Friday Funny

 

Cooking Thursday

Here's a good easy recipe for a yummy appetizer.  Puff pastry, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and jalapeno peppers!  All good and for those of you who are scared of the peppers, it's really not spicy. If you don't use the membranes and seeds you don't get the heat.

Puff Pastry Jalapeno Poppers

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup cooked bacon, finely chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 beaten egg for egg wash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unfold the puff pastry on the baking sheet.
Spread the whipped cream cheese in a thin layer over the puff pastry.
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapenos and garlic powder over the cream cheese layer.
Fold the puff pastry in half lengthwise and press edges to seal.
Place in freezer for 10-15 minutes until firm but still pliable.
Remove from freezer and cut into 1/2 inch strips.
Twist each strip 2 times and arrange back on baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Brush each twist lightly with the egg wash.
Bake for about 15 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
Let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving, they crisp as they rest.

Wordless Wednesday

 

The good, the bad and thankfully, no ugly!

Along with the funny weather last week, we also had a few other things going on.

This was the not so fun part.  I was having heart palpitations.  I had them years ago and got checked out and put on medication. But suddenly they were back and not getting better. So, Bob took me to urgent care. They did an EKG and said it looked like there was damage to the heart in the past. They sent us on to the ER. The EKG there was better quality and ruled out heart damage. However, some labs said there was a possible pulmonary embolus so I had to have a chest x-ray and a CT scan. Thankfully, those were also clear.  Things of concern were ruled out, and the thought is that my body got used to the med and I need to try something new. I now have a new medication and we're praying it is effective soon!  So, this was both bad and then good!

Then came more good.  I got a message from our son Andy in KY saying his wife Nikki had the weekend off and they wanted to drive up for a short visit.  Of course, we would love to see them!

Saturday evening, we had everyone over for pizza.  What a joy!  It's not often I get all my kids together at the same time.

The grandkids were having fun playing together.

And look what Andy made for us!  A beautiful address plaque to put on the front of the house.  He made one for each of his sisters too.

Here's Andy and Nikki with the sign.

The kids were playing and Alaina yelled "Grandma, get this picture!" Connor had come to sit with them, and she knew I would want one with all 4 of them.  

Then I told my kids I needed one of the 3 of them.  Andy is a goof, and this is what I got.  :)

But here's a better one; Heather, Andrew and Laura.

We had such a fun night together.  Andy and Nikki left for Kentucky on Sunday morning, so it was a whirlwind trip, but a wonderful time!

Fools Spring

You've probably seen this meme before, but I had to share it, because it makes me laugh and it's true.  This is what's been happening in our area this past week.

We had such beautiful weather on Wednesday and Thursday, temps in the 50's and sunshine!

Bob and I took a walk on nice clear roads!

This is the drive to Bob's wood shop. Earlier in the week there was so much snow on it that it wasn't driveable.

Down the road from us, the horses were enjoying the sunshine.

This cute little donkey came up to greet us.

Look at that beautiful blue sky!

I even opened the slider and let some fresh air in.

On Friday it started snowing again and we were all sad, although we knew that nice weather wouldn't last.  But, we also know that Spring will be coming!

Friday Funny

 

Cooking Thursday

A few weeks ago, I needed to make a treat and came across this recipe. It was for boxed brownies but doctored up. They looked good so I made them - and yum!  Fudgy brownie, oreo, cream cheese and ganache - oh my goodness.  That being said, they are really rich!  I cut the pieces small, you wouldn't want to eat a lot. 
These would be good for a treat to bring away, cut into very small squares!

Oreo Truffle Brownies

1 box brownie mix (for 8x8 pan) and ingredients to make them
26 Oreos
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup semi sweet morsels

Prepare brownie mix as directed and bake in parchment lined 8x8 pan.  Allow to cool.
Crush Oreos finely and mix with softened cream cheese. Spread over cooled brownies.
Heat cream in microwave until just starting to boil. Pour over chocolate chips, let stand for about 2 minutes, then stir to mix. Spread ganache over Oreo and cream cheese mix and refrigerate.

Wordless Wednesday

 

The Winter Lake

I usually go to Lake Michigan at least once in the winter. It's beautiful in every season, and there is something about seeing all that ice that is awe inspiring.  However, I don't stay long!  It's so cold out there, walking on the icy pier with the winter wind blowing.

