tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74261320766242008492024-03-13T07:54:52.260-07:00Sweet JeanetteThe craftiness of Martha Stewart & the sometimes skill of Betty Crocker
all rolled into one Southern Lady.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-23998241261560870302021-12-30T13:58:00.000-08:002021-12-30T13:58:00.233-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDTvhO_bH44/Tswb1YAtH8I/AAAAAAAAC-o/PnmmnsXhHRQ/s400/ETSY%2Bbanner.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677943833999777730" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 55px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetjeanette?ref=si_shop"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Sweet Jeanette's</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></i></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetjeanette?ref=si_shop">Bags, Tags, & Girly Things</a></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This is my cyber-shop. It's filled with<i style="font-weight: bold; ">... </i><i>all things girly.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Whether you're looking for hair accessories, totes, and bags, gift tags, or </span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span">ev</span>en tea envelopes, and my newest addition...Buntings, you can be sure it's handmade by me one by one. Every item comes with an extra dose of love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uqaFGqkKxLs/TswhcMRFQxI/AAAAAAAAC_A/WN5fZBNNtkY/s400/SHOP.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677949998420280082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span">This Friday, Black Friday, I am offering special deals, and door busters! At 11:59 I'll be going into my Etsy shop and changing prices for this special day. Plus, offering these great deals...</span></i></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBCW8D4vRok/TswiIOkncqI/AAAAAAAAC_M/uxXOi4bkvKY/s400/BlackFriday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677950754953327266" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px; " /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBIJHrcyfyk/TswjYnH3X-I/AAAAAAAAC_Y/LgzynLF-kWY/s200/Jeanette_bagsa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677952135933157346" style="text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 200px; " /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-87068192797903085202020-12-31T12:03:00.000-08:002020-12-31T12:03:00.318-08:00Hey y'all! I'm just tickled to death that Tammy has asked me to be a guest today on her blog!!! Tammy and I met through Blogfrog, and I do believe it was an instant friendship! And I know if you've been following her blog, then you already know what a sweetie pie she is! <br />
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A little about myself... I live in Florida, which "technically" is the south <strong><em>but</em></strong> the farther south you go, the more north you are! LOL. I was, however fortunate enough to have a wonderful "southern" mother and father who made sure all the <em>good</em> things of the south were instilled in me. (I'm grateful). I was a medical transcriptionist for 27 years, and then became a closed captionist (you know those words on the bottom of the tv screen? yeah, that was me). But now, I'm a <em><strong>homekeeper</strong></em> and I love it! I love all things domestic and that involves feeding my man, and constantly re-arranging my nest! LOL<br />
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As any good southern girl knows, you don't go callin' on friends empty handed, and it's <em>practically always</em> with food! So that's why I'd love to share a few recipes with you...are ya up for it? I've got in mind a broccoli cheese soup, and muffins. There is a restaraunt in a little town in the next county called Lunch on Limoge. Get this! It's smack dab in the middle of a department store! No kidding! Ok, maybe not right in the middle, but it's to the side. And not walled off, either, You can reach behind you and feel the fabric of a dress if the mood strikes you! And I'm not kidding about THAT! Well, (oh, did I mention that I'm so easily side-tracked?!? LOL)<br />
this restaurant is famous for their muffins. They are awesome! You get a basket of mini muffins with your meal, and whatever fruit the put in the muffins that day, is the flavor butter you get! YUM!<br />
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Well, about 20 years ago, I scored that recipe and it's been one of my prized recipes all this time. I'm going to share it with you!<br />
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First, the <b>Broccoli Cheese Soup</b><br />
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<em>It's supposed to be like Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar Soup. The first night we ate it, I didn't think it tasted like it...I finished off the left-overs today for lunch. Yep. I think it taste like Panera's. I guess ya have to let it rest a day before eating!</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-gOQM3BfGfmkCZl1zNRCQcB9YnX399B3oRQEQ82wAYuEvt52gNslWpsfmeZ7ulyx7H8COnxmbngh14_OPt5qNk2l5YLqlHdzXc94hD_gPk4HNurOy2GIy-KvJoOva7PmACpRNpwGkc8g/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-gOQM3BfGfmkCZl1zNRCQcB9YnX399B3oRQEQ82wAYuEvt52gNslWpsfmeZ7ulyx7H8COnxmbngh14_OPt5qNk2l5YLqlHdzXc94hD_gPk4HNurOy2GIy-KvJoOva7PmACpRNpwGkc8g/s320/IMG_3948.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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You're going to need...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVzJ4JvgI5BSs9cYaEZoqIOks8UINHYNWcS3Yj9MKhCDQVnrj7LF87A6YX1jLw_lZQdFARTkGgPsbodgf-UFwVsIA1K75tDME2FBJkVJknG3BoQF1jQaTkOb9Rzkla-LjW4xPs9qWjpQx/s1600/IMG_3914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVzJ4JvgI5BSs9cYaEZoqIOks8UINHYNWcS3Yj9MKhCDQVnrj7LF87A6YX1jLw_lZQdFARTkGgPsbodgf-UFwVsIA1K75tDME2FBJkVJknG3BoQF1jQaTkOb9Rzkla-LjW4xPs9qWjpQx/s200/IMG_3914.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
3 cups broccoli florets<br />
4 cups chicken broth<br />
1 cup half-and-half<br />
1/2 cup all-purpose flour<br />
8 slices Kraft Singles Sharp Cheddar Cheese (I know, right?)<br />
1/2 cup shredded carrot<br />
1/3 cup diced white onion<br />
pinch ground black pepper<br />
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Steam broccoli in a steamer basket over boiling water in a covered saucepan for 6 minutes.<br />
Remove broccoli to a copping board until cool, then use a large sharp knife to dice broccoli into pieces that are about the size of peas.<br />
Pour chicken broth into a large saucepan with half and half. Whisk in flour, and then add remaining ingredients, including the broccoli. <br />
Turn heat to medium, stirring often until mixture begins to bubble.<br />
Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until carrots are tender and soup is thick.<br />
(Makes 4 servings)<br />
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And now, for those muffins. (Oooooh you're gonna thank me! LOL)<br />
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Oh! and they're called Six-Week Muffins, because you can keep the batter in the frige for up to 6 weeks without worry!They're not hard at all, and , well... they keep a good while. But, I've never had to worry about 'em lasting past six weeks! LOL<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> Six Week Muffins</span></strong></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Here's what you'll need: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvv9OLdwAG32PAX7W-Autq3uMwbTuhgElVQw2u6Fb-dATUsvGIeIcq8oUoEt0-uhNtK0160ILa4hXUthyHZMaCHrO8ti0NubsV31jHuT6_nV9uiv9cohIs11h8VBayzeghOR6Us-hRUUk/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvv9OLdwAG32PAX7W-Autq3uMwbTuhgElVQw2u6Fb-dATUsvGIeIcq8oUoEt0-uhNtK0160ILa4hXUthyHZMaCHrO8ti0NubsV31jHuT6_nV9uiv9cohIs11h8VBayzeghOR6Us-hRUUk/s200/IMG_3909.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">4 beaten eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups sugar</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1 cup salad oil</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">1 quart buttermilk</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">5 teaspoons baking soda</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 teaspoons salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">5 cups flour</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 (15 oz) box Raisin Bran, or Raisin Nut Bran cereal (I used reg. rasin bran)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix all ingredients well. You can add any fruits , nuts, coconut, if desired </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I added a can of drained crushed pineapple to half of the batter (the measuring/mixing bowl up top)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 10 minutes for miniature muffins; 18-20 minutes for large.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I freeze mine after baking. (Got a zippered freezer bag of 'em in the freezer now!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdtYks94FmQZbDRfOVUs2f5puUKMP2wsMZ4D2ioWVci1orqRWE7bfwvN7iqCvwf8AX-Un9aFMn4ZuP3pcGMFibv-GVf_sHZymt0rpRv76agqA8Xz001nGMPbwj3qP8y2VmQoGXg0GNibc/s1600/IMG_3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdtYks94FmQZbDRfOVUs2f5puUKMP2wsMZ4D2ioWVci1orqRWE7bfwvN7iqCvwf8AX-Un9aFMn4ZuP3pcGMFibv-GVf_sHZymt0rpRv76agqA8Xz001nGMPbwj3qP8y2VmQoGXg0GNibc/s320/IMG_3954.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I decided to make some pineapple butter too</div>So there you have it, Was I right? It is easy enough, see? I've enjoyed sharing and being a guest here today. Thank you so much for having me! Now all y'all be sweet and enjoy each other's company. Spread some friendly smiles all over! <br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-14275372028853779172016-08-25T10:32:00.002-07:002017-02-05T15:23:02.682-08:00<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Hey there!</i></span><br />
