How To Cook The Perfect Steak Without The Grill

Ingredients

• 1 boneless rib eye steak, 1 1/2-inch thick
• Canola oil to coat
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Directions

Place 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet in oven and heat oven to 500 degrees. Bring steak(s) to room temperature.
When oven reaches temperature, remove pan and place on range over high heat. Coat steak lightly with oil and season both sides with a generous pinch of salt. Grind on black pepper to taste.
Immediately place steak in the middle of hot, dry pan. Cook 30 seconds without moving. Turn with tongs and cook another 30 seconds, then put the pan straight into the oven for 2 minutes. Flip steak and cook for another 2 minutes. (This time is for medium rare steaks. If you prefer medium, add a minute to both of the oven turns.)
Remove steak from pan, cover loosely with foil, and rest for 2 minutes. Serve whole or slice thin and fan onto plate.

Too Funny Not To Share

Snow Snow Go Away!

Well we are back from out little trip up north.  We had a great time but I am also happy to be back home. (Did I just say that!!??) Snow snow and more snow, earlier it was 4 degrees!!  Money must not have been all I lost at the casiono!! lol!

I love traveling I would love to just travel all over the world for a few years that would be great!! I would love to see the Seven Wonders Of The World, I guess there are more now, but I think the originals are still good lol! I would also enjoy a spirtual trip.  A week or two maybe, I don't think anyone can get enough of that into their lives.

As I sit here I wonder how I am going to get thorugh these next few months. I have had every idea including *snow shoeing* OMG!! Have I totally lost my mind?! YIKES yeah that is something I would  want to start doing at age 52 and 3/4!!  I think I actually I would if I really liked the snow, the problem with that being IT"S  COLD!! But God knows I need the exercise,  I get bored of routines easily so I am constatly thinking up new inventive ways to work out. Like who needs a stair master when you have a flight of stairs! Right??  My stairs suck though honestly! They are about  2 1/2 foot wide, very steep and older than I am!!  So now I use a milk crate (don't tell anyone this is our little secret) It's fast, safe and effective!

Hope everyone has a great week!!!

My Christmas Wish For You

If I could wish a wish for you,

it would be for peace and happiness

not only now,

but for the whole year through!

I wish that there always be food on your table.

And that you always remember those less fortunate.

May you always take time to share,

and thank those who share with you.

I wish for time, so you may reflect

on the blessings that you have,

and that you express your love

to those who are dear to you.

May you never feel lonely,

because there are those who care.

That you realize:

you are special,

you are unique,

you make a difference,

not only at Christmas, but all year!

I wish for your thoughts to be positive ones,

that you never quit,

that you never give up,

and that you continue to learn.

I wish for the love, peace, and joy

of Christmas be yours always.

(Poet - Catherine Pulsifer)

What To Feed The Family When Your Low On Time.

My Niece asked me awhile ago if I could post some fast easy recipes to feed her hungry family.  Seeing that I raised 6 children I remember the days of run here, run there, between work, school functions and taking care of the homestead I was exhausted!

The first thing I learned was to make sure to have a extra freezer, when I had time I would make meals x's two and freeze one.  My favorite was Lasagne because the kids loved it and that it took so long to make. 
I also made good use of my crock pot (slow cooker). Between that and Campbells soup, dinner became a breeze. I would throw in some chicken or pork, add a can of cream of mushroom soup and some potatos and wha-la decent dinner for the family! I also made sure to have a soup of the week. If I made chili, we would have chili dogs sometime that week. A pot roast on Sunday would turn into a hearty beef stew or a nice beef and barley soup!

While reading my Womans Day Magazine a bit ago I came across a intesting artical from Campbells Chunky soup line. It was about quick meals.  I went to the site and was surprised to see that they actually had some pretty good ideas. So I am posting this for anyone who needs some quick family meals.
Go to Campbells Chunky Soup Recipes
Have a wonderful week everyone!
             Sue

Christmas Cookies and Candy

*Big Sigh* Well today I was able to bag up all the different cookies and candy that I had made for Christmas. This is what I started out with.

Here we have Oreos covered in white chocolate, Dark chocolate truffles also covered with white chocolate and chocolate bark.

Homemade Chocolate fudge and peanut butter fudge, the mounds bars are in the center.

We have Chocolate Covered Oreos, Peppermint Bark (or Winter Bark) and Chocolate Pralines.

Christmas Cookies =o)~

These are Russian Teaballs, these need to be made in early November if you would like them to be ready by Christmas.

