cowboyflavor.com/ check it out. There are recipes and you can buy some of their products.

I had no idea going to the inlaws was so intimidating. I dont even wear a bra most of the time. Maybe one day while you are home we wont get dressed all day, just hang in our pj's and drink spiked coffee all day.

Red Dog and I went to Paducah yesterday. We stopped at the place where Uncle Lyle got his house and took pictures of his house. The pictures are on my knoxie.shutterfly.com site. It is really pretty inside. The place had all these homes set up around a neat pond and the setting was very much a selling point. Some people really know how to market. We went through a couple other houses and I couldnt believe how big some of them were on the inside. They looked itty bitty from the outside.

24 hour bra.... the real one

Classic Comfort Bra - Set of 2.

I saw an ad for these in a Harriet Carter catalog, or something like that a few years ago... and thought to myself, I'd like to try one of those. I'm not one of those girls that can get away w/out some kind of support, nobody wants to see that!!! So, I ordered them, I think then it was 2 for 9.99. It does not look like the price has changed much. Well, I got 'em, and I LOVE them. They don't provide a hell of a lot of support, and you sure don't look sexy in it, but OH... the comfort! I can't say enough about them. I always wear one when traveling, no underwires to dig into me. They are also good to wear to bed. Ya know... there you are, staying at someone else's house (like your inlaws) and you don't want your bazongas flopping everywhere, but you can't fathom the idea of wearing that damn underwire all day and night either. Well, this is the perfect solution. Sooooo COMFY.

So, you can imagine my excitement:

While cruising freepatterns.com and lo and behold, this ad is placed on the left bar of the screen!!!

I just had to share this life changing bit of information with you all!!

I think that I will order two more!

It looks like this ClearPointDirect.com site will come in very handy for me.

welcome cara

welcome cara, i am pleased your on the porch. Cara went to County Market and they had a sale on Choc. chips, buy one bag get one free and she stocked up. Good deal huh. i am trying to find a nice crocheted cross so i can put some on my tree, but i am not having good luck

Hello

Okay I think I finally got this whole blog thing figured out! I couldn't figure out how to put on a new post! I love that hobo bag I think it is sooo cute! I think I would put a lining in it, that way it will last longer. I think this is great though getting to talk to everyone on this, now that I get how to do it. I have had fun reading everything that everyone has posted though.

Rueben Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breast
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 16 oz can sauerkraut well drained
4 slices Swiss cheese

Heat oven to 325. Place chicken in greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Arrange sauerkraut over chicken and top with cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake 1 1/2 hour. Remove foil and brown cheese. You can cover the chicken with thousand island dressing, but i dont like it so i put it on the table and let everyone add there own.

jo, i think you should line the bag, because it will hold it's shape better if you cram a bunch of stuff in it like i do.

cable car hobo bag is done!

Well, here it is, my cable car hobo bag!!

I'm very pleased w/it. The handle is a little bulky, but not too bad. It feels very comfortable over the shoulder.

My only thoughts now are.. do I make a lining or not??? HHMMM.....

I just can't decide.

Reuben Chicken

My Mom mentioned that she made the Reuben Chicken casserole for dinner about a week ago.  Ever since she said that, I have been craving it!!!  This is a recipe that Candy gave me at least 10 years ago... I made it for my Mom over 9 years ago when she came to Japan to visit when Brett was born....  Good Grief, time flies...

This is a recipe that I always make from memory, but it has been soooooo long, I thought I better figure it out and write it down and stick it in my book.  Of course you can adjust any of the amounts as desired.

This is my shot at the recipe, Candy... Please correct as needed:

Place three chicken breasts in a 9x13 baking pan.
Pour a can of sour kraut over.
Pour an 8 ounce bottle of Thousand Island dressing over.
Top with Cheese ( I don't remember what the recommended cheese is, maybe it was shredded parmesan....  I think I only have cheddar in the freezer so I'll use it.)

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

I hope that is close. Well, I don't have any thousand Island dressing, so I googled it and found this:

THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING

1 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. ketchup
1/4 c. pickle relish
1 tbsp. chopped onion
1 hard cooked egg, chopped

Mix all ingredients together well. Cover and chill.
Makes 2 cups.

To make Russian Dressing add some
chili sauce to the Island dressing.

