New Flooring!

Dear Readers,

Ever wish that you could put in any floor that your hearts desired? We just did! Our flooring on the main level and my bathroom needed a makeover so we put in a fiberglass cushioned floor. It looked tricky to install (we had wonderful flooring professionals), but it was worth it! The patterns that we chose were not common ones, but,  we wanted an artistic and functional pattern that distinguished our home as our own....WOW!

Here are the before and after photos!

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:

Bathroom and Foyer Before:

Bathroom and Foyer After:

Laundry Before:

Laundry After:

My Bathroom Before:

Spiced Apple Muffing with Strawberry Jam filling!

Dear Readers,

I had a couple of apples in the refrigerator  that I needed to do something with. So, I baked some muffins. I did use a mix and some purchased strawberry jam, but they taste great!

1 box Pillsbury cinnamon swirl quick bread (could use other kind/brand)
1-2 apples pealed and finely chopped
1 small jar strawberry jam

I made the  quick bread by the directions and then added the chopped apples. I put 1/2 in the muffin tin and then dropped a teaspoon of the jam. After adding another spoon full of the batter, I then topped with the cinnamon topping provided in the box.

I baked them at 350 for about 12-16 minutes.

Bon Appetit!

Chickpea and Mustard Green Soup

Dear Readers,

We had a wonderful New Years Day! I hope that you did also. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a can in the grocery store without a label. SO, for extra fun on New Year Day...we opened it! Chickpeas! Yea.

 I made a lovely soup with them.


Chickpea and Mustard Green Soup


1 large can chickpeas
1 large bunch mustard green- chopped
3 small white onions
1 can peas and pearled onions
4 carrots-chopped
1 tsp. pepper blend
2 Tblsp. Hot mustard
1 chicken bullion cube
5 stalks celery-chopped
2Tblsp. Italian herbs
water

I added all ingredients into my crock pot and cooked on high for 4-5 hours.


Bon Appetit!

Kitchen Remodel

Dear Readers,

Since we moved into our home several years ago, we have wanted to change the kitchen into a beautiful cooking and entertaining area. The size is good, (17x24), but we just needed a few cosmetic changes. We have put in new countertops and we love them.

Here are the before and after!


Before......

New Years Cooking Resolutions

Dear Readers,

Since I do not make resolutions for the new year, I thought that it would be fun to make a list of things that I wanted to cook or bake for the upcoming year.  It seemed more fun to be cooking things that I have read about, been hungry for or things that just taste so good!

Here is my list for 2012:

Semolina gnocchi
Polenta
Mushroom Ragout Sauce
Potato Pancakes
Homemade Bread
Fettuccine  Alfredo
Fried Potatoes
Roasted Herbed Potatoes
Dal
Waffles
Spice Cake Doughnuts
Blueberry Doughnuts
Raised Doughnuts
Stuffed French  Toast
Monkey Bread
Orange Sorbet
Andoule
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Waldorf Salad
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Large Stuffed Pasta Shells with a White Wine Garlic Sauce
Fig Filled cookies-Swedish recipe
Mashed Potato Cakes


I already made the fettuccine and it was so good. (Happy New Year's Eve)

 You will have to visit me and I will make it for you!


Bon Appetit!

Christmas Delights!

Dear Readers,

We had a wonderful time with family over the Christmas holiday. We laughed and ate and watched the Christmas Vacation movie (a tradition). Here are some snapshots of our delectable meals!

Bon Appetit!