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I just wanted to share with you a new post on my other blog, <a href="http://realwomeneat.com/" style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;">RealWomenEat.com</a><span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"> </span>It's absolutely amazingly good! I've never made lasagna in the crock pot before, let alone use feta cheese in the recipe, but this was great! And Mr. Man of the House said it was definitely a keeper. So if this tempts you enough, why not head over to Real Women Eat and check it out....and you're welcome!<br />
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<a href="http://realwomeneat.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1QvxZSyHcgU/WJezpMxnIXI/AAAAAAAAHVc/BlqHrny_hIYfO67a7tD63PaHDl8xQ2tNACLcB/s320/IMG_5023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img src="https://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-90930698046783328052016-02-26T06:26:00.000-08:002016-02-26T06:26:05.728-08:00Freezer Cooking with Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIZgVKtQ1wU/TKUbES4i9VI/AAAAAAAACM4/as7bN5-4SPQ/s1600/SJfreezer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIZgVKtQ1wU/TKUbES4i9VI/AAAAAAAACM4/as7bN5-4SPQ/s200/SJfreezer.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Freezing with Friends is definitely a fun way to lighten the load of bulk cooking, prepping and freezing all that food. Plus, you get to try new recipes. Recipes that your friend's family have enjoyed (and hopefully yours will too). <br />
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Last year, my cousin's wife, and my dear friend, mentioned she was running out of ideas for meal time. I told her I was getting ready for another freezer session and asked if she wanted to do it together. So began our Freezer Parties. By the way, we also do canning parties - but that's for another day.<br />
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There are many approaches to 'Freezing with Friends' and you can tailor make it to your needs, or whims. One method is a Freezer Swap. For this, you don't necessarily freeze together, but it's like a cookie exchange. You might want to keep it small, because you will prepare a meal for each person.<br />
The method my friend and I used, though, is the one I like best. <br />
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We put on our calendar a date to get together to plan. Each of us came up with a list of recipes our families loved. She had never done a freezer session so she came armed with recipes they loved and we decided if they froze well and would work. Most recipes convert well to freezer cooking but there are a few ingredients that, though won't harm you if frozen, just don't hold up well. A good rule of thumb, if you've seen it in the frozen food section (think TV dinners) than you can freeze it! And if you're just not sure, when you prepare a favorite dish, put a portion in the freezer. Try it in a month. Do you like it? Did it re-heat well? Winner! Our list was long, so we concentrated on trimming it down to a workable session and save the others for another time. We decided on ground beef and chicken categories. And, being the list maker that I am making a list in what order we would be doing the food according to like ingredients. A planning day is very important. There were some ingredients in my favorites that her family didn't care for so those where whittled off the list right away. Had we not planned.. oh boy!<br />
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Next step was to list all our ingredients and gather total measurements from all their ingredients list. (We're making our master shopping list) and making note of what we have in our pantry like spices, etc. <br />
<br />Next, shopping! We ended up going to Sam's Club for most of our supplies, but stopped at a grocery store to finish up. Don't forget to get the pans you will be freezing in! We found the party supply store had the cheapest prices at that time. So check around. <br />
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Next, actual preparing day! Since she had a 2 year old, we do things at her house so I bring all my kitchen supplies, pots, crockpots, etc. with me early that morning. We have breakfast and start right into it. We had a blast and by the end of the day had a month's worth of meals to slide into the freezer. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha70fx2atXg/VtBcRAzTelI/AAAAAAAAGRk/sp-fDAcqsrc/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ha70fx2atXg/VtBcRAzTelI/AAAAAAAAGRk/sp-fDAcqsrc/s200/IMG_0836.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<i>(just one section of her kitchen with some of the dishes!)</i></div>
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And here's the recipe for the super-easy manicotti pictured here...</div>
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2 packages Manicotti (14 each)</div>
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1 pound ground beef</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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1 box chicken stuffing mix (like Stove Top)</div>
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2 cups cottage cheese</div>
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese</div>
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1/4 to 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (depending on how much you like it)</div>
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8 cups prepared spaghetti sauce</div>
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Mix stuffing mix, seasoning packet that comes with it, beef, eggs, cottage cheese, Parmesan and cheddar cheese to make a thick paste. Set aside 5 minutes to absorb moisture. Spread small amount of spaghetti sauce in pan. Stuff uncooked manicotti shells and place side by side in pan. Spoon spaghetti sauce over shells.</div>
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To bake: cover and bake 350 degrees 1 hour.</div>
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To Freeze: Cover with foil, or Ziploc bags. Freeze up to6 months. To bake,thaw overnight in frige and bake according to directions.</div>
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<b>This recipe makes two 9 x 13 pans, or three 8 x 8 pans.</b></div>
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So have you tried "freezing with a friend", or any other variation? Share with us in the comments. I'd love to hear!</div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-9763371849715771032016-02-20T20:54:00.000-08:002016-02-21T14:34:58.491-08:00Chocolate Coma Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FY5moVDpzuA/Vsk9VNPgrgI/AAAAAAAAGPs/s75Cm_Jbxrc/s1600/sweetjeanette.blogspot%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FY5moVDpzuA/Vsk9VNPgrgI/AAAAAAAAGPs/s75Cm_Jbxrc/s320/sweetjeanette.blogspot%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Prepare yourselves. If your prone to sin, I beg you, don't take one bite of this cake. This cake is chocolate on steroids. Seriously. Often I will do a prototype and then tweak it. I was going for something totally decadent and I think I achieved that. I will not be tweaking this one. I was just going to call it a chocolate poke cake, but when I used my nephew as a guinea pig, he dubbed it "Chocolate Coma Cake". So that's how this baby got it's name. <br />
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I'm going to share this recipe, but don't hold me responsible for contributing to your caloric demise. You've been warned.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate Coma Cake</span></b></i></div>
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<b><u>Cake</u></b></div>
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2 cups sugar</div>
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2 cups flour</div>
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1 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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1/2 teaspoon salt</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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2 sticks butter</div>
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4 tablespoons cocoa powder</div>
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1 cup water</div>
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1/2 cup buttermik</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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<u><b>Filing</b></u> (for poking in the cake</div>
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14 oz can sweetened condensed milk</div>
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips</div>
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<u><b>Chocolate Whipped Cream Topping</b></u></div>
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2 cups heavy whipping cream</div>
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1/2 cup powdered sugar</div>
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1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder</div>
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</div>
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Optional:</div>
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mini chocolate chips</div>
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chocolate ice cream topping (the kind you squeeze)</div>
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<b><i>Directions:</i></b></div>
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<u><b>Cake:</b></u></div>
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Melt butter over low heat. Add Cocoa and water and bring to a rapid boil, remove from heat.</div>
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Mix sugar, flour, soda and salt in a large bowl. Pour heated ingredients over dry.</div>
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Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 pan. Bake 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. All ovens are different. Mine is possessed so I watch mine like a hawk.</div>
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Once cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the top of the cake. </div>