Here's some pics from my visit last week.

Walking along the pier, you see everything coated in ice.  When the wind blows, the waves wash over it and this is the result.

It was a cloudy day, but that's the usual look here in the winter.

Ice, as far as you can see.

This is called pancake ice and it covers the channel into Grand Haven.

It started snowing a little as I went further down the beach.

This little sea gull doesn't seem to be bothered by the wind or the cold.

Look at all the ice around the lighthouse!  

\

One last view before I left.  Next time I come back, all this ice should be gone. I must admit, I prefer it in the summer.

Valentine/Birthday outing

I hope you all had a nice Valentines Day! Bob and I went out for supper the night before because I had other plans on Saturday.  It was Heather's birthday!  She doesn't get out without kids much these days, as Connor is still very much a Mama's boy and likes to keep her in his sight. But with her birthday falling on a Saturday,  Andrew was able to watch the kids, and we got to go out for some fun.

Before we left, I gave the kids some Valentine Treat bags which they loved.

We made our way to the cute town of Rockford where we walked around and did some shopping.

I love to go here because of the fun shops they have, like this one.  Old buildings that have been restored and are one of a kind places are the best.

Here's Heather and I.  We were at a place called The Toasted Pickle. It's a favorite lunch place.

This is inside the restaurant.  It's another old building that's been fixed up.

Here's our lunch.  We shared their famous grilled cheese sandwich with tomato juice shots, and truffle french fries. It was so good!

After lunch, we walked over to the river. I like seeing these cat tails next to the icy river.

We admired the dam before heading back to the shops.

One of the shops had this cozy spot out front with a fire and chairs with warm fur to sit in.

We both made some nice purchases.  Heather, in typical mom fashion bought some things for her kids, but also something for herself.

I got these two books.  One is a devotional about hymns, telling the story behind them with scriptures that go along with each hymn. The other is a book with fun places to visit in Michigan.  Bob and I plan to make use of those ideas.

I also got these cute decor pieces which I will use soon to add some Spring to house.
What a fun day!

Happy Valentines Day!

 I know I'm a day early, just posting this instead of my usual Friday Funny.
Comments are off. Hope you all have a great day!

Cooking Thursday

Last week I shared a recipe for steak bites. Today's recipe is for smashed potato slices that we had with the steak bites. This is something Bob saw and thought would be good, and he was right! It was a fun switch from the usual baked potatoes we have with steak.

Smashed Potatoes

3-4 small potatoes, (about golf ball size) scrubbed and halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
dried oregano
garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
crispy bacon, crumbled

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non stick spray or olive oil.
Boil potatoes for about 15 minutes or until just fork tender.
Drain potatoes and let cool for about 5 minutes. Place each potato skin side up on cookie sheet.
Smash each potato to about 1/2 inch thick.
Drizzle olive oil over each potato, then sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper.
Place in oven for 20-30 minutes until crispy and browned. 
Remove and turn off oven. Flip potatoes, then sprinkle cheese over them and then the crumbled bacon. Place back in oven with heat off and leave in for about 5 minutes until cheese is melted.
Serve with ranch or sour cream.

Wordless Wednesday

 

It's carving time

I've shared my hubby's talent with woodworking quite often; in the last year he put on a deck in the back, built us a fireplace and put up a cute storage shed. He's also been working on more kitchen cabinets for our daughter Heather.  

Something else he does that I haven't shared lately are his woodcarvings.  He does caricature carvings and recently finished one for our Pastor and I thought I'd share it with you.

We had him and his family over for supper and they didn't have any idea what Bob had been working on.

Here he is opening it up.

and realizing what it is...

with Bob

and here's Pastor Doug with his carving.

Bob puts a tag on all his carvings that says the gift of being able to carve comes from God, which is why he uses the name 'By His Hands'. Every carving has a hand on it somewhere to signify God's handprint.

Here's the carving from above.

Here it is from the front.  The name of this carving is on the plaque in the front. It says "Preach The Word".  2 Timothy 4:2

Our Pastor was just thrilled with this, and you know what?  Bob was just as thrilled to do it and give it to him.  It was a very fun evening.