Mother's Day roses

Hubby and Q got me an outdoor lounge chair recliner and roses for mothers day =)

I still have to take a pic of the recliner.

Last weekend Q cleared out some weeds and it made the perfect area for my newest plants.

I got a yellow rose plant and a White and pink one.

You also see my lawn ornaments, Archie and Eeyore. 

These are the 2 that have lived here for 31 years Mom told us. 

The one above gets bigger and spreads out further every year.

The one below is just now finally starting to come to life. 

Thanks for my mother's day gifts!! =)

Mom's Mother's Day Dinner

NOTICE: if you are a vegetarian reading this skip the first pics...

We went to my Mom's on Saturday to celebrate Mother's day.

We went down to Cleveland's West Side Market to pick up some fresh Steak for her. 

(and Cannoli for us =) )

We also went to Penzy's Spices to get some steak seasoning. 

I get the Penzy's magazine in the mail and they sometimes send out Freebie Coupons or $5 off of $10...things like that. So far this year I have gotten a free jar of Cinnamon Sugar and a $5 off of $10.

The most recent mag had a Free Ruth Ann's Muskego Ave Chicken and Fish Seasoning 1/2 cup jar.

Way cool! You don't have to purchase anything to get it, but really? Like I am not going to look around and buy more anyway haha. Since we were already going for steak seasoning it worked out well. =)

On this trip I also bought 1 lb of Kosher salt, a glass jar to put it in, and some garlic and onion powder.

The magazine is also like a mini cookbook because they put a decent amount of recipes in it too.

Of course it is in the hopes you go there any buy the seasoning to make the food...

But over all the prices aren't that bad, and it is cool because they offer small sizes~ you don't have to buy a large jar to find out you don't like it. 

Anyway, off of that soap box...where was I...

Oh yeah the "half of cow" we bought at WSM...

In quotes because those weren't my words...

I'll let you salivate and won't ruin the pics with words lol.

Or discuss how much meat is actually here...

**cough, cough, 6.5 lbs approx, cough**

And yes they were as awesome as they look.

Next. Below you will see a pic of the neighbors house across the street.

You see that yellow thing? 

They have Black and Gold Flamingos in front of their house...

So we (and by we I mean I bought them and Hubby did the rest, lol)

made mom her very own Orange and Brown Flamingos!!

They did not make it to the front yard as of the time we left so once installed I will have to update. =)

Friday yard work

I should have taken a before pic of the weeds with a 3 foot root system we have in our yard so you can see how much of an improvement this really is LOL.

From left: Holly, Azalea, Hibiscus, Red Peony.

It is the same on the other side of the steps as well. 

Then I potted some herbs Q and I bought last weekend.

Left is Apple Mint and Right is Stevia.

I don't know what to do with either so I better get to looking!

I know Stevia is a type of sugar....

so I thought maybe I can make tea?

L; Oregano, M; Basil, R; Sweet Mint

I was so happy I was able to leave work early on a Friday (A gorgeous one at that) 

and get my plants in order. =)

=)

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rice Balls

I made Rice Balls again! =)

But this time I did things a little different.

If you want to view the recipe, click the link above.

At this point of the recipe- I put cheese in the center of these and scooped them out with an ice cream scoop

Then I baked some....

and fried some...

So good =)

Michael Symon's Steak and Scrambled Egg Tacos

LOVE this recipe...Actually I like the egg part more than anything...


Original Ingredients

• 1 pound Skirt Steak  
• 6 Eggs
• 3 tablespoons Butter
• Hot Sauce
• 1 bunch Cilantro (chopped)  
• 12 Flour Tortillas
• Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt and Pepper

I am going to skip the part about cooking the meat because I didn't do it this most recent time I made this.

You will see what I did below. But if you want to cook the steak, just click on the link above and it will take you to the actual recipe.

In a large nonstick skillet over low heat, heat 1 tablespoon butter until melted.