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Place sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir the chocolate and milk until smooth and then pour over the cake and spread to fill in the holes. Set cake aside to cool (you can hasten the cooling by sticking in the frige - which is what I did)</div>
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To make the whipped topping, whip heavy cream until it begins to thicken. Add powdered sugar, cocoa and vanilla extract and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped topping on top of completely cooled cake.</div>
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Here's where you can get creative and chocolate it up ever further by sprinkling mini chocolate chips on top, and then drizzle the chocolate ice cream syrup on top of all that!</div>
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You'll want to keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve because of the whipped topping. </div>
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So there you go. See what I mean? (devilish giggle)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7Byc6LmcT4/VslCou2-mJI/AAAAAAAAGP8/LuQgbnbEJuI/s1600/sweetjeanette.blogspot%2B%25281%2529.TIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7Byc6LmcT4/VslCou2-mJI/AAAAAAAAGP8/LuQgbnbEJuI/s320/sweetjeanette.blogspot%2B%25281%2529.TIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am participating in Meal Plan Monday</div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-73636499511834555542016-02-12T10:51:00.003-08:002016-02-12T10:51:40.792-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Freezer Foods Friday is back</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PI7cVkQYcDs/Vr4mkAWDrYI/AAAAAAAAGNQ/UDHZgKa3tX8/s1600/SJfreezer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PI7cVkQYcDs/Vr4mkAWDrYI/AAAAAAAAGNQ/UDHZgKa3tX8/s320/SJfreezer.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope your as excited as I am that Freezer Foods Friday is making a comeback. It's been a while and I've missed it. Here's a little , er... <i><b>educational introduction...</b></i> to kick us off.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This might be "old news" to you, a refresher, or a new slant. However you receive it, I hope there is something you can use or add to. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">There are many types of "freezer cooking" methods. There's the OAMC (Once a Month Cooking); TAMC (Twice a Month Cooking); Mini Sessions, preparing meals by categories...The methods and lists are as vast and varied as individual's tastes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9C_ZeiCopR6P0FGd08o_jzwQRT17W_i5rSUD2wUqrCeZpNi7aIepXz0TmduG9pVnc9as4Fp5QKp1F8QgFwvjG4BmWpfOqsp7XmI51_fzdg_5bkA5Hy9D5l1kUF77rfD1iweMjh8jN9ze/s1600/anotherchef.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9C_ZeiCopR6P0FGd08o_jzwQRT17W_i5rSUD2wUqrCeZpNi7aIepXz0TmduG9pVnc9as4Fp5QKp1F8QgFwvjG4BmWpfOqsp7XmI51_fzdg_5bkA5Hy9D5l1kUF77rfD1iweMjh8jN9ze/s320/anotherchef.bmp" /></a></div>
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Whatever "style" you adopt, the most important rule is <strong>organize</strong> your recipes!</div>
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You can have a card-file system or notebook file system. I use the notebook pages because I can have each recipe printed on an individual page, put in a page protector and place in a three ring binder. You can see my post about organizing my recipes into notebooks by clicking here: <a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2010/03/organizing-my-recipes-from-magazines.html"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong><em>Organizing My Recipes from Magazines, etc.</em></strong></span></a></div>
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Before cooking day, study each recipe to decide on the order in which you'll prepare them. It may sound like overkill, but it really helps the process run more smoothly. Once you've decided, put the pages in order in which you will prepare them. The page protectors are great because I almost always spash! All I have to do is wipe these clean.</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Menu - </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">You might like to fly by the seat of your pants, but you really need to do a <strong>menu</strong>. You don't really want a month of all Mexican, or Italian food do you? There are all sorts of sites with good forms to print out for menus and I've used a lot, but in a pinch, I like the old, take a sheet of notebook paper, fold it in half, fold it again, and again. Unfold and you've got 8 blocks. Yeah, I know there aren't "usually" 8 days in the week, contrary to what the Beetles said! (I'm showing my age aren't I). Just fill in the 7 blocks with a day's menu. Super simple, right? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTeVloq5KfB2HWlhzlLU5lgfH-nVmMNxyrRPwPz9KbCmQ942_lDgH1iuBXvV54wJJoSRNj7TXsy6XEa7ip8fMybg7xvZBJYGKUY8T5nJReqsiig8Zk8SWb9KUiD_Inr8EKQ63wwVSgLpr/s1600/menu+plan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTeVloq5KfB2HWlhzlLU5lgfH-nVmMNxyrRPwPz9KbCmQ942_lDgH1iuBXvV54wJJoSRNj7TXsy6XEa7ip8fMybg7xvZBJYGKUY8T5nJReqsiig8Zk8SWb9KUiD_Inr8EKQ63wwVSgLpr/s200/menu+plan.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Try only a few new recipes each month. (That way if it flops, it was only one meal) Your menu should be mostly ones your family <strong>already</strong> likes.</div>
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If you're not sure a family favorite will freeze well, when you prepare the dish, take out a portion and freeze it. "Test" it in a week or two to see if it passes the test. If so, great! You've got another freezer-food to add to your list. And, well, if it doesn't, you haven't wasted time and money.</div>
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And I can't stress this enough...<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> Label your foods</span></strong>! In a month or so, you won't be able to tell the difference between chicken broth and squeezed lemon juice (for lemonade) by just looking at that freezer bag. Trust my <em>experience</em>, here.</div>
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I like to buy steaks and chicken when they're on sale. My husband is the designated "griller" in the family and he's a steak kinda guy. I don't make my marinade for the beef, but I buy a marinade called "allegro". I really like the flavor of this. So, what I do, is when our local grocer has steaks buy one get one free (I love those deals!) I buy what they will allow, bring them home and place in a zippered type freezer bag, pour the marinade into the bags and freeze. When we're ready for grilling, I take them out to thaw in the frige and while they're thawing, they're marinating. Win Win!</div>
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Ok, I can't leave chicken out, can I? Here's a couple of great freeze-in-the-bag-with-chicken marinades. If you will notice one recipe I used as a marinade is from the recipe that everybody was making a while back...You know, the Apricot Chicken recipe? Well did you know it makes a great marinade for grilling chicken? It does!</div>
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<strong><u>Honey Chicken Marinade</u></strong><br />
3 TBSP soy sauce<br />
1 TBSP honey<br />
1 TBSP olive oil<br />
1 tsp lime juice<br />
1 tsp garlic<br />
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<u><strong>Apricot Chicken Marinade</strong></u><br />
1/2 bottle Catalina dressing<br />
1/2 packet of dry onion soup mix<br />
3 TBSP olive oil<br />
12 oz jar of apricot preserves - heated in the microwave until runny.<br />
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Alright, if I haven't bored you to tears yet, I want to leave you with one more recipe. Would that be ok?<br />
I've had this for probably 18 years or so, and I've made them into little (portion controlled) muffins, with a crust, without and called it a casserole, you name it. But it was originally called Crustless Quiche. It's great to fix ahead and have for holiday breakfasts or brunch.<br />
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You're going to need...<br />
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16 ounce container cottage cheese</div>
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4 eggs</div>
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1/4 cup milk (you'll notice I used evaporated milk, you can use regular "jug" milk but this makes it richer)</div>
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1/4 cup flour</div>
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1 teaspoon baking powder</div>
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1/4 tsp salt</div>
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2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (I used mild but you could use sharp too)</div>
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cooked and crumbled bacon (equal 10 slices) I cheated, see pic?!</div>
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1/4 cup chopped onions</div>
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Process cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until smooth. (I use a blender)</div>
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transfer to a large bowl</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbI3vb7jQjn6AC81XLUFHd1rGqh1Fdqg3RSdkmFbg25Qz7co48Cq5mGNe1laH48EnXJKvgckqTP7RGcd_5f3JIVfRNfrd1cV0GNVG1UbwOlEXnBquYrA4PHChgH4JwQBeZMEh7y1r6uLE/s1600/IMG_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbI3vb7jQjn6AC81XLUFHd1rGqh1Fdqg3RSdkmFbg25Qz7co48Cq5mGNe1laH48EnXJKvgckqTP7RGcd_5f3JIVfRNfrd1cV0GNVG1UbwOlEXnBquYrA4PHChgH4JwQBeZMEh7y1r6uLE/s200/IMG_3765.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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In a medium bowl beat eggs.</div>
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Add milk, flour, baking powder and salt to eggs and mix until smooth.</div>
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Add egg mixture to cottage cheese and mix.</div>