A better look

My Christmas Family Tree

Every year my Christmas tree always had some sort of theme or color change.  Last year, it was pink and white to celebrate the two new Grand Daughters birth. This year I thought it would be nice to have an actual Family Tree, so shortly after Thanksgiving I began planning and deciding what colors would be on our tree this year.  I made everyones decoration for the tree from a sugar cookie recipe I have. I then used Royal icing to decorate them.

I attached ribbon to the backside of each so they could hang from the tree.

I have made more than enough Christmas candy and when  I get to packaging them up I will also post them. I know that this is a very busy time of year, and sometimes it can get very stressful.  Try to take time out of your day to remember what Christmas is really all about. Meditate, exercise, and only let pleasant thoughts into your mind. Take care of yourself!



Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

May the spirit of Thanksgiving bring you Peace, Love and Happiness Always!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sue

What's For Thanksgiving???

Brunch

Polish Sausage
Pigs in the blanket
Banana Bread
Blueberry Muffins
Apple Streudle

The Dinner

Baked Turkey
Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream
Stuffing
Gravy
Dinner Rolls
Green Bean Cassarole
Veggie Platter with Dip
Deviled Eggs
Cheese Ball  & Crackers
Seafood and Spinach Dip
7 Layer Salad
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Cool Whip and Vanilla Ice Cream

Chili Contest

I found this earlier and just had to share it!! =o)

Notes from an inexperienced chili taster named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast when he got roped into testing chili:

"Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. "I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted."

Here are the scorecards from the event:
Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili.
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild!
FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now, get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all the beer.

Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it, is it possible to burn-out taste
buds? Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that ugly bitch is starting to look HOT, just
like this nuclear-waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage! Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off? It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks!

Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally, she must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!

Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress and is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my damn shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. Screw it, I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4 inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot chili?
FRANK: (editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to report)

My Intent

When I first started this blog, my intentions were to create a place where all of my children could find their favorite recipes from home. But then I realized that this site could also serve others, seeing many of you are from different countries this coud be a fun experience.
If any of you have a special recipe that you would like me to post, email me or let me know on the blog.
If you did not notice I put a measurement converter at the top on the left hand side. They will also be of great help to some of you that use metric and so on.
Have a great evening!

My Rant For The day

Hey Everybody!

It's a beautiful day here once again Michigan! Blues skies, and abundant sunshine. Just the way I like it.  I thought I would get a post out before I put my 3 miles in.  I am procrastinating a little because the as beautiful as it is right now, it is only 36 degrees f. and I don't like the cold much.

Yesterday while out on my jog, I became aware of all the junk and garbage the folks around here are throwing out their car windows while driving down my road!  It really makes me angry! As I went along I saw wine bottles, cigarettes packages, junk from Burger King and McDonalds, as I approached the corner I saw a white kitchen bag that was tied neatly in a knot. On closer examination I found out that it contained dirty diapers!  On the other side of the road, there were a pair of mens boxers, a Halloween ourfit, a shoe and a baby stroller!!  What to Heck??!  I think before Friday I am going to clean all this trash ! It's ugly and it's also dangerous!

I would love to put a huge sign up on the corner  " Stop throwing JUNK out of your windows"!! 

Do you have an area near your home where people throw their junk?? I thought it was just a big city thing, that was the norm in Grand Rapids, but here???

Will be posting a all new What's For Dinner this week and also a new cupcake!! Stay tuned =o)

Have a great day everyone!

What Not To Do If You Love You Kitchen Aid

Well today has been interesting to say the least.  I was working on my gingerbread house this afternoon, and everything was moving right along. UNTIL...I was to make some green royal frosting for wreaths. Well I put some green food coloring in but it was a lighter green than I wanted. So I added just a little dark blue thinking that would darken it up some. Well then of course I was worried then that it would become turquoise, so then I added just a little black, and that worked. But it is NEVER good enough for me. Nooooooo I have to do everything over the top! So I thought, hmmm?? Maybe something glitterey would be nice, so I add a few pieces of HARD green Christmas candy, (Don't ask me about this ok?)  So my cherished kitchen aid was humming right along, spin CRUNCH spin Crunch,until....everything Stopped! My bowl was lop sided the machine was locked and I could not get it to budge, I said a quick pray to the kitchen gods and promised Never to do anything so insane again. After hitting it with a hammer and much pulling and fighting, I won, or did I?