As it may be, and always is.... I never keep good stock of groceries so I had to make some changes.  I don't have any pickle  relish, so I substituted with zucchini relish that I had canned (YAY!!!).  We are out of eggs also, so I simply left the egg out.  Being my Serbian self, I added a teaspoon of minced garlic and doubled the onion!!!  It tastes really good!!!  So, it is in the fridge chilling and the chicken is thawing, so I'm really excited about making dinner tonight!!!

Berroco KnitBits Newsletter

This weeks newsletterfrom Berroco has the cutest idea. Knit a bunch of mini sweaters to decorate your tree. Too cute. I need to resume my knitting lessons so I can do this one day:

KnitBits #218 from Berroco http://www.berroco.com/knitbits/knitbits_218_H.html

Well, I finally got a picture of the rug I crocheted posted. I have been busy making a afghan for Billy to take on deployment with him since I got all my other little projects done.

Jo, Tyler got the boot you mailed, He was SOOOOOO excited to get it!!! He said "Now I can be a whole cowboy again, and not just half of one!!!".

Ruby Red

mom and i were watching Martha Stewart last night did you know there is a new Absolut out called Ruby Red,it is grapefruit flavored and i can think of some yummy drinks we could make with that. i called Kathy last night to tell her about it and she had some exciting news. Her and Chrissy are getting internet next Tuesday. I cant wait. i will definately invite her to blog with us.

i love this, we are finally getting on a roll with our communications. yesterday was a cookie making day and i also made brioche which turned out really good. i froze some to bring out at christmas time. it has rained here for 6 days straight and has made me a little stir crazy. after a while the house lights dont work like sunshine. i need the sun to shine.

Jo, your bag is really neat!! Does it have a button type closure at the top or is it just open? It kinda reminds me of a saddle bag. Your blanket turned out very nice too.

Candy, your tree has turned out nice also. I like the idea of the crocheted angel on top, that way it isn't so heavy and weighing down the tree. I think that the yo-yo doll is very cute!!

I am almost finished with the weenie dog that I am making for our friends daughter for Christmas, I wonder what she'll name it. Tyler named the weenie dog I made him "Weenie", (that was pretty original), and He talked me into making him another one the other day only it was really short (he wanted "Weenie" to have a kid) and so he named it "Teeny Weenie".

I will try and get some pictures of the rug I crocheted posted in a few days when Billy gets back from the Bahamas, he took the camera with him.

Cable Car Hobo Bag

I recently discovered something called "Google Reader" where you can subscribe to all kinds of blogs.  It simplifies blog reading so it is like your email inbox.  This way you don't have to got from site to site, you just go to your google reader page. I love it!!

So.... I subscribed to a bunch of crochet sites, cuz I really need the inspiration.  Guess what?  I got it!  I came across a blog entry from "The Crochet Dude" as he had posted his latest patter, the Cable Car Hobo bag.  I LOVE IT!  I purchased it online and have been working feverishly on it ever since.  I have taken it everywhere with me, even into Dennys!  I have the bag rectangle finished and have folded it in half and have whip-stitched the sides.  I'm getting ready to start the handles.  I'm so excited about it. 

Corner to Corner Afghan

I finished my corner to corner afghan that I had been making for Cassie!  I think it turned out very nice.  I made it to throw over the couch cushion because that is where she likes to nap.   I discovered this pattern because my Aunt Frannie always uses this pattern when making afghans for new babies because it is soooo easy to work up and makes a nice square.  She made one for Liam and I loved it.  So, I googled and googled until I found the pattern.  I finally found it on a blog called Anastacia's Knits.   If you look closely you will see that the pattern is a series of diagonal shells.  It really does work up fast and is super easy, it is one of those patterns where you don't have to think or count, you just go to town.  Then when you get to the diagonal length you want, you begin to decrease.  This is going to be one that I will certainly again.  Maybe for Bethany, she is due in May.  She will find out what she is having on December 2oth.  Then I'll know what color of yarn to buy!

Candy, did you find your angel pattern online, or do you have it in hard copy?  They are all awesome!!!!

keeping busy

i know everyone is keeping busy this holiday season. glad to see everyone is still in touch. brandi you need to post a picture of your rug you crocheted.i crocheted an angel for the top of our tree.then mom and i made a thousand little yoyos to make little dolls and garland for the tree.