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Stir in shredded cheese, bacon and onions.</div>
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Now here's where you choose... Do you want to bake and freeze, or just freeze?</div>
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If you want to bake 'em now and freeze, then pour into muffin tins (mini or regular - doesn't matter)<br />
bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJD7_ivBsAXzYGBy5yg44S7Zgzy7De-RA9kZTGrILz7sSxiKcKGrvFAgn72KQ4jVckzZE3LRGtOmOH3RwmPjniPCQn2Sk9f3kYpp6_ht3WQR7zKP4_pz6lDuGiPv8_X9Vn0CBVFdsmR7g/s1600/IMG_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJD7_ivBsAXzYGBy5yg44S7Zgzy7De-RA9kZTGrILz7sSxiKcKGrvFAgn72KQ4jVckzZE3LRGtOmOH3RwmPjniPCQn2Sk9f3kYpp6_ht3WQR7zKP4_pz6lDuGiPv8_X9Vn0CBVFdsmR7g/s200/IMG_3772.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Cool and freeze in freezer bags.</div>
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I chose to pour the mixture into freezer bags to bake later. When I'm ready to bake 'em, I'll just thaw in frige and follow the above instructions.<br />
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I hope this has helped inspire you to either begin, start back up, or step up your freezer game a bit. Don't forget to check back next Friday for another tried-n-true freezer meal and I will share with you about Freezer Meals parties, and making freezer meals with a friend. Until then,<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Be Sweet!</span></i></b><br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" /><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-25694036795033975632014-10-22T09:52:00.000-07:002018-08-26T23:52:42.808-07:00Easy Homemade Apple Cider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did you know you can make your own apple cider using your food processor? It's so easy, you'll never pay the big-bucks for apple cider again. Here in Florida we don't have many apple orchards. In fact, if you know of any, please tell me. But every October, there is an apple festival in north Georgia. My sister went and gifted me with a bushel of apples. These were Gala apples. I thought they would be too mild for applesauce (another easy-peasy thing to make at home) so I tried this. (I prefer apple cider over apple juice, but that's me)<br />
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There's no recipe per se. But all you I-Need-A-Recipe folks, don't fret. You don't need one. You do, however, need a food processor and cheesecloth. Well, you don't even need cheesecloth. I used what's called bar cloth. Walmart sells these in packs of five in the kitchen towel area. Get those. You'll get tons of use from that five-pack. <br />
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Here goes,<br />
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Wash the apples really well, because you're going to leave the peels on. You know those nifty little apple slicer/corer things? Using that will help the process along quite nicely, but if you don't have one don't worry. Just slice it the way our grandmothers, or great-grandmothers, did it. You don't want the core and seeds, mind you. <br />
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Toss those slices into the food processor. Don't fill it full of slices, half full is fine, otherwise you will be there a while. I know, it seems counter-intuitive, but doing multiple half-full bowls is really quicker. Process it until you have "mush", or as mushy as you can.<br />
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Have a large bowl, with a collander inside and the barcloth, or cheesecloth, inside the collander. Dump that mush into that. (such technical terms)<br />
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Next, gather up the edges and give it a good squeeze to make a ball. <br />
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Quite a bit of juice is already draining.<br />
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At this point, I ladled out a taste. Ooooh. Heaven!<br />
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To make sure you get all the goodness (juice) extracted, place a heavy object on top of the bag of mush (those technical terms again). I used the heaviest pot I could find. Let that sit a few hours, or overnight if you don't have "critters". <br />
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and there you have it. You apple cider maker, you. <br />
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Note: This is not pasturized, so it won't keep as long as commercial stuff. A week is fine in the frige. But if you want to do bulk batches, you can freeze it. Enjoy. <br />
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How do you enjoy fall's bounty of apples? I'd love to hear. <br />
<img src="https://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-77528599835956355572013-12-22T20:12:00.000-08:002013-12-22T21:02:37.701-08:00Red Velvet Cheesecake cookies with white chocolate drizzle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want to share a new recipe I tried out this past week for the Real Women Eat's Christmas Tea. We were doing a gift exchange, but with a twist. The "gift" had to be a baked item, and it was supposed to be something we have never made before. So, my collection of recipes just wouldn't do this time. Off to Pinterest I go. I found <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/red-velvet-cheesecake-cookies/" target="_blank">Two Peas and Their Pod'</a>s site where these beauties were. She had me at "red velvet" and when I saw these were cookies, all the better! (I'm such a cookie monster!) These cookies should come with a warning... they are very rich. LOL. They're not hard, but they do take a little bit of time investment, but oh, so worth it! So here goes....</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies</span></h3>
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Cookies:</div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 box red velvet cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 tablespoons all-purpose flour</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 large eggs</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1/2 cup canola oil</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
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Cheesecake filling:</h4>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;">4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">2 cups powdered sugar</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
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White chocolate drizzle:</h4>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;">1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips, melted</li>
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Directions:</h4>
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To make cookies, combine cake mix and flour. Whisk until clumps disappear before placing in mixing bowl. Mix together cake mix, flour, eggs, oil and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap. The dough will be oily. And I really mean oily! The recipe said to refrigerate for 2 hours. I had running around to do, so they stayed in there a lot longer than the two hours (and were fine)</div>
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To make the cheesecake filling, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Using a teaspoon, scoop out cheesecake filling and place on a plate. Continue scooping out cheesecake filling into teaspoon balls until you have 10. Place plate in the freezer and freeze for at least two hours. Again, more than two hours didn't hurt. </div>
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper- or a silicone baking mat if you have one. I don't. </div>
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To assemble the cookies, take about 1/4 cup of red velvet cookie dough and flatten in your hands.(I used one of those ice-cream-looking scoops that I use for cupcake batter) Place a teaspoon of cheesecake filling in the center and wrap the cookie dough around the filling. Gently roll into a ball and place on prepared baking sheet. Scoop onto lightly greased or parchment lined baking sheets. Only bake 3 cookies at a time. The cookies are large and will spread. Trust me, she knows what she's talking about. So, really, only three at a time. Ya, hear??</div>
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Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the cookies begin to crackle. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.</div>
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Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl or over a double-boiler. Drizzle the white chocolate over the cooled cookies. Let the cookies set until the chocolate hardens. </div>
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Note: I bought the white chocolate chips, but ended up using the white candy coating wafers instead thinking it would harden quicker. I didn't see where I saved any time using the wafers so go ahead and use the white chocolate chips! </div>
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These cookies are really rich and I doubt you'll be finishing them in a day, so store in the frige. My husband ate one and said he felt like he had eaten half a dozen...THAT rich. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/red-velvet-cheesecake-cookies/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.<wbr></wbr>com/red-velvet-cheesecake-<wbr></wbr>cookies/</a></span></div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-45778176329424501352013-10-26T18:41:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:41:01.581-07:00Re-Use that Ketchup BottleI love honey. My sister gave me a gallon of honey recently. The gallon jug isn't easy to handle, so I wanted to pour it into something more "user friendly". I tried those cute bear bottles, but those don't hold enough, and I end up collapsing the flimsy plastic bottle after several fill-ups. What to do... enter the ketchup bottle!<br />