Mix your eggs until frothy. 

Then add the egg mixture.

Swirl a silicone spatula around the pan to move the eggs off of the surface of the pan, forming soft curds of eggs.

Add 2 tablespoons of butter and season with a pinch of salt.

I didn't use that much butter...

Just before they finish, remove from pan to a plate to finish cooking on their own.

This is the meat I used LOL

It's from Sam's club. I just fry it up in the pan to warm it up because it is already cooked.

Cheater I know...

Warm up your tortillas.

Slap the food on and enjoy!!

The Brothers

How cool of a pic is that- that was two different days- years even.

I took the pic of Chet on the left 10/2011 and the one of Spaz on the right 3/2012.

Maybe I can get the other 2 cat's to take pics like this too LOL

Sunday part 2 with Pierogi Recipe

Because I totally didn't have enough fun making Gnocchi, I thought I would make pierogi's too.

I used Michael Symon's Dough Recipe from The Chew

and a Food Network Recipe for the Cheese Filling.

I didn't take as many pics as I should have.

Ricotta Cheese Filling:

1 cup ricotta cheese, well drained  <------ THEY REALLY MEAN THIS DO NOT SKIP IT

1 egg

Salt and pepper

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator a few minutes to firm up the filling.

I should have drained my Ricotta more.

• Pierogi Dough:
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 cup Sour Cream
• 8 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Chives (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus more for rolling dough)
• 
  
• Make the Pierogi Dough: To make the dough, work the egg, sour cream, butter (8 tablespoons), chives, and salt together by hand to form a dough. Don't worry if the mixture is not uniform and, as with pie dough, don't overwork it. Add flour and mix thoroughly with your hands until a dough forms. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to a 1/8-inch thickness and cut it into 3-inch rounds. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling onto each round, being careful not to overstuff. Fold the dough over into half-moons and press the edges with a fork to seal them.

I used a Dough Press and it didn't work as well as I wanted it too.

This is also where you will see what happens if you don't drain the ricotta enough...

I had to toss a few perogi's.....

As you make them I suggest putting them straight in the Refrigerator until you are ready to make them

Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil. Add the pierogi and cook until they float, then cook for 4 minutes once they have begun to float. Drain well in a colander. After this you can also fry them. 

Gnocchi Roller Sunday part 1

So I bought this Gnocchi Roller back in October and finally used it.

I used this  Mario Batali Gnocchi recipe from Food Network.

However he has multiple variations of this recipe all over the internet.

2-3 Lbs potatoes

2 cups flour

salt

1 egg

1. Boil your potatoes. (2-3 lbs)

2. Peel the skin off while warm ~ Good Luck ;)

and mash them thru a potato ricer.

See  

(I think I used more than 3 lbs of potatoes....)

3. Dump the mix on the counter. 

(Hubby was asleep for this so he didn't get to see that mess)

4. Make a well and crack your eggs into the center, sprinkle your 2 cups of flour.

(I should have only used one egg...they ended up a bit eggie.)

It will eventually look like this. Have fun mixing by hand.

Then you roll out the dough and cut off 1 inch pieces.

You can then either roll them down your fancy Gnocchi Roller 

or use the tines of a fork to make the Gnocchi  indentations.

I recommend enlisting help because this took me FOREVER.

I was supposed to go to my Favorite Jewelry Lady's Open House 

and was too busy rollin' my Gnocchi to get there in enough time

EPIC FAIL.

Sorry Rach! =(

Boil for 5 minutes until they float and enjoy!

I have a bunch in the freezer.

In response to Brandy =)

No More Chunk: My snack cabinet

No More Chunk: My snack cabinet: Just a little sneak peek into my snack cabinet. Lots & lots of baggies. When we bring snacks home like pretzels, reduced fat cheez its, & cr...

See!!! Aren't you proud!!!!  LOL

I couldn't find Pop Chips at Walmart or Sam's Club.

I hope these Special K chips are similar.