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This is probably not a new idea, but it's new to me, so allow me to live in my fantasy world and think that I, alone, had this wonderful idea. At least for a little bit. <br />
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I just washed out the ketchup bottle (thank goodness there were no lingering smells. As much as I love ketchup, I don't like to co-mingle it with honey) and viola! My new honey dispenser. Since it's a no-drip cap, it's perfect for the honey too!<br />
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So, tell me, what have you repurposed? I'd love to hear. Please share in the comments, or if you have done a blog post, leave a link there so we can all come visit!<br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-77380091669143161512013-05-15T13:50:00.002-07:002013-05-24T19:54:27.192-07:00Make your own Fruit Flavored Waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcMUxYRhPyE/UZPqBo_an2I/AAAAAAAADto/ojb4LpKCmcw/s1600/fruit+water5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcMUxYRhPyE/UZPqBo_an2I/AAAAAAAADto/ojb4LpKCmcw/s200/fruit+water5.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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Ok, I'll admit it. I'm behind the curve on this one. Oh sure, I've been drinking "water with lemon" for years. But my mind was totally blown when I saw (sensory overload) all the different fruit water options! I found some strawberries and kiwis at Aldi's for ultra-cheap. The strawberries were from <a href="http://www.wishfarms.com/" target="_blank">Wish Farms</a>, and honestly they tasted like someone had injected pure sugar into them! I couldn't resist snacking on some as I'm cutting them for my water. (I like it that Wish Farms is a local USA company too!)</div>
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My drink of choice was strawberry and kiwi. But think about the options....<br />
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Strawberry/blueberry </div>
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Pineapple/peach, mango </div>
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Blueberry/raspberry</div>
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Orange slices</div>
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Watermelon</div>
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Cantaloupe/Grape</div>
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Peach/Nectarine</div>
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Plum/Apple</div>
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Raspberry/Lime</div>
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You could go absolutely wild!!!</div>
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Oh! and at the health food store, I found a chocolate flavored stevia. Mix that with a spearmint and woozers! Chocolate mint water! Yummm.... </div>
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First I just put the fruit into a glass with water. Since I liked it so much, I wanted it at the ready in the frige for the rest of the week so in comes...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X9GLBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008X9GLBC&linkCode=as2&tag=sweejean-20%22%3EUtenlid%C2%AE%20Natural%20Fruit%20Infusion%20Fruit%20Flavoring%20Pitcher%20-%203%20Quart's%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sweejean-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008X9GLBC%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">A fusion pitcher!</a></span></div>
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This is perfect for my fruit. There's a "tube" that screws into the lid. I just poured in my water filled the tube with my cut up fruit, screwed it back on the lid and I was good to go. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4A-_q5a4rxI/UZPxzOqiYQI/AAAAAAAADuQ/DmB3YCZ_Kdw/s1600/photo+(93).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4A-_q5a4rxI/UZPxzOqiYQI/AAAAAAAADuQ/DmB3YCZ_Kdw/s200/photo+(93).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhn57lpv0_M/UZPx9J_rmXI/AAAAAAAADuY/gE3IASfe-9A/s1600/photo+(92).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhn57lpv0_M/UZPx9J_rmXI/AAAAAAAADuY/gE3IASfe-9A/s200/photo+(92).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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You can get one at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X9GLBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008X9GLBC&linkCode=as2&tag=sweejean-20%22%3EUtenlid%C2%AE%20Natural%20Fruit%20Infusion%20Fruit%20Flavoring%20Pitcher%20-%203%20Quart's%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sweejean-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008X9GLBC%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important" target="_blank">Amazon.com here </a>which I'm excited about, because that one is cheaper than I paid for mine! If you want a really full flavor, do your water a day before. The flavors are out of this world! That's what I did and it made such a difference in the "flavor level". </div>
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Do you do your own flavored waters? I'd love to hear what you do. Please leave me a comment and share with us all. </div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-14317527826898902592013-05-09T07:21:00.002-07:002013-05-09T07:24:14.346-07:00Salad in a Wrap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSusx9wpJoA/UYupBGUEI1I/AAAAAAAADr4/XPsSPLfwHsg/s1600/photo+(66).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSusx9wpJoA/UYupBGUEI1I/AAAAAAAADr4/XPsSPLfwHsg/s320/photo+(66).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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I recently had lunch at this really cool place called <a href="http://thecornerstore.co/the_corner_store/the_corner_store.html" target="_blank">The Corner Store in Plant City</a> (FL) and they made a veggie wrap that was...well, nothing short of awesome! I got it with a stuffed grape leaf inside. It's all I could think about since then! In a moment of desperation, I tried to duplicate it. Now, honestly, mine is nothing like theirs (I'm planning another visit there soon for lunch again!) but it was good. No, make that awesome in it's own way. So good, in fact, that I'm looking forward to making this for my lunch again.</div>
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Do you do that too?</div>
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<i>See that vinaigrette dressing in the background? My niece and I went to Aldi's yesterday morning and she introduced that to me. It was wonderful! I used it in the wrap.</i></div>
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Ok, here's how I "built" my version of the veggie wrap:</div>
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Start with some good bread, I couldn't find a decent Pita style wrap bread, but lucked out when I spied this Italian Flat Out bread! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWoyv8M1rTY/UYutWObtxTI/AAAAAAAADsI/MJV_l73zoo8/s1600/photo+(65).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWoyv8M1rTY/UYutWObtxTI/AAAAAAAADsI/MJV_l73zoo8/s200/photo+(65).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<i><b> It's great, only 90 calories, and doesn't taste like paper towels!</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HN_javh2Hlw/UYuuioP_IJI/AAAAAAAADsU/YjMlvWPCoMY/s1600/photo+(67).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HN_javh2Hlw/UYuuioP_IJI/AAAAAAAADsU/YjMlvWPCoMY/s200/photo+(67).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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Spread some hummus on the bread, starting in the middle and leave the edges free</div>
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I added some green onion (totally optional)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNQUCQ31V_E/UYuu2VSEKjI/AAAAAAAADsc/soM2BAElUII/s1600/photo+(68).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNQUCQ31V_E/UYuu2VSEKjI/AAAAAAAADsc/soM2BAElUII/s200/photo+(68).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<i>(I totally love Sabra brand hummus!)</i></div>
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I cheated and bought a "bag-o-salad", premium mix and plopped a good sized handful on top in the center.</div>
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Hmmm.... Maybe I should've called this "Salad in a Wrap"? </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCqjBC-UbEQ/UYuvWm6coeI/AAAAAAAADsk/YxnaGigwUGI/s1600/photo+(70).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCqjBC-UbEQ/UYuvWm6coeI/AAAAAAAADsk/YxnaGigwUGI/s200/photo+(70).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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Poured a little of that dressing I told you about from Aldi's on top, and then added some feta cheese. </div>
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Now sit yourself down and enjoy!</div>
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I'm looking for new ideas for healthier eating. Got any suggestions? You can leave a link to a blog post in your comments too and I'll be sure to check it out. </div>
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Be Sweet<br />
<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-58404973316785360352013-03-12T13:20:00.001-07:002013-03-12T13:20:23.702-07:00Pecan Pie Cake ChallengeDo you remember the<a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2011/12/pecan-pie-cake.html" target="_blank"> Pecan Pie Cake</a><a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2011/12/pecan-pie-cake.html?showComment=1363119224099#c5828483319256790842" target="_blank"> </a>post I made a while back? (It is so stupidly delicious, I can't even begin to tell you!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vBS5qi9wjsWMFBWRgNN2d4pu00ytPnAmdBhfShQxYFiOJd36bbcCxZBjFZer1aa-ZQ4B38X45nTyAuZT2Y3ohQxCx3KVR3HHR1vOHepA6UGtu11ZDG1GG06MYOo47rocY1vXsAdQmL45/s1600/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vBS5qi9wjsWMFBWRgNN2d4pu00ytPnAmdBhfShQxYFiOJd36bbcCxZBjFZer1aa-ZQ4B38X45nTyAuZT2Y3ohQxCx3KVR3HHR1vOHepA6UGtu11ZDG1GG06MYOo47rocY1vXsAdQmL45/s320/photo+%25281%2529.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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Well, a reader posted a very good question... Can this be made Gluten Free. I'm making that a blog post because, frankly, I don't know how it would turn out. Any GF readers? Wanna take a stab at it? Pretty Please? For a guest post and a prize? If you're up for the challange, leave me a comment. If you're commenting anonymously, please leave an email address that I can contact you. <br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-46622907080911423872013-02-23T23:05:00.001-08:002013-02-23T23:05:15.323-08:00Word Verification - a love hate relationshipYou've been there, right? You go to a blog. You type your comment like a good surfer because you want to let them know you were there and to say hello, or add to the conversation, and BAM! There it is! That <i>Word Verification</i>! Ugh! I know, I've been there too. I vowed not to have that on my blog.<br />
Until now. Thanks to Pinterest making my Pecan Pie Cake post getting so many views, it's now the target of all sorts of spammers. I seriously get 30-50 a day! Some I catch, some I don't. I'm not complaining that so many people view this post. I love the company! But trying to clean up all these spammy comments is taking up too much time. Time I could better use killing my plants. So, this is the only way I know of now, to (hopefully) take care of that. Please understand, and bear with me. And, if you know of a better, quicker way to take care of those varmints, please let me know.<br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-36120544005980464592013-02-02T15:26:00.002-08:002013-02-02T15:26:46.530-08:00Cabbage and Sausage SoupWinter Soup Weather Soup<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6yytmmmA6_YF4n2w6RrzW9P-WKRpCc92bzVrI02EYW9qc9OKw9QypjazYySN4Af-_r3_2HScDXFins9uVWXIxFCPjZvnww5s_e6pg25BdgbveWg5kVbJltfsv12YzgfV5F2zrY5Fuiqj/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6yytmmmA6_YF4n2w6RrzW9P-WKRpCc92bzVrI02EYW9qc9OKw9QypjazYySN4Af-_r3_2HScDXFins9uVWXIxFCPjZvnww5s_e6pg25BdgbveWg5kVbJltfsv12YzgfV5F2zrY5Fuiqj/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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I posted a pic on my facebook timeline of this soup this week and got a lot of requests for the recipe. So, I thought I'd just post it here so everybody can try it. Let me just say, this is "da bombdigity" y'all! It is so incredibly good. You have got to try it, and then come back and leave a comment and let me know how ya liked it. Expecially if you tweaked it!<br />
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 lb </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>bulk breakfast sausage</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2 lg </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>onion</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>diced</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 small </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>head of cabbage</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>chopped</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4-5 medium </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>russet potatoes</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>chopped</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Chicken stock <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I make my own brown from bones left over and freeze - so much better than the store bought broth!)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;">2 cans <b>evaporated milk</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>sea salt and pepper to taste</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cook sausage in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cabbage and saute until they begin to soften.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Add chopped potatoes. Add stock covered ingredients. Bring to a boil then put lid on and turn heat down. Simmer 30-45 minutes or until potatoes and cabbage are tender.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remove lid, turn off heat, and stir in milk or cream until the broth is as thin or creamy as you like. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper as desired.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;">This is so good...and filling! It's good, like it is, but I thought I'd try this....</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzL0maQzpz0/UQ2fvmhyJcI/AAAAAAAADqQ/-PM4txU-ewE/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzL0maQzpz0/UQ2fvmhyJcI/AAAAAAAADqQ/-PM4txU-ewE/s320/photo+(11).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;">It was ok, but I decided I didn't want anything to detract from the great flavors already in the soup. Use your own judgement. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #010101; font-family: Helvetica;">By the way, I really hope you'll try to make your own chicken stock. There's nothing like it. Next time you roast a chicken, boil it, or even after Thanksgiving turkey, take all the bones, throw it in a pot with cold water, add about 1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar and boil all day, and night. (no kidding) You want the bones to be so tender, if you stuck them with a fork, you could go right through 'em. Then strain the broth. Put in the frige to let the fat come to the surface and skim that off. What you have left is a jell like substance - or pure liquid gold. You can put in zip lock bags and freeze, or if you want cubes, just use ice cube trays. (I use way more than a couple of cubes at a time, so I opted for the bags. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-16158204169479606942013-01-15T20:10:00.003-08:002013-01-15T20:10:26.164-08:00An interview from 2011You all know I have an Etsy shop, right? (See the right column at the top, you can click it to go there and look around) Tonight I was going through and cleaning up some of my bookmarked sites and came across an interview that Shop Happens did with me back in March of 2011. If you'd like to read it, then follow <a href="http://www.shophappens.com/2011/03/etsy-spotlight-jeanette-from-sweetjeanette/#comments" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>this link</b></span> </a>and check it out! <br />
<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-145394072340077512013-01-14T21:21:00.001-08:002013-01-14T21:21:11.813-08:00Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!Remember the giveaway I posted with the winner to be announced by January 1st?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izmo6QTmSS0/UPTl_2ozqaI/AAAAAAAADpw/WG0If9V0W-Q/s1600/il_570xN.289652848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izmo6QTmSS0/UPTl_2ozqaI/AAAAAAAADpw/WG0If9V0W-Q/s320/il_570xN.289652848.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />And did you also notice there has been no conversation from me in some time? My mom has been in the hospital. We spent Christmas in the hospital with her. She's home now, but there just has been no time to chat with all my friends on SweetJeanette since then. BUT, it's passed midnight and I have some time to steal away and draw a name out of the old hat (so to speak). (So sorry I haven't been around lately)<br />
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ok, ok now the winner ~~~~~ drum roll ~~~~~<br />
Tammy Malone come on down! Tammy has a blog called <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.notjustpaperandglue.com/" target="_blank">Not Just Paper and Glue</a></span></b><br />
<b>Congrats Tammy. Now I just need your info to send it out! </b><br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-24392396581531849132012-12-25T12:06:00.000-08:002012-12-25T12:06:05.658-08:00<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R48zM1atHZw/UNoG7ieH1qI/AAAAAAAADpY/aoXJb2LqmJo/s1600/MANGER.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R48zM1atHZw/UNoG7ieH1qI/AAAAAAAADpY/aoXJb2LqmJo/s640/MANGER.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Merry Christmas to you and yours</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-73571112453653344562012-12-20T07:45:00.003-08:002012-12-20T07:45:30.325-08:00Giveaway TimeI think it's about time I had another giveaway, don't you? You've been so patient with my absence lately (and I love you for it!) so I would like to reward you (great-big-grin)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3yWp0nsTfo/UNMxO6htEFI/AAAAAAAADo0/DpRH-8jaVM8/s1600/il_570xN.289652680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3yWp0nsTfo/UNMxO6htEFI/AAAAAAAADo0/DpRH-8jaVM8/s320/il_570xN.289652680.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I call it my "schlepping bag" because it's good for anything. Roomy enough to carry your books, beach/gym gear... but most of all everybody's telling me they're using it as their market bag (grocery store, farmer's market, flea market...) </div>
and, just to dress it up a bit, I'm including a "purse pin" to use with it or not....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly-kkogQTB8/UNMx2ihVYvI/AAAAAAAADpA/OcohTpd8JAo/s1600/il_570xN.289652848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly-kkogQTB8/UNMx2ihVYvI/AAAAAAAADpA/OcohTpd8JAo/s320/il_570xN.289652848.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
So the details: <br />
Leave a comment and tell me how you would use your new bag. <br />
The "winner" will be chosen on January 1st. (sort of a post-Christmas present)<br />
AND.... though <i>totally not necessary</i>, Get an extra entry if you tweet about it<br />
Extra entry for mentioning on facebook and liking SweetJeanette on facebook gets you another.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">***You don't need to have a blog to win!***</span></b><br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-63601804111314680492012-11-28T23:34:00.003-08:002016-11-08T19:10:47.403-08:00The Election That Broke My HeartYes, I said broke my heart. Oh, not because of the outcome. Not that one person won or that the other person didn't. It wasn't even the nasty campaigning and debates that we endured (even though they were quite disgusting). What surprised me and then broke my heart, was the "we the people". <br />
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We all had our favorite. We all stood up on soap boxes from time to time. But this election, more than any other elections I've witnessed was different. I'd see tweets for one candidate or the other that would be met with a fire storm of hateful tweets. I'd see comments on facebook that some were going to un-friend people because they didn't vote for their guy. In all fairness, I need to say that some were kidding, and I knew who they were but others, well, they were not. I couldn't help thinking about the 90's and Sarajevo/ Bosnia. The article didn't talk about politics behind the upheaval, but rather the way the people treated each other during this time. It broke my heart the same way this election did. The interviewee was speaking how people who had been neighbors and friends turned to enemies simply because one believed one way and the other did not. And I felt so bad for the poor actress that dared support one man and soon bore the brunt of vicious words. I just wanted to yell, "People! Stop it!" Our country is great because we can respect each other's beliefs even if they're not like ours. We can (at least I think we can) agree to disagree. I just had to share my heart today. My heart is still aching...and I really do wish I could "<i>teach the world to sing in perfect harmony"</i><br />
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Let's all be sweet, okay?</h3>
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<img src="https://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-75062173398375316062012-11-13T15:24:00.002-08:002012-11-13T15:24:30.464-08:00C.R.A.F.T. package pals exchangeI signed up for the package pals exchange on<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/package-pals-linky-party-october-2012/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Jamie</span></b></a></span> of C.R.A.F.T's site. I've been a slacker, because I'm just now posting all the great things I received. Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes. It wasn't because I didn't like any of the great goodies...honest! I loved them all!!! This was a fun exchange and I met a wonderful new cyber-friend through this! Her name is Erin from <span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Chronic Christian Crafter</span></a>. </span>She was so sweet! I got so many great things from her, I loved them all. I started to say that my favorite thing was the "Henderson Bakery" sign she made ( I DO love it), but then there's the absolutely great cup and saucer she decorated with all quotes I pinned on Pinterest. What thought she put into this exchange! Made me feel so special! Oh, and remember me saying I was a slacker? Well, to prove that point, I sent out her package without shooting any pics. So I had a brain storm. I asked her if I could snag the pictures she took (trust me, hers are way better than I could show you anyway). Being the angel she is, she said yes. So, first I'll show you the gifts I sent her... (Thank you Erin for saving me!)<br />
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<a href="http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Snkgo-yNqL0/UKLS6c3VNZI/AAAAAAAADnI/S9InQU6j-2Q/s400/Package+Pal+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(photo courtesy of <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chronic Christian Crafter</a></span></b></span></i></div>
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Erin had mentioned that she would like to try her hand at sewing, so on my recent trip to TN, there's is a great little pattern shop I like to visit and I picked up this gingerbread man bucket kit. Everything she will need to finish that project, plus a small clutch/card clutch pattern. I sent a tote bag. I used fabric to make it that I like to call "carpet bagger" fabric. Very retro/vintage. A tea towel, business card case, key fob and a Christmas bunting. Erin hung it up where she had her her Thanksgiving bunting hanging to shoot this picture...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GaZZSnpxmY/UKLUFRYdBeI/AAAAAAAADnQ/DmdNJexzm9c/s1600/Christmas+Bunting+Collage+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2GaZZSnpxmY/UKLUFRYdBeI/AAAAAAAADnQ/DmdNJexzm9c/s320/Christmas+Bunting+Collage+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And now, what she sent me... Ooooooh.... this is so cool!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ze3rFYnRak/UKLUUEzPAgI/AAAAAAAADnY/CDKwF5SZsmE/s1600/Final+PP+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ze3rFYnRak/UKLUUEzPAgI/AAAAAAAADnY/CDKwF5SZsmE/s320/Final+PP+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn't that sign the best?!? And the established date, 1979...the year I was married and established my home....er.. Bakery! She put thought into this gift, y'all! </div>
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She continued the kitchen theme throughout...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hn2ExAiMYdE/UKLUumnVLwI/AAAAAAAADng/jCkayr_qcGk/s1600/PP+Recipe+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hn2ExAiMYdE/UKLUumnVLwI/AAAAAAAADng/jCkayr_qcGk/s320/PP+Recipe+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Erin made these really cool recipe cards that has "Recipe" cut-out. An oven mitt, and she even included two of her own recipes! I can't wait to try that cobbler!!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezgoQqp6CFU/UKLVHpEe_3I/AAAAAAAADnw/LVfkFi_gz-g/s1600/PP+Clothespins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezgoQqp6CFU/UKLVHpEe_3I/AAAAAAAADnw/LVfkFi_gz-g/s200/PP+Clothespins.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HLLuSKJGQQ/UKLVAF6_zqI/AAAAAAAADno/r_iiOtUxjzg/s1600/PP+Monogram+Cut+Board+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HLLuSKJGQQ/UKLVAF6_zqI/AAAAAAAADno/r_iiOtUxjzg/s200/PP+Monogram+Cut+Board+wm.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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I got these decorated clothes pins, and she took a plastic cutting board and monogramed it with an "H". How cool!!!</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U0eIwaEhPoo/UKLVaG2pLNI/AAAAAAAADn4/kQebJ0WMfKc/s320/PP+Script+Teacup+wm.jpg" width="320" /><a href="http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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See the cool cup and saucer? The first pic is the "before" :-) I just thought that was the sweetest thing. She went to my Pinterest page for ideas, and came up with this. Ultra-cool!!!</div>
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and here's a close up of the sign she made me. (Did I mention that I l-o-v-e this?!?!?)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAIMGHvOEMg/UKLVxd9_NbI/AAAAAAAADoA/GqOs5cWbDK0/s1600/Bakery+sign+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAIMGHvOEMg/UKLVxd9_NbI/AAAAAAAADoA/GqOs5cWbDK0/s320/Bakery+sign+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos courtesy of Erin at <a href="http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Chronic Christian Crafter</span></a></span></i></b></div>
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I have to say, this is one of the absolutely best exchanges I've participated in. I even asked Erin if she'd put me on her Christmas list this year! I had such a wonderful exchange partner and as time progresses, and we "stalk" each other's blogs I think we will become great (cyber) friends! Thank you again, Erin!</div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-3941253572777571852012-11-05T12:33:00.002-08:002012-11-05T12:33:38.292-08:00Do The Right Thing... Vote!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Democrate, Republican, Libertarian, whatever...</div>
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<br />Tomorrow (Tuesday) is election day. I want to urge you to vote. Make your voice known. I'm not going to tell you <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">who</span></i></b> to vote for. I just hope you vote your convictions. As for my vote, I judge all candidates by how they line up with my <i><b>Holy</b></i> scriptures... period. <br />
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Now, if you're anything like me, all this campaigning and prognostications by both ends of the spectrum of the media has me, well, a bit anxious! I had to take a vacation from the news for a few days, because quite honestly, I thought they were all going to give me a heart attack, or at the very least sick. No kidding. I was making myself sick. Never before had I been affected this way. Then, I read a facebook post by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kayarthur.precept" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Kay Arthur</b></span> </a>(I love her, by the way) and this blessed my anxious heart. I'm quoting the post here so, if you're like me this year, it may be of a blessing to you also, because God did not give us the spirit of fear:<br />
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<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"I got up this morning feeling anxious. Like you, I have prayed and prayed for America and for our return to God, our future as a nation. I have been all over the Bible from Genesis 18:22 -33 pleading as Abraham plead for Sodom and Gomorrah - to Luke 18 (which I’m writing a course on) and the persistent widow. THEN THIS MORNING it all turned to peace and praise. I've petitioned and petitioned a</span><div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
s He tells us, reminding Him of His character, power and promises, and all the petitions we've made for years before His throne. </div>
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It’s enough! I don’t know what is going to happen but I know my God and I rest in His Sovereignty! </div>
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The tightness, the angst is gone. Peace and joy fill my heart. I’ve been in Isaiah for several days…try it – go from Isaiah 40-45 and highlight all God tells you about Himself. Look at the end of Isaiah 44 and move into 45 – where God tells about a king, Cyrus, that doesn’t even know God, a king God will put on the throne of Media/Persia who will in about 150 years become His instrument to restore Israel to the land! </div>
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Join me, precious faces, in worshiping, bowing before the Sovereign God who promises you Romans 8:28-33…</div>
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I love you…. Kay"</div>
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I'd like to add a scripture that has meant a lot to me also. It's Proverbs 16:33<br />
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Love you all, Big Bird haters and lovers alike.<br />
<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-4411158128240403932012-11-02T19:03:00.001-07:002012-11-02T19:51:58.490-07:00The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2012I'm so excited! I'm in!!! I will be participating in the Great Cookie Swap of 2012! <br />
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Last year I started seeing all these great cookies and packaging on Instagram. I was so sad I didn't know about it before so I could get in on all the fun. But, fortunately I follow on Twitter, and Instagram, and her blog Julie from the <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.thelittlekitchen.net/" target="_blank">The Little Kitchen</a>. </span> </b>She put me on the list for 2012! She remembered!!!! <br />
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Now, I like cakes. Especially if they're carrot cake, cheesecake or my new favorite the <a href="http://sweetjeanette.blogspot.com/2011/12/pecan-pie-cake.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Pecan Pie Cake</b></span></a> I made last Thanksgiving. But if the truth be known, I L-O-V-E cookies! The original cookie monster here!<br />
I know exactly what cookies I'm going to prepare for this swap too! (You'll just have to wait for the recipe when I send it to my swap partners). There's still time to participate in this cookie swap if you want to, too!<br />
Just click on the pic in the right margin. Right there, up top. You will be paired with three other foodies. Squee! What fun!!! There is an "admission fee", if you will...but it's not really a fee. It's a donation to Cookies For Kids Cancer and 100% of the proceeds go to them. The "fee" is $4.00. Hey! I'd pay 4-bucks to watch an ant eat a bale of hay - - - This is far more worthwhile in my book! <br />
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This is going to be so much fun!<br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-36817465109791333652012-10-23T08:15:00.002-07:002012-10-23T08:15:16.898-07:00Advice My 15 Year Old SelfNot too long ago, I was seeing "Letter to My ___ Year Old Self" all over the blogosphere. There were varying ages.... I chose 15 year old self for mine, but I am doing <i><b> Advice to My 15-Year old Self </b></i> instead of a letter. Things I wish I could have listened to and learned then.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. You really will need to know this stuff they're trying to teach you. Pay attention. Learn it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Don't take the easy way out just for an A. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">ake the flute if you love it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Some mean girls will still be mean at 50.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3b. And you just might find out they have lost their power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Be yourself, not what you think someone else likes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. BFF's sometimes aren't forever, and that's ok.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. No one is worth <b><i>your </i></b>self worth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. The careless hurts you cause now will still make you cringe at 50.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Prayers don't have to be with your eyes closed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Don't do/be it to be different, do/be it because you believe it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. Don't be in such a hurry to grow up.</span></div>
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What would your Ten Pieces of Advice to your 15 year old Self be? Can you add any to these? Leave a comment and share some.<br />
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-49371492156609765392012-10-01T22:25:00.000-07:002012-10-01T22:25:17.447-07:00PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the day set aside for prayer, for you.</span></b></i></div>
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If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. <i>You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with. (A simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).</i></div>
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If you would like to pray, then please pray for the comment above yours.</div>
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Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received please feel free to leave a comment so we can all rejoice with you!</div>
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<img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7426132076624200849.post-36578438601475336122012-09-06T19:42:00.012-07:002012-09-06T20:14:12.572-07:00First Birthday Tea with Aunt Nette<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-k7duCvV4A/UElhAumOg9I/AAAAAAAADiU/hrc1mbsOw0E/s1600/5.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-k7duCvV4A/UElhAumOg9I/AAAAAAAADiU/hrc1mbsOw0E/s200/5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785261861470372818" /></a><div>This year Mackayley turned 5. Which is the magical number for going to tea with Aunt Nette. </div><div>Of course, we went to Camillia Rose Tea Room in Plant City, FL. </div><div><br /></div><div>Notice that I spelled her name differently than what was on the placecard? It really is Mackayley. But c'mon, how many Mackayleys are there to compare spellings with, right? No biggie, they quickly corrected the spelling....</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QCVxji5H1iI/UElhsJvTBqI/AAAAAAAADig/-DFV_snyqgE/s200/photo39.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785262607490549410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><br />and we were good to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mackayley is number 3 in the line of "tea with Aunt Nette",and had been listening to stories from the older, more experienced girls of going to tea so she was anxious to have her own "girl time". It was raining on the day we went to tea, so there was no name on the chalkboard outside the store for Mackayley. But that didn't even seem to phase her. (Whew! Dodged that bullet).</div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbEgA2CU_Ys/UEljAABk4gI/AAAAAAAADi4/4bJwXt61Kj0/s200/3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785264047991874050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div>(Paying close attention to the tea selec<span style=" ;font-size:100%;">tion for the day)</span></div><div> </div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LCD66-96BuM/UEljRzY4yJI/AAAAAAAADjE/QpqGa8_dtwo/s200/4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785264353837631634" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /> <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAn8Zb6aRQs/UEljt9p3F9I/AAAAAAAADjQ/0HP-MwvvMxs/s200/1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785264837629515730" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div>and finding the perfect hat is a must</div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rbq8Sr5ifIM/UElkqD5lXlI/AAAAAAAADj0/ljPvZ9CojQw/s200/photo29.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785265870098226770" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhiNmOHCNyQ/UEliupUwZGI/AAAAAAAADis/IXKtXGPmkP0/s200/photo30.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785263749840528482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /><span style=" ;font-size:100%;">ah</span><span style=" ;font-size:100%;">, yes. I think she found the perfect tea too.</span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdkWI8F-wFE/UElkp-ZIdwI/AAAAAAAADjo/sbME-Haz2LU/s200/photo30.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785265868619937538" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKPhk9ga9e0/UElkHo3vdrI/AAAAAAAADjc/ijsgzm2Pjj4/s200/2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785265278727190194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div>I thought it was cute that she informed me how a lady would use her napkin!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H53uuRHdqPE/UEllQHOIIKI/AAAAAAAADkA/89Ig0u7SKLI/s200/photo28.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785266523824726178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div>Like her sister, Mackenzie, she soon got tired of all the pictures too. sigh...</div><div><br /></div><div>After our tea was over, she used her big-girl vocab and said it was all "lovely". I'm glad all the heightened expectations weren't a disappointment. I never knew how much these teas meant to these little girls. I'm so glad, and grateful to be building memories with them all. Next, tea I'll share is my tea with Winter. It was a comment from her that made me realize just how special these teas are with them! Don't miss it. </div><div><br /></div><div>and I'll leave you with my favorite picture of all.... I just love this one!</div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6RYju_uNUI/UElmT65gW5I/AAAAAAAADkM/HAINC2E1tKM/s200/photo%2B%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5785267688748112786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div><div><br /><img src="http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt73/aunt_nette/SJsignature.